Connecticut Audubon Society

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

Directions

Our adjoining 8-acre Smith-Hubbell Wildlife Refuge
& Bird Sanctuary is open dawn to dusk year-round.

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 known as the Smith-Hubbell Wildlife Refuge and 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.
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 also one of the best spots on the East Coast for bird-watching. An estimated 315 different species, including many rarities have been seen here. Photo: Immature Yellow-crowned Night Heron by Tricia Lombardi.

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 ft. covered observation tower for panoramic vistas

Environmental Activities

Classes, lectures and 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 brochure is 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. Seasonal instruction in nature studies and teaching methods given to volunteers.
Nature Store: A variety of nature related toys, books, and gifts.

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
I-91 South to Route 15 (Wilbur Cross/Merritt Pkwy.) South to exit 54 connector to I-95 South and follow from u 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 Rd. 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.

Come Join our 2008 "Big Sit!" Bird-spotting Fund Raiser on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008!

"The Big Sit!" is a 24-hour international bird-finding event with more than 40 states/countries competing. The idea is to find as many bird species as possible from within a 17-foot circle. Milford Point holds the Connecticut record with 101 species. This year, we’re inviting participation from Connecticut birders to help support our conservation and education efforts by pledging a per-species-seen amount or by making a lump sum donation. Your contributions really make a difference! We also invite you to join us at Milford Point any time from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Oct. 12, 2008. Call Frank Gallo at 203-878-7440 for details. (Click here to read about our team's success in the 2007 Big Sit competition.)

Birthday Parties
Look no further! CAS's Coastal Center at Milford Point is the perfect place to hold your child's next birthday party!
Our teacher/naturalists have designed a wide range of "theme" parties to provide your child and their friends with a memorable and fun hands-on learning experience.
Call 203-878-7440 for a copy of our free "Birthday Party" brochure.

New at the Coastal Center! Brownie, Girl Scout, Cub Scout & Boy Scout Programs

We’ve updated our scouting programs for the New Year. Programs are 60-90 minutes long and are designed to help scouts earn their badges and learn about the environment.
Our new scout programs include: Rocks Rock . . . Science Sleuth . . .Water Wonders . . Weather Watch . . . All About Plants . . . Cleanup Treasure Hunt . . . Secret Codes . . . Sharing Your World With Wildlife . . . Nature Detectives . . . Native American History (with a new wigwam built by a local Boy Scout Troop).
Call 203-878-7440 for our free brochure or more information.

Kudos to Wilcoxson Jr. Girl Scout Troop 7102!

We would like to thank the members and leaders of Wilcoxson Junior Girl Scout Troop 7102 for a job well done! Over the course of the past year, the girls raised money to buy and then erect bird feeders at the Coastal Center. They also bought the seed and maintained the feeders, coming once a week from September to June to fill them. In addition, they placed six bluebird/swallow boxes around the property and helped maintain our butterfly garden. We can’t thank all of you enough -- great job!!!

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.

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

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.

Connecticut Audubon Society
Coastal Center at Milford Point

See Listings below or
Click on Links below for:

Fall 2008 Programs

and

Registration/Permission Form

2008 Summer Program

The Coastal Center's 2008 Summer Program is staffed by experienced teacher-naturalists and college-educated men and women who have experience working with children. Each group has a lead teacher and assistant counselor. Our camp has a “First Aider” on site who is First Aid and CPR-certified. All our lead teachers are also qualified to dispense medicine and are Epi-pen trained.

Weekly "Lunch Bunch"Noon- 1 p.m.

Pick up your child an hour later for the morning session or drop your child off an hour early for the afternoon session. Fee: $30 per week of supervised lunch and activities. Campers must provide their own lunch. (Please write “Lunch Bunch” on registration sheet and include fee.)

Camp Registration Form: click here.

