It is no surprise that Connecticut’s best-known birding sites are located on the shore of Long Island Sound, where observers can spot waterfowl, shorebirds, and seabirds along with migrant birds of all types. As the third smallest state in the country, amazingly, Connecticut boasts 430 different bird species; and one of the state’s birding “hotspots” is Sheffield Island.
If you are a bird lover with a checklist of bird species that you have seen in Connecticut, and want to add seabirds to your list, hop on board the CJ Toth Quest, a 49 passenger ferryboat with the Seaport Association on Sunday, June 10 or Sunday, June 24 for their annual Bird Cruise that runs from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Passengers on this three-hour excursion led by Larry Flynn, Master Wildlife Conservationist agree that each cruise is always exciting because they can never anticipate what bird species might fly their way! “Every cruise is different, and just when you think you have it all figured out, these birds will do something else that surprises you,” says Flynn. “We have seen stand-downs between large gulls or falcons attempting to prey on smaller birds and sometimes larger birds and their chicks. It’s truly amazing what you can see on these tours."
Among the types of birds, you may see on this National Geographic styled cruise are nest sites and nesting colonies of ospreys and long-legged egrets with their graceful S-curved necks and long dagger-like bills. On this three-hour cruise, passengers may spot American oystercatchers, herons, terns, gulls, cormorants and many others.
A highlight of the trip is the chance to explore the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge on Sheffield Island. Here you will find a variety of habitats that support nesting and wading birds. There is also a small population of herring and great black-backed gulls that nest along Sheffield’s rocky shoreline.
The importance of Sheffield Island to wildlife, especially migratory birds is enormous, and these special bird cruises give passengers the chance to spot these magnificent creatures on and off the water at an awe-inspiring and safe distance with a knowledgeable guide.
The cruise will depart at 8:30 a.m. on June 10 and 24. Passengers are asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to departure. The boat leaves from the Seaport Dock that is adjacent to the Stroffolino Bridge at the corner of Washington and Water Streets in South Norwalk. Parking is available at the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium Parking Lot. Tickets are Adult: $25, Members and Seniors: $20, Children 4-12 years old: $15 and Children under 3 are $5. For Reservations contact 203-838-9444 or 1-800-838-3006. On the day of the cruise contact the dock phone at 203-838-2898. Or visit https://www.brownpapertickets.com
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