Dear Friends, I write you today on behalf of our state’s Osprey population. Over the years, residents of Connecticut have been awestruck by the grace of these majestic raptors. The beautiful black and white Ospreys, which nest along our shorelines and catch fish in our waterways, are one of the state’s most iconic birds. This […]
Author Archive
Your Annual Gift Supports Osprey Nation
Friday, August 15th, 2014Connecticut Audubon Bird Finder: American Avocet
Monday, August 11th, 2014American Avocet
Recurvirostra americana
Where to find it: Over the past few weeks, an American Avocet has been seen sporadically in our Milford Point Coastal Center’s Wheeler Salt Marsh, and from the Birdseye Boat Ramp overlooking the Housatonic River in Stratford.
Rufous Hummingbird
Thursday, August 14th, 2014August 15, 2014. Rufous Hummingbird. Measuring in at 3-3/4 inches, this short winged, compact hummingbird could, depending on the plumage, be passed over as our more common Ruby-throated Hummingbird (photo on left is Rufous; photo in center is Ruby-throated).
Two Roads Brewing Donates Shore 2 the Pour Proceeds to Support Conservation
Friday, August 1st, 2014Brad Hittle, left, chief executive of Two Roads Brewing in Stratford, presents a check for $4,000 to Kaylee Weil, director of our Milford Point Coastal Center, and Connecticut Audubon President Alexander Brash. Two Roads generously made Connecticut Audubon Society the beneficiary of its Shore 2 the Pour Road Race in Stratford, on August 24, in […]
Connecticut Audubon Society Bird Finder for July 31: Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Thursday, July 31st, 2014Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Nyctanassa violacea
Where to find it: Yellow-crowned Night Herons are birds of marshes and wet meadows but are not widely distributed across the state. These waders live in or near our coastal wetlands and forage in tidal marshes, tide pools and along the shore of Long Island Sound where they feed on crustaceans, largely fiddler crabs.
Connecticut State of the Birds 2014: Habitat Change Threatens State Birds; Sound Conservation Management is Crucial to Recovery
Monday, July 28th, 2014Fairfield, July 28, 2014 — Connecticut’s wide diversity of bird species is diminishing and is at risk of continued declines as habitats throughout the state suffer from neglect caused by a lack of conservation management. That’s the key finding of Connecticut Audubon Society’s annual Connecticut State of the Birds report, released today at a news […]
Connecticut Audubon Society Bird Finder for July 17: Indigo Bunting
Thursday, July 17th, 2014Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
What it looks like: The males are a brilliant deep blue in spring and summer. Females and young birds are a chocolate brown. In fall during migration the males molt into the brown color but the oldest males will still retain a few blue feathers. Indigo Buntings are a little over five inches long, or similar in size to a goldfinch.
Tree Identification Workshop
Saturday, July 12th, 2014Saturday, July 12 from 10 – Noon Looking to develop or improve your Tree Identification skills? Join Connecticut Audubon Society naturalist, Dick Worth to learn the secrets to identifying local trees. This 2-hour “walking workshop” field class will take place in the Connecticut Audubon Society’s Larsen Sanctuary at the Center at Fairfield on Saturday, July […]
Connecticut Audubon Society Bird Finder for July 10: White-faced Ibis
Thursday, July 10th, 2014White-faced Ibis
Plegadis chihi
Where to find it: White-faced Ibis, an uncommon visitor to Connecticut’s coast this month, is a colonial nesting species, building its nest in low shrubs and bushes.
Connecticut Audubon Bird Finder for July 4: American Bittern
Thursday, July 3rd, 2014American Bittern
Botaurus lentiginosus
Where to find it: American Bitterns breed in a variety of freshwater marshes with tall vegetation, but are fairly localized and secretive inland-nesting birds in Connecticut. In summer, it’s possible to find them in any well vegetated marsh in Connecticut.
Last Chance to Sign Up for 2 Roads Brewery’s Shore-2-Pour Beach Race!
