Author: Janet

You don’t have to be a birdwatcher to love the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut, but those who enjoy spotting beautiful birds will find treasure in this beautiful corner of Northwest Connecticut. The region offers a variety of colorful summer terrain–open fields, woods, lakes and ponds, riverbanks, and wetlands–a boon to both winged visitors and the footed friends who come to admire them against a backdrop of flaming foliage.

Here are some of the most scenic spots to stop, look, and listen to the sweet songs of the birds:

White Memorial Foundation & Conservation Center, Rte. 202, Litchfield. 860-567-0857. The State’s largest reserve has great waterfowl viewing on Bantam Lake, a favorite for migrant ducks and geese, as well as abundant varieties of land birds. Last fall saw waves of warblers, as well as bluebirds, robins, blackbirds, and sparrows passing through on their migration south. Rarer species such as the Philadelphia Vireo, White-winged Crossbill, Hooded Warblers, and Evening Grosbeaks were also sighted.

The Sharon Audubon Center, Rte. 4, Sharon, 860-364-0520. Some 179 bird species from great blue herons to tiny wrens have been seen on this 800-acre property where eleven miles of trails are open daily dawn to dusk.

Railroad Ramble Nature Trail, maintained by the Salisbury Land Trust is an easy one-mile walk along an old railroad bed between Lakeville and Salisbury. This walk has been carefully preserved in its natural state by the Land Trust and is rich in plant and birdlife. One of the best spots for bird watchers is the pond where many varieties of eastern songbirds, as well as waterfowl, can be seen. More than 90 varieties of birds have been spotted along the trail. To reach the trail from Lakeville, take Route 44 north, turn right to the end of Walton Street and look for the trailhead on the left. The other end of the trail is at Salmon Kill Road just behind the village in Salisbury.

Twin Lakes, Salisbury, bounded by Twin Lakes Rd. and Taconic Rd, Between the Lakes Rd. runs between them and can be reached from Route 44 east of town. Here you will find great waterfowl viewing including many varieties of ducks from mergansers and ringnecks to ruddy ducks, canvasbacks, buffleheads, and horned grebes.

Kent River Road, a dirt road on the west side of the Housatonic River, is a good site to see a variety of winged beauties. On a good day, vireos, flycatchers, or swallows can be spotted as well as a host of waterfowl. At the end of the road is a trail leading from the parking area where the yellow-throated warbler is often found. The River Road is off Skiff Mountain Road, 1/2 mile north of Route 341, and 3/4 mile from the traffic light in Kent at the intersection of Route 7 and 341.

It is a perfect summer day and you’re wondering what to do that is safe, different, and memorable, all at the same time. Have you ever watched a group of people on a large boat sipping wine and relaxing in the cooling breeze of Long Island Sound? If you have, you are not alone. Some of us might even daydream about owning a boat large enough to accommodate up to twenty-five friends, family, and business associates.

The good news is that the Seaport Association in Norwalk is now offering their comfortable vessel, the T.J. Toth, for charter at pricing that is much less expensive than you think. The charter is two hours long and is available any weekday or weekend, July – September, during the day or at sunset for $750, or just $30 a person for twenty-five of your best friends and family members. And, be assured that your guests will be comfortable. The vessel has so many amenities including comfortable seating in and out of the sun, a bar area that is the perfect place to set up the beverages and goodies you bring aboard, and a full bathroom.

Your private excursion begins from the Seaport’s dock at 10 North Water Street in Norwalk. A captain and mate are on board so you can sit back and relax – it doesn’t get more exclusive or fun than that! The boat cruises through Norwalk Harbor under the expert guidance of the boat’s Captain while the Mate introduces the passengers to the multifaceted history of the Harbor. Imagine cruising along the waves getting close up views of Norwalk’s Islands, nesting ospreys, and, three lighthouses, including Sheffield Island Lighthouse, and two rare examples of sparkplug lighthouses. This private on the water experience is simply exhilarating; so don’t forget to bring a camera.

If you are planning a special occasion or if you and your friends are looking for something really uplifting to do this summer, nothing says “fun on the water” like this exclusive excursion offered by the Seaport Association. For additional information to charter the boat call the Seaport Office at 203-838-9444 or email jerry.toni@seaport.org.

Ridgefield’s Keeler Tavern is offering special summer camps for kids, Monday, July 13 through Friday, July 17, and learn about daily life in Colonial Connecticut and the important role children played in helping run the household and farm.

Monday, July 13 through Friday, July 17 and learn about daily life in Colonial Connecticut and the important role children played in helping run the household and farm.

Camp Highlights:

Campers will receive a pre-packaged kit containing all materials and instructions for the week, as well as a Keeler Kids t-shirt!

Daily LIVE sessions with the camp directors will be over Zoom or another video app every day between 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Camp directors will explain the materials and activities kids can then do at their own pace (NO adults needed!)

Campers will go on a virtual field trip with Chris, the camp director, to his own farm in Newtown!

Campers will round out the week with a homemade ice cream social!

The cost per child for each session is $150 for members and $165 for non-members. We offer a sibling discount of $15 per child. (Note that sibling discounts will be applied automatically when registering online.) To register click here

The town of Norfolk Connecticut is hard at work this summer organizing virtual events for 2020 WIN – Weekend in Norfolk that is taking place this year on July 31, August 1, and 2! The residents, businesses, historic and natural attractions, and other organizations have pulled together, once again, this year to showcase Norfolk’s many treasures.

The only difference is that this year WIN will take place only online rather than at various locations throughout this peaceful hamlet. “We believe that our online WIN series of events and videos show the resilience of the citizens of Norfolk. Our goal is to be a bright spot in people’s lives at this uncertain time. We’re striving to entertain and educate all our WIN fans with the variety of videos that we are developing,” said Sue Frisch one of the founders of the WIN event.

Now in its fifth year, this family fun event has managed to evolve with the times. They hope to reach even more people with their virtual programs and videos that have an irresistible price tag — they are all free of charge! Best of all, all videos can be viewed from the comfort of your home.

A new WIN website makes planning your time in advance easy so you don’t miss a thing. The website has a day by day schedule that highlights virtual events that will be happening live and those events that will be posted to celebrate WIN 2020 on demand. Get ready to see an exciting line-up! The virtual events range from a not to be missed tour of the Tiffany stained glass windows at the Battell Chapel, and a demonstration by a professional artist, to a cooking demonstration on how to prepare healthy foods that could have medicinal advantages.

For the most up to date information visit https://weekendinnorfolk.org