Programs & Classes at Deer Pond Farm

We invite you to make a reservation to join us for one of our walks or programs.
Please note, members do receive discounts on programs as well as many other benefits. For more information, click here.

Photo by Sharon Cuartero

May 17-19, 2019

Join us for The Connecticut Audubon Society’s second annual Migration Madness: Big Weekend Bird Challenge Bird-a-thon. The event brings together supporters from across the state to raise essential funds for nature conservation, education, and advocacy — and to compete in an exciting birding competition.

Bring:  Binoculars, camera, water, walking stick and a sense of adventure.
Binoculars are available to borrow.

Admission:
$5 for members
$10 non-members
$20 families

Friday, May 17

Private Preview Tour of our New York Trails  5 to 7 p.m.
Join Cathy Hagadorn, director of Deer Pond Farm, for a sneak peek of the western portion of our property with a beautiful New York vista. Birds know no borders, come and enjoy the western sunset from the highpoints on this hike and have bragging rights, in being part of the first official guided hike in this area.

To register, click here

Saturday, May 18

Early Bird Walk  6 to 8 a.m.
Join Jim Arrigoni, conservation biologist, and Angela Dimmitt, local expert birder, to see how many birds we can identify as we explore a variety of habitats on the Connecticut section of Deer Pond Farm! Expected highlights: a diversity of stop-over warblers including Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, and Magnolia.

To register, click here

Not-So-Early Bird Walk  8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Jim Arrigoni, conservation biologist, will lead us through the trails in the New York section of Deer Pond Farm! Expected highlights: a diversity of stop-over warblers including Chestnut-sided, Black & White, and Blackburnian.

To register, click here

Photo by Sharon Cuartero

Children’s Story Time with Craft & Nature Walk     10 a.m. to noon
Join Deirdra Wallin, program coordinator, and Christine Ranno, coordinator of children’s services, from the Sherman Library in the bird and pollinator garden for some fresh air, exercise and fun! We’ll listen, look and learn as we explore our surroundings paying attention to our native plants, one of our nearby ponds and the wildlife that enjoy these habitats. An adult must accompany children.

To register, click here

Sunday, May 19

Birding Hot Spot Hike     noon to 2 p.m.
Bring a light snack or lunch and join Cathy Hagadorn, director of Deer Pond Farm, for gentle hike to one of our special destinations. Enjoy the shade of old apple trees while we take a hike break on some logs to enjoy the songs of the spring birds here. (Free program)

To register, click here

Birdathon Team: Stateline Highlanders of Deer Pond Farm

Join us in welcoming our birdathon team! This is a fun and friendly competition to find and count birds in Connecticut.  All pledges go toward bird conservation work throughout Connecticut. Our species goal is 75 bird species. Our pledge goal is $500. To help us reach our goal, please make a pledge here.  

Stateline Highlanders of Deer Pond Farm Team Members

 Jim Arrigoni  Connecticut Audubon Society Conservation Biologist

 Angela Dimmitt  Local expert birder, President of the Western CT Bird Club

   Stefan Martin  CAS Deer Pond Farm Staff & 2018 Migration Madness Winner

  Chad Seewagen  Executive Director of Great Hollow Nature Preserve
                                  & Ecological Research Center

  Elizabeth O’Connor  Environmental Educator & CAS Deer Pond Farm Volunteer

 Chandler Wiegand  Plant, bird & photographer enthusiast

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

For more information on Migration Madness, including all of the programs, teams, and sponsorship opportunities for this statewide event, please click here.

Saturday, June 8
All programs are free. Registration required for bird walks & lunch.

Event Schedule

8 a.m. Early Morning Bird Walk – To register, click here

9 a.m. Bird banding demonstration

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Education, Exhibits & Activities

10 a.m. Opening Remarks & Welcome

10:30 a.m. Christine’s Critters Falconry Demonstration

Noon Lunch in Tent – To register, click here

1 p.m. Bird Walks – To register, click here

All 835 acres & over 20 miles of our trails in Sherman, CT, & Pawling, NY, are now open!
Deer Pond Farm is a gift from the late Kathy and Walter Wriston

Yellow-rumped Warbler by Brian Bennett

Spring is prime time bird watching for the experienced, beginners and all levels in between! Join Miley Bull, senior director of science and conservation, on these guided walks through the diverse habitats of Deer Pond Farm to look, listen and learn about our   warmer weather visiting birds. He’ll explain migration basics, including the how and why tanagers, warblers, orioles, flycatchers, vireos and other birds pass through our area or stay awhile to nest as they head north along the Atlantic Flyway.

