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FIELD TRIPS:

Field Trips are open to the public.  Beginners are welcome. 

There is no charge for most club trips.  Attendees are responsible for their own meals, travel expenses and accommodations, when applicable.

Members and non-members can call the Hartford Audubon Society at 860-282-BIRD (2473) for additional information. Leave your name, telephone number and the name of the trip. If you prefer, you can also email us at: 
hartfordaudubon at yahoo.com.  Your inquiry will be appropriately routed to the trip leader in charge who will call you back to answer your questions. 

Note to Members
Please consult the membership booklet for more details on these trips. Please inform the leaders if you plan to join the group. Pouring rain generally cancels a trip, but it may not be raining at the trip site, so call.  

The Hartford Audubon Society Board would like to remind and encourage its members to take seriously the Aims of this organization to promote conservation of our natural resources and car pool whenever possible.    


For more information on map location and trip meeting points for trips shown below, please click on the following link:


                         HAS Birding Trip Meeting Points

2010  TRIPS

 
SaTURDAY,  MARCH  20

Middlesex College

Annual Meeting of the Connecticut 
Ornithological Association

The public is invited to this all-day conference (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM) featuring  well known birding experts speaking on birding and related subjects. For additional information contact www.ctbirding.org

 
SUNDAY, MARCH 21
Hammonasset Beginner’s Bird Walk III

One of the best places in Connecticut for birding. A unique location of tidal marsh, grassland, deciduous forest, pine and cedars, beach and estuary habitats creates a significant migratory stopover area for many species. This trip will offer beginners a great location to help sharpen their skills. Meet at the Meigs Point Nature Center inside the park at 8:00 AM.  Leaders: Adrian & Beth Nichols

 
Saturday, March  27

Sachuest Point, Rhode Island

Sachuest Point is home to the largest wintering flock of Harlequin Ducks in New England with upwards of sixty birds possible. Other ducks and seabirds are common and we may see Northern Gannets and Razorbills as well as many birds that are harder to find in Connecticut. Bring a lunch for this all day trip. Meet at the Sachuest Point parking lot at 8:30AM. Call leader for directions or carpooling.
Leader: Paul Desjardins 

 

Saturday, April 3
Western CT Shoreline

We will drive to Sherwood Island Park and work our way back towards New Haven. We will be looking for late wintering birds and early spring migrants. From 2005 to 2008, we had Gannets, Gannets and more Gannets. Dress warmly and bring lunch for this most of the day trip. Meet at the Long  Wharf  Information Center (Liberty Belle Ticket Sales), New Haven at 8:00 AM. Leader: Carl Ekroth 
 

 Saturday, April 10
 Birding and Maintenance Party
 Lewis Farm, Suffield

Bring your gloves, binoculars, and lunch and help the Sanctuaries Committee keep Lewis Farm beautiful and clear of brush.  Meet at Lewis Farm entrance at 8:30 AM.
Leader: Jon Smalley  

 
Saturday, April 17

Great Pond, Simsbury

What better way to start the spring count than a walk with us at our favorite spot. There should be a nice assortment of birds with some about to leave and others returning to nest. Meet at the parking lot off Great Pond Road at 7:30AM. 
Leaders: Roger Preston  / Jon Ward 
 

SATURDAY, APRIL 24 - SUNDAY, MAY 16
Annual Spring Census Period

Three-week census period

Chair,  Jamie Myers    

Captains (subject to change). Check The Crest for up-to-date information.

          1.  Avon - Brian Toal

          2.  Barkhamsted - Marg Schuster

          3.  Bloomfield - Linda Clancy

          4.  Bolton - Erie Harris

          5.  Burlington - Margaret Schuster

          6.  Canton - Jay Kaplan

          7.  East Hartford - Debi Wheeler

          8.  Ellington - Carl Ekroth

          9. Enfield - Jim Deschamps

          10.  Farmington - Patsy Mason

         11.  Glastonbury - Bill Asteriades

         12.  Granby - John Weeks

         13.  Hartford - Jamie Meyers

         14.  Manchester - Tim Antonaitis

        15.  New Britain - TBD

        16.  Newington - Roy Zartarian

        17.  Portland - Joe Bedrow

        18.  Rocky Hill - TBD

        19.  Simsbury - Roger Preston

        20. Somers - Jan Collins

        21.  South Windsor - Rob Mirer

        22.  Suffield - Arthur Sikes

        23.  West Hartford - Diane Tucker

        24.  Wethersfield - Steve Kotchko

        25.  Windsor - Mike and Judy Whittlesey

 

SATURDAY, MAY 1
Raymond Brook Airline Trail, Amston

Join our leaders as we search for early returning migrants and other surprises. Meet at 7:30AM in the Airline Trail parking lot off Route 85 in Amston. Call leaders for details.  Leaders: Annie and Mike Perko


Saturday May 1
Quarry
Park and Connecticut River Floodplain

We are looking for Bobolinks, sparrows, shorebirds, nesting songbirds and other surprises on this morning trip exploring Quarry Park and the Connecticut River flood plain in the Rocky Hill area. Wear sturdy walking shoes. If the spring has been wet, bring waterproof boots. Meet at the north gravel parking area at Ferry Park at 7:00AM. The park is at the east end of Route 160 which runs off the Silas Deane Highway (Route  99). Follow the signs for the ferry.  Leader: Larry Lunden 
 

Sunday, May 2
Gay
City State Park, Hebron

Gay City State Park in Hebron is the location for this trip in a search for spring migrants and other birds in a variety of habitats. This trip will be entirely on foot so wear sturdy shoes. Meet at the main entrance at 7:00AM. Directions from Hartford area: I-84 east to I-384 east. Take exit 5 off I-384 (Rte 85). Right off exit on Rte 85 south, follow Rte 85 south approx. 5 miles (watch signs as Rte 85 takes several turns). Main entrance to Gay City State Park will be on your right. Enter park and pass guardhouse, meet at first lot on right after guardhouse. Leader: Ernie Harris 

