Events at the Coastal Center

 

Whole Foods

Good-Will-Grill

to

Support the Coastal Center 

Saturday, May 25^th

 

Stop in for Lunch! 

Good Will for the Grill benefiting the CT Audubon Society

11:30 am – 1:30 pm $Donation TBD

You might ask yourself “what does Good Will for the Grill mean?” Well, Whole Foods likes to support our community organizations, so our Good Will is to sell things from the grill on behalf of the Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center in Milford. Whatever you buy for lunch from our grill, the proceeds will go to support the Connecticut Audubon’s Coastal Center.

 

 

 Register for Summer Camp

 

Connecticut Audubon Society camps provide outdoor adventure and hands-on nature activities that encourage children ages 3- 15 to develop a respect for the natural world. Kids at our camps have the kind of fun that can come only from exploring the woods and ponds, visiting marshes and brooks, or meeting an owl or a turtle up close and personal.

Registration begins February 13.

To register online for summer camp at the Milford Point Coastal Center, click here.

 To download the camp Brochure click here. For other forms, click on the following: Medical Form, Authorization to Administer Medication Form.

 

Featured Spring Programs

Birding for Beginners

Wednesday, May 15, 7-9 p.m. (classroom)
Sat., May 18,  9-11:30 a.m. (field trip)

Learn the basics for identifying birds on your own! During this fun and comprehensive hands-on course, longtime instructor and expert birder Frank Gallo will teach you ID skills as well as how to choose and use field guides and binoculars, and where to find birds locally. The course culminates with a field trip to a local park. No experience is necessary. Bring the “Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds.” (Field guides are available for sale at the CoastalCenter.) Fee: $75/person. $65 Seniors.

 

Hidden Gems Series: Bird Walks in Milford Parks  ”New!”  
7:45 – 8:45 a.m. 

Saturday, May 18: Mondo Pond – Warblers and other migrants
Saturday, May 25: WilcoxPark – Warblers and other migrants
Saturday, June 1: Milford Point – Rare shorebirds, terns and gulls
Saturday, June 15: EisenhowerPark – Breeding birds and late migrants

Milford is blessed with many wonderful parks. Expert birder Frank Gallo, Director of Connecticut Audubon’s Coastal Center (CAS), has handpicked the best sites to explore in spring, from hidden gems, such as WilcoxPark, to more well-known sites, such as Milford Point. Frank will guide walkers to a variety of species of seasonal birds at each location. No experience necessary. Binoculars are available upon request. Preregistration recommended. Contact Louise at 203-878-7440 x 502 to register and to request binoculars. Meet at each park; directions will be provided.

Fee: 4 weeks $28 ($15 seniors, $20 C AS members); weekly $9 per walk ($4 seniors, $7 CAS members)

 

 

 Note: See Summer Canoe Dates and other programs listed below. 

 

2013 Big Day Birding Fundraiser 

In 2011, our team, the Connecticut Audubon Raven Luna-ticks, (Nick Bonomo, Patrick Dugan, Frank Gallo, Dave Tripp, and Fran Zygmont) finally broke Connecticut’s Big Day birding record of 186 species. We broke it by six, besting the New England record by one, as well, with a hard-earned total of 192 species in 24 hours. Our New England record lasted a week. Friends from Massachusetts now hold the record with 193 species. 2012 started well and ended in fog.  It’s a new year, and we want our record back! We have flexibility this year to go on any day between May 18-24, to optimize our chances. We’re busy locating raptor nests (please let us know if you have any in your area), and are already out scouting. Our sights are again set on 203 species, and we’ll give it our all!

We invite you to join our team by pledging your support. Help us achieve our ambitious goal of reaching 203 species and raising $5,000 — every dollar you pledge directly supports the Coastal Center at Milford Point – voted Yankee Magazine’s best birding destination in Connecticut.  We cannot do this without you, and we thank you in advance for your generosity!

To make your pledge to support the Connecticut Audubon Team, please click here to download the pledge form. Your contribution in Tax deductible  and we thank you for your continued support of the Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center.  

