Friday's Foto

The swallow nestboxes along the West Pond trail at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge are still buzzing with activity. Many of the young Tree Swallows have fledged, but remain in the area. Some still have nestlings sticking their heads out and waiting for a parent to arrive with food.

June Birds

By June most of the northbound migrants are gone leaving the local breeding birds and a few stragglers. It should be no surprise that over the past month I only managed to add 4 new species for my Brooklyn year list, making it the slowest month so far.

As the movement of migrating birds diminished I thought that I had missed the opportunity to find an Acadian Flycatcher. I was pleasantly surprised when, on a walk through Prospect Park's Ravine, I heard the unmistakeable explosive "peet-sah" call of one of these diminutive flycatchers as it perched above the stream. I learned later in the month that it was one of a pair that had built a nest nearby for only the second known breeding record in Brooklyn.

I rounded out the month's observations with three wetland species Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Willow Flycatcher and Marsh Wren. I'm still on the hunt for Saltmarsh Sparrow and Seaside Sparrow (aka "Cuteass Sparrows" by Paige). They are known to nest in Brooklyn, so hopefully I'll be able to track some down in July.



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NYS total: 216
Kings total: 201

198) Acadian Flycatcher (Prospect Park, 06/07/12)
199) Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Salt Marsh Nature Center, 06/10/12)
200) Willow Flycatcher (Salt Marsh Nature Center, 06/10/12)
201) Marsh Wren (Salt Marsh Nature Center, 06/10/12) ...Read more

Village Voice Birding Article

This week I was interviewed by Victoria Bekiempis for a Village Voice article about summertime birding around the Big Apple:

For The Birds: New York City Summer Birdwatching
By Victoria Bekiempis
Published Thu., Jun. 28 2012 at 11:39 AM

A recent post on the Environmental Protection Agency's Greening the Apple blog about seasonal birdwatching in Sandy Hook, New Jersey got us thinking: Do you have to go all the way to a neighboring state to check out the summer's cool birds?

So we hit up two area birders -- Dr. Robert "Birding Bob" DeCandido and "City Birder" Rob Jett -- to find out. Click here to read the entire article.

Treehugger Tuesday

The New York Times just reported that NYC's parks department is experimenting with goats in an attempt to control invasive phragmites:

June 21, 2012
To Tackle an Invasive Weed, Bringing In the Hooved Pros
By Lisa W. Foderaro

On a sweltering afternoon on Staten Island, the New York City parks department unveiled its latest weapon in the war on phragmites, an invasive weed that chokes the shoreline: goats. Twenty Anglo-Nubians, to be exact. With names like Mozart, Haydn and Van Goat, and with floppy ears and plaintive bleats, they did not seem fearsome. But on Thursday they were already munching inexorably through the long pale leaves in the first phase of a wetland restoration at what will soon be Freshkills Park.

Known for their unending, indiscriminate appetites, the goats are being rented by the city for the next six weeks from a farmer in the Hudson Valley. Parks officials are counting on the goats to clear the phragmites across two acres of wetlands that will eventually be cultivated with native grasses like spartina and black needle rush. The hope is that the goats will weaken the phragmites, setting the stage for another series of assaults on their stubborn rhizomes — applying herbicide, scarifying the earth and laying down sand.

In the short term, the goats are part of an unusual experiment to eradicate the pesky reeds, which were introduced from Europe in the late 19th century and which, once rooted, are almost impossible to eliminate. They have fueled brush fires across the region and pushed out other species along the East Coast.

But the farm animals are also being tested for their lawn-mowing prowess, especially at Freshkills Park, which is in transition from its former life as the world’s largest landfill to its future one — as the largest park to be developed in New York City in more than a century.

“We want to introduce the idea of using goats to help in vegetation management,” Eloise L. Hirsh, the administrator of the park, said. “The sanitation department mows us once a year. But this is 2,200 acres. We need help.”

The goats are perhaps the most vivid example of the lengths to which the city is going to turn a symbol of environmental degradation into one of ecological redemption. As Freshkills Park is developed in phases over the next three decades, it will be a laboratory for green practices; there are plans for composting toilets, green roofs, rain gardens and a native seed farm.

The official opening of the park is two or three years off, though it is open periodically for tours. Three of the four giant mounds formed by garbage are now capped, and the parks department will soon solicit bids on the first stage of development — 21 acres with walking paths and a bird observation tower overlooking the wetlands. Already, the landscape looks impossibly bucolic, with dragonflies and swallows darting amid lanky grasses and the occasional tree.

