All CBA field trips are free and open to the public. Wear comfortable
hiking shoes
and bring water and sunscreen. Visit www.ctbutterfly.org for more
information about
upcoming trips.
Saturday May 5, 10 AM (rain date May 6) West Rock Park, New Haven Leader: Larry Gall 203-454-4612
Look for early butterflies such as Falcate Orangetip, Brown
Elfin, and Juniper Hairstreak.
Most of the walking is relatively easy up an old roadway but there may
be some trail
hiking, which is generally flat but rocky.
Directions: Take Rte 15 (Merritt Pkwy) to Interchange 59 (Rtes 63/69)
exits). Go
southeast on Rte 63 toward New Haven. Make left on Blake St., go
quarter mile and
make left on Farnam Ave. At end of Farnam, make left on Wintergreen.
Pass cemetery on
right, angle left on Wintergreen, come to stop sign and make right on
Springside. Go to
next stop sign; make left back onto Brookside (Wintergreen). Entrance
to park will be on
left, parking lot will be on right just before passing under Merritt
Pkwy bridge.
Saturday May 12, 10 AM Mansfield Hollow Dam, Windham Leader: Lenny Brown 203-949-9024
The pine barrens and open areas north of Windham Airport are
home to a number of
species of butterflies not often seen in the state, including three
species of elfins, Cherry
Gall Azure, Sleepy Duskywing, and Cobweb Skipper.
Directions: Meet at the commuter lot at the southeast corner of Windham
Airport on the
north side of Route 6. Lot is approximately 0.7 miles west of the
junction of Route 6 and
Route 203. From there, we will walk along the top of the dike to the
open areas north of
the airport.
Saturday May 26, 10 AM Trumbull Nature and Art Center,
Trumbull Leaders: Bill Banks 203-888-0189 and
Greg Hanisek
CBA has been asked to help identify the butterflies and moths of the
Trumbull Nature
Center's 11-acre grounds. The property was formerly a Christmas tree
farm, has a pond
and adjacent meadow to explore. CBA members, Ruthie Mohr and Christine
Cook have
been involved in creating a beautiful butterfly garden on the edge of
the meadow. Mown
pathways through the meadow will make walking easy for all ages. Who
knows what will
be found? At this time of year many species are possible, including
swallowtails and an
assortment of skippers.
Directions: The Center is located at 7115 Main Street (Rte 25), on the
Trumbull-Monroe
line. From the Merritt Pkwy south toward NY: take exit 48 and bear
right onto Rte 111,
travel toward Monroe, take a left onto Rte 25 headed toward Newtown.
Pass Wakeman
Nursery on the left, pass Tashua Rd. and the Nature Center is on the
left. Sign is visible.
Plenty of parking in the front.
Saturday June 9, 10 AM Northwest Park, Windsor Leader: Roy Zartarian 860-667-9571
rzartarian@snet.net
Northwest Park is a 473-acre multi-recreational facility that
has been operated by the
Town of Windsor since 1972. Much of what was once tobacco farmland has
been
reclaimed into biologically diverse forests and fields embedded with
streams and many
pristine views. Monarch Meadow is a 12,500 square foot butterfly garden
with over
100 nectar and host plants. A fully accessible trail winds through this
colorful meadow.
Audubon Connecticut recognized the Park as an Important Bird Area in
2004. Ten
different walking trails wind through the Park—maps are available at
the Nature Center
or on the Park’s website.
Directions: From I-91 take the exit for Rte 75 (exit 38 on I-91 north;
exit 38A on I-91
south) toward Poquonock. Turn right at CT-75 N/Poquonock Ave. After 1.6
mi take a
slight left at Prospect Hill Rd. Go 1.1 mile. At the traffic circle,
take the 1st exit onto
Lang Rd. Entrance is on the left.
Saturday June 16, 10 AM New Trip! Stratford Point, Stratford Leader: Lenny Brown (203) 949-9024
We will explore 28 acres of coastal grasslands to inventory the
butterflies found at this
site in late spring. Easy to moderate walking. Wear sturdy hiking shoes
and bring water.
