Community Science

Menunkatuck Annual Report 2022

After two years of Covid restrictions and limitations, Menunkatuck Audubon Society expanded some activities and had significant accomplishments. The chapter territory expanded to by adding Ansonia, Derby, and Seymour. 

Conservation 

Photo:Robin Ladouceur

Menunkatuck’s UrbanScapes Native Plant Nursery in the Newhallville neighborhood of New Haven is a partnership with Community Placemaking Engagement Network, a neighborhood community action group. We worked with seven neighborhood teens and adults growing 3000 native perennials and shrubs. We planted many in neighborhood gardens and sold others. In partnership with Highstead, we had five native plant workshops at the nursery.

Terry Shaw’s crew continued to install and replace Osprey platforms along Connecticut’s shore. 

Menunkatuck is partnering with the Connecticut Ornithological Association and other conservation organizations in Lights Out! Connecticut, a project to help birds reach their destinations safely by reducing skyglow over our cities.

The Purple Martin colonies at Hammonasset and the Guilford Salt Meadow Sanctuary fledged almost 500 young with half from Guilford. Tree Swallow nest boxes at Hammonasset, the Ox Pasture Preserve, Guilford Salt Meadow Sanctuary, and West River Memorial Park fledged 300 young birds. Neither Purple Martin Gourds at the Ewen Farm Preserve in Orange nor West River Memorial Park in New Haven have been colonized yet.

Community Science

The East River Marsh Migration Survey grew to the point where we were able to incorporate it as a separate entity, the East River Watershed Research Institute with additional studies including water quality monitoring.

After canceling the 2020 Christmas Bird Count because of Covid, Menunkatuck had teams scouring the Guilford-Long Island Sound count circle contributing to Audubon’s 122 year old bird survey. .

Advocacy

As part of the Connecticut Forage Fish Alliance, Menunkatuck continued our education and advocacy campaign to save our seabirds from the extinction crisis facing them and advocating for the Forage Fish Conservation Act. Some minor gains were made. The Connecticut State Legislature passed a bill to protect forage fish in the state. A ban on taking of horseshoe crabs except for research and bleeding passed the State House but not the Senate. Other bills concerning balloons, rodenticides, and lights out failed to gain traction. We provided testimony regarding siting offshore wind turbines in the waters off Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Outreach

Before the pandemic Menunkatuck tabled at 8-10 events each year. This year we were able to get back to six events where we publicized our conservation and education activities.

Education

We offered 17 Zoom and in-person programs with an average audience of about 40 people and speakers and attendees from throughout the country.

We continued to stream video from our nest cameras in New Haven, at Hammonasset Beach State Park, and on Falkner Island.

Volunteers & Funding

We had 90 people who donated 1600 person-hours of volunteer time. They installed Osprey platforms, monitored nest boxes, conducted the marsh migration survey, worked at UrbanScapes, and performed other activities. Their volunteer time was worth more than $56,000.

Your contributions to Menunkatuck were leveraged into grants and gifts totaling more than $9,000. We were also the fiscal agent for a $19,200 Guilford Foundation grant to the East River Watershed  Research Institute.

Motos towers are used to track wildlife.

In addition to maintaining our current projects, during 2023 we plan to use the greenhouse at the Urbanscapes Native Plant Nursery to propagate Spartina altiniflora for salt marsh restoration, establish new native plant demonstration gardens, install a Motus tower in the New Harbor area, and distribute nature backpacks to local libraries for loan to patrons.

Menunkatuck is an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff. The majority of our programs and field trips are free, and any fee we charge is simply to cover the expenses of a program.

Menunkatuck Audubon Society Accomplishments for 2021

As COVDI-19 restrictions eased, Menunkatuck Audubon Society was able to engage in some activities and make significant accomplishments.

Conservation

Menunkatuck’s UrbanScapes Native Plant Nursery in the Newhallville neighborhood of New Haven is a partnership with Community Placemaking Engagement Network, a neighborhood community action group. We worked with seven neighborhood teens and adults growing 2000 native perennials and shrubs. We planted many in neighborhood gardens and sold others. Thanks to your generosity at last year’s Annual Appeal, we purchased a greenhouse that we will use to get an earlier start on growing plants next spring. UrbanScapes was one of three chapter projects featured during Audubon’s Virtual Convention last summer. 

Terry Shaw’s crew installed more than 10 new and replacement Osprey platforms along Connecticut’s shore. 

Menunkatuck is partnering with the Connecticut Ornithological Association and the Yale Divinity School in Lights Out! New Haven, a project to help birds reach their destinations safely by reducing skyglow over the city.

The Purple Martin colonies at Hammonasset and the Guilford Salt Meadow Sanctuary with 165 fledglings, Tree Swallow nest boxes at Hammonasset, the Ox Pasture Preserve, Guilford Salt Meadow Sanctuary, and West River Memorial Park. We fledged 305 young birds, and Eastern Bluebird nest boxes at the Guilford Salt Meadow Sanctuary and had 14 Eastern Bluebirds fledge. Neither Purple Martin Gourds at the Ewen Farm Preserve in Orange nor West River Memorial Park in New Haven have been colonized yet.

Community Science

COVID-19 prevented us from participating in the 2020 Christmas Bird Count in December.

With the diminishing of the pandemic in late spring and fall, we were able to conduct the East River Marsh Migration Survey with 50 volunteers from our members and friends as well as UConn Researchers and students from Southern Connecticut State University.


Advocacy

As part of the Connecticut Forage Fish Alliance, we continued our education and advocacy campaign to save our seabirds from the extinction crisis facing them, advocating for the Forage Fish Conservation Act. We provided testimony regarding siting offshore wind turbines in the waters off Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Outreach

Mayor Elicker cut the ribbon at the greenhouse.

For the past several years we have been tabling at 8-10 events each year. This year we were only able to do two events, the Orange Country Fair and our Greenhouse Opening celebration at which New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker cut the ribbon.

Education

We offered 21 Zoom programs with an average audience of about 40 people and speakers and attendees from as far away as Australia.

Our streaming video from our nest cameras in New Haven, at Hammonasset Beach State Park, and on Falkner Island continued.

Volunteers & Funding

Amazingly in these difficult times, we had 110 people who donated 2500 person-hours of volunteer time. Working in small groups with all the recommended precautions, they installed Osprey platforms, monitored nest boxes, conducted the marsh migration survey, worked at UrbanScapes, and performed other activities. Their volunteer time was worth more than $70,000.

We were successful in leveraging your contributions into grants and gifts totaling more than $3,000.

In addition to maintaining our current projects including the Osprey platform replacements, nest box monitoring, and streaming nest cam video, during 2022 we plan to use the greenhouse at the Urbanscapes Native Plant Nursery to propagate native plants from seeds, complete nest box trails in Orange, Woodbridge, and North Branford, install a new native plant demonstration garden, expand the East River Marsh Migration Survey, and initiate climate solutions.

Menunkatuck is an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff. The majority of our programs and field trips are free, and any fee we charge is simply to cover the expenses of a program. Members and friends like you play a vital role in supporting our local chapter. With your help, Menunkatuck will continue to serve as the local birding group, environmental educator, and conservation advocate. As always, we welcome your volunteer assistance on any of our projects. 

 Best wishes for a happy holiday season and a better 2022 for us all.

Dennis Riordan, President 

Photos: Robin Ladouceur

Menunkatuck Audubon Society Accomplishments for 2020

Menunkatuck Audubon Society Accomplishments for 2020

As for most of the world, 2020 did not go as planned for Menunkatuck Audubon Society. However, the challenges imposed by the corona virus became opportunities and we were able to have some significant accomplishments.