Photo Essay: Birds and More at the Former CCW Property

If you haven’t visited the former Country Club of Woodbridge property recently, I encourage you to go and see it for yourself. It’s a breathtaking stretch of open space — over 150 acres — right here in town. With winding paths, mature trees, a large pond, wildflowers, and abundant bird life, the land has quietly become one of Woodbridge’s greatest natural assets. Whether you're into birdwatching, walking, or simply enjoying quiet time in nature, this is a place worth exploring.

I’ve lived in Woodbridge for 28 years and served as a volunteer for many of these years. First as an appointed member of the Library Commission, and most recently on the Recreation Commission. When the Town purchased the Woodbridge Country Club as it was going out of business in 2009, First Selectman Ed Sheehy provided the leadership to make this happen. I still remember that night we gathered in the Amity auditorium to stand up and vote to approve this purchase.

The idea expressed then was to preserve the land as open space and help defray the costs by having some revenue come in. Initially, this meant continuing to operate the existing golf course. I was asked by Ed Sheehy to serve on the new commission that would oversee golf operation, the Country Club of Woodbridge Commission. But after about four years on this commission, it was becoming clear that golf operation would not be able to continue — despite the management company’s best efforts, as the course aged there was just too much capital cost required for taxpayers to continue footing the bills. Some years after I left the commission, the clubhouse and pool were also shut.

Fast forward to 2025. What remains is no longer a manicured golf course, but something much better: a rewilded, serene landscape that has been reclaimed by nature. Fairways have transformed into meadows and forest edges. Wildlife has returned in abundance. It’s a paradise for those willing to slow down and look.

A few weeks ago, my daughter and I visited the property for a birding walk. We had a fantastic time, identifying 13 bird species. We used the eBird app to log our sightings and Merlin Bird ID to help identify calls of birds we didn’t see. The highlight of the day was spotting an Indigo Bunting — a strikingly beautiful bird we hadn’t seen in years. We also saw Red-winged Blackbirds, American Goldfinches, a Baltimore Oriole, and Northern Mockingbirds, among others.

The experience inspired me to return this weekend with my camera, hoping to get a photo of the Indigo Bunting. I found it again, perched in a shaded tree, but the lighting wasn’t ideal for a clear image. I waited quietly, hoping it would reappear, but eventually lost track of it. I spent the next hour walking the property, and even without the perfect photo, the outing was a reward in itself — lush, peaceful, and full of life.

Midday isn’t ideal for birding, so I didn’t see as many birds that day. But I did help a painted turtle safely back to the pond and photographed wildflowers, hickory trees, and other plants. Below are a few of my photos, along with a list of the flora and fauna I documented.

This land is a gift — one we should protect. As many of you know, the CCW master plan includes potential development scenarios, ranging from 35 to 350 houses. I don’t mind telling you, my vote will be no. I believe this place is a rare piece of paradise we cannot afford to lose.

I'm not a professional naturalist, but I do my best to identify what I see using online research. Here are some notes for each photo that describe what I found on this visit:

1. Ironweed

2. Cattail

3. Painted turtle

4. Purple loosestrife (invasive)

5. Cedar waxwing (small, middle-right in photo)

6. Trees and meadow

7. Sledding hill and a natural path likely made by deer

8. Hickory tree

9. Japanese dogwood (invasive)

Editor’s Note: An essay last fall recounted an early morning Bird Walk on the former CCW property organized by members of the New Haven Bird Club — visit the TownHistory.org website to read more.

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