Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, January 26, 2019 to Sunday, January 27, 2019:

Bedford Audubon Society
Sunday, January 27, 2019, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Winter Tree Identification at Muscoot Farm with Naturalist Tait Johansson
Co-sponsored with Friends of Muscoot Farm. Join Tait to learn how to use a tree’s structure, bark, and other clues to ID it even after the leaves have fallen. Family friendly, but all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Cost: Free.
Level of difficulty: Easy.
Dress warm. Please register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914.302.9713.
See more details

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, January 26, 2019, 7:00am - 4:00pm
The Waterfowl Census of Coastal Brooklyn and Queens
Leader: Peter Dorosh
Focus: The annual waterfowl count of ducks, swans, coots, grebes, etc. in Gerritsen Creek, Dead Horse Bay, Fort Tilden, and the Western Rockaway/Breezy Point Gateway Unit, from 7 am to 4 pm.
Registrar: Peter Dorosh Prosbird@aol.com or text only cell 347-622-3559
Registration Period: Jan 19th – Jan 24th
Note: Cancelled if rain or heavy […]

Saturday, January 26, 2019, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Prospect Park: Birdwatching for Beginners
Leader: Cyrus Baty
Birdwatching for Beginners meets at the Prospect Park Audubon Center at The Boathouse at 12 noon.
Bring binoculars if you have them; otherwise, binoculars are available for loan.

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Feminist Bird Club
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Pelham Bay Park
Leader: Jeffrey Ward

All walks follow the ABA Code of Birding Ethics

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Green-Wood Cemetery
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Birding in Peace
Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean that there aren’t interesting birds to discover in Green-Wood. For some bird species that migrate south after the breeding season, Brooklyn is their Miami during the cold months. Spend the early morning exploring the cemetery, looking for overwintering waterfowl, nuthatches, woodpeckers, sparrows, finches and any half-hardy birds that decided to stick around. By February we’ll see some of the early north-bound birds beginning to trickle back into the area.

$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
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Meet at 9 AM at the refuge. We will walk the 1.7-mile loop around the newly fixed West Pond for waterfowl such as Snow Geese and the bay for grebes and loons. Then search the revitalized gardens for some half hardy winter birds and maybe a Boat-tailed Grackle. We can then stop for pizza at New Park Pizza in Howard Beach

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Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Pelham Bay Park
Leader: Rob Jett
Registrar: Louise Fraza — louisefraza@yahoo.com or 212-534-6182
Registration opens: Monday, January 14
Ride: $15

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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 Audubon
Saturday, January 26, 9am - Sunday, January 27, 7pm
Winter Waterfowl Weekend at Montauk
Guide: Gabriel Willow
The gatherings of sea ducks around Montauk Point are the largest winter concentrations in New York State; the Audubon Christmas Bird Count at Montauk Point consistently tallies from 125 to 135 species, one of the best totals in the Northeast. Species that come to feed on the Point’s rich kelp and mussel beds include Common and Red-throated Loon, Common Eider, all three scoter species, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Great Cormorant, and Red-breasted Merganser. Harlequin Duck and King Eider also occur here regularly during the winter. Accommodations at Daunt's Albatross in Montauk and transport by passenger van included. Limited to 12. $295 ($55 single supplement)
Click here to register

Saturday, January 26, 2019, 9-11am
Randall's Island Winter Walk
Guide: Nadir Souirgi
Explore this lesser known spot in the East River, where recently restored freshwater wetlands and salt marsh provide habitat for many varieties of birds. We’ll look for rarities such as Common Goldeneye, Lesser Black-backed Gull, and Iceland Gull. Limited to 15. $36 (25)
Click here to register

Saturday, January 12, and Sunday, January 27, 9:30-11am
Forest Park Feeder Watch and Owl Prowl, Queens
Guide: Corey Finger
Explore the depths of the largest contiguous forest in Queens. Highlights include the feeding station at the famed Waterhole and a search for owls in the pine groves. Common feeder sightings include woodpeckers, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, and usually at least one Brown Creeper. Past years have also seen Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Pine Warbler. On the owl prowl, look for sightings of Great Horned, Northern Saw-whet, or Long-eared Owl. Limited to 15. $36 (25) per walk
Click here to register

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New York City WILD!
Saturday, January 26, 2019, 9:30am
Winter Wonderland! Bald Eagles!
Croton Point Park, Westchester County

Sunday, January 27, 2019, 1:00pm
Winter Wonderland!Forest Park, Queens
Photography and Nature Walk

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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Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, Jan 26, 2019
Montauk Point
Leader: Ian Resnick 917-626-9562
Please contact the trip leader to register for the trip and to find out the start time.

As per all QCBC trips, there is no charge to register, but we want to know who is planning on attending, in case there is any change in plans.

This is a full-day trip that starts early and ends with dining out near Shinnecock inlet. Of course, you may leave at any time that your schedule requires. Please pack a bagged lunch because we will not be stopping at a restaurant for lunch.

Itinerary: Park in the Montauk Lighthouse lot (see map). Immediately walk across the street to the ocean-facing side of the Lighthouse Cafe, where we will spend a considerable amount of time scoping for seabirds, ducks, loons, etc. Then, we will explore the area around the lighthouse. After, we will proceed by vehicle to many interesting sites in the Montauk and Shinnecock area, ending with the Shinnecock Inlet. Itinerary may vary depending on the presence of birding rarities in the area at the time of the field trip.

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South Shore Audubon Society
January 27, 2019
Hempstead Lake State Park

From the Southern State Parkway, take Exit 18 (Eagle Avenue) south to Field 3 (use second park entrance and make an immediate left turn.)
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, January 26, 2019
Birding: Winter Waterfowl at West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
This program will focus on the different species of waterfowl that reside in our parks during the colder winter months. Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels.
Free!

Sunday, January 27, 2019
Winter Seasonal Stroll at Alley Pond Environmental Center, Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join a naturalist on this wintery guided interactive stroll. A cup of hot cocoa included to bring along on the walk.

Birding: Winter Waterfowl at Brookville Boulevard and Caney Road (in Brookville Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
This program will focus on the different species of waterfowl that reside in our parks during the colder winter months. Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels.
Free! ...Read more

Treehugger Tuesday

From Treehugger.com:

First came the Straw Wars. Next up are the Balloon Battles.
Katherine Martinko
January 11, 2019

The balloon bubble is about to get popped as the anti-plastic movement gathers force.

When a night club in the Philippines announced that it would host an enormous balloon drop on New Year's Eve in an attempt to break a Guinness World Record, there was international outrage. The spectacle was decried by Greenpeace Philippines as "nothing short of an arrogant and senseless enterprise" and the Climate Reality Project blasted it as "wasteful, unsustainable, and ecologically apathetic."

The club, Cove Manila, was initially defensive, saying the event would be held indoors and, because the 130,000 balloons were made of biodegradable latex, they would be recycled afterward. But then the government's Department of Environment and Natural Resources sent a letter to the night club, asking it to reconsider. A spokesperson urged the club to "redirect their efforts towards more sustainable, environmentally-friendly activities that the majority of Filipinos will enjoy and be proud of." Shortly after, Cove Manila said it had voluntarily canceled the balloon drop.

