PUBLISHED BY THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF … · to capture black bears. Trapping will resume...

Connecticut Wildlife 1January / February 2003

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

January / February 2003

2002The Year in Reviewsee page 3

2 Connecticut Wildlife January / February 2003

Fromthe Director

Wildlife Division research assistants Mark Freeman (in the beartrap) and Henri Woods II have been busy trapping black bearsand marking them with ear tags as part of a black bear researchproject (see next page for more information).

Photo by Paul J. Fusco

Cover:

��Published bimonthly by

State of ConnecticutDepartment of Environmental Protection

http://dep.state.ct.usArthur J. Rocque, Jr. ......................................................... 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 .................................................................................... DirectorPeter Bogue ........................................ Assistant Director (Management)Greg Chasko .......................................... Assistant Director (Assessment)Mark Clavette ..................................................... Recreation ManagementChris Vann ................................................ Technical Assistance BiologistLaurie Fortin ............................................................... Wildlife TechnicianBrenda Marquez ........................................................................ SecretaryShana Shafer .................................................................... Office Assistant

Eastern District Area Headquarters209 Hebron Road, Marlborough, CT 06447 (860-295-9523)Paul Rothbart ............................................ District Supervising BiologistAnn Kilpatrick ................................................. Eastern District BiologistRich Garini ................................................. DEP-DOC Crew Supervisor

Franklin W.M.A.391 Route 32, N. Franklin, CT 06254 (860-642-7239)Howard Kilpatrick ................................. Deer/Turkey Program BiologistMike Gregonis ....................................... Deer/Turkey Program BiologistJulie Victoria ......................... Nonharvested Wildlife Program BiologistMin Huang ................................................ Waterfowl Program BiologistPaul Capotosto ........................................ Wetlands Restoration BiologistRoger Wolfe ................................... Mosquito Management CoordinatorBob Kalinowski ............................................. CE/FS Coordinator (East)Winnie Reid ............................................................................... SecretaryHeather Overturf ......................................................... Program Assistant

Sessions Woods W.M.A.P.O. Box 1550, Burlington, CT 06013-1550 (860-675-8130)Peter Good ................................................ Supervising Wildlife BiologistSteve Jackson ........................................... Supervising Wildlife BiologistPaul Rego ................................................. Furbearer Program BiologistJenny Dickson ....................... Nonharvested Wildlife Program BiologistPeter Picone ....................................... Urban Wildlife Program BiologistJudy Wilson .................................................... Western District BiologistDave Kubas ................................................... CE/FS Coordinator (West)Geoffrey Krukar ......................................................... Wildlife TechnicianJim Warner ........................................................................ Field AssistantTrish Cernik ................................................................ Program AssistantLisa Gaski ........................................................................................ Clerk

Wildlife Outreach Unit / Connecticut WildlifeKathy Herz ..................................................................................... EditorPaul Fusco .............................................. Media Designer/PhotographerLaura Rogers-Castro ............................................... Education/Outreach

Wetlands Habitat & Mosquito Management Crew Hdqtrs.51 Mill Road, Madison, CT 06443Daniel Shaw ................................................ Mosquito Control SpecialistSteven Rosa ................................................. 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 Connecticut Department of Environmental Protectionis an equal opportunity agency that provides services,facilities, and employment opportunities without regard torace, color, religion, age, sex, physical and mentaldisability, national origin, ancestry, marital status, andpolitical beliefs.

Volume 23, Number 1

A portion of this issue of Connecticut Wildlife is devoted to a review ofactivities conducted in 2002. Certainly, the highlight of the year was theopportunity to initiate many new projects under a grant from the federalWildlife Conservation and Restoration Program (WCRP). Given the fact thatall of the WCRP projects were initiated without any new permanent staff, itwas a challenge to get these projects underway while maintaining ourtraditional programs. However, thanks to outstanding contributions fromseasonal workers, contract personnel, and volunteers, coupled with oversightand direct participation by our permanent staff, a great deal of important andexciting work was accomplished in 2002.

While many of the WCRP projects will continue into 2003, the WildlifeDivision will be evaluating additional opportunities as they arise. Two newfederal programs, the Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) and State WildlifeGrants (SWG) provide federal funds on a cost-share basis to the states. LIP, ifdeveloped in concert with the Natural Resource Conservation Service’s (NRCS)Farm Bill programs and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS)Partners In Wildlife program, would provide DEP-administered planning andtechnical assistance to implement wildlife management on private lands.Because private citizens own the vast majority of Connecticut’s landscape, anincentive-based private lands program is critical to preserving the State’sbiodiversity.

Like WCRP, the SWG program would direct funding to species and habitatswith the greatest conservation need. One of the first projects to beimplemented under SWG will be the development of a statewide wildlifeconservation plan. The plan must be approved by USFWS as a condition ofreceiving funding through WCRP and SWG. The development of the wildlifeconservation plan will take approximately one year and will include anevaluation of all existing natural resources data and the identification ofconservation goals, objectives, strategies and priorities.

The new federal funding opportunities (WCRP, LIP, SWG) are the result ofnearly two decades of campaigning on behalf of the conservation communityseeking to establish a permanent and predictable funding base forcomprehensive wildlife conservation. Because these programs have beendeveloped as federal/state partnerships, the states are required to provide afinancial match as a condition of receiving federal funds. The ability of thestates to take advantage of these programs will largely depend upon eachstate’s ability and willingness to provide the required matching funds.

It is an unfortunate coincidence that this long awaited federal support hasmaterialized at a time when many states are dealing with budget deficits.However, the state match requirements are very reasonable and the long-termhealth of our wildlife is at stake. Hopefully, Connecticut will be able to makefull use of these vitally important programs. --Dale W. May


2002 was a busy year for the DEP WildlifeDivision, thanks in part to a one-time federalgrant through the Wildlife Conservation andRestoration Program (WCRP). This grant en-abled the Division to undertake 21 new, two-yearprojects that cover research, habitat enhance-ment, wildlife outreach and recreation.

WCRP Projects TakeCenter Stage

Black Bears: The Black Bear Project wasinitiated to provide a more accurate estimate ofhow many bears reside in the state. From Aprilto December, Division staff set out baited trapsto capture black bears. Trapping will resumeagain in April 2003. In 2002, 25 bears were live-trapped and tagged with coded ear tags, and sevenfemales were fitted with radio-collars. Radiotelemetry equipment is being used to track themovements of the collared bears and to determineif any of the females give birth over the winter.

Cottontail Rabbits: The second year of theNew England and eastern cottontail distributionstudy was completed. Over 500 specimens from97 towns were collected and identified. The NewEngland cottontail, a species of special concern,was documented from 20 towns. A radio-telem-etry study also was initiated to evaluate homerange size, habitat use and mortality rates of bothcottontail species.

Invertebrates: A project to conduct com-prehensive natural resource inventories at Gos-hen and Babcock Pond Wildlife ManagementAreas involved surveys of butterflies duringMay to October.

Work continued on cooperative projects todevelop a website for the identification of nativedragonflies and damselflies, as well as a pocketguide to identify Connecticut's freshwater mus-sels. Both projects will be an asset to future fieldsurveys of these invertebrates.

Horseshoe crab breeding areas were sur-veyed in April and May to document the impor-tance of these areas to migrating shorebirds.Resulting information will enable biologists tobetter evaluate the potential impacts of changes inhorseshoe crab harvest rates.

Birds: Two major bird surveys were con-ducted under the WCRP Program. The Migra-tory Bird Stopover Habitat Survey was con-ducted by Division staff and volunteers duringthe spring and fall bird migrations. Results fromthe survey should help the Division identifypriority migration stopover sites and guide con-servation efforts at state and local levels. Grass-land birds were the focus of the second majorsurvey. Division staff and volunteers visited aseries of points for five minutes each in grassland/farmland areas during June and July and recordedall birds seen or heard. This survey is important

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - BUREAU OF NATURAL RESOURCES - WILDLIFE DIVISION

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for monitoring populations of grassland depen-dent birds, many of which are declining.

Potential red-headed woodpecker habitatwas surveyed to provide more informationabout the current status of this state endan-gered species.

Nesting herons and egrets were monitoredclosely at the Charles Island Natural Area Pre-serve in Long Island Sound near Milford. De-spite educational signs, protective fencing and theseasonal closure of the nesting area, the birdswere threatened by severe human disturbancethis past season. Unfortunately, the DEP wasforced to close off all public access to bothCharles and Duck Islands (Westbrook) intoSeptember to protect these threatened and specialconcern species.

