Trip Reports

On Sunday, March 29th twelve birders joined Ernie and me on a beautiful morning bird walk. We slowly walked about three miles enjoying the birds and the fresh ocean air. We missed many of the common local birds but the miss that surprised me the most was the Clapper rail. Every year we see them… Read more: Trip Report – Silver Sands Bird Walk

Hartford Crow Roost Trip Report, Dec. 6, 2025 We met at 4 pm on Saturday, Dec. 6, outside the Walmart in the Flatbush Ave. shopping center across from the ramps to Rte. 84.  Binoculars around our necks helped us to find one another, a convivial group of about 20, among the Christmas shoppers.  Crows were… Read more: Hartford Crow Roost Trip Report, Dec. 6, 2025

Cape Ann/Newburyport, Massachusetts January 17th and 18th 2026 Attendees Wendy and Roy Parsons,Deana Smith, and her mother Carol ,Erin Mahoney, Bill Kelly and his daughter Tilly, Sarah Faulkner,Will and Gabrielle Bugden, Annette and Bill Pasek . Saturday morning started off cold and cloudy 30°. It warmed up to 34°. We started our morning in Rockport… Read more: Trip Report – Cape Ann/Newburyport, Massachusetts 1/17-1/18/2026

This past weekend we met at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge at 10 a.m.. The refuge headquarters was closed due to the government shutdown but the trails were open. Long Island is known for winter waterfowl and we quickly picked up 12 species of duck including a large flock of Ruddy Duck, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail,… Read more: Long Island NY Trip Report – November 2025

A.W. Stanley Park trip report, October 19, 2025 At 9:30 a.m. 14 of us met up at A.W. Stanley Park, and after brief introductions and Robert Rickman generously volunteering to keep track of and submit the e-bird list for our trip (thank you, Robert!), we heard “chuff” calls from the trees at the back of… Read more: A.W. Stanley Park Bird Trip Report – October 19, 2025

October 11th Farmington River Park bird walk in Bloomfield.  The walk started at 8:00am and ended at 11:30am.  The weather was perfect.  Sunny and a comfortable temperature. Twenty-two species of birds were seen or heard by ear: 1 Goldfinch 5 White-throated Sparrows 8 Golden-Crowned Kinglets 2 Northern Flickers 3 American Robins 1 Killdeer (Heard) 4… Read more: Farmington River Bird Walk Trip Report – October 11, 2025

Raymond Brook Preserve, Hebron. October 4, 2025- 7:30 am After a minor hiccup involving an incorrect street address, twenty intrepid birders gathered on a spectacular fall morning, their vehicles nearly filling the tiny parking lot of Raymond Brook Preserve. What a turnout, from both participants, and Mother Nature! Though certainly not disappointing, birding throughout much… Read more: Raymond Brook Preserve – Trip Report – October 4, 2025

Glastonbury Meadows Trip Report, September 27, 2025 Ten birders joined us for the HAS walk in Glastonbury Meadows on Saturday, September 27, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Walking the riverside trail leading south from behind town hall was relatively uneventful, though we all paused to admire an adult Bald Eagle perched across the river.… Read more: Glastonbury Meadows Trip Report, September 27, 2025

Hi Everyone – we had 15 folks show up for the bird walk/property tour at Greenstone Hollow this morning.  We had a beautiful day for the walk but the birding was on the quiet side.  However with some sharp eyes in the group we managed to come up with 24 total species.  We had good… Read more: Greenstone Hollow Bird Walk Trip Report – September 27, 2025

Rocky Hill Meadows Bird Walk – 9/20/2025  On Saturday, September 20th, fifteen bird watchers gathered at Ferry Park in Rocky Hill for the start of a bird walk into the Rocky Hill Meadows. This walk is focused primarily on the comings and goings of southbound shorebirds, especially Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Baird’s Sandpiper and American Golden-Plover, species… Read more: Rocky Hill Meadows Bird Walk – Trip Report – 9/20/2025

Keney Park – West Side Trip Birding Trip Report– Sept 14, 2025 Trip Leaders: Annette Pasek, Al Gatti 28 Species Observed 2 hours, 8 minutes | 1.06 miles  Twelve birders showed up at the Woodland Street entrance which is the western portion of Keney Park.  In the past we have birded the eastern portion of… Read more: Keney Park – Birding Trip Report – Sept 14, 2025

A Group of five met up this morning for an 8 a.m. walk at Great Pond Preserve, Glastonbury. No winds to speak of and no rain, not a drop, 70 degrees. Noting here the two very birdy locations, the entrance and the pond itself. The entrance recorded any and all warbler species seen, the pond… Read more: Glastonbury Great Pond: Trip Report – 9/10 Walk

