Tree Swallow, Purple Martin Egg Laying Is Up at Hammonasset, Fledging Is Down

Top line - Number of eggs laid; bottom - Number fledged

Bad weather just as Hammonasset’s tree swallow and purple martin chicks were about to fledge resulted in the deaths of many of the young birds. As a result the number of nest box success rate was down for the summer.

Of 183 tree swallow eggs that were laid, 143 hatched and 114 young fledged.

The Bridgeport Wildlife Guards, a team of students learning and teaching about conservation in Bridgeport, CT, came to Hammonasset to learn about nest box monitoring. They were able to see the difference between the purple martins’ bayberry leaf-lined nest and the tree swallows’ feather-lined nest.

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The Bridgeport Wildlife Guards, a team of students learning and teaching about conservation in Bridgeport, CT, came to Hammonasset to learn about nest box monitoring. They were able to see the difference between the purple martins’ bayberry leaf-lined nest and the tree swallows’ feather-lined nest.

(From the November, 2013 Newsletter)

New Haven Breeding Bird Atlas

Audubon Connecticut, with support from the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, is looking for volunteers to participate in the third season of the New Haven Pilot Breeding Bird Atlas program. All levels of birders are welcome. Training is scheduled for May 21st at 10:00 am or 6:30 in the evening at the Bent of the River Audubon Center in Southbury, Connecticut (map). Training is not mandatory but is suggested. 

Volunteers will be asked to conduct surveys between May 25th and July 1st. We ask that volunteers visit a site two mornings during this period. The sites are located in the greater New Haven area from Milford to Madison and stretching inland as far as Cheshire.

Volunteers can survey a spot that they have been meaning to visit, a site close to home or even a site that is not usually open to the public. This is a great excuse for a walk in nature. Do something you enjoy and help birds too. To participate or for more information please contact Kim Anglace at KEA316@gmail.com.