I just stumbled on an amazing series of images from the National Geographic website. They are photos of butterfly eggs made with a scanning electron microscope. The resulting photographs by Martin Oeggerli are otherworldly and beautiful.
Below is a list of upcoming, local nature trips for the weekend of September 4th - 5th, 2010:
Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Introduction to Birdwatching
Every Saturday, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Explore the Park's natural areas and learn how to look for amazing birds.
Discover Tours
Every Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Fall Migration
Meet the amazing birds of Prospect Park on this expert-guided walk. Start your Sunday morning surrounded by nature!
Discover Tours
Every Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist.
New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center.
Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, September 4th, 2010
Prospect Park
Meet 7 am at Bartel Pritchard Square entrance (16th St and PPSW Ave)
Trip Leader: Peter Dorosh
Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, September 4th, 2010
Prospect Park
Leader: Rob Jett (aka "The City Birder")
No registration necessary.
Meet at Grand Army Plaza (Stranahan Statue) at 7:30 a.m.
Public transportation.
New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, September 4, 9am – 10am
Van Cortlandt Park
Guide: Andrew Baksh or Urban Park Rangers
With the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy and NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, Urban Park Rangers
Meet at Van Cortland Nature Center. The history of birding and Van Cortlandt Park are inseparable. Influential birders such as Roger Tory Peterson and Allan D. Cruickshank got their starts on Van Cortlandt’s ecologically diverse grounds. These walks celebrate the tradition set forth by these great ornithologists. Participants will look for various species of migrants and discuss a wide range of avian topics.
For more information, please call 718-548-0912.
No registration necessary. No limit. Free.
Biking and Birding: Jamaica Bay
Sunday, September 5, 9am – 1pm
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Guide: Gabriel Willow with Transportation Alternatives
Birding and biking, a natural combination! Join us in an eco-friendly excursion. Meet at Grand Army Plaza Arch at Prospect Park followed by a 13 mile ride to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge where we will dismount and explore the trails in search of migratory shore birds and water fowl. Group can return by subway or bike. Limited to 15. Bring lunch, water and binoculars.
$36 (Price includes a 1-year complimentary membership to Transportation Alternatives)
Click here to register
Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Bird Club
9:00 a.m.
Bring your own binoculars, as we search for the birds of Van Cortlandt Park.
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free
Frogs! Turtles! And Snakes! Oh My!
11:00 a.m.
Bring your hiking boots and let’s look for all the reptiles and amphibians that...
Location: Picnic House (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Canoeing Basics
11:00 a.m.; 2:00 p.m.
Explore the tranquility of Martling Pond while getting to know nature. Let’s look for...
Location: Martling Pond (in Clove Lakes Park), Staten Island
Cost: Free
Denizens of the Dark
7:00 p.m.
Come on an after-hours exploration while we look for bats, raccoons, owls, and whatever...
Location: Parking Lot (in Cunningham Park), Queens
Cost: Free
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Ho, Ho, Ho, Green Giant
10:00 a.m.
Tulip trees are the tallest trees in New York City. Learn about the “Alley...
Location: Alley Pond Park Adventure Center (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
Cost: Free
Shore Birding
11:00 a.m.
Come and see the unparalleled bird diversity that can be found along the shores of...
Location: Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Mysterious Mushrooms and Treacherous Toadstools
11:00 a.m.
We’ll trek in search of Witches’ Butter, Scaly Tooth, Jack O’Lanterns,...
Location: Playground (in Bloomingdale Park), Staten Island
Cost: Free
Invasive Plants
12:00 p.m.
What is an invasive plant? Why do we get rid of them? Learn about these types of flora and...
Location: 116 Street and Riverside Drive (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free
Migrating Monarchs
1:00 p.m.
Monarch butterflies spend the summer months in our city parks, and as winter approaches...
Location: Pelham Bay Ranger Station (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
Cost: Free
Living Log
2:00 p.m.
Find out how much life there is in that “dead” log on the side of the trail.
Location: Blue Heron Nature Center, Staten Island
Cost: Free
Summer Nature Exploration: Series III Nocturnal Edition
6:00 p.m.
The park that you know and love looks much different after the sun sets! Learn the changes...
Location: Margaret Corbin Circle (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free
...Read more
I received an email yesterday about an injured Osprey found in a parking lot near Shea Stadium (I mean, CitiField), in Queens.
