Just because it’s the dead of winter, that doesn’t mean you can’t commune with nature. Eagles included. The weekend kicks off the annual watches and cruises. There are so many opportunities to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. And if you’re headed to the Essex area for Eagle education, be sure to stop in at the Griswold Inn. The food is great and the atmosphere, quintessential New England.
Saturday, Feb. 4
Blackstone Library Tour: An Insider’s Look
Take a tour of the Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., learn historical tidbits, and get an insider’s peek into the day in the life of a Blackstone library employee.
Tours are offered the first Saturday of each month.
LWV Legislative Breakfast
The League of Women Voters of the East Shore will hold its annual Legislative Breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 9:30 a.m. at Evergreen Woods, North Branford. (Snow date: Feb. 11.)
This is an opportunity for League members and citizens to hear from area legislators what the important issues facing the 2017 General Assembly session. There will be a presentation of each legislator’s thoughts on these vital concerns followed by a question and answer period with the audience.
To RSVP (required) or for more information, email [email protected] or call 203 – 457-9888. For more information about the League of Women Voters, please visit http://www.lwvct.org/Eastshore.html.
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of public policy issues, and influences public policy thorough education and advocacy. Membership is open to men and women of all ages.
Eagles of Essex Exhibit
The annual Eagles of Essex exhibit at the Connecticut River Museum, at 67 Main St., Essex, which offers a wealth of information about bald eagles and their return to the lower Connecticut River, opens Saturday, Feb. 4, from 1 to 4 p.m. as part of its Family Activities celebrating the return of the eagles.
Patrons can try their hand at building an eagle nest, and marvel at life size silhouettes of Eagles and other large raptors, a map showing good shore viewing locations, and other displays.
For details, go to www.ctrivermuseum.org or call 860 – 767-8269.
28th Annual Eagle Watches on the Connecticut River (ongoing)
Audubon Shop owner Jerry Connolly will again lead the popular land-based excursions to view Bald Eagles along the Connecticut River, beginning Saturday, Feb. 4, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Additional trips are planned for Feb. 11, 18, 25, and March 4.
Bald Eagles make their way down the Connecticut River from Canada every winter in search of ice-free fishing. Participants will observe these majestic birds from a variety of locations along the river. Ticket prices are $25, which includes a soup & sandwich luncheon at Otter Cove Restaurant in Old Saybrook following the field trip.
Reservations must be made in advance by calling 203 – 245-9056. Carpool from the shop at 907 Boston Post Road in Madison at 7:45 a.m. or meet at first stop (Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam) at 8:30 a.m.
Winter Wildlife, Bald Eagles
If you prefer to view Bald Eagles from the river, Connecticut River Expeditions of Haddam will offer cruises to view winter wildlife and nesting Bald Eagles from Feb. 4 through March 19.
Departures on Fridays are at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; on Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., leaving from the Connecticut River Museum dock in Essex.
RiverQuest has a heated cabin, but participates are urged to dress in warm layers since the best views will be from the open decks. Bring cameras and binoculars, which will also be available on board. Cost is $40 per person.
For more information visit www.ctriverquest.com or www.ctrivermuseum.org.
Sunday, Feb. 5
The Origins of Modern Terror in Belle Epoque Paris
The Branford Forum will host Yale University Professor of History John Merriman on Sunday, Feb. 5, at 2 p.m., at the Blackstone Library auditorium, 758 Main St.
Prof. Merriman will examine the experience of ordinary people during the Belle Epoque (late 1800s Western Europe). The political upheavals and transitions of the period will be viewed neither in terms of historical inevitability as a procession of great men but rather through the lens of the complex interrelations between demographic change, political revolution, and cultural development.
In 2000, Prof. Merriman was the recipient of the Yale University Byrnes-Sewall Teaching Prize.
A Q&A and discussion will follow his talk. For more information, email [email protected] or call 203-772-5494
Wednesday, Feb. 8
In the Eye of an Eagle: Connecticut’s Bald Eagles
Raptor researcher Larry Fischer will present In the Eye of an Eagle – Connecticut’s Bald Eagles at the Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., on Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 7 to 8 p.m. The talk is sponsored by the Menunkatuck Audubon Society.
