May 30, 2023 — the state of Connecticut is celebrating our organization’s 125th anniversary with an official proclamation by Governor Ned Lamont declaring June 4, 2023, as Connecticut Audubon Society Day. Then on June 7, the celebration of the founding continues as Connecticut Audubon presents two programs in conjunction with the Fairfield Museum and History Center. It was on June 4, 1898, that the Audubon Society of the State of Connecticut held its first annual meeting of members. Two hundred and fifty people crowded into Fairfield Town Hall on that Saturday.
Author Archive
Governor Lamont proclaims June 4, 2023, as Connecticut Audubon Day in the state!
Tuesday, May 30th, 2023Lights Out Alert for Thursday, May 18
Thursday, May 18th, 2023May 18, 2023 — It looks like another big night for migrating birds — a Lights Out High Alert night. Please make sure you turn out your lights tonight to prevent birds from getting killed.
Lights Out Alert for Monday, May 15
Monday, May 15th, 2023May 15, 2023 — It looks like Connecticut is in for one more night of really big songbird migration — which is great for Tuesday morning birders but not so great for the birds, if they crash into lighted buildings. So please, Lights Out again tonight.
Lights Out Alert/Great Birding Alert for May 12
Friday, May 12th, 2023May 12, 2023 — Almost half a million birds will be flying over Connecticut again tonight — emphasis on “again” because the skies were similarly crowded last night.
1. Make sure you turn out your lights tonight to prevent birds from getting killed.
2. Make plans to go birding tomorrow, because it sounds like it will be another great day.
Rededication of Hartford Urban Bird Treaty creates a new agenda for conservation of the city’s birds
Friday, May 19th, 2023May 19, 2023 — A coalition of federal and city officials along with statewide and local conservation groups renewed their commitment today to improving Hartford as a place for birds to thrive and for people to enjoy them. Coalition members joined with city residents at Keney Park in Hartford to officially rededicate the Hartford Urban Bird Treaty. A program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Urban Bird Treaty is a national network that works to improve bird habitat in urban areas.
Lights Out Alert/Great Birding Alert for May 11
Thursday, May 11th, 2023May 11, 2023 — Almost half a million birds will be flying over Connecticut tonight. You should be on high alert for this and do two things …
Re-dedication of Hartford Urban Bird Treaty set for Friday, May 19, at Keney Park
Friday, May 12th, 2023May 12, 2023 — Join us at Keney Park in Hartford on Friday, May 19, for the official 2023 rededication of Hartford’s Urban Bird Treaty — a multi-organization plan to improve bird habitat in the city and offer more opportunities for city residents to learn about and enjoy birds.
Lights Out Alert for May 6, 7, and 8!
Saturday, May 6th, 2023May 6, 2023 — Nighttime migration is increasing over Connecticut the next few nights. An estimated 250,000 birds will migrate through Connecticut’s skies Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights. Help keep these birds safe by turning off your outside lights tonight and drawing your blinds.
Advocacy Alert: Email your representative in Hartford to support a state Lights Out bill
Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023May 3, 2023 — The State of Connecticut has a chance to become part of a growing movement to protect birds. You can help by taking action today on this important Lights Out bill. Please ask your House member in Hartford to vote yes on House Bill 6607, “An act concerning the nighttime lighting of state-owned buildings at certain times for the protection of birds.” House Bill 6607 would require state-owned buildings to turn out exterior lights between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. each year in April and May, and from August 15 to November 15.
Here’s what to do and not to do when you find a bird or other animal that seems abandoned
Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023Please do not bring injured or orphaned animals to any Connecticut Audubon Society facility. Connecticut Audubon is not authorized to accept injured or abandoned animals. But if it is obviously injured, it may need help. The CT DEEP has more information about dealing with distressed wildlife.
