Research at the McLean Game Refuge
We are engaged in many research initiatives across the Game Refuge and work collaboratively with wildlife biologists, botanists, archaeologists, and forest scientists from a variety of universities and conservation organizations. If you are interested in conducting research at the Game Refuge, email Director Connor Hogan (connor.hogan@mcleancare.org).
Current Research
Beaver Dam Surveying
In June of 2026, we began surveying the Bissell Brook for beaver (Castor canadensis) activity. This project includes mapping dams and lodges throughout the stream, determining if they are currently being used, and taking various measurements of the dams and changes in water levels. We will use a variety of methods to determine beaver presence including dam & lodge identification, signs of feeding, trails/canals, footprints, droppings, and scent mounds. Trail cameras are also being used to monitor current activity. This study will give us insight into how beavers use the Game Refuge and what impacts they have on our local watershed.
Using Scent Stations to Identify Elusive Species
This project focuses on documenting elusive species such as fisher (Pekania pennanti) and gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), shifting beyond the scope of natural movements by using various types of scented lures. Scent stations are created by using a “long-distance call” (a strong, pungent scent) to attract animals to the area, followed by a “short-distance call” (more mild scent, usually food- or gland-based) to keep the animal curious when it finds the site. A trail camera is placed facing the short-distance call to get a proper view of the animal while it investigates the area. This technique is used by wildlife biologists to lure in rarely-seen species and confidently identify them.
Bat Acoustic Monitoring via Ultrasonic Microphones
CT DEEP Wildlife Division has deployed several acoustic bat detectors at the Game Refuge that contain ultrasonic microphones used to record bat vocalizations. The DEEP biologists will use software that analyzes the frequency and duration of bats calls to identify specific species in the area. With habitat loss and white-nose syndrome, studying bat populations and locating rare species is extremely important for our 9 native species; all of which are listed as “Species of Greatest Conservation Need”.
Drivers of Nest Site Selection of Eastern Rat Snakes (Pantherophis alleghaniensis)
CCSU Graduate student, Jenny Weiss, has partnered with Quinn Ecological to study the nesting habits of eastern rat snakes. Using the Game Refuge as part of their study area, this project tracks snakes via radio-telemetry to understand how forest composition and other environmental variables drive nest site selection.
All-Taxa Database
The McLean Game Refuge manages an ongoing all-taxa database through field monitoring and collaborations with other organizations including Connecticut Bird Atlas, New England Botanical Club, and Connecticut DEEP, among others. Our comprehensive species list currently contains over 1,320 species, including 458 plants, 129 birds, 24 mammals, 16 amphibians, and 10 reptiles. Elusive mammals such as the gray fox, long-tailed weasel, and fisher have been identified on the trail cameras. Endangered birds such as the American bittern and northern harrier were observed in the field. Among our rare plant species found at the Game Refuge are the long-leaved bluet and brown widelip orchid.
Stream Quality Assessment
In collaboration with the Farmington River Watershed Association, the McLean Game Refuge has been sampling its streams to evaluate water quality. Vertebrates and macroinvertebrates are used as “bio-indicators” which allow scientists to determine the health of the stream. At every site sampled within the Game Refuge, macroinvertebrates that are highly sensitive to pollution have been found. At many sites, pollution sensitive vertebrates such as brook trout, slimy sculpin, and northern spring salamander have also been observed. A full report of the water quality assessment will be coming soon.
Tick Sampling
The McLean Game Refuge is currently hosting scientists from the Connecticut Agricultural Experimental Station (“CAES”) who are conducting tick sampling as part of a state-wide deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) assessment funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CAES scientists are sampling at established locations along trails and forest roads to better understand the population dynamics of deer ticks and the frequency with which they carry pathogens that are harmful to humans.
For more information click here or contact Dr. Megan Linske at: Megan.Linske@ct.gov or Jamie Cantoni at: Jamie.Cantoni@ct.gov
Vegetation Survey: 40-year Assessment
Since 1979, the McLean Game Refuge has been conducting decadal surveys of the trees and plants at fixed plots scattered throughout our forests. This year, we are working with graduate students from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies to complete a 40-year review of the data to understand how our forests have changed over time and how to improve our monitoring into the future. We plan to make a summary available on our website when the work is completed.
