Think Birding Is Just for Experts? Two Locals Show How Easy It Is to Start in New Fairfield and Sherman
By Cherry Dumaual
Did you know that over 425 bird species have been spotted in Connecticut? Many of them can be found right here in New Fairfield and Sherman. That means, on any given day, birdwatchers, birders, and wildlife photographers in our area might catch a glimpse of everything from a majestic bald eagle in flight to a vibrant blue jay perched on a red maple tree.
But where should a beginner look? And how does someone just starting out—with little more than a mobile phone camera—begin to identify, enjoy, and even photograph these winged wonders?
Experts Ms. Cathy Hagadorn, director of Deer Pond Farm Nature Preserve, part of the Connecticut Audubon Society in Sherman, and Mr. Tj Parille Kronen, a freelance wildlife photographer from New Fairfield help to answer these questions. Parille Kronen’s passion for wildlife and birds was inspired by naturalist John Foley, who is associated with Great Hollow Nature Preserve and Squantz Pond State Park. He shares his love for birds through the beautiful shots he shares on social media.
Hagadorn and Parille Kronen clarified the difference between birdwatching and birding. While the terms are often used interchangeably, there’s a subtle distinction. Birdwatching tends to be a more relaxed pastime—simply enjoying birds as you see them—whereas birding usually refers to a more intentional, informed activity. A birder often brings binoculars and a checklist. Hagadorn noted that birders can contribute their sightings to platforms like eBird.org, a powerful tool for collecting data on bird populations and tracking environmental changes through crowd-sourced ‘citizen science.’
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