PUBLISHED BY THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF … · Photo courtesy of Paul J. Fusco Cover: Published...

Connecticut Wildlife 1November/December 2005

PUBLISHED BY THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONBUREAU OF NATURAL RESOURCES � WILDLIFE DIVISION

November/December 2005

© PAUL J. FUSCOAll Rights Reserved

2 Connecticut Wildlife November/December 2005

Fromthe Director

The DEP Wildlife Division is requesting volunteers for the BaldEagle Survey scheduled for January 14, 2006 (see page 14, whereyou will also find information about Shepaug Eagle ObservationArea and the CAS Eagle Festival).

Photo courtesy of Paul J. Fusco

Cover:

��Published bimonthly by

State of ConnecticutDepartment of Environmental Protection

www.dep.state.ct.usGina McCarthy .................................................................. CommissionerDavid K. Leff ....................................................... Deputy CommissionerEdward C. Parker ........................... Chief, Bureau of Natural Resources

Wildlife Division79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5127 (860-424-3011)Dale May .................................................................................... DirectorGreg Chasko ................................................................ Assistant DirectorMark Clavette ..................................................... Recreation ManagementLaurie Fortin ............................................................... Wildlife TechnicianBrenda Marquez ........................................................................ SecretaryShana Scribner ................................................................. Office AssistantChris Vann ................................................ Technical Assistance Biologist

Eastern District Area Headquarters209 Hebron Road, Marlborough, CT 06447 (860-295-9523)Robin Blum ........................... Habitat Management Program TechnicianAnn Kilpatrick ................................................. Eastern District BiologistCarrie Pomfrey ...................... Habitat Management Program TechnicianPaul Rothbart ............................................ District Supervising BiologistJane Seymour ....................................................... Belding WMA StewardJudy Wilson ........................................... Private Lands Habitat Biologist

Franklin W.M.A.391 Route 32, N. Franklin, CT 06254 (860-642-7239)Paul Capotosto ........................................ Wetlands Restoration BiologistMichael Gregonis .................................. Deer/Turkey Program BiologistMin Huang ........................................ Migratory Bird Program BiologistHoward Kilpatrick ................................. Deer/Turkey Program BiologistKelly Kubik .................................... Migratory Bird Program TechnicianAndy LaBonte ................................................. Deer Program TechnicianHeather Overturf .............................................................. Office AssistantWinnie Reid ............................................................................... SecretaryJulie Victoria ................................. Wildlife Diversity Program BiologistRoger Wolfe ................................... Mosquito Management Coordinator

Sessions Woods W.M.A.P.O. Box 1550, Burlington, CT 06013 (860-675-8130)Trish Cernik ............................................................................... SecretaryJenny Dickson ............................... Wildlife Diversity Program BiologistPeter Good ................................................ Supervising Wildlife BiologistJason Hawley .......................................... Furbearer Program TechnicianShannon Kearney ........................ Wildlife Diversity Program TechnicianChristina Kocer ............................ Wildlife Diversity Program TechnicianGeoffrey Krukar .......................... Wildlife Diversity Program TechnicianDave Kubas ............................................... CE/FS Program CoordinatorPeter Picone .................................................... Western District BiologistKate Moran .................................. Wildlife Diversity Program TechnicianPaul Rego ................................................. Furbearer Program BiologistJames Koert Riley .......................................... Field Assistant/MaintainerLaura Rogers-Castro ................................ Education/Outreach ProgramLaura Saucier ............................... Wildlife Diversity Program TechnicianJim Warner ........................................................................ Field Assistant

Connecticut WildlifeKathy Herz ..................................................................................... EditorPaul Fusco .............................................. Media Designer/Photographer

Wetlands Habitat & Mosquito Management Crew51 Mill Road, Madison, CT 06443Steven Rosa ................................................. Mosquito Control SpecialistDaniel Shaw ................................................ Mosquito Control Specialist

The Wildlife Division grants permission to reprint text, not artwork, provided the DEPWildlife Division is credited. Artwork printed in this publication is copyrighted by the CTDEP Wildlife Division. Any unauthorized use of this artwork is prohibited. Please contactthe editor at the Sessions Woods office to obtain permission for reprinting articles.

The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program wasinitiated by sportsmen and conservationists to providestates with funding for wildlife management and researchprograms, habitat acquisition, wildlife management areadevelopment and hunter education programs. Each issue ofConnecticut Wildlife contains articles reporting on WildlifeDivision projects funded entirely or in part with federal aidmonies.

The Department of Environmental Protection is anaffirmative action/equal opportunity employer, providingprograms and services in a fair and impartial manner. Inconformance with the American with Disabilities Act,DEP makes every effort to provide equally effectiveservices for persons with disabilities. Individuals withdisabilities needing auxiliary aids or service, or for moreinformation by voice or TTY/TDD, call (860) 424-3000.

Volume 25, Number 6 ● November / December 2005

Introduced species. Nonnatives. Some get here by accident, some are releasedintentionally, while others are escapees. In most cases, they don’t becomeestablished outside their native range. Either the environmental conditions arenot suitable or they are unable to compete with endemic species. However, insome instances, introduced species become “invasive,” dominating their newhabitat at the expense of native wildlife or humans.

Monk parakeets are pet trade escapees that have been present in Connecticutsince the early 1970s. These South American birds are colorful, highly visibleand, at least initially, a novelty in the areas they colonize. Monk parakeetsfound a niche in west-coastal Connecticut and this out-of-place “parrot”developed a following among a segment of the public. However, other citizenshave been critical of the birds’ noisy behavior and their habit of damagingornamental plants. Utility and safety authorities are concerned about the monkparakeets’ tendency to construct massive colonial nests on transmission linepoles and light towers. The birds that select utility structures for nestingbecome imprinted on these structures and will not switch to using trees.Removal of the nests simply encourages the birds to construct additional nestson nearby structures, often magnifying the problem.

Not all birds are protected equally under the statutes. While it is unlawful toharm many birds, there are some exceptions. Starlings and English sparrowsare totally unprotected. Monk parakeets are unprotected when founddepredating ornamental trees, agricultural crops, livestock, or wildlife, orwhen concentrated in such numbers to constitute a public health or safetyhazard. Utility companies have found that lethal removal of monk parakeets, inaddition to nest removal, is necessary to resolve the hazards posed by nestingmaterials on transmission lines. Connecticut statutes permit lethal controlunder these circumstances.

The prevailing opinion used to be that monk parakeets would be vulnerable inConnecticut. One harsh winter or some other factor would keep their numbersin check, if not eradicate them altogether. However, it does not appear that isgoing to happen. Monk parakeets are native to areas in South America with aclimate similar to ours and are expanding their range dramatically here. If thispopulation expansion continues, will monk parakeets become the agriculturalpests that they are in South America? Will there be ecological consequencesthat we are not yet aware of? If these threats materialize, will we be able tocontrol this species once it has become widely distributed?

Under existing laws, monk parakeets have enough protection that theirpopulation will likely continue to increase. As it does, we will have to closelymonitor what effect, if any, they are having on the state’s ecology and itscitizens.

Dale W. May


Mystic Aquarium & Institute forExploration (MAIFE) is a foundingmember of the Northeast RegionalStranding Network and has beenresponding to both live and dead marinemammal and sea turtle stranding callssince 1973. The activities of the MarineMammal and Sea Turtle StrandingProgram are focused along the coasts ofConnecticut, Rhode Island, and Fisher’sIsland, New York.

The Marine Mammal and Sea TurtleStranding Program operates with a full-time Stranding Coordinator, a part-timeStranding Assistant, and a volunteerforce of over 40. The number of volun-teers has grown over the last few yearsand there still is a need for more volun-teer support. Volunteers are trained torespond to calls from the public or locallaw enforcement, assist in maintenanceof the stranding facilities, and care forin-house stranded marine mammals.Without the volunteers’ perseveranceand dedication, the rehabilitation processwould not be possible.

The ultimate goal of the StrandingProgram is to respond to each and everycall to find out if the marine mammal orsea turtle is in need of assistance and toprovide public education while doing so.Last year in Connecticut, the number ofsighting calls (animals that do not comein for rehabilitation) increased to 121from 64 the year before. All but one ofthe calls that came in last year inConnecticut were about seals, but onlyone seal from the state needed rehabilita-tion. Just because a seal is observed on

Seal Season Is Approaching in Long Island SoundWritten by Heather Medic, Coordinator for the Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Program

land does notmean that theanimal needs tobe rehabilitated.

