Yesterday, as you may have seen live, our own Coastal Center Director Frank Gallo was on television on WTNH as he appeared for a Connecticut Style piece. The focus was on birds and bird song, with how difficult it can be to learn the many various songs of the hundreds of birds you can expect to see in Connecticut in a given year. Frank's lifelong experience with birds makes him the perfect teacher - and imitator - of bird song.
If you want to see the piece in full you can watch the video here on the WTNH website. Our thanks to WTNH! I know he had a lot of fun. Here are some of the classes Frank will be teaching at the Coastal Center in the next two months. There is something for everyone of every experience level, and I highly recommend taking them. Call Louise at the Coastal Center at 203-878-7440 x 502 to register for any of these programs.
Birding Programs
Birding for Beginners
Wednesday, Oct. 12, 7–9 p.m. (classroom)
Sat., Oct. 15, 9-11:30 a.m. (field trip)
Learn the basics for identifying birds on your own! During this fun and comprehensive hands-on course, longtime instructor and expert birder Frank Gallo will teach you ID skills as well as how to choose and use field guides and binoculars, and where to find birds locally. The course culminates with a field trip to a local birding “hot spot”. No experience is necessary. Bring the “Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds.” (Field guides are available for sale at the Coastal Center.) Meet at the Center at Milford Point. Fee: $75/person.
Birding By Ear – New!
Wednesday, October 19, 7 – 9 p.m.
Birdsong can be an incredible aid to finding and identifying birds. Instructor Frank Gallo, an avid student of birdsong, has created a challenging new program designed to give students practice with identifying similar sounding birds. Group participation is encouraged. Meet at the Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center at Milford Point. Fee: $35.
Advanced Birding – New!
Tuesdays, Oct. 25 and November 1, 7- 9 p.m. (classroom)
Sat. November 5, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (field trip)
This course approaches more difficult identification challenges, including gulls, shorebirds, and terns. Other local experts will be encouraged to participate. The course culminates with a field trip to find birds at a local birding hot spot. Bring the Sibley or National Geographic Field Guides. (Field guides also for sale at the Center.) Meet at the Center. Fee: $105/person. The class meets at the Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center at Milford Point.
Autumn Owl Prowl
Thursday, Nov. 3, 7:15– 9:15 p.m.
When the sun retreats, owls awaken to go in search of prey. Some say that owls are wise, others that they sparked legends of ghosts. Whatever the truth, a night near All Hallows Eve is a fine time to uncover the mysteries of these amazing nocturnal hunters. We’ll learn about a few of the species that co-exist in our area, and then carpool to a local park to try to call one in. It’s a hoot! Fee: $35/person.
Birding 101
Thursdays, November 10 and 17, 7 – 9 p.m. (2 nights in classroom)
Saturday, November 19, 9 a.m. – noon (field trip)
Discover bird watching with naturalist Frank Gallo. Frank leads bird tours worldwide and is a member of Connecticut’s Avian Rare Records Committee and a past president of the New Haven Bird Club. His enthusiastic hands-on style quickly teaches you the basics of identifying birds using field guides and observational skills. The course culminates with a field trip to find birds at a local birding hot spot. Bring the Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds. (Field guides also for sale in class.) Meet at the Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center at Milford Point. Fee: $105
Birding Basics - New!
Tuesday, November 15, 6:30–9 p.m. (classroom)
If you are interested in birds but don’t know where to begin, this introductory course is for you. Learn the basics of bird identification, how to choose and use binoculars and field guides, and where to find birds in our area, during this fun hands-on course with expert birder Frank Gallo. No experience is necessary. Bring the Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds. Sibley’s Birding Basics is highly recommended. (Guides are available for sale at the Coastal Center.) Meet at the Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center at Milford Point. Fee: $45
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation Technician
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