Wildlife

Conn. officials rescue owl caught in fishing line

Aug 30th, 2010 | By Christopher Zurcher

FARMINGTON, Conn. — Connecticut officials rescued an owl that became entangled in a fishing line and was found hanging from a tree. via Conn. officials rescue owl caught in fishing line – Courant.com.



Water fowl thriving in Fairfield coastal preserve – Fairfield Citizen

Aug 28th, 2010 | By Christopher Zurcher
Water fowl thriving in Fairfield coastal preserve – Fairfield Citizen

A swath of Fairfield marshland, preserved from development five years ago, paid off on that investment last week when a group of bird enthusiasts gathered to marvel at the water fowl that make their home in the coastal enclave. Great Salt Marsh Island, purchased by the Aspetuck Land Trust and the town of Fairfield in
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Artists’ Reception and Songbirds Lecture – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sept. 11

Aug 26th, 2010 | By Christopher Zurcher

At 10:30 am, please come and welcome the artists of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators-Greater New York Chapter, as they discuss their subject matter and the personal experiences that inspired their work. The Songbird Exhibit runs until October 29, weekdays 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Highstead Arboretum, 127 Lonetown Rd., Redding, CT 06875.
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2 American Avocets, rare Connecticut wanderers, spotted in Guilford

Aug 25th, 2010 | By Christopher Zurcher
2 American Avocets, rare Connecticut wanderers, spotted in Guilford

Joan and Jim Clifford of Southbury sent us the following photographs of two American Avocets they spotted in Guilford on Aug. 17, 2010. I first saw the images on Greg Hanisek’s blog on the Waterbury Republican-American website and left a comment that I would love to share the photos with readers of CT Environmental Headlines.
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Manatee spotted in Clinton marina — seeks sweater for fall

Aug 23rd, 2010 | By Christopher Zurcher

Clinton, Conn. (WTNH) – A manatee, not usually seen this far north, was spotted at a marina in Clinton. Folks at the Cedar Island Marina were surprised to see the manatee, about 9 or 10 feet long, Friday morning.



Giant Swallowtail butterfly, and others, sighted locally

Aug 23rd, 2010 | By Christopher Zurcher

Giant Swallowtails (butterflies) showing up in Connecticut via A Big Butterfly | Talking Nature with Greg Hanisek. On Saturday August 21st, a field trip lead by Lenny Brown from the Connecticut Butterfly Association toured sites in Guilford including the Jared Elliot and Spencer Creek Preserves owned by the land trust. Visit the Guilford Land Trust
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Editorial: Ridgefield needs a leash law

Aug 23rd, 2010 | By Christopher Zurcher

Because unleashed dogs can be a threat to people, pets and wildlife, Ridgefield needs a leash law. While it may be difficult to enforce, at least the law would be there to let people know that failing to leash a dog is wrong. via Editorial: Ridgefield needs a leash law | Ridgefield Press.



Nice video of the White-tailed Kite in Stratford

Aug 23rd, 2010 | By Christopher Zurcher

http://vimeo.com/14148254



Avocets in Guilford — News-Times

Aug 23rd, 2010 | By Christopher Zurcher

Two American Avocets, rare wanderers to Connecticut, were feeding recently in the shallow water. The birds didn’t stay long, but two birders did what an increasing number of birders are doing — they took some pictures. via Talking Nature with Greg Hanisek » Avocets in Guilford. For a related story with photos of these rare
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White-tailed Kite Day 16

Aug 17th, 2010 | By Christopher Zurcher
White-tailed Kite Day 16

It was a full house on our canoe tour, Saturday, with 10 canoes and 3 kayaks joining us. Late summer and fall are exiting times to paddle the marsh; you just never know what will turn up. Saturday’s intrepid paddlers were treated to great views of roosting herons and egrets, including 17 Yellow-crowned Night-Herons (our
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Moose Active In State, But Connecticut Climes Unfavorable

Aug 17th, 2010 | By Christopher Zurcher

Busy roadways, lots of people, hot summers, and the lack of food and quality cover make life tough for a moose in Connecticut. via Moose Active In State, But Connecticut Climes Unfavorable – Courant.com.



With more rare sightings, Stratford becomes new birding hot spot

Aug 16th, 2010 | By Christopher Zurcher

STRATFORD — A small tribe of birdwatchers got more than it bargained for last Tuesday night when it gathered at Point Stratford in hopes of glimpsing the rare white-tailed kite first spotted there two weeks ago. While waiting for the kite to arrive and swoop down into the grasslands for its nightly feeding of mice
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Connecticut River Shad Vanishing

Aug 14th, 2010 | By Christopher Zurcher

Please help sustain the American shad population and its fishery by supporting initiatives for a spring striped bass commercial fishing season on the Connecticut River and continuing efforts to keep our long tidal river clean. And, please, enjoy a delicious dish of shad next spring. Mark Twain would, if he could. via Connecticut River Shad
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Deer hunting moves to new parcels

Aug 14th, 2010 | By Christopher Zurcher

RIDGEFIELD — There will be a half-dozen new plots of town-owned land where bow-hunters will take down deer this winter, as the effort to decimate a too-large deer herd moves into its fifth year.The Board of Selectmen voted 3-2 Wednesday to approve hunting on six new sites. Because the town’s Deer Committee has dropped six
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When it Comes to White Nose Syndrome, Scientists are Stepping Up to the Bat

Aug 12th, 2010 | By Christopher Zurcher

Bat rehabilitator and specialist Maureen Heidtmann says that if the bat population is going to be saved, it’s crucial for people to understand WNS as well as to be conscious of their potential role in its spread. via When it Comes to White Nose Syndrome, Scientists are Stepping Up to the Bat | The Day.



Have deer hunts made a difference?

Aug 12th, 2010 | By Christopher Zurcher

Ridgefield had the highest number of deer deaths in the state last year at 416. Wilton, a town that had a controlled hunt for about eight years, once held the number 1 spot and has dropped to 32. Deer Committee Chair Tom Belote believes that shows that the hunt is having an effect on bringing
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Disease that rots shells threatens Northeast lobster industry

Aug 11th, 2010 | By Christopher Zurcher

SOUTH KINGSTOWN — A disease that rots the shells of lobsters is threatening the Northeast’s $20-million lobster industry, scientists said Wednesday. The disease, decimating lobsters since the mid 1990s, could mean new regulations for fishermen already struggling with a bad economy, said Mark Gibson, deputy chief of the state Department of Environmental Management’s Division of
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Birdwatchers flock to Stratford to catch a glimpse of rare raptor

Aug 10th, 2010 | By Christopher Zurcher

STRATFORD — Legions of bird-watchers throughout the Northeast are all atwitter over the appearance of a white-tailed kite that’s taken up residence in the town’s Lordship section. via Birdwatchers flock to Stratford to catch a glimpse of rare raptor – Connecticut Post.



Calendar contest captures E.Granby wildlife | The Granby News

Aug 9th, 2010 | By Christopher Zurcher

EAST GRANBY — East Granby has 264 acres of open space that is home to all sorts of wildlife and terrain, some of which was caught on camera by those entering the East Granby Land Trust (EGLT) Calendar Contest. via Calendar contest captures E.Granby wildlife | The Granby News | Foothills Media Group.



Connecticut Audubon Society: White-tailed Kite Day 7

Aug 9th, 2010 | By Christopher Zurcher

Yes, the White-tailed Kite is still here at Stratford Point, Milford Point, and between at Short Beach. Tomorrow will be one week since it was found. I have been getting a ton of questions via email and in person, so here’s more information on Stratford Point and the White-tailed Kite. Please pass this along to
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