Birds crash into parking lots in Utah

Last week I read a remarkable story in USA Today that you can read in full here: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/story/2011-12-14/bird-crash-landing-utah/51927250/1

It seems that thousands of migrant grebes somehow mistook parking lots for ponds or lakes, attempting to land in them and instead smashing into the paved surface. The theory put forth is that clouds over the area, and especially over the lights of the parking lots, apparently made it seem as if they were bodies of water, perhaps reflecting the moonlight, waiting for the grebes to land in. No humans were injured and no damage took place other than thousands of birds being killed in these terrible crash landings.

The story takes a more positive turn when it comes to the efforts of wildlife officials and many volunteers. They actually saved thousands of grebes by collecting them from the parking lots the next morning and bringing them back to an actual suitable habitat. While I am guessing some may have been injured and needed some medical attention, many more may have been stunned and simply needed time, like some of the lucky birds that survive window strikes. Others were likely confused and dazed, unable to determine a course of action, and putting them back to where they belong was a huge help.

This tale makes you wonder how often events like this occur without our knowledge. This was a horrible accident brought on by unique conditions - how often do similar situations occur and how can we prevent such events in the future? We likely need to reevaluate leaving lighting such as this on at night as it is often a cause of bird mortality. It would save many birds while also saving everyone some money on the power bill and reducing our usage of fossil fuels, a winning situation for everyone involved.


Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation Technician

Stratford Point Public Bird Walk - January 5

Connecticut Audubon Society Conservation Biologist Twan Leenders and Conservation Technician Scott Kruitbosch will lead a public bird walk at Stratford Point on January 5th from 9-11AM. We will take a look at what wintering ducks are present and see how many species we can find at the mouth of the Housatonic River. This is a great opportunity to bird one of the prime locations in Connecticut and get a head start on your list for the New Year. We will also discuss the exciting habitat management and conservation projects that will be taking place at Stratford Point in 2012.

The walk will be free and we suggest bringing binoculars and a spotting scope, if you have one. Make sure to dress for the season! It is usually safe to assume that this exposed coastal spot is windier and colder than much of the state. Please meet in the visitor parking lot by the buildings. Stratford Point is located at 1207 Prospect Drive, Stratford. Notification of cancellation will be posted on the CT-BIRDS listserve and the Connecticut Audubon Society website (www.ctaudubon.org). Our tentative back-up date is January 11th. For more information, contact Scott Kruitbosch: skruitbosch@ctaudubon.org

We will definitely be looking for another Snowy Owl and other beautiful rarities! Apart from the Snowy seen at Stratford Point on November 30, another one was reported in the general area in Milford on December 20. There have also been frequent and nearly constant Razorbill sightings across Long Island Sound, so have your scopes ready.


Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation Technician

Construction of novel erosion control and habitat restoration project at Stratford Point is making excellent progress!

Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene left Stratford Point's Long Island Sound-facing shore in shambles and during the month of August the site saw a lot of activity as this damage was repaired. Large trucks and several excavators moved mountains of large boulders into the storm-damaged revetment wall to stabilize and armor the 'high-energy' side of the site. The use of hard structures, such as rock or concrete walls, has traditionally been the method of choice to control erosion in tidal areas. However, in recent years this approach is being revisited and novel, 'soft' erosion control structures are being put to the test in many areas surrounding Connecticut. Connecticut Audubon Society, together with site-owner DuPont and specialized contractor 'All Habitat Services, LLC', is currently in the midst of constructing such a soft erosion control structure along the 'low-energy' north shore of Stratford Point - a novelty in Connecticut.

Contractors evaluate the projected contour of the new dune in an area affected by Hurrican Irene

As their name suggests, these 'soft' structures are relatively flexible and can absorb some of a wave's energy as it crashes onto the structure, rather than deflect it like a hard surface would. The latter scenario often results in undermining of the structure and/or excessive erosion at its base, causing a sea wall to become compromised over time. In areas where wave impact is relatively minor and in areas of sensitive coastal habitat, a soft erosion control structure may be a better fit. The northern cove of Stratford Point fits both descriptions since its orientation protects it from most direct wave impacts while the coastal habitat found on-site is among the most threatened in the state. Once completed, the newly constructed erosion control feature will be contoured, covered with a thick layer of sand and planted with 38,000 dune grass plugs to form an artificial coastal dune system extending the length of the north shore.

The first tube goes in to set the baseline

Historically, the intertidal zone of Stratford Point was densely vegetated with Smooth Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), rooted in banks of organic peat. A large-scale remediation in 2000-01 led to the removal of large amounts of lead shot from the site's upland and tidal areas - a remnant of the site's history as a trap and skeet shooting club. However, this environmental clean-up also caused the loss of all peat substrate and associated plant life from the intertidal zone. This loss of vegetation zone has destabilized beach sediment and led to erosion of the site's shoreline due to unabated exposure to wave action. Between 2001 and 2011, over 100 horizontal feet of upland was lost along sections of the north shore of Stratford Point, and erosion continued to be a problem.

