Andrew Griswold, Director

Priscilla Wood, Assistant

Connecticut Audubon Society EcoTravel

PO Box 903

Essex, CT 06426

860-767-0660

Email: ecotravel@ctaudubon.org

Website: ecotravel.ctaudubon.org

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please be in touch with us!

The electronic newsletter is

frequently updated and is the

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informed early about our

exciting schedule of events.

Wine Trail of Litchfield County

Thursday, August 28 8AM-5PM Litchfield County in the northwest corner of the state has been named one of

the most exciting and fastest growing wine regions in the United States. A

tremendous variety of wine styles and stunning scenery are to be enjoyed as we

meander through the vineyards in this beautiful part of our state. This cool-climate

growing region allows for refined flavor development of wines, and concurrently

is a great place to look for early fall migrant birds. Leader: Priscilla Wood.

Members $85/Nonmembers $95.

Hiking the Appalachian Trail in Kent Saturday, August 30 7AM-7PM

Head to Kent, where a 53-mile segment of the 2,180-mile-long Appalachian Trail

cuts across Connecticut’s northwest corner. The Connecticut portion of the trail

offers a challenging hike through deep forest and glacier-scraped mountain ridges.

With a few different hikes to choose from, the group will hike at least one of the

five-mile trails and perhaps an additional shorter trail. All hikes will be moderate in

difficulty with varying terrain, so participants should be in good health. Leader:

Priscilla Wood. Members $75/Nonmembers $85.

Birding Salem’s Loop Thursday, September 4 8AM-4PM

Join us as we head to Salem to meet up with bird enthusiast David Bingham, who

will take us searching for song birds inhabiting the nearby fields, forest, streams,

and ponds. David Bingham is a retired physician from Salem and self-styled

“amateur naturalist.” If time allows, we will head to Walden Preserve and the

Zemko Pond Wildlife Management Area for another couple of hours. We may

make a larger loop up to higher ground to more mature upland forest. Leaders:

David Bingham and Andy Griswold. Members $65, Nonmembers $75.

High Line Park, New York Tuesday, September 16 7AM–5 PM

The High Line is a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets of Manhattan’s West Side. The line was built in the 1930s as part of a massive public-private project that lifted freight traffic 30 feet in the air, removing dangerous trains from the streets. Under threat of having it demolished, Friends of the High Line worked in partnership with New York City to preserve and maintain the structure as an elevated public park. The gardens of the High Line are a sight to behold, where many of the species are native and historically grew on the High Line’s rail bed. Leader: Bob Kuchta. Members: $85/Nonmembers $95.

Fall Hiking in the Berkshires Wednesday, September 24 8AM–5PM

Enjoy an autumn day in the foothills of the Berkshires exploring the walking trails in a few states parks in the Amherst/Northampton area. Elwell, Joseph Skinner, and Daughters of the American Revolution State Parks are all nestled in the five-college area with plenty of sights to see and signs of fall to enjoy. Participants will stop at the popular Atkins Farm for a picnic lunch before heading atop Joseph Skinner State Park, where you can look upon an oxbow of the Connecticut River and see, on a clear day, four states at the same time. Leader: Priscilla Wood. Members: $75/Nonmembers $85.

Since I was a kid, National Geographic

Magazine has done a fine job of getting

its readers excited about all the wildlife

and outstanding scenery we can see in

our own country: images of Golden

Eagle, American Bison, Bighorn Sheep,

and so many icons of the wilderness we

so dearly strive to protect close to home.

The EcoTravel office is now offering a

series of shorter tours, ranging from five

to seven nights in length, targeted at our National Parks, Forests, and

Monuments, and featuring all that they offer in birds, landscapes,

large mammals, and flora. Tours are focused mostly on our western

states where our first in the series is to South Dakota’s Black Hills,

Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Monument, and the prairies and

astounding geology of Badlands National Park. Future tours will

include many well-known destinations, including Grand Canyon,

Olympic, Zion, Arches, Yellowstone, Point Reyes, and other lesser

known locations but equally spectacular. Keep an eye to the

EcoTravel News and our emails. Many great destinations ahead!

