News & Visitor Information at the Center at Pomfret
Walk Our Trails!
ATTENTION BAFFLIN SANCTUARY WALKERS
The Bafflin Sanctuary trails are 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.
Center Hours
Tuesday through Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m.
Closed Mondays
The Center building will be closed on Sunday, April 20.
Birds to look for in April
Read our most recent newsletter.
Osprey Nation report shows 2024 was a good year in Connecticut but Ospreys had trouble elsewhere
Osprey Nation steward Joseph Szalay photographed these Ospreys on their nest in Ashford, one of the most northerly nesting sites in the state.
November 18, 2024—Ospreys in Connecticut flourished in 2024. The successful nesting season shows that the local revival of these previously imperiled hawks continues, although with concerns about a more difficult season to the south.
Volunteers for Connecticut Audubon’s Osprey Nation project kept track of 726 active Osprey nests this year. Those nests produced 1,077 fledglings.
That’s the highest number of nests and fledglings in the history of the project, which started in 2014. The average number of fledglings per nest was a strong 1.48.
The details and an analysis are contained in the just-released “Osprey Nation 2024 Season Report,” written by Scott Kruitbosch, Connecticut Audubon’s Osprey Nation coordinator.
Click THIS LINK to read the report and a full discussion, a summary of the report’s key takeaways, and an overview of the situation on Chesapeake Bay.
Monitoring Air Quality in Pomfret
A PurpleAir brand air quality monitor has been installed at the Center at Pomfret. The monitor allows us to track local air quality and add information to a community database, which can be used by weather tracking organizations, climate scientists, and the general public to learn more about the quality of the air around them.
The monitor measures the concentration of fine particulate matter in the air, providing real-time data. Demonstrating the Connecticut Audubon Society’s ongoing commitment to environmental conservation, we are placing these monitors at all of our centers. Our goal is to raise awareness of and educate about the impacts of air pollution on both human health and the environment.
Air quality is a critical component of environmental health. Poor air quality causes respiratory issues for people and wildlife. Birds are especially susceptible to poor air quality. Natural spaces, such as wildlife sanctuaries, provide a pollution buffer, improving the overall health of the area. The monitors will allow us to better understand local air pollution levels and how green spaces impact them.
Real-time data from the monitor at the Center at Pomfret is shown in the box below. A publicly viewable map on the PurpleAir website displays real-time data from around the world. Knowing the air quality in an area will help people make informed decisions regarding their health and the environment.
We thank the CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection and PurpleAir for donating the monitors to our centers.
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
Early Morning Bird Walks
Tuesdays in April and May at 8 A.M.
Join Andy Rzeznikiewicz as he points out various bird species. We have access to thousands of acres of protected land. Wear drab-colored clothing and bring binoculars. On some occasions, a spotting scope will be useful. Andy will have one with him. No registration is required. Fee: $5 CAS members; $20 non-members.
Registration is required for the following walks.
Email Andy Rzeznikiewicz at arzeznikiewicz@ctaudubon.org or call 860-928-4948.
Virginia Rail Walk
Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 6 P.M.
Our goal is to hear and observe a Virginia Rail. We will also see what other birds are around. Limited to 12 participants. Fee: $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.
Beginners Bird Walk
Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 8 A.M.
If you are new to bird watching, this is a good weekend to start! Some of the colorful, spring birds are back and the leaves aren’t out yet. Expect to see Yellow, Blue-winged, and Black-and-white Warblers. Limited to 10 participants. Fee: $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.
Freidman Forest Bird Walk
Friday, May 9, 2025 at 8 A.M.
We’ll explore this fantastic Joshua’s Trust preserve. We are likely to see a Great Blue Heron rookery, and Cerulean and Worm-eating Warblers! Limited to nine participants. Fee: $20 CAS members; $30 non-members.
Mother’s Day Bird Walk
Sunday, May 11, 2025 at 8 A.M.
