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Wildlife Highlights is published by the Connecticut DEEP Wildlife Division. Please share the newsletter with others to help spread awareness about Connecticut's wildlife!
Update on Avian Influenza (and Other Bird Diseases)
The DEEP Wildlife Division would like to thank Connecticut residents for reporting observations of dead wild birds to help us track the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in our state. Unfortunately, viral activity remains high and dead wild birds continue to be reported. Since the CT DEEP, Department of Public Health, and Department of Agriculture are all involved in the avian influenza response, it can sometimes be confusing knowing which agency should receive which reports. Dead wild birds, such as ducks, geese, raptors, and others, should be reported to DEEP on our Wild Bird Mortality Reporting website.
More on Avian Influenza . . .
Avian Influenza Fact Sheet . . .
To report sick poultry, unexplained high number of deaths, sudden drop in egg production, or sudden reduction in feed or water intake, contact the State Veterinarian at 860-713-2505 or ctstate.vet@ct.gov.
Backyard Poultry Tips . . .
HPAI is not the only known virus to affect wild birds. Wild birds are susceptible to several diseases, including aspergillosis, salmonellosis, avian pox, conjunctivitis, Newcastle disease, and West Nile virus (spread by mosquitoes). Some of these diseases are spread at contaminated bird feeders. Find out how you can identify birds infected with these diseases and take steps to help prevent the spread.
Reports of dead wild birds, such as ducks, geese, raptors, and others, should be submitted to DEEP through the Wild Bird Mortality Reporting website.
Creating Young Forest Habitat at Talbot Wildlife Management Area
A diverse forest is a healthy and resilient forest. DEEP Foresters and Wildlife Biologists manage forests on state lands to include a variety of tree age classes, sizes, and species to create a “mosaic landscape”. Forest management is important because it not only makes forests less susceptible to disease and intense storms, but it also creates habitat for wildlife.
Earlier this year, a 20-acre timber harvest was conducted at Talbot Wildlife Management Area in Scotland, Connecticut, to create early successional, or young forest habitat. For this project, removing select trees encourages oak regeneration and favors shade intolerant species.
Young forest habitat is sorely lacking on Connecticut’s landscape, but habitat management practices, such as a timber harvest, create critical habitat for a variety of species, including the New England cottontail, eastern box turtle, brown thrasher, indigo bunting, and many more. These species depend on young forest, but due to a lack of available habitat, most are unfortunately experiencing population decline.
While the site may look “messy” to some at the moment, in a few years, it will be densely populated by pole-sized trees and various shrub species, providing wildlife with food, as well as cover that is thicker than what mature forest provides.
Young forest habitat is sorely lacking on Connecticut’s landscape, but habitat management practices, such as a timber harvest, create critical habitat for a variety of species facing population decline.
Be BearWise: Black Bears Are Becoming Active
As we make the transition to spring, black bears will continue to become more active and will be in search of food. It is important to properly manage birdfeeders, garbage, and other attractants with bears in mind. Access to these attractants directly leads to bears getting comfortable around people and thinking homes and backyards are places to get food. The Wildlife Division advises residents to stop feeding birds by late March, but you may need to stop even earlier, or all together, if bears are active nearby. Instead, landscaping for birds, by providing native plants, can be an excellent alternative that still attracts birds and other wildlife without providing a high-calorie food reward for bears.
You can also use our Be BearWise Checklist to learn what attracts bears and how you can keep bears way from your home and property.
DEEP to release 2025 State of the Bears Report: Connecticut’s black bear population continues to increase, and it is important to know how to best coexist given their continued range expansion. The State of the Bears report provides the most up-to-date information on Connecticut’s growing black bear population.
View previous reports and video resources . . .
You can help keep black bears safe by not allowing them access to human-related foods, especially bird seed and garbage. Photo courtesy of Art Kramer.
