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Nature Center naturalist briefs commission on bird migration: plant natives, remove invasives, cut lights at night
Summary
Frank Gallo, senior naturalist at the New Canaan Nature Center, briefed the commission on bird migration and offered recommendations: favor native plantings, manage invasives gradually, reduce pesticide use, reduce nighttime lighting during migration windows, mitigate window collisions, and address outdoor-cat predation.
Frank Gallo, senior naturalist at the New Canaan Nature Center, briefed the Conservation Commission March 13 on bird migration patterns and local actions residents and the town can take to support migrating and breeding birds.
Gallo opened by urging native plantings: “One of the things anybody can do is plant native species,” he said, noting that native trees and shrubs support insect populations that breeding birds require. He used oaks as an example, saying they support a very large number of caterpillar species that in turn feed nestlings.
On invasive plants and property management, Gallo said removal must be staged and managed: removing all understory shrubs at once can temporarily remove cover and food and may displace species. He cited Asiatic bittersweet, porcelain berry and Japanese knotweed as invasive examples that are difficult to eradicate once established.
Gallo urged reducing pesticide use and increasing habitat value at edges, noting that many breeding birds depend on insects to raise young. He also described practical measures homeowners and institutions can take to reduce bird-window collisions and disorientation: use plantings placed sufficiently close to or far from glass to reduce fatal strikes, apply bird‑visible window treatments or ultraviolet markers, and participate in Lights Out measures at night. He recommended dimming or turning off unnecessary building lights during migration windows (spring and fall) to reduce disorientation and collisions.
On cats and predators, Gallo said outdoor cats are a significant source of bird mortality and urged consideration of keeping pet cats indoors during peak migration and breeding seasons.
He also noted funding and monitoring concerns for broader conservation efforts, referencing federal monitoring programs and the need for continued support for long‑term bird monitoring projects.
Commissioners and the Nature Center discussed creating a simple brochure or checklist for Bristow Sanctuary to help volunteers and maintenance crews identify and prioritize invasive species removal and native plantings. Gallo said he has been conducting surveys to establish baselines and recommended targeted stewardship that balances invasive removal with staged native plantings.
Next steps: the Nature Center will develop outreach materials for Bristow and the commission will consider coordination on invasive control, lighting, and habitat plantings in town-managed properties.
