ChicChat-MayJune2015 - Litchfield Hills Audubon Society

Chickadee
Chickadee Chatter • March 2012
Chatter
May / June 2015
Litchfield Hills Audubon Society Newsletter
Volume 60 / Issue 3
The mission of the Litchfield Hills Audubon Society is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds,
other wildlife and their habitats, for the benefit of the community, through conservation, education and research.
President’s Message
Upcoming Programs & Field Trips
By Harry Ainsworth
(See Calendar, pages 6-8, for details)
Spring At Last!
Programs
As I write this on April 3rd, I think
we have made it to spring. Things
are looking up in terms of snowmelt and bird activity.
I’ve heard a few birds singing when I’ve brought out my
feeders first thing in the morning. It makes me very
happy to hear them sing. I can actually see some of my
lawn. It’s time to get outside and do something. It’s been
awhile for many of us since we were last in the field observing some of our favorite creatures. I’ve noticed a
large number of Red-winged Blackbirds at my feeders as
well as lots of Gray Catbirds. My friendly squirrels have
been diligently cleaning up the spilled seeds from my
feeders. I am happy to see that, because I was afraid I
would have to clean up the area with a Shop-Vac.
May 4 — Bird Migration. Speaker: Fran Zygmont
It’s time to start thinking about going out on one of Ray
Belding’s morning walks (see page 7). These are fun
walks during which you can learn a lot. If you do not
have binoculars, people will share theirs and you can get
a great look at a good number of species. It’s very nice to
go on these walks, because there are so many fabulous
birders ready and willing to make identifications for you.
A number of exciting things are going to take place in the
near future. On June 1st, we are having our Annual Meeting at the Elk’s Lodge in Torrington. We enjoyed our
meeting there last year, and I am sure this year’s meeting
will be excellent. I am very excited to have Patrick Comins as our guest speaker and look forward to his presentation. Details of the event and how you can make a reservation are on the flyer enclosed in this newsletter. The
(continued on page 3)
See enclosed Annual Meeting flyer!
June 1 — Annual Meeting & Dinner; topic: 308 —
A Bird Photo “Big Year.” Speaker: Patrick Comins
July 6 — The American Bluebird. Speakers: Burl
Brothers Lectures (Paul and Doug Carrier)
Field Trips
May 3 — Bird Walk at White Memorial Foundation
(WMF). Leader: Olaf Soltau
May 6 — Wednesday Bird Walk; location TBD.
Leader: Ray Belding
May 9 — Bird Walk at Boyd Woods. Leader: Debbie
Martin
May 10 — Bird Walk at WMF. Leader: Angela Dimmitt
May 13 — Wednesday Bird Walk; location TBD.
Leader: Ray Belding
May 17 — Bird Walk at Housatonic River Wildlife
Management Area, Kent. Guide: Alex Kearney
May 20 — Wednesday Bird Walk; location TBD.
Leader: Ray Belding
May 24 — Bird Walk at WMF. Leader: David Zomick
May 27 — Wednesday Bird Walk; location TBD.
Leader: Ray Belding
May 30 — Dawn Chorus & Nature Walk at WMF.
Leader: Fran Zygmont
May 31 — Bird Walk at WMF. Leader: Ann Orsillo
June 13–14 — Summer Bird Count. Leader: Dave
Tripp
June 21 — Boyd Woods 20th Anniversary Event:
Picnic on the Rocks. Leader: Debbie Martin
2!
Chickadee Chatter
This newsletter and other LHAS features can be
seen IN LIVING COLOR on the LHAS Web page:
www.lhasct.org.
LHAS website
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Scan the QR code above with your smartphone to go to
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Chickadee Chatter was printed by
959 Migeon Avenue
Torrington, CT 06790
860-482-9388
www.rainbowpressonline.com
Special thanks to
Doreen Orciari and Janet
Baker for helping to proofread this newsletter.
May/June 2015
LHAS Officers
President !
Harry Ainsworth!
860-777-8012
Vice President !
Jeanne Woolley!
860-485-9585
Treasurer !
Marie Kennedy !
860-567-5487
Rec. Secretary ! Liz Frazier-Zygmont! 860-379-4461
Corresp. Secretary Pam Hicks !smilesmyles@yahoo.com
Board of Directors
John Baker!
2015!
Nicki Hall!
2015!