Not All SealsNeed Help

Many peopledo not know thatseals, unlikeother marinemammals, needto come up onland to rest. Theycan stay on landfor up to 48hours withouteating or gettingwet. Seals aresemi-aquaticanimals, whichmeans they oftenspend a portionof each day on land. They haul out of thewater for a variety of reasons, includingto rest, give birth, and shed. While out ofthe water they will not eat. Seals storeenough fat in their blubber layer to allowthem to go for extended periods of timewithout eating.

Seals are most commonly observedin groups, hauled out on rocks orsandbars in Long Island Sound. How-ever, there are times when seals are seenalone. Ice seals, in particular, are almostalways observed alone in this region andcan be found on docks, floating ice,lawns, beaches, and even up rivers.

Four types of seals can be seen inLong Island Sound. Since the mid-1990s, two species of ice seals, harp andhooded seals, have been visiting theSound during winter. They are called“ice seals” because they are from Canadaand even further north towardGreenland, where they spend most oftheir lives on ice flows. Harp and hoodedseals can be seen in New England frommid-January to early May. The “regionalseals” are the harbor and gray seals. Bothspecies make Long Island Sound theirhome from September through June,sometimes never leaving at all. How-ever, the majority of seals do leave thearea to breed in their northern territory insummer.

The regional seals keep their distancefrom people and haul out together in

large groups. The ice seals are social intheir northern territory, but are solitarywhen we see them in Connecticut. Aregional seal usually will retreat to thewater when approached, unless it is apup. Ice seals typically are not afraid ofpeople and usually will not retreat to thewater when approached. Ice seals can beaggressive. Open-mouth displays andvocalizations are signs that you are tooclose, and the animals may bite if theyfeel threatened.

As the population of ice sealsincreases, more and more will be seen inthis region. The population of harp sealsin Canada is over 5.5 million andgrowing. Young seals that are not readyto mate tend to spread out to find a newterritory when hunting for fish. Harpseals can be seen as far south as Virginiaeach winter. Last year there were moreharp seals seen in Connecticut than inRhode Island.

What You Can DoThe Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle

Stranding Program wants to provide aquick response to callers’ concerns aboutmarine mammals and sea turtles. Howcan you help? People are encouraged tocall the Program when they see a marinemammal or sea turtle. Staff and volun-teers can then determine if the animal is

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Individual harp seals, resting on beaches, boat docks, and lawns alongConnecticut’s shoreline, are becoming a more common sight in winter.These animals are rarely in need of rehabilitation. It is normal to see sealson land. They do not need to stay wet nor do they need to eat every day.

Stay at least 50 yards away from resting sealsand limit your viewing time to avoid causingthe animals undue stress and possible death.Unleashed dogs are a major cause of stress.Dogs that approach seals may be injured bythe animals and could be exposed to diseasescarried by seals.

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A large number of Connecticut’s wildlife species, unfortu-nately, have received very little research or managementattention. Many of these species have exhibited decliningpopulation trends and some are even listed under the Connecti-cut Endangered Species Act. As Connecticut continues tobecome more urbanized, habitat loss and development pressureon these declining species continues to increase. Information isneeded so that recovery or management plans can be devel-oped for many of these species, thus preventing continuedpopulation declines and instead beginning the restoration ofpopulations.

Wetland Bird ProjectA wetland bird project was developed under the State

Wildlife Grants (SWG) program to collect baseline data on avariety of priority wildlife species, some of which are listedunder the Connecticut Endangered Species Act. The projectfocuses primarily on the needs of a diverse group of wetlandbirds (breeding rails and other secretive waterbirds, as well aswintering loons, grebes, and other diving birds) that occurs inConnecticut. The data collected ultimately will be used toaugment any existing species data and to begin the develop-ment of recovery or management plans for these species. TheDEP Wildlife Division has partnered with a number of non-governmental conservation organizations and the U.S. Fish andWildlife Service (USFWS) and U.S. Coast Guard to conductthis important work.

Connecticut’s State Wildlife Grant Wetland Bird ProjectWritten by Min T. Huang, Migratory Gamebird Program

As part of this study, a statistically powerful surveymethodology was developed for detecting breeding rails,grebes, and bitterns. Over the course of two years, breedingsurveys were conducted at 46 marshes throughout Connecticut.The surveys detected such species as the sora, Virginia rail,clapper rail, king rail, pied-billed grebe, American bittern, leastbittern, and common moorhen. Virginia rail and sora nestswere monitored to determine nesting success. It was deter-mined that daily nest survival rates were 96%; however,overall nest success was about five percent. Habitat assess-ments of 10 of the survey marshes indicated that invasive plantspecies, such as Phragmites and purple loosestrife, pose a bigproblem.

Wintering Diving BirdsAnother project involves assessments of wintering diving

bird use along the Connecticut coast. Little is known about thedistribution and habitat use of wintering diving birds in LongIsland Sound. The only systematic surveys presently con-ducted during winter are the Audubon Christmas Bird Countand the USFWS Midwinter Inventory (MWI). The ChristmasBird Count encompasses all species, whereas the MWI onlyindexes waterfowl. Long Island Sound is a critical winteringand staging area for migratory birds. Continued developmentpressures in the Sound, such as the construction of under-ground pipelines and proposed offshore oil terminals, may

A statistically powerful survey methodology was developed for detecting breeding American bitterns (above), rails, and grebes as part of awetland bird project. These birds are secretive and often difficult to detect during standard biological surveys.

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pose serious risks to wintering birds, particularly if develop-ment were to occur in high use areas.

Ground, aerial, and boat surveys of Long Island Soundwere conducted by the Wildlife Division from Novemberthrough April. A total of 104,128 birds, comprising 41species, were observed over the course of the survey effort.Rare species to Connecticut, such as Eurasian wigeon, kingeider, northern gannet, and razorbill, were observed.Overall, wintering bird numbers were constant fromDecember through February, but increased in March.Different trends were detected for different groups of birds.Diving birds (horned grebes, pied-billed grebes, razorbills)were more prevalent in March than in other months. Puddleducks showed no trend in numbers during the course of thewinter as their numbers were constant. Sea duck numberswere greatest in February, March, and April. Diving ducknumbers mirrored those of sea ducks, with the greatestnumbers present in February and March. Both commonloons and red-throated loons were more abundant in

February and March. Similar to puddle ducks,double-crested cormorants and great cormorantnumbers were constant throughout the surveyperiod.

The western portion of Long Island Sound(Housatonic River west to Greenwich Harbor)was the area that supported the greatest diversityof species throughout the wintering period. Thegreatest diversity of species was observedduring February and March.

Apart from learning what species are inLong Island Sound and where, it is important toknow what the birds are doing in specific areas.Thus, time budget surveys were conducted atspecific sites throughout the winter. Hornedgrebes, red-throated loons, common loons,long-tailed ducks, and scoters were the focus ofthese time budget surveys. Overall, sea ducksspent approximately 40% of their time loafing,33% feeding, and 10% preening. Differences inthe activities of sea ducks between months werenoted. During February, sea ducks devoted 61%

of their time to feeding, whereas in March they spent 35% oftheir time feeding. Loons and grebes spent 12% of their timeswimming, 5% preening, 34% loafing, and 45% feeding.Across months, no differences in the activity budgets of loonsor grebes were apparent.

The Wildlife Division plans to collect data for one moreyear on wintering diving birds, while also further clarifyingsome of the information gathered during the first year of work.

State Wildlife Grants are federal fundsappropriated by Congress annually to state fishand wildlife agencies. The funds require a non-federal match and are distributed to states basedon a land and population formula. Congressenacted the State Wildlife Grants program in2001 as part of the Conservation Trust Fund.Ground, aerial, and boat surveys of Long Island Sound were used to

detect wintering diving birds. Double-crested cormorants (above) andgreat cormorant numbers were constant throughout the survey period.

Survey results indicated that diving birds, such as horned grebes (above), pied-billed grebes, and razorbills were more prevalent in Connecticut during Marchthan in other months.

Scoters and other sea ducks were the focus of time budget surveys.Overall, sea ducks spent approximately 40% of their time loafing, 33%feeding, and 10% preening.

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Since the 1960s, Falkner Island, asmall, crescent-shaped piece of land justoff the coast of Guilford, has been thesite of the largest common tern androseate tern colonies in Connecticut.This 4.5-acre island was once owned bythe U.S. Coast Guard until it became partof the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s(USFWS) Division of Refuges in 1985.

Nesting Terns at Falkner IslandIt is nowconsideredpart of theStewart B.McKinneyNationalWildlifeRefuge.

Theroseate terncolony onthe island ispart of anortheasternregionalpopulationthat nests atvarious sitesalong thecoastlines ofMaine,Massachusetts, Connecticut, and NewYork. This northeastern breedingpopulation was declared endangered bythe USFWS in 1987. With the passage ofConnecticut’s endangered species act in1992, the roseate tern also was listed asstate-endangered. The common tern isconsidered a Connecticut species ofspecial concern.

