July 3, 2025
An excellent bird watching location with nesting Cerulean Warblers, Worm-eating Warblers, Prairie Warblers, Indigo Buntings, and many more! Limited to 10 participants. Registration required. Email Andy Rzeznikiewicz at arzeznikiewicz@ctaudubon.org or call 860-928-4948. Fee: $20 CAS members; $30 non-members.
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July 5, 2025
Most of North America's shorebird species winter in South & Central America, heading north to breed in the high Arctic. Some of these birds breed in CT, while others start their southbound journey in late summer. Join us as we look for many of our shorebird species at some of the best spots around southeastern Connecticut and learn how you can help these charismatic birds.
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July 8, 2025
July 8, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
$5 members, $10 non-members
Learn about and see forest management practices at Deer Pond Farm with Sanctuary Manager/Naturalist and CT certified forester Lori Lichtenauer. The history of Connecticut’s forests will be discussed and how past land management has impacted the forests of today. We will hike about 4 miles to some of our management areas where we will discuss how sustainable forestry practices can increase wildlife biodiversity and overall health of forested landscapes.
July 11, 2025
Robbins Preserve in Thompson is known to have nesting Whip-poor-wills and owls. We’ll watch for them under the full moon. Registration required. Email Andy Rzeznikiewicz at arzeznikiewicz@ctaudubon.org or call 860-928-4948. Fee: $20 CAS members; $30 non-members.
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July 12, 2025
July 12, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
FREE
Our Volunteer Guides will lead this easy to moderate 2-to-3-mile hike at Deer Pond Farm.
Enjoy birdsong, summer blooms, and good company on this casual hike.
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July 12, 2025
Join us as we explore some of southeastern Connecticut’s most scenic waterways by boat! Enjoy birds, wildlife, and fun on the water! Each participant must bring their own kayak/canoe and PFD.
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July 13, 2025
Photo by
Cathy Hagadorn
July 13, 2025, 10 a.m. to Noon
Enjoy a shady stroll along the trails of Deer Pond Farm and discover the various ferns common to the Northeast. Connecticut Audubon Society volunteer Naturalist Diane Nizlek will lead this hike, during which she will share the basics of fern identification and reproduction. Join us as we learn a few fun facts on some of the oldest plants on Earth and how they support local wildlife.
$5 members, $10 non-members.
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July 15, 2025
The Axeman’s Carnival by Catherine Chidgey
WINNER OF THE JANN MEDLICOTT ACORN PRIZE FOR FICTION AT THE 2023 OCKHAM NEW ZEALAND BOOK AWARDS
A dazzling portrayal of humanity and the natural world that perfectly balances violence and humor
Tama is just a helpless chick when he is rescued by Marnie, and this is where his story might have ended. “If it keeps me awake,” says Marnie’s husband Rob, a farmer, “I’ll have to wring its neck.” But with Tama come new possibilities for the couple’s future. Tama can speak, and his fame is growing. Outside, in the pines, his father warns him of the wickedness wrought by humans. Indoors, Marnie confides in him about her violent marriage. The more Tama sees, the more the animal and the human worlds—and all the precarity, darkness and hope within them—bleed into one another. Like a stock truck filled with live cargo, the story moves inexorably towards its dramatic conclusion: the annual Axeman’s Carnival.
Part trickster, part surrogate child, part witness, Tama the magpie is the star of this story. Though what he says aloud to humans is often nonsensical (and hilarious), the tale he tells us weaves a disturbingly human sense. The Axeman’s Carnival is Catherine Chidgey at her finest—comic, profound, poetic and true.
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July 17, 2025
Most of North America's shorebird species winter in South & Central America, heading north to breed in the high Arctic. Some of these birds breed in CT, while others start their southbound journey in late summer. Join us as we look for many of our shorebird species at some of the best spots around southeastern Connecticut and learn how you can help these charismatic birds.
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July 17, 2025
Yellow Warbler Photo by Gilles Carter
July 17, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Have you ever wondered how birds survive the “dog days” of summer? Join us at Deer Pond Farm for our Summer Bird Behaviors program. Starting in the classroom, avian expert Lori Lichtenauer will discuss how parent birds care for fledglings, bird molting patterns, when and how birds prepare for their long-distance migratory journeys! We will hit the trails for the last hour of the program.
$5 members, $10 non-members.
July 24, 2025
Walk the paths of Trail Wood searching for various bird species. Possibilities include Blue-winged Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, and many more. Limited to 8 participants. Registration required. Email Andy Rzeznikiewicz at arzeznikiewicz@ctaudubon.org or call 860-928-4948. Fee: $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.
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July 24, 2025
After the rush of spring migration, birds start the important task of breeding. Summer can be a quieter time as birds are nesting, but there are still many interesting species and behaviors to see. Join us as we search for breeding birds and late migrants in some of the best spots in southeastern Connecticut.
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July 26, 2025
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July 30, 2025
July 30, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Discover the flowers, birds, and butterflies of Deer Pond Farm with Sanctuary Manager / Naturalist Lori Lichtenauer. Starting in our pollinator garden, we will discuss the phenology (seasonal cycles) of native flowering plants and how this impacts the insect and bird communities. Then we will explore the life in and around our nature preserve!
$5 members, $10 non-members.