Heather Perrault! 2015!
Susanne Ainsworth!2016!
Ray Belding !
2016!
David Zomick!
2016!
Terry Bianchi!
2017!
Jay Coles!
2017!
Rich Martin!
2017!
860-567-8427
860-379-8917
860-542-7111
860-484-4273
860-482-4046
860-584-2824
860-489-8821
860-354-3802
860-584-5706
Director at Large
Fran Zygmont!
!
860-379-4461
Committee Chairpeople
Boyd Sanctuary ! Debbie & Rich Martin ! 860-584-5706
Conservation !
Nicki Hall !
860-397-8917
Education !
Donna Rose Smith ! 203-706-0474
Facebook!
Liz Frazier-Zygmont! 860-379-4461
Field Trips !
David Zomick !
860-584-2824
Fundraising !
Harry Ainsworth*!
860-777-8012
Historian !
Angela Dimmitt* !
860-355-3429
Hospitality !
Carol Perrault !
860-589-8023
Junior Audubon ! Donna Rose Smith ! 203-706-0474
Kalmia Sanctuary ! Bob & Doreen Orciari !860-485-1347
Membership !
Doreen Orciari !
860-485-1347
Newsletter !
Diane Edwards !
860-485-9319
Program !
Heather Perrault !
860-542-7111
Publicity !
Shirley Gay !
860-482-0819
Scholarships !
Marcia McGowan !
860-274-2089
Website!
Rich Martin !
860-584-5706
Wigwam Brook
Sanctuary !
John Baker !
860-567-8427
Research
Christmas Count ! Ray Belding !
Summer Count ! Dave Tripp !
860-482-4046
860-693-6524
* Seeking Replacement
The Chickadee Chatter is published in January, March,
May, July, September, and November. For the July/
August 2015 issue, all articles must be received by the
editor by June 1.
The next LHAS Board Meeting will be on
Tuesday, May 19
at 7:15 PM
in White Memorial’s A.B. Ceder Room
Please email items for publication in the newsletter to
Diane Edwards at edwardsd68@charter.net or mail
them to her at 68 Shingle Mill Road, Harwinton, CT
06791.
Send other business to the appropriate chairperson at
LHAS, P.O. Box 861, Litchfield, CT 06759-0861 or
lhasct@me.com.
May/June 2015!
Chickadee! Chatter
MEMBERSHIP
Welcome New Members
By Doreen Orciari, Membership Chairperson
Michael Audette* .......................................Thomaston
David Beers .....................................................Norfolk
Gerda Behlen* .................................................Goshen
Kathy Bolster ..........................................New Milford
Lisa Breese ..............................................New Milford
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Buick* ...............................Goshen
Robert Defosses* ........................................Harwinton
Paul Dorphley* ................................................Norfolk
Veronica Downs ......................................New Milford
Charles Elsesser*....................................Gaylordsville
Rita Frenkel* ...........................................New Preston
Mrs. Elizabeth Frew* .................................Watertown
Terry Goodwin* ..........................................Torrington
Susan Jones* ..........................................New Hartford
Patricia Keavney* .......................................Watertown
Anne Kerrigon ..............................................Litchfield
D. L. Kuzma* ..............................................Torrington
Lucinda Longo ........................................New Preston
Victoria Magaraci* .....................................Watertown
Debbie Matula .........................................New Milford
Alvan Messer*..............................................Litchfield
Diane Miller ....................................................Winsted
Russell Moore .........................................New Milford
William Reudgen* ...........................................Norfolk
Jeanne Robison .......................................New Milford
Christine Steele ...........................................Torrington
Laura Tabaka* .......................................New Hartford
Susan Wheeler .................................................Goshen
Michael White .........................................New Milford
Phyllis D. White ..............................................Norfolk
Arleen Ziarnik* ..............................................Riverton
LHAS membership is at 707.
* Welcome back
If your newsletter is addressed incorrectly or if you fail to
receive one, send a postcard to LHAS, P.O. Box 861,
Litchfield, CT 06759-0861 or send an email to Doreen
Orciari at doreen.orciari@gmail.com.
Let Corresponding Secretary Pam Hicks know if a member might be cheered by receiving a get-well or sympathy
card. Contact Pam at smilesmyles@yahoo.com.
3
President’s Message (continued from page 1)
buffet dinner will be wonderful and the desserts excellent.