Because of the endangered status ofroseate terns, their productivity iscontinuously monitored at FalknerIsland, as well as at other breeding sitesin Massachusetts and New York. Thispast nesting season, 44 pairs of roseateterns fledged 36 young, compared to the37 pairs that fledged 25 young in 2004.Predation of chicks by black-crownednight-herons has been the major cause ofdeath to tern chicks over the years. Thisyear was no different as five roseate ternnests were depredated by night-herons.Great black-backed gulls also preyed onsome of the chicks.

Over 3,000 pairs of common ternsnest at Falkner Island along with theroseate terns. Their nesting success ismonitored as well, but final numbers are

not yet available. In years past, produc-tivity has been affected by predation ofchicks by black-crowned night-heronsand gulls. Common tern chicks areusually more heavily preyed upon thanare roseate tern chicks because they aremore numerous.

The enhancement of nesting habitatat Falkner Island has helped to provideadditional nest sites for roseate terns andprotection for the chicks. Each April,before the terns arrive, a work crew thatincludes volunteers organized by TheNature Conservancy places nest boxes inrocky areas and partially buries tires ingravelly areas. These sheltered nest sitesprovide both eggs and young chicksprotection, mainly from predators likegulls and black-crowned night-herons.Each spring, when the birds return tonest on the island, a resident researchteam begins to observe and identifyadults and to census roseate and com-mon tern nests. At the end of each fieldseason, the observation blinds are takenapart and the tires and nest boxes areremoved from the beach so they won’tbe swept away by winter storms.

Over 3,000 pairs of common terns nest atFalkner Island along with the roseateterns. Their nesting success is monitoredas well.

Researchers at Falkner Island use this blind to observe the nestingactivities of roseate and common terns.

Connecticut TernsThe least, common and roseate terns all nest in Connecticut, while several other tern species can be found in the state during latesummer or times of migration. Terns are strong, swift fliers with daring agility. They are well adapted to making their living over water,in search of their main prey, fish. Their typical style is to find their quarry by sight, get themselves into position for a strike by hoveringover the target, and then dive head first into the water to catch small fish with their bill.In Connecticut, terns nest on the ground in colonies that may hold from a few pairs to as many as a few thousand pairs of nesting birds.They will aggressively defend their colony from intruders and predators by fearlessly diving at them, pecking, and defecating on them.Terns nesting in colonies gain protection from predators and intruders through the active defense by all of the individuals in the colony.When large numbers of terns aggressively defend their colony, they have a greater impact defending their nests than would a singlebird or smaller numbers of birds. However, their tendency to nest in colonies also makes terns more vulnerable when their coloniesexperience human disturbance or if there is a loss of nesting habitat due to development and recreational activities.

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Nearly $670,000 in federal funds has been awarded for 31 projects acrossConnecticut to expand and improve trails for hiking, bicycling, cross-countryskiing, and other recreational activities. One of the projects to receive a federalgrant is the maintenance of the self-guided trails at the DEP Wildlife Division’sSessions Woods Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Burlington, as well asBabcock Pond WMA in Colchester.

“These grants will fund improvements that will make it more fun andinviting for people to enjoy the great outdoors in Connecticut,” said GovernorM. Jodi Rell. “Connecticut is a beautiful state to begin with, and the naturalresources available to the public are truly remarkable. The funding will helpimprove and expand the network of trails that brings people into parks andforests, through urban greenways, and along rivers and the shoreline.”

The grants include $50,000 each to Hartford, Bridgeport, and Stamford todevelop recreational and educational trails and pathways; grants to 14 othermunicipalities and six nonprofit organizations to create and repair trails andbridges; and funding to the DEP to upgrade and maintain trails in areas rangingfrom Kent Falls to Dinosaur State Park.

The grant money is made available through the National Recreational TrailsProgram of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Adminis-tration. The funds are awarded to applicants through a competitive processadministered by DEP and the State Recreational Trails Program AdvisoryCommittee, which represents a broad spectrum of trail users.

DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy said, “The department was able toapprove 23 important projects submitted by municipalities and private, non-profit organizations, along with eight improvement projects on trails maintainedby DEP in our state parks and forests. The projects we have selected willsupport everything from improved access to hiking and mountain biking tohorseback riding and cross-country skiing. At DEP we are committed toreconnecting the people of this state to all of the great outdoor recreationalactivities Connecticut has to offer. This grant program helps us accomplish thatgoal.” Most projects are expected to begin next spring.

Federal Grants Awarded for Recreational Trail ProjectsSessions Woods WMA among 31 projects to benefit from grants

DEP Trail Projects Slated toReceive Funding fromFederal GrantSeveral DEP properties, including two of theDEP Wildlife Division’s wildlife managementareas, will receive funding for the expansion andimprovement of trails.

Session Woods Wildlife ManagementArea (Burlington):The self-guided hiking trails at SessionsWoods will be maintained with the help of a$5,000 grant.

Babcock Pond Wildlife ManagementArea (Colchester):A grant of $7,800 will be used to maintain ahandicapped access trail. The trail will becleared of debris and the trailside will bemowed. There are plans to purchase, compact,and roll four inches of crushed medium gravelon the trail.

Dinosaur Park State Park (Rocky Hill):The Mesoziac Trail will receive new gravel, aswell as new signage that will link the museum/park’s trail. Old signage also will be replaced.This project was awarded a grant of$26,630.74.

Collis P. Huntington State Park(Redding):A grant of $20,212 will be used to makeimprovements to an existing trail, includingclearing, relocating, resurfacing, and regrading.

Kent Falls State Park (Kent):A graded river access trail will be developedwith the help of a $25,000 grant. The trail willinclude interpretive signage, handicappedaccessibility, correction of erosion, and anelevated walkway

Mashamoquet Brook Unit (Pomfret):An existing boardwalk will be replaced withone that has concrete footings, pressure treatedsouthern yellow pine stringers, and compositedecking. This project was awarded a grant of$5,648.29.Salmon River/Rails to TrailsAppurtenances:A $2,300 grant will be used to install signs anddog waste dispensers along the Hop River andAir Line State Parks.

The DEP was awarded a grant of $62,709 toundertake small maintenance projects on existingtrails at DEP parks, forests, and wildlifemanagement areas throughout the state.

The Connecticut Forest and Parks Association(CFPA), a nonprofit conservation organization,received a $6,000 grant to maintain the BlueBlazed Trails that traverse through state forests,parks and wildlife management areas. Thefunding will enable CFPA to purchase equipmentand materials to repair or construct bridges, buildand erect signs, and make the necessaryimprovements to the trails.

A $5,000 federal grant will be used to maintain the hiking trails at the DEP WildlifeDivision’s Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area in Burlington. NaturalResource Educator Laura Rogers-Castro regularly leads interpretive walks along thetrails for public programs, school groups, and other organized groups. The trails alsoare used daily and year-round by visitors to Sessions Woods.

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Once again, the DEP WildlifeDivision is offering bundles of rough-cutlumber to groups for building bluebirdnest boxes. For more than two decades,the Wildlife Division has offered rough-cut wood, nest box plans, and fact sheetsto Connecticut schools, scout and 4-Hgroups, nature centers, conservationcommissions, and similar civic organiza-tions as part of the Bluebird RestorationProject.

The wood for building nest boxeswill be distributed to organized groupsonly on a “first come, first serve” basis.Group leaders should send a postcard tothe Wildlife Diversity Program, P.O.Box 1550, Burlington, CT 06013-1550.Requests must be received by January1, 2006, and include the followinginformation: group leader’s name, groupname, mailing address, daytime phonenumber and number of bundles re-quested (limit 2). Each bundle of woodwill make approximately 20 nest boxes.Group leaders should be aware that thelumber comes as planks and all groupswill be responsible for cutting the woodto the correct size. Only one request pergroup will be accepted.

If accepted, participants will benotified by late January when they canpick up their wood at the SessionsWoods Wildlife Management Area,located on Route 69 in Burlington.

Although lumber is only available forgroups, individuals interested in aidingConnecticut’s bluebird population may

Building Shelter for Bluebirds

obtain a bluebird fact sheet with nest boxplans, box location tips, and nest boxsurvey cards by writing to the WildlifeDiversity Program. Information also isavailable on winterizing existing nestboxes and providing food for bluebirdsduring winter and year-round. Survey

cards for reporting box use and locationare part of a statewide network that helpsmonitor bluebird population trends. Thebluebird fact sheet and nest box plansalso can be found in the wildlife sectionof the DEP’s website atwww.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/wildlife.

in need of medical attention, needs to bemoved from a populated area, or is justresting. Seals, especially, are resilientand usually just need time to rest. Iceseals are on their own when they areonly 12 days old, and the regional sealsno longer need to be with their mothersafter five weeks. Most of the seals thatpeople see are just looking for a place torest before their next big meal.