Heather Wolf, author and bird photographer, to judge 2023 Birdathon photo contest
Wednesday, May 10th, 2023May 10, 2023 — An undisputed highlight of Connecticut Audubon’s Migration Madness Birdathon, scheduled for May 20 and 21, is the annual photo contest. Each year, birders send us a selection of the best photos they took while participating in the Birdathon. We forward them to a judge — we don’t include names or time stamps, just the photos, so the judging is anonymous — who picks the winners. This year we are lucky to have Heather Wolf as the photo contest judge.
Connecticut school kids will get more outdoor science education thanks to federal grant from Congresswoman DeLauro
Wednesday, April 26th, 2023The number of school kids participating in Connecticut Audubon’s Science in Nature outdoor education program will increase dramatically in the coming years, thanks to a $750,000 federal grant received from the office of U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro of New Haven. Approximately 20,000 Connecticut students in grades kindergarten through 5th participate in Science in Nature now. That number will increase by at least 50 percent, to 30,000 students. And the total number of hours of science-based outdoor instruction will increase to 60,000 hours, from 40,000. Representative DeLauro announced the grant at a press conference on Friday, April 21, at Connecticut Audubon’s Milford Point Coastal Center.
Young birders wanted for the Connecticut Young Birders Club!
Wednesday, April 19th, 2023April 19, 2023 — The Connecticut Young Birders Club is back, and Connecticut Audubon is helping to recruit new members. It’s open to anyone age 11 to 19. Field trips, camaraderie, great fun while learning about birds.
April 2023: Serviceberry
Monday, April 17th, 2023Homegrown Habitat’s native plant for April is serviceberry, which blooms throughout Conneticut’s woods this time of year. Homegrown Habitat is written by Sarah W. Middeleer, a landscape designer whose work focuses on ecology and designing for wildlife. She serves as vice chair of the Connecticut Audubon Board of Directors. Write to her at homegrown@ctaudubon.org. Serviceberries […]
A billion birds a year are killed when they crash into buildings. You can help by turning out the lights
Monday, April 24th, 2023It’s gut-wrenching to find a dead bird crumpled on the ground next to a building. Unfortunately, it is also all too common. Birds migrate at night and this spring there is a great opportunity for you to do something that directly benefits birds: turn out the lights.
From the archives: “Something must be done besides saying, ‘Don’t wear feathers and don’t shoot birds.’ ”
Thursday, March 30th, 2023March 30, 2023 — Educating the public about bird conservation is a foundation of the Connecticut Audubon Society’s work. For our 125th anniversary, here’s the story, based on archival records, of how our education programs came into being in 1898.
As migration heats up, here are 10 things you can do to help birds
Wednesday, March 29th, 2023March 29, 2023 — As spring migration starts to heat up, here are 10 actions you can take to help bring birds back, individually and with others.
Renewing Hartford’s Urban Bird Treaty
Friday, April 7th, 2023Hartford was designated an Urban Bird Treaty city in 2011. The designation is up for renewal and the Connecticut Audubon Society, Friends of Keney Park, and Park Watershed are collaborating on an update. The result will be better habitat for birds throughout the city’s parks, and more chances for city residents to learn about and enjoy them. The Urban Bird Treaty is a national network whose goal is to improve bird habitat in urban areas, and help city residents experience and learn about birds and the natural world.
For our 125th Anniversary, take the 125-Bird Challenge
Friday, March 24th, 2023March 24, 2023 — To encourage you to visit our sanctuaries during our 125th anniversary year, we’ve come up with a fun activity: the 125-Bird Challenge. It’s not a competition. We do hope however that it’s a good incentive. Many of our sanctuaries are big and unique, and are worth a special visit.
Benjamin D. Williams III: 1936-2023
Thursday, March 23rd, 2023March 28, 2023 — Our friend and long-time Board member Ben Williams died on March 7, 2023. Knowledgeable, affable, and dedicated to conservation, Ben served on Connecticut Audubon’s Pomfret regional board for 16 years and on the state Board of Directors for 10. As part of the Center at Pomfret’s Science in Nature school programs, he introduced thousands of kids to the wonders of nature and insects in particular. His booming voice and passion for the subject matter won him great respect and admiration.
