Chickadee Chatter • March 2012Chickadee Chatter

September/October 2014 Litchfield Hills Audubon Society Newsletter Volume 59 / Issue 5

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 MessageBy Harry Ainsworth

Hog Island Well Worth the Trip

As I write this in late July, I have just returned from a week at Hog Island Audubon Camp in Bremen, Maine, where I took part in a Chapter Leader-ship Program. Twenty-one people from 19 National Audubon chapters attended this course. Most of us were from the Atlantic Flyway, the eastern portion of the coun-try extending from Maine to Florida.

We had a mix of brand-new chapter presidents, vice presidents, and various board members of all ages. What was interesting about the group was that we all shared exactly the same concerns about our respective organiza-tions — that is, how can we draw more people into our organizations, and how can we get the National Audubon word out to school groups and perhaps get children inter-ested in conservation and birding? How can we generate more active chapter members? There are no easy answers to these concerns, but we all managed to learn from each other during lively discussions in the classroom, in the field, and in the dining room.

If you have not heard of Hog Island, you can go to hogisland.audubon.org to learn about this wonderful place. You can also sign on to Explore.com, which is a site with numerous webcams around the country. By the time this newsletter is printed, the three young Ospreys currently resting in their nest on Hog Island will have fledged. The adult Ospreys were diligently watching over the nest while the 50 or so campers were busy with their activities.

On Wednesday of our week, the participants in Hog Is-land’s Raptor Rapture program witnessed the banding of the young Ospreys. Dr. Rob Bierregaard climbed a tall

ProgramsSeptember 8 — Birds and Wildlife of Iceland. Speakers: Barbara and Peter Rzasa.October 6 — Nature Journal Slide Show. Speakers: Rich and Debbie Martin.November 3 — Experience Nature as Healer. Speaker: Marlow Shami.December 1 — Connecticut’s Secretive Wild Cat: the Bobcat. Speaker: Diane Edwards

EventsSeptember 13 — Swallow Spectacle Paddle. Leader: David Zomick.September 17 — Hawk Watch (Hartford Audubon trip). Leader: Paul Carrier.September 21 — Birding Field Trip. Leader: Angela DimmittSeptember 27 — Boyd Woods/Wigwam Brook Sanc-tuaries Walk. Leader: Debbie Martin.September 27 — WMCC’s Family Nature Day.September 28 — Beginning Birder Walk. Leader: Fran Zygmont.October 11 — Hawk Watch at Lighthouse Point. Leader: Fran Zygmont

Upcoming Programs & Events(See Calendar, pages 6-7, for details)

ladder and removed the young birds one by one. On the ground, Scott Weidensaul (author and naturalist extraor-dinaire) and a Hog Island staff member, Eric Snider, care-fully handled and banded these large youngsters.

The entire process of lowering the birds, bringing them to(continued on page 11)

Chickadee Chatter2 ! September/October 2014

LHAS OfficersPresident ! Harry Ainsworth! 860-777-8012Vice President ! Jeanne Woolley! 860-485-9585Treasurer ! Marie Kennedy ! 860-567-5487Rec. Secretary ! Liz Frazier-Zygmont! 860-379-4461Corresp. Secretary Pam Hicks ! 860-491-1417

Board of DirectorsJohn Baker! 2015! 860-567-8427Nicki Hall! 2015! 860-379-8917Heather Perrault! 2015! 860-542-7111Susanne Ainsworth!2016! 860-484-4273Ray Belding ! 2016! 860-482-4046David Zomick! 2016! 860-584-2824Terry Bianchi! 2017! 860-489-8821Jay Coles! 2017! 860-354-3802Rich Martin! 2017! 860-584-5706

Director at LargeFran Zygmont! ! 860-379-4461

Committee ChairpeopleBoyd Sanctuary ! Debbie & Rich Martin ! 860-584-5706Conservation ! Nicki Hall ! 860-397-8917Education ! Donna Rose Smith ! 203-706-0474Facebook! Liz Frazier-Zygmont! 860-379-4461Field Trips ! David Zomick ! 860-584-2824Fundraising ! Harry Ainsworth*! 860-777-8012Historian ! Angela Dimmitt* ! 860-355-3429Hospitality ! Carol Perrault ! 860-589-8023Junior Audubon ! Robyn Dinda ! 860-567-0738Kalmia Sanctuary ! Bob & Doreen Orciari !860-485-1347Membership ! Doreen Orciari ! 860-485-1347Newsletter ! Diane Edwards ! 860-485-9319Program ! Heather Perrault ! 860-542-7111Publicity ! Shirley Gay ! 860-482-0819Scholarships ! Marcia McGowan ! 860-274-2089Website! Rich Martin ! 860-584-5706Wigwam Brook Sanctuary ! John Baker ! 860-567-8427