I've been a little negligent this summer with regard to my Red-tailed Hawk family updates. I was reminded of this when I ran into a Brooklyn birder at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge last weekend. She asked how all the hawks were doing (since I hadn't posted on my blog).
Here's a brief recap of the three, known Brooklyn Red-tailed Hawk families:
Prospect Park, Nelly's Lawn
Parents Nelly and Max successfully fledged three hawks. I visited the area several times after the young hawks left the next. A few weeks into their new found freedom I realized that I couldn't find one of the trio. Eventually I learned from Bobby that a juvenile red-tail was picked up by rangers near the north end of the park. The raptor was ill. Wildlife specialists determined that it was afflicted with a fairly common avian disease called "frounce". I don't know if it survived and has been released back into the park. Last week I did find one of the juveniles flying over Lookout Hill, calling for his parents. Nelly and Max appeared in the sky to the north and she followed them towards Nelly's Lawn, crying the whole time.
Prospect Park, Ravine
For the 9th year, adult red-tails Alice and Ralph nested in a pine tree in the Ravine. They had 2 offspring which successfully fledged. I haven't been able to determine where they have gone. Presumably they are alright because the park rangers haven't been called regarding any other ill raptors.
Green-Wood Cemetery
Big Mama and Junior raised two offspring in the cemetery. The carcass of one of the young was discovered a couple of weeks after leaving the nest. Bobby subsequently brought a young, rehabbed red-tail to the cemetery for release. The juvenile male was immediately accepted by his foster family, but vanished within a week. There is good news, however. Heydi emailed me to say that a juvenile red-tail suddenly appeared at the Marine Park Saltmarsh Center, about 4 miles south of the cemetery. The hawk had a band on its leg and during the two week period that it stayed in that area, she was able to photo the band. I had only photographed half the band numbers prior to release, so I emailed Cathy to find out the full band number. It is "1957-01989".
In the enhanced photo that Heydi took you can read "198":
I'll try to track him down again to take more photos, but it seems that the young Red-tailed Hawk that originated in the Bronx has a case of wanderlust.
...Read more
Below is a list of upcoming, local nature trips for the weekend of August 28th - 29th, 2010:
Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Introduction to Birdwatching
Every Saturday, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Explore the Park's natural areas and learn how to look for amazing birds.
Discover Tours
Every Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Discover Tours
Every Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist.
New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center.
Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, August 28th, 2010
A Shorebird Odyssey
Trip Leader: Peter Dorosh
Focus: shorebirds in various Brooklyn /Queens locations
Car Fee: $10.00
Registrar: Peter Dorosh, Email Prosbird [AT] aol.com or TEXT Message 347-622-3559
Registration period: August 17th - August 26th
Sunday, August 29th, 2010
Prospect Park
Meet 7 am at Grand Army Plaza entrance (Stranahan Statue)
Trip Leader: Tom Stephenson
Focus: early migrating fall passerines, flycatchers, warblers
Linnaean Society of New York
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Van Cortlandt Park Flora
Leader and Registrar: Joyce Hyon
Registration opens Monday 8/16. Public transportation.
New York City Audubon Society with LIC Community Boathouse
Sat Aug 28 9:30am – 4pm Eastern Time
Kayaking and Birding on the East River
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Meet at the LIC Community Boathouse. Enjoy the unique opportunity to explore the East River by kayak, looking for sea ducks, gulls, herons, and cormorants. See Mill Rock & the Brother Islands for an up-close look at nesting Harbor Herons. Gain a new-found perspective on the City and its aquatic and avian residents in this exciting trip. This trip will require some stamina and strength for several hours kayaking in potentially hot & sunny weather. Picnic lunch at Barretto Point Park. Bring binoculars, water, lunch, and clothes and shoes you don't mind getting wet. Limited to 18. $45
Click here to register
East River (map)
Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, August 28, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
High Rock Park
The fall migration actually picks up steam during the Dog Days of Summer and High Rock Park is as good a place to tally new species of neo-tropical migrants as any other. The storied woodland offers good overlooks so warbler identification does not become neck wrenching work. The tanagers and orioles flit about at eye level and the flycatchers may even call out to be heard. Join Howie Fisher and enjoy some of the Northeast’s finest birding right here on Staten Island. Meet in the Nevada Avenue parking lot.
For more information call Howie Fischer at 718-981-4002.
Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Early Birding
9:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for early morning birding.
Location: Blue Heron Nature Center, Staten Island
Cost: Free
Van Cortlandt Bird Club: Handling the Heat
9:00 a.m.
