Indoor Programs - Field Trips

Indoor Programs

Indoor meetings are at the Nathanael Greene Community Center and begin at 7:30 P.M.

Directions to the Nathanael Greene Community Center:

I-95 to exit 58 in Guilford. South on Route 77 for 8/10 miles.
The Community Center is on the right between Route 1 and the Guilford Green.

Map Community Center
Guilford, CT

Refreshments are served.

September 12,2007
Create a Haven for Migrating Birds	Kay Charter
We open our new season of programs with Kay Charter, Executive Director of Saving Birds Thru Habitat, who will present her popular program Create a Haven for Migrating Birds, on September 12. Many of our most beautiful migrant bird species are in decline. Birds like Baltimore oriole, scarlet tanager, indigo bunting, and most warblers are losing ground every year. Charter’s engaging slide program addresses the challenges these feathered jewels face, and she demonstrates how we can make a positive difference for them right in our own backyards. Charter writes a regular column about birds and their habits and habitats for the Traverse City Record-Eagle. She also writes conservation articles for Michigan Audubon Society’s newsletter, Jack Pine Warbler and Fairmount Minerals newsletter Mineral Matters. Her writings and photographs have been featured in numerous publications, including the San Diego Zoological Society’s, ZOONOOZ, and Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine. She received a Gold Award from the International Regional Magazine Association for her first article in Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine. Her book, For the Love of Birds, was published in 2000 by Crofton Creek Press.

October 10, 2007
The Wildlife of Kenya	Jerry Connolly and Mark Janke
Our February 14 program, , will explore one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth. Join Menunkatuck members Jerry Connolly and Mark Janke as they take us on an African adventure. A two-week trip in August, 2005 started in Nairobi National Park and traveled to the slopes of Mount Kenya, into the Rift Valley, west to the eastern-most remnant of African Rainforest – Kakamega, and finally to Maasi Mara at the northern end of the Serengeti. Almost fifty mammals (including Massai Giraffe, Cape Buffalo, lions, elephants, hippos, and wildebeest) and 478 birds (including Goliath Heron, Malachite Kingfisher, Hammerkop, turacos, sunbirds, hornbills, barbets, greenbuls and wattle-eyes) were among the amazing diversity of birdlife and wildlife that was seen. (Photo copyright © Jerry Connolly)

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Field Trips

Saturday, July 21, 2007
Birds of the Outback at Mystic Aquarium	Nina Levenduski
Mystic Aquarium is hosting a special exhibit this summer, “Birds of the Outback”, where visitors can enter a large aviary with rozellas, cockatiels and other Australian birds to watch and feed the birds. Join Menunkatuck Audubon member Nina Levenduski on a day trip to the aquarium to see this and other interesting exhibits on marine life. Carpooling is available from the exit 59 commuter parking lot in Guilford. Please bring a picnic lunch (food is also available at the aquarium cafeteria). Advance registration is required by July 7, 2007 - please contact Nina at 860-301-1547 (after 5 p.m. only) to sign up. General admission to the Aquarium is $20.75 per person, plus $2 for the Birds of the Outback exhibit, however if over 10 people sign up there will be a reduced admission fee. Meeting time/place and other details will be available upon registration. For more Mystic Aquarium information/directions, see <http://www.mysticaquarium.org/>.

Sunday, September 25, 2007
Swallow Cruise on the Connecticut River — 5:00 – 7:30 PM	Shannon Schiesser
In the fall, thousands of tree swallows congregate in the Lower Connecticut River in a giant communal roost each day at sunset. The birds gather over the river in great numbers and move in large swirls creating an avian ballet. When they are finally ready to settle in for the night, the birds fly in a huge funnel formation down into the marsh. Roger Tory Peterson wrote that this unique exhibition of Tree Swallow behavior “eclipsed any other avian spectacle” he had ever seen. This trip was very popular last fall. You are welcome to bring along a picnic dinner & beverages. Contact Shannon Schiesser at 203-245-2788 to reserve a spot on the cruise.

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