Sanctuary Walks and Programs
Regular Walks
Wednesday Noon Walks
Now through August 28
Join Connecticut Audubon Society staff for fresh air, exercise, good company and naturalist lessons along the way. Seniors and parents with babes in backpacks welcome. Fee: Free to CAS members; $3 non-members.
Third Sunday Walks
July 21, 2 pm
August 18, 2 pm
Stretch your legs, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the beauty of winter. The sanctuary rarely disappoints. Longtime volunteer, tracker and nature photographer Fran Baranski will lead and no doubt offer up animal tracking lessons along the way. Bring your binoculars and/or your camera if you are so inclined. Cost: Free members; $5 nonmembers.
Bird Walks
Download a copy of Bird Sightings through January 2013.
Kestrel Banding
Sat., June 22 starting at 9 am
Photo by Sandee Harraden
Have you ever seen an American Kestrel up close? Our smallest falcons are nesting on the sanctuary and we will be banding fledglings any time between late June and early August. Exact dates and time to be determined when the young birds are ready. Nine young kestrels were banded last year. Call the Center and leave your name and number. Several banding dates are anticipated. Cost: $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.
Tues., June 18, 8:45 p.m.
A new bird walk – join Andy Rzeznikiewicz as he attempts to find calling whip-poor-wills. A new preserve in Thompson has nesting whip-poor-wills. We will attempt to call in Owls as well. In the event of bad weather, a rain date will be scheduled. Meet at the Center in Pomfret and we will carpool from there. Bring small flashlight or headlamp. Please call to pre-register. Cost: $10 CAS members;$20 non-members.
Evening Bird Walk II
Thurs., July 11, 6 p.m.
Join Andy Rzeznikiewicz as we look for different species of birds. We might find newly fledged young birds. Cost: $5 CAS members; $10 non-members.
Evening Bird Walk III
Thurs., August 15, 6 p.m.
We will be in search of migrating sandpipers or warblers. Bring binoculars if you have them. Cost: $5 members;$10 nonmembers.
Nighthawk Watch
Sat., August 24, 5 p.m.
Join Andy Rzeznikiewicz as we wait and watch for migrating common nighthawks. Other bird species should be observed as well. Bring your binoculars. Cost: $5 CAS members; $10 nonmembers.
SAVE THE FROGS!
Thurs., June 27, 7 p.m.
SAVE THE FROGS Advisory Committee Chairman and Ecologist Michael Starkey will give a presentation about the “Wild World of Frogs” Learn about amphibian ecology and conservation and can be done to help save amphibians from extinction. Cost: $5 members; $10 non-members.
Photography
Wednesday Photo Walks and Working Sessions
Wednesdays thru August 28, 5 p.m.
Have you wanted to work on your nature photography skills and did not know where to start? Come on out and walk with experienced photography volunteers Fran Baranski and Sandee Harraden. Take advantage of the soft light of the late afternoon and early evening and start taking your own fantastic photography. Work developing field guides for the sanctuary will also occur.
Alaskan Photographic Journey
Mon., July 8, 7 p.m.
A self taught passionate nature photographer, Sandee Harraden, strives to create beautiful images showing the delights nature offers all of us. She finds inspiration while observing wildlife behaviors, colorful sunrises, peaceful waters, and stunning birds. Join us on this 45 minute photographic Alaskan journey including an ATV ride along the tundra, kayaking near glaciers, viewing bears catching salmon and a train ride though the majestic countryside. Cost: $3 CAS members; $7 non-members
Costa Rican Photographic Journey
Mon., Aug. 19, 7 p.m.
A self taught passionate nature photographer, Sandee Harraden, strives to create beautiful images showing the delights nature offers all of us. She finds inspiration while observing wildlife behaviors, colorful sunrises, peaceful waters, and stunning birds. Join us on this 45 minute photographic Costa Rican journey including comical monkeys, inactive sloths, poisonous frogs, entertaining basilisks, colorful Macaws, scenic jungle and spectacular waterfalls. Cost: $3 CAS members; $7 non-members
Children’s Programming
ATTENTION TEACHERS!!
SCIENCE IN THE WOODS – SPRING SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Check out our spring field trips for elementary and middle school classes. Aligned with the Connecticut science standards, our programs pack in four hours of hands-on activities on our 700 acre sanctuary. Spring titles include:
Birding 101, Signs of Spring, The Dirt on Soils, Watershed Study, Nature Journaling & Photography at Trail Wood and more. For pricing and scheduling contact Sarah at sheminway@ctaudubon.org
Summer Camp
June 24 – August 9
Find more information at the top of the page.
