News & Visitor Information for Birdcraft
Birdcraft Building Hours
Monday – Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Birdcraft Museum Hours
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday; 10 a.m to 3 p.m.
The Birdcraft Museum will be closed on Tuesday, December 24 and Tuesday December 31.
Birdcraft Sanctuary
Sanctuary trails are open daily, year-round, dawn to dusk
Osprey Nation report shows 2024 was a good year in Connecticut but Ospreys had trouble elsewhere
Osprey Nation steward Joseph Szalay photographed these Ospreys on their nest in Ashford, one of the most northerly nesting sites in the state.
November 18, 2024—Ospreys in Connecticut flourished in 2024. The successful nesting season shows that the local revival of these previously imperiled hawks continues, although with concerns about a more difficult season to the south.
Volunteers for Connecticut Audubon’s Osprey Nation project kept track of 726 active Osprey nests this year. Those nests produced 1,077 fledglings.
That’s the highest number of nests and fledglings in the history of the project, which started in 2014. The average number of fledglings per nest was a strong 1.48.
The details and an analysis are contained in the just-released “Osprey Nation 2024 Season Report,” written by Scott Kruitbosch, Connecticut Audubon’s Osprey Nation coordinator.
Click THIS LINK to read the report and a full discussion, a summary of the report’s key takeaways, and an overview of the situation on Chesapeake Bay.
What to do with “abandoned” or “orphaned” birds
The CT DEEP has excellent advice for what to do if you find an “orphaned” bird. Click this link. Photo by Stephanie Galea/The Connecticut Audubon Society
Have you found an abandoned bird?
Birds and other wildlife that seem to be abandoned or orphaned at this time of year often are not actually abandoned or orphaned.
The Connecticut DEEP has advice about what to do if you find a bird that you think is abandoned. There are several alternatives.
Click here to learn about them.
Please do not bring injured or orphaned animals to any Connecticut Audubon Society facility. Connecticut Audubon is not authorized to accept injured or abandoned animals.
But if it is obviously injured, it may need help. The CT DEEP has more information here about dealing with distressed wildlife.
Mobile App
Explore our centers and sanctuaries on your mobile device
Soar through our centers and sanctuaries with this free app, which highlights unique and interesting features at each stop. Take one of our tours while you’re onsite or plan ahead with detailed directions and maps to your nearest Connecticut Audubon location.
Features include:
- Tours of our Centers and Sanctuaries
- Bird IDs with photos and descriptions
- Tips on how to create a native garden for birds and pollinators
- Interactive maps
For Android and other non-Apple devices, visit the web-based app. Software platform © Cuseum, Inc.
This App was made possible by Planet Fuel Charitable Fund.
Birdcraft Sanctuary Bird Checklist
The Birdcraft Sanctuary Bird Checklist is a handy pamphlet that you can download, print and bring with you on your next visit to the Sanctuary. It’s a convenient way to keep track of birds you see.
The Connecticut Audubon Society extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to Aidan Kiley for his outstanding work in researching and compiling this checklist. His outstanding volunteer contribution in helping Birdcraft continue to be a vital area resource is invaluable, and his work also helps support our mission towards conserving Connecticut’s environment through science-based education and advocacy focused on the state’s bird populations and habitats.
Our Senior Director of Science and Conservation, Milan Bull, notes that due to Aidan’s skill and dedication, “This is the most comprehensive checklist we have ever had for the Birdcraft Sanctuary. It is a significant addition to our efforts and will be extremely useful to all those who enjoy birding at the Sanctuary.”
Aidan Kiley is an environmental science student who started birding in middle school and has been visiting Connecticut Audubon locations ever since. The Birdcraft and Larsen Wildlife Sanctuaries are two of his favorite spots to bird. Aidan is also a bird photographer and avid eBirder, where he serves as the Hotspots Editor for Connecticut.
Bird Banding Reminder
A friendly reminder to visitors to Birdcraft Sanctuary: please do not touch the bird banding nets, and if you come upon a bird in one of the nets, please leave it alone.
On several occasions in recent weeks, visitors have released birds from the nets. Only the federally-licensed bird banders at Birdcraft are legally permitted to handle those birds. Releasing them risks injury to the birds and interferes with the bird banders’ research.
To find out more about bird banding and the important data that is collected, click here.
Birdcraft Sanctuary
The Birdcraft Sanctuary is open seven days a week from dawn to dusk. The building, including restrooms, is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
General Information
Founded in 1914, Birdcraft is the first private bird sanctuary in the United States and is a National Historic Landmark.
This six-acre site was originally planted as a refuge to attract, harbor, and feed migratory and resident birds. More than 120 bird species have been recorded on its grounds.
Birdcraft’s focus today is offering premier natural history education programs and events for children and adults. It is also a federally-licensed bird-banding station.
Directions
From I-95: Take Exit 21. Go north on Mill Plain Road for about ½ mile. Turn right onto Unquowa Road. After you go under the I-95 overpass, immediately turn left into our driveway and parking lot.
From I-84: Take Routes 25, 8, or 91 south to Merritt Parkway and follow directions below.
From Merritt Parkway (Route 15): Take Exit 44.
Northbound: Turn right onto Congress Street.
Southbound: Turn left at the light; go about 200 yards and turn left onto Black Rock Turnpike; take first right turn onto Congress Street.
From Congress Street: Turn left at first stop sign (Burr Street) and go straight (Burr Street turns into Mill Plain Road) to the 4th stop sign. Turn left onto Unquowa Road. After you go under the I-95 overpass, immediately turn left into our driveway and parking lot.