Bring along your mother or grandmother and join Andy to look for returning birds. It’s the peak of spring migration! There are many beautiful birds to see and enjoy, including Bobolink and Scarlet Tanager. Limited to 12 participants. Fee: $10 CAS members; $20 non- members; mothers free!
Pumpkin Hill Bird Walk
Monday, May 12, 2025 at 8 A.M.
We’ll explore this fantastic bird watching location. Expect to see Cerulean, Worm-eating, and Prairie Warblers, and most likely one or both Cuckoo species. Limited to 10 participants. Fee: $20 CAS members; $30 non-members.
Gellert Preserve Bird Walk
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 8 A.M.
This Wyndham Land Trust preserve has a variety of habitats including fields, shrublands, and woodlands. Expect to find Prairie and Blue-winged Warblers, Indigo Bunting, and Scarlet Tanager. Limited to 10 participants. Fee: $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.
20 Warbler Day
Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 6 A.M. to 2 P.M.
We will attempt to find 20 species of warblers in one day during the peak of warbler migration. We will travel to numerous locations in our search. This is our 16th year doing this program. We have found as many as 21 warbler species! Limited to 16 participants. Fee: $25 CAS members; $50 non-members.
Trail Wood Bird Walk
Friday, May 16, 2025 at 8 A.M.
Hike the paths of this Connecticut Audubon Society preserve in Hampton. We expect to find Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting, Veery, Blue-winged and Chestnut-sided Warblers. Limited to eight participants. Fee: $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.
Long Pond Bird Walk
Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 8 A.M.
This Wyndham Land Trust preserve in Thompson, CT, just south of Webster Lake, has varied habitat. Expect to see Brown Thrasher, Prairie Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, and various migrants. Limited to 10 participants. Fee: $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.
90 Bird Day (19th Annual)
Monday, May 19, 2025 at 6 A.M. to 4 P.M.
The goal is to hear or see at least 90 species of birds in ten hours or fewer. 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 a snack. Limited to 16 participants. Fee: $25 CAS members; $50 non-members.
Hillandale Woods Bird Walk
Friday, May 23, 2025 at 8 A.M.
Be among the first to visit the newest Wyndham Land Trust preserve, located in Brooklyn. In this 320-acre woodland, expect to see Scarlet Tanager, Ovenbird, Veery, and Chestnut-sided Warbler. Limited to 7 participants. Fee: $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.
Bird Banding Demonstration
Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 9 A.M.
Join Andy 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. Fee: $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.
Union Bird Walk
Sunday, May 25, 2025 at 8 A.M.
We’ll meet at a location in Woodstock and travel to this new area. Expect to see Black-throated Blue and Canada Warblers and Broad-winged Hawk. Limited to eight participants. Fee: $20 CAS members; $30 non-members.
Trail Wood Bird Walk
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 8 A.M.
Hike the paths of this Connecticut Audubon Society preserve in Hampton. We expect to find Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting, Veery, Blue-winged and Chestnut-sided Warblers. Limited to eight participants. Fee: $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.
Chaney Preserve Bird Walk
Friday, May 30, 2025 at 8 A.M.
Andy will guide you around this Connecticut Audubon Society preserve in Montville. It contains a ten-acre clear-cut, large areas of mountain laurel, interesting rock features, and mature forest. Expect to see Hooded, Prairie, and Blue-winged Warblers, Acadian Flycatcher, and Scarlet Tanager. Limited to eight participants. Fee: $20 CAS members; $30 non-members.
Boston Hollow Bird Watch
Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 8 A.M.
We will explore the Boston Hollow area of Ashford. Much of the land is owned by Yale. It is a unique area, having a northern forest feel. We should see Blackburnian and Canada Warblers, Winter Wren, Northern Waterthrush, and many more. We will bird from the road. Limited to 18 participants. Fee: $20 CAS members; $30 nonmembers.
Schedule School Field Trips and In-class Programs
Attention Teachers!
Science In Nature School Programs
Want 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
