Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved to Connecticut Audubon Society

June 2010: Your Help Needed for Bumble Bee Nest Site Survey -- Click Here Where It All Began: America's First-of-its-Kind Songbird Refuge Connecticut Audubon Society received its first land donation in 1914 through the generosity of philanthropist Annie Burr Jennings of Fairfield. "Connecticut must have a songbird sanctuary and you must build it," Ms. Jennings proclaimed to Mabel Osgood Wright, Connecticut Audubon Society’s founder. With Ms. Jenning’s gift of 10 acres (an abandoned calf pasture near Fairfield’s current train station), Mrs. Wright created Birdcraft Sanctuary, the first-of-its-kind songbird refuge in the nation, and literally laid the groundwork for Connecticut Audubon Society.

Connecticut Audubon's Society's Wildlife Sanctuaries -- Classrooms Without Walls
From these wonderful beginnings in the early 20th century, Mrs. Wright set forth the framework and philosophy that continues to guide Connecticut Audubon Society's entire Sanctuary Program. Today, Connecticut Audubon Society operates 19 Sanctuaries (click here for detailed CAS Sanctuary information) which are gently managed as outdoor classrooms and not used intensively. Most Connecticut Audubon Society Sanctuaries are open to visitors from dawn to dusk 365 days a year. Several CAS Sanctuaries have modest trail systems and interpretive signage that enhance visitors' educational experiences, while some CAS Sanctuaries have limited access and no mapped trails. (Click here for detailed CAS Sanctuary information.)

Connecticut Audubon Society’s Wildlife Sanctuary Program is designed primarily for the benefit of birds and other natural communities. Through careful management, CAS is helping nature to re-establish long-term diversity and balance. There are 6 major bird habitat types in Connecticut. Click here for our Center and Wildlife Sanctuary Map, which indicates which of these bird habitats can be found in each CAS Wildlife Sanctuary, using the following key: Key Bird Habitats Found in CAS Sanctuaries: FOR = Forest GR = Grassland SH = Shrubland CO = Coastal IW = Inland Wetlands TM = Tidal Marshes CAS Wildlife Sanctuaries are made accessible to CAS Members and the public, as practical, for environmental study and passive recreational uses like walking, photography and cross-country skiing. Unlike public institutions that are stewards of open spaces, a private, non-profit organization like Connecticut Audubon Society can resist the recreational and developmental demands of growing populations once the land is donated for permanent preservation.

Under the direction of CAS Board of Director’s "Sanctuaries and Properties Committee," careful attention is paid to the physical, natural and cultural features of each property, which is maintained by designated CAS staff. The management context for a particular property is very often established at the time the decision is made to accept proffered land. The wishes and intent of the prospective donor, restrictions on use of the land, cost to maintain the property, and programming goals and objectives of Connecticut Audubon Society are all key considerations in the decision-making process when additions to our Wildlife Sanctuary Program are contemplated.

One example is the Jane and George Pratt Valley Preserve, a 150-acre parcel located in Bridgewater that was donated in 1985 and came with two important provisions: the land must be protected as open space and it must continue to be used, at least partially, for some agricultural purpose. These restrictions reflect the commitment of the donor to continue the tradition of land protection that began with her late husband.

Several sanctuaries benefit from close working relationships with local groups and individuals interested in assisting Connecticut Audubon Society formulate and implement management plans. A perfect example of effective community cooperation has been the supportive contributions of ideas, time and interest by the neighbors and friends of Edwin and Nellie Teale, who donated their beloved property, Trail Wood (located in Hampton) to Connecticut Audubon Society in the early 1980s. The Friends of Trail Wood help maintain the property, volunteer in many capacities and assist year-round to expand support for and use of this unique, 168-acre sanctuary in northeastern Connecticut.

Many CAS Sanctuaries are the beneficiaries of community service projects. Every spring a student project team from Tomlinson Middle School in Fairfield makes improvements to the Chiboucas Disabled Trail located at the Roy and Margot Larsen Sanctuary in Fairfield. Several Eagle Scout candidates and other scout groups have undertaken volunteer projects to improve trails at Birdcraft and other CAS Centers and Sanctuaries.