Cheers, Andy

Andrew Griswold, Director of EcoTravel

Wine Tasting and Hiking Trail Thursday, October 2 9AM-5PM

Connecticut is becoming one of the most exciting and fastest growing

wine regions in the United States. A tremendous variety of wine styles

and stunning scenery are to be enjoyed as we meander through the

vineyards and visit the tasting tables of Southeastern Connecticut. Our

visits will include Jonathan Edwards Winery, Stonington Vineyards, and

Saltwater Farm Vineyard. We will make a stop at Oswegatchie Hills

Nature Preserve in East Lyme for a short hike to take in early autumn

colors. Leader: Priscilla Wood Members $85/Nonmembers $95.

Central Park Colors Saturday, October 4 7AM-5PM

Spend a splendid day full of birding and botany in New York’s Central

Park as we walk among the maples, oaks, and elms. These are just a few

of the trees that create a spectacular backdrop at the park in fall. Head up

to the Ramble where migrating birds make their bi-annual stop. Enjoy all

of the park’s arches, bridges, statues, and memorials surrounded by the

beautiful colors of autumn. Leader: Bob Kuchta. Fee: Members $75/

Nonmembers $85.

Birding Harkness Memorial Park Wednesday, October 22 Noon-8PM

Enjoy panoramic views of Long Island Sound from over 230 seaside

acres of sweeping lawns, stately trees, and spectacular gardens of

Harkness Memorial Park in Waterford. From here, the group will venture

to the Thames River and its tidal estuary. The group will continue the

search for migrant warblers and other songbirds of the later migration

season, then stop for dinner at a local eatery. Leader: Andy Griswold.

Members $75/Nonmembers $85.

Selden Island Exploration Saturday, October 25 830AM-12:30PM

Join a historian, a botanist, and a birder as EcoTravel takes a cruise along

the Connecticut River to Selden Island in Lyme. This island, the largest

on the Connecticut River, is rich in history, flora, and fauna. You’ll be

able to choose which topic—local botany, geology, or ornithology—

you’d like to learn most about. Perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to see one

of our resident Bald Eagles en route. Fee: $45 for all travelers.

Saw-Whet Owl Banding Saturday, October 25 2PM-11PM

Each fall between late September and late November, large numbers of

Saw-whet Owls (the smallest owl in the Northeast) migrate through New

England, and a good number of these birds end up in the nets of the

Massachusetts banding team. This trip will provide an opportunity

to learn about (and hold) these adorable owls, the banding process, and

the scientific data that banding stations help to provide. An unforgettable

trip! The trip departs Essex and will begin with a stop at Blackstone Park

for birding, hiking, and a picnic dinner. Because the banding is of a

nocturnal owl species, this event will entail a late night return to

Connecticut. Leader: Jim Denham. Members $90/Nonmembers $100.

Birding Andy’s Favorite Places Thursday, October 30 9AM-4PM

Do you want to know where Andy’s favorite birding hot spots are? Join

him as he travels east of the Connecticut River to his favorite haunts in

Southeast Connecticut. Stops will include New London, where there

is a Black Vulture roost site along with a few other surprises. Enjoy

migration with the beautiful backdrop of autumn. Leader: Andy

Griswold. Members: $75/Nonmembers $85.

Wednesday and Sunday evenings in Late August through September!

Remember to save a date for one of our most popular events!

The Swallow Cruises sell out quickly, so reserve a space well in advance by

calling our office or signing up online.

We are lucky enough to be able to witness two spectacular avian happenings right here in Connecticut. The first of the year is the spectacular concentration of eagles that join us to over-winter on the Connecticut River. The other highlight of the birding year is the Tree Swallow concentration that can be found each September and October. During fall migration, thousands of swallows congregate on the lower Connecticut River and at sunset settle in on a giant communal roost. The birds come from as far away as 25 miles and converge at dusk, often creating a “ballet” and “funnel” of birds before and as they settle down to roost. The renowned ornithologist and artist Roger Tory Peterson wrote, “I have seen a million flamingos on the lakes of East Africa and as many seabirds on the cliffs of the Alaska Pribilofs, but for sheer drama, the tornadoes of Tree Swallows eclipsed any other avian spectacle I have ever seen.” Join Connecticut Audubon Society naturalists as they journey along the river to see this spectacular display. Bring a picnic supper, your favorite beverage to enjoy on the trip, and your binoculars. A truly awe-inspiring display! If you take only one trip with EcoTravel this fall, make sure it’s this one! Fee: $40.