Recreation: Efforts to develop a Connecti-cut Coastal Birding Trail got off to a great start.Public meetings were held, a website(www.ctbirdingtrails.org) was developed andnominations for potential stops along the trail arebeing accepted. The birding trail will guide visi-tors to wildlife refuges, wildlife managementareas, parks, historic sites, rivers, lakes and biketrails, where they can see some of the nearly 400species of birds that visit or nest in Connecticut.

Education and Outreach: The MasterWildlife Conservationist Program was initiatedto develop a corps of highly-trained WildlifeDivision volunteers. The program series wasoffered twice to a total of 43 individuals. In the

first three months, Master Wildlife Conserva-tionists performed over 200 hours of volun-teer service, assisting with Division outreachand research efforts. Many of these volun-teers also served on town commissions andimplemented local wildlife habitat enhance-ment projects.

The Division assisted nine urban schools increating schoolyard butterfly and hummingbirdgardens. Four wildlife demonstration gardensalso were created in urban parks.

Five new exhibits on habitat and endangeredspecies are currently in progress at the Division’sSessions Woods Conservation Education Centerin Burlington.

The Division maintains a website(www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/wildlife) to pro-vide the public with up-to-date information.New items added to the website included over20 new wildlife stories, a database containingthe names and specialties of licensed wildliferehabilitators, a listing of volunteer opportu-nities, updated hunting regulations,downloadable permit applications and a blackbear sighting report page.

Year in Review 2002

The following four pages of theYear in Review 2002 highlight thenumerous other responsibilities andaccomplishments of the WildlifeDivision.

A live-trapped black bear is immobilized so that data can be collected by Wildlife Divisionresearch assistant Mark Freeman (left), wildlife biologist Paul Rego (center) and volunteerHeather Freeman.

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Every January, volunteers brave thecold to search for bald eagles wintering inConnecticut. All eagles seen at areastraditionally used by the birds and inareas of suitable habitat are counted in theannual survey. In 2002, 90 volunteers

reported 54bald eagles.This numberis lower thanthe numberof eaglescounted in2001 (77).Connecticutand states tothe northhad a mildwinter lastyear andmany eaglesdid notmigrate veryfar south.

The Master Wildlife ConservationistProgram was initiated, offering training toadults in wildlife management, conservation,ecology and interpretation. Volunteers agreeto give back volunteer service by presentingprograms at libraries and schools, assistingwith Division research projects andimplementing conservation programs in theirhome towns. In the first three months, MasterWildlife Conservationists performed over 200hours of volunteer service.

A project was initiated in Green-wich to develop management strate-gies for urban deer populations. It involvedcapturing, marking and radio-tracking 50 adultfemale deer, conducting surveys of hunters andresidents and evaluating factors that contribute todeer-vehicle accidents. Partners in this project arethe University of Connecticut and the Town ofGreenwich.

Spotlight surveys were conducted inGroton and Greenwich to evaluate sex ratiosand fawn recruitment rates in the deer popu-lation in those towns.

Biological data was collected at checkstations during the deer shotgun seasons.

A four-year study to assess the growingresident Canada goose population was initi-ated.

Sixteen major inland impoundments (pondsor marshes) on state lands were surveyed toassess waterfowl use, vegetative compositionand water quality. The study will continue for twoyears. Results will assist in the management ofthese impoundments.

A three-year monitoring program of therecently restored wetlands at the Roger ToryPeterson Wildlife Area in Old Lyme was ini-tiated.

Bog turtle surveys were conducted at sixlocations. Equipment was provided to a studydocumenting the preferred habitat and densites of northern copperhead snakes.

Locations of viable populations of Puritantiger beetles were surveyed as part of a long-term study. For a third year, Puritan tiger

beetle larvae were removed from one ofConnecticut's largest populations and relocatedto augment a declining population in Massachu-setts. Breeding sites of the banded bog skimmerdragonfly were monitored and potential new siteswere surveyed.

Nesting pairs of state and federally threat-ened piping plovers and state threatened leastterns were monitored at coastal nesting areas.

Equipment was contributed by the Divisionto the long-term roseate tern project being con-ducted on Falkner Island, in Long Island Sound,and to a foraging fish survey being conductedalong the Connecticut coastline where roseateterns feed.

Several bird surveys were conducted thisyear, including the breeding waterfowl and mid-winter waterfowl surveys, summer swan survey,wetland bird call-back survey, woodcock/mourn-ing dove surveys and grouse drumming counts.Dabbling ducks were live-trapped during sum-mer and fitted with identifying leg bands. Theannual Midwinter Bald Eagle survey was con-ducted in January.

Wildlife Division staff participated in BioBlitz2002 at Mohegan Park in Norwich. The BioBlitzis an annual event coordinated by the ConnecticutState Museum of Natural History. The event isbased around an intensive 24-hour survey of anurban park where participates attempt to identifyas many species as possible. Members of theDivision’s Wildlife Diversity Program surveyedfor bats using fine-threaded nets called mist nets.

Population trends of black bear,bobcat and fisher were monitored

through reports of sightings and roadkills. One-year sighting totals were the greatest for eachspecies (622 bear, 153 bobcat and 101 fishersighting reports). Record numbers of fisher (43)and bobcat (33) vehicle-kills were reported.Three bears were killed on state roadways.

Trappers were surveyed to estimate harvestsof furbearer species, as well as to determinetrapping activity levels, incidence of wildlifediseases and the use of trapping to addressnuisance problems.

Pelts of furbearer species were tagged todetermine harvest levels and related information.A record high number of beavers (1,224) wereharvested during the 2001-2002 trapping sea-son. Trapping activity on state lands was moni-tored by analyzing annual harvest reports. Per-mits (100) were issued for 56 of the 83 state landtrapping units. Approximately 20 percent of thestatewide harvest of furbearers originated onstate land.

Carcasses of furbearers were collected fromtrappers and hunters or salvaged from vehiclekills. Carcasses of river otters (90) and coyotes(27) were examined for age and reproductiveanalysis. Coyote stomachs also were examinedas part of a food habits investigation. Necropsieswere performed on vehicle-killed bobcats (15)and fishers (30) to assess age, reproductivestatus and diet.

Early successional stage habitats arerapidly declining in Connecticut.Management programs are essential inproviding old field, grassland, shrubland andyoung forest habitats. Through the combinedefforts of the DEP, the U.S. Fish and WildlifeService and the USDA’s Wildlife HabitatIncentives Program, 517 acres of earlysuccessional stage habitat were enhanced onwildlife management areas in 2002.Management techniques included prescribedburning, herbicide application, use of abrontosaurus (heavy-duty mower/mulchingmachine) and traditional brush mowing.

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Connecticut Wildlife 5January / February 2003 ��

The Wildlife Division initiated a WCRP-funded project to document the use ofConnecticut’s major river corridors asstopover habitat for spring and fall migratorybirds. Migratory bird stopover surveys wereconducted first in the spring and again in thefall of 2002. A total of 250 points weresurveyed and all birds seen or heard during a10-minute survey were recorded. The surveyswill continue in 2003.

Other bird surveys that occurred inspring and early summer were grassland birdsurveys, wetland bird call-back surveys andbreeding waterfowl surveys.

In the first year of a four-year study toassess the growing resident Canada goosepopulation, DEP staff and volunteers captured1,236 geese at 28 different sites throughoutthe state. Of those captured geese, 500 werefitted with yellow neck collars, withapproximately 60 neck collars placed ongeese in each of Connecticut's eight counties.The highly visible neck collars will allowbiologists to assess movement patterns,survival rates and the population size ofresident Canada geese.

Tidal wetlands restoration was completed on300 acres of the Roger Tory Peterson WildlifeArea at Great Island, in Old Lyme. This coopera-tive project included the herbiciding and mowingof 200 acres of Phragmites, the creation of 30shallow ponds and pannes and the plugging ofold mosquito grid ditches. The restoration projectwas made possible due to a grant from the NorthAmerican Wetland Conservation Act.

Marsh management projects were initiated orcompleted in Stratford, East Haven and NewHaven. Three hundred acres of coastal marshesacross the state were treated with herbicide tocontrol the invasive plant, Phragmites. The HopRiver riparian restoration project was completed.

Mosquito control specialists inspected coastalstate-owned properties for mosquitoes and treatedbreeding areas with larvacides throughout thesummer. The Wetland Habitat and MosquitoManagement Program assisted towns in estab-lishing mosquito surveillance and control pro-grams. Staff members met with public healthofficials to review local wetland sites and answerquestions about mosquitoes.

A project to maintain and enhance wetlandson state properties involved the installation ofwater level control devices at 25 sites, affectingover 497 acres.

Two pairs of peregrine falcons (state endan-gered) nested in the state. One nest produced andfledged two chicks (which were banded by theWildlife Division) and one nest failed. Twoother peregrine pairs were in the state but didnot actively nest.

