Programs & Events at the Center at Pomfret

Hooded Warblers are among the birds that nest at Trail Wood. Photo by Patrick Comins.

March 15, 2019 – We invite you to join us at Yale University of Thursday, March 28, for what promises to be a fascinating discussion of Connecticut’s great nature writer, Edwin Way Teale.

Teale was the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of more than a dozen books. Trail Wood, his home in Hampton, and the surrounding 168 acres are now a Connecticut Audubon Sanctuary.

The March 28 event, called Preserving Land and Legacy – Writers and Artists Connecting to Nature at Edwin Way Teale’s Trail Wood, will feature Sarah Heminway, who as Connecticut Audubon’s director of Northeast Programs, oversees Trail Wood. Richard Telford, the volunteer coordinator of the Edwin Way Teale Artist–in–Residence Program at Trail Wood, will also participate, as will Katherine Hauswirth, who participated in the artist-in-residence program several years ago.

Also on the panel will be Oswald Schmitz, the Oastler Professor of Population and Community Ecology at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies; and Melissa Watterworth Batt, archivist at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center at the University of Connecticut Libraries, where Teale’s papers are kept.

The program runs from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Burke Auditorium at Kroon Hall, 195 Prospect Street, New Haven. A gallery reception showcasing the work of Trail Wood’s artists in residence will follow the discussion. It is free and open to the public.

The residence program at Trail Wood, for visual artists and writers, began in 2012. Connecticut Audubon chooses residents through a juried process and offers a one-week stay in Teale’s former home, where the artists and writers can work on projects inspired by the natural beauty and by Teale’s legacy.

The deadline for applications for the 2019 program is April 15. There’s more information here.

Bears in Connecticut
Sunday, March 31, 2 – 4 p.m.

More bears are moving into NE Conn. Come listen to retired DEEP Wildlife Div. Chief Dale May as he shares his knowledge of bear behavior and habitat. Fee: Free to CAS members; $5 non-members.

Climate Café
Monday, April 1, 6:30 p.m.

Be part of the solution, join the discussion on our local response to global climate change. Sponsored by the Pomfret Green Team.

It’s a Bird-a-thon! Join the fun and put your birding knowledge to work. How many birds can you identify over the weekend? Do it on your own, with your kids, or form a team. A great way to get outside and explore Connecticut. 

Friday, May 17
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. ‘Birds of Connecticut’ – Photography Exhibit
5 p.m. Afternoon Bird Walk

Saturday, May 18
Noon – 4 p.m. ‘Birds of Connecticut’ – Photography Exhibit
9 a.m. Bird Banding Demo  ï   1- 4 p.m. Birds & Sketchbook Journaling 

Sunday, May 19
Noon – 4 p.m. ‘Birds of Connecticut’ – Photography Exhibit
6 a.m. – 4 p.m. 90 Bird Day,  2 p.m. ‘Birds of Connecticut’ – Exhibit Reception

The Center at Pomfret’s Summer Camp runs through August 9, 2019. Click here to download the 2019 brochure.

• Connecticut Audubon Society’s Summer Camps are staffed by experienced teacher-naturalists from CAS Centers and college-educated men and women who have experience working with children.
• Our Summer Camp staff is First Aid, CPR, & Epi-Pen trained.
• Low staff-to-camper ratios ensure all campers have a safe, fun and educational camp experience.
• Our Summer Camp staff strive to provide a variety of hands-on activities each day.

Camps fill quickly…be sure to choose your camp sessions when registration opens on February 12 at 8 a.m. 

Required Pomfret Summer Camp Forms:
Welcome and Fact Sheet
Health Exam Record
Day Kimball Hospital Consent Form
Self-Medicating Child Authorization

To register by mail, download the Mail-in Registration.

Tuesdays, March 26 – May 28, 8 a.m. – Noon

Have you always wanted to learn more about the natural sciences? Want to volunteer at the Center? With 40 hours (ten four-hour sessions) of training, this may be the program for you. Registration is limited. See ctaudubon.org/pomfret-home for info and an application.