Each additional layer of tubes is wrapped in sheets of geotextile and anchored in the
upland, while the entire stack is also tied together by a geotextile covering     

In 2010, Connecticut Audubon Society's Conservation Biologist, Twan Leenders, carried out a feasibility study to evaluate whether the concept of creating erosion control structures that are integrated in coastal habitat elements was feasible at Stratford Point. Monitoring studies to assess the species of plants and animals currently found along the northern shore of Stratford Point, and additional surveys of nearby high-quality coastal dune habitats to investigate the potential target species composition for the newly created coastal dune were completed this past year. The latter study was carried out by CAS Science & Conservation staff and students from Sacred Heart University, with financial support from The Nature Conservancy. Once all the pieces of the plan were in place, by fall of this year, it was decided to move ahead as soon as possible to stop further erosion of the site's shoreline. The unseasonably warm weather in recent weeks has helped the project tremendously and extended our work window well into December. If this pattern holds, we should see a finished project before the end of the year!

The plantings arrive at Stratford Point: 38,000 beach grass plugs and their private chauffeur.

The plants are temporarily stockpiled here until the dune is ready to be planted. 

The process of constructing the basis for this artificial dune is worth a closer look. Rather than using traditional stone elements for a foundation, the entire structure is built around a series of sediment-filled geotextile tubes. Each tube is filled to capacity with a mixture of sand and organic compost to form a 12-inch diameter 'sausage' that runs the entire 750 foot length of the dune. Individual tubes are arranged in a step-ladder fashion, stacked up to nine tubes high in some places, and held together by sheets of additional geotextile fabric. The sediment-filled tubes are flexible and dynamic and settle snugly around the variable contours of the shoreline. They are placed against the face of the eroding shoreline and the entire structure is engineered to match the height of the existing bluff. Once completed, the tubes will be hidden from view by the sediment and plants that cover the dune, but they will provide stability and bulk to the entire system. The dune grass plantings will gradually be enhanced with a more diverse mixture of vegetation, but initially it is most important that these fast-growing grasses establish an extensive root system to stabilize all the sediment on top of the dune.

The tubes are in and a substantial section of the structure is covered with  sand already.

The new shoreline contour is taking shape...

Apart from the creation of the artificial dune system, the 2010 feasibility study also recommended restoring the historic tidal marsh vegetation lost during the 2000-01 large scale remediation at Stratford Point. Smooth Cordgrass plants growing in the intertidal zone move with the water's tidal motion and absorb energy from waves before they hit the shore. The combination of decreased erosion as a result of lower wave energy and the sand-trapping ability of salt marsh vegetation will promote the growth of a sandy beach habitat. Restoring the salt marsh fringe present at Stratford Point prior to 2001 will help to protect the newly created coastal dune system, while enhancing the tidal marsh habitat at the site. This salt marsh restoration project is next on the docket for 2012.

Beach Grass is being planted in the foreground, while the finishing touches are put on the dune contour
in the back. The end is in sight!   

Stratford Point's new dune system is designed to be dynamic and to allow for deposition and migration of wind-blown sediment. In the long term, the appearance of this coastal dune habitat will be shaped by the prevailing elements and will hopefully become an integral part of the site's coastal landscape. Continued monitoring of the area will tell us not only whether the soft erosion control structure does its job of stabilizing the shoreline, but we are also very interested to see whether plant and animal species that depend on coastal habitats will gradually occupy the newly created habitat. In the next couple of years, Connecticut Audubon Society staff will implement additional novel habitat management and conservation projects at Stratford Point and we will keep you informed on how they turn out. Through a series of creative habitat restoration and management projects we are hoping to see the recovery of local at-risk species while the site transitions from what was once an environmental hazard to a vibrant coastal nature preserve. Come see it for yourself some time!

Twan Leenders, Conservation Biologist
Photos by Twan Leenders

Christmas Bird Count 2011 - Westport-Fairfield

Today I participated in the Westport-Fairfield Christmas Bird Count as I do annually, joining Charlie Barnard Jr. for his area of the circle. He covers the Fairfield shore, an area with a tremendous variety of habitats, allowing us to take an arduous hike out to the end of Penfield Reef and a walk through the old landfill that is now part of the Pine Creek Open Space, among other stops. Suffice it to say, there is a lot of ground to cover, and often many "good" birds to find. I did not think today's highlight theme, on this naturally frigid December day, would be warblers.

Alex Burdo and James Purcell, two young and very skilled birders, got a head start on things during count week, tallying a bunch of nice birds we hoped to find again today. The highlight of the day for me was relocating a Nashville Warbler along with an Orange-crowned Warbler...and another...and...what...another! Yes, we ended up with three Orange-crowned Warblers along with the Nashville after I initially pish-ed out the first two birds exactly where they were seen the day before. Here are some shots of the Nashville, the bird I focused on getting shots of because of the late date at the expense of photographing the three Orange-crowned Warblers.