You may even run into some old friends whom you have
not seen in a while and have a chance to catch up.
We will be celebrating 20 years as the keepers of Boyd
Woods, our largest property, on Route 254 in Litchfield.
There will be a picnic celebration there on June 21st (see
page 8). Many thanks to Debbie and Rich Martin for the
outstanding work they have done at Boyd Woods. Please
visit to see what has taken place there since last year. If
you are not familiar with the term “rabbitat,” you must
visit Boyd Woods.
Our Kalmia and Wigwam properties are also worth taking
an afternoon to enjoy a peaceful walk. I urge you to get
out and explore these areas. You may find you are smitten
by these properties and want to volunteer to help us when
we need it. It’s refreshing to get out and do a little work
for a good cause. We can always use more help.
I look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones
at our upcoming activities. Meanwhile, please keep feeding the birds — but remember to bring in the feeders at
dusk to avoid bear problems.
A Heartfelt Donation
Sue Harford, a member of
LHAS, and her husband, Dave,
wanted to do something in
memory of Robyn Dinda, a
long-time LHAS member who
passed away in December.
LHAS President Harry
Ainsworth met Sue at Rainbow
Press, our printer, and was delighted to see the fruits of their
labor. Dave made six bluebird
houses and affixed a small
plaque on each that reads: “In
Memory of Robyn Dinda,
12/21/48 - 12/3/14.”
LHAS member Sue Harford
shows one of the bluebird
boxes her husband, Dave,
made in memory of the late
Robyn Dinda.
This is a wonderful gift, and
we greatly appreciate the thought and effort involved in
remembering our dear friend Robyn. We will be placing
these boxes on our properties in the very near future.
Many thanks to Sue and Dave for this thoughtful gift.
Chickadee Chatter
4!
In My Garden (and Beyond) — A Journal
March 2015 (update of March 2011)
May/June 2015
has somehow moved down a slope and round a rocky
corner.”
By Angela Dimmitt
This year was worse
Since I recorded almost nothing but snow and misery for
March 2015, I dug out my journal of March 2011 and —
déjà vu all over again! So here it is (with 2015 in bold
italics) …
2011 was a horrible winter, but ’twould seem 2015 was
worse — certainly February was the coldest on record in
Connecticut, and with 90% of my lawn still covered in
about 6 inches of snow, it looks as if April will come in
very slowly. In southern Connecticut, people are reporting huge numbers of woodcock peenting everywhere at
With apologies to Robert Browning (and you, Gentle
Readers):
Oh, but I was in England when ’twas Febr’y there,
And when I waked each morning, I was very much aware
That the snowdrops bloomed, crocuses too
And primroses, bedecked with dew;
And the Chaffinch sang from a cherry stem,
In England then.
And the Song Thrush sang, and the red-breast Robin,
Blue Tits and Great Tits, their voices a-throbbing,
Magpies were flirting, pigeons cooing
And the little Dunnock was definitely wooing.
Forsythia bloomed, Japonica too,
Even though ’twas cold, and the sky not blue.
And daffodils, my favourite flower,
Were almost out, give them an hour.
And all was green, and quite snow-free,
Buds a-bursting on every tree.
So spring had sprung, wouldn’t you know,
Far brighter than this gosh-darned snow!
“What can one say about this horrible month of March,
except thank goodness it’s over! In like a lion, out like a
lion, but snow on April 1st — that’s going a bit too far.
Luckily it did not stick down here in New Milford. But at
last, one single daffodil has opened and five more are
almost out, so I am content. 2015: Daffs? What daffs?
Crocuses are flowering in the lawn (none in the flowerbeds of course
— not the teeniest trace) —
and the snowdrops are still
gorgeous —
still under a
foot of snow!
Must thin them
out — the tiny
bulblets sit on
the surface,
Red-shouldered Hawk.
and one clump
Photo: Bill Wakeley
A phoebe landed in the
dogwood tree, surely a sign
something may be changing.
dusk — but here not even a robin has appeared to look
quizzically at the snow.
But yesterday, while it was snowing heavily (another Saturday snowstorm!), a PHOEBE landed in the dogwood
tree, surely a sign something may be changing. The pair
of Red-shouldered Hawks was wheeling around, the male
screaming his proud head off. I think it was the larger
female that spent much of the winter hanging around my
feeders. One morning I saw the bird rising from the
stream (which remained open) carrying a fish! And twice
I saw it grabbing prey from another bird, first a Cooper’s
Hawk, then a Sharp-shinned Hawk.