How do birds stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer? A few nifty tricks. If you...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free
John Kieran Trail Hike
11:00 a.m.
Enjoy the scenery and natural beauty of Van Cortlandt Park and learn about New York City's...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free
Salamander Search
11:00 a.m.
Did you know that New York State is the salamander capital of the World? Delve into their...
Location: Picnic House (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Bike Tour
11:00 a.m.
Pedal your way through Fort Totten’s history, dating back to the Civil War. We will...
Location: Fort Totten Park, Queens
Cost: Free
Osprey Watch
12:00 p.m.
The osprey is quite an impressive raptor to behold with its seven foot wing span and fierce...
Location: Inwood Hill Nature Center (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free
Sunday, August 29, 2010
The Great Bronx Bicycle Tour
11:00 a.m.
Take a leisurely bicycle ride from the Orchard Beach Nature Center to Van Cortlandt Park....
Location: Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
Cost: Free
Tree Tour
11:00 a.m.
Stroll through our beautiful park as you learn about its wide variety of trees...
Location: Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
They Stand Among Us
12:00 p.m.
Some tall, some short, some dark, some light. A smorgasbord of textures, colors, smells and...
Location: 112 Street and Morningside Drive (in Morningside Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free
Beautiful Bees
2:00 p.m.
Buzzzz around the park to experience the wide variety of winged wonders. You'll see honey...
Location: Blue Heron Nature Center, Staten Island
Cost: Free
...Read more
Below is a list of upcoming, local trips for the weekend of August 21st - 22nd, 2010:
Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Introduction to Birdwatching
Every Saturday, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Explore the Park's natural areas and learn how to look for amazing birds.
Discover Tours
Every Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Discover Tours
Every Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist.
New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center.
Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, August 14, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Mt. Loretto Butterfly Walk
Join naturalist/photographer Sandra Mechanic for an exciting day searching for Spicebush and Eastern Tiger Swallowtails, Pearl Crescent and Monarch Butterflies and the many wildflowers they feed upon. Bring binoculars, field guides and camera if you wish. Meet at the Mt. Loretto Unique Area parking lot south of Sharrott Avenue off Hylan Blvd. We hope to see many children for this exciting pleasant rural scenic stroll. We will walk along the beach to the stone art statues created by Doug Schwartz.
For more information contact Sandra at (718) 967-1037.
Saturday, August 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Forest Restoration at Egbertville Ravine
Meet at the entry road to the Eger Nursing Home close to the intersection of Manor Road and Rockland Avenue and walk to the entrance of the White Trail off London Road at its intersection with Meisner. We will attempt to finish removing the English Ivy groundcover between the trail and Meisner that we began 4 years ago. If you don't have your own, Protectors will supply gloves and pruners (& refreshments). After a two hour work session (our 170th consecutive monthly workshop), we will take a short walk over nearby trails.
For more information call Don Recklies at (718) 768-9036 or Chuck Perry at (718) 667-1393.
Sunday, August 22, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Clay Pit State Park Preserve: Pine Barren Trees and Wildlife
Find out why Protectors urged the preservation of this parkland and how we got our name in 1975. It has rare Southern pine and oak trees, nothing like our Greenbelt forest. With a park permit, Sandra will lead the group into the restricted area where few have trod. We will check in the sand or mud for deer prints throughout the park. We'll find the diseased clones of the American Chestnut that has produced flowers and fruit the past few years and the unhealthy 7 to 8 inch diameter chestnut trees, now 20+ feet tall and 9 to 10 inches in diameter and diseased. The trunk-splitting at the base is indicative of chestnut blight. Meet at the old park office building at the end of Carlin Avenue, off Sharrotts Road in Rossville. Wear waterproof shoes.
Call Sandra Mechanic at (718) 967-1037.
Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Bird Club: Avian Photography
9:00 a.m.
Capture the moments that fly by. It ain’t easy. Bring a camera.
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free
Freshkills Tours
10:00 a.m.
Come witness the dramatic transformation, as well as the turkey vultures, red-tailed hawks,...
Location: Freshkills Park/William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge (in Fresh Kills Park), Staten Island
Cost: Free
Aliens Among Us
11:00 a.m.
Find out which plants came from other lands and now call Fort Greene Park home.
Location: Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Turtle Walk and Talk
11:00 a.m.
Venture out into this shelled reptile’s domain and learn about New York’s...