The goats only add to the pastoral image. On Thursday, Beethoven, with long white ears and a black body, and Van Goat, sporting a black stripe down his chestnut back, were contentedly exploring their new territory, plunging their mouths into dense stands of phragmites. Others trotted down to the shore of Main Creek, a tributary of the Fresh Kill. (In yet another act of environmental rectitude, parks workers will soon arrange logs made of coconut fiber along the banks to attract mussels, which prevent erosion.)

“The first test was to see if they would eat the phragmites, and they’re eating it, so they passed,” said Terry Doss, an ecologist with Biohabitats, a company specializing in ecological restoration that is advising the parks department.

The city received a grant of $350,000 from the state for the wetlands project. (The cost of renting the goats from Larry Cihanek of Rhinebeck, N.Y., is $20,625 for the six weeks.) If the goats prove successful, Freshkills Park may one day have a permanent herd. “It’s exciting to be able to replace what would be a carbon-polluting mowing strategy with a more natural approach,” said Andrew Deer, a landscape architect for the parks department.

While goats have been deployed for phragmite duty elsewhere, some ecologists are skeptical.

“I’m not a big fan of goats,” said Bernd Blossey, an associate professor of natural resources at Cornell University. “I understand why people are desperate to try them. But they will eat the leaves but not the stems, and they also don’t like getting their hooves wet.”

Professor Blossey is experimenting with moth caterpillars, which can weaken phragmites. In the 1990s, he was successful in unleashing leaf beetles against another plant invader, purple loosestrife, which is not nearly the scourge it once was.

But as the goats made their debut this week at Freshkills Park, any such doubts were pushed to the background. Ms. Hirsh was already looking ahead to a day when goats not only keep phragmites in check, but also put Staten Island on the artisanal food map. “We would like to have a cheese manufacturer here,” she said. “I know there will be lots of skepticism. But it would be a pretty eloquent statement about how you really can restore land that was formerly very damaged.” ...Read more

Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips within NYC's five boroughs for the weekend of June 30, 2012 - July 1, 2012:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Discover Tour
Every Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist.

**********

Gowanus Dredgers
Saturday, June 30, 2012, 1pm – 5pm
Canoe on the Gowanus Canal
Bring a friend for a self-guided Canoe trip sponsored by the Gowanus Dredgers to raise awareness of Harbor Issues www.gowanuscana​l.org

**********

New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, June 30, 2012
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

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New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, June 30, 2012, 8am – 9:30pm
Van Cortlandt Bird Walk
Guide: Andrew Baksh or Urban Park Rangers. With the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, and Urban Park Rangers.
Meet at Van Cortlandt 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 residents and migrants and discuss a wide range of avian topics. For more information, please call 718-548-0912. No registration necessary. No limit. Free.

Sunday, July 1, 2012, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Sunset EcoCruise to the Harbor Heron Islands
Guide: Gabriel Willow With New York Water Taxi Meet at South Street Seaport's Pier 17. We're excited about this summer's ecocruises; we’ve expanded our explorations of the City's island rookeries to three different locations! Depending on which weekend you choose, cruises may visit the fascinating Brother Islands, the large egret and cormorant colonies on Hoffman and Swinburne Islands, or the great expanses of Jamaica Bay. Whichever your destination, you'll experience the wonders of New York's famous harbor at sunset and see some of the three thousand herons, egrets, and ibis nesting on these urban island treasures. To learn about specific cruise dates and register, visit New York Water Taxi online or by phone at 212-742-1969. Limited to 90. Pricing varies by destination.

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, June 30, 2012, 10:00 a.m. to noon
Long Pond Park
Evidence of animal life as well geologic history and human influence will be observed as we take an unhurried stroll on a one and a half mile walk through Long Pond Park. Meet at PS 6, on Page Avenue and Academy Avenue, about 3 blocks northwest of Hylan Blvd.
For more information call Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Van Cortlandt Park-Bird Walks
8:00 a.m.
Bird Walks focus on wildlife happenings in the park and are led by NYC Audubon experts and...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Free!

Sunday, July 1, 2012
Hudson River Park Wild!
9:00 a.m.
Hudson River Park is bringing some attention to its vital role in creating one of the...
Location: Hudson River Park's Pier 40
Free! ...Read more

Friday's Foto

New York City's resident Red-tailed Hawk pairs are now fledging this year's batch of offspring in all 5 boroughs. This is "Junior" the adult male who calls Green-Wood Cemetery his territory. Since 2006 he and his mate, "Big Mama", have raised 14 offspring. He began his relationship with Big Mama when he was only a year old and hadn't yet developed the specie's namesake red tail.

