Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Scoville Library talk outlines mixed bag for America’s birds

SALISBURY — Bird expert George E. Wallace said Connecticut’s bird population faces distinct challenges despite the overall growth in total forested area in the state. Wallace, recently retired from the American Bird Conservancy, spoke at the Scoville Memorial Library Thursday, Dec. 12 (sponsored by the Salisbury Association Land Trust).

Wallace gave some background, and without delving too deeply into the rise and fall of the iron industry in Salisbury and the Northwest Corner, noted that by the 1920s, when the industry ceased operations, most of the local forest was cut down for the charcoal needed for iron production. Wallace described this as “catastrophic deforestation.”

That means that the current forest, while extensive, grew back more or less all at once.

And the “new” forest has vulnerabilities, including invasive species, overbrowsing by deer, insects like the emerald ash borer and spongy moth, and diseases such as Dutch elm disease and American chestnut blight.

All of these elements combine into a very mixed bag of results for birds.

North America lost about 3 billion birds between 1970 and 2019, Wallace continued.

Specifically, 720 million (or three out of four) grassland birds, 500 million (nine out of 10) boreal forest birds, 2.5 million (two out of five) migratory birds, and 160 million (two out of five) aerial insectivores.

On the plus side, Wallace said raptors are doing well in North America, with some 15 million added, largely due to regulation of pesticide use and hunting.

There are 14 million more woodpeckers around than before, and 35 million waterfowl. Wallace pointed to hunting regulation and the activities of conservation groups such as Ducks Unlimited for the waterfowl increase.

Latest News

Sally Sterling Ellis Quale

Sally Sterling Ellis Quale

NORFOLK­ — Sally Sterling Ellis Quale, of Norfolk, Connecticut and St. Petersburg, Florida, formerly of Bronxville, New York, died unexpectedly of heart failure on July 7 at the age of 87.

Sally will be remembered for her deep commitment to her family and communities and for her warmth, kindness, intelligence, creativity …and, of course, for her beautiful smile and deliciously sweet sense of humor. She was a gentle leader, contributing her talents as a teacher, writer, musician, athlete and organizer.

Keep ReadingShow less

Dorothy McEnroe Casey

Dorothy McEnroe Casey

KENT­­ — Dorothy McEnroe Casey, 93, a longtime resident of Kent, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at New Milford Hospital in New Milford. Born on July 28, 1932 in Sharon, she was the daughter of the late Leo McEnroe, Sr. and Dorothy Belter McEnroe.

Mrs. Casey was a graduate of Amenia High School and a homemaker. On Dec. 1, 1951, at Immaculate Conception Church in Amenia, New York, she married John Finn Casey who died on April 17, 2006.

Keep ReadingShow less

Louise R. Black

Louise R. Black

MILLERTON — Louise R. Black, 86, born July 16, 1939, in Queens, New York, died on July 15, 2026, with her partner of 26 years, Mary Howard, by her side. She is also survived by her nephews David Black and Jason Black, and his wife, Kerri; and niece Tiffany Black and her husband, Shlomo Toledano.

After graduating from the University of North Carolina Women’s College and earning two master’s degrees, Louise taught physical education for 35 years at Scarsdale (NY) High School, chairing the department and serving as the first woman Athletic Director. An accomplished fencer, tennis player, and swimmer, Louise’s enduring fondness for sports included a love of the Brooklyn Dodgers, though she never quite recovered from their move to the West Coast.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Mary Simmons

Mary Simmons

MILLERTON — Mary Simmons, 96, a fifty‑six‑year resident of Millerton, New York, and formerly a lifelong native of College Point, Queens, New York, died peacefully on July 26, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Sharon, Connecticut. Mary devoted her life to her family; to know her was to love her.

Born July 15, 1930, in College Point, Queens, New York, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Sarah (Longo) Marano. On Oct. 26, 1952, in College Point, New York, she married Ray Daniel Simmons II. Their marriage lasted nearly sixty‑two years; Ray passed away on April 24, 2013. Mary was a longtime parishioner of St. Patrick’s and Immaculate Conception Churches, where she belonged to the Rosary Altar Society. For many years, she enjoyed spending winters in Florida with family and friends. Mary was famous for her Sunday macaroni dinners, which she lovingly prepared for her family and many dear friends throughout the years. All were welcomed, and it was always a packed house. Her greatest joy was spending time with her siblings, children, grandchildren, great‑grandchildren, and her large extended family. She will be deeply missed by all.

Keep ReadingShow less

Margaret Anita Layton

Margaret Anita Layton

STANFORDVILLE —Margaret Anita Layton passed away on April 30, 2026, after a recurring battle with cancer, surrounded by friends and loved ones. She was predeceased by her parents, Anita and Jack Egan, brother John P. Egan, III, and nephew Michael Egan. She leaves behind a brother, numerous nieces and a nephew, as well as a community of chosen sisters who loved her very much.

Margaret was born in the Bronx, New York, and moved to Clinton Corners as a small child. Margaret spent her adult life in Stanfordville, where she owned Margaret A. Layton, E.A. Tax and Business Consulting. Margaret was a lover of all animals and an avid horse enthusiast with an active presence in the draft horse community. Midge lived out loud. Her vibrancy left a mark that will never be forgotten and will be sorely missed.

Keep ReadingShow less

Join us for

Join us for


Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.