Upcoming Bird and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming birding and nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, February 22, 2020 to Sunday, February 23, 2020:

Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, February 22, 2020, 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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Gateway National Parks​
Saturday, February 22, 2020, 10:00am
Late Winter Bird Walk
Location: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens
Duration: 3 hours
Join naturalist Don Riepe for an in-door presentation followed by a hike around the refuge to look for owls, waterfowl, finches, and other wintering birds. Learn how birds and other wildlife survive the winter. For information, call 718-474-0896; e-mail: don@littoralsociety.org. No reservation necessary. All ages are welcome.

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Green-Wood Cemetery
Sunday, February 23, 2020
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

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.

For this program you will check in at the Gothic Arches, right at the main entrance. Click here for our inclement weather policy.

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Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society
Sunday, February 23, 2020, 9:00am
Massapequa Lakes and Southern Nassau Area
We will bird the ponds at Massapequa Preserve, then head east in search of variety of wintering ducks and land birds.
Registration: (631) 885-1881
Directions: Meet at western entrance to the park. Park on Parkside Blvd and Pittsburgh Ave.

ABOUT THE FIELD TRIPS
Field trips organized by Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon are free, unless otherwise specified, and open to the public. However, some special activities may be open only to Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon members.

Newcomers are most welcome. Binoculars and field guides are strongly advised, but leaders usually have some field guides to share.

Directions to the site are published in our newsletter, website and Facebook page. We urge you to save the directions.

Please arrive before the departure time listed in the trip description. Trips will leave promptly at the time given.

Carpooling is possible, gas and tolls are shared. Contact the trip leader to see if anyone has expressed interest. The trip leader is not responsible for arranging carpools, just giving you names of others who are interested in carpooling.

Registration is necessary. Call the trip leader by 9:00 PM on Thursday for a Saturday trip and by 9:00 PM Friday for a Sunday trip. Be sure to leave your phone number. You may participate if you didn’t register, but we will not be able to notify you of any changes or cancellations without your phone number.

Dress for the weather realizing you’ll be outdoors for long periods of time. Bring water, proper footwear, snacks and if the trip is for a full day, bring a bag lunch. Bring money to cover your share of any carpooling expenses as well as any required entry fees at our destinations.

Rain or temperature below 20° F cancels (sometimes!). Be sure to check our Facebook page the night before or morning of to check if inclement weather has caused us to cancel the trip.

For the health, safety and comfort of all field trip participants, please refrain from smoking or wearing perfumes or colognes on HOBAS field trips

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Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, February 22, 2020 to Sunday, February 23, 2020
Montauk Weekend
Leader: Joseph DiCostanzo
Registrar: Dale Dancis — ddancis@gmail.com or 212-724-3269
Registration opens: Monday, January 20
Ride: $80 – lodging not included

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Littoral Society of New York
Sunday February 23, 2020, 11:00am to 2:00pm
A Low Tide Wintertime Stroll at Fort Tilden
Fort Tilden, Breezy Point, NY
Meet at the Fort Tilden Chapel
Join "Good Times with Gordon" for a walk along a lovely winter beach during low tide.
The sun, moon and earth should be in position that day to create a notable low tide.  Explore the intertidal zone and “walk the sea floor” with American Littoral Society naturalist, Gordon Lam, and NYC Botanist Zihao Wang to observe the usually-hidden biological treasures from beyond the tides.
Dress VERY warmly, wear comfortable shoes and bring a pair of binoculars if you have them. We will cover about 1 1/2 - 2 miles along the beach. 
 
As always, NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED and the walk is FREE. We hope to see you all there! In case of inclement weather or other concerns please check your email or call Gordon Lam at 646-673-5418 on the morning of the walk.

DIRECTIONS TO FORT TILDEN:
•Subway & bus: Take the #2 or #5 train to Flatbush Ave. / Brooklyn College and then the Q-35 bus past Floyd Bennett Field and just over the Gil Hodges memorial Bridge.  Ask the driver to let you off at Ft. Tilden.   Check Saturday/Sunday train schedules ahead of time.


  •By car: From exit 11s on the Belt Parkway, head south and over the Marine Parkway Bridge (Gil Hodges Memorial). Stay on right and take the right ramp toward Breezy Point. Make a quick left into Fort Tilden at the first light. Go to end and park by Building One or at the nearby Post Chapel.


•By Ferry: The current schedule of the NYC Ferry has an 8:30AM ferry leaving from Wall Street Pier 11 on the weekends that gets to Beach 108 by 9:24AM, and the shuttle on the weekends will leave you at the Jacob Riis Bathhouse by 9:45AM.  You can then walk the short distance to Building 1 in Fort Tilden.  Although you will be early, the next ferry would get you there too late.

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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, February 22, 2020, 9am – 3pm
Van Trip to the Winter Thaw Bird Walk at Jamaica Bay
Register for our van trip to American Littoral Society's Winter Thaw Bird Walk (see description above) and get to Jamaica Bay the easy way—by passenger van! Bring lunch and water. Limited to 12. $85 (60)
Click here to register

Sunday, February 23, 2020, 9am – 2pm
Winter Birds of DeKorte Park, NJ
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Come explore the wilds of the New Jersey Meadowlands at DeKorte Park. We'll be on the lookout for large flocks of Canvasbacks, Northern Pintails, Buffleheads, and Northern Shovelers. And we'll scan the skies for hunting raptors including Rough-legged and Cooper’s Hawks, Northern Harriers, and perhaps even a Snowy or Short-eared Owl. We can warm up at the environmental center and learn about the Meadowlands's ecology. Transport by passenger van included. Limited to 12. $97 (68) per walk
Click here to register

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New York City WILD!
Sunday, February 23, 2020, 10:30am
Winter Wonderland! Westchester: Marshlands Conservancy

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, Feb 22, 2020
Barnegat Light and NJ shore
Leader: Ian Resnick
Time and meeting location TBD.
more details»

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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, February 23, 2020
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, February 22, 2020
Birding: Eagle Watch at Palisade Avenue and Spaulding Lane (in Riverdale Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle.
Free! ...Read more

Treehugger Tuesday

From the New York Times:

Trump Administration Moves to Relax Rules Against Killing Birds
By Lisa Friedman
January 30, 2020

Since 1918, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which covers more than 1,000 species, has helped restore populations of birds like the great egret.
Brandon Thibodeaux for The New York Times

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Thursday moved to drop the threat of punishment to oil and gas companies, construction crews and other organizations that kill birds “incidentally,” arguing that businesses that accidentally kill birds ought to be able to operate without fear of prosecution.