Each year, more than 200,000 children and adults participate in Connecticut Audubon Society environmental education programs. An important component of many CAS programs is a field trip to a CAS Wildlife Sanctuary, where textbook learning suddenly comes alive. What better way to illustrate the importance of habitat protection for 4th graders than having them observe the remarkable sight of a female Bluebird gathering nesting materials to build a home for her young!

We encourage you to visit one of Connecticut Audubon Society's marvelous and magical Wildlife Sanctuaries and take a refreshing pause from your fast-paced world. Please follow all posted rules, do not disturb or remove any animals, nests or plants, and leave no trace behind (like litter) of your visit. (Click here for detailed CAS Wildlife Sanctuary information.)

"Connecticut State of the Birds" Initiative

In 2006, Connecticut Audubon Society launched a new annual initiative called “Connecticut State of the Birds.” This was a first-of-its-kind report for the state and it focused on the single greatest threat to our native birds: habitat loss. As a result, an estimated 50% of Connecticut’s native bird species are declining and 17% are on the CT DEP's list of "Endangered," "Threatened" and "Special Concern" species. This means that 50 out of 290 regularly or annually occurring bird species in Connecticut are State-listed. Our 2006 report also contains Connecticut Audubon Society's five specific, science-based recommendations for mitigating these threats and protecting Connecticut’s birds and habitats. In cooperation with the CT DEP, other State agencies and other conservation organizations, Connecticut Audubon Society is following through on all five recommendations and we are pleased to see that bird conservation in Connecticut is moving forward.

Our "Connecticut State of the Birds 2007” Report describes the next most serious set of threats to our native birds. These are specific factors, either man-made or within our control, that kill or injure millions of birds annually and destroy precious habitat. (Just one of these, glass strikes, conservatively kills an estimated 100 million birds every year in the U.S. -- and some experts say 1 billion!)

Our "Connecticut State of the Birds 2008" Report describes possible conservation strategies for six bird species that are in serious trouble -- and for which their Connecticut habitat is critical to their global survival -- to illustrate how complex the problems and solutions are related to habitat protection and bird conservation. These include the Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow (a state-listed “species of Special Concern”), the Blue-winged Warbler (a state-listed “Endangered” species), the Golden-winged Warbler, the American Oystercatcher (a state-listed “species of Special Concern”), the Cerulean Warbler, and the Bobolink (a state-listed “species of Special Concern”).

Our "Connecticut State of the Birds 2009" Report focuses on whether the Federal Endangered Species Act and Connecticut’s ESA are the best tools for identifying and protecting endangered species in Connecticut. Our report provides a unique “Conservation Matrix” of 60 “at risk” Connecticut bird species selected from the 130 species (representing nearly one-half of all CT’s native birds!) that are ESA- or CT-ESA-listed or watch-listed by four key bird conservation organizations and government agencies. Using four additional criteria, Connecticut Audubon Society designates its “Top 20 Conservation Priority Bird Species” that will serve as indicator species for identifying and prioritizing critical “Biological Conservation Units” (wildlife habitat) statewide.

Our “Connecticut State of the Birds 2010” Report is about “The Role of Citizen Science.” It celebrates the accomplishments of citizen scientists beginning with Mabel Osgood Wright, Connecticut’s pioneer conservationist, citizen scientist and founder of Connecticut Audubon Society. The report also contains “A Connecticut Directory of Citizen-Science Programs” containing 35 entries for beginner, intermediate and advanced-level projects, including descriptions and contact information. The Directory is designed to encourage and inspire more Connecticut residents to become citizen scientists and get involved in helping us better understand and protect Connecticut’s flora and fauna.

Click here to learn more about our "Connecticut State of the Birds" Initiative.

Keeping environmental issues in front of state representatives is an important part of our work. Connecticut Audubon Society is first and foremost a champion of the state's birds and their habitats -- which means promoting all aspects of the natural environment.

