Duck Day

LRWC’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, LRWC’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 2010 - Special Event Schedule - June 6,  10am - 4pm

11:00 am - Magic Show
This is when the magic happens!  Join in the fun as magician Jerry Hornak entertains guests of all ages.
 
12:00 pm - Retriever Demonstration
LRWC goes to the dogs, as Jennifer Broome of Quinebaug Kennels works her dogs on land and in water.  Enjoy a puppy demonstration, skilled retrievers and a chance for kids to participate and win prizes.
 
1:00 pm - The Swarming Behavior of Honey Bees
Catch the buzz with Emeritus Professor of Biology Alphonse Avitabile as he discusses and demonstrates the behaviors of our most important pollinating creatures.
 
2:00 pm - Adaptations of Birds
Discover the secrets of the avian world as LRWC Avian Director Ian Gereg presents the adaptations of birds.  Beaks, bones, feathers and eggs!
 
3:00 pm Audubon Sharon Birds of Prey
Get a bird’s-eye view from Erin O’Connell and the live raptors of Audubon Sharon during an informative presentation about Connecticut’s birds of prey.
    
3:30 pm - Final Rubber Duck Race
Cheer on the winning rubber ducks from earlier races as they navigate Butternut Brook in the final race for prizes.

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. 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.

 

Weekly Avian Update