If you observe a seal or seals on land,limit your viewing time. Loud noises andquick movements are likely to scare oragitate the wild animal. All marinemammals are protected under the MarineMammal Protection Act of 1972. TheEndangered Species Act of 1973 furtherprotects sea turtles and whales that are

endangered. It is illegal to touch, feed,disturb, harass, hunt, capture, or killmarine mammals and sea turtles.

Harassment occurs when yourbehavior changes their behavior. Stay atleast 50 yards (150 feet) away frommarine mammals and sea turtles.Warning signs of harassment are notwhat most people expect when theycome upon a seal on land. If yourpresence causes increased vocalizationsby seals; shaking or body tremors; aresting animal to lift its head with eyeson you; or a seal on the beach to eatrocks and sand, then you are too close. Itis important to keep in mind that seals donot get cold. They have a thick blubberlayer. So, when a seal is shaking do not

put a blanket on the animal or put theanimal in a warm car. This will onlycause more stress, and stress can kill awild animal.

MAIFE is a nonprofit organizationthat relies heavily on the assistance ofprivate donations and grants to continueto provide rapid response and medicalassistance to marine mammals and seaturtles. If you would like to help,donations are always welcome. To makea donation or to report a sighting of amarine mammal or sea turtle, please callthe Marine Mammal and Sea TurtleStranding Program at MAIFE at 860-572-5955 ext. 107.

Sealscontinued from page 3

DEP Wildlife Division Technician Geoff Krukar cleans out a bluebird nest box located at theDivision’s Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area. Organized groups are encouraged toparticipate in the Division’s Bluebird Restoration Project.

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DEP Wildlife Division staff and severalvolunteers spent another summer monitoring thenesting success of two state threatened shorebirds,the piping plover and least tern. (The pipingplover also is a federally threatened species.) Aresearch assistant assigned to the plover and ternproject also spent many hours at shoreline nestingareas, monitoring plovers and terns, erectingprotective fencing, observing nests, and educatingbeach visitors. The research assistant position wasfunded through federal aid from Section 6 of thefederal Endangered Species Act.

Thirty-four pairs of piping plovers nestedalong the Connecticut coastline during the 2005breeding season, six pairs less than last year.However, the number of young fledged (reachedflying stage) was 55, which is one more chick thanin 2004.

Colonial nesting least terns are usually foundnear or among piping plovers nests. Approxi-mately 216 pairs of least terns nested in the statethis season, an increase from the 158 of 2004.However, the number of young fledged was low at70, compared to the 209 fledged in 2004.

The consistent number of piping plover chicks that havefledged every nesting season since 1986 is very encouragingand reflects the success of aggressive management by the DEPWildlife Division. Specific and carefully researched proce-dures are used to protect nesting plovers and terns. Initially,beaches designated as breeding grounds are fenced off withstring to discourage people and dogs from disturbing birds inthe area. Educational signs, as well as “Keep Away” and “NoDogs” signs, also are posted around these areas. When indi-vidual plover nests are located, a wire “exclosure,” with a topnet, is erected around each nest. The exclosure is designed tokeep dogs, house cats, skunks, raccoons, weasels, foxes, andavian predators from reaching the eggs.

Due to the flight patterns of least terns, individual nestfencing is not an effective technique for them. Consequently,walkers, anglers, and dogs often disturb these birds. Thissummer, the Connecticut Ornithological Society (COA) hired atern warden to monitor activities at Sandy Point/Morse Point in

2005 Piping Plover/Least Tern Nesting ResultsWritten by Julie Victoria, Wildlife Diversity Program

West Haven. The warden was trained by COA and workedunder the direction of the DEP Wildlife Division. COA iscurrently analyzing data collected by the warden and preparinga formal report to be released at a later date. However, thewarden noted large numbers of people using the area.

Piping plovers and least terns prefer to nest on sandybeaches, but only a limited number of sites is available due tocurrent shoreline development and recreational use. Mamma-lian and avian predators, attracted to beach areas by humanlitter, hamper nesting success, as do human disturbances whichkeep the birds off their nests, preventing them from attendingyoung.

The Wildlife Division appreciates the cooperation of thosewho respected the fenced and posted areas during the summernesting season. Thanks to the public education efforts ofvolunteers from the Division’s Master Wildlife ConservationistProgram, The Nature Conservancy, and Connecticut AudubonSociety, beach visitors and dog owners at several sites werevery cooperative. The Division encourages volunteer assis-

tance and hopes to continue publiceducation next season. Volunteers arebeing sought to assist next summerwith public education efforts atseveral nesting beaches in the WestHaven, Stratford, and Milford areas.For more information, contact JulieVictoria, at the Franklin WildlifeManagement Area, 391 Route 32,North Franklin, CT 06254, or sendemail to [email protected].

An adult least tern feeds its nestling a small fish. Only 70 least tern chicks fledgedthis year, compared to 209 in 2004.

Thirty-four pairs of piping ploversnested along the Connecticut coastlinein 2005, six pairs less than last year.Fifty-five young fledged, compared to54 in 2004.

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Written by Paul Fusco, Wildlife Outreach Program

Masters of Melody - The Mimic Thrushes

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COA steady breeze

blows across a sanddune on a brisk fallmorning along theConnecticutshoreline. The windrustles dried leavesin a thicket ofbeach rose andbayberry, whilebittersweet andpoison ivy vinesentangle the shrubswith sproutsreaching toward thesky. The fading redleaves of poisonivy glow in themorning sun. Amockingbird hopsto the top of abittersweet sprout.The bird flashes itswhite wing and tailpatches as itsurveys its sur-roundings. It uttersa harsh call note,tchack! Then itbegins a remarkableset of song phrases.First a long series of richly varied andstrong musical notes, followed by aperfect rendition of the slurred whistleklee-er-ee normally voiced by a black-bellied plover, then a series of notes thatbelong to a song sparrow.

Mimic thrushes are closely related totrue thrushes, such as the robin andwood thrush. The mimics includemockingbirds, catbirds, and thrashers.These medium-sized, slender songbirdshave long tails, strong legs and feet, andslender and slightly decurved bills. Thereare 31 species of mimic thrushes, all inthe western Hemisphere. Three of thosespecies can be found in Connecticut. Allthree use early successional shrub habitatand are frequently found in heavythickets and vine tangles where they feedon invertebrates and berries.

Northern MockingbirdNorthern mockingbirds are robin-

sized, pale gray birds with large con-spicuous white wing and tail patches.They are historically a southern bird, andhave expanded their range into the

northeast over the last 50 years. Mock-ingbirds are now common and wide-spread residents in Connecticut. Somebirds will withdraw from northern areasand higher elevations in winter.

Mockingbirds are one of our mostfamiliar backyard birds. They haveadapted well to urban and suburbanhabitats that can provide heavy thicketsand shrubbery for cover and persistentberries and fruit for winter food. Theyare conspicuous, often seen perched inthe open at the top of a thicket.

Among our most talented andprolific singers, a mockingbird’s song isstrong, melodious, and rich. Mocking-birds will sing day or night, spring andfall, and sometimes while in flight.Often they can be heard singing from anelevated perch on moonlit nights.Mockingbirds will repeat each phraseseveral to a half dozen times before thenext phrase begins. This differs from theother mimic thrushes in that thrasherswill repeat a phrase once or twice andcatbirds usually do not repeat a phrase.

Mockingbirds are well known formimicking the songs of other birds. Thesongs a mockingbird imitates give thelistener a clue as to where the bird haslived. Birds that have lived along theshoreline will pick up the songs and callsof species like terns and shorebirds,while those that live inland pick upsongs of other birds that live adjacent tothe mockingbird’s territory. Theirimitations are so good that any birdercould easily be fooled about the identityof the songster if the mockingbird wentunseen. As well as imitating the songs ofother birds, mockingbirds also have beenknown to imitate other sounds, includingbarking dogs and frogs.

Alert and fearless defenders of theirterritories, mockingbirds will attack cats,dogs, and even people that stray tooclose to their nest. They also willaggressively defend their feedingterritories and can frequently be seenchasing other birds out of their thicket inan effort to claim its berries for them-selves. Among their favorites are theberries of mulberry, blackberry, red

Northern mockingbirds are highly visible songbirds that frequently sing from elevated perches. They are renownedfor their expert mimicry.



cedar, multiflora rose, Virginia creeper,poison ivy, and black cherry.