For more information contact:

Milan Bull, Senior Director of Science and Conservation,
Acting Director, Conservation Advocacy
203-259-6305, ext. 111 or mbull@ctaudubon.org

Based on our "Connecticut State of the Birds" Initiative, the following are Connecticut Audubon Society's "Connecticut Bird & Habitat Conservation Priorities":

1. Preserve Grasslands

--Protect existing grasslands from development.

--Provide farmers with incentives to mow after the nesting season.

--Provide incentives to convert marginal cropland to grassland.

--Key Species: Meadowlark, Bobolink, Grasshopper Sparrow.

2.  Manage Land to Create More Shrublands

--Actively manage public land to increase shrublands.
--Provide incentives to private landowners to create shrublands.
--Encourage utilities to maintain power line cuts as shrublands.

--Key Species: Blue-winged Warbler, Brown Thrasher, Towhee.

3. Protect Remaining Beach and Saltmarsh Habitats

--Actively prevent degradation of the limited existing habitat.

--Provide funds for policing during the nesting season.

--Use dredge spoil to create safe artificial nesting islands.

--Key Species: Oystercatcher, Least Tern, Sharp-tailed Sparrow.
 

4. Slow Forest Fragmentation and Stop Deer Overbrowsing
--Use land acquisition to preserve large blocks of unbroken forest.

--Reduce deer populations in impacted forests.

--Key Species: Scarlet Tanager, Ovenbird, Wood Thrush.

5.  Limit Unnecessary Human Threats

--Eliminate feral cat colonies on public lands.

--Promote light awareness programs for major buildings.

--Establish guidelines for lighting on communications towers.

--Support controls on all invasive species.

--Key Species:  All migratory and native species.

Land acquisition is the key to habitat protection. But the process the state of Connecticut uses to acquire land is flawed and inefficient. It is based solely on land that is offered for sale rather than a process that determines and prioritizes what lands are needed for habitat and conservation purposes.

Our "Connecticut State of the Birds 2010" Report includes Connecticut Audubon Society’s recommendations for revamping the state’s land-acquisition strategies. Four of Connecticut Audubon Society's recommendations were incorporated into an important "Open Space" bill that was unanimously approved by the State Legislature's Environment Committee in 2010; read more about it.

Your Help Needed for BUMBLE BEE NEST SITE SURVEY

Bumble bees are important pollinators of agricultural crops and wild plants, but we know little about their natural history in North America. Anecdotal evidence and preliminary research suggest that bumble bee species are declining throughout the continent but much more research is needed. (Photo: a Bombus impatiens, aka a common eastern bumble bee, copyright 2009 Athena Rayne Anderson.)

You can help! By filling out this short survey when you find a bumble bee nest, you’ll be contributing to important research on bumble bees. (Click here for the online survey.) Every detail brings us closer to understanding and conserving these important pollinators! The goal for this survey is to compile nest site and habitat features for bumble bees throughout North America and make this information available to anyone at no cost. Survey results and a narrative report will be available for viewing after each survey season is over (usually in Nov./Dec.). Send an e-mail to Athena Anderson if you have related questions or comments. (Get more information about Athena's research.)

A bumble bee nest might be located anywhere. One of the reasons for this survey is to find out where they like to nest! It could be under a log, in the ground, in a tree, in the side of a building, or in an old mouse burrow. You'll know you've found a nest if you see bumble bees flying into and out of the same hole repeatedly and if you hear a humming sound near the hole. Bumble bees are gentle and ignore people unless grabbed or their nest is threatened, so you're not likely to get stung unless you block the entrance or if you disturb the nest itself. When you're near the nest, move slowly and walk softly so you don't alarm them and you're very unlikely to be stung. You will likely not be able to see the nest, as it will probably be concealed by something like leaves or grass. Don't try to uncover the nest if you can't see it. You don't need to see the nest itself to contribute invaluable information for this research -- just be as descriptive of the location as possible. Thanks again for your support of bumble bee research!