As in 2011, bluebirds have checked out the nest boxes,
and a few Pine Siskins are still at the feeders. A Fox Sparrow made a brief appearance, but starlings are still here,
gobbling everything and pooping bright orange bitter(continued on page 5)
Angela’s yard on March 31, 2015.
Photo: Angela Dimmitt
May/June 2015!
Chickadee! Chatter
5
LHAS Funding Supports Wamogo
Student Research
By Nicki Hall, Conservation Chairperson
This March LHAS provided funding to transport
seven Advanced Placement Environmental Science
class students from Wamogo Regional High School
to the Connecticut Conference on Natural Resources at UConn. These students had been working with Jamie Fischer at White Memorial Conser- A Wamogo student checks a test plot and shows some of the worms he found.
vation Center (WMCC) last fall on a project to
Photos: James Fischer
study the relationship between non-native earthworms and invasive plants in northern forests.
of earthworms may somehow aid in the spread of invaTheir teacher, Alyce Sylvia, had approached Jamie in the
sive plants after the plants have been established by other
spring of 2014 looking for potential educational projects
forces. More research will be needed to further underfor her class. She had received a grant from another orstand the earthworm/invasive plant relationship. Much of
ganization that would pay for materials and busing stuthis work might be used in the future to inform and help
dents to White Memorial. Jamie quickly came up with the
land managers develop effective strategies for dealing
earthworm/invasive plants study, an idea that would fit in
with invasive plant incursions.
perfectly with his recent focus on the distribution of nonThe students created a poster of their findings and were
native earthworms on the WMCC property.
selected to present their poster at the UConn conference.
The students took paired samples of earthworms in
This poster will be on display at WMCC throughout the
almost 90 locations throughout the WMCC property, colspring.
lecting those either under or adjacent to four types of
Jamie found the whole experience to be extremely posiinvasive plants: autumn olive, Japanese knotweed, Japative for the kids. They were enthusiastic throughout the
nese barberry, and goutweed. The idea was to then comproject and learned a variety of new research skills.
pare the results to see if earthworm types and numbers
Among them were the values of repetitive measuring,
differed in the two paired locations. Their findings
comparing and contrasting different scientific methods,
showed significantly more worms in the invasive plant
asking questions, and how science research can make
plots (except for those with autumn olive) than in the concontributions to other fields.
trol plots. Their observations suggested that the presence
In My Garden (continued from page 4)
sweet messes. Yuk! The Red-tailed Hawks are back in the
valley and will doubtless duke it out with the “shoulTom turkeys strut, but the ladies seem bemused, not impressed.
Photos: Angela Dimmitt
ders.” And the birds are all singing up a storm — a sweet
spring storm.
April 1 — no fools here! First of the year — four tom
turkeys on the back lawn, on the snow, strutting and displaying and gobbling in unison (really!) while watching
me at the window with my camera.
Chickadee Chatter
6!
May/June 2015
Meetings, Bird Walks and Activities
LHAS Calendar — Spring/Summer 2015
NOTES: Unless otherwise indicated, General Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at the
Litchfield Community Center, Route 202, Litchfield, CT. When the first Monday of the month falls on a holiday,
the meeting is held on the second Monday. Refreshments are served at 7 p.m. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m and the program follows.
The April and October meetings are Potluck Dinners starting at 6:30 p.m. The June meeting is the Annual Meeting and Dinner held
at a local restaurant; it begins at 6 p.m. Our August meeting is the annual Picnic at Boyd Woods Sanctuary; it begins at 6 p.m. Board
of Directors Meetings are held the third Tuesday of every other month at 7:15 p.m. in the Ceder Room at the White Memorial
Conservation Center (WMCC), located about a half mile south of the Litchfield Community Center just off Route 202.
MEETINGS
May 4!.....................Bird Migration!.............................................................................................Monday, 7 PM
Fran Zygmont will give a presentation on bird migration. He will tell of the travels of migratory birds to and from their
wintering grounds. Fran will weave interesting and little-known facts into this wonderful presentation.
