General Information
Connecticut Audubon Society Grassland Bird Conservation Center at Pomfret
Located in Connecticut’s ‘quiet corner,’ Connecticut Audubwon Society’s Grassland Bird Conservation Center at Pomfret is surrounded by rural beauty and adjoins the Society’s 700-acre Bafflin Sanctuary, with its vast rolling meadows and grasslands habitats. The Center is a community-based facility that will actively manage habitat for grassland and offer environmental education programs, bird walks and nature events, Citizen Science training and projects, and many opportunities to learn about and explore the natural world.
In addition to the Bafflin Sanctuary, the Center at Pomfret offers a new classroom, where people of all ages can experience hands-on environmental education programs; after-school and weekend environmental programs; day and evening hikes and bird walks; seasonal lectures and workshops; changing natural history exhibits; and workshops for teachers.
The Center manages the Society’s Trail Wood Sanctuary, once the home of Pulitzer Prize-winning nature writer Edwin Way Teale. This 168-acre sanctuary offers well-developed trails and a small nature history museum with Teale memorabilia, as well as programs for adults, families, and children.
Education Programs
Nature Photography Getting Close to Wildlife
Wed. Feb. 29 7:00 p.m.
Nature photographer and CT Audubon Society Naturalists, Fran Baranski, will discuss the reasons why we have difficulty getting close to animals. Once you understand them and develop strategies to overcome them, you’ll be on your way to making close encounters with wildlife. He will continue by describing specific techniques he has used to get within touching distance of many local animals. A related photo presentation will be included. This program will benefit both photographers and those who are simply interested in observing Nature from a close vantage point. Cost: $5 members / $10 nonmembers
Nature Photography Working Group
Wed. March 28, 7 p.m.
Wed. April 25, 7 p.m.
Wed. May 30, 7 p.m.
Topics to be announced, however, if you are interested in working on your nature photography skills, this is a good group to work with. Check the web site for program titles. Cost: members free/nonmembers $5.
Children’s Programming
Pancake Breakfast & Wildlife Egg Hunt
Sat. March 31, 9 a.m.
Come out for a pancake and sausage breakfast hosted by Pomfret Girl Scout Troop 5117 and then head out on the trails for our wildlife egg hunt. This is designed as a leisurely family walk and search for grassland and woodland creatures handcrafted by Pomfret Community School students. They will be nestled in their respective habitats. Each child may take three egg creatures home. This event does not involve candy. Cost for Breakfast: $5 per person. Cost for Egg Hunt: $2 per child or $5 for a family of three or more children. Breakfast reservations appreciated.
After School Nature Club at Pomfret
3:30-5:15 p.m.
April Session:
Grades K-2: Tuesdays April 3, 10, 17 & May 1
Grades 3-6: Thursdays April 5, 12, 19 & May 3
May Session:
Grades K-2: Tuesdays – May 8, 15, 22, & 29
Grades 3-6: Thursdays – May 10, 17, 24, & 31
Do your kids need some time to blow off steam after school? Send them to the center. In the winter we are all about tracking and sledding. We will fill their afternoon with fresh air and fun on the sanctuary with wildlife lessons quietly inserted along the way. Fee per session: $40 members; $50 non-members.
April Vacation Camp
Mon. April 23 – Fri. April 27
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Outdoor adventures for kids who don’t mind getting wet and dirty and having a blast in the process. Program outline coming soon.
March Sunday Afternoon Series
Bears of Connecticut
Sun., March 4, 2 p.m.
Former CT Wildlife Division Director Dale May will discuss the DEEP’s decade long study of bear populations in northwestern Connecticut. Bear populations in northeastern corner of the state are expected to increase dramatically in the coming years and this program will help residents of the Quiet Corner better understand bear biology and behavior. Cost: $5 members/$10 nonmembers.
Gardens that Harvest the Rain
Sunday March 11, 2 p.m.
Our Grassland Bird Conservation Center in Pomfret was designed with numerous environmentally friendly features, including ways to minimize negative impacts of stormwater runoff on the sanctuary grounds. Jean Pillo, Watershed Conservation Coordinator for the Eastern Connecticut Conservation District, will give a presentation on how home and business owners can also help the environment by installing “rain gardens” on their property. Rain gardens are designed to collect stormwater runoff and help soak it into the ground. Planted with native plants, a rain garden can also increase bird habitat opportunities. Cost: Free members/ $5 nonmembers
Vanishing of the Bees
Sunday March 25, 2 p.m.
Honeybees have been mysteriously disappearing across the planet, literally vanishing from their hives. Known as Colony Collapse Disorder, this phenomenon has brought beekeepers to crisis in an industry responsible hundreds of fruits and vegetables. Commercial honeybee operations pollinate crops that make up one out of every three bites of food on our tables. Filming across the US, in Europe, Australia and Asia, this documentary examines the alarming disappearance of honeybees and the greater meaning it holds about the relationship between mankind and mother earth.
Cost: Free, donations appreciated.
Organic Lawn Care
Sunday April 8, 2 p.m.
Organic Lawn Care Professional, John Tycz will give a presentation on steps we all can take to reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides and still have vigorous and attractive lawn. Cost: members free; nonmembers $5.
Download a brochure of all Educational Programs
Bird Walks
Woodcock Watches
Thurs., March 15, 6:45 p.m.
Sat., March 17, 6:45 p.m.
Thurs., March 22, 6:45 p.m.
Thurs., March 29, 6:45 p.m.
Thurs., April 5, 7 p.m.
