Empathy List Archives

DV

Dennis Varza

Wed, Mar 10, 2010 9:23 PM

Hi Folks

Today I had my first Ring-necked calling from the Pine Creek Open
Space in Fairfield.

The Ring-necked Pheasant is a misfit in Connecticut. It is an
introduced species that is found every year, but its status is
problematical. Hundreds are released each year by gun clubs and many
survive until spring. The question is, is the species established
like the Starling or Rock Pigeon, or is its survival due to the
continued replenishment each year?

At Pine Creek in Fairfield and Seaside Park in Bridgeport I'm sure
they are self sustaining populations. But what about the rest of the
state? I would like to get reports of birds to get a handle on their
distribution and would like to hear any judgments as to wether they
are released birds or not. This is the best time of year to find them
since they have a distinctive call.

Thank You

Dennis Varza

Hi Folks Today I had my first Ring-necked calling from the Pine Creek Open Space in Fairfield. The Ring-necked Pheasant is a misfit in Connecticut. It is an introduced species that is found every year, but its status is problematical. Hundreds are released each year by gun clubs and many survive until spring. The question is, is the species established like the Starling or Rock Pigeon, or is its survival due to the continued replenishment each year? At Pine Creek in Fairfield and Seaside Park in Bridgeport I'm sure they are self sustaining populations. But what about the rest of the state? I would like to get reports of birds to get a handle on their distribution and would like to hear any judgments as to wether they are released birds or not. This is the best time of year to find them since they have a distinctive call. Thank You Dennis Varza

GH

Greg Hanisek

Wed, Mar 10, 2010 11:26 PM

By coincidence I heard one calling today as well, in farmland in Watertown,
in an area where they are definitely released. I agree completely with
Dennis that the 2 sites he mentioned hold reproducing pheasants. Another
place that did (and probably still does) is the Manresa power plant property
in Norwalk, but access there now is essentially nonexistent. There are
probably some other places as well, but when you get out into open farmland
it's probably impossible to separate breeders (if there are any) from
released birds.

Greg Hanisek
Waterbury

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dennis Varza" dennisvz@optonline.net
To: "Posting Bird List" ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 4:23 PM
Subject: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants

Hi Folks

Today I had my first Ring-necked calling from the Pine Creek Open Space
in Fairfield.

The Ring-necked Pheasant is a misfit in Connecticut. It is an introduced
species that is found every year, but its status is problematical.
Hundreds are released each year by gun clubs and many survive until
spring. The question is, is the species established like the Starling or
Rock Pigeon, or is its survival due to the continued replenishment each
year?

At Pine Creek in Fairfield and Seaside Park in Bridgeport I'm sure they
are self sustaining populations. But what about the rest of the state? I
would like to get reports of birds to get a handle on their distribution
and would like to hear any judgments as to wether they are released
birds or not. This is the best time of year to find them since they have
a distinctive call.

Thank You

Dennis Varza

This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org

By coincidence I heard one calling today as well, in farmland in Watertown, in an area where they are definitely released. I agree completely with Dennis that the 2 sites he mentioned hold reproducing pheasants. Another place that did (and probably still does) is the Manresa power plant property in Norwalk, but access there now is essentially nonexistent. There are probably some other places as well, but when you get out into open farmland it's probably impossible to separate breeders (if there are any) from released birds. Greg Hanisek Waterbury ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dennis Varza" <dennisvz@optonline.net> To: "Posting Bird List" <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 4:23 PM Subject: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants > Hi Folks > > Today I had my first Ring-necked calling from the Pine Creek Open Space > in Fairfield. > > The Ring-necked Pheasant is a misfit in Connecticut. It is an introduced > species that is found every year, but its status is problematical. > Hundreds are released each year by gun clubs and many survive until > spring. The question is, is the species established like the Starling or > Rock Pigeon, or is its survival due to the continued replenishment each > year? > > At Pine Creek in Fairfield and Seaside Park in Bridgeport I'm sure they > are self sustaining populations. But what about the rest of the state? I > would like to get reports of birds to get a handle on their distribution > and would like to hear any judgments as to wether they are released > birds or not. This is the best time of year to find them since they have > a distinctive call. > > > Thank You > > Dennis Varza > > > > > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) > for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit > http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > >

B

Boletebill

Wed, Mar 10, 2010 11:48 PM

Just out of curiousity does anyone know of a report in CT of Pheasants with young in the past decade? I assume that some areas of the State have hold-over populations because of good habitat and little hunting pressure but I've never heard wild young birds reported. Anybody?

Bill Yule

"For those who hunger after the earthly excrescences called mushrooms."