Hilltop Farm Trip Report September 3, 2025 Once upon a time, there was an elementary school librarian who retired and found she missed the chattering of little children and the camaraderie of the teaching staff. She reached out to a local nonprofit to connect with people, nature, and to stay physically active. The location is… Read more: Hilltop Farm Trip Report – September 3, 2025

Many thanks to the volunteers who responded to the call and came out to trim back the sides of the trails at Greenstone Hollow Nature Sanctuary.  After that, Doug Beach and I mowed everything and the place is in great shape for a pleasant summertime birding walk.  And while birds tend to be quiet in… Read more: Greenstone Hollow Work Party – 8/19/2025

19 optimistic Hartford Audubon members met at Reservoir #3 in Bloomfield about 8am.  I say optimistic because the weather forecast was threatening rain, but then early Saturday, the forecast moved the rain back to about 10am – so we hoped it would hold off.  Reservoir #3 has about a ¾ mile long road out through… Read more: Bobolink Walk at Bloomfield Reservoir #3 Trip Report – June 7, 2025

On Sunday, June 1st, five bird watchers gathered at Station 43 in South Windsor for a three-hour walk featuring wetland bird species. The temperatures were unusually cool for this time of year (48 degrees), which certainly helped hold off the onslaught of mosquitos that were predicted to show up after two days of prior rain.… Read more: Station 43 Wetland Bird Walk Trip Report: South Windsor, 6/1/2025  

Machimoodus State Park on Sunday, May 11 (Mother’s Day). Bright, clear, mild day. 9 birders attended, including a few who had amazing hearing, and knew what they were hearing. We met our target for the trip. I guaranteed American Robins, and we got 1 or 2 (or 3 or 4). We also had 54 other… Read more: Machimoodus State Park Trip Report – May 11, 2025

Eight people joined us for this spring walk around Fisher Meadows park in Avon Connecticut on May 17. It was a cloudy foggy morning and the weather leading up to the day had generally not been great so our expectations for true migrants was low. Therefore, we focused on the songs of many resident birds.… Read more: Fisher Meadows Trip Report – May 17, 2025

Penwood State Park, Bloomfield. May 10th, 2025 On Saturday, May 10th nine bird watchers gathered at Penwood State Park in Bloomfield for a three-hour walk, in search of warblers, thrushes and vireos. Prior to the trip, Hartford County was experiencing a string of cool, rainy days. The weather conditions for our walk saw no rain,… Read more: Penwood State Park Trip Report – May 10th, 2025

Auerfarm State Park – Trip Report Wednesday, May 7, 2025 Twelve birders arrived at Auerfarm at 7 a.m. It was foggy and visibility was not great but we carried on with our task at hand – birding and exploring Auerfarm.  The sun never came out but we had a good time. We first walked to… Read more: Auerfarm State Park – Trip Report: May 7, 2025

Lewis Farm Trip Report 4/30/25   –   18 species A group of six birders met at Lewis Farm to say goodbye to April and hello to warblers. We got acquainted as we headed down the hill, binoculars at the ready.  Our destination was the Billy Goat Gruff Bridge and the open area surrounding it.  We stopped… Read more: Lewis Farm Trip Report – April 30, 2025

We had hoped that the previous day’s rains would usher in new migrants, but alas, Sunday, April 27th dawned cold and gray with a stiff northwest breeze.  Not ideal for spring songbird migrants.  Nevertheless, 20 members and friends of the Hartford Audubon Society met trip leader Jay Kaplan in the Roaring Brook Nature Center parking lot… Read more: 2025 Roaring Brook Nature Center Field Trip Report – April 27, 2025

Farmington River Park Trip Report, Apr 19, 2025 A sunny and warm day greeted us for the second HAS walk at this location.  Sixteen of us turned out to see what was in the park.  This was an unusually warm day for early spring; highs were expected in the 80’s. The trail led along the… Read more: Farmington River Park – Trip Report – April 19, 2025

14 birders gathered on March 30th at Silver Sands State Park in Milford. The wind was at times over 20 mph and cold but that did not discourage this group from enjoying the birds. We saw 36 species including a few lively clapper rails that continuously delighted us with their calls. Also at sea were… Read more: Trip Report – Silver Sands State Park – March 30, 2025

Birding With Your Phone Wednesday, March 5, 2025 Organizer Sarah Faulkner HAS was delighted to welcome Ken Elkins, Director of the Coastal Center at Milford Point for the Connecticut Audubon Society, for our fifth year presenting Birding With Your Phone. In this virtual workshop, Ken presented and demonstrated numerous birding apps, answered questions, and guided… Read more: Report on: Birding with your Phone

The Cape Cod trip had 15 participants on Saturday with many doing their own thing on Friday and Sunday. The Friday trip to the Cape proved interesting for some, as we had great views of a Red-shouldered hawk, TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE, Great cormorants, Harlequin ducks, Horned larks, Greater and Lesser Scaup, and a NORTHERN LAPWING,… Read more: Cape Cod Trip Report – 2/8-9/2025

