[CT Birds] New Haven Bird Club - April events

[jtriana1 at sbcglobal.net]

NEW Field Trip-- "First Wednesdays"
Beginning Wednesday, April 2, NHBC plans to start offering a mid-week bird
walk on the first Wednesday of every month. If you're retired or for any
other reason are free to attend on first Wednesdays, plan to join us. New
birders and experts are welcome. The first walk, on Wed April 2, will be
held at Hammonasset State Park in Madison (Exit 62 off I-95, and follow the
connector to the park). Phil Asprelli will lead this walk with assistance
from other birders. We'll meet at 8:00 a.m. at the entrance to the park for
a morning of birding. Direct any other inquiries about this new program to
"First Wednesdays" Coordinator Kris Johnson, 203 288-3087 -
krisjohnson99 at snet.net  Hope to see you there!


East Rock Birding and Trail Maintenance
Saturday, April 5, 2008, 8:00 AM
Meet at the Eli Whitney Museum parking lot for a bird walk from 8 to 9 AM.
Then join Park Ranger Dan Barvir and help with light trail maintenance along
the river from 9 AM to noon. A great chance to enjoy birds and help preserve
their habitat. Bring work gloves and pruning shears if you have them.
Leader-Dan Barvir: 203.946.6086 


Monthly Indoor Program - Thursday, April 10, 2008
Conservation Across Landscapes - Dr. Robert Askins 
Fragmentation of natural landscapes into smaller, often isolated patches
poses threats to many species dependent on large continuous habitat
expanses. Negative effects of habitat fragmentation are especially evident
from studies of forest birds in northeastern United States as well as in
other habitats in North America, Asia, and other continents. Dr. Askins will
discuss the effects of and approaches to combating the progression of
habitat fragmentation. Professor of Biology at Connecticut College in New
London, Dr. Askins teaches courses in ecology, ornithology, and animal
behavior. An author published widely in scientific journals, his research
focuses on the ecology and conservation of migratory birds in both their
northern breeding areas and tropical wintering areas. His book about the
ecology and conservation of North American birds (Restoring North America's
Birds: Lessons from Landscape Ecology) was published in 2000 and has since
been reissued in a second edition. 
All indoor programs will be held at the Jones Auditorium, CT Agricultural
Experiment Station, Huntington St., New Haven.  The facility is wheelchair
accessible with a ramp and elevator.  The social half-hour begins at 7:00
PM; the program at 7:30 PM.


Lighthouse Point to the Richard English Bird Sanctuary
Saturday, April 19, 2008, 8:30 AM
Meet in the Lighthouse Point Hawk Watch parking lot and bird the harbor
shore for gulls, loons, ducks, and early returning shore- birds. We then
proceed to the Richard English Bird Sanctuary on Deer Lake in Killingworth,
and after that, to Hammonasset State Park. This is an all-day trip so bring
lunch and dress warmly.  Leaders-Dick English: 203.865.8610 and Mike Horn:
203.288.1891, mhorn at rcn.com 


West Rock Ridge, New Haven
Saturday, April 26, 2008, 7:30 AM
Climb the winding abandoned road to the top of West Rock Ridge for awesome
views of ravens and of Konold's Pond. You can find early warblers, woodland
birds, and a variety of woodpeckers. Meet at the West Rock Nature Center
parking lot on Wintergreen Ave. Leader-Pat Leahy: 203.393.2427,
ptjleahy at yahoo.com 


Beginners' Bird Walk at Edgewood Park
Sunday, April 27, 2008, 8:00 AM
This walk will commemorate the very first NHBC field trip, held here 101
years ago. We will be looking for early spring migrants such as Palm, Pine,
and Yellow-rumped Warblers as well as the common resident species. Special
attention will be given to beginners, but all levels of birders are welcome
on this trip to an historic park known to produce some fine surprises. Last
year, we found a Red-headed woodpecker and several Rusty Blackbirds.
Leader-Chris Loscalzo: 203.389.6508, closcalz at optonline.net 

********************
Also of note.......

NHBC Annual Banquet

We are starting to take reservations for this year's banquet which will be
held on May 8th.  This year's speaker will be Bill Burt and his topic will
be "Marshes: The Disappearing Edens".  For more information, including the
reservation form, go to http://www.newhavenbirdclub.org/banquet.htm.





Thanks,
JT


John Triana
jtriana1 at sbcglobal.net
"Just take your shoes off and get soulful, ya know?" - Otis Redding