Download the 2019 Master Naturalist Training Outline   |   Download the 2019 Master Naturalist Application

Birds Seen This Week

Turkey Vultures, Raven, Fox Sparrow, Bluebirds, Red-winged Blackbird, American Kestrel, Robin, Red-tailed Hawk, Carolina Wren, Brown Creeper, Purple Finch, Goldfinch, American Tree Sparrow.

Birds This Month 

Birds You Can Expect to See in March

Wednesday Noon Walks
thru May 29, Noon 

Join Connecticut Audubon Society volunteers for fresh air, exercise, good company and naturalist lessons along the way. Seniors and parents with babes in backpacks welcome. Free to CAS members; $3 non-members.

Thursday Morning Tracking Walks
thru March 28 at 8:30 a.m.

Stretch your legs, breathe in that early morning air and look for signs of wildlife on the Bafflin Sanctuary with Fran Baranski, a longtime volunteer, tracker and nature photographer. Bring your camera if you are so inclined. Meet at the Center, 218 Day Rd in Pomfret. Free to CAS members; $5 non-members.

After School Nature Club
Spring Session: Grades K – 6
Thursday, April 4, 11, 25 & May 2, 9, 16
from 3 – 5 p.m.

Do your kids need to blow off steam after school? The afternoons will be filled with fresh air, exercise and fun. Wildlife lessons will be quietly inserted along the way. Fee: $60 CAS members for the 6-day session; $70 non-members. 

Click here to download the flyer.
Click here to download the application and permission form.

Nature Photography Contest
Exhibit through April 10th

Best in Show: Herring Gull by David Silsbee, Storrs, Connecticut

Printmaking with Nature
Reception & Artist Demo
Saturday, May 4, 2 – 4 p.m.
Exhibit April 13 thru May 15

Waterford, CT  artist and Pomfret School graduate John Sargent will showcase his relief and Suminagashi prints. These nature inspired works are created from the textures of wood stumps, driftwood and plants, and floating ink on water. At the opening, John will share simple techniques using nature’s materials to make art that you can take home. Free to the public.

Birds of Connecticut Photography Exhibit
Reception on Sun., May 19, 2 p.m.
Exhibit May 17 thru June 30

Brush up on your bird identification skills as you feast your eyes on bird photos by seven area nature photographers. Free to the public.

Birds & Sketchbook Journaling
Saturday, May 18, 1 – 4 p.m.

Roxanne Steed will show you how to simplify what you see using drawing and watercolor techniques. Register at 860-928-4948 and for a list of materials to bring. Fee: $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.

Woodcock Watches
Thursday, March 14, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 16, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 21, 6:45 p.m.
Thursday, March 28, 6:45 p.m.

A sure harbinger of spring, this fascinating little bird puts on a riveting mating display at dusk. As long as the weather and temperature cooperate, we should hear & see them in action. Fee: $5 CAS members; $10 non-members.

Early Morning Bird Walks
Tuesdays, March 19 thru May 28, 8 a.m.

With access to over 1,650 acres of land, we will seek out a variety of bird species. Wear drab colored clothing and bring binoculars. A spotting scope is optional. Fee: Free to CAS members; $5 non-members.

Invasive Plant Program
Saturday, April 13, 9 a.m.

Join Andy Rzeznikiewicz as he identifies the various invasive plants. Methods to control them and recommended native plants and shrubs to plant will be discussed. Fee: $5 CAS members; $10 non-members.

Virginia Rail Bird Walk
Friday, April 26, 6 p.m.

The goal is to hear and observe a Virginia Rail. We will also look for other species of birds. Possibilities of interest include the Common Snipe and Vesper Sparrow. Fee: $5 CAS members; $10 non-members.

