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Great Gull Island lies at the eastern end of Long Island Sound. The former site of an army fort, its overgrown battlements are now defended by the largest concentration of nesting Common Terns in the world (9,500 pairs). The boulders dumped around the edge of the island to stabilize the shoreline, as well as some of the retaining walls of
The Connecticut Bird Atlas aims to map all bird species found in the state during both nesting and non-nesting seasons. From 2018 through 2020, birders are documenting the distribution, abundance, and breeding activities of birds at sites throughout the entire state. The resulting data will be used to document changes since the last comprehensive survey of the state’s birds, held
Sign up with Gail Martino to feature your story for member's night. Each speaker will be allotted ten minutes to show slides or tell a story. The Valentine's Day theme of the night will be "Love Is for the Birds." For those of you participating in the CT Bird Atlas project, this is a great chance to highlight some of
Birds are living dinosaurs. The legacy of their monstrous forebears remains in the way they walk, fly, eat, and think. It remains in their embryos, which assume a dinosaur-like form before they transform into hatchling birds. New fossil discoveries and new information about embryonic development have overturned some of our previous assumptions about the early history of birds. Dr. Bhart-Anjan
Join us as Michael DiGiorgio describes his journey from tracking and observing birds in the wild to learning how to express their beauty—and his feelings about them—in drawings and paintings. Along the way he meets the masters of bird art, finds his voice as an artist, and comes into his own as a nationally-recognized nature artist. The talk also will
Join wildlife photographer Shawn Carey on an adventure into the heart of Tanzania. We’ll take a safari vehicle into the country’s spectacular national parks and see the “Big Five”—African elephant, black rhino, Cape buffalo, lion, and leopard—in all their glory. Along the way, we’ll search for and photograph cheetahs, giraffes, black-backed jackals, and hippos. And we’ll encounter a panoply of
Note: this is starting 30 minutes later than normal meeting time. It seems that owls have always been surrounded by an air of mystery, probably because most are nocturnal and not easily spotted in the wild. This meeting may be your chance to be only a few feet away from two Eastern Screech Owls, a Barred Owl, and a Great-horned
Come on a trip around the world with one of Connecticut Audubon's EcoTravel leaders! Andrew Griswold has been the director of EcoTravel for Connecticut Audubon Society (CAS) since 1996. He graduated as an honor student in biology from Hartwick College, where he worked at their biological research station in the Bahamas studying avian ecology. Andy is the original concept creator
Discover the birds of Costa Rica with Peter Christoph. Have you ever wondered why over 600 birds call Costa Rica their year-round home? Due to its diverse topography, this tropical nation contains several life zones supporting a wide variety of birds, from tiny iridescent hummingbirds to colorful toucans. Discover Costa Rica’s national treasures with a top wildlife photographer as he
With the help of our avian ambassadors, students learn about the amazing adaptations that enable birds to thrive in their specialized environments. Colleen Peters is the Director of Education at the Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy in Litchfield CT.
Avian patients are a rare sight in most veterinary hospitals. Pet birds don’t require annual vaccines and often don’t show any signs of illness until it's too late. Oftentimes the stress involved in transporting a bird to the veterinary hospital or the risk of escape or injury will outweigh the potential advantage of an annual checkup. In addition, locating a
This program by an African penguin care team highlights the work that is done both at Mystic Aquarium as well as with their partner institution in South Africa to protect endangered African penguin species. Utilizing the Zoom virtual platform, they will take the group on a virtual tour of the Aquarium’s penguin exhibit. Led by members of our Penguin and Education
This meeting has been cancelled due to health concerns with the Corona Virus Earth’s rapid urbanization continues and the decades ahead are projected to see the largest and fastest period of urban expansion in history. To live in urban areas, urban birds must adjust many aspects of their life. Dr. Scott Davies will talk about his research into when urban
Canceled due to Covid-19 Join Matt Bell as he talks about his experiences at Magee Marsh and The Biggest Week in American Birding, one of the largest birding festivals in the world. From numerous warblers that surround you at eye-level, to the lifelong friends made each year, the spectacle of The Biggest Week is one all birders should have on
Called “rays of the sun (huitzitzil)” by the Aztecs, who also thought them reincarnations of brave warriors, hummingbirds have long captured imaginations and affection for their colors, boldness, and diversity. Wood has travelled to several neotropical regions and the southwestern United States, in addition to our own backyard in Connecticut, collecting observations and photographs of nearly 100 different hummingbirds. He
The winter wildlife of Japan offers a number of spectacles unmatched in the wild! Tens of thousands of cranes of at least five species can be seen feeding on snowy fields or flying in to roost against the backdrop of glorious sunsets in Kagoshima. The famous dancing Red-crowned Cranes are in full performance in Kushiro. Snow Monkeys (Japanese Macaques) frolic
Kristi Dranginis is the founder of Bird Mentor, a resource for live and online courses helping people worldwide build confidence learning about birds and the natural world. Through her courses, students are immersed in the principles of instinctive birding, deep nature connection, bird language, and her innovative model for advanced bird identification. She recently published a book entitled Identify Any
Join us for an evening with Mary Ellen Lemay, Landowner Engagement Director for the Aspetuck Land Trust and Pollinator Pathway Facilitator for the Hudson to Housatonic partner network. With over 85 towns in CT and NY in various stages of launching Pollinator Pathways, this landowner-outreach strategy has taken the region by storm in only two years. By planting natives, avoiding
Join us for an evening with Al Batt, Bird Watcher's Digest's beloved humor columnist who will be speaking about "spark birds." What is your spark bird? Did a little birdie tell you to watch it or it would treat you like a statue in the park, did a penguin singing like a winter wren fly over your head, or did
Join us for an evening with Dr. Sean Williams, professor of Behavior, Ecology, and Ornithology at College of the Holy Cross, as he discusses his most recent research Variation in seed availability of the boreal forests drives variation in redpoll abundance in New England winters. In some years, redpolls "irrupt" into southern New England, allowing for unique opportunities to study them.