Location: Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Insect Insanity
11:00 a.m.
Insects are the most numerous and most misunderstood residents of city parks. Explore the...
Location: Fort Totten Visitor's Center (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
Cost: Free
Freshkills Tours
1:00 p.m.
Come witness the dramatic transformation, as well as the turkey vultures, red-tailed hawks,...
Location: Freshkills Park/William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge (in Fresh Kills Park), Staten Island
Cost: Free
Turtle Talk
1:00 p.m.
Snapping, slider, and painted turtles all live in Van Cortlandt Lake. Learn about their...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Berries, Birds and Black Locusts!
11:00 a.m.
Find out what happens when the gardeners step back, and we let nature run its course in the...
Location: Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (in Central Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free
Canoe the Creek
11:00 a.m.
Enjoy a day on Gerritsen Creek as we canoe its sheltered waters in search of wading...
Location: Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Canoeing the Lagoon
11:00 a.m.
Paddle through the sparkling blue waters and green marsh grasses of the Orchard Beach...
Location: Orchard Beach Parking Lot (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
Cost: Free
The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful Native and Exotic Plants
1:00 p.m.
Learn about our diverse community of green residents, and how they get or don't get along...
Location: Fort Totten Visitor's Center (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
Cost: Free
...Read more
Marge just sent me a link to "Molly the Barn Owl" and her nestcam. She has 4 owlets and the nest is located in a backyard in San Marcos, CA. I could watch for hours:
Live TV : Ustream
...Read more
I've just added a new link to the top of the sidebar for my CafePress Store. In and effort to further simplify the look of the sidebar, I'll be adding more of these static pages for items, such as, my Imagekind Photo Store and the Birding Hotspots Maps. The original items would then be removed. Note that you can always return to the main page by clicking "Home".
I found this Spot-winged Glider while birding at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. I'm learning that the common names of some dragonflies sound like they are right out of "Dungeons and Dragons", i.e. Dragonhunter, Tawny Sanddragon, Ebony Boghaunter, sundragon, Smoky Shadowdragon and Red-faced Dragonlet.
I made a surprising discovery in Prospect Park yesterday while out for a bike ride.
I was mainly in the park to get some exercise, but had my bins and camera with me - just in case. The park's breeding birds, for the most park, have completed raising their yearly broods. Some of the more obvious juvenile bird species I noted while pedaling the park's loop roadway were Eastern Kingbird, House Wren, American Robin, Gray Catbird, European Starling, Northern Cardinal, Baltimore Oriole, Common Grackle, American Goldfinch and House Sparrow. One of the juvenile Red-tailed Hawks was crying for her parents as she soared over Lookout Hill.
As I passed the Boathouse I heard some robins making alert calls, so decided to stop and investigate. Walking towards the source of the sounds next to the East Wood Building, I assumed that the object of the robin's irritation would be one of the park's Red-tailed Hawks. Instead, what I found was a Green Heron perched on a dead branch above the walkway. It was an unlikely Green Heron roost as it was in a fairly dense stand of trees, fifty yards away from the water. I'd never considered that the tiny Green Heron could be a threat to any animals other than small fish, frogs and dragonflies, but a pair of robins seemed extremely unhappy with this bird's presence. As I was watching, two Urban Park Rangers walked out of the building and asked what I was seeing. When I pointed out the heron they remarked that it had been in that spot for 3 or 4 days. It seemed fairly late in the season for Green Herons to be breeding, but its behavior suggested that there was a nest nearby. When the heron flew from its perch to an adjacent Box Elder I scanned the tree for a possible nest. I found it directly above a white spattered section of path.
I assumed that it was a nest from earlier in the summer and that any young had already fledged. As the rangers walked away, I focused my bins on the nest and noticed something moving. A single young heron was still in the nest! I waved the rangers back to share my discovery.
Green Herons develop very rapidly and begin climbing around outside their nest while still very young. If you'd like to get a glimpse of this cute baby bird (in a homely kind of way), I suggest getting into Prospect Park this weekend. The nest is right above the path to the East Wood Building - that's the small building about 75 yards north of the Audubon Nature Center (The Boathouse).
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 8/11/10
Number of species: 37
Green Heron (2, Adult watching single nestling near the Boathouse.)
Red-tailed Hawk (3)
Spotted Sandpiper
Forster's Tern (5, Roosting on electric boat on Prospect Lake.)
