Connecticut Audubon Society

Connecticut Audubon Society
Center at Trail Wood

93 Kenyon Road
Hampton, CT 06247
860-928-4948

Trail Wood Sanctuary is open daily
from dawn to dusk year-round.

Edwin Way Teale's Study and Writing Cabin
are open to the public by appointment.
Call 860-928-4948 to schedule a visit.

Admission is free.

General Information
This beautiful 168-acre sanctuary is the site of Edwin Way Teale's home and the subject of many of the Pulitzer Prize-winning author's writings on nature. The woodland, field, wetland and pond habitats abound with wildlife. The property offers well-developed trails and a small natural history museum with Teale memorabilia. For more information about Edwin Way Teale, please visit the University of Connecticut's Libraries Thomas J. Dodd Research Center Archives and Special Collections Section, "Edwin Way Teale Papers."

About International Migratory Bird Day
International Migratory Bird Day was created in 1993 by visionaries at the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center and Cornell Lab of Ornithology. From 1995 to 2006, the program was under the direction of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Because of its consistent growth, IMBD is now the premier education project of Environment for the Americas. IMBD continues to focus attention on one of the most important and spectacular events in the life of a migratory bird: its journey between its summer and winter homes. Today it is celebrated in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Central America through bird festivals and bird walks, education programs and Bird Day!

IMBD officially takes place on the second Saturday in May. But it was recognized that this date doesn't work well for all bird event and bird festival organizers, or for the migratory birds themselves. To the south, migratory birds have already left, heading for breeding sites to the north. Farther north, the birds haven't arrived. Now, IMBD is celebrated almost year-round. Most U.S. and Canada events take place in April and May, while fall events are the norm in the Caribbean and Latin America. Each year, a team of IMBD coordinators and sponsors work together to select a theme that meets diverse criteria -- conservation-based, current, positive, tangible, educational and engaging -- to reach the varied audiences that celebrate IMBD. The 2008 IMBD Theme is “Tundra to Tropics: Connecting Birds, Habitats and People.” (Source: http://www.birdday.org/history.php)

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At Trail Wood we'll celebrate IMBD Day on May 8 and 18; click here for details.

Check our other Nature Centers' listings for their IMBD events; most are scheduled for May.

Connecticut Audubon Society

Trail Wood Sanctuary

Click on the links below for:

Spring 2008 Programs

and
Registration/Permission Form
and
Summer 2008 Nature Day Camp

and
Summer Camp Registration Form

Trail Wood Sanctuary is open daily
from dawn to dusk year-round.

Edwin Way Teale's Study and Writing Cabin is open to the public by appointment. Call 860-928-4948 to schedule a visit.

YOUTH, FAMILY & ADULT PROGRAMS
at The Edwin Way Teale
Memorial Sanctuary

Trail Wood After-School Nature Club

on Wednesdays: May 7, 14, 21, 28.

Do your kids need some time to blow off steam after school? Send them to Trail Wood. We will fill their afternoons with fresh air and hikes on the Sanctuary with some lessons on wildlife quietly inserted when the right moment arises along the trail. Fee per session: $35 CAS Members, $45 Non-members.

Bird Walk

Thur., May 8, 8 a.m.

Join Andy Rzeznikiewicz as he walks around the many trails searching for various bird species. Hooded Warblers, Red-shouldered Hawks, Chestnut-sided Warblers and Louisiana Waterthrush can be found here regularly. On May 8 and 18 we’ll also celebrate International Migratory Bird Day. Fee: free CAS Members,$5 Non-members.

Second Sunday Afternoon Walk

May 11, 2 p.m.

Stretch your legs and burn off those extra holiday calories with an afternoon walk at Trail Wood with caretaker Vern Pursley. Some readings from Edwin Way Teale’s “Walk Through the Year” will be included along the trail. Free.

Full Moon Walk

Sat., May 17, 7:30 p.m.

Get the nocturnal view of Trail Wood under the full moon. Catch the reflection of the moonshine off the beaver pond, listen for the denizens of the night and delight in the beauty of it all. Fee: free CAS Members, $3 Non-Members.

Bird Walk

Sun., May 18, 8 a.m.

