Friday's Foto
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Friday, October 31, 2014
A New Species for Prospect Park
On Monday, at around 1pm, I was in Prospect Park and had biked to the baseball field in the far south-east corner of the Long Meadow to check out a large flock of sparrows. There were so many birds flying in and out of the chain-link backstop that I could see them from the footpath 300 yards to the north.
As I got close, I noticed the white tail feathers flashing from dozens of juncos as they moved from the grass outside the ballfield, to a large puddle in the dug out area. Then I realized that most of the activity I saw from the distance was merely a large flock of House Sparrows. They were mostly perched in the diamond-shaped openings at the back of home plate, but a single bird perched at the very top of the backstop caught my eye. It was large, like the House Sparrows, but had a unique dark outlined auricular patch, rusty coverts and distinctive rusty edges to some of its flight feathers. My immediate impression was that the bird was a Lapland Longspur, but it seemed so unlikely that I tried turning it into something else. I'd seen longspurs many times in the past, but always at Floyd Bennett Field in the dead of winter and usually within flocks of Horned Larks. It just seemed like the wrong place to find one. When the bird flew to the ground and I got closer looks, I was certain it was a longspur so took out my phone to get the word out quickly.
My friend Sean texted me a few minutes later and asked if I could keep an eye on the bird for 15 minutes while he biked over. I wrote back that a Red-tailed Hawk had thoughtlessly flown across the field and flushed all the birds. I would try and relocate it and let him know. It only took a few minutes for the birds to settle down. The longspur returned to the infield to refuel on seeds after a long flight from its breeding grounds in the arctic tundra. Sean arrived about 10 minutes later and got great looks and several really nice photos.
This is the first record for this species in Prospect Park. Several other people were able rush into the park to see it before it disappeared.
Here's a photo that Sean took of the bird nibbling on grass seed in the infield, just short of home plate, although I'd call it a home run:
...Read more
Sparrow Time
I've been seriously neglecting my blog over the past couple of weeks. That's not to say I haven't been birding or posting the regular, weekly features, I just haven't been writing any details about my latest observations. That said...
On Sunday, October 19th I led a trip for the Linnaean Society of New York to Floyd Bennett Field. The following weekend (last Saturday) I went back to lead a trip for the Brooklyn Bird Club. Warbler migration is over, for the most part, with only Yellow-rumped Warblers moving through in large numbers. We'll still see some lingering Palm Warblers for a bit, as well as, half-hardy species like Orange-crowned Warbler and Yellow-breasted Chat, but now is really the time for sparrows.
The trip on the 19th followed an evening of north-west winds that were still gusting when the group met in front of Aviator Sports. It was so strong that I opted to forgo walking the edges of the open grassland and instead look for birds in windbreaks. It ended up being one of the birdiest days at this location that I can remember in a very, very long time. During the early morning there were hundreds of birds (mainly yellow-rumps and robins) passing overhead or dropping into the community gardens or North 40. On the larger end of the spectrum, we probably observed a couple of thousand Brant passing overhead throughout the day. In addition, there seemed to be a near constant stream of raptors with Sharp-shinned Hawks and Cooper's Hawks topping the list for abundance.
Overnight Yellow-rumped Warblers had suddenly become ubiquitous, with my best "guesstimate" being easily a couple of thousand seen. Their distinctive "chek" call was heard all day, no matter where we were at Floyd Bennett. Sparrow abundance and diversity were way up from the previous weekend. White-throated Sparrows were seen in fairly large flocks around the community gardens and the North 40 trails. Our sparrow highlights were a Vesper Sparrow and Clay-colored Sparrow, both along the weedy berm at the east side of the field opposite Aviator Sports and the soccer fields. The Clay-colored Sparrow was a cooperative individual that allowed good looks for everyone in the group.
It was an exciting day, but somewhat frustrating in that we didn't know where to look as there were so many birds moving around. One of the trip participants was visiting the United States from Denmark. It was his first trip to North America and was very lucky to have arrived just after a cold front carried such a tremendous amount of birds into the area. I believe that he said every bird we encountered, except for Rock Pigeon, European Starling and House Sparrow, were life birds! The fact the they all put on such a great show was even more exciting.
Last weekend's trip to Floyd Bennett Field was no less successful. The large number of White-throated Sparrows from the previous weekend subsided a bit but were replaced with a tremendous abundance of Dark-eyed Juncos. We also encountered a fair number of chipping, savannah, song and Swamp Sparrows.
That morning I arrived an hour before the scheduled meeting time so I could scout for birds. At the cricket field Heydi, Peter and I flushed an Eastern Meadowlark that had been at the edge of the grass. I also incorrectly identified three "American Pipits" that were hunkered down at the center of the field. When Heydi checked her photos later that day, they turned out to be a trio of Vesper Sparrows! In my defense, the light wasn't great, both species are brown, streaky birds with white eye-rings, plus it is a location that I would normally expect to see pipits. Up to that point I'd never seen more than one Vesper Sparrow at a time in Brooklyn. In fact, the thought of a "flock" of Vespers in Brooklyn is pretty ridiculous.
We ended up seeing a pretty diverse mix of sparrows by the end of the trip, but the highlight was a bird over 100 times the size of the largest sparrow.
