Treehugger Tuesday
NPR just published "Plastics - What’s recyclable, what becomes trash — and why"
It's really great. Check it out here.
Celebrate your inner nerd with my new t-shirt design! Available on my Spreadshirt shop in multiple colors and products.
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Monday, August 26, 2019
Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips
Below is a list of upcoming birding and nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, August 31, 2019 to Monday, September 2, 2019:
Bedford Audubon Society
August 25, 2019 through November 25, 2019, 9:00am-5:00pm
Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch
Arthur Butler Sanctuary, Bedford, NY
Spectacular flocks of Broad-winged Hawks pass through our area in mid-September, but Accipiters such as Sharp-shinned + Cooper’s Hawks provide the most consistent flight throughout the fall hawk-watching season.
Join us for Science in Action: Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch to experience the miracle of raptor migration. Our data is combined with other Hawkwatch sites to create population and migration analyses that help us better protect raptors and their habitats.
Registration not necessary.
See more details
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Brooklyn Bird Club
Sunday, September 1, 2019, 8:00am - 11:00am
Prospect Park First Sunday Walk
Meets at the Prospect Park Audubon Center at The Boathouse, the first Sunday of every month except July and August. Leaders are members of the Brooklyn Bird Club.
Bring binoculars.
Note: Meets at 8 a.m. except in the winter months of December, January, and February when the walk starts at 10 a.m.
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Gateway National Park
Saturday, August 31, 2019, 10:00am — 11:00am
Birding for Beginners
Day(s): Every week on Saturday until September 28, 2019
View Details
Sunday, September 1, 2019, 10:00am — 11:30am
Osprey Watch Guided Walk
Day(s): Every week on Sunday until September 29, 2019
View Details
Sunday, September 1, 2019, 2:00pm — 3:30pm
September Flowers: A Wildflower Exploration
View Details
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Great South Bay Audubon Society
Saturday, August 31, 2019, 8:00am
Jamaica Bay NWR
Leader(s): John Gluth (631-827-0120), Mike Cooper (516-523-2369
Southern State Pkwy. to Belt Pkwy. to Exit 17, Cross Bay Blvd. South. Continue south for about 2 miles. Look for entrance of refuge on the right (west) side. There are signs for park entrance.
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New York City Audubon
Saturday, August 31, 2019, 8:00am-11:00am
Prospect Park Bird Walk
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Join Gabriel Willow for a leisurely walk to see early fall migrants and breeding bird residents of “Brooklyn's Backyard.” Prospect Park’s wide variety of habitats attract a large number of migrants and breeding bird species—significantly more than Central Park in fact. We will explore the park's meadows, forests, and waterways in search of waterfowl, warblers, tanagers, and other species that call the park home. Limited to 15 per walk. $36 (25) per walk
Click here to register
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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturdays -- 11:00 a.m.
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11am to 12:30pm beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Included in All-Garden Pass
Get Tickets
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New York City WILD!
Friday, August 30, 2019, 5:30pm
NYC Wild! Essentials: Sunset on Governor's Island
For the FULL INFORMATION ABOUT EACH WALK click HERE to take you to the Eventbrite Profile page where you will find all details (scroll down to the thumbnails) for each of the outings and how to SIGN UP
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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, September 1, 2019
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
From the Southern State Parkway, travel west to the Belt Parkway. Exit at Cross Bay Boulevard (Exit 17) south. Continue south on Cross Bay Blvd. through Howard Beach and over the North Channel Bridge (also known as the Congressman Joseph P. Addabbo Bridge). The entrance to the refuge parking lot is on the right side of the road, at a traffic light approximately one and a half miles past the bridge.
Directions via Google Maps
Bird walks led by a member of SSAS are conducted nearly every Sunday morning from late August through early June. Walks are open to the public and are free of charge. We especially encourage youngsters to attend.
All walks start at 9:00 A.M.
There is no walk if it rains or snows or temperature is below 25°F.
For more information or in case of questionable weather conditions, please phone Joe at 516 467-9498.
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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Rocking the Boat: Rowing and Birding at Hunts Point Riverside Park, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Explore the Bronx River aboard student-built wooden rowboats, accompanied by staff who teach them about the local waterways.
