Programs & Events at the Center at Pomfret
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 February
Concerts
James Keelaghan
Friday, March 28, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Canadian roots and folk musician, James Keelaghan is a masterful storyteller and an accomplished artist. He is one of the most distinctive and readily identifiable voices of the Canadian music scene. Dave Marsh, the award-winning American music critic and historian, characterized Keelaghan as “Canada’s finest songwriter.” He is also well known in the international singer-songwriter community, receiving awards and acclaim from around the world. Keelaghan will be accompanied by David Woodhead on bass. Registration is required as seating is limited. Fee: $25.
Register online click here or call the Center at 860-928-4948.
Admission at the door will be $30, if seating remains available.
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.
Woodcock Watches
Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 6:45 P.M.
Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 6:45 P.M.
Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 7:00 P.M.
Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 7:00 P.M.
Andy Rzeznikiewicz will bring you to see displaying American Woodcock. They do their courtship flights just before dark. It is very important that you do not wear bright colored clothing or hats. Drab colors are recommended. Each outing is limited to 7 participants. Fee: $10 CAS members; $20 non-members.
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 Rzeznikiewicz to find 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 are going to 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.
Bird Banding Demonstration
Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 9 A.M.
Join Andy Rzeznikiewicz 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. Cost: $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 Rzeznikiewicz 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. Cost: $20 CAS members; $30 non-members.
Boston Hollow Bird Watch
Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 8 A.M.
We will explore the famous 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.
Volunteer Naturalist Training
Tuesdays, March 25 through May 27, 2025
From 8 A.M. to Noon
This is the perfect program for you, if you have always wanted to learn more about the natural world or volunteer at the Center at Pomfret. Topics covered in the 40 hours of training (ten, four-hour sessions) include the wildlife of northeastern Connecticut, spring wildflowers, tree identification, and even basic survival skills. Space is limited.
Click here to download the application.
Click here to view the syllabus.
Exhibitions
Trail Wood Reflections 2024
Artists and Writers In-Residence Exhibition
February 9 through March 30, 2025
Reception: Sat., Mar. 8 at 2 P.M.
Enjoy an exhibition of written and visual works inspired by summer 2024 artists’ residencies at Trail Wood in Hampton. Artists and writers are Lizzie Abelson, Beth Clary, Susie Dorr, Greg Kniseley, Tom Lagasse, and Ray Larrow.
Dorr’s photo of an American Fritillary is shown here. Free admission.
For more information about the Edwin Way Teale Artists-in-Residence Program, click here. Applications for summer 2025 may be submitted through February.
Adult Programs
Monday Morning Walks
Through February 2025 at 8:30 A.M.
Join the Baranski family to stretch your legs and breathe in the early morning air on the Bafflin Sanctuary. Brothers Fran and Ed are longtime volunteers, trackers, and nature photographers. They will point out wildlife sign to you. Bring your camera, if you like. No registration required. Free.
Buds, Bark, Branches: Identifying Trees in Winter
Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 12:30 P.M.
It can be confusing to differentiate one tree from another after the leaves have fallen. Join artist/naturalist Diane Nizlek and learn some tips on deciduous tree identification. Then put your new skills to use in the winter woods. Free.
Nature Sketchbook Journaling
Saturday, March 29, 2025 from 1 – 3 P.M.
Roxanne Steed will discuss various aspects of keeping a nature journal, including how to finish its pages with paint and detail. Also, learn how to make your images into larger paintings. Please bring: a watercolor sketchbook, permanent markers, a portable watercolor kit, a small cup to hold water, and paper towels. Call 860-928-4948 to register. Fee: $15 per session CAS members; $25 per session non-members.
Tuesday Winter Series
Lights Out Connecticut Lecture
Light Pollution and Its Impacts on Our Green Spaces
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
We are experiencing an exponential increase in light pollution in Connecticut, impacting birds, insects, bats, amphibians, pollinators, and plants as well as human beings. Additional staggering costs are wasted energy and an increase in our carbon footprint. Light pollution works against our efforts to create healthy habitats. Lecture by Craig Repasz, chair and co-founder of Lights Out Connecticut. Free. Join us at the Center or attend via Zoom.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87367094384?pwd=Tflg8dfJOxBmYse6F5j5KN2aqASfb2.1
Meeting ID: 873 6709 4384
Passcode: 539378
Pomfret Green Team Film
Breaking Boundaries — The Science of Our Planet
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
In Breaking Boundaries, David Attenborough and scientist Johan Rockström examine Earth’s biodiversity collapse and how a crisis can still be averted. The film explains the most important scientific discovery of our time — that humanity has pushed Earth beyond the boundaries that have kept it stable since the dawn of civilization. The stability of our planet and the future of humanity depend on not exceeding planetary thresholds. There are solutions we must implement now to protect Earth’s life support systems. Discussion to follow, led by environmental scientist Ken Wolslegel. Free. Join us at the Center and enjoy free popcorn or attend via Zoom. A link will be provided soon.
CAS Members’ Book Club Discussion
Returning North with the Spring
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. — via ZOOM only
Register with your email address using the member portal on the ctaudubon.org website.
(We recommend reading the book in advance.)
In 1947, Pulitzer Prize-winning naturalist, writer, and photographer Edwin Way Teale followed the seasonal changes of spring for 1,700 miles from Florida to Maine. In Returning North with the Spring by John Harris, the author retraces Edwin’s path, revealing a vastly different, but also protected, natural world. You may want to visit Connecticut Audubon Society’s Trail Wood, The Edwin Way Teale Memorial Sanctuary in Hampton. Led by Melissa Gallaher-Smith, CAS director of development, and Deb Eccleston, CAS director of membership. For questions or assistance with the member portal, contact Deb at deccleston@ctaudubon.org. Free.
Lights Out Connecticut Lecture
The Wonders and Perils of Bird Migration
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
Explore the awe-inspiring phenomenon of bird migration. Discover the incredible diversity of species that grace our skies during spring migration. Gain insight into the behaviors, routes, and challenges faced by migratory birds and why safe stopover sites are crucial to their survival. Learn the advantages of night migration. Lecture by Craig Repasz, chair and co-founder of Lights Out Connecticut and an accomplished birder. Free. Join us at the Center or attend via Zoom. A link will be provided soon.
Lights Out Connecticut Lecture
The Effects of Light Pollution on Birds, Wildlife, and Humans
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
Our state is located along the Atlantic Flyway, so many birds use our shoreline and green spaces to rest and refuel during their trip north. Artificial light emitted by houses, buildings, streetlights, bridges, and other structure can confuse and disorient birds, causing them to land near buildings, crash into windows, or circle around for hours until they drop from exhaustion. Light pollution also impacts other wildlife and the well-being of humans. Learn what can be done to mitigate the damage. Lecture by Craig Repasz, chair and co-founder of Lights Out Connecticut and an accomplished birder. Registration requested but not required. Free. Join us at the Center or attend via Zoom. A link will be provided soon.