This interesting news story is a sign of changing times and a glimpse of a not-so-distant future in which balloons will be reviled in much the same way as disposable plastic straws are now. This night club is not the only place where balloon-centered events are no longer allowed. Last year Clemson University announced it would end the tradition of releasing 10,000 balloons into the air before football games. The anti-balloon website Balloons Blow has an ongoing list of "balloon releases averted." The Associated Press describes other newly implemented limitations:

"In Virginia, a campaign that urges alternatives to balloon releases at weddings is expanding. And a town in Rhode Island outright banned the sale of all balloons earlier this year, citing the harm to marine life."

What's unique about balloons, however, is that there's no obvious replacement for them, unlike straws, which can be recreated in paper, metal or glass and work in exactly the same way. Balloons – unless we go back to the days of inflated pig bladders... just kidding! – must cease to exist for now, and we have to learn that it's still possible to have a fun party without them. (The Cove Manila people did. They still had an awesome New Year's Eve bash.)

It's important, too, not to fall for the greenwashed 'biodegradable latex' label because it means very little. As Quartz reported about the Cove Manila controversy, "Purchasing, transporting, inflating, and discarding 130,000 rubber orbs, even if they are made from earth-friendly latex, results in significant waste." While latex is biodegradable in theory, every balloon reacts differently depending on where it lands. And you can't avoid the fact that you're still sending trash up into the air to fall back to earth at some point, to the detriment of wildlife. There's no way to make this OK other than to stop doing it. (Read more about why latex balloons are not environmentally friendly.)

I predict this is something we'll be seeing a lot more of in the next year. First it was the Straw Wars; next up are the Balloon Battles. ...Read more

Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, January 19, 2019 to Sunday, January 20, 2019:

Bedford Audubon Society
Friday, January 18, 2019 - Monday, January 21, 2019
Cape Ann/Plum Island Winter Birding Weekend
The coast of northeast Massachusetts is the winter home to a spectacular array of seabirds. Our masterful Naturalist Tait Johansson will guide this special trip around the region in search of such stunners as Harlequin Duck, King Eider, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Red-necked Grebe, Rough-legged Hawk, Iceland and Glaucous Gulls, Purple Sandpiper, Black Guillemot, Black-legged Kittiwake, Razorbill, and Snowy Owl. It’s also possible to see Dovekie, Thick-billed Murre, and Eastern and Short-eared Owls. Add these to your year (or life) list this month!
Cost: $100/members, or $130/non-members and we’ll credit $30 to an annual membership; travel, lodging, and meals not included.
Note: The fees for this trip help support environmental education so we can continue to deliver high-quality programs for free.
Please register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914.302.9713.
See more details

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, January 19, 2019
Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
Leader: Jack Rothman
Focus: Duck species, winter woodland birds, raptors and residents of the forest
Car fee: $15.00
Registrar: Janet Schumacher janets33@optonline.net
Registration Period: Jan 12th – Jan 17th
Please review our trip guidelines here: http://brooklynbirdclub.org/information-registration

Saturday, January 19, 2019, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Prospect Park: Birdwatching for Beginners
Leader: Cyrus Baty
Birdwatching for Beginners meets at the Prospect Park Audubon Center at The Boathouse at 12 noon. Bring binoculars if you have them; otherwise, binoculars are available for loan.

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Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, January 19, 2019
Jones Beach
Leader: Richard ZainEldeen
Registrar: Kathleen Howley — kathleenhowley@gmail.com or 212-877-3170
Registration opens: Monday, January 7
Ride: $25

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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 Audubon Society
Sunday, January 20, 2019, 8:30am – 10:30am
Eagle Watch and Bird Walk at Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan
Guide: Annie Barry
Join Annie Barry for a winter hike through the various landscapes and habitats of Inwood Hill Park. Located at the northern tip of Manhattan where the Harlem River meets the Hudson, Inwood Hill Park offers shoreline vistas, mature forest, and the last natural salt marsh in Manhattan. We'll begin on the Hudson shore in search of the Bald Eagles that have been sighted there frequently in recent winters, then move into the forest to search for wintering and year-round birds, and finally to the salt marsh to look for wintering ducks. Some hilly walking required. Limited to 15. $36 (25)
Click here to register

Sunday, January 20, 2019, 10:30am – 4:00pm
Snow Birds of Floyd Bennett Field and Fort Tilden, Queens
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Winter brings many rare birds to the City that can’t be found here at any other time. Perhaps most exciting are the “snow birds” of the Arctic tundra, such as Snow Buntings and Snowy Owls, that can occasionally be found in tundra-like habitats further south. Look for these and other winter visitors such as Horned Larks, American Tree Sparrows, and Rough-legged Hawks, as well as wintering ducks, grebes, and loons. Transport by passenger van included. Limited to 12. $88 (62) per walk
Click here to register

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New York City WILD!
Saturday, January 19, 2019, 11:30am
Winter Wonderland! Coney Island, Brooklyn Photography and Nature Walk

For the full information about each walk click HERE (scroll down to the thumbnails) for each of the outings and how to SIGN UP

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Sunday, January 20, 2019, 10:30am-12:30pm
Central Greenbelt Trails to Overlook
This is one of my favorite walks in the Greenbelt. We will walk along the Greenbelt ridge through deep woods and arrive at the overlook for a restorative view of an idyllic landscape stretching to the bay. Dress warmly and bring snacks and beverage.
Meet at the High Rock Park parking lot at the top of Nevada Avenue off Rockland Avenue.
For more information, contact Hillel Lofaso at hillel5757@gmail.com or 718-477-0545.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, January 19, 2019
Birding: Winter Birds at Green-Wood Cemetery at 25th Street, Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. All skill levels are welcome.
Free!

Birding: Hawk Watch at Unisphere (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Our Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. Our birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free!

Ecosystem Explorers: Deciduous Forest at Parking Lot (in High Rock Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Deciduous forests host many different tree species, and all kinds of wildlife from birds to deer can be seen in their natural environment
Free!

Sunday, January 20, 2019
Birding: Winter Waterfowl at Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle.
Appropriate for all skill levels.
Free!

Animal of the Month: Northern Harrier at Arthur Kill Road and Brookfield Avenue (in Brookfield Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in Brookfield Park as we look for this acrobatic raptor, the Norther Harrier.
Free! ...Read more

Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, January 12, 2019 to Sunday, January 13, 2019:

Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, January 12, 2019
A Western Long Island rarities pursuit
Leader: Steve Nanz
Focus: We will target the latest reports from the week’s quality bird species
Car fee: $20.00
Registrar: Heidi Steiner email heidi.steiner.bklyn@gmail.com or call before 8 pm 718- 369-2116
Registration Period: Jan 5th – Jan 10th
Please review our trip guidelines here: http://brooklynbirdclub.org/information-registration

Saturday, January 12, 2019, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Prospect Park: Birdwatching for Beginners
Leader: Cyrus Baty
Birdwatching for Beginners meets at the Prospect Park Audubon Center at The Boathouse at 12 noon. Bring binoculars if you have them; otherwise, binoculars are available for loan.