ResearchChristmas Count ! Ray Belding ! 860-482-4046Summer Count ! Dave Tripp ! 860-693-6524

* Seeking Replacement

Chickadee Chatter was printed by

959 Migeon AvenueTorrington, CT 06790

860-482-9388www.rainbowpressonline.com

Special thanks to Doreen Orciari and Janet Baker for helping to proof-read this newsletter.

The next LHAS Board Meeting will be onTuesday, September 16

at 7:15 PMin White Memorial’s A.B. Ceder Room

The Chickadee Chatter is published in January, March, May, July, September, and November. For the November/December 2014 issue, all articles must be received by the editor by October 1. 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.

Scan the QR code above with your smartphone to go to www.lhasct.org.

LHAS website QR code

This newsletter and other LHAS features can be seen IN LIVING COLOR on the LHAS Web page: www.lhasct.org.

September/October 2014! ! 3Chickadee Chatter

Welcome New MembersBy Doreen Orciari, Membership Chairperson

...............................................Coralene Allured Warren................................Abdo Ballester Washington Depot

.............................................Flora Biddle New Preston....................................................Charles Blinn Warren

................................................Karen Bush* Torrington...............................................Mary Canty* Watertown................................................Jane Carlson Harwinton

...........................................Michael Caroe Washington.....................................Laura Courtney* New Milford

.....................................................Kim Crone* Norfolk.................................................David Dean Torrington.................................................Susan Dean Torrington

...............................................Mary Dedell* Litchfield................................................James Durando Goshen.......................................Donna Edwards New Milford

......................................Bette & Jerry Geci* Litchfield............................................Minna Hebert* Watertown

...................................................Anne Ireland Oakville.........................................Carol Jalbert* Gaylordsville

......................................................Julie Kot Torrington.....................................Shirley LaChance East Canaan

.............................................Curt Lanciani Winchester..............................................Cathy Lane New Milford

......................................Joan MacSweeney* Litchfield...........................................Charles Martin Thomaston

............................................Sarah Martin New Preston.....................................Catherine McCahill Torrington

.........................................Cynthia Merrick Bethlehem........................Cassandra Messenger* Pleasant Valley

..........................................Charlotte Morro Watertown.................................................Brian Noell Bethlehem

..........................................Anthony Norelli Bethlehem.......................................Thomas Rahmlow Bethlehem

...................................................Diana Robert* Morris

.........................................Juanita Rosillo New Milford

.................................................Gretchen Ross Winsted................................................John Sabo New Milford

............................................Lori Sartwell New Milford

................................................Vicki Schutz Torrington..........................................Douglas Sears New Milford

.............................................Cheryl St. John Plymouth

...........................................Cherry Thurlow Bethlehem...............................................Fred Tieman* Litchfield

MEMBERSHIP

Only Bird-Word Nerds Will Care, but ...By Diane Friend Edwards

No sooner did I tell you that I was going to follow the lead of Audubon Magazine and use lowercase for bird

names ... than Audubon decided to change its style and use uppercase instead! So, beginning with this issue of Chickadee Chatter, we’re back to capitaliz-ing specific bird names, reserving lowercase for generic terms like spar-row or warbler. As one of the Audubon editors pointed out in the maga-zine’s July/August 2014 issue, there are a number of yellow warblers but only one that’s named Yellow Warbler. Using capitals makes it clear which bird is being re-ferred to.

This yellow warbler is NOT a Yellow Warbler — it’s a Pine Warbler.Photo: Johnny N. Dell, Bugwood.org

This yellow warbler IS a Yellow Warbler!Photo: Brett Marshall, Sault College, Bugwood.org

...................................Mary Lee Trivaudey* Litchfield..............................Priscilla & Harold Weiss Plymouth

.......................................Marilyn Wellenkamp Goshen..........................................Thomas Whelan Bethlehem

.......................................C. Archer Woodward Winsted

* Welcome back

LHAS membership is now at 710.