Summary of Big January, 2025 From Sarah Faulkner Our ninth annual Hartford County Big January of Birding challenge was a huge success once again. This yearly quest for individuals to see the most bird species in January in Hartford County brought out a large number of entrants this year. A brief warm spell at the… Read more: Results of January Big Month Birding Challenge

Trip Report – Cape Ann and Newburyport, MA 1/18/2025 Co-leaders: Fran D’Amico and Wendy Parsons Attendees: Wendy and Roy Parsons, Fran D’Amico, Will and Gabrielle Bugden, and Annette and Bill Pasek Stayed at Rockport Inn and Suites in Rockport, MA Everyone arrived on Friday evening. The group met in the breakfast nook Saturday morning, had… Read more: Trip Report – Cape Ann and Newburyport, MA 1/18/25

At 9:30 am, the weather at AW Stanley Park was clear, calm, and in the low 50°s F.  Our group of 21 birders crossed the road between the parking lot where we met and the marsh, where we saw Dark-eyed Juncos and White-throated Sparrows foraging on the ground and in low branches of shrubs at… Read more: A.W. Stanley Park Trip Report – Sunday, 10/20/2024

Longo Farms Open Space Trip Report October 11, 2024 Trip Leader: Annette Pasek Longo Farms Open Space Walk, Glastonbury, October 11th, Five Attendees in total 3 Hours and 2 minutes A chilly start to the morning, sunshine warmed the party as the morning went, with temperatures getting into the 50s. 37 Species, with the group… Read more: Longo Farms Open Space Trip Report – October 11, 2024

Great Pond South Glastonbury Trip Report September 14, 2024 Trip Leader: Annette Pasek 15 Attendees in all. Weather was pleasant with low lighting during our walk in the woods. 24 Species Observed with 2 unidentified, one a duck in flight and one a new world warbler sp. Northern parula and American redstarts graced our presence.… Read more: Great Pond South Glastonbury Trip Report – September 14, 2024

A sunny and chilly day greeted us for the exploratory walk.  This is the first HAS walk at this location.  Eight of us turned out to see what was in the park.  Some GPS’s sent people on the scenic route, as the street is off the main drag.  We made note of the donation HAS… Read more: Farmington River Park Trip Report – October 12, 2024

Nine in all attended the regular fall Keney Park, Hartford walk on October 10 at 8 am, co-led by Al Gatti and Annette Pasek. A surprise visitor from Wisconsin was a treat for the group circle intro chat. Skies were dim to start but brightened as the morning went on. Temperate weather persisted through out… Read more: Keney Park Bird Walk – Trip Report 10/5/2024

At 7:30am on October 5th, 2024, eleven birders met at the Church Street parking of Raymond Brook Preserve in Hebron. The group was compromised of 8 HAS members (including 2 leaders), plus 3 brand new birders. Under cloudy skies, we set off through a grassy field with brushy edges, where we encountered several dozen robins… Read more: Raymond Brook Preserve Trip Report – October 5, 2024

Greenstone Hollow Trip Report – Saturday, 9/28/24 We had sixteen birders including 2 non-members and 14 members.  It was a beautiful day – light clouds, no wind and temperature in the 60’s.  We first birded along Ridge Blvd on both sides near the east entrance to the property.  Here we saw Eastern Phoebes, Cedar Waxwings,… Read more: Greenstone Hollow Trip Report – Saturday, 9/28/24

Glastonbury Meadows Trip Report September 28, 2024 12 birders met on a beautiful morning for a walk-through of Glastonbury Meadows. Habitat conditions were not ideal since the farmer opted to turn the fields earlier than usual, eliminating much of the weedy areas that are often quite productive for birds. (Many of the crops were ruined… Read more: Glastonbury Meadows Trip Report – September 28, 2024

Paul Carrier Hawk Watch -West Hartland, CT Leaders:  Joan Lupacchino & Rich Nieman Friday, September 20, 2024 9:00am to 2:00pm 1 Cooper’s 3 Broad-winged 1 Red-tailed 1 American Kestrel Saturday, September 21, 2024 9:00am to 2:00pm 2 Osprey 1 Bald Eagle 8 Broad-winged 2 Red-tailed 1 American Kestrel Sunday, September 22, 2024 9:00am to 2:00pm 1… Read more: Paul Carrier Hawk Watch: 9/20 – 9/22/24 Report

Trip Report 9/27/2024 start time 3:12, walk time 105 minutes Yesterday’s Cruisin with Birds and Brews walk had light attendance, a total of Four. The group waited out 15 minutes of rain standing under a roof brought to us by an SUV Hatch. This allowed the group to have good close by view of a… Read more: Cruisin with Birds and Brews – Trip Report