 
Saturday, May 8

Station 43 Beginners Bird Walk IV, South Windsor

This is a walk you don’t want to miss. Waterfowl, shorebirds, nesters and some passerines await your binoculars. It will still be wet so remember your boots. After we get our fifty or more birds on this walk, we will adjourn to Dunkin Donuts to tally the four walks and a quiz will be held for the advanced birders! We do have fun so join us at the corner of Newberry Rd. and Main St. at 8:00AM.  Leaders: Roger Preston  /  Jon Ward 

 
Saturday, May 8

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 7:00AM. Leader: Paul Desjardins 
 

Thursday, May 13
Mount
Auburn Cemetery and Plum Island, MA

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 carpooling trip. Call for further information. Meeting time is 7:00AM at the cemetery. Leader: Jim Moore 

 
Saturday, May 15

East Granby’s Great Swamp and Beaver Swamp

This is a great area for spring migrants. Expect to see many vireos, warblers, and thrushes as well as Swamp Sparrow, and Virginia Rail. If time permits we’ll continue northward into Suffield to seek out some grassland birds such as American Kestrel, Brown Thrasher and Grasshopper Sparrow. Meet at the “Rails to Trails” parking area off Route 20 in East Granby at 7:00 AM.  Leader: Brian Kleinman
 

 SATURDAY, MAY 15
(raindate , Sunday May 16th)
The Lethal ToUR

 

Join us for what was once a Hartford Audubon Society tradition that predates Big Day and The World Series of Birding. The goal is to see as many species as is possible in a single day. No, we’re not doing a 24-hour marathon throughout the state! Not at these gasoline prices!! We will, however, try to see as many species as we can within Hartford County. We’ll probably start around 4:00 AM and continue until dusk. More information will be available in the spring....if we have the energy! Leader: Jay Kaplan

 

Sunday, May 16
Nepaug Reservoir Area

This roving trip to an excellent area always produces interesting migrants. Come see Nepaug at its best. Meet at the restaurant parking lot at the intersection of Routes 44 and 202 at 7:30 AM. Leader: Jamie Meyers

SUNDAY, MAY 16
Litchfield and Kent

This trip should produce such excellent species as Cerulean and Hooded Warblers, and possibly Golden-winged Warbler, Cliff Swallow and many others. Bring lunch and meet at White Memorial Foundation parking lot in Litchfield at 8:00AM. Note the later start time.  Leader: Dave Rosgen
 

 SAturday, May 22
Portland
Reservoir/Meshomasic Forest

Take a scenic walk around the Portland Reservoir through a wooded trail that leads past pines, woods, brooks and bog in the Meshomasic Forest. This new trip should produce plenty of migrants. Meet at the Brownstone Intermediate School parking lot on Main Street in Portland at 7:00AM. There will be a fair amount of walking. Hiking boots are recommended. Leader: Larry Nichols

 
 SATURDAY, MAY 22

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 birds nearby worthy of a chase. This trip will again be coordinated with the New Haven Bird Club. Leader: Patrick Comins 

 
Saturday, May 29

Route 44 Powerlines, West Hartford

Join our leader as we search the powerlines for late spring migrants and nesting species. We hope to find Yellow-bellied Flycatcher as well as Mourning and Blackpoll Warblers. The shrubland habitat along the powerlines can produce a variety of birds including many hard-to-find species. Meet at the Route 44 parking lot near the powerlines at 7:00AM. Leader: Brian Toal 

 
Saturday, June 5

Station 43, South Windsor

Search for Least Bittern, Sora, Virginia Rail, and Marsh Wren. Meet at the intersection of Main Street and Newberry Road at 6:30 AM for this morning trip. Leader: Carl Ekroth 

 
Sunday, June 6

Mattabesset River Paddle Trip

Join us for a paddle trip along the Mattabesset River from Cromwell to Harbor Park in Middletown. Meet at the parking lot at 7:00 AM We will have to shuttle cars to the take out area and return to the launch site. Directions; from Route 9 south, take exit 20 onto Route 91 south. Take exit 21, turn left at the light. Just past the Wooster Plaza, look for a right turn into a driveway. Cromwell Executive Center, 75 Berlin Road. Bring drinks, snacks and binoculars. You are required to wear life jacket while on this paddle trip. If it rains, the trip will be cancelled. Leader: Jeff Feldmann 
 

Saturday, June 12
Barkhamsted and East Hartland

We’ll start off the morning with an easy walk down to the Indian Council Caves. Here we can expect to find Black-throated Blue Warbler and Canada Warbler, along with Hermit Thrush, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Brown Creeper. After the caves we will take a short dive into East Hartland and explore an area around Hurricane Brook where we can find Ruffed Grouse, Junco, Winter Wren, Acadian Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo and Blackburnian Warbler. If time permits we’ll explore some other nearby areas. Meet at the entrance to the Indian Council Caves (Tunxis Trail) off Route 179 in Barkhamsted at 7:00 AM. Leader: Brian Kleinman
 

Saturday, June 12
Urban Birding Series III, East Hartford

Birding isn’t just for the “burbs”. Come out and explore great ways to find our feathered friends within the borders of our largest cities. Today’s highlights are Keeney Cove Park, North Meadows and Riverside Park. Land and water birds will be seen today. Meet at Augie and Rays, 314 Main Street in East Hartford at 7:30 AM.  Leader: Joe Budrow
  

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 12 & 13
Summer Bird Count

Join Hartford Audubon members as we participate in COA's 14th 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. Coordinator: Jay Kaplan



 

 

         

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