--- On Wed, 3/10/10, Greg Hanisek ghanisek@rep-am.com wrote:

From: Greg Hanisek ghanisek@rep-am.com
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants
To: "Dennis Varza" dennisvz@optonline.net
Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 6:26 PM

By coincidence I heard one calling today as well, in farmland in Watertown, in an area where they are definitely released. I agree completely with Dennis that the 2 sites he mentioned hold reproducing pheasants. Another place that did (and probably still does) is the Manresa power plant property in Norwalk, but access there now is essentially nonexistent. There are probably some other places as well, but when you get out into open farmland it's probably impossible to separate breeders (if there are any) from released birds.

Greg Hanisek
Waterbury

----- Original Message ----- From: "Dennis Varza" dennisvz@optonline.net
To: "Posting Bird List" ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 4:23 PM
Subject: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants

Hi Folks

Today I had my first Ring-necked calling from the Pine Creek Open Space in Fairfield.

The Ring-necked Pheasant is a misfit in Connecticut. It is an introduced species that is found every year, but its status is problematical. Hundreds are released each year by gun clubs and many survive until spring. The question is, is the species established like the Starling or Rock Pigeon, or is its survival due to the continued replenishment each year?

At Pine Creek in Fairfield and Seaside Park in Bridgeport I'm sure they are self sustaining populations. But what about the rest of the state? I would like to get reports of birds to get a handle on their distribution and would like to hear any judgments as to wether they are released birds or not. This is the best time of year to find them since they have a distinctive call.

Thank You

Dennis Varza

This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org

Just out of curiousity does anyone know of a report in CT of Pheasants with young in the past decade? I assume that some areas of the State have hold-over populations because of good habitat and little hunting pressure but I've never heard wild young birds reported. Anybody? Bill Yule "For those who hunger after the earthly excrescences called mushrooms." --- On Wed, 3/10/10, Greg Hanisek <ghanisek@rep-am.com> wrote: From: Greg Hanisek <ghanisek@rep-am.com> Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants To: "Dennis Varza" <dennisvz@optonline.net> Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 6:26 PM By coincidence I heard one calling today as well, in farmland in Watertown, in an area where they are definitely released. I agree completely with Dennis that the 2 sites he mentioned hold reproducing pheasants. Another place that did (and probably still does) is the Manresa power plant property in Norwalk, but access there now is essentially nonexistent. There are probably some other places as well, but when you get out into open farmland it's probably impossible to separate breeders (if there are any) from released birds. Greg Hanisek Waterbury ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dennis Varza" <dennisvz@optonline.net> To: "Posting Bird List" <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 4:23 PM Subject: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants > Hi Folks > > Today I had my first Ring-necked calling from the Pine Creek Open Space in Fairfield. > > The Ring-necked Pheasant is a misfit in Connecticut. It is an introduced species that is found every year, but its status is problematical. Hundreds are released each year by gun clubs and many survive until spring. The question is, is the species established like the Starling or Rock Pigeon, or is its survival due to the continued replenishment each year? > > At Pine Creek in Fairfield and Seaside Park in Bridgeport I'm sure they are self sustaining populations. But what about the rest of the state? I would like to get reports of birds to get a handle on their distribution and would like to hear any judgments as to wether they are released birds or not. This is the best time of year to find them since they have a distinctive call. > > > Thank You > > Dennis Varza > > > > > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > > _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org

RH

Roy Harvey

Thu, Mar 11, 2010 12:02 AM

--- On Wed, 3/10/10, Greg Hanisek ghanisek@rep-am.com wrote:

By coincidence I heard one calling
today as well, in farmland in Watertown, in an area where
they are definitely released. I agree completely with Dennis
that the 2 sites he mentioned hold reproducing pheasants.
Another place that did (and probably still does) is the
Manresa power plant property in Norwalk, but access there
now is essentially nonexistent. There are probably some
other places as well...

I heard Ring-necked Pheasant a few years ago at Silver Sands State Park in Milford. The sound came from the fenced-in landfill area, which seems an unlikely place to be stocked. The most obviously non-wild ones I've seen were at the Stevenson Dam in Monroe, feeding on the edge of the parking lot next to the power station, and on down the slope to the river. They were about as clueless as the Northern Bobwhite I once had in the parking lot of the Kellog Center at Osbornedale State Park in Derby.

Roy Harvey
Beacon Falls, CT

--- On Wed, 3/10/10, Greg Hanisek <ghanisek@rep-am.com> wrote: > By coincidence I heard one calling > today as well, in farmland in Watertown, in an area where > they are definitely released. I agree completely with Dennis > that the 2 sites he mentioned hold reproducing pheasants. > Another place that did (and probably still does) is the > Manresa power plant property in Norwalk, but access there > now is essentially nonexistent. There are probably some > other places as well... I heard Ring-necked Pheasant a few years ago at Silver Sands State Park in Milford. The sound came from the fenced-in landfill area, which seems an unlikely place to be stocked. The most obviously non-wild ones I've seen were at the Stevenson Dam in Monroe, feeding on the edge of the parking lot next to the power station, and on down the slope to the river. They were about as clueless as the Northern Bobwhite I once had in the parking lot of the Kellog Center at Osbornedale State Park in Derby. Roy Harvey Beacon Falls, CT

