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June 2026
Wildlife Highlights is published by the Connecticut DEEP Wildlife Division. Please share the newsletter with others to help spread awareness about Connecticut's wildlife!
Be BearWise and remove birdfeeders to avoid conflicts with black bears.
Paws and Reflect - Birdfeeders and Bears
The black bear’s diet changes seasonally, and this time of year, bears are mostly feeding on natural foods like leaves, grasses, and developing plants. These foods items, however, are not as calorie-dense and nutritious as the nuts and fruits that will ripen later in the year. This means bears may have to travel a little further, or work a little harder, to find food. A bird feeder full of seed makes for an easy, calorie-rich meal, but it is not as good for the bears — or
their behavior — as natural food.
The Wildlife Division typically receives the greatest number of reported bear-birdfeeder conflicts during the month of June. Supplemental feeding is not necessary for birds, nor is it ideal; birds seek insects for feeding nestlings at this time of year. Gardening with native plants is the best way to meet the needs of our feathered friends and the invertebrates they rely on.
The best way to be BearWise is to remove bird feeders and secure garbage to keep bears from visiting your yard. Keep in mind that even bird feeders that are up but empty may still attract a bear. Per state law, it is illegal to intentionally feed bears or other potentially dangerous wildlife in Connecticut. Some municipalities have instituted ordinances that prohibit bird feeders during the warmer months of the year.
Resources on how to coexist with black bears . . .
The American woodcock is one of many species that relies on early successional or young habitat.
The Importance of Young Forest Habitat
The Wildlife Division’s Habitat Program manages over 100 wildlife management areas across Connecticut, totaling roughly 35,000 acres.
Creating a variety of habitats such as early successional and shrublands through a variety of forest management practices not only provides suitable habitat for a host of wildlife species, but also creates more healthy, diverse, and resilient forests.
The American woodcock hidden among the vegetation in the photo above is a ground-nesting species that is dependent on early successional or young forest habitat. Habitat Program staff create and maintain this critical habitat that is sorely missing from Connecticut’s landscape. Some other species that greatly benefit from young forests include the New England cottontail, eastern box turtle, and eastern towhee.
More on CT’s Young Forest Habitat Initiative . . .
More on young forest habitat . . .
The eastern milksnake is non-venomous but is often mistaken for the venomous northern copperhead.
Connecticut's Snakes - Scale Back the Angst
This time of year, the Wildlife Division regularly receives questions regarding snake identification from the public. Connecticut is home to 14 species of snakes. These reptiles make up an important part of the food chain by serving as predator and prey. Snakes help keep mice, rats, and insect populations in check. They are also consumed by larger mammals and birds of prey.
Only two of the 14 species found in Connecticut are venomous: the timber rattlesnake and northern copperhead. Despite being venomous, the timber rattlesnake and copperhead, along with the other 12 species of snakes, are rarely aggressive towards people and will only bite if threatened or handled. When left alone, a snake poses no threat to people.
Take some time to become more familiar with these often-misunderstood reptiles and educate others about their importance on the landscape.
Need help with identifying a snake? Send us your photo(s) on Facebook, Instagram, or at deep.ctwildlife@ct.gov.
More on snakes of Connecticut . . .
One of the proposed changes includes changing the listing of the saltmarsh sparrow from Special Concern to Threatened.
Proposed Changes Regarding State-Listed Species
Staff from the Wildlife Division, in consultation with our Fisheries and Forestry Divisions and taxonomic Scientific Advisory Committees, have completed the latest review of the State Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species List. This review is required to determine whether species should be added or removed from the list.
The proposed changes have been compiled and entered into the Connecticut eRegulations system, and public comments are being accepted through June 30, 2026. Additionally, there will be a public hearing on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. through Zoom. Registration is required.
More on the proposed changes and how to submit comments . . .
The Wildlife Division collects sighting reports of various wildlife species to help with ongoing research.
Participate in the Annual Turkey Brood Survey
Connecticut residents are encouraged to be on the lookout for wild turkeys, especially hens and poults (young-of-the-year).
The Wildlife Division conducts its annual Wild Turkey Brood Survey to estimate the average number of turkey poults per hen statewide. This survey also allows biologists to assess annual fluctuations in the turkey population and calculate male-to-female ratios.
To participate, simply record all the hens, poults, toms, or jakes observed from June 1 through August 31. Sightings can be submitted electronically, or a hardcopy form is available to download and print.
NEW! Wild Turkey Study: Wildlife Division staff initiated a research project to address the decline in Connecticut’s turkey population. Research is being conducted at two study areas in eastern Connecticut where select hens were fitted with GPS backpacks to learn more about nesting success. Over the course of this study, we will be highlighting some of the research in this newsletter. Stay tuned!
Report Wild Turkey Sightings . . .
Congratulations to Housatonic Valley Regional High School for winning the 2026 Connecticut Envirothon competition.
Connecticut Envirothon Holds its Annual Academic Competition
Last month, the Connecticut Envirothon held its annual competition at Rocky Neck State Park in Niantic, Connecticut. Envirothon is a natural resource-based education program that was started in 1992 by the state’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Participating Envirothon teams consist of Connecticut high school students that are led by a teacher or advisor. During the school year, teams receive curriculum materials and are invited to a series of training workshops in the Envirothon Study Areas of soils, aquatics, wildlife, forestry, and a current environmental issue. These workshops are presented by foresters, soil scientists, aquatic ecologists, wildlife biologists, and many others, including DEEP staff. In May, teams meet for an all-day field competition where they put their knowledge to the test.
This year, Housatonic Valley Regional High School took first place and will travel to Starkville, Mississippi, later this summer to compete in the national Envirothon competition!
More on the Connecticut Envirothon . . .
Upcoming Events:
The Wildlife Division will be participating in the following events in the near future:
Who We Are
The Wildlife Division is part of the Bureau of Natural Resources within the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). The Bureau is charged with managing the state’s natural resources (particularly fish, wildlife, and forests) through a program of research, management, public education, and regulation. The Wildlife Division is
comprised of several programs that work together to conserve and manage Connecticut's wildlife.
Contact Us
Email: deep.ctwildlife@ct.gov
Phone: 860-424-3011
Wildlife Website: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEPWildlife
Hunting Information: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEPHunting
Office Directory: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/wildlife/wildlife-division-office-directory
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are seeking a communication aid or service, have limited proficiency in English, wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint, or require some other accommodation, including equipment to facilitate virtual participation, please contact the DEEP Office of Diversity and Equity at 860-418-5910 or by email at deep.accommodations@ct.gov. Any person needing an accommodation for hearing impairment may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. In order to facilitate efforts to provide an accommodation, please request all accommodations as soon as possible following notice of any agency hearing, meeting, program or event.