Treehugger Tuesday

The Natural Resources Defense Council just released a report on how fossil fuel subsidies are bad for everyone:

Fossil Fuel Subsidies Hurting Global Economic Growth

NRDC: Instead of subsidizing corporations that destroy planet, governments should support clean and renewable energy

RIO DE JANEIRO (June 18, 2012) – Ending fossil fuel subsidies would save governments nearly $1 trillion while also improving environment and economic conditions worldwide, according to a report from the Natural Resources Defense Council and other environmental and social advocacy groups.

At a press conference at the Rio+20 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, NRDC international climate policy director Jake Schmidt made the following statement:

“The only beneficiaries of fossil fuel subsidies are oil, gas and coal companies that are raking in record profits at the expense of the rest of us.

“Instead of subsidizing well-established corporations that destroy our planet, governments ought to be doing more to help support and develop more clean, renewable energy that can actually help our planet, reduce our energy consumption and revive our economies.”

Based on government data from around the world, the new report finds that ending fossil fuel subsidies would:

* Save governments and taxpayers $775 billion each year.

* Reduce global carbon dioxide emissions by 6 percent by 2020.

* Reduce global energy demand by 5 percent by 2020.

* Not hurt the poor (if the right policies are adopted) since the vast majority of subsidies mainly benefit only the richest segments of the population.

NRDC created the report with partners Oil Change International, Vasudha Foundation (India) and Greenovation Hub (China) and Heinich Boll Stiftung (Germany).

To read the report in its entirety, see http://www.boell.org/downloads/LowHangingfruit.pdf

For a fact sheet on fossil fuel subsidies, see http://www.nrdc.org/energy/fossilfuelsubsidies.asp

And for more, see:

* NRDC trustee Robert Redford’s blog here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-redford/fossil-fuel-subsidies_b_1605146.html?utm_hp_ref=green

* NRDC president Frances Beinecke’s blog here: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/fbeinecke/tell_world_leaders_at_rio20_to.html

* NRDC international program attorney Anthony Swift’s blog here: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/aswift/ending_fossil_fuels_subsidies.html

To schedule interviews or for more information, please contact Bob Keefe at bkeefe@nrdc.org or 202-650-4625.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 1.3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Livingston, Montana, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC. ...Read more

Brooklyn Hummingbirds

On May 24th Bobbi Manian spotted a Ruby-throated Hummingbird nest in Prospect Park. Hummingbirds aren't known to nest in Brooklyn, so this is a very rare event. Over the weekend I went looking for the nest.

The ruby-throated's nest is less than 2 inches across, so it is like searching for the proverbial needle in the haystack. I'm amazed that she saw it. Talk about having eagle eyes! Despite a long search Sunday I came up empty. Thankfully Bobbi kindly offered to bring me to see it this morning and we had a great experience.

What we at first thought was the adult female sitting in the nest turned out to be two very large nestlings squeezed into the tiny, lichen-covered nest. We watched in amazement as the nest mates preened and dozed. At approximately 10:40am their mother returned with a crop filled with food. In what looked like a bizarre sword-swallowing act, she jammed her long, thin bill down each of her offspring's throats feeding them regurgitated insects, pollen and nectar. The mother does all the work as the male Ruby-throated Hummingbird's responsibility to the family ends after he makes the sperm donation. It's not inconceivable for the female to have a second brood, but let's just hope her two Brooklyn youngsters survive once they fledge.

Here are a couple of videos from this morning.

...Read more

Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips within NYC's five boroughs for the weekend of June 23, 2012 - June 24, 2012:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Sunday, June 23, 2012
Discover Tour
Every Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist.

**********

Brooklyn Bird Club
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Insectivora of Staten Island
Trip Leader: Steve Nanz
Focus: Insects, especially dragonflies
Car Pool fee: $22.00
Registrar: Heidi Steiner email heidi.steiner [AT] verizon.net or call before 8 PM (718) 369-2116
Registration period: June 12th-June 21st

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Gowanus Dredgers
Saturday, June 23, 2012, 1pm – 5pm
Canoe on the Gowanus Canal
Bring a friend for a self-guided Canoe trip sponsored by the Gowanus Dredgers to raise awareness of Harbor Issues www.gowanuscana​l.org

**********

New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, June 23, 2012
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

**********

New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, June 23, 2012, 8am – 9:30pm
Van Cortlandt Bird Walk
Guide: Andrew Baksh or Urban Park Rangers. With the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, and Urban Park Rangers.
Meet at Van Cortlandt 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 residents and migrants and discuss a wide range of avian topics. For more information, please call 718-548-0912. No registration necessary. No limit. Free.

