Sharon Audubon Center

10/07/2026

We have three special insectivores in our clinic. Do you know this elusive species?

These are three juvenile Common Nighthawks, a crepuscular aerial insectivore. Despite their name, they are not related to hawks! These birds eat insects only while in flight and hunt most commonly at dawn and dusk. While these birds are healing and unable to fly, they require hand-feeding multiple times a day in our care. This species and fellow nightjars can be found throughout most of North America in the summer; however, their numbers are declining, and Common Nighthawks are classified as endangered in the state of Connecticut.

These three juveniles all faced a roadblock on their first migratory trip to South America. Each bird was found on the ground by kind people who did not witness what happened to the individual they brought to us, so we do not know the circumstances of injury. We are working to heal each of these special birds. Due to their injuries, they will miss migration this year and will overwinter in our clinic.

Common Nighthawk 457-26 was admitted with fractured metacarpals in the right wing that have started to heal (shown by radiograph), and the bird is starting to fly short distances.

Common Nighthawk 475-26 presented with inflammation in the left wrist that limited the bird's flight. Radiographs show no fractures.

Common Nighthawk 483-26 was admitted with a ruptured air sac and bruising around the right shoulder. This bird is scheduled for a vet visit and radiographs soon.

Photos: Common Nighthawk Juveniles/Sharon Audubon

10/03/2026

Birds are still coming through on their way south, and our properties are fantastic places to see them! Our staff have spotted several species of sparrow and warbler near Ford Pond, feeding on insects and using the Phragmites as cover. Come and enjoy them before they're gone!

Migratory birds at the Sharon Audubon Center. Photos: Wendy Miller/Sharon Audubon Center

09/26/2026

Join us for this exciting local event with our friends at The Hotchkiss Library of Sharon! We're thrilled to be a part of this program and hope to see you there. Click on the post below for registration details.

There are still a few spots left for the presentation with Beyond Plastics President Judith Enck and Dr. Joshua Ginsberg of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies at the Sharon Town Hall on Sunday!

Judith Enck founded Beyond Plastics in 2019 to end plastic pollution through education, advocacy, and institutional change. Her new book, "The Problem with Plastic: How We Can Save Ourselves and Our Planet Before It’s Too Late" is a call to action, exposing plastic’s impact on our health and the environment and empowering the reader, and each of us, to resist plastic’s toxic legacy. Join us this weekend to learn more about the plastic pollution crisis and the solutions outlined in this bold new book – registration is available at hotchkisslibraryofsharon.org

09/23/2026

Our annual fall Pre-order Bird Seed Sale is going on now through October 25. Stock up on quality no-filler bird seed for all your winter bird feeding needs at 20% off our regular retail prices. Order now for pick up in early to mid-November. Pictures and descriptions of available seed and suet below. Online ordering at https://audubonct.doubleknot.com/event/fall-bird-seed-pre-order-sale-2026/3160391

09/19/2026

Many thanks to our volunteers, participants, and migrating birds for making this year's fall migration bird walks special!

Our Miles Wildlife Sanctuary is a hotbed for migrating birds because of the dense and high-quality habitat it provides. Native plants and clean water provide the insects and fruit these birds rely on for fat and calories along their migratory routes; these 'stop over' spaces where birds can rest and refuel are becoming ever more important in a changing world.

Visit our Miles Sanctuary from sunup-5pm this month to appreciate these birds and their incredible journeys.

Fall migration bird walks. Photos: Bethany Sheffer/Sharon Audubon Center

09/18/2026

Did someone say SEED SALE?

The Sharon Audubon Center is once again offering our quality Lizzie Mae brand bird seed at a special discounted price (20% off our regular store price!) through our annual fall Pre-order Bird Seed Sale so you can stock up for feeding the birds over the winter.