June 1!....................Annual Meeting & Dinner— Program: 308 – A Bird Photo ‘Big Year’!....Monday, 6 PM
After our scrumptious buffet dinner and (brief!) annual meeting, Patrick Comins will give a presentation, titled
“308,” on his “big year” of bird photography. Please see the details for this event on the enclosed flyer.
July 6!.....................The American Bluebird!..............................................................................Monday, 7 PM
Join Burl Brothers Lectures (Paul and Doug Carrier) as they present on these welcome songbirds. Their presentation
will pique your interest in these charming backyard neighbors.
BIRDING EVENTS AND FIELD TRIPS
May 3!.....................Spring Bird Walk at White Memorial!....................................................Sunday, 7:30 AM
Search for birds with Olaf Soltau at White Memorial. Meet in the museum parking lot. For more information,
contact Olaf at 917-297-0443 or osoltau@aol.com.
May 9!.....................Spring Bird Walk at Boyd Woods Sanctuary!....................................Saturday, 7:30 AM
Look and listen for spring birds, led by Debbie Martin. Meet at the Boyd Woods parking lot on Route 254 in Litchfield.
For more information, contact Debbie at 860-819-7462 or barnowl524@hotmail.com.
May 10!...................Spring Bird Walk at White Memorial!....................................................Sunday, 7:30 AM
Search for birds with Angela Dimmitt at White Memorial. Meet in the museum parking lot. For more information,
contact Angela at 860-355-3429 or angeladimmitt@aol.com.
MEETING CHANGES
Bad weather? Our meeting and event cancellations or postponements are broadcast on WFSB TV Channel 3 in Hartford and
on radio station WZBG at 97.3 FM. To get added to our email notification list, send an email to berryledges@optonline.net.
May/June 2015!
Chickadee
! Chatter
7
WANT TO KNOW ABOUT NEWLY SCHEDULED FIELD TRIPS? PLEASE GIVE US YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
If you want to get emailed trip notices, special club announcements, etc., contact David Zomick at 860-584-2824 or
jubiladodz@comcast.net. You can also check our website, www.lhasct.org, for newly scheduled trips.
May 17!...................New Spring Bird Walk at Housatonic River WMA in Kent !.................Sunday, 8:30 AM
Alex Kearney, LHAS member and photographer, will guide us on a bird walk at the Housatonic
River Wildlife Management Area. Meet at the junction of North Kent Road and Rt. 7 (there are no
road signs; use Mapquest for directions and follow dirt road to the river). FYI: Access to North
Kent Road is not perpendicular to Rt.7 but rather is a Y. Coming from Rt. 7 north, you will bear
right at the Y; coming from Rt. 7 south, bear left. Terrain is moderate. Ticks may be present, so
wear light-toned clothing and bring bug spray. If you plan to attend, Alex asks that you contact
him in advance at ackbluefish@yahoo.com.
May 24!...................Spring Bird Walk at White Memorial!....................................................Sunday, 7:30 AM
Join David Zomick for this walk. For more information, contact David at 860-584-2824 or jubiladodz@comcast.net.
May 30..........Dawn Chorus & Nature Walk, White Memorial..........Saturday, Chorus - 4 AM, Walk - 7 AM Fran Zygmont will lead a nature-filled morning starting with a dawn bird chorus followed by a nature walk. Chorus:
Listening to the transition from night-calling birds (owls, rails) to diurnal birds (cardinals, robins, thrushes, etc.) is a
magical nature event you must experience! Walk: For “late” risers, a nature walk will follow on local trails. Meet at the
White Memorial Museum parking lot at 4 a.m. for the dawn chorus, 7 a.m. for the nature walk. Rain cancels. For more
information, contact Fran at 860-689-5001 or fzygmont@charter.net. May 31!...................Spring Bird Walk at White Memorial!....................................................Sunday, 7:30 AM
Join Ann Orsillo for this bird walk. For more info, contact Ann at spoonbill@optonline.net or 910-880-1518.
June 13–14!............Summer Bird Count !........................................................Saturday & Sunday, time TBD
Captains are already lined up and need your help. Birders of any level of expertise can participate — from
the first-timer who enjoys birds to those who know every chip note. If you’re interested in participating,
contact Dave Tripp at dtrippjr@comcast.net or 860-693-6524.
(continued on page 8)
Field Trip Guides Wanted (No birding expertise needed!)
