Red bearberry is an unusual evergreen ground cover that solves many garden problems with beauty and flair—if it’s in the right location. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is named for its gustatory appeal to bears, but other wildlife, including birds, also eat its red fruit in fall and winter. (Don’t worry about attracting bears with this plant, unless they are already regular visitors.) Other common names include kinnikinick, bear’s grape, hog craneberry, and sandberry.
Blog – 2018
Homegrown Habitat, November 2024: Red Bearberry
Wednesday, November 20th, 2024News Release: Osprey Nation 2024—A Good Year for Ospreys In Connecticut but Trouble Looms to the South
Tuesday, November 19th, 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.
Connecticut Audubon members choose a new Vice Chair and a new Board member
Monday, October 28th, 2024October 28, 2024—At Connecticut Audubon’s 2024 Annual Meeting, held at the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center in Old Lyme on Saturday, October 26, members elected a new Board member and four members of the Board’s Executive Committee, including a new Vice Chair.
The 2024 Dave Engelman Volunteer Benchmark Award Winner: Christina Clayton
Sunday, October 27th, 2024October 27, 2024—The Connecticut Audubon Society recognized the long and effective work of Board member Christina Clayton by presenting her with the 2024 Dave Engelman Volunteer Benchmark Award, at the organization’s annual meeting on Saturday, October 26, at the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center in Old Lyme.
Check your eBird: New names announced today for scores of species, including some you know
Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024October 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)
Homegrown Habitat, October 2024: Hornbeam
Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024October 22, 2024—Hornbeam, also known as musclewood, ironwood, and blue beech, is a graceful, slow-growing tree with multiseason interest and suitability for almost any garden. This adaptable small tree is native across a large swath of Canada, the Eastern United States, and as far south as Central America. Its westward reach in the U.S. is to just west of the Mississippi River.
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!
Wednesday, October 16th, 2024October 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)
Millions of birds will be migrating all weekend. You can help them by turning out your lights
Saturday, October 12th, 2024October 12, 2024—The bird migration predictions for the next three nights are an interesting mix: high, medium, low and none. But the bottom line is simple: 1.4 million birds will be migrating across Connecticut. Our advice is to keep it simple. Turn your lights out each night, from at least 11 p.m to 6 a.m. (Yellow-rumped Warbler photo by Gilles Carter.)
Today’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.
More young Piping Plovers than ever fledged at Milford Point in 2024
Friday, October 11th, 2024October 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.
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.