Chimney Swift
Eastern Kingbird (8)
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
House Wren (2)
Gray Catbird
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow Warbler (3)
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart (2)
Northern Waterthrush (2)
Canada Warbler
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole
American Goldfinch
Other common species seen (or heard):
Canada Goose, Mute Swan, American Black Duck, Mallard, Herring Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, American Robin, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Sparrow
...Read more
In recognition of the plight of migrating shorebirds, I've created a new T-Shirt. The simple design is of an Eskimo Curlew based on the early 20th century woodcut by Edward Howe Forbush. Many of the western hemisphere's species of shorebirds are under increasing pressure from human activities, most notably, the Red Knot. The Eskimo Curlew was once the most abundant species in North America, but is now considered by many experts to be extinct. This is a cautionary tale and urgent reminder that we cannot delay actions to save remaining species.
The Eskimo Curlew T-Shirt is available in yellow here, 9 colors here and an organic cotton shirt in olive or pacific (pictured below) here. The City Birder Shop main page is here.
Below is a list of upcoming, local trips for the weekend of August 14th - 15th, 2010:
Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Introduction to Birdwatching
Every Saturday, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Explore the Park's natural areas and learn how to look for amazing birds.
Discover Tours
Every Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Discover Tours
Every Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist.
New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center.
Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, August 14, 2010
17th Annual Tom Davis Memorial Shorebird Walk at Jamaica Bay
Leader & Registrar: Sean Sime (sean [AT] seansime.com)
Registration opens Monday, 8/2
Public transportation
New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, August 14 (rain date Sunday, August 15), starting at 9am
Annual Shorebird Festival (see my previous post)
Guide: Don Riepe, Andrew Baksh, Lloyd Spitalnik, Kevin Karlson
In partnership with the American Littoral Society and Gateway National Recreation Area
An all-day event during peak fall shorebird migration in Jamaica Bay. The day will start with guided walks around the ponds and after lunch experts will give presentations on shorebird identification and nature photography. Limited to 75, suggested donation $20.
For more information or to register, contact Don Riepe at 718-318-9344 or driepe [AT] nyc.rr.com
Sunday, August 15th, 8:30 - 11:30am
Shorebird Identification Workshop
Guides: Kevin Karison and Lloyd Spitalnik
This hands-on workshop emphasizes a more complete approach to shorebird identification using both non-changeable physical impressions and details of plumage and feather patterns. Kevin Karlson and Lloyd Spitalnik will explain how to build a solid foundation for shorebird ID using basic impressions of size, shape and body language, and then combine detailed study of plumage and feather patterns to fine tune your ID conclusion. This workshop is suitable for birders of all levels, but sometimes includes advanced tips. Kevin’s book “The Shorebird Guide” will be available for sale and a personal inscription. The small class size allows for personal instruction and one-on-one interaction with both instructors that is not possible with larger workshops. Limited to 15.
Cost: $40
Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, August 14, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Old Mill Road
We’ll stroll along Old Mill Road, a newly designed multi-use trail, next to Freshkills, below the hills of Latourette Golf Course, and return along the Blue Trail. This area has not been accessible for many years and is now open. We are surrounded by beautiful, old woodlands as well as newly grown stands of cottonwoods and other pioneer plants. We’ll see the flow of the famous Hessian Spring as it crosses the road and view Freshkills estuary. Park behind St. Andrew’s Church at the base of Snake Hill.
For more information call Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.
Saturday, August 14, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Mt. Loretto Butterfly Walk
Join naturalist/photographer Sandra Mechanic for an exciting day searching for Spicebush and Eastern Tiger Swallowtails, Pearl Crescent and Monarch Butterflies and the many wildflowers they feed upon. Bring binoculars, field guides and camera if you wish. Meet at the Mt. Loretto Unique Area parking lot south of Sharrott Avenue off Hylan Blvd. We hope to see many children for this exciting pleasant rural scenic stroll. We will walk along the beach to the stone art statues created by Doug Schwartz.
For more information contact Sandra at (718) 967-1037.
Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Van Cortlandt Bird Club: Hummingbirds
9:00 a.m.
Who beats its wings in a figure-8 so fast that you can’t even see them? Hint: You...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free
New York City's Wildlife
11:00 a.m.
We are not talking about New York City’s party scene, but the variety of animals that...
Location: Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Birding by Boat
12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Explore the Lullwater by canoe as we go in search of the birds that live along the shore...
