Connecticut Audubon Society
Coastal Center at Milford Point


1 Milford Point Road, Milford, CT 06460
Phone: 203-878-7440

Fax: 203-876-2813

Center Visitor Hours:

Our Nature Center is open:
Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sunday, noon-4 p.m. Closed Monday.
Admission: By donation.

Click here for Directions

Click here for a MAP of our 5 Centers
& 19 Wildlife Sanctuaries

Our adjoining 8-acre Smith-Hubbell Wildlife Refuge
& Bird Sanctuary is open dawn to dusk year-round.
Above: Coastal Center photo by Frank Gallo.

General Information
Connecticut Audubon Society’s Coastal Center at Milford Point provides unique hands-on environmental education and outdoor adventures for area youth and adults. Opened in 1995, the Coastal Center is located on an 8.4-acre barrier beach (the Smith-Hubbell Wildlife Refuge & Bird Sanctuary) and is situated next to the 840-acre Charles Wheeler Salt Marsh and Wildlife Management Area at the mouth of the Housatonic River. The Coastal Center also provides unique, easy access to Long Island Sound and its many habitats: tidal salt marshes, barrier beaches, tide pools and coastal dunes. Teacher-naturalist Amy Zvonar uses one of the Center's spotting scopes; photo by Frank Gallo.

These diverse and interactive environments of salt water, tidal marsh and fresh water create rich habitats that support an enormous variety of bird, plant and animal communities that are ideal for observation and study. A variety of educational exhibits, live animals and program space for crafts, games and other activities can be found inside the Coastal Center.

Bird-watcher's Paradise
The Coastal Center is one of the best spots on the East Coast for bird-watching: 315 different species, including many rarities have been seen here. Photo: Immature Yellow-crowned Night Heron by Tricia Kevalis.

Focus: To promote awareness of Long Island Sound's ecosystem, the birds and habitats it supports and to foster their preservation. Against a backdrop of a picturesque beachfront and thriving wildlife habitats, Connecticut Audubon's Coastal Center at Milford Point offers a special window onto one of CT's most precious natural resources -- Long Island Sound.

Center Features

• Educational exhibits
• Tide pool demonstration tank
• Salt-marsh laboratory funded by the office of Long Island Sound License Plate Fund
• Program and meeting rooms

On The Grounds

• 8-acre Smith-Hubbell Wildlife Refuge and Bird Sanctuary
• Boardwalk & observation platform with interpretive signage
• 70-foot covered observation tower for panoramic vistas

Environmental Activities

• Classes, lectures, workshops related to environmental topics for beginning and experienced naturalists of all ages.
• Programs for school groups, Scout & Explorer troops and other community organizations (program brochures are available).
• Youth programs held after-school and weekends including week-long summer day camps and classes. Pre-school programs available.
• Birthday Parties that are both fun and educational.
• Adult Lecture Series on various ecological aspects of Milford Point.
• Interpretive Bird & Nature Walks led by naturalists.

Volunteer Opportunities

• Sanctuary Rangers and Docents: For adults eager to share their love and knowledge of nature with others. We offer seasonal instruction in nature studies and teaching methods.
• Nature Store: A variety of nature-related toys, books, gifts.

Bird Programs for Children, Families & Adults

Birding for Beginners
Thurs., April 1, 7-9 p.m. (classroom),
Sat., April 3, 9-11:30 a.m. (field trip).
Our introductory hands-on course gives students the basics for identifying birds. Longtime instructor and expert birder Frank Gallo will teach you ID skills, how to choose and use field guides and binoculars, and where to find birds locally. Then we’re off on a field trip to a local birding hot spot. No experience necessary. Bring the “Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds” (field guides will be available for sale at the Coastal Center). Please register before March 30. Fee: $75 CAS Members, $95 Non-Members.

