CBA 2007 Field Trips

May 6, 2007 (Sunday)

10 AM

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.

Wear good hiking shoes and bring water.

Directions: Take Rte 15 (Merritt Pkwy) to Interchange 59 (Rtes 63/69) exits). Go southeast on Rt 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.

*New Trip!

June 10, 2007 (Sunday)

10 AM

Macricostas Preserve of Steep Rock Reservation, Washington

Leaders: Peary and BK Stafford (860) 868-9203; Andy Brand (203) 230-1718

An exciting new trip to a beautiful location. The 238 acre preserve consists of many habitats including wet meadows, fields, woodlands, and rocky ridges. We will focus on the meadows and fields as we look for swallowtails, cloudywings, meadow fritillary, Baltimore checkerspot caterpillars, and if we're lucky, bronze copper. The site has the potential to produce an incredible array of species. The birding can be great too. Bring a snack, water, and sunscreen and be prepared to get your feet wet as areas may be soggy. Rubber boots are a good idea.

Directions: Take route 47 north from Washington Depot. At junction of route 202, turn right and then turn (hard) left onto Christian St. Turn right just in front of the old red house; parking is behind it.

From New Preston/Marbledale follow route 202 east, past Flirtation Ave. on left and take the next left onto Christian St. Turn left just beyond the old red house.

June 24, 2007 (Sunday)

10 AM

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 upcoming CT Butterfly Atlas as one of the best butterflying spots in the State. Not to be missed. Bring sunscreen and good walking shoes.

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. ( 84 E, left off exit 14 ramp, under

highway, straight onto 172N).

July 1, 2007 (Sunday)

10 AM

Walden Preserve, Salem

Leader. Rich Chyinski (860) 859-1326

Over 50 species have been seen at this location including Harvester, Milbert's Tortoiseshell, Dreamy Duskywing, and of course all of the more common species flying at that time.

For the birders in the group, there is a chance to see a Lawrence’s Warbler as they have been seen the last 2 years along the edge of the field we will be walking.

Easy walking, open fields with mowed trails.

Directions: Take I-395 to exit 77 (Rt. 85) and go north or west toward Salem. Follow Rt. 85 to Salem 4 Corners (RT 82 and RT 85). Follow Rt. 85 north 1/2 mile, turn left onto Hagen Rd. parking area 200 ft on the right.

*New Trip!

July 8, 2007 (Sunday)

10 AM

Trumbull Nature and Art Center, Trumbull

Leaders: Bill Banks (203) 888-0189 and Diane Adams (860) 526-1993

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, hairstreaks, and an assortment of skippers. Bring water, insect repellent and plenty of sunscreen.

Directions to the Trumbull Nature and Art Center located at 7115 Main Street (Rt. 25), Trumbull, CT 06611 (just on the Trumbull-Monroe line):

From the Merritt Pkwy south toward NY: take exit 48 and bear right onto Rt. 111, travel toward Monroe, take a left onto Rt. 25 headed toward Newtown. Go past Wakeman Nursery on the left, proceed past Tashua Rd. and the Nature Center is on the left. Sign is visible. Plenty of parking in the front.

From the Merritt Pkwy north toward New Haven: Take either 48 or 49B which puts you on Rt. 25, continue as above.

July 14, 2007 (Saturday)

10 AM

John Flaherty Field Trial Area, East Windsor

Leader: Lenny Brown (203) 949-9024

An overlooked hotspot for butterflies! Over 25 species possible including the rare Horace’s Duskywing. An excellent trip!

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.

August 25, 2007 (Saturday)

10 AM

Jared Elliot Preserve and Van Wilgen’s Garden Center

Guilford and North Branford

Leader: Lenny Brown (203) 949-9024

These locations promise to produce a variety of species. We hope to find Fiery Skipper and other 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 Rt. 77. Follow Rt. 77 to Rt. 146 and go west on Rt. 146. After approx. 1-2 miles turn left on Mulberry Point Rd.

Meet at the intersection of Mulberry Point Rd. and Mulberry Farms Rd.

September 1, 2007 (Saturday), rain date Sept. 2

Haley Farms, Groton

10 AM

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.

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.

*New Trip!

September 8, 2007 (Saturday)

10:30 AM

Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven

Leaders: Dori Sosensky (203) 494 -3366 and Carol and Gary Lemmon (203) 488-7813

Meet at butterfly garden

The butterfly and bird garden at Lighthouse Point Park has grown leaps and bounds over the past couple of years and has become especially attractive to late season specialties such as fiery skipper and ocola skipper. Cloudless sulphurs are frequently seen zipping across the grassy fields and occasionally stop at the garden. We will spend the morning at the park. Picnic tables are available so bring lunch if you wish. After lunch we will travel a couple of miles to an old landfill off Ora Ave. to see what's flying. Easy walking. Wear good hiking shoes and bring water and sunscreen.

Directions: From the east: take I-95 south to the Frontage Rd. exit which is exit 51. Stay straight to go onto Frontage Rd. for 0.7 miles. Turn left onto Route 337/Townsend Ave. 2.2 miles. Turn right onto Lighthouse Rd. Follow this road until it ends which will lead you into the park. Once in the park, keep to the left and the butterfly garden will be on your right. Park in lot adjacent to garden.

From the west: take I-95 north to exit 50 to Lighthouse Point, which is Woodward Ave. Continue onto Main St. Turn right onto Routr 337/Toensend Ave. 2.2 miles. Turn right onto Lighthouse Rd. Follow this road until it ends which will lead you into the park. Once in the park, keep to the left and the butterfly garden will be on your right. Park in lot adjacent to garden.

September 15 , 2007 (Saturday), rain date Sept. 16

9 AM

Monarchs at Hammonasset State Park

Leader: Rich Chyinski (860) 859-1326

CBA sponsored Monarch tagging at Meigs Point Nature Center, Hammonasset 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: From the north/Hartford area: take I-91 south to Route 9 south. Off Route 9, take exit 9. Turn right (south) onto Route 81; continue down Route 81 until you run into I-95. Turn right onto I-95 entrance ramp and go approx. 1 mile to exit 62, then turn left off the exit. Head south 1 mile down Hammonasset connector, go straight through light crossing Route 1 into the park.

From the south area: take I-95 north to exit 62. Take right off ramp onto Hammonasset connector. Park entrance 1 mile ahead.

From eastern CT: follow I-95 to exit 62, then turn left off the exit. Head south 1 mile down Hammonasset connector, go straight through light crossing Route 1 into the park.

September 23 , 2007 (Sunday), 8 AM to 2 PM

Fifth Annual New Haven Migration Festival

Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven

Activities will include Monarch tagging, butterfly walk, and caterpillar displays. More information can be found here.