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Eastern Long Island Audubon Society
Saturday, January 12, 2019, 9:00am
Lakes around Patchogue
Leaders: John McNeil & Rosemary Valente
Meet at the parking area at the corner of Lake Drive and East Main Street in East Patchogue by the side of Swan Lake. We will check out Swan Lake and then visit several other spots for a look at the bountiful water birds that flock to LI in the winter. Hopefully a surprise or two will be waiting for us.
Contact John McNeil at 631.281.2623 or mcneil.jp@gmail.com if you need more information.
Snow date: Saturday, January 19, 2019

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Great South Bay Audubon Society
Saturday, January 12, 2019, 8:00am
Birding and Breakfast, Connetquot River SPP
Leader(s): Edith and Bob Wilson, Helga Merryman, Ken Thompson, Jack Carlson

Continental breakfast. Reservations required - call Connetquot River State Park Preserve at 581-1072 or fill out the form on our programs page to register. Registration fee $4. plus $8 parking fee per car - unless you have yearly Empire pass.

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Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, January 12, 2019
Croton Point Park
Leader: Richard ZainEldeen
Registrar: Anne Lazarus — amlazarus47@gmail.com or 212-673-9059
Registration opens: Monday, December 31
Public transportation

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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 Audubon Society
Saturday, January 12, 2019, 9am – 6pm
Winter Birding on the South Shore of Long Island
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Winter in New York brings the excitement of possibility: Will Snowy Owls appear in the dunes? Will Harlequin Ducks move westward from Cape Cod and Montauk and appear in closer waters? Will irruptive northern finches and Bohemian Waxwings move south from Canada? All of these species and more are possible on Long Island in the winter, along with more expected species such as loons, grebes, scaup, eider, Northern Harriers, and Purple Sandpipers. Transport by passenger van included. Limited to 12. $95 (67) per trip
Click here to register

Saturday, January 12, 2019, 9:30am – 11:00am
Forest Park Feeder Watch and Owl Prowl, Queens
Guide: Corey Finger
Explore the depths of the largest contiguous forest in Queens. Highlights include the feeding station at the famed Waterhole and a search for owls in the pine groves. Common feeder sightings include woodpeckers, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, and usually at least one Brown Creeper. Past years have also seen Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Pine Warbler. On the owl prowl, look for sightings of Great Horned, Northern Saw-whet, or Long-eared Owl. Limited to 15. $36 (25) per walk
Click here to register

Sunday, January 13, 2019, 9:30am – 11:30am
Winter Birding at Wave Hill, Bronx
Sundays, December 9, January 13, February 10, and March 10, 9:30-11:30am
Guide: Gabriel Willow with Wave Hill
Meet at the Perkins Visitor Center. The Hudson River valley hosts an impressive diversity of bird species, even during the winter months. Come explore the beautiful gardens and woodlands of Wave Hill and observe the hardy birds that spend the winter in this urban oasis. Walks run rain or shine. Ages 10 and up welcome with an adult. See www.wavehill.org for admission rates. NYC Audubon members enjoy two-for-one admission

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New York City WILD!
Saturday, January 12, 2019, 9:00am
Winter Wonderland! Brookfield Park, Staten Island Photography and Nature Walk

For the full information about each walk click HERE (scroll down to the thumbnails) for each of the outings and how to SIGN UP

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Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, Jan 12, 2019
Point Lookout
Leader: Steve Schellenger (516) 987-8103

Please contact the trip leader to register for the trip and to find out the start time.
As per all QCBC trips, there is no charge to register, but we want to know who is planning on attending, in case there is any change in plans.

This is a half-day "mini trip" that will end before lunchtime.
Park on-street on or near Lido Blvd, about three blocks from the east end. See map.

Itinerary: We will view waterfowl from the seawalls of Pt Lookout. (Note that the beach itself is closed due to construction.). Next, we will stop at the nearby Lido Beach Passive Nature Area. Other stops may be added as time permits.

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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, January 13, 2019
Jones Beach West End 2

From the Southern State Parkway, exit onto the Meadowbrook State Parkway south. After entering Jones Beach State Park, exit right (west) into the West End. Continue west to West End 2 parking lot; we meet in the northeast corner of the lot.

From the Wantagh State Parkway, travel south. Upon entering Jones Beach State Park, exit at Bay Drive and continue west to West End 2 parking lot; we meet in the northeast corner of the 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, January 12, 2019
The New York City Naturalist Club: Bald Eagle Watch at Payson Park House (in Inwood Hill Park)
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Rangers will guide you to the best viewing spots in the urban jungle. All skill levels are welcomed.
Free!

Sunday, January 13, 2019
Winter Birding at Perkins Visitors Center (in Wave Hill), Bronx
9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Explore Wave Hill’s tranquil gardens and woodlands with naturalist Gabriel Willow to observe birds in their winter habitats.

Birding: Winter Waterfowl at Hylan Boulevard and Edgewater Street (in Alice Austen Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our park rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle.
Appropriate for all skill levels.
Free! ...Read more

Treehugger Tuesday

From the website MNN.com:

19 ways to stop creating unnecessary trash
Sidney Stevens
December 31, 2018, 9:15 a.m.

Simple steps are the gateway to living a zero-waste lifestyle.

Recycling is a fine practice, but the industry as a whole as hit a brick wall. One way to help alleviate this worldwide problem is by reducing the amount of trash you generate in the first place and reusing items you'd ordinarily discard. (Photo: Nokwan007/Shutterstock)

You dutifully set out a full recycling bin each week brimming with plastic, paper and metal. It's a good habit, but, unfortunately, recycling efforts aren't working as well as they should.

In the last few decades, for instance, the number of plastic products has exploded, but only about 9 percent of them are actually recycled, according to National Geographic. Meaning most of your plastic beverage bottles, single-serve food containers, straws and cups end up in the landfill — and ultimately, the ocean — where they take centuries to biodegrade and harm wildlife.

More bad news arrived in 2018 when China (the recipient of much of the world's recyclables) announced it would no longer accept many types of solid waste, including certain plastics, unsorted paper and steel waste.

As the world grapples with this latest recycling rough patch, municipal waste haulers are being forced to send even more recyclables to landfills. Learn more about the recycling crisis in this video.

So what, if anything, can you do? An important first step is to stop creating so much waste in the first place and start reducing and reusing more in addition. According to Kathryn Kellogg, author of "101 Ways to Go Zero Waste," "Recycling will not save us. It should not be our first line of defense, but rather a last resort … The goal of zero waste is to send nothing to a landfill. Reduce what we need, reuse as much as we can, send as little as possible to be recycled, and compost what's leftover."

Here are 19 simple ways to start breaking the recycling habit and live a more waste-free life.

When ordering out, always forgo stuff you know will end up in the trash.
That includes plastic utensils, straws, napkins, carry-out bags and those little packages of condiments. If you're eating at home, you probably don't need any of these items. Tell the takeout restaurant not to include them with your order. Some delivery services like Seamless and Grubhub let you check a box when you order to forgo napkins and plastic ware.