JT

James Taylor

Thu, Mar 11, 2010 1:37 AM

hello Dennis - as you may know (or not).... I'm a Coventry native who
now lives in Boston. Sooo... Whenever I'm in CT I try to do some
birding.... my experiences in the last couple years have been the
following -

cut corn field on corner of North River Rd and Rt 44 in North
Coventy - right at the corner where the glass factory museum is -
12/27/08 - 5 males
I've noticed them there before and/or after but have no notes ...
there's a hunting club I believe down on Merrow Rd but that's a bit
away from this site, whether they're released or not, I have no idea.
James Taylor

On 3/10/10, Dennis Varza dennisvz@optonline.net wrote:

Hi Folks

Today I had my first Ring-necked calling from the Pine Creek Open
Space in Fairfield.

The Ring-necked Pheasant is a misfit in Connecticut. It is an
introduced species that is found every year, but its status is
problematical. Hundreds are released each year by gun clubs and many
survive until spring. The question is, is the species established
like the Starling or Rock Pigeon, or is its survival due to the
continued replenishment each year?

At Pine Creek in Fairfield and Seaside Park in Bridgeport I'm sure
they are self sustaining populations. But what about the rest of the
state? I would like to get reports of birds to get a handle on their
distribution and would like to hear any judgments as to wether they
are released birds or not. This is the best time of year to find them
since they have a distinctive call.

Thank You

Dennis Varza

This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org

hello Dennis - as you may know (or not).... I'm a Coventry native who now lives in Boston. Sooo... Whenever I'm in CT I try to do some birding.... my experiences in the last couple years have been the following - - cut corn field on corner of North River Rd and Rt 44 in North Coventy - right at the corner where the glass factory museum is - 12/27/08 - 5 males - I've noticed them there before and/or after but have no notes ... there's a hunting club I believe down on Merrow Rd but that's a bit away from this site, whether they're released or not, I have no idea. James Taylor On 3/10/10, Dennis Varza <dennisvz@optonline.net> wrote: > Hi Folks > > Today I had my first Ring-necked calling from the Pine Creek Open > Space in Fairfield. > > The Ring-necked Pheasant is a misfit in Connecticut. It is an > introduced species that is found every year, but its status is > problematical. Hundreds are released each year by gun clubs and many > survive until spring. The question is, is the species established > like the Starling or Rock Pigeon, or is its survival due to the > continued replenishment each year? > > At Pine Creek in Fairfield and Seaside Park in Bridgeport I'm sure > they are self sustaining populations. But what about the rest of the > state? I would like to get reports of birds to get a handle on their > distribution and would like to hear any judgments as to wether they > are released birds or not. This is the best time of year to find them > since they have a distinctive call. > > > Thank You > > Dennis Varza > > > > > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) > for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit > http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org >

FP

Fusco, Paul

Thu, Mar 11, 2010 2:06 PM

About ten years ago I came across a hen pheasant with young chicks at Bear Hill WMA in Bozrah.

Paul

Paul J. Fusco
Environmental Analyst/Photographer
CT DEP Wildlife Division

-----Original Message-----
From: ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org [mailto:ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org] On Behalf Of Boletebill
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 6:49 PM
To: Dennis Varza; Greg Hanisek
Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants

Just out of curiousity does anyone know of a report in CT of Pheasants with young in the past decade? I assume that some areas of the State have hold-over populations because of good habitat and little hunting pressure but I've never heard wild young birds reported. Anybody?

Bill Yule

"For those who hunger after the earthly excrescences called mushrooms."

--- On Wed, 3/10/10, Greg Hanisek ghanisek@rep-am.com wrote:

From: Greg Hanisek ghanisek@rep-am.com
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants
To: "Dennis Varza" dennisvz@optonline.net
Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 6:26 PM

By coincidence I heard one calling today as well, in farmland in Watertown, in an area where they are definitely released. I agree completely with Dennis that the 2 sites he mentioned hold reproducing pheasants. Another place that did (and probably still does) is the Manresa power plant property in Norwalk, but access there now is essentially nonexistent. There are probably some other places as well, but when you get out into open farmland it's probably impossible to separate breeders (if there are any) from released birds.

Greg Hanisek
Waterbury

----- Original Message ----- From: "Dennis Varza" dennisvz@optonline.net
To: "Posting Bird List" ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 4:23 PM
Subject: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants

Hi Folks

Today I had my first Ring-necked calling from the Pine Creek Open Space in Fairfield.

The Ring-necked Pheasant is a misfit in Connecticut. It is an introduced species that is found every year, but its status is problematical. Hundreds are released each year by gun clubs and many survive until spring. The question is, is the species established like the Starling or Rock Pigeon, or is its survival due to the continued replenishment each year?

