Good news from Connecticut DEEP’s waterfowl survey

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Chris Bosak

Here’s a copy/pasted release from Connecticut DEEP on the 2014 Midwinter Waterfowl Survey. I don’t particularly like using press releases on this site, but as many of you know, I have a soft spot for waterfowl, so any news on that front is worth getting out there. Plus, the results were particularly good this year. At least the photo is mine!

Photo by Chris Bosak
American Wigeon in Norwalk, CT.

Staff from Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) conducted the annual Midwinter Waterfowl Survey on January 8 and 9, 2014. The survey is conducted throughout the Atlantic Flyway, and is used as an index of long-term wintering waterfowl trends. The Atlantic Flyway is a bird migration route that generally follows the Atlantic Coast of North America and the Appalachian Mountains. In Connecticut, the survey is conducted from a helicopter and a census is obtained from the coast, the three major river systems, and selected inland lakes and reservoirs.

Survey conditions for the 2014 Midwinter Waterfowl Survey were excellent, with Continue reading →

CT DEEP commissioner Daniel Esty talks about climate change

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Chris Bosak

A little off topic, but not really considering the link between climate and birds — and all wildlife (including humans.) I

I covered the Norwalk Land Trust’s Annual Meeting on Monday (Jan. 13, 2014) and the guest speaker was Daniel C. Esty, the commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. He had some very interesting things to say about climate change and how to combat it and adapt to it. Here’s an audio clip of Esty talking about the “game changer” when it comes to climate change.

The full story is available at http://www.thehour.com. (Search for “Esty” in the search field if it’s not still on the home page.)

Latest For the Birds column: Birding highlights of 2013

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Chris Bosak

Photo by Chris Bosak
A Snowy Owl perches on a fence post at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport on Monday, Dec. 23, 2013.

Here’s my annual look back at my own personal birding and wildlife highlights of the past year. Bonus photos, too.

Click here for the column.

The latest For the Birds Column: Counting some lucky larks

Posted on December 25, 2013 by Chris Bosak

Photo by Chris Bosak
Peregrine Falcon at Veterans Park in Norwalk, Dec. 2013.

Click below to read the latest For the Birds column, which appears every Thursday in The Hour (Norwalk, CT) and Monday in The Keene Sentinel (Keene, NH). I talk about my experiences during the Dec. 15 Christmas Bird Count. Those are some lucky larks!

Click here for story.

Oh, and Merry Christmas, everybody.