Kevin Powers, steward at Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary in Massachusetts, will provide an update on shearwater migration and research on coastal birds.
Join us for an evening with Maureen Heidtmann, Master Wildlife Conservationist, for an overview of bats of the world with an emphasis on our local species. She will cover the persisting myths and misconceptions about these fascinating creatures, the many roles bats play to ensure a healthy planet, and the perils bats face in their struggle for survival. She also
Join us to hear about Julie Zickefoose's lastest book, Saving Jemima: Life and Love with a Hard Luck Jay. When Jemima, an orphaned Blue Jay, is brought to wildlife rehabilitator Julie Zickefoose, she is a palm-sized bundle of gray-blue fluff. But she is starved and very sick. Julie’s constant care brings her around, and as Jemima is raised for eventual
Virtual meeting Each year bird-aircraft collisions (birdstrikes) cause millions of dollars in damage to both civil and military aviation. The Smithsonian’s Feather Identification Lab identifies over 10,000 birdstrike cases annually using microscopy, DNA, and the vast research collections housed at the National Museum of Natural History. Knowing the species of birds that cause damage is a fundamental step in birdstrike
Low-cost audio recording hardware and high-performance sound analysis software have opened up new frontiers in bird conservation. Dr. Connor Wood of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics traces his own involvement in the field of bioacoustics from the development of a new paradigm in Spotted Owl population monitoring and its evolution towards a program
Virtual meeting Join us to learn about female bird song with Dr. Benedict from the University of Northern Colorado. Her research focuses on bird song as a model system for understanding how signals evolve in nature. Her current projects examine the function and evolution of male and female vocalizations among Colorado wren species, New World sparrows, and Old World warblers.
Virtual Meeting Adriaan Dokter is a Research Associate at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology who studies avian populations and seasonal migrations of birds. He leverages or develops weather radar networks as well as individual tags to address questions in migration ecology. He will talk about his latest projects. Sign on information will be sent to members in an email message.
Join us to hear about Nick's Self-Found Big Year (SFBY)—a Big Year in which you cannot count birds found by other people. In other words, instead of chasing rare birds found by others, you are forced to find your own. The practice really encourages exploration and discovery. The talk will include an introduction to the SFBY and then a tour
As birders and wildlife enthusiasts, we can't help but marvel at large gatherings of birds. Many bird species spend time in flocks that can range in size from just a few birds to tens of thousands, even millions. Flocks of birds, whether they be in the air or on the ground, can offer a magnificent spectacle. This presentation asks the
Julian Hough of Nature Images will share his experiences birding Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and Cozumel. NOTE: Please check the NHBC website and newsletter periodically for updated information on all programs. We hope to resume in-person meetings in January 2022, but all plans are tentative at this time.