If you're eating there, you can almost certainly do with less. For example, use bulk condiments (the kind you pump out into small refillable containers) instead of single-use plastic packages. Don't take a plastic spoon if you're ordering French fries. Don't grab a huge wad of napkins when you probably only need one or two. And say no to straws. Americans use up to 500 million plastic straws per day, most of which are tossed after a few sips. If a straw is a must-have, consider carrying a reusable one from home. There are lots of durable options, including stainless steel, glass and bamboo.

Bring your own ______.
Straws aren't the only reusables you can carry with you. Simply fill in the blank with whatever BYO item you need. For instance, bring your own utensils and cloth napkin for munching on the go. Use them for meals at work, too. Some takeout places and college cafeterias even let you bring your own reusable serving containers, allowing you to bypass the Styrofoam or plastic to-go options available there. Better yet, carry your own healthy meals from home using a reusable bag or stainless steel tiffin. Avoid disposable plastic beverage bottles and cups by carrying your own refillable water bottle. Coffee shop lovers can bring their own mugs instead of using throwaways.

If you already know these tricks, dig deeper with this video about ways to reduce and reuse when you're out and about.

Enjoy ice cream in a cone.
It's a small thing, but it means one less plastic or Styrofoam container you have to chuck.

Don't accept free promotional items.
Giveaways at concerts, trade shows and festivals may seem enticing in the moment, but if you don't really need another beverage holder, lanyard or refrigerator magnet, don't take any home. Chances are they'll just collect dust and ultimately end up in the trash.

Don't take the bag when shopping.
And be vocal about it so the next person in line will stop and think about it, too. Bring your own reusable shopping bags instead.

Shave sustainably.
Wean yourself off throwaway plastic razors (2 billion are ditched each year in the U.S.), and opt for reusable metal razors with double-edge blades, a straight-edge razor or an electric razor.

Buy fresh bread at the local bakery rather than plastic-wrapped bread.
Carry it home in a reusable bread bag. Likewise, visit a local butcher and bring meat home in your own container or bag. Expand your package-free shopping to include cheese, veggies, honey, eggs and as many other foods as you can.

Don't purchase single-serve items.
If you do occasionally need packaged goods, be sure to buy bigger sizes with the smallest amount of packaging, and avoid buying individually wrapped items like gum or granola bars. One large box, bag or bottle creates less waste than several smaller ones.

Buy in bulk.
Co-ops, farmers markets and locally owned grocery stores often let you fill your own reusable glass jars, bottles and cloth produce bags with bigger amounts so they last longer — everything from berries to olive oil to shampoo and laundry soap. Check here for stores in your state that allow bulk purchases.

Refill instead of tossing.
Be sure to use the same containers over and over again when shopping. Other creative possibilities include using refillable K-cups for your coffee instead of disposables, joining a CSA (community supported agriculture) subscription service that offers milk in returnable glass bottles, and frequenting craft breweries that let you to refill glass bottles called growlers.

Make your own.
DIY household products, like cleaners, toothpaste, sunscreens and shampoos, are fairly easy to whip up at home and store in refillable containers. They're mostly chemical-free so they're healthier than store-bought versions, and are usually easier on your budget, too.

Use wool dryer balls instead of single-use dryer sheets.
Not only do they last for years, but they're not saturated with harmful chemicals. Dryer balls work by tumbling around and separating layers of fabric so air can circulate. Clothes dry faster and come out softer and less staticky. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance. You can buy pre-made wool dryer balls or create your own.

Opt for plastic-free storage.
That means no baggies, cling wrap or Tupperware, all of which can leach toxins into food and are slow to biodegrade in landfills. Instead, store food in eco-friendly containers, including glass Snapware, reusable silicone bags, stainless steel tiffins, or reusable food wraps made of jojoba oil, hemp and beeswax.

Forgo household paper products.
Discarded paper accounts for whopping one-quarter of landfill waste and releases significant amounts of methane (a greenhouse gas) as it rots. Even if you choose recycled paper products, they're still fossil-fuel-intensive to produce and transport. The idea is to curb paper use as much as possible, which has the added benefit of reducing deforestation. Instead of facial tissues, carry reusable cloth handkerchiefs, swap out paper towels for cloth kitchen towels and rags, use cloth napkins instead of paper, store documents digitally, and read books and magazines on an e-reader, online or at the library instead of buying hard copies.

Go for some toilet re-training.
When it comes to taming your paper habit, you may draw the line at toilet paper. But that doesn't mean there aren't ways to tame paper waste when you've got to go. If you really want to go paper-free, consider installing a bidet, which strategically sprays a small stream of water where you'd ordinarily wipe. If you just can't imagine potty time without paper at least buy 100-percent recycled brands, preferably wrapped in paper (not plastic). Or try tree-free bio-based alternatives made of things like bamboo and sugar cane.

Say no to disposable chopsticks and toothpicks.
An estimated 20 million trees are chopped each year to meet demand for single-use chopsticks, most of which end up being discarded right after a meal. Add in wooden toothpicks (not to mention Popsicle sticks and matchsticks) and you have a whole lot of trees coming down and wood piling up in landfills. The good news is most of these items come in reusable versions.

Instead of throwing things out, give them away.
Don't dispose of stuff you no longer need (even things like a broken radio or an outdated phone). List them on sites like Freecycle or the Buy Nothing Project. Or donate them to a thrift store or nonprofit group that sends used items to people in need around the world. It's a great way to make sure stuff is reused again and again.

Fix, don't throw away.
This old-school idea is enjoying a resurgence as repair cafes spring up around the world. The concept is simple: Instead of dumping a broken toaster, laptop, vacuum cleaner or lamp, learn to do what earlier generations did as a matter of course — make them work again.

Trim waste during the holidays — and all year long.
During the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, U.S. household waste balloons by more than 25 percent, mostly in the form of shopping bags, product packaging, wrapping paper and leftover food. Get a handle on that trash by following the low-waste shopping and meal-time tips above. Additional ideas include sending e-cards instead of paper, giving no-waste experience gifts like a class or concert, and making your own gifts wrapped in sustainable alternatives like cloth bags, silk scarves or newspaper.

A zero-waste lifestyle isn't as hard as it sounds. These simple steps are the gateway to living a zero-waste lifestyle.
...Read more

Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, January 5, 2019 to Sunday, January 6, 2019:

Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, January 5, 2019
Manasquan Reservoir and Shark River, NJ
Co-Leaders: Larry Zirlin and Peter Dorosh
Focus: winter ducks- freshwater and salt, geese and other waterfowl species
Car fee: $25.00
Registrar: Peter Dorosh Prosbird@aol.com or text only cell 347-622-3559
Registration Period: Dec 29th – Jan 3rd
Please review our trip guidelines here: http://brooklynbirdclub.org/information-registration

Saturday, January 5, 2019, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Prospect Park: Birdwatching for Beginners
Leader: Cyrus Baty
Birdwatching for Beginners meets at the Prospect Park Audubon Center at The Boathouse at 12 noon. Bring binoculars if you have them; otherwise, binoculars are available for loan.