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 Or-ciari at doreen.orciari@gmail.com.

Obituary We send out sympathy to the family of Marion Lyga, who passed away in July. Marion was an active mem-ber of LHAS for 30 years, and we will all miss her.

Chickadee Chatter 4! September/October 2014

In My Garden – A Journal – July 2014By Angela Dimmitt

This was a month of B’s — Bountiful: Birds, Baby Birds, Bitterns, Baby Bitterns, Butterflies, Blueberries, Bees, Breezes — but my most overwhelming impression was baby birds, lots of them, suddenly, all at once, some com-ing to my feeders, others just everywhere. Titmice, Chip-ping and Song Sparrows, Downy Wood-peckers, House Finches, wrens. The House Wrens are about to fledge their third brood this year of very noisy young, having started each nest the day after the previous fledging. The Carolina Wrens raised two broods in the straw hat on the back patio, silent until the last couple of days. Dad is once again singing his head off, but I think two broods were enough for his mate.

For me, this was the month of the baby American Bit-terns. “Huh?” you say. Well, bitterns are not rare birds, but they are hard to find as they often inhabit inaccessible marshes. But here in Sherman is a new beaver-built pond in the middle of a beautiful cattail marsh, Naromi Land Trust’s Wimisink Preserve, accessed by a handsome new boardwalk the land trust installed two winters ago at the same time the beavers were damming the stream. And there in the middle of this pond, not a hundred feet from me the first day, was this American Bittern, hunting — catching frogs, huge tadpoles, pollywogs — all in slow motion. He obligingly even sat on the beaver lodge not 50 feet away. Photo op!

Long story short, that was June 16, and on July 11 three babies appeared! The next couple of weeks saw a steady parade of birders come to see them: a “lifer” for some, the absolute novelty of the babies for others. “Bins,” scopes, and serious cameras trooped down the boardwalk. What people did not expect was the sheer beauty of the place — the pond with a wooded hillside behind, the original pond to the south, and dead trees perfect for the other residents of the marsh to pose in. And what a joy the other residents

were: Wood Ducks, Mallards, Tree Swal-lows; also Green Herons with their babies, a Hooded Merganser with eight babies, kingfishers feeding their babies, grackles ditto; a juvenile Great Blue Heron (others flying over like great pterodactyls), Red-winged Blackbirds squabbling, Swamp Sparrows, Marsh Wrens, Song Sparrows, goldfinches, Cedar Waxwings, Chimney Swifts, a pair of Willow Flycatchers, Cuckoos flying back and forth; and Barn, Rough-winged, and Bank Swallows,

Kingbirds feeding babies … on and on. One day a Great Egret came, as did an all-white juvenile Little Blue Heron, rare here.

But the stars of the show, the three baby bitterns, were enchanting, pure delight and amazingly comical to watch! The juveniles were as big as their parents but a much richer brown, which actually stood out among the reeds where adults blend when doing the “Bittern Thing,” head straight up pretending they are not there. Usually they just sat on an island of grass and reeds and waited to be fed. One time, Dad came and when they ran to him for food, he whopped one and flew off into the south pond. Next the older two came up and whopped Mom’s beak (it must have been Mom), then together thrust their beaks down her throat, poor thing. The third always stood back. One day I saw Mom fly out of the reeds at the back of the pond and land a few feet away, hotly pursued by two young scrambling and falling over each other — when they reached her, she flew another few feet. This hap-pened three times, and then she disappeared behind tall reeds and one baby flew after her: a Flying Lesson! After a few days, one started to copy Mom and tried to fish. Thereafter the adult continued hunting in the open pond, occasionally returning to feed her brood; then one day there was only Mom and one baby. July 25, they too were gone. Maybe they were hidden in the marsh, but probably they moved on as most bird families do. Anyway, a lot of people came and have great photos and memories of this wonderful happening.American Bittern parent and chicks.

Photo: Dennis Larkin

The stars of the show, the three baby bitterns, were enchanting, pure delight and amazingly

comical to watch!