I was leading the group back to the North 40 trail head when Heydi called me from the community gardens. She just spotted an adult Bald Eagle heading north, just west of us. I ran in the direction of Flatbush Avenue, hoping to find it for everyone. After scanning the sky for a few minutes and coming up empty, I started to lead the group back the other way. Within a few seconds, my friend Kevin says, "Is that an eagle sitting at the top of that tree?" Yes, Kevin, that would be a Bald Eagle. Apparently, as we were running west, he flew right behind us. Here's a really nice photo of the eagle taken by Peter Colen:
Many people don't realize there is much beauty and diversity among the sparrow family. To the uninitiated, the word "sparrow" conjures images of a little, brown bird eating crumbs of garbage from the sidewalk on a busy city street. That bird would most likely be a House Sparrow and even they may have some redeeming qualities. However, fall migration around Brooklyn and New York City brings a wide range of "little brown jobs" with an occasional, unexpected rarity, so I recommend taking the time to slow down and check out these seedeaters.
Below is a short slideshow of many of the sparrows seen throughout the year in Brooklyn. Most are not locally breeding birds, but are seen during migration or overwintering. That list is:
Eastern Towhee
American Tree Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Nelson's Sparrow
Saltmarsh Sparrow
Seaside Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Here's the combined species list for the two Floyd Bennett Field trips:
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Dates: 10/19/2014 and 10/25/2014
Location: Floyd Bennett Field
Species: 73
Brant
Ring-necked Pheasant
Great Cormorant
Osprey
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
American Woodcock
Laughing Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
Tree Swallow
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
Gray Catbird
American Pipit
Cedar Waxwing
Common Yellowthroat
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
Field Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Indigo Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Rusty Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Other common species seen (or heard):
Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Double-crested Cormorant, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Northern Cardinal, House Sparrow
...Read more
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Treehugger Tuesday
Just published in The Guardian:
Conservation Project Hopes to Bring back New York's Oysters
Bronx River oyster restoration project aims to reintroduce the molluscs that purify waters and help provide storm defenses - but pollution levels will still make them hazardous to eat
Peter Mellgard
theguardian.com, Tuesday 28 October 2014 10.41 EDT
The woman sat in the muck beside the Bronx River in the northern part of New York City, measured the oyster between a pair of calipers, and called out to her partner. “31 ... no, 32 millimeters. Um, dead. No, alive! Wait.” She paused, noticing the two halves of the oyster shell had separated and filled with mud. “Dead,” she said sadly.
Live oysters were what this small group of volunteers, scientists and activists fervently hoped to find in this distant corner of New York City, called Soundview, on that crystal clear morning in May.
The volunteers wore borrowed waders over old sneakers. They ventured out into the dark water, using walking sticks to avoid stumbling in the deep mud that coated the bottom of the river. Reaching down into water, about 20 yards offshore, they pulled out baskets of oysters and carried them carefully back to the riverbank to check for winter survivors.
This was phase two of something known as the Oyster Restoration Research Project, run by the New York/New Jersey Baykeeper program, the Hudson River Foundation, the Army Corps of Engineers, and other partners, to restore oysters to an ecosystem they once dominated.
In the first phase, the other test restoration locations – off Governors Island, in the Bay Ridge flats, Jamaica Bay – all failed, the oysters washed away by rough waves or smothered to death in mud. The reefs at Soundview are now the only active oyster restoration effort in New York City waters.
“Soundview was the only one that didn’t blow away and where we saw at least a little bit of growth on the oysters,” said Dr Allison Fitzgerald of NY/NJ Baykeeper. “They can survive. The question is how long they are surviving. There’s a big difference between surviving and thriving.”
Attempting to restore oysters to New York City’s harbor and rivers and inlets has almost no downsides. They are natural and efficient water purifiers – studies have shown each one can filter 50 gallons of water each day. “They actually pull the sediment and particles out of the water and deposit them on the ground,” Fitzgerald said. “They clean the water column as they’re eating.”
By building reefs, oysters also make it easier for other organisms such as fish, shellfish, crabs, grasses, and birds, eventually to make a comeback in areas where human development has destroyed their habitat. And oyster reefs, like salt marshes – both of which New York City used to have in abundance – provide a barrier to storm surges, like the one that devastated downtown Manhattan and parts of Staten Island and Brooklyn during Hurricane Sandy.
But don’t eat them. Not yet, at least. They might contain the types of chemicals and pathogens sometimes found in New York’s infamously polluted waterways. In the past, contaminated oysters harvested illegally have killed and blinded people.
“The idea isn’t to get an oyster industry going,” Dr Fitzgerald said. (For that, see the Chesapeake Bay restoration programme) “You want to create oysters for people to eat, you can do that in a hatchery.” This program has led to a diverse group of volunteers out and into the water, she says, and connecting New Yorkers to their natural environment is important.
There are still problems with poachers who disregard the danger. “I find people fishing and crabbing at some of our sites all the time,” said Dr Fitzgerald. “They would say, ‘Oh that’s dinner.’ They would not look twice at it.”
She added: “We also have people who are like, ‘I’ve been living in Jamaica Bay for my whole life, and my daddy before me and his daddy before him! And I eat oysters every day no problem!’ And yeah you probably glow in the dark also.”
Going forward, poachers are one of a handful of problems facing the restoration effort. There are predators – oyster drills, oyster toadfish, crabs.