Please call us about small private charters (up to 6 people).

Newport & Nature Wednesday, November 5 10AM– 8PM

Newport, Rhode Island, is a diverse and dichotomous town with stately mansions on one end of town, and quiet, solitary walking paths on the other. Enjoy both of these extremes as we spend a full day in Newport enjoying the Cliff Walk that takes you along the surfside mansions of Newport. The group will take time to visit Sachuest Point and Brenton Point for additional scenic views and hiking trails, and will stop for dinner in Newport on the way home. Leader: Priscilla Wood. Fee: Members $75/Nonmembers $85.

Plymouth Plantation & Mayflower II Wednesday, November 12 8AM-6PM

Enjoy a full day of exploring Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts, offering a fascinating and personal look at the lives of the native Wampanoag people and the English Pilgrims who lived in the early Plymouth Colony. The tour includes a visit to the ship Mayflower II. Although the original Mayflower that sailed to Plymouth in 1620 no longer exists, Plymouth Plantation's full-scale reproduction was built in Devon, England, and crossed the Atlantic in 1957. A great way to prepare for Thanksgiving, by touring the area where it all began! Leader: Bob Kuchta: Members $90/Nonmembers $100.

Exploring Napatree Point Thursday, November 20 8AM– 4PM

Napatree Point in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, is a great place to see all kinds of

shorebirds and other migrants in the fall—a consistently good birding spot

where we are likely to find something out of the ordinary. Enjoy exploring

this area and searching for any rarities in the neighborhood. Leader: Andy

Griswold. Members $75, Nonmembers $85.

Holidays at the Mansions Wednesday, December 3 8AM-5PM

Tour three of the most famous mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, in all of

their holiday splendor! The Breakers, the estate of Cornelius Vanderbilt II;

Marble House, modeled after the Petit Trianon at Versailles; and the elegant

French chateau, The Elms—all will be filled with spectacular evergreens,

thousands of poinsettias, and 19th-century-style ornaments. Built by

America’s greatest architects during the Gilded Age, these estates allow the

visitor a glimpse at the wealth, power, and influence of the men and women

who made Newport the center of grand society. Leader: Bob Kuchta. Fee:

Members $85/Nonmembers $95.

New York Botanical Garden Holiday Show Saturday, December 6 2PM-9 PM

Another Annual Favorite! See the Botanical Garden in Bronx, New York, as

it has never looked before. Wrapped in the glow of twinkling lights, model

trains and trolleys zip along over bridges and on winding tracks past scaled

replicas of New York landmarks. Orange slices, cinnamon sticks, poppy

pods, pine cones, and other plant parts make a festive brew as the materials

used to create the more than 140 architectural reproductions. Among the

favorites are the Empire State Building, Little Red Lighthouse, Brooklyn

Bridge, and the borough's own Yankee Stadium. This trip is sure to put you

in the holiday spirit! Leader : Bob Kuchta. Members $85/Nonmembers $95.

Coastal Birding Holiday Wednesday, December 10 Noon-7PM

Join Andy Griswold, EcoTravel Director and expert birder, for an annual

favorite as your birding group searches for early winter migrants and coastal

birds along the shore from Westbrook to Groton. After this pre-holiday

adventure, your group will be stopping for dinner at one of the fine eateries in

the area. Leader: Andy Griswold. Members $75/Nonmembers $85. Bring

your friends to help kick off the holiday season!

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Women-Only Weekend: Mt Desert September 17 - 21, 2014 Five Days!

Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island offer some of the most scenic

vistas in Maine. In addition to hiking along the beautiful trails and beaches, we

delve into local culture by visiting museums, browsing the art galleries, and

touring a lighthouse or two. The island is a paradise for photographers, bird-

ers, painters, naturalists, and anyone who loves the outdoors. This area boasts

a variety of nature sanctuaries, some located nearby on Isle au Haut. The mix-

ture of spruce-covered islands, quiet coves, granite outcroppings, fields of

wildflowers, lobster boats, windjammers, and glistening waters makes for a

beautiful backdrop for your getaway. Leader: Priscilla Wood Fee: $1,095.

