The newsletter of New York City Audubon Winter 2013-2014 / Volume XXXIV No. 4

THE URBAN AUDUBON

Bird-Friendly Retrofit of the Javits Center Breeding in the Five Boroughs The Fall Roost

The Great Backyard Count Citizen Science with eBird The Northern Cardinal

Winter 2013-2014 1

56670_NYC_Aud_UA_WinterL.indd 1 11/8/13 9:01 AM NYC AUDUBON MISSION & VISION Mission: NYC Audubon is a grassroots President’s Perch Harrison Maas community that works for the protection of wild birds and habitat in the five boroughs, improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers. ateway National Recreation Area is a 26,000-acre national park that stretches Vision: NYC Audubon envisions a across parts of the New York City boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten day when birds and people in the Island, as well as Monmouth County, New Jersey. Gateway includes numerous five boroughs enjoy a healthy, livable G habitat. habitats critical to an incredibly diverse array of birds and other wildlife, including federally and state-listed species. The jewel in the crown of Gateway is Jamaica Bay THE URBAN AUDUBON Wildlife Refuge, the heart of a globally significant Important Bird Area. Editors Lauren Klingsberg & Marcia T. Fowle You, as members of the NYC Audubon community, know that Jamaica Bay is Managing Editor Tod Winston one of the East Coast’s most important places for birds. NYC Audubon began working Newsletter Committee Lucienne Bloch, to protect the bay’s crucial habitat long before Hurricane Sandy’s destruction made Ned Boyajian, Suzanne Charlé, Andrew Harmon, Catherine Heller, worldwide headlines. Yet despite the hurricane’s devastating damage, the National Mary Jane Kaplan, Abby McBride, Park Service has made little progress towards restoration of the refuge, including the Don Riepe, Carol Peace Robins, West Pond. (The West Pond was breached by Sandy, thus connecting the formerly Matthew Rymkiewicz Printing & Mailing Kase Printing, Inc. freshwater West Pond with the salt water of Jamaica Bay.) NYC Audubon has proposed Design Whitehouse & Company a restoration plan for the pond, with clear goals to provide habitat for critically Art Director Christina Rubin threatened species in the bay. Publisher NYC Audubon In addition to the recent hurricane damage, Jamaica Bay faces another urgent THE URBAN AUDUBON is published threat just one year after Sandy: irreversible impact from irresponsible development four times per year (spring, summer, of recreational activities in the area. The difference between hurricane damage and fall, and winter) by New York City Audubon Society, Inc. environmentally harmful policy, of course, is that, with your help, bad policy can be prevented. BOARD OF directors President Harrison D. Maas As we go to press, the National Park Service is in the final stages of creating a Executive Vice President David Speiser new General Management Plan that will determine the fate of Gateway for the next Vice President Richard T. Andrias two decades. We encouraged our membership to comment on the original Draft Plan, Treasurer John Shemilt Secretary Marsilia A. Boyle released over a year ago, which outlined three different management alternatives. NYC Immediate Past President Oakes Ames Audubon is both surprised and concerned that despite the many comments submitted, Directors Brenda Torres-Barreto, the Park Service selected Alternative B: Discovering Gateway, which favors recreational Clifford Case, Judy Craig, Andrew Farnsworth, Marcia T. Fowle, Catherine activities, although they had identifiedAlternative C: Experiencing Preserved Places as the Schragis Heller, Lynne Hertzog, Sarah environmentally preferable alternative. As acknowledged in the Draft Management Jeffords, Jeffrey Kimball, Robert J. Plan, many of the planned infrastructural developments and changes in land use Kimtis, Lauren Klingsberg, Lawrence Levine, Dorothy M. Peteet, Peter Shen, associated with Alternative B would be likely to degrade the condition of bird and Fredric Spar, Tom Stephenson other wildlife habitats and natural resources throughout Gateway, and will ultimately diminish the potential for enjoyment of these resources by future generations. ADVISORY COUNCIL Sarah Grimké Aucoin, Drianne Benner, There is no time to lose. We are expecting a decision on the General Management Dr. Claude Bloch, Albert K. Butzel, Plan by the end of December, determining the future of the refuge and other Gateway Rebekah Creshkoff, Andrew Darrell, areas. In the coming weeks, we will be hard at work meeting with local political leaders Joseph H. Ellis, Mary Jane Kaplan, Kimberly Kriger, Janice Laneve, Pamela in order to bring pressure to bear on the Park Service to safeguard the natural resources Manice, E. J. McAdams, Mary Tyler under its protection. NYC Audubon’s continued work to preserve Jamaica Bay— Moore, Peter Rhoades Mott, Don Riepe, and natural habitats throughout the five boroughs—is possible only because of your Lewis Rosenberg, James R. Sheffield continued passion, concern, and generosity. Please renew your support with a year-end Executive Director Glenn Phillips donation in the enclosed envelope, or at www.nycaudubon.org. Never before has it been so important to work together to protect New York City’s wild places for our birds and other wildlife.

