Bird-Friendly Fall: A Full, Statewide Schedule of Programs and Events
Connecticut Audubon is celebrating the 2025 migration with a Bird-Friendly Fall. We have 30-plus programs scheduled throughout Connecticut, with more to come. Like Connecticut Audubon’s Migration Magic in May, these are designed for all levels of skill and enthusiasm, and all ages.
Scroll through the offerings. We’re sure you will find something to enjoy.
Center at Pomfret
Early Morning Bird Walks
Tuesdays in September and October (8 a.m.)
$5 members, $10 non-members
Visit various locations around the sanctuary looking for birds. Bring binoculars and, if you have one, a spotting scope. Wear drab-colored clothing.
No registration required.
Coastal Center at Milford Point, Milford
Coastal Bird Walk
Friday, September 5 (8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.)
$15 members, $20 non-members
Join Coastal Ranger Matt Joyce as we look for all types of early migrants, from warblers to sandpipers. This walk is timed for low tide, to leave plenty of room for participants to view shorebirds with minimal disturbance to them.
Register Here
Birdcraft Museum & Sanctuary, Fairfield
Bird Banding Demonstration
Saturday, September 6 (8 to 10 a.m.)
Register Here
EcoTravel’s Connecticut River Swallow Migration Cruise
Sunday, September 7 (4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
Reserve for September 7
Coastal Center at Milford Point, Milford
Coastal Bird Walk
Tuesday, September 9 (9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.)
$15 members, $20 non-members
Join Coastal Ranger Johann Heupel as we look for all types of early migrants, from warblers to sandpipers. This walk is timed for low tide, to leave plenty of room for participants to view shorebirds with minimal disturbance to them.
Register Here
Deer Pond Farm, Sherman
Fall Bird Behaviors (Class & Walk)
September 10 (10 a.m. to Noon)
$5 members, $10 non-members
As fall arrives, birds undergo dramatic physical and behavioral changes. This program explores the science of how birds grow new feathers and molting patterns.
Register here.
EcoTravel’s Connecticut River Swallow Migration Cruise
September 14 (3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
Reserve for September 14
Coastal Center at Milford Point, Milford
Coastal Bird Walk
Monday, September 15 (3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
$15 members, $20 non-members
Join Coastal Ranger Johann Heupel as we look for all types of early migrants, from warblers to sandpipers. This walk is timed for low tide, to leave plenty of room for participants to view shorebirds with minimal disturbance to them.
Register Here
Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center
Shorebird Walk
Tuesday, September 16 (9-11 a.m.)
Four Mile River Boat Launch, Old Lyme
Register Here
Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center
Swallows Webinar via Zoom
Wednesday, September 17 (6-7 p.m.)
Register Here
Trail Wood, Hampton
Guided Bird Walk
Thursday, September 18 (8 a.m.)
$10 members, $20 non-members
Bring your binoculars and wear drab-colored clothing.
Register by emailing arzeznikiewicz@ctaudubon.org or calling 860-928-4948.
Fairfield Nature Center
Hawk Watch at Deer Meadow
Friday, September 19 (9:30 a.m. to Noon)
Register Here
Deer Pond Farm, Sherman
Raptor Migration Watch (Open House)
September 19 (1 to 4 p.m.)
Free
Birds of prey are on the move! Hawks, vultures, falcons, and eagles will be heading south to their wintering grounds. Join us anytime between 1:00 and 4:00 PM as we watch the skies for migrating raptors at Deer Pond Farm!
Register here.
Birdcraft Museum & Sanctuary, Fairfield
Bird Banding Demonstration
Saturday, September 20 (8 to 10 a.m.)
Register Here
If you’re lucky, you might see a Baird’s Sandpiper this fall. Photo by Dominic Sherony.
Coastal Center at Milford Point, Milford
Coastal Bird Walk
Saturday, September 20 (8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.)
$15 members, $20 non-members
Join Coastal Ranger Matt Joyce as we look for all types of early migrants, from warblers to sandpipers. This walk is timed for low tide, to leave plenty of room for participants to view shorebirds with minimal disturbance to them.
Register Here
Center at Pomfret
Bird Banding Demonstration
Saturday, September 20 (9 a.m.)