Directions: Stratford Point, a site owned by CT Audubon, is located at
1207 Prospect Dr.,
Stratford. It is approximately 0.8 mi. south of the intersection of
Main St./CT113 and
Prospect Drive in Stratford.
Saturday June 23, 10 AM New Trip! Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford Leader: Roy Zartarian 860-667-9571
rzartarian@snet.net
This is a new trip, co-sponsored by the Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation.
Cedar Hill
Cemetery is an American rural cemetery lying in Hartford, Wethersfield
and Newington.
It encompasses 270 acres of landscaped woodlands, waterways and
memorial grounds
along with undeveloped grasslands. Approximately twenty species have
been seen there,
and with a half dozen Hackberry trees on the property, the walk may
provide sightings of
the Hackberry Emperor. Attire suited for walking through wet grass is
recommended.
Directions: From south of Hartford: Take the Berlin Turnpike (Rte 15)
north through
Wethersfield. In Wethersfield, take the left exit for Rte 314, Maple
Ave. Continue
straight on the Berlin Tpke approx. 1.5 mi. to Maple Ave. (do not turn
onto Jordan Lane).
Take slight left onto Fairfield Ave. Cemetery entrance is on the left.
From north of Hartford: Take I-91 S to Airport Rd., Exit 27, toward
Brainard Rd/
Brainard Airport. Turn right onto Airport Rd. Airport Rd becomes Brown
St. At Maple
Ave. (CVS Pharmacy on left) turn left. Continue on Maple Ave. approx.
1.2 mi. and
entrance to cemetery is on the right.
From other locations, obtain GPS, Mapquest, or Google Maps info for 453
Fairfield Ave,
Hartford, CT.
Saturday July 7, 10 AM (Rain date Sunday July 8) Walden Preserve, Salem Leader. Rich Chyinski 860-859-1326
The milkweed and many other wildflowers will be in full bloom,
providing easy viewing
of a wide variety of butterflies, including many species of
Hairstreaks, Swallowtails,
including the Pipevine, and many Skippers. Milbert’s Tortoiseshells,
Harvesters and
Northern Pearly Eyes have been seen in the meadows and surrounding
woodlands.
Walden provides easy walking on mowed trails through wild flower
meadows, which are
in close proximity to the parking area.
Directions: Take I-395 to exit 77 (Rte 85) and go north or west toward
Salem. Follow Rt.
85 to Salem 4 Corners (Rte 82 and Rte 85). Follow Rte 85 north 1/2
mile, turn left onto
Hagen Rd. Parking area 200 ft on the right.
Saturday July 14, 10 AM John Flaherty Field Trial Area, East
Windsor Leader: Lenny Brown 203-949-9024
An overlooked hotspot for butterflies! Over 25 species are
possible including the rare
Horace’s Duskywing. An excellent trip! Wear sturdy walking shoes, bring
water and
sunscreen.
Directions: From I-91 take exit 44, go south on Rte 5 for 1.1 miles,
make left on Tromley
Rd. Go 0.7 miles to entrance on left.
Saturday July 21, 10 AM - Noonish Bent-of -the-River, Southbury Leader: John Himmelman 860-663-3225
This trip is always one of our most popular! The variety of habitats
always produces an
amazing assortment of species! BOTR is included in the CT Butterfly
Atlas as one of the
best butterflying spots in the State. Not to be missed.
Directions: Take I-84 West, make right off exit 14 ramp. Straight thru
light onto 172 N.
Go 1 mile (S. Britain), and turn left onto East Flat Hill Rd. (between
general store and
church). Once you come to river on left, the drive for BOTR will be on
your left (#185).
Park in first lot on right. (84E, left off exit 14 ramp, under highway,
straight onto 172N).
Saturday July 28, 11 AM Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington Leader: Diane Tucker
This is an annual event at Hill-Stead, which offers a rich habitat in
central Connecticut
for a variety of butterfly species. Completed in 1901, Hill-Stead is a
152-acre National
Historic Landmark. See the special areas at Hill-Stead where Monarch
butterflies live and
breed.