Bird Walk Trip Report at Hilltop Farm   9/4/24 Written and submitted by Trip Leader Joan Heffernan Cliff Notes:  Setting: Hilltop Farm, Sunny 55°-65° Main Characters: 7 Birders (a few from NYC!) & 23 Bird Species (56 individuals) Plot: A small group of birders are led through the woods, fields and by a beaver pond… Read more: Hilltop Farm Trip Report – September 4, 2024

We had an amazing turnout and beautiful weather for yesterday’s walk.  Twenty people (including Jim and myself) showed up and we spent nearly 3 hours wandering about 1.6 miles over flat, mostly open grassland and low shrubs.  The map of where we walked is shown below. We saw a total of 42 species including great… Read more: Hartford Audubon Trip Report, Bloomfield Reservoir #3, 6/8/24

On Saturday, June 1st thirteen bird watchers gathered at Station 43 in South Windsor for a three-hour walk featuring wetland bird species. The weather turned out to be picture-perfect with clear skies, sun and very light winds. The mosquitos along Newberry Road were also sympathetic to the cause allowing most people a pain-free visit. After… Read more: Station 43 Wetland Bird Walk, South Windsor 6/1/2024

41+ unidentified buteo species greeted us during our Keney Park annual spring walk, co-hosted by Al Gatti and Annette Pasek. 22 grouped up for a 2.4 mile walk. Light to no winds, starting out gray and lightening up as the morning went on. The Baltimore orioles were frequently seen and heard throughout the walk. Keeping… Read more: Hartford Audubon Society Keney Park – Bird Walk 5/4/2024

May 3, 2024 | 0  By Abby Wolcott On this overcast morning 8 local birders took a break from their work or household chores and headed to Lewis Farm to look for birds. The birds would not be silenced and sang as we headed down the trail.  Fortunately, two members of the group had clearly spent hours… Read more: Lewis Farm Trip Report – 5/1/2024

Penwood State Park, Bloomfield. May 11th, 2024 On Saturday, May 11th ten bird watchers gathered at Penwood State Park in Bloomfield for a three-hour walk, in search of warblers, thrushes and vireos. With temperatures in the upper 30’s, the expectations for this trip appeared to be lower than in past years, but the clear skies and… Read more: Penwood State Park Bird Trip Report – 5/11/2024

The morning list started before 8 a.m. 9 were in attendance. The weather was mild and cloudy most of the morning though the rain kept at bay and the sun came out for the last hour of this 3 hour walk. We had very little to look at on the pond, Hooded mergansers. Though most… Read more: South Glastonbury Great Pond Bird Walk – 5/24/2024

On Saturday May 11, from 7 am to 12 pm, ten birders gathered at East Rock Park in Hamden for my annual trip there. This is one of the premium spots in the state for observing migration particularly if there has been a heavy movement the night before. Unfortunately such was not the case this… Read more: East Rock Park Bird Trip Report – 5/11/2024

Results of yesterday’s walk in Barkhamsted. Thanks to Gina for co-leading and to Doug, Paul, Nick, and Dave for joining us. Catherine Delasco Lower Greenwoods Rec. Area – Barkhamsted May 7, 2024 10:20 AM Traveling 0.75 miles 125 Minutes All birds reported? Yes Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 2.20.4 Build 2.20.28 1 Mourning Dove… Read more: Lower Greenwoods Rec. Area Barkhamsted – Trip Report 5/7/2024

Five participants enjoyed a fine morning at Dismal Brook, finding 57 species, including 12 warblers.  Highlights were a first-of-the-year Swainson’s Thrush, an adult Broad-winged Hawk, an Ovenbird carrying a caterpillar, an obviously mated pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and a show-stopping appearance by a Black-throated Blue Warbler.  My complete eBird checklist (minus the Turkey Vulture that… Read more: Dismal Brook Bird Walk Trip Report – 5/9/2024

By Abby Wolcott On this overcast morning 8 local birders took a break from their work or household chores and headed to Lewis Farm to look for birds. The birds would not be silenced and sang as we headed down the trail.  Fortunately, two members of the group had clearly spent hours listening to tapes… Read more: Lewis Farm Trip Report – 5/1/2024

On Sunday, April 28th nine hardy birders joined trip leader, Jay Kaplan, in the Roaring Brook Nature Center parking lot at 6:30 am for a two plus hour jaunt along the trails of Werner’s Woods, a State of Connecticut property for which the Nature Center serves as steward. The weather forecast was all over the map,… Read more: 2024 Roaring Brook Nature Center Field Trip Report – 4/28/2024

We had a great time at our Greenstone Hollow Bird Walk this morning.  The temperature was about what was predicted – 50ºF, but unlike the prediction it was mostly sunny and not much wind.  This made for a really nice morning of birding.  There were 11 hardy souls who showed up and walked the two… Read more: Greenstone Hollow Bird Walk Trip Report – 4/13/24

