|
Important Bird Areas |
| Take Action | Local Audubon | Support Audubon | Birds & Science |
|
|
|
CONNECTICUT'S IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS PROGRAM
FEATURED
IMPORTANT BIRD AREA Site Description: Falkner Island is a crescent-shaped island approximately three miles south of Guilford, CT. It is the only vegetated "marine' island in Connecticut. It has been a part of the Stewart B. McKinney NWR since 1985, prior to that it was owned by the U.S. Coast Guard. The island consists of a rocky shoreline surrounding eroding sand/gravel upland. The upland habitats include mowed paths, Poison Ivy, other low brushy vegetation, and a small sumac stand. Ornithological Summary: Falkner Island is one of the 'crown jewels' of Connecticut bird habitats. Since the 1960's, Falkner Island has been the site of the largest Common and Roseate Tern colony in Connecticut. It currently supports over 95% of the nesting Common Terns (3500+ pairs) in Connecticut. It is the site of one of the ten largest Roseate Tern (100-150 pairs) colonies in Northeastern North America (3% of the population), and is the only regular nesting location for this federally endangered species in the state. The island also provides stopover habitat for migratory landbirds, with the nearest land at least 3 miles away.The importance of the island to migrating shorebirds is yet to be fully studied, but is perhaps one of the most important wintering areas in Connecticut for Purple Sandpipers. Importance of surrounding waters to migrating and wintering waterfowl and diving birds needs further study.
Conservation Issues: Falkner Island faces a number of threats of which many are being addressed through current and ongoing research. Oil spills are a potential threat to the island's birds due to the proximity of shipping lanes. Natural predators present potential problems for a tern colony, and these effects are being studied. Invasive and exotic plants and animals are also potential conservation issue. European Rabbit colonies, previously introduced to the island, may add to existing erosion problems. In 2000, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers enacted an erosion control project. In addition to stopping the erosion of the upper part of the island, it is hoped that the project will result in improved habitat for both Roseate and Common Terns. Effects of erosion control projects on the tern colonies are being investigated. The island has been the site of the Falkner Island Tern Project (FITP) since 1978 and has been part of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center's (USGS) Cooperative Long-term Roseate Tern Metapopulation Project. This project receives critical support from partners including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Connecticut Audubon Society, State of Connecticut Department of Environemtnal Protection, Little Harbor Laboratory, and The Nature Conservancy. Falkner Island is not only an important place for colonial waterbirds but also serves as a stopover for migrant landbirds. Staff from the USGS and the FITP have been banding the migrant landbirds to monitor their usage of the island. To
Learn More About Audubon Connecticut's Contact:
|
|||||
| copyright 2000, 2001 by National Audubon Society, Inc. All rights reserved. |
