2008 PROGRAMS
SATURDAY, APRIL 19 - SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2008
Annual Spring Census Period
Three-week census period. Chairperson: Jim Ford
Captains
(subject to change). Check The Crest for up-to-date
information.
1. Avon - Brian Toal
2. Barkhamsted - TBD
3. Bloomfield - Linda Clancy
4. Burlington - Margaret Schuster
5. Canton - Jay Kaplan
6. East Hartford - Debbie Wheeler
7. Ellington - Carl Ekroth
8. Farmington - Patsy Mason
9.
Glastonbury - Bill Asteraides
10. Granby - John Weeks
11. Hartford - Jamie Meyers
12. Manchester - Tim Antonaitis
13. New Britain - Anthony Zemba
14. Newington - Roy Zartarian
15. Portland - TBD
16. Rocky Hill - Jim Ford
17. Simsbury - Roger Preston
18. South Windsor - Rob Mirer
19. Suffield - Arthur Sikes
20. West Hartford - Diane Tucker
21. Wethersfield - Steve Kotchko
22. Windsor - Mike and Judy Whittlesey
Saturday, May 10, 2008
East Rock Park, New Haven
This is one of the best spots to see migrating warblers, often at
eye level. This is the first place birds see after crossing Long
Island Sound. Spring of 2003 had up to twenty-five species of
warblers in one day! Meet at the Eli Whitney Museum parking lot at
7:00 AM.
Leader:
TBD
Sunday,
May 11
Hammonasset Beginner’s Bird Walk III
Come
visit one of Connecticut’s best known birding areas. Hammonasset
Beach State Park provides great birding year round and you can
always count on a special bird or two to show up with each visit.
We will study basic field marks on common species and rare ones
alike. All level of birders are welcome.
Leader: Adrian & Beth Nichols (860) 526-7865, Cell (860) 638-7518
NOTE:
Due to the changes in the parking at Hammonasset, we will NOT meet
at the main entrance gate at 8:00AM. Instead we will meet at the
Fish Tale parking lot at 7:45 AM and leave there around 8:00 AM.
To get to the Fish Tale from the
Hammonasset Connector turn LEFT at the light at the junction
of US1 instead of going straight into the park. Fish Tale is on
the left about 1/4 mile.
The park is now charging
for entrance ($10 per day or $50 for season pass - cash only), if
you don't have a pass we plan to carpool to the park with those
who do.
If you have a pass or you are
running late, we will regroup at the Nature Center parking lot
inside the park
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Mt Auburn Cemetery and Plum Island
Visit the famous Cambridge, Massachusetts warbler hotspot, Mount
Auburn Cemetery. It’s not only good for birds, it is also a
beautiful park-like cemetery. Then it’s on to Plum Island at
Newburyport for more warblers and shorebirds. We will be having
dinner in Newburyport before leaving. This is a car-pooling trip.
Call for further information. Meeting time is 7:00 AM at the
cemetery.
Leader: Jim Moore
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Barn Island WMA, Stonington
Come explore one of Connecticut’s finest coastal habitats with
Audubon Connecticut’s Director of Bird Conservation, Patrick
Comins. Not only is Barn Island a great place to look for
shorebirds and waterbirds, but it is also a wonderful place for
migrant landbirds. Meet at the parking lot of Barn Island at 8:30
AM. We will be keeping an eye on CT’s and RI’s RBAs in case there
are other things nearby worthy of a chase. This trip will again be
coordinated with New Haven Bird Club.
Leader: Patrick Comins
Saturday, May 17, 2008
East Granby’s Great Swamp and Beaver Swamp
This is a great area for spring migrants. Expect to see many
vireos, warblers, thrushes as well as Rusty Blackbird, Swamp
Sparrow and Virginia Rail. If time prevails we’ll continue
northward into Suffield to seek out some grassland birds such as
Kestrel, Brown Thrasher and Grasshopper Sparrow. Meet at the
“Rails to Trails” parking area off Route 20 in East Granby at
6:30AM.
Leader: Brian Kleinman
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Litchfield and Kent
This trip should produce such excellent species as Cerulean and
Hooded Warblers, and possibly Golden-winged Warblers, Cliff
Swallows and many others. Bring lunch and meet at White Memorial
Foundation parking lot in Litchfield at 8:00 AM. Note the later
start time.
Leader:
Kathy Hall
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Nepaug Reservoir Area
This roving trip to an excellent area always produces interesting
migrants. Come see Nepaug at it’s best. Meet at the restaurant
parking lot at the intersection of Routes 44 and 202 at 7:30AM.
Leader: Jamie Meyers
Saturday, May 24, 2008
McLean Game Refuge, Granby
Join our leader in a search for spring migrants and nesting
species at this beautiful area. Hartford Audubon hasn’t visited
this location for many years and it’s time. Meet at the Route 10
entrance parking lot at 7:00 AM.