Gray CatbirdNamed for its cat-like mewing call,

the gray catbird is a common breeder inConnecticut with a statewide distribu-tion. It can be found in dense thicketsand thorny scrub and edge habitats.Tolerant of people, the catbird isfrequently found nesting in densehedgerows and shrubs in suburbanbackyards.

Catbirds are migratory and in winterthey range south to Panama. Somecatbirds will overwinter in Connecticutin mild areas, especially along theshoreline where they feed on thepersistent berries of poison ivy, bitter-sweet, and multiflora rose.

The song of a catbird is long andvaried, similar to that of a mockingbirdor thrasher, but not as rich. It maycontain sweet warbling notes and thosethat are raspy. The song is frequentlyinterrupted by pauses and harsh squeak-ing notes. Catbirds will sometimesinclude phrases of other birds in theirsongs. Unlike the mockingbird andthrasher, catbirds do not typically repeatphrases in their songs.

Brown ThrasherBrown thrashers are widespread

breeders in Connecticut. Their distribu-tion is statewide, but they are uncommonand local. They are morecommon in southern and westernparts of the state than in otherareas. Thrashers are short-distance migrants in the northernpart of their range, whichincludes southern New England.Most birds move to the south-eastern United States in winter;however, a few hardy individualsstick out the cold weather inmilder parts of the state, espe-cially along the shoreline.

While the two other speciesof mimic thrushes are doing verywell in Connecticut, the brownthrasher is not. The species is notas adaptable as the others. It isnot commonly found in urban orsuburban habitats and itspopulation is presumed to havesuffered from the extensive lossof farmland habitat that hasoccurred here over the pastcentury. Because of concern forthe declining population and thelack of required early succes-

The catbird has a tailored appearance with its dark sooty graycoloring, black cap, and chestnut coloring under the tail coverts.

Brown thrashers are rusty brown above, with a white underside streaked with brown.

The Brown Thrasher Is a StateSpecies of Special Concern --What Does that Mean?The Connecticut Endangered Species Actdefines a species of special concern “asany native plant or native nongame wildlifespecies documented by scientific researchand inventory to have a naturally restrictedrange or habitat in the state, to be at a lowpopulation level, to be in such highdemand by man that its unregulated takingwould be detrimental to the conservation ofits population, or has been extirpated fromthe state.”

sional habitat, the brownthrasher is currentlylisted as a species ofspecial concern inConnecticut.

Brown thrashers domost of their foragingon the ground, fre-quently under shrubsand vines. These shybirds can be harder tosee than to hear as theythrow aside fallenleaves and detritus withtheir feet and bills whilesearching for wormsand other invertebrates.They usually nest on orvery close to the groundunder dense thickets.

Along with the mocking-bird, the brown thrasher isamong our most brilliantsingers. Both birds have songsthat are rich in tonal quality andvolume. The thrasher’s song ismade up of a long series of loudmelodious phrases that arestrikingly musical and given inrapid succession. Althoughthrashers will sometimes imitateother birds’ songs, they do soless often than the other mimicthrushes. Their song phrases arenormally given two or threetimes.

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People have long sought to attract purplemartins. These large, dark, glossy birds have astronger communal lifestyle than most otherbirds and will nest in colonies of varying sizes.Nest sites were historically natural cavities.However, Native Americans discovered that ifthey hung hollow gourds in saplings or onpoles, they could encourage martins to nest intheir villages. Bird enthusiasts today continuethis practice by putting up man-made apartmenthouses or gourds on their property to attractpurple martins. As long as conditions remainfavorable, martins usually will return to thesesame nest sites year after year. However, theymay expand their range if suitable habitat is nolonger available at a previously used site or ifnew sites or artificial roosts nearby attractyounger martins.

DescriptionPurple martins are often called “dark

swallows” because of their purplish-blueplumage. Young martins and females are grayerand paler on their undersides than are themales. Females are often confused with thesmaller tree swallow. The larger size (7.5-8.5inches) of the martin and the grayness of its throat and breastdistinguish it from the tree swallow, whose undersides arewhite. In flight, male martins can be distinguished fromequally iridescent and similarly-sized starlings by their forkedtail, longer wings, and typical swallow flight of short glidesalternating with rapid flapping.

Food and HabitatLike all swallows, the purple martin feeds almost entirely

on flying insects. Large amounts of insects, caught in flight,are consumed daily. A popular misconception is that purplemartins are a major predator of mosquitoes. Extensive studiesof martin feeding habits have shown that mosquitoes make upa very small percentage of the martin’s daily diet. Martins feedhigh in the sky and during the day; mosquitoes are found inlow damp places during daytime or only at night. The diet ofpurple martins includes dragonflies, damselflies, mayflies,beetles, butterflies, moths, grasshoppers, bees, wasps, flies, andother flying insects. Because of their diet, martins are suscep-tible to starvation during extended periods of cool and/or wetweather, when insects may not be plentiful or active.

Purple martins inhabit both urban and rural areas. Theyprefer open, grassy habitats and forest openings near streams,rivers, marshes, ponds, or lakes. These openings provide alarge “swoop zone” for the martins to catch insects. The mostattractive backyard habitats include expanses of lawn ormeadow near a large body of water. Although purple martinsare known to nest in tree cavities, those that nest east of the

Rocky Mountains, including in Connecticut, are now entirelydependent on man-made houses.

Status in ConnecticutThe purple martin is not as common in Connecticut as it

once was. In fact, purple martin numbers have declined overmuch of their range. Up until the late 1800s, martin colonieswere locally abundant in Connecticut. However, shortly afterthat time, the population began to decline due to competitionfor cavity nest sites with non-native, aggressive house spar-rows and European starlings. Currently, the purple martin isdesignated as a species of special concern in the state. Most ofConnecticut’s nesting birds can be found at coastal locations,with a few found at inland sites.

Because of the purple martin’s status, the DEP WildlifeDivision is interested in learning more about breeding popula-tions in Connecticut. Several homeowners and landownersthroughout the state have established martin houses on theirproperties. Some of these houses are currently being used bymartins, while others were used in the past or have not yetbeen occupied. The Wildlife Division’s Wildlife DiversityProgram wants to know the location of martin houses and whatkind of use they receive. If you have a martin house on yourproperty, you are encouraged to contact the Wildlife Division(see sidebar for more information).

However, if you don’t have a martin house, but feel thatyou have the right kind of habitat for martins and want to putup a house, there is help and advice available. The Purple

Purple Martin’s Majesty

The DEP Wildlife Division wants to know if you have a purple martin house, as wellas nesting purple martins.

The purple martin is not as common in Connecticut as it once was. Currently, it is designatedas a species of special concern in the state. Most of Connecticut’s nesting birds can be foundat coastal locations, with a few found at inland sites.The DEP Wildlife Division is interestedin learning more about breeding populations in the state.

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Report Purple Martin Nesting to the WildlifeDivisionDo you have a purple martin house or nesting gourds? Are purplemartins nesting there or elsewhere on your property? Do you knowsomeone that does have nesting purple martins? If the answer is yesto any of these questions, then we want to hear from you.

In an effort to collect information on the distribution of purple martinsin Connecticut, the DEP Wildlife Division is asking state residents tocall or send an email with information regarding existing martinhouses. The goal is to locate every potential nesting site for martins inConnecticut. As the project continues, there are plans to developsurvey cards and/or a website link to allow for easier reporting infuture years.

The information being sought includes:

� Martin house location (street address, GPS, etc.)

� Number of houses and number of chambers per house or thenumber of gourds

� Number of chambers occupied by purple martins (if any)

� When houses or gourds were first put up

� How many years houses or gourds have been used by purplemartins

� Height of each house off the ground

� How often house is cleaned out

To report a purple martin house, please contact Geoffrey Krukar of theDEP’s Wildlife Diversity Program at 860-675-8130, or send email [email protected].

Tips for Establishing and Maintaining a Purple Martin ColonyWhether you want to put up a martin house with several

apartments or just hang some gourd nests, there are a fewthings you should consider before making the effort to attractpurple martins.

