Birdcraft Museum and Sanctuary
Birdcraft Museum & Sanctuary
Hours & Admission
The Sanctuary trails are open dawn until dusk, 365 days a year.
On This Page
Overview
Founded in 1914, Birdcraft is one of the first private songbird sanctuaries in the United States and is a National Historic Landmark.
This five-acre site was originally planted as a refuge to attract, harbor, and feed migratory and resident birds. More than 150 bird species have been recorded on its grounds.
Birdcraft is a federally licensed bird banding station.
A friendly reminder to visitors to Birdcraft Sanctuary: please do not touch the bird banding nets, and if you come upon a bird in one of the nets, please leave it alone.
Only the federally-licensed bird banders at Birdcraft are legally permitted to handle those birds. Handling them risks injury to the birds and interferes with the bird banders’ research, and is a violation of federal law.
Trails & Terrain
Size
5 acres
Trails
A short loop trail including a boardwalk around the pond.
Habitat
Mixed hardwood forest with thickets and a shallow pond with generally level terrain.
About Our Center
Birdcraft Sanctuary is a National Historic Landmark.
It was created in 1914 by Mabel Osgood Wright, who was among the founders of the Connecticut Audubon Society in 1898.
Wildlife
Every warbler that can regularly be found in Connecticut has been seen at Birdcraft.
Plus thrushes, vireos, flycatchers, blackbirds, woodpeckers, and others. The diversity can make for an astonishing place to be on a spring morning.
Trail Etiquette
Walkers and birders welcome on designated trails only
Trails open dawn to dusk
For the protection of our wildlife, the following are prohibited:
- Touching mist nets or birds in mist nets
- Only federally licensed banders may handle birds
- Dogs, horses, bicycles
- Motorized vehicles or Drones
- Hunting, Trapping, or Fishing
- Collecting of any kind
- Littering, Camping, or Fires
