The Atlantic Flyway

Saving Important Bird Areas

Audubon’s Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program is a global effort to identify and protect habitat that will protect sustainable populations of birds. The IBA Program is built around an adaptable, science-based blueprint that allows Audubon and other conservation partners to make sound conservation decisions in the face of considerable uncertainty from the changing climate, the economy, and gaps in our knowledge of the abundance and distribution of our highest priority species.

Breeding roseate terns are the principal reason for Falkner Island’s IBA status. (Patrick Comins)

Connecticut’s IBA Program strives to complement the conservation programs of our state, federal, and non-profit partners. By connecting people with nature, working with land stewards to develop conservation strategies, and supporting implementation of these plans at a local level, the IBA Program fills an important niche in statewide conservation efforts by working to protect areas that aren’t easily protected under other conservation programs.

Connecticut currently has 27 publicly announced IBAs and is working to announce additional sites in the future. IBAs in the Menunkatuck Chapter area are East Rock Park, New Haven; Falkner Island Unit of McKinney NWR, Guilford; Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison; Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven; Quinnipiac River Tidal Marsh, North Haven, New Haven, Hamden; and Sandy Point, West Haven. Several other sites are under review as additional IBAs.

(From the July 2014 Newsletter.)

The Atlantic Flyway - Long Island Sound

Preserving And Restoring Long Island Sound is an important part of Audubon’s Saving Important Bird Areas conservation strategy for the Atlantic Flyway.

Species: Saltmarsh Sparrow, Roseate Tern, Piping Plover, and other shorebirds

Habitat: Long Island Sound 

Our Work: Roughly 10 percent of the U.S. population lives within 50 miles of Long Island Sound. A vital resource for birds and people alike, this rich estuary faces intense development pressure and recreational and commercial demands. Audubon is leading an ambitious effort to improve water quality, restore vital habitats, and promote biodiversity.

Conservation Impact: National Audubon policy staff joined forces with Audubon Connecticut and Audubon New York to rally federal, state, and local lawmakers as well as other stakeholders to endorse Sound Vision, a two-year action plan to protect and restore the Sound. Developed by the Long Island Sound Citizens Advisory Committee, the plan combines new and existing restoration projects with unified legislative efforts. Science plays a key role in Audubon’s work to protect and restore the Sound.

Conservation Outlook: Audubon national and state staff, Chapters, activists, and volunteers will continue working to reduce pollution and protect and restore habitat in this vital ecosystem.

Photo: Patrick Comins

Excerpted for the Audubon Strategic Plan 2012-2015

(From the May 2013 newsletter)

The Atlantic Flyway

Roughly 10 percent of Americans live within 50 miles of Long Island Sound.  As part of the Atlantic Flyway Saving Important Bird Areas strategy Audubon is leading an ambitious effort to restore the Sound’s health in a way that supports populations of priority waterbirds and shorebirds while balancing the needs of nature and people. 

Sound Vision, a two-year action plan to protect and restore the Sound developed by the Long Island Sound Citizens Advisory Committee, combines restoration projects with unified legislative efforts. Science plays a key role in Audubon’s efforts in the Sound, exemplified by Audubon Connecticut’s work to assess breeding success and identify optimal nesting locations that will ultimately benefit American Oystercatchers, Piping Plovers, Saltmarsh Sparrows, Roseate Terns, and other priority bird species.

(From the March 2013 Newsletter)