Beginners Bird Walk
Sunday, April 28, 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 warblers, Blue-winged warblers, Black and white warblers. Fee: $5 CAS members; $10 non-members.

Bird Watch for Folks with
Limited Mobility
Wednesday, May 8, 8 a.m.

The group will carpool to various locations to observe numerous bird species from the road. If you’ve been reluctant to go on a bird walk due to limited mobility, this is your opportunity. We’ll call the birds to you! Register at 860-928-4948. Fee: $5 CAS members; $10 non-members.

Long Pond Bird Walk
Saturday, May 11, 8 a.m.

Meet here at the Center and we’ll carpool to the Long Pond Preserve in Thompson, just south of Webster Lake. This property contains early successional habitat, mature conifer forest, a secluded 20 acre lake, and acres of submerged shrub lands. Migrants and nesting species such as Prairie Warblers, Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Bunting, Field Sparrows, and Yellow Warblers might be seen. Fee: $7 CAS members; $10 non-members.

Mother’s Day Bird Walk
Sunday, May 12, 8 a.m.

Bring your mother or grandmother out to see the assorted colorful birds of spring. Many species can be found this time of year including Bobolinks and Scarlet Tanagers. Fee: $5 CAS members; $10 non-members; Mothers Free!

20 Warbler Day
Wednesday, May 15, 6 a.m. – 2 p.m.

We will search for 20 species of warblers in one day, travelling to numerous locations. Last year we found 21 species! Register at 860-928-4948. Fee: $15 CAS members; $30 non-members.

Bull Hill Bird Walk I
Thursday, May 16, 8 a.m.

Meet at the Center and carpool to this large forest in Thompson. Indigo Bunting, Prairie Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler and Northern Waterthrush are some of the expected species. Fee: $7 CAS members; $12 non-members.

Boston Hollow Bird Watch
Saturday, May 25, 8 a.m.

We’ll explore the famous Boston Hollow area of Ashford. Much of the land is owned by Yale. It is a unique area with a Northern forest feel. We will bird from the road in most cases. Fee: $7 CAS members; $12 non-members.

Bull Hill Bird Walk II
Thursday, May 30, 8 a.m.

Meet at the Center and carpool to this large forest in Thompson. Whip-poor-wills and Praire Warblers nest at the scenic vista!

Fee: $7 CAS members; $12 non-members.

Wildlife Tracking and Monitoring:

Our wildlife tracking volunteers monitor study sites in Willington, Canterbury, Woodstock and Bethany. We have found track and sign of fisher, river otter, mink, red fox, coyote, as well as the occasional black bear, moose and porcupine. These sites also provide perfect habitat for white-tail deer, raccoon, beavers, and a variety of rodents. You can begin or continue training to become a Citizen Science Wildlife Monitor by completing six day-long training hikes that suit your schedule throughout the season.

Winter monitoring/training hikes 2019:
All hikes run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sat. Feb 23 – Willington training /monitoring hike
Sat. March 2 – Woodstock training/monitoring hike
Sat. March 9 – Bethany CT monitoring hike
Sat. March 23 – Canterbury monitoring hike

Fee per hike: $50 CAS member/$60 non-member; Registration required. These hikes are subject to change due to weather conditions. Full training is six hikes; participants select hikes that suit their schedules.

For more information, call 860-928-4948 or contact Paula Coughlin, Citizen Science Coordinator: paulacoughlin@charter.net. Hike dates subject to change due to weather. 

Monday, April 15 – Thursday, April 18
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Mon.  – Splish, Splash; A Frog’s Life
Tue.   – Nature’s Construction
Wed.  – Migration Madness
Thur. – Knapsack on My Back

Outdoor adventures for kids who don’t mind getting wet and dirty and having a blast in the process. Come for one day or all four.  Limited to 20 per day. Call 860-928-4948 to register. Fee: $45 per day CAS members; $55 per day non-members.

Click to download the flyer.
Click to download the Application and Permission Form.