Frank

Events at the Coastal Center at Milford Point

News and Announcements

Summer Canoe Dates

Family Canoe Programs
Through the Charles E. Wheeler Salt Marsh

Saturday, June 15, 3:15 – 5:45 p.m.
Saturday, June 22, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Saturday, June 29, 3:15 – 5:45 p.m.
Sunday, July 7, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.*
Saturday, July 13, 1:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. 
Saturday, July 27, 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 10, 12:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. 
Saturday, September 7, 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.*
Sunday, September 8, 12:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.*
Saturday, September 21, 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 
Sunday, September 22, 12:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. (Early Autumn Paddle)*
Sunday, October 6, 11:15 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. (Early Autumn Paddle)*
Sunday, October 20, 11:15 a.m. – 1:45 a.m. (Late Autumn Paddle)*

Spend a lovely summer day with us on a relaxing guided canoe tour of the Charles Wheeler Salt Marsh. Get away from the noise and bustle of everyday life to a place for quiet contemplation. Steeped in local history, the Marsh also offers an abundance of birds and other wildlife, beautiful vistas and a chance to paddle and unwind. Bring water, a snack, and wear shoes that can get wet. Contact the CoastalCenter for more information. Trip routes are subject to change due to weather. Wind may cause trips to be canceled, even on sunny days; please call 1-1.5 hours in advance for trip status. Advance registration required. Sign-up early for these popular tours! Inquire about tour dates in October. (* Bring a lunch on these days.)

Coastal Center Canoes
CAS Members $27/person, $69/canoe (3 people)
Non-members $35/person, $95/canoe (3people)

Private Canoe/Kayak
$20 CAS Members, $30 Non-members

Spring Programs at the Coastal Center

 

Birding Programs

Birding for Beginners

Wednesday, May 15, 7–9 p.m. (classroom)
Sat., May 18,  9-11:30 a.m. (field trip)

Learn the basics for identifying birds on your own! During this fun and comprehensive hands-on course, longtime instructor and expert birder Frank Gallo will teach you ID skills as well as how to choose and use field guides and binoculars, and where to find birds locally. The course culminates with a field trip to a local park. No experience is necessary. Bring the “Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds.” (Field guides are available for sale at the CoastalCenter.) Fee: $75/person. $65 Seniors.

 

How to Learn Birds!

Tuesdays, May 28 &, June 4, 7 – 9 p.m. (2 nights in-classroom)
Saturday, June 1, 9 a.m. – noon (field trip)

Discover bird watching with naturalist Frank Gallo. Frank leads bird tours worldwide, is a member of Connecticut’s Avian Rare Records Committee, and a past president of the New Haven Bird Club. His enthusiastic hands-on style quickly teaches you how to identify birds using field guides and observational skills. This in-depth course culminates with a field trip to find birds at a local birding hot spot. Bring the Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds. (Field guides also for sale in class.)  Meet at the Center. Fee: $105/person. $85 Seniors.

 

 

Hidden Gems Series: Bird Walks in Milford Parks

7:45 – 8:45 a.m.

Saturday, May 18: Mondo Pond – Warblers and other migrants
Saturday, May 25: WilcoxPark – Warblers and other migrants
Saturday, June 1: Milford Point – Rare shorebirds, terns and gulls
Saturday, June 15: EisenhowerPark – Breeding birds and late migrants

 

Milford is blessed with many wonderful parks. Expert birder Frank Gallo, Director of Connecticut Audubon’s Coastal Center (CAS), has handpicked the best sites to explore in spring, from hidden gems, such as WilcoxPark, to more well-known sites, such as Milford Point. Frank will guide walkers to a variety of species of seasonal birds at each location. No experience necessary. Binoculars are available upon request. Preregistration recommended. Contact Louise at 203-878-7440 x 502 to register and to request binoculars. Meet at each park; directions will be provided.

Fee: 4 weeks $28 ($15 seniors, $20 C AS members); weekly $9 per walk ($4 seniors, $7 CAS members)

 

 Spring Owl Prowl

Thursday, May 30,
7:15– 9:15 p.m.