Free!
Sunday, September 1, 2019
Heather Garden Tour with Ken Chaya at Heather Garden (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Bring your binoculars and take a walking tour of the Heather Garden in Fort Tryon Park with expert naturalist Ken Chaya and learn about the dozens of plants currently in bloom.
Free!
...Read more
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Treehugger Tuesday
From newscientist.com:
Fish recorded singing dawn chorus on reefs just like birds
Greta Keenan
August 19, 2019
The ocean might seem like a quiet place, but listen carefully and you might just hear the sounds of the fish choir.
Most of this underwater music comes from soloist fish, repeating the same calls over and over. But when the calls of different fish overlap, they form a chorus.
Robert McCauley and colleagues at Curtin University in Perth, Australia, recorded vocal fish in the coastal waters off Port Hedland in Western Australia over an 18-month period, and identified seven distinct fish choruses, happening at dawn and at dusk. You can listen to three of them here:
The low “foghorn” call is made by the blackspotted croaker (Protonibea diacanthus) while the grunting call that researcher Miles Parsons compares to the “buzzer in the Operation board game” comes from a species of Terapontid. The third chorus is a quieter batfish that makes a “ba-ba-ba” call.
“I’ve been listening to fish squawks, burble and pops for nearly 30 years now, and they still amaze me with their variety,” says McCauley, who led the research.
Sound plays an important role in various fish behaviours such as reproduction, feeding and territorial disputes. Nocturnal predatory fish use calls to stay together to hunt, while fish that are active during the day use sound to defend their territory. “You get the dusk and dawn choruses like you would with the birds in the forest,” says Steve Simpson, a marine biologist at the University of Exeter, UK.
The recordings were captured by two sea-noise loggers: the first positioned near the Port Hedland shore and the second 21.5 kilometres away in offshore waters.
“This is a method that allows us to understand what’s happening at Port Hedland 24/7 for a year and a half,” says Simpson. “I don’t know any scuba diver that can stay down there that long!”
Listening to choruses over a long period of time allows scientists to monitor fish and their ecosystems, particularly in low visibility waters, such as those off Port Hedland.
“We are only just beginning to appreciate the complexity involved and still have only a crude idea of what is going on in the undersea acoustic environment,” says McCauley.
Journal reference: Bioacoustics, DOI: 10.1080/09524622.2016.1227940
Monday, August 19, 2019
Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips
Below is a list of upcoming birding and nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, August 24, 2019 to Sunday, August 25, 2019:
Eastern Long Island Audubon Society
Sunday, August 25, 2019, 8:15am
Totally Remarkable Cupsogue Sand Flats
Meet Eileen Schwinn, trip leader, at 8:15 am, at the western end of the Cupsogue parking lot. Low tide is approximately 10:40 am giving us a good amount of time to meander the way to the Bay, and cross with minimal water. Parking fees are collected at this County Park, beginning at 8:30 am, so arrive early. Restrooms are on site, as are refreshment stands at the end of the walk. Once inside the park, one can stay all day if you wish.
All levels of naturalists, including beginners, are most welcome on Eastern Long Island Audubon field trips.
Most trips are free to attend, however, sometimes the venue we are visiting has a fee. We try to make a note of it in the notice.
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Gateway National Park
Saturday, August 24, 2019, 10:00am — 11:00am
Birding for Beginners
Day(s): Every week on Saturday until September 28, 2019
View Details
Sunday, August 25, 2019, 10:00am — 11:30am
Osprey Watch Guided Walk
Day(s): Every week on Sunday until September 29, 2019
View Details
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Hudson River Audubon Society
Saturday, August 24, 2019, 10:00am
Lenoir Nature Preserve - Beverly Smith Memorial Butterfly Walk
Meet at the Nature Center. We will walk up to the garden that Beverly started. We will look for butterflies as well as eggs, caterpillars and chrysalis. Learn about the Monarch Butterfly’s remarkable migration to and from Mexico.
http://www.hras.org/wtobird/lenoir.html
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New York City Audubon
Saturday, August 24, 2019, 8:30am – 10:30am
Birding in Marine Park, Brooklyn
Guide: Mike Yuan with the Natural Areas Conservancy
Join the Natural Areas Conservancy and New York City Audubon for a birding expedition in Marine Park in Brooklyn. Led by Mike Yuan, a New York City Audubon board member and avid Brooklyn birder, this two-hour event will cover the basics of birding and expose participants to some of Brooklyn's most exciting wildlife, shorebirds! We'll explore the park's varied natural areas including its forests, marshlands, and shoreline.