Thank you for joining the Silver Sands bird walk this morning. Six people joined me on this cold and windy day but sunny. 40 species of birds. We walked 3 miles in 4.5 hours. You braved the wind and cold very well. Below is the eBird list of 39 birds seen on the Silver Sands… Read more: Silver Sands Trip Report – March 24, 2024

On Sunday March 24 my annual trip to Rhode Island enticed only 6 birders to attend. We started out at Sachuest Point N W R located in Middletown just beyond Newport. It was a rough start as we had to contend with high winds, but we made the best of it and soon saw several… Read more: Sachuest Point RI – 3/24/2024 Trip Report

Cape Ann/Newburyport Trip Report January 13 and 14, 2024 Trip Leader: Frances D’Amico Participants: Al Gatti, Sharon Pope, Greta Gribkoff, Polly Parker, Roy Parsons, & Wendy Parsons *Sharon joined the birders for meals and spent time exploring the area. It was raining on Saturday morning and forecasted to last until noon. After breakfast, Al gave… Read more: Cape Ann/Newburyport Trip Report – January 13 and 14, 2024

Leader: Sylvia Halkin. Participants were about 25 birders watching from paved and lawn areas around the Hartford Housing Authority building, 180 John D. Wardlaw Way, Hartford, CT, and thousands of crows. The temperature was around 50 degrees F, winds were calm, and the clouds to our west were lit orange and yellow at sunset. Between… Read more: Crow Roost Field Trip Report, December 9, 2023, 4-5 p.m. 

September 16, 2023 Seven birders gathered for this hawk watch at Booth Hill in West Hartland, CT.  Weather was cloudy, however we recorded 1 Osprey, 4 Bald Eagles, 4 Sharpshins, 2 Cooper’s; 100 Broad Winged and 2 Red Tail.  Considering the weather, it was a good day for hawk watching. September 17, 2023 A nice,… Read more: Paul Carrier Hawk Watches – Trip Reports 9/16-17/2023

Submitted by Sylvia Halkin and Sally Rieger A couple of miles before we reached the forest, under an overcast sky with the air temperature in the upper 50s F, a small group of low-circling turkey vultures rose and was joined by a few more from below.  Perhaps the ground surface had warmed just enough to… Read more: Peoples State Forest: Beaver Brook Area – Trip Report – 10/15/23

HAS Trip Report – Prepared by Max Toth Date: Saturday, October 14, 2023 Location: Union Pond Park, 116 North School Street, Manchester, CT, 06040 Attendees: 8, plus trip leader Weather: Overcast, raw, ~54°F Species seen: American crow American robin Belted kingfisher Black-capped chickadee Blue jay Brown creeper Canada geese Carolina wren Cedar waxwing Common grackle Downy… Read more: Union Pond Park Trip Report – 10/14/2023

Submitted by Gabrielle Bugden Six birders gathered for this new trip offering at Raymond Brook Preserve in Hebron. In addition to four HAS members, we were joined by two representatives from Hebron Pollinator Pathways. Soaking in sunshine and the cool autumn air, we garnered 17 species in the parking lot in the first 15 minutes. Starting down… Read more: Raymond Brook Preserve, Hebron, CT – Trip Report

Trip Leader Annette Pasek Attending: 0 Total species: 17 The rain held off during my 1-hour jaunt into Great Pond Preserve. Temperate weather at 70 degrees, little to no winds. The very downcast cloudy skies made it difficult to see warbler groups clearly. This was a solo walk; the promise of rain may have kept… Read more: Great Pond Preserve, Glastonbury, CT Trip Report – 9/13/2023

Written and submitted by Trip Leader: Joan Heffernan Why do people gather at 8:30 AM, on a late, hot summer day with the temperature at 68° and predicted to reach 93° but feel like 99° before the day’s end?  Add in the humidity and bothersome mosquitoes to boot, one may wonder!  Well, it’s because birding… Read more: Bird Walk Trip Report at Hilltop Farm – 9/6/2023

The morning started out with overcast skies and a smaller group than usual. Walk start time 8:08 a.m. There were seven attendees in total counting the trip leader, myself. We walked a clockwise route starting at the golf course parking lot moving west to south to east through a wooded trail and then north past… Read more: Keeney Park Trip Report – 5/14/2023

Elizabeth Park Trails Day Birdwalk On Saturday, June 3rd HAS sponsored a beginner’s birdwalk in Elizabeth Park, West Hartford as part of CT Trails Day. Leader Sarah Faulkner was joined by 22 beginning birders of all ages.  While it was a quiet morning, cloudy, damp and cool, the group did see or hear 24 species… Read more: Elizabeth Park Trails Day Birdwalk Trip Report – 6/3/2023