Sorting Out Bird Songs
Tuesday, April 6, 7-9 p.m.
Tune up your ears in time for the migration rush. Bird songs and calls are incredible aids to finding and identifying birds. Learning them opens another dimension to birding. Instructor Frank Gallo, an avid student of bird song, will introduce participants to the basics of birding by ear, focusing on available sound resources as well as the tips, tricks and pitfalls to identifying birds by sound. Fee: $35 CAS Members, $55 Non-members.

Birding 202 (4 evenings & field trip)
Wednesdays, 7:15-9:15 p.m. on April 7, 21, 28, May 5, and Sat., May 1, 8:30-11:30 a.m. (field trip).
Sharpen your identification skills before the spring rush! Come explore bird identification by sight and sound with Frank Gallo in this expanded 202-level series. Four nights allow time for in-depth exploration; the fourth evening will focus on bird song identification. Learn to identify birds on your own and gain valuable time in the field with an experienced leader and fellow birders. Plus, learn how to choose and use new field guides and optics and where to find birds in our area. Please register before April 7. Fee: $135 CAS Members, $165 Non-members

Avian Art Show
April 15-May 13 at Firehouse Gallery,
May 15-June 15 at Coastal Center (winners only).
Coastal Center is teaming up with the Firehouse Gallery of Milford to showcase the wonderful bird art of area artists. Submissions are being accepted for this juried show on April 4 and April 8-10 at Firehouse Gallery, 81 Naugatuck Ave. There is a $25 entry fee and a two-piece limit. All media accepted. For more info contact Firehouse Gallery at 203-306-0016. Proceeds from artwork sales will benefit both organizations. Free admission.

Birding by Ear II
Saturday, May 8, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Is that an oriole or a tanager singing, a Hermit Thrush calling or a Catbird? Come find out as we delve further into the art of birding by ear. After reviewing the basics, we’ll practice with similar-sounding groups before heading into the field to hone our skills. Fee: $60 CAS Members, $80 Non-members.

2010 School Program for ages 3 & older
at our Center or in your Classroom/Schoolyard

Click here for our 1-page flyer

For the 2010 school year we offer the following programs:
Schoolyard Nature Hike

Ley's Go Buggy!

Native Americans

Nails, Tails and Scales

Animals Getting Ready for Winter

Aquatic Animals

Feathered Friends

Migrating Monarchs

Amazing Mammals

Night Creatures: Owls & Bats

Shifting Shells
For scheduling or more info call 203-878-7440 ext. 502, click here to send us an e-mail or click here for our flyer.

After School Programs at Your School for Grades K-5
Click here for our After School Programs flyer

We offer the following programs at your school:
Native American Lore
Wacky Water Science

Kitchen Sink Science
Mystery Minerals
Amazing Mammals
Aquatic Animals
Scales and Tails
Birds of a Feather (includes Owls)

Spineless Wonders
Other Topics (ask us or suggest one)
For more information, click here for our flyer or contact Louise Crocco: 203-878-7440, ext. 502, lcrocco@ctaudubon.org.

Osprey Cam Update

The last time our human spotters saw any activity at the Coastal Center nesting platform was on Sept. 2, 2009: 1 of the 3 juveniles was spotted, and the male adult was observed fishing in the surrounding marsh. Up to that point the 3 juveniles were strong and healthy and being well cared for by the adults. Our Coastal Center staff can actually see the nest via spotting scopes located inside the Center and along its picture windows, which face the 840-acre Charles Wheeler Salt Marsh. Since that time, we assume that the two adults and 3 juvenile Ospreys have migrated south to winter in the Gulf States, Florida and Central America. Ospreys normally start returning to the northeast by mid-March.

As many of you know, however, the picture has not been so rosy this season for our Osprey Cam, which has for many years provided visitors to our website with 24/7 live streaming video coverage of the Ospreys’ comings and goings. This season the Osprey Cam has only operated sporadically – and only thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers. We thank all of our Osprey Cam viewers for your patience as we have tried to diagnose and fix the various problems. We also want to especially thank the volunteers who have gone “above and beyond” working on our Osprey Cam: electrician Douglas Brown of NJB Electrical Services, Ralph Harrison, and Bob Kiley and his crew from Hacienda Storage. Photo of female Osprey adult and 3 chicks "having a discussion" taken July 11, 2009 by Sherri Delaney.