Directions: Take Exit 39, I-84 East or West. Follow Route 4 West. Turn
left onto Route
10 South. At first traffic light, turn left onto Mountain Road. Museum
entrance is ¼ mile
up the hill on the left
Saturday Aug 4, 10 AM Bauer Park, Madison Leaders: Gary Lemmon 203-488-7813/
lemmon@snet.net Maryann Nazarchyk 860-739-8668
Bauer Farm was established by the Bauer family 100 years ago. In 1990,
the 64.5-acre
property was donated to the town of Madison. It includes ponds,
meadows, woodlands,
and rock outcroppings, as well as a nature center offering educational
programs,
community gardens, and trails.
Directions: from I-95, exit 61, head north approximately .1 mile on
Route 79. Take a left
onto Hunter’s Trail. Proceed to the end (less than one mile) and turn
right onto Copse
Road. The center, with parking, is immediately on the left. Meet in the
parking area.
Saturday August 18, 10 AM Jared Eliot Preserve, a Guilford Land
Trust Property and Chaffinch Island Park, Guilford Leader: Lenny Brown 203-949-9024
These locations promise to produce a variety of species. We hope to
find Hackberry
Emperor, American Snout, and southern species that may be moving
through the area
at this time of year. Be prepared to walk through an uncut meadow
(possibly wet) and
protect yourself from mosquitoes. Wear long pants as there are a lot of
brambles in the
preserve.
Directions: From I-95 take exit 58 and travel south on Rte 77. Follow
Rte 77 to Rte 146
and go west on Rte 146. After approx. 1-2 miles turn left on Mulberry
Point Rd. Meet at
the intersection of Mulberry Point Rd. and Mulberry Farms Rd.
Saturday, August 25, 10 AM Osbornedale State Park, Derby Leader: Peter DeGennaro 203-598-8577
We will explore Osbornedale's meadows for late season swallowtails,
hairstreaks, skippers, and other butterflies. With the Housatonic River
bringing in butterflies from the coast, the park can become a great
inland trap for vagrants. The hackberry trees in the park could produce
American Snout and both emperors, and the estate's buddleias enter full
bloom this time of year. Easy, mowed walking trails but bring
water and sunscreen.
Directions: from Route 8 take exit 15, at end of ramp, turn left onto
Main St. (Rte. 34). Continue West on Rte. 34 for about 1.5 miles. Then
take a right onto Lakeview Terrace (there is a road sign for Kellogg
Center/Osbornedale State Park at the corner). Continue to stop sign at
the end of the road; turn left at stop sign and immediately another
left into parking lot. Meet in parking lot.
Sunday September 2, 10 AM (Rain date
Sept. 3) Haley Farms, Groton Leader: Richard Chyinski 860-859-1326
Meet at Haley Farms. Search an abandoned 260-acre farm: lots of fields
and reverting
pastures with shrubby edges. Species seen on past trips include: Ocola
Skipper, Fiery
Skipper, Leonard’s Skipper, and Cloudless Sulphur. This is one of the
best spots to find
late season species. Easy to moderate walking. Wear sturdy walking
shoes; bring water
and sunscreen.
Directions: From I-95 exit 88, go south on Rte. 117 for 1.1 miles, left
on Rte 1 for 1 mile,
right on Rte 215 for 0.6 mile, right on Brook St. for 0.5 mile, right
on Haley Farm Rd.
For 0.1 mile to park entrance.
Saturday Sept 15, 9 AM, Tagging Monarchs at Hammonasset Beach
State Park Leader: Rich Chyinski 860-859-1326
CBA sponsored Monarch tagging at Meigs Point Nature Center, Hammonasset
Beach
State Park in Madison. Bring a net and help capture, tag and release
Monarch butterflies
to aid in the gathering of data on migration habits and travel routes.
Kids are welcome but
must have adult supervision. There will be a few nets available for
those who do not have
one.
Directions: Take I-95 to Exit 62 and follow the signs to the park.
Entrance fee may
apply. Inside the park, follow signs to the Nature Center. Tagging will
take place behind
the Nature Center, at the garden.
Sunday Sept 23, 8 AM to 3 PM Migration Festival Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven
Save the date for this popular event.
Hawk watching, bird walks, bird banding, Monarch tagging, butterfly
watching, falconry
demonstrations, carousel rides and more. Schedule will be available on
line when it is
completed.
