There is no shortage of places to go birding in Connecticut, and the state's wide range of habitats plays home to shoreline birds, aquatic birds, forest birds and marsh birds.
Bird enthusiasts and nature lovers can pack their binoculars, sunscreen and water bottles and head out to the wild for a day of birding at a number of spots around Connecticut.
Try out these five preserves and parks for a relaxing day of bird watching.
This Audubon society in Greenwich was established in the 1940s and hosts more than seven miles of hiking trails. Admission is free, but a $6 donation is suggested. Some bird sightings have included the saw-whet owl, the scarlet tanager, the tree swallow and more.
Open sunrise to sunset; 613 Riversville Road, Greenwich; 203-869-5272; greenwich.audubon.org
This coastal birding location includes trails along boardwalks and shoreline, with plenty of opportunity to spot birds considering the property includes a nature center and the Smith-Hubbell Wildlife Refuge and Bird Sanctuary. Possible bird sightings include the black-crowned night-heron, the glossy ibis and the saltmarsh sparrow.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday; 1 Milford Point Road, Milford; 203-878-7440; ctaudubon.org/coastal-center-home
The White Memorial Conservation Center presents the 36th Annual Family Nature Day.
This Litchfield conservation center has 40 miles of trails, a museum, campgrounds, a river, ponds, shoreline and a marina. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 6 through 12. There are a large number of birds here, including the wild turkey, the bald eagle and the broad-winged hawk.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday; 80 Whitehall Road, Litchfield; 860-567-0857; whitememorialcc.org
New Haven--Two swans forage on the Mill River at East Rock Park. Swan pairs form long term bonds, sometimes for life, and the males aid with the construction of the nest. Melanie Stengel/Register
This 425-acre park is a sea of green in a metropolitan urban area. The park includes 10 miles of hiking trails along with playgrounds, canoes and rowboats, sports courts, Pardee Rose Garden and Greenhouse, The Trowbridge Environmental Center and more. Bird sightings include the great crested flycatcher, the Hermit Warbler, the peregrine falcon and the common raven.
Sunrise to sunset; 41 Cold Spring St., New Haven; 203-946-6086; newhavenct.gov
This state park includes a 500-acre lake and activities include boating, fishing, hiking and mountain biking. Bird sightings have included the great blue heron, the belted kingfisher and the red-bellied woodpecker.
Sunrise to sunset; 31 Old Willimantic Road, Chaplin; 860-455-9057; portal.ct.gov