Drive in to Hartford along Interstate 91 and you will notice one of the cities most famous landmarks. No, I’m not talking about the historic Colt Armory or the State Capitol Building. I’m talking about the 140-foot-high mountain of trash better known as the Hartford Landfill.
Ask any Hartford resident about the landfill and they’ll usually have a strong opinion about it. Smelly, repulsive and unsightly is some of the choice words often used to describe it. Ask me and I’d say it’s quite breathtaking, literally!
Open since 1940, the Hartford Landfill is now closed to accepting garbage and waste. The city still owns the landfill and hopes to develop it into parkland one day. Future uses could include hiking trails, biking and birdwatching. To learn more about recent landfill proposals, please see here;
One of my favorite times to go birdwatching at the landfill is right after a significant snowfall. These are the ideal conditions to find large flocks of Snow Buntings and Horned Larks. The landfills snow covered landscape easily reveals the species whereabouts as they feed on exposed weeds. If you’re really fortunate, you might be able to pick out a Lapland Longspur or two.
While birding at the landfill, be alert for hawks. A small falcon called a Merlin is often spotted chasing the flocks of buntings and larks. When not in pursuit of birds, Merlin’s can sometimes be found resting on telephone poles at the northern end of the dump. Red-tailed Hawks are also found around the landfill; they are most likely to be seen hunting for small mammals.
To visit the landfill, take I-91 to exit 33, Jennings Road. From the north, at the end of the ramp, turn left onto Jennings Rd, then take a quick left onto Liebert Rd. From the south, at the end of the ramp, turn right onto Jennings Rd, then a quick left onto Liebert Rd. Liebert Rd. ends at the landfill.
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