Welcome to the Potapaug Audubon website. Potapaug takes a break during the summer months and will start up in October with all new programs. Please check back soon to learn about the new lineup.

Potapaug's 6th Annual Walk On The Wild Side will take place on October 3rd. Please visit the Westbrook Refuge Programs page for more information.

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ABOUT POTAPAUG AUDUBON:

Potapaug Audubon is a Chapter of National Audubon

Potapaug serves the towns around the Connecticut River Valley area. They include: (starting east) Niantic, East Lyme, Old Lyme, Lyme, East Haddam, Salem, Colchester, Old Saybrook, Essex, Deep River, Chester, Haddam, Westbrook, Clinton and Killingworth.

General information

Since 1978, Potapaug has been presenting a wide range of topics related to nature and environmental issues at their programs and special events. Audience members are treated to experts, authors, and artists who educate as well as entertain. Potapaug's new season starts in September and goes through May. All programs and field trips are always free (except for RiverQuest boat charters).

Membership

Membership to Potapaug Audubon is through National Audubon. The annual membership dues for National Audubon renewals are $35; $20 for brand new members for the first year; $20 per year for senior citizens; $20 per year for students. Members receive the Potapaug newsletter, The Flyway, and also receive the Audubon magazine which comes out four times a year. To Join National Audubon send your dues to: National Audubon Society, Membership Data Center, PO Box 51005, Boulder, Colorado (CO) 80323-1005.

Bird Seed Sale

The Bird Seed Sale is an annual fundraiser that takes place in November and provides fresh seed for backyard feeders. Seed is never from the year before. Our supplier is Anderson Farm Supply of Portland, CT. The choices are: Striped Sunflower Seed; Black Oil Sunflower Seed; and Wild Bird Seed - all 25 or 50 lb bags. Thistle and Safflower seed are sold by the pound. Suet cakes, bird seed wreaths, and suet feeders are available the day of the sale. Pre-sale forms go out end of September.

Christmas Bird Count

The Christmas Bird Count is an annual National Audubon event that takes place nationwide. Usually the count takes place on the first Sunday of the new year, or the last Sunday in December - which ever is closest to January 1st. Groups form in Audubon chapters across the country and are assigned to a specific area within the chapters' region. Then participants go out, usually at dawn (or some go out for the 4 a.m. owl-prowl) to look for as many species of birds as possible. They note each species and an approximate number of how many they saw of that species. At dusk they congregate and compile the numbers into one big list. That list is then given to National Audubon to add to all the other lists nationwide. The purpose of the count is to get an overall feel for what bird species are doing well and have good numbers, and what species are not doing well, and could be endangered. The count can be a good indicator of the overall health of a specific geographical area as well. There is a $5.00 fee that National Audubon requires participants to pay. Participants may choose to go out the entire day, a half a day or stay home and do a feeder watch. Go to the National Audubon Society's web site for complete details and click on "Birds & Science" and then "Citizen Science."