The Big Dipper
Can you spot the Big Dipper just above the horizon between the trees? It can be hard to believe in the midsummer heat but birds are already migrating south for the winter both during the day (various swallows to Eastern Kingbirds to Blue-gray Gnatcatchers) and the night (Red-eyed Vireos to Indigo Buntings to Black-billed Cuckoos). Those nocturnal species use various methods to help them move around our planet – some may use a coastline, others the Earth’s magnetic field, and like people, certain birds gaze at the stars. Various species take in the night sky as a map, just as we...
Read MoreStarry Sky
It can be very difficult to see many of the stars or much of the night sky in many parts of Connecticut with far too much light pollution surrounding us, but I liked this view from last night. Orion can be seen well to the lower left of center. Birds use the North Star, or Polaris at the moment, during migratory flights as it is in a fixed position. Thankfully it can be seen regardless for the millions upon millions of birds that will be moving up our coast soon. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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