Norfolk is a special place for observing birds, with more than 170 species documented. Because of its northerly position and its relatively high elevation, it has nesting populations of many northern species, such as blue-headed vireo and Canada warbler. Northern winter birds, such as evening grosbeak and red crossbill, are often present. And because of its large undeveloped areas—including intact forests, grasslands and isolated wetlands—many birds breed here, including oven birds, wood thrushes, bobolinks, ruffed grouse, loons and even (still rare) sandhill cranes.
Specific Norfolk locations that are good for birding include its three state parks (Campbell Falls, Dennis Hill and Haystack Mountain), the Norfolk Land Trust trails, Great Mountain Forest, the Wood Creek flood control area and Wood Creek Pond, and Kelly Swamp. Even in the village center, birds are abundant; 72 species were counted in one hour during the 2023 backyard bird count.
For information about these and other places, see a list of Norfolk’s many birding hot spots here, and for a downloadable checklist of Norfolk’s birds, created by the town conservation commission, click here.