● Place the martin house within 100 feet of houses oroutbuildings.● Place the house away from tall trees or tightly enclosedyards and allow a sufficient aerial flyway from buildings(approximately 50 feet).● Martin houses should be mounted 15 to 20 feet aboveground on poles that telescope up and down or on poles thatallow the houses to be raised and lowered by a winch andpulley system. The use of stationary and tilt poles is notrecommended. If you plan to closely monitor your martincolony throughout the nesting season, it is important to markthe mounting pole with a vertical alignment guide to insurethat houses are correctly realigned. This will allow purplemartins access to their nests at exactly the same location andprevent nestling abandonment by adults.● Natural or synthetic gourds have proven to be the best andsafest martin nesting structure. The swaying motion of thegourds discourages many competing cavity-nesting birds and avariety of predators. New synthetic gourds that allow for easycleaning are a good choice. Along with wooden houses, gourdsprovide the best temperature stability for nestingmartins. Regardless of the size or final design, theexterior of the martin house should be painted whiteto reduce heat buildup. The interior should remainunpainted. Information on purchasing gourds orhouses may be obtained from the Purple MartinConservation Association.● All martin “landlords” should monitor theirhouses weekly for nest checks and to keep starlingand house sparrow nests from becoming established.If a martin house cannot be raised and lowered oropened easily for cleaning, it is best not to install it.Consider using gourds instead.● Do not allow competing cavity-nesters to claimthe house first; returning martins will bypass alreadyoccupied houses even if some compartments remainempty.● Check pole-mounted houses frequently for signsof insect parasites. “Checked” nests often producemore young. Monitoring the houses will not causethe birds to abandon the house, but a parasiteinfestation will.● Check the ground below the house frequently forsigns of predation (feathers, nesting material,eggshells, etc.). All pole-mounted houses shouldhave a cone-shaped predator guard.

● Consider offering nesting materials like straw, small twigs,and wet mud from a location near the martin house.● A tray of broken eggshells can provide a readily availablesource of calcium and grit to supplement the diet of growingnestlings.● Do not allow shrubs or vines to grow up under the house oraround the mounting pole.● Prior to the nesting season, make sure that gourds and/orhouses are cleaned, repaired, and painted (outside only withwhite exterior latex paint) and that all drainage holes are freeof debris. Martin houses that are stored inside over the winterwill last longer.● If you have just one active house or gourd, do not com-pletely remove and replace it unless the replacement isidentical and in exactly the same location. If you want to moveyour martin house or replace it with a larger one, put bothhouses up and wait to remove the old one until some of thereturning martins have accepted the new one. Adding addi-tional gourds usually creates less of a disturbance to a returningcolony.

If your martin house is not used the first year it is installed,do not be discouraged! Purple martins have a limited range inConnecticut and expand into new areas slowly. It may takeseveral years before a martin house is occupied.

Martin Conservation Association (PMCA) is a great place tostart. This organization is devoted exclusively to the scientificstudy of purple martins, their biology, and habitat require-ments. The PMCA website (www.purplemartin.org) containsinformation about maintaining and building houses (or where

to purchase them), as well as how to attract martins and keepthem coming back every breeding season. You also may wantto contact the Purple Martin Conservation Association, atEdinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA 16444;(814) 734-4220.


��Correction! Annual Eagle SurveyScheduled for January 14

In the last issue of Connecticut Wildlife, the DEP WildlifeDivision requested volunteers to help with the annual Bald EagleSurvey, in which many volunteers count eagles along standard, non-overlapping survey routes. However, the date published wasincorrect. The 2006 Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey will actually beconducted on Saturday, January 14, 2006, between 7:00 AM and11:00 AM.

If you would like to participate in the 2006 Midwinter Bald EagleSurvey, send a postcard with your name and mailing address to: JulieVictoria, Franklin Wildlife Management Area, 391 Route 32, NorthFranklin, CT 06254. You will receive an information packet about thesurvey in early December.

Shepaug Eagle Observation Area OpensDec. 28

The Shepaug Bald Eagle Observation Area will be open to thepublic on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from December 28,2005, through March 15, 2006, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM--strictly byadvance reservation. All individuals and groups wishing to visit thesite to view eagles must make a reservation for a particular date, asthere will be a limited number of visitors allowed per open day.

Starting December 6, 2005, reservations for the Shepaug EagleObservation Area can be made Tuesday through Friday, from 9:00AM to 3:00 PM, by calling 1-800-368-8954.

CAS Eagle Festival, February 18-19, 2006The Connecticut Audubon Society will present the 7th Annual

Eagle Festival on the Connecticut River on February 18-19, 2006. Acomplete guide to the Eagle Festival on the Connecticut River, listingboat tours, programs, and events, can be obtained from ConnecticutAudubon by calling 1-800-714-7201. To find out more informationabout the Festival, visit Connecticut Audubon’s website atwww.ctaudubon.org.

CT’s Moose Population Estimated at 100+Maybe not as noticeable as Connecticut’s steadily growing bear

population, but the moose population has been expanding at its ownslower rate. The DEP Wildlife Division keeps track of sightings andestimates that there are just over 100 moose living in the state’sforests. The Division first began to record sightings in 1992. Before1992, sightings were sporadic, about one every two or three years. By1999, sightings of both males and females had increased markedlyand, starting in 2000, there have been reports of cows with calvesevery year since then. The cow and calf sightings confirm thatConnecticut has a resident, reproducing population. Last year, 59moose sightings were reported. Plus, moose were in the news in 2004as two different moose were found wandering in heavily populatedareas of the state (near Interstate 95 in Old Lyme and Route 20 inGranby). Both moose had to be immobilized by the DEP and moved tomore remote, forested areas of the state.

From February 17 to October, 2005, there havebeen 31 sightings of moose from 17 Connecticuttowns. To date, there has been only one moose-vehicle

accident reported in the state this year.As a side note, the first case of chronic

wasting disease (CWD) in a free-rangingmoose was documented in Colorado in

September 2005. CWD has been presentin Colorado’s free-ranging deer and elkpopulations since the mid-1980s.Prevalence in moose likely will remainextremely low because, unlike deer andelk, moose do not form herds or largesocial groups. Moose are typicallysolitary animals and generally only staywith other moose in cow-calf pairs.(CWD in moose is currently not a threatin Connecticut as CWD has not beendocumented in the state’s deerpopulation.)

“Animals in Winter” Exhibit at the BruceMuseum in Greenwich

When winter’s chill sets in each year, we turn up the thermostatsindoors, but wildlife must adapt in other ways. How animals deal withwinter and cold is the focus of the new exhibition entitled Animals inWinter: Survival at Zero Degrees, which is organized by the BruceMuseum of Arts and Science in Greenwich, Connecticut, and on viewthere from November 19, 2005, through March 5, 2006. Theexhibition highlights the Bruce Museum animal mount collection. Findout about animal migrations, what happens during hibernation, andhow some animals are able to remain active. Touchable furs, hands-onactivities, and examples help explain adaptations to winter andsurvival strategies. This exhibition is supported by the Charles M. andDeborah Royce Exhibition Fund.

For more information, call the Bruce Museum at (203) 869-0376or visit the Bruce Museum of Arts and Science website atwww.brucemuseum.org.

CT Moose Sightings from1992-2005

1992-1998 = about 4 sightings peryear

1999 = 17 sightings

2000 =14 sightings

2001 = 25 sightings

2002 = 32 sightings

2003 = 35 sightings

2004 = 59 sightings

2005 = 31 sightings (as of Oct. 2005)

Give a Gift of Wildlife!Connecticut Wildlife Magazine: A subscription to Connecticut

Wildlife is the perfect gift for any wildlife enthusiast. Each recipientwill receive a note card informing them of your gift. Just fill out theform on the back of this issue, send it in to the DEP Wildlife Division,and we’ll take care of the rest.

Wildlife License Plates: Show your support for wildlife bydisplaying a wildlife license plate on your vehicle. Your license platepurchase provides much needed funds for nongame wildlife projects.See the back page of this issue for more information.


See What the DEP Store Has to OfferYou may not know it, but the DEP has its own bookstore where customers can purchase various books, maps,

and software that focus on natural history, geology, outdoor recreation, and environmental topics. The mainpurpose of the DEP Store is to distribute information produced by the State of Connecticut’s Geological andNatural History Survey and the DEP. However, the store also carries other publications and items that deal withlocal and regional environmental topics. To find out what the DEP Store has to offer, visit the DEP’s Hartfordoffice at 79 Elm Street, Monday through Thursday, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. (The store is closed on Fridaysand from 1:00-1:30 PM for lunch on Mondays through Thursdays.)

If you can’t visit the store in person, you may also request a catalog by calling (860) 424-3555 or (860) 424-3692, or by sending an email message via the DEP’s website (www.dep.state.ct.us). The website also highlightsthe various books and products and gives you the opportunity to shop on-line.

There also is a satellite bookstore at the DEP Wildlife Division’s Sessions Woods Conservation EducationCenter in Burlington, which is run by the Friends of Sessions Woods. The satellite store contains a sampling ofthe books sold in the Hartford store. Customers can purchase items from the satellite store on Mondays throughFridays, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and during any Friends of Sessions Woods events.

Check Out these Books!There is so much to learn about the natural history of Connecticut.

