Folks, Here is the New Haven Bird Club’s schedule of activities during October: Indoor Meeting: Thursday, October 10. Audubon Connecticut Staff — “New Haven as an Urban Refuge for Birds and People”. Whitney Center Cultural Arts Center, 200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden, CT. Social half-hour at 7:00, program begins at 7:30. For more information: 203-230-1697 or www.newhavenbirdclub.org. Four New Haven Parks are getting a makeover, thanks to the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge. In partnership with other groups, the NWR has received funding to promote and enhance these parks and other sites deemed Urban Refuges, places the public can go to enjoy and learn about the great outdoors. The areas also provide essential habitat for wildlife. During this evening’s program, Audubon Connecticut staff members Michelle Frankel (Conservation Biologist) and Corrie Folsom-O’Keefe (Important Bird Area Program Coordinator) will share details on project activities including habitat improvements, planting of wildlife-attracting gardens at four area schools, developing and training teachers to implement School-yard Habitat lesson plans, and engaging the public through interpretive walks, festivals, and citizen science. So keep an eye on the transformation of the 4 local parks: Beaver Pond Park, West River Memorial Park, Dover Beach, and East Shore Park. Field Trips: First Wednesday Walk: Osbornedale State Park, Derby. Wednesday, October 2, 2013 8:00 am. Free and open to the public. Join us on a visit to this fine Derby birding site. It has a varied habitat, including freshwater ponds, open fields, and woods. Rarities have been found here, most notably the Western Flycatcher, a first state record, a few years ago. Meet at the Kellogg Environmental Center parking, 500 Hawthorne Ave. (across the street from park entrance). Leader: Roy Harvey. Contact:Tina Green: 203-247-2660 or tina@renaissancestudios.com. For more information: www.newhavenbirdclub.org. Kellogg Environmental Center/Osbornedale State Park, Derby. Saturday, October 5, 2013, 8:00 am. Free and open to the public. Join past president Maria Stockmal on a walk at this fine local birding spot. It boasts a variety of habitats—open fields, woodlands, and ponds. We’ll look for fall migrants, including warblers, sparrows, flycatchers, and vireos. Meet at Kellogg parking lot, 500 Hawthorne Avenue. Derby. Leader: Maria Stockmal: 203-488-3876 or m.stockmal@snet.net THE BIG SIT!® Sunday, October 13, 2013. Free and open to the public. Established by NHBC, The Big Sit!® has become an international event, with birders participating on four continents. The object is to record as many species of birds as possible in a single day from one 17-foot diameter circle. The circles for the event are located strategically at a number of birding hotspots in the state. Join other birders in one of these circles or create one of your own! You don’t have to be a hard-core birder to join in the fun. The event is now run by Bird Watcher’s Digest. For details, go to the Bird Watcher’s Digest website: <birdwatchersdigest.com> or Contact—John Triana: 203.758.7203, jtriana1@sbcglobal.net Hammonasset State Park, Madison. Saturday, October 19, 2013, 8:00 am. Free and open to the public. Visit one of Connecticut's best fall birding spots, where the abundance of some migrants and sightings of less common species can make for a truly memorable trip. The walking is easy, as it is on level ground. Meet at the park entrance (I-95 to exit 62). Leader: Flo McBride: 203 288-6777 or jmcbride@yale.edu. Beginner’s Bird Walk at East Shore Park, New Haven. Saturday, October 19, 2013, 8:30 am. Free and open to the public. We’ll look for songbirds on their fall migration and talk about the importance of parks in developed landscapes as stopover habitats for migrants. We’ll search the pines at the park’s north end, then visit the Habitat Oases demonstration garden. This walk is geared to beginners but birders of all levels and families are welcome. Advanced birders will enjoy a day out and can provide support and inspiration to the newcomers. Park entrance is at intersection of Woodward Ave. and Tuttle St. Park in lot north of baseball fields, next to sewage treatment plant. Leader: Corrie Folsom-O'Keefe: 203-630-9640 or cfolsom-okeefe@audubon.org. Branford Supply Ponds, Branford. Saturday, October 26, 2013, 8:00 am. Free and open to the public. Visit this fine local birding location to look for fall migrants and resident species. A variety of waterfowl can be found in the ponds. There is varied habitat, with woods and shrubby areas. The walking is easy, although it is hilly in some areas. Meet at the Supply Ponds parking lot on Chestnut Street in Branford. Leader—Maria Stockmal: 203-488-3876 or m.stockmal@snet.net Thanks, Larry Bausher, West Haven NHBC Publicity Director