On October 12th join Larry Fischer, licensed bird bander, at the orchard section of the Aspetuck Land Trust's Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area Saturday, October 12th, for a hawk walk followed by our walk through the orchard.  Larry is a federally licensed raptor bander who has been banding hawks, falcons, owls, and eagles for more than 30 years, working independently as well as with the CT DEEP and the U.S. Dept. of the Interior. 

The orchard, along with  a connected farm and grasslands habitat, is one of the largest blocks of open space in the state, bringing in specific birds that fit the land, such as Field and Savannah Sparrows, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Meadowlark, American Pipit, Bobolink, Eastern Bluebird, and many more in every season. This area also pulls in many raptors of open habitats and forest edges as they migrate during the fall, sometimes holding dozens and dozens of birds. During this event, Larry will attempt to capture a couple of raptors to band and show the group close up before releasing them back into the orchard.

Note: The walk to the orchard will take about 15 minutes. Please arrive at 9:00 am in order not to miss the release of any hawks.

Terrain: Easy

Open to the Public, RSVP Requested.  Maximum 25.
Please RSVP Here.

Directions and Parking: Rte. 58 (Black Rock Tpke) past Bluebird Restaurant to Freeborn Rd. 
Turn left on Freeborn. When woods stop on left (first house lot) look to the right, there will be a dirt road thru the woods. Park on Freeborn Road and walk up the dirt access road thru the first gate and continue to blueberry patch, approximately 1/2 mile.
Terrain: Easy-Moderate