2009 "Big Day" Challenge a Big Success!

CT Audubon’s Raven Luna-ticks team would like to thank everyone who supported our Big Day birding run on May 24, 2009. We made an all-out effort to break the state’s 1-day bird-finding record of 186 species and raise funds for Connecticut Audubon’s conservation and education initiatives. Despite a flat tire that cost us an hour -- and the need to dodge tornados -- we managed to spot 177 species, surpassing the state’s old second place total of 176! We were very encouraged by the results and are already planning for next year. We’re also very proud that our efforts earned nearly $3,000 in pledged donations.
We started at midnight in Dead Man’s swamp in Cromwell listening to Virginia Rails, a Black-billed Cuckoo and migrating Swainon’s Thrushes passing overhead. But the American Woodcock that called until 11:55 p.m. took the rest of the night off and went uncounted. Fortunately, we heard a few of his buddies later in the day. A quick dash upstate brought us to Rentschler Field in East Hartford where Grasshopper Sparrow, Spotted and Upland Sandpipers chimed in right on schedule. Station 43 did not produce Least Bittern or Sora but did have a screaming Great Horned Owl and Bobolinks. Dave's staked-out Horned Larks and Bank Swallows at the airport performed beautifully around 2:30 a.m.  We were in the northwest corner before first light, and picked up quite a few species, including Whip-poor-will and a singing Acadian Flycatcher at Rattlesnake Swamp.   
Highlights of our Northwest corner tour included Golden-winged, Hooded, Cerulean and about 22 other warbler species, Ruffed Grouse, Common Raven, Black Vulture, Cooper’s Hawk, Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Pileated Woodpecker. We left the north around 10:30 a.m., right on schedule and with 130 species -- minus Hairy Woodpecker. Our goal was to be to the coast by 11:30 a.m. for high tide. But just before we reached the coast we blew a back tire, setting us back an hour, throwing us off the tide and making it real work to find the afternoon’s targets.
We picked up Peregrine in Bridgeport and all the essential targets in Stratford: Boat-tailed Grackle, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Common Loon, Piping Plover and Glaucous Gull (thank you Nick!) at Long Beach. But the staked-out Stilt Sandpiper had left, as had the Red Knot and Red-breasted Merganser. Sadly, harriers did not breed along the railroad trail this year.  Milford Point produced Orchard Oriole, two Red-throated Loons and White-rumped Sandpiper. Things picked up as we headed east. Middle Beach in Madison produced two Purple Sandpipers that had been scouted earlier in the week, and Hammonesset Beach still had King Eider, Black and Surf Scoters, Seaside Sparrow and Little Blue Heron.
We reached the Essex Docks with plenty of light but the thunderstorms caught us, and the Bald Eagles were not in the open. We headed to Griswold Point for a beautiful sunset but there were no new birds to be seen. After dark we tried for Least Bittern, Sora and King Rails at several places, and ended our day back at Dead Man's Swamp listening again to Virginia Rails, Black-billed Cuckoo and the quite active American Woodcock. Our last bird of the day was a Gray-cheeked Thrush calling overhead.
We learned a lot from this year’s Big Day, know where to make adjustments, and are ready to give it another try in 2010. Thanks again for your continued support -- we can’t do it without you!  

Nature Babies Programs
Here, our teacher-naturalist and a group of young visitors examine the underside of a turtle. Check the listings for our Nature Babies program schedule.