Eight pairs of bald eagles (state endangered,federally threatened) attempted to nest in thestate. Four nests produced and fledged sevenchicks (which were banded by the WildlifeDivision) and two nests failed. Two additionalpairs built nests but did not lay eggs.

Bluebird nest boxes (85) located on stateproperty were inspected and maintained. Thewood duck nest box program was reorganized;250 nest boxes were inspected and maintained.

The fifth year of a deer reduction programwas implemented at the Bluff Point CoastalReserve in Groton. The deer reduction programhas decreased the overabundant deer populationfrom 228 to 20 deer per square mile.

A controlled deer hunt was initiated onportions of Mansfield Hollow State Park, inMansfield, to reduce impacts of deer on a uniqueplant community, which indirectly affected sev-eral rare and endangered invertebrates.

Annual controlled hunts were implementedon about 19,000 acres of privately-owned landsthroughout the state in an effort to assist largelandowners in controlling the deer population.

Recreation ManagementPublic access for small game hunting was

secured through renewals or new agreementswith eight landowners, totaling 630 acres.

During the fall hunting season, 18,935 adultring-necked pheasants were released on 68 state-owned, permit-required and state-leased hunting

areas. Cooperating sportsmen’s clubs releasedpheasants at various public hunting areas.

A survey to assess the attitudes, opinions andpreferences of public land pheasant hunters wascompleted as part of an ongoing evaluation of thepheasant stocking program. Approximately 60percent of randomly selected hunters respondedto the survey. Further evaluation of survey resultsshould improve the pheasant stocking program.

A revised map series featuring all majorhunting access areas was completed. The serieswill continue to be updated with newly acquiredproperties as they become available.

Signs and gates were installed and bound-aries were marked at various wildlife manage-ment areas open to hunting, trapping and wildlifeviewing.

The shooting range at the Franklin Wildlifefacility, which is used by the Conservation Edu-cation/Firearms Safety Program, underwent sev-eral improvements: a 50-yard elevated shootingdeck, a 100-yard shooting platform and an el-evated archery shooting deck were constructed.In addition, new specialized trap machines for therange were purchased as part of this project.

A public bird viewing blind was constructedby volunteers at the Goshen Wildlife Manage-ment Area.

A cooperative project to restore 300 acresof tidal wetlands at the Roger Tory PetersonWildlife Area in Old Lyme was completed in2002. A three-year monitoring program wasthen started at the wildlife area to assess birduse, vegetation recovery and water quality ofthe recently restored wetlands.

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6 Connecticut Wildlife January / February 2003��

With the help of fencing and otherprotection efforts under the Piping Plover/Least Tern Recovery Project, 31 pairs ofpiping plovers (state and federallythreatened) fledged 58 young and 224 pairs ofleast terns (state threatened) fledged 38young. Nesting beaches were monitored by 22volunteers who tried to minimize disturbanceto the nesting shorebirds and informed beachvisitors about recovery efforts.

As part of a new WCRP-funded projectto estimate Connecticut's black bearpopulation, 25 bears were live-trapped andtagged, and seven females were fitted withradio-collars to determine their movementsand reproductive success.

DEP Wildlife Division staff spenda considerable amount of time re-sponding to the continuous flood of requestsfor help in resolving wildlife problems and con-cerns. Many of these problems involve commonwildlife that are well adapted to living near people,such as coyotes, foxes, geese, swans, deer, rac-coons, squirrels, skunks, beavers and bats.Changes in wildlife populations over the yearsreflect the source of complaints and the numberof calls the Division receives. For example,complaints about bears, coyotes and geese haveincreased dramatically in recent years as thepopulations of these animals have grown.

Division personnel provide information andguidance about recommended solutions and legalcontrol methods for nuisance wildlife situations.For problems involving such animals as beavers,deer, bear and geese, on-site inspections andassistance in resolving severe agricultural, eco-logical or public health and safety damages areoften required. For example, field inspectionswere conducted at 90 sites where damage wascaused by beavers.

Bears were the subject of an increased num-ber of complaints and calls with concerns. Com-plaints included 128 instances of bears at ordamaging birdfeeders, 31 reports of bears ingarbage, eight livestock attacks, three instancesof bee hive damage and four cases of damage tobuildings. Traps were set for problem bears onfour occasions but none were captured. A bearthat was the source of nuisance problems for

several years was euthanized after it entered ahome in Goshen.

The Division administers Nuisance Wild-life Control Operators (NWCOs), who pro-vide commercial wildlife control services topersons seeking help in resolving commonwildlife problems. The Connecticut NuisanceWildlife Control Operator’s Association worksclosely with the Division to train NWCOs inwildlife damage identification and controlmethods. In 2002 there were 233 licensedNWCOs and 57 persons completed NWCOtraining.

The Division also trains and authorizeswildlife rehabilitators. There are currently 239wildlife rehabilitators in Connecticut, of which36 are authorized to work with rabies vectorspecies and five can rehabilitate deer. Theserehabilitators handled 4,826 birds, 3,365mammals, 167 reptiles/amphibians and 443rabies vector species. A website containing adirectory of wildlife rehabilitators was createdso that information can be retrieved aboutrehabilitators online.

Advice and technical guidance on deerpopulation management was provided to com-munities or homeowner associations in thetowns of Darien, Wilton, Greenwich andRidgefield.

Technical assistance in habitat enhance-ment and nature trail development was pro-

vided to seven schools for the cre-ation of outdoor classrooms. Assis-

tance was given to four urban communities onhabitat enhancement for wildlife.

Technical assistance on managing habitatfor wildlife was provided to severalsportsmen’s clubs and towns, affecting 4,353acres of habitat.

Division staff reviewed and commented on20 forest cutting plans and 10-year forest man-agement plans submitted by the DEP Division ofForestry.

Approximately 190 federal, state, town andprivate project proposals were reviewed fortheir potential impacts to wildlife, includingthreatened and endangered species.

Division staff reviewed and rated 135 poten-tial state land acquisition proposals for wildlifevalue and 23 proposed changes in use for variousstate-owned properties. In addition, 59 Munici-pal Open Space Grant applications were evalu-ated for their value and impact on wildlife.

Proposed survey and sampling techniquesfor a variety of avian species that were to be usedby researchers, consultants and others werereviewed.

Staff also responded to dozens of emails,phone calls and letters from across the country ontechnical and general mosquito-related questions.

July August September

September is a busy time for theDivision’s Conservation Education/FirearmsSafety (CE/FS) Program. As people begin toprepare for the fall hunting season, telephonecalls concerning hunting safety classes floodthe Franklin and Sessions Woods offices.Courses in firearms, bow hunting andtrapping are offered all year long by certifiedvolunteer instructors at various locationsthroughout the state. Class information isavailable on the DEP website and by callingthe Franklin and Sessions Woods offices.

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Connecticut Wildlife 7January / February 2003 ��

Every November, during the deershotgun hunting season, Division staffcollect biological data from harvested deerto monitor changes in the health ofConnecticut’s deer population. Datacollected include age, sex, weight, antlerbeam diameter (of yearling bucks) andlocation of harvest.

Several exhibits are planned and beingworked on at the Sessions WoodsConservation Education Center, inBurlington. A wild turkey exhibit, funded bythe National Wild Turkey Federation wasrecently completed. Fivenew exhibits,which are beingfunded by theWCRPProgram, arecurrently inprogress. Theseexhibits will focuson habitat andendangeredspecies. Additionalportable andchangeableexhibits for use atfairs, events andother locationsalso arecurrently beingdeveloped.

One of the WildlifeDivision’s major functions is toprovide information on the state’s wildlifeand its management. Wildlife information isconstantly provided to the public over thetelephone and through publications, pressreleases, meetings, informational displays andpresentations.

The Division set up informational exhibits atseveral public events, including the Durham andWoodstock Fairs, the annual Hunting and Fish-ing Expo, Sharon Audubon events and Connecti-cut Audubon’s annual Eagle Festival in Essex.Not only did Division staff and Master WildlifeConservationist volunteers interact with thou-sands of people, but staff members also gavewildlife presentations at the Durham Fair and theEagle Festival.

Twenty-six backyards were registered by theUrban Wildlife Program as “Connecticut Back-yard Habitats” in the interest of wildlife conser-vation.

A booklet entitled Managing Urban Deer inConnecticut was published to provide guidanceto residents and communities concerned aboutoverabundant deer populations. A comprehen-sive report on Connecticut’s Wild Turkey Pro-gram also was completed.

A report was completed that summarizedthree surveys of residents living with urban deer.The surveys, which were conducted over a seven-year period, evaluated residents’ perceptions andexpectations about deer, deer management, birthcontrol and hunting as a management tool.