Wednesdays with Ray
Please help me avoid going “back to the well” of our usual birding
trip leaders too often. Would you volunteer to guide us on a Sunday
morning field trip in May or September at White Memorial or one of
your favorite birding places? To be a guide, you do not need to be an
expert birder. It would be quite nice to bird as a group, using our collective eyes and ears to ID and learn about our migrants and yearround resident species. To volunteer, contact me at 860-584-2824 or
jubiladodz@comcast.net. Thanks so much!
Ray Belding will
lead his popular
Wednesday morning bird walks on
May 6, 13, 20, and
27. For information on locations
and meeting times, email Ray at
turaco3000@gmail.com.
David Zomick, LHAS Field Trip Chair
Clipart from Clipartheaven.com
Chickadee Chatter
8!
May/June 2015
Calendar (continued from page 7)
June 21!..................Boyd Woods 20th Anniversary Event — Picnic on the Rocks!................Sunday, 6 PM
Many years ago, Margery Boyd
enjoyed picnicking and birding
with friends on the “picnic rocks”
at her Twin Brook Farm, which is
now our Boyd Woods Audubon
Sanctuary. We will bring back
Margery’s tradition on this first
evening of summer as we gather
for a meal with friends. Tall trees
have grown over the years to surround the picnic rocks with refreshing shade. Bring a picnic
blanket or lawn chair, your own
supper and beverage (cocktails are
welcome!). If you’d like, you may
Margery Boyd entertaining a number of guests at one of her favorite spots, the “picnic rocks,”
also bring a dessert to share. An
on her Twin Brook Farm, October 27, 1935.
optional walk to the pond will
follow. Those who wish to participate should wear sturdy walking shoes and bring a flashlight and binoculars. Please
join us for this pleasant, old-fashioned evening. If you’re a true traditionalist, you may want to dress as the folks did
back in Margery’s day (see the picture above). Park in the Boyd Woods parking area (Route 254 in Litchfield) and
walk down through the hayfield to the “Plash,” where you will see the picnic rocks to your right. For more information, contact Debbie Martin at barnowl524@hotmail.com or 860-819-7462. Rain cancels this event.
Our Nest Box Program — What Is It? How Can You Help?
By Marie Kennedy
Ever wonder what is going on with those wooden boxes on stakes scattered around our sanctuaries? These are nest boxes that we have installed to provide safe, predator-proof nesting sites
for cavity-nesting bird species. The Eastern Bluebird, Tree Swallow, House Wren, and Blackcapped Chickadee require this type of nesting environment. Our program aims to enhance the
breeding of the Eastern Bluebird, which has been in serious decline since the early 20th century.
Currently, LHAS has 36 boxes on our three sanctuaries. Maintenance work is done in early
spring and late summer. Once nesting begins, the boxes typically are monitored every two
weeks throughout the breeding season, May through July. Data are collected on species usage,
nesting attempts, successes, failures, and the number of young fledged. The results are reported
to biologist Dave Rosgen of the Connecticut Bluebird Restoration Project, an organization
dedicated to the management of cavity-nesting birds since 1984.
Eastern Bluebird.
Photo: Ollie Knott, Georgia Forestry Commission, Bugwood.org
If you would like to get out in the field and assist in maintenance or monitoring, please contact
Marie Kennedy at 914-393-6270 or mariekennedy226@gmail.com.
Chickadee! Chatter
May/June 2015!
9
Pleasures and Treasures
By David Zomick, Field Trips Chairperson
Mexican ‘Lemonade’
“Sorry David, I cannot
guide you in January. My
colleague is ill, and I
must take over his responsibilities.”
Crestfallen, I had to
scramble. We were due to
leave for Mexico in literally less than a week! I
had already spent an inordinate amount of time
arranging this birding
adventure, and now I had
just lost
the
opporLaughing Falcon.
Photo: David Zomick
tunity to
bird
with one of the Yucatán’s most renowned
guides. S*#t!
Buff-belied Hummingbird.
Photo: David Zomick
My target wish list was long and varied — some birds
that are extremely rare in the region; others that are more
common yet not seen by me; and still more that had intrigued and eluded me for years, birds I had yearned to
see for quite some time (Golden-olive Woodpecker, Pinnated Bittern, Double-striped Thick-knee,
Aplomado Falcon, etc.).
I had just lost the
opportunity to bird with
one of the Yucatán’s
most renowned guides...