September/October 2014! ! 5Chickadee Chatter

DEEP Revising Wildlife Action Plan, Wants Citizens’ InputThe Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmen-tal Protection (DEEP) has begun the process of revising the state’s Wildlife Action Plan. The current plan, com-pleted in 2005, created a 10-year blueprint for the conser-vation of wildlife. The revised plan will establish a framework for conserving our wildlife, including their habitats, for the next 10 years.

As part of this effort, DEEP’s Wildlife Division will re-vise the state’s list of Species of Greatest Conservation Need. The revision will take into account new informa-tion on climate change and its impacts on wildlife conser-vation. It will also involve updating resource mapping, refining conservation threats, and incorporating informa-

tion gained through the implementation of the first Wild-life Action Plan.

According to DEEP, participation by conservation part-ners, academic institutions, municipalities, and the public will be key to making the revised plan an effective tool for conserving our wildlife for future generations.

How you can help. DEEP asks that you read the original, 2005 plan (called the Comprehensive Wildlife Conserva-tion Strategy), which can be downloaded at www.ct.gov/deep/wildlife. Click on the “Get Involved” link to submit comments. You can also email comments to deep.wildlifeactionplan@ct.gov or send them by regular mail to the Connecticut Wildlife Division, Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area, P.O. Box 1550, Bur-lington, CT 06013.

My garden was neglected, but plants had grown enough to cover many of the weeds, so it mattered not. This is a daylily year! Every summer I marvel at the incredible variety in my garden, colors, shapes, sizes, scents — defi-nitely my favorite flower after daffodils. And hostas are also amazing this year — I have a lot of those, many flowering now in blue, indigo/purple, white. The winter was hard on deer, and that combined with a weekly spray of a homemade concoction (eggs, hot sauce, and “Wilt Stop”) seems to have kept them away and spared my plants. So far … cross fingers, toes, etc. The vegetable garden, by contrast, not so good: peas over, beans a total disaster, the more so as these were seeds my father saved for over 20 years. They germinated OK but then just sat there. A tree fallen across the stream has caused a nice gravel bed to become a deep mud bank, so I can no longer fill cans there and have to lug buckets from the house. Tomatoes coming along, ditto peppers and cucumbers (climbing the deer netting) and basil, but three mounds of zucchinis all got powdery mildew and died. And Some-body ate the parsley just as it was getting really bushy and handsome. Kale, however, is prize-worthy. Go figure! Ear-lier the garden was covered with johnny-jump-ups; now cleome has taken over — however much I weeded them out, many still shot up and burst into pink and white flower, gorgeous in a vase but so messy. Lots of raspberries, mostly over now. Catbirds ate the blueberries — as usual.

While picking rasps this week, what I thought was a leaf fell to the ground — it was an Antheraea Polyphemus moth, about 4 inches wide, brown and cream with two big “eyes” which seemed to follow me. The same day, in my bathtub was a smaller moth, cream with a big black cross

on its back. Not in my book. Anyone know the name?

One day I was weeding near the back door and heard a rustle. Thinking it was the cat, I looked up: not 7 feet away was a woodchuck. Off the plump little crea-ture ran … fast! Squirrels have had a good year, and one has mastered an Olympic jump onto a previously “safe” feeder. After two bear strikes, I brought the feeders in at night; now, ashamed to say, I can’t be bothered — so many birds are feasting that by evening they are usually empty.

The broken railing on the bridge has finally been fixed. What a job that was, cutting up and removing the huge fallen willow; what a mess! And now I have to brave walking down the stream to remove the last debris and branches; trickier than it sounds.

The first katydid is calling, shortly after the Wood Thrush, which has been singing just before dark, around 8:25. A couple of nights ago a Veery joined him, calling his name but not singing. A Barred Owl woke me two nights ago! By day, only the Red-eyed Vireo is still singing a real song; sometimes the Indigo Bunting and the Carolina Wren. Today the resident Hooded Warbler up the road was silent for the first time. August is here ….