At Pine Creek in Fairfield and Seaside Park in Bridgeport I'm sure they are self sustaining populations. But what about the rest of the state? I would like to get reports of birds to get a handle on their distribution and would like to hear any judgments as to wether they are released birds or not. This is the best time of year to find them since they have a distinctive call.

Thank You

Dennis Varza

This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org

About ten years ago I came across a hen pheasant with young chicks at Bear Hill WMA in Bozrah. Paul Paul J. Fusco Environmental Analyst/Photographer CT DEP Wildlife Division -----Original Message----- From: ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org [mailto:ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org] On Behalf Of Boletebill Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 6:49 PM To: Dennis Varza; Greg Hanisek Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants Just out of curiousity does anyone know of a report in CT of Pheasants with young in the past decade? I assume that some areas of the State have hold-over populations because of good habitat and little hunting pressure but I've never heard wild young birds reported. Anybody? Bill Yule "For those who hunger after the earthly excrescences called mushrooms." --- On Wed, 3/10/10, Greg Hanisek <ghanisek@rep-am.com> wrote: From: Greg Hanisek <ghanisek@rep-am.com> Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants To: "Dennis Varza" <dennisvz@optonline.net> Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 6:26 PM By coincidence I heard one calling today as well, in farmland in Watertown, in an area where they are definitely released. I agree completely with Dennis that the 2 sites he mentioned hold reproducing pheasants. Another place that did (and probably still does) is the Manresa power plant property in Norwalk, but access there now is essentially nonexistent. There are probably some other places as well, but when you get out into open farmland it's probably impossible to separate breeders (if there are any) from released birds. Greg Hanisek Waterbury ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dennis Varza" <dennisvz@optonline.net> To: "Posting Bird List" <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 4:23 PM Subject: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants > Hi Folks > > Today I had my first Ring-necked calling from the Pine Creek Open Space in Fairfield. > > The Ring-necked Pheasant is a misfit in Connecticut. It is an introduced species that is found every year, but its status is problematical. Hundreds are released each year by gun clubs and many survive until spring. The question is, is the species established like the Starling or Rock Pigeon, or is its survival due to the continued replenishment each year? > > At Pine Creek in Fairfield and Seaside Park in Bridgeport I'm sure they are self sustaining populations. But what about the rest of the state? I would like to get reports of birds to get a handle on their distribution and would like to hear any judgments as to wether they are released birds or not. This is the best time of year to find them since they have a distinctive call. > > > Thank You > > Dennis Varza > > > > > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > > _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org

GH

Greg Hanisek

Thu, Mar 11, 2010 10:10 PM

The points made about few if any sightings of young are good ones. From
personal experience I'm convinced pheasants are reproducing at the old
landfill at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, based on sightings over many years,
including this year. I have seen males and females. I haven't seen a brood,
but there's a very good reason for that. I don't bird the park at the time
of year when young would be present. That's probably the case for a few
similar sites that may hold breeding pheasants. At Seaside, a toll booth
opens at some point for beach access, and the landfill is accessed the same
way. Also, I've seen pheasants there rather casually by birding surrounding
habitats. Actually walking up onto the landfill involves bad footing through
thick vegetation. I once was on the "mainland" and watched a pheasant fly
off the landfill, across the channel and into a yard near Captain's Cove.
Anyway, if you go to Seaside often enough you'll eventually see a pheasant
without really trying.

I've also seen hen pheasants in spots where I would think the species exists
mainly via stocking. I don't know how they get there. I've seen a
road-killed hen on I-84 within the Waterbury city limits.

Greg Hanisek
Waterbury

----- Original Message -----
From: "Fusco, Paul" Paul.Fusco@ct.gov
To: "Boletebill" boletebill@yahoo.com; "Dennis Varza"
dennisvz@optonline.net; "Greg Hanisek" ghanisek@rep-am.com
Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 9:06 AM
Subject: RE: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants

About ten years ago I came across a hen pheasant with young chicks at Bear
Hill WMA in Bozrah.

Paul

Paul J. Fusco
Environmental Analyst/Photographer
CT DEP Wildlife Division

-----Original Message-----
From: ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org
[mailto:ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org] On Behalf Of Boletebill
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 6:49 PM
To: Dennis Varza; Greg Hanisek
Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants

Just out of curiousity does anyone know of a report in CT of Pheasants with
young in the past decade? I assume that some areas of the State have
hold-over populations because of good habitat and little hunting pressure
but I've never heard wild young birds reported. Anybody?

Bill Yule

"For those who hunger after the earthly excrescences called mushrooms."

--- On Wed, 3/10/10, Greg Hanisek ghanisek@rep-am.com wrote:

From: Greg Hanisek ghanisek@rep-am.com
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants
To: "Dennis Varza" dennisvz@optonline.net
Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 6:26 PM

By coincidence I heard one calling today as well, in farmland in Watertown,
in an area where they are definitely released. I agree completely with
Dennis that the 2 sites he mentioned hold reproducing pheasants. Another
place that did (and probably still does) is the Manresa power plant property
in Norwalk, but access there now is essentially nonexistent. There are
probably some other places as well, but when you get out into open farmland
it's probably impossible to separate breeders (if there are any) from
released birds.

