Birding with Brian: Fall Session

 9/6 – Northwest Park, Windsor
We’ll kick off our fall birding series at this well-known town park, which offers a wonderful variety of habitats for migrating birds. Early September is an excellent time to search for migrating songbirds, including warblers, vireos, sparrows, orioles, and tanagers. The park’s mix of open spaces, fields, wetlands, and woodland edges provides plenty of opportunities for good views, while the mostly flat terrain makes for an easy first outing.

• Directions: 145 Lang Rd, Windsor
• Walking: Easy and flat
• Distance: Approximately 2.8 miles

9/13 – Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve, North Granby
We’ll explore the woods, wetlands, and trails of this beautiful Granby Land Trust property in search of some of the more secretive fall migrants. We’ll be watching and listening for warblers, thrushes, and whatever else happens to cross our path.

• Directions: The listed address is 253 Loomis Street, but GPS may not take you directly to the trailhead. If traveling north on Loomis Street, the parking area is approximately ¼mile before the Southwick, Massachusetts border.

• Walking: Mostly flat, with a few short, steeper sections; trails can be wet in places
• Distance: Approximately 1.5 – 2 miles

9/27 – Suffield/Southwick Wildlife Management Areas, Suffield
Undisturbed grassland habitat is increasingly rare in Connecticut, and this area protects one of the largest expanses of grassland habitat in the region.

Although the state-endangered Grasshopper Sparrows that nest here will likely have begun their journey south by this point in the season, we’ll keep an eye out for other late migrants, grassland birds, raptors, and anything else moving through this beautiful open landscape.

• Directions: Parking lot on the Suffield side, off Babbs Road
• Walking: East and flat
• Distance: Approximately 1.5 – 2 miles

10/4 – Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge, East Longmeadow, MA
Just over the state line is a hidden gem! Located along the Connecticut River, this refuge features a rich mix of ponds, swamps, woods, and fields.

That variety of habitat gives us the chance to encounter an equally diverse mix of migrating birds
and year-round resident species.

• Directions: Near the intersection of Bark Haul Road and Pondside Road. Park at the roadside pull-off. 

• Walking: Easy and flat; can be wet in places
• Distance: Approximately 2 – 2.5 miles

10/11 – Massacoe State Forest & Great Pond, Simsbury
By mid-October, many migrating songbirds will already be well on their way south, so we’ll shift our attention toward waterfowl at beautiful Great Pond.

We’ll hopefully encounter a variety of ducks and other waterbirds, along with a few lingering migrants - and perhaps some migrating raptors overhead.

• Directions: Google Maps: Search “Parking Massacoe State Forest Great Pond” Apple Maps: Search “Great Pond Rd & Great Pond State Forest Access Rd” Drive down the dirt access road to the parking area.

• Walking: Easy and flat; trails can be wet in areas
• Distance: Approximately 1.5 – 2 miles

10/18 – West Hartford Reservoir #6
Our final class will also be our longest walk, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes! We’ll make our way around the reservoir on a long but relatively easy route while searching for interesting waterfowl, late migrants, and raptors. On last year’s outing, a Bald Eagle perched cooperatively less than 100 feet away, providing fantastic views and photo opportunities.
Who knows what might show up for our grand finale this year?

• Directions: Search “West Hartford Reservoir #6” on any map app.
• Walking: Easy, flat
• Distance: 3.5 miles

Requirements

• Participants should be comfortable walking approximately 1.5–3.5 miles on mostly flat terrain. Some outings may include short hills, uneven ground, muddy areas, or slightly longer or shorter distances depending on conditions.

What to Bring

• Binoculars: 8x42mm or comparable binoculars are recommended. Compact binoculars will work but can make bird identification more challenging. A limited number of loaner binoculars will be available.

• Appropriate clothing and footwear: Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots.

• Water bottle and snacks: Bring whatever you may need for a two-hour morning outing.
• Backpack: Helpful for carrying water, snacks, extra layers, and an optional field guide.

Other notes:

• Because some of our destinations are a little off the beaten path, I will send participants a map pin approximately 24–36 hours before each outing. I typically send locations using Google Maps.

• Weather cancellations: If an outing needs to be canceled due to weather, the makeup trip will be held on the Sunday following our final scheduled class.