Conservation groups said the proposed new regulation from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, which operates under the Department of Interior, would substantially weaken the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and put millions of birds in danger. The threat of fines and prosecution has, for decades, helped prod industries to take steps to protect birds, like affixing red lights on communication towers, they say.

But industry leaders and administration officials said they expected businesses to continue to voluntarily protect bird habitats. Removing the threat of punishment, they said, would bring regulatory certainty and eliminate legal disputes over whether the law covers birds killed unintentionally, whether from an oil spill or the blade of a wind turbine.

Aurelia Skipwith, director of the Fish and Wildlife Service, called bird conservation “an integral part” of the agency’s mission. By specifying that entities should be held liable only if they can be proven to have set out to kill birds, she said, “we are taking action today to make sure our rules and regulations are clear.”

The proposed regulation, if finalized, would cement a legal opinion that the Department of Interior issued in 2017 that previous administrations had interpreted the law too broadly and that only actions explicitly intended to kill birds should be forbidden.

That interpretation has already had significant consequences for migratory birds. According to internal agency documents recently obtained by The New York Times, the Trump administration has discouraged local governments and businesses from taking simple precautionary measures to protect birds, and federal wildlife officials have all but stopped investigating most bird deaths.

With a presidential election coming in November, the Trump administration is moving quickly to finalize dozens of regulatory rollbacks and other actions to weaken environmental protections viewed as burdensome by industry.

In recent weeks, the administration has scrapped a clean water regulation aimed at protecting streams and wetlands, and blocked an effort to require Americans to use energy-efficient light bulbs. Within the next month, the administration plans to weaken vehicle emissions standards and a rule restricting mercury, a toxic chemical emitted from coal-burning power plants. Completing the rule curtailing the Migratory Bird Treaty Act before the November election will be difficult, but the agency has indicated it will push aggressively to do so.

“It’s a race against the clock,” Bob Dreher, senior vice president of conservation programs at Defenders of Wildlife, an environmental organization, said of the proposed regulation.

Any legal guideline, like the one now governing bird-death enforcement, can be easily overturned; the 2017 opinion on incidental avian deaths reversed guidelines written by the Obama administration to enshrine the government’s ability to fine and prosecute those who accidentally kill migratory birds. Mr. Dreher noted that codifying the opinion into regulation, as the Trump administration is trying to do, would make it harder for a future president to issue a quick reversal.

“They’re trying to entrench this as much as they can, and get stuff locked into place,” he said, but added, “We’re going to fight it.”

For more climate news sign up for the Climate Fwd: newsletter or follow @NYTClimate on Twitter.

Six conservation groups and eight states have already sued to block the underlying legal opinion. Last week, a group of former Interior Department officials from both Republican and Democratic administrations filed an amicus brief in support of the lawsuit.

Oil industry representatives said that they have worked voluntarily to protect birds and would continue to do so. They also accused the Obama administration of abusing the law by singling out oil and gas companies for prosecution. The new rule, several business leaders said, brings regulatory certainty to companies worried that bird deaths would make them criminally liable for millions of dollars.

Erik G. Milito, president of the National Ocean Industries Association, which represents offshore oil and wind industries, called it “welcome news for safe and responsible energy development.” He said the proposal would prevent “the unnecessary criminalization” of accidental bird deaths that he said had blocked or slowed energy projects.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act makes it illegal “by any means or in any manner” to hunt, take, capture or kill birds, nests or eggs from listed species without a permit. Beginning in the 1970s, federal officials used the act to prosecute and fine companies up to $15,000 per bird for accidental deaths on power lines, in oil pits, in wind turbines and by other industrial hazards.

In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon disaster killed 11 people and spewed more than 210 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Hundreds of thousands of birds were killed, and BP agreed to pay $100 million for criminal violations under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Under the current legal guidance and the proposed regulatory changes, that episode would no longer trigger criminal liability because the birds were killed unintentionally. Illegal acts are also protected under the plan. For example, a farmer who sprayed a banned pesticide that killed birds would not be held liable as long as the birds were not the “intended target.”

The rule will appear in the Federal Register on Monday and the public will have 45 days to comment on it.

Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming birding and nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, February 15, 2020 to Monday, February 17, 2020:

Bedford Audubon Society
February 14, 2020 - February 17, 2020
Cape Ann/Plum Island

Looking for a winter adventure?
You’re in luck ... our Special Winter Birding Week-end Field Trip to Cape Ann/Plum Island mightbe just what you’re looking for! 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, Short-eared Owl, Snowy Owl, and Northern Shrike. The many other possibilities include Dovekie, Thick-billed Murre, and Eastern Screech Owl, and this winter, Townsend’s Solitaire. Add these to your year (or life) list this month!