Over the last four years, the Natural Areas Conservancy, along with its partner organizations, has worked to improve Marine Park’s trails and habitat, making major strides to enrich the health of the park’s 133 acres of natural areas. Through plantings, invasive plant removal, formally defining a loop trail, installing trail markers, and adding new maps to the NYC Parks website, Marine Park has become more accessible to visitors and provides new recreational opportunities on the shore of Jamaica Bay.
This event is for beginner and experienced birders alike. Please bring your own binoculars. It's free of charge and registration is required. An extremely limited number of binoculars will be available if needed.
Please meet at 8:30am at Marine Park's Salt Marsh Nature Center. The event will last approximately two hours. Please wear closed toe shoes, be prepared for mud, and bring enough water to stay hydrated. We also recommend wearing sunscreen and bug repellent.
This event was made possible through support to the Natural Areas Conservancy from Con Edison.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birding-in-marine-park-brooklyn-with-new-york-city-audubon-tickets-63443095005
Saturday, August 24, 2019, 9:00am – 1:30pm
Shorebird Walk in Jamaica Bay
Guide: Gabriel Willow
We'll search the Jamaica Bay mudflats and ponds for breeding herons and egrets, Forster's and Common Terns, Clapper Rails, and American Oystercatchers, as well as migratory plovers and sandpipers that will already be headed south. Limited to 15. $40 (28)
Click here to register
Saturday, August 24, 2019, 2pm – 3pm
Governors Island Free Bird Walks
Saturdays, June 22, June 29, July 27, August 10 and August 24, 2-3pm
Sundays, June 16, July 21 and August 18, 2-3pm
Guide: NYC Audubon
Meet at Nolan Park House #17. Join us for a bird walk around beautiful and historic Governors Island, which boasts over 192 species recorded on ebird.org. Learn about the island’s fascinating history and search for waterbirds, raptors, waterfowl, and more. Binoculars are available. No registration necessary. No limit. Free
Sunday, August 25, 2019, 8am – 11am
Prospect Park Bird Walk
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Join Gabriel Willow for a leisurely walk to see early fall migrants and breeding bird residents of “Brooklyn's Backyard.” Prospect Park’s wide variety of habitats attract a large number of migrants and breeding bird species—significantly more than Central Park in fact. We will explore the park's meadows, forests, and waterways in search of waterfowl, warblers, tanagers, and other species that call the park home. Limited to 15 per walk. $36 (25) per walk
Click here to register
Sunday, August 25, 2019, 2pm – 3pm
Governors Island Free Bird Walks
Saturdays, June 22, June 29, July 27, August 10 and August 24, 2-3pm
Sundays, June 16, July 21 and August 18, 2-3pm
Guide: NYC Audubon
Meet at Nolan Park House #17. Join us for a bird walk around beautiful and historic Governors Island, which boasts over 192 species recorded on ebird.org. Learn about the island’s fascinating history and search for waterbirds, raptors, waterfowl, and more. Binoculars are available. No registration necessary. No limit. Free
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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturdays -- 11:00 a.m.
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11am to 12:30pm beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Included in All-Garden Pass
Get Tickets
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New York City WILD!
Sunday, August 25, 2019, 2:00pm
Shorebird Season: Brooklyn: Marine Park Salt Marsh
For the FULL INFORMATION ABOUT EACH WALK click HERE to take you to the Eventbrite Profile page where you will find all details (scroll down to the thumbnails) for each of the outings and how to SIGN UP
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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Saturday, August 24, 2019, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Second Annual Dick Buegler Bash
Protectors of Pine Oak Woods invites all to honor and celebrate our Founder, Dick Buegler, a Staten Island environmental activist and educator! Play games and earn prizes. All ages welcome! Adults and children will enjoy the day. Surprises await! We will be celebrating at Clay Pit Pond State Park Preserve located at 2351 Veterans Road West.
