Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center
Programs & Events
Looking to schedule one of our interactive programs exclusively for your group?
Celebrate Your Child’s Birthday at the RTP Estuary Center!
RTP Estuary Center Migration Magic Programs
Migration Magic is a month-long family-friendly celebration of Connecticut’s birds.
It features more than three dozen bird walks at 28 preserves and parks in 20 communities around the state, plus an array of webinars, presentations, talks and even a concert.
One highlight is the month-long Birdathon, for people of all ages and all skill levels. Participate in this friendly competition at any time during May 2024. The goal is to spot as many bird species as you can. The Birdathon is a fundraiser for bird conservation in the state. Great fun and great prizes for a great cause!
Check Out the events happening with the RTP Estuary Center Here
(Don’t forget to check out our sanctuary birding checklist when you come to visit us!)
Click Here for Dates and Times for Birding at the RTP Estuary Center
Click Here to Support the RTP Estuary Center in the Birdathon
Click HERE to learn all about Migration Magic!
Connecticut River Lecture Series Spring 2024
Now in our ninth year, the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center’s Connecticut River Lecture Series has focused on the unique relationship between our environment, nature, art, and the impact on our community life. Our Spring series will address these topics with three experts in their field. Our first lecture in April will introduce a prolific but relatively unknown bird artist of the 20th Century. In May we will vicariously explore the Connecticut River Watershed, perhaps planning our next excursion. Finally, but importantly, our last speaker of spring is a scientist whose mission is preserving and protecting our coastal communities in the face of mounting weather-related challenges.
Click here to learn more about the series and our speakers.
Rex Brasher: Prolific but Overshadowed and Unknown with Janine Caira, Ph.D.
April 18, 2024; 4:00 p.m.
Essex Meadows, Essex
Register here
Resilient Connecticut: Protecting Our Coastal Communities with John Truscinski
May 9, 2024; 5:00 p.m.
Old Lyme Town Hall, Old Lyme
Register here
Exploring the Connecticut River with Patrick J. Lynch
May 16, 2024; 5:00 p.m.
Lyme Art Association, Old Lyme
Register here
Youth Programs
Art and Science Adventures
Saturdays, June 1, 8, 15 and 22; 1:30-3p.m.
RTP Estuary Center
Explore the wonders of nature in our Art & Science Adventures 4-week program! Get ready to spread your wings and dive into the colorful world of birds, wildlife, habitats, plants, and insects. Each session is packed with fascinating discoveries and hands-on artistic adventures that will ignite your creativity and curiosity! Program for ages 7-12. Register for one session or all four! Parents/Guardians are welcome to drop off or stick around and explore our sanctuary! $15 per session for members $18 for non-members or $55 for members for all 4 $67 for non members
All participants will need the following forms in order to participate: Registration form, Authorized Dismissal Form, Health Form
Click here to learn about each week’s theme!
Register Here for all four sessions
Register Here for Saturday, June 1
Register Here for Saturday, June 8
Register Here for Saturday, June 15
Register Here for Saturday, June 22
Family Walks
Photo by Gilles Carter.
Saturday, April 20; 9:30-11 am at Canfield Woods, Essex
Spring is in the air! Join teacher-naturalist Morgan Allen on a fun family walk! We will look and listen for birds and other wildlife and enjoy the beauty of nature. Walk is suitable for ages 5 and up. $10 members; $15 non-members; $5 for children ages 12 and under.
– Walk at Canfield Woods will be an approximately 1 mile loop on dirt terrain, with some steeper and wet areas. No restrooms.
Saturday, April 20 at Canfield Woods, Essex – Register Here
RTP Estuary Center Afterschool Adventures Program
Registration Open For All Sessions!
The RTP Estuary Center’s afterschool program allows participants the opportunity to participate in hands-on, inquiry based learning experiences through STEAM based activities. Participants will learn how to use various types of scientific equipment and design, conduct experiments based on different weekly, seasonally-based topics while still leaving room for crafts and games. Themes will reflect the seasonal change found in nature. Each program will run for 7 weeks, meeting once a week from 3:45-5:00 pm. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather and bring a snack and water bottle. Cost for all 6 weeks is $75 for members and $90 for non-members OR register for individual sessions for $12 for members and $15 for non-members. Contact Heather at hkordula@ctaudubon.org for questions.
Busing is provided ONLY for Mile Creek Elementary and Lyme Consolidated students from school to the RTP Estuary Center for drop-off. Parent/Guardian must pick-up from RTP Estuary Center.
Session 5
Tuesdays; April 30- June 4 – Register Here
Wednesdays; May 1-June 5 – Register Here
Family Day at the RTP Estuary Center
Saturday, April 27; 1-5 p.m. 
RTP Estuary Center
Join us for an afternoon of family fun along the banks of the Lieutenant River! Enjoy games, science and nature activities, art and more. At 3pm we will welcome local band Sunny Train! The Lion’s Club will also be on site providing food and drinks.
Cost : $10/ Family
Registration is recommended. All ages welcome!
Adult Programs
Birds of Pratt Cove
Thursday, April 25; 9-11 am
Pratt Cove, Essex
Historically, Ospreys return to Pratt and Post Coves in late March and typically one or more pairs build nests at locations that allow excellent viewing from the Deep River Land Trust’s Evelyn Hawthorne and Smyth Sanctuaries. The natural history and unique adaptations of these unique “fish hawks” will be the focus of our walk, but as we walk the mostly level ¼ mile trail, we will also scan the marsh for waders, waterfowl and other raptors. The woodland margins can be excellent for spotting early spring land migrants as well. $13 for members/$18 for non-members.
– Walk will be approximately .25 mile on level, dirt terrain. No restrooms on site.
Spring Nature Walks
Photo by Frank Mantlik.
Saturday, April 27; 9-11 am in Old Lyme
As the snow melts and temperatures start to rise, nature goes through many changes. Animals come out of hibernation, plants start to bloom, and insects are more active. We look and listen for these first signs of spring and more through the beautiful forests and wetlands of a couple of great preserves in Southeastern CT. $13 for members/$18 for non-members.
– Walk in Old Lmye will be an approximately 1.5 mile out and back on level dirt trails. No restrooms.
Saturday, April 27, 9:30-11:30 am at McCulloch Open Space in Old Lyme – Register here
The RTPEC frequently uses open space and land trust properties that are open to the public without fee. Open space permits our use of these properties and receives no part of any fee collected by the RTPEC.
Webinars via Zoom
Warblers Webinar
Blackpoll Warble, by Gilles Carter.
Wednesday, May 15; 6-7 pm
Often known as “jewels of the bird world”, warblers are among the most sought-after birds during spring migration, as dozens of species make their way into and through Connecticut on their northbound journeys. In this webinar, Conservation & Education Coordinator Joe Attwater will go over the incredible migrations these birds undertake, and which ones you can expect to see in Connecticut in spring. Joe will discuss: Warbler Migration, Behaviors, CT Species, Threats & Conservation.
Free; registration required
RTPEC Event
Save the date, more details to come!