With member discount $895.

Monhegan Island: Migration Hotspot September 18 - 21, 2014 Four Days!

Join leader Joe Bear on a relaxing tour of Monhegan Island at the height of the

migration season. Off the coast of Maine, Monhegan serves as a stopover

point for birds caught out over open water. With no roads and no cars on the

island, participants stroll along the many trails while searching for what ar-

rived overnight and enjoying eye-level looks at many of the warbler species,

tanagers, and flycatchers. In the fall, nature and beauty are at their apex on

Monhegan. Stay at a lovely island inn and don’t miss the blueberry pie! Fee:

$1,198. With member discount: $998.

Block Island: Weekend Escape September 26 - 28, 2014 Three Days!

Revel in the wilds of Block Island, Rhode Island, after summer tourists have

left the beaches and town. Often a magnet for wayward birds, “Block” will

delight travelers with its island architecture, wild flowers, and natural beauty.

Leaders share their knowledge of this special place with visits to a bird band-

ing station, the bluffs, lighthouses, back roads, beautiful beaches, and serene

harbors. Relax in the character-filled pubs and eateries. The island is a great

spot to see many falcons, warblers, and the unexpected. This is our most pop-

ular weekend trip, so reserve your spot early! Fee: $835. With member dis-

count: $635. Leaders: Joe Bear and Andy Griswold.

The Pantanal: Birds and Jaguars October 6 - 17, 2014 12 Days!

Amazon Cruise and Iguacu Falls Extensions Available! Journey to the Brazil’s Pantanal, the world’s largest freshwater wetland and

the richest wildlife viewing in the Americas! Covering an area of 360,000

square miles, the Pantanal is a huge complex of aquatic and terrestrial envi-

ronments resulting in an extremely rich fauna. The variety of birds is astound-

ing, including the endangered and beautiful Hyacinth Macaw, the world’s

largest parrot. The Pantanal is also a refuge for many threatened mammals

like Jaguar, Ocelot, Giant Anteater, and Giant River Otter! Leaders: Andy

Griswold and Brazilian guide Giuliano Bernardon! Fee: $5,398. With

member discount: $4,998.

Cape May Migration October 10 - 12, 2014 Three Days!

Without a doubt one of the top ten birding spots in the country, Cape May is

where every fall hundreds of thousands of migrating birds funnel into the

southern tip of New Jersey, and hundreds of birdwatchers come from all over

Two Departures Each Month, Year Round!

Our most popular cruise explores some of the most untouched rainforest

in all of Amazonia. On an eight-cabin expedition vessel, travelers

venture far up some of the least inhabited rivers in the Amazon Basin

for a full seven days and explore areas rarely visited, seeking out the

mysterious life in the heart of the Amazon. This is the most thorough,

detailed, and sophisticated trip offered in the entire Amazon and comes

with rave reviews from past participants. Guides are accomplished local

naturalists. This is a trip of a lifetime, easy for seniors and families! Fee

starts at $3,450 per person. Iguacu Falls and other extensions available.

the world to enjoy not only the diversity of hawks, shorebirds, and warblers,

but also the scenic beaches, meadows, and the lively historic town. Some-

thing for everyone! Leader: James Restivo. Fee: $835. With member dis-

count: $635.

Louisiana Swallow Tornado A Five Million Bird Ballet!

December 1 - 5, 2014 5 Days! In early November through early December, just outside of New Orleans,

Tree Swallows seemingly magically appear until the entire sky is filled. On

some evenings, however, there can be one very obvious difference. Whereas

there were hundreds of thousands of tree swallows leading up to the event,

there could now be millions! By some estimates, one can view two to five

million swallows in one evening. Comparing this to the estimate of the

North American Tree Swallow population of 20 million, at least 10 percent

of the world's population can be spending the night at this southern roost site.

This swallow tornado is likely the most under-appreciated natural phenome-

non in the United States. The cost of this wonderful journey is $2,298. With

member discount: $1,898. Call today to reserve your spot!