Saturday, June 23, 2012, 11am – 2pm
Horseshoe Crabs and Terrapins at Jamaica Bay
Guide: Don Riepe With Gateway National Recreation Area With Meet at the the Jamaica Bay NWR Visitor Center for a hike around the West Pond to look for mating horseshoe crabs and shorebirds. We'll also look for diamondback terrapins coming ashore to lay their eggs. Bring boots and binoculars. To register, contact Don Riepe at 718-318-9344 or donriepe [AT] gmail.com. Limited to 25. Free

Sunday, June 24, 2012, 10am – 1pm
The Parakeets of Green-Wood Cemetery
Guide: Gabriel Willow With Green-Wood Cemetery Meet at the cemetery entrance at 5th Ave and 25th St., Park Slope, Brooklyn. While it might seem an odd place to go birding, Green-Wood Cemetery is rich in both history and wildlife. It is also the highest point in Brooklyn, affording marvelous views. We will explore its environs in search of spring migrants and its most unique avian residents: the huge flocks of brilliant green monk parakeets that nest there. Native to South America, these charming immigrants are surprisingly hardy and flourish even in our harsh winters. Limited to 15. $30. Click here to register

Sunday, June 24, 2012, 3pm – 6pm
Jamaica Bay Sunset Cruise
Guides: Don Riepe, Mickey Cohen With American Littoral Society Meet at Pier 2 in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. Enjoy a three-hour narrated cruise aboard the 100-foot boat “Golden Sunshine.” Visit backwater marshes near JFK Airport, and learn about the 13,000-acre Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. See nesting peregrine falcons, ospreys, egrets, shorebirds, and waterfowl. Includes refreshments. To register, contact Don Riepe at 718-318-9344 or donriepe [AT] gmail.com. Limited to 140. $45

Sunday, June 24, 2012, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Sunset EcoCruise to the Harbor Heron Islands
Guide: Gabriel Willow With New York Water Taxi Meet at South Street Seaport's Pier 17. We're excited about this summer's ecocruises; we’ve expanded our explorations of the City's island rookeries to three different locations! Depending on which weekend you choose, cruises may visit the fascinating Brother Islands, the large egret and cormorant colonies on Hoffman and Swinburne Islands, or the great expanses of Jamaica Bay. Whichever your destination, you'll experience the wonders of New York's famous harbor at sunset and see some of the three thousand herons, egrets, and ibis nesting on these urban island treasures. To learn about specific cruise dates and register, visit New York Water Taxi online or by phone at 212-742-1969. Limited to 90. Pricing varies by destination.

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, June 23, 2012, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Crooke’s Point in Great Kills Park
Visit the Point and all its summer glory. Witness the bright greens of summer growth and hear the songs of breeding birds. See too the obvious scars of “restoration.” Speak with Ellen Pratt as she tours Crooke’s Point and rediscover why Crooke’s Point, a sandy peninsula, is exactly the wrong place for “restoration.” Meet in the parking lot closest to Crooke’s Point.
For more information call Ellen Pratt at (718) 948-2662.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, June 23, 2012

Birding
8:00 a.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. From falcons and salamanders, to...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Free!

Van Cortlandt Park-Bird Walks
8:00 a.m.
Bird Walks focus on wildlife happenings in the park and are led by NYC Audobon experts and...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Free!

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Birding
9:00 a.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. From falcons and salamanders, to...
Location: Conference House Park Visitors Center (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
Free!

Hudson River Park Wild!
9:00 a.m.
Hudson River Park is bringing some attention to its vital role in creating one of the...
Location: Hudson River Park's Pier 40
Free!

Birding by Canoe (Advanced)
10:00 a.m.
Very few experiences compare with being on the open water in New York City. The rhythm...
Location: Marine Park, Brooklyn
Free! ...Read more

Friday's Foto

This Eastern Chipmunk in Brooklyn's Prospect Park may look incredibly cute, but don't ever be tempted to pick one up. If you succeeded you'd quickly find that they have very sharp teeth and an attitude to match. They are a frequent prey animal for Red-tailed Hawks, but fortunately are very abundant here. Don't go looking for them in Central Park, however, as the original, natural habitats of that landmark park never contained the hardwood forests necessary for this rodent to survive.

Red-tailed Tale

Two weeks ago I was in New Orleans when I received a call from Bobby. A very young Red-tailed Hawk had fallen from his nest in Brooklyn and Bobby had retrieved the youngster for evaluation. He explained to me that the very small male raptor had a possible injury to his foot and was at least a couple of weeks shy of fledging. At the time of the phone call, my wife and I were walking around the French Quarter with her friend, Jude, who lives in the Big Easy. We had stopped into Tujaques for pre-dinner cocktails when I had my first conversation with Bobby about the situation. Jude is a very laid back guy and seemed completely unfazed by my conversation about baby hawks in Brooklyn.

