Join a Greenwich Audubon Center naturalist for a private program! We have a variety of themes available, including some special bird themes in honor of our For the Love of Birds Month in February. As part of this, 10% of all program sales will go towards supporting Neighbor to Neighbor, a local nonprofit whose mission is to provide food, clothing, and living essentials to residents in need.
Please find the descriptions and pricing for each possible theme below. Prices vary due to equipment and gear associated with each program type. You may have up to 8 people attend this program. Please make sure each member of your party brings and wears a mask. All programs are up to two hours, except for Owl Adventures, which is 1 hour. The date for your program is flexible, and the times of year available for each theme are listed below. We will email you after you book your program to schedule a date.
A photo of visitors enjoying a birding tour with Audubon Bird Education Special Ryan MacLean in February, 2020. Photo: Luke Franke / Audubon
Bird Themes:
Birding Adventures (Anytime of year)
Do you love birds and want to learn more about birds? Then this is the perfect program for you! Our Bird Education Specialist Ryan MacLean will help you locate wild birds at Audubon. Ryan will show you their beautiful habitats, and then help you identify their songs and physical features! In addition, we will provide you with supportive gear and materials such as binoculars and field guides. This program is ideal for all ages and abilities. If someone in your party will be using a stroller or wheelchair, please let us know in advance so that we may support your visit.
Personal Bird Count Program (February - March)
Looking for a fun activity to try on your own, with friends, or with your family? Join Audubon Bird Education Specialist Ryan MacLean for your very own Personal Bird Count Program! This program will provide an introduction to Community Science Bird Counts, which you will then be able to continue participating in even beyond this program in places such as your home or local parks. Counting how many of each bird you see and tallying results can be a fun and easy way to help bird scientists understand population trends. You will learn how to use Ebird, a worldwide database that you can submit your bird checklists to while enjoying the outdoors and learning about the bird species you see!
Birding Tour at Grass Island Park (February - March)
Have you ever wondered what birds spend the winter on Long Island Sound? You and your friends & family can join us for a special private adventure at one of Greenwich’s most easily accessible winter birding locations. The calm waters of Greenwich Harbor allow for close viewing opportunities of birds such as loons, ducks, geese, gulls and other species that spend the winter months on our shores. The park’s thickets and trees also provide food and shelter for songbirds and raptors. This location is within walking distance from the Greenwich Train Station and downtown Greenwich so public transport options are available for those wishing to book this adventure. Warm clothes and binoculars are recommended.
Owl Adventures (Anytime of year, 1 hour)
Have you ever been on an evening stroll to look and listen for owls? Did you know there are up to four species we can possibly encounter at the Greenwich Audubon Center at night? Join bird specialist Ryan MacLean for a unique experience to explore with us at night while we look for owls! In addition to showing you their habitats and discussing their natural histories, Ryan will mimic their calls and try to get the owls to call back, or even fly to a nearby perch! These owls are wild and unpredictable, but there is always a good chance of encountering one with some patience combined with Ryan’s incredible owl calls. It’s also a beautiful experience to walk outside with us on our grounds at night. For an optimal experience, we ask for no more than 5 guests in your party and if there are children, we please ask that they're prepared for periods of time where we will quietly listen for the owls.
Additional Themes:
Guided Hike (Anytime of year)
Join a Greenwich Audubon Center naturalist for a private hike! Our naturalist will be your personal guide and show you notable habitats and wildlife around the Greenwich Audubon Center trails. Nature is exciting and always changing, so you never know what we will find along the way! This program is ideal for people who want to enjoy beautiful scenery while hiking. We recommend this program for ages 6 and up, and people comfortable hiking in areas with a slight incline for portion of the experience. If someone in your party will be using a stroller or wheelchair, please let us know in advance so that we may plan accordingly to support your visit.
Pond and Wetland Adventures (Spring - fall)
There are so many fascinating creatures that live in and around ponds and wetlands! During this fun program, an Audubon naturalist will give you a tour of our pond and wetland habitats, and then we will try to catch animals such as frogs, tadpoles, and salamanders! We will provide you with gear and materials to support your experience such as nets, containers, and field guides. Once we catch these animals, we will observe and identify them together before we release them back to the wild. This program is interactive, takes place along our accessible trail, and ideal for all ages and abilities. If someone in your party will be using a stroller or wheelchair, please let us know in advance so that we may support your visit.
PLEASE NOTE: Ticket purchases are final and non-refundable. If you cannot attend the virtual program for any reason, you can share your ticket with another guest. In the event of extreme, inclement weather, we will work with you to reschedule.