Sea Turtle Rescue December 5 - 7, 2014 Three Days!

In early December, the Cape Cod beaches become the last hope for sea tur-

tles like Kemps, Ridley, Green, Loggerhead, and Hawk’s Bill that are

stunned by the cold water and end up stranded along the coast. Join Priscilla

Wood and work with local marine-life rescue squads to help safely locate

and transport these fragile marine reptiles to safe haven. Scour the Cape,

Chatham to Provincetown, without the crowds of summer, and be magically

absorbed into the wildness of the outer Cape, its grass-topped dunes, empty

beaches, and ceaseless crashing waves. Expect the rare and unusual. Fee:

$835. With member discount: $635.

Arkansas: Bottomland Adventure January 4 - 11, 2015 Eight Days!

Join our ninth exciting expedition into southern woodland primeval forest

that once hosted the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, and perhaps still does! Enjoy

the exclusive lodge and great food. Experience the history and tales of the

elusive “Grail Bird.” This tour is by special arrangement in an area that is not

open to the public. Fee: $2,795. With member discount: $2,495. Henslow’s

Sparrow, Trumpeter Swan, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, and clouds of wa-

terfowl in the heart of America’s rice belt! Leader: TBD.

Classic Tanzania Safari January 7 - 20, 2015 13 Days!

Visit at the best time to view the animals of the Serengeti! Lions, cheetahs,

hyenas, and other predators are especially visible during this season. Visit

Ngorongoro Crater, described as the eighth wonder of the world, Lake Man-

yara National Park in the Great Rift Valley, and Oldupai Gorge, where the

Leakeys made their famous archeological discoveries of early hominids.

Travelers will be accompanied by Milan Bull, Connecticut Audubon’s Sen-

ior Director of Science and Conservation, who has led this trip for many

years. Fee: $5,285. With member discount: $4,885. Zanzibar or Kilimanjaro

Trek extensions available.

New Zealand: Birds and Landscapes January 13 - 28, 2015 16 Days!

Tucked away on the southern rim of the Pacific, New Zealand is a land with

an enchanting and refreshing nature. While a morning may be greeted high

in majestic mountains, the afternoon may be spent on the sea watching glid-

ing albatrosses and porpoising fur seals. It’s a diverse, ever-changing land,

full of awe-inspiring natural spectacles. While concentrating on birds, wild-

life, and plant communities, this journey of discovery also allows participants

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South Africa Safari: Kruger National Park January 7-23, 2015 17 Days!

Escape to warm and sunny South Africa, where we stay in lovely

lodges, in prime birding localities, at a peak birding time! Our touring

will be done in three different Provinces: Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and

Kwazulu-Natal. Plan for a relaxing vacation, with three nights spent in

three of the five venues, and not too much traveling. Wildlife viewing

will be superb, with the list of possible bird species exceeding 500, of

which 69 are endemic or near-endemic to southern Africa. Many of

these are range restricted. Some interesting mammals are also on the

list, with 66 possible species, including big ones such as lion, elephant,

Cape Buffalo, rhinoceros and leopard. Fee: $6,335. With member

discount $5,835. Leader: Rob Taylor. Cape of Good Hope

extension available. If you have already been to East Africa, this is a

great next step in your travel portfolio! Limited group size. Call now!

to view the most scenically spectacular corners of this amazing country. The

magnificent rain forests and dramatic coastline are particular foci, as well as

a visit with the threatened, flightless Kiwi and many other endangered birds.

Leader: Jay Hand. Fee: $6,498. With member discount: $5,998.

Island Escape: Dominca and St. Lucia February 1 - 9, 2015 Nine Days!

Explore the two “birdiest” islands in the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles. These

peaceful islands lend themselves to finding some great endemic birds as well

as relaxation in a green environment of warm tropical breezes. Experienced

birder Nick Bonomo returns to these two islands in search of great looks at

Imperial Parrot, Red-necked Parrot, Saint Lucia Parrot, and the lovely Saint

Lucia Oriole. Birding in a relaxed tropical setting—nothing better! This is a

great trip for a birder with a non-birding spouse. Fee: $3,598. With member

discount: $3,098.

Montauk Escape February 4 - 6, 2015 3 Days!