Edwin’s Birthday Potluck

Sun., June 1, 4 p.m.
Come out and celebrate Edwin’s 109th birthday, his writings and his beloved Trail Wood. Enjoy a leisurely guided walk on Edwin and Nellie’s trails and return for an old-fashioned potluck supper and birthday cake. Wonderful company and delectable food always a guarantee! Bring a dish to share. Free.

“Connecticut Trails Days” Guided Walks
Sat., June 7, 10 a.m., and
Sun., June 8, 2 p.m.
The Teales would have delighted in these statewide days designated to encourage everyone to use CT's many trails to enjoy and explore the great outdoors. As part of “Connecticut Trails Days,” explore our 168-acre Sanctuary on guided walks lead by Connecticut Audubon staff. Visit Teale’s study and writing cabin and perhaps slow down enough to read some of his writings as you swing in the hammock, one of Edwin’s favorite observation posts! Free.

Second Sunday Afternoon Walk
Sun., June 8, 2 p.m.
Stretch your legs and take in the beauty of Trail Wood during the warm months with Trail Wood Caretaker Vern Pursley. Some readings from Teale’s “A Walk through the Year” will be included along the trail. Free.

Bird Walk
Tues., June 10, 8 a.m.
Join Connecticut Audubon’s Andy Rzeznikiewicz as he leads you around the trails pointing out various birds. We’ll expect to find Hooded Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Indigo Bunting and Chestnut-sided Warbler, among many others. Fee: $5 CAS members, $10 Non-members.

Beaver Business
Wed., June 18,
6-8 p.m.
Make an early evening visit with Citizen Science Coordinator Paula Coughlin to the beaver pond and learn about these industrious creatures, their habits and habitats. Dress for moderate walk; bring water. Fee: $10 CAS Members, $15 Non-members.

Full Moon Walk
Wed., June 18, 7:30 p.m.
As the heat of the summer day dissipates and the cool of the evening comes on, walk the trails with Trail Wood Caretaker Vern Pursley and watch for the glow of the strawberry, buck and green corn moons. Free.

Bird Walk
Tues., July 8, 8 a.m.
Join Connecticut Audubon’s Andy Rzeznikiewicz as he leads you around the trails pointing out various birds. By this point in the summer fledglings should be encountered along the trails and meadows. Maybe we can find some Hooded Warbler fledglings: last year we think about four pairs of Hooded Warblers attempted to nest at Trail Wood! Fee: $5 CAS members, $10 Non-members.

Second Sunday Afternoon Walk
Sun., July 13, 2 p.m.
Stretch your legs and take in the beauty of Trail Wood during the warm months with Trail Wood Caretaker Vern Pursley. Some readings from Teale’s “A Walk through the Year” will be included along the trail. Free.

Full Moon Walk
Fri., July 18, 7:30 p.m.

As the heat of the summer day dissipates and the cool of the evening comes on, walk the trails with Trail Wood Caretaker Vern Pursley and watch for the glow of the strawberry, buck and green corn moons. Free.

Weed Walk
Sun., July 20, 10 a.m.
Join local herbalist Pam Brundage and members of the Connecticut Herb Association for a Sunday morning walk at Trail Wood. We will look at plants such as witch hazel, wild ginger and milkweed and learn how they were used in earlier times as medicines, foods, fibers and more. (Note: wild harvesting is not permitted on Connecticut Audubon properties.) Walk is limited to 10 people so please pre-register by calling Pam Brundage at 860-974-1633 by July 14.

Second Sunday Afternoon Walk
Sun., Aug. 10, 2 p.m.
Stretch your legs and take in the beauty of Trail Wood during the warm months with Trail Wood Caretaker Vern Pursley. Some readings from Teale’s “A Walk through the Year” will be included along the trail. Free.

Full Moon Walk

Sat., Aug. 16,
7:30 p.m.
As the heat of the summer day dissipates and the cool of the evening comes on, walk the trails with Trail Wood Caretaker Vern Pursley and watch for the glow of the strawberry, buck and green corn moons. Free.

Private Guided Bird or Nature Walks

This service is offered year-round. Each walk can be geared toward your expectations and locations. Sanctuary Manager Andy Rzeznikiewicz can take you to your next life bird, to local hot spots, or just use his knowledge to find birds and wildlife for you. Owl walks are very successful in small groups. This is an excellent gift for that outdoors enthusiast who has everything.