Birdcraft Museum

CT Audubon Society

The Birdcraft Museum is closed while it is under renovation.

The sanctuary of course will remain open from dawn to dusk. 

General Information

Birdcraft Museum

Birdcraft Museum

Founded in 1914, Birdcraft is the first private bird sanctuary in the United States.  This six-acre site  was originally planted as a refuge to attract, harbor, and feed migratory and resident birds.  To date, more than 120 bird species have been recorded on its grounds.  Birdcraft’s focus today is offering premier natural history education programs and events for children and adults.  It is also a federally-licensed Bird-Banding Station.

CT Audubon Society

The Grounds at Birdcraft

The grounds at Birdcraft include the Birdcraft Sanctuary and the Museum and Caretakers Cottage.  The Sanctuary consists of a pond and gardens that have been planted to attract birds and butterflies.  A teaching bridge and pavilion have been built over the pond to allow visitors to view the full natural beauty of the sanctuary.

The Museum and Cottage were the original headquarters of the Connecticut Audubon Society.  The Museum is currently closed for renovation, but the sanctuary and grounds are open.

Bird Banding at Birdcraft

Since 1979, Connecticut Audubon Society volunteers, licensed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, have operated a Bird-Banding Station at Birdcraft.  More than 18,000 birds have been mist-netted, documented, banded, and released unharmed.  The Station operates weekdays in the spring and the fall.  Demonstrations are available, by arrangement.  Call 203-259-6305 ext. 101  for more information.  Click here to view the list of birds banded Spring 2017 thus far. Click here for more information about Bird Banding.  

 

 

Events at the Birdcraft Museum

News and Announcements

Renovation at the Birdcraft Museum

The Birdcraft Museum began interior renovation in the winter of 2012.  “This project has been in the planning stage for several years and we are now in a position to proceed with a phased approach to not only restoring the museum from a historical standpoint, but more importantly, bringing it into the 21st century of citizen science.” said Nelson North, Director, Fairfield Operations. “The completion of this project, over the next several years, will serve as a focal point for Connecticut Audubon Society’s mission of conserving Connecticut’s bird populations and habitat through science based education programs and advocacy.” The project will include new state of the art interactive exhibits focused on birds and their habitats. Restoration will also include the refurbishing of the museum’s dioramas which depict wildlife at the turn of the century. The exterior façade and footprint will remain unchanged.

While the Birdcraft Museum is currently closed, the Sanctuary will remain open during the renovation period. The Sanctuary is open from dawn to dusk.

Education Programs

Environmental Education Programs for Pre-K through Grade 12.

Due to the construction at the Birdcraft Museum, all education programs all held at the Center at Fairfield, 2325 Burr Street.   For questions or to register for a program at the Center at Fairfield,  please contact our scheduler at 203-259-6305 ext. 118.

CANE Program for Grades K-2

The Connecticut Audubon Nature Explorers (CANE) Program is offered to students at the Fairfield Public Schools and St. Thomas Parochial School. We train Parent-Volunteers to present three science enrichment programs to their child’s class. Two units are presented in the classroom, leading up to one end-of-year field study activity. We provide some of the materials that will be needed in the classroom.

The Kindergarten fall and winter programs are puppet shows; the spring program is held on school grounds.

The Grade 1 fall program is a puppet show; the winter program is a hands-on activity about bird beak adaptations; the spring program is a trip to the Birdcraft Museum.

The Grade 2 programs include setting up a salt water tank in the classroom; a ‘Mystery in the Marsh’ activity to test students’ detective skills; and a trip to Southport Beach to investigate the variety of wildlife habitats found there.

For more information, contact the CANE Coordinator at each school; or Colleen Noyes, Teacher Naturalist, 203-259-6305, ext., 112 or cnoyes@ctaudubon.org .

TRAINING SCHEUDLE:  Click here for the 2016/2017 CANE  Training Schedule. 

PRESENTATION SCHEDULE: 
Kindergarten Presentation Schedule
Grade 1 Presentation Schedule
Grade 2 Presentation Schedule

 

Directions

From I-95: Take Exit 21. Go north on Mill Plain Road for about ½ mile. Turn right onto Unquowa Road. After you go under the I-95 overpass, immediately turn left into our driveway and parking lot.

From I-84: Take Routes 25, 8, or 91 south to Merritt Parkway and follow directions below.

From Merritt Parkway (Route 15): Take Exit 44.

Northbound: Turn right onto Congress Street.

Southbound: Turn left at the light; go about 200 yards and turn left onto Black Rock Turnpike; take first right turn onto Congress Street.

From Congress Street: Turn left at first stop sign (Burr Street) and go straight (Burr Street turns into Mill Plain Road) to the 4th stop sign. Turn left onto Unquowa Road. After you go under the I-95 overpass, immediately turn left into our driveway and parking lot.

Address

314 Unquowa Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
203-259-0416

Register for Summer Camp

Articles of Interest: Birding, Wildlife, etc.

Our adjoining 6-acre Birdcraft Sanctuary is open daily, year-round, from dawn to dusk.

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Coming Up At the Birdcraft Museum

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