Deer Pond Farm Nature Preserve by Cathy Hagadorn
Deer Pond Farm
57 Wakeman Hill Road
Sherman, CT 06784
860-799-4074
Deer Pond Farm is a hiking, birding and photographers paradise! Come explore our well-marked trail network.
- 15 miles of trails
- 850 acres in Sherman, CT and Pawling, NY
- Open daily year-round, dawn to dusk.
- Nature-themed programs
- 155 + species of birds recorded on e-bird.org
- Well established pollinator garden
- Active forest & habitat management projects
- Volunteer opportunities
The trails pass ponds, meadows and forest habitats.
What’s interesting
Deer Pond Farm, which spans the Connecticut-New York border, was a gift from the Wriston family in 2017. Like the Croft Preserve further north, in Goshen, it is part of a larger expanse of relatively unfragmented forest, which increases its value to wildlife.
We are carrying out several projects to improve habitat, especially for birds, such as Eastern Towhee and Chestnut-sided Warbler, that require young forest and shrub-scrub areas. Several plots of seed-producing grasses and flowers have been planted to provide food for fall migrants. Timberstand improvements have opened the canopy for sunlight to reach highbush blueberry and mountain laurel in the understory.
Come visit our pollinator garden which has seasonal native blooms in support of local wildlife. There are two Purple Martin nest towers with 24 gourds behind the nature center. Staff and volunteers monitor nest boxes for Purple Martins, Eastern Bluebird, American Kestrel, and Wood Duck.
Birds
The diversity of habitat means there is much to see and listen for year-round. Staff, volunteers and members maintain parts of the sanctuary for species whose numbers are dwindling, including Indigo Bunting and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. American Redstart is fairly common in the right habitat, and a Hooded Warbler has been heard singing during recent nesting seasons.
Birds of the forest interior include Broad-winged Hawk, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Scarlet Tanager and Ovenbird. Also look for Sharp-shinned, Cooper’s, Red-tailed and Red-shouldered hawks.
On the New York side of our sanctuary, look for breeding American Woodcock, and for Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Prairie Warbler. Veery and Ovenbird are abundant.
Please share your bird observations with us on eBird.org. Since our sanctuary is half in CT and half in NY, there are two e-Bird hotspot designations.
Deer Pond Farm Connecticut eBird Hotspot.
Deer Pond Farm New York eBird Hotspot.
You can also see a month-by-month list of bird sightings on the Deer Pond Farm Conservation page.
Other wildlife
More than 30 species on butterfly have been documented at Deer Pond Farm. The sanctuary’s size and varied habitats support numerous mammals, including coyote, fox, bobcat, bear, beaver, otter, bat, cottontail rabbit, and fisher.
Facilities
Staff office hours are typically Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
If the door is locked, feel free to call 860-799-4074; staff may be nearby outside and able to connect with you.
There is one portable restroom near the red barns and parking lot.
Dial or Text 911 for emergencies.
Program Information & News
Bird walks and programs.
