Norwalk Seaport to sponsor bird tours this summer

Norwalk Seaport Association offers up-close, educational bird tours this summer.

Larry Flynn, master wildlife conservationist, will lead a two-and-a-half-hour cruise of the Norwalk Islands to explore and understand the importance of migratory bird species and their behavior. Participants will view nest sites and nesting colonies of ospreys, egrets, American oystercatchers, herons, terns, gulls, cormorants and many others.

"It's always exciting," Flynn said. "Every day is different, and just when you think you have it all figured out, these birds will do something else that surprises you. We have seen stand-downs between large gulls or falcons attempting to prey on smaller birds and sometimes larger birds and their chicks. It's truly amazing what you can see on these tours."

Bird-watching cruises on the 45-foot C.J. Toth Quest catamaran are scheduled for June 16, 17 and 30 and July 1, 28 and 29. The cruises depart at 8 a.m. from the Seaport Dock adjacent to the Stroffolino Bridge at the corner of Washington and Water Streets in South Norwalk.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.seaport.org.