The Conservancy’s annual open house, Duck Day, is a family oriented event which includes an array of educational, entertaining, and memorable events.  Established in 2006, Duck Day is an opportunity for visitors to learn about our research, conservation, and education programs.  Throughout the day, the Conservancy’s rearing barn and several aviaries are open to attendees interested in learning about our captive waterfowl collection and breeding program.  Participants can visit numerous booths and exhibits provided by wildlife and conservation organizations, artists, carvers, and photographers.  Special event programs have included birds of prey demonstrations, exhibitions of canine retriever skills, puppet shows, and a rubber duck race fundraiser for outdoor-oriented prizes.

Duck Day is supported through generous donations from our membership, which allow us to offer the event free to the public.  With an average annual attendance of over five hundred visitors, the day is quickly becoming an annual ‘must do’ in Litchfield for those interested in wildlife, the outdoors, and of course, having a great time! 

Interested in supporting or participating in Duck Day?  Please contact us for more information. We look forward to hearing from you!

DUCK DAY 2009

The sky was blue, the air was warm, and the LRWC’s fourth annual Duck Day experienced record attendance.  Over 1,000 people attended the festivities.   Special events included the always popular puppet show by renowned puppeteer Jim Napolitano and a live demonstration of canine retrieving ability conducted by Larry Hindman of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.  We had several new attractions this year, including an amazing display of swarming honey bees by Alphonse Avitabile, which was featured the next day on the front page of the local paper.  The Audubon Sharon exhibit drew a standing-room-only crowd for Erin O’Connell’s program featuring Connecticut’s birds of prey.  Our new waterfowl coloring booth was packed with kids, producing 150 crayon masterpieces which covered the tent wall by the end of the day. 

Duck Day was filled with hands-on educational and fun activities related to waterfowl, wildlife, and habitat conservation.  The LRWC’s rearing barn and aviaries were open to attendees interested in learning about our captive waterfowl collection and breeding program.  Exhibiting organizations included Ducks Unlimited, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Connecticut Waterfowlers Association, Litchfield Hills Audubon Society, White Memorial Conservation Center, and several wildlife carvers and artists.   The day was full of sunny dispositions and smiling faces, and even the exhibitors got into the spirit of things by donating several items for giveaways to the crowd during the day. 

We would like to thank our dedicated volunteers for their indispensable assistance which produced a highly successful Duck Day, and our presenters and exhibitors for their time and effort in making the event fun and educational for all.