Berkshire Birding
May 14 – 16, 2012
Join us for a glimpse of the magical spring migration of birds. Our location in the foothills of the Connecticut Berkshires offers a great view of a huge variety of birds as they travel north in mid-May. Scott Heth, the Director of Sharon Audubon, and other Audubon naturalists, will lead us on a three-day birding tour starting on our own 400-acre campus. Beginner to intermediate birders welcome!
With a peak season of 130 species, springtime in the Northwest Connecticut promises to be a birder's paradise. Visits to local area birding hotspots reveal a variety of warblers native to our habitats as well as more unusual species passing through during late migration. Field trips include forest, wetland and grassland habitats to diversify the list for the program.Trip destinations may include White Memorial Conservation Center, Sharon Audubon Center, Kent River Road, and other local hotspots. The Isabella Freedman campus also provides significant opportunity to see a variety of birds.
The goal of the program is to improve birding skills and to enjoy birding together. We have lined up several trip leaders so that you will learn from different perspectives, teaching styles and specialties. Appropriate for beginning and advanced birders alike, Audubon naturalists will provide illuminating instruction on the identification of birds by sight, sound and behavior and instruct on the conservation issues affecting native bird populations.
Each field trip is accessible by van. There are no unusual or difficult walking condition though extended walking along trails will be required.
We hope to not only be able to help you generate an impressive list of birds during your stay here but also to help build your birding skills while relaxing in a beautiful part of the world. Experience the springtime beauty of the northwestern CT!
If you're new to Isabella Freedman, check out our Frequently Asked Questions for information about where we're located, arrival and departure times, what to bring, etc.
Registration Information
All-inclusive rates start at just $238 per person. Click the purple button to the right for information, rates, and to register online. Online registration is for full credit card payments only. If you would like to pay in installments, pay by check, or apply approved financial aid, please call 800.398.2630 x4.
You will receive a confirmation email once you have registered and made a payment online or by phone. If you do not receive the confirmation email within 24 hours of registering, please call us at 800.398.2630 x4.
We strive to make our programs affordable to everyone.
Click here for information about Financial Aid.
Audubon Guides
Scott Heth is the Director of Audubon Sharon which includes the Sharon Audubon Center and the Emily Winthrop Miles Wildlife Sanctuary. He oversees the management of 2,700 acres of protected wildlife habitat, an education program that reaches over 15,000 children and adults annually, a raptor education and wildlife rehabilitation program and a community nature center providing resources, educational initiatives and opportunities for people to learn about and protect nature. Scott has worked with Isabella Freedman staff and the trip leaders to organize this experience. He will be joining and assisting with many of the trips and activities.
Art Gingert is a naturalist, birder, photographer and expert kayaker. He worked for the National Audubon Society as Warden for the Miles Wildlife Sanctuary and has conducted research on Raptors since the mid 1970's. Art's wildlife photographs have won several awards and have appeared in many prestigious magazines including Audubon. In addition to leading field trips for many area organizations, Art, in conjunction with Audubon Sharon, is taking the lead in restoring populations of American Kestrels in CT. Art will be the primary trip leader for this program.
Mike Dudek is the Land Manager for Audubon Sharon. He is in charge of all of the facilities and habitats on Audubon Sharon's 2,700 acres including the Sharon Audubon Center and the Miles Wildlife Sanctuary. He works on several research and monitoring projects including grassland bird surveys, bluebird, wood duck and kestrel nestbox programs and Audubon Sharon's MAPS bird banding program. He regularly leads bird walks, is involved with conservation education programs in area schools and serves on the Inland Wetlands Commission for the Town of Sharon. Mike will be joining several of this week's field trips to assist with the birding.
Ted Gilman (participation pending) has worked for Audubon for over 30 years and is Senior Naturalist and Environmental Education Specialist at the Audubon Center in Greenwich. He has served as an instructor for Audubon programs in Maine, Kenya and Trinidad & Tobago. A graduate of Earlham College, Ted served as an ornithology instructor at the Audubon Camp in Maine for three summers before coming to Greenwich in 1977. He enjoys a wide range of natural history subjects with birds and insects topping the list. Ted will kick off this program by leading birding at Camp Isabella Freedman and presenting a skills building workshop entitled Becoming a Better Birder.