The biggest obstacle is a confusing and inefficient array of bureaucracies that stand in the way of oyster reefing. Baykeeper had a proposal to bring oysters back to Freshkills Park, a 2,200-acre reserve on Staten Island that will be two-and-a-half times as large as Central Park, recently turned down by the city.
The slight still smarts. “There are a lot of benefits to having an oyster reef that far outweigh the risks,” said Dr. Fitzgerald, “but the risks to human health are hard for the regulators to get around.”
At Soundview back in May, the first field date for the oyster restoration project after the winter snows had melted, the volunteers and scientists found that the oysters’ survival rate was about average. It was a good sign.
Just across the river was the new Fulton Fish Market, the second largest in the world, where thousands of pounds of prime oysters are bought every day. New York City oysters haven’t been welcome there in decades.
The riverbed itself was mud – no grass, no marsh, very little wildlife. During intense storms, sewage treatment facilities are frequently overwhelmed and the overflow is dumped directly in rivers like the Bronx. The oysters, of course, slurp it all in.
...Read more
Monday, October 27, 2014
Upcoming Nature Trips
Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of November 1, 2014 to November 2, 2014:
Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturdays, 12 – 1 p.m.
Free Explore the Park's natural areas and learn how to look for amazing birds.
Pop-Up Audubon
Saturdays and Sundays, April 5 – October 19, 12 – 5 p.m. / November – December, 12 – 4 p.m.
Free
The Prospect Park Alliance presents Pop-Up Audubon, now in its second season, invites families to directly engage with nature through outdoor learning in locations around the Park.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Early Morning Bird Walk: Feathered Friends
Sunday, November 2, 8 a.m.
Free Meet the amazing birds of Prospect Park on this expert-guided walk. Start your Sunday morning surrounded by nature!
Pop-Up Audubon
Saturdays and Sundays, April 5 – October 19, 12 – 5 p.m. / November – December, 12 – 4 p.m.
Free
The Prospect Park Alliance presents Pop-Up Audubon, now in its second season, invites families to directly engage with nature through outdoor learning in locations around the Park.
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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Birding on Brooklyn's Terminal Moraine ridge: Sunset Park hawk watch and Greenwood Cemetery
Meet 8 am at Greenwood Cemetery entrance at 4th Avenue
Leader: Peter Dorosh, 1-347-622-3559 (text message only) in case of wet weather
Focus: Hawk watching in this first ever BBC visit to Sunset Park at approximately11:00 after Greenwood Cemetery early birding; migrants will be early winter species
Note: bring a small chair.
Nearest train: "R" ,"D",or "N" line to 36th St, walk east www.hopstop.com
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Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Jamaica Bay
Leader: Joe DiCostanzo
Registrar: Dale Dancis – ddancis@gmail.com or 212-724-3269
Registration opens: Monday, October 20
Ride: $15 or public transportation
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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, November 1, 2014
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, November 1, 2014, 8am – 11am
Beginning Birding Central Park Trip
Classes: Thursdays, October 23, October 30, and November 6, 6:30-8:30pm Trips: Saturdays, November 1 and 8, time TBA Instructor: Tod Winston Learn the keys to identifying the spectacular variety of birds that migrate southwards through New York City every fall. Even if you've never picked up a pair of binoculars, you’ll soon be identifying warblers, thrushes, waterbirds, and more—both by sight and by ear. Three fun and educational in-class sessions and two field trips to Central Park and Jamaica bay (transport to Jamaica bay included).
Limited to 12. $160 (112.50) Click here to register
Saturday, November 1, 2014, 8:00am – 9:30am
Van Cortlandt Park Bird Walks, The Bronx
Guides: NYC Audubon, Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy With the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy 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 212-691-7483. No registration necessary. No limit. Free.
Sunday, November 2, 2014, 9am – 3pm
Ducks, Raptors, and More at Pelham Bay Park, The Bronx
Guide: Gabriel Willow Come explore the lovely coves and rocky outcroppings of Pelham Bay Park, looking for wintering ducks, migrating raptors, and more. Pelham Bay Park's combination of open water, salt marsh, rocky shore, both young and old growth forest, rare coastal tall grass meadows, and patches of dry and wet oak savanna are not just unique within the City, but also on this continent! Bring lunch and water. Transport by passenger van included.
Limited to 12. $90 (63) NOTE: THIS DATE IS THE END OF DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME - REMEMBER TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK. Click here to register
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North Shore Audubon Society
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Jamaica Bay NWR
Leader: Lenore Figueroa (718-343-1391)
Walks are for beginners and experienced birders alike.
Weather permitting, walks start at 9:30 AM unless indicated otherwise.
If in doubt, please call the trip leader.
Please note: all phone numbers are area code 516 unless otherwise indicated.
In most cases, the contacts are also leaders for the respective walks.
Go to our website at www.northshoreaudubon.org/for directions.
We would like to encourage carpooling, where possible.
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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, November 1, 2014, 9:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Protectors’ Annual Fall 10-Mile Greenbelt Walk
Colors should be at peak with some contrasting greens. Wear comfortable boots and long pants. Ten moderate miles in all weather. Park and meet at the end of Staten Island Boulevard, a block off Ocean Terrace, just above the Petrides Campus. Bring lunch and adequate beverage.
