Shotgun Hunting Season for Turkey Runs Oct. 7 – Oct. 31 in Lyme Preserves

by | Oct 2, 2023 | Announcements, Hunting

Shotgun hunting season for turkey begins Oct. 7 and runs through Oct. 31, with hunting permitted Monday through Thursday in the following preserves:

  • Beebe Preserve
  • Chestnut Hill Preserve
  • Eno Preserve
  • Hilles Preserve (West and East)
  • Johnston Preserve
  • Mount Archer Woods
  • Plimpton Preserve
  • Slawson Preserve

The preserves, which are owned by the Lyme Land Trust or the Town of Lyme, will remain open to everyone during firearm hunting season for turkey.  Please note that during this time no hunting is allowed in these preserves Saturday or Sunday, but hunting may be allowed on adjacent State and private land every day.

Hikers and other residents are encouraged to practice caution and wear bright colors in all the preserves during this year’s hunting seasons – which run from Sep. 15, 2023, through Jan. 31, 2024 – as adjacent public and private lands may allow hunting.

Permits for hunting in these preserves are granted by the Town of Lyme Open Space Coordinator each year to a limited number of licensed hunters. The hunting program for this year is fully subscribed. (For more information on hunting programs and seasons, go here.)

Area Mosquitos Test Positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus & West Nile Virus

by | Sep 19, 2023 | Announcements

The Ledge Light Health District (LLHD) announced today that mosquitoes collected in Stonington on Sep. 11 have tested positive for the Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus and the West Nile virus – and mosquitoes collected in Ledyard on Sep. 13 have tested positive for the West Nile virus (WNV).  In both cases, the positive mosquito was culesta melanura, which is known to primarily bite birds, but has also been known to bit mammals.

Previously this summer, mosquitoes from North Stonington (Aug. 21), Waterford (Aug. 23) and Lyme (Sep. 6) tested positive for WNV. Positive EEE and WNV mosquitoes are normally expected during the summer months and their presence serves as a reminder for residents to take standard precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

Precautions to avoid mosquito bites:

  • Minimize time outdoors at dusk and dawn.
  • Be sure door and window screens are tight fitting and in good repair.
  • While outdoors, wear shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Clothing material should be tightly woven.
  • Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors.
  • Consider using mosquito repellent when it is necessary to be outdoors and always use them according to label instructions. The most effective repellents contain DEET or Picaridin. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is also effective for brief periods of exposure.
  • When using DEET, use the lowest concentration effective for the time spent outdoors (for example, 6% lasts approximately 2 hours and 20% for 4 hours); and wash treated skin when returning indoors. Do not apply under clothing, to wounds or irritated skin, to the hands of children or to infants less than 2 months.

Measures to reduce mosquitoes around the home:

  • Dispose of water-holding containers, such as ceramic pots, used tires and tire swings.
  • Drill holes in the bottom of other containers, such as those used for recycling.
  • Clean clogged roof gutters.
  • Turn over objects that may trap water when not in use, such as wading pools and wheelbarrows.
  • Change water in bird baths on a weekly basis.
  • Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, and cover pools when not in use.
  • Use landscaping to eliminate areas where water can collect on your property.

Additional resources for mosquito management can be found here.

 

Upcoming Land Trust Programs & Activities in September

by | Sep 18, 2023 | Announcements, Community Events

The Lyme Land Trust (LLT) is offering the following programs and activities during the month of September (and early October).  Registration is required for most activities.  For the complete details on any program or event, please go here.

Tuesday Treks
Weekly walks through different Town preserves will be offered on Tuesday mornings.  For full details, go here.

Saturday, Sep. 23, 9:30 a.m.
Autumn Equinox Forest Bathing with Regan Stacey
This forest bathing excursion in the Banningwood Preserve led by local environmentalist and artist Regan Stacey is designed to nourish the mind, body and spirit.  Registration is required. The cost is $33 per person; LLT members receive a 15% discount with code LLT15.  To register, go here. For full details, go here.

Saturday, Sep. 23, 2:00 p.m.
Hands-On Native Pollinator Gardening
Join others at the corner of Old Hamburg Road and Route 156 to help install native plants in a plot of land that is being controlled to eradicate invasive Japanese knotweed – and receive a native plant to take home and plant. To register, send an email to openspace@townlyme.org. For full details, go here.

Wednesday, Sep. 27, 5:00 p.m.
September Walk with Photographer Joe Standart
Enjoy the beautiful light of a September sunset with award-winning photographer Joe Standart as part of the Imagining Lyme photography program.  To register, send an email to education@lymelandtrust.org. For full details, go here.

Saturday, Sep. 30, 10:00 a.m.
Fungal Ecology Walk with Bill Yule
Naturalist and amateur mycologist Bill Yule leads a walk where participants will gather, identify and discuss locally found mushrooms. To register, send an email to education@lymelandtrust.org. For full details, go here.

Sunday, Oct. 1, 12:00 p.m.
Tour of New Gardens at Gillette Castle with Caitlin Vickers
Caitlin Vickers – a member of the Lyme Pollinator Pathway and a co-designer of the Gillette Castle’s new gardens – leads a tour of these gardens which feature native plants beneficial to pollinators and other wildlife. The tour starts at noon. Participants are also welcome to come an hour early (11:00 a.m.) and help weed the gardens. To register, send an email to education@lymelandtrust.org. For full details, go here.

Mosquitoes in Lyme Test Positive for West Nile Virus

by | Sep 14, 2023 | Announcements

The Ledge Light Health District (LLHD) announced today that mosquitoes collected in Lyme on Sep. 6 have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). The positive mosquito, culex restuans, is known to bite birds and mammals.

Previously this summer, mosquitoes from North Stonington (Aug. 21) and Waterford (Aug. 23) tested positive for the virus. Positive WNV mosquitoes are normally expected during the summer months and their presence serves as a reminder for residents to take standard precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

Precautions to avoid mosquito bites:

  • Minimize time outdoors at dusk and dawn.
  • Be sure door and window screens are tight fitting and in good repair.
  • While outdoors, wear shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Clothing material should be tightly woven.
  • Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors.
  • Consider using mosquito repellent when it is necessary to be outdoors and always use them according to label instructions. The most effective repellents contain DEET or Picaridin. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is also effective for brief periods of exposure.
  • When using DEET, use the lowest concentration effective for the time spent outdoors (for example, 6% lasts approximately 2 hours and 20% for 4 hours); and wash treated skin when returning indoors. Do not apply under clothing, to wounds or irritated skin, to the hands of children or to infants less than 2 months.

Measures to reduce mosquitoes around the home:

  • Dispose of water-holding containers, such as ceramic pots, used tires and tire swings.
  • Drill holes in the bottom of other containers, such as those used for recycling.
  • Clean clogged roof gutters.
  • Turn over objects that may trap water when not in use, such as wading pools and wheelbarrows.
  • Change water in bird baths on a weekly basis.
  • Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, and cover pools when not in use.
  • Use landscaping to eliminate areas where water can collect on your property.

Additional resources for information on the West Nile virus and mosquito management can be found here.