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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.
- November 3, 2025
Connecticut’s Broad-winged Hawks - December 1, 2025
Wildlife Artist Talks About Her Work and Passion Painting Birds
- November 1, 2025
Kestrel Program at Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy - November 9, 2025
Annual Duck Ramble - December 14, 2025
Audubon Christmas Bird Count
- 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
Audubon's 126th Christmas Bird Count
Audubon’s 126th Christmas Bird Count will take place between Sunday, December 14, 2025 and Monday, January 5, 2026.
The Litchfield Hills Audubon Society will be conducting its Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, December 14, 2025.
Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is one of the longest-running wildlife censuses in the world. Each individual count takes place over the course of 24 hours, in a 15 mile-wide circle, and is led by a compiler responsible for organizing volunteers and submitting observations directly to Audubon. Participation is free and open to all!
Within each circle, participants tally all birds seen or heard that day—both the species count and the total numbers of each, to provide a clear idea of the health of that particular population.
Participants range from expert ornithologists to beginning birders, following established protocols to ensure consistent data collection. If your home is within the boundaries of a CBC circle, then you can stay at home and report the birds that visit your feeder on count day as long as you have made prior arrangement with the count compiler.
The compiler for LHAS’ Christmas Bird Count is Dave Tripp. If you would like to participate in the count you can contact Dave dtrippjr@gmail.com, and he will put you in contact with the captain for your area or where help may be required.
The compilation for the LHAS CBC will take place at Patty’s Restaurant, 495 Bantam Road (Route 202), Litchfield, immediately following the day’s birding; doors open at 4 p.m. Hot food and beverages will be available upon arrival to warm up from the day’s chilly weather. (If anyone counts birds until midnight, their numbers will be added to the compilation.)
Note: LHAS will also have a CBC 4 Kids on Sunday, December 14 between 11 AM and 12:30 PM at the White Memorial Conservation Center. For additional information call Vickie Duaphinais at 860-805-9167. Pre-registration is appreciated at lhasjunior@gmail.com.
If you are interested in knowing where and when other Christmas Bird Counts are being held in Connecticut visit the Connecticut Ornithological Association’s website by clicking here. <COA_CBC>
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
- KidsPlay Children’s Museum – Torrington
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.