Station 43 Wetland Birds, South Windsor On Saturday May 27th, three birders gathered at Station 43 for a walk focused primarily on wetland nesting birds. Our small group size and enthusiasm allowed us to successfully bird the entrance road to the marsh by discovering hard-to-spot species such as Canada Warbler, Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Warbling Vireo. A… Read more: Station 43 Wetland Birds, South Windsor Trip Report 5/27/2023

Machimoodus State Park Birding Trip Submitted by:  Rob Mirer,  Field trip leader Ten birders met at Machimoodus State Park in East Haddam on the mostly sunny morning of May 13. In 4 hours of birding, we accumulated a list of 53 species. Some of the highlights were 2 Hummers, 3 Bald Eagles, Brown Thrasher, lots… Read more: Machimoodus State Park Bird Trip – 5/13/2023

We concluded our Fisher Meadows walk just before the rain started, but not before getting swarmed by mosquitoes. It felt like a relatively quiet morning (with a general dearth of warblers) but we manage to see Magnolia and Blackpoll Warblers and log 53 species, including a half dozen Orchard Orioles. Cedar Waxwings have finally returned… Read more: Fisher Meadows Bird Walk Trip Report – 5/20/2023

Hartford Audubon bird walk  –  5/17/2023 Twelve hardy birders ignored the cold winds this morning and enjoyed the beautiful spring birds. The highlights were the Magnolia warblers and Canada warbler. Total species 37. Thank you for joining, I enjoyed your company! Maggie Peretto, Trip Leader

Penwood State Park, Bloomfield – 5/13/2023  On Saturday May 13th, five birders gathered at Penwood State Park in Bloomfield on what proved to be a very birdy morning walk. The newly paved parking lot area offered gatherers the opportunity to study the sounds of Yellow-throated Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and Pine Warblers. Baltimore Orioles, American Redstarts… Read more: Penwood State Park, Bloomfield Trip Report – 5/13/2023

Greenstone Hollow Nature Preserve Trip Report, May 13, 2023 The day was clear and sunny.  Four of us gathered for the Greenstone trip.  The leaves were out, so most of the ID was by ear and Merlin.  Still the numbers were few. In the pond south of the road we had a Common Yellowthroat and… Read more: Greenstone Hollow Nature Preserve Trip Report – 5/13/2023

Sixteen people gathered for my annual East Rock trip in Hamden/New Haven on Saturday May 13. The day started off overcast so it was a bit difficult observing under those conditions but as the day progressed the sun finally came out and we made much progress in tallying birds. Warblers were the star attraction with… Read more: East Rock Park Trip Report – 5/13/2023

By Trip Leader Larry Lunden A sunny day greeted us as we started out the walk.  Three of us turned out to see what was in the park.  Four if you also count Merlin. The upper level of the quarry had the usual birds. Merlin heard an Ovenbird, and we heard it off in the… Read more: Quarry Park Trip Report – 5/6/2023

By Abby Wolcott After several days of rain, the skies were clear and a handful of birders arrived at the trail head.  We headed down into the sanctuary.  We noted the lush greenery and before long a wood thrush beckoned us with his mournful, flute-like song.  We homed in on his call and he was… Read more: Lewis Farm Trip Report – 5/3/2023

The morning of April 30th dawned cool, gray and drizzly.  In spite of the gloomy conditions, nine hardy birders convened in the Roaring Brook Nature Center parking lot at 6:30 am to search the forest and fields for migrants and for resident species.  After watching a “people=acclimated” hen turkey eating peanut bits on a picnic… Read more: Roaring Brook Nature Center Walk Trip Report – 4/30/2023

An 8 a.m. birding group started out with 13 attending and trickled down to 10 by the end of the 2+ hour walk. We entered Great Pond Preserve from its main entrance, which is located on the south side of Great Pond Road, Glastonbury. The walk covered approximately 1.3 miles. We had a slow start… Read more: Great Pond Preserve South Glastonbury Trip Report – 4/19/23

On Saturday, April 15, sixteen hardy souls met to tour around the Hartford Audubon property, Greenstone Hollow.  We had temperatures in the upper 50’s and lower 60’s, unusually warm for this time of year.  The water levels in the South Beaver Pond were very good and bode well for possible heron activity and nesting birds… Read more: Greenstone Hollow Trip Report – 4/15/2023

A fun group of 16 birders met at Silver Sands for The Hartford Audubon’s winter walk. It was cool and windy but we managed to have a great time and see 45 species of birds. Four Oyster catchers put on a show and a beautiful Great Egret flew over the marsh. The clapper rails didn’t… Read more: Silver Sands State Park Trip Report – 3/26/2023

Congratulations to all participants and thank you to those who joined us for dinner. It was great seeing you. Team name: Jumpin Jimini Jubilee Jays Highest Score: 96 points Annette Pasek, Merle Yoder and Lisa Lukawizc. Roger’s Tee Birds Doug and Shirley Beach John Weeks and Chris Chinni 87 points CoolPixChix Sue Gowen and Debbie… Read more: 2023 BirdAThon results