Thursday, June 26th, 2014Join Two Roads Brewery and the Connecticut Audubon Society for a Three-Mile Beach Run! Sunday, August 24, 2014 @ 10 a.m. – Short Beach, Stratford A portion of the proceeds will benefit bird habitat improvements at Stratford Point. The more runners who sign up, the more we get to keep Stratford Point beautiful, so REGISTER TODAY!
Crafting Your Nature Journal
Saturday, June 21st, 2014Saturday, June 21 from 10 – Noon This class has been canceled. Have you ever wanted to make your own journal? In this two-hour workshop, participants will explore simple techniques in bookbinding, collage, leaf rubbings, plant pressings, prints, and other decorative arts. Materials used to make a nature journal will include human-made items as well […]
Black Skimmer
Thursday, June 19th, 2014June 19, 2014 – Black Skimmer. A large, black and white, tern-like waterbird, the Black Skimmer has a distinctive large red bill. Typically skimmers fly low over the water with the lower mandible cutting the surface hoping to catch small fish. Skimmers are the only birds with the lower mandible longer than the upper. When at rest, they often group together on sand and gravel bars, their black backs and white underparts visible at long distances.
New Chair Campaign
Tuesday, June 17th, 2014Our chairs are too rustic for use! Want to help? Join our Chair Campaign and make a $35 tax deductible donation today! Kudos to the National Charity League Easton/Redding Area Chapter which kicked off our Chair Campagin with the donation of our first row of new chairs. Many thanks too, to the wonderful donors who purchased over 35 chairs at our Adirondack […]
Purple Martin Hatchlings at Sherwood Island
Friday, June 13th, 2014Purple Martins are among the at-risk bird species whose plight can be improved with well-planned bird houses, as we noted last year in our Connecticut State of the Birds 2013 report. Milan Bull, our senior director of science and education, has been working with Friends of Sherwood Island, in Westport, to establish a colony this […]
Connecticut Audubon Bird Finder for June 13: Common Yellowthroat
Thursday, June 12th, 2014Common Yellowthroat
Geothlypis trichas
What it looks/sounds like: The well-marked males have a bright yellow throat, and are dramatically masked like a thief, while the female and young are bright but non-descript yellowish warblers. That is to say, they have no distinct eye-rings, bars, stripes, or other significant marks.
National Trails Day Hike
Saturday, June 7th, 2014June 7, 2014 from 10:00am-11:30am Take a leisurely, guided 1.5 mile hike through the Connecticut Audubon Society’s Larsen Sanctuary and discover its temperate deciduous forest, ponds, garden marsh, meadow and swamp. We’ll explore several bird habitats and points of ecological interest and discuss efforts to conserve, protect, and enhance their habitats. The varied terrain is […]
News Release: SBM Charitable Foundation Supports Outdoor Science Education for 1,500 Students at Connecticut Audubon’s Center at Glastonbury
Friday, June 6th, 2014June 6, 2014 –Fifteen hundred elementary school students from Manchester and East Hartford participated in hands-on curriculum-based conservation science instruction at Connecticut Audubon Society’s Center at Glastonbury this spring, thanks to a grant from the SBM Charitable Foundation of Manchester. Through Connecticut Audubon’s flagship Science in Nature program, the students delved into conservation subjects such […]
Connecticut Audubon Bird Finder for June 6: Orchard Oriole
Thursday, June 5th, 2014Orchard Oriole
Icterus spurius
Where to find it: The Orchard Oriole is usually found in large trees or shrubs near water and in some cases in open areas with scattered trees and shrubs. Orchard Orioles return to Connecticut in early May and begin to migrate back to their wintering areas as early as mid-July. Connecticut Audubon Society’s Center at Pomfret has an increasing population of breeding Orchard Orioles.
Rock of Ages
Saturday, May 31st, 2014Saturday, May 31 from 10 – Noon Join teacher-naturalist, Dick Worth as he tests rocks and soils in the Connecticut Audubon Society’s Larsen Sanctuary. Learn about the geological history of the area and the importance of soil conservation. Participants will test locally found rocks using rock test kits to determine composition and will discuss the […]
