Connecticut Audubon Society
Coastal Center at Milford Point


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

Fax: 203-876-2813

Center Visitor Hours:

Our Nature Center is open:
Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sunday, noon-4 p.m. Closed Monday.
Admission: By donation.

Get Directions

See a MAP of our 5 Centers & 19 Wildlife Sanctuaries

Our adjoining 8-acre Smith-Hubbell Wildlife Refuge
& Bird Sanctuary is open dawn to dusk year-round.
Above: Coastal Center photo © Frank Gallo.

General Information
Connecticut Audubon Society’s Coastal Center at Milford Point provides unique hands-on environmental education and outdoor adventures for area youth and adults. Opened in 1995, the Coastal Center is located on an 8.4-acre barrier beach (the Smith-Hubbell Wildlife Refuge & Bird Sanctuary) 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 also provides unique, easy access to Long Island Sound and its many habitats: tidal salt marshes, barrier beaches, tide pools and coastal dunes. Teacher-naturalist Amy Zvonar uses one of the Center's spotting scopes; photo © Frank Gallo.

These diverse and interactive environments of salt water, tidal marsh and fresh water create rich habitats that support an enormous variety of bird, plant and animal communities that are ideal for observation and study. A variety of educational exhibits, live animals and program space for crafts, games and other activities can be found inside the Coastal Center.

Bird-Watcher's Paradise
The Coastal Center is one of the best spots on the East Coast for bird-watching: 315 different species, including many rarities have been seen here. Purple Martins (above) and Willets (below) are two of many bird species to be found at our Coastal Center. Photos © Frank Gallo.

Focus: To promote awareness of Long Island Sound's ecosystem, the birds and habitats it supports and to foster their preservation. Against a backdrop of a picturesque beachfront and fragile wildlife habitats, Connecticut Audubon Society's Coastal Center at Milford Point offers a special window onto one of CT's most precious natural resources -- Long Island Sound. Willet photo © Frank Gallo.

Center Features

• Educational exhibits
• Tide pool demonstration tank
• Salt-marsh laboratory funded by the office of Long Island Sound License Plate Fund
• Program and meeting rooms

On The Grounds

• 8-acre Smith-Hubbell Wildlife Refuge and Bird Sanctuary
• Boardwalk & observation platform with interpretive signage
• 70-foot covered observation tower for panoramic vistas

Environmental Activities

• Classes, lectures, workshops related to environmental topics for beginning and experienced naturalists of all ages.
• Programs for school groups, Scout & Explorer troops and other community organizations (program brochures are available).
• Youth programs held after-school and weekends including week-long summer day camps and classes. Pre-school programs available.
• Birthday Parties that are both fun and educational.
• Adult Lecture Series on various ecological aspects of Milford Point.
• Interpretive Bird & Nature Walks led by naturalists.

Volunteer Opportunities

• Sanctuary Rangers and Docents: For adults eager to share their love and knowledge of nature with others. We offer seasonal instruction in nature studies and teaching methods.
• Nature Store: A variety of nature-related toys, books, gifts.

Coastal Center Associate Director Frank Gallo
demonstrates bird banding. Photo © Dr. Twan Leenders.

Bird Programs for Children,
Families & Adults

Sorting Out Bird Songs, Wed., Sept. 15, 7-9 p.m.

Birdsong can be an incredible aid to finding and identifying birds. Instructor Frank Gallo, an avid student of birdsong, will introduce the basics of birding by ear, using sound resources, as well as the tips, tricks, and even pitfalls to indentifying birds by sound. Is that an oriole or a tanager singing? Could that be a hermit thrush calling or a catbird? Come find out, as we delve into the basics of birding by ear. Meet at the Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center at Milford Point. Fee: $35.

Big Sit! Fund Raiser, Sun., Oct. 10, a 24 hour bird-a-thon. "The Big Sit!" is a 24-hour international bird-finding event with more than 40 states/countries competing. The idea is to find as many bird species as possible from within a 17’ circle. Our team (Patrick and Jim Dugan, Frank Mantlik, Frank Gallo) will be seated again at Milford Point defending their CT record of 101 species. They are inviting participation from Connecticut birders to help support our mission. Help our conservation and education efforts by pledging per species seen, or by making a lump sum donation. Your contributions make a difference. We also invite you to join us at Milford Point any time from 11 a.m. -3 p.m. Call Frank at 203-878-7440 for details, or click here for the pledge form.