One of Bobby's concerns was being able to return the young hawk to the nest in a reasonable amount of time, but was unfamiliar with the Brooklyn nest location. I wasn't sure I'd be back in New York in time, so I put him in touch with Paige, who knew all the hawk nest sites. Flash forward to this weekend. Bobby still had the young hawk as he felt the bird needed more time to develop flight feathers, put on some weight and for his clenched foot to open up. We made arrangements to meet at Green-Wood Cemetery and release the little guy back to the wilds of Brooklyn and the care of Big Mama and Junior.

When the hawk was removed from its carrier I was surprised at how small he appeared. Bobby said that, while healthy, he is, in fact, a very small bird. According to Clark and Wheeler's "Hawks", red-tails can range from 1.5 to 3.3 pounds. I assume that this little pipsqueak is at the very low end of that weight scale. For that reason we've decided to call him "Pip". He is also recognizable by his missing central tail feathers.

Pip's first day back in Brooklyn did not go very well. When I went back to check on him the next day he was stuck in the cedar tree in a very awkward spot halfway up the tree. While he did manage to face into the wind, spread his wings and flap a little, it didn't appear like he would be able to launch himself from that spot. It also didn't appear that mom and dad would be able to deliver any food to him. I let Bobby know my concerns and he arranged to come back the next day. Both Marge and I would be working, so Pam (a transplant from the Manhattan hawk watching circle) met Bobby at the cemetery. Here is the email that she sent out on Wednesday night:

**********

From: Pamela Langford
Subject: Green-Wood today
Date: June 13, 2012

All went well while I was at Green-Wood today. I saw two feedings, and there might have been a third -- the [baby's] crop looked really full when I checked in before going home around 7 pm.

Shortly after you left, the parent approached the [baby] with a small bird. The baby seemed startled, and jumped to the end of the branch. The food fell to the ground, and the baby hawk was dangling precariously for a few minutes. The parent sat nearby and watched. The baby eventually moved to a more secure perch -- but the food was still on the ground. After a while, the parent picked up the food and flew to a nearby tree. A few minutes later, the parent brought the food back, put it on the ground just underneath the baby, and again perched about six feet away.

Still nothing happened, so the parent picked up the food from the ground a second time, and flew away again. After a while the parent decided to try once more -- and this time it worked. He or she (I'm not sure which parent) landed near the baby with the food, and finally the youngster had his meal. He apparently ate the entire bird -- I saw nothing on the ground but a few feathers.

All three fledglings were in the same tree most of this time. A little over an hour later, the parent brought more food to the [baby] -- and this time everything went smoothly. I didn't get close enough to see what food the parent brought.

The parent's determination to feed the baby was wonderful to watch (and the baby sitting quietly with a full crop was wonderful as well).

**********

Big Mama and Junior will have their hands full caring for the three fledglings in Green-Wood Cemetery, but they are both very attentive parents in one of the safest raptor territories around the 5 boroughs. I began watching Big Mama in 2002. Over the past 10 years she has hatched 21 offspring. Of those I am only aware of 3 deaths - one from frounce, one fell from the nest and broke its neck and one of undetermined causes. That is a pretty impressive success rate, so I am very optimistic that little Pip will survive the year and hopefully go on to raise his own young. ...Read more

Treehugger Tuesday

More on Keystone XL:

The Dirtiest Oil on Earth

Upcoming Nature trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips within NYC's five boroughs for the weekend of June 16, 2012 - June 17, 2012:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Discover Tour
Every Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist.

**********

Brooklyn Bird Club
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Far Rockaway breeding birds
Trip Leader: Peter Dorosh
Car Fee: $12.00
Focus: Coastal and dune breeding species in Queens County
Registrar: Peter Dorosh, Email Prosbird [AT] aol.com or TEXT Message 347-622-3559
Registration period: June 5th - June 14th

**********

Gowanus Dredgers
Saturday, June 16, 2012, 1pm – 5pm
Canoe on the Gowanus Canal
Bring a friend for a self-guided Canoe trip sponsored by the Gowanus Dredgers to raise awareness of Harbor Issues www.gowanuscana​l.org

**********

Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, June 16, 2012 (rain date 6/17)
Central Park Nature Walk
Leader: Sarah Elliott
No Registration.
Meet at Boathouse at 9:30 a.m.

