Where To Go Birding in Southern Connecticut

In 2020 when the pandemic shut everything down, I turned to birding as a way to get out of the house. I invested in a 150mm-600mm Tamron lens because my 55-250mm kit lens wasn’t cutting it. Over the last five years, I’ve discovered a lot of different places that are great for bird watching. These are just some of my favorite spots!

Rocky Neck state Park

Rocky Neck State Park in Niantic is a local favorite for many birders. It has both a salt marsh that’s home to various different birds and access to Long Island Sound so you’ll get a lot of coastal birds. Some birds I’ve seen and photographed here are eagles, ospreys, great blue herons, snowy and great egrets, belted kingfishers, and loons.
Learn more about visiting: Rocky Neck State Park CT

Connecticut Audubon Society’s Coastal Center at Milford Point

This is probably one of the best spots to go birding along the coast of Connecticut. Milford Point has never failed me, no matter what time of day I went there. Some birds I’ve seen and photographed here are American oyster catchers, ospreys, piping plovers, long-tailed ducks, and ruddy turnstones.
Discover more things to do in the area: Things To Do In Milford, Connecticut

Harkness Memorial State Park

While many people visit this park in Waterford for the gardens and beautiful views, it’s also a great spot for birding. It has a salt marsh, Long Island Sound access, and some wooded areas to find birds. Over the years I’ve photographed and seen a lot of birds here from cedar waxwings, snow buntings, hawks, egrets, ospreys, and more.
Learn more about visiting: Harkness Memorial State Park In Connecticut

Seaside State Park

Seaside State Park is just up the road from Harkness. It’s a great spot to see ospreys. They actually nest on one of the chimney of one of the historic buildings on the property. You’ll often see the ospreys flying overhead or in their nest on the chimney.
Learn more about visiting: The Unique Seaside State Park In Connecticut

Lighthouse Point Park

Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven is another great coastal spot to go birding. In the fall, it’s a great spot for seeing birds during the fall migration. In the winter months, you’ll see plenty of coastal birds such as common goldeneyes, long-tailed ducks, red-breasted mergansers, common loons, red-throated loons, and horned grebes. You can also find various birds of prey at the park.
Learn more about visiting: Lighthouse Point Park New Haven

Ocean Beach Park

Ocean Beach Park is a great spot to go birding in New London. While this beach has access to Long Island Sound, I like doing the Alewife Cove Nature Walk when I’m looking to bird. Since this park can be pretty busy in the summer, I tend to go birding here in the off-season.
Learn more about visiting: Relax At Ocean Beach Park In New London, CT

Fort Shantok

Fort Shantok in Uncasville features access to the Thames River, wooded areas, and a pond. From song birds to waterfowl, this park has you covered. My favorite bird photos I’ve taken here are of swans with their babies on the Thames River and one of an Eastern Kingbird in a tree along the pond.
Learn more about visiting: Fort Shantok Park In Uncasville CT

Short Beach

This beach in Stratford is actually on across the Housatonic River from Connecticut Audubon Society’s Coastal Center at Milford Point. You’ll find a lot of the same types of coastal birds at this beach that you’ll find at Milford Point. I love birding here in the off-season.
Discover more things to do in town: Things To Do In Stratford, Connecticut

Fort Saybrook Monument Park

Fort Saybrook Monument Park in Old Saybrook features wetlands that many birds like to hangout at. You’ll find various birds such as red-winged black birds, ospreys, egrets, and various song birds. You’re also a short walk to the Connecticut River from here where you can find some waterfowl.
Discover more things to do in the area: Things To Do In Old Saybrook, CT

Niantic Bay

There are multiple spots to go birding along the Niantic Bay in Niantic. While you’ll find a lot of gulls at the beaches, in the winter months, you’ll find birds such as Mergansers and in the summer you’ll see Ospreys overhead. I’ve even seen bald eagles and hawks while walking at McCook Point Park. Some spots you can try for birding are Cini Memorial Park, the Niantic Bay Boardwalk, Hole in the Wall Beach, and McCook Point Park.
Discover things to do in the area: Things To Do in Niantic, Connecticut

Barn Island Wildlife Management Area

Barn Island Wildlife Management Area is a great spot for birding because it has Long Island Sound access, wetlands, and wooded areas. You’ll see a variety of songbirds, birds of prey, and coastal birds here. There’s definitely no shortage of birds here.

Mohegan Park

Mohegan Park has a lot of wooded areas and a pond. Around the pond, I’ve seen great blue herons, double-crested cormorants, and ospreys. There are also a variety of songbirds within the park.

Hammonasset Beach State Park

Hammonasset Beach State Park offers excellent opportunities to spot a wide variety of coastal and migratory birds. The mix of shoreline, marshes, and wooded areas attracts species throughout the year. While I’ve seen a lot of different birds here over the years, my favorite was probably a northern harrier.

Niantic River

Birding on the Niantic River offers excellent views of both waterfowl and coastal bird species. The river’s calm waters, marshes, and surrounding habitats attract birds throughout the year. You can bird here from land at Mago Point in Waterford or at Cini Memorial Park in Niantic. You can also rent a kayak to get out on the water for more opportunities. I’ve seen eagles, ospreys, loons, and various duck species on the river over the years.