Greg Hanisek
Waterbury

----- Original Message ----- From: "Dennis Varza" dennisvz@optonline.net
To: "Posting Bird List" ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 4:23 PM
Subject: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants

Hi Folks

Today I had my first Ring-necked calling from the Pine Creek Open Space in
Fairfield.

The Ring-necked Pheasant is a misfit in Connecticut. It is an introduced
species that is found every year, but its status is problematical.
Hundreds are released each year by gun clubs and many survive until
spring. The question is, is the species established like the Starling or
Rock Pigeon, or is its survival due to the continued replenishment each
year?

At Pine Creek in Fairfield and Seaside Park in Bridgeport I'm sure they
are self sustaining populations. But what about the rest of the state? I
would like to get reports of birds to get a handle on their distribution
and would like to hear any judgments as to wether they are released birds
or not. This is the best time of year to find them since they have a
distinctive call.

Thank You

Dennis Varza

This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org

The points made about few if any sightings of young are good ones. From personal experience I'm convinced pheasants are reproducing at the old landfill at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, based on sightings over many years, including this year. I have seen males and females. I haven't seen a brood, but there's a very good reason for that. I don't bird the park at the time of year when young would be present. That's probably the case for a few similar sites that may hold breeding pheasants. At Seaside, a toll booth opens at some point for beach access, and the landfill is accessed the same way. Also, I've seen pheasants there rather casually by birding surrounding habitats. Actually walking up onto the landfill involves bad footing through thick vegetation. I once was on the "mainland" and watched a pheasant fly off the landfill, across the channel and into a yard near Captain's Cove. Anyway, if you go to Seaside often enough you'll eventually see a pheasant without really trying. I've also seen hen pheasants in spots where I would think the species exists mainly via stocking. I don't know how they get there. I've seen a road-killed hen on I-84 within the Waterbury city limits. Greg Hanisek Waterbury ----- Original Message ----- From: "Fusco, Paul" <Paul.Fusco@ct.gov> To: "Boletebill" <boletebill@yahoo.com>; "Dennis Varza" <dennisvz@optonline.net>; "Greg Hanisek" <ghanisek@rep-am.com> Cc: <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 9:06 AM Subject: RE: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants About ten years ago I came across a hen pheasant with young chicks at Bear Hill WMA in Bozrah. Paul Paul J. Fusco Environmental Analyst/Photographer CT DEP Wildlife Division -----Original Message----- From: ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org [mailto:ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org] On Behalf Of Boletebill Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 6:49 PM To: Dennis Varza; Greg Hanisek Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants Just out of curiousity does anyone know of a report in CT of Pheasants with young in the past decade? I assume that some areas of the State have hold-over populations because of good habitat and little hunting pressure but I've never heard wild young birds reported. Anybody? Bill Yule "For those who hunger after the earthly excrescences called mushrooms." --- On Wed, 3/10/10, Greg Hanisek <ghanisek@rep-am.com> wrote: From: Greg Hanisek <ghanisek@rep-am.com> Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants To: "Dennis Varza" <dennisvz@optonline.net> Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 6:26 PM By coincidence I heard one calling today as well, in farmland in Watertown, in an area where they are definitely released. I agree completely with Dennis that the 2 sites he mentioned hold reproducing pheasants. Another place that did (and probably still does) is the Manresa power plant property in Norwalk, but access there now is essentially nonexistent. There are probably some other places as well, but when you get out into open farmland it's probably impossible to separate breeders (if there are any) from released birds. Greg Hanisek Waterbury ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dennis Varza" <dennisvz@optonline.net> To: "Posting Bird List" <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 4:23 PM Subject: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants > Hi Folks > > Today I had my first Ring-necked calling from the Pine Creek Open Space in > Fairfield. > > The Ring-necked Pheasant is a misfit in Connecticut. It is an introduced > species that is found every year, but its status is problematical. > Hundreds are released each year by gun clubs and many survive until > spring. The question is, is the species established like the Starling or > Rock Pigeon, or is its survival due to the continued replenishment each > year? > > At Pine Creek in Fairfield and Seaside Park in Bridgeport I'm sure they > are self sustaining populations. But what about the rest of the state? I > would like to get reports of birds to get a handle on their distribution > and would like to hear any judgments as to wether they are released birds > or not. This is the best time of year to find them since they have a > distinctive call. > > > Thank You > > Dennis Varza > > > > > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) > for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit > http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > > _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org

