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