Allow for an average of two hours and 1.5 -2 miles. Dress for the weather. Think head, hands and feet!  Wool hats, gloves and socks are really good choices. Bring water bottle, walking stick, binoculars, camera, sunscreen, bug spray and a sense of adventure.  Inclement weather cancels. 

Free for members
$5 Non-members
$10 Family non-members

Wednesday, May 29
8 a.m.
To register, click here

by Deirdra Wallin

Friday, May 31 & Friday, June 28 
2 p.m.
No fee

Join us on this seasonally scheduled work party to address this major threat to native biodiversity. Learn about the ecology of different invasive plants and management methods. Email jarrigoni@ctaudubon.org for more information and to register.

Saturday, June 1
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Still River Greenway, Brookfield, CT
Free event

Join us at An Educational Walk Connecticut Trails Day 2019 at the Still River Greenway in Brookfield.  Our station will focus on local birds, both year round and summer visitors, plus plants to attract and support them.  This event is hosted by Brookfield Open Space Legacy, Brookfield Conservation Commission and Brookfield Parks and Recreation.

Indigo Bunting by Michael Audette

Wednesday, June 12
7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Join us as we explore our newly opened trails in Pawling, New York connected to our trails in Sherman. Please join our habitat steward as we look for breeding Warblers, Vireos, Grosbeaks and Tanagers across the border during this early morning bird walk.

Please arrive on time and dress for the weather.  Inclement weather cancels. Bring binoculars, camera, water, sunscreen, bug spray, walking stick and a sense of adventure!  Binoculars are available to borrow.

Free for members
$5  non-members
$10 family non-member

To register, click here

Rose-breasted Grosbeak by Michael Audette

Friday, June 21
1 p.m.

Join us for fresh air, exercise, good company and naturalist lessons along the way. Deirdra Wallin, program coordinator and fellow Connecticut Audubon Society Master Naturalists will lead this walk.

Please arrive on time and dress for the weather.  Inclement weather cancels. Bring binoculars, camera, water, sunscreen, bug spray, walking stick and a sense of adventure!  Binoculars are available to borrow.

Free for members
$5  non-members
$10  family non-members

To register, click here

Jim Arrigoni by Michael Audette

Saturday, June 22
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Williams Park, 183 Whisconier Rd., Brookfield, CT

Explore the diverse forest, field, wetland and stream habitats of Williams Park with Jim Arrigoni, conservation biologist from the Connecticut Audubon Society.  Natural history of birds and other wildlife and trees and other plants will be pointed out on this gentle 1.5 mile walk.  Bring binoculars if you have them, and a sense of adventure.  The group will meet in the parking lot before heading out for the walk. 

Event is free.
For more information and to register, call Brookfield Parks and Recreation 203-775-7310.

Baltimore Oriole by Brian Bennett

Tuesday, June 25
9 a.m.

The world of birdwatching can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! Join our conservation biologist to learn more about the use of binoculars and the variety of clues that help to identify different kinds of birds. Bring binoculars (or borrow from us) and all the questions you have about birdwatching but were afraid to ask.

Please arrive on time and dress for the weather.  Inclement weather cancels. Bring binoculars, camera, water, sunscreen, bug spray, walking stick and a sense of adventure!  Binoculars are available to borrow.

Free for members
$5  non-members
$10  family non-members

To register, click here

Yellow Warbler by Brian Bennett

Thursday, June 27
8 a.m.

All levels of birders are welcome on this leisurely walk and talk with our senior director of science and conservation. A variety of birds, including American Redstart, ground nesting Ovenbirds and other warblers can be seen and heard throughout the varied habitats.

Please arrive on time and dress for the weather.  Inclement weather cancels. Bring binoculars, camera, water, sunscreen, bug spray, walking stick and a sense of adventure!  Binoculars are available to borrow.

Free for members
$5  non-members
$10  family non-members

To register, click here