$5 members, $10 non-members
Watch banders net birds, record data about them (species, sex, age, size, weight, condition), band, and safely release them. You may have an opportunity to release a bird yourself.
Register by emailing arzeznikiewicz@ctaudubon.org or calling 860-928-4948.
Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center
Family Shorebird Walk
Saturday, September 20 (9:30-11 a.m.)
Barn Island, Stonington
Register Here
EcoTravel’s Connecticut River Swallow Migration Cruise
September 21 (3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
Reserve for September 21
Center at Pomfret
Gellert Preserve Bird Walk
Thursday, September 25 (8 a.m.)
$10 members, $20 non-members
This Wyndham Land Trust preserve in Abington features a variety of habitats — open field, shrubland, and woodland. Located on a hilltop, migrating birds, including vireos, warblers, and hawks, should be plentiful.
Register by emailing arzeznikiewicz@ctaudubon.org or calling 860-928-4948.
Greater Hartford Region
Beginner Birding at REI – West Hartford
September 25 (6 – 7 p.m)
Observing birds is a great way to connect with the natural world and tune in to the beauty all around us. Join Connecticut Audubon Society at the REI store in West Hartford for an introduction to birds and birding. Learn about our local birds and how to go about observing and identifying them. What equipment do you need? Where should you look? What resources can help you? $10 members/$15 non-members. Registration is required. Register here
Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center
Shorebird Walk
Saturday, September 27 (9-11 a.m.)
Griswold Point, Old Lyme
Register Here
Deer Pond Farm, Sherman
Foliage & Feathers (Class & Walk)
September 27 (10 a.m. to Noon)
Get ready for fall foliage season. The study of seasonal change is called phenology. Autumn is a great time to learn about how light, temperature, soil moisture, and species impact the timing and intensity of autumn tree colors and the many variables of bird feather molting over the seasons.
Register here.
Birdcraft Museum & Sanctuary, Fairfield
Birdcraft Family Day – World of Warblers
Saturday, September 27 (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Register Here
Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center
Family Shorebird Walk
Saturday, October 4 (9:30-11 a.m.)
Rocky Neck State Park, East Lyme
Register Here
Deer Pond Farm, Sherman
Fall Warbler (Class & Walk)
October 7 (10 a.m. to Noon)
Fall warblers are small, fast moving, and have molted out of their breeding plumage, making them an identification challenge for new and experienced birders alike. Join our Naturalist Lori Lichtenauer in the classroom for a brief presentation on fall warbler plumage, behavior, and habitat characteristics, then we will hit the trails around the main campus for a bird walk.
Register here.
Center at Pomfret
Screech Owl Night Hike
Saturday, October 11 (7 p.m.)
$10 members, $20 non-members
Hike the sanctuary looking for screech and other owls. This will be a moderately challenging hike and is best for those who can walk in the dark and keep pace with a group.
Register by emailing arzeznikiewicz@ctaudubon.org or calling 860-928-4948.
Center at Pomfret
Plainfield Fish Hatchery Bird Walk
Wednesday, October 15 (8 a.m.)
$10 members, $20 non-members
Located in Plainfield, the Quinebaug Valley State Fish Hatchery, with a wide variety of habitats, offers some of the best birding in Windham County. Expect to see songbirds, raptors, and waterbirds.
Register by emailing arzeznikiewicz@ctaudubon.org or calling 860-928-4948.
Smith Richardson Wildlife Preserve, Westport
Fall Bird Walk at Smith Richardson
Wednesday, October 15 (8 to 10 a.m.)
Register Here
Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center
Shorebird Walk
Saturday, October 18 (9-11 a.m.)
Bluff Point, Groton
Register Here
Trail Wood, Hampton
Guided Bird Walk
Thursday, October 23 (8 a.m.)
$10 members, $20 non-members
Bring your binoculars and wear drab-colored clothing.
Register by emailing arzeznikiewicz@ctaudubon.org or calling 860-928-4948.
Center at Pomfret
Saw-whet Owl Banding Demonstrations
Friday, October 24 (7 p.m.)
Friday, October 31 (7 p.m.)
Saturday, November 8 (7 p.m.)
$20 members, $30 non-members
Banders capture and band migrating Saw-whet Owls. See these tiny, amazing owls up close. Bring your camera.
Register by emailing arzeznikiewicz@ctaudubon.org or calling 860-928-4948.