For more information, call Dominick Durso at 917-478-7607 or Don Recklies at 718-768-9036
Saturday, November 1, 2014, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Autumn Colors in Long Pond Park
The changing colors of autumn leaves should be close to their best this week. The variety of colorful trees, including Sweet Gum, Maple and Tupelo–the trees around Long Pond and in the surrounding park–should provide a vibrant backdrop for this hike. Besides observing the variety of colors and trees identified with particular hues, we will search for evidence of the local wildlife, migrating birds and Monarch butterflies. Meet by PS 6, on Page Avenue and Academy Avenue about three blocks NW of Hylan Boulevard.
For more information, call Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327
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South Shore Audubon Society
November 2, 2014
Alley Pond Park
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 Joe at (516) 467-9498.
For directions to our bird-watching locations, click here.
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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Bird Walk at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
8:00 a.m.
NYC Audubon experts lead the way as we marvel at quirky but logical bird behavior and delicate feathers in exquisite patterns. Bring binoculars if you have them and wear sturdy…
Free!
...Read more
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Treehugger Tuesday
More Motivation to Get Outside
The following is from the website "Treehugger":
More reasons why you should turn off the TV and take your kids outside
Katherine Martinko (@feistyredhair)
Living / Culture
October 20, 2014
Whether you want to avoid setting your kids up for a fatter, less healthy adulthood, or wish to inspire them to careers that embrace nature, there are many reasons why turning off indoor distractions is a good idea.
A child is only small for a few short years, but those early years are extremely important. The way in which parents guide and direct their children at the beginning of their lives has a long-lasting effect and can influence what kind of adults those children become.
There is mounting evidence that unplugging from technology is one of the greatest favours a parent can do for their child. Contrary to what big tech companies would have you believe, putting a small child in front of the TV or giving them an iPad for hours on end can have more of a detrimental effect than a positive one.
An interesting study was recently published in Britain, spanning 32 years. Researchers used data from the 1970 British Cohort Study, which followed the lives of 17,248 people born in England and Wales in a single week in 1970. When the kids were 10 years old, their parents provided information about their TV-watching habits, whether they played sports, and what their heights and weights were. Decades later, when the subjects were all 42, the subjects self-reported their TV-watching habits, their health status, and their involvement in sports.
The researchers found that subjects who watched more TV as children were most likely to watch more TV in middle age. Those who watched more than 3 hours of TV at age 42 also had watched a lot of TV at age 10. It was also found that a person’s BMI increased according to the amount of TV watched.
“Watching TV for 3+ hours per day was associated with reporting fair or poor health, in comparison to those reporting excellent health. Those participating in vigorous sports at least once a week were less likely to watch 3+ hours of TV per day; watching 3+ hours of TV per day was associated with self-reported overweight/obese.”
There is another compelling reason why turning off the TV is worthwhile. Getting kids outside gets them interested in nature, teaches them to appreciate it, and can lead to wonderful career opportunities, as shown in this short video clip from the World Wildlife Fund. In it, expert scientists cite childhood exposure to nature as being a primary motivating factor in leading them to pursue careers in nature conservation.
So turn off those indoor distractions. Take your kids outside for a walk, a bike ride, or a lengthy play in the backyard. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, just something that can be sustained daily. Start with just a few minutes a day, if you need to, and your children will grow to love it. There's nothing like a curious child to show us forgetful adults how wondrous nature truly is.
...Read more
Monday, October 20, 2014
Upcoming Nature Trips
Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of October 25, 2014 to October 26, 2014:
Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Floyd Bennett Field
Leader: Rob Jett, aka, The City Birder
Focus: migration peak sparrows, raptors and grassland species
Car fee: $10.00
Registrar: Sandy Paci, email sandypaci@earthlink.net
Registration period: Oct 14th - Oct 23rd
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Linnaean Society of New York
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Caumsett State Park for Sparrows and Late Migrants
Leader and registrar: Lenore Swenson – lenoreswenson@gmail.com or 212-533-9567
Registration opens: Monday October 13
Ride: $30
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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, October 25, 2014
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, October 25, 2014, 8:00am – 9:30am
Van Cortlandt Park Bird Walks, The Bronx
Guides: NYC Audubon, Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy With the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy 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 212-691-7483. No registration necessary. No limit. Free.
Sunday, October 26, 2014, 9am – 1pm
Fall Migration on Randall's Island
Guides: Gabriel Willow, Christopher Girgenti of Randall's Island With Randall's Island Park Alliance, Inc. Meet on the N.W. corner of 102nd Street and FDR Drive. We'll walk across the foot bridge to Randall's Island, an under-explored location in the East River that hosts restored freshwater wetlands and salt marsh. We'll look for fall migrants as we explore the results of recent restoration efforts. Two miles of walking and some modest climbs.
Limited to 20. $35.00 (24) Click here to register
Sunday, October 26, 2014, 10am – 11am
Birding for Families in Central Park
Guide: NYC Audubon Offered by the Central Park Conservancy
Meet at the Dana Discovery Center (inside the park at 110th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenues).
Bring the kids and visit one of New York City’s richest bird habitats. As a family, learn how to spot and identify our feathered neighbors in their natural surroundings. Binoculars can be borrowed from the Dana Center.
For weather cancellation information, call 212-860-1370.
Limited to 20. Age 5 and up.
