Wildlife

It’s not a guarantee that you’ll see wildlife while on one of the Cornwall Conservation Trust’s trails, but here is some information about what you may encounter.

General Wildlife

DEEP

Connecticut DEEP Wildlife

A must to bookmark!

The Department of Energy & Environmental Protection’s Wildlife page hosts tons of information on the various wildlife in our area including wildlife and habitat management, as well as nuisance/distressed wildlife. This is also the site to report the bear or moose just spotted.

Connecticut Wildlife

Images and Information!

This website is designed to help identify wildlife encountered in Connecticut and to provide some basic and interesting information about the various creatures that live here.

birding

Cornwall is a hotspot for birding, and for birders! Visit our dedicated page for birders including information on specific birding hotspots via eBird.

An owl spotted on Rattlesnake Preserve. Photo by Barton Jones.

Great Horned Owl at Ballyhack Preserve. Photo by Lazlo Gyorsok.

bears

There is no doubt that if you spend enough time outdoors in Northwest Connecticut you will see a bear. Learn more about living with black bears.

March 21, 2021, video by Nita Colgate, via CornwallChronicle.org

View the winners from our Bear Challenge in 2014, a photo and art contest seeking bear images.

This local bear is distinguishable by its inoperable back leg and is tagged. Learn more about the meaning of bear tags in the article “Tag Tales” from the July 2021 issue of the Cornwall Chronicle.

Photos by John Leuba

“Living with Bears”, August 10, 2022, a presentation by The Cornwall Library and The Cornwall Association

Kyle Testerman, Wildlife Specialist with the CT Department of Environmental Protection, will educate us on the history of bears in the NW Corner and how we can be good bear neighbors. Learn about what kind of habitat they need, their population growth, what does DEEP do with “problem” bears, how can we diminish bear and human encounters, and more.

mink

Mink are a bit secretive and not seen too often here in Northwest Connecticut. Mink are similar to otters in their hunting habits.  They are good swimmers, and aquatic animals are a good portion of their diet.

This mink video was captured on one of CCT’s preserves by Alison Dutton in March 2021.

Lazlo Gyorsok captured this at Ballyhack Preserve in March 2023. Facebook comments were 50/50 as to whether is a mink or fisher cat.

bobcat

Bobcats are widely seen around these parts of northwestern Connecticut. Note the short tail.

Bobcat by Stuart Jones

A bobcat heading up Popple Swamp Road. Photo by Stuart Jones.

foxes, wolves, Coyotes

In March 2020 we asked the community to submit photos and stories of foxes, coyotes, and wolves. View the slideshow of submissions below.

moose

Moose sightings are increasing over the last 10 years. Visit the Connecticut DEEP fact sheet about moose.

This moose was spotted near Lake Road in Cornwall Hollow in early fall 2012.