But, where do you begin? Attending a public education program at theSessions Woods Conservation Education Center or other outdoorfacility is one way. Surfing the Internet, especially the DEP’s website(www.dep.state.ct.us), is another. Sometimes just sitting down with agood book is a great way to start learning. The DEP Store can helpyou find the book that contains the information you’re looking for. Afew books are recommended to get you started. (Most of the bookslisted here are available at the DEP Store or the Friends of SessionsWoods satellite store. Friends members receive a 10% discount at thesatellite store.)

Connecticut Wildlife -Biodiversity, Natural History, andConservation

This lavishly illustrated book provides anextensive overview of the ecosystems ofConnecticut -- its plants and animals and thefar-reaching links between the state’swildlife and their habitats. It carefully tracesConnecticut’s daily, seasonal, annual, andlong-term ecological cycles whilehighlighting natural community patterns, thedynamics of reproduction, and the behaviors of much of our flora andfauna. This book should be an essential part of any environmentallibrary. Hundreds of photos and drawings; black and white. Availablefrom the DEP Store and Sessions Woods satellite store for $39.95.

Discover Nature in Water and WetlandsThis book explores the properties,

processes, and phases of water and the plant andanimal life associated with it, from trees,cattails, and ferns, to dragonflies, salamanders,turtles, and beavers. With just a few essentials,such as a field notebook, hand lens, and bugbox, readers will find both straightforwardinformation and all kinds of activities to uncoverthe fascinating, diverse ecosystems thatsurround our ponds, swamps, and other wateryplaces. Available from the DEP Store andSessions Woods satellite store for $14.95.

Connecticut Walk Book EastThis trail guide, published by the Connecticut Forest and Park

Association, is the first of two 75th Anniversary volumes describingthe statewide Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails. Whether atop a ridge orbeside a quiet stream, the trails offer an enticing variety of hikes forevery level of experience and age group. Within these pages are found

updated trail maps; descriptions of two dozen Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails, from Guilford to Somers andUnion to Voluntown; and detailed driving directionsand parking information. Available from the DEPStore and Sessions Woods satellite store for $25.00.

Eastern CoyoteOver the last 150 years, the eastern coyote has

spread from the grasslands of the western UnitedStates throughout eastern North America. With theeastern coyote now well established in Connecticut,this book describes its traits, habits, and natural historythrough text and photographs. Available from the DEPStore and Sessions Woods satellite store for $18.95.

The following books are currently not available atthe DEP Store, but can be found at or ordered from yourlocal book store. You may also contact the publisher,Stackpole Books, 5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA17055-6921 (800-732-3669 [email protected]). These books are worth alook from any wildlife enthusiast.

The Eastern CougarThe question of whether wild eastern cougars

still exist remains hotly disputed. Thisgroundbreaking anthology brings together accountsfrom early explorers and present-day researchers,considers the evidence in the wild cougarcontroversy, and examines the social andenvironmental implications of recovery. $19.95

A Guide to Night SoundsThis handy collection of field recordings and

species descriptions helps you to identify thevarious members of the nocturnal chorus, fromcrickets and owls to otters and porcupines. Illustrated with pencildrawings and full-color photographs. This book includes an hour-longaudio CD that covers the nighttimesounds of 60 animals. $19.95

A Guide to Wildlife SoundsThis audio guide brings together the

songs, calls, buzzes, rattles, and othersounds of 100 species to form a vividaural portrait of animal life east of theGreat Plains. It is illustrated with full-color photographs and includes an hour-long audio CD. $24.95


One can never predict from year toyear how the mosquito season will be.The member agencies of Connecticut’sMosquito Management Program (DEP,Connecticut Agricultural ExperimentStation, Department of Public Health,Department of Agriculture, University ofConnecticut) were a little concerned thispast spring. The year started out verywet, and the 2004 mosquito season hadended with a relatively high number ofmosquitoes that were positive for EasternEquine Encephalitis (EEE), particularlyin the southeastern part of the state.However, by early summer 2005, mostvernal wetlands and red maple swampsthat are home to the species of mosqui-toes involved in EEE transmission haddried up and stayed dry throughout mostof the summer. As a result, no EEEactivity was detected in Connecticut thisyear.

Connecticut was fortunate to nothave a confirmed human case of EEE.However, this was not the case inneighboring states. New Hampshirereported six human cases of EEE,including the deaths of a 20-year-oldwoman and an 80-year-old man. Thesewere the first EEE-related deaths thatNew Hampshire has seen in 25 years.Massachusetts also reported four humancases of EEE (all in the PlymouthCounty region), including the deaths of afive-year old girl and an 83-year-oldman. EEE also was reported in horsesand emus* in Massachusetts. This deadlyreminder demonstrates the need for anaggressive surveillance program to

West Nile Virus Update for 2005Written by Roger Wolfe, Wetlands Habitat and Mosquito Management Program

monitor for EEE and other mosquito-borne diseases and to take quick actionwhen risk indicators are high, so as tominimize the chance of a humanoutbreak. This quick action includesdiligently doing all you can to eliminatesources or mosquito breeding aroundyour home and neighborhood, and totake seriously the warnings issued whenthis virus is detected.

Although Connecticut was sparedfrom EEE, West Nile Virus (WNV)activity this year was a different story.The Connecticut Agricultural Experi-ment Station in New Haven had testedover 111,700 mosquitoes this year(considerably lower than recent yearsdue to drought) and detected 34 isola-tions of WNV from five different speciesof mosquito. These isolations werefound in eight towns throughout lowerFairfield and New Haven counties. TheDepartment of Public Health tested 75dead birds that were collected from 14towns. Twenty-one birds (including 17crows, 3 blue jays, and 1 sharp-shinnedhawk) tested positive for WNV. Therewere six confirmed human cases ofWNV this year, including the death ofan elderly man in New Britain. Theother victims were residents of Stam-ford, Darien, Fairfield, Simsbury, andEast Haven. The New Britain case is thesecond human death attributed to WNVsince 2001.

Those afflicted by WNV exhibitedsymptoms from late August throughSeptember. This is consistent with virusactivity in years past, demonstrating that

the risk is highest in late summer andearly fall. Therefore, during that time ofyear, residents should take properprecautions to minimize being bitten bymosquitoes. This year’s six human casesof WNV compares to only one humancase in 2004 and 17 cases in 2003. Since1999, when WNV was first detected inConnecticut and the state began monitor-ing for the virus, there have been 48reported human cases, including twodeaths.

To learn more about WNV or toobtain downloadable fact sheets andlinks to similar sites, visit the MosquitoManagement Program’s website atwww.dep.state.ct.us. Click on “Environ-mental and Health Updates” and go to“Mosquito Management Program.” Ifyou have technical questions regardingmosquitoes, their biology, and controlmethods, please call 860-642-7630.

(*Note: Emus, pheasants, and othernon-native birds can be very susceptibleto EEE and WNV. Although the risk ofcontracting EEE or WNV from handlingan infected bird is very low, properprecautions (disposable gloves orsimilar) should be taken when handlingsick or dead birds that may be suspectedof having EEE or WNV. People cannotcontract EEE or WNV by eatingpheasants or other game meat that hasbeen properly cooked. Contact yourlocal health department or the Connecti-cut Department of Public Health if youfind a suspect bird or have other ques-tions regarding wild game consumption.)

Governor Rell Presents $6.8 Million for Open Space GrantsGovernor M. Jodi Rell recently

presented $6.8 million in grants to helppurchase approximately 2,000 acres ofopen space in 24 cities and towns acrossConnecticut. Open space property thatwill be purchased with the help of thesegrants includes everything from openfields, forests, wetlands, bogs, andstreams to timber rattlesnake habitat.

The 29 projects being funded underthis year’s Open Space and WatershedLand Acquisition Grant Program,administered by the DEP, range from 1.9acres in Stratford to 303 acres in North

Stonington. In all, grants were awardedfor the purchase of properties in Berlin,Canton, East Lyme, Essex, Farmington,Glastonbury, Manchester, Middletown,Milford, North Stonington, NewHartford, New Milford, Newtown,Norwalk, Oxford, Salem, Shelton,Somers, Southbury, Stratford, Suffield,Wallingford, Willington, and Wood-bridge.

The open space grants move Con-necticut closer to its goal of preserving21% of the state’s land (673,210 acres)as open space by the year 2023. Nearly

$71 million has been provided to assistwith the purchase of about 20,000 acressince the open space program waslaunched in 1998. The initiative includes10% of open space to be state-owned,with the remaining 11% owned bymunicipalities, private nonprofit landconservation organizations, and watercompanies. To date, 70% of this goal hasbeen achieved through the directpurchase of open space by the state andthrough state support for local acquisi-tions.