The town of Montauk, on the far eastern tip of Long Island, is one of the best

winter birding spots. The open ocean and the harbor provide opportunities to

see many winter waterfowl not so commonly seen in Connecticut. Eiders,

gulls, alcids, grebes, loons, and other winter specialties are among the many

birds one can expect. Enjoy the quiet of an off-season resort town, birds, and

the fresh air of winter beaches. Fee: $735. With member discount: $635.

Leader: Andy Griswold.

CLASSIC COSTA RICA February 21 - March 1, 2015 Nine Days!

Costa Rica is a Mecca for naturalists. Although slightly smaller than West

Virginia, it has more species of mammals and birds than the continental

United States and Canada combined, unmatched flora, and a world-famous

national park system. The itinerary includes many diverse habitats and nine

days of fascinating animals and plants in a beautiful, peaceful place. Enjoy

Resplendent Quetzal and 30-plus hummingbird species. Leader Joe Bear

and great local guides will show you what makes Costa Rica a great birding

hotspot! Fee: $3,998. With member discount: $3,498.

Galapagos: Islands of Discovery February 28 - March 9, 2015 10 Days!

Galapagos is the world’s greatest living laboratory for study and observation

of nature. Over centuries, animal and plant life reached the islands and grad-

ually evolved into new life forms found nowhere else on earth. Opportunities

for photography are unparalleled, animals showing no fear of humans. Sea

lions, iguanas, and penguins are in arm’s reach. Fee: $5,495. With member

discount: $4,795. Ecuadorian Highland, Machu Picchu, and Quito ex-

tensions available. Leader: Milan Bull. Other departure dates available.

Cuba Bird Survey March 18 - 30, 2015 13 Days!

CAS is offering an exclusive, licensed bird survey in Cuba. This program

has a nearly 20-year history as a conservation project focused on understand-

ing Cuba’s importance as a wintering habitat for migratory birds. Travel with

a small authorized group and local guides through rarely explored parts of

Cuba, the Caribbean’s largest and most ecologically diverse island nation,

home to 24 endemic birds, including the world’s smallest, the Bee Hum-

mingbird; one of the rarest woodpeckers, Fernandina’s Flicker; and the mag-

nificent, elusive Blue-headed Quail-Dove. Leader: Rob Taylor. Fee: $5,250.

With member discount: $5,150.

Machu Picchu with Lucy Bingham April 14 - 25, 2015 12 Days!

Follow the footsteps of the Incas and explorer Hiram Bingham! Leader is

Lucy Bingham, a Connecticut native, outstanding travel writer, and

granddaughter of Hiram. Visit one of the world’s deepest canyons and

search for Andean Condor. Hike to ruins and relax in some of the finest

hot-springs imaginable. Visit Lake Titicaca for a boat trip. Take a classic

railway journey across the high plains to explore Cusco, the former Inca

Capital, full of culture and history. Travel through the Sacred Valley of

the Incas to explore the awe-inspiring lost city of Machu Picchu. Optional

post-tour trekking on the Inca Trail. Fee: $4,798. With member discount:

$4,298. A bucket list tour, for sure!

Cornwall: A Walk on the Wild Side May 2015 11 Days!

Immerse yourself in heath-lands, tropical valleys, moors, and legends of

Cornwall, England. Connect with nature along coastal paths, beaches,

and lanes bordered by carpets of brilliant spring flowers and hedgerows.

Enjoy clean air and quiet as you explore this land of DeMaurier and Pol-

dark on adventurous walks through the countryside. Martin Hunt, your

personable local guide, knows the flora and fauna, geology, history, folk-

lore, foot paths, tea houses, and scenic villages off the beaten track. Fee:

$3,795. With member discount: $3,395. Leader: Priscilla Wood.

Explore Cape Cod May 14 - 17, 2015 Four Days!

Explore the Cape before the onslaught of summer tourists. Besides scour-

ing the beaches and inlets, you will find birding and more to keep you

intrigued—all found at the edge of a marine environment and the world’s

largest glacial peninsula. Visit Massachusetts Audubon’s facility and

Cape Cod National Seashore. Enjoy the birds, gardens, and beaches in

Provincetown, Falmouth, Chatham, and Eastham. Participants will be

magically absorbed into the early spring wildness of the outer Cape, its

grass-topped dunes, sprawling beaches, and ceaseless crashing waves.

