Connecticut Audbon Society
Center at Pomfret

Center at Pomfret

News & Visitor Information at the Center at Pomfret

Walk Our Trails!

ATTENTION BAFFLIN SANCTUARY WALKERS

The foot bridge across the Wappoquia Brook on the Mashamoquet Trail was washed away.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS. IT IS NOT SAFE.

The Bafflin Sanctuary is open to the public from dawn to dusk.
To minimize wildlife disturbance, we ask all walkers to stay on designated trails.
Click here for a trail map.  Click here for trail rules.

Birds to look for in March

 

General Information

Photo by Aaron Bourque

Located in Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner,” the Center at Pomfret is surrounded by our 700-acre Bafflin Sanctuary. The Center is a community-based facility offering programming for all ages year round.

The Bafflin Sanctuary is actively managed for grassland, shrubland, and woodland birds, as well as other wildlife ,and is a nationally recognized Important Bird Area. Over 200 species of birds have been observed at Bafflin.

The sanctuary is open to the public daily from dawn to dusk for hiking and birding. Programs at the Center at Pomfret include bird walks, trail hikes, art exhibitions, photography workshops, seasonal workshops and lectures, environmental education programs, and citizen science training and projects. Also offered are after-school nature clubs, summer and school vacation camps (ages pre-K to high-school).

The Center manages Trail Wood in Hampton. Formerly the home of Pulitzer Prize-winning nature writer Edwin Way Teale, the 168-acre sanctuary now offers well-developed trails and programming for adults, families, and children. Visitors may view the small museum on the property as well as his writing cabin. Museum visits are by appointment only. The sanctuary is open year round from dawn to dusk for hiking and birding.

Download the Bafflin Sanctuary Rules

Download more information about our center and its green features.

For additional programming in our area consider Trail Wood,
our Edwin Way Teale Sanctuary in Hampton.

 

 

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Bird Walks and Watches

Woodcock Watches
Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 6:45 P.M.
Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 6:45 P.M.
Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 7 P.M.
Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 7 P.M.

We’re sorry. All dates are full.
Andy will bring you to see displaying American Woodcock, doing their just-before-dark courtship flights. IMPORTANT: please wear drab colored clothing. Bright colors distract the birds. Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, Short-eared Owl and other non-target birds may also be seen. Limited to 7 participants per date. Register by emailing Andy Rzeznikiewicz, arzeznikiewicz@ctaudubon.org, or calling 860-928-4948. Fee:  $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.   

Early Morning Bird Walks
Tuesdays in April and May 2024 at 8 A.M.

Join Andy on one or more of these early morning walks. He will point out various species of birds to you. There are hundreds of acres of protected land to visit. Wear drab colored clothing. Bring binoculars and, if you have one, a spotting scope. No registration required. Fee:  $5 CAS members; $20 non-members.

The following walks require registration and have participation limits. Email Andy Rzeznikiewicz, arzeznikiewicz@ctaudubon.org, or call 860-928-4948 to register and receive directions.

Long Pond Bird Walk
Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 8 A.M.

This Wyndham Land Trust preserve in Thompson, just south of Webster Lake, has varied habitats. We will hope to find some interesting duck species as well as some early arriving spring migrants, such as Louisiana Waterthrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Blue-headed Vireo. Limited to 10 participants. Fee:  $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.

Virginia Rail Bird Walk 
Friday, May 3, 2024 at 6 P.M.

Our goal is to hear and observe Virginia Rail. We also will keep our eyes open for other species, such as Common Snipe and Vesper Sparrow. Limited to 12 participants. Fee:  $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.

Beginners Bird Walk
Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 8 A.M.

This is a good weekend to start bird watching! Some of the colorful spring birds are back and the leaves aren’t out yet, so they are easier to spot.  Expect to see Yellow, Blue-winged, and Black and White Warblers. Limited to 10 participants. Fee:  $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.

Trail Wood Bird Walks
Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 8 A.M.
Monday, May 20, 2024 at 8 A.M.

Walk the paths of this Connecticut Audubon Society preserve in Hampton, looking for Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting, Veery, and Blue-winged and Chestnut-sided Warblers. Limited to 8 participants. Fee:  $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.

Freidman Forest Bird Walk
Friday, May 10, 2024 at 8 A.M.

We’ll explore this fantastic Joshua’s Trust preserve, looking for Cerulean and Worm-eating Warblers. Limited to 8 participants. Fee:  $20 CAS members; $30 non-members.

Gellert Preserve Bird Walk
Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 8 A.M.

This Wyndham Land Trust preserve in Abington features a variety of habitats — open field, shrubland, and woodland. We can expect Prairie and Blue-winged Warblers, Indigo Bunting, and Scarlet Tanager. Limited to 8 participants. Fee:  $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.

Mother’s Day Bird Walk
Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 8 A.M.

Join Andy as he looks for various migrants. Bring your mother or grandmother to see the colorful birds of spring. Many species can be found by this date, including Bobolink and Scarlet Tanager. Limited to 12 participants. Fee:  $10 CAS members; $20 non- members; free for mothers.