Antheraea Polyphemus moth, with rasp-berry to show scale.Photo: Angela Dimmitt

Chickadee Chatter

Meetings, Bird Walks and Activities

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 the 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.......... .............................................................September 8! The Birds and Wildlife of Iceland ! Monday, 7 PM

Naturalists and photographers Barbara and Peter Rzasa will present a slide show of Iceland’s wildlife. The country is a birder’s paradise famous for its Atlantic Puffins, Ptarmigans, Gyrfalcons, White-tailed Sea Eagles, Arctic Terns, Skuas, and other arctic birds. Reindeer, arctic fox, humpback whales, and seals can often be seen, and Icelandic horses can be found roaming the farmlands. The speakers will also provide cultural information, interesting stories, and a brief overview of Iceland and its natural history. They will display their collection of Iceland’s volcanic rocks and ash, as well as guide books, literature, and nature field guides.

............... ...............................October 6! Nature Journal Slide Show and Potluck Supper ! Monday, 6:30 PMBack by popular demand, LHAS members Debbie and Rich Martin will present a digital slide show entitled, “Nature Journal: Cherishing the Beauty of the Earth Through Photography and Journaling.” You will experience the beauty of the Earth, season by season, through photography, sketchbook illustrations, and excerpts from journaling. Be sure to bring your own place setting (utensils and plate) and a dish to share for the potluck supper.

........... ....................................................................November 3! Experience Nature as Healer ! Monday, 7 PMMarlow Shami will present this program. Studies over the past 20 years confirm that contact with the natural world and meditation can lift your spirits, reduce anxiety, alleviate pain, increase brain function, and help cultivate a sense of be-longing and compassion. Discover how nature can guide, calm, inform, and restore you. Beautiful, compelling images support Marlow’s focus on the challenges and rewards of connecting with nature in a technological culture.

........... ........................................December 1! Connecticut’s Secretive Wild Cat: the Bobcat ! Monday, 7 PMLHAS member and DEEP Master Wildlife Conservationist Diane Edwards will present the DEEP Wildlife Division’s new program on bobcats.

LHAS Calendar — Summer/Fall 2014

MEETING CHANGESOccasionally, it is necessary to cancel or postpone a meeting or event due to inclement weather. If that is the case, check with WFSB TV Channel 3 in Hartford and watch for our listing. It is also broadcast on radio station WZBG at 97.3 FM. But, the best way for us to reach you is by email. To be added to our list, please send an email to Janet Baker at berryledges@optonline.net. Then, all you have to do is to remember to check your email.

6! September/October 2014

September/October 2014! ! 7Chickadee Chatter

BIRDING EVENTS AND FIELD TRIPS ....................... .......................................................September 13! Swallow Spectacle Paddle ! Saturday, 3 PM

Join David Zomick to see the “Swallow Spectacle” on the Connecticut River. We will first enjoy the tidal scenery while paddling/birding around the Lord Cove marsh and environs. We will then be in place for the breathtaking swallow dis-play at dusk. Bring food, water, headlamp, flashlight, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, camera, light stick/glow light /head lamp/flashlight for FRONT AND REAR of your boat. Life jacket/PFD required. Be prepared to return in darkness. Meet at Pilgrim Landing in Old Lyme at 3 p.m. Rain cancels. Directions: From the east — Take I-95 South to exit 70. Turn right onto Lyme Street. Then turn left on Halls Road/US-1; follow for 0.6 mile. Turn right onto Route 156/Neck Road. Pilgrim Landing will be on your left. From the west — Take I-95 North to exit 70. Turn left onto Route 156/Neck Road. Pilgrim Landing will be on your left. Note: Parking is very limited. If you plan to attend, con-tact David Zomick at 860-584-2824 or jubiladodz@comcast.net.

....................... ..........................................September 17! Special Invitation: Hawk Watch!! Wednesday, 9 AMJoin renowned raptor raconteur-artist Paul Carrier at Booth Hill in West Hartland on Route 20. This is a Hartford Audubon-sponsored field trip. Be there at 9 a.m. This hawk watch usually lasts until midday. Bring seat, snacks, drinks, etc. Contact leader, Paul Carrier, for directions: 860-485-9654 or carriergraphics@sbcglobal.net.

....................... ..................................................................September 21! Birding Field Trip! Sunday, time TBDDestination to be determined nearer the time, either shore or local. If Interested, contact Angela Dimmitt at 860-355-3429 or angeladimmitt@aol.com. We will decide place and time that week.