Sunday, August 25, 2019, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Lizard Hunt / Kingfisher Pond
Greaves Avenue and Fairfield Street
Italian wall Lizards released a decade or so ago have adapted well to living in the area between Richmond Town and Great Kills. Before winding our way around and through Kingfisher Park we will look for these swift little reptiles and observe their behavior as they coexist with people by taking advantage of the environment we have created for them. Following the lizard hunt we will explore the wetlands in Kingrfisher Pond with the hopes of seeing turtles sunning on logs in the pond as well as herons and other birds carrying on their lives.
Meet at the corner of Greaves Avenue and Fairfield Street behind PS 37.
For more information phone Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.
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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Mill Pond Park
Use street parking on the westbound side of Merrick Road. The park is four blocks west of the Wantagh State Parkway.
Directions via Google Maps
Bird walks led by a member of SSAS are conducted nearly every Sunday morning from late August through early June. Walks are open to the public and are free of charge. We especially encourage youngsters to attend.
All walks start at 9:00 A.M.
There is no walk if it rains or snows or temperature is below 25°F.
For more information or in case of questionable weather conditions, please phone Joe at 516 467-9498.
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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, August 24, 2019
Rocking the Boat: Rowing and Birding at Hunts Point Riverside Park, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Explore the Bronx River aboard student-built wooden rowboats, accompanied by staff who teach them about the local waterways.
Free!
...Read more
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Treehugger Tuesday
From Earther:
It's Drone Vs. Raven as Scientists Fight to Save the Threatened Desert Tortoise
Yessenia Funes
August 7, 2019
 |
But he’s out there with a bigger purpose than staring at the sky. Shields’ is constantly searching for raven nests, often tucked in the branches of the Mojave’s signature Joshua tree. But the biologist isn’t exactly a raven expert; he’s a desert tortoise researcher. Unfortunately, ravens have become one of the threatened tortoise’s greatest threats. The jet black birds love to feast on baby tortoises whose shells are too soft to offer them much protection. Now, Shields is focused on how to reduce raven populations throughout the Mojave Desert to help tortoises reach reproductive age and, well, survive.
The key? Drones.
Click to read the entire article
Monday, August 12, 2019
Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips
Below is a list of upcoming birding and nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, August 17, 2019 to Sunday, August 18, 2019:
Brooklyn Bird Club
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Peak Shorebirds of Jamaica Bay Refuge
Leader: Peter Dorosh
Focus: Peak of shorebird species and waterbirds
Car Pool Fee: $10.00
Registrar: Peter Dorosh Prosbird@aol.com (or backup Prosbird@gmail.com)
Registration Period: Aug 10th – Aug 15th
Note: High tide 11:12 AM
Please review our trip guidelines here: http://brooklynbirdclub.org/information-registration
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Gateway National Park
Saturday, August 17, 2019, 10:00am — 11:00am
Birding for Beginners
Day(s): Every week on Saturday until September 28, 2019
View Details
Sunday, August 18, 2019, 10:00am — 11:30am
Osprey Watch Guided Walk
Day(s): Every week on Sunday until September 29, 2019
View Details
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Green-Wood Cemetery
Sunday, August 18, 2019, 6:30am - 8:00am
Birding in Peace
Before our gates open to the general public, birding expert Rob Jett leads these peaceful Sunday morning walking tours to discover the many birds that call Green-Wood home. Green-Wood’s official birding checklist is available to pick up from the security guard at the main entrance on 25th Street or to print here. Comfortable footwear is recommended.
Summer Birding
In July we should see the offspring of our resident red-tailed hawk bravely preparing to leave the nest. Warbler songs will be replaced by chirring Cicadas and the tweets of fledgling birds. Butterflies and dragonflies are abundant. By late-July, expect the arrival of the first southbound migrants.
$10 for members of Green-Wood and BHS / $15 for non-members
Click here for our inclement weather policy.