PB

PATRICIA BAILEY

Fri, Mar 12, 2010 5:10 PM

About 12 years ago, I was driving in downtown Stamford and I thought I saw a
dead beagle lying in the middle of the road. It turned out to be a
pheasant. The poor guy was either entering or leaving an old cemetery
(assumed he got hit by a car or truck), near the corner of North Street and
Franklin Street. About a block from the Dairy Queen on Summer Street.
He's now hanging up on my living room wall.
Pat Bailey
Sherman, CT

-----Original Message-----
From: ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org
[mailto:ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org] On Behalf Of Greg Hanisek
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 5:10 PM
To: Fusco, Paul
Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants

The points made about few if any sightings of young are good ones. From
personal experience I'm convinced pheasants are reproducing at the old
landfill at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, based on sightings over many years,
including this year. I have seen males and females. I haven't seen a brood,
but there's a very good reason for that. I don't bird the park at the time
of year when young would be present. That's probably the case for a few
similar sites that may hold breeding pheasants. At Seaside, a toll booth
opens at some point for beach access, and the landfill is accessed the same
way. Also, I've seen pheasants there rather casually by birding surrounding
habitats. Actually walking up onto the landfill involves bad footing through

thick vegetation. I once was on the "mainland" and watched a pheasant fly
off the landfill, across the channel and into a yard near Captain's Cove.
Anyway, if you go to Seaside often enough you'll eventually see a pheasant
without really trying.

I've also seen hen pheasants in spots where I would think the species exists

mainly via stocking. I don't know how they get there. I've seen a
road-killed hen on I-84 within the Waterbury city limits.

Greg Hanisek
Waterbury

----- Original Message -----
From: "Fusco, Paul" Paul.Fusco@ct.gov
To: "Boletebill" boletebill@yahoo.com; "Dennis Varza"
dennisvz@optonline.net; "Greg Hanisek" ghanisek@rep-am.com
Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 9:06 AM
Subject: RE: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants

About ten years ago I came across a hen pheasant with young chicks at Bear
Hill WMA in Bozrah.

Paul

Paul J. Fusco
Environmental Analyst/Photographer
CT DEP Wildlife Division

-----Original Message-----
From: ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org
[mailto:ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org] On Behalf Of Boletebill
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 6:49 PM
To: Dennis Varza; Greg Hanisek
Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants

Just out of curiousity does anyone know of a report in CT of Pheasants with
young in the past decade? I assume that some areas of the State have
hold-over populations because of good habitat and little hunting pressure
but I've never heard wild young birds reported. Anybody?

Bill Yule

"For those who hunger after the earthly excrescences called mushrooms."

--- On Wed, 3/10/10, Greg Hanisek ghanisek@rep-am.com wrote:

From: Greg Hanisek ghanisek@rep-am.com
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants
To: "Dennis Varza" dennisvz@optonline.net
Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 6:26 PM

By coincidence I heard one calling today as well, in farmland in Watertown,
in an area where they are definitely released. I agree completely with
Dennis that the 2 sites he mentioned hold reproducing pheasants. Another
place that did (and probably still does) is the Manresa power plant property

in Norwalk, but access there now is essentially nonexistent. There are
probably some other places as well, but when you get out into open farmland
it's probably impossible to separate breeders (if there are any) from
released birds.

Greg Hanisek
Waterbury

----- Original Message ----- From: "Dennis Varza" dennisvz@optonline.net
To: "Posting Bird List" ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 4:23 PM
Subject: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants

Hi Folks

Today I had my first Ring-necked calling from the Pine Creek Open Space in

Fairfield.

The Ring-necked Pheasant is a misfit in Connecticut. It is an introduced
species that is found every year, but its status is problematical.
Hundreds are released each year by gun clubs and many survive until
spring. The question is, is the species established like the Starling or
Rock Pigeon, or is its survival due to the continued replenishment each
year?

At Pine Creek in Fairfield and Seaside Park in Bridgeport I'm sure they
are self sustaining populations. But what about the rest of the state? I
would like to get reports of birds to get a handle on their distribution
and would like to hear any judgments as to wether they are released birds
or not. This is the best time of year to find them since they have a
distinctive call.