The Division’s Furbearer Program wasactive in a project of the Northeast Fur Re-sources Technical Committee to developteacher resource packets on furbearer man-agement and trapping.

In conjunction with National MosquitoAwareness Week in June, a workshop wasconducted for Connecticut Certified PesticideApplicators to gain recertification credits.

The 318 volunteer Conservation Education/Firearms Safety (CE/FS) instructors donated16,213 hours of service to the CE/FS Program.A total of 5,577 students graduated from coursesin firearms, bowhunting and trapping. In an effortto meet the 2002 bow certification requirements,a record number of bow hunting classes (111)were offered, graduating a record 2,914 students.A home study version of the CE/FS firearmscourse was developed and implemented to pro-vide an alternative for students who are unable toattend the traditional classroom course.

Division staff gave numerous presenta-tions at professional meetings and confer-ences, hunting seminars, conservation orga-nization and town meetings, inland wetlandcommissioners’ training, teacher workshops,school classrooms, college classes, scoutmeetings and other events. Topics includedhabitat management, deer and wild turkeymanagement, bears, coyotes, bats, backyardwildlife habitat enhancement, mosquito man-agement, endangered species, reptiles and

amphibians and the challengeof wildlife management in an

urban state. Biologists also gave numerousmedia interviews on such topics as bears,coyotes, shorebirds, herons and egrets, bats,reptiles and amphibians and bald eagles.

Sessions Woods ConservationEducation Center

Sessions Woods was the site of 13 scheduledpublic education programs, 11 school field trips,10 youth group campouts, field trips and presen-tations for numerous private groups, a Boy Scoutcamporee, and meetings and training sessions forDEP staff. The facility also was the site for MasterWildlife Conservationist training. More than19,000 visitors used the interpretive trails atSessions Woods.

Habitat management at Sessions Woods in-cluded maintenance and enhancement of traildemonstrations, four Eagle Scout projects (firetower renovations and signs, compass course, 2trail bridges and 2 trailhead bulletin boards), 17volunteer projects, a controlled burn, enhance-ments to the water garden demonstration and anexpansion of the butterfly garden.

The Friends of Sessions Woods purchasedbinoculars, microscopes, compasses, spottingscopes and taxidermy specimens with a grantfrom the Burlington Fund and the James R.Parker Trust to enhance educational programsat Sessions Woods. The group continues tomake significant contributions to the programs,projects and activities at the facility.

Wildlife Division staff spend aconsiderable amount of time responding tothe continuous flood of requests for help inresolving wildlife problems and concerns.Information and/or guidance aboutrecommended solutions and legal controlmethods for nuisance wildlife situations areoffered to people seeking help.

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Several new wildlife regulationsbecame effective in late December,after the 2003 Connecticut Huntingand Trapping Guides were printed.These changes will not be included inthe 2003 guide. However, updates willbe added to the DEP website.

● Specific hunting days wereestablished when only individuals

● The spring turkey season baglimit on private land was increasedfrom two to three bearded wild turkeysand on state land from one to twobearded wild turkeys.

● The mandatory fall firearmsturkey check stations were replacedwith a mandatory mail-in report card.

● Hunters with a validated turkeypermit for the current season that havefilled their harvest tags are able toassist other turkey hunters with callingduring that same season.

● The types of non-toxic shotallowed for waterfowl hunting inConnecticut now include tungsten-matrix and tungsten-nickel-iron(Hevishot).

● The requirement that hunterskeep carcasses of harvested deer opento view while they are being trans-ported to a deer check station waseliminated.

● The private land deer archeryseason was extended to the last day ofJanuary in zones designated by theDEP Commissioner. In 2003, thedesignated zones are 11 and 12.

Tree Seedlings Available from DEP’s State NurseryThe Connecticut State Nursery,

operated by the DEP Division ofForestry since 1905, is now acceptingorders from throughout southern NewEngland for tree and shrub seedlings tobe planted in the spring of 2003.Landowners may purchase the Connecti-cut-grown seedlings for use as Christmastrees, to plant a new forest, to improvewildlife habitat or for many otherconservation purposes.

This program is very popular becauseof the high-quality of seedlings avail-able. Those interested in purchasingseedlings should place their order assoon as possible as the State Nursery willquickly sell out of some of the packets.

The State Nursery has two programsavailable this year. In the “HomesteaderSeedling Program,” homeowners canselect from five different packages, eachdesigned to meet a different need: theWoodland Packet (25 Norway spruce, 25white pine); the Windbreak Packet (50northern white cedar or 50 easternhemlock or 50 eastern cedar); the

Christmas Tree Packet (50 blue spruce);the Hardwood Packet (5 red oak, 5 blackwalnut, 4 black cherry, 6 sugar maple);and the Wildlife Packet (2 red mulberry,5 silky dogwood, 5 flowering dogwood,5 highbush cranberry, 5 elderberry, 2shadbush, 5 chokeberry, 2 eastern redcedar). “Homesteader” packets areavailable for $26.00 per packet (includesshipping) to any Connecticut, Massachu-setts or Rhode Island landowner.

The “Forest Planting Stock Program”is available to southern New Englandlandowners with larger planting areaswho intend to: establish a new forest;develop a commercial Christmas treeplantation; plant additional trees in anexisting forest which has sparse treecover; use trees as part of an effort tostabilize lands with erosion problems; oruse the trees for any variety of otherlarger-scale conservation needs.

Forest Planting Stock orders must bein multiples of 250 per species. Theprice is $33.00 per bundle of 250 two-year-old seedlings. Three- and four-year-

old seedlings of some species also areavailable. Forest Planting Stock ordersrequire the approval of a State ServiceForester, who may come to inspect theplanting area.

Seedling orders will be shipped assoon as frost is out of the ground at thenursery in Voluntown, usually in lateMarch or early April. Forest PlantingStock orders will be delivered to one ofseven convenient pick-up points scat-tered across the state. The landownerwill be notified by postcard as to whenthe order will be ready for pick-up.

The seedlings are quite small whenreceived (from 6-12 inches tall). Theygrow slowly for the first year or two, afterwhich more rapid growth and develop-ment can be expected.

To obtain an order form, write or callthe DEP State Forester’s Office, 79 ElmSt., Hartford, CT 06106; (860) 424-3630. Information and order forms alsoare available on the DEP’s website:www.dep.state.ct.us.

New Wildlife Regulations Establishedpossessing a Connecticut juniorhunting license will be allowed to huntfor wild turkey, deer and pheasant.Licensed junior hunters may hunt onthese specific days when accompaniedby a licensed adult hunter 18 years ofage or older. The adult mentor may notcarry a firearm. These training dayswill provide junior hunters with a

special opportunity tolearn safe and effectivehunting practices fromexperienced hunters.Junior Hunting TrainingDays for 2003 are sched-uled for May 3 (springturkey), October 11(pheasant) and November15 (deer).

● The spring wildturkey season wasextended by four days.The season will begin onthe first Wednesday inMay and end 25 consecu-tive days later. In 2003,the spring turkey seasonwill run from May 7-31.

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Commemorating a PivotalMoment in History

March 14, 2003, marks a milestonein the history of wildlife conservationin America—the centennial anniver-sary of the National Wildlife RefugeSystem. The National Wildlife RefugeSystem is America’s only network offederal lands dedicated specifically towildlife conservation, representing asteadfast commitment to protectingour wild heritage.

The National Wildlife RefugeSystem story began in 1903 whenPresident Theodore Roosevelt learnedthat brown pelicans and white egretsliving on tiny Pelican Island onFlorida’s east coast were beingslaughtered for their feathers. Takingaction to protect the birds and theirhabitat, Roosevelt issued an executiveorder establishing Pelican Island asthe first national wildlife refuge.

Roosevelt went on to create 51more refuges during his presidency,and today the National WildlifeRefuge System includes more than 535refuges and thousands of waterfowlproduction areas, spanning nearly 94million acres across the United Statesand its territories.

National wildlife refuges form aseries of stepping stones for ducks,geese, caribou, and thousands of otherbirds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphib-ians, insects and plant species. Manynational wildlife refuges were estab-lished along the four migratory bird

America’s National Wildlife Refuge SystemCelebrating a Century of Conservation

flyways to providecrucial stopovers forbirds to rest, feed,breed and rechargeduring their longmigrations.

More than 400national wildliferefuges are open tothe public, offering avariety of outdooractivities–fishing,hunting, environmen-tal education,wildlife observationand photography–and making themspecial places todiscover the wondersof nature. Many refuges offer addi-tional opportunities for nature hikes,bird tours, wildlife drives and otheractivities.