Cost: $100/members, or $135/nonmembers (and we’ll credit $35 to an annual membership). Travel, lodging, and meals not included in the cost. We will provide an itinerary, hotel suggestion, and coordinate meeting times +locations when you register.
Please register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914-302-9713
See more details

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, February 15, 2020, 8:00am - Sunday, February 16, 2020, 5:00pm
Members Only: Monmouth and Mercer County Winter Weekend
Trip caps at 12 members.
Leader: Ryan Goldberg
Car Fee: $60

Focus/Trip synopsis: Waterfowl and grassland birds in central New Jersey.
Itinerary includes Manasquan Reservoir, Mercer Meadows, and Assunpink WMA. In the winter Manasquan Reservoir and Assunpink attract close to a dozen waterfowl species, including Common Merganser and Canvasback, not to mention Bald Eagles and Trumpeter Swans. At Mercer Meadows, near Princeton, we’ll hope to see Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls. We’ll depart early Saturday morning for Manasquan Reservoir before heading to Mercer Meadows in the afternoon.
Dress accordingly; we’ll stay at the meadows until dusk. Sunday we’ll go to Assunpink. Hotel TBD but will be near Princeton.
Registrar: Chris Laskowski email celaskowski@yahoo.com
Registration Period: Jan. 2-Feb. 5

Please review our trip guidelines here: http://brooklynbirdclub.org/information-registration

Saturday, February 15, 2020, 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, February 15, 2020
MONTAUK – The End!
Leader: Eileen Schwinn
Meet at 8:30 am at the lower parking lot at Montauk Point. (Heated restrooms are available at this parking lot). The tip of Long Island is the go-to winter place − if you are an ocean-loving sea bird! Huge rafts of birds are usually seen from the (closed) restaurant patio, as well as other points along the shoreline. We will be visiting other well-known birding spots in Montauk, all dependent upon which birds have been reported in the area − rare geese, shorebirds, overwintering hardy songbirds are all possibilities. Plan to spend at least three hours on this field trip − and dress for the weather!
Please contact Eileen Schwinn, trip leader, for information, and please let her know if you plan to attend this field trip (beachmed@optonline.net).​

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Green-Wood Cemetery
Saturday, February 15, 2020, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Winter Tree ID Walk
Join Sam Bishop, Education Director and Arborist for Trees New York, and Ashleigh Pettus, Operations Manager for Trees New York, to learn how to identify some of the common conifers of Green-Wood and New York City. Learn how to use needles and cones to help with identification, the role that conifers play in the urban environment, and how different varieties of conifers can have a place in any urban garden.
Click here to register directly for this day’s program.
The meeting location is Green-Wood’s main entrance at 25th Street and 5th Avenue in Brooklyn.

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Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society
Sunday, February 16, 2020, 10:00am
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Jamaica Bay is known for its world-class shorebirding.
Registration: 585-880-0915
Directions: Meet at Visitor Center parking lot.

ABOUT THE FIELD TRIPS
Field trips organized by Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon are free, unless otherwise specified, and open to the public. However, some special activities may be open only to Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon members.

Newcomers are most welcome. Binoculars and field guides are strongly advised, but leaders usually have some field guides to share.

Directions to the site are published in our newsletter, website and Facebook page. We urge you to save the directions.

Please arrive before the departure time listed in the trip description. Trips will leave promptly at the time given.

Carpooling is possible, gas and tolls are shared. Contact the trip leader to see if anyone has expressed interest. The trip leader is not responsible for arranging carpools, just giving you names of others who are interested in carpooling.

Registration is necessary. Call the trip leader by 9:00 PM on Thursday for a Saturday trip and by 9:00 PM Friday for a Sunday trip. Be sure to leave your phone number. You may participate if you didn’t register, but we will not be able to notify you of any changes or cancellations without your phone number.

Dress for the weather realizing you’ll be outdoors for long periods of time. Bring water, proper footwear, snacks and if the trip is for a full day, bring a bag lunch. Bring money to cover your share of any carpooling expenses as well as any required entry fees at our destinations.

Rain or temperature below 20° F cancels (sometimes!). Be sure to check our Facebook page the night before or morning of to check if inclement weather has caused us to cancel the trip.

For the health, safety and comfort of all field trip participants, please refrain from smoking or wearing perfumes or colognes on HOBAS field trips

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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, February 15, 2020, 9:30am – 4:00pm
Winter Eagles on the Hudson
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Join NYC Audubon in seeking out one of the most incredible avian spectacles in New York: Bald Eagles wintering along the frozen Hudson River by the dozens or even hundreds. We will travel in comfort by Metro-North to Croton Point Park, where we will look for eagles before hiking up to Croton Point to seek out wintering Short-eared and Snowy Owls, Snow Buntings, Horned Larks, and other cold-weather specialties. Limited to 20. Round-trip Metro-North fare ($20.50) not included in trip price. $53 (37)
Click here to register

Sunday, February 16, 2020, 10am – 4pm
Snow Birds of Floyd Bennett Field and Fort Tilden
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. $100 (70) per walk
Click here to register

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New York City WILD!
Saturday, February 15, 2020, 9:30am
Winter Wonderland & Bald Eagles! Westchester: Georges Island State Park

Sunday, February 16, 2020, 11:00am
Winter Wonderland! Staten Island: Wolfe's Pond Park

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, February 16, 2020
Massapequa Lake
Use street parking on the westbound side of Merrick Road. Massapequa Lake is at the south end of Massapequa Preserve, between Lakeshore Boulevard and Ocean Avenue.
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. ...Read more

Upcoming Bird and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming birding and nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, February 8, 2020 to Sunday, February 9, 2020:

Bedford Audubon Society
Saturday, February 8, 2020, 9:00am - 4:00pm
EagleFest
New Croton Dam, Croton
Do you know which event was named winner of Hudson Valley Magazine’s “Best Outdoor Winter Event” in 2019?
You guessed it… EagleFest! This Teatown event is a celebration of the Bald Eagle’s return to the Hudson Valley after being on the brink of extinction. Join Naturalist Tait Johansson at Bedford Audubon’s post at the New Croton Dam warming station. We’ll be viewing our nation’s symbol, the Bald Eagle, and monitoring local waterfowl along with other birds.
Cost to visit us at the dam: Free (But there is a charge to the main Teatown event.
(Click Here for info/tickets to that.) Registration with Bedford Audubon not necessary.
See more details

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, February 8, 2020, 8:30am - 12:00pm
“Gull friend Please!” An introductory workshop for winter gulls at Coney Island
Leaders: Bobbi Manian and Dennis Hrehowsik
Focus: Identification of gull species and age groups; waterfowl and beach species
Registrar (for weather alerts): Dennis Hrehowsik email deepseagangster@gmail.com
Registration Period: Feb 1st – Feb 6th
Meet 8:30 am at Dunkin Donuts outside the Stillwell Ave train terminus, located at the corner of Stillwell and Surf Ave (no carpool.)
Note: please submit your cell phone numbers upon registration in case notification of a change due to inclement weather is necessary.