Thank You

Dennis Varza

This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org

About 12 years ago, I was driving in downtown Stamford and I thought I saw a dead beagle lying in the middle of the road. It turned out to be a pheasant. The poor guy was either entering or leaving an old cemetery (assumed he got hit by a car or truck), near the corner of North Street and Franklin Street. About a block from the Dairy Queen on Summer Street. He's now hanging up on my living room wall. Pat Bailey Sherman, CT -----Original Message----- From: ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org [mailto:ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org] On Behalf Of Greg Hanisek Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 5:10 PM To: Fusco, Paul Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants The points made about few if any sightings of young are good ones. From personal experience I'm convinced pheasants are reproducing at the old landfill at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, based on sightings over many years, including this year. I have seen males and females. I haven't seen a brood, but there's a very good reason for that. I don't bird the park at the time of year when young would be present. That's probably the case for a few similar sites that may hold breeding pheasants. At Seaside, a toll booth opens at some point for beach access, and the landfill is accessed the same way. Also, I've seen pheasants there rather casually by birding surrounding habitats. Actually walking up onto the landfill involves bad footing through thick vegetation. I once was on the "mainland" and watched a pheasant fly off the landfill, across the channel and into a yard near Captain's Cove. Anyway, if you go to Seaside often enough you'll eventually see a pheasant without really trying. I've also seen hen pheasants in spots where I would think the species exists mainly via stocking. I don't know how they get there. I've seen a road-killed hen on I-84 within the Waterbury city limits. Greg Hanisek Waterbury ----- Original Message ----- From: "Fusco, Paul" <Paul.Fusco@ct.gov> To: "Boletebill" <boletebill@yahoo.com>; "Dennis Varza" <dennisvz@optonline.net>; "Greg Hanisek" <ghanisek@rep-am.com> Cc: <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 9:06 AM Subject: RE: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants About ten years ago I came across a hen pheasant with young chicks at Bear Hill WMA in Bozrah. Paul Paul J. Fusco Environmental Analyst/Photographer CT DEP Wildlife Division -----Original Message----- From: ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org [mailto:ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org] On Behalf Of Boletebill Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 6:49 PM To: Dennis Varza; Greg Hanisek Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants Just out of curiousity does anyone know of a report in CT of Pheasants with young in the past decade? I assume that some areas of the State have hold-over populations because of good habitat and little hunting pressure but I've never heard wild young birds reported. Anybody? Bill Yule "For those who hunger after the earthly excrescences called mushrooms." --- On Wed, 3/10/10, Greg Hanisek <ghanisek@rep-am.com> wrote: From: Greg Hanisek <ghanisek@rep-am.com> Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants To: "Dennis Varza" <dennisvz@optonline.net> Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 6:26 PM By coincidence I heard one calling today as well, in farmland in Watertown, in an area where they are definitely released. I agree completely with Dennis that the 2 sites he mentioned hold reproducing pheasants. Another place that did (and probably still does) is the Manresa power plant property in Norwalk, but access there now is essentially nonexistent. There are probably some other places as well, but when you get out into open farmland it's probably impossible to separate breeders (if there are any) from released birds. Greg Hanisek Waterbury ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dennis Varza" <dennisvz@optonline.net> To: "Posting Bird List" <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 4:23 PM Subject: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants > Hi Folks > > Today I had my first Ring-necked calling from the Pine Creek Open Space in > Fairfield. > > The Ring-necked Pheasant is a misfit in Connecticut. It is an introduced > species that is found every year, but its status is problematical. > Hundreds are released each year by gun clubs and many survive until > spring. The question is, is the species established like the Starling or > Rock Pigeon, or is its survival due to the continued replenishment each > year? > > At Pine Creek in Fairfield and Seaside Park in Bridgeport I'm sure they > are self sustaining populations. But what about the rest of the state? I > would like to get reports of birds to get a handle on their distribution > and would like to hear any judgments as to wether they are released birds > or not. This is the best time of year to find them since they have a > distinctive call. > > > Thank You > > Dennis Varza > > > > > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) > for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit > http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > > _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org

BA

Bill Asteriades

Fri, Mar 12, 2010 11:16 PM

Some more info on Ring-necked Pheasants. I spoke with my barber today who
has been hunting Pheasant for 40+ years in CT. When asked if he has seen
any Pheasant chicks in CT, he stated "all the time". One area mentioned was
in South Windsor where they hunt stocked Pheasants (I believe just south of
Station 43). He said that he shoots both stocked and native Pheasants in CT
and can mainly tell the difference by the beak. Typically, the beak is
deformed from debeaking or has a hole in it from blinders since the game
bird farm owners want to protect the Pheasants from pecking at each other.

Sure seems that there are more nonstocked Pheasants than originally thought.

Bill Asteriades

Some more info on Ring-necked Pheasants. I spoke with my barber today who has been hunting Pheasant for 40+ years in CT. When asked if he has seen any Pheasant chicks in CT, he stated "all the time". One area mentioned was in South Windsor where they hunt stocked Pheasants (I believe just south of Station 43). He said that he shoots both stocked and native Pheasants in CT and can mainly tell the difference by the beak. Typically, the beak is deformed from debeaking or has a hole in it from blinders since the game bird farm owners want to protect the Pheasants from pecking at each other. Sure seems that there are more nonstocked Pheasants than originally thought. Bill Asteriades

JS

Jack Swatt

Sat, Mar 13, 2010 1:43 AM

Back in the mid 90's I had a brood of Ringneck Pheasants with their parents (male and female) as well as a brood of Turkeys (with the hen) walk through my yard at the same time. I live near Bristol Fish and Game and they regularly stock with Ringneck as well as other species of pheasants. I always get a variety of pheasants at my feeders in the fall and one year I even had a Chukar running through the yard. But come springtime there is always a lot of crowing going on, so it would be hard to tell if the young were from a sustaining population or from the ones that got lucky the prior hunting season.

