The Coastal Center at Milford Point
Big Day, Summer Camp Registration, a Job Opportunity
Big Day 2012 is May 21. Support the Coastal Center by Making a Pledge!
Summer Camp Counselor Position:
Connecticut Audubon Society is looking for an experienced teacher-naturalist to work at our Milford Point Coastal Center.
203-878-7440 x 502 for more information.
Summer Camp registration at Milford Point has started!
As always, we have an exciting collection of summer programs in store for your child, including many new offerings and past favorites. Frank, Amanda, Kevin, and Diana are looking forward to seeing you again this summer! Some programs fill quickly; early registration is recommended. For our secure online registration page, click here. To read a brochure about our Summer Camps at Milford Point, the Center at Fairfield or Birdcraft Sanctuary, click here.
For questions or a brochure contact Louise at 203-878-7440.
The Big Day Birding Challenge 2012 :
A Coastal Center 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 (
see the details in this post). 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. It’s a new year, and we want it back! Nick will be away, so we’ll have to work even harder.
In 2011, we again found amazing birds for late May in Connecticut, including Barn Owl, Northern Gannet, and Horned Grebe, 25 species of warblers, a late Great Cormorant, Common Eiders, Blue and Green-winged Teal! Tough misses included, Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, and Northern Saw-whet Owl. The highlight for me was descending from Meig’s Point with 185 species, having just seen a late gannet, both loons, and two species of scoters. Luckily, we had Seaside Sparrow in the bag to tie the record, and there in the marsh pond by the parking lot was a female Blue-winged Teal, like a little gift from the heavens. An already great day had just gotten better, and with hours of light left… 192! Ending our day with both a Barn Owl and Least Bittern calling was pretty great too…
This year, we’re busy nailing down raptor nests (please let us know if you have any in your area), and are already out scouting. Our sights are set on 200 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 200 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!
Pledge forms (in PDF format) are available by clicking here
General Information
Coastal Center at Milford Point
Connecticut Audubon Society’s Coastal Center at Milford Point is located on an 8.4-acre barrier beach and is situated next to the 840-acre Charles Wheeler Salt Marsh and Wildlife Management Area at the mouth of the Housatonic River. The Coastal Center promotes the awareness of Long Island Sound’s ecosystem, the birds and habitats it supports, and its preservation needs; and provides access to Long Island Sound and its many habitats: tidal salt marshes, barrier beaches, tide pools, and coastal dunes. The Coastal Center is a bird-watcher’s paradise – 315 species have been seen here, including many rarities. The Coastal Center offers a full range of educational programs and many events for families, children, and adults. The Coastal Center provides educational exhibits, a tide pool demonstration tank, a salt-marsh laboratory, and program and meeting rooms. The Coastal Center’s grounds contain the 8-acre Smith-Hubbell Wildlife Refuge and Bird Sanctuary, a boardwalk and observation platform with interpretive signage, and a 70-foot covered observation tower for panoramic vistas. Viewers from around the world watch the Center’s seasonal Osprey Cam, operated from our 18-foot tall nesting platform.
Education Programs
School Programs (for Children Ages 3 and above).
Our professional naturalists and educators offer a wide range of programs that can be delivered at our Center, or in your classroom or schoolyard. Current programs include:
- Amazing Mammals
- Animals Getting Ready for Winter
- Aquatic Animals
- Feathered Friends
- Feathers, Fur, and Scales
- Let’s Go Buggy! (Amazing insects!)
- Life Between the Tides (Tide pool exploration)
- Migrating Monarchs (butterfly tagging possible in fall)
- Native Americans of the Housatonic
- Nails, Tails, and Scales (A close look at reptiles and Amphibians)
- Night Creatures: Owls and Bats
- Rocks & Minerals
- Scenes from a Saltmarsh (saltmarsh ecology)
- Schoolyard Nature Hike
- Shifting Shells
- Watersheds (three different programs are available):
- Watersheds Around Us
- Long Island Sound in a Jar
- The Blue Travler
- Click here for program descriptions and a copy of our school program flyer. To schedule a program or for more information, call use at 203-878-7440, ext. 502.Preschool Programs
Preschool Programs
The Coastal Center also offers programs tailored for preschools. Click here for a preschool program flyer.
After School Programs
The Coastal Center currently presents after school program series in nearly all the elementary schools in Milford, and in other area towns. For more information about our hands-on dynamic programs, click here for copy of our After School Program flyer.
Brownie, Girl Scout, Cub Scout & Boy Scout Programs
Our updated scouting programs are 60-90 minutes long and are designed to help scouts earn their badges and learn about the environment. Our new scout programs include:
- Rocks Rock
- Science Sleuth
- Water Wonders
- Weather Watch
- All About Plants
- Cleanup Treasure Hunt
- Secret Codes
- Sharing Your World With Wildlife
- Nature Detectives
- Native American History (with a new wigwam built by a local BS Troop)
Call 203-878-7440 for more information or click here for our new Girl Scout & Brownie Programs brochure, or click here for our new Boy Scout & Cub Scout Programs brochure.
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.
Events at the Coastal Center at Milford Point
News and Announcements
Citizen Science: Horseshoe Crab Tagging Project
Saturdays June 2 and June 23, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
On rising tides in May and June, horseshoe crabs visit our beaches to lay eggs. Shorebirds, traveling north toCanada, time their arrival to take advantage of this rich food source. Researchers trying to understand and protect these living fossils need your help! Delve into the incredible world of the horseshoe crab, while helping to tag and release these amazing creatures. Bring water shoes, a water bottle, and a towel. Sign up early.
CAS Members: Children: $7 members; Non-members $10; Adult: $8 members; $12 Non-members: $7 Senior
Spring Birding Programs
Sorting Out Bird Songs
Thursday, May 31, or Wednesday, June 6, 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. Meet at the Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center at Milford Point. Fee: $35. Seniors $31.
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Family Canoe Programs
Through the Charles E. Wheeler Salt Marsh
Saturday, June 9 at 2:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Sunday, June 10 at 3:15 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
Sunday, June 17 at 9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. (Special Father’s Day Paddle)
Saturday, July 7 at 1:15 p.m.–3:45 p.m.
Sunday, July 8 at 2:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 21 at 12:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 22 at 12:45 p.m.–3:15 p.m.
Saturday, August 4 at 12:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 5 at 12:45 p.m.–3:15 p.m.
Saturday, August 18 at 10:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m.*
Sunday, August 19 at 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.*
Saturday, September 15 at 9:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 16 at 10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.*
Saturday, September 22 at 3:30 p.m.–6 p.m. (Evening Paddle)
Saturday, September 29 at 9:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. (Early Autumn Paddle)
Sunday, September 30 at 10:15 a.m.–12:45 p.m. (Early Autumn Paddle)*
Sunday, October 28 at 9:15 a.m.–11:45 a.m. (Late Autumn Paddle)
Join us on a guided canoe tour of the Charles Wheeler Salt Marsh. Steeped in local history, the Marsh offers an abundance of birds and other wildlife, beautiful vistas and a chance to paddle and relax. Bring water, a snack, and wear shoes that can get wet. Contact the Coastal Center 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! (* Bring a lunch on these days.)
Coastal Center Canoes
CAS Members $29/person, $69/canoe (3 people)
Non-members $39/person, $99/canoe (3people)
Private Canoe/Kayak
$20 CAS Members, $30 Non-members
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.
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.
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