Check out two special events:
"Walk on the Wild Side"
Go to the Westbrook Refuge Programs page.
"Swallow Cruise On CT RIVER"
Go to the Field Trips page.
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."