A Network of Wildlife HabitatsThis vast network of prime habitats

gives hundreds of critically endangeredspecies a chance to recover, providesstopover areas for millions of migratingbirds and protects premier fisheries. TheNational Wildlife Refuge Systemsafeguards plants and animals of everyvariety, from cactus to caribou, butter-flies to bison and salmon to songbirds.

As the land management arm of theU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service(USFWS), the National WildlifeRefuge System helps fulfill a critical part

of the agency’soverarching mission: toconserve the nature ofAmerica by protectingfish, wildlife, plantsand their habitats forthe continuing benefitof the Americanpeople.

Scenic GetawaysThe National

Wildlife Refuge Systemappeals to strongcultural traditions ofAmerican society, suchas enjoying the wondersof the outdoors and

ensuring wild, open space for futuregenerations. More than 35 millionAmericans visit national wildlife refugeseach year to enjoy unique outdoorexperiences. Most people come duringpeak periods of bird migration, whenrefuges are thriving with wildlife.Hundreds of thousands of schoolchil-dren visit refuges each year to learn moreabout the natural world. Sportsmen cometo fish or hunt, while others savor thesolitude of these special places.

And over the last several years,more people and a variety of organiza-tions have united to protect andstrengthen the National WildlifeRefuge System. This support is mostvisible through new legislation andother Congressional action, andgrowth in community advocacy,volunteerism and partnerships.However, a large segment of theAmerican people have yet to discovertheir National Wildlife Refuge System.

Poised for a New CenturyThe USFWS is undertaking a number

of special, nationwide efforts tostrengthen the National WildlifeRefuge System, and will use thecentennial anniversary as an opportunityto build broad public understanding andappreciation of the value of theseconservation lands to society.

To learn more about the NationalWildlife Refuge System, visitwww.refuges.fws.gov.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federalagency responsible for conserving, protecting andenhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for thecontinuing benefit of the American people. The Servicemanages the 94-million-acre National Wildlife RefugeSystem, which encompasses more than 535 nationalwildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and otherspecial management areas. It also operates 66 national fishhatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecologicalservices field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlifelaws, administers the Endangered Species Act, managesmigratory bird populations, restores nationally significantfisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such aswetlands and helps foreign governments with theirconservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aidprogram that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars inexcise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fishand wildlife agencies.

What Is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

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Divers from the North - Winter Loons in CTWritten by Paul Fusco, Wildlife Outreach Unit

The experience of hearingthe eerie calls of a loon, echoingacross a forest lake on a moonlitnight is unforgettable. Some-times carrying for great dis-tances, their calls are the soul ofthe northern wilderness. Inspring and summer these remotelakes are the territory of thecommon loon, a species that hasa low tolerance for motorizedboats and disturbance. Theirpresence during the breedingseason is an indicator of thewilderness quality of thoselakes.

At this time, Connecticut doesnot support any breeding pairs ofloons. There are a handful ofunconfirmed reports of nestingloons in Connecticut, as well assummering individuals that arepresent on a regular basis atpotentially good breedinglocations in the northern part ofthe state. However, very littleevidence exists that common loonshave nested in Connecticut at any timein the last 100 years. They do breedjust to our north in Massachusetts, andConnecticut has several large reser-voirs that have minimal disturbanceand are considered to be good breed-ing habitats for common loons. Thecommon loon is listed as a species ofspecial concern in Connecticutbecause of the possibility that loonsbred here historically. It is reasonablethat some day, maybe sooner thanlater, common loons may be docu-mented as nesting here. Typically,common loons breed in severalnorthern states and farther north in thesubarctic areas of Alaska and Canada.

Two species of loons, the commonloon and the red-throated loon, migratethrough or spend all or part of the winterin Connecticut waters. They are consid-ered to be uncommon to fairly commonduring spring and fall migration anduncommon in winter. Another species,the Pacific loon, is an extremely rarevisitor to our area. Red-throated andPacific loons are more northern breedersthan the common loon, nesting insubarctic and arctic regions of Alaskaand Canada.

During migra-tion, common loonsare frequentlydocumented atinland lakes andrivers, while thered-throated loonrarely occurs atinland locations.Among the bestplaces to find bothloons in Connecti-cut are the coastalbays and estuariesof Long IslandSound. Both speciesoccur more fre-quently in theeastern half of LongIsland Sound thanin the western half. On peak fallmigration days, red-throated loons canbe very numerous at some shorelinelocations.

Loons are large, powerful swim-ming birds. Designed for swimmingand propelling themselves underwater,their strong legs are set well to theback of their bodies, making walkingon land difficult and awkward. Theytake flight by running along the

surface of the water. In fact, mostloons cannot take off from land. Onceairborne, their flight is strong anddirect. They have rapid wingbeats anda hunched posture, as they hold theirneck and head lower than their body.

Feeding HabitsLoons use their strong, dagger-like

bills to catch their main food, fish.Crustaceans, such as crabs and shrimp,

Note the large, heavy bill of the common loon (top). Althoughcommon loons feed mostly on fish, they will also takecrustaceans, such as crabs.

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Mercury Pollution and Loons

also are consumed. In freshwaterareas, loons will eat frogs, sala-manders and crayfish.

Loons may be seen paddling alongthe water’s surface with their face in thewater as they look for schools of fishbelow. Once they see potential prey,they dive underwater to begin theirpursuit. Because they hunt by sight,loons require clear water in order to feed.They may remain underwater for aslong as a minute while foraging, andcan stay under for longer periods ifescaping from an enemy. Commonloons are known to dive to depths of upto 250 feet.

Winter IdentificationWhile the breeding plumage of loons

can be spectacular, their winter plumagecan be equally drab, making identifica-tion in winter sometimes difficult. Bodystructure and behavioral characteristicsbecome more important when correctlyidentifying species.

Common LoonAt up to 32 inches in length, the

common loon is the largest. It has alarge, heavy bill and thick neck. Inwinter, the plumage is dark gray aboveand white below. The crown and napeare darker than the back. There is a softedge between the white and darkerplumage on the head and neck. Thewhite in the face extends around theeye. This species usually holds itshead level with the water.

Red-throated LoonThe red-throated loon is smaller (25

inches in length) and slimmer than thecommon loon. It has a thin, upturnedbill, and normally swims with head andbill held at an upward angle. In winter,the plumage on the head and neck arewell defined, with white extendingabove the eye. Its light gray backwith white spotting gives it apaler appearance than thecommon loon.

Pacific LoonAs its name indicates, the

Pacific loon typically winters onthe West Coast of North America.It occurs on a regular basis in themid-Atlantic and northeast region,but in very low numbers. In winterits plumage is dark gray above andwhite below, similar to thecommon loon. It is smaller (26inches in length) and has a smaller,thinner bill than the common loon.Its dark cap extends down to thelower eye. Both adults andjuveniles may have a thin, dark“chin strap” which can be helpfulin identification.

Where to See Loons inConnecticut

Loons are most often seensingly, although sometimes insmall groups, at good feedinglocations. They will frequentlybe seen offshore at great dis-tances and under less than ideal

viewing conditions. To get a goodlook, binoculars are a must and aspotting scope with a sturdy tripodwould be even better. Wind, heavywave action, mist and glare can makecorrect identification difficult. Loonscan be separated from other swimmingbirds, like ducks and gulls, becausethey typically ride lower in the waterwhile swimming.

Some of the more reliable places tosearch for loons include HarknessMemorial State Park in Waterford,Griswold Point in Old Lyme,Hammonasset Beach State Park inMadison, New Haven Harbor, MilfordPoint and Sherwood Island State Park inWestport.

ConservationIn our region loons are subject to

many pressures, including acid rain,mercury pollution (see below), leadingestion and high levels of distur-bance on nesting lakes. Lead ingestionoccurs when loons pick up grit fromlake bottoms to aid in digestion; manyseem to pick up lead sinkers instead ofstones, which end up slowly poisoningthe birds.

Coal-fired power plants are the largest source ofmercury pollution. Trace amounts of mercuryfound naturally in coal are released into theatmosphere when coal is burned to produceelectricity. Once in the air, the mercury returns toearth with rain and snow, or as dry particles thatthen end up in rivers, lakes and coastal waters.Over time mercury may settle to bottom sedimentsin bodies of water. However, in acidic lakes itbecomes more water soluble and can be releasedback into the water from the sediment. Thenortheastern states and Maritime provinces ofCanada have the worst mercury pollution in NorthAmerica.Because mercury accumulates in the aquatic foodchain, top predators that eat a lot of fish, such asloons, are the first victims to show signs ofmercury poisoning. Scientific studies conducted inthe northeastern United States and the CanadianMaritimes have shown that loons breeding in theseareas are experiencing reproductive problemsconsistent with mercury poisoning.Loons with high levels of mercury may sufferreproductive failure, where no young are able tosurvive. Being a neurotoxin, mercury affects thenervous system and can debilitate young loonchicks, leaving them with a lack of motorcoordination, leading to death.Loon populations from our region are consideredto be seriously at risk from mercury pollution. Insome areas, the recruitment of young birds is nothigh enough to sustain the population.

