Bradley Airport|Sikorsky Airport|Windham Airport|Groton Airport|Brainard Field, HartfordPt. Jefferson Ferry, Bridgeport|Long Is. Ferries, New London|Fishers Is. Ferry
 | Airports and Ferries in Connecticut |
Many airports in Connecticut offer decent birding due to the protected areas and open areas surrounding them. Occasionally rare sea birds are seen from ferries on Long Island Sound, especially after a storm. Ten years ago we would have had to include landfills, but most are being closed.
Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks
The state's largest airport is sometimes home to Upland Sandpiper and Grasshopper Sparrow. Check spring and fall migration.
Sikorsky Memorial Airport, Stratford
The open fields and marshes around this airport are excellent spots for shorebirds, especially during fall migration. Nearby have been rails, raptors, and a few unusual nesters such as Boat-Tailed Grackles. Upland and Buff-Breasted Sandpipers have been reported from fields in fall. Surrounding area is sometimes called Lordship or Stratford Marshes. A small portion of the wetlands belongs to the McKinney NWR.203-576-4798.
As of June 26, 1997, the Stratford-Great Meadows section of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, i.e. where the Grackles are, is closed to the public until plans to allow access are solidified. Special Use Permits are available and
interested parties should contact the staff at 860-399-2513. This has happened at other sites when they became part of the NWR, and we hope this will be resolved soon.
Windham Airport, East Windham
This open airport and the reservoir adjacent to it have been attractive to shore and seabirds making overland migrations. In 1995 it had Long-Billed Curlew, and Baird's Sandpiper nearly yearly. Also check adjacent Mansfield Hollow State Park.
Groton-New London Airport, Groton
Check open areas for Upland Sandpipers and other open field shorebirds. Also Bobwhite (rare in state) are sometimes found here. Formerly known as Trumbull Airport. To reach this airport, take Exit 88 I-95 - Trumbull Airport / Rte. 117 North Rd. Go south on 117 1.1 Miles to U.S. 1 at the light. Take a right on Rte 1. Go past Depot Road to the next traffic light. Go left and follow this road to the airport. There are a number of spots from which to scan the airport through the chain-link fence.
Brainard Field, Hartford
Sometimes this open field has hosted Upland Sandpipers and other open area shorebirds. Also check north end of airport near power plant at dusk for Barn Owls.
Bridgeport-Port Jefferson Ferry
Sometimes a good trip after a storm. Travels between Bridgeport CT and Port Jefferson, Long Island NY. 203-367-3043, be patient (phone often unattended).
Long Island and Block Island Ferries, New London
These ferries can also be good for seabirds. The trip to Block Island is mostly outside of Connecticut waters, but some good seabirds are likely especially in the fall. Long Island (Orient Point) 860-443-5281 (All year). Block Island, RI, 860-442-9553/7891 (June-Sept only). Both ferries leave from same dock.
New London-Fishers Island Ferry
Fishers Island, NY, is so close to Conn. mainland that chances are slighter of seeing unusual seabirds, but Wilson's Storm Petrels and Jaegers have been seen. Good view of New London Harbor. 860-443-6851/442-0165 (All year).