Suffice it to say, “all’s
well that ends well.”
I located a substitute, and therein lies a
long and funny story. At our very first stop
at the beautiful, multihued Bacalar Lagoon,
he could not identify the fairly common
Mangrove Swallow. My heavy heart sank
swiftly as I realized that this guide was not
what I had hoped for. I almost called it
quits right then and there but decided to pursue this potential misadventure. It was a good decision. Suffice it to
say, “all’s well that ends
Gray-necked Wood Rails.
well.”
Photo: David Zomick
Happily, my less-than-expert substitute
and I spent five fabulous days together on
a remarkable road trip. Traversing remote
eastern Quintana Roo (on the Yucatán
Peninsula), we drove more than 1,200
miles, birding all the way ... south to Tabasco along remote coastal routes, looping
back through wetlands, mangroves, rivers,
and rain forests, ancient Mayan ruins and
pueblos, rustic native communities, abandoned villages, World Heritage Sites and
Biosphere Reserves. All told, we saw 177 species, 17 of
which were life birds. A few weeks later, visiting Cozumel, we circumnavigated the island, adding the endemic
Cozumel Wren and Cozumel Emerald (a hummingbird)
to that very special list.
Brown fox, coati
mundi, agouti, spider
and howler monkeys,
wondrous butterflies,
army and leafcutter ants entertained
us as well.
Black-headed Trogon
Photo: David Zomick
Chickadee Chatter
10!
May/June 2015
(continued on page 11)
The recent regeneration cut at Boyd Woods Sanctuary on Route 254 in Litchfield.
Alarming Visit at Boyd Woods
By Rich Martin, Boyd Woods Co-chair
During a recent visit to Boyd Woods, a visitor who had
been there often in the past was quite surprised, if not
alarmed, to see what had transpired. The picture that accompanied the email message he or she sent me inquiring
about what was going on was quite compelling, as it
showed the transformation of the woodlands at Boyd
Woods. The message read:
What has happened to Boyd Woods?! I work in Torrington and used to stop there often on my way home
to West Haven, moved to Winsted in August, and had
not been by Boyd Woods since — until today — what
a tragedy — forestry destroying the Woods?! I
wanted to cry — looks like a disaster area.
will flourish with young plants and saplings, bringing
with them different species of birds, animals, and invertebrates.
We were apprehensive at first, but the more we
learned of this program and how it would benefit a
number of animals and birds, we agreed that it was
the right thing to do. One huge benefit to us already
is, we needed to treat the invasives that were taking
over these areas before doing the clear-cut, and that
was accomplished. We just need to stay on top of this
now to control and prevent the spread of these nasty
plants.
Don’t let the clear-cut discourage you from visiting
Boyd; you may be surprised by what you see in the
months ahead once the “smoke settles.”
We look forward to meeting with you at Boyd.
This is tragic.
Rich Martin
Anonymous visitor
Boyd Woods Co-chair
I responded to the message by saying:
It’s a long story, but we are participating in the New
England Cottontail Initiative program sponsored and
funded in part by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Mature woodlands are great for certain species of
wildlife, but others require thicket and shrubland type
habitat. We’re attempting to become more diversified
in our habitat to try and bring back certain species of
animals and birds that haven’t been seen in this area
in over 20–30 years (the New England cottontail,
native to this area, is nearly extinct).
Initially, it certainly does look like a bomb went off in
the areas where we’ve clear-cut. But, we’ve already
seen the benefits of it this past year in an area we had
clear-cut last year. In a couple of years these areas
Since I sent this message, we have completed the youngforest regeneration process in Field #5 at Boyd Woods in
accordance with the plans proposed by the Natural Resources and Conservation Services. We clear-cut 3.8 acres
adjacent to our early-successional habitat area, created 11
brush piles, and spread a significant amount of treetops
and branches throughout the area to provide immediate
ground cover and nesting habitat for small animals and
birds.
These recent clear-cuts will become havens for wildlife
within the next few years. It’s “back to the future,” when
grass, thicket, and shrubland species, such as mice, rabbits, grouse, and songbirds, were prevalent after abandoned farmlands transformed into habitat suitable for
them. With advice from experts, we’re managing our
Boyd Woods Sanctuary by creating a healthy and diverse
environment, one that is attractive and beneficial to a
wide variety of wildlife species.
