August 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.
Blog – 2018
Homegrown Habitat, August 2024: Black and Red Elderberries
Monday, August 19th, 2024Homegrown 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.
Daily Bird 2024: Canada Warbler
Friday, May 24th, 2024May 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.
Going birding this weekend? Help protect the shorebirds by giving them plenty of room.
Thursday, May 23rd, 2024May 23, 2024—There’s plenty of good birding left in Connecticut during spring migration, and of course the Migration Magic Birdathon runs through May 31. If you’re planning to look for birds at the Milford Point Coastal Center over Memorial Day weekend, please time your visit to avoid the sandbar at high tide.
Homegrown Habitat, May 2024: Eastern Red Columbine
Tuesday, May 21st, 2024May 21, 2024— What better way to celebrate this floriferous time of year than to plant the fascinating, bird-friendly Eastern red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)? You can join the welcome party that columbine throws for the beloved ruby-throated hummingbirds: just as the tiny migrants return from their winter sojourn in Central America, columbine unfurls its brilliant red and yellow tubular petals full of sweet nectar.
Lights Out Alert for May 21 and May 22
Tuesday, May 21st, 2024May 21, 2024—Connecticut is on High Alert again for the next two nights as an estimated 700,000 birds will be migrating through the state tonight and tomorrow night. A High Alert notice from the Colorado State University Aeroeco Lab means it’s a good idea to turn out your exterior lights at night. Birds migrate at night and they are often killed or injured when they crash into buildings after being drawn by outdoor lights.
Halfway through the 2024 Migration Magic Birdathon, here are the leaders
Friday, May 17th, 2024May 17, 2024 — Sixteen days of the month-long Migration Magic Birdathon have gone by. Numbers have started to add up and we’re happy to post the leaders, below.
Daily Bird 2024: Eastern Whip-poor-will
Monday, May 13th, 2024May 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
Monday, May 13th, 2024May 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.
Connecticut Bird Chaser #3: May 11, 2024
Saturday, May 11th, 2024An occasional newsletter for Migration Magic Birdathon Participants and Donors. Notes today on Mondya’s Big Day, Birdathon totals so far, and birds no one has reported yet
Fine Art photo exhibition and sale for the benefit of the Stratford Point preserve, Saturday, May 18
Friday, May 10th, 2024You’re Invited to an Exhibition and Sale of Fine Art Photography: The Beauty of Birds Featuring the photographs of Robyn Charmel Join us for a celebration of avian beauty as we showcase the work of Robyn Charmel, a passionate wildlife photographer based in Connecticut. With over a decade of dedication to her craft, Robyn has […]