Be on the Lookout for Amphibians Crossing Roadways
Many of Connecticut’s amphibians are emerging to make their way to nearby, temporary bodies of water, known as vernal pools, to breed and lay their eggs. Despite most amphibians overwintering within just a quarter of a mile of their breeding pool, reaching the pool often requires them to cross roadways, which can be fatal due to motorists.
During warm, rainy nights, please keep your eyes on the road and look out for crossing amphibians. If you are aware of a migration hotspot, consider taking an alternate route to your destination or simply avoid traveling on smaller, wooded roads. You can also speak with your local town officials about installing amphibian crossing signs.
More on amphibians of Connecticut . . .
A wood frog crosses a roadway as it travels to a nearby vernal pool.
Upcoming Vernal Pool Hike at Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area
Join Wildlife Division Outreach Biologist Paul Benjunas and Friends of Sessions Woods Naturalist Laura Rogers-Castro on Sunday, March 16, 2025, from 10 AM - 12:00 PM for a hike to a vernal pool at Sessions Woods Wildlife
Management Area in Burlington.
Learn about the dynamics of this seasonal wetland, along with the unique animals found in a vernal pool habitat. With any luck and good timing, the pool will be alive with the calls of wood frogs and potentially, jelly-like egg masses! All are welcome for this approximately two-mile long hike, but please leave your pets at home. Registration is required, as there is a limited number of spaces. Use the link below to register. Meet at the Gazebo in the parking lot at Sessions Woods.
Registration and additional details . . .
Distinguished by its large size and bright yellow spots, the spotted salamander is a vernal pool indicator species that has an important role in its respective niche.
Wildlife Action Plan Survey Results
The Connecticut Wildlife Action Plan Team continues to assess public input as the Plan is being revised for the 2025-2035 period. When asked which issues facing wildlife and habitats are of top concern, respondents emphasized development, invasive species and disease, and human disturbance. These were followed by pollution, changing climate, and roads. For the most part, respondents felt similarly about issues at the town/regional level as they did at the statewide level. However, results
suggest that the impacts of development and disturbance may be felt more at a local level, whereas changing climate and invasive species are of more concern at a larger, statewide scale. Supporting and engaging with your local land trusts, nature centers, town conservation commissions, and similar groups is a are great ways to address concerns demonstrated in the chart below and protect wildlife populations into the future.
Input from this survey and prior surveys has been shared with our teams of experts to consider as they reevaluate and prioritize species, habitats, issues, and actions. Public input will be summarized in the updated Plan.
If you missed this survey, the next opportunity for input will involve commenting on drafted chapters of the updated Wildlife Action Plan. This will be shared later on our social media accounts, website, and in this newsletter
The photo in the graphic above is satellite imagery showing Hartford and surrounding towns. Note the abundance of developed land and how natural areas are more common further from the city. You can explore satellite imagery in your part of the state using the Connecticut Aerial Imagery Viewer.
Volunteers Needed to Help Monitor Shorebirds
Connecticut’s Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds and the Wildlife Division invite you to make a difference for threatened bird species at the beach as an official summer volunteer! Volunteers will help monitor piping plovers, American oystercatchers, and least terns at beaches statewide from early April through August.
Atlantic Coast populations of beach-nesting birds return to the Connecticut coast beginning in March from their wintering grounds, as far as away the Caribbean. The cryptic nests of these birds are made on beach sand and are extremely susceptible to human disturbance, predation, and tidal washouts. To enhance the survival and productivity of Connecticut’s beach-nesting birds, volunteers monitor locations across the state to observe shorebirds, record and report nesting data, and spread a “share the shore” philosophy to encourage positive actions beachgoers can take to help these birds successfully raise their young.
Training and orientation sessions will be held via Zoom webinars for new and returning volunteers. For more information on the training session, please email the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com. Reservations are not required; but an e-mail letting us know you will be attending is appreciated.
More on volunteering to help shorebirds . . .
Piping plovers and their nests can be very difficult to detect. You can help make a difference for Connecticut's shorebirds as an official summer volunteer. Photo courtesy of Darrell Bumbala.
