Bafflin Sanctuary provides a variety of habitats that support numerous species of birds. Endangered Pied-billed Grebes and American Black Ducks (high conservation priority) have been known to nest in the wetlands here. These areas are also a migratory stopover for American Bittern in the fall. Numerous Northern Harriers are found in the grasslands yearly during the winter and also during both spring and fall migration. One threatened, American Kestrel, and three species of special concern in the state, Eastern Meadowlark and Savannah Sparrow, and Bobolink, breed in the grassland habitat and also use the area as a stopover. The early successional habitat at Bafflin, consisting of old field, shrub/scrub, and young woodlands, provides breeding grounds for several WatchList species and/or species of high conservation priority including American Woodcock, Blue-winged Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Field Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, Black-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Kingbird, Baltimore Oriole, and Orchard Oriole. Brown Thrasher (special concern) and Purple Martin (state threatened), also breed here, and it is a winter roost for endangered Long-eared Owls (state endangered). The woodland habitat, like the early successional, also hosts a variety of high conservation priority species. Eastern Wood Pewee, Louisiana Waterthrush, Wood Thrush, Worm-eating Warbler, Canada Warbler, Least Flycatcher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Purple Finch, Scarlet Tanager, and Red-breasted Grosbeak all breed in the woodlands at Bafflin Sanctuary.

Located in Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner,” the Center at Pomfret is surrounded by our 700-acre Bafflin Sanctuary. The Center is a community-based facility offering programming for all ages year round.

The Bafflin Sanctuary is actively managed for grassland, shrubland, and woodland birds, as well as other wildlife ,and is a nationally recognized Important Bird Area. Over 200 species of birds have been observed at Bafflin.

The sanctuary is open to the public daily from dawn to dusk for hiking and birding. Programs at the Center at Pomfret include bird walks, trail hikes, art exhibitions, photography workshops, seasonal workshops and lectures, environmental education programs, and citizen science training and projects.