Saturday, February 8, 2020, 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
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Pelham Bay Park

All walks follow the ABA Code of Birding Ethics

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Green-Wood Cemetery
Sunday, February 9, 2020, 6:45am - 8:15am
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 birds that make Green-Wood their home – some at least temporarily.

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.

All walks are at a slow pace on easy to moderate terrain, but proper, close toed footwear is suggested.
$10 for members of Green-Wood and BHS / $15 for non-members
Click here for our inclement weather policy.

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.

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Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Central Park Winter Bird Walk 1
Leader: Richard ZainEldeen
Registrar: Ursula Mitra — ursula.mitra@verizon.net or 212-496-7774
Registration opens: Monday, January 27
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, February 8, 2020, 9am – 12pm
Winter Walk at Inwood Hill Park
Guide: Nadir Souirgi
Inwood Hill Park, simply put, is a jewel. Nestled between the Hudson River, Dyckman Street, and Seaman Avenue, this last tract of largely undeveloped oak and tulip forest transports you to another world and another time. Glacial "pot holes," towering trees, and stunning river views create an unrivaled birding backdrop.
Limited to 15 per walk. $36 (25) per walk
Click here to register

Sunday, February 9, 2020, 8am – 11am
Bird Walk to Central Park's Ramble and Reservoir
Guide: Tod Winston
Enjoy a morning of birding's simple pleasures with a walk in Central Park in search of wintering songbirds, waterfowl, and raptors. Limited to 15. $36 (25)
Click here to register

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New York City WILD!
Saturday, February 8, 2020, 11:00am
Winter Wonderland! Staten Island: Fort Wadsworth to South Beach

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, February 9, 2020
Jones Beach Coast Guard Station Parking Area
From the Wantagh State Parkway, travel south. Upon entering Jones Beach State Park, exit at Bay Drive and continue west. Turn right (north) at entrance for Coast Guard Station and West End Boat Basin; turn right again for parking.
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, February 8, 2020
Birding: Bald Eagle Watch at Payson Park House (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. All skill levels are welcome.
Free!

Birding: Winter Waterfowl at Oriental Boulevard and Falmouth Street (in Manhattan Beach Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle.
Free!

Birding: Winter Residents at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. All skill levels are welcome.
Free!

Sunday, February 9, 2020
Valentine's Day Hike and Craft at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers on a light winter walk on the lookout for "lovebirds". We will end back at the Nature Center to build your own nature valentine for your sweetheart!
Free! ...Read more

Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming birding and nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, February 1, 2020 to Sunday, February 2, 2020:

Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, February 1, 2020
Jones Beach State Park
Leader: Adelia Harrison
Focus: Raptors, winter waterfowl, open space species, gulls; brush passerines
Car Fee: $22.00
Registrar: Peter Dorosh email Prosbird@aol.com or Prosbird@gmail.com
Registration Period: Jan 25th – Jan 30th
Please review our trip guidelines here: http://brooklynbirdclub.org/information-registration

Saturday, February 1, 2020, 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, February 2, 2020, 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.
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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Great South Bay Audubon Society
Saturday, February 1, 2020, 8:30am
Jones Beach West End
Leader(s): Mike Cooper (516-523-2369, Bob Grover (516-318-8536)
Meet in the parking lot near the Coast Guard Station at West End.

(Nature walks will be cancelled if it is raining or snowing.)

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Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, February 1, 2020 (Rain date February 2)
Coney Island Pier to Coney Island Creek
Leader: Rob Jett
Registrar: Mary Beth Kooper — marybeth@nyc.rr.com
Registration opens: Monday, January 20
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, February 1, 2020, 9am – 3pm
Winter Waterfowl of the Brooklyn Coast
Guide: Kellye Rosenheim
Join Kellye Rosenheim on a tour of Brooklyn’s most productive coastal winter waterfowl sites. We’ll visit Bush Terminal Piers Park, Gravesend, and Calvert Vaux in search of saltwater species such as Common Goldeneye, Long-tailed Duck, and Common Loon, as well as Horned and Red-necked Grebe.
Transport by passenger van included. Limited to 12. $96 (67)
Click here to register

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New York City WILD!
Saturday, February 1, 2020, 9:30am
Winter Wonderland & Bald Eagles! Croton-on-Hudson: Croton Point Park

Sunday, February 2, 2020, 11:00am
Winter Wonderland! Brooklyn: New York Harbor/Calvert Vaux Park to Verrazano Bridge

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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North Fork Audubon Society
Saturday, February 1, 2020, 8:00am
Drive By Birding
Peconic Bay Blvd. has some good birding spots.We'll meet at Veterans Beach Park on Peconic Bay Blvd. and carpool from there. Bald eagle, scaup, and American widgeon were all seen there in January.
Meet at Veterans Beach Park, Mattituck at 8:00am
Please call or text Tom at 631 275-3202 or email at tdamiani3@optimum.net to register for this trip.

