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On Saturday, May 30th, the Connecticut Land Conservation Council, Flanders Nature Center and Land Trust, and GirlTrek‘s Waterbury chapter hosted a Bird & Hike event in celebration of Black Birders Week. The walk was held at Fulton Park, a popular green space with paved trails that can make birding accessible to all Waterbury residents. Fulton Park offers a rich mix of meadows, forests, and ponds—making it an excellent place for birdwatching.

As the group explored, a participant asked, “What’s that bird with the red chest and brown back? I think I’ve seen it before.”

Hailey, an Environmental Educator from Flanders, answered, “That’s the American Robin—Connecticut’s state bird, found throughout the region. You’ve probably heard it as well as seen it.”

Hailey demonstrated the bird’s call using the Merlin ID app, prompting excited recognition: “I hear that every morning!”

GirlTrek Waterbury typically meets each Saturday for brisk walks, but for many, this was their first time slowing down together to really watch and listen for birds in their familiar park. Overall, we saw 11 bird species, giving participants a glimpse of the variety of birds present in Connecticut. 

The event was made possible by a grant from the Connecticut Community Foundation, supporting CLCC and Flanders in building meaningful partnerships with Waterbury residents. For this initial bird walk, CLCC and Flanders staff joined GirlTrek members at their familiar Fulton Park. In the fall, GirlTrek will visit Flanders’ Whittemore Sanctuary in Woodbury for a guided bird walk in a new setting. By starting in a comfortable environment, the organizers hope to inspire confidence and interest in birding, pave the way for future collaborations, and strengthen the relationship between GirlTrek and Flanders.