Programs & Events at Deer Pond Farm
Members receive discounts on programs as well as many other benefits. For more information, click here.
Unless otherwise noted, guided program fees are:
Member: $5 Member Child: Free Non-Member: $10 Non-Member Child: $5
Our trails are open to the public daily dawn to dusk.
Please call 860-799-4074 with any questions or to be put on a wait list for a program.
After your program or hike, feel free to pack a lunch and enjoy on our teaching terrace. We are also happy to provide you with recommendations on local places to eat and visit after coming to Deer Pond Farm.
Raptor Migration Watch
Raptor Watch from the teaching terrace at Deer Pond Farm
September 19, Open House from 1-4 p.m.
FREE
Birds of prey are on the move! Hawks, vultures, falcons, and eagles will be heading south to their wintering grounds. Join us anytime between 1:00 and 4:00 PM as we watch the skies for migrating raptors at Deer Pond Farm! Our main campus at 1,200 feet elevation is the perfect perch to catch the action. Lori Lichtenauer, Sanctuary Manager/Naturalist, will be set up on our teaching terrace with a spotting scope, extra binoculars and raptor ID resources. Come enjoy the view with us! This program meets at 57 Wakeman Hill Rd., Sherman, CT 06784
Register here for the Raptor Migration Watch Open House.
Foliage & Feathers (Class & Walk)
Fall Birding at Deer Pond Farm
September 27, 10 a.m. to Noon
$5 members, $10 non-members
Get ready for fall foliage season. The study of seasonal change is called phenology. Autumn is a great time to learn about how light, temperature, soil moisture, and species impact the timing and intensity of autumn tree colors. Deer Pond Farm Naturalist Lori Lichtenauer will also review the many variables of bird feather molting over the seasons. After a short classroom session, we’ll head outside for a bird and nature walk to observe how environmental conditions are influencing this year’s leaf color display. This program meets at 57 Wakeman Hill Rd., Sherman, CT 06784
Register here for the Foliage & Feathers Class & Walk.
OCTOBER FIRST FRIDAY HIKE
Trails at Deer Pond Farm
October 3, 10 a.m. to Noon
FREE
Join us for the First Friday Hike led by our dedicated volunteer guides. We’ll explore the trails together and enjoy the sights and sounds of early fall. It’s a great way to spend time outdoors and connect with nature. Click here to register for the October First Friday Hike.
Fall Photo Walk
Photographer Christy Bonaiuto
October 5, 2 to 4 p.m.
$5 members, $10 non-members
Learn how to capture nature’s beauty with photography tips on composition and technique with local photographer Christy Bonaiuto. This fun and confident beginner-friendly photo walk through the stunning fall foliage at Deer Pond Farm is perfect for all skill levels. Just bring your camera or smartphone and a love for the outdoors! Click here to register for the Fall Photo Walk.
FALL WARBLERS (CLASS AND WALK)
Photo: Blackburnian Warbler by Patrick Comins
October 7, 10 a.m. to Noon
$5 members, $10 non-members
Fall warblers are small, fast moving, and have molted out of their breeding plumage, making them an identification challenge for new and experienced birders alike. Join our Naturalist Lori Lichtenauer in the classroom for a brief presentation on fall warbler plumage, behavior, and habitat characteristics, then we will hit the trails around the main campus for a bird walk. Click here to register for the Fall Warblers Class & Walk.
NEW Adaptive Hike at Deer Pond Farm
October 15 (Rain Date Oct 28)
FREE
Hike One: 10am – 12pm
Hike Two: 1:30pm – 3:30pm
https://soarexperiences.org/deer-pond-farm-hikes
*Customized trackchairs to be used
SOAR Experiences is excited to partner with The Connecticut Audubon Society – Deer Pond Farm nature preserve in Sherman, CT / Pawling, NY and STARR Adventures Dealership to offer guided adaptive hiking for persons with limited mobility in Action Trackchairs. On this guided adaptive hike, you will get to explore wide gravel trails traversing meadows and forested landscapes with diverse habitats. Naturalists from Deer Pond Farm and the SOAR team will be co-leading this hike. The track chairs move at a walking pace of 2 – 3 miles per hour, are quiet and are customized for each guest by the SOAR Experiences team. Bring a friend or family member to enjoy the Autum air on the trails with us!
SOAR Experiences is a not-for-profit organization offering experiences, education and charitable opportunities promoting outdoor recreation to guests with mobility impairments.
Limited equipment available
SOAR Experiences will set up and customize Trackchairs for each registered user. Registration is through SOAR Experiences via the REQUEST FORM below.
Steps for Hike Reservation:
-
Fill out the request form
-
SOAR reviews your request & equipment needs
-
SOAR confirms you as registered or waitlisted
You are not registered until SOAR Experiences contacts you to confirm your reservation.
Fall Tree ID (Class & Walk)
Tree ID Walk
October 16, 10 a.m. to Noon
$5 members, $10 non-members
Join Author of Native Trees of Connecticut John Ehrenreich and CAS Master Naturalist Diane Nizlek to learn how to identify local tree species. Enjoy the changing fall foliage while discovering the similarities and differences between oaks, maples, hickories, cedar, pines, and more. We will start with a presentation in our classroom. Then, we will observe trees in the field for an hour / 1 mile on our wide, gently sloping trails of the main campus. Click here to register for the Fall Tree ID Class & Walk.
