 | Connecticut Institutions Related to Birding |
Ansonia Nature Center
Community nature center with various programs including occasional field trips. Some trails in surrounding fields and woods. Near Rte. 243 in Ansonia, 203-736-9360.
Audubon Center of Greenwich
COA Rating: Sp *** Su ** F **** W *
485 acres, mostly wooded. Admission. Near Exit 28 of Merritt Parkway.
Site of major hawk watch in the fall (nearly daily, see calendar or counts pages in season). Nearby National Audubon Fairchild Garden has had some southern species not usually found in state. Affiliated with National Audubon. 203-869-5272.
Birdcraft Museum, Fairfield
First privately owned bird sanctuary in U.S. Six acres of woods and pond. Small historically-oriented nature museum. Now owned by Conn. Audubon. 314 Unquowa Rd., Fairfield, near exit 21 of I-95. 203-259-0416. E-mail birdcraft@snet.net.
Larsen Sanctuary & Conn. Audubon Fairfield Nature Center, Fairfield
Bird rehab, exhibits, and library. Larsen Sanctuary is decent birding spot, especially in spring, 160 acres of woods and freshwater drainage. 2325 Burr St., Fairfield, near exit 44 of Merritt Parkway. 203-259-6305. Click here for another listing with directions.
Chatfield Hollow State Park, Killingworth
A wooded park with heights not far inland makes for a good migrant trap in spring.
Nature Center for Environmental Activities, Westport
Some good trails, good birding especially during spring migration. Many activities sponsored. Museum with touch tank and live animals. Near exit 17 of I-95 or Exit 41 of Merritt Parkway. 203-227-7253.
Naugatuck State Forest
Wooded high area with some northern habitat. Can have good variety of birds in spring. Decent spot for observing raptors.
New Canaan Nature Center
40 Acres of varied habitats. Good spring birding and good winter birds at feeders some years. Many activities through year. Rte. 124. 203-966-9577. E-mail Naturalist Frank Gallo.
West Rock Nature Center, New Haven
Nature building with good trails. Historically significant Regicides' Cave mentioned in Thoreau's Walden. Near exit 59 of Wilbur Cross Parkway. I have received a recent report that much of area has been closed due to vandalism. Call to verify. 203-787-8016.
Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven
Largest natural history museum in Connecticut includes collection of state birds. Many skins and specimens available to researchers. Admission charged. Affiliated with Yale University. 170 Whitney Ave., New Haven, near Exit 3 of I-91. 203-432-5050. Yale's Ornithology Library is nearby, best bird library in state. Library has moved to the back of 175 Whitney Ave. until 2001-02 because of construction.
Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford
One of Connecticut's best bird secrets. This is the public library for the town of Branford, but the elegant turn-of-the-century domed building houses an excellent bird collection with thorough documentation.
Connecticut River Museum, Essex
This is an interesting historical and nautical museum. Of interest to birders because wharf area around the museum is a great viewing platform for waterfowl and eagles wintering in Conn. River. Foot of Main St., Essex. 860-767-8269.
Connecticut College Arboretum, New London
425 acres with variety of ecosystems. Good spot in spring. Behind Connecticut College, Rte. 32 New London.
Denison-Pequotsepos Nature Center, Mystic
Good programs, many with birding emphasis. First Conn. RBA was here. Banding. Near exit 90 of I-95. 860-536-1216.
Science Center of Eastern Conn., New London
Good local nature center adjacent to Conn. College Arboretum. 860-442-0391. (Formerly known as Thames Science Center.)
Kellogg Environmental Center, Derby
State nature center with good programs. Variety of habitat on site and at adjacent Osbornedale State Park (link has map). Bluebirds and Woodcock. Can be very good during spring migration. Rte 34, Derby. 203-734-2513. Part of site consists of Osborne Homestead Museum (link has directions).
Sessions Woods Environmental Center, Burlington
Rte. 69, Burlington. Offers variety of educational programs and nearby natural area with beaver pond.
Flanders Nature Center, Woodbury
Trails with varied habitats. Banding. Can be good in spring. Near exit 15 of I-84. 203-263-3711.