All of the events are free to the public unless noted otherwise. There is a $4 suggested donation for field trips for nonmembers of NFAS

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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, February 2, 2020
Point Lookout Town Park (and Lido Preserve afterwards)
From the Southern State Parkway, exit onto the Meadowbrook State Parkway south. Exit from the Meadowbrook at Loop Parkway (just before the Jones Beach toll booths) toward Point Lookout. The Loop Parkway ends west of Point Lookout at Lido Boulevard. Continue straight across Lido Boulevard into Point Lookout Park. Travel past the ticket booths and curve left into the very large parking lot on the south side of the park. Park in the southeast corner, closest to the private homes of the village of Point Lookout and the beach. We will walk east along the beach toward Jones Inlet. After returning to the parking lot, we will drive west on Lido Boulevard to Lido Beach Passive Nature Preserve on the north side of Lido Boulevard to walk through the bay marsh.
Directions to Point Lookout Park via Google Maps | Directions to Lido Beach Passive Nature Preserve 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, February 1, 2020
Birding: Winter Waterfowl at Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Our Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free!

Birding: Winter Waterfowl at Wolfe's Pond Park Comfort Station (in Wolfe's Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. All skill levels are welcome.
Free! ...Read more

Treehugger Tuesday

From the website "Treehugger":

How populism makes dealing with the climate crisis really hard
Lloyd Alter
January 23, 2020

Beware of the gilets jaunes, says Philip Stephens.

From the USA to Australia to Brazil to Canadian provinces like Ontario and Alberta, so-called populists are denying climate change and rolling back measures to stop it. In France, there was been a revolt of gilets jaunes (the yellow vests every car in France has to carry for emergencies), originally outraged over an increase in gas taxes.

Writing in the heavily paywalled Financial Times, Philip Stephens writes about the spread of populism around the world, and yet, notwithstanding Donald Trump, everyone who flew into Davos knows that "the phoney war about the climate is over. One way or another global warming is set radically to reshape our economies and societies." However, the politics are really hard. He quotes a warning from a politician from a few years ago: “We all know what to do, but we don’t know how to get re-elected once we have done it.”

The problem is that nobody wants to face the necessary upheaval and the changes, but most importantly, the costs that will be born by people who don't have money to spare, like those original gilets jaunes.

Motorists will struggle, however, to accept that the internal combustion engine has had its day — at least until someone invents a cheap battery with a decent range. The switch from coal, oil and gas to sustainable energy will require the replacement of hundreds of millions of household heating systems. Cheap flights will disappear. A shift from consumption of meat to plant-based products will not invite universal applause. Nor will the tax increases needed to finance decent public transport and better insulation of buildings.

Stephens notes that some politicians are wrapping up the changes in "green deals" and big packages to recalibrate taxes and subsidies.

But no one, as far as I can see, has come up with plans to offset the cost of this on the people it will hurt most — those who need to drive to work in the ancient, gas-guzzling cars that spew out the most carbon; the householders least likely to have decent insulation or the cash to replace fossil fuel boilers; and the people for whom cheap air travel means a chance to take their one annual holiday.

Stephens notes that many voters look at green policies as something the rich inflict on the poor (before they get in their jets). Many probably agree with Sebastian Gorka, who said of Green New Deal types: “They want to take your pickup truck. They want to rebuild your home. They want to take away your hamburgers.” The problem is that at some point, we have to face the music and do exactly that.

Such an interesting article in the Financial Times. The great benefit of the FT paywall is that you can't read the hundred and thirty comments saying either that climate change isn't happening, or that life will be better when there is more CO2 and a warmer climate. Nor can you see that the Netherlands has survived below sea level for centuries, or my favorite, "Look at Bjorn Lomborg's data instead of Guardian and Thunberg scaremongering."

Beware of the gilets jaunes, says Philip Stephens.

Upcoming Bird and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming birding and nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, January 25, 2020 to Sunday, January 26, 2020:

Bedford Audubon Society
Sunday, January 26, 2020, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Winter Tree Identification
Muscoot Farm, 51 NY-100, Katonah, NY 10536
Don’t judge a tree by its leaves!
There are lots of ways to identify trees, and you can learn all aboutthem by joining Naturalist Tait Johansson on a Nature Walk: Winter TreeIdentification at Muscoot Farm. Co-sponsored with Friends of Muscoot Farm. Tait will explain how to use a tree’s structure, bark, and other clues to ID it even after theleaves have fallen. Family friendly, but all children must beaccompanied by an adult.
Cost: Free.Level of difficulty: Easy. Dress warm.
Please register with Susanat info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914-302-9713.
See more details

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, January 25, 2020
Croton Point State Park, NY
Leader: Mike Yuan
Trip synopsis: Croton Point Park by public transportation. Participants will meet at Grand Central Terminal to take Metro North to Croton-Harmon station. After the walk, warm up at the Green Growler Taproom, adjacent to the train station, for beers and snacks before heading back.
Focus: winter resident eagles, raptors, waterfowl, open grassland and brush species
Metro-north train fare: round trip about $22.50
Registrar: Janet Schumacher email janets33@optonline.net
Registration Period: Jan 18th – Jan 23rd
Please review our trip guidelines here: http://brooklynbirdclub.org/information-registration

Saturday, January 25, 2020, 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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Green-Wood Cemetery
Sunday, January 26, 2020, 7:15 am - 8:45 am
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 birds that make Green-Wood their home – some at least temporarily.

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.

All walks are at a slow pace on easy to moderate terrain, but proper, close toed footwear is suggested.
$10 for members of Green-Wood and BHS / $15 for non-members
Click here for our inclement weather policy.

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.

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Hudson River Audubon Society
Saturday, January 25, 2020
Pelham Bay Park
Meet at Pelham Bay Park at 8 AM; far left corner of the Orchard Beach parking lot.
Pelham Bay Park is known for its wintering owls, uch as Northern Saw-whet, Great Horned, and Long-eared. We will also search the woods and water for winter birds. American Wigeon, Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser should be in the bays.
http://www.hras.org/wtobird/pelhambay.html

Hudson River Audubon Society field trips are free. Non-members/ newcomers are welcome and are encouraged to join us as members ($20 introductory offer). Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them. Some are available for loan for those who need them. Dress appropriately for the weather. For more information call Michael Bochnik at (914) 237-9331

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Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society
Sunday, January 26, 2020, 9:00am
Connetquot State Park and Bayard Cutting Arboretum
The Preserve is a winter waterfowl hang-out as well as many resident birds. Meet in the parking lot.
Registration: Call (631) 885-1881 to register.
Directions: From the west, get off Sunrise Highway at Oakdale-Bohemia Road, cross over Sunrise, head west and watch for the Park entrance on the right.