Next Steps for Nature Discussion with Dr. Doug Tallamy (Zoom)
November 5; 6:30 PM – Zoom
FREE (Register and get link at Sherman Library)
Join renowned ecologist and bestselling author Dr. Doug Tallamy for a new presentation, “Next Steps for Nature: 500 Questions (and Answers) for How to Save Nature in Our Yards”—an engaging follow-up to his acclaimed talks and books, including Nature’s Best Hope and How Can I Help? Based on the most frequently asked questions from readers and audiences, this discussion dives deeper into practical, effective ways we can support biodiversity at home. Dr. Tallamy will present for about an hour, followed by a live Q&A session. Hosted virtually via Zoom by the Sherman Library. (Co-sponsored by the Sherman Conservation Commission, Northwest CT Land Conservancy, and CT Audubon’s Deer Pond Farm)
November First Friday Hike
Deer Pond Farm in Fall Photo by Lori Lichtenauer
November 7, 10 a.m. to Noon, Free
With the leaves off the trees, you’ll enjoy seeing further through the woods along our trails. This is a great way to get outside, stretch your legs, and enjoy the crisp autumn air. Join us for the monthly First Friday Hike at Deer Pond Farm led by our knowledgeable volunteer guides. Approx 2 – 3 miles.
Register here for the November First Friday Hike.
Stonewall History Hike at Deer Pond Farm
Stonewall at Deer Pond Farm
November 9, 1:00 to 3:00 PM
$5 members, $10 non-members
Join local historian John Cilio and Deer Pond Farm Director Cathy Hagadorn on an engaging hike exploring the historic stone walls of Deer Pond Farm. Discover the important role these stone walls played in shaping New England’s past. John and Cathy will share insights into how glaciers formed the landscape, how early settlers adapted to the terrain, and how the enduring stone walls connect us to the region’s history.
Register here for the Stonewall History Hike at Deer Pond Farm.
Click here for a short video of the history of Wakeman Hill Road at Deer Pond Farm.
Fall Bird & Nature Walk
Fall Birding at Deer Pond Farm
November 13, 10 a.m. to Noon
$5 members, $10 non-members
In the fall, birds from northern Canada will begin to migrate to Connecticut for the winter. Learn about our winter migrants and enjoy birding with fewer leaves to block your view! Join Sanctuary Manager / Naturalist Lori Lichtenauer for this beginner-friendly, leisurely 2-mile walk around Deer Pond Farm’s trails. Register here for the Fall Bird & Nature Walk.
Create Your Own Nature Walk!
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker by Brian Bennett
Can’t make a guided program this month? Create your own nature walk! Use the resources below to make the most of your time exploring the 15 miles of trails spanning Deer Pond Farm.
Deer Pond Farm Suggested Hikes – click here.
Deer Pond Farm Bird Checklist – click here.
Deer Pond Farm Nature Scavenger Hunt – for 8 and under, for 9 and up.
Deer Pond Farm Spring Themed Nature Scavenger Hunt – click here.
Deer Pond Farm Summer Themed Nature Scavenger Hunt – click here.
Deer Pond Farm Fall Themed Nature Scavenger Hunt – click here.
Deer Pond Farm Winter Themed Nature Scavenger Hunt – click here.
Deer Pond Farm Sanctuary Rules – click here.
Directions – click here.
Click on each month to view birds that can be seen each month at Deer Pond Farm:
January February March April May June
July August September October November December
Please note: dogs, horses, fishing, swimming, camping, fires, hunting and collecting are not permitted.
Thank you for staying on the trails.
Schedule Your Own Private, Expert-Led Walk
Baltimore Oriole photo by Tomas Koeck
(Available to purchase as a gift, too!)
During this two hour walk, a staff member will guide you through the diverse habitats of Deer Pond Farm. Participants will learn about the local flora and fauna, as well as the conservation work being done at Deer Pond Farm. Habitat enhancement and data collection projects utilizing eBird, Connecticut & New York Bird Atlas, and the Motus Wildlife Tracking System will also be shared.
Please call (860) 799-4074 to schedule.
Fee: $100 for a two hour walk. This includes up to eight pre-registered and pre-paid attendees.
Volunteer Opportunities
Join us for one workday or the whole season, your time and effort are welcome and appreciated!
Forestry Project Volunteers at Deer Pond Farm
Citizen Science: Support research through data collection! From monarchs to birds and more, Deer Pond Farm supports a variety of citizen science initiatives. Opportunity to work independently or in a group.
Garden Gaggle: Join us in the pollinator garden for maintenance and monitoring! We work while we chat, observe and learn. Our native plants bring in a host of butterflies, bees, and birds. We take the time to enjoy these visitors and conversations with fellow gardeners while weeding and completing other seasonal tasks.
Habitat Helpers: Help us while learning! We’ll work while we talk and enjoy the camaraderie of collective action to improve our sanctuary. Currently, our focus is invasive plant identification and management. You’ll learn by doing and leave knowing what you can do at home.
Photography: As you enjoy the trails during a guided walk or on your own, take pictures and share with us to utilize on the website, social media and flyers.
For more information and to complete a volunteer application, click here. Contact Center Director Cathy Hagadorn, chagadorn@ctaudubon.org to further discuss volunteer opportunities.
