LITCHFIELD – At the Woodbury Bird Sanctuary birds soar like the sounds of a symphony.

Ospreys and hawks and owls swoop and dive and glide. And now bird enthusiasts can take in those sights from the new Yellow Trail, which officially opened Saturday.

Approximately 45 people turned out to witness a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Yellow Trail.

“I think it’s a darn nice addition to the sanctuary,” said Paul Johnson, a sanctuary steward. “We’ve got a nice, balanced trail system here.”

“I think it’s great,” said Kathy Lawrence, president of the Stanton Bird Club. “It’s fantastic. It’s wonderful what they’ve done.” Susan Hayward, a member of the Stanton Bird Club, agreed. “I just think it’s so exciting,” she said. “It’s nice.”

Litchfield Conservation Commission members praised the project. “I think it’s excellent,” said commission member Carol Bailey. “A lot of time and effort was put into building it. It’s a place that’s fairly peaceful.”

Commission member Jackie Krupinsky agreed. “I’d say this is going to be a wonderful place for the people of Litchfield to come (and enjoy),” she said.

Commission member Terry Tracy echoed those sentiments. “I love the new trail,” she said. “It’s going to be well-used.”

Commission member Barbara Clements voiced enthusiasm for the new trail. “I think it’s great,” she said. “It’s designed to accommodate all levels of walkers. It’s really a nice design.” “It’s very peaceful,” Clements added.

Commission member Carol Smith alluded to the hard work of the conservation commission. “I think this is an amazing group,” she said.

About a year ago, the Litchfield Conservation Commission contacted sanctuary stewards Paul and Barbara Johnson and told them that the commission would like to help build a new trail.

Around this past April, Johnson and others flagged the new half-mile round trip Yellow Trail. Soon after, work commenced on building the new trail as the conservation commission provided volunteers from the town of Litchfield.

By mid-August the trail was complete with blazes and signs. The trail “really is fantastic,” Smith said. “You just walk away so refreshed.”

“It’s just super,” added commission member Nelly Gamage. Located on Pease Hill Road, the sanctuary has a total of 160 acres, with 150 acres in Monmouth and 10 acres in Litchfield. “It’s fun,” said Monmouth resident Lisa Sylvester. “I like birds.”

The vast majority of the new trail lies in Litchfield. The Stanton Bird Club owns Woodbury Bird Sanctuary. The club also owns Thorncrag Sanctuary in Lewiston.