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Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, January 25, 2020
Pelham Bay Park
Leader: Rob Jett
Registrar: Louise Fraza — louisefraza@yahoo.com or 212-534-6182
Registration opens: Monday, January 13
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 Society
Saturday, January 25, 2020, 9am – 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

Sunday, January 26, 2020, 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

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New York City WILD!
Saturday, January 25, 2020, 11:30am
Winter Wonderland! Brooklyn: Coney Island Creek & Coney Island Beach

Sunday, January 26, 2020, 9:30am
Winter Wonderland & Bald Eagles! Croton-on-Hudson: Croton Point Park
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, January 25, 2020, 9:00am - 11:30am
East Shore Seawall Hike
Join us for the exploratory seaside journey in the footprint of the forthcoming East Shore Seawall, from Oakwood Beach Water Treatment Control Plant, through Oakwood, Cedar Grove, New Dorp and Miller Field Beach. What will stay? What is the new elevation? Will there be ramps and railings? How will beach ecology be affected? We will also check for migratory waterfowl and mammals visiting Staten Island for the winter.
Participants will meet at the corner of Mill Road and Tarlton Street in Oakwood.
For more information contact Jim Scarcella at 718-873-4291.

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Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, January 25, 2020, 7:45am – 4:30pm
Montauk
Leader: Ian Resnick (917) 626-9562
Where: Georges Lighthouse Cafe, 1999 Montauk Point State Pkwy, Montauk, NY 11954 (map)
Bring lunch.
We will bird until dusk, then go out to dinner with the group.
More Details

Trip Etiquette
Non members are welcome on our trips and we would appreciate a nominal $5 (or more!) voluntary donation for non-member participation. We prefer if you offer instead of being asked.
All persons (member or not) are required to offer contribution if they get a ride with another.
All persons are requested to Notify the leader at least 2 days in advance if they want to go on a trip.
Be on time. We depart promptly.

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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, January 26, 2020
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
Sunday, January 26, 2020
Birding: Winter Waterfowl at West 90th Street and Central Park West
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a walk around the reservoir as we look for these cold hardy birds.
Free!

Birding: Winter Waterfowl at 155th Street and Baisley Boulevard (in Baisley Pond Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle.
Free! ...Read more

Treehugger Tuesday

From the website MNN:

Why the future of West Virginia's rare flying squirrel looks bright
Guest Columnist
January 21, 2020, 9:30 a.m.



The West Virginia northern flying squirrel was listed as an endangered species in 1985, but efforts to help the species rebound have been so successful that it has been delisted. (Photo: Barb Sargent/West Virginia DNR)

There's no better way to celebrate the squirrel, that tiny powerhouse of the forest, than with some good news about one of the more unique subspecies, the West Virginia northern flying squirrel.

The squirrel — called the Virginia northern flying squirrel or more commonly the West Virginia northern flying squirrel (WVNFS) — was listed as an endangered species in 1985. But restoration efforts have helped the species rebound, and in 2013 the West Virginia northern flying squirrel joined an exclusive group of success stories — species that have been taken off the endangered list.

Since then, restoration work has ramped up. Now a new report assessing the status of the squirrel in its first five years since coming off of the endangered species list indicates there are many reasons to be optimistic.

Read the entire article here

Treehugger Tuesday

From MNN.com:

Scientists discover 10 new birds
Ben Bolton
January 10, 2020, 1:06 p.m.

5 new species, 5 subspecies found on small islands in Indonesia.

Birds discovered during Indonesian trek.


The Togian jungle flycatcher is one of the new subspecies discovered during the island trek. (Photo: James Eaton/Birdtour Asia)

A group of scientists set out on a six-week expedition near Sulawesi, Indonesia, in hopes of learning more about the region's bird population. What they discovered was far more exciting — undiscovered bird species.

Frank E. Rheindt, a professor from the University of Singapore, led the team through three small islands. They trekked through miles of forest, identifying dozens of birds along the way.

Shortly into the trip, the group began to encounter birds they had never seen before. Over the six weeks, the scientists discovered five new songbird species and five new subspecies.

Rheindt and others published their findings in the journal Science to share the discoveries.

Read the entire article here

Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming birding and nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, January 18, 2020 to Sunday, January 19, 2020:

Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, January 18, 2020
Sandy Hook National Seashore, Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Leader: Tom Stephenson
Focus: Gulls and ducks, coastal passerines, open dunes species, winter woods
Car Fee: $25.00
Registrar: Peter Dorosh Prosbird@aol.com or Prosbird@gmail.com
Registration Period: Jan 11th – Jan 16th
Note: trip caps at 16 participants
Please review our trip guidelines here: http://brooklynbirdclub.org/information-registration

Saturday, January 19, 2020, 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
Saturday, January 18, 2020
Central Park and Wild Bird Fund

All walks follow the ABA Code of Birding Ethics

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Gateway National Recreation Areas
Saturday, January 18, 2020, 11am — 2pm
A Winter Hike at Breezy Point
View Details

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Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, January 18, 2020
Shawangunks Grassland
Leader: Richard ZainEldeen
Registrar: Deborra Mullins — deborramullins3@gmail.com or 212-239-1614
Registration opens: Monday, January 6
Ride: $40

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Littoral Society
Saturday, January 18, 2020, 11:00am to 2:00pm
"Good Times with Gordon" winter walk to Breezy Point
Join American Littoral Society naturalist Gordon Lam and NYC Botanist, Zihao Wang to the little known and now-deserted western tip of the Rockaway Peninsula for a lovely winter beach walk. Highlights will include seashells and other stranded critters, winter shore birds, the Breezy Point Jetty, and if we’re lucky – a Snowy Owl!

