5 birding spots in CT for a crisp fall afternoon

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.

Greenwich Audubon Society — Greenwich

This Audubon society in Greenwich was established in the 1940s and hosts more than 7 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 and the tree swallow.

Open sunrise to sunset; 613 Riversville Road, Greenwich; 203-869-5272; greenwich.audubon.org

The Coastal Center at Milford Point — Milford

This coastal birding location includes trails along boardwalks and shoreline, with plenty of opportunity to spot birds considering that 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

White Memorial Conservation Center — Litchfield

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

East Rock Park — New Haven

This 425-acre park is a sea of green in an urban area. The park includes 10 miles of hiking trails along with playgrounds, canoes and rowboats, sports courts, Pardee Rose Garden and Greenhouse and the Trowbridge Environmental Center. 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; 203-9466086; newhavenct.gov

Mansfield Hollow State Park — Chaplin

This state park includes a 500-acre lake. 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; 860-4559057; portal.ct.gov

Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media Audubon naturalist Ryan MacLean leads the Hawk Watch Kickoff and Raptor ID Workshop at Audubon Greenwich in Greenwich.