Sanctuary Walks and Programs
Regular Walks
Wednesday Noon Walks
Now through May 29
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.
Thursday Morning Walks
Now to May 30, 8:30 a.m.
Are you a morning person? Greet the sun, stretch your legs, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the morning 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.
Third Sunday Walks
May 19, 2 p.m.
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.
Early Morning Bird Walks
Now through May 28, 8 am
Come join Andy Rzeznikiewicz as he points out the various bird species. We have access to over 1,650 acres of protected land. Wear drab colored clothing and bring binoculars (on some occasions a spotting scope is useful). Cost: free CAS members; $5 non-members. Meet at the CT Audubon Center at 218 Day Road in Pomfret Center.
Bird Walks
May can be a great time to go bird watching, especially for beginners. Cost: Free CAS members; $5 non-members.
Afternoon Bird Walks
Thursday, May 9, 5 p.m. & Thursday, May 23, 5 p.m.
This walk is designed for the person who is not up for early morning walks or works during the week. May is our peak spring migration time, so anything is possible. Cost: $5 members/$10 nonmembers.
Fourth Annual – 20 Warbler Day
Wednesday, May 15, 6 a.m. – 2p.m.
We are going to attempt to find 20 species of warblers in one day. This is the peak of warbler migration. We will be travelling to numerous locations in our search. Last year we documented 21 species. Call ahead to register. Cost: $15 members/$30 nonmembers.
Thompson Bird Walk
Thursday, May 16, 8 a.m.
We will explore a new 127 acres Wyndham Land Trust preserve in Thompson, CT. The property contains many evergreens and shrubland. The Little River flows through the preserve. Expect Prairie Warblers, Brown Thrasher, and Black-throated green warblers. Cost: $7members/$12 nonmembers.
Woodstock Bird Walk
Saturday, May 18, 8 a.m.
We will explore a Wyndham Land Trust preserve in Woodstock, CT. Last year we found nesting Canada Warblers, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and possible nesting Hooded Warblers. Cost: $7members/$12 nonmembers.
Eighth Annual – 90 Bird Day
Sunday, May 19, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
OUR GOAL – to hear or see at least 90 species of birds in nine hours or less. We will be visiting many locations within a 10-mile radius. Interesting sightings from past years include: Olive-sided Flycatcher, Bald Eagle, and Hooded Warbler. Bring lunch, drinks, and a snack. Cost: $20 CAS members; $35 non-members. Call to register!
Bird Banding Demonstration
Saturday, May 25, 9 a.m.
Join Andy Rzeznikiewicz and fellow bird banders to see various songbirds up close. You will see how we gently catch them, record data, and safely release the birds. Participants may release a bird. Cost: $5 CAS members; $10 non-members.
Children’s Programming
Spring After School Nature Club
3:30 – 5:15 p.m.
Application and Permission Form | Information Flyer
May Session
Grade K-2: Tues. May 7, 14, 21, 28
Grade 3-5: Thur. May 9, 16, 23, 30
Do your kids need to blow off steam after school? Send them to the Center. After a quick snack, we will head out on the trails exploring the woods, meadows and streams. Their afternoon will be filled with fresh air, exercise and fun. Wildlife lessons will be quietly inserted along the way. Cost per session: $40 members; $50 non-members. Register.
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
Toddler Trails and Tales
Wednesdays 9:30–11 a.m.
Now through May 29
Center volunteer and mum of three, Nicky Dee, will delight your toddlers with stories, activities and fun along our trails. Themes will change with the seasons. Wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: members $5, nonmembers $7 per child per day. Cost for entire series: members $40, nonmembers $60.
Master Naturalist Training
Master Naturalist Volunteer Training Program
Tuesdays, March 19 to May 14, 8 a.m. to noon
Have you always wanted to learn more about the natural sciences? Want to volunteer at the Center? With 40 hours (ten, four hour sessions) of training, this may be the program for you.
Master Naturalist Application | Master Naturalist Training Outline
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
Vernal Pool Survey Training: Sat., March 30, 9-noon
Fri., April 5, 9-noon
(Field work Fri and Sat mornings April and May.)
Early spring is when the peepers, wood frogs and salamanders migrate from winter homes to vernal pools to breed. Don’t miss the fun. You can become a trained Citizen Science Volunteer and help with this important conservation effort. Our trained volunteers document vernal pools in towns in northeast CT. We are especially searching for potential pools in Woodstock and Thompson. Call to register for one of the vernal pool training sessions at the Center at Pomfret. Cost: $7 members, $15 for non-members.
Mammal Monitoring Project
Mammal Monitoring Program: Training/monitoring hike in Woodstock TBA for June.
This Citizen Science project runs throughout the year with our trained volunteers monitoring local study sites in Woodstock and Willington, quarterly. This is our 12th year of documenting the presence of large mammals such as fisher, river otter, mink, black bear, and bobcat. Volunteers are working on establishing a study site in Canterbury. Begin or continue training to become a wildlife monitor by attending training hikes that suit your schedule. Registration is required. Training fee per hike: $50 CAS members/$60 non-members.
For additional programming in our area consider Trail Wood, our Edwin Way Teale Sanctuary in Hampton.
Monthly Art Exhibits and Programs
Art in Nature Information
Call for Proposals | Event Description
Finding Quiet Corners
Exhibit by Judy Doyle
Opening Reception, Sun., May 5, 2-4pm
Exhibit and Sale through May 31
Killingly resident, Judy Doyle presents landscapes in pastel and watercolor. She finds joy in her personal discovery of our area’s quiet corners, and in painting the treasured colors, textures and natural forms of our lakes, rivers and country roads. She has been a three-term president of the Northeastern Connecticut Art Guild and is a member of the Connecticut Pastel Society and Cape Cod Pastel Society. A percentage from all sales will benefit the Center. Free to public.
Lori McKenna in Concert: Friday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m.
A Massachusetts native, Lori McKenna has long been a staple of the Boston folk music scene. Her exquisite songwriting caught the attention of Nashville and the likes of Faith Hill, Alison Krauss, Tim McGraw and Keith Urban to name a few. She sings of love, family, community and place. We can’t wait to hear her voice soar here at the Center! Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Limited seating. Preregistration suggested. Call 860 928-4948 to sign up.
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