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, June 16, 2012
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

**********

New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, June 16, 2012, 8am – 9:30pm
Van Cortlandt Bird Walk
Guide: Andrew Baksh or Urban Park Rangers. With the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, and Urban Park Rangers.
Meet at Van Cortlandt 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 residents and migrants and discuss a wide range of avian topics. For more information, please call 718-548-0912. No registration necessary. No limit. Free.

Sunday, June 17, 2012, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Sunset EcoCruise to the Harbor Heron Islands
Guide: Gabriel Willow With New York Water Taxi Meet at South Street Seaport's Pier 17. We're excited about this summer's ecocruises; we’ve expanded our explorations of the City's island rookeries to three different locations! Depending on which weekend you choose, cruises may visit the fascinating Brother Islands, the large egret and cormorant colonies on Hoffman and Swinburne Islands, or the great expanses of Jamaica Bay. Whichever your destination, you'll experience the wonders of New York's famous harbor at sunset and see some of the three thousand herons, egrets, and ibis nesting on these urban island treasures. To learn about specific cruise dates and register, visit New York Water Taxi online or by phone at 212-742-1969. Limited to 90. Pricing varies by destination.

**********

Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, June 16, 2012, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Clove Lakes Park
Meet by the Maintenance Building at the intersection of Slosson and Drake Avenues. We will spend two hours removing alien invasive plants from areas chosen by the Natural Resources Group. If you don't have your own, Protectors will supply gloves and pruners (& refreshments). After the work session (our 192nd 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, June 17, 2012, 12 noon to 2 p.m.
Wolf's Pond Park Ancient Forests
Entrance off Cornelia Avenue off Hylan Blvd. Meet at the farthest reach of the parking lot by the restrooms. Explore this living forest of ancient trees and see re-creation at work Marvel at this wonderful park of seashore a, hills and ridges, streams and cool arboreal woods. Some moderate climbing. We go in all weather.
Contact Hillel at (718) 477-0545

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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
All walks start at 9:30 A.M.
There is no walk if it rains or snows or temperature is below 25°F.
Any questions please Call Steve at (516) 987-8103.
For directions to our bird-watching locations, click here.

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Staten Island Museum
Sunday, June 17, 2012, 11:00am - 2:00pm
Dragonfly Diversity Workshop
Location: Long Pond Park, Staten Island
Free
Join the S.I. Dragonfly Atlas for a workshop at NYC’s dragonfly hot-spot, Long Pond Park. Over 15 species of dragonflies are likely to be observed. Workshop will include field identification techniques, dragonfly biology and close-up looks of a few select species.
Meet at Page Ave and Academy Pl, in front of P.S. 6.
For more information, call or email Seth Wollney, 718.483.7105.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Birding
8:00 a.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. From falcons and salamanders, to...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Free!

Sunday, June 17, 2012
Hudson River Park Wild!
9:00 a.m.
Hudson River Park is bringing some attention to its vital role in creating one of the...
Location: Hudson River Park's Pier 40
Free! ...Read more

Some Nesting Birds

Marge and I checked in on the Green-Wood Cemetery Red-tailed Hawk nest this afternoon. The pair of nestlings look healthy, very large and ready to take their maiden flight. In addition to the hawks, we looked in on another local breeding bird and I unexpectedly stumbled on the nest of another.

Today was the first time this Spring that I spent an extended time at Big Mama and Junior's nest in the cemetery. Their return to the old nest site in the cedar tree certainly makes viewing easy as it is about 40 feet lower than the nest in the linden tree. While we were there the two nestlings were briefly hop-flapping at the edge of the nest. The last time the adults used this nest tree the young would climb out onto a springboard-like branch on the Northeast side of the tree. This year's young don't seem to have discovered it yet. In this photo the young raptor is perched at the base of it. I give them a few more days before we start to see them venturing out to the end of that launching point. Their parents were keeping a distant eye on the nest from a usual perch atop the antenna tower at Bishop Ford High School. It is about 1/4 mile Northeast of the nest, but the adult raptors take mere seconds to fly from the top of the tower to their offspring's side.