....................... .......September 27! Boyd Woods/Wigwam Brook Sanctuaries Autumn Walk! Saturday, 2 PMWe will visit two LHAS sanctuaries beginning at the Boyd Woods hayfield and following the Woodpecker Trail to a neighboring property. An old lane, bordered by ancient maples, leads to a shrubby power-line habitat (excellent bird-ing!), and then into a beaver meadow at Wigwam Brook Sanctuary. Few people are aware of this interesting wetland area as it is virtually inaccessible, but we will follow a secret trail. Active beaver dams are present here. We’ll loop back to our starting point following a different route: beside Wigwam Brook, visiting Margery’s Bird Pond and our New England cottontail habitat, and through the Monarch Meadow. If you’ve never visited these sanctuaries, this walk will provide an opportunity to learn more about the beneficial and interesting wildlife habitats they offer. The walk isnot difficult but will take about two hours, so please wear comfortable walking shoes. Drinking water and a snack arealso recommended. Meet at the Boyd Woods parking lot on Route 254 in Litchfield. For more information, contact Debbie Martin at barnowl524@hotmail.com or 860-819-7462. Rain date: October 4 at 2 p.m.

WANT TO KNOW ABOUT NEWLY SCHEDULED FIELD TRIPS? PLEASE GIVE US YOUR EMAIL ADDRESSIf 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.

(continued on page 8)

Wednesdays with Ray Ray Belding will lead his popular Wednesday morning bird walks on Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. To find out where and when to meet him on a particular Wednesday, contact Ray at hoatzin1@optonline.net.

Clipart from Clipartheaven.com

Chickadee Chatter 8! September/October 2014

....................... .........................September 27! White Memorial’s Family Nature Day! Saturday, 11 AM - 5 PM LHAS will have a table at Family Nature Day to help people learn about our organization and our many events and programs. The popular “Irma from Burma” will be there. A Junior Audubon activity will let kids make bird nests. If you would like to volunteer to help out at the table, contact Harry Ainsworth at 860-777-8012 or hla1@me.com.

....................... .................................September 28! Beginning Birder Walk at White Memorial! Sunday, 8 AMJoin Fran Zygmont for a beginning birder walk. No experience necessary. Fran will go over some basics about bird watching and share his knowledge about what to look and listen for. There will be ample opportunity to ask questions and see a variety of birds. Meet at the White Memorial museum (main) parking lot at 8 a.m. Rain will cancel. For more information, contact Fran at fzygmont@charter.net or 860-689-5001.

............................ ...............October 11! Hawk Watch at Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven! Saturday, 8 AMJoin Fran Zygmont on a trip to one of the best places in Connecticut to see thousands of hawks and passerines migrat-ing to their wintering grounds. Bring a snack and lunch. Rain will cancel. Meet at the commuter lot off Route 8, exit 42 (Harwinton side) at 7 a.m. OR the commuter lot off Route 8, exit 39 in Thomaston (across from Dunkin’ Donuts) at 7:15 a.m. For more information, contact Fran at fzygmont@charter.net or 860-689-5001.

Field Trips (continued from page 7)

Bird Books that Need a HomeBy Harry Ainsworth, LHAS President

LHAS has a number of high-quality books about birding that urgently need a home. We would prefer to give these to a library or organization. But the books will be brought to our general meetings starting in September until they are all taken. They are in wonderful condition. They are available at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Birds of Prey of the World, Mary Grossman & John Hamlet, 1964, 500 pages

• Birds Around New York City, Alan Cruickshank, 1942, 489 pages

• The Audubon Society Guide to Attracting Birds, Ste-phen Kress, 1985, 377 pages

• Book of North American Birds, Readers Digest, 1990, 576 pages

• The Sibley Guide to Birds, David Sibley, National Audubon Society, paperback, 2000, 544 pages

• Beyond the Bird Feeder, John Dennis, 1981, 201 pages

• Birds of America, T. Gilbert Pearson, 1936, 289 pages

• Connecticut Birds, Joseph Zeranski & Thomas Bap-tist, 1990, 328 pages

• A Paddling of Ducks, Dillon Ripley, 1957, 256 pages

• A Natural History of American Birds of Eastern & Central North America, Howard Forbush & John May, 1955, 552 pages

