Date: 9/8/26 8:57 am From: AK via CTBirds <ctbirds...> Subject: [CT Birds] shortend. Urgent Update-nesting birds in Durham meeting September 8, 2026 at 6 PM
Dear Ct Birders,
Please read if you have ever have seen or posted on eBird ground nesting birds especially from Frederick White Farm in Durham.
On the very slight that you might attend tonight’s meeting at 6, your presence may help sway the board.
Annyta Vizard
Durham Conservation Commission meeting
September 8, 2026 at 6 PM
outside at Frederick White Farm, park below hill on dirt road
70 Maple Ave, Durham, CT
Dear Friends,
Thank you to all who wrote, read letters, attended or showed interest during the July 2026 Durham Conservation Commission meeting. I was not going to attend or ask others to attend the next Conservation Commission meeting at 6 PM September 8, 2026 at White Farm.
But yesterday it came to my attention that there is a train of thought that the Conservation Commission’s priority may be to restore Frederick White Farm to haying. Chris Grice gave me his permission to share his email below.
This may explain why the chairperson during July’s meeting, cut off those who tried to speak about Middlefield town-owned Strickland Farm and seemed happy to talk about the town of Wallingford. Understandably, until a few years ago Strickland Farm was known to be one of the largest Bobolink nesting colonies in the state and now with continued aggressive mowing and chemical use there seems to be little wildlife including no ground nesting birds and very few pollinators. Also substantially fewer local residents use this property.
It would be great if you can show support and bring talking points. If you can attend please limit you talk to about 2-3 minutes. If you don’t know what to say, below are some talking points or you can read a letter.
I would appreciate any thoughts or ideas that you may have.
Thank you again for your time and support.
Annyta Vizard
Durham Conservation Commission meeting
September 8, 2026 at 6 PM
outside at Frederick White Farm, park below hill on dirt road
70 Maple Ave, Durham, CT
We have 5 letters that need to be read that were missing from last month’s meeting minutes. Please let me know if you can read a letter regarding Frederick White Farm from either Ona McLaughlin, Cynthia Ehlinger - Connecticut Ornithological Association, Jeffery Kohan, Susan Lundgren, Annyta Vizard or discuss the detailed wildlife list from Thomas Kelly - Connecticut Butterfly Association.
Important Talking Points:
Below are some conservation alternatives that support recreation and the culture of agriculture on wildlife habitats with late season harvests.
switching to warm season grasses which flower later and therefore have high nutrition when they are cut later in the season after the birds have nested
Paying the farmer not to cut
Paying the farmer the balance of the portion of the cut that is delayed
Find alternative fields that could be hayed that don’t support Bobolinks or other ground nesting bird species, wildlife and rare butterflies (example, local farms or land owned by a farmer or business)
or
A combination of the above.
This summer, Wallingford, Durham’s neighbor, paid a farmer not to mow their fields until all the ground-nesting bird species left.
The State of Connecticut supports migratory ground nesting birds with new leases for farmers to hay with August 1st for their first cut date.
Creative, proven land management is being used throughout New England and New York to give human intervention for wildlife and habitat conservation.
recommended actions:
1. Enact Binding Protections: Establish legally binding restrictions such as a Town of Durham ordinance that prohibits any mowing or heavy maintenance on town-owned Frederick White Farm from May 1 through August 1.
2. Oversight: complete a formal environmental assessment by the Commission and an appointed conservation organization or land manager with experience in meadow/fields wildlife habitats before any municipal mowing contracts are executed on town-managed fields.
Frederick White Farm was purchased with state, federal and local funds it became a recreation area and open space.
This week-end Hartford Audubon had a bird walk at Rocky Hill Meadows 311 Meadow Rd, where very few birds and almost no insects were seen. These meadows are mostly commercially leased for grass sod which requires heavy use of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. Is this the future of town-owned Frederick White Farm route for hay?
From: Christopher Grice <cgrice4n6...>
Date: September 7, 2026 at 1:46:08 PM EDT
To: Birding Pleasure <birdingforpleasure...>
Cc: Elena Coffey <elena_ibclc...>
Subject: Re: ?? Questions/opinion ?? FYI
Hi,
Lori and I are heading up to Lake Champlain in VT tomorrow morning for 4 days as part of a cycling tour group. I won't be able to make the meeting. Looking at the agenda, it does seem that the haying is more of a priority than the birds. I would ascertain as to who takes the minutes of the meetings. That person often fails to list opposing views and comments. I learned that first hand in my fight against the solar farm in my town.
Chris
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