Citizen Science
Volunteer Monitoring Program
Become a Citizen Science Volunteer!
For more info, call Paula Coughlin, Citizen Science Coordinator, 860-928-4948 or email pcoughlin@ctaudubon.org
Photo by Richard Haley
StreamWalk Project 2013
Friday, June 21,
9 a.m. to noon
Saturday, June 22,
9 a.m. to noon
Select one training session
Walk along the stream bank or wade down a stream – it’s a cool way to spend a summer morning while contributing to stream conservation in the Quinebaug River watershed. Volunteers learn how to report the physical characteristics of the streams such as depth, vegetation, and condition of the streambed in one 3-hour training. Throughout the summer, trained participants sign-up with Paula Coughlin, Citizen Science Coordinator, to collect data on selected stream segments. Field trips are scheduled on Friday and Saturday mornings.
Call to register for one training session: 860-928-4948. Cost: $7 CAS members; $15 non-members.
The CAS Citizen Science StreamWalk Project partners with the Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group mentor Program (TEEG) and the Rivers Alliance of Connecticut (Watershed Assistance Small Grants Program conducted in association with the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act).
Mammal Monitoring Project 2013 Training Hike
Saturday, June 29, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Fee: $50 members; $60 non-members
What are our wildlife friends doing this summer? Hike with program leaders, Paula Coughlin and Fran Baranski, to explore habitats and learn how to identify signs of mammals such as bobcat, moose, river otter, fisher, mink and black bear. We’re sure to find tracks, scat, marks on trees, and signs of feeding that tell us stories of life in the meadows, wetlands, and forest.
You can begin or continue training to become a Citizen Science wildlife monitor. Our teams of volunteers monitor study sites four times a year to collect conservation data. Mammal monitoring training hikes, workshops and presentations are offered throughout the year, including many winter hikes. Visit www.ctaudubon.org for more information about the Mammal Monitoring Program.
For information/registration call the Center at Pomfret, 860-928-4948 or contact the Citizen Science Coordinator, Paula Coughlin, pcoughlin@ctaudubon.org.
For additional programming in our area consider Trail Wood, our Edwin Way Teale Sanctuary in Hampton.
Monthly Art Exhibits and Programs
Spirituality Through Nature
Oil Paintings by Susan Emerson-Hill
Opening Reception, Sun., June 2, 2 p.m.
Exhibit through June 31
The Quiet Corner is replete with rolling meadows, whispering pine groves, and ancient vernal pools, all of which have served to inspire Susan’s lifelong infatuation with the visual feast of flora and fauna that she has come to appreciate as none other than the handiwork of a higher power. A portion of all sales benefits the Center at Pomfret.
Barns, Birds, and Local Landscapes
Oil Paintings by Jane Collins and
Karen DePersia
Opening Reception, Sun., July 7, 2 p.m.
Exhibit & Sale through July 31
Come see the dynamic and colorful paintings of these two Connecticut artists. Though their styles differ, what they share is a passion for the intensity and luminosity of color that can be achieved only by painting in oil. Whether your taste is for contemporary or traditional artwork, you will enjoy the variety of paintings on exhibit this month. Paintings will be offered for sale. A portion of all sales benefits the Center at Pomfret.
From Farm to Field
Exhibit through August 30
Alecia Barry Underhill is known for bringing an almost human quality to her portraits of horses, chicks, cows and other animals, capturing the expression of an animal to reflect its connection to human beings. Working primarily in oils, she also paints the flowers and birds that frequent her farm and studio. She is drawn to color and the effects of sunlight, the transparency of petals, and the way shadows describe organic forms. For more information www.aleciaunderhill.com. A percentage of sales benefit the Center.
Coming this Fall
Art in Nature Festival
Sat. Sept. 14
Sun. Sept. 15 (rain date)
The Northeastern Connecticut Artist Guild (NECTAG) will hold an art in nature festival to benefit the Center at Pomfret. We’ll bring artists and art lovers together to experience visual, musical, and literary arts immersed in the beauty of Connecticut Audubon Society’s Bafflin Sanctuary. Fun for all ages – art workshops, activities, demonstrations and performances. Children must be accompanied by adults. For more info, contact Paula Coughlin, coordinator at pcoughlin@ctaudubon.org
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