• Pete Dunne on Bird Watching, Pete Dunne, paper-back, 2003, 334 pages

• Roger Tory Peterson’s Dozen Birding Hot Spots, George Harrison, 1976, 288 pages

• The Grail Bird, Hot on the Trail of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Tim Gallagher, 2005, signed edition, 272 pages

• Song and Garden Birds of North America, Alexander Wetmore, 1964, 400 pages

• The Bird Book, Neltje Blanchan, 1932, 202 pages

• North American Birds of Prey, Alexander Sprunt, Jr., 1955, 227 pages

• The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Connecticut, Louis Bevier, 1994, 461 pages

• Audubon Aids: Summer Birds, 1970; Spring Birds, 1971; and Winter Birds, 1971. Each of these is a box containing 50 beautifully illustrated cards with draw-ings, signed by Allan Brooks, depicting various birds; the back of each card has information about the bird.

September/October 2014! ! 9Chickadee Chatter

Bluebird Nest Box Day

By Marie Kennedy

The turnout was low but the enthusiasm for learning and discovery was high for our nest box walk on June 8th. We started with a talk about cavity-nesting birds such as bluebirds, Tree Swallows, House Wrens, and chickadees. We talked about the reasons why we in-stall nest boxes (to provide al-ternative nest cavities to help compensate for loss of natural habitat) and the importance of monitoring and mainte-nance. LHAS works with The Connecticut Bluebird Resto-ration Project, managed by Dave Rosgen, which has been monitoring and collecting data for 30 years.

Armed with a drill to open the boxes, a paint scraper for cleaning out used empty nests, and a chart for recording

our findings, we set out to do some field work. Starting at Wigwam Brook Sanctuary, my new “assistant,” Lucas, and I checked three boxes. Opening the boxes and with-out disturbing the nestlings, we discovered two of the boxes were occupied by House Wrens; the first box had four 1-day-old babies. The second nest had four 1-week-old nestlings. The third nest was inhabited by Tree Swal-low nestlings about 2 weeks old. To see the various stages of development of the young in their nests was an excit-ing and interesting experience.

Next we hopped in our cars (too hot to walk!) and went down the road to Boyd Woods Sanctu-ary. YAY! The first box we checked had a neat and tidy nest with five beautiful blue eggs — Eastern Bluebird eggs, our target bird. Mom and dad bluebirds were

Lucas Oles, Marie Kennedy’s “assistant” for the day, checks a bluebird next box. Photo: Robyn Dinda

Junior Audubon Update By Robyn Dinda, JA Chairperson

Learning About Salamanders at Sessions Woods

On Sunday, July 20th, a group of nine Junior Audubon children and their parents attended 2014 Year of the Salamander Day sponsored by the DEEP Wildlife Divi-sion and the Friends of Sessions Woods in Burlington. It was a beautiful, sunny day with three hours full of special events, starting with a salamander presentation followed by themed crafts, a walk, live salamanders, and viewing artwork from the salamander art contest for kids.

Junior Audubon Calendar — Fall 2014Junior 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 Robyn Dinda at 860-567-0738 or lhasjunior@gmail.com.

.............. ....September 27 Family Nature Day at White Memorial Saturday, 11 AM – 5 PMVisit the Litchfield Hills Audubon Society’s table at Family Nature Day, where children can make “bird nests.”

Check our website, lhasct.org, for other upcoming Junior Audubon activities.

(continued on page 10)

Kids make salamander art at Sessions Woods’ Salamander Day.Photo: Robyn Dinda

Thank-you note from Lucas Oles for the JA bluebird box presented by Marie Kennedy.

Chickadee Chatter 10! September/October 2014

Attention, Elementary School Teachers ...

Let LHAS Sponsor Your Grades 3–5 Classes!Audubon Adventures offers a wide choice of FREE classroom kits for your community’s schools. Formats include prepackaged theme kits, “build your own” kits, and, new for 2014-15, a “Digital Plus” option. A “Digital Plus” sub-scription is web-based and includes a classroom poster.