When the sun retreats, owls awaken to go in search of prey. Some say that owls are wise; others say that they have sparked legends of ghosts. Whatever the truth, we’ll uncover the mysteries of these amazing nocturnal hunters, while learning about the species that co-exist in our area. The evening culminates at a local park where we’ll carpool and try to call one in. It’s a hoot!  Meet at the Coastal Center. Not recommended for young children.

Fee: $25/person. ($15 Seniors, $7 Children (ages 10 and up)) (Spring Special – reduced fee)

 

Sorting Out Bird Songs

Wednesday, June 12
7 – 9 p.m.

Discover the basics of birding by ear!  Using a variety of sound resources, instructor Frank Gallo will teach you tips, tricks, and even pitfalls to identifying birds by sound.  Is that an oriole or a tanager singing? Come find out, as we delve into the secrets to birding by ear. Fee: $35/person. ($25 Seniors, $30 CAS members)

 

Spring Bird Banding and Molt Workshop

Saturday, June 15
9:00 a.m.-11 a.m.

Understanding molt is an incredibly powerful tool for helping to age, sex, and identify birds in the field, and it’s a difficult process to master on your own. Here’s a chance to join experienced Master Bird Banders, Sean Graesser and Frank Gallo, for an up-close look at songbird molt, as we catch tag and release migrating birds at the CoastalCenter. Participant will experience the entire banding process, from extracting birds from the nets, to aging, and sexing birds, and recording data. Banding will be followed by a multi-media presentation with detailed photos of songbird molt. Don’t miss this unique opportunity.

Meet at the Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center at Milford Point.
Fee: $35/Person ($25 Seniors, $30 CAS members)

 

Family Programs

Pre-registration required for all programs: please call Louise at 203-878-7440 to register. 

Tank Time

LIVE Animal Demonstration & Feeding
Saturdays, May 11, 25; June 1, 15
12:30 pm                          

Meet a new animal each week and steal a peek into their worlds. From snakes and turtles, to insects and amphibians, there is sure to be something for everyone! All ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Cost: $4/child CAS Members; $6/child Non-members.  

 

Kids Night Out

Fridays, May 10, 24; June 21; July 12
6:00-7:00 pm

Parents, drop-off your children for an evening of investigating the nocturnal happenings at the Coastal Center. We have a variety of activities in store, from roasting marshmallows, to telling stories, playing games, and learning about the nighttime world of animals. Each evening will be different. It’s a great way to end the school week! Ages 6-10.

Cost: $12/child (individual session) CAS Members; $20/child (individual session) Non-members

 

Seaside Stories

Saturday May 4, 18; June 8; July 13
12:30 pm

Get nice and cozy in our Coastal Center and listen to a good tale about your favorite animal. Afterward, we will have a craft available for you to make and take home. On occasion, a live animal may visit during story time. All ages welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult.

Cost: $4/Child CAS Members; $6/Child Non-members

 

Summer Treasures
(Beach Scavenger Hunt)

Saturdays, May 11, 25; June 1, 8, 15
10:00am –11:00am                         

Come with our beach experts and explore the magical world of the tide pools! Crabs, Fish, sea weed, and much, much more! Please bring clothing that can get wet, sun block  and appropriate closed toe shoes (rain boots, crocs or sneakers that can get wet, no flip flops please.) There may or may not be tide pools on the date of your program depending on tides, but we will still have a scavenger hunt on the beach and have tons of fun!

Cost: $8/child CAS Members; $10/child Non-members

 

 

 

The Day We Earned Our Name: The Raven Luna-ticks 2012 Big Day Run

There is nothing I like better than standing in a swamp listening to the myriad mutterings of the night. Midnight, the morning of May 21, was no exception; it was the start of our 2012 Big Day run to raise money for the Connecticut Audubon Society’s Coastal Center, and I was standing with three teammates, Patrick Dugan, Dave Tripp, and Fran Zygmont, in a swamp in central Connecticut.

At a minute to midnight, Fran had trilled like an Eastern Screech-Owl. We were hoping and waiting for one to respond while listening to the musings of Virginia Rails “kicking” in the background to the accompaniment of “twanging” green frogs. Seconds after midnight, two screech-owls started whinnying together, a Marsh Wren sang and, just minutes later, a Green Heron gave its harsh squawk.  Of the Least Bittern, there was no sign, not a single peep did it utter.