Location: Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Canoeing Basics
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Explore the tranquility of Wolfe's Pond while getting to know nature. Let's look for...
Location: Wolfes Pond Park, Staten Island
Cost: Free
Harbor Herons
11:00 a.m.
Long Island Sound provides plentiful food for the elegant herons that nest in this area....
Location: Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
Cost: Free
Birding on the Hill
11:00 a.m.
Hike to the top of Look Out Hill for a trip to a bird watchers’ wonderland.
Location: Lookout Hill (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Butterflies and Bees
2:00 p.m.
Learn about their basic biology and their importance to humans. We’ll journey through...
Location: Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (in Central Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free
Orienteering
2:00 p.m.
Learn navigation with a map and compass. You’ll never get lost in the woods!...
Location: Parking Lot (in Cunningham Park), Queens
Cost: Free
...Read more
Mid-August is generally considered the peak of the southbound shorebird migration in New York. In celebration, next Saturday will be the 5th Annual Jamaica Bay Shorebird Festival. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is a hotspot for shorebirds during both the Spring and Fall migration. Finding rare species here has become a seemingly regular occurrence. A presentation on shorebird identification by author Kevin Karlson will cap off a great day of birding.
The event is sponsored by American Littoral Society and Gateway National Recreation Area and New York City Audubon Society. For more information or to register, contact Don Riepe at 718-318-9344 or driepe [AT] nyc.rr.com.
Below is the day's agenda (note an earlier starting time than previously posted):
8:30am - Coffee and Donuts
9:00am - Don Riepe slide show presentation on history of the bay and problems we're facing.
9:30am - Lloyd Spitalnik slide show on "The Shorebirds of Jamaica Bay"
10am to 12:00pm - Guided walks to both the East and West Pond.
12:00pm - Break for lunch (bring your own, there are picnic tables. Both Howard Beach and Broad Channel have several places to purchase food and drink.)
12:45pm - Guided walk on the north end of the East Pond (bring rubber boots or the like.
4:00pm - Kevin Karlson will present Shorebirds by Impression: A Different Approach to Field ID, (60 minutes)
Agenda is subject to change
Suggested donation of $20.00 per person to cover our costs.
...Read more
A small number of Common Terns have discovered the fishermen at the Coney Island Pier (aka Steeplechase Pier). They seem to excel at stealing the bait from the hook after the line is cast.
July is the month when southbound shorebirds and seabirds begin passing through New York, so it is no surprise that the majority of the species I added to my year list last month fall into those families.
As I described in this shore-birding post, a trip out to eastern Long Island's south shore paid off big with 11 new species for the year. With no new birds showing up in Brooklyn, the next best thing to do was to take a couple of trips out to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge (most of the refuge falls within the borough of Queens). In addition to the rare white pelicans that dropped in at the refuge, adding a Least Bittern sighting was a nice surprise. Apparently, these tiny wading birds nest within the refuge, but are rarely seen. Thanks to a heads up from my friend Shane, myself and many others were able to spot this secretive bird along the edge of the East Pond. I ended the month with 242 species on my year list.
228) Common Eider (Cupsogue Beach County Park, 07/16/10)
229) Greater Shearwater (Cupsogue Beach County Park, 07/16/10)
230) Wilson's Storm-Petrel (Cupsogue Beach County Park, 07/16/10)
231) Hudsonian Godwit (Cupsogue Beach County Park, 07/16/10)
232) Red Knot (Cupsogue Beach County Park, 07/16/10)
233) Wilson's Phalarope (Cupsogue Beach County Park, 07/16/10)
234) Black Tern (Cupsogue Beach County Park, 07/16/10)
235) Roseate Tern (Cupsogue Beach County Park, 07/16/10)
236) Purple Martin (Cupsogue Beach County Park, 07/16/10)
237) Saltmarsh Sparrow (Cupsogue Beach County Park, 07/16/10)
238) Seaside Sparrow (Cupsogue Beach County Park, 07/16/10)
239) American White Pelican (Grassy Bay, 07/22/10)
240) Least Bittern (Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge--East Pond, 07/25/10)
241) Pectoral Sandpiper (Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge--East Pond, 07/25/10)
242) Stilt Sandpiper (Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge--East Pond, 07/25/10)
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The good news is that another rare bird has showed up at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. The bad news is that I've been unable to arrange my schedule to get over there to see it. This time it is a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck. Their normal US range is parts of southeast Texas, southeast Arizona and Louisiana's Gulf Coast. Andrew Baksh has a nice posting and photos on his blog, as does Corey Finger. Hopefully it sticks around and I'll get a glimpse of it.
