Date: 4/4/25 10:34 am From: Jack Swatt via CTBirds <ctbirds...> Subject: [CT Birds] Volunteers needed for Grasshopper Sparrow Habitat Management at Robert’s Field, Bristol
*Volunteers needed for Grasshopper Sparrow Habitat Management at Robert’s
Field, Bristol*
*(near the corner of Perkins St. and Pinehurst Rd.)*
*Saturday, April 26th from 10 AM to 1:00 PM*
*(Rain Date Sunday, April 27th, same time)*
Grasshopper Sparrows are listed on Connecticut's Endangered
Species List as Endangered due to their requirement for sparse grassland
habitat. The habitat at Roberts Field has the right conditions, and
Grasshopper Sparrows have been successfully nesting there for many years.
However, the number of nesting Grasshopper Sparrows is declining as
favorable habitat is being overrun with invasive species. A
previousTerritory Mapping Project, funded by a minigrant from the
Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA), revealed that there is
additional area that can be used as nesting territories at the site. The
Bristol Parks and Recreation Department, with the assistance of the
Environmental Learning Centers of CT (ELCCT) is in support of managing the
fields for Grasshopper Sparrows. We plan on having areas periodically
mowed to preserve the habitat, but we would like to hold an invasive
species removal work day to remove the clumps of stems and roots to prevent
resprouting.
We are planning on having this work day on Saturday, April 26th from
10 AM to 1 PM (Rain date April 27th). Work gloves and any hand tools used
to pull weedy vegetation would be helpful. Sunscreen and tick protection
should also be considered. If you know other people who may be willing to
help, please spread the word and have them contact me as well. If you can
help us that morning, please let me know so we can get an idea of how many
people will be available to help. Please contact me at <jswattbirds...>
.
Thank you very much for your consideration and hopefully we can keep the
sparrows breeding there for years to come.
Jack Swatt
Colchester, CT
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