Natural Selections

Check your eBird: New names announced today for scores of species, including some you know

October 22, 2024—eBird announced changes this morning to the names and taxonomy of scores of bird species, including half a dozen that are familiar locally. Bye bye, House Wren. Hello, Northern House Wren. (House Wren photo by Richard Stone)

3.8 million birds will be passing through Connecticut. Help them make it safely by turning your lights out. Then enjoy them while they’re here!

October 16, 2024—The weather pattern that has brought cool, clear, breezy days and nights to Connecticut is also bringing birds—an estimated 3.8 million between now and Saturday morning..

That’s great news for the birding community. It also means the birds that migrate at night—the vast majority of fall migrants—are at risk of being attracted by lights and crashing into buildings and other structures. (Photo of female Blackpoll Warbler)

Today’s Lights Out Alert includes tips for providing safe places for birds during migration

October 10, 2024—Tonight is shaping up to be the busiest songbird migration night of the fall. That means it’s a good night to make sure your outdoor lights are out. It might also mean that plenty of sparrows and warblers, as well as some interesting shorebirds, will be around on Friday morning as well.

Lights Out Alert for Saturday, October 5: 1.1 million birds predicted to migrate over Connecticut

October 4, 2024—One of the first big bird migration nights of the fall is coming. The Colorado State University Aeroeco lab predicts that 1.1 million birds will be flying over Connecticut on Saturday night, October 5. Turning out your outside lights at night is a small but effective action you can take to help protect birds. It’s worth doing every night but it’s especially important on nights of high migration.

They can’t help it: Connecticut’s black bears are just really hungry this time of year. Here are some ideas on what to do (and what not to do).

October 3, 2024—If black bears seem unusually hungry this time of year, it’s because they are. Blame hyperphagia.

An October afternoon on the eastern Sound with EcoTravel: don’t miss it!

September 9, 2024—There are a thousand interesting things to see on the eastern end of Long Island Sound, but it’s difficult to experience them unless you happen to own a boat. Or unless you make a date to head out with our EcoTravel team. They’re leading an afternoon cruise on Sunday, October 13.

Autumn Lights Out Alerts — Do Your Part to Help Birds Migrate Safely

September 9, 2024—Songbirds are migrating south through Connecticut, so now is a good time for a reminder to turn out your lights at night. That simple action can help save birds from crashing into houses and dying.

CT Audubon in the news: “You can change your gardens” to help Monarch butterflies

August 20, 2024—Alisha Milardo, director of Connecticut Audubon’s Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center in Old Lyme, appeared on Fox61 TV to talk about disappearing monarch butterflies and about Connecticut Audubon’s work to reduce pesticides.

Advocates dig in with an eye toward next year after the 2024 General Assembly session in Hartford

July 8, 2024 — It was a disappointing year for new conservation laws in the state. Connecticut Audubon members spoke out in big numbers in favor of a bill to strictly limit the use of pesticides, neonicotinoids in particular; and a bill to regulate rodenticides that can end up killing birds of prey.

To help protect a beach full of birds, the Coastal Center at Milford Point will be closed until July5

July 2, 2024—To keep the Piping Plovers and the nesting American Oystercatchers safe during Fourth of July, we will lock the Coastal Center gates at 10 a.m. today (Tuesday, July 2), and reopen them at sunrise on Friday, July 5. The Fourth of July draws far too many people than is safe for the Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers that nest on the beach and sandspit.

Migration Magic 2024: A Gallery of Great Shots from the Birdathon Photo Contest

June 24, 2024—There were so many great photos submitted for the Migration Magic 2024 Birdathon Photo Contest that we decided to post at least one photo from every photographer. You can view the contest winners and honorable mentions on the Photo Contest page. Enjoy! And thank you to all the photographers!

Daily Bird 2024: Canada Warbler

May 24, 2024—The Canada Warbler, with its distinctive black necklace, is a sought-after bird for many birders. Listen for a clear “chip” note followed by an explosive series of short notes often ending in a three-note phrase—a key identifier when searching for this species.

Daily Bird 2024: Eastern Whip-poor-will

May 13, 2024 — The first bird of the Migration Magic Big Day was Eastern Whip-poor-will, which the Connecticut Audubon team heard calling at 4:12 a.m.in Meshomasic State Forest, just east of the Connecticut River. It was not a random observation. Whip-poor-wills have become scarce enough in Connecticut that hearing one requires some planning.

Lights Out Alert for Monday, May 13, and Tuesday, May 14

May 13, 2024—Two of the busiest nights of spring bird migration are upon us, so please make a point of turning out your exterior lights tonight and tomorrow — Monday, May 13, and Tuesday, May 14. Radar predictions from the Colorado State University AeroEco Lab show that about half a million migrating birds will be flying over and into the state each night.

