The Audubon Center at Bent of the River in Southbury will co-host an Animal Tracking workshop with Walnut Hill Tracking & Nature Center on Sunday, January 27th. Learning the art of tracking wildlife will be the focus of the full-day workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring instruction from Nick and Valerie Wisniewski from Walnut Hill Tracking and Nature Center. Both students of Paul Rezendes, author of the definitive “Tracking and the Art of Seeing”, Nick and Valerie operate the Walnut Hill Tracking and Nature Center in Orange, Massachusetts.
This full-day joint program will be held in the fields and forests of the 650-acre Audubon Center at Bent of the River nature center and sanctuary in the Southbury hamlet of South Britain. Audubon’s mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife and their habitats. The Bent sanctuary includes about 15 miles of hiking trails through a wide variety of habitats and borders the Pomperaug River and Little Pootatuck Brook. Many ecosystems can be found at The Bent including deciduous and coniferous forest, rocky ledges, grasslands, old meadows, vernal pools, red maple swamps, and river habitats. Audubon owns both sides of the Pomperaug River for almost one mile which is an undisturbed and wild environment where beaver, muskrat, river otter, and mink can be found, and Bald eagles regularly fish.
This is the fifth year Nick and Valerie Wisniewski will lead the exploration of animal tracks and signs, and the Audubon Center staff will be available to provide a historical perspective on the sanctuary. The January 27th program will run regardless of rain, snow or sun and is limited to 15 participants who must be at least 15 years of age. Hiking will be moderate to strenuous; participants must be in reasonably good physical condition, and should dress warmly and in layers of clothing and must wear warm, waterproof boots. Participants should bring a lunch and a hot beverage. Lunch will be eaten along the trail. Skis or snowshoes are encouraged if there is snow.
The Audubon Center at Bent of the River is located at 185 East Flat Hill Road in Southbury. Activity level is moderate and cost is $50 per person. Proceeds will help support Bent of the River. Upon arrival, participants should drive up the road at the main entrance, past the visitor parking area, to the historic red barn and park in the staff parking lot behind the barn and up the hill to the right. Registration is mandatory and needed by Wednesday, January 23 as class is limited to 15 participants and is anticipated to fill early. To register using PayPal, visit www.walnuthilltracking.com, or call Walnut Hill at 978-544-6083.
