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 programs. Audience members are treated to experts and artists who educate as well as entertain. Monthly programs take place on the first Thursday of every month at the Essex Town Hall at 7:30 p.m., except for July and August. Other programs and field trips are scheduled throughout the year. All programs and field trips are always free (except for RiverQuest boat charters).
The Newsletter
The Newsletter for Potapaug Audubon is called "The Flyway." It is mailed about four times a year to all members. It gives general Potapaug news, and announces upcoming field trips & programs.
Membership
Membership to Potapaug Audubon is through National Audubon or you can become an member of just Potapaug. The annual membership dues for National Audubon are $35, $20 for brand new members for the first year. It is always $20 a year for senior citizens. Members receive the newsletter 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. Our prices are GREAT too!
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.