Audubon Offers Bird And Nature Walks And Star-Gazing In May

SOUTHBURY — The Audubon Center at Bent of the River has a host of events scheduled for the month of May. Unless otherwise noted, all participants should meet at the kiosk in the visitor’s parking lot and program fees are $3 for members and $5 for nonmembers.

Sunday Morning Bird Walks will take place each Sunday in May beginning this weekend from 7 to 10 am. May is the best time to experience the annual spectacle of the great northward migration. Local bird experts will lead the walk through the meadows and forests at the center on the lookout for orchard orioles, scarlet tanagers, warblers, vireos, thrushes, and more. This is great way to improve birding skills while enjoying a leisurely early morning walk in a beautiful setting.

Leaders are: Renee Baade on May 1, Polly Brody on May 8, Patrick Comins on May 15, Angela Dimmitt on May 22, and Carolyn Longstreth on May 29.

On Saturday, May 7, at 7:30 pm, interested sky-gazers can join Audubon’s astronomy experts to view stars and planets through state-of-the-art telescopes. “Stargazing – Giants of the Solar System and Beyond” was designed at a time when the moon will not be visible and the dark observing site should present spectacular viewing.

Among the possibilities are Venus, the rings and moons of Saturn, Jupiter and its four moons and Great Red Spot, possibly Mercury and Mars, and numerous clusters and galaxies of stars. Participants will carpool from the center to the viewing site at Good Hill Farm, which is about a ten-minute drive. In case of clouds, “Stargazing” will be cancelled. Reservations must be made by May 6; call the center at 264-5098 to reserve a space.

Audubon’s Adult Nature Walk, 8 am on Monday, May 9, offers for a guided, leisurely hike with one of the center’s naturalists. Participants will learn about the center’s rich natural history, while enjoying the multitude of birds that have returned from their winter grounds and the ephemeral wildflowers which will be at their peak. Bring binoculars.

Also on May 9, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, join Audubon’s crew of hardy volunteers who help eliminate nonnative, invasive plants that damage the ecosystem and degrade wildlife habitats. Invasive Plants Work Days are held every other Monday from spring through fall and volunteers are invited to help for one or all sessions. It is hard work but it is also great exercise and lots of fun.

Hand tools are provided but volunteers are asked to bring their own heavy-duty gloves. A work day is also scheduled for May 23.

For people new to the area or those who have never been to the Audubon Center at Bent of the River, spend a Sunday afternoon at the Bent on Sunday, May 15, from 1 to 4 pm. An Audubon volunteer will be on hand to introduce all that the center has to offer — the programs, the trails, the habitats, the birds and animals that reside there — and to answer any questions about the sanctuary.

This is a perfect way to learn about the many opportunities for exploring and discovering the wonders of the natural world on Audubon’s 660 beautiful acres. “Sunday Afternoon at the Bent” is held at the Barn. There is no fee for this program.

The Audubon Center is currently accepting registrations for its Summer Day Camp program for children entering grades four through eight. Contact the center for a brochure; scholarships are available.

Audubon Center at Bent of the River is at 185 East Flat Hill Road in the South Britain section of Southbury; take Exit 14 off I-84.

Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Trails are open to the public seven days a week during daylight hours.