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!
Youth/Family Programs
Family Ecology Days
Saturday, October 19
9:30-11:30 am
RTP Estuary Center, Old Lyme
All ages are invited to participate in a morning of ecology exploration with the RTP Estuary Center! Participate in seasonal activities around our sanctuary. Seasonal activities may include: macroinvertebrate exploration with scopes, plant ID in the pollinator garden, searching for birds with binoculars, animal tracking, and more! Cost $ 25 per family/member $35 non-member
Fall Ecology Walk
Saturday, November 23; 9-11 am
Honey Hill Preserve, Lyme
Fall is here! Join teacher-naturalist Morgan Allen on an ecology walk open to all ages around the Honey Hill Preserve in Lyme. Suitable for ages 4 and up. Free for children 10 and under; $13 for members; $18 for non-members
– Walk will be an appriximately 1 mile loop on mostly level dirt terrain. No restrooms on site.
Little Naturalists
Wednesdays 9:30-10:30am
RTP Estuary Center
Join us for this parent/caregiver and child nature class designed for children who are 3 to 5 years old. Activities will encourage discovery, explorations, and expression through stories, hands-on activities, and art. Series fee $100 members; $120 non-members. Single program fee $15 members; non-members $18
Session Dates:
Oct 23, 30, Nov 6, 13, 20, Dec 4, 11 * Note no program on Nov 27
Register Here for Single Sessions
RTP Estuary Center Afterschool Adventures Program
Registration Open For Sessions 2
Tuesdays or Wednesdays 3:45-5:00 p.m.
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 session 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. Open to Grade K-4. Cost for either Tuesday or Wednesday program for all 7 weeks is $85 for members and $105 for non-members Contact Heather at hkordula@ctaudubon.org for questions. Click Here for required registration paperwork
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 2:
Register Here for Session 2 Tuesdays
Tuesday dates: Oct 29, Nov 12, 19, 26, Dec 3,10, 17 * note no program on Nov 5
Register Here for Session 2 Wednesdays
Wednesdays: Oct 30, Nov 6, 13, 20 , Dec 4, 11, 18 * note no program on Nov 27
Vacation Day Program
Tuesday, November 5, 9:00am-4:00pm
RTP Estuary Center, 100 Lyme St
Join us for a day of fall fun! Outdoor explorations, hands-on science experiments, games, and creative activities are in store! Dress to be outdoors rain or shine. Program is for ages 5 – 10. Each child should bring a water bottle, snack and lunch. Registration is required. $75 members, $90 non-members.
Required Forms:
Registration form
Authorized Dismissal Form
Health Form
Register Here
Adult Programs
Fall Bird Walks
Saturday, October 12; 9-11 am
As summer winds down and cooler weather starts to approach, many of our migratory birds are making their southbound journeys to their wintering grounds in the southern US, and Central & South America. We’ll search for warblers, vireos, thrushes and more in some of the best birding spots in southeastern CT. $13 for members/$18 for non-members.
– Walk in Essex will be an approximately 1.5 miles out and back on mostly level dirt trails, with one slightly steeper portion. No restrooms on site.
Saturday, October 12; 9-11 am at Falls River Preserve, Essex – Register here
Shorebird Walks
Saturday, October 12; 2-4 pm
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 mid-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. $13 for members; $18 for non-members.
– Walk at Bluff Point will be an approximately 2.5-3 mile walk on level dirt terrain. Exposure to wind, sun, and heat possible depending on weather. Portable toilets on site.
Saturday, October 12; 2-4 pm at Bluff Point, Groton – Register here
Guided Paddles
Saturday, October 19; 1-3 pm
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. Sunscreen, bug spray, and binoculars are encouraged. 10 person maximum. $25 members; $30 non-members
October 19 at Four Mile River Boat Launch, Old Lyme – Register here
Fall Bird Walk
Photo by Michael Audette
Saturday, November 9; 9-11 am
Hammonasset State Beach, Madison
Walking the Cedar Island and Meg’s Point trails we will search for both land and water birds in a variety of habitats including sandy beach, rocky shore, salt marsh and woods. With fall migration still underway we are likely to record an excellent species list and are likely to encounter a few that are uncommon or rare in Connecticut.
$13 for members; $18 for non-members
– Walk will be an approximately 1-1.5 mile walk on level dirt, grass, and sandy terrain. Exposure to wind, sun, and heat/cold possible depending on weather. Restrooms on site.
Woodpecker Walk
Saturday, November 16; 1-3 pm
Conn College Arboretum, New London
Woodpeckers are among the most unusual groups of birds, with numerous adaptations for their lifestyle. All of the regularly occurring species of woodpecker can be found in the forests of the Connecticut College Arboretum, and with fewer leaves on the trees, late fall is one of the best times to search for them.
Free for CT Audubon & Arboretum members; $10 non-members
– Walk will be approximately 1 mile on level dirt and grassy terrain. No restrooms on site.
Webinars via Zoom
Sparrows Webinar
Wednesday, October 16; 6-7 pm
Often overlooked compared to more colorful birds, sparrows are a study in details. The “Little Brown Jobs” can often be difficult to identify, and with so many species mixed together, it can seem quite the daunting task. In this webinar Conservation & Education Coordinator Joe Attwater will give you clues on how to figure out which species you’re spying through your binoculars.
Joe will discuss:
- Which species are found in CT and when
- Breeding & nesting behaviors
- Tips & tricks for identifying fall sparrows
Woodpeckers Webinar
Wednesday, November 13; 6 pm
If you’ve walked through the woods of CT, chances are you’ve heard knocking on nearby trees. Woodpeckers are a ubiquitous sight and sound in our wooded areas and have some pretty amazing adaptations for their hard-hitting lifestyles. In this webinar, Conservation & Education Coordinator Joe Attwater will go over what makes these birds so unique and how they survive in their habitats. Joe will discuss:
- Woodpecker Adaptations
- Species Found in CT
- Threats & Conservation