Stewart McKinney National Widlife Refuge
The McKinney NWR is the lone National Wildlife Refuge in the State. It consists of Milford Point, some of the Norwalk Islands, part of the Lordship Marshes (see Sikorsky Memorial Airport), some Connecticut River Wetlands, and Falkner Island (see Roseate Tern). There is also a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Enforcement Office in Hartford.
Devil's Den Preserve
Weston and Redding. Largest undeveloped tract in Fairfield County. The Nature Conservancy conducts programs here.
H.C. Barnes Memorial Nature Center, Bristol
Nice local nature center with trails and small museum. Near Rte. 6. 860-589-6082.
Sharon Audubon Center
Good spot in spring. Some unusual nesters in area including Least Bittern, Raven, and Golden-Winged Warbler (look for hybrids). Trails, 684 acres. Affiliated with National Audubon Society. 860-364-0520. Rte. 4.
Roaring Brook Nature Center, Canton
Good for local information on birds. Varied habitats and many birding-oriented actitivites. Off Rte. 44. 860-693-0263.
Regional Water Authority, New Haven
Contact the Recreation Department for permits for birding several New Haven County reservoirs. Some are excellent birding spots: Lake Saltonstall, East Haven; Maltby Lakes, Orange; and Lake Bethany, Bethany. 203-624-6671.
Joshua's Tract, Mansfield Center
Good private conservation area. Set aside in the 17th century by the Mohegan Sachem Joshua, son of Uncas.
Bent of the River Sanctuary, Southbury
Decent woodland birding, especially spring warblers. A lot of the Southbury RBA sightings come from here. Educational programs. Owned by National Audubon Society. Visitors welcome, but must call beforehand, 203-264-5098. E-mail Research Coordinator Hunter Brawley.
Woodcock Nature Center, Wilton
Well organized nature center. Many programs. Nice trails. Named after a Mr. Woodcock, but the bird may appear there, too. Near Rte. 7. 203-762-7280.
Science Museum of Connecticut, West Hartford
Museum only.. Holds several good private 19th century bird collections. Many activities and rotating exhibits. Exit 43 of I-84. 860-231-2824.
Wickham Park, Manchester
Nice park with aviary and trails. Near I-84 exit 60. 860-528-0856.
Meig's Point Nature Center, Madison
The State D.E.P. nature center at Hammonasset Beach State Park. If you bird here, be sure to check and add notes to the birding log at the Nature Center building. Programs oriented towards summer campers, but worth looking at.
Northwest Park Nature Center, Windsor
A helpful nature center at a popular inland birding spot.
Farmington Canal Park, Cheshire/Hamden
Nice woodland walk near water. Good for spring migrants. A.k.a. Lock 12.
Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill
While it focuses on extinct reptiles, the park does sponsor some nature walks and other bird-related programs.
Conn. State Museum of Natural History, Storrs
Affiliated with University of Connecticut and State Ornithologist. Good resources for researchers. Nice raptor collection. Emphasis on children's programs. Rte 195, Storrs. 860-486-4460.
The Barnum Museum, Bridgeport
This museum is mostly dedicated to P.T. Barnum and his circus. However, as a result of various alliances and institutional changes, the museum obtained a pretty good 19th century bird collection from the Bridgeport area, including a few from Conn. birding pioneer Rev. James Linsley. Most are not on display, but the museum is hospitable to researchers.
Connecticut Outdoor & Environmental Education Association
Conducts workshops for and supports those working in various areas of environmental education such as camp counselors, nature center teachers, classroom teachers, naturalists, etc.
Other Nature Centers and Sanctuaries
Eliot Pratt Nature Center, New Milford
Hemlock Recreation Center, Amston
Talcott Mountain Science Center, Avon
Darien Nature Center, Darien
Arcadia Nature Center, East Hampton
Shoreline Outdoor Education Center, Guilford
Bushy Hill Nature Center
Eliot Pratt Nature Center, New Milford |
Hungerford Outdoor Education Center, Kensington
Hidden Valley Nature Center, New Fairfield
John Dorr Nature Laboratory, Washington
Judd Farm Nature Center, Watertown
Platt Nature Center, Killingworth
Goodwin Conservation Center, N. Windham
Wethersfield Nature Center, Wethersfield
Beardsley Park and Zoo, Bridgeport |
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.