At the Crescent Water a Great Egret patrolled the edges of the pond periodically stabbing fish and tadpoles at the surface of the water. Nearby a much smaller Green Heron hung his body down the pond's coping wall, stretched his neck all the way out, barely reaching the water, and managed to snatch a small frog. There has been at least one Green Heron in this area for about a month and I suspected that a pair might be nesting in the area. When the Great Egret spooked the heron and he flew into a cherry tree I decided to search the tree's drooping branches. I quickly spotted the heron's flimsy twig nest. Here's a short video of him (or her) working on the nest:



From the Crescent Water Marge took me to see a Baltimore Oriole nest that she discovered on the ridge behind the Sylvan Water. As we walked up the hill towards the nest I could hear the male's chattering, ratchet-like call. Not long after he arrived at the nest tree with a white mulberry in his bill. Our presence may have made him a little nervous as he seemed a little reluctant to fly directly to the nest. After a few moments he slowly made his way to the hanging basket woven with natural fiber and some strands of colored string. A small bill popped out of the opening and took the fruit. A pair of Warbling Vireo appeared to be nesting in the same planetree and harassed the oriole until he flew off ... although I kind of doubt that the tiny, grey birds could do much to intimidate most avian species. Perhaps the oriole found their nasal "eeah" call irritating. Over a period of about 15 minutes both the male and female oriole made frequent visits to the nest. Several times I noticed them removing their offspring's fecal sacs and depositing them far from the nest.

There are dozens of other breeding bird species around Brooklyn. Now that migration has ended I'll be focusing more on these birds, as well as, butterflies in future posts. ...Read more

Friday's Foto

Over the past week this year's offspring of New York City's numerous resident Red-tailed Hawks have begun to fledge. In Prospect Park last week the single nestling at Nelly's Lawn left the nest prematurely and is being looked after by Bobby and Cathy until his is strong enough to be returned to his parents care. The two above are Big Mama and Junior's two nestlings in Green-Wood Cemetery. Both have been actively hop-flapping and should be leaving the nest within days.

May Birds

The month of May and the frenetic climax of Spring migration seems like a long time ago. During the week that I was out of town the stream of North bound birds through the NYC area had slowed to a trickle. Only a small number of the latest arriving species can be found around Brooklyn and NYC. Last month I didn't see as many species as I did during May 2011, but it was a good month, so I really can't complain.

After April, I saw my second highest number of new species in May. My total of 36 new species for Brooklyn is only 1 shy of last year's May count and 4 less than my 2011 total at the end of the month. Of those 36 species it is interesting to note that at least 6 will actually breed within the borders of New York City - Glossy Ibis, Least Tern, Eastern Kingbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Cedar Waxwing and American Redstart.

There weren't any real surprises, at least for me as I missed a few good birds, but I was able to add one bird I hadn't seen in Brooklyn since 2009 - Kentucky Warbler. This skulking songster of the understory is more often heard than seen as it walks along the forest floor. Our Prospect Park bird was doing a good job of staying hidden in the goutweed cover on the hillside of Lookout Hill. The Northern-most edge of the Kentucky's breeding range is South of NYC, so the occasional individuals that appear in our area are overshoots. Whether climate change will push this beautiful bird's range farther North remains to be seen and I, for one, wouldn't mind.

One other interesting sighting was of a Blue-winged Teal. Heydi and I had all but given up on the likelihood of seeing one of these elusive dabbling ducks this year until we stumbled on a single male sleeping on the Western-most shore of the West Pond of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. It is interesting to note that it was in almost the exact same spot that we observed one last year on November 6th. Here's a terrible photo of this year's bird:



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NYS total: 209
Kings total: 197

162) Red-eyed Vireo (Prospect Park, 05/01/12)
163) Veery (Prospect Park, 05/01/12)
164) American Redstart (Prospect Park, 05/01/12)
165) Prairie Warbler (Prospect Park, 05/01/12)

166) Glossy Ibis (Green-Wood Cemetery, 05/02/12)
167) Least Flycatcher (Green-Wood Cemetery, 05/02/12)
168) Swainson's Thrush (Green-Wood Cemetery, 05/02/12)
169) Magnolia Warbler (Green-Wood Cemetery, 05/02/12)
170) Chestnut-sided Warbler (Green-Wood Cemetery, 05/02/12)
171) Scarlet Tanager (Green-Wood Cemetery, 05/02/12)

172) Eastern Wood-Pewee (Prospect Park, 05/05/12)
173) Yellow-throated Vireo (Prospect Park, 05/05/12)
174) Canada Warbler (Prospect Park, 05/05/12)
175) Wilson's Warbler (Prospect Park, 05/05/12)
176) Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Green-Wood Cemetery, 05/05/12)
177) Eastern Kingbird (Green-Wood Cemetery, 05/05/12)
178) Cedar Waxwing (Green-Wood Cemetery, 05/05/12)
179) Cape May Warbler (Green-Wood Cemetery, 05/05/12)
180) White-crowned Sparrow (Green-Wood Cemetery, 05/05/12)