2008 Summer Program Schedule

Beach Bums, for Ages 4-5.
3-day programs are held Tues.-Thurs.
(except week of June 30), 9 a.m.-noon.
Our Beach Bums programs let younger campers interact with nature using their senses, guided exploration, hands-on activities, games and crafts. Together, we’ll explore our beaches, marsh, forest and fields, meet live creatures and have tons of summer fun at the shore! Themes change weekly. Sessions fill quickly and run with a minimum of 5 children. Weekly fee: $125/child CAS member; $180/child Non-member (includes free 1-year CAS Family Membership). All campers receive a CAS T shirt.

Remaining Dates:

Week 11: Aug. 12–14.

Week 12: Aug. 19–21.

^Audubon Expeditions
For Grades 5-9.

Get ready for a week of travel and new adventures! Let Connecticut Audubon’s talented teacher/naturalists guide your child on a fun-filled week of summer exploration! We’ll visit new sites each day as we seek out Connecticut’s incredible natural wonders and wildlife! All campers receive a CAS T shirt.

^Expeditions: Surf and Turf (New!)

For Grades 5-8, Aug. 11-15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Plus Thursday overnight at the Coastal Center.)

We’re serving up a week full of land and sea adventures! Our menu consists of exciting expeditions and exotic day trips . . . fabulous forays to wildlife-rich destinations. As an appetizer, we start with active group challenges, followed by a canoe tour of our 840-acre salt marsh. Our blue-plate special is to go behind the scenes at the famous Peabody Museum. Other entrées include a river romp for aquatic turtles and stream-life, topped off with a cool swim. Included are a tour of a rare white cedar swamp, a quest to find porcupines and a Thursday overnight at the Coastal Center, complete with toasted marshmallows and a pancake breakfast. For dessert, we have a ferry ride to a heron rookery, sprinkled with egrets, night-herons and a tern or two. Come dine on some fine summer adventure! Fee: $355/child CAS member; $410/child Non-member (includes free 1-year CAS Family Membership).

YOUTH, FAMILY & ADULT
FALL PROGRAMS

Guided Family Canoe Programs through the Charles E. Wheeler Salt Marsh

Sat., Sept. 6, 3:15-5:30 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 20, 2-4:30 p.m.

Sun., Oct. 5, 2:30-5 p.m. (also the rain date for two other trips).

Join us on a guided canoe tour of the Charles Wheeler Salt Marsh. Steeped in local history, the Marsh offers an abundance of birds and other wildlife, beautiful vistas, and a chance to paddle and relax. Contact the Coastal Center for more information. Trip routes are subject to change due to weather -- canoe tours may be cancelled due to inclement weather or high winds, even on sunny days. Please call 60-90 minutes in advance to check status, but be aware that tours may be cancelled at the last minute due to wind. Participants may reschedule to another date. Advance registration required.

Fee using Coastal Center canoes:

CAS Members: $25/person, $65/canoe (up to 3 people).

Non-members: $35/person, $95/canoe (up to 3 people).

Fee using private canoe/kayak:

$19/CAS Member; $29/Non-member.

Charles Island Explorations

Sat., Sept. 13, 4 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 20, 9 a.m.
Sat., Sept. 27, 4 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 11, 2:45 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 25, 3 p.m. (also the rain date for the four other trips).
Discover the natural history and folklore that make this island the “treasure” of Milford. Wear comfortable shoes that can get wet as we hike the ½-mile tombolo out to the island. Sign up early for one of the five dates listed. Advance registration only. Please call 203-878-7440 to register and for directions. A hat, sunscreen, water and snack are recommended. Fee: $9/adult, $6/child CAS Members; $15/Adult, $10/Child Non-members; $5/Seniors.

Nature Babies

Wednesdays, 10:30–11:30 a.m.

For children 3-5 years old accompanied by an adult.

Moms, dads, grandparents and guardians! Bring your youngster to the Coastal Center for a “hands-on” introduction to nature. Each one-hour program features an outdoor discovery walk or live animal presentation, plus stories, songs and crafts. Adult participants will learn tips on sharing nature with children while engaging in inspiring family exploration. Fee per program (includes 1 child and 1 adult): $10 CAS Members; $15 Non-members.