Red-throated loons typically swim with their head and bill held at an upward angle.

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Take Refuge and Relax atStewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge

Did you know thatthere is a National Wild-life Refuge (NWR) inConnecticut? The StewartB. McKinney NWRmanages eight pieces ofland, or units, along thecoast of Connecticut. TheRefuge includes fiveislands, barrier beaches,tidal saltmarshes,shrublands and uplandhabitats. Due to itslocation in the AtlanticFlyway, the refugeprovides importantresting, feeding andnesting habitat for manyspecies of wading birds,waterfowl, songbirds,shorebirds and terns,including the endangeredroseate tern and threat-ened piping plover.

Units of Stewart B.McKinney NWR

Salt Meadow Unit,Westbrook: The headquar-ters for Stewart B. McKinney NWR arelocated at Salt Meadow Unit. This unitis open to the public seven days aweek for hiking, bird watching andphotography on over two-and-a-halfmiles of trails. This trail system allowsvisitors to view forest, grassland andmarsh habitats. While visiting SaltMeadow Unit, bluebirds, deer, foxes,egrets, ibis and red-tailed hawks arejust some of the wildlife you may see.

Outer Island Unit, Branford:Outer Island is the outermost island inthe Thimble Island chain off the coastof Branford. This island is composedof pink granite and is a home for thestate-endangered prickly pear cactus.For many years, the island was closedto public visitation. With the help ofthe newly-formed Friends of OuterIsland, the island was open on week-ends in 2002 from July 4th to LaborDay. The Friends of Outer Island iscurrently looking for volunteers totrain as island docents for the 2003season. If you are interested in

Written by Jennifer Brown, Outdoor Recreation Planner, Stewart B. McKinney NWR

A historic lighthouse on Falkner Island, which was commissioned in 1802 by Thomas Jefferson, is open topublic visitation for only two days each year.

The largest nesting colony of common terns in Connecticut can be found on Falkner IslandUnit of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge.

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learning moreabout the program,please write to:Friends of OuterIsland, P.O. Box305, Branford, CT06405.

Outer IslandUnit is also the siteof the Refuge’sEnvironmentalEducation Pro-gramming. Inpartnership withConnecticut StateUniversity System,over 700 studentsvisit the unit tostudy islandecology each year.

Milford Point Unit, Milford:Located just a stone’s throw awayfrom the Connecticut AudubonCoastal Center in Milford, the MilfordPoint Unit is home to the state andfederally threatened piping plover.Because of the potential harm causedto piping plovers and state threatenedleast terns, visitors may only view thissandy peninsula from an observationdeck at its boundary. Fishing accessfor the tip of Milford Point Unit isallowed on a designated route. Stop inat the Connecticut Audubon CoastalCenter to play an educational andinteractive computer game based onMilford Point Unit.

Each year, Connecticut Audubon,Connecticut DEP and the U.S. Fish andWildlife Service (USFWS) trainvolunteers as part of the Piping PloverPatrol. These volunteers have helpedmake the beaches safe for plovers byeducating visitors and conductingplover surveys. If you are interested injoining the Piping Plover Patrol, emailSara Williams [email protected], or call (860)399-2513.

Great Meadows Unit, Stratford:The largest, unditched high salt marshin Connecticut is protected as theGreat Meadows Unit. A new trail, setto open late summer 2003, will givevisitors, teachers and students theopportunity to enjoy this unique marshcommunity. Some of the wildlife thatcan be found in this unit includeclapper rails, a variety of waterfowland the northern harrier. Great Mead-ows is important as the feeding

grounds for many long-legged wadingbirds.

Sheffield Island Unit, Norwalk:Each year, over 10,000 visitors travel toSheffield Island in Norwalk to view itshistoric lighthouse. Now, thosevisitors can also enjoy the island’snatural beauty by walking theRefuge’s new Island Ethics Trail. Thistrail helps to teach visitors the impor-tance of leaving islands as naturalhavens for wildlife and minimizingdisturbance. From the trail’s observa-tion platform, visitors may spot abelted kingfisher or a great egret. Thetrail is open from Memorial Day toLabor Day. For a ferry schedule, call(888) LI-Sound.

Chimon Island Unit, Norwalk:Chimon Island was once the site of thelargest colony of wading birds inConnecticut. Since that time, an increaseof small mammal predators (such asraccoons and rats) and invasive non-native plants have caused the birds toleave the island. Deer have also caused agreat deal of damage to the island’svegetation. Now, the island is used bymigrating birds and its interior is closedto public visitation.

Goose Island Unit, Westport: Thisthree-acre island is home to nestingherring gulls, black-backed gulls anddouble-crested cormorants. The islandis closed to the public.

Falkner Island Unit, Guilford:Opened to visitation only once a year,Falkner Island Unit contains the fifthlargest nesting colony of federallyendangered roseate terns in theNortheast. It is also home to the largest

nesting colony of common terns inConnecticut. Throughout the summer,members of the U.S. Geological Survey,Connecticut Audubon Society andUSFWS study and protect the terns. Inrecent years, predation by black-crowned night herons, a decline in theterns’ food source and other externalpressures have reduced the productivityof this colony. Members of the StewartB. McKinney NWR are currentlyworking on several solutions to theseissues.

A historic lighthouse, commissionedin 1802 by Thomas Jefferson, sits onFalkner Island. The USFWS, Faulkner’sIsland Light Brigade, U.S. Coast Guardand U.S. Geological Survey worktogether each year to open the islandand the lighthouse to visitation for twodays. The weekend open house usuallyoccurs in September. Information on theopen house in 2003 will be released laterin the year.

Upcoming ArticlesAs part of the year-long celebra-

tion of the 100th anniversary of theNational Wildlife Refuge System, eachof the next five issues of ConnecticutWildlife will contain an up-close andpersonal look at one of the units ofStewart B. McKinney NWR. Thesearticles will focus on upcoming refugeprograms and volunteer projects.

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Note from Editor: The Silvio O. ConteNational Wildlife Refuge, whichstretches along portions of the Con-necticut River, is Connecticut’s otherNational Wildlife Refuge.


How CT’s Tax Check-offProgram Helps Wildlife

The Endangered Species/WildlifeIncome Tax Check-off Fund, which wasinitiated in 1994, allows Connecticuttaxpayers to voluntarily donate aportion of their state income tax refund.The money is then used to supportwildlife and natural area preserveprojects by providing dollars whenmatching funds are needed or whenother funding sources are unavailable.Tax deductible donations to the Fundhave financed several important projectsover the years to increase the DEP’sknowledge of such species as the timberrattlesnake, tree-roosting bats, theshortnose sturgeon and the white-fringedorchid. Just recently, the DEP awardedtax check-off funding for some new andcontinuing projects.

New ProjectsFlying Squirrels: Two species of

flying squirrels are native to Connecti-cut. The southern flying squirrel is fairlycommon and can be found in mostmature woodlands. The northern flyingsquirrel is considered rare and is usuallyfound in colder areas at higher eleva-tions. The status of the northern flyingsquirrel cannot be determined becauseonly a few specimens have been col-lected in the state. Recently, the northernflying squirrel has been recognized aseither endangered, threatened or specialconcern by states in the southern

Appala-chianmountains,includingPennsylva-nia. Thisresearchproject willassess thestatus andhabitat ofthese twosquirrels innorthernConnecti-cut.

Result-ing infor-mation willbe helpful to resource managers andconservation professionals. Flyingsquirrels may play an important role inforest regeneration as seed predatorsor by carrying beneficial fungusspores in their feces.

Flying squirrels are secretive andspecial techniques are required to detectthem. In this project, animals will belive-trapped at several locations and thehabitat will be examined to explore whatfactors limit flying squirrel populationsin Connecticut.

Monitoring Avian Productivity andSurvivorship in Northwestern Con-necticut: Birders and scientists across

the country have beennoticing that migratorysongbirds are showingpopulation declinesacross the country. Forthat reason, the NationalAudubon Society inSharon began a project in1997 to monitor thepopulation trends formigratory songbirdsthrough seven birdbanding stations inLitchfield County and ineastern Dutchess County,in New York.