The Opportunistic, Omnivorous, and Odd OpossumA Connecticut creature of the night

that often gets a bad rap is the Virginiaopossum. This cat-sized mammal, withits long, coarse, grayish-white fur, sharp-pointed, slender muzzle, short legs, andlong, scaly, prehensile tail, is most timesmisunderstood and considered a pest. Onthe contrary, opossums can actually helpmaintain a healthy environment. Theyeat all kinds of insects, like cockroaches,crickets, and beetles, as well as worms,snails, fruits, and berries. They also feedon rats, mice, and carrion (dead ani-mals). However, if you leave pet foodoutside or garbage unsecured, opossumswill readily feast on those items, too.They feed primarily at night and usetheir keen sense of smell to find food.

The Virginia opossum is the onlymarsupial (pouched animal) found inNorth America. The species has beenaround since the age of the dinosaurs(for at least 70 million years) and it isone of the earth’s oldest survivingmammals. Opossums were not found inConnecticut prior to the early 1900s.Due to their ability to adapt to differenthabitats and food sources, opossumshave been able to expand their rangefrom the southeastern United States tothe northeast during the 20th century andare now found throughout New England.

Opossums tend to inhabit woodlandareas along streams, ponds, lakes, ormarshes. Farmland and woodlots arepreferred over extensively forested areas.Opossums will use abandoned den sitesof other animals, cavities in den trees,trash heaps, rock piles, brush piles, orbuildings for shelter. They do nothibernate in winter, but will usually"hole up" during cold, adverse weather.In Connecticut, opossums can sufferfrom frostbite and may be missing thetips of their ears and tails.

Life CycleIn Connecticut, breeding usually

begins in early March and the gestationperiod lasts about 13 days. Opossumsproduce one to two litters each year. Theaverage litter size is nine and the youngare born blind and extremely helpless.The young are very tiny (about the sizeof a navy bean). The blind newbornscrawl a few inches to the female's pouch,attach themselves to a teat and remain"locked" on to it for approximately 60days. After 80 days, young opossums areweaned, leave the pouch, and typically

can be seenriding around onthe female's back.By 100 days ofage, they areusually indepen-dent. The nextlitter is bornabout two weeksafter the firstlitter is weaned.Opossums maybreed during theirfirst year.

InterestingFacts

Opossums areat home in trees.They use their prehensile tail (9" to 20")to help stabilize them when climbing.The tail also is well adapted for graspingand wrapping around things, but not forhanging. It is not strong enough to hold ahanging opossum for very long.

Opossum tracks are quite unique.There are five toes on each foot and thefirst toe on each hind foot is opposable,clawless, and thumblike. These“thumbs” help the opossum graspbranches when it climbs.

Due to their musky odor, opossumsare usually avoided by predators.Occasionally an opossum will fall preyto a dog, fox, bobcat, large hawk, or owl.However, their biggest threat comesfrom humans and their automobiles. Fewopossums live beyond one year.

When frightened, opossums baretheir 50 sharp teeth and hiss or growl.However, opossums are actually gentleand quiet animals that would ratheravoid confrontation and be left alone.Being non-aggressive, opossums readilyretreat to trees, brushpiles, or otheravailable cover when pursued by humansor predators. A common defensemechanism is feigning death or "playingpossum" when cornered or threatened.Some predators may think the opossumis dead and go away.

Solving “Problems”Having a resident opossum in your

yard shouldn’t be a problem. This non-aggressive and nondestructive animalwill not dig up yards, attack or threatenpets, or dig burrows. It may get intogarbage or pet food that is left outside

and will sometimes raid gardens to feedon vegetables, apples, and strawberries.

Opossums rarely pose a threat oftransmitting rabies. They seem to have ahigh level of resistance to most wildlifediseases, particularly rabies. Raccoons,skunks, and unvaccinated dogs and catsare more of a rabies risk to humans thanare opossums.

The best advice is to let opossumshave their space and learn to live withthem. However, if you really want todiscourage this neighbor, there are a fewthings you can do.

Eliminate or secure food attracta-nts. Bring dog/cat food in at night. Keepgarbage covered and in a secure area(garage, shed). Pick up fallen fruit fromunder fruit trees. Protect gardens withfencing. (All of these measures may alsoreduce problems with raccoons, skunks,and even bears.)

Eliminate hiding places. Clearshrubbery and brush from areas nearyour home. Put fencing around hidingplaces under decks, sheds, and otherstructures.

Keep your yard well lit at night.Opossums prefer darkness and usuallyavoid well lit areas.

In addition, the opossum is animportant furbearer in Connecticut and“problem” opossums can be harvestedby a local licensed trapper during theregulated trapping season. Contact theWildlife Division’s Sessions Woodsoffice (860-675-8130) to find out moreabout the trapping season or visit theDEP’s website at www.dep.state.ct.us.

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J. F

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CoyotesWhen the first settlers came to Connecticut, they didn’t findcoyotes! That’s because coyotes were not here. It was notuntil the 1950s that coyotes were seen in Connecticut.Coyotes were originally from the western United States.

Connecticut Coyotes

Coyotes AreCanidsCoyotes are members ofthe dog group, or canidfamily, of mammals. Othercanids include foxes,wolves, and dogs. Canidshave sharp canine teethfor tearing meat.

What Do Coyotes Eat?mice

woodchucksbirdssheepdeer

rabbitsinsectsfruits

berriescats

chickens

Coyotes are adaptable. They can live in many habitats,including neighborhoods. They also are found in both thecity and country.

Should you be careful if you see a coyote? Coyotes, like allwild animals, are best seen from a distance. Loud noisescan often scare wild animals away. People should becareful not to leave food, such as pet food or table scraps,outside to attract coyotes.

Coyote vs. WolfWolves are seen in large groups with a leader.Coyotes usually are found only in smaller familygroups.

Wolves are bigger than coyotes. Coyotes weighbetween 20 and 40 pounds while wolves weighbetween 55 and 115 pounds.

Coyotes eat all of the above

Answer:


Subscription Order

Name:

Address:

City: State:

Zip: Tel.:

1 Year ($6.00) 2 Years ($11.00) 3 Years ($16.00)

Please make checks payable to:Connecticut Wildlife, P.O. Box 1550, Burlington, CT 06013Check one: Check one:

Renewal

New Subscription

Gift Subscription

Gift card to read:

Dec. 28-Mar. 15 ..... Shepaug Bald Eagle Viewing Area open for the 2005-2006 viewing season (see page 14).

January .................. Donate to the Endangered Species/Wildlife Income Tax Check-off Fund on your 2005 Connecticut Income Tax form.

Jan. 14 ................... Midwinter Eagle Survey. Volunteers are needed (see page 14).

Feb. 18-19 ............. 7th Annual Connecticut River Eagle Festival (see page 14 for more information).

Hunting Season DatesSept. 15-Dec. 31 .... Deer bowhunting season on state land bowhunting only areas and private land in zones 11 and 12

Dec. 1 .................... Beaver trapping season opens

Dec. 7-20 ............... Deer muzzleloader season on private and state land

Dec. 7-31 ............... Deer bowhunting season on private land in zones 1 through 10

Dec. 21-31 ............. Second part of the fall wild turkey bowhunting season on state and private land

Jan. 1-31, 2006 ...... Extended deer bowhunting season on private land in zones 11 and 12. A 2006 deer permit and private land consent forms for2006 are required.

............................... See the 2005 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide for specific season dates, details and delineation of deer managementzones. The guide is available at Wildlife Division offices, town halls, and on the DEP’s website, www.dep.state.ct.us. The 2006Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide will be available by mid-December.

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and show your support by displaying a wildlife license plate on your vehicle.There are two great designs to choose from: the state-endangered bald eagle or thesecretive bobcat.Funds raised from sales and renewals of the plates will be used for wildlife researchand management projects; the acquisition, restoration, enhancement, andmanagement of wildlife habitat; and public outreach that promotes the conservationof Connecticut’s wildlife diversity.

Application forms are available at DEP and Department of Motor Vehicle officesand on-line at www.ct.gov/dmv.

Step Up to the Plate for Wildlife...

Support Connecticut’s nongame wildlife resources by donating to the Endangered Species/Wildlife Income Tax Check-off Fund on your 2005 Connecticut Income Tax form. Yourdonation helps fund projects for bats, bluebirds, flying squirrels, and so much more! The DEPWildlife Division thanks you!

20 Connecticut Wildlife November/December 2005PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

Bureau of Natural Resources / Wildlife DivisionConnecticut Department of Environmental Protection79 Elm StreetHartford, CT 06106-5127

STANDARDPRESORT

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

BRISTOL, CTPERMIT NO. 6

P.

J. F

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CO

The mating or rutting season for white-tailed deer starts in late October and extends through early January. In Connecticut, the peak of the ruttingseason is the last two weeks in November. Bucks scrape the velvet from their antlers in the fall. The antlers are used for sparring during the rut.


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