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Hudson River Audubon Society
Sunday August 18, 2019, 8:00am
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Meet at the refuge. We will bird the East Pond for shorebirds the day after the big shorebird festival
Expect water and mud. Bring high boots.
www.hras.org/wtobird/jamaicabaywildliferefuge.html
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Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society
Sunday, August 18, 2019, 8:00am
Muttontown Preserve
The Preserve includes miles of marked nature trails with local wildflowers, trees, birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
Registration: 585-880-0915
Directions: Meet in the parking lot off of Muttontown Lane, which is on the south side of Route 25A, just west of Route 106 in East Norwich. Follow Muttontown Lane to the end.
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Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Jamaica Bay 26TH Annual Tom Davis Memorial Shorebird Walk
Leader: Sean Sime now Richard ZainEldeen
Registrar: Sean Sime now Anne Lazarus — amlazarus47@gmail.com or 212-673-9059
No Registration. Public transportation
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New York City Audubon
Saturday, August 17, 2019, 8:30am – 5:30pm
14th Annual Shorebird Festival at Jamaica Bay
With American Littoral Society, Gateway National Recreation Area, and Rockaway Waterfront Alliance
During the past 40 years, over 40 species of shorebirds (including rare and accidental vagrants) have been recorded at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge’s East and West Ponds from mid-July through October, with the greatest diversity and abundance in August. Join us for the 14th annual celebration on Saturday, August 17.
Programming includes guided hikes to the East and West Ponds, lectures by shorebird experts, kids activities, and more. Walk leaders include Kevin Karlson, Don Riepe, Lloyd Spitalnik, Gabriel Willow, and Molly Adams. The festival meets at the National Park Service's Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (Google Map here). The program is free; suggested donations of $20 per adult to NYC Audubon are encouraged to offset festival costs.
Limited free van transportation from Manhattan to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is available for NYC Audubon members at the Student/Senior level and up. Meet at 71 West 23rd Street at 7:30am. Contact NYC Audubon at 212-691-7483 to reserve a seat. Limited van shuttle service will be available from the Broad Channel A Train Station to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center until 10:30am. Free connection to the NYC Ferry at Beach 108th Street (early morning and end of the festival only). For more information, contact NYC Audubon at 212-691-7483, American Littoral Society at 718-474-0896, or Don Riepe at donriepe@gmail.com.
Sunday, August 18, 2019, 8:20am – 3:00pm
Croton Point Park, NY
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Meet at Grand Central Station and travel in comfort aboard Metro-North to visit Croton Point Park, a beautiful 500-acre park overlooking the Hudson River about one hour north of the city. The park is a wonderful mix of forest, wetlands, and grassland that are home to hard-to-find breeding bird species such as Indigo Bunting, Grasshopper Sparrow, Bobolink, and Eastern Meadowlark. The woodlands nearby are home to breeding Great Horned Owl, Willow Flycatcher, and Orchard Oriole, as well as the more expected common breeders. Bring lunch for a picnic in one of the riverside pavilions. Limited to 20. Round-trip Metro-North fare ($20.50) not included in trip price. $50 (35)
Click here to register
Sunday, August 18, 2019, 9:00am – 10:30am
Birding Brooklyn Bridge Park
Guide: Heather Wolf
Meet at Pier 1 park entrance at the intersection of Old Fulton Street and Furman Street. Join Heather Wolf, author of Birding at the Bridge, for a picturesque bird walk along the Brooklyn waterfront. We'll look for breeding and nesting birds like the Gray Catbird, American Robin, Song Sparrow, and more. Visit www.nycaudubon.org/birding-bk-bridge to register. Limited to 19 per walk.
Free
Click here to register
Sunday, August 18, 2019, 2pm – 3pm
Governors Island Free Bird Walks
Saturdays, June 22, June 29, July 27, August 10 and August 24, 2-3pm
Sundays, June 16, July 21 and August 18, 2-3pm
Guide: NYC Audubon
Meet at Nolan Park House #17. Join us for a bird walk around beautiful and historic Governors Island, which boasts over 192 species recorded on ebird.org. Learn about the island’s fascinating history and search for waterbirds, raptors, waterfowl, and more. Binoculars are available. No registration necessary. No limit. Free
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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturdays -- 11:00 a.m.