Dates:

Sept. 10 – “Falling Leaves.” Why are leaves turning color and falling? Come find out and make your own leaf prints.

Sept. 24 – “Bats at the Beach.” Bats are helpful creatures but often misunderstood. Little Brown Bats work hard all summer eating insects, but are now getting ready for a longs winter’s nap. (Program does not involve live bats.)

Beginning Birding

Wed., Sept. 24 and Oct. 1, 7-9 p.m. (classroom)

Sat., Oct. 4, 9 a.m.–noon (field trip)

Discover bird watching with naturalist Frank Gallo. Frank leads our bird tours worldwide, is a member of Connecticut’s Avian Rare Records Committee and a past president of New Haven Bird Club. His enthusiastic hands-on style quickly teaches you the basics and prepares you for those harder identification challenges. Learn to identify birds yourself using field guides and observational skills. It’s great fun! The course culminates with a field trip to a local birding hot spot. Bring the Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds (these field guides will be available for sale at the Center). Fee: $85 CAS Members; $115/Non-members. Reservations required.

Migrating Monarchs

Sat., Sept. 27, 1 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 11, 12:30 p.m.

It’s hard to believe that Monarch Butterflies can travel thousands of miles to Mexico, but they do! Milford Point is a major resting and feeding site for these migrating butterflies. On the right day, hundreds can linger around the Coastal Center. Learn about Monarchs and their fantastic migration south while we gently catch, tag and release them unharmed as part of an ongoing research project. Sign up early for one of the two dates listed. Advance registration only. Fee: $7/adult, $5/child CAS Members; $12/Adult, $10/Child Non-members; $5/Seniors.

Nature Babies

Wednesdays, 10:30–11:30 a.m.

For children 3-5 years old accompanied by an adult.

Dates:

Oct. 1 – “Migrating Monarch Butterflies.” Beautiful Monarchs are migrating south. Come learn why. Perhaps we can even gently catch some for a closer look and then let them go.

Oct. 15 – “Hoot for Owls.” We’ll listen to the sounds of owls, and learn more about these amazing nighttime birds of prey. We may even get in a little hooting ourselves! (Program does not involve live owls.)

Saturday Story Time

3:15-4 p.m. on Saturdays,
Oct. 4, Nov. 1, Dec. 6.

Cozy up in the Coastal Center to hear a tale about your favorite animal. Live animal presentations, crafts, and outdoor explorations will help make the story come to life. Advance registration only. Single program fee: $5/adult, $3/child CAS Members; $10/adult, $6/child Non-members; $5/Seniors.

Honey and the Hive

Sun., Oct. 5, 2 p.m.

Want to taste some local honey and look inside a beehive? Local beekeeper Ralph Harrison will open the door into the wonderful world of honeybees. Get the inside scoop on what really goes on inside a beehive. See how bees live their lives to produce honey and beeswax. Participants can sample several different kinds of honey and will make a rolled beeswax candle to take home. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Fee: $5/child, $7 adult CAS Members; $9/child, $12/adult Non-members; $5/Seniors.

Sorting Out Bird Songs

Thur., Oct 9, 7-9 p.m.

Bird song is all around us and is a part of our everyday lives. It can be lyrical or lazy, haunting or harsh, inconspicuous or breathtakingly beautiful. It can also be an incredible aid to finding and identifying birds. Learning bird songs and calls opens another dimension to bird identification, adding additional layers to your repertoire of identification skills. Instructor Frank Gallo is an avid student of bird song. He will introduce participants to the basics of birding by ear, covering available sound resources as well as the tips, tricks and even pitfalls to indentifying birds by sound. Is that an oriole or a tanager singing? Could that be a Hermit Thrush calling or a Catbird? Come find out as we delve into the basics of birding by ear. Fee: $30 CAS Members; $50 Non-members.

Fall Bird Seed Sale

Pre-orders due Fri., Oct. 10.

