Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center Programs & Events

The Connecticut Audubon Society’s Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center is pleased to present its 2018 Fall Lecture Series. 
These lectures are free but seating is limited.

North on the Wing: Travels with the Songbird Migration of Spring
Thursday, October 4, 5 p.m.
Essex Meadows, Essex

Bruce Beehler, a research associate in the Division of Birds of the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History will recount his 100-day journey in 2015 following the spring songbird migration from the coast of Texas, up the Mississippi, and then into the North American wood warblers’ breeding grounds in northern Ontario and the Adirondack Mountains of New York.  His presentation touches on wildlife, nature conservation, migration research, American history, and rural culture.
RSVP Here

Protecting Our Environment in a Climate of Change
Thursday, October 18, 5 p.m.
Old Lyme Town Hall, Old Lyme

Connecticut and its residents have a strong history of support for protection and conservation of the environment. Our coastal and estuarine communities have a particular interest in policies and strategies to mitigate sea level rise, storm surge and protect wildlife habitats. Yet, budget constraints at the local level, state deficits, and rapidly changing federal policies with respect to standards, regulation, and enforcement, present challenges. Some states have chosen to maintain their own strict standards. What can a small state like Connecticut do? Our speaker, Commissioner Rob Klee of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, will address the challenges that policy makers face and how we can be effective advocates.
RSVP Here

Journeys: Osprey and an Author, Rob Bierregaard
Thursday, October 25, 4 p.m.
Lyme Art Association, Lyme

Between 2000 and 2017 Rob Bierregaard and his colleagues placed GPS satellite transmitters on 47 adult and 61 juvenile Ospreys from South Carolina to the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland.  In 2013 a friend suggested that Rob write a book for children about his favorite Osprey. Five years later, Belle’s Journey: An Osprey Takes Flight, a middle-school book, was published. Rob Bierregaard will highlight his findings from satellite tracking studies of Osprey migrations and describe his own journey as a first-time children’s book author.
Note: This is a family friendly lecture. We urge you to bring your children and grandchildren.
RSVP Here

To learn more about our lecture speakers click here

Each Thursday we will gather from 8:30-9:30 a.m. for a guided trail walk as we explore local trails. Our naturalists will point out  flora and fauna in some of the area’s best hiking spots. Sunscreen, bug spray and binoculars are encouraged. 

Open to all ages. Members $5 non-members $10, Children 10 and under free.

September 27 – Gillette Castle State Park, East Haddam Register
October 4 – North Champlain Farm, Old Lyme Register 
October 11 – Jewett Preserve, Lyme Register
October 18 – Clark Community Park, Old Saybrook Register
October 25 – Ames Family Preserve, Old Lyme Register 

Saturday, September 22, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Barn Island Wildlife Management Area, Stonington

Barn Island Management Area is Connecticut’s largest and most ecologically significant coastal wildlife management areas. The diverse habitats provide an important stopping point for migrating songbirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl, and the trails provide excellent viewing for wildlife.

This event is free, register here

Guided Ecology Hike
Saturday, September 29, 9 a.m. – noon
Griswold Point, Old Lyme

Join CT Audubon Society conservation biologist, Jim Arrigoni, on an autumn walk to Griswold Point, where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound. We’ll take advantage of the low tide to access this unique spit of sand that, earlier in the season, provides nesting habitat for endangered Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers among the driftwood. This time of the year, Monarch Butterflies will be feeding on the nectar of Seaside Goldenrod blooms in preparation for their migration to Mexico, and various resident and migratory shorebirds will be on display while they forage on the mudflats. Bring sunscreen, water, and binoculars. After returning to higher ground at noon, stay for a bag lunch overlooking the rising tide of the Sound.

$15 for members, $20 for non-members, register here

Monday, October 8, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Chatfield Hollow State Park, Killingworth

Join a leisurely family fun stroll through the woods collecting leaves and finish by making a fall keepsake of the seasonal rubbings. This family orientated event combines nature and art in a fun and creative way. Dress for fall weather and bring your imagination.

$5 for members, $10 for non-members, $3 for children 10 & under, register here

Selden Creek From Above 
Saturday,October 13, 9 a.m, – noon
Selden Creek Preserve, Lyme

 Join the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center and conservation biologist Jim Arrigoni on a guided ecology hike of The Nature Conservancy’s Selden Creek Preserve in Lyme. Undulating gradually between mossy wetlands and dry oak and pine ridges, an unusually diverse variety of habitats will be encountered on this gentle 2-mile loop trail. Stone walls built in among the rock outcrops bear witness to the toil of Yankee farmers long ago, while birds and insects busily fly among the Witch Hazel blossoms, taking every advantage of October’s shortening days. Bring a bag lunch to enjoy when we reach he highlight of the hike: a cliff-top clearing with a birds-eye view of the vast marshes of Selden Creek and the autumn foliage of Selden Island.

Members $15 Non-members $20, Register here

Saturday, October 20, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Joint Program with the Connecticut College Arboretum

October in Connecticut means beautiful changing foliage and migrating birds. Experience the best of both in the Connecticut College Arboretum. Join a teacher/naturalist from the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center as we explore the large catalog of tree species and diverse habitats that make for excellent bird watching and leaf peeping. Binoculars recommended.

$5 for members, $10 for non-members, register here.

Tuesday, October 23, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
90 Halls Road Old Lyme

Be there for the grand showing of our new volunteer collaborated acrylic mural depicting our local estuary and animals. This opportunity allows you to see inside the ever changing and improving center and meet one on one with the teacher naturalists and artists of the mural. Join us for snacks and drinks and learn about the different collaboration of styles each of the artists brought to this collage cooperation and their background as budding or established artists.

This event is free, no registration required 

Saturday, October 27, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Harkness Memorial State Park, Waterford

Adjacent to Long Island Sound, the marshes and open fields of Harkness Memorial State Park provide important habitats for numerous species of birds. Sea ducks and other waterfowl can be found off the coast, shorebirds forage on the beaches, and warblers and sparrows flit about the underbrush and reeds.

This program is free, register here

Saturday, November 17, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Joint Program with the Connecticut College Arboretum
Connecticut College Arboretum, New London

From ducks and other waterfowl in the large pond, to birds of prey circling overhead, the Connecticut College Arboretum offers a wide variety of habitats for a diverse species of birds. Join a teacher/naturalist from the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center as we search for early winter species and late fall migrants in the Bolleswood Natural Area of the Arboretum. Binoculars recommended!

Free for members, $10 for non-members, register here.