We raced back along the waterlogged trail in high spirits, with hopes of soon finding Sora, Whip-poor-will, singing Grasshopper Sparrows, and a plentitude of owls, secure in the knowledge that there were still other stops for Least Bittern.

The Soras were silent, and our foray for grassland birds was a bust, but an American Woodcock, along with Solitary and Spotted Sandpipers, had all chimed in at one stop, and we discovered, at random, a Barn Owl. It was calling while it was going in and out of a barn — at first, loud, then muffled, loud, then muffled. Bizarre.

One horned lark, and a back-up Grasshopper Sparrow, put us back on track and we raced west through the night, picking up our Whip-poor-wills and Cliff Swallows, and bagging four more species of owls. Our stop to listen for migrants produced only one, a Swainson’s Thrush. But, ahead of schedule, we tried for a moorhen and picked up American Bittern. Sweet!

Dawn found us listening to the warbles of Canada Warblers and Northern Waterthrushes in the northwest corner of Connecticut. Our well-planned north route (thanks to Fran and Dave) had us picking off species after species: Magnolia Warbler, Nashville, Worm-eating, and Blackburnian Warblers in a single stop; Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, and Winter Wren all sang at the scouted sites. Our staked-out pheasant was sauntering through a field when we arrived, so we sped off to find Belted Kingfisher and Willow Flycatcher, before heading to our Acadian Flycatcher spot.

As we drove up, the Acadian sang, so we spun around, snagged a Cerulean Warbler from the roadside, and made a swing through an area for brush-loving species: Brown Thrasher, check; Orchard Oriole, check; Field Sparrow, check; Prairie Warbler, check, and we were off.

During the rest of the morning, we would add species such as Broad-winged and Red-shouldered Hawks, Black Vulture, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and Hooded Warbler. Our total was building nicely; we were right on track, a little behind schedule, but quickly approaching last year’s record-setting total for the north.

The American Coot was right were I left it the day before (I mean, saw it) and it was time to shoot for the coast – with 130 species and high hopes that days of scouting would pay off. Our bright morning sky was clouding quickly and our arrival in Stratford was accompanied by strong east winds and rain. Binoculars became microscopes, as visibility shrank. We increased the pace, trying to outrun the rain, and picked up Boat-tailed Grackle, Short-billed Dowitcher, Ruddy Turnstone, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, and a few other targets, but little else. We decided to cut our losses and head east. At our first stop, scouting rewarded us with a female Bufflehead, found the day before, and a bonus Common Loon.

Spirits lightened, but the weather worsened. By the time we reached the Branford coast visibility was down to 100 yards. All the scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, and Red-throated Loons I had scouted during the week had vanished in the fog. It was maddening. We did manage to find a single Purple Sandpiper on a rock near shore, and made a last-minute save on the Black Scoter that flew in and landed on “his” island as we were leaving.

Well, two were better than none, and there was lots of daylight left. If the weather would just clear, we might still have a chance. We had scouted 191 species, with many others possible, so we crossed our fingers, and flew off to Hammonasset Beach.  

I’ve never tried birding by feel, but the fog was so thick when we arrived, that we nearly had to, trying to identify the Little Blue Heron in the Meig’s Point Pond. The Park was an eerie landscape of surreal shapes and brief glimpses of birds materializing softly from the gloom, only to vanish again, like ghosts, engulfed in silence. Fortunately, Seaside Sparrows sang, and a lone Saltmarsh Sparrow walked within sight beside the board walk. The search for our other target species was in vain. No Tri-colored Heron; no Lesser Yellowlegs; no loons, or waterfowl – just white, rain, and wind. The atmosphere was palpable; the visibility nonexistent.

We decided to try farther to the west in hopes that the storm cell would pass to our east. It didn’t, and Milford Point was shrouded in fog. It’s a good thing that birds make noise. Two of our next three species were found by ear: a Piping Plover called near its nest, and the shadows of six Sanderling rocketed past us on the beach uttering their “plick, plick, plick” calls. As we were preparing to leave, Patrick finally found a White-rumped Sandpiper that had wandered out of the fog just close enough for us to see.