Free
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Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Hook Mountain (or RBA chase)
Leader: Bob Dieterich 732-583-5843
Bob will lead a Trip to this hawk watch location, unless winds are unfavorable, in which case we may substitute an RBA chase Those who want to carpool on their own can meet at Alley Pond – lower Winchester lot at 6:30 am. If Hook Mountain is the ultimate destination, Bob Dieterich will meet the whole group at 7:45 AM at the high point along Route 9W (north of Nyack, NY) SEE MAP
MINI TRIPS: Break after lunch +/-
ALL DAY TRIPS: BYO lunch, dinner out. {optl}
WEEKEND TRIPS: Two + days / Overnight
Trip Etiquette
Please register for trips
1 - Register. Let leaders know you're coming!
2 - Car pooling or skipping requires planning
3 - Be advised if there are last minute changes or cancellations. These cannot be communicated to unknown persons.
4 - Be on time! Most trips begin birding by 8am!
5 - Please arrive before the starting time so we do not waste precious early morning bird activity.
6 - Plan your travel time.
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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Bird Walk at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
8:00 a.m.
NYC Audubon experts lead the way as we marvel at quirky but logical bird behavior and delicate feathers in exquisite patterns. Bring binoculars if you have them and wear sturdy…
Free!
Falconry Presentation: Skyhunters in Flight at Wave Hill, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Watch hawks, falcons and owls sharpen their hunting skills during an exciting outdoor flight demonstration with master falconer Brian Bradley of New Paltz, New York. Hear about the…
Free!
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Birds of the Ridgewood Reservoir at Ridgewood Reservoir, Queens
9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join the Brooklyn Bird Club on a fall bird migration walk. Have fun looking for winter sparrows, waterfowl, and raptors such as hawks,falcons and the bald eagle!
Free!
Birding for Families at Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (in Central Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Experience the coming of fall in Central Park when it becomes a precious bird habitat and migration hot spot!
Free!
...Read more
Friday, October 17, 2014
Friday's Foto
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Treehugger Tuesday
New Documentary about Saving Species
A new documentary from director Louie Psihoyos and the Oceanic Preservation Society is slated for a wide release later this year. The film is called “Racing Extinction,” and has big ambitions for preventing mass species loss.
Saving Species: The Grasshopper Sparrow from Oceanic Preservation Society on Vimeo.
Monday, October 13, 2014
Upcoming Nature Trips
Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of October 18, 2014 to October 19, 2014:
Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Pop-Up Audubon
Saturdays and Sundays, April 5 – October 19, 12 – 5 p.m. / November – December, 12 – 4 p.m.
Free
The Prospect Park Alliance presents Pop-Up Audubon, now in its second season, invites families to directly engage with nature through outdoor learning in locations around the Park.
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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Green-Wood Cemetery
Meet: 8 AM at main entrance 25th St. & 5th Ave.
Leader: Tom Preston
Note: nearest train line is "R" to 25th Street stop.
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Linnaean Society of New York
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Floyd Bennett Field
Leader: Rob Jett aka "The City Birder"
Registrar: Sherry Felix – info@linnaeannewyork.org or 212-255-0138
Registration opens: Monday, October 6
Ride: $15 or public transportation
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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, October 18, 2014
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, October 18, 2014, 8am – 8pm
NYC Audubon Day at Hawk Mountain
Guides: Hawk Mountain Education Specialist, Gabriel Willow. Mid-October is the perfect time to visit Hawk Mountain, one of the premier hawk-watching spots in the East. Gabriel Willow and a Hawk Mountain education specialist will introduce us to the variety of raptors that may be seen, including golden eagles, buteos, and falcons The path to the hawk watch site is a 3/4 mile hike through mountainous woodland.
Bring lunch. Group program, trail admission, and transportation by coach or van included. Participants may also arrange their own transportation.
Transportation option limited to 30. $122 (85)
Click here to register
Saturday, October 18, 2014, 8:00am – 9:30am
Van Cortlandt Park Bird Walks, The Bronx
Guides: NYC Audubon, Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy With the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy 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 212-691-7483. No registration necessary. No limit. Free.
Sunday, October 19, 2014, 9:30am – 11:30am
Fall Birding at Wave Hill, The Bronx
Guide: Gabriel Willow With Wave Hill Meet at the Perkins Visitor Center. Naturalist Gabriel Willow contributes his extensive knowledge of bird species and their behaviors on these captivating walks. Wave Hill’s garden setting overlooking the Hudson River flyway provides the perfect habitat for resident and migrating birds.
Ages 10 and up welcome with an adult. Reservations recommended, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718-549-3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Severe weather cancels; for updates call 718-549-3200 x245 by 8am the day of the walk. NYC Audubon members enjoy two-for-one admission
Sunday, October 19, 2014, 10am – 11am
Birding for Families in Central Park
Guide: NYC Audubon Offered by the Central Park Conservancy
Meet at the Dana Discovery Center (inside the park at 110th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenues).
Bring the kids and visit one of New York City’s richest bird habitats. As a family, learn how to spot and identify our feathered neighbors in their natural surroundings. Binoculars can be borrowed from the Dana Center.
For weather cancellation information, call 212-860-1370.
Limited to 20. Age 5 and up.
