Things You'll Need:
- Bird watching guide
- A spotting scope or binoculars
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Notebook
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Step 1
Start Connecticut bird watching in the birding hot spot of Milford Point in Milford and find three-fourths of the species sighted in Connecticut. This area is especially good for shorebirds and waterfowl migrations. The rare American Oystercatcher can be seen in the area.
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Step 2
Visit the Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison and enjoy over 280 species of birds. There is a trail around the salt marsh where you can view dozens of species of birds. The park receives over one and a half million visitors each year. Campsites are available, so birders may want to combine a bird watching trip with seaside camping. Be sure to visit the nature center.
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Step 3
Travel offshore to the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge which protects 5 islands and 3 coastal areas near Westbrook. The area is located along the Atlantic Flyway. The Falkner Island Unit provides a home for over 120 pairs of nesting federally-endangered roseate terns. Parts of the refuge are closed during various times of the year to protect nesting birds.
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Step 4
Visit one of the sanctuaries and preserves under the management of the Connecticut Audubon sanctuaries. A special place to visit is the Birdcraft Sanctuary near downtown Fairfield. Established in 1914, it was the first songbird sanctuary in the nation. The 700-acre Richard G. Croft Memorial Preserve near Goshen is the least developed site owned by the Connecticut Audubon Society.
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Step 5
Print out species checklists and site maps. The birders of Connecticut have posted lots of information on various birding websites (see below).