Birding With Your Phone Workshop Program report 2-25-2023, by Sarah Faulkner Hartford Audubon was once again delighted to host Ken Elkins, Director of the Coastal Center at Milford Point for Connecticut Audubon, for our fourth annual program to explore the phone apps that support birding.  With over thirty participants, Ken presented and discussed the apps… Read more: Birding With Your Phone Workshop Program Report – 2/25/2023

Peoples State Forest Beaver Brook Area Bird Walk – 10/15/22 – Submitted by Sylvia Halkin It was a lovely autumn day with a blue sky and fog in the valleys on the drive to the park for our 9:30 start time.  Our cars quickly filled the little picnic parking area, but Beaver Brook Road was… Read more: 10/15/2022 – People’s State Forest Bird Walk Trip Report

Bird and Nature Hike at the Mary Conklin Preserve, Canton.  Sarah Faulkner led a 2-hour leisurely hike for both the Canton Land Trust and the Hartford Audubon Society on September 25th.  Attended by 14 people, we were treated to a sunny, cool and beautiful Sunday morning.  Many attendees were using apps to help with bird… Read more: 9/25/2022 – Bird and Nature Hike – Mary Conklin Preserve Trip Report

Bird and Nature Hike at the Mary Conklin Preserve, Canton.  Sarah Faulkner led a 2-hour leisurely hike for both the Canton Land Trust and the Hartford Audubon Society on September 25th.  Attended by 14 people, we were treated to a sunny, cool and beautiful Sunday morning.  Many attendees were using apps to help with bird… Read more: 9/25/2022 – Mary Conklin Preserve Bird Walk / Trip Report

Greenstone Hollow Bird Walk – 10/8/22 – Submitted by Chris Fisher Seventeen hardy souls turned up at 8am on a beautiful but cool (48ºF) fall morning to wander around Greenstone Hollow.  We spent about the first half hour watching a variety of birds along both sides of Ridge Blvd near the entrance to the refuge.… Read more: 10/8/2022 – Greenstone Hollow Bird Walk – Trip Report

Cruisin with bird n brews Thursday 9/29, 2022 Cruisin with Birds and Brews. Location, South Glastonbury’s bucolic farm setting and CT river space. Started with the walk portion at 3 p.m. With group assembled we watched gulls, ducks, warblers, herons and more from the Ferry Rd parking lot. Next we moved onto the south walking trail and… Read more: 9/29/2022 – Cruisin with Bird n Brews – Trip Report

Sunday the 25th of September 2022, Keney Park, Hartford, Windsor line entrance. The morning started out with gray skies making the early part to our very birdy areas a challenge. Start time of the walk out of the Keney Park golfer’s parking lot began a few minutes after 8:30. There was a minimal chill to… Read more: 9/25/2022 – Keney Park Trip Report

 On a crisp September morning a half dozen birders congregated at Lewis Farm for a chance to stretch their legs and to see some birds, too.  We headed down the hill, binoculars and cameras in hand drawn in by the ever cheerful call of the carolina wren.  We stopped at the clearing to peruse  the… Read more: 9/28/22 Lewis Farm Trip Report

Written and submitted by Trip Leader: Joan Heffernan Hilltop Farm is a bustling place these days.  The big white cathedral barn is in its final stages of preparation for its first function as a venue for a wedding.  In addition to the excitement of our grand opening, people have been flocking to visit the Hilltop… Read more: Bird Walk Trip Report at Hilltop Farm – 9/8/22

Written and submitted by Trip Leader: Joan Heffernan Hilltop Farm is a bustling place these days.  The big white cathedral barn is in its final stages of preparation for its first function as a venue for a wedding.  In addition to the excitement of our grand opening, people have been flocking to visit the Hilltop… Read more: Bird Walk Trip Report – Hilltop Farm – 9/8/22

Trip Report: Family Birdwalk in Elizabeth Park – 6/5/2021 – Submitted by Trip Leader –  Sarah Faulkner A wonderful group of 14 folks joined together for an introductory, family birdwalk in Elizabeth Park on Sunday, June 5th from 9 -11 am.  The walk was offered by HAS for CT Trails Weekend and led by Sarah… Read more: Birdwalk in Elizabeth Park Trip Report- 6/5/2021 – Submitted by Sarah Faulkner

Machimoodus State Park Trip Report – May 14, 2022 Written by Rob Mirer – Trip Leader On a lovely mid-spring day (May 14), 5 Hartford Audubon members met at Machimoodus State Park in East Haddam. A total of 41 species was seen. Among the notables, there were several singing Prairie Warblers, Indigo Buntings, and Orchard… Read more: Machimoodus State Park report submitted by Trip Leader Rob Mirer

