Birder, Naturalist, and Connecticut author Robert Tougias is joining us virtually to give a presentation based on his book, Birder on Berry Lane. The author's suburban Connecticut backyard woodlot teems with nature's mysteries. His intimate and acutely observed writing in the tradition of Thoreau reveals the wonders of migration, the sensitive interactions of birds with their habitat, and the hidden meaning of bird song. With respect, wonder, and empathy, Mr. Tougias will take us on a year-long journey through seasons with our local birds. He will read from the lyrical parts of his creative nonfiction, mixing in visuals and interesting facts about our favorite and lesser-known, seldom-seen birds.

For Tougias, birds “are the visible, audible expressions of the pulse of life that teems all around us.” He observes and describes the breeding, nesting, and migration habits of the bird species he encounters. "Birding isn’t just a matter of ticking off species one by one.” Tougias adeptly applies his keen powers of observation to capture the beauty and rhythm of the natural world.

Robert Tougias is a wildlife and conservation writer. He is the author of Birding Western Massachusetts and Quest for the Eastern Cougar. He also writes a newspaper column on birding for the New London Day and lives in Colchester, Connecticut.

This is an online event held over Zoom. If you have any issues accessing the program, please reach out to the library and ask for Amanda, or email her directly at aduhamel@ellington-ct.gov.

Please register in advance to receive the Zoom link. Follow the instructions provided here to know how to join a Zoom meeting.