Birding for Beginners
Tues., Oct. 12, 7–9 p.m. (classroom)
Sat., Oct. 16, 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 birding "hot spot". No experience is necessary. Bring the "Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds." (Field guides are available for sale at the Coastal Center.) Meet at the Center at Milford Point. Fee: $75/person.

Special Event: "Migration Madness!"
A Fundraising Walk on Sat., Oct. 16, noon- 4 p.m. (rain date Oct. 17)
Collect as many pledges as you can for completing your fall “migration": a walk starting at Walnut Beach parking lot and ending at the Coastal Center (approx. 1.5 miles). (Shuttles will be available for the return to Walnut Beach, if needed.) Anyone can walk and you're encouraged to dress up as your favorite bird.
Earn prizes for:   
>Best in Show (Child & Adult),   
>Best Family Participation,   
>Best Group Participation,   
>Most Pledges Collected.  
After your walk, enjoy refreshments, crafts and live bird demonstrations. Click here for the flyer to share with family and friends, and click here for the Pledge Sheet. (Please don't bring pets; they're not allowed at the Coastal Center.)  Photo © Pablo Zevallos.

Birding 101

2 Thursdays, Oct. 21 and 28, 7- 9 p.m. (classroom)

Sat. Oct. 30, 9 a.m.- noon (field trip)

Discover bird watching with naturalist Frank Gallo, who 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 the basics of identifying birds using field guides and observational skills. The 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 at the Center.)  Meet at the Center. Fee: $105/person.

Autumn Owl Prowl, Fri., Nov. 5, 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 that they sparked legends of ghosts. Whatever the truth, a night near All Hallows Eve is a fine time to uncover the mysteries of these amazing nocturnal hunters. We’ll learn about a few of the species that co-exist in our area, and then carpool to a local park to try to call one in. It’s a hoot! Fee: $35/person.

2010 School Program for ages 3 & older
at our Center or in your Classroom/Schoolyard

Click here for our 1-page flyer

For the 2010 school year we offer the following programs:
Schoolyard Nature Hike

Ley's Go Buggy!

Native Americans

Nails, Tails and Scales

Animals Getting Ready for Winter

Aquatic Animals

Feathered Friends

Migrating Monarchs

Amazing Mammals

Night Creatures: Owls & Bats

Shifting Shells
For scheduling or more info call 203-878-7440 ext. 502, click here to e-mail us or click here for our flyer.

After School Programs at Your School
for Grades K-5
Click here for our After School Programs flyer

We offer the following programs at your school:
Native American Lore
Wacky Water Science

Kitchen Sink Science
Mystery Minerals
Amazing Mammals
Aquatic Animals
Scales and Tails
Birds of a Feather (includes Owls)

Spineless Wonders
Other Topics (ask us or suggest one)
For more info click here for our flyer or contact Louise Crocco, 203-878-7440 ext. 502, lcrocco@ctaudubon.org.

Osprey Cam Update

We now have a new, operating Osprey Cam at our Coastal Center, thanks to the CAS staff who waded through the Wheeler Salt Marsh to run new computer cable and to affix a new camera to the armature that is attached to the 18-foot-tall nesting platform -- no mean feat! And the picture quality is great! So enjoy the ups and downs of Osprey family life.
This nesting season our Osprey pair produced 4 eggs, all of which hatched and all 4 chicks have fledged: they are now almost as big as the adults! Please help us keep our Osprey Cam in good working order by making a donation of support. Thanks so much.

Photo taken weekend of May 23, 2010 by one of our
Osprey nest observers.

4th Osprey egg was laid April 14, 2010;
photo by Pat Mishico.

3rd Osprey egg was laid April 11, 2010;
photo by Pat Mishico.

2nd Osprey egg was laid just after noon
on 04-08-10, photo by Helen Kalis.

From 2009: female Osprey adult and 3 chicks
"having a discussion"; photo by Sherri Delaney.

2010 "Big Day" Birding Challenge a Big Success!

