October 11, 2024—Good news to report from the Milford Point Coastal Center: For the second year in a row baby Piping Plovers were abundant, a testament to the support of Connecticut Audubon members and the diligence of the coastal rangers who watch over the nests.
Blog – 2018
More young Piping Plovers than ever fledged at Milford Point in 2024
Friday, October 11th, 2024Today’s Lights Out Alert includes tips for providing safe places for birds during migration
Thursday, October 10th, 2024October 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
Friday, October 4th, 2024October 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).
Thursday, October 3rd, 2024October 3, 2024—If black bears seem unusually hungry this time of year, it’s because they are. Blame hyperphagia.
Homegrown Habitat, September 2024: Sunflowers
Thursday, September 26th, 2024September 26, 2024—Sunflowers are among the most valuable native plants for habitat-oriented gardening. This genus, Helianthus, part of the Asteracea family, originated in North and South America. Between 50 and 70 species sunflower are native to North America.
Osprey Nation report shows 2024 was a good year in Connecticut but Ospreys had trouble elsewhere
Monday, November 18th, 2024November 18, 2024—Ospreys in Connecticut flourished in 2024. The successful nesting season shows that the local revival of these previously imperiled hawks continues, although with concerns about a more difficult season to the south.
An October afternoon on the eastern Sound with EcoTravel: don’t miss it!
Monday, September 9th, 2024September 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
Monday, September 9th, 2024September 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
Tuesday, August 20th, 2024August 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.
Homegrown Habitat, August 2024: Black and Red Elderberries
Monday, August 19th, 2024August 19, 2024—Whose garden can’t use a little zip by this time of the summer? These large shrubs are valuable additions to the native plant garden because they support so much wildlife. But their flowers and fruit are showy as well and, given the right locations, elderberries can add welcome interest to the mid-summer garden.
Homegrown Habitat, July 2024: Beebalms
Monday, July 22nd, 2024July 22, 2024 — During these steamy summer days hummingbirds are especially hopeful for the nourishing nectar in flowers that are suitable for them. The Monarda genus, in the mint family, contains many such flowering perennials, all of which attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, hummingbird moths and other moths, and several specialized bees.
Piping Plovers need help to survive, and they’re getting it at Milford Point
Thursday, July 18th, 2024July 18, 2024 — It’s starting to look like another outstanding season for the Piping Plovers that nest at Connecticut Audubon’s Milford Point Coastal Center. Thirteen pairs of Piping Plovers hatched babies at Milford Point, and 24 have fledged so far. A big part of the credit goes to the two coastal rangers, Matt Joyce and Johann Heupel.
In hot weather, fresh water for the birds in your backyard is essential
Tuesday, July 16th, 2024July 16, 2024 — Birds need cool water on hot days as much as you do. Do them a favor by giving them some in your backyard. Here’s why it’s important. and some Connecticut Audubon tips.
Purple Martins, thriving at 5 Connecticut Audubon locations, continue to make a comeback from the threatened list
Thursday, July 11th, 2024July 11, 2024 — Purple Martins are thriving this summer at 5 Connecticut Audubon locations — approximately 140 pairs are raising as many as 500 hatchlings. Most of the young birds are still in their nests, so it’s too soon to declare the season a total success. But as of now, it looks like these large swallows are continuing to make a comeback several years after their removal from the state’s threatened species list.
Advocates dig in with an eye toward next year after the 2024 General Assembly session in Hartford
Monday, July 8th, 2024July 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
Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024July 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.
Homegrown Habitat, June 2024: Sweetbay Magnolia
Monday, June 24th, 2024June 24, 2024—Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) is a lovely addition to the garden, with its two-to-three-inch, fragrant, white blooms occurring in May and June, followed by red seeds that many birds eat.
Migration Magic 2024: A Gallery of Great Shots from the Birdathon Photo Contest
Monday, June 24th, 2024June 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!
Congratulations to Jason Scavotto and Steven Jacqmin, winners of the 2024 Migration Magic Photo Contest
Thursday, June 13th, 2024Almost 60 Connecticut birders submitted 170 noteworthy entries in the 2024 Migration Magic Birdathon Photo Contest. Outstanding among them are the two winning photos: a Baltimore Oriole confronting a Blue Jay, taken by Jason Scavotto, and, in the Young Birder category, a Yellow-crowned Night Heron, by Steven Jacqmin.
Migration Magic 2024: A month of birding leads to great success for Connecticut’s birds. Announcing the Birdathon winners!
Tuesday, June 11th, 2024June 10, 2024—With almost 900 people participating and contributing $31,691 toward bird conservation in Connecticut, Migration Magic 2024 was a rousing success. Sixty Birdathon participants saw 239 species over the course of the month. During the Big Day alone, four Connecticut Audubon staffers saw 159 species. This year’s grand prize winner is 13-year-old Pavana Attonito of Darien.