Participants will carpool from the Main Building at the entrance of Fort Tilden to the Fishermans Parking lot and walk to the tip of Breezy Point.
Dress very warmly, wear comfortable shoes and bring a pair of binoculars if you have them. We will cover about 1 1/2 - 2 miles along the beach. 
As always, NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED and the walk is FREE. We hope to see you all there!

In case of inclement weather or other concerns please check your email or call Gordon Lam at 646-673-5418 on the morning of the walk.



DIRECTIONS TO FORT TILDEN:
Subway & bus: Take the #2 or #5 train to Flatbush Ave. / Brooklyn College and then the Q-35 bus past Floyd Bennett Field and just over the Gil Hodges memorial Bridge. Ask the driver to let you off at Ft. Tilden. Check Saturday/Sunday train schedules ahead of time.

By car: From exit 11s on the Belt Parkway, head south and over the Marine Parkway Bridge (Gil Hodges Memorial). Stay on right and take the right ramp toward Breezy Point. Make a quick left into Fort Tilden at the first light. Go to end and park by Building One or at the nearby Post Chapel.


By Ferry: The current schedule of the NYC Ferry has an 8:30AM ferry leaving from Wall Street Pier 11 on the weekends that gets to Beach 108 by 9:24AM, and the shuttle on the weekends will leave you at the Jacob Riis Bathhouse by 9:45AM. You can then walk the short distance to Building 1 in Fort Tilden. Although you will be early, the next ferry would get you there too late.

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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

**********

New York City WILD!
Saturday, January 18, 2020, 9:30am
Winter Wonderland & Bald Eagles! Croton-on-Hudson: Croton Dam to Ossining

Sunday, January 19, 2020, 12:00noon
Winter Wonderland! Queens: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

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, January 19, 2020
Pelham Bay Park
Pelham Bay Park (where we hope to see owls): Wear hiking shoes — it’s a hilly forest walk to the bay. Take Throgs Neck Bridge to I-695 north to I-95 north. Take I-95 to exit #9, Hutchinson River Parkway north. Take first exit #5, Orchard Beach Rd., go past traffic circle, and continue on Orchard Beach Rd. to end. Turn left on Park Dr. Go past another traffic circle and enter parking lot through toll gates (free); meet at far left corner of parking lot (northeast corner). See www.mappery.com/Pelham-Bay-Park-NYC-Map or Google’s map of “Orchard Beach Parking Lot” for reference.
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.

**********

Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, January 18, 2020
Birding: Raptor Watch at Arthur Kill Road and Brookfield Avenue (in Brookfield Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Urban 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

I've been having a difficult time finding a positive piece to post. This article in Mother Nature Network was one of a very few:

Almost half of Denmark's electricity in 2019 came from wind power
Starre Vartan
January 3, 2020, 11:19 a.m.


Wind turbines and poppies on Bornholm Island, Denmark. (Photo: Milosz Maslanka/Shutterstock)

Denmark is only about half the size of South Carolina, but it produces more of its electricity from wind than any other country in the world. That's not because it's a particularly breezy country; it has pretty ordinary average wind speeds. The reason the Danes now get 47% of their electricity from wind, with more to come, comes down to a combination of history and policy.

First, the history: Paul la Cour was a scientist and inventor who experimented with and engineered early wind power machines at the start of the 20th century. So it's not surprising that Denmark invested in building wind power early, beginning at a national level in the 1970s. In the 1980s, due to a strong grassroots movement opposing nuclear power plants, Denmark ramped up production before many other countries were even considering it.

Denmark has also had significant government support for wind-energy projects, as well as support from the country's technology-focused universities. Even back in 2002, the country was taking climate change warnings seriously, aiming to cut fossil-fuel emissions by 20 percent, which they did via renewable energy investment and implementation.

Some of the world's largest companies in the sector — including Vestas, which builds turbines, and Orsted, which specializes in offshore wind projects — are Danish, so the country has an impact beyond its borders.

The outsized impact of Denmark's wind-energy business is important because it's a small country, so while an almost 50% rate of electricity from wind is admirable, it's also minor in terms of overall planetary impact.

While Denmark gets half its electricity needs covered from 5,758 megawatts (MW) of capacity, Spain’s 23,000 MW covers just 18 percent of its electricity supply as it's a much bigger country. China is the leader in wind energy at 221,000 MW, and the U.S. is second in the world at about 96,000 MW.

Denmark's long support of wind-energy technology and pro-wind policies have proven this approach can work to decarbonize the economy, even on a bigger scale. At the end of 2019, lawmakers in Denmark set a new goal: increasing the share of electricity sourced from renewable power to 100%.

The country aims to source 100% of its power from renewable sources by 2030.

Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming birding and nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, January 11, 2020 to Sunday, January 12, 2020:

Bedford Audubon Society
January 11, 2020, 8:00am - 12:00pm
Greenwich Point Park
7 Tods Driftway, Old Greenwich, CT 06870
Start the new year right by getting outside to experience life… and nature!
It might be cold, but you’re sure to enjoy our popular Field Trip to Greenwich Point Park with Naturalist Tait Johansson. Last year, our large group saw a couple of owls, including a Great Horned that was sleeping atop a large evergreen. Plus, we’re likely to see Brant, Long-tailed Ducks, scoters, goldeneyes, loons, and other waterbirds, some interesting songbirds, and more!

