April Events Planned At Bent Of The River Audubon Center

SOUTHBURY — The Audubon Center at Bent of the River has a variety of workshops and nature walks on its agenda for the month of April, something for every nature lover. To participate in any of the programs, call 264-5098 and ask for the person noted as follows.

*Beginning Sunday, April 6 (2 to 4:30 pm) and Monday, April 7 (9:30 am to noon), Adult Naturalist Series: A fascinating program that provides an in-depth look at the habitats, plants and wildlife at the Bent.

Over the course of five classes, Audubon Educator and Naturalist Jim Drennan will address the following topics: Vernal Pools, Invasive Plants and Habitat Restoration, Avian Mating Schemes, Small Mammals and Population, and Evening Ecology.  The course includes both classroom and field study.

Sunday course dates are April 6 and 27, May 18, and June 8. Monday course dates are April 7 and 28, May 19, and June 9. Both classes will meet on Saturday, June 21, in the evening for the Evening Ecology class, when the meadows light up with thousands of lightning bugs.

Participants should be in reasonably good condition and able to hike a mile on sloped trails. Fee is $120 ($85). Register with Jim Drennan, extension 306, by Wednesday, April 2.

*Sunday, April 13, 10 am to 4 pm, Drawing From Nature: Dorie Petrochko will teach participants how to capture form, texture and balance drawing the natural world. The workshop is suitable for the experienced or beginning artist.

Fee is $55 ($45 members), and registration deadline is Wednesday, April 9. To register call Chris Cohen at extension 308.

*Tuesdays, April 15 and 29, 1:30 to 4 pm, Invasive Plants Work Days: Help maintain bird and wildlife habitats by working with a hardy, all-volunteer crew to eliminate aggressive, alien plants which damage the ecosystem and degrade wildlife habitats.

Hard work but great exercise. Hand tools provided. Bring heavy duty gloves. Held every other Tuesday from mid-April to mid-October.  Contact Justin Coppola at extension 303 to volunteer.

*Beginning Saturday, April 19, and Wednesday, April 23, 8 to 10:30 am, “Birding By Ear” course: For anyone interested in learning how to identify birds by the songs they sing, this field course will teach you all the tricks of the trade. Each course consists of five classes.

Course dates are Saturdays, April 19 and 26, and May 10, 17 and 31; or Wednesdays, April 23 and 30, and May 7, 21 and 28.  Taught by Donna-Rose Smith, with instructional recording provided.

Cost is $110 ($75), and registration is requested no later than Wednesday, April 16, by calling Donna-Rose Smith, ext 300, or sending and email to Dsmith@Audubon.org.

*Beginning Sunday, April 20 (9:30 to 11:30 am) and Wednesday, April 30, (5 to 7 pm), Birding For Beginners workshops: Learn the basics of bird identification, including proper binocular use and selection, how to use field guides effectively, proper birding attire, and how to observe birds without spooking them.  Plenty of time will be spent in the field practicing what you’ve learned.

Each workshop consists of three two-hour classes. Dates for Sunday workshop are April 20, and May 4 and 18; the Wednesday workshop dates are April 30, and May 14 and 28.

Instructor will be Audubon naturalist and educator Jim Drennan.  Fee is $90 (55 members), which includes a bird field guide or bird watching book. Register by calling Mr Drennan at extension 306, no later than April 16.

*Friday, April 25, 9:30-10:30 am, Spring Wildflower Walk: Audubon Naturalist Chris Cohen will guide participants through Audubon’s “garden” of spring ephemerals and wildflowers.

Future dates will also include Fridays, May 9 and 23, and June 13. Fee is $5 ($3 members)

Register with Chris Cohen, extension 308.

*Sunday, April 27, 8 to 9 am, Early Bird Walk: Meet new friends while learning the basics of bird identification with bird expert Donna-Rose Smith. Migratory birds, such as indigo buntings, rose-breasted grosbeaks, Baltimore orioles, and brightly colored warblers, will be returning to the Audubon Center sanctuary from their winter homes and there will be plenty of colorful birds to observe.

Other dates include May 4, 11 and 18 and June 8.

Fee is $5 per person ($3 members), and registration is not required.

The Audubon Center at Bent of the River, a 700-acre wildlife sanctuary owned and managed by the National Audubon Society, is home to many species of birds, mammals, butterflies and amphibians, as well as a rich diversity of tree and plant life. The grounds and more than 15 miles of trails are open to visitors seven days a week during daylight hours. Trail maps and program information are available at the Welcome Kiosk near the Visitors Parking Lot.

For more information call 264-5098.  Bent of the River is at 185 East Flat Hill Road in South Britain, about a half mile from Connecticut Route 172 off of I-84 (Exit 14).