Top Photo: Least tern family at Sandy Point in West Haven. Photo by Julian Hough

50 birds are on CT DEP's list of "Endangered," Threatened" & "Special Concern" Birds. Click here.

Connecticut Audubon Society’s New Connecticut State of the Birds Report: First-Ever Statewide Overview Finds Habitat Loss Threatens Many Species

State Capitol, April 27, 2006 – Connecticut Audubon Society (CAS) will release a new report today that provides the first-ever overview of the health of the state’s birds and habitats. CAS President Robert Martinez and Senior Director of Science and Conservation Milan Bull will present the major findings from Connecticut State of the Birds, together with CAS’s recommendations for urgent conservation actions.

“They will be joined by State Senate President Pro Tem Donald E. Williams, Connecticut DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy, other state legislators and media representatives, at a 1 p.m. press conference in the Old Judiciary Room of the State Capitol.

The news is not good,” said Milan Bull, Editor-in-Chief of Connecticut State of the Birds.  “Connecticut’s bird habitats are shrinking and becoming fragmented, as should be obvious to anyone who travels around the state. As a result, the indicators of habitat health – our birds – are also generally declining. The state of the birds in Connecticut is of concern and the prognosis is for further degradation if conservation action is not accelerated.”

 

Over 400 species of birds have been recorded in the state: 290 of these species occur regularly or annually and 170 of these species are regular breeders using a variety of habitats. Connecticut State of the Birds describes how all six of the state’s major bird habitats are either seriously depleted or fragmented as a result of development, adversely affecting many bird species. Connecticut DEP currently lists 50 birds in the state that are either “Endangered,” “Threatened” or “Special Concern” species (see chart).

“People choose to live in and travel to Connecticut because of our state’s diverse and beautiful landscapes,” said Robert Martinez. “Even though our small state is becoming increasingly urbanized and suburbanized, we still have shoreline beaches, salt marshes, major rivers and grasslands, farmlands and forest tracts. However, these natural assets that we so prize – and that our birds depend on for nesting and their very survival – are buckling under tremendous pressure. Bird species that require specialized habitats are in the greatest immediate danger, but habitat loss also threatens other wildlife, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. If current trends go unchecked, more birds and more wildlife will be at risk -- as will our own quality of life. Connecticut Audubon Society is strongly recommending a cooperative and concerted effort involving the State Legislature, DEP, local governments and conservation organizations in order to conserve our birds and stem this tide of decline.”

 

Connecticut State of the Birds contains startling examples of how habitat loss is affecting birds. “Many species of grassland birds are now represented by only a few relict populations in places like airports and military fields where open grass is maintained by mowing,” writes Dr. Robert Askins, one of the contributing authors. And, “The most important source of habitat for shrubland specialists [birds] are the open corridors (rights-of-way) maintained along power lines.” In his article about the need for better information about the state’s bird population, Dr. Chris S. Elphick writes: “One of the main reasons why birds sing is to attract mates . . . Individuals that fail to attract a mate – young males, birds in low-quality habitat, or lost birds that somehow end up outside their breeding range – may just keep on singing. A consequence of this is that mistimed surveys that rely on detecting birdsong may simply tell us where the ‘losers’ are – those males that are failing to contribute to the population’s health.”

 

Based on the findings of this first Connecticut State of the Birds report, Connecticut Audubon Society is making five key recommendations:

1. The State Legislature should fund and enable the state to inventory and map Connecticut’s key bird habitats.
2. The state, cities and towns should create incentives for landowners to better use the land resources we currently have. These lands should be actively managed to provide more and improved diverse habitats to ensure that all six major habitat groups are preserved in sufficient quantities to support biodiversity.
3. The State Legislature should enable the state to further prioritize the “Greatest Conservation Need” species using state, regional, national and international goals. Based on this integrated list, the state will prioritize those habitats and identify areas for acquisition and management.
4. The State Legislature should ensure that the state’s goal of 21% open space includes the identified key prioritized areas.
5. To facilitate better data collection on bird populations, the University of Connecticut, in cooperation with DEP, should convene a conference of interested organizations – including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – to determine the best approach and costs of improving bird information. Participants should also discuss conducting a new Connecticut Breeding Bird Atlas and developing protocols to enable local groups to census birds on their properties.

 “It is well known that unrestrained growth and development can put a severe strain on wildlife habitats and in turn on wildlife itself,” said DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy. “The DEP is constantly looking at ways to help educate our residents on the best ways to coexist with the rich wildlife populations we are so fortunate to enjoy in the state. Population studies like the ones highlighted in this report are essential to helping us protect our environment.”

"We are thrilled to have contributed to this important project," said Tom Baptist, Executive Director of Audubon Connecticut, the state office of The National Audubon Society. “The Connecticut State of the Birds report effectively summarizes the complexities of Connecticut's birdlife, putting them in a

clear and concise format and outlining recommendations for bird conservation in the state. In conjunction with DEP's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, and Audubon Connecticut's Important Bird Area Program, the Connecticut State of the Birds report will help us set priorities for how various partners in bird conservation can work together to achieve our common goals.”

 

Connecticut State of the Birds contains five independently authored articles and an introduction by David Silbey, author and artist, The Sibley Guide to Birds, 2000.  The authors are:

• Greg M. Hanisek, Editor, The Connecticut Warbler, CT Ornithological Association.
• Dr. Chris S. Elphick, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut at Storrs.
• Patrick M. Comins, Director of Bird Conservation, Audubon Connecticut.Dr. Robert A. Askins, Professor, Dept. of Biology, Connecticut College, New London
• Jenny M. Dickson, Wildlife Biologist, Connecticut DEP.
• Contributing photographers are Paul J. Fusco, Julian Hough and Jim Zipp.
  
  Connecticut Audubon Society will now publish a Connecticut State of the Birds report annually to measure the health of our birds and habitats and the effectiveness of conservation efforts.
  
  50 birds are on the CT Department of Environmental Protection's list of "Endangered," Threatened" and "Special Concern" Birds. Click here.
  
  For photos or additional information, please contact Mara Neville, Marketing Communications Director, 203-259-6305 ext. 103, or mneville@ctaudubon.org.

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Founded in 1898 by pioneering conservationist Mabel Osgood Wright, Connecticut Audubon Society conserves Connecticut’s environment through science-based education and advocacy focused on the state’s bird populations and their habitats. Connecticut Audubon Society operates nature facilities in Fairfield, Milford, Glastonbury and Pomfret as well as an EcoTravel office in Hartford and an Environmental Advocacy office in Hartford. Connecticut Audubon Society manages 19 wildlife sanctuaries around the state, preserves over 2,600 acres of open space in Connecticut and educates over 200,000 children and adults annually.