Migration Magic Big Day 2024

Four of Connecticut Audubon’s most energetic birders have thrown down a challenge. They’re banding together for a Migration Magic “Big Day” on Monday, May 13. Their goal is to see at least 150 species in 16 consecutive hours of birding. Their challenge is for you and all of us to support them by making a per-bird pledge! 

Daily Bird 2024: Worm-eating Warbler

May 8, 2024—You’re likely to find Worm-eating Warblers in numerous locations during May migration, making it a good species to add to your Migration Magic Birdathon checklist. Connecticut Audubon staffers Deb Eccleston and Stefan Martin saw them at our Birdcraft Sanctuary in Fairfield for several days in a row this month. Seven were reported from Nehantic State Forest in Lyme just yesterday and two days ago a birder reported 13 at West Rock Ridge State Park in New Haven.

3 Connecticut Audubon Centers are competing against each other in the Birdathon. Show your support!

May 6, 2024—Three of Connecticut Audubon’s centers are participating in Migration Magic in a new way. They’re competing against each other in the Birdathon to see how many species they can find on their sanctuaries during May. It’s the Center at Pomfret vs. the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center vs. the Coastal Center at Milford Point.

Lights Out: High Alert!

May 6, 2024 — The next three nights look like they will be big bird migration nights, so please turn out your lights to help prevent those birds from crashing into windows.

Connecticut Bird Chaser #2: May 5, 2024

A newsletter for Migration Magic Birdathon participants & donors. Notes today on Birdathon FOMO, the big week ahead, and Monday’s eBird webinar.

Connecticut Bird Chaser #1: May 2, 2024

A newsletter for Migration Magic Birdathon participants & donors. Notes today on an upcoming eBird tutorial, early results, and bird walks

Daily Bird 2024: Great Egret

May 1, 2024 — A stately figure found in wetlands, lakes, and marshes, the Great Egret is a prominent sight during spring migration and through the breeding season. In winter, these birds journey as far south as the southern tip of Central America.

Lights Out Alert for Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27

April 26, 2024—The first big wave of spring bird migration is upon us. Forecasts show that 249,000 birds are expected to be passing over Connecticut tonight, and 453,000 tomorrow night. Please make sure you turn out your lights tonight and tomorrow night to help prevent birds from getting killed.

Daily Bird 2024: Palm Warbler

April 17, 2024—If you wait until May to look for the delightful Palm Warbler in Connecticut, you might miss your chance. This early migrant is on the move now.

Daily Bird Northern Flicker 2024

April 15, 2024—Northern Flickers aren’t your typical woodpeckers. These handsome birds are just as likely to be hopping on your lawn, searching for ants and grubs, as they are hammering a tree. Their flashy white rump and bright yellow wing feathers make them easy to spot in flight. This is the time of year when Northern Flickers are perhaps most noticeable, because of their loud call.

Daily Bird 2024: Northern Gannet

April 8, 2024—The reports of Northern Gannets flying over Long Island Sound last week were enough to make a desk-bound birder envious. Frank Mantlik, a member of the regional board of Connecticut Audubon’s Milford Point Coastal Center, and Stefan Martin, conservation manager, were among the many birders who knew enough to look for them from the state’s beaches following the mid-week storm. Here’s a report.

Flaco’s death underscores the importance of rodenticide controls in Connecticut; a new bill would regulate the rat poisons found in the eagle-owl’s body

March 26, 2024—Flaco, the Eurasian Eagle-Owl that escaped from the Central Park Zoo a year ago and died in February, had been poisoned with four different rodenticides. The news underscores the critical importance in Connecticut of passing a new state law to strictly regulate the kind of rat poisons that contributed to Flaco’s death—second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides.

Look what landed on the Milford Point Osprey Platform!

Connecticut Audubon Board member George Amato was birding at the Milford Point Coastal Center on Wednesday afternoon, March 13, witnessed this, and let Stefan Martin, our conservation manager know. Stefan quickly pressed record on the Osprey Cam — here it is: 2 minutes of an immature Bald Eagle, in beautiful close-up.

“Find (and Photograph) More Birds” — Heather Wolf and the Young, Gifted & Wild About Birds season finale

Join Heather Wolf as she talks about her latest book Find More Birds: 111 Surprising Ways to Spot Birds Wherever You Are.  Heather will share tips on bird-finding close to home and beyond, as well as ways to witness more of the fascinating bird behaviors and drama we all want to see! Thursday, March 28, 2024, 7-8 p.m. via Zoom.

