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Protecting Birds, Other Wildlife, and Their Habitats
– Our Mission –
The mission of the Litchfield Hills Audubon Society is to protect birds, other wildlife and their habitats, through conservation, education, research and advocacy.
- March 3, 2025
American Kestrels - April 7, 2025
Build a DIY Mini Bog in Front Yard
- April 12, 2025
Bird Walk at Bent of the River - April 22, 2025
Garden Clean-up at Wigwam Sanctuary - April 22, 2025
Wings Over Water Screening
- EDUCATION -
Litchfield Hills Audubon Society aims to provide environmental experiences to people of all ages, particularly in the Litchfield County and surrounding areas. LHAS offers free monthly programs, bird walks and environmental events that are open to the public. We also support and offer National Audubon’s Audubon Adventures tailored for elementary school children.
- CONSERVATION -
Litchfield Hills Audubon Society manages and maintains a total of 157 acres at three separate sanctuaries. LHAS is involved in a 10 year Forest Management Project through the NRCS, improving the forest health at Boyd Woods and Wigwam Brook Sanctuaries. Our sanctuaries provide vital habitat for woodland, shrubland and grassland birds and wildlife.
- RESEARCH -
Litchfield Hills Audubon Society continues to work with the National Resources and Conservation Services involved in a 10 year forest management project to improve the forest health at our Boyd Woods and Wigwam Brook Sanctuaries. LHAS also supports and is involved in the Blue-bird Nesting Program and the American Chestnut Restoration Project.
Top Stories
Thank You, Annual Appeal Donors!
If you have donated to our recent annual appeal, thank you! If not, there is still time: we keep our appeal account open until the end of our fiscal year (April 30). To donate, please send a check made out to LHAS to P.O. Box 861, Litchfield, CT 06759. Or click on the secure link below.
2025 Great Backyard Bird Count
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
GBBC Preliminary Results
It’s been a few weeks since the 2025 Great Backyard Bird Count ended. A huge thank you to everyone who participated! Here are the preliminary results so far; data cut-off date was March 1.
- 911,000 submissions (Merlin and eBird)
- 700,000+ people participated around the world
- 155,557 Macaulay Library photos, sounds, and videos
- 8,004 bird species identified
- 408 community birding events
- 214 subregions or countries participated
Birds truly brought the world together for GBBC. We used many of your beautiful photos to make our annual Thank You video.
Be Bear Wise: Black Bears are Becoming Active
CT DEEP Wildlife Newsletter — March 2025
As we make the transition to spring, black bears will continue to become more active and will be in search of food. It is important to properly manage birdfeeders, garbage, and other attractants with bears in mind. Access to these attractants directly leads to bears getting comfortable around people and thinking homes and backyards are places to get food. The Wildlife Division advises residents to stop feeding birds by late March, but you may need to stop even earlier, or all together, if bears are active nearby. Instead, landscaping for birds, by providing native plants, can be an excellent alternative that still attracts birds and other wildlife without providing a high-calorie food reward for bears.
The DEEP has a great checklist to learn what attracts bears and how you can keep bears away from your home and property. <Check List>
Birding Backpacks at a Library Near You
Litchfield Hills Audubon Society donates birding backpacks to area libraries to promote and teach birding.
Backpacks have been donated to ten area libraries by Litchfield Hills Audubon Society, an attempt to inspire children and families to enjoy the hobby of birdwatching.
Litchfield County has an abundance of nature preserves and natural habitats for wildlife, many with well-marked trails. LHAS hopes to encourage more families to get outdoors and learn about birds by offering them an opportunity to try a new hobby without the upfront costs.
You can check-out a Birding Backpack using your library card. Stocked in the backpacks are binoculars, illustrated guides identifying birds, information on nature activities and recommended locations for birdwatching.
Backpacks are available for check-out at the following libraries:
- Morris Public Library
- Oliver Wolcott Library
- Thomaston Library
- Torrington Library
- Terryville, Library
- Harwinton Library
- New Milford Library
- Beardsley Library
- Burlington Public Library
- Cornwall Library
Donations from Ace Hardware of Litchfield, Litchfield Bancorp, Torrington Savings Bank, Wild Bird Unlimited of Brookfield and Litchfield Hills Audubon Society’s Education Committee covered the cost of the backpacks and their contents.
Join Us at a Meeting
Unless otherwise indicated, General Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at the Litchfield Community Center, 421 Bantam Road (Rt. 202), Litchfield, CT. When the first Monday of the month falls on a holiday, the meeting is held on the second Monday. Refreshments are served at 6:45 p.m. The business meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. and the program follows. The June meeting is the Annual Meeting and Dinner held at a local restaurant; it begins at 6 p.m. Our August meeting is the annual Picnic at Boyd Woods Sanctuary; it begins at 6 p.m. Board of Directors Meetings are held the third Tuesday of every other month at 7:00 p.m. at LHAS’ office at 28 Russell St. Litchfield, CT.