2010 Field Trips

	Connecticut Butterfly Association

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 1, 2010, 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.

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 15, 2010, 10 AM
Mansfield Hollow Dam, Windham
Leader: Lenny Brown 203-949-9024

The pine barrens and open areas north of Windham Airport are the 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 29, 2010, 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 (Rt. 25), 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 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.

*NEW TRIP*
Saturday June 12, 2010, 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.

Sunday June 27, 2010, 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).

Sunday July 4, 2010, 10 AM
(Rain date Sunday July 11)
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 17, 2010, 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.

Sunday Aug 1, 2010, 10 AM
Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington
Leaders: Diane Tucker and Roy Zartarian
860-667-9571 / rzartarian@snet.net

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, 10-building museum and a National Historic Landmark. See the special areas at Hill-Stead where Monarch butterflies live and breed. $3 members, $5 members-to-be.

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 1/4 mile up the hill on the left.

Saturday Aug 7, 2010, 10 AM
Bauer Park, Madison
Leaders: Diane Adams 860-526-1993 / ButterflyPR@comcast.net, Gary Lemmon
203-488-7813 / lemmon@snet.net

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 21, 2010, 10 AM
Jared Elliot Preserve 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.

Sunday September 5, 2010, 10 AM
(Rain date Sept. 6)
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 September 18, 2010, 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. Park entrance fee may still be in effect.

Directions: From the north/east: take I-95 south to Exit 62, then turn left off the exit. Head south 1 mile down Hammonasset connector, go straight through the light crossing Rte. 1 (Boston Post Road) into the park.
From the south/west: take I-95 north, Exit 62. Take a right off the exit ramp onto Hammonasset I-95 connector. Park entrance will be 1 mile ahead.

Save the date!
Sunday September 26, 8 AM til 3 PM
Rain or Shine
Migration Festival at Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven

Enjoy the butterflies, hawks, and other migrating critters that pass through this area every fall. Falconry demonstrations by Sky Hunters in Flight, Monarch tagging, Antique Carousel rides, Lighthouse tours, bird walks. Entrance is free; donations will be accepted. More details will be available in the summer newsletter!