Directions

From I-84 eastbound
Take Route 8 south to I-95 North or exit 27 to I-691 to Route 15 South (Wilbur Cross/Merritt Parkway) to exit 54 connector to I-95 South and follow below**

From I-84 westbound
Take I-91 South to I-95 South and follow from below**

or
Take I-91 South to Route 15 (Wilbur Cross/Merritt Pkwy.) South to exit 54 connector to I-95 South and follow from below**

From Route 15, Merritt Parkway
Take exit 54 connector to I-95 South and follow from below**

**From I-95 North and I-95 South
Take exit 34. Turn right at light where exit ramp meets Route 1. Go 1/2 mile to third light at Naugatuck Ave. Turn left on Naugatuck and go 0.8 miles to second light at Milford Point Rd. Turn right and follow Milford Point Road 1/2 mile, passing tennis courts on right and small wildlife sanctuary (at 1.1 miles.) to stop sign at Seaview Ave. Turn right, go .35 miles to Sanctuary. Road forks: take the right fork (left fork is private road) into parking area.

Volunteer Corner: Eagle Scout Projects

Coastal Center staff would like to thank Eagle Scout Rob Cummings and Scout Troop 721 for their work restoring our Wigwam and creating a replica of a small Native American village at the Coastal Center. As part of his Eagle Scout project, Rob rebuilt the Wigwam frame, covered it with reeds, and added a beautiful information kiosk, shell midden, fire pit and fish-drying rack to the site. We now have a wonderful education exhibit for school and public programs that will see much use in the coming years. Please come have a look. (Birthday Parties with a Native American theme are also now available.)
There’s always more work to be done! If your Cub Scout den or pack or your Scout troop is interested in a community service project, or if you are considering an Eagle Scout project at the Coastal Center at Milford Point, please contact Louise Crocco, Facilities Manager, at 203-878-7440 or lcrocco@ctaudubon.org.
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Volunteers Needed
Do you enjoy birds, gardening, working with marine animals, interacting with children and adults, and are you able to do some volunteer work? The Coastal Center is looking for volunteers to help us deliver our mission. You can’t beat the location! Contact Louise Crocco at 203-878-7440 or lcrocco@ctaudubon.org if you can volunteer at the Coastal Center or click here to send Louise an e-mail.

Our 2007 "Big Sit" Bird-spotting Team Was a BIG Success! 101 Species Spotted in 14 Hours:
A New CT Record & 2nd Place U.S. Winner! 

On October 14, 2007, our "Big Sit" team of bird watchers spotted 101 different species between 4:45 am and 6:30 pm at CAS's Coastal Center at Milford Point – beating Connecticut’s previous State Daytime record of 93 species and earning 2nd place honors in the entire country!
The “Big Sit” is an international bird-spotting and fundraising event, this year involving bird spotters in 49 states and countries.  The goal is to spot as many different birds species as possible without leaving your seat/spot – which is a 17-foot circle. No “Big Sit” team in Connecticut has ever exceeded 100 species in the event’s 15-year history.

Our 2007 “Big Sit” team “perched” themselves on the platform at Milford Point, just a short walk down the beach from our Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford Point -- and arguably one of the best spots in Connecticut for birding.

Our record-breaking “Big Sit” team consisted of one Connecticut Audubon Society staffer and three members of the B.W. Surf Scopers.
Among the species spotted by “Big Sit” team members Frank Gallo (Connecticut Audubon’s Director of Coastal Education) and B.W. Surf Scopers Frank Mantlik and Patrick and Jim Dugan were: Great Cormorant, American Bittern (3), Yellow-crowned Night Heron (3), Snow Goose (6), 12 species of ducks including Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail (3), Common Eider (1), Black Scoter, White-winged Scoter (3), 11 species of diurnal raptors including two Bald Eagles, 15 shorebirds including American Golden Plover, Whimbrel, Western Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Caspian Tern, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Marsh Wren, Swainson's Thrush, American Pipit, plus 8 sparrow species including White-crowned, Salt marsh, Sharp-tailed, and Bobolink. 
Thanks to everyone who donated funds and who came out to Milford Point to cheer on our “Big Sit” team. All funds raised will help support Connecticut Audubon Society’s conservation, education and advocacy programs.