Free
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North Shore Audubon Society
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Alley Pond Park
Meet: 233 St./67th Ave. (E. End of school playground)
Leader: Trudy Horowitz (718-224-8432)
Walks are for beginners and experienced birders alike.
Weather permitting, walks start at 9:30 AM unless indicated otherwise.
If in doubt, please call the trip leader.
Please note: all phone numbers are area code 516 unless otherwise indicated.
In most cases, the contacts are also leaders for the respective walks.
Go to our website at www.northshoreaudubon.org/for directions.
We would like to encourage carpooling, where possible.
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Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Hempstead Lake State Park
Leader: Arie Gilbert 917-693-7178
Meet at 7:30am
MINI TRIPS: Break after lunch +/-
ALL DAY TRIPS: BYO lunch, dinner out. {optl}
WEEKEND TRIPS: Two + days / Overnight
Trip Etiquette
Please register for trips
1 - Register. Let leaders know you're coming!
2 - Car pooling or skipping requires planning
3 - Be advised if there are last minute changes or cancellations. These cannot be communicated to unknown persons.
4 - Be on time! Most trips begin birding by 8am!
5 - Please arrive before the starting time so we do not waste precious early morning bird activity.
6 - Plan your travel time.
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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Bird Walk at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
8:00 a.m.
NYC Audubon experts lead the way as we marvel at quirky but logical bird behavior and delicate feathers in exquisite patterns. Bring binoculars if you have them and wear sturdy…
Free!
Birding: Fall Migration at Oceania Street and 67th Street (in Cunningham Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Today wildlife is recognized as one of the nation's fastest growing activities. Our Rangers will guide you to…
Free!
Birding at Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum at Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
3:30 p.m.
The fall migration continues with warblers, sparrows, scarlet tanagers, rose-breasted grosbeaks, red-headed woodpeckers, and more visiting Pelham Bay Park. Naturalist and photographer…
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Birding for Families at Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (in Central Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Experience the coming of fall in Central Park when it becomes a precious bird habitat and migration hot spot!
Free!
...Read more
Friday, October 10, 2014
Friday's Foto
Tuesday, October 07, 2014
Some Recent Bird Videos
Here are a few bird videos I shot over the past month:
Whimbrel, Plum Beach, September 7, 2014
Whimbrels are general pretty scarce around Brooklyn, but this cooperative individual was my third sighting this year.
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Western Kingbird, Calvert Vaux Park, September 20, 2014
This Western Kingbird was only the second record of this species in Brooklyn. As this western species tends to do, it disappeared after spending only a day in the park along Coney Island Creek.
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Black Skimmers, Coney Island, September 24, 2014
Every fall Black Skimmers begin to congregate on the beach at Brooklyn's Coney Island as they prepare to migrate south. I've counted as many as 2,500 in the past.
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Tree Swallows, Floyd Bennettt Field, October 4, 2014
A swarm of approximately 1,000 Tree Swallows touched down in the trees and shrubs along the edge of one of the runways following a brief thunderstorm. It looks like we are in a boat because of the lake-sized puddle on the roadway.
Treehugger Tuesday
Video posted on Gizmodo today:
Can Cities Save Insect Life?
Barry J Gibb - Mosaic
Today 5:42am
Flitting from plant to plant, from flower to flower, bees and other insect pollinators play an essential role in crop pollination and the human food supply. But they're struggling: intensive agriculture and climate change have taken a heavy toll on their populations.
Might our cities be the perfect haven for these pollinators? Amid the brick and concrete, steel and glass, there are parks, gardens and curious bits of greenery – and here you can find honey bees, bumblebees, solitary bees, flies and butterflies.
In this film we meet the scientists from the Insect Pollinators Initiative, an ambitious UK-wide scientific collaboration that's exploring where and how wild bees and other pollinators are living in cities around the UK. And as we follow renowned guerrilla gardener Richard Reynolds around his home in London's concrete maze, Elephant and Castle, we discover a curious symbiosis between humans and bees. By investing in the future of bees living successfully in cities, we may also be investing in our own health and happiness.
...Read more
Monday, October 06, 2014
Upcoming Nature Trips
Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of October 11, 2014 to October 12, 2014:
Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Family Bird Watching Tour
Saturday, September 13, October 11 and November 8, 10-11 a.m.
Free
Geared towards families with children ages 8 and older, the Prospect Park Alliance will help young naturalists learn how to observe and identify some of the 200 species of birds that pass through Prospect Park or make it their home.
Pop-Up Audubon
Saturdays and Sundays, April 5 – October 19, 12 – 5 p.m. / November – December, 12 – 4 p.m.
Free
The Prospect Park Alliance presents Pop-Up Audubon, now in its second season, invites families to directly engage with nature through outdoor learning in locations around the Park.
Sunday, October 12, 2014, 8 a.m.
Pop-Up Audubon
Saturdays and Sundays, April 5 – October 19, 12 – 5 p.m. / November – December, 12 – 4 p.m.
Free
The Prospect Park Alliance presents Pop-Up Audubon, now in its second season, invites families to directly engage with nature through outdoor learning in locations around the Park.
