October 15, 2020 — Thanks to your generous donations, we surpassed our goal of $5,000 and had a successful day of identifying birds! Our tally was 108 bird species identified including a Jaeger species, a tie for our third highest count. Highlights included 12 species of ducks (including seven Northern Shovelers and all three scoter species), Wild Turkeys, 12 species of shorebirds, and lots more.
Blog – 2018
Generous Donors, Dedicated Birders Help Reach Big Sit Goal
Thursday, October 15th, 2020Raptors Are On the Move. We Have the Info You Need to Know, Via Zoom
Monday, October 5th, 2020October 5, 2020 — It’s always thrilling to see a hawk but it’s even better if you know which hawk you’re looking at. We have a solution to that — a Raptor Migration Webinar, Tuesday, October 6, 7 p.m., via Zoom.
A Tiny Butterfly, a Secret Location, and Seven Volunteers to Improve Its Habitat
Saturday, October 3rd, 2020October 3, 2020 — On a recent Saturday, I joined a work party to help restore habitat at one of only two places in Connecticut where the highly endangered Northern Metalmark butterfly can be found. We all agreed to not even divulge the town in which this population is located.
What to do with “abandoned” or “orphaned” birds
Wednesday, May 6th, 2020Have you found an abandoned bird? Birds and other wildlife that seem to be abandoned or orphaned at this time of year often are not actually abandoned orphaned. The Connecticut DEEP has advice about what to do if you find a bird that you think is abandoned.
The Big Sit 2020: A great way to support bird conservation
Thursday, September 24th, 2020Six of New England’s best birders will be representing the Connecticut Audubon Society in this year’s International Big Sit Bird Challenge, to be held Sunday, October 11. The event is a fundraiser for the Coastal Center at Milford Point. The team will be trying to raise more than $5,000 by identifying as many species of birds as possible from one spot (an observation platform in the dunes).
Meet the Bees, a Zoom presentation, Monday, September 21
Thursday, September 17th, 2020September 17, 2020 — Peek inside a real, buzzing beehive while experiencing a day in the life of a beekeeper. View and hear thousands of these little ladies hard at work; if you get extra lucky, you’ll meet Her Majesty, the Queen Bee!
Air Quality at Home, a Zoom presentation, Friday, September 18
Thursday, September 17th, 2020September 17, 2020 — Spending more time living, working and learning remotely from home? In this Zoom presentation, learn about the quality of the air in your home environment: the effects of air fresheners, carpeting, mold, Radon and more. Hear why some people are affected by common home allergens, while others are not.
September Field Walk – Explore Milford Point From Salt Marsh to Shore, Tuesday, September 22
Wednesday, September 16th, 2020September 16, 2020 — Explore the amazing bounty of maritime plants and animals along Milford Point’s shoreline with Diana Payne, PhD, associate professor and education coordinator with UConn’s Connecticut Sea Grant. This fall walk, timed for low tide, is ideally suited for investigating marine life from the tide pools to the salt marsh.
September Field Walk – Insects That Run the World, September 15 (Center at Fairfield)
Friday, September 11th, 2020September 11, 2020 — Join Entomologist Steve Mason to learn about the tiny creatures that make up the world’s greatest biomass and gain an appreciation for their role in our fragile ecosystem.
Bird Migration Walk, Saturday, September 12 (Center at Fairfield)
Thursday, September 10th, 2020September 10, 2020 — Come and hike the trails of the Larsen Sanctuary with our naturalist and learn what birds are migrating, and why the varied habitats in the Sanctuary are important for the birds that live there.
Backyard Bird Feeding, a Zoom presentation, Friday, September 11
Tuesday, September 8th, 2020September 8, 2020 — Join Connecticut Audubon’s Teacher/Naturalist Tricia Kevalis and learn the basics of backyard birding including how to identify backyard birds by sight and sound, who is at the feeder, what their feeding habits are and more!
Daily Bird: Caspian Tern
Saturday, September 5th, 2020September 5, 2020 — Although uncommon, Caspian Terns may be found in coastal Connecticut from mid-April to early November. Basically, if you’re seeing a large, red-billed tern that flies like a gull and has a hoarse voice, you’re probably looking at a Caspian Tern.
Shorebird Walk at Ash Creek
Friday, September 4th, 2020September 4, 2020 — Late summer is an incredible time to visit Fairfield’s Ash Creek, a Long Island Sound estuary, as it is warmed by the sun and filled with a bounty of creatures, including an excellent variety of shorebirds. On Thursday, September 10, explore this amazing natural world with Connecticut Audubon’s Milan Bull, senior director of Science and Conservation.
Land Donation Adds Important Bird Habitat to Connecticut Audubon Preserve in Montville
Thursday, September 3rd, 2020September 3, 2020 — Thirty-three acres of prime oak forest has been added to Connecticut Audubon’s 233-acre Morgan R. Chaney Sanctuary in Montville, increasing the amount of habitat protected by the preserve by almost 15 percent.
Daily Bird: American Golden Plover
Thursday, September 3rd, 2020September 3, 2020 — American Golden-Plovers get their name from the golden hue of their speckled back feathers. Right now, the birds are molting into their non-breeding (alternate) plumage, so their bold, black throat and belly feathers are interspersed with more brown feathers, making for a more barred appearance.
September Field Walk – Migrating Shorebirds: SOLD OUT
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020September 2, 2020 — Explore Milford Point to look for migrating shorebirds with Milan Bull, Connecticut Audubon’s senior director of science and conservation. Situated on Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Housatonic River, Milford Point is a designated Important Bird Area that provides essential habitat for these migrating birds.
Daily Bird: Broad-winged Hawk
Tuesday, September 1st, 2020September 1, 2020 — Starting in late August, hundreds of thousands of Broad-winged Hawks leave northern forests to head for their wintering grounds in Central and South America. Look for them on almost all ridge lines where the birds can find thermal winds to give them the necessary lift to form large kettles and soar.
Daily Bird: Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Saturday, August 29th, 2020August 29, 2020 — This is the time of year to look for Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Five were reported from Hammonasst Beach State Park yesterday, Friday, August 28.
One Bird, One Place #7
Friday, August 28th, 2020August 27, 2020 — A common bird declining rapidly but still almost everywhere, and two rarities, one of which is unusually abundant for this time of year — those are our birds. Check out where to look for them.
Semipalmated Sandpiper: From tundra to Suriname and back via Milford Point.
Thursday, August 27th, 2020August 27, 2020 — No matter how much you know or learn about bird migration, it is still a marvel that a shorebird resting on the sandbar at the Milford Point Coastal Center had once been on the flats of Suriname, on the northeast coast of South America.