When we think of birds, we think of feathers. Feathers give birds their color, from the bright red of a male Cardinal to the iridescent reds and greens of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Feathers keep birds warm and dry: down provides excellent insulation against heat loss and water really does roll off a duck’s back. Feathers form the aerodynamic shape of the
Note: This walk was on Saturday April 23 in the yearbook. It has been moved to Sunday, April 24,2022 Webinars start Wednesday, April 6, 7–7:45 p.m. Walk on Sunday, April 24, 2022 Group 1: 8–9:30 a.m.Birding by Ear: Webinar Series and Walk Group 2: 10–11:30 a.m. Limited enrollment, pre-registration required Learning bird songs and calls increases one's perception of what
Come join the fun at the New Haven Bird Club’s Annual Banquet with guest speaker Tom Stephenson. Tom is described as a "birder's birder" by The New Yorker. Tom's articles and photographs are in museums and many publications including Birding, Birdwatcher's Digest, Handbook of the Birds of the World, Handbook of the Mammals of the World, and Guide to the
(NOTE: This program will be held in person even though its title mentions a virtual walking tour.) The Audubon Bird Mural Project is a collaboration between the National Audubon Society and Avi Gitler, an art dealer and collector. The Project is an impressive effort to create murals of more than 300 North American birds. Most of the murals are in
A fateful bike ride crossed paths with the Osprey’s road to recovery and sparked Bob’s 30-year passion for photographing birds. This photo-essay is his documentation of the Osprey’s remarkable success story in Connecticut and some of the people who helped make it happen. It will include an illustrated life history of this unique raptor and its connection with the overall
In March 2020, as many people began spending more time outside during the pandemic, Jim created a nature blog to help Connecticut residents discover more about nature right where they live. Join us as Jim presents a photographic essay through the seasons, sharing how extraordinary ordinary local wildlife can be. His presentation will feature many connections to Connecticut’s birdlife. Jim
Donald Grant Mitchell was drawn to nature from a very early age. Growing up on a farm in Salem, Connecticut, nature was always close at hand. Educated in the classics, Mitchell had a studied knowledge of the philosophy of beauty, especially the beauty of nature, through his exposure to the great writers and philosophers from an earlier time. His farm,
Due to a COVID outbreak in the New Haven Area we are going to do this presentation remotely. Members will get an email with the details. This presentation will provide the history and management of Wild Turkeys in our state. Topics include the rise and fall of turkey populations, life history, predators, management programs, and vocalizations. Paul Benjuntas will demonstrate
(NOTE: This is a virtual presentation; the Zoom link will be sent to members via the NHBC email group) Armenia is a landlocked country surrounded by Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. It has a total area of just under 12,000 square miles, mostly mountainous, and from time immemorial has been a migration route for birds between the European continent and
Moved to February 11 at 7 pm due to cold weather. The Seventh Annual Mega Bowl of CT and New Haven County is coming! WHO: Any birder in CT can participate, either individually or as a member of a team. Team size should range from 1-5 birders. Ideal is 2-4. WHAT: MEGA BOWL VII: an all-day birding extravaganza where you
Many of the New Haven Bird Club members participated in the Connecticut Bird Atlas project in 2018-21. Join us for an early look into the results of the CT Bird Atlas project with Dr. Chris Elphick, an Associate Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut. His work focuses on the conservation ecology of
WINGSPAN GAME NIGHT The New Haven Bird Club will hold a Game Night for anyone who plays, or is interested in learning how to play Wingspan on Friday, March 17 from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m at the Whitney Center's Cultural Arts Center (same room where NHBC Monthly Meetings are held). WINGSPAN is a board game that debuted in 2019 that uses bird behavior and characteristics to control the flow of the
Most birds do not have a penis, and most ornithologists have not thought about bird penises much. However, evolutionarily, the loss of this organ in birds is an extremely significant event: why lose an organ that seems so handy to get sperm close to female eggs? The few birds that have kept their penis may offer some insights as to
New Haven Bird Club Annual Celebration Thursday, May 11, 2023 6-10 PM Amarante’s Sea Cliff, Grand Ballroom 62 Cove Street, New Haven, CT $45/person: Dinner, Dessert, Cash Bar and Speaker Jim Zipp Costa Rica: A Birder's Paradise! Costa Rica is a birdwatcher's paradise, offering easy access, safety, friendly locals, and a vast array of stunning tropical birds. Jim Zipp and
Thursday September 14, 2023 – Dr. Sylvia Halkin We start off our indoor program year with a presentation on Northern Cardinals by Dr. Sylvia Halkin, Professor Emerita at Central Connecticut State University. Her talk will include a description of how Northern Cardinals use their song repertoires to communicate with one another, plus information about changes in their song over the
The New Haven Bird Club will hold a Game Night for anyone who plays, or is interested in learning how to play Wingspan on Friday, September 22nd from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m at the Whitney Center's Cultural Arts Center, 200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden CT (same room where NHBC Monthly Meetings are held). WINGSPAN is a board game that debuted in 2019 that uses bird behavior and characteristics to control the flow
Ken Elkins will discuss a special program he co-developed called “Bird Tales” for reaching people living with dementia. The program encourages connections with birds on a multi-sensory level, through sight, sound, smell, and touch. Ken is Director of the Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford Point.
The New Haven Bird Club will hold a Game Night for anyone who plays, or is interested in learning how to play Wingspan on Saturday October 14th from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m at the Whitney Center's Cultural Arts Center, 200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden CT (same room where NHBC Monthly Meetings are held). WINGSPAN is a board game that debuted in 2019 that uses bird
2023 is the 30th anniversary of the Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Program. Min will review the program and its impacts. Min serves as Migratory Bird Program Leader in the Wildlife Division, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Connecticut.
Join us for an online presentation showcasing a Texas tour by leader Frank Gallo of Sunrise Birding. Prepare to be transported on a captivating journey through some of Texas' most breathtaking birding destinations, where you'll have the opportunity to encounter numerous remarkable species. We will not be meeting in person for this presentation.