February 8, 2010 — When Rough-legged Hawks leave their tundra breeding grounds, they look for areas with the most abundant food source. In Connecticut this mean marshes and open fields. In recent days, Rough-winged Hawk has been seen in Tolland, Madison and Mansfield, with other scattered sightings reported over the last month.
Blog – 2018
Daily Bird: Rough-legged Hawk
Monday, February 8th, 2021The pelican rescued in Connecticut is rehabbing in Florida
Friday, February 5th, 2021February 5, 2021 — The injured Brown Pelican rescued last week from the Connecticut River has made it safely to a wildlife rehabilitation center in Florida, where it is being treated for pneumonia and a touch of frostbite but is otherwise doing well.
Keeping bears away from your bird feeder
Friday, March 26th, 2021March 26, 2021 — It was cold enough through the winter for bears in Connecticut to lie low. But with warmer weather, they’ll revive. And they’ll be hungry, which can be a problem for people who love to feed birds in their yard.
“Robby. Is that you?”
Thursday, February 4th, 2021February 4, 2021 — Charles Lautier, a resident of Stratford who has been a Connecticut Audubon member for several years, sent us this anecdote about a neighborhood American Robin. Food connects us to other humans; in Charles’s yard, one of the simplest foods — peanut butter — helped create a surprising and charming human-avian connection.
Daily Bird: Northern Shrike
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021February 3, 2021 — This is the rare passerine, or songbird, that actually preys on rodents and other birds. It and its close relative the Loggerhead Shrike are the only two in North America to do that.
Early birds get the mate
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021February 2, 2020 — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s North Atlantic-Appalachian region celebrated Groundhog Day by interviewing Connecticut Audubon Executive Director Patrick Comins about actual signs that spring is on its way. Their blog post, published this morning, is here. We thank them for permission to use it on Natural Selections. Enjoy, puns and all!
Superb Owl is On! Join us via Zoom on Super Bowl Sunday
Monday, February 1st, 2021February 1, 2021 — Our popular Super Bowl Sunday Live Owl event with Horizon Wings is here, virtually! Join Mary-Beth Kaeser of Horizon Wings as she introduces you to several local owl species.
Daily Bird: Northern Harrier
Monday, February 1st, 2021February 1, 2020 — The Northern Harrier is a hawk of grasslands and open country. At this time of year it can be found at dozens of locations along the coast, and in open grasslands inland as well.
Update from the Pelican Clinic: Eating a Mess of Minnows
Saturday, January 30th, 2021January 30, 2021 — Good pelican news for a Saturday morning. We’ve posted a terrific short video of the rescued Brown Pelican eating vigorously.
For 2021, 10 Things You Can Do to Help Birds
Friday, January 29th, 2021January 29, 2021 – Since 1970, bird populations in North America have dropped by 29 percent; there are now approximately 2.9 billion fewer birds in North America than there were 50 years ago. Ignoring the problem won’t solve it. Feeling guilty about it won’t solve it. You can help Connecticut’s birds, and when you do, […]
Update from the Pelican Clinic: Major Improvement from Yesterday
Thursday, January 28th, 2021January 28, 2021 — The Brown Pelican that was rescued in dire condition from the icy Connecticut River in Essex yesterday is doing surprisingly well today and seems as if it will survive. Christine Cummings, co-founder A Place Called Hope, the raptor rehabilitation center in Killingworth that has been treating the bird since yesterday afternoon, […]
Brown Pelican Rescue in Essex
Wednesday, January 27th, 2021January 27, 2021 — Quick action by Connecticut Audubon’s staff led to the rescue of an injured Brown Pelican huddled in distress on a cove in Essex today.
Seasonal Job: Osprey Nation Coordinator
Wednesday, January 27th, 2021January 27, 2021 — The Connecticut Audubon Society invites applicants for a seasonal position at 35 hours per week beginning March 1 through October 1, 2021 as coordinator for the Osprey Nation Project.
Daily Bird: Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup
Tuesday, January 26th, 2021January 26, 2021 — Both species can be found in saltwater and freshwater, although neither is numerous on freshwater in Connecticut. But as we’ll see, finding them can be the easy part; distinguishing them can be harder.
A good weather report for Connecticut Audubon and Jim Arrigoni, via the Weather Channel
Monday, January 25th, 2021January 25, 2021 — If you were watching the Weather Channel yesterday morning, you saw the two interviews with Connecticut Audubon’s Jim Arrigoni about winter wildlife. They’re slightly different, so if you missed them, watch both.
Half-Earth on Zoom: Watch this short preview and then sign up
Sunday, January 24th, 2021January 24, 2021 — Can enough of the planet be saved so there’s ample room for wildlife to thrive? That’s the goal of the Half-Earth Project.
CT State of the Birds 2021: Recommendations
Thursday, December 2nd, 2021December 2, 2021 — Connecticut State of the Birds 2021 is a call to action in response to the loss of three billion birds. Here are the report’s recommendations.
Daily Bird: Great Cormorant
Thursday, January 21st, 20211/21/21 — The Great Cormorant is the largest North American cormorant and is found on nearly all continents. In the States, it is restricted to the east coast, where it breeds on a just a few rocky island colonies in Maine. It is a regular winter visitor to Connecticut where it replaces the more commonly found summer resident, the Double-crested Cormorant.
Frederick D. Schroeder, a longtime Connecticut Audubon member and a steadfast friend
Thursday, January 21st, 2021January 21, 2021 — Connecticut Audubon is remembering Frederick D. Schroeder, a friend and birding companion as well as a former regional board member and one of the organization’s longest active members. Mr. Schroeder died on January 16.
Daily Bird: Ruby-crowned Kinglet & Golden-crowned Kinglet
Wednesday, January 20th, 2021January 20, 2021 — Winter is the prime time for seeing Golden-crowned Kinglets in Connecticut. They’re very hardy and overwinter in decent numbers. Ruby-crowned Kinglets can be harder to find in this season but they’re here too.
