West Rock has the birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and insects that one would expect to find in south central Connecticut. Park users are likely to hear these animals more than they see them because the animals can typically spot us and move away long before we see them. People who are alone are more likely to see animals than those in a group, which is naturally noisier. Many animals are active at night when the park is closed to users. As I encounter animals and take clear pictures, I will upload them to this website.
Remember that wildlife should be enjoyed at a distance. If the animal moves away, that is a sign you are too close. Dogs should be kept on a leash to keep them from chasing and otherwise harassing wildlife. Also remember that wild animals are wild and should be left at the park. In addition to being a park rule, it also is a good ecological practice. However, I do not think anyone will complain if you take home ticks with you!Birds
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A red-tailed hawk rests on a branch in February 2015 along the Red Trail,
as it ascends to the South Overlook. |
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| This peregrine falcon had a "scratch" (a falcon version of a nest) along the western cliffs overlooking Konolds Pond in November 2011. West Rock has a pair of nesting falcons, which nested in 2015 on top of the cliff and successfully had a baby. |
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| Three catbird eggs can be seen in this nest made from grape vines along the relocated section of the Red Trail by Farm Brook Reservoir, July 2015. |
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| Two baby catbirds nap in their nest along the relocated section of the Red Trail by Farm Brook Reservoir, July 2015. |
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| An adult catbird forages along the relocated section of the Red Trail, July 2015. Catbirds can easily be heard by their loud cries that sound a bit like cats. The image is fuzzy due to the long zoom combined with low light. |
A barred owl perches in a tree on the Red Trail north of Lake Wintergreen, Sept. 2017. The photo is a bit fuzzy due to the zoomed image taken near dusk.
A great blue heron rests in Lake Wintergreen in June 2020.
Amphibians
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| Pickerel frog, Red-White Trail near Farm Brook, Oct. 2015. They are the only known poisonous frog in the United States. Their skin can excrete a toxic that is mildly irritating to skin and mucous membranes. |
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American Toad, Red-White Trail near Farm Brook, Oct. 2015. These toads easily blend into the leaf litter, a good reason to stay on the trail. |
Redback salamanders are revealed after a rock is removed from the White Trail in April 2015. They were moved to safety off-trail where they could crawl under another rock. Remember that salamanders are wild animals and should not be collected as pets.
Reptiles
Redback salamanders are revealed after a rock is removed from the White Trail in April 2015. They were moved to safety off-trail where they could crawl under another rock. Remember that salamanders are wild animals and should not be collected as pets.
A box turtle suns itself along Baldwin Drive in summer 2014.
A box turtle suns itself along Baldwin Drive in summer 2014.
A black racer snake slithers along leaves near Baldwin Drive and the Regicides Trail, June 2018. Black racers are common snakes at West Rock. While they may startle hikers due to their quick movements to get away from people and their size of three feet or more in length, they are non-poisonous and harmless.
A black racer snake slithers along leaves near Baldwin Drive and the Regicides Trail, June 2018. Black racers are common snakes at West Rock. While they may startle hikers due to their quick movements to get away from people and their size of three feet or more in length, they are non-poisonous and harmless.
A garter snake slithers along the leaves east of Baldwin Drive on April 13, 2021. Garter snakes are common in Connecticut and like most snakes, are non-poisonous and harmless to people.
A garter snake slithers along the leaves east of Baldwin Drive on April 13, 2021. Garter snakes are common in Connecticut and like most snakes, are non-poisonous and harmless to people.
Insects
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| A monarch butterfly rests in an oak tree in the open field by the Hill Street parking lot, October 2015. The field has many milkweed plants, which provide food for the butterflies. |
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| A milkweed bug feeds on a milkweed pod in the open field by the Hill Street parking lot, October 2015. |
Mammals
Black Bear(s) at West Rock
Black bears are native animals that are becoming increasingly common in Connecticut. There are now reports of least one black bear at West Rock.
On June 26, 2020 around noon, while clearing invasive plants from Baldwin Drive along the stretch of road before the final switchback curve heading north, another volunteer and I spotted a black bear. About 300 feet up the road from us, we saw the bear come down the slope from the west, run up the road 100 feet away from us, and then cross back into the woods by the curve.
As we were driving down the road toward the entrance, I was in the lead and I saw a bear running down the road further down, and when it heard my car, it quickly scampered up the steep slope to the next road crossing. The bear moved so fast neither of us could get a photo. This was definitely a juvenile bear, about the size of a really large dog.
In all the time I have spent at West Rock, this is the first time I have seen a bear. This was a good example of where a bear wanted nothing to do with people and moved away quickly.
If you see a bear at West Rock, observe it from a distance and make noise if it approaches you. The state website for bear information has additional information, including a form for reporting a bear sighting, which I completed for this sighting: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Nuisance-Wildlife/Living-with-Black-Bears
Links about Animals
- Information about wildlife at West Rock may be found in an article entitled "Connecticut Wildlife: Biodiversity and Conservation Status of Our Vertebrate Populations." The article was written by Stephen P. Broker, who is a science educator, and a member of the Board of Directors for the West Rock Ridge Park Association. The article is published on the website of the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute. According to a statement from the website, "The Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute is an educational partnership between Yale University and the New Haven Public Schools designed to strengthen teaching and learning in local schools and, by example, in schools across the country." Article website: http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/2005/5/05.05.03.x.html
- The Menunketuck Audubon Society has an information page on West Rock: http://www.menunkatuck.org/index.php/birding_sites/west-rock-ridge-s-p
- If you have seen or heard a bird at West Rock and want help identifying it, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology has an extensive database organized by bird, including photos, sounds and videos: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/search.aspx.
- Birds of Prey in Connecticut: A Guide to Finding and Understanding Hawks, Eagles, Vultures and Owls, written by Gene Billings, was published in 1990 by Rainbow Press. In the short online previews available online, West Rock is found on 13 pages. I have no other information about this book, which may be purchased.
- The Bears Are Back: Getting to Know Connecticut Bears is a website about the return of black bears to Connecticut. The website is produced by the University of Connecticut and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Among the pages is a list of towns where bears have been sighted. None were reported in Hamden or New Haven in 2015. I have not heard of bears at West Rock, but it would not be surprising if they live there, or soon will be there, as they continue to expand their range. Website: http://clear3.uconn.edu/viewers/bears/ and http://www.cteco.uconn.edu/projects/bears/index.htm#storymap
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