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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Marine Park's "Brooklyn" Sparrows
Meet: Grand Army Plaza #2/3 train stop at 7:00AM
Leader: Dennis Hrehowsik, email deepseagangster@gmail.com
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Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, October 11, 2014
New Jersey Hotspots
Leader: Robert Machover
Registrar: Ellen Hoffman – ellenh33@icloud.com or 917-903-3486
Registration opens: Monday, September 29
Ride: $40
Sunday, October 12, 2014
2nd Annual Starr Saphir Memorial Fall Migration Walk
Leader: Lenore Swenson – information only lenoreswenson@gmail.com or 212-533-9567
No registration: Public transportation
Meet at Central Park West and 103rd Street at 7:30 am
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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, October 11, 2014
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, October 11, 2014, 8:00am – 9:30am
Van Cortlandt Bird Walk
Guide: NYC Audubon, Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy With the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy 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 212-691-7483. No registration necessary. No limit. Free.
Saturday, October 11, 2014, 9am – 12pm
Sparrow ID Workshop (trip)
Instructor: Gabriel Willow Sparrows are one of the most challenging groups of birds to identify, yet beautiful and fascinating once they can be distinguished. Learn to identify those LBJs (little brown jobs) by studying behavior, field marks, and songs. Sparrow species seen in prior years include field, swamp, savannah, white-crowned, and Lincoln's.
Limited to 12. $58 (40.50)
Click here to register
Saturday, October 11, 2014, 9:30am – 6:00pm
Raptor Trust and Great Swamp, NJ
Guides: Don Riepe, Tod Winston Enjoy a private tour of the Raptor Trust rehabilitation center and see many owls and hawks up close. Afterwards, we’ll hike the boardwalk trails of the beautiful Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge to look for raptors, waterfowl, reptiles, and amphibians. Bring lunch. Transport by passenger van included.
Limited to 11. $107.50 (75)
Click here to register
Sunday, October 12, 2014, 9:30am – 11:30am
Fall Birding at Wave Hill, The Bronx
Guide: Gabriel Willow With Wave Hill Meet at the Perkins Visitor Center. Naturalist Gabriel Willow contributes his extensive knowledge of bird species and their behaviors on these captivating walks. Wave Hill’s garden setting overlooking the Hudson River flyway provides the perfect habitat for resident and migrating birds.
Ages 10 and up welcome with an adult. Reservations recommended, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718-549-3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Severe weather cancels; for updates call 718-549-3200 x245 by 8am the day of the walk. NYC Audubon members enjoy two-for-one admission
Sunday, October 12, 2014, 10am – 11am
Birding for Families in Central Park
Guide: NYC Audubon Offered by the Central Park Conservancy
Meet at the Dana Discovery Center (inside the park at 110th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenues).
Bring the kids and visit one of New York City’s richest bird habitats. As a family, learn how to spot and identify our feathered neighbors in their natural surroundings. Binoculars can be borrowed from the Dana Center.
For weather cancellation information, call 212-860-1370.
Limited to 20. Age 5 and up.
Free
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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, October 11, 2014, 1 P.M. to 3 P.M.
Long Pond Park
We’ll explore Long Pond Park, keeping an eye out for the local white-tailed deer population, take in the fall foliage, and keep our eyes looking for migrating bird species. Long Pond is an uncommon mixture of woodland and wetland, providing a peaceful home to a diverse range of wildlife. Its beauty is easily appreciated and is one of the most pristine natural areas in all of New York City, covering over 100 acres. Meet for the walk at the corner of Eugene Street and Adelphi Avenue, right by the intersection of Page Avenue and Amboy Road. (http://goo.gl/maps/UCsFg). Parking is available on Eugene Street.
Please call John Paul Learn at 718-619-5051 or e-mail at john.paul.learn@gmail.com for more information.
Sunday, October, 12, 2014, 8 A.M. to 10 A.M.
Hawk Watch at the Cemetery of the Resurrection on Sharrott Avenue
Join birder, Anthony Ciancimino, for a hawk watch at the Cemetery of the Resurrection. After we check the three ponds in the cemetery for any waterfowl that has arrived, participants will enjoy a stationary hawk watch from the overlook. The overlook is a large mound that provides a nice, clear look of surrounding areas. Bald Eagles, Osprey, Black and Turkey Vultures, and Cooper’s, Sharp-shinned, and Red tailed Hawks are all likely to be seen.
Meet at the first entrance to the cemetery beside the restrooms, closest to Hylan Boulevard.
Sunday, October 12, 2014, 2 P.M. to 4 P.M.
Acme Pond
Acme Pond is a diverse ecosystem, located northwest of Hylan Boulevard across from Wolfe’s Pond Park. This walk will take us through hiking trails in some of the most idyllic woodlands in all of New York City, leading to a view of a large freshwater pond and its inhabitants. We will meet at the corner of Seguine Avenue and Herbert Street. Street parking is available on Herbert Street. (http://goo.gl/maps/59dvC).
Call John Paul Learn at 718-619-5051 or e-mail at john.paul.learn@gmail.com for more information.
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Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Jones Beach
Leader: Joel Greenberg Outing Nancy Tognan 917 753 3146
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Ft. Tilden BIG SIT
Leader: Corey Finger 518-445-5829
Description: BIG SIT at Ft. Tilden Hawkwatch platform (Corey will be at the Ft. Tilden platform before dawn (7:00 AM). If you do not know the way, meet Lisa near the community garden at 7:30 AM and she will lead you to the platform or call her to lead/direct you to the platform at a later time.)
