Sites Being Nominated for Connecticut Birding Trail

The Connecticut Coastal Birding Trail (CTCBT) project has begun in earnest, currently 30 sites have been nominated. But what is this project, and how will it effect our favorite viewing spots, both the well known and the quieter spots - besides, do we even have enough variety of birds to make a CT trail a worthwhile venture? There are many questions and some concerns. Here I hope to address the most frequently heard questions.

What is the point? The concept behind the CTCBT is to promote eco-tourism along the I-95 corridor. Productive wildlife habitat with attractive aesthetic features represents a financially valuable resource for the local community. Visitors will come, if shown the way, and they will spend significant money for lodging, food, admissions, guidebooks, special equipment and memorabilia, especially in spring and fall. Ideal nominations are those of sites easily accessible from I-95 and close to local centers or businesses. The benefit to local environmental issues and groups… At any time, one could look around and see a number of struggles between environmental groups and developers; it’s on going and unrelenting. For better or worse decision makers expect to hear from environmental advocates deriding projects. The idea behind the CTCBT is that as local businesses begin benefiting from eco-tourism, they too shall begin advocating for the open spaces that have been bringing them additional business.

Will my favorite spot become over-run with New Yorkers on weekend jaunts? A group trained by the CT DEP and the consulting firm assisting with the project will review nominated spots. In order to be listed as a site, the location must qualify. It must be easily accessible from I-95, there must be adequate parking, and sensitive locations will be kept off the list.

Do we have an adequate variety of birds to support such a venture? There are only a few hundred thousand avid birdwatchers in the U.S., but surveys show that 70 million Americans have discovered casual birdwatching as a way to escape urban isolation from nature. Over 40 million of them drive several times per year to view natural habitats with birds and other wildlife, but they need help to find such places. Urban and suburban dwellers in search of wildlife habitat will drive up to five hours from home, typically in groups of two or three for a three-day, two night visit. We in CT are in the path of the Atlantic Flyway, a major bird migration route. Avid birdwatchers and the more active casual birdwatchers also visit in winter to see birds escaping Northern New England and Canada. The number of such visitors choosing to come to Connecticut could be dramatically increased if we show them good places to visit and market to their special needs.

Menunkatuck will be nominating several sites in the chapter area. If you would like to become involved in the nomination process contact: SuZanne Botta.

Frank Haviland and SuZanne Botta

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Last updated 18 September, 2004 .