International Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon on May 3-4, 2026

Six dedicated bird enthusiasts braved cold, windy conditions for the International Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon at Camp Harkness. Armed with the Merlin Bird app, the group identified 23 species along the trails — including Fish Crows, White-breasted Nuthatches, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Gray Catbirds. Notably absent? The seagulls, who apparently had more sense than the rest of us to stay out of the weather.

The birding continued across Southeast CT, with reports coming in from Waterford, Groton, and New London. All told, nine Center birders spotted 98 species — some just passing through for a quick rest on their way to summer destinations.