Lower Connecticut River

When winter comes, the lower Connecticut River can be an excellent place for watching bald eagles, ducks, and seabirds. With the cold weather freezing northern lakes and rivers, bald eagles come south to make use of the tidal portions of the Connecticut River. The open water allows them to fish and the uninhabited islands and shoreline of the river give them privacy to roost. Likewise, ducks and seabirds find the river and coves an inviting winter habitat. A two-to- three hour, twenty mile trip starting at Saybrook Point and ending at the Chester ferry landing provides a variety of habitats with the possibility of seeing a good number of wintering birds.

Start at Saybrook Point where the seawall provides a good look at the mouth of the river. Red-breasted mergansers, great cormorants, common and red-throated loons, and long-tailed ducks are among the birds that are possible.

Take Route 154 back toward the center of Old Saybrook and take a right on Cove Road stopping at the North Cove boat launch. Here you will have views of North Cove with the possibilities of red-breasted and common mergansers, green-winged teal, and bufflehead.

Return to Route 154 and go toward the town center for 1⁄2 mile and take a left on Maple Avenue. After 1⁄4 mile turn left on Clinton Avenue and stop along the west edge of South Cove.

Offering an area protected from the high waves and winds of a stormy Long Island Sound and Connecticut River, South Cove is visited by such diving ducks as ring-necked duck and hooded merganser. Dabbling ducks like American black duck and American widgeon are often found in shallower areas.

Return to Route 154 and go north to Essex. At the end of Main Street are the Connecticut River Museum and the Essex town dock. Bald eagles and the occasional golden eagle can be seen fishing in open water and resting on ice flows and in the trees on Nott Island and the east bank of the river. A scan of the river may result in getting some of the waterfowl that might have been missed earlier.

The next two stops give you another opportunity to see birds that might have been missed earlier.

Leave Essex and go to Route 9 north to Exit 5, Route 80. Turn right toward Deep River and at the light cross over Route 154 and follow River Street to the Deep River town dock. Selden Neck State Park across the river is another eagle roosting area.

Return to Route 154 and continue north to Route 149 in Chester. Turn right and go to the Chester ferry dock for another chance for eagles.