RWA’s Sugarloaf Recreation Area, North Guilford

Regional Water Authority’s (RWA) Sugarloaf Recreation Area is situated in a forested, lightly-developed area in North Guilford. The recreation area offers approximately 5 miles of trails ranging from old woodland roads to steep scrambles. The forested habitats include stands of white pine and Norway spruce, sugar maples, stands of deadwood, wetlands, vernal pools and forest clearings full of brambles and understory that provide excellent year-round habitats for woodland birds, and a good stopping-off spot for migrants.

Common sightings include screech owl, pileated woodpecker, wild turkey, worm-eating warbler, ovenbird, brown creeper, and various other types of warblers, vireos and thrushes.

Sugarloaf Recreation Area is located off West Street in North Guilford. The parking area can be accessed from North Branford/Guilford by taking County Road north from Rte 80, then bearing left on West Street. The parking area will be on the right after about 2 miles. From Rte 77 in Guilford,follow Hemlock Avenue. Bear right at the top of the hill onto Great Hill Rd and make the first left onto Beaver Head Rd. Follow Beaver Head Rd to the end, and turn left on West Street.

The parking area will be on the left. Please note that access to RWA recreation areas requires a recreation permit. To obtain a recreation permit, contact RWA at www.rwater.com/recreation or 203-401-2654.

Have a look at the field trips section of the newsletter for an upcoming walk at Sugarloaf (using Menunkatuck’s group permit; individual permit not required for the walk). And check back with us after the walk at www.menunkatuck.org for photos and a list of sightings.

Submitted by Nina Levenduski