CONN. AUDUBON PLANS MAY BIRDWATCHING COMPETITION STATE WANTS TO HEAR FROM BIRD HUNTERS

The Connecticut chapter of the Audubon Society is planning a three-day birdwatching competition in May that will raise money for the chapter’s bird conservation efforts and bring birdwatchers together for events at its centers around the state.

The “Migration Madness” event will begin May 18 with a suggested midnight search for owls, rails, American bittern, thrushes and other birds. It will continue that morning with a bird walk at White Sands beach in Old Lyme hosted by the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center.

Teams of competitors will collect donation pledges to raise money for Connecticut Audubon’s bird conservation work. Connecticut Audubon’s Centers will host bird walks and other programs throughout the weekend.

For more information, visit ctaudubon.org, email migrationmadness@ctaudubon.org or call (860) 598-4218.

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will update hunters on migratory bird hunting regulations at a meeting Saturday afternoon.

DEEP officials will be available at the Franklin Swamp Wildlife Management Area, 391 Route 32, North Franklin, from 2 to 4 p.m. to hear input on the proposed hunting season regulations for the 2018-19 migratory bird seasons.

They will present the proposed regulations and take public comments. The season dates will be submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shortly after the comments are compiled and evaluated.