Below is a list of upcoming, local trips for the weekend of August 7th - 8th, 2010:
Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Introduction to Birdwatching
Every Saturday, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Explore the Park's natural areas and learn how to look for amazing birds.
Discover Tours
Every Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Discover Tours
Every Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist.
New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center.
Brooklyn Bird Club
Sunday, August 8th, 2010
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens
Trip Leader: Tom Stephenson
Focus: shorebirds
Car Fee: $10.00
Registrar: Peter Dorosh, Email - prosbird [AT] aol.com or TEXT Message 347-622-3559
Registration period: July 27th - August 5th
Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, August 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Page Avenue Beach
We’ll begin with a look at local geology then move to examining the flotsam and jetsam accumulated at high tide lines to see what nature’s debris has to tell us. As the water recedes with the tide we’ll move into the intertidal zone to find out what sorts of living things survive in this challenging environment. A variety of crabs, snails, clams, worms and small fish are likely to be discovered. We will return them to their natural homes. It’s going to be muddy so dress appropriately.
Meet at the parking lot at the bottom of Page Avenue below Hylan Blvd.
For more information call Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.
Sunday, August 8, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Coastal Summer Great Kills Park Walk
Join naturalist/photographer Sandra Mechanic in an exploration of life in the challenging beach dune habitat. We will see many bayberry plants, a shrub famous for the candles made from its wax coated berries. Other salt tolerant plants we will find are Beach Plums, Purple Love Grass, evergreen False Heather, Prickly Pear Cactus, Earth Stars and more.
Meet at the Hylan Blvd auto entrance to Great Kills Park opposite Buffalo Street. Bus 78 stops there.
For more information contact Sandra at (718) 967-1037.
Queens County Bird Club
Sunday, August 8, 2010 or August 15, 2010
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, East Pond (Mini Trip)
Leader: George Dadone
8:00 am Meet at Visitor’s Center (boots necessary).
Staten Island Museum
August 08, 2010 (11:00 am - 2:00pm)
SI Dragonfly Atlas at Long Pond Park
Meet in front of PS 6 on Page Ave. to become a part of the Museum’s very own Citizen-Science project studying dragonflies. Attend a walk, learn how to identify dragonflies, then get out on your own and submit your observations online!
Call Seth Wollney at (718) 483-7105.
Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Early Morning Birding
8:00 a.m.
Bring your own binoculars, as you search for the birds of Marine park.
Location: Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Van Cortlandt Bird Club: Tell-Tale Signs
9:00 a.m.
Tiny holes in a tree or purple droppings on the ground can tell us what a bird recently did...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free
Tree-mendous Hike
10:00 a.m.
Discover the green giants who live here.
Location: Kissena Playground (in Kissena Park), Queens
Cost: Free
Tree-mendous Hike
11:00 a.m.
Learn to identify different types of trees, view some of NYC’s great trees and...
Location: Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Freshkills Tours
1:00 p.m.
Come witness the dramatic transformation, as well as the turkey vultures, red-tailed hawks,...
Location: Freshkills Park/William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge, Staten Island
Cost: Free
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Cass Gallagher Hike
11:00 a.m.
Enjoy a hike though the North Woods as we look for seasonal wildflowers.
Location: Mosholu Avenue & Broadway (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free
Canoeing the Lagoon
11:00 a.m.
Paddle through the sparkling blue waters and green marsh grasses of the Orchard Beach...
Location: Orchard Beach Parking Lot (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
Cost: Free
Wildflower Discovery
11:00 a.m.
Learn to identify these beautiful and important features of a healthy grassland ecosystem.
Location: Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Advanced Canoeing: Little Neck Bay
11:00 a.m.
Participants must be at least 12 years old. To register, visit...
Location: Front Gate (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
Cost: Free
Summer Nature Exploration: Series II
11:00 a.m.
Discover the diverse wildlife and historic importance that are hidden all around this...
Location: Margaret Corbin Circle (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free
Natural History Walk
1:00 p.m.
Explore the unique solution to the water pressure problem in Northern Manhattan during the...
Location: W 174 Street and Amsterdam Avenue (in Highbridge Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free
Creatures of the Night Hike
8:00 p.m.
Enjoy a night hike as we go in search of bats, raccoons, opossums, rabbits and night herons.
Location: Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free
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