Sunday, January 6, 2019, 10:00am - 12:00pm
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.

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Great South Bay Audubon Society
Saturday, January 5, 2019 - 9:00am
Montauk
Leader(s): John Gluth (631-827-0120) and Ken Thompson (631-612-8028)
Meet at Lighthouse parking lot. Latecomers can still join in the vicinity of the restaurant overlook. Directions: Route 27 to 27A to end.

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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 Audubon Society
Saturday, January 5, 2019, 10am – 1pm
Winter Waterfowl ID Workshop Field Trip
Thursday, January 3, 6-7:30pm (class) and Saturday, January 5, 10am-1pm (trip)
Instructor: Gabriel Willow
If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck . . . but is it a dabbling duck or a diving duck? Or could it be a grebe? This class will help you distinguish between ducks, geese, loons, grebes, and more. Following our class, we'll put our newfound skills to work as we seek out the diverse mix of dabbling ducks, bay ducks, sea ducks, grebes, loons, and cormorants to be found in Central Park's Reservoir. Limited to 12. $65 (45)
Click here to register

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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, January 6, 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
Sunday, January 6, 2019
Heather Garden Birds and Tree Tour at Heather Garden (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn more about the winter birds and the importance of native plant species within Fort Tryon Park on this tour.
Free!

Ecosystem Explorers: Grasslands at Arthur Kill Road and Brookfield Avenue (in Brookfield Park), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
We will identify and view the many different birds, mammal, insect and plant species of a grassland ecosystem.
Free! ...Read more

Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, December 29, 2018 to Sunday, December 30, 2018:

Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, December 29, 2018, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Prospect Park: Birdwatching for Beginners
Leader: Cyrus Baty
Birdwatching for Beginners meets at the Prospect Park Audubon Center at The Boathouse at 12 noon. Bring binoculars if you have them; otherwise, binoculars are available for loan.

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Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society
Sunday, December 30, 2018 - 12:00pm
Pelham Bay Park: Waterfowl and Seals
At the western end of Long Island Sound, Pelham Bay Park is home in the wintertime to a variety of ducks, geese, loons, cormorants, and other waterfowl. The rocks off Twin Islands also serve as a haul-out spot for several species of seals. We will take advantage of low tide to see all these animals. Then we will journey up into the pine woods of Hunter Island to search for owls.

Directions: Take the Throgs Neck or Whitestone Bridge to the Hutchinson River Parkway North. Take Exit 5 for Orchard Beach. We will meet at the northeastern end of the Orchard Beach parking lot. Call 585-880-0915 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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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Sunday, December 30, 2018, 10:30am-12:30pm
Warm up to Winter Walk - Greenbelt Nature Center
Let’s get acquainted with the quiet, welcome stillness of winter as we explore and learn about how this season offers promise amid unique challenges. We will walk about 3 miles on the red-trail loop in the heart of LaTourette Park in the Greenbelt.
Dress warmly and bring snacks and beverage. Meet at the Greenbelt Nature Center at Rockland and Brielle Avenues.
For more information, contact Hillel Lofaso at hillel5757@gmail.com or 718-477-0545. ...Read more

Birding in Peace

Here's a look back at some of this years highlights of my "Birding in Peace" tours in historic Green-Wood Cemetery. All photos are by Evan Rabeck.

Treehugger Tuesday

From Bird Life International:

When the Beach Clean-up is Over

Plastics from over 25 different countries washed up on Cape Verde beach
By Sonia Neves
17 Dec 2018

@SPEA

Beach clean-ups have become a bittersweet sight to see. Although their impact is immediately seen, what happens after all the volunteers are gone?

Praia dos achados, or Finders-Keepers Beach, in Cape Verde, was the scene of an apparently successful beach clean-up just six months ago. This beach is one of the most important nesting places for Loggerhead Sea Turtles Caretta caretta. Last year, they made over 5000 nests here. The clean-up was supposed to help let these turtles continue to nest here, but it turns out that the actions of Cape Verde NGOs Biosfera and DNA, and our Portuguese partner SPEA were all in vain.[1] Upon returning to the beach six months later, they found that it had become a wasteland once again.

Shocked by this discovery, their seaside stroll turned into an impromptu investigation – where had all this trash comes from? Within an hour, they had collected labelled plastics from over 25 different countries. The tides and currents had brought litter from all over the world to this idyllic beach.

“Shocked by this discovery, their seaside stroll turned into an impromptu investigation – where had all this trash comes from?”

Amongst the rubbish, they found the desiccated corpses of two baby loggerhead sea turtles. Unable to reach the sea – their path blocked by plastic waste – they died of hunger, thirst and heat, trapped in a plastic canister immediately upon leaving their nest.

All the beach clean-ups in the world won’t be enough to solve this problem. Plastic waste from one side of the world can easily wash up on the other side. To tackle plastic pollution we not only have to stop plastic waste from entering the sea, we must reduce our consumption all together.

Sign this petition to help make beach clean-ups a thing of the past.

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[1] SPEA coordinated the project Desertas (for the sustainable management of Santa Luzia marine reserve) together with Cape Verde NGOs Biosfera and DNA

Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Due to the fact that most groups are either still involved in the annual Christmas Bird Count or have taken a hiatus until the New Year, there is no schedule for the coming weekend. That said:

A Christmas Bird Count 18 Years Ago

This Saturday will be my 19th year covering Brooklyn’s Floyd Bennett Field for the annual Christmas Bird Count. It will also be my first as the team leader. I thought it might be fun to look back at my experience from the first year. Unfortunately, it appears that I didn’t write anything down in 1999, but I did manage to locate my report from the second year. Before my involvement, the entire 1300+ acres was covered by just Ron Bourque and his late wife Jean. In 2000 there were four of us on the team. On Saturday we’ll finally have enough birders on our team to adequately cover our entire area (Floyd Bennett Field, Dead Horse Bay and Four Sparrow Marsh). Maybe we’ll find something really cool. Note that on my species list I used the old common name “Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow” as it wasn’t changed to Saltmarsh Sparrow until 2009:

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SUBJECT: Dead Horse Bay, Floyd Bennett Field, Four Sparrow Marsh
DATE: Saturday, 16 December, 2000
OBSERVERS: Ron Bourque, Jean Bourque, Mike Higgiston, Rob Jett
REPORTER: Rob Jett

For me, the annual Christmas Bird Count is the symbolic conclusion to another year of birding. While I will probably spend a few more hours tracking down this winters avian residents before the end of the calendar year, the CBC stands out as more than just another day outdoors with my binoculars. I want to know everything there is to know about birds and to be able to predict the unpredictable. The consummate hunter knows not only where to find his prey, but also, when to look. There is always an element of luck involved with our type of hunting but the "count" gives me an opportunity to see if I've learned anything over the preceding year.

Saturday’s bit of luck was the fact that weather predictions were off by about six hours and we didn't have to spend the day walking around in open fields in the drenching rain. On the downside, many of the expected seasonal species were seen in very low numbers.

