Milford Point|White Memorial, Litchfield|Devil's Hopyard, Hadlyme|East Rock Park, New Haven|Hammonasset Beach, Madison|Lighthouse Point, New Haven|Sherwood Island, Westport|Bluff Point, Groton|Sunny Valley, New Milford|Norwalk Islands|River Road, Kent|Bigelow Hollow, Mansfield|Station 43, S. Windsor|Rocky Neck, East Lyme|Northwest Park, Windsor

Birding Hotspots in Connecticut

See end of page for explanation of COA Ratings


Milford Point, Milford
COA Rating: Sp **** Su *** F **** W **
This is one of the best spot for birds in the state. Of the 399 species known in Connecticut, over 300 have been recorded here or nearby. Very good for shorebird and waterfowl migrations. Fall landbird migrations can be very good, though recent habitat loss has hurt this. Nesting Piping Plovers, Least Terns, American Oystercatchers (rare in state), and both types of Night Herons. Close to Bridgeport and New Haven. From I-95 take Exit 34 to end of ramp where there is a light. Turn left and go .2 mile to another light. Turn right onto Milford Point Rd. Go past Naugatuck Ave. and Tennis courts. Road ends at Seaview Rd. Turn right. Take right gate at end of Seaview to Milford Point parking lot. (If you turn at Tennis Courts, that short street ends at a boat ramp area which is also good birding). Part of McKinney NWR; Nature Center operated by Conn. Audubon.

White Memorial Foundation
COA Rating: Sp **** Su *** F *** W **
Excellent for spring migrations. Wide variety of habitat including fresh water marsh, pond, pine, deciduous, and meadow. Some forest here is reputed to be virgin. The entrance is on Route 202 2.2 miles southwest of Litchfield Center. Entrance is well marked. Go to headquarters building for map and latest information. 860-567-0857.

Devil's Hopyard State Park, East Haddam
Great for spring landbird migrations. Also some rare nesters such as Acadian Flycatcher and Cerulean Warbler. Take Exit 70 on I-95, go north 8.7 miles on Rte. 156. Turn right onto Rte. 82 and turn right after .2 miles onto unmarked road. Park boundary is 2.7 mi., entrance another .7 mi. on right. This spot and next one both can have nice spring "fallouts" because they they rise above the coastal plain to the south.

East Rock Park, New Haven
COA Rating: Sp **** Su * F *** W *
Possibly best site in state for spring warblers. Variety of habitats. Park at Eli whitney museum on Whitney Ave., or from Whitney Ave. take East Rock Rd. to Farnum Dr. and Trowbridge Dr. Just about any spot is good in spring, but birders often prefer area behind Eli Whitney Museum (cross covered bridge and follow trails along Mill River). Nearest highway exit is Willow St. exit of I-91. Call 203-787-6086.


Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison
COA Rating: Sp *** Su ** F **** W **
Great for migrating shorebirds, waders, seabirds, and wintering waterfowl and owls. Fee charged during tourist season. East end is usually most popular with views of L.I. Sound and Clinton Harbor and salt marshes. Meig's Point Nature Center is by big parking area in east end. Check birding log there. Probably more habitat variety than any other spot in the state. Avoid daytime beach crowds and could be best site in state. Falkner Island offshore is part of McKinney NWR. Take exit 62 off I-95, go south. Road ends at park entrance. 203-245-2785.

Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven
COA Rating: Sp *** Su * F **** W **
Excellent fall hawk watch and fall migrant trap. Possibility for rarities here. City park charges entrance fee during summer months. Hawk watchers present daily from late August through November. A great way to learn raptors. Nearby woods and reeds provide land bird migrant trap, too. 203-787-8005.


Sherwood Island State Park
Good spot for fall migrants, wintering waterbirds. Popular bathing beach in summer months, but when crowds leave, birds come. Entrance is just south of exit 18 off I-95. 203-226-6983.

Bluff Point Coastal Reserve, Groton
COA Rating: Sp *** Su ** F **** W *
Good spot for brush birds and migrating shorebirds and waders. Area near railroad tracks at entrance is considered the state's "hot corner." Large numbers of migrating landbirds can be spotted spring and fall mornings here. While it may not be Cape May, nice waves have occurred. Take Rte. 117 off I-95 south to end. Turn right onto Rte. 1. After .3 mi. turn left onto Depot St. next to town hall. Road passes under railroad bridge and becomes dirt. Parking ahead. Also check out nearby Groton-New London Airport.

Sunny Valley Nature Preserve, New Milford
Good for land migrants in spring. Best known for Black Vultures, at the northern and eastern limits of their range. Nearby New Milford Dump can have rare gulls (though this may change as landfill recently closed).

Norwalk Islands, Norwalk
The single organized "offshore" birding trip in the state. These islands contain state's largest heron rookery as well as nesting seabirds. Trips can be arranged through Connecticut Audubon Society. For scheduled Commercial tours of the islands call 203-838-9444 or 203-334-9166. Most islands are part of the offshore area of the McKinney NWR.

River Road, Kent
COA Rating: Sp **** Su *** F ** W *
Great spring migrant area. Woodland near New York border features migrants and nesters not common to state such as Saw-Whet Owl, Cerulean Warbler, Black Vulture, Golden-Winged Warbler, and Yellow-Throated Warbler. Appalachian Trail passes through. Take Rt. 7 to Kent and Rt. 341 West across River to Skiff Mt. Road North. Follow dirt road along river.

Bigelow Hollow State Park, Mansfield
COA Rating: Sp **** Su *** F ** W *
Nice spot for woodland and northern nesters. Adjacent Yale Forest has similar habitat.

Station 43, South Windsor
COA Rating: Sp *** Su ** F *** W *
Accessible riverine and marsh habitat. Take Rte. 5 north from I-291, left at fourth light onto Newberry St. Go one block and park by dirt road.

Rocky Neck State Park, East Lyme
Popular summer swimming area, can have interesting waterfowl in winter. Fee in summer.

Northwest Park, Windsor
Good spot for some birds more typical of Midwest grasslands. Variety of habitats. Can hold surprises during migration time. Grasshopper Sparrows usually nest here.

COA Ratings
The Connecticut Ornithological Association in its list of The Ten Best Birding Sites in Connecticut has rated each of the ten sites using a four-star rating for each season:
Excellent **** Good *** Fair** Poor *

Please note that all State Parks that charge fees or have gated parking open at 8 or 8:30 a.m. and close at sunset.