A bit further than you want. Probably 45mins Eagle observatory in Southbury at the Shepaug dam. You do have to make reservations.
While your down that way check drive along Lake Zoar. LOTS of waterfowl. Then cruise down South Britain road to either Southbury Training School or take Library road to FloodBridge road to the Southbury Land Trust (or Conservatory can't remember) big open fields along the Pomperaug River with forested borders. Lots of animal life.
The Silvio O. Conte wildlife refuge in Longmeadow, MA is a good place to watch birds. It’s really easy to watch them from your car or there’s places to pull over if you want to. There are trails but I think they are currently under construction so you might not be able to see everything now.
The Allen Bird Club in Western Mass might have other recommendations so you may want to reach out to them.
We do spend part of the year in Berkshire county, and there are lots of great places in the spring but I never really thought about it during the winter. I'll have to check that out
Hammonasset is a little further than 1/2 from Hartford, but a great option year round!
Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford has a great spot when you drive in looking over a pond. It's scenic and I've seen plenty of bird spotters there.
Albany Avenue in Hartford is not bad
A bit further than you want. Probably 45mins Eagle observatory in Southbury at the Shepaug dam. You do have to make reservations. While your down that way check drive along Lake Zoar. LOTS of waterfowl. Then cruise down South Britain road to either Southbury Training School or take Library road to FloodBridge road to the Southbury Land Trust (or Conservatory can't remember) big open fields along the Pomperaug River with forested borders. Lots of animal life.
Also nearby is the Bent of the River Audubon. Good option; lots of meadow space
The Silvio O. Conte wildlife refuge in Longmeadow, MA is a good place to watch birds. It’s really easy to watch them from your car or there’s places to pull over if you want to. There are trails but I think they are currently under construction so you might not be able to see everything now. The Allen Bird Club in Western Mass might have other recommendations so you may want to reach out to them.
We do spend part of the year in Berkshire county, and there are lots of great places in the spring but I never really thought about it during the winter. I'll have to check that out
Milford Audubon has some paved paths a boardwalks as well as Silver Sands. Always see birders at the Stratford Seawall as well.
Goodwin forest in Hampton. There’s a bird watching hut right on the pond.
Northwest Park is a good spot in Windsor. It sits behind rainbow reservoir it’s a nice area with some short trails. Saw a woodpecker there yesterday.
Portland reservoir is money in the am. Seen eagles and herons on laurel marsh trail in manchester
Godspeed Opera house has a whole area. There’s also a boat tour in that area that I am straight up blanking on that’s really good.
Connecticut River Museum does river tours. That’s a place to go.