May/June 2015!
Chickadee! Chatter
Junior Audubon Calendar — Spring/Summer 2015
Junior Audubon provides an opportunity for grade-school children to learn about nature, the environment, and the
creatures that live there. It is sponsored by the Litchfield Hills Audubon Society and is FREE. To get on the Junior
Audubon email list or for more information, contact Donna Rose Smith at 203-706-0474 or
lhasjunior@gmail.com.
May 17 .....................Beginner Bird Watching ...................................Sunday, 1 PM
Boyd Woods is a lovely place to find a wide assortment of birds fluttering and flying about. Bring your binoculars if you have them, and you will be guaranteed to
find some birds and brush up on your identification skills. Naturalist Donna Rose
Smith is excellent at calls, songs, and silhouettes, and will help you explore and
learn to be a birder even if you are already an amateur! Meet at the LHAS Boyd
Woods Sanctuary on Route 254 in Litchfield.
June 28 ....................Blinkers & Flyers on a Summer Evening ..................Sunday, 8 PM
Come and search for fireflies (also called lightning bugs) in the meadows and look for bats flying
overhead. Fireflies are not flies, nor are they bugs; they are blinking beetles! As darkness sets in,
we will see if we can find any fireflies or spot bats. Bring a jar with an old sock or hosiery or critter carrier and learn how to safely handle these beetles. Naturalist Donna Rose Smith and possibly
a few other assistants will be there to guide you. Meet at Boyd Woods on Route 254 in Litchfield.
Please let us know you are joining us so we can be sure to have enough handouts —
BUT don’t let that stop you from joining us at the last minute! Call 203-706-0474. Also check
our website, lhasct.org, for other upcoming Junior Audubon activities.
Junior Audubon Update
By Donna Rose Smith, JA Chairperson
On February 21st, three children and their families braved
the cold, wind, and impending snow to search for animal
tracks at our Boyd Woods Sanctuary. Whenever I plan a
tracking event, I always hope there will be snow. Well
this year there was almost too much snow. Using snowshoes, Debbie Martin had packed down the deep snow for
us. The bird feeders near the Plash were full, and the
children observed many birds enjoying a meal. Many
squirrel tracks as well as mouse tracks led to and from the
feeder station. Walking short distances down the lane and
other trails, the children found deer, fox, and coyote
tracks along with more squirrel and mouse tracks. As we
said goodbye, it was beginning to snow.
Taking a break from tracking at White Memorial on February 21.
We have some fun events scheduled for the spring and
summer. I am looking forward to meeting more Junior
Audubon members soon.
11
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PO Box 861, Litchfield, CT 06759-0861
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Another Invasive Pest Attacking Trees
Our trees have been assailed by Dutch elm disease, chestnut blight, the hemlock wooly adelgid, the Asian longhorned beetle, and the emerald ash borer. Now, a new
invader — the Southern pine beetle (SPB) — has been
found in our state, says the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) and the state Department of
Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). First detected in Wallingford in March, the beetle has been confirmed at four sites in New Haven County and one each
in Litchfield and Hartford counties. The beetle is native to
the southeastern U.S., where it has been a major pest of
timber plantations. Since the beetle is native to the U.S.,
there will be no federal or state regulation on movement
or disposal of infested trees or wood.
The Southern pine beetle predominantly attacks “hard
pines.” In Connecticut, several non-native hard pines are
vulnerable: red pine, Scotch pine, and Austrian pine. The
native tree of most concern is pitch pine. Although the
state has only scattered patches of pitch pine, the trees’
“potential loss is of grave concern due to the unique and
highly valued habitat it provides for rare and endangered
species dependent on
pine-oak sandy barrens,” says DEEP Director of Forestry
Christopher Martin.
The SPB is tiny —
only 2 mm long.
Pines attempt to push
the attacking beetles
out with a flow of
resin. Attacked trees
are covered with
small popcorn-like
blobs of dried resin. If
the attack is success- A tree with Southern pine beetle
damage.
ful, the beetles lay
Photo: Erich G. Vallery, USDA Forest Service SRS-4552, Bugwood.org
eggs under the bark.
The larvae then feed
on the tree’s circulatory system, which kills the tree in
one to two years. If you see pines with the popcorn resin,
please notify CAES at ctstateentomologist@ct.gov or
203-974-8474.