News at Deer Pond Farm
American Redstart by Brian Bennett
Robert F. Schumann Foundation Funds Deer Pond Farm Birding Habitat Enhancement Project
July 1, 2019 – The Connecticut Audubon Society will be enhancing a three-acre native bird habitat area within their Deer Pond Farm sanctuary in Sherman, thanks to a $13,000 matching grant from the Robert F. Schumann Foundation, a Wells Fargo Bank N.A. fund.
Connecticut Audubon Society will introduce early successional wildflower meadows with pockets of shrubs and small trees to increase diversity and abundance of native bird species at the site. The new habitat structure will replace the dead and dying white ash grove, which has succumbed to an invasive insect, the emerald ash borer. Work on this project began this spring and will continue through to the next growing season.
The location of the project is at a spot where several trails converge, making it easily accessible to the sanctuary’s visitors. Over time, it is expected that this site will become a top destination for hikers and birdwatchers throughout Connecticut.
The project builds on pollinator garden and invasive species management efforts already underway in other sections of Deer Pond Farm. Schumann Foundation funds will be matched by a $10,000 Hollis Declan Leverett Fund grant and Deer Pond Farm operating funds bequeathed by the estate of Kathryn D. Wriston.
“The Schumann Foundation’s partnership is a true endorsement of our efforts to create a top birding destination in Connecticut,” said Cathy Hagadorn, Director of Deer Pond Farm. “By enhancing the habitat value for birds within the area, this project will provide improved food and shelter access for year-round birds, and increase abundance and diversity of overwintering and migratory bird species.”
Connecticut Audubon Society’s mission is to conserve Connecticut’s environment through science-based education and advocacy focused on the state’s bird populations and their habitats. Deer Pond Farm is our newest and largest sanctuary at 835 acres.
The Robert F. Schumann Foundation was established by Mr. Schumann out of his beliefs that the environment is essential to sustain the future of the planet, that education is essential to solve many quality of life issues for society, and that arts and cultural programs offer society hope and the ability to dream. For more information, visit https://www.wellsfargo.com/private-foundations/schumann-foundation/
Hollis Declan Leverett Memorial Fund
Funds Garden/Birding Hot Spot at Deer Pond Farm
Indigo Bunting by Michael Audette
January 25, 2019 – The Connecticut Audubon Society will develop a three-acre native bird sanctuary within their Deer Pond Farm in Sherman, thanks to a $10,000 matching grant from the Hollis Declan Leverett Memorial Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee.
Connecticut Audubon Society will introduce early successional wildflower meadows with pockets of shrubs and small trees to increase diversity and abundance of native and desirable bird species at the site. The new habitat will replace the dead and dying white ash grove, which is succumbing to an invasive insect, the emerald ash borer.
Foundation funds will also cover the development and installation of permanent interpretive signs. These will highlight ecological attributes of the area, and will educate visitors about how they also may be able to improve habitat for birds and other wildlife. Work on this grant will begin in the spring and be completed by winter.
The location of the new garden is at a spot where several trails converge, making it easily accessible to the preserve’s visitors. Over time, it is expected that the new Garden/Birding Hot Spot will become a top destination for hikers and birdwatchers throughout Connecticut.
The project builds on pollinator garden and invasive species management efforts already underway in other sections of Deer Pond Farm.
“This project represents an amazing opportunity to attract desirable birdlife, return native vegetation to the site, and to engage our visitors,” said Cathy Hagadorn, Director of Deer Pond Farm. “We are honored to have Hollis Declan Leverett Memorial Fund as our partner to improve native bird habitats in western Connecticut.”
Connecticut Audubon Society’s mission is to conserve Connecticut’s environment through science-based education and advocacy focused on the state’s bird populations and their habitats. Deer Pond Farm is our newest and largest sanctuary at 835 acres.
Hollis Declan Leverett Memorial Fund is named in honor of Hollis Declan Leverett, an avid birder, who died prematurely as a young adult. The foundation was created by his parents, Hollis M. and Helen E. Leverett, in his memory.
Motus Operandi: Deer Pond is participating in state of the art migratory bird tracking technology
December 4, 2018 – Is it big news that a bird flew past our Deer Pond Farm preserve in Sherman?
In the case of the Rusty Blackbird at 2:15 a.m. on November 8, the answer is yes. That lone fly over – of Euphagus carolinus, to be precise – was the first bird detected by the Connecticut Audubon Society’s new Motus Wildlife Tracking System receiver.
This Motus map show where the Rusty Blackbird that passed Deer Pond Farm (the dot near the bottom) has been detected. Click the map to visit the Motus website.
The receiver at Deer Pond Farm and another that will be erected at Shepaug Dam in Southbury early next year mean that Connecticut Audubon is now participating in a growing network of tracking sites that might well revolutionize bird research.
The receivers were funded by a $9,323 grant from FirstLight Power Resources matched with funds from Connecticut Audubon.
Click here to read the rest of this news release.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo by Sharon Cuartero
eBird Hotspots
At Deer Pond Farm, we have two hotspots: Deer Pond Farm (CT Audubon), Fairfield, US-CT and Deer Pond Farm, CT Audubon (Dutchess Co.), Dutchess, US-NY. Please enter your observations into these hotspots while you are at Deer Pond Farm.
Connecticut Bird Atlas
Deer Pond Farm is located in block 60D, which we have adopted as the lead for collecting observations and submitting data, although anyone is welcome to submit their own observations.
For more information on eBird and Connecticut Bird Atlas at Deer Pond Farm, click here.
