August 2, 2020 — Stefan Martin, one of Connecticut Audubon’s top-notch naturalists, was making a check of the perimeter of Deer Pond Farm in Sherman last week when he saw a rare-for-Connecticut butterfly rise from the dirt road he was walking on.
Blog – 2018
Beautiful Animals that aren’t birds: Compton Tortoiseshell
Sunday, August 2nd, 2020Return of the Daily Bird: Ovenbird
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020July 22, 2020 — The Daily Bird is back after a month — with one big difference: we’ll continue to call it the Daily Bird, but the amount of material we have dictates that it will be more like the “two- or three-time-a-week Bird.” Same great authors, photographers, artists, and videographers.
Monday Bird Report
Monday, July 20th, 2020July 20, 2020 — Shorebirds have started their migration. Connecticut Audubon worked with the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds on a new sign, underwritten by the Long Island Sound Futures sign and soon to go up. It asks people to give the sandpipers and plovers plenty of room. It’s especially important at high tide when the beach and sandbars are at their narrowest.
This week’s webinar: Thrushes of Connecticut.
Monday, July 20th, 2020July 20, 2020 — Considered by many to be among the best singers in the bird world, thrushes often hold a special place in the hearts of birders. Teacher-naturalist Joe Attwater will lead you on an entertaining journey through the world of the thrushes that live in and pass through Connecticut, in a special webinar set for Tuesday, Jul 21, at 7 p.m.
Piping Plovers & Oystercatchers at Milford Point Help Themselves Survive
Friday, July 17th, 2020July 17, 2020 — The nesting season at the Milford Point Coastal Center was off to a rough start until early July. That’s when several things happened to turn it around, one of them quite amazing — three birds knew enough to protect their eggs from a tide that would have washed them away.
Action Alert: Key bird protection law is about to be gutted
Wednesday, July 15th, 2020July 15, 2020 — Essential parts of the nation’s most important bird protection law are about to be rolled back. Please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and tell them the rollbacks to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act are unacceptable. Deadline for comments is July 20.
One Bird, One Place #2
Friday, July 17th, 2020July 17, 2020 — Each Friday experts from Connecticut Audubon’s staff and boards make one suggestion for where to see one interesting bird in one specific place — “One Bird, One Place.” Today: Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Wood Thrush, Gray Catbird, and Louisiana Waterthrush.
Can you help watch Osprey nests?
Monday, July 13th, 2020July 13, 2020 — Connecticut’s Osprey nests are full with baby Ospreys getting ready to fly. You can help by finding a nest and letting the Osprey Nation project know what you see.
Birding Basics on Zoom, with Matt Bell
Tuesday, July 14th, 2020July 13, 2020 — Is it an exaggeration to say that Matt Bell lives for birds? Maybe, but not by much. Matt is marketing manager for our EcoTravel program. You’re invited to log on as he imparts his knowledge and his enthusiasm in this week’s Eco-Hour webinar, Backyard Birding Basics, 4 p.m. Thursday, July 16.
Monday Bird Report
Monday, July 13th, 2020July 13, 2020 — More evidence from the Coastal Center Purple Martin colony that loyal donors, dedicated volunteers and hard work pay off for bird conservation. Thursday’s check of the 71 gourds found chicks in 37 of them — 144 baby birds in all. Seven eggs remain unhatched.
One Bird, One Place
Friday, July 10th, 2020July 10, 2020 — The weekend is here and you might need fresh ideas about how to quickly satisfy your bird urge.We can help. We’re introducing a new feature: “One Bird, One Place.”
Bird Walks With Miley, Tuesday July 14; Thursday, July 16 (Center at Fairfield)
Thursday, July 9th, 2020July 9, 2020 — Join Milan Bull, senior director of Science and Conservation, for an early morning bird walk. This walk and talk is an ideal opportunity to see an excellent variety of birds along the trails.
Gardening for People and Pollinators, Saturday, July 11; Saturday, July 18 (Coastal Center)
Wednesday, July 8th, 2020July 8, 2020 — Learn how to create an oasis for pollinators in your yard. Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, beetles and more, are looking for food and shelter and you can help them by making small changes in your yard.
EcoTravel E-Ventures: Checking the Osprey Nests in Old Saybrook
Tuesday, July 7th, 2020July 7, 2020 — Andy Griswold’s visit to the Old Saybrook Osprey nests turns up baby birds of different ages and sizes. Watch his 2-minute video for a close-up look.
Webinar: Barred, Great-horned, Screech and the Other Owls of Connecticut
Monday, July 6th, 2020July 6, 2020 — We invite you to join us on Tuesday, July 7, at 7 p.m., for an eye- and ear-catching webinar, All About Owls. Teacher-naturalist Joe Attwater will go over the adaptations that make these birds night hunters, and which owls you can see (and hear) in Connecticut.
Monday Bird Report
Monday, July 6th, 2020July 6, 2020 — A “Bird Names for Birds” campaign has started over the last couple of weeks to persuade the American Ornithologists Society to change the common names of birds named after people.
Naturalist-Guided Walks for Small Groups, July 17 (Coastal Center)
Thursday, July 2nd, 2020July 5, 2020 — Looking for private, outdoor, small group drop-off activities for your kids? Then join us to see what’s happening in the natural world on this small group, guided walk at the Coastal Center at Milford Point.
To Protect Beach Birds, the Coastal Center Parking Lot Will Be Closed for the Fourth of July Weekend
Wednesday, July 1st, 2020July 1, 2020 — Life for Connecticut’s beach-nesting birds gets a lot tougher over Fourth of July weekend. We’re going to try to minimize the harm where we can — by closing the parking lot at the Milford Point Coastal Center for the weekendThe gates will be locked from 4 p.m. Thursday, July 2, until 9 a.m. Monday, July 6.
Monday Bird Report: Purple Martin Photo Essay & Live-stream
Monday, June 29th, 2020June 29, 2020 — Monday morning joy: the Purple Martin colony at the Milford Point Coastal Center is thriving. It’s no accident. Donations from dedicated members and supporters help fund it, and hard work by staff and volunteers gives these large swallows the best chance. Each week a team, led by Coastal Center Regional Board member Frank Mantlik, checks and maintains the nests.
Flycatchers of Connecticut: A special online program
Sunday, June 28th, 2020June 28, 2020 — With summer in Connecticut comes pesky biting flying insects. But birds are here to help, including the category known as flycatchers. On Tuesday, June 30, at 7 p.m., teacher-naturalist Joe Attwater will lead you through a discussion of the myriad fascinating aspect of these aerial insectivores.
