By: Paul Carrier

I was told many years ago about a piece of land situated in New Hartford that had a wonderful open area of fields and trees. Being an avid bird watcher I thought I would go see what this parcel of land was like. Since, I have visited these park lands often, and found them a jewel of open space for not only birds, but many forms of wildlife as well. The State of Connecticut has lost many valuable acres of open space lands through the years to development and reforestation, and any open spaces of land we have left are valued as prime important areas to conserve for the future of our States’ open space lands. Brodie Park South is one of these jewels.

A humming bird (?) in the meadow area, August 18, 2011

A most important aspect of these lands at Brodie Park are their uncut fields left to grow through the spring, summer and fall. By being so, the open uncut acres grow with vigor the essential plants that many species need to breed, feed and live in. Just to mention a few:

Butterflies of many species breed and feed here throughout the year.

Bees and other nectar feeding species – (of which there are so many) that are so important to pollination of wild, as well as domestically grown plants, trees and shrubs.

Birds – of which many are on the States’ endangered or special interest list.

7 Hawk species – (resident and migration) have been seen here utilizing this open areas for hunting of food, they are: Red-tailed hawk, Red-shouldered hawk, Broad-winged hawk, Goshawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Northern Harrier, Kestrel, Merlin, and once a rare Peregrine.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird – often utilize the abundant flowers that grow here.

Wild Turkey – Also feed in the fields eating insects and seeds.

Ruffed Grouse – an ever-endangered species here in CT, I have seen several times feeding at the wood edge to these fields.

Many species of Flycatchers and other bird species use these open spaces to feed from.

Eastern Meadowlark – a rare breeder here in Connecticut, was once seen here in the spring. Maybe one year a pair might nest here.

Bobolink – another rare breeder here in Connecticut, were seen here during fall migration, with hopes some day of attracting a pair to nest.

Eastern Bluebird – nests here each spring, with more boxes we might even see more.

Sparrows of many species nest and feed here in the fields for seeds. Some nest here such as-Song, Chipping, Field Sparrows.

Savannah Sparrow – another vanishing breeding species here in Connecticut, that I have seen here in the spring, with a possible nester in 2007.

In addition to the many unique species that live and breed at Brodie Park South, there is another group of species that utilize this valuable area during their migrations for food, safety and rest. The abundance of open field food crops here for wildlife, especially during the fall and winter seasons is most valuable. Some of the more interesting wintering or migratory bird species that I have seen here in the past are:

Saw-whet Owl – Over wintering in the numerous coniferous trees on the property. (Other resident Owl species winter in these trees here as well.)

Nighthawks -not a hawk, but a northern migrant bird that passes through here in the fall, that is often seen here flying about catching insects.

5 species of Swallows – often seen here in the fall and spring migration feeding on the wing for insects.

Both Crossbill species have been seen here in the winter eating from the abundant cone crop. Also Redpolls and Siskins seen eating from the tall weeds of the field.

The uncommon Lincoln’s Sparrow regularly passes through Connecticut in the fall and spring, and these open fields have attracted them to stop and feed every year. I saw 7 individuals here last fall in one day – a 50-year record for me here in Connecticut – previous was two!

Several years in a row, the rare Vesper Sparrow was seen here in the spring, with hopes of nesting here some year.

Also, the many acres of forested lands at Brodie Park South are also of much value to many forms of wildlife. But this is another story to be explored at another time.

I would like to suggest to the town of New Hartford, to try and see and appreciate the uniqueness and spectacular value of this piece of property, and to understand the necessity in keeping this property as it is. Your present plan to only mow the open wild fields only once a year is such a gift to the many animal, bird and plant species that utilize these vanishing open fields for food, to breed in and to feed the many forms of life that pass through here each year. Any change or future development to these lands would be a devastating blow to so many species and vanishing life forms that now inhabit these lands.

I personally consider these open fields a precious gift to not only the wildlife that live and feed here, but to the people who know their value as a place to see nature at its best, and have these acres to walk and enjoy as great open spaces that calm the mind, energize our senses and afford us the space to contemplate nature at its best.

A little about myself: I am 67 years old, have lived in Harwinton CT for over 35 years, and recently retired from the Advertising field as an Artist, Illustrator, Graphic designer. I am married with 2 children.

I have been a life member since 1972 of the Hartford Audubon Society, and have led many Birding field trips for this Organization. I also write articles about birds for the Hartford Audubon, plus the COA (CT Ornithological Association’s Journal and Newsletters). Through the years I have given many talks to interested groups on many subjects, including land preservation. My primary interests today is for the preservation of our vanishing open spaces, which are being lost at an alarming rate, adding many bird and other life forms to the States Endangered list.

A view of the meadows at Brodie South looking south, August 11, 2011

The meadow area bordering the interior field used for football practice, August 17, 2011

The meadow extends up to the bench overlooking the interior field, August 23, 2011

A view of the mowed meadow area alongside the interior field used for football practice, September 14, 2011