Join The Great American Bird Count

Each year, the Great American Bird Count organizes a four-day survey period where volunteers record the number and types of birds they observe. 

This event engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent.

Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event.

It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds.  

The Eastern Connecticut Conservation District (ECCD) is seeking volunteers who are interested in documenting the types of birds that utilize the Poquetanuck Cove area. 

Poquetanuck Cove is a tidal cove of the Thames River located between Preston and Ledyard.  It was distinguished as a bird sanctuary in 1969 due to high numbers of waterfowl that overwinter in the cove. 

This year, ECCD will be working with town officials and conservation professionals to develop a Conservation Action Plan for Poquetanuck Cove. 

Current information on status of bird populations would help decision makers as they identify the important resources of the cove, the threats to those resources and develop strategies to address those threats. 

This project is being funded in part by a grant provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation as part of the Long Island Sound Study.

To participate, visit the Great American Bird Count website at www.birdsource.org and download a species checklist and follow the instructions online. 

Data can be directly uploaded to the organization, but we ask that you also send a hard copy of any Poquetanuck Cove data to Jean Pillo, PO Box 11, Pomfret Center, CT  06259.  Optional photographs are encouraged.