RECYCLED Supporting responsible use of forest resources

2 www.nycaudubon.org

56670_NYC_Aud_UA_WinterL.indd 2 11/8/13 9:01 AM In This Issue Winter 2013-2014 © Jeffrey K NYC AUDUBON ollbrunner 71 West 23rd Street Suite 1523 New York, NY 10010 Tel: 212-691-7483 Fax: 646-606-3301 www.nycaudubon.org

Cover Photograph: Northern Saw-Whet Owl ©François Portmann Small Banner Photographs: Susan Elbin, Steve Nanz, and Don Riepe *This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. © N YC Audubon 12

Features 5 eBird Takes Listing to the Next Level by Gabriel Willow 6 Trip Leader Profile: David Perry by Carol Peace Robins 7 6 The Northern Cardinal

© by Don Riepe R obert W.

H Make Your Family’s Birding Superpowers Count: The 2013 Christmas

owington* 7 Bird Count and Great Backyard Bird Count by Ned Boyajian

11 Test Flights at the Bronx Zoo: The Sequel by Carol Peace Robins 10 12 The Fall Roost ©

R by Matthew Rymkiewicz obert R oyce 12 Fall Roost Acknowledgments

Departments

4 Conservation Notes 1o national/International Trips 16 5 2013-2014 Lecture Series 14 News & Notes 7 Volunteer! 14 Volunteer Acknowledgments

8 Events and Adventures 16 Holiday Gift Ideas

Winter 2013-2014 3

56670_NYC_Aud_UA_WinterL.indd 3 11/8/13 9:01 AM Conservation Notes Susan Elbin ©

IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS AND N WESTERN LONG ISLAND SOUND AND YC Audubon PROJECT SAFE FLIGHT THE NARROWS here are few moments in conserva- Our stormwater project at the Justice tion when you can witness immedi- Avenue traffic circle in Queens is now moving Tate and measurable effects of your ac- into its second year. Construction at the tions; September 11, 2013, was one of those site was delayed because of a design change moments. Working in partnership with the and the need for a new permit. This fall we Municipal Art Society, NYC Audubon citi- moved forward with our pre-construction zen science volunteers counted and observed monitoring work. Biologist Nim Lee is migratory birds circling in the Tribute in analyzing data from terrestrial invertebrate Light memorial. As a result, the lights were sampling. She will compare abundance dimmed four times during the course of the and diversity of arthropods, pre- and post- night. We were anticipating a moderate mi- Horseshoe Crab Being Measured construction. Botanist Marielle Anzelone is gration night, but the weather changed right working with us on construction and native before midnight. Thousands of birds were eastern portion. But in total crab spawning plant compliance issues. attracted into the beams, flying lower and on the beach was the highest we have seen to We were awarded a second grant from lower. At one point we could identify war- date. In 2013, we counted 1,800 crabs in our the Eppley Foundation for Research to blers without the aid of binoculars. The wave sample versus 1,300 in 2012. continue our work with herring gulls as of migrants started at midnight and lasted One year ago, we submitted comments bioindicators of harbor health. In order to through 2:30am, followed by a second pulse on the first draft of the GMP, which assess run-off pollution after Hurricane Sandy, between 3 and 4am. Night flight calls emit- presented three alternative plans. This we are comparing concentrations of heavy ted by migrating birds were loud and clear. summer, we were disappointed to find that metals and petroleum-related contaminants With the help of Board Member Andrew the newly released revised draft was based from pre- and post-Sandy herring gull eggs. Farnsworth, we will compare the number of on Alternative B: Discovering Gateway, which Analysis is underway. calls and diversity of species before and after emphasizes visitation and recreation, rather the lights were dimmed. than Alternative C: Experiencing Preserved STATEN ISLAND Project Safe Flight monitoring was in Places, which emphasizes natural resource Our research on migratory land birds full gear this fall, funded generously by the protection. Via an official response letter, and predators of Prall’s Island, conducted Leon Levy Foundation, the North American submitted comments, coordination of a with the use of mist-netting to catch and Bird Conservation Act, and TogetherGreen. regional action letter, and leadership of band migrant songbirds and “camera traps” We concentrated on monitoring the Javits a coalition of like-minded conservation to detect predators, has been completed. Center, buildings around Bryant Park, and organizations in requesting an extension of Now we wait for newly planted trees and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Javits the comment period, we demanded that the shrubs to grow and for wading birds, which Center glass facade has been retrofit with National Park Service rescind its decision to have not bred on the island since 2005, to bird-friendly glass and steel panels (see fall support Plan B in favor of Plan C. return and nest. In the meantime, we hope 2013 issue of The Urban Audubon). One part of the GMP addresses resto- to build nesting platforms on the island and ration at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge attract new “settlers” with egret decoys and JAMAICA BAY West Pond. NYC Audubon is working close- sounds of a productive colony. This method Conservation activities this fall in ly with other biologists who have knowledge has been successfully employed by National Jamaica Bay focused on the aftermath of of the habitat and avifauna there, to propose Audubon’s Project Puffin scientists, who Plumb Beach renourishment actions and closing the breach at the pond and making it reestablished a thriving puffin colony on Gateway National Recreation Area’s Draft once again a freshwater resource. Maine’s Eastern Egg Rock. General Management Plan/Environmental Also this fall, two of thirteen great And now… it’s time to plan for the Impact Statement (GMP). Preliminary re- egrets tagged this summer as fledglings were Christmas Bird Count and the Great sults for horseshoe crab spawning show that seen in September after leaving the breeding Backyard Bird Count. (See page 7 for details.) activity was low on the restored western part colony. One bird was spotted in the NJ of Plumb Beach as compared to the extant Meadowlands, the other in Saratoga, NY.