Twelve birders gathered at Station 43 in South Windsor on Sunday 5/29/22 in search of nesting wetland birds. We tallied 50 species with highlights being scope looks at a LEAST BITTERN, VIRGINIA RAIL, a SORA crossing the road, PILEATED WOODPECKER, ALDER FLYCATCHER, MARSH WREN, SWAMP SPARROW, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and a decent number of ORCHARD ORIOLE.… Read more: Station 43 report – submitted by Trip Leader Paul Cianfaglione

Twelve birders gathered at Station 43 in South Windsor this morning in search of nesting wetland birds. We tallied 50 species with highlights being scope looks at a LEAST BITTERN, VIRGINIA RAIL, a SORA crossing the road, PILEATED WOODPECKER, ALDER FLYCATCHER, MARSH WREN, SWAMP SPARROW, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and a decent number of ORCHARD ORIOLE. There… Read more: 5/29/21 Station 43 Report – submitted by Trip Leader – Paul Cianfaglione

Twelve members and friends of the Hartford Audubon Society met in the Roaring Brook Nature Center parking lot on Sunday, May 1, 2022 for a bird walk near the start of the songbird migration for neotropical migrants. It was a gorgeous morning with a light breeze and not a cloud in the bright blue sky.… Read more: 2022 Roaring Brook Nature Center Trip Report – May 1, 2022 Submitted by Jay Kaplan

Greenstone Hollow Nature Preserve Trip Report, May 14, 2022 The day was cloudy but dry.  Four of us gathered for the Greenstone trip, including two new people to the preserve.  Despite being in migration season, very few of the birds were singing.  We had to ferret out looks to find most species. We had a… Read more: Greenstone Hollow Nature Preserve – Trip Report – 5/14/2022

The day’s chill was brief though the dim lighting lasted but the first hour of our three-hour walk. The Mother’s Day walk at Keney Park, the jewel of Hartford began at 8:30. We had 26 attendees ranging from beginning birders to a few intermediates. Coverage of 3+ miles, with lots to explore of the 693-acre… Read more: Keney Park 5/8/22 Walk – Trip Report Submitted by Annette Pasek

Quarry Park and Connecticut River Floodplain – Trip Report, Apr 30, 2022 Submitted by Larry Lunden A sunny but windy day greeted us as we started out the walk.  Two of us turned out to see what was in the park.  Three if you also count Merlin. The upper level of the quarry had the… Read more: Quarry Park/Connecticut River Floodplain Trip Report – Apr 30, 2022 Submitted by Larry Lunden

Trip Guide – Christopher Fisher Greenstone Hollow Trip Report for walk on 4/16/22 – 8am. Weather – Sunny, Temperature 55ºF – 59ºF Attendees: Chris Fisher, Diane Fisher, Matthew Poltorak, Sue Gagliardi, Edee Vassar, Davis Smith, Laura Ray, Peter Bulkley, Abby Wolcott, Joan Craig, Niki Bonnett, Carol Michaels, Beverly Greenspan, Doug Murray, Karen Walsh, Larry Lunden Description – We walked 1.7 miles covering most of the trails in the refuge.  Below… Read more: Greenstone Hollow Trip Report – 4/16/22 – Submitted by Christopher Fisher

Trip Leader/Coordinator – Annette Pasek April 9th, 2022, Meeting Location – The Hartford Riverfront Boathouse, Riverside Park 20 Leibert Rd, Hartford Group of six, Cynthia, Jon, Maggie, Annette, Debra and Susan Start time 11 am, Chilly 50 degrees and rain – 11:45 at the finish of our study and before our walk. After a brief… Read more: Study group-April 9, 2022 Hartford Riverfront Boathouse, Riverside Park -submitted by Annette Pasek

On Saturday March 26, 2022  fourteen people gathered for my annual trip to the Rhode Island shoreline. The starting point was at Sachuest Point N W R. There to greet us was a cock Ring Necked Pheasant who casually walked across the parking lot affording great close up looks! I was informed by a veteran… Read more: Sachuest Point NWR – 3/26/2022 Rhode Island Trip Report by Paul Desjardins

Silver Sands Trip Report Five people joined me at Silver Sands this morning. Pleasant weather and 35 species of birds made it a very Pleasant walk. We were surprised with a couple of Monk parakeets at the start of the walk. Everyone enjoyed watching and listening the Clapper rail in the marsh and very close… Read more: Silver Sand Trip Report – 3/20/2022 Submitted by leader Maggie Peretto

2/26/2022 Birding with Your Phone Workshop – Report Ever go birding and see someone bent over their phone, doing something about birds but you can’t tell what it is?  You’re not alone – many birders are using many apps to improve our skills and log our observations.  This was the impetus for creating our Birding… Read more: 2/26/2022 Birding with Your Phone Workshop – Report