Wildlife Archives - Steep Rock Association

02 Oct Beckoning Bats

Posted at 14:38h in Community Science, Internships, Notes From The Field, Scientific Study, Wildlife

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_single_image image="30194" img_size="full" alignment="center" css="" qode_css_animation=""][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=""] October is Bat Appreciation Month Connecticut’s nine different bat species are simply amazing creatures that play the important role of keeping insect populations in check. Unfortunately, they face a number of threats. This...

01 Sep Countering the Barberry Invasion

Posted at 14:54h in Community Science, Notes From The Field, Scientific Study, Wildlife

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Steep Rock recognizes invasive plants and animals as some of the most significant threats to the well-being of our protected natural and agricultural lands. In August, our volunteer work party tackled a stand of Japanese barberry in...

01 Nov “Bear” In Mind It’s Fall Foraging Season

Posted at 12:41h in Wildlife

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]An increase in black bear sightings throughout Town and encounters in residential areas are to be expected this time of year. Bears are actively seeking calorie-rich foods to build fat stores for winter and will take advantage...

29 Sep In the Eyes of a Cottontail

Posted at 13:02h in Judea Garden, Natural Beauty, Wildlife

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Written by Skylar King, 2022 Judea Garden Summer Intern Allow me to show you my home. I live in a quaint hole beneath the ground, shrouded by tall grass and brush. My hole lies on the outskirts...

03 Aug Report Large Mammal Sightings

Posted at 13:10h in Scientific Study, Wildlife

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_single_image image="24130" img_size="full" alignment="center" css="" qode_css_animation=""][vc_column_text css=""]ave you seen a black bear, coyote, bobcat, fisher, or river otter when hiking in one of our preserves? Prepare yourself for reporting your next large mammal observation. The data you collect will...

24 Feb Take Action for Wildlife Conservation

Posted at 13:25h in Wildlife

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_raw_html css=""]JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwd2lkdGglM0QlMjI2NDAlMjIlMjBoZWlnaHQlM0QlMjIzNjAlMjIlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRm1hY2F1bGF5bGlicmFyeS5vcmclMkZhc3NldCUyRjIzOTM3MDg2MSUyRmVtYmVkJTJGNjQwJTIyJTIwZnJhbWVib3JkZXIlM0QlMjIwJTIyJTIwYWxsb3dmdWxsc2NyZWVuJTIwc3R5bGUlM0QlMjJ3aWR0aCUzQTY0MHB4JTNCJTIyJTNFJTNDJTJGaWZyYW1lJTNF[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text css=""]Bobolinks are one of Connecticut's most iconic grassland birds and an important part of our heritage. Their population has shrunk by 60% over the last 50 years, and conservation scientists predict that this precipitous decline will...

15 Feb Staying Safe

Posted at 15:38h in Wildlife

Hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding are all incredible ways to take in the beauty and tranquility of our nature preserves. As you explore our 47 miles of trails, be sure to plan ahead to ensure a safe and fun experience for you and your fellow...

05 Aug A High Summer Day in the Preserves

Posted at 10:56h in Natural Beauty, Notes From The Field, Wildlife

by: Rory Larson, Conservation Science Manager A firmly held tenet of our management approach is that the public's enjoyment of the preserves derives directly from their natural character and diversity of flora and fauna. Lucky for you, there is no better time than now to experience...

11 May Special Conservation Considerations for Spring and Summer

Posted at 15:16h in Natural Beauty, Notes From The Field, Wildlife

Much more stirs in Steep Rock Association (SRA) preserves nowadays, and no, I am not referring to the recent influx of hikers seeking respite from COVID-19 constraints. Breeding season is underway for many of the wild inhabitants that call SRA preserves home. It is an especially...

05 Mar WHERE did the GOSHAWKS GO?

Posted at 12:00h in Scientific Study, Wildlife

Seasoned hikers of Steep Rock Association's (SRA) trails likely remember unique closure signs posted in early spring years ago. Northern goshawks (NOGO), a threatened resident bird of prey in CT, had nested in our two largest preserves and these signs were for the mutual...