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In 2011, our
team, the Connecticut Audubon Raven Luna-ticks (Nick Bonomo, Patrick
Dugan, Frank Gallo, Dave Tripp, and Fran Zygmont) finally broke Connecticut’s Big Day
birding record of 186 species (see the details in this post). We broke it by six, besting the New England record by one, as well, with a hard-earned
total of 192 species in 24 hours. Our New England
record lasted a week. Friends from Massachusetts
now hold the record with 193 species. It’s a new year, and we want it back! Nick
will be away, so we’ll have to work even harder.
In 2011, we again found amazing
birds for late May in Connecticut, including Barn Owl, Northern Gannet, and Horned
Grebe, 25 species of warblers, a late
Great Cormorant, Common Eiders, Blue and Green-winged Teal! Tough misses
included, Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, and Northern Saw-whet Owl. The
highlight for me was descending from Meig’s Point with 185 species, having just
seen a late gannet, both loons, and two species of scoters. Luckily, we had Seaside
Sparrow in the bag to tie the record, and there in the marsh pond by the
parking lot was a female Blue-winged Teal, like a little gift from the heavens.
An already great day had just gotten better, and with hours of light left… 192!
Ending our day with both a Barn Owl and Least Bittern calling was pretty great
too…
This year, we’re busy nailing down raptor nests
(please let us know if you have any in your area), and are already out scouting.
Our sights are set on 200 species, and we’ll give it our all! We invite you to
join our team by pledging your support. Help us achieve our ambitious goal of
reaching 200 species and raising $5,000 -- every
dollar you pledge directly supports the Coastal
Center at Milford Point – voted Yankee
Magazine’s best birding destination in Connecticut. We
cannot do this without you, and we thank you in advance for your generosity!
Pledge forms (in PDF format) are available by clicking here
Pledge forms (in PDF format) are available by clicking here
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Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation Technician
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