Champion Trees
Over the past eight years, we have been collecting size and age data for large and old trees throughout our forests. So far we have found oaks over 350 years old, white pine trees over 150 feet tall, and both species growing over 5 feet wide. We hope to share some of our results on our “News” page soon.
Summer Forest Ranger Kelly measures a 150-year-old red oak growing on the slopes of West Mountain.
Past Research
American Chestnut Restoration
The McLean Game Refuge coordinated with the Connecticut Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation to help conserve this species that once dominated 25-40% of the forests in CT. Flowering American Chestnuts at the Game Refuge were hand pollinated to ensure seed production, then collected and brought to a Germplasm Conservation Orchard to assist in growing the most resistant individuals for reforestation. The American Chestnut Foundation is working on a variety of tools to help restore the native species. More information can be found at: https://acf.org/science-strategies/3bur/
Eastern Coyote Ecology
In the fall of 2020, the McLean Game Refuge partnered with graduate student Samantha Lewis and the lab of Dr. Morty Ortega at UConn to study the eastern coyotes (Canis latrans) and two competitor species residing in the Game Refuge. The main study objectives were to document time of day movements, space-use, and overall diet. Temporal (time) and spatial movements were studied using motion-sensor trail cameras at 62 sites. The dietary analysis was completed through opportunistic scat collection. While eastern coyotes and bobcats (Lynx rufus) used the area uniformly, data from the cameras suggests that bobcats may be more active during the day to avoid conflicts with coyotes. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) had similar diel movements to eastern coyotes but were seen more often on the east side of the Refuge, especially on trails close to human housing. This may be a sign of red foxes avoiding coyotes spatially, or possibly taking advantage of anthropogenic resources in neighborhoods. The results of the dietary analysis determined that eastern coyotes primarily preyed on small mammals, and to a lesser extent; white-tailed deer, birds, insects, and seeds.
Connecticut Bird Atlas
From 2018 to 2021, the McLean Game Refuge participated in a state-wide survey aimed at documenting bird species that breed in Connecticut. Game Refuge staff partnered with experts birders in collecting bird breeding data across the property.
For more information about the CT Bird Atlas click here.
Forest Inventory
In 2017, the McLean Game Refuge completed a comprehensive inventory of the entire property. Unlike our decadal survey, this was a much more nuanced look into our forests to help us better understand the spatial distributions of forest types, the extent of damage caused by invasive forest pest and pathogens, the diversity of wildlife habitats provided by our forests, and many other qualities. It is an invaluable tool in helping us make wise management decisions related to wildlife and ecosystem health.
Habitat Improvement Project
In 2002 and 2003, the McLean Game Refuge conducted a Habitat Improvement Project (“HIP”) through a series of targeted silvicultural treatments. The HIP was designed to increase the diversity of habitats available to wildlife by selectively removing portions of the tree canopy across approximately 200 acres of second-growth forest. Post-completion reviews clearly show the forest has increased vertical and horizontal structural diversity as well as expanded habitat niches for birds more commonly found at forest edges and in open areas.
The Yale Study
Between 1979 and 1981, graduate students from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies conducted a thorough study of the McLean Game Refuge for the Board of Trustees. They inventoried the vegetation, soils, geology, waterways, and wildlife across the property and surveyed the visitors who came to recreate. Using the data they collected, the graduate students prepared a comprehensive assessment which included management recommendations for conservation and recreation. They also established permanent vegetation survey plots and conducted the first survey of our now 40-year decadal vegetation survey.
1967 Natural Areas Study
In 1967, a division of Connecticut DEEP Called the State Geological and Natural History Survey of Connecticut published a study titled “The Natural Areas of the McLean Game Refuge”. This study, conducted by Frank E. Egler and William A. Niering, offers a sophisticated description of the geologic and climatic events that formed the underlying bedrock and the surface topographic features of the Game Refuge. Additionally, their study also details the diversity and distribution of the plant communities that dominated the Game Refuge over fifty years ago.