INTRODUCING: Birds, Bees, and Neighborhood Biomes, a “Digital Plus” Classroom Kit with the following topics:

• Wild About Birds: the science of birds, including their characteristics and adapta-tions, habitat needs, migration, and life cycles

• The Buzz About Native Bees: the natural history of native bees and their vital role in ecosystems as pollinators of native plants

• Neighborhood Birds & Other Wildlife: familiar urban/suburban birds and other wildlife, how they interact with the built environment, and ways in which kids can help their wild neighbors

• PLUS “Birds on the Move”: a classroom poster on bird migration

Printed Audubon Adventures kits are also available. Choose from among eight kits:

• Sharing Our World with Birds: Seabirds; Hummingbirds; Raptors; Caring for Our Planet: Join in the Action

• Exploring Ecosystems: Sharing Our Shores; The World of the Forest; Grasslands/Prairie; Caring for Our Planet: Cleaner, Greener Communities for All

• Feathers, Fur, Fins and You!: Pollinators; Wild Alaska; Rivers; Caring for Our Planet: Kids Are Making a Dif-ference

• Wildlife on the Move: Bird Migration; Monarch Butterfly Migration; Marine Migration; “Action for Planet Earth!”

• Caring for Our Planet: Energy; Water; Habitat

• Feats of Nature: Animal Defenses; Animal Builders; Animal Migration; and Plant Adaptions

• Wings and Things: Bats, Birds and Bees, plus Meet America’s First Naturalist Artist, John James Audubon

• Cool Critters: Waterbirds; Dragonflies & Damselflies; Turtles & Tortoises; and Spiders

You can even “Build Your Own Classroom Kit”: select any four lesson packets from a choice of 38 topics

For more information and to order your free kit, contact LHAS Education Chair Donna Rose Smith at lhaseducation@gmail.com.

nearby, so we closed up the box and moved away quickly. We went on to check 12 more boxes, which included two more bluebird nests, three Tree Swallow nests, five House Wren nests, and one field mouse nest. It was a great opportunity to see firsthand the different colored eggs and learn which bird species they belonged to.

After our hard work, we took a nice hike around the pond trail. We heard the songs of other birds that were hope-fully choosing Boyd Woods to raise their young. We ended the day at the Plash for refreshments and relaxa-tion; a truly great afternoon.

I hope to see my assistant, Lucas, again in the fall for the final clean-out of the boxes. Everyone is welcome to join us!

Bluebird Nest Box Day (continued from page 9)

September/October 2014! ! 11Chickadee Chatter

A gloomy forecast led Diane Edwards to postpone this trip from Saturday, August 2, to the following day — when morning rain showers again threat-ened to dampen folks’ enthusiasm. But clouds gave way to beautiful weather for 10 paddlers, some of whom found blueberries ripe for the picking.

Paddlin’ and Pickin’ at Wood Creek Pond

Above: Wood Creek Pond from the put-in.Photo: David Zomick

Far left: Carol Perrault gets ready to paddle.Photo: Diane Edwards

Left: The Zygmonts set off.Photo: Diane Edwards

Far left: Be careful where you pick blueberries! A northern water snake lurks among the bushes.Photo: David Zomick

Left: Liz Frazier-Zygmont found a bounty of blueberries. Photo: Liz Frazier-Zygmont

On June 26, LHAS members enjoyed a perfect evening for a picnic at Boyd Woods Sanctuary. As Rich Martin said: “You couldn’t ask for better weather or a friendlier group of people. Or cuter unexpected guests!” (Be-sides the chipmunk, a deer showed up.) Photos: Debbie Martin

Picnickers Welcome Summer at Boyd WoodsPresident’s Message (continued from page 1)

the banding station, and returning them to the nest took approximately 10 minutes. This was while the Osprey adults, Rachel and Steve, were cruising the top of the nest scolding Dr. Bierregaard. I’ve never seen anything like it; very interesting, to say the least. We viewed the webcam on the nest a couple hours later, and all the birds were doing well. Right before writing this (on July 22), I checked the webcam again and saw that the young Ospreys were still in the nest. They were expected to fledge in an-other two weeks.

I encourage each of you to go to hogisland.audubon.org and see what this special place has to offer. It was a great experience.

Can’t wait until my next visit!

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Stepping Back in Time ... at the Edwin Way Teale Memorial Sanctuary in Hampton

A dozen LHAS members wandered through the nature sanctuary and visited Teale’s writing cabin and house on June 29th.