Mike and I started off at Four Sparrow Marsh. The inner marsh was virtually deserted. As we approached the opening near Mill Basin we flushed a Common Snipe which zigzagged low towards the Belt Parkway bridge. The ground was extremely soft due to the recent rainstorms and, unlike the snipe, we had to step carefully. The habitat near the shore is a landscape of windblown grass and mussel shoals sprinkled with generous amounts of bottles, Styrofoam, driftwood and derelict recreational boats. Scanning the grass we found a small group of low feeding sparrows. In the group there were at least a couple of Song Sparrows, one or two Swamp Sparrows and a couple of other unidentified, very evasive sparrows. A close watch from our respective dry, flotsam platforms finally revealed that there were two Sharp-tailed Sparrows in the flock. I took a step off my piece of wood in an attempt to flush the birds towards Mike and promptly lost my right leg in knee deep muck. I imagined the birds amusement as they stayed put on their safe island only a few yards away watching me struggling to pull myself back onto my perch.

Before we returned to the car I had the silly notion to try and tramp a trail through the towering forest of Phragmites in the field just west of the marsh. Mike positioned himself atop a tall mound of wood chips and prepared to track whatever came flying out. I may have felt like a Cocker Spaniel but within the first ten feet a fluttering, whistling Woodcock shot straight up like a pheasant and headed towards the back of the reeds. For some strange reason I began barking.

We met Ron and Jean back at Floyd Bennett and Ron decided we should start looking for owls. Mike and I headed straight to the section were we located a couple of Saw-whet Owls last year. No luck, but Ron caught up to us after having just flushed a Barn Owl. We didn't see it but continued looking for signs of other owls. I meandered away from the others and began checking a small section of pines. As I walked I unconsciously scanned the soft, spongy ground beneath the conifers for signs of an owl roost. Something higher up caught my attention. At eye level I noticed a small, white downy feather trapped in the needles on the end of a branch. It fluttered ever so slightly in a light breeze that wafted through the pines. I thought that maybe a raptor had plucked it from its hapless prey or perhaps a bird had been preening further up the tree. My eyes continued following upward in the feathers likely trajectory and stopped at a Barn Owl perched near the top of the pine.

Back on the grasslands it was time to spread out and walk the entire length of every field. As expected Savannah Sparrows were common but meadowlarks seemed to be missing. A familiar sound was approaching us and I searched for the source. "Pip-pit, pip-pit, pip-pit, pip-pit", an American Pipit was heading our way and flew by just over our heads. As we came to the end of the second to last field Mike shouted for our attention. A Short-eared Owl flew up from its roost near the edge of the runway. A few crows immediately descended on the owl in an attempt to "run it out of town". The Short-eared didn't seem that concerned about the crows as it eventually stopped and perched on a small nature refuge sign at the side of the road. When the crows did get too close the owl always seemed able to effortlessly maneuver itself above its pursuers.
Ron was becoming increasingly concerned that he hadn't seen any meadowlarks yet. We talked in depressed tones about their rapidly declining numbers and how years ago one local naturalist predicted that by the year 2000 they'd be extinct. At the last field we checked Mike spotted a lone meadowlark. Then it was joined by seven more birds. We were overjoyed as we watched the flock of bright yellow birds pass in front of us; their halting, staccato wing beats trying to evade our sights. But our aim was true, our trigger fingers at the ready with pen and checklist and we "got" our birds.

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Floyd Bennett Field/Four Sparrow Marsh - 1 2/1 6/00

Horned Grebe
Great Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Brant
Mute Swan
American Wigeon
American Black Duck
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Bufflehead
Red-breasted Merganser
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk (Floyd Bennett Field)
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Merlin (Floyd Bennett Field)
Peregrine Falcon
Ring-necked Pheasant
Common Snipe (Four Sparrow Marsh)
American Woodcock (Four Sparrow Marsh)
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Dove
Barn Owl (Floyd Bennett Field)
Short-eared Owl (Floyd Bennett Field)
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
American Robin
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
American Pipit (Floyd Bennett Field)
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow-rumped Warbler
American Tree Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Four Sparrow Marsh)
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark (8, Floyd Bennett Field)
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow ...Read more

Treehugger Tuesday

From NYTimes.com:

Trump Drilling Plan Threatens 9 Million Acres of Sage Grouse Habitat
Coral Davenport
Dec. 6, 2018



A plan to roll back sage grouse protections is expected to be finalized in 2019.
Credit Dan Cepeda/The Casper Star-Tribune, via Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Thursday detailed its plan to open nine million acres to drilling and mining by stripping away protections for the sage grouse, an imperiled ground-nesting bird that oil companies have long considered an obstacle to some of the richest deposits in the American West.

In one stroke, the action would open more land to drilling than any other step the administration has taken, environmental policy experts said. It drew immediate criticism from environmentalists while energy-industry representatives praised the move, saying that the earlier policy represented an overreach of federal authority.

“This is millions and millions of acres of Western land that stretch across the spine of this nation,” said Bobby McEnaney, an expert in Western land use at the Natural Resources Defense Council, an advocacy group. “With this single action, the administration is saying: This landscape doesn’t matter. This species doesn’t matter. Oil and gas matter.”

Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Western Energy Alliance, an association of independent oil and gas companies based in Denver, said in an email, “These plans will conserve the sage grouse without needlessly stifling economic activity.”

The plan is the latest in a series designed to promote more oil and gas drilling on public land in support of what President Trump has called a policy of American “energy dominance.” Last December, Mr. Trump signed a law that opened the vast Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration, and the administration has since moved with unprecedented speed to allow exploratory work to begin there. In January, the Interior Department proposed opening up almost the entire American coastline to offshore drilling.

Last December, the administration also slashed the size of two major national monuments in Utah, reducing Bears Ears, a sprawling region of red rock canyons, by 85 percent, and Grand Staircase-Escalante to about half its former size, with the intent of opening the land to drilling and mining. But that move opened up only two million acres, compared with the nine million acres in the sage grouse decision.

The opening of great swaths of land and water to drilling could become tough to reverse once companies start leasing the land or sinking rigs into the ground, Patrick Parenteau, a professor of environmental law at Vermont Law School, said. “It’s a major step,” he said. “It’s practically irreversible once you have the commitment of these lands to industrial uses.”

In reducing protections for the sage grouse, which has been a candidate for endangered-species protection in the past and has habitat in 10 oil-rich Western states, the government would be freeing up land that oil and gas companies have long thirsted after.

Under a plan put forth in 2015, during the Obama administration, oil and gas drilling was banned or limited in 10.7 million acres where the bird lives, under a stringent designation known as “sagebrush focal areas.” Known for its distinctive mating dance, the land-dwelling grouse has seen its numbers sharply decline in recent decades.

In cases where drilling was permitted in the habitat, it came with restrictions such as bans on drilling during mating season. The Obama plan also limited construction of drilling infrastructure, such as pipelines and roads, in sage grouse habitat and required companies that drill in restricted areas to pay into a fund to preserve and protect other habitat areas.

The new Trump proposal, which is expected to be finalized next year, would limit that highly protected area to 1.8 million acres and eliminate the requirement that companies pay into the habitat preservation fund, although companies could pay into it voluntarily.

