July 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.
Blog – 2018
Purple Martins, thriving at 5 Connecticut Audubon locations, continue to make a comeback from the threatened list
Thursday, July 11th, 2024Advocates 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.
Osprey Nation report shows 2024 was a good year in Connecticut but Ospreys had trouble elsewhere
Monday, November 18th, 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.
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 […]
Migration Magic Big Day 2024
Thursday, May 9th, 2024Four of Connecticut Audubon’s most energetic birders have thrown down a challenge. They’re banding together for a Migration Magic “Big Day” on Monday, May 13. Their goal is to see at least 150 species in 16 consecutive hours of birding. Their challenge is for you and all of us to support them by making a per-bird pledge!
Daily Bird 2024: Worm-eating Warbler
Wednesday, May 8th, 2024May 8, 2024—You’re likely to find Worm-eating Warblers in numerous locations during May migration, making it a good species to add to your Migration Magic Birdathon checklist. Connecticut Audubon staffers Deb Eccleston and Stefan Martin saw them at our Birdcraft Sanctuary in Fairfield for several days in a row this month. Seven were reported from Nehantic State Forest in Lyme just yesterday and two days ago a birder reported 13 at West Rock Ridge State Park in New Haven.
3 Connecticut Audubon Centers are competing against each other in the Birdathon. Show your support!
Monday, May 6th, 2024May 6, 2024—Three of Connecticut Audubon’s centers are participating in Migration Magic in a new way. They’re competing against each other in the Birdathon to see how many species they can find on their sanctuaries during May. It’s the Center at Pomfret vs. the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center vs. the Coastal Center at Milford Point.
