May 17, 2014, 8-12pm, free, indoor program on neotropical birds

May 17, 2014, 8-12pm, free, indoor program on neotropical birds from 8-9am at the deKoven House, corner of Route 9 and Route 66 in Middletown sponsored by Matabeseck Audubon, followed by a field walk at Middletown Nature Gardens on Randolph Road.  Please call 860-873-9304 or email wjguinness@snet.net to register.

The program, led by bird and wildlife photographer Frank Mantlik, is open to the public. An avid birder and naturalist for more than 30 years, Frank has been active in many bird and nature organizations in New England including the Connecticut Ornithological Association (past president), and the New Haven Bird Club.

He is a popular field trip leader and has traveled extensively in the pursuit of birds leading trips to Point Pelee, Block Island, Cape Cod and Montauk Point. An accomplished photographer with his own stock-photo business, Avocet Images, Frank uses his wonderful slides to illustrate lectures to various groups. Publication credits include Natural History, Audubon, Field & Stream, and American Birds. He is most in his element when in the field sharing the joys of nature with others. Frank has led a Cape Cod Shorebird Weekend and leads a Costa Rica Special, Honduras and Texas Spring Migration tours.The Mattabeseck Audubon Society, a chapter of the National Audubon Society, is committed to environmental leadership and education for the benefit of the community and the earth's biodiversity.