February Arrives
The transition from January into February is usually one without many colors, though this sunset on the final night of January was spectacular over the water. The pink glow from the sun below the horizon makes me think of everything from Valentine’s Day to the Northern Cardinal males beginning to sing in our yards on the warm and sunny days as they stake out their territories and sound out for mates, if they do not already have one. The same shade reminds me of the House Finch males that have also been calling out their cheery melodies frequently as of late. This January seemed to move...
Read MoreCommon Loons
Goodbye, October, and welcome to the last month of meteorological autumn. As the fall foliage finally fades into the background we welcome the waterfowl returning to our region. Common Loons (Gavia immer) are losing their brilliant breeding plumage and you will soon be able to find them at many locations along the coast, at inland lakes and reservoirs, swimming, preening and diving for food. Watch for them on Chautauqua Lake, a place that I have seen plenty. These are sizable and stout birds with dagger-like bills – ones you would not want to mess around with! November is a time to...
Read MoreFencing Removal Dates
We now have two waterbird string fencing and signage removal dates set by the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) for a couple of our beaches. The Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds – Audubon Connecticut and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History – would appreciate any volunteers who could help us out at these locations and times: Friday, August 14th at 10:30AM – Long Beach in Stratford Thursday, August 20th at 10:00AM – Sandy/Morse Points in West Haven Bluff Point’s fencing removal date will be announced...
Read MoreMunicipal Training
Here you can see Audubon Connecticut’s Important Bird Areas Coordinator Corrie Folsom-O’Keefe training a group of Connecticut municipal officials on what actions are required to improve nesting success for state and federally threatened waterbirds. The training session by the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds, Audubon Connecticut and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, also included a presentation by Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection biologist Laura Saucier. Photos by Audubon Connecticut Director of Bird Conservation Patrick...
Read MoreWaterbird Working Group Meeting
This past Monday the Southern New England‐Long Island Sound Waterbird Working Group annual meeting was convened for the first time since 2013. A couple dozen representatives from government agencies and NGOs from Maine to New York, including RTPI Conservation & Outreach Coordinator Scott Kruitbosch, met in Connecticut to discuss the last season and prepare for the coming nesting season both in person and via webinar. It takes an enormous group effort to protect and save some of our most threatened birds. Photo by Audubon Connecticut Director of Bird Conservation Patrick...
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