Jack Swatt
Wolcott

--- On Wed, 3/10/10, Boletebill boletebill@yahoo.com wrote:

From: Boletebill boletebill@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants
To: "Dennis Varza" dennisvz@optonline.net, "Greg Hanisek" ghanisek@rep-am.com
Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 6:48 PM

Just out of curiousity does anyone know of a report in CT of Pheasants with young in the past decade? I assume that some areas of the State have hold-over populations because of good habitat and little hunting pressure but I've never heard wild young birds reported. Anybody?

Bill Yule

"For those who hunger after the earthly excrescences called mushrooms."

--- On Wed, 3/10/10, Greg Hanisek ghanisek@rep-am.com wrote:

From: Greg Hanisek ghanisek@rep-am.com
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants
To: "Dennis Varza" dennisvz@optonline.net
Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 6:26 PM

By coincidence I heard one calling today as well, in farmland in Watertown, in an area where they are definitely released. I agree completely with Dennis that the 2 sites he mentioned hold reproducing pheasants. Another place that did (and probably still does) is the Manresa power plant property in Norwalk, but access there now is essentially nonexistent. There are probably some other places as well, but when you get out into open farmland it's probably impossible to separate breeders (if there are any) from released birds.

Greg Hanisek
Waterbury

----- Original Message ----- From: "Dennis Varza" dennisvz@optonline.net
To: "Posting Bird List" ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 4:23 PM
Subject: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants

Hi Folks

Today I had my first Ring-necked calling from the Pine Creek Open Space in Fairfield.

The Ring-necked Pheasant is a misfit in Connecticut. It is an introduced species that is found every year, but its status is problematical. Hundreds are released each year by gun clubs and many survive until spring. The question is, is the species established like the Starling or Rock Pigeon, or is its survival due to the continued replenishment each year?

At Pine Creek in Fairfield and Seaside Park in Bridgeport I'm sure they are self sustaining populations. But what about the rest of the state? I would like to get reports of birds to get a handle on their distribution and would like to hear any judgments as to wether they are released birds or not. This is the best time of year to find them since they have a distinctive call.

Thank You

Dennis Varza

This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org

Back in the mid 90's I had a brood of Ringneck Pheasants with their parents (male and female) as well as a brood of Turkeys (with the hen) walk through my yard at the same time. I live near Bristol Fish and Game and they regularly stock with Ringneck as well as other species of pheasants. I always get a variety of pheasants at my feeders in the fall and one year I even had a Chukar running through the yard. But come springtime there is always a lot of crowing going on, so it would be hard to tell if the young were from a sustaining population or from the ones that got lucky the prior hunting season. Jack Swatt Wolcott --- On Wed, 3/10/10, Boletebill <boletebill@yahoo.com> wrote: From: Boletebill <boletebill@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants To: "Dennis Varza" <dennisvz@optonline.net>, "Greg Hanisek" <ghanisek@rep-am.com> Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 6:48 PM Just out of curiousity does anyone know of a report in CT of Pheasants with young in the past decade? I assume that some areas of the State have hold-over populations because of good habitat and little hunting pressure but I've never heard wild young birds reported. Anybody? Bill Yule "For those who hunger after the earthly excrescences called mushrooms." --- On Wed, 3/10/10, Greg Hanisek <ghanisek@rep-am.com> wrote: From: Greg Hanisek <ghanisek@rep-am.com> Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants To: "Dennis Varza" <dennisvz@optonline.net> Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 6:26 PM By coincidence I heard one calling today as well, in farmland in Watertown, in an area where they are definitely released. I agree completely with Dennis that the 2 sites he mentioned hold reproducing pheasants. Another place that did (and probably still does) is the Manresa power plant property in Norwalk, but access there now is essentially nonexistent. There are probably some other places as well, but when you get out into open farmland it's probably impossible to separate breeders (if there are any) from released birds. Greg Hanisek Waterbury ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dennis Varza" <dennisvz@optonline.net> To: "Posting Bird List" <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 4:23 PM Subject: [CT Birds] Ring-necked Pheasants > Hi Folks > > Today I had my first Ring-necked calling from the Pine Creek Open Space in Fairfield. > > The Ring-necked Pheasant is a misfit in Connecticut. It is an introduced species that is found every year, but its status is problematical. Hundreds are released each year by gun clubs and many survive until spring. The question is, is the species established like the Starling or Rock Pigeon, or is its survival due to the continued replenishment each year? > > At Pine Creek in Fairfield and Seaside Park in Bridgeport I'm sure they are self sustaining populations. But what about the rest of the state? I would like to get reports of birds to get a handle on their distribution and would like to hear any judgments as to wether they are released birds or not. This is the best time of year to find them since they have a distinctive call. > > > Thank You > > Dennis Varza > > > > > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > > _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org