Pick-up on Sat., Oct. 18, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Help your favorite feathered friends during the winter months ahead. It’s time to stock up on high-quality Lyric bird seed. Choose from a variety of seed sure to meet the needs of the most finicky eaters, and enjoy the beauty of the birds that winter with us. Order forms can be picked up at the Coastal Center or call 203-878-7440. Orders must be received by Oct. 10.

The Early Bird Walks

Saturdays at 8:15 a.m. on
Oct. 11, 18, 25.

Share your interest in birds, learn identification tips from others, see old friends, meet new ones and get your bird ID questions answered. We'll search Milford Point’s marshes, mudflats and forests for migrants with Frank Gallo. Milford Point’s bird list includes 315+ species! Single program fee: $5 CAS Members; $7 Non-members.

2008 "Big Sit!" Bird-spotting Fund Raiser
on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008!

Got Ink?

Sat., Oct. 25, 12:30 p.m.

Know how to tell a girl squid from a boy squid? We do! Explore a squid from head to tentacle as we use real squids to find out just why their eyes are so big and where a squid’s heart is. An experienced instructor will guide you, step-by-step, through this hands-on dissection. By the end, you too will be able to answer the question, “Is it a boy or a girl?” Call 203-878-7440 to pre-register. Suitable for children 8 years or older. Fee: $10 CAS Members, $14 Non-members. (Also offered Sat., Nov. 8 at 12:30 p.m.)

Nature Babies

Wednesdays, 10:30–11:30 a.m.

For children 3-5 years old accompanied by an adult.

Dates:

Oct. 29 – “Wonderful Webs.” Learn about different kinds of spiders and the webs they spin. See how hard they work. We may even meet a live one.

Nov. 12 – “Seeds Travel.” We’ll read “The Tiny Seed,” make a seed picture and learn the many ways that seeds travel. We’ll even make our own sunflower with seeds to take home!

Saturday Story Time

3:15-4 p.m. on Saturdays,
Nov. 1 and Dec. 6.

Beyond Birding 201 -- New!

For advanced beginners and above.

Wed., Nov. 5 and 12, 7-9 p.m. (classroom)
Sat., Nov. 15, 9 a.m.-noon (field trip)

The fun continues! This class picks up where Beginning Birding & Birding 201 leave off, offering more identification challenges to students of all levels. Frank will review the principals of bird identification before taking you on to progressively interesting challenges. Participants will continue to identify birds themselves using field guides and observational skills. We’ll finish with a field trip to a local birding hot spot. Bring the Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds (these field guides will be available for sale at the Center). Please register by Oct. 12. Fee: Cost: $65 CAS Members; $85 Non-members.

Autumn Owl Prowl

Fri., Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m.

When the sun retreats, owls awaken with the night to go in search of prey. Some say that owls are wise, others that they sparked legends of ghosts. Whatever the truth, a night near All Hallows Eve is a fine time to uncover the mysteries of these amazing nocturnal hunters. We’ll learn about a few of the species that co-exist in our area, even carpool to a local park to try to call one in. It’s a hoot! Fee: $7 CAS Members (family max. $21); $14 Non-members (family max. $42).

Got Ink?

Sat., Nov. 8, 12:30 p.m.

Saturday Story Time

3:15-4 p.m. on Sat., Dec. 6.

Save the Dates!
SOLO Wilderness First Aid
Sat.-Sun., Jan. 10-11, 2009,
9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

(Adult CPR possible)

SOLO's 16-hour comprehensive introductory Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course is a must for outdoor enthusiasts. Using mock rescue scenarios, skilled instructors give participants hands-on experience with first aid and long-term patient care in the backcountry. WFA is recognized by the American Camping Association, U.S. Coast Guard, various Guide and Connecticut Summer Camp Licensing Boards as meeting their first aid requirement, and is accepted as a recertification course for WFR (80-hour First Responder, for a nominal additional fee). Payment in full is due upon registration; please register early.

Fee: $189, includes lunch and snacks ($100 is non-refundable). There is an additional fee for Adult CPR training; please inquire if interested.