Update: The Land Trust contributed a tree to the Town’s “Trees for Bloomfield” sustainable urban tree program. On Arbor Day a work party planted a native Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) in the Land Trust’s Sinnot Farm-The Knoll property, visible from Terry Plains Road. Pictured are David Mann, Michael Riley, Sharon Mann, and Kevin Gough. Photo: Paula Jones.
Update: Many thanks to the volunteers who provided a guided tour of Hawk Hill Farm! Zellene Sandler helped identify birds and other wildlife in the meadows, forests, and wetlands. Peter Picone and Ron Pitz toured the farm’s American Elm and other champion trees, as well as discussed invasive species such as Mugwort, Skunk Cabbage … and the Wild Roses our steward-farmer’s Boer goats were munching. Photos: Paula Jones & Sharon Mann.
Hawk Hill has one of the oldest continuously operating farms in Bloomfield, and its gently sloping farm roads lead to beautiful views of the Metacomet Range and Hartford skyline. 
This Earth Day event was hosted by Wintonbury Land Trust and co-sponsored by the Bloomfield Beautification Committee and Bloomfield Conservation, Energy & Environment Committee as part of the Town’s Trees for Bloomfield initiative.
Update: Thank you to the volunteers who cut back vines on the lower trail and around the entrance, installed a new sign, mapped the trails with GPS, and checked the geocache. Special thanks to Gray Wanzer, Thomas Farrell, and Roy Farrell for keeping the trail in good standing throughout the year. Kevin Gough and Thomas Farrell pictured. Photos: Vikki Reski.
With a Facebook Group dedicated just to local reported sightings, Black Bears are a frequent topic of conversation around here. As part of our nature lecture series co-sponsored with Bloomfield Leisure Services, State-certified master wildlife conservationist Paul Colburn discussed how we can live with Black Bears with minimal conflict despite their expanding population.
Black Bears are the only bear in Connecticut. Clear-cutting of old growth forests from 1650 through 1850 and unrestricted, often systematic, hunting nearly extirpated them from Connecticut. As our mixed forests regrew and bears wandered in from Massachusetts, their population rapidly recovered everywhere except the coastline and Connecticut River floodplain. A handful in the 1980’s became over 1,000 today, and is projected to double every six years.
On March 3, 97 people attended another entertaining and educational talk in the Nature Lecture Series co-sponsored by the Town of Bloomfield’s Leisure Services and the Wintonbury Land Trust. Paul Colburn, a Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) Bureau of Natural Resources Wildlife Division Master Wildlife Conservationist, shared his in-depth knowledge of the history, habitat and habits of the Eastern Coyote.
According to Paul, the coyote suffers from lots of myths. Ask anyone what they think of coyotes, and you’re likely to get one of two replies: they’re dangerous or they’re a nuisance. Admittedly, the coyote does have a shady reputation as a chicken coop-robbing, fawn-killing, garbage-eating, pet-snatching scoundrel (think Road Runner and Wiley Coyote cartoons) and as something to get rid of. In 10 year period from 1947-56, approximately 6.5 million coyotes were exterminated. Now about one per minute or 500,000 per year are killed, aided by U.S. Fish & Wildlife efforts to eradicate them to protect livestock. Despite all this, coyotes continue to thrive and have expanded their reach through process called dispersal.
Updated: We had snow! A small group of intrepid explorers donned snow shoes to enjoy the wooded winter wonderland under the sun. Photo credits: Paula Jones.
Join us for a free winter outing at the Land Trust’s Speer Preserve. This upland forest surrounded by open land and MDC Reservoir property is more reminiscent of winter in the Vermont woods than just minutes from the city. (Photo credit Dale Bertoldi.)
The route is easy-to-moderate and will last 1.5-2.0 hours. Please come with snowshoes if we have snow, waterproof hiking boots if not, and seasonal outdoor clothing. Wearing a face mask is required, and maintaining social distance is expected.
Come early, ready to be on the trail at 9:30 a.m. Meet at the cul-de-sac at the top of Juniper Road in Bloomfield. Rain date is Sunday, February 21.
Updated: Master Wildlife Conservationist Paul Colburn’s knowledge of and appreciation for the majestic White-Tailed Deer who share our neighborhoods was evident throughout this incredibly informative webinar. Acknowledging the frustration many feel as deer devour our plants and decimate our vegetable gardens, Paul began by asking, “What we can do to coexist?” But before answering, he taught us about our neighbors:
Updated: Approximately 166 attendees tuned-in to master wildlife conservationist Paul Colburn’s presentation on the bobcat’s natural history in Connecticut. Even if you thought you knew everything about bobcats, Paul quickly demonstrated how much more there was to learn and what researchers still are learning about this amazing cat.
UPDATED: Thanks to everyone who turned out Thursday ahead of the rainy weather! You got enough done that we’re cancelling Saturday and Sunday’s work parties.
Volunteers of all ability levels needed! With the weather about to turn, we’re jumping at the chance to get a few more things done at Hawk Hill Farm. Can you lend a hand one or more afternoons?
- Thursday, December 3, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
- Saturday, December 5, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
- Sunday, December 6, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Please wear sturdy shoes and gloves, and bring tools if you have them. In fresh air and with good company (socially distanced), we’ll spread out to work on various tasks:
- Clear growth next to the barn with weed whackers.
- Sever vines around Champion trees above head height with loppers and/or hand saws.
- Move miscellaneous debris from behind the barn to the front for pickup.
Please contact us to RSVP with your name, chosen day(s), and phone number so Pete, our Hawk Hill Farm volunteer steward, knows who to expect. Thank you!
Braving the fall chill and snow from the previous day, a diverse and dedicated group of 12 hardy hikers (and dog Tucker), met at the Oliver Filley House, which Sharon Mann had decorated for Halloween. They explored the new trail that runs north-south along the east side of the park linking two beautiful ponds. This ADA-compliant Universal Walking Trail was created by Ironwood Community Partners (ICP), Duncaster Retirement Community, the Land Trust, and the Town of Bloomfield. They then continued northward along the LaSalette Trail to the upper meadows offering stunning views of Hartford valley to the south. Thanks to our guides Vikki Reski and Dale Bertoldi, photographers Paula Jones and Sharon Mann, and co-sponsor Bloomfield Leisure Services.