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11am to 12:30pm beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Included in All-Garden Pass
Get Tickets
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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Saturday, August 17, 2019, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
The Intertidal Zone at the Page Avenue Beach
We’ll begin with a look at the local geology then move to examining the flotsam and jetsam accumulated at the high tide lines to see what nature’s debris has to tell us. As the water recedes with the tide we’ll move into the intertidal zone to find out what sorts of living things survive in this challenging environment. A variety of crabs, snails, clams, worms and small fish are likely to be discovered. It’s sure to be muddy so dress appropriately.
Meet at the parking lot at the bottom of Page Avenue below Hylan Boulevard.
For more information phone Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.
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Queens County Bird Club
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Jamaica Bay
Leader: Arie Gilbert (917) 693-7178
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd, Broad Channel, NY 11693, USA (map)
Mini-trip that will end before lunch.
Wear knee-high waterproof boots because we will be exploring East Pond.
Please register via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/qcbc-jamaica-bay-east-pond-bird-walk-tickets-65124693712
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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve
From the Meadowbrook Parkway, use the Merrick Road M9 east exit. Enter the Department of Sanitation entrance immediately on right (if you’re driving west on Merrick Road, make a U-turn after Central Boulevard and before the Meadowbrook Parkway). Look for signs to Levy Park and Preserve parking lot.
Directions via Google Maps
Bird walks led by a member of SSAS are conducted nearly every Sunday morning from late August through early June. Walks are open to the public and are free of charge. We especially encourage youngsters to attend.
All walks start at 9:00 A.M.
There is no walk if it rains or snows or temperature is below 25°F.
For more information or in case of questionable weather conditions, please phone Joe at 516 467-9498.
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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Rocking the Boat: Rowing and Birding at Hunts Point Riverside Park, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Explore the Bronx River aboard student-built wooden rowboats, accompanied by staff who teach them about the local waterways.
Free!
White Island Sunset Canoe Trip (Advanced) at Marine Park, Brooklyn
5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Explore the waters of Gerritsen Creek and paddle by this special island where only wildflowers and wild birds reside. Prior canoe experience required. Registration ends on August 10.
Free!
Sunday, August 18, 2019
'Over The Hill' Hilltop Hike: Tallapoosa Point at Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
This area is now known as the old Pelham Bay landfill. The landfill remains closed to the public, making it a great viewing area for birds and other wildlife. Registration required.
Free!
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Wild Bird Fund
Sunday, August 18, 2019, 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Central Park Bat Walks with Ecologist Kaitlyn Parkins
Join WBF and New York ecologist Kaitlyn Parkins for an introductory presentation about bats at WBF Clinic, followed by a guided bat walk through Central Park. We hope to hear them with echo location, see them in flight and discuss their important role in our planet's ecosystem.
Kaitlyn's research and education biography can be found here: http://kaitlynparkins.com/.
When: Sunday, August 18 at 7:30pm at the WBF Center, then walk to Central Park. Event ends at 9:00pm.
Cost: $30…
Find out more »
...Read more
Tuesday, August 06, 2019
Treehugger Tuesday
From the website mnn.com:
Irish teen wins Google Science Fair with project to remove microplastics from water
Ben Bolton
August 1, 2019, 12:38 p.m.
Google Science Fair launched in 2011 as a way to challenge students around the globe to figure out solutions to some of the world's largest problems, and this year's winner focused on a problem we're still wrapping our arms around: microplastics.
Fionn Ferreira, an 18-year-old Irish student, earned the $50,000 prize through a simple desire to help the planet. He was one of 24 finalists from 14 countries who went to Google headquarters to present their projects.
Ferreira from West Cork, Ireland, developed a novel approach to extracting microplastics from water, with the greater goal of creating a method to clean our oceans.
The video below is a closer look at Ferreira's demonstration of how he used a ferrofluid (oil and magnetite) and magnets to clean a sample of water.
You can explore Ferreira's science fair project at the Google Science Fair project page. Beyond the science, it explains his motivation for the project, which stems from growing up near the coast and his love of nature.
He tested 10 different types of microplastic suspensions and found that he could remove 85% or more of the microplastic contents in his samples.