Through mist nettingand banding, thesestations are designed tomonitor trends in theproductivity and survi-vorship of breeding

songbirds, particularly neotropicalmigrants, on a long-term basis. 2003will be the seventh year of operation.Every bird caught in the mist nets(from early June to mid-August toensure that only breeding individualsare caught) is identified, sexed, aged,evaluated and banded. Additional datais collected through point counts,vegetation surveys and generalobservations recorded on a daily log.

In addition to being used by localland managers and scientists, the dataare collected and submitted to theInstitute for Bird Populations (IBP) inPoint Reyes, California, and is pooledwith data from similar stationsthroughout the country in order tohelp determine nationwide trends inbird populations and to guide conser-vation efforts. Information gainedfrom this study will benefit the DEP’sefforts to help migratory birds. Theresearch will provide demographicinformation for both resident andneotropical bird species breeding innorthwestern Connecticut.

Amphibian Diversity and Distribu-tion Changes: The global decline ofamphibian populations is of majorimportance and has gained the attentionof biologists, environmentalists andpoliticians around the world. WithinConnecticut, several amphibian popula-tions appear to be declining, butvaluable baseline data are lacking todocument this trend. By studyingamphibian larvae collected from

A New England cottontail is released after having a radio transmitterattached. Biologists will track the rabbit’s movements and gain importantdata on its home range and habitat use.

A project that monitors population trends for migratorysongbirds, like the wood thrush, is receiving funding fromthe CT Endangered Species/Wildlife Income Tax Check-offFund.

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Connecticut wetlands in the past 100years, researchers hope to gain abetter understanding of changes inamphibian populations over time.Among the species being studied isthe eastern spade-foot toad, nowlisted as endangered in Connecticut.

Researchers plan to identifyamphibian larval specimens currentlystored in collections at the YalePeabody Museum of Natural Historyin New Haven. These specimens werecollected from Connecticut at varioustimes spanning most of the 20thcentury and most have never beenidentified or cataloged and thus havenot been available for research. Oncethe specimens are identified andcritical data have been taken, theywill be available to researchers. Theexistence of larval specimens fromcertain localities may justify futuresurveys of those areas, especially incases of species now consideredendangered, threatened or evenextirpated from the state.

Matianuck Sand Dunes NaturalArea Preserve: Located inBloomfield and Windsor, the

Matianuck Sand Dunes Natural AreaPreserve is an outstanding example ofinland sand dunes, lying upon the bedof glacial Lake Hitchcock. Thepreserve contains a mixture of drylandplant species, which provide rarehabitat for uncommon and endangeredinsects. This study will document theplant species found at this unique area,as well as identify research needs andfocus areas of future survey work.

Continuing ProjectsNew England Cottontail: A project

initiated in 2001 that will assess thedistribution of the New Englandcottontail statewide and the home rangesize and habitat use of New Englandcottontails in coastal habitats receivedadditional funding. The New Englandcottontail is the only native rabbit inConnecticut and historically wasdistributed statewide. Limited researchsuggests that populations have declinedin Connecticut and the northeasternUnited States. This project alsoreceives funding from the WildlifeConservation and Restoration Pro-gram.

Learning More About the Copperhead Snake

The northern copperhead snake isalive and well in Connecticut, withpopulations stretching from Stoningtonto Greenwich and Branford to Granby.The heaviest concentrations of copper-heads are located along the ConnecticutRiver valley. Little is known about thegeneral history of copperheads, butthrough the collaborated efforts ofherpetologist Charles Smith, a Ph.D.candidate at the University of Connecti-cut, and the DEP, the copperhead iscurrently the focus of scientific study.

The study was designed to determinemating behavior, migration, habitat useand ecological associations of thecopperhead. To help with data collec-tion, 17 snakes from a hibernaculumalong the Connecticut River valley havebeen surgically implanted with smallradio transmitters. These animals werethen tracked with radio telemetryequipment every other day from the timethey emerged from hibernation in earlyApril until they returned to the hiber-naculum in mid-September. Datacollected from each animal included

Global Positioning System (GPS)readings and observations, such aspreferred habitat, feeding behavior andthe animal’s activity upon location.Blood samples were collected bimonthlyto determine genetic paternity. Copper-heads are very docile in nature. Evenwhen approached, the snakes either fledor remained motionless. However, somemales were slightly aggressive whenhandled during the breeding season.

Data collected so far have givenresearchers a better understanding of thebehavioral differences between animalswithin an intraspecific population. Theseanimals were found to be living in thesame area as other snake species, such asmilk snakes, rat snakes and black racers.Each copperhead, upon leaving thehibernaculum in April, traveled any-where between a few hundred feet up toa couple of miles away to their preferredhabitat and hunting grounds. Somesnakes spent much of their time inswamps while others preferred the densehardwood forest or cliff sides where theywere completely unobtainable to

researchers. While a few animalsremained in small areas, others movedup to a quarter of a mile in as little astwo days. During the apparent breedingseason, certain males would travelextensively in search of a mate, spendingup to a week at a time before findingfemale snakes to mate with. By themiddle to the end of August, gravid(pregnant) females returned to thehibernaculum to give birth, remainingthere for the rest of the season. Malesand non-gravid females returned to thehibernaculum in early to mid-Septemberand every snake returned to within feetof where they hibernated the previouswinter, some to the exact location fromwhich they emerged last April.

The Connecticut EndangeredSpecies/Wildlife Income Tax Check-offFund is providing funding for thecopperhead project (see previousarticle). Stay tuned to learn more aboutcopperheads as this project resumeswhen the snakes emerge from theirwinter dens in the upcoming spring.

Written by Stephen Berube, Copperhead Project Research Contractor

American Kestrel: This project todetermine the home range and habitatuse of breeding American kestrelsreceived funding in 2001. Additionalfunding was awarded to continue datacollection. Connecticut’s kestrelpopulation has been rapidly declining.Researchers hope to gain moreinformation about what the birds needto survive. This should help in thedevelopment of management andrecovery efforts.

How You Can HelpThe Endangered Species/Wildlife

Income Tax Check-off Fund can alwaysuse your help. When filing your Con-necticut Income Tax Return for 2002,remember wildlife by donating a portionof your tax refund. Those not expectinga state income tax refund but who wishto contribute can send contributions tothe Endangered Species/Wildlife Fund,DEP Bureau of Administration-FinancialManagement, 79 Elm Street, Hartford,CT 06106. Contributions are deductibleon next year’s federal tax return.


As reportedin the Septem-ber/October2002 issue ofConnecticutWildlife, theDEP WildlifeDivision hasbeen monitor-ing the statusof chronicwastingdisease (CWD)in cooperationwith fish andwildlifeagenciesthroughoutNorthAmerica. CWDis a naturallyoccurringdisease of thebrain andnervoussystem in deerand elk. Itattacks the brain of these animals,producing small lesions that eventu-ally result in death. As of December,2002, there have been no reportedcases of CWD in the northeasternUnited States. The nearest knownoccurrence of CWD is in northernIllinois.

Because CWD is invariably fataland it has the potential to dramaticallyimpact deer and elk populations, statefish and wildlife agencies have beenendorsing measures to minimize thechances of it spreading to other areasof North America. Animals may beinfected with CWD for long periods oftime before showing symptoms, andcurrently there is no means of testingwhether a live animal is infected withCWD. Therefore, a complete ban onthe importation of members of the deerfamily is considered the most prudentmeasure in controlling the spread ofthe disease. Earlier this year, theConnecticut Department of Agricul-ture issued regulations banning theimportation of captive deer, elk,reindeer and other members of thedeer (Cervidae) family of mammals.

DEP Continues to Monitor CWD Situation

Other states have taken similarprecautionary measures.

Some states have also startedmonitoring programs where they arecollecting random samples of deer andtesting for the presence of CWD. Thisis being done mostly in states that arein close proximity to known occur-rences of CWD. Random testing wasinitiated in several northeastern states,including New York and Rhode Island.To date, no have animals have testedpositive for CWD in the northeasternstates. Currently in Connecticut, theDEP will only test deer that exhibitsymptoms of the disease. If CWD isdiscovered in close proximity toConnecticut, a more intense monitor-ing effort would be employed. In2003, the DEP plans to initiate randomtesting of animals.

Infected animals may displayabnormal behavior, such as staggeringor standing with very poor posture.Eventually, infected animals becomeemaciated and appear to be in verypoor health. This symptom is how thedisease got its name, “chronic wastingdisease.” Anyone observing a deer

exhibitingsymptoms ofCWD shouldnotify theWildlifeDivision (860-424-3011) orthe DEP’s 24-hour TIPhotline (1-800-842-HELP). Ifthe animal isdispatched, thehead should bekept intact sothat a brainsample can becollected fortesting.

The prob-ability of CWDappearing inConnecticut isvery low at thistime. If,however, CWDis discovered in

Connecticut, the DEP will implementadditional management strategiesaimed at preventing its spread.