The three others eluded my camera as I struggled to focus on them while they moved in and out of bittersweet tangles and other brush, but those on hand had fantastic looks.

This was all after another cool find made all the more special because of the date. They may be common in some parts of the year, but this Common Yellowthroat is anything but that a week before Christmas!

One warbler that we did not record that Alex and James found yesterday was a Yellow-breasted Chat, though I bet it was right there staring at us, hiding from our eager eyes. Earlier in the morning, we had a Yellow-rumped Warbler at Jennings Beach making it a total of six individuals of four warbler species on the day. I hope next week's Stratford-Milford count has just as many unexpected highlights and Stratford Point provides a few of them.


Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation Technician

Connecticut Audubon Society names new Communications Director

Connecticut Audubon Society has named conservationist and author Tom Andersen as its director of communications and community outreach.

Tom will oversee all of Connecticut Audubon’s communications with members, the general public, and the press, and will also coordinate the organization’s public policy and advocacy work.

“We’re poised to grow and to play a bigger role in conservation issues in Connecticut,” said CAS President Robert Martinez. “Tom knowledge and experience in the not-for-profit world and in conservation will help us focus our message and our work, reach more people, and be even more effective in protecting Connecticut’s critical natural habitats.”

Tom  will oversee Connecticut Audubon’s website and direct communications with members and the general public; social media; and press relations. He will lead a team of Connecticut Audubon staff and board members in identifying, and then formulating positions on, the public policy issues that make up the core of Connecticut Audubon’s advocacy work.

He is the author of This Fine Piece of Water: An Environmental History of Long Island Sound, published by Yale University Press. Tom spent 10 years at Westchester Land Trust, in Bedford Hills, N.Y., as director of communications and special projects and as acting executive director. He helped Westchester Land Trust protect an average of more than 600 acres a year from 2000 through 2010, a decade during which the total amount of land the organization protected rose from 900 acres to more than 7,000 acres.

Previously he worked as a newspaper reporter in Westchester County, mainly writing about environmental issues. A former 15-year Connecticut resident, he now lives in Pound Ridge, N.Y.

He can be reached at tandersen@ctaudubon.org.


Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation Technician

Razorbill flight and a Common Eider

A strange event took place in Long Island Sound yesterday as tens of Razorbills, perhaps more, flew through heading to the west. They were seen throughout the morning and afternoon at several locations on the Connecticut coast. They are almost a regular sight at Hammonasset State Park right now. A flight like this along with increased reports of the species in the past few years leads one to suspect something has changed as they are very rare here otherwise. The most common theory is that they are coming in to the Sound much more often because of an increase in their prey, small fish. Perhaps we will be able to piece it together in coming years.

I had actually seen a single Razorbill flying west from Stratford Point a few weeks ago on November 22. Yesterday, Charlie Barnard found a couple of Razorbills swimming around off Stratford Point early in the morning, though they headed off to the southwest relatively quickly. I spent an hour or so seawatching and tallied six more, all flying right by to the west. While I was scoping the Sound I found another rare bird that is increasingly reported, a Common Eider. This female flew in directly in front of me, just east of the lighthouse, and swam around with a few American Black Ducks for a while.

It seems Stratford Point is only going to be more active for species such as these in the immediate future, so keep them in mind if you visit us, and please tell us if you see them or anything even more rare.

Scott Kruitbosch

Conservation Technician

Stratford Point bird walk 12/14 results

A quick but big thanks to everyone who joined us for the bird walk this morning at Stratford Point. We will announce the date of next month's walk soon. The weather was remarkable for December 14 with only a very light wind and above-normal temperatures in the warm sun. The beautiful conditions made it a little quieter than a typical December day for us as ducks are still coming in Long Island Sound from the north, and as Tom wrote about yesterday and we in the conservation department suspect, some may not spend the winter on our shore this year. Nevertheless, we saw 30 species, with some nice looks at the ducks that were present and a very entertaining group of around 75 Snow Buntings that frequently flew right over our heads. Here are all of the species spotted today:

Brant 
Mute Swan 
Gadwall 
American Wigeon
American Black Duck 
Mallard 
Surf Scoter 
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck 
Common Goldeneye 
Red-breasted Merganser 
Red-throated Loon 
Common Loon 
Great Cormorant 
Northern Harrier 
Black-bellied Plover 
Sanderling 
Ring-billed Gull 
Herring Gull (American) 
Great Black-backed Gull 
Mourning Dove 
American Crow 
Carolina Wren 
Northern Mockingbird 
European Starling 
Snow Bunting 
Savannah Sparrow 
Song Sparrow 
House Finch 
House Sparrow 


Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation Technician