He will recount the eagles’ remarkable comeback with photos and anecdotes, starting from the earliest winter residents to Connecticut’s first nest, to the present population of nesting eagles. Fischer scales some of Connecticut’s tallest trees to come face to face with eaglets in their Connecticut aeries.
This program will be followed by an Eagle Watch field trip at the Shepaug Dam on Saturday, Feb. 11.
Fischer is a Federally Licensed master raptor bander and has been banding birds since 1980. As a Master Bander, he serves as a volunteer cooperator with the US Geological Survey, US Department of the Interior. He also holds a Connecticut DEEP bird banding permit.
Thursday, Feb. 9
Dining Out in America
Author and Yale Professor, Paul Freedman will speak on his book, Ten Restaurants That Changed America, answer questions, and share some excerpts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, at Evergreen Woods Community Building, Lobby, 88 Notch Hill Road.
From Delmonico’s to Sylvia’s to Chez Panisse, the book is a daring and original history of dining out in America as told through 10 legendary restaurants. Autographed copies of his book will be available for sale at the event.
Call Briana Benn-Mirandi at 203 – 483-3224 or email [email protected] to register.
Sunday, Feb. 12
Rave On! Concert
Rave On!, a concert featuring the music of Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, and other legends of early rock-n-roll, will take place at the Blackstone Library, 759 Main St., on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 2 p.m. This is the music that paved the way for rock-n-roll and influenced The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and countless other artists.
Saturdays, Feb. 11, March 11
Bird Photography Workshops
On Saturday, Feb. 11 and March 11 at 2:30 p.m., award-winning photographer Stanley Kolber offers his annual Bird Photography Workshop at the Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St., Essex.
Kolber has been photographing birds for years, and enjoys sharing his experience with aspiring photographers of all levels, through anecdotes, slides, and question and answer. In addition to helping skills development, his greatest pleasure in giving workshops is the opportunity to kindle and encourage his audience’s interest in the natural world. For details, go to www.ctrivermuseum.org or call 860 – 767-8269.
Sunday, Feb. 19
Birds of Prey Show
A Live Birds of Prey Show will be offered on Sunday, Feb. 19, at 4 p.m. at the Centerbrook Meeting House, 51 Main St., Centerbrook, sponsored by the Connecticut River Museum and Horizon Wings Raptor Rehabilitation Organization.
The show features a bald eagle and several other species of raptors. Visitors will be able to get an up close look at the birds while learning more about the lifecycle and ecology of these magnificent animals. This event is free to the public.
For details, go to www.ctrivermuseum.org or call 860 – 767-8269.
Nature/Archaeology Hike
Friends of Hammomasset will sponsor a Nature/Archaeology Hike at 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 18, from Meigs Point Nature Center led by Gary Nolf and Don Rankin, representing Friends of the Office of State Archaeology and Friends of Hammonasset.
It is hoped that seals will be spotted sunning themselves off Meigs Point. No pets are allowed on the hike.
Archaeology exhibits will be available in the Nature Center from noon to 3 p.m.; folks can bring their own artifacts for interpretation. The atlatl will be demonstrated. Folks participate at their own risk and should dress for wintry conditions. For more information, call 203 – 245-9192.
Saturday, Feb. 28
Winter Animal Tracking Classes
An Animal Tracking class, sponsored by the Branford Land Trust’s Nature Explorer Program, will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25. The class will be led by naturalists Tom Cleveland and Chris Woerner, who will help participants learn to recognize animal footprints and other signs of their passage through the woods.
The free event takes place at the Lake Saltonstall Preserve. Meet at the Regional Water Authority parking lot on the north side of Hosley Avenue, down Hosley Avenue 0.3 miles from Brushy Plain Road. Expect moderate terrain, some sloping trails and inclines, rocky underfooting. Parents should be prepared to carry younger children if they get tired. Wear appropriate dress and comfortable, supportive walking shoes, and bring water. Walking sticks welcome.
Visit www.branfordlandtrust.org for details, and watch the land trust’s Facebook page for possible schedule changes. For questions, call Tom Cleveland at 203 – 981-9040.
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