Programs & Events at the Center at Pomfret
Birds You Can Expect to See in September
Birds Seen This Week:
Flicker, Baltimore Oriole, Wood Duck, American Kestrel, Bobolink, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Catbird, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Cooper’s Hawk, Common Nighthawk, Barn Swallow, House Wren, Eastern Wood Peewee, Common Yellowthroat, House Finch, Goldfinch
Bird Walks and Programs
Tuesday Morning Bird Walks
Every Tuesday in September and October at 8 a.m. (No registration required.)
Join Andy as he points out various bird species. We’ll visit various locations around the sanctuary looking for concentrations of birds. Bring binoculars and wear drab clothing. Meet at the Center. Fee: $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.
Please register for the bird programs below
by emailing arzeznikiewicz@ctaudubon.org. Include name, phone number, date & title of walk, and number of people. Andy will contact you to confirm.
Bird Banding Demonstrations
Sundays, Sept. 4, 11, 18, & 25 at 8 a.m.
Sunday, Oct. 2 at 8 a.m.
Watch as Andy Rzeznikiewicz and his team capture and band numerous birds. You may even get to release a bird or two! Fee: $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.
Trail Wood Bird Walks
Thursday, Sept. 15 at 8 a.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 8 a.m.
Join Andy Rzeznikiewicz as he points out various bird species. Bring binoculars and wear drab clothing. Fee: $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.
Gellert Preserve Bird Walk
Thursday, September 29 at 8 a.m.
This is the prime time to find fall warblers, vireos and hawks. This Wyndham Land Trust preserve has large fields and is located on a hilltop, so migrating birds should be plentiful. Fee: $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.
Bull Hill Bird Walk
Wednesday, October 5 at 8 a.m.
Previously during fall migration at this location, we found many migrating warblers and kinglets, including Cape May, Nashville and Orange-crowned Warblers! Gray-cheeked and Swainson’s Thrushes have been seen also. We might observe hawks at the scenic overlook. Fee: $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.
Screech Owl Night Hike
Saturday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.
We will hike the sanctuary in the dark of the evening looking for screech owls. This is a moderately difficult hike on uneven terrain. Fee: $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.
Saw-whet Owl Banding Demonstrations
Friday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 5 at 8 p.m.
Observe Andy and fellow banders capture and band migrating Saw-whet Owls. See these amazing tiny owls up close. Bring your camera. Fee: $20 CAS members; $30 non-members.
Owl Walk
Friday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m.
Join Andy as he calls in various owl species. Bring binoculars. Fee: $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.
Walk Our Trails!
The Bafflin Sanctuary 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.
Toddler Trails & Tales
Wednesdays starting September 7th
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Parents, grandparents, and guardians, come out for some fresh air with your toddler for a nature walk and story or activity. Led by retired PCS kindergarten teacher, Carolyn Otto, the morning will be full of fun adventures. Dress for the weather. Free
How One Weird Rodent Made America: Book Signing
Meet Author & Woodstock Resident Leila Philip
Sunday, December 11 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Preorder your copy today!
Bobcats: Connecticut’s Secretive Wild Cats
Saturday, Nov. 5 from 2 – 3 p.m. at the Center
Join Paul Colburn, a Master Wildlife Conservationist*, to learn about bobcats. Paul will teach you about the natural history of bobcats, their habitat, diet, behaviors, and reproduction. He will review current research studies. The plausibility of mountain lions living in the wild in Connecticut also will be discussed.
(*The Master Wildlife Conservation Program is a Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection adult education program that trains volunteers in the areas of wildlife management, natural history, and interpretation). Fee: $5 CAS members; $10 non-members.
All About Opossums: Backyard Wildlife Winter Survival
Sunday, Oct. 2 from 2 – 3 p.m. at the Center
Winter is coming! Opossums are unique and gentle creatures, but they are not native to the New England states. Many do not survive Connecticut winters, suffering debilitating frostbite and starvation. Learn from Pam and Bill Lefferts, operators of Ferncroft Wildlife Rescue in Woodstock, what you can do to help opossums and other backyard wildlife survive the cold weather months. You also will learn how to prepare an emergency roadside rescue kit, turn your property into a sanctuary for wildlife, and become a wildlife volunteer. At the end of the program, meet Ferncroft’s educational ambassadors (non-releasable opossums) and take a photo with them. Fee: $5 CAS members; $10 non-members.
Save the Date! Annual Holiday Nature Store
Begins Sunday, Nov. 20 from 12 – 4 p.m.
Come on over and do your holiday shopping at the Center. We will have gifts for all ages with Mother Nature in mind. Sale items include bird feeders & houses, suet, gardening gifts, games, puzzles, field guides, freshly cut Christmas trees, holiday decorations, handmade evergreen sprays, jewelry, and many more unique items. Stock changes daily.
Citizen Science Volunteer Monitoring Program
Become a Citizen Science Volunteer Wildlife Monitor.
Introduction to Mammal Tracking / Monitoring
Upcoming dates TBA
Get a taste of the tracking experience while learning about our program. Volunteers monitor various sites in CT on the lookout for track and sign of fisher, river otter, mink, moose, black bear, and bobcat. Begin or continue training to become a wildlife monitor by attending training hikes that suit your schedule.
Registration is required. Contact paulacoughlin@charter.net Fee: $25 members/$35 non-members. Monitoring hike locations & dates TBA. Check the webpage ctaudubon.org/pomfret for more info and updates.
