Tornado of Tree Swallows

The annual “tornado of swallows” is one of the most intriguing natural phenomena of the lower river valley. Every September, flocks of migrating tree swallows numbering tens of thousands of birds roost on the islands at the mouth of the Connecticut River. Whirling in the twilight sky, the huge flocks then descend, all at once, into the reeds for the night.

We will be leaving from the Pilgrim’s Landing Boat Launch in Old Lyme.

• it's a bit chaotic (and dark) at this point and we need to carpool back to get cars so trying to manage expectations, but everyone is going to have to go with the flow so don't expect to hurry out of there

It will be very dark at landing, BRING HEADLAMPS or deck lights, or lanterns and warm clothes and towels