Connecticut

Connecticut currently has 27 recognized IBAs and is working to announce additional sites in 2006. Audubon Connecticut will be working in the coming years to develop conservation plans for each IBA. Conservation plans are a critical component of the IBA program, providing Audubon, landowners, land managers and other stakeholders with a strategic approach for future conservation and habitat management activities. This proactive and science-based approach will allow much more effective use of resources to ensure that IBAs will remain important for birds not only for our generation, but for many generations to come. Recent Connecticut IBA Accomplishments: City Grant for creation of Bird Sanctuary: The City of Stamford has sought and received a $400,000 grant from the State of Connecticut to restore the area of the old brush dump at the Cove Island Park IBA and turn the area into a bird sanctuary and bird viewing area. Audubon will be working with the city in the planning of this proposed sanctuary. University of Connecticut Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow Research: Audubon Connecticut provided support for this project, which completed its second season of fieldwork in 2004. This project is providing critical information into the habitat requirements and nesting densities Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow, a species of extremely high conservation concern. In 2005, BirdLife International upgraded the global conservation status of Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow on the IUCN RedList from Near-Threatened (less concern) to Vulnerable (more concern). The change in this species RedList Status is a direct result of information provided by Audubon Connecticut and researchers from The University of Connecticut. This research also provided the data necessary to justify the prioritization of several state level IBAs along the coast of Connecticut as globally significant IBAs. Dr. Chris Elphick, the lead researcher on this project, was honored with a national award from Partners in Flight in 2005 for this groundbreaking research into Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows and other marsh nesting birds in Connecticut.