H. Smith Richardson Wildlife Preserve & Christmas Tree Farm
H. Smith Richardson Wildlife Preserve & Christmas Tree Farm
Hours & Admission
- Dawn to dusk year-round
On This Page
Property Overview
Three parcels: 36 acres being restored to meadow and early successional habitat, a 14-acre field habitat, and a 24-acre conifer plantation. The 36-acre section is one of the few places in Connecticut where visitors can see a significant habitat restoration project while it is in progress. Look for nesting Field Sparrows and Indigo Buntings, and abundant songbirds during migration.
At a Glance
- Well-maintained trails trhough varied habitats on the 36-acre parcel
- Close to Long Island Sound
- 200 bird species observed
Trails & Terrain
The 36-acre parcel includes an easy, flat trail through various habitats.
Habitat
Pollinator meadow, shrublands, grasslands, and a conifer plantation.
Trail Rules
Walkers and birders welcome
Trails open dawn to dusk
For the protection of our wildlife,
the following are prohibited:
- Beginning April 15, 2026, dogs are not allowed
- Drones
- Hunting, Trapping, or Fishing
- Collecting of any kind
- Dumping or Littering
- Camping, or Fires
- Biking or other vehicles
Wildlife
Spring migration brings in birds of many habitats: Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Field Sparrow, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Song Sparrow, Prairie Warbler, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, House Wren, Cedar Waxwing, Orchard and Baltimore Orioles among them.
Sparrows arrive in fall — Song, Field, Savannah, White-throated, White-crowned, Swamp, and perhaps even a rare Clay-colored or Grasshopper Sparrow, as well as warblers such Yellow-rumped, American Redstart, and Palm. Eastern Towhee and Dark-eyed Junco might stay through the winter. Other sightings often include Blue-headed Vireo, Eastern Phoebe, Winter Wren, Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets, and Blue Grosbeak.
Gulls fly over from nearby Long Island Sound. Red-tailed Hawks hunt in the preserve year-round
