Connecticut Ornithological Association

New Haven, CT, 21 September, 2008 - Every fall millions of birds, butterflies and dragonflies leave their summer homes and embark on a dangerous journey to escape winter. With shorter days foretelling the colder weather to come, these intrepid travelers take advantage of tail winds provided by passing cold fronts to hopscotch their way south, some traveling as far as southern tip of South America. Geography makes Connecticut a key stop for winged travelers and Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven is among the best places in the Northeast to observe this age-old phenomenon firsthand. Tens of thousands of hawks, falcons and eagles pass over this New Haven Park each year, along with songbirds, dragonflies and butterflies.

One of Audubon's 26 Important Bird Areas in Connecticut, Lighthouse Point Park averages the largest numbers of migrating hawks northeast of Cape May, New Jersey. Some species such as Sharp-shinned Hawks and American Kestrels reach into the tens of thousands.

The New Haven Migration Festival scheduled for Sunday, September 21st gives people a chance to learn about these intrepid travelers and to see live birds, butterflies and dragonflies up close. This year's event promises to be better than ever with a raptor demonstration by both Skyhunters in Flight and Wind Over Wings. This family adventure is also a great opportunity to see the ever improving bird and butterfly gardens.

"Birders have long known how amazing the spectacle of migration can be at Lighthouse Point Park," says Patrick Comins, Director of Bird Conservation for Audubon Connecticut. "The Festival is a great opportunity to share this special place with everyone so they can see first hand why this city park has been named one of Connecticut's Important Bird Areas," added Comins. "We are very excited to be involved in such an outstanding event," he concluded. Audubon Connecticut joins with the City of New Haven, the New Haven Bird Club, the Connecticut Butterfly Association, the Connecticut Ornithological Association, Northeast Hawk Watch, Menunkatuck Audubon, and the Connecticut Audubon Society to celebrate and enjoy one of Nature's Greatest Shows on Earth.

Activities will include:
* A falcons in flight demonstration by Brian Bradley of Skyhunters in Flight
* Butterfly and dragonfly identification, Monarch butterfly tagging demonstrations and children's activities led by the Connecticut Butterfly Association
* Bird walks led by the New Haven Bird Club
* A hawk and songbird flight ID workshop led by the Connecticut Ornithological Association
* Bird banding demonstrations by the Connecticut Audubon Society (see songbirds up close and personal!)
* A live raptor show featuring Wind Over Wings

About the Lighthouse Point Park Important Bird Area:
Lighthouse Point Park is one of Audubon's Important Bird Areas because it is a major stopover destination for migrating raptors. In addition to huge numbers of Sharp-shinned Hawks and American Kestrels, you may see less common raptors like Merlins, Peregrine Falcons, Northern Goshawks, and Bald Eagles, as well as a wide variety of migrating songbirds and shorebirds. Flocks of thousands of Blue Jays, Tree Swallows, and blackbirds are not uncommon. In addition, this is the only site in Connecticut where the rare Red-headed Woodpecker can be reliably seen. Not only is Lighthouse Point Park a premier birding hotspot, but it is also a popular destination for butterfly and dragonfly enthusiasts. The New Haven Parks and Recreation Department has curtailed mowing in areas of the park, so wildflowers attractive to butterflies are now in abundance. This combined with the new bird and butterfly gardens should result in an excellent turnout of butterflies

For a complete schedule of events, please see:
http://ctbutterfly.org/ or http://www.newhavenbirdclub.org/

For interviews or to arrange a media visit Contact Patrick Comins at (203) 264-5098.
Color photos available

Audubon is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Our national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engage millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in positive conservation experiences.

Patrick M. Comins
Director of Bird Conservation
Audubon Connecticut
pcomins 'at' audubon.org

http://iba.audubon.org/iba/viewState.do?state=US-CT

Bent of the River Sanctuary
185 East Flat Hill Road
Southbury, CT 06488
Phone: (203)264-5098 x305
or (203)264-5180 x305
Fax: (203)264-6332