Leader: Sam Fried
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Birding by Ear at Northwest Park , Windsor
Come enjoy the sights and sounds of Northwest Park. This trip will
focus on the basics of bird song and call notes. Our group will
explore a variety of habitats that include grassland, shrubland
and forest. We will be listening for Orchard Orioles, Field
Sparrows, Indigo Buntings and much more. Discussions about bird
song will be encouraged. Meet in the Northwest Park main parking
lot at 7:15AM.
Leader: Paul Cianfaglione
Saturday, May 31, 2008
100 species in Hartford!!??
Is it still possible in this
day of declining open space? Join
trip leader Jay Kaplan as we attempt to record 100 bird species
within the Hartford City limits (some liberties to be taken with
respect to town borders) . Meet at 6:30 AM just inside the
entrance of Hartford’s Cedar Hill Cemetery. Participants should
bring a lunch and a cheerful disposition. This trip will serve as
a warm-up for next year’s return of “the lethal tour”, a
longstanding Hartford Bird Study Club tradition that will be part
of the 100th anniversary celebration.
Contact leader for more information.
Leader: Jay Kaplan
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Nehantic State Forest
We will be searching Nehantic State Forest in Lyme for breeding
birds such as Worm-eating Warbler and Hooded Warbler. In the past
we have had Prothonotary Warbler and Olive-sided Flycatcher. A
variety of habitats present many possibilities. We may explore
other birding spots in the area. Bring lunch and meet at 7:30 AM
on Darling Road across the street from the ice cream place off
Route 82, west of the Route 11 exit.
Leader: Louise Tucker
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Station 43, South Windsor
A search for Least Bittern, Sora, Virginia Rail and Marsh Wrens.
Meet at the intersection of Main Street and Newberry Road at
6:30AM for his morning trip.
Leader: Carl Ekroth
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Barkhamsted and East Hartland
We’ll start off the morning with a easy walk down to the Indian
Council Caves. Here we can expect to find Black-throated Blue and
Canada warbler, along with Hermit Thrush, Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker, andBrown Creeper. After the caves we will take a short
drive into East Hartland and explore an area around Hurricane
Brook where you can find Ruffed Grouse, Junco, Winter Wren,
Acadian Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo and Blackburnian Warbler. If
time prevails we’ll explore some other nearby areas. Meet at the
entrance to the Indian Council Caves (Tunxis Trail) off Route 179
in Barkhamsted at 6:30AM.
Leader: Brian Kleinman
SATURDAY &
SUNDAY, JUNE 14 & 15, 2008
Summer Bird Count
Join Hartford Audubon's members as we participate in COA's 13th
Annual Summer Bird Count. Species and numbers are counted on this
two-day tally within our Christmas Count circle. Bird one day or
both and help accumulate breeding data for the state.
Jay Kaplan
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Hockanum River, Laurel Marsh Paddle
Meet at Laurel Marsh parking
lot in Manchester, at 7:30am. We will need to
shuttle cars to the take out area, in East Hartford.
Directions: I-84 east,
exit 60. Right turn at the light. ( route 44 and 6 )
Entrance to parking lot
is 200 feet on the right. Reminder, you must wear a life
jacket while on the
water. Bring a snack, water and binoculars. If pouring
rain, it will be
cancelled. Leader: Jeff Feldmann
Jeff@jeffphotos.com
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Hammonasset Beginner’s Bird Walk IV
Come visit one Connecticut’s best known birding areas. Hammonasset
Beach State Park provides great birding year round and you can
always count on a special bird or two to show up with each visit.
We will study basic field marks on common species and rare ones
alike. Meet at the main entrance gate at 8:00AM. All levels of
birders are welcome.
Leader: Aaron Barriger
ADVANCED TRIP NOTICE
Saturday, September 13th
Swallow cruise
We will once
again join with the Mattabeseck Audubon Society to cruise the
Connecticut River in search of swallows in fall migration.
Join us on
Saturday, September 13, 2008, for an evening cruise aboard the
River Quest leaving from the dock of the Connecticut River Museum
in Essex to view the unique fall congregation of swallows before
their journey south for the winter.
Please arrive by
5:00 p.m., boarding starts at 5:15 p.m.
We will cruise
the river from 5:30 to 7:30. Don’t forget to dress warmly as it
can be quite cold on the river.
The cost of the
trip is $25 per person.
Potluck dinner,
bring a dish to share and a beverage (with or without alcohol).
MAS will supply dessert.
To reserve a
spot send in the completed Swallow Cruise registration form with
your payment (make checks payable to MAS). Space is limited.
Call
860-873-9304 for more information or to get the registration form
online visit the MAS website at:
http://www.audubon-mas.org.
Trip Information
and forms will be available at the April, May & June meetings.
HAS Leaders:
Adrian & Beth Nichols (860) 526-7865 or email: nichols.adrian@comcast.net