181) Hooded Warbler (Prospect Park, 05/06/12)
182) Blackburnian Warbler (Prospect Park, 05/06/12)
183) Blue Grosbeak (Prospect Park, 05/06/12)

184) Summer Tanager (Prospect Park, 05/07/12)

185) Prothonotary Warbler (Green-Wood Cemetery, 05/10/12)

186) Tennessee Warbler (Prospect Park, 05/12/12)
187) Bay-breasted Warbler (Prospect Park, 05/12/12)
188) Blue-winged Teal (Jamaica Bay West--Brooklyn, 05/12/12)

189) Kentucky Warbler (Prospect Park, 05/14/12)

190) Gray-cheeked Thrush (Prospect Park, 05/19/12)

191) Black-bellied Plover (Plumb Beach, 05/20/12)
192) Ruddy Turnstone (Plumb Beach, 05/20/12)
193) Sanderling (Plumb Beach, 05/20/12)
194) Semipalmated Sandpiper (Plumb Beach, 05/20/12)
195) Least Sandpiper (Plumb Beach, 05/20/12)
196) Least Tern (Plumb Beach, 05/20/12)
197) Semipalmated Plover (Floyd Bennett Field--End of Archery Road, 05/20/12) ...Read more

Treehugger Tuesday

Cork may be one of the world's most sustainable product. For that reason alone it really depressed me when I began seeing plastic "corks" or screw-caps used for wine. Below is a documentary produced by Andrew Revkin and his students at Pace University about the "Cork Wars":

Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips within NYC's five boroughs for the weekend of June 9, 2012 - June 10, 2012:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Discover Tour
Every Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist.

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, June 9, 2012
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

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Gowanus Dredgers
Saturday, June 9, 2012, 1pm – 5pm
Canoe on the Gowanus Canal
Bring a friend for a self-guided Canoe trip sponsored by the Gowanus Dredgers to raise awareness of Harbor Issues www.gowanuscana​l.org

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New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, June 9, 2012, 8am – 9:30pm
Van Cortlandt Bird Walk
Guide: Andrew Baksh or Urban Park Rangers. With the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, and Urban Park Rangers.
Meet at Van Cortlandt 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 residents and migrants and discuss a wide range of avian topics. For more information, please call 718-548-0912. No registration necessary. No limit. Free.

Sunday, June 10, 2012, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Sunset EcoCruise to the Harbor Heron Islands
Guide: Gabriel Willow With New York Water Taxi Meet at South Street Seaport's Pier 17. We're excited about this summer's ecocruises; we’ve expanded our explorations of the City's island rookeries to three different locations! Depending on which weekend you choose, cruises may visit the fascinating Brother Islands, the large egret and cormorant colonies on Hoffman and Swinburne Islands, or the great expanses of Jamaica Bay. Whichever your destination, you'll experience the wonders of New York's famous harbor at sunset and see some of the three thousand herons, egrets, and ibis nesting on these urban island treasures. To learn about specific cruise dates and register, visit New York Water Taxi online or by phone at 212-742-1969. Limited to 90. Pricing varies by destination.

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Staten Island Museum
Sunday, June 10, 9:00am - 11:00am
Ecology Walk - High Rock Park
Enjoy a walk through High Rock Park with special focus on the ponds and streams for nesting birds and dragonflies. Meet at the High Rock Park parking area at end of Nevada Ave. For more information call Seth Wollney at 718.483.7105.
Free

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, June 9, 2012

Birding
8:00 a.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. From falcons and salamanders, to...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Free!

Staten Island Museum NatureFest
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
This free, family-friendly event is a fun filled afternoon that boasts a slew of...
Location: Carousel for All Children (in Willowbrook Park), Staten Island
Free!

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Hudson River Park Wild!
9:00 a.m.
Hudson River Park is bringing some attention to its vital role in creating one of the...
Location: Hudson River Park's Pier 40
Free!

Birding at Wave Hill
9:30 a.m.
Naturalist Gabriel Willow contributes his extensive knowledge of bird species and...
Location: Perkins Visitors Center (in Wave Hill), Bronx

Birding: Hawk Watch
10:00 a.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. From falcons and salamanders, to...
Location: River Run Playground (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
Free! ...Read more

Friday's Foto

As we walked into the blind at the edge of the Return-a-Gift Pond in Floyd Bennett Field this small, colorful toad hopped out in front of us. I thought that identification would be fairly straightforward, considering I had good photos. When I began researching toads, however, I learned that the Fowler's Toad and American Toad not only look very similar, but also occasionally hybridize, making a conclusive ID tough. Here's a link to some tips.