A last ditch stop at Silver Sands turned up more fog rather than the scouted Lesser Yellowlegs. Poor Charles Island and its heron colony just offshore, was only a memory, invisible in an impenetrable bank of white.

As we stood there among the clouds, peering east into mist and drizzle, we pondered what to do. Our tally was 171. Two or three more species were possible, if the weather gods cooperated, but given their track record, we opted to call it a day and let everyone drive home safely. No sense pushing the envelope when people had long drives home; better to do it early then late, when we’d be more tired. There would be other days. We did our best, and I’m proud of our results given the hand we were dealt. It was a good day. After all, we started in a swamp enjoying the nightlife, so how bad could it be? – Frank Gallo, director of the Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford Point

The Big Day is over but it’s not too late to make a pledge to support the Coastal Center at Milford Point. You can find a link to a pledge form on this page.

Raven Luna-ticks Break Connecticut Birding Big Day Record!

Friday, May 20
(rain date  5/21)

On Friday, May 20, the Connecticut Audubon Raven Luna-ticks (Nick  Bonomo, Patrick Dugan, Frank Gallo, Dave Tripp, and Fran Zygmont) not only broke the Connecticut Big Day birding record of 186 species, but also bested the New England record of 191, by finding an amazing 192 species in Connecticut in just twenty-four hours!  Read more about our day at http://ctaudubon.blogspot.com/ and at http://www.shorebirder.com/ A full account of our Big Day will be posted on our blog soon.

So far, the event has raiseed over $2000 for CAS’s Coastal Center at Milford Point.  We’re two-thirds of the way to our goal of $3000.  Please help us reach this important goal, by making a pledge today. Every dollar you give will go directly to support CAS’s Coastal Center at Milford Point - Yankee Magazine’s recipiant of this year’s editor’s choice award for best birding destination in Connecticut.  

 We can’t do it without you, and we thank you for your generosity!

Pledge forms are available here, or by contacting Frank Gallo at  203-878-7440  x 501.

Frank is on “Bird Calls” radio show with Chris Bosak

Frank talks with Bird Call’s producer Chris Bosak about our upcoming Birding Big Day Fundraiser, getting children involved in birding, and our successful Return of the Osprey Party. Click the link below to listen to the show.

http://www.birdsofnewengland.com/id94.html
Or visit www.birdsofnewengland.com and click on “Bird Calls archives” from the home page.

LIVE Animal Demonstrations & Feedings

Third Saturdays of the Month at 12:30 p.m.

Meet a new animal each week and steal a peak into their worlds. From snakes to turtles to insects, there is sure to be something for everyone! All ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Cost: $4/adult & $2/child CAS Members; $8/adult & $4/child Non-members. Senior Rate $2.

Birthday Parties

Look no further! CAS’s Coastal Center at Milford Point is the perfect place to hold your child’s next birthday party! Our staff has designed a wide range of “theme” parties to provide your child and their friends with a memorable and fun hands-on learning experience.

Call 203-878-7440 for details or click here for our Birthday Party Brochure.

Directions

From I-95: Take Exit 34. Turn right at the traffic light where the ramp meets Route 1. Go ½ mile to the third light at Naugatuck Avenue. Turn left onto Naugatuck Avenue and go 0.8 miles to the second light at Milford Point Road. Turn right and follow Milford Point Road ½ mile to the stop sign at Seaview Avenue. Turn right and go 0.35 miles. When the road forks, take the right fork into the parking area.

From Merritt Parkway: Take Exit 54, the connector to I-95, and follow the above directions.

From I-84 westbound: Take I-91 south to I-95, and follow the above directions.

From I-84 eastbound: Take Route 8 south to I-95 northbound, and follow the above directions.

Connect to MapQuest

Address

1 Milford Point Road
Milford, CT 06460
203-878-7440

Center Hours:

Tuesday-Saturday
10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Sunday, Noon-4:00 p.m.
(Closed Monday)

Our adjoining 8-acre
Smith-Hubbell Wildlife Refuge and Bird Sanctuary is open daily, year-round, from dawn to dusk.

Sanctuary Map
Get Directions

Coming Up At the Coastal Center At Milford Point