All orders and payments must be received by Sunday, October 25th for pickup in early to mid-November. Order online at https://audubonct.doubleknot.com/event/fall-bird-seed-pre-order-sale-2026/3160391 or contact Wendy at the center for an order form.

Available seed includes our very own custom "Northwest Corner Blend," black oil sunflower, sunflower chips, various suet cakes, whole shell peanuts, and a variety of special mixes to attract cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, and more.

09/16/2026

Although it's only September, we know that before long December will be upon us. And for us, December means the annual Christmas Bird Count.

If you love birds and have participated in Christmas Bird Counts before, we want to hear from you! We have two volunteer positions for this year's CBC that we are aiming to fill. See below for more details:

1. Route Captain for the Lakeville area

Route Captains are responsible for creating and executing a plan to cover their pre-determined territory the day of the count. Candidates should have extensive birding experience and strong all-around bird identification. Candidates are also expected to have reliable transportation and welcome volunteers to accompany them on their route.

2. Community Engagement Leader

The Community Engagement Leader is a new volunteer role that supports the local CBC leadership team by helping recruit, welcome, onboard, and retain participants. The CEL works with the count circle Compiler and other local leaders to strengthen the participant experience and build a more welcoming and connected count circle.

Please contact Bethany Sheffer at [email protected] with interest in either of these roles.

Christmas Bird Count 2025. Photos: Sharon Audubon Center

09/15/2026

So concludes the 2026 Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship at Sharon Audubon wildlife rehabilitation clinic. This year's intern, Rayna, was instrumental in a successful summer through training volunteers, triaging patients, ceaselessly feeding baby songbirds, and more! Read her reflection below.

This summer I had the honor of being the wildlife rehab intern here at Sharon Audubon Center. I can't put into words the impact this experience had left on me. Never have I ever thought I would be manning a clinic shift on my own or playing a crucial role in chimney swift migration! Being a part of these efforts just further confirmed my love for birds and my passion for wildlife conservation.

From learning how to feed raptors, to giving physicals, and more, this internship had it all! I've met wonderful people, each of which I learned something from. This position taught me how to be the leader, to find the courage to come out of my shell, to take the unexpected head on and in stride! If I could do it all again, I would. Despite all the great times I had here, there were also some hardships I had to overcome, like managing the peak of baby season or when a bird passes, but nothing hits harder than saying goodbye-- goodbye to Connecticut, to all the birds, to all the amazing people I met along the way. I'm not exactly sure of where I'll end up. Who knows? Maybe I'll end up getting my masters, at my next rehab internship, or getting my rehab license, but one thing is for sure this place will be the push that gets me to wherever I go.

So instead of saying goodbye, I'll say see you later! Because this is one place I could truly never leave behind.

See y'all soon,
Rayna

09/10/2026

The happy ending we were all hoping for for this beautiful albino Chimney Swift! Watch this bird join the flock in the skies catching flying insects!

Throughout this angel's time in our care, risks and weaknesses due to albinism were constantly being evaluated for the bird's candidacy for release. Our clinic staff were focused mainly on the bird's strength of flight and feathers as well as the bird's vision.

In our outdoor flight aviary, this white Chimney Swift exhibited strong flight, good vision, and regular success at entering our makeshift chimney without any issues. With strong data points, we decided the bird should be released as a second chance at life in the wild! At release, the bird flew high and strong and easily joined the group of over 400 Chimney Swifts flying around.

More stories and details about our Chimney Swift releases coming soon!

Video: Clinic Staff Releasing an Albino Chimney Swift/Sharon Audubon

09/05/2026

Happy International Vulture Awareness Day from our beautiful resident Turkey Vulture, Norabo!

Did you know that a Turkey Vulture’s stomach acid is as strong as battery acid, which allows the bird to safely consume decomposing animals that could otherwise make us sick? Just one of many amazing adaptations that make these special birds so very beneficial to us and the environment.

Norabo, the resident Turkey Vulture at Sharon Audubon Center. Photo: Wendy Miller