20 Warbler Day
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 from 6 A.M. to 2 P.M.

Traveling to numerous locations at the peak of warbler migration, we will try to find 20 species of warbler in one day. This is the 14th year of this event. We once found 21 warbler species. Limited to 12 participants. Fee:  $25 CAS members; $50 non-members.

Cabbage Hill Bird Walk
Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 8 A.M.

This beautiful new land trust preserve has a variety of habitats, including a large hayfield with breeding Bobolink. We will visit the old family graveyard in the middle of the forest. Limited to 10 participants. Fee:  $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.

90 Bird Day (17th annual)
Sunday, May 19, 2024 from 6 A.M. to 4 P.M.

We have 10 hours to reach our goal of hearing or seeing at least 90 species of birds. We will visit many locations within a 10-mile radius of the Center.  Interesting sightings from past years include Olive-sided Flycatcher, Bald Eagle, and Hooded Warbler. Bring lunch, drinks, and snacks. Limited to 12 participants. Fee:  $25 CAS members; $50 non-members.

Pumpkin Hill Bird Walk
Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 8 A.M.

We will explore this fantastic birding location, expecting to find Cerulean, Worm-eating, and Prairie Warblers and both Cuckoo species. Limited to 8 participants. Fee:  $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.

Bird Banding Demonstration
Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 9 A.M.

Watch Andy and fellow banders catch birds, record data about them (species, sex, age, size, weight, condition, etc.), band, and safely release them. You may have an opportunity to release a bird yourself. Limited to 20 participants. Fee:  $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.

Boston Hollow Bird Watch
Sunday, May 26, 2024 at 8 A.M.

We will explore Boston Hollow in Ashford, with its northern forest feel. Expect to see Blackburnian and Canada Warblers, Winter Wrens, and Northern Waterthrush, to name a few. We will stay on the road to bird. Limited to 16 participants. Fee:  $20 CAS members; $30 non-members.

Chaney Preserve Bird Walk
Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 8 A.M.

Nesting Hooded, Prairie, and Worm-eating Warblers and Scarlet Tanager are a few of the expected birds at this Connecticut Audubon Society preserve in Montville. Limited to 8 participants. Fee:  $20 CAS members, $30 non-members.

Nightingale Forest Preserve North Bird Walk
Friday, May 31, 2024 at 8 A.M.

This is a new Wyndham Land Trust preserve. Expect to see Black-throated Blue and Canada Warblers, and Broad-winged Hawk. Limited to 8 participants. Fee:  $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.

 

Schedule School Field Trips and In-class Programs

Attention Teachers!
Science In Nature School Programs

Early- Mid May 2016 031_2Want to add a little excitement to your classroom? Consider one of our in-class science programs. We have one-hour programs for kindergarten through sixth grade. Sample titles include: Winter Tracks, Life Cycles, The Dirt on Soils, Adaptations, Birds and Beaks, Food Chains, Skins and Bones, CSI Aquatic, Winter Birds, and Rockin’ Out, to name a few. Also, consider our four-hour school field trips The Dirt on Soil, Bird Ecology, Scratching the Surface (Geology), Watersheds and Erosion, Native Americans, EcoNiches and Adaptations, and more! The calendar fills up quickly. For more info and scheduling call 860-928-4948 or email Sarah at sheminway@ctaudubon.org.

Center at Pomfret, P.O. Box 11, 218 Day Road, Pomfret Center, CT 06259  
860-928-4948 

Special Opportunities

Bird Surveys on Private or Public Property

Sanctuary Manager Andy Rzeznikiewicz is available to conduct bird population surveys and can provide habitat management recommendations for your property. Private property owners, Land Trusts, municipalities or other groups that want an inventory of what bird species are breeding or using their property might be interested in this service. Conservation groups that are evaluating potential land purchases for conservation might find this service helpful as well. The best time of year to conduct nesting bird surveys is May and June. Call for more information: 860-928-4948.

Group Programming

Are you a school, library or other organization serving the community? We’re glad to raise environmental awareness in all contexts! We can bring our wildlife video and bird slide show programs right to you. Call 860-928-4948 for more information on each program.

Private Guided Bird and Nature Walks

Throughout the year, Sanctuary Manager Andy Rzeznikiewicz can take you on a private bird and nature walk geared to your expectations and locations.  Andy can take you to your next life bird, local hot spots, or places he knows to find birds and wildlife for you.  Owl walks and private woodcock watches are very successful in small groups.  This is an excellent gift for that outdoor enthusiast who has everything. Call 860-928-4948 for more information.

Directions

From the intersection of Routes 101 and 169, take Route 169 north.

Take your first right onto Day Road. Follow for approximately one mile to stop sign.

Turn right continuing on Day Road. Center less than one quarter mile up on your right.

218 Day Road, Pomfret Center, CT 06259

 

 

 

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