Although no known link existsbetween CWD and humans, healthofficials advise hunters not to con-sume meat from animals known to beinfected with CWD and also recom-mend boning out meat. As usual,hunters should continue to employnormal precautions when field dress-ing deer, such as wearing rubbergloves. This precaution is especiallyimportant for hunters who travel tohunt deer in states where CWD hasbeen detected. To date, CWD in free-ranging populations has only beendetected in the following states andCanadian provinces: Colorado,Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska,South Dakota, Wisconsin, Illinois andSaskatchewan. Concerns about CWDshould not keep hunters from partici-pating in Connecticut’s deer huntingseason.

A website kept up-to-date with thelatest information about CWD in NorthAmerica can be found at www.cwd-info.org.

Chronic wasting disease is a naturally occurring disease of the brain and nervous systemin deer and elk. As of December, 2002, there have been no reported cases of CWD in thenortheastern United States.

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This past fall, the DEP completed astream habitat restoration project inthe lower Hop River, located inCoventry and Columbia. The goal ofthe project was to restore a morediverse fish community, includingtrout, by stabilizing erodingstreambanks and stemming theintroduction of sediment into the river.In addition to trout, stream fishesexpected to benefit from these en-hancements include fallfish, commonshiner, white sucker and smallmouthbass. The project site encompassesapproximately 1,400 linear feet of theHop River from Flanders Road Bridge toits confluence with the WillimanticRiver.

Hop River Habitat Restoration Project CompletedThe project

involved acooperativepartnershipbetween the DEPInland Fisheriesand the InlandWater ResourcesDivisions. Theconstructionphase of theproject wasaccomplished bythe DEP WildlifeDivision’sWetlands Habitatand MosquitoManagement

Program, whichused specializedlow ground pres-sure equipment tominimize anydeleterious effectsto wetland andstream habitatsduring construc-tion.

In the early1970s, the con-struction of theRoute 6 bypassresulted in streamchannelization(straightening) andrelocation. Thesealterations, inconcert withincreased watersheddevelopment,destabilizedstreambanks,accelerated erosionand sedimentation,and degradedinstream fishhabitats within thelower Hop River.

The Hop Riverproject was acomprehensive riverchannel restoration,using natural streamchannel design andbioengineeringtechniques. The

restoration represents the largest‘bioengineered’ project ever com-pleted in Connecticut. Bioengineeringinvolves the use of living plants incombination with other materials torapidly revegetate and stabilizestreambanks and to restore streamecosystems. Eroded streambanks werestabilized with coconut fiber rolls,small rock, erosion control fabric andplantings of willow and dogwood.

Restoration work also involved theinstallation of three rock weirs, whichwere designed to maintain pool habitatand concentrate stream flows toward thecenter of the channel, away from erodingstreambanks. Additional structures madewith trees and tree roots were installed tofurther deflect stream flow away fromstreambanks and to provide refuges forfish and hibernating areas for woodturtles, which are species of specialconcern. Boulders and tree tops wereplaced in the lower section of the HopRiver to enhance instream habitats.

The Inland Fisheries Divisionannually stocks the Hop River with over3,900 adult brook, brown and rainbowtrout. Open season for fishing in the HopRiver is from the third Saturday in Apriluntil the last day in February. Publicaccess to the property is available via thenorth side of Route 66, Columbia,approximately 0.1 miles east of FlandersRoad. Walk-in only access is availablefrom the railroad bed. The public isadvised not to walk on streambank areasthat are being restored with vegetation.

A bulldozer moves a root ball into position in the river bank. Rootballs were installed to further deflect stream flow away fromstreambanks and to provide refuges for fish.

The excavator also was used to build a weir dam with rocks. Aweir dam maintains pool habitat and concentrates stream flowstoward the center of the channel, away from erodingstreambanks.

A special, low ground pressure excavator digs a deep pool areain the Hop River to create habitat for fish.

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Canada Goose

What large bird is brown on its back, white onits belly and has a white cheek patch?

What does a Canada goose eat?

Some like it hot!(Or at least warm!)Connecticut has resident Canada geese thatstay here all year long. They nest and spendthe winter in Connecticut. Other geese aremigratory and nest in Alaska and northernCanada and spend the winter in thesouthern states. Some of these geesemigrate through Connecticut in fall andspring. If Connecticut’s winter is mild, someof the migrant geese will stay here allwinter long.

Honk, honk, honk!When Canada geese migrate, their loudhonking can be heard from miles away. Thegeese fly together in large, V-shapes in thesky. As the birds fly, little air currents aremade around the wings and body. Flying ina “V” helps the birds gain lift from eachother and they use less energy on theirflight.

Watch where you’rewalking!Sometimes Canada geese are a nuisance inparks, golf courses, ballfields and lawns.Too many geese leave too many droppings!High grass and low fences may keep geeseout. Frightening geese with loud noises,scarecrows, flying balloons or dogs some-times works, too. Hunting, where it is al-lowed, can help solve some goose problems.

It’s not “Canadian”When you are talking about more than onegoose say, “Canada geese” not “Canadiangeese.” Many people make this mistake. Letyour English teacher know!

1. teawr nslpta2. desse3. rlvoce4. ragisn5. sgsar

Unscramble the words below to find out.

Answers to Quiz

1. water plants, 2. seeds, 3. clover, 4. grains, 5. grass

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Subscription Order

Name:

Address:

City: State:

Zip: Tel.:

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

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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. 19 .... Shepaug Bald Eagle Viewing Area open for the 2002-2003 eagle viewing season. The observation area will be open threedays a week--by advance reservation only--on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Call 1-800-368-8954, Tuesday throughFriday, from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM, to make reservations.

Jan. 1-31 ............... Extended archery deer season on private land in zones 11 and 12. A 2003 deer permit and private land consent formsdated for 2003 are needed.

January ................. Donate to the Endangered Species/Wildlife Income Tax Check-off Fund on your 2002 CT Income Tax form (see page 14 formore information).

............................... Spring turkey hunting and state land deer lottery applications available at town clerks’ and Wildlife Division offices, or applyonline on the DEP’s website: www.dep.state.ct.us.

Jan. 15-Feb. 15 ..... Special late Canada goose hunting season in the south zone only. For more details, consult the 2002-2003 Migratory BirdHunting Guide, available at town clerks’ and DEP Wildlife Division offices. The guide can also be found on the DEP’s websiteat: www.dep.state.ct.us.

Feb. 10 .................. State land lottery deadline for spring turkey hunting season.

Feb. 14-16 ............. Visit the Wildlife Division’s exhibit at the 5th Annual Hunting and Fishing Expo, at the Connecticut Expo Center in Hartford.For more information on the Hunting and Fishing Expo, visit the website for North East Promotions,www.fishingandhuntingexpo.com.

Feb. 15-16 ............. 4th Annual Connecticut River Eagle Festival in Essex. For more information, visit the Connecticut Audubon’s website atwww.ctaudubon.org.

Feb. 28 .................. Send in permit-required (small game) season survey cards.

Early March ........... Clean out bluebird nest boxes and install new ones.

March 1 ................. Bird House Workshop, starting at 9:30 AM, at the Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area, in Burlington. Bring yourhammer and screwdriver to construct a bluebird/chickadee/nuthatch house. Assisted construction will follow a slidepresentation on bird houses, size, placement and habitat. A donation of $4.00 to the Friends of Sessions Woods will cover thecost of the birdhouse. Call 860-675-8130 to preregister and for more information.

March 15 ............... State land lottery deadline for deer hunting season.

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Guess which animal is described in the challenge and enter into a drawing to win a freewildlife poster. Print your answer on a postcard, along with your name, address and phonenumber and send it to: CT Wildlife Division, P.O. Box 1550, Burlington, CT 06013, Attn:Wildlife Challenge. Answers may also be sent via email to [email protected] for this issue’s contest must be postmarked by February 28, 2003. Email answers mustalso be received by that date.

If you’ve been reading your issues of Connecticut Wildlife over the past year, you should know the answer to this wildlifechallenge. Small numbers of this animal may have existed in Connecticut in colonial times before it eventually disappearedfrom the state. However, it recently returned to Connecticut in 1998 to reside. This animal, which can stand up to six feet talland weigh up to 1,400 pounds, is the largest land mammal in the state. What is this issue’s wildlife challenge?

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�� go to Michael Orefice Sr. whowas chosen as the winner of theSeptember/October challenge.Michael gave the correct answerof “white-tailed deer.” Thanks toall readers who sent in answers.Please keep trying!

Congratulations

20 Connecticut Wildlife January / February 2003PRINTED 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

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Take time to enjoy the beauty of Connecticut’s winter landscape.

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