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HIKING
LARSEN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
FAIRFIELD, CT
APRIL 27, 2023
10:00 AM
The Larsen Sanctuary is owned and run by the Connecticut Audubon Society and was a gift from Roy and Margot Larsen in the early 1960s after the construction of I-95 eliminated about half of Audubon’s sanctuary in coastal Fairfield. It consists of 155 acres of varied terrain with little elevation change, several ponds and streams and very well maintained trails. We will be hiking about 3 miles which we should complete in about two hours as there will be many places to stop and observe wildlife. What you say, “wildlife on a DMA hike?” yes indeed there is here. We saw birds, turtles, a snake and an active beaver pond during our pre-hike. There is a pair of nesting Barred Owls on the property and the center also has a birds of prey compound which we may be able to see as well. This should be a terrific hike!
The Sanctuary is located at 2325 Burr Street in Fairfield which is north of the Merritt Parkway. Google “Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary”. There is plenty of parking, a nature store and bathrooms. NO DOGS permitted on this hike but please bring spouses and/or friends!
There will be NO LUNCH after this hike so that hikers will also be able to attend the Current Affairs meeting at 2:00 that afternoon.
PS-The director of the Fairfield region of Connecticut Audubon is Amy Barnouw, the daughter of John Schlachtenhaufen, who guided us on our pre-hike! Thank you Amy!
Trip report:
The forecast for today was occasional showers with a probability of rain of about 50% during the hike two hour window of 10-12 am. However, at about 8:30 the skies opened up in Darien which apparently had a sobering effect on many DMAers desire to hike. Your hiking captains, Robert and Dave, were not deterred and headed up to Fairfield ready to push ahead.
As it turned out, five other DMAers were not deterred either and the seven of us set out pretty much on schedule to tour the spectacular Sanctuary. The weather was just fine for a hike, cool but no rain. We set out on the main trail and detoured for a one mile trip through Deer Meadow (no deer!) before resuming on the main path which then took us past two beaver ponds and into the forest of giant trees and many streams and ponds. We hiked 3.2 miles in under 2 hours.
The overcast weather kept more than hikers inside, most wildlife stayed away too! We did see two Canada Geese, a few birds and a squirrel. Thanks to all who turned out!
The next hike is scheduled for Monday June 5 at a site TBD. We will hope for a better forecast!
Dave McCollum
Robert Plunkett
May 12, at 10 a.m. Visit to the “New” Bruce Museum, Greenwich.
Organized by Jan Selkowitz, the trip to the Bruce Museum is scheduled for Friday May 12. It has been fully booked since the second day announced. We do have a waitlist. The group will meet at the museum at 10 a.m. where admission stickers will be distributed. We can wander around the museum until 11 a.m. when we meet our docents who will accompany us to several exhibits. At noon we will gather for lunch in a private conference room. Since the trip to the Bruce is short, people can drive alone or arrange to carpool with others.
The “new” Bruce Museum has just reopened after a major $60 million addition and renovation. This should be a fine outing to a local treasure. Jan Selkowitz: jankarlselkowitz@gmail.com
Your host: Jan Selkowitz
Your host: David Mace
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The Wanderers first Spring Wandering is upon us. This Thursday March 30 we head to Torrington in the Naugatuck Valley. This area was one of the industrial hubs that helped to create Connecticut’s initial prosperity and is now a modern scenic venue.
Travel to Torrington will be by carpool from the DCA (274 Middlesex Road, Darien) leaving at 8:30 am. Please arrive at the DCA some minutes before. The ride is approximately 75 minutes up Rte. 8 off the Merritt Parkway. All are welcome.
The DMA’s annual spring picnic at Weed Beach is scheduled for Wednesday, June 15 (Thursday, June 16 in the event of inclement weather). A sign-up sheet for the picnic will again be available at this coming Wednesday’s general meeting at the DCA; the cost will be $40 per person. Please contact Alex Garnett if you are willing to assist with the preparations and/or clean-up.
DMA members can also confirm their plans to attend with Jan Selkowitz or Alex Garnett by email. Members should either deliver their checks in person at the DCA or mail them to the Darien Men’s Association, c/o the Darien Community Association, attn.: Marilyn DeMaio, 274 Middlesex Road, Darien, CT 06820 (and email Jan or Alex that you have done so).
Frank DeLeo will have a sign-up sheet at this week’s Wednesday meeting for the Long Island Boat Trip he has organized for May 30. It is limited to 40 people, and the list is filling up fast. Please bring your checkbook and pay when signing up. The fee is $40 per person. We will cruise the Sound along with two docents to help us better understand the Sound’s history and eco-system.
Date. April 26
Cost. $30.00
Location . St Luke’s Church Darien auxiliary building behind the church
Time. 6.30-9.00
Horsd’oeuvres and beverages will be served at 6.30 and the music will begin at 7.30
Caterer. M Joseph
The event will be lead by 5 musicians from the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra. The theme will be music from well known movies.
We will have a sign up list beginning next Wednesday at the DMA meeting. You can also sign up by contacting Bob McGroaty or Jan Selkowitz.
On March 21 we will be going to the Cloisters Museum, which is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art . The Cloisters is located in upper Manhattan. The museum specializes in European Medieval art and architecture and has views of the Hudson River. It has great tapestries and gardens. We will car pool from the DCA at 9.30 . A docent will meet us at 11.30. After our time at the museum we will have lunch at a nearby restaurant. We currently have a waiting list which usually opens up. The museum cost is $30.00. Please contact John Bassler or Jan Selkowitz if interested.