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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Bird Walk at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
8:00 a.m.
NYC Audubon experts lead the way as we marvel at quirky but logical bird behavior and delicate feathers in exquisite patterns. Bring binoculars if you have them and wear sturdy…
Free!
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Fall Birding at Perkins Visitors Center (in Wave Hill), Bronx
9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Naturalist Gabriel Willow contributes his extensive knowledge of diverse bird species and their behavior on these captivating walks through the gardens and woodlands. Wave Hill’s…
Free!
Birding for Families at Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (in Central Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Experience the coming of fall in Central Park when it becomes a precious bird habitat and migration hot spot!
Free!
Birding: Raptor Migration at Parking Area (in High Rock Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in New York City. Birding programs are appropriate…
Free!
...Read more
Friday, October 03, 2014
Friday's Foto
Wednesday, October 01, 2014
New Rarity for Brooklyn's Plum Beach
The start of October birding brought a great new species to the borough of Brooklyn. It was no surprise to local birders (or anyone who knows him) that the bird was discovered by my friend Shane Blodgett. With several decades of birding experience under his belt, he seems to have the knack (the skills, really) to frequently be in the right place at the right time. It is also pretty amazing that it was found at Plum Beach, a location that has been host to several very good birds this year. The bird that he was rushing to get the word out about was a Northern Wheatear!
Shane was the person who also found a rare King Eider at Plum Beach on August 29th. Here's a selection of rare or scarce birds that have been observed so far in 2014 along this stretch of detritus strewn beach in Brooklyn:
King Eider
Least Bittern
Whimbrel
Hudsonian Godwit
Marbled Godwit
Ruff
Baird's Sandpiper
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Iceland Gull
Gull-billed Tern
Black Tern
Royal Tern
I received Shane's call just as I was finishing up breakfast. I had actually been planning on cycling out to Plum Beach this morning, but was now afraid it might take too long pedaling and I'd miss the bird. I texted Bobbi, Keir and Sean to find out if any of them were driving to Plum and if I could bum a ride. Keir was stuck in traffic having already been to Plum before the wheatear was discovered. He was desperately trying to turn around. Bobbi was already on her way to pick up a few friends at various points in Brooklyn. Sean had to walk his daughter to school and told me if I could get to his place quickly, I'd have a ride. I packed my gear, ran out the door and got to the subway just as a train was pulling into the station. He's two stations away, so when I arrived, he was only just walking back to his house with his 3 year old son. Phew!
Parked the car at the beach, grabbed our gear, Sean put his son on his shoulders and we hoofed it down the 1/2 mile stretch of beach where Shane and Cory Finger were keeping tabs on the bird until other birders arrived. We made it in time. Here's a short video I shot of it:
This is my second sighting of a Northern Wheatear, but the first in North America. My first was in Spain. It was early spring and my wife and I were staying at a beach resort near Tarifa. One early morning, before breakfast, I was walking down the beach with my bins. I spotted a pair of birds flying north across the open water from Africa. They flew passed me and landed on a fence enclosing a small corral for horses. They were both wheatears. I wondered how far they had traveled and where they were headed. Eastern Canada, perhaps? This species is one of the longest traveling of any songbird. From Wikipedia:
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The Northern Wheatear makes one of the longest journeys of any small bird, crossing ocean, ice, and desert. It migrates from Sub-Saharan Africa in Spring over a vast area of the northern hemisphere that includes northern and central Asia, Europe, Greenland, Alaska, and parts of Canada. In Autumn all return to Africa, where their ancestors had wintered.
Birds of the large, bright Greenland race, leucorhoa, makes one of the longest transoceanic crossings of any passerine. In spring most migrate along a route (commonly used by waders and waterfowl) from Africa via continental Europe, the British Isles, and Iceland to Greenland. However, autumn sightings from ships suggest that some birds cross the North Atlantic directly from Canada and Greenland to southwest Europe (a distance of up to 2500 km). Birds breeding in eastern Canada are thought to fly from Baffin Island and Newfoundland via Greenland, Ireland, and Portugal to the Azores (crossing 3500 km of the North Atlantic) before flying onwards to Africa. Other populations from western Canada and Alaska migrate by flying over much of Eurasia to Africa.
Miniature tracking devices have recently shown that the northern wheatear has one of the longest migratory flights known - 30,000 km (18,640 miles), from sub-Saharan Africa to their Arctic breeding grounds.
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This migration route map shows how amazing these birds are, especially considering that, on average, they only weight about as much as a slice of bread:
At one point the Plum Beach bird began making its way towards the west end of the beach. We lost track of it for about 10 minutes, but Cory relocated it near the new rock jetty close to the parking lot. I caught up with the bird just in time to watch it fly passed me towards the east, briefly perching in a plastic bag festooned Ailanthus tree. I managed to get it into my scope for one of the birders who had just arrived, then the bird dropped into the dune grass and vanished. As of this posting (3pm), the wheatear has not been seen again.
If you have the time, I do recommend checking the area early in the morning tomorrow as you might get lucky. Here's a map to Plum Beach for driving. The closest mass transit would be to take the 2 train to Flatbush Avenue-Brooklyn College. Exit the subway and take the B44, which goes down Nostrand Avenue, then turns onto Knapp Street dropping you near the parkway at the western end of Plum Beach.
...Read more
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