Here's team member Frank Gallo's account:

The Raven Luna-ticks (Nick Bonomo, Patrick Dugan, Dave Tripp, Fran Zygmont and me) had an exciting day despite fog on the eastern coast and a pitiful songbird migration. Our total was an incredible 185, only one away from the state record! We're still in a bit of shock ...

Highlights included four Least Bitterns, two at Station 43, and several Sora Rails; both species were missed last year. From midnight to dawn, we tallied most of the other night-calling birds, including Whip-poor-will, Horned Lark, and Grasshopper Sparrow. Upland Sandpiper had to wait until daylight hours, but we found one. Inland, we ferreted out most of the nesting warblers, including Golden-winged, Mourning, Hooded, and Cerulean, but missed Nashville, sadly. Our coastal run started in fog, but using what felt at times like braille birding techniques, we were able to pluck out Little Blue Heron, our missing Bank Swallow, an American Oystercatcher, and a few other shorebirds before the fog finally cleared. As we pulled into Middle Beach in Madison, we were greeted by Purple Sandpipers and a Common Loon, both still hanging around from earlier in the week. We had a respectable duck tally, which was a surprise given that we missed Red-breasted Merganser for the first time and few ducks had been found during the previous week. A flock of young male Common Eiders found at Tuxis Island, Madison, two weeks earlier but absent during the week decided to show themselves, as did a young male Surf Scoter. Perhaps it was the tides?  Eleven White-winged Scoters and a Hail Mary Green-winged Teal in Stratford were blessings, as was a bonus Great Cormorant sitting with his buddies on the breakwater between Milford and Stratford. Our last birds of the night included Common Nighthawk in New Haven and a Long-eared Owl -- a rather nice end to a great day. (Before anyone asks, we're unable to divulge the location of the Long-eared; they're endangered breeders in CT.)

For a full account of our adventures, visit our blog and the May 23-30 Archive. There's a great story about three raptors, one a Mississippi Kite. I'm going to sleep now . . . Frank Gallo.

Nature Babies Programs
Here, our teacher-naturalist and a group of young visitors examine the underside of a turtle. Check the listings for our Nature Babies program schedule.

Directions

From I-84 eastbound
Take Route 8 south to I-95 North or exit 27 to I-691 to Route 15 South (Wilbur Cross/Merritt Parkway) to exit 54 connector to I-95 South and follow below**

From I-84 westbound
Take I-91 South to I-95 South and follow from below**

or
Take I-91 South to Route 15 (Wilbur Cross/Merritt Pkwy.) South to exit 54 connector to I-95 South and follow from below**

From Route 15, Merritt Parkway
Take exit 54 connector to I-95 South and follow from below**

**From I-95 North and I-95 South
Take exit 34. Turn right at light where exit ramp meets Route 1. Go 1/2 mile to third light at Naugatuck Ave. Turn left on Naugatuck and go 0.8 miles to second light at Milford Point Rd. Turn right and follow Milford Point Road 1/2 mile, passing tennis courts on right and small wildlife sanctuary (at 1.1 miles.) to stop sign at Seaview Ave. Turn right, go .35 miles to Sanctuary. Road forks: take the right fork (left fork is private road) into parking area.

Volunteer Corner: Eagle Scout Projects

Coastal Center staff would like to thank Eagle Scout Rob Cummings and Scout Troop 721 for their work restoring our Wigwam and creating a replica of a small Native American village at the Coastal Center. As part of his Eagle Scout project, Rob rebuilt the Wigwam frame, covered it with reeds, and added a beautiful information kiosk, shell midden, fire pit and fish-drying rack to the site. We now have a wonderful education exhibit for school and public programs that will see much use in the coming years. Please come have a look. (Birthday Parties with a Native American theme are also now available.)
There’s always more work to be done! If your Cub Scout den or pack or your Scout troop is interested in a community service project, or if you are considering an Eagle Scout project at the Coastal Center at Milford Point, please contact Louise Crocco, Facilities Manager, at 203-878-7440 or lcrocco@ctaudubon.org.
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Volunteers Needed
Do you enjoy birds, gardening, working with marine animals, interacting with children and adults, and are you able to do some volunteer work? Coastal Center is looking for volunteers to help us deliver our mission. You can’t beat the location!

Contact Louise Crocco at 203-878-7440 or send her an e-mail at lcrocco@ctaudubon.org if you can volunteer.