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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!
What Is Avian Influenza?
Avian influenza, or “bird flu”, is a contagious viral disease that occurs naturally in birds. The disease varies in severity depending on the strain and species affected. Domestic poultry, including backyard flocks and captive birds (at zoos, for example) are at high risk. In wild populations, waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors are also at high risk.
Current scientific evidence indicates that outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) usually involve the death of a large number of waterfowl or shorebirds – as opposed to individual birds people may find on their property. As a result, when it comes to surveillance of dead wild birds as an early detection measure, DEEP will primarily focus on events that involve large numbers of birds. At this time, we will not be routinely testing individual birds that are found dead, especially if they are backyard birds like robins, sparrows, pigeons, cardinals, etc., which are not considered to be highly susceptible to HPAI, or testing geese or other waterfowl, even if found in groups. We are, however, interested in all mortality events and will follow up on those that we feel are indicative of a potential HPAI or other wildlife disease outbreak.
Please help us monitor wild bird populations in Connecticut by reporting sightings of dead wild birds to the Wild Bird Mortality Database.
In wild bird populations, shorebirds, raptors, and waterfowl, such as this drake mallard duck, are at high risk for contracting avian influenza, or "bird flu".
Report Wild Turkey Sightings
In the coming months, the Wildlife Division will be initiating a wild turkey research project. Staff biologists are seeking observations of wild turkeys for the purposes of live-trapping birds to research hen, nest, and poult survival, harvest rate, and disease prevalence.
When the settlers first arrived to Connecticut, wild turkeys were abundant. However, a combination of large-scale forest clearing and a series of severe winters eliminated the turkey from Connecticut’s landscape by the early 1800s.
Thanks to dedicated funding made possible by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program, free-roaming wild turkeys were live-captured and translocated from several neighboring New England states between 1975 and 1992. As a result of these reintroduction efforts, wild turkeys have become a common sight in Connecticut.
Sightings of wild hen turkeys will be especially helpful to wildlife biologists as they prepare for the upcoming study.
Connecticut's Growing Black Bear Population
In Connecticut, black bear cubs are born in a winter den, usually in the first few weeks of January. Cubs weigh 6 to 12 ounces at birth but can grow to weigh over 100 pounds within their first year, especially if they have access to human-related foods.
Each winter, Wildlife Division biologists visit the dens of GPS-collared bears to learn more about the growing population. Over the last 10 years, the average offspring per sow (female bear) is 2.5, and this number has been gradually increasing over the last 20 years. Long-term research has shown that Connecticut’s bear population has a high potential for growth. This is due in part to an abundance of suitable habitat and excessive human-related food across their range.
It won’t be long before black bear sows and their cubs will be active and in search of food. It is important to remain BearWise year-round and make sure any human attractants, especially bird feeders, are removed long before bears emerge from
their winter dens in late March/early April. In areas with regular bear activity, birdfeeders are not recommended anytime of year.
More on the black bear . . .
You can help keep wild black bears safe by not allowing them access to human-related foods, such as bird seed and garbage.
How to Coexist with Coyotes
In Connecticut, the breeding season for the eastern coyote is from January to March. During this time, you are more likely to hear and see coyotes. Contrary to popular belief, coyotes do not call to announce a kill. Instead, coyotes use a variety of vocalizations to communicate with family members, warn non-family members to stay out of their territory, and advertise for a mate.
As coyotes have become more common, public concerns about coyotes attacking people have increased. Although some coyotes may exhibit bold behavior near people, the risk of a coyote attacking a person is LOW. However, this risk can increase if coyotes are intentionally fed and then learn to associate people with food, or if a person is walking with a dog, especially one that is not leashed, near a coyote den or territory during the denning and pup rearing seasons.
Following are some important tips for coexisting with one of Connecticut’s native canines:
- Do not allow pets to run free. Keep cats indoors, particularly at night, and keep dogs on a leash or under close supervision at all times.
- Always walk dogs on a leash. If approached by a coyote while walking your dog, keep the dog under control and calmly leave the area. Do not run or turn your back. Coyotes are territorial and many reports of bold coyotes visiting yards, howling, or threatening larger dogs can often be attributed to this territorial behavior.
- Never feed coyotes. It is illegal to intentionally feed coyotes and other potentially dangerous wildlife (P.A. 23-77). Clean up bird seed below feeders and pet foods. Secure garbage and compost in animal-proof containers.
Eastern coyote photo courtesy of Matt Balnis.
Wildlife Division Seasonal Job Opportunities
The Wildlife Division has multiple openings for Seasonal Resource Assistant positions. These positions are available for individuals interested in acquiring experience in the profession of wildlife management. A background in wildlife biology or environmental science is highly preferred for most positions. Positions are typically six months in duration (no more than 1,040 hours) and have between a 35-40 hour work week.
Seasonal Resource Assistants are vital in helping the Wildlife Division carry out its mission. Some of the current openings include working with the Migratory Bird, Habitat, and Wetland Habitat and Mosquito Management Programs.
Seasonal and full-time Wildlife Division staff pose after a successful native wildflower planting at Eightmile River Wildlife Management Area in East Haddam and Lyme.
How Art Helps Protect Wetlands
There is still time to participate in the 2025 Connecticut Junior Conservation (Duck) Stamp Art Competition. This annual competition encourages Connecticut students in kindergarten through grade 12 to explore the natural world through art!
Simply submit a drawing or painting featuring native waterfowl (ducks or geese) for the chance to have your artwork featured as the 2026 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp. Entries must be postmarked by March 15, 2025.
Funds from the sale of Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamps have restored or enhanced nearly 4,000 acres of critical wetland habitat in Connecticut.
Each year, over 100 Connecticut students enter the annual art competition to help raise awareness for wetland conservation.
