Programs & Events at the Center at Pomfret
Migration Magic 2024 in Pomfret
Migration Magic is a month-long family-friendly celebration of Connecticut’s birds—May 1-31, 2024.
It features more than three dozen bird walks at 28 preserves and parks in 20 communities around the state, plus an array of webinars, presentations, talks and even a concert.
One highlight is the month-long Birdathon, for people of all ages and all skill levels. Participate in this friendly competition at any time during May. The goal is to spot as many bird species as you can. The Birdathon is a fundraiser for bird conservation in the state. Great fun and great prizes for a great cause!
Click HERE to learn all about Migration Magic!
Walk Our Trails!
ATTENTION BAFFLIN SANCTUARY WALKERS
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 April
Spring Roadside Cleanups
Putnam Annual Beautification Day
Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. to Noon
Meet at Rotary Park at 8:30 a.m. for supplies.
For more information: 860-928-1350 or kareno@winyradio.com
Thompson Together Roadside, Cemetery and River Cleanup
All Month: April 1 – 30, 2024
For more information: 860-208-7196 or noleary2443@sbcglobal.net
Adult Programs
Bats: Winged Wonders
Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Eastern small-footed bat by Sean Stevens
Maureen Heidtmann, one of only three licensed wildlife rehabilitators in Connecticut specializing in caring for bats, joins us for an overview of bats of the world, with an emphasis on our nine local species. She will cover myths and misconceptions about bats, the many roles they play in ensuring a healthy planet, the perils they face as they struggle to survive, and their amazing resilience. Maureen has a permit from the USDA to keep non-releasable bats for educational purposes. She will bring an “ambassador” bat with her. No registration required. Fee: $5 CAS members; $10 non-members.
(Rescheduled from April 20.)
Bird Walks and Watches
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.
Bird Banding Demonstration
Saturday, May 18, 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.
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.
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.
Concerts
Cindy Kallet, Grey Larson & Will Brown
Friday, May 17, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Cindy is a superb singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Grey is one of America’s finest players of Irish flute and tin whistle, as well as an accomplished singer and concertina, fiddle, piano, and harmonium player. Will presents his arrangements of songs and tunes from the Folk, Appalachian, Maritime, Celtic, and Transatlantic traditions. The concert will feature solos, duos, and the trio, as these talented musicians join forces in dynamic harmony and instrumental delights. Visit www.kalletlarsen.com to learn more. Fee: $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Call 860-928-4948 to reserve your seats.
Exhibitions
June 1 through July 27
Transformation by Kate Themel
This art quilt exhibition features 32 pieces of fiber art created by 26 members of the Connecticut Region of the Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA). The pieces range from realistic to abstract and depict real and imagined plants and animals. Some use plants to create the images; others are created by piecing fabrics together as a form of collage or through more traditional methods, and some use dyes, paints, and/or stitching to create or enhance the image.
SAQA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote art quilts – “creative visual works that are layered and stitched or that reference this form of stitched layered structure”. SAQA has over 4000 members – 127 of them consider Connecticut one of their artistic homes. Free.