Andy Rzeznikiewicz will take you to see woodcock performing their mating display. As long as the weather and temperature cooperates, we should hear and see woodcock in action. Cost: $5 CAS members; $10 non-members.
Early Morning Bird Walks
Every Tuesday from March 20 – May 29 8:00 a.m.
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 members/$5 nonmembers.
Bird Walks
Sat., April 28, 8:00 a.m.
Sun., April 29, 8:00 a.m.
The last weekend of April can be a great time to go bird watching, especially for beginners. The leaves aren’t out yet and the birds are easy to spot. Some of the first warblers have begun to show up by now. Cost: members free/nonmembers $5.
Afternoon Bird Walks
Thur., May 10, 5 p.m.
Wed., May 16, 5 p.m.
This walk is design for the person who can’t get up early or works during the week. This time of year is the peak of the bird migration, so anything is possible. Cost: $5 members/$10 nonmembers.
Bird Walk
Sat., May 12, 8 a.m.
Join Andy Rzeznikiewicz as he finds various migrants. Many species can be found by this date including bobolinks and scarlet tanagers. Cost: members free/nonmembers $5.
Second Annual 20 Warbler Day
Sun., May 13, 6 a.m. – 2 p.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. This is our 3rd year doing this program. Last year we found 21 species. Call ahead to register. Cost: $15 members/$30 nonmembers.
Woodstock Bird Walk
Mon., May 14, 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 Magnolia Warblers. Cost: $7members/$12 nonmembers.
Seventh Annual 90 Bird Day
Sat., May 19, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The goal is 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
Sat., May 26, 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.
Thompson Bird Walk
Mon., May 21, 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 and Black-throated green warblers.
Cost: $7members/$12 nonmembers.
Sanctuary Walks
Wednesday Noon Walks
Through May 30, noon
Get out of the house or office to stretch your legs and clear your head. 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. Free
Thursday Morning Walks
Through May 31., 8:30 a.m.
Third Sunday Walks
Sun. March. 18, 2 p.m.
Sun. April. 15, 2 p.m.
Sun. May 20, 2 p.m.
Longtime volunteer and naturalist Fran Baranski and other Center volunteers will lead walks on the Bafflin Sanctuary and Wyndham Land Trust properties. Walk for fun and exercise, visiting different locations each week. A tracking lesson will no doubt present itself. Cost: Free CAS Members; $3 Non-members
Monthly Art Exhibits
Expressive Landscapes
Large Scale Acrylics by Muriel Miller
Reception Sunday Feb. 5, 2-4 p.m.
Exhibit through Feb. 29
Hampton resident Muriel Miller has focused on large-scale acrylic landscape paintings that combine an impressionist rendering of light and atmosphere with a vividly expressionist and psychological use of color. Says the artist, “I try to push beyond what I see to what I feel in expressing a reaction to a place.” Miller’s choice of subjects further reflects a meeting of the familiar and the unfamiliar as paintings depict northeastern Connecticut landscape where she lives along with vivid paintings of observations of the natural environments during travels in Ireland, England, Australia and the National Parks of the West. Muriel has taught Printmaking, Painting, Drawing, Color Theory and Location Studies Abroad since 1995 at Eastern Connecticut State University, CCSU, and Paier College of Art, Inc.
Susan Peifer Exhibit and Sale
Opening Reception Sun., March 4, 2 – 4 p.m.
Exhibit through March 30
Susan’s bright cheery watercolors are the perfect antidote for late winter. A resident of Chaplin, wildlife artist Susan Peifer has all the elements available in her backyard to create her bright, spirited, approachable watercolors. Of her work, she says, “Nature has always been my favorite subject. To see birds and wildlife interact around me everyday in their natural element gives me the opportunity to portray them as real individuals; to give them life and personality.” Painting and exhibiting for over 30 years, Susan’s blend of crisp clear colors and wildlife images will be a welcome taste of spring. A percentage from all sales will benefit the Center. Free to the public.
Citizen Science Programs
Citizen Science Program Overview
Canterbury Monitoring Project - Feb. 2012
Registration is required for all projects. For information call Paula Coughlin, Citizen Science Coordinator, 860928-4948; pcoughlin@ctaudubon.org . Learn about your natural environment with your friends and neighbors. Become a Citizen Science Volunteer!
Vernal Pool Survey 2012
Vernal pool season passes quickly. Don’t miss out on the fun.
On Friday and Saturday mornings in April and May, our trained volunteers document vernal pools in towns in northeast Connecticut.
Vernal pools may be dry in summer but by the next spring they’re again filled with water. That’s when the peepers and wood frogs start croaking (and you thought those were ducks quaking in the woods). If you think you have a vernal pool near you, please give us a call.
Call to register for one of the vernal pool training sessions at the Center at Pomfret:
Saturday, March 31, 9 – noon
Saturday, April 7, 9 – noon
Field work: Friday and Saturday mornings in April and May, 9 – noon
Fee: $7 for CAS members, $15 for non-members
Mammal Monitoring Program
This Citizen Science project runs throughout the year with our trained Citizen Science volunteers monitoring study sites in Willington, Eastford, and Woodstock quarterly, as well as our new site planned for Canterbury. This is our tenth year of documenting the presence of large mammals such as fisher, river otter, black bear, and bobcat.
Begin or continue training to become a Citizen Science wildlife monitor by attending training hikes that suit your schedule throughout the seasons. Contact Paula Coughlin for information and training hikes. 860-928-4948. training fee per hike: $50 CAS members/$60 non-members.
Saturday, March 3, 2012 – Monitoring / Training Hike, Woodstock
(Dates may change due to weather)