Testimony of The Connecticut Audubon Society regarding “An Act Concerning the Use of Neonicotinoids,” S.B. 190

Friday, March 8, 2024 — Connecticut Audubon Executive Director Joyce Leiz is testifying in Hartford today on a proposal to regulate a dangerous class of pesticides called neonicotinoids.

“Trouble on the Beach: Intruders at Nature Preserves are Driving Away Vulnerable Birds” — Young, Gifted & Wild About Birds

March 1, 2024 — The 2023 season was a good one for Connecticut’s most vulnerable beach-nesting birds, American Oystercatchers and Least Terns. Or it least it looked to be so at the start. Coastal rangers were diligent in their patrols, and a streak of good luck kept coastal storms away. Yet one persistent problem counter-acted the success. Throughout the season human visitors and their pets intruded on the roped-off beach areas where these species nest.

Observing an owl? Here’s what to do to keep you and the owl safe.

Follow these three basic rules no matter which owl — Barred, Snowy, Northern Saw-whet, etc. (borrowed from Project SNOWStorm)

Keep your distance
Respect private property
Don’t feed an owl, ever.

Bird Finder Revisited: Greater White-fronted Goose

February 22, 2024 — Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) is a rare but regular visitor to Connecticut in winter. Over the last month or so, birders have been observing one at Crosby Pond in Orange and 9th District Road in Somers.

“Pesticides in Connecticut—Protecting our Birds and Bees,” a free program February 27 in New Milford

February 20, 2024 — The risks that pesticides and rodenticides pose to birds, pollinators and people will be the topic of a program at the New Milford Public Library on Tuesday, February 27, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Joyce Leiz, executive director of the Connecticut Audubon Society, will be among the program’s speakers.

The Mystery and Magnificence of the Snowy Owl

January 21, 2024—Every few years the world of winter birding in southern New England is electrified by the arrival of Snowy Owls from the Arctic. These amazing birds have been studied extensively in recent years by the team of scientists at Project SNOWstorm, including Rebecca McCabe. Join us for her program, via Zoom, on Thursday, January 25, 7-8 p.m. The cost is $9 for Connecticut Audubon members or $12 for non-members.

“The Glass Wall: Making Connecticut’s Buildings Safer for Birds” — a Young, Gifted & Wild About Birds presentation, Thursday, January 18

January 13, 2024 — Young, Gifted & Wild About Birds 2024 starts Thursday at 7 p.m. with a Zoom presentation by Viveca Morris and Meredith Barges about how to make buildings safer for birds. We’ve titled their presentation, “The Glass Wall: Making Connecticut’s Buildings Safer for Birds.” If you’re interested in birds and conservation, you won’t want to miss it.

Lights Out alerts for Saturday, Sunday and Monday

September 30, 2023 — An estimated 930,000 birds will be migrating over and through Connecticut tonight, 1.1 million tomorrow night, and and 570,000 Monday night. That means we’re in for three pretty good days of birding. But it also means that a lot of birds are at risk of crashing into things. Please help protect migrating birds by turning your lights out each of the next three nights.

It’s a good night to help protect migrating birds by turning exterior lights out.

September 27, 2023 — Tonight is a “medium” alert night for bird migration. But “medium” is not nothing; 424,000 birds will be passing over and through Connecticut, as this map produced by Colorado State University’s Aeroeco lab shows. So it’s a good night to help protect those migrating birds by turning out exterior lights

Rare bird alert: Once again, a Roseate Spoonbill visits Connecticut and the Milford Point Coastal Center

August 25, 2023 — For the fourth time in six years, a Roseate Spoonbill is visiting Connecticut.

Catch up with these conservation stories in the Connecticut news media

August 10, 2023 — It has been a good summer for bird conservation, and that has caught the attention of editors and reporters throughout Connecticut.

Tips to help protect shorebirds if you visit Milford Point

Late summer and early fall are great times to go birding at the Milford Point Coastal Center. But because Milford Point is first and foremost a nature preserve, we ask that you enjoy the birds without disturbing them, especially on the sand spit.

It looks like maybe another peak year for Connecticut’s Ospreys, but Osprey Nation needs your help to confirm that

July 10, 2023 — Halfway through the 10th season of Connecticut Audubon’s Osprey Nation monitoring program all indications are that 2023 will be close to another peak year for these fish-eating raptors. Osprey Nation volunteers have mapped information for 480 active nests in 2023.

Protecting the Milford Point birds over 4th of July weekend

June 29, 2023 — We will be locking the gate to the Milford Point Coastal Center parking lot over the Fourth of July weekend to help protect the nesting birds. We know this might be inconvenient if you were hoping to spend part of the weekend birding there. But holiday weekends draw far too many non-birders than is safe for the Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers that nest there. When you include the added disturbance caused by fireworks, it’s a potential disaster for the birds.