Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center
Programs & Events
We are currently offering small group in-person programming following all current COVID-19 safety procedures. See below for details.
Looking to schedule one of our interactive webinar programs exclusively for your group?
All webinar programs can also be provided in person!
NEW! Grasses: An Introduction to Identification With Lauren Brown
Saturday, June 25; 9 am – 1 pm
RTP Estuary Center
Grasses are all around us – along roadsides and riverbanks, in fields and marshes – but many people are scared to try identifying them, thinking that “they all look alike” and that their identification requires a specialized vocabulary and a microscope. Not so! Lauren Brown,
co-author with Ted Elliman of Grasses, Sedges, Rushes: An Identification Guide, will show you how to tell one species from another using naked-eye characteristics and plain English. We will start with study in the classroom and then proceed to a riverfront property for identification in the field. It will be very useful for you to bring this book, or its predecessor, Grasses: An Identification Guide by Lauren Brown. Participants will need transportation to proceed to the outdoor portion of the program. Registration required, 12 person capacity. $40 members; $60 for non-members.
Register Here
Adult Programs
Ecological Expeditions 2022 Series
March-August 2022
Enjoy exploring wild places? Then open your eyes to new locations and get to know the non-human neighbors that share our corner of the world! This unique program combines in-depth environmental science with hands-on experiences in some of the most special areas in southeastern Connecticut. Each month emphasizes different themes depending on the season (although we can always count on nature adding surprises!). The role of humans in the landscape, past and present, will also be emphasized. All programs are led by Connecticut Audubon Society conservation biologist Jim Arrigoni.
This program includes a 60-minute virtual webinar presentation via Zoom on Mondays 6-7 p.m. with a discussion and Q and A, introducing topics and relevant literature. The 2.5-hour field program will take place on Saturday, participants will receive lists of species encountered (including an eBird checklist) and additional information resources.
$20 members; $30 non-members
Click Here for monthly program descriptions
Register Here for individual sessions
Beyond Birding in the Field 2022 Program Series
March -December 2022
Birding has quickly become one of America’s most popular outdoor activities, with over 45 million people a year watching our feathered friends! If you are a seasoned veteran or new to birding,
Beyond Birding will teach you what you need to know bird with confidence. Join Conservation and Education Coordinator Joe Attwater and explore new locations and discover the extensive bird life that Connecticut has to offer. Each month we will focus on a specific topic and its connection to birds, including equipment, migration and nesting, identification and more! Joe will also share valuable resources and discuss current happenings in the world of birding.
Each program session includes a 2 hour field portion and access to a pre-recorded webinar. Recordings are available to watch for the duration of the program. Program space is limited and registration is required.
Register for five sessions of your choice for $65 members; $80 non-members. Or register for individual programs for $15 members; $20 non-members.
Click here for monthly program descriptions
Register here for five sessions
Click here to register for individual sessions
Bird Walks
Bird Walks at the RTP Estuary Center
Follow the progress of bird migration at our new sanctuary in Old Lyme this spring, and help us collect valuable bird data in the process. Because the RTP Estuary Center is a new sanctuary, you’ll be helping establish a baseline record of the birds that migrate through.
The data will prove valuable as we work to make the sanctuary better for birds.
Each walk starts at 9 am. Click the dates to sign up!
Thursday, June 2 – Register here
Thursday, June 16 – Register here
The cost is $5 per walk for Connecticut Audubon members; $10 for non members.
Shorebird Walks
Photo by Patrick Comins.
Late spring and early summer in Connecticut means the return of our shorebird species, as they stop to breed in the state or continue further north. These birds compete for space with beach goers and shoreline development, and as a result, are often of conservation concern. 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 charasmatic birds. $10 for members; $15 for non-members.
Saturday, June 4 at Barn Island WMA – Register here
Wednesday, June 22 at Rocky Neck SP – Register here
Webinars via Zoom
Flycatchers Three-Part Webinar Series
Tuesday, May 17 – Tuesday, May 31, 7 – 8 pm
Some of our most expert aerialists, flycatchers make a living catching insects in flight. Every spring and summer these charismatic birds make their way into and through Connecticut, providing some of the most sought-after bird species in the state. In this three-week series teacher naturalist Joe Attwater will go over why birders are so crazy about these birds and which ones to expect here in Connecticut. $30 for members; $45 for non-members.
Week 1: In week one we will discuss the adaptations, breeding and nesting behaviors, and migration of flycatcher species, as well as some general ID tips and tricks.
Week 2: In week two we will discuss the flycatcher species found in CT, with habitat preferences, diets, vocalizations, and how to identify.
Week 3: In week three we will discuss those flycatcher species found elsewhere in the US, as well as flycatcher species from around the world.
Mockingbirds & Thrashers Webinar
Photo by Karen Gallo
Wednesday, June 8, 6 pm
Ever listened to a cacophony of bird songs in the morning only to realize that was only one bird? Our birds in the Mimidae family are well known for their vocal antics and can produce a wide variety of sounds. In this webinar teacher naturalist Joe Attwater will discuss this incredible group of birds with some of our most well-known species. Joe will discuss:
- Characteristics of thrashers, catbirds, and mockingbirds
- Species found in CT and elsewhere
- Threats and conservation
Free program. Suggested donation $10.
Programs with the Connecticut College Arboretum
Breeding Birds of the Arboretum
Saturday, June 18, 9-11 am
Connecticut College Arboretum
Almost 200 species of bird’s breed in Connecticut, and June is peak nesting season for many of them. Some of our most brilliantly colored birds can be found in the state in summer and have made their way from their wintering grounds to breed in our forests and wetlands. Join us as we search the diverse habitats of the Connecticut College Arboretum for our summer breeding birds, occupied nests, and fledgling birds, and learn about breeding and nesting behaviors. Free for members of either the CT Audubon Society or CT College Arboretum; $10 for non-members