A spokeswoman for the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management, which published the proposal, said the new plan would not strip away all protections of sage grouse habitat. It would remove the “sagebrush focal areas” designation from the nine million acres, but she said it would leave other conservation measures in place.

“Taking away the ‘sagebrush focal area’ protection would be removing just one of multiple layers of protection,” said the spokeswoman, Heather Feeney. There would still be buffer zones banning the destruction of sage grouse habitat near nests, and drilling and mining companies would have to apply for waivers to destroy habitat.

Environmentalists, however, said that would amount to a major weakening of environmental protections, and noted that it might be relatively easy for companies to receive the waivers from an administration that is actively promoting new drilling.

“It’s true that there are still some conservation measures in place,” Nada Culver, a lawyer with the Wilderness Society, said. “But now, if a company says, ‘I don’t want to comply with those protections,’ then the Interior Department can just give them a permit that says, ‘Go ahead, you’re allowed to destroy the habitat.’”

States could opt to keep the Obama-era protections in place, and could also require companies to pay in to similar state-level funds. At least two states, Montana and Oregon, are expected to keep the protections in place, but other states, including Idaho and Utah, plan to follow the loosening of the federal rules.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, who would implement the revised sage grouse plan, has repeatedly said that the new plans would not harm the bird. “No one loves the sage grouse more than I do,” Mr. Zinke said in response to a question in 2017.

Environmentalists have dismissed that claim, calling the rollback of the sage grouse protections a gift to the oil and gas industry. “It’s hard to pretend at this point that Zinke is a steward of America’s public lands,” Mr. McEnaney said.

Experts on endangered birds also criticized the proposal’s scientific underpinnings, echoing a criticism of the Trump administration’s approach toward the use of data and research in policy proposals.

“Today’s announcement is not based on any new science that changes the picture of what biologists regard as absolutely necessary to keep sage grouse off the endangered species list,” John W. Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, said. “The Department of Interior is disregarding its own best available science.”

Government watchdog groups were critical of the role played by Mr. Zinke’s deputy secretary, David Bernhardt, in drafting the sage grouse plan. People familiar with the yearlong process say that much of the substantive work was performed by Mr. Bernhardt, a former oil lobbyist. Since his confirmation to his position last year, Mr. Bernhardt has attracted criticism that his work creates a conflict of interest, given that he oversees proposals that could directly benefit his former clients.

As a partner in the law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Mr. Bernhardt lobbied for the oil companies Cobalt International Energy and Samson Resources. His legal clients have included the Independent Petroleum Association of America and Halliburton Energy Services, the oil-and-gas extraction firm once led by former Vice President Dick Cheney.

In March, a group of oil companies, including the Independent Petroleum Association of America, wrote to Mr. Bernhardt to thank him for his work on actions “that rescinded and revised mitigation policies that far exceeded statutory authority.” The groups also listed policies they hoped that Mr. Bernhardt would change, including the Obama sage grouse plan.

“Many of Bernhardt’s former clients stand to benefit from this plan,” said Jayson O’Neill, deputy director of the Western Values Project, a nonprofit public lands advocacy group.

However, Mr. O’Neill and others acknowledge that since loosening the environmental restrictions would most likely benefit hundreds of companies and numerous industries — not just Mr. Bernhardt’s former clients — it is difficult to claim he was acting with the specific intent to help the former clients.

Ms. Feeney, the spokeswoman for the Interior Department, declined to make Mr. Bernhardt available for an interview.

In a statement released Thursday, Mr. Bernhardt said, “We know the successful conservation of the greater sage grouse requires the shared stewardship vision of the states, private citizens, landowners and federal land management agencies including those within the Department of the Interior.”

Some environmentalists pointed out one case in which the Trump administration’s actions could, in the long term, actually make drilling more difficult on sage grouse habitat: if the population declines so much that the bird gets placed on the endangered species list.

“It’s ironic,” said Mark Squillace, an expert on environmental law at the University of Colorado Law School. “If the species is listed, it will trigger all kinds of federal actions.” ...Read more

Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, December 15, 2018 to Sunday, December 16, 2018:

City Island Bird Walks
Sunday, December 16, 2018, 8:30am
Hunter Island for Waterfowl and other Surprises
Meet at the Orchard Beach Parking Lot, in the NE Corner
I’m hoping for some sun and a beautiful morning. We’ll loop through Hunter Island for whatever we can find. By this time there should be some ducks. If you have a scope, please bring it.
If you have any questions, email me, jack@cityislandbirds.com
Please be aware that there is public transportation, but I cannot pick up anyone at the station. If you want to come by subway, email me, and I will give you directions.

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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 Audubon Society
Saturday, December 15, 2018, 9am – 3pm
Van Trip to Winter Birds at Jamaica Bay
Register for our van trip to American Littoral Society's Winter Birds at Jamaica Bay (see description above) and get to Jamaica Bay the easy way—by passenger van! Bring lunch and water. Limited to 12. $68 (48)
Click here to register

Saturday, December 15, 2018, 10am – 1pm
American Littoral Society: Winter Birds at Jamaica Bay
Guide: Don Riepe with American Littoral Society and Gateway National Recreation Area
Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center for a slide program on winter birds and wildlife followed by a walk around the ponds and gardens to look for late fall migrants and early winter birds. Learn about bird migration, survival, and adaptation to cold temperatures and look for owls, hawks, finches, and waterfowl.
For information and reservations, contact Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 or donriepe@gmail.com. No limit. Free

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Saturday, December 15, 2018, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve
Explore the unique pine-oak woodlands and wetlands of this iconic park and wildlife adapted to this pine barren ecosystem. As a child this was one of my favorite places on the South Shore. In those days, Clay Pits Preserve was hidden away among the surrounding woodlands. Over time, human development has closed in making the preservation of this park even more essential.
Meet at the parking lot for the park located at 2351 Veteran’s Road West.
For more information call Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.

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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Jones Beach West End 2

From the Southern State Parkway, exit onto the Meadowbrook State Parkway south. After entering Jones Beach State Park, exit right (west) into the West End. Continue west to West End 2 parking lot; we meet in the northeast corner of the lot.

From the Wantagh State Parkway, travel south. Upon entering Jones Beach State Park, exit at Bay Drive and continue west to West End 2 parking lot; we meet in the northeast corner of the 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
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Animal of the Month Club: Northern Cardinal at Prospect Avenue and Brentwood Avenue (in Allison Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we discuss the Northern Cardinal. This vibrant bird can be seen and heard in our parks throughout the winter season.
Free! ...Read more

The Christmas Bird Count is Coming!

Frank Chapman (June 12, 1864 – November 15, 1945) was an American ornithologist, conservationist and the creator of the now annual Christmas Bird Count. Intended as a form of protest against the Christmas day "side hunt" in which teams competed to see how many birds they could kill, Chapman decided instead to count birds. One hundred and eighteen years later it has become the longest running citizen science survey in the world. You can learn more about the history of the count here. If you'd like to participate in this year's CBC, check this link to a map to find information for your area. Below is the info for New York City:

Saturday, December 15, 2018
Brooklyn (Kings)
Bobbi Manian
roberta.manian [AT] gmail.com

Sunday, December 16, 2018
Lower Hudson NJ/NY
Kaitlyn Parkins
christmasbirdcount [AT] nycaudubon.org
212-691-7483

Queens County
Corey Finger
10000birdsblogger [AT] gmail.com

Sunday, December 23, 2018
Bronx-Westchester Region
Michael Bochnik
BochnikM [AT] cs.com
hras.org/bwcbc.html
914-953-7409

Click here for a complete listing for New York State.

