Connecticut Audubon Society at Bent of the River in Southbury, Connecticut

185 East Flat Hill Road, Southbury, Connecticut

About two hours north of where the people thrive in the concrete jungle that is New York City there is a preservation of about 15 acres where birds thrive and sing freely. The Connecticut Audubon Society is located at Bent of the River (185 East Flat Hill Road, Southbury, CT 0648). The Audubon Society helps to protect 4,500 acres of land in Connecticut, defends the states environmental laws, keeps a network of over 30 areas for birds state wide and links Connecticut to other important conservation programs world wide.

Bent of the River is a wonderful 650 acres of sanctuary that became part of the Connecticut Audubon Society in 1993. Bent of the River had belonged to Howard and Althea Clark after their acquisition of the land in 1934. Prior to that time the land was used as a farm land and even before that as Native American land. The name Bent of the River comes from the Native Americans who called it such because the river itself takes an unnatural turn creating an elbow like bend where nature may have "bent" it.

Since the land has been left alone and protected from the industry that has come in and out of Connecticut through the past hundred years the area at Bent of the River offers some amazing old trees, untouched ecosystems and homes to generations of birds. Some of the species that flourish most and have been most commonly tracked at The Connecticut Audubon Society at Bent at the River are the Blue Winged Warblers, Yellow Billed Cuckoo, American Woodcock, Indigo Bunting and Scarlet Tanager. There is also special consideration for the Common Raven, Red Shouldered Hawk and Northern Parulas who may nest one to two pairs in this area. Along with the local nesters there are several migratory species that visit Bent at the River due to the great food supply such as the Bald Eagle, Long Eared Owl and the Northern Saw-Whet.