Ultimately, a reduction in the amount of plastic the world uses on a daily basis is the best solution, but this project proves there are new, creative ways to clean the water we've already polluted.
Lawmakers in Ireland currently have plans to introduce legislation that will outlaw the sale, manufacturing, import and export of products containing microplastics.
For his efforts, Ferreira was awarded $50,000 in scholarship money. He would like to study chemistry or chemical engineering in Ireland or in Europe. He currently works as a curator at the local Schull Planetarium, is fluent in three languages, is a skilled trumpet player, and has won 12 science fair awards.
As he described in his project page, it's the next step of the process that opens doors: "... winning a prize would give my project more attention and let it grow with mentorship to solve a real problem on the Earth. There is nothing I would like to see more than my project and idea to be used in real life applications and I think a prize could do this."
For any young scientists itching to explore their own idea, your chance will come. The project submission window typically runs for a couple of months starting in September and ending in December. And as this year's callout to young scientists reminds us, every great idea starts somewhere.
Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips
Below is a list of upcoming birding and nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, August 10, 2019 to Sunday, August 11, 2019:
Feminist Bird Club
Saturday, August 10, 2019
Breeding Birds of Freshkills with Shannon Curley
All walks follow the ABA Code of Birding Ethics
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Gateway National Park
Saturday, August 10, 2019, 10:00am — 11:00am
Birding for Beginners
Day(s): Every week on Saturday until September 28, 2019
View Details
Sunday, August 11, 2019, 10:00am — 11:30am
Osprey Watch Guided Walk
Day(s): Every week on Sunday until September 29, 2019
View Details
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New York City Audubon
Saturday, August 10, 2019, 2pm – 3pm
Governors Island Free Bird Walks
Saturdays, June 22, June 29, July 27, August 10 and August 24, 2-3pm
Sundays, June 16, July 21 and August 18, 2-3pm
Guide: NYC Audubon
Meet at Nolan Park House #17. Join us for a bird walk around beautiful and historic Governors Island, which boasts over 192 species recorded on ebird.org. Learn about the island’s fascinating history and search for waterbirds, raptors, waterfowl, and more. Binoculars are available. No registration necessary. No limit. Free
Sunday, August 11, 2019, 9:30am – 11:30am
Birding at Wave Hill
Sundays May 12, June 9, July 14, August 11, September 8, 9:30-11:30am
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. Walks run rain or shine. Ages 10 and up welcome with an adult. No registration required. No limit. NYC Audubon members enjoy two-for-one admission (see www.wavehill.org for more information)
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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturdays -- 11:00 a.m.
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11am to 12:30pm beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Included in All-Garden Pass
Get Tickets
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New York City WILD!
Saturday August 10, 2019, 11:00am
Whale and Dolphin Watching on the American Princess, Riis Landing, Queens
Sunday, August 11, 2019, 5:00pm
Summer Sunsets: Port Imperial Promenade, NJ
For the full information about each walk click HERE
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Newtown Historical Society
Sunday, August 11, 2019
Ridgewood Reservoir
Newtown Historical Society is offering a special nature and history tour of the Ridgewood Reservoir starting at 10am in the main parking lot on Vermont Place at Highland Park. We will view the historic structures in the recently renovated park, observe the natural world and discuss its future.
You can take public transportation to Highland Park. The B13 bus stops along Cypress Hills Street and the Q56 stops along Jamaica Avenue. The Cleveland Street stop on the J train is 3 blocks from the park. Or, you can drive or bike.
This tour will be led by special guest Rob Jett, author of The City Birder.
This tour is 100% FREE and will be a great experience for children and adults alike. For more info or to RSVP, write to NewtownHistory@gmail.com or call 718-366-3715.
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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, August 10, 2019
Rocking the Boat: Rowing and Birding at Hunts Point Riverside Park, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Explore the Bronx River aboard student-built wooden rowboats, accompanied by staff who teach them about the local waterways.
Free!
Sunday, August 11, 2019
Summer Birding at Perkins Visitors Center (in Wave Hill), Bronx
9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Naturalist Gabriel Willow contributes his extensive knowledge of diverse bird species and their behavior on these walks through the gardens and woodlands.
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