The Feathered Edge
A lecture series on current scientific trends
Daniel Field
“From Big Years to Big Eras: Birding the ABA Area through Geological Time”
Sunday, November 16, 2:30 p.m.
Lecturer: Daniel Field, Yale University, Ph.D. student in Vertebrate Paleontology
The present day is an amazing time to be a birder. For example, Neil Hayward was able to set a new Big Year record in 2013 using modern birding networks, improved taxonomic knowledge, and ubiquitous transportation options. He recorded more than 700 North American species over twelve months. Although the current diversity on the North American continent is impressive, the fossil record reveals some truly shocking additions to the ABA checklist! While spotting a frogmouth or a mousebird in Wyoming today would incite a twitch of epic proportions, paleontologists have revealed that these exotic lineages, along with many others, were present on our continent 50 million years ago. Even further back in time, we have uncovered surprising evidence of the birds that would have flown above the heads of dinosaurs. This talk will examine how the structure of the North American avifauna has changed dramatically over evolutionary time, and will lead us to a discussion of the most fundamental ornithological question of all: Evolutionarily speaking, what is a bird?
“Long Island Sound and Climate Change: What is happening now and what is predicted to happen?”
Sunday, December 7, 2:30 p.m.
Lecturer: Juliana Barrett, Ph.D. Associate Extension Educator, Connecticut Sea Grant College Program, University of Connecticut.
This presentation will explore predicted climate change impacts for Connecticut over the next 100 years and adaptation strategies to improve our resilience. Storms Irene and Sandy showed just how vulnerable coastal Connecticut is to damage from storms and storm surges. The impacts of climate change on coastal municipalities is likely to result in heavier downpours, more vulnerable beaches and dunes, and tidal marshes threatened by rising sea levels. These events challenge communities to come up with adaptation strategies to deal with impacts from climate change and many communities are working to address this challenge.
To register for The Feathered Edge lecture series or individual lecture, contact our office manager, Louise Crocco, at 203-878-7440 x 502.
The lecture series will take place at:
Coastal Center at Milford Point
1 Milford Point Road, Milford, CT
Fee: $5 suggested donation (free for CAS members, $3 seniors)