Depart Bylane at 7am or meet there in the lot on the right after the gatehouse at 8am.
Cost: Free. Level of difficulty: Easy. Dress warmly!
Please register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914-302-9713.
See more details

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, January 11, 2020, 8:30am - 12:00pm
Coney Island, Brooklyn
Meet 8:30am inside the Dunkin Donuts on the corner of Surf Ave and Stillwell Ave (train entrance)
Leader: Linda Ewing
Focus: Sea &, bay water ducks and other waterfowl; beach species
Registrar (for weather alerts): Adelia Harrison email honeywood5@yahoo.com
Registration Period: Jan 4th – Jan 9th
Note: please submit your cell phone numbers upon registration.
Please review our trip guidelines here: http://brooklynbirdclub.org/information-registration

Saturday, January 11, 2020, 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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Gateway National Parks
Sunday, January 12, 2020, 10am — 11:30am
Winter Nature Hike
View Details

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Great South Bay Audubon Society
Saturday, January 11, 2020, 8:00am
Birding & Breakfast, Connetquot River SPP
Leader(s): Edith & Bob Wilson, Helga Merryman, Ken Thompson, Jack Carlson
Continental breakfast. Reservations required - 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.
(Nature walks will be cancelled if it is raining or snowing.)

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Linnaean Society of New York
Sunday, January 12, 2020
Croton Point Park
Leader: Richard ZainEldeen
Registrar: Miriam Rakowski — miriamrakowski@hotmail.com or 212-749-7376
Registration opens: Monday, December 30, 2020
Public transportation

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New York City Audubon
Friday, January 10 – Sunday, January 12, 2020
American Littoral Society: Montauk Winter Weekend - Seals, Surf, and Seabirds
Guide: Don Riepe with American Littoral Society
Spend a weekend at the luxurious Manor House during the peak winter birding time at Montauk Point. See seals, scoters, loons, eiders, razorbill, and much more. Includes 2 nights lodging, 5 meals, 5 guided field trips, 2 evening programs, and free pickup at the LIRR station in Montauk.
For reservations and details, contact Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 or don@littoralsociety.org. $425 ($150 single supplement)

Saturday, January 11, 2020, 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. $102 (72) per trip
Click here to register

Sunday, January 12, 2020, 8am – 1pm
Winter Birds of DeKorte Park, NJ
Guide: Tod Winston
Come explore the gardens and impoundments of this lovely nearby park in search of wintering waterfowl, raptors, and songbirds. We'll bring our own lunches to eat at the visitor center that looks out over the marsh. Transport by passenger van included. Limited to 12. $97 (68)
Click here to register

Sunday, January 12, 2020, 9:00am – 10:30am
A Morning Bird Walk in Central Park
Guides: Jeff Ward
Spend a leisurely morning searching Central Park's best birding spots for winter residents and surprises. Limited to 15 per walk. $36 (25)
Click here to register

Sunday, January 12, 2020, 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

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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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Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, January 11, 2020, 7:45am – 12:00pm
Breezy Point
Leader: Eric Miller
Meet: Fishing Parking Lot, 2 Rockaway Point Blvd, Breezy Point, NY 11697(map)
More Details»

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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, January 12, 2020
Massapequa Preserve
From Sunrise Highway, turn north onto Broadway, Massapequa. Travel under the Long Island Rail Road overpass, then make the first right onto Veterans Boulevard (headed east). Go past the Massapequa train station and into the parking lot at the east end of the station. The preserve is directly east of the 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, January 11, 2020
Birding: Bald Eagle Watch at Henshaw Street and Dyckman Street (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. All skill levels are welcomed.
Free!

Sunday, January 12, 2020
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 Birds at Canarsie Park House (in Canarsie Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. All skill levels are welcome.
Free!

Birding: Winter Waterfowl at Comfort station (in Willowbrook Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. Appropriate for all skill levels.
Free! ...Read more

Birding in Peace 2019

Here's a short slideshow video of some of my Green-Wood Cemetery "Birding in Peace" walks species from 2019. We observed a total of 153 species on our walks in 2019.

Most photos are courtesy of Evan Rabeck, but there are also a few from Jim Demers and Michael Yuan.



Here's a list of the species in the video.

1) Black-capped Chickadee	21) Black-throated Blue Warbler	41) Northern Flicker	61) Ruby-crowned Kinglet
2) Blue Jay	22) Common Yellowthroat	42) Eastern Kingbird	62) Grasshopper Sparrow
3) Canada Geese	23) Ovenbird	43) Forster’s Tern	63) House Wren
4) Tufted Titmouse	24) Rose-breasted Grosbeak	44) Great Crested Flycatcher	64) Blue-headed Vireo
5) White-breasted Nuthatch	25) White-throated Sparrow	45) Monk Parakeet	65) Swamp Sparrow
6) Downy Woodpecker	26) Wood Thrush	46) Belted Kingfisher	66) Carolina Wren
7) American Woodcock	27) Yellow Warbler	47) Great Egret	67) Eastern Bluebird
8) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	28) Yellow-rumped Warbler	48) Prothonotary Warbler	68) Dark-eyed Junco
9) Red-breasted Nuthatch	29) Eastern Whip-poor-will	49) Red-eyed Vireo	69) Eastern Towhee
10) Eastern Phoebe	30) Gray Catbird	50) Great Blue Heron	70) Northern Mockingbird
11) Ring-necked Duck	31) Osprey	51) Cape May Warbler	71) Merlin
12) Brown Creeper	32) Magnolia Warbler	52) Nashville Warbler	72) female Hooded Merganser
13) Pine Warbler	33) American Redstart	53) Red-tailed Hawk	73) Bald Eagle
14) Brown Thrasher	34) Red-winged Blackbird	54) Common Nighthawk	74) House Finch
15) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher	35) Common Raven	55) Winter Wren	75) Mourning Dove
16) White-eyed Vireo	36) Turkey Vulture	56) Palm Warbler	76) American Robin
17) Common Grackle	37) Scarlet Tanager	57) Yellow-billed Cuckoo	77) Cooper’s Hawk
18) Blue Grosbeak	38) Green Heron	58) American Kestrel	78) Red-bellied Woodpecker
19) Baltimore Oriole	39) Black-crowned Night-Heron	59) Field Sparrow	79) Opossum
20) Black-and-white Warbler	40) American Robin (fledgling)	60) Golden-crowned Kinglet