Treehugger Tuesday

From the website "Treehugger":

Australia slashed plastic bag use by 80% in 3 months – here's how
Melissa Breyer
December 3, 2018

After a few big players entered the ring, the environment was spared some 1.5 billion plastic shopping bags in under 100 days.

This is remarkable, and a model for other countries around the world. After two of Australia's largest supermarket chains decided to nix single-use plastic shopping bags, the country saw an 80 percent drop in plastic bag consumption across the nation in the first three months of the ban, reports the Australian Associated Press (AAP).

According to The Guardian, Woolworths began prohibiting all single-use plastic bags from all stores nationwide on June 20th; their competitor, Coles, did the same on June 30th. It has been estimated that each chain was responsible for around 3.2 billion bags every year.

AAP says that the two supermarket giants stopped offering single-use plastic bags after years of campaigning by environmental groups and consumers. The press agency notes that while not all shoppers were on board (because, of course, heaven forbid the inconvenience of sparing the planet from being choked by plastic) (sorry) (not sorry), many other shoppers were in strong support of the initiative.

According to the National Retail Association (NRA), after just three months there was an 80 percent drop in the consumption of plastic bags across the country.

“Indeed, some retailers are reporting reduction rates as high as 90%,” said David Stout, Manager of Industry Policy, Research & Projects at the NRA.

Stout explained that the widespread prohibition also opened the door for smaller retailers to do the same, since the risk of losing customers over it has now been minimized. Noting that, “Obviously the best thing for smaller businesses is to either engineer out the bag completely or have the customer pay ... they should be able to consider that strategy without fear of backlash.”

Stout's words feel like they are coming from some kind of alternate universe, given the lobbying by industry associations in the U.S. to ban plastic bag bans. Stout goes on to say that he's hopeful that the big retailers continue to push for a more sustainable industry and to explore banning other single-use items.

“Everyone delivering things in a package need to take responsibility for what they deliver it in,” he said. “I think there’s going to be a lot more pressure on all of us to be more aware of what we consume.”

Given the success seen in Australia, may the rest of us follow suit.

Upcoming Bird and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, December 8, 2018 to Sunday, December 9, 2018:

Bedford Audubon Society
Saturday, December 8, 2018, 8:00am - 12:30pm
Read Sanctuary /Marshlands Conservancy
A favorite birding trip among members – main targets are waterfowl and loons on the Sound, Great Horned Owls, and lingering songbirds.
Depart Bylane at 7:15am or meet us at the boathouse on Playland Lake at 8am.
Easy-Moderate.
Please register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914.232.1999.
See more details

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Jamaica Bay Refuge
Leader: Chris Laskowski
Focus: winter species, fresh water ducks and other waterfowl
Car fee: $12.00
Registrar: Chris Laskowski celaskowski@yahoo.com
Registration Period: Dec 1st – Dec 6th
Please review our trip guidelines here: http://brooklynbirdclub.org/information-registration

Saturday, December 8, 2018, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Prospect Park: Birdwatching for Beginners
Leader: Cyrus Baty
Birdwatching for Beginners meets at the Prospect Park Audubon Center at The Boathouse at 12 noon. Bring binoculars if you have them; otherwise, binoculars are available for loan.

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Feminist Bird Club
Sunday, December 9, 2018
Fort Wadsworth
Leader: Jose

All walks follow the ABA Code of Birding Ethics

An inclusive bird watching club dedicated to promoting diversity in birding and providing a safe opportunity to connect with the natural world in urban environments while fundraising to protect the rights of all womxn, non-binary folks, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

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Gateway National Recreation Areas
Sunday, December 9, 2018, 10am — 12pm
Explore the Mysterious Back Woods at Fort Tilden
View Details

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Great South Bay Audubon Society
Saturday, December 8, 2018, 9:00am
Montauk
Leader(s): Bob Grover (516-318-8536), Ken Thompson (631-612-8028)

Meet at Lighthouse parking lot. Latecomers can still join in the vicinity of the restaurant overlook. Directions: Route 27 to 27A to end.

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Green-Wood Cemetery
Sunday, December 9, 2018, 7:15am - 8:45am
Birding in Peace
Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean that there aren’t interesting birds to discover in Green-Wood. For some bird species that migrate south after the breeding season, Brooklyn is their Miami during the cold months. Spend the early morning exploring the cemetery, looking for overwintering waterfowl, nuthatches, woodpeckers, sparrows, finches and any half-hardy birds that decided to stick around. By February we’ll see some of the early north-bound birds beginning to trickle back into the area.

Before our gates open to the general public, birding expert Rob Jett leads these peaceful Saturday/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.

$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
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Pelham Bay Park
Meet at 8 AM in the far left corner or the large parking lot. We will search the woods for Fox Sparrows and the sound for waterfowl.
http://www.hras.org/wtobird/pelhambay.html

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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 Audubon Society
Sunday, December 9, 2018, 8:00am – 10:30am
Intro to Birding: Bird Walk in Central Park
Guide: Tod Winston
Are you curious about "birding" but don’t have much (or any) experience? Come on a relaxed winter walk to some of Central Park’s hotspots to go over birding basics and see sparrows, finches, ducks, and more. Binoculars available. Limited to 15. $36 (25)
Click here to register

Sunday, December 9, 2018, 9:30am – 11:30am
Winter Birding at Wave Hill, Bronx
Sundays, December 9, January 13, February 10, and March 10, 9:30-11:30am
Guide: Gabriel Willow with Wave Hill
Meet at the Perkins Visitor Center. The Hudson River valley hosts an impressive diversity of bird species, even during the winter months. Come explore the beautiful gardens and woodlands of Wave Hill and observe the hardy birds that spend the winter in this urban oasis. Walks run rain or shine. Ages 10 and up welcome with an adult. See www.wavehill.org for admission rates. NYC Audubon members enjoy two-for-one admission

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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, December 9, 2018
Hempstead Lake State Park
From the Southern State Parkway, take Exit 18 (Eagle Avenue) south to Field 3 (use second park entrance and make an immediate left turn.)
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, December 8, 2018
Animal of the Month Club: Northern Cardinal at Forest Avenue and Silver Lake Park Road (in Silver Lake Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we discuss the Northern Cardinal. This vibrant bird can be seen and heard in our parks throughout the winter season.
Free!

Sunday, December 9, 2018
Winter Birding at Perkins Visitors Center (in Wave Hill), Bronx
9:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Explore Wave Hill’s tranquil gardens and woodlands with naturalist Gabriel Willow to observe birds in their winter habitats.

Birding: Waterfowl at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels. Beginners are welcome.
Free! ...Read more