Leader: Priscilla Wood. Fee: $1,150. With member discount $950.

Minnesota and North Dakota June 6 - 14, 2015 Nine Days!

This two-state tour represents one of the best kept secrets in birding, near-

ly unequalled anywhere in the United States. This area is home to numer-

ous sparrows, ducks, grebes, and warblers that cannot be found in such

concentrations anywhere else.

Leaders: Jay Hand and Nick

Bonomo. Fee: $2,998. With member discount: $2,598.

Iceland: Land of Ice and Fire June 9 - 20, 2015 12 Days!

Visit Iceland and you’ll enter a whole new realm of experience! You’ll

discover unspoiled nature as you’ve never seen it before, and the equally

original people for whom timeless nature, ancient heritage, and modern

lifestyle coexist in harmony. The freedom to roam in the city or the wilds

as you please, to explore, and to have fun are key to the Iceland experi-

ence. Visit all that makes Iceland unique, including the famed Blue La-

goon, bird-filled islands, and intriguing geological features. Leaders:

Andy Jones and Andy Griswold. Fee: $5,998. With member dis-

count: $4,998. A dream destination for many!

Front Cover: Leopard - Nihal Jabin

Origin of the Connecticut River June 11 - 14, 2015 Four Days!

The Connecticut Lakes region is the pristine area at the northern tip of

New Hampshire offering unlimited, unspoiled wilderness. This is

the center of the North Country’s moose habitat where the mighty

Connecticut River is born. Birds may include Spruce Grouse, Black-

backed Woodpecker, Gray Jay, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, and Boreal

Chickadee. Stay at a peaceful lakeside lodge and hike to the

headwaters where one can straddle the river as it begins its 410-mile

journey south to Long Island Sound. Includes transportation from

Connecticut. Fee: $1,198. With member discount: $998. Leader:

Priscilla Wood.

Nova Scotia August 2015 Nine Days! Leader: Andy Griswold

The Pantanal: Birds and Jaguars October 2015 12 Days! Leader: Nick Bonomo

Italy: Under the Tuscan Sun October 2015 12 Days! Leader: Pricilla Wood

Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia NP October 2015 8 Days! Leader: Andy Griswold

Grand Canyon National Park and Sedona November 2015 7 Days! Leader: Priscilla Wood

Texas: The Coast, Valley, and Hills April 2016 10 Days! Leader: Jay Hand

Ask about our National Park Travel Series!

Call 860-767-0660 For Reservations and Detailed Information

South Dakota’s Black Hills and Badlands June 22 - 26, 2015 Five Days!

Stay at the beautiful Spearfish Canyon Lodge as our base for the four

nights and five days. The lodge, built and decorated in the style of the

old lodges of the West , lies deep in the heart of one of the most

breathtakingly beautiful canyons in the world and nestles alongside

lofty pines and spectacular cliffs., where nature takes over and opens

your mind to the world outside. Mount Rushmore, Badlands National

Park , Wind Cave National Park, and Crazy Horse Monument are all

destinations on this tour. Expected birds include Red-naped Sapsucker,

Say’s Phoebe, Mountain Bluebird, and Lark Bunting. Fee: $2,298.

With member discount: $1,998. Leader: Duane Weber.

FREE EVENT!!! Get Started Birding! Sunday, September 14 3PM to 5PM

Have you always wanted to get out and start bird watching more

seriously? Birding is one of the top two hobbies in the country, second

only to gardening! Here is your opportunity to find out what it takes, as

Connecticut Audubon Society’s expert guides will be on hand to tell you

about binoculars, spotting scopes, and field guides to get you started. The

event is FREE and the experts happy to evaluate any equipment you may

already have and make suggestions if you’re interested in upgrading.

Learn about the extensive birding opportunities offered through

Connecticut Audubon Society’s EcoTravel program.

Location: Eagle Landing State Park, 1 Marine Park Road, Haddam

We have the NEW

Sibley Guide to the Birds

in stock!

Signed copies available!