4 www.nycaudubon.org

56670_NYC_Aud_UA_WinterL.indd 4 11/8/13 9:01 AM eBird Takes Listing to the Next Level Gabriel Willow

any birders share annual Christmas Bird Count and the birds, eBird uses filters to flag unlikely a concern about Great Backyard Bird Count, this trend has species for a region or season, and local declines in certain been particularly enabled and accelerated volunteers contact the submitter about bird populations or by a decade-old project and website called a flagged sighting to obtain supporting species, or even over- eBird. notes or photographs. This quality control Mall declines of whole groups of migratory eBird.org is a joint project of the results in a rigorous, robust database, and warblers or shorebirds. But most of their Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the one that is growing rapidly. The website observations and concerns were, until National Audubon Society. In the words now receives over 3 million observations recently, simply anecdotal evidence, of the website itself, eBird is “a real- per month. stories shared, without the scope and data time, online checklist program, [which] There are even smart-phone apps that analysis to determine anything certain has revolutionized the way that the allow one to submit observations from the about population trends, shifts in species birding community reports and accesses field, using the phone’s built-in GPS for distributions, or the timing of migratory information about birds. eBird provides location data, such as the Cornell Lab of patterns. rich data sources for basic information Ornithology’s BirdLog or WildLab Bird But now there are emerging tech- on bird abundance and distribution at a (which I helped design). nologies and tools that can make use variety of spatial and temporal scales.” Through eBird, observers can of birders’ observations; citizen science In effect, eBird takes listing to the contribute to citizen science, and bring has grown tremendously in recent years, next level, into the realm of big data. No more meaning to their hobby. While and is of interest to many of the avian longer will checklists be simply paper lists simply getting outside and watching birds inclined, from laypersons to scientists. stuck in the back of field guides. Now is great, adding to the body of knowledge While non-professional birders have they can be compiled, collated, combined and potentially aiding in the conservation contributed greatly to our knowledge of with thousands of other birders’ sightings, of declining species, or understanding bird populations and distributions for and submitted to scientific scrutiny. To shifts in distribution and migratory over a century, particularly through the account for observers who misidentify patterns is even better. 2013-2014 Lecture Series All lectures are free and open to the public and are held at The Arsenal, Central Park, 5th Avenue at 64th Street, 3rd Floor. This series has been made possible by the support of Claude and Lucienne Bloch and Patagonia.

CONSERVING GRASSLAND BIRDS ON THE HORSESHOE CRAB: REGIONAL, Take Wing and Fly Here: An Evening MILITARY LANDS NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL in Conversation with Priyanka By Nellie Tsipoura PERSPECTIVES Kumar and Jane Alexander Wednesday, January 8, 2014, 6pm By Mark Botton By Priyanka Kumar and Jane Alexander In the Northeast, once extensive grassland Tuesday, February 18, 2014, 6pm Wednesday, March 26, 2014, 6pm habitats have been lost, fragmented, or Mark L. Botton is professor of biology in the To celebrate the publication of Priyanka Kumar’s degraded. Lands managed through state or Department of Natural Sciences at Fordham new novel, Take Wing and Fly Here, please join federal landowner incentive programs and University and co-chairman of the IUCN us for an evening of conversation between the large grasslands associated with airports Horseshoe Crab Specialist Group. Horseshoe author and Jane Alexander, Oscar-nominated have become increasingly important for the crab eggs are a crucial food source for migratory actress, conservationist, and board member of conservation of declining grassland birds. Nellie shorebirds. Valued in the biomedical industry the National Audubon Society. They will discuss Tsipoura, senior research scientist and director and often used as fishing bait, horseshoe crabs themes in the book including land conservation of citizen science at New Jersey Audubon, will are also being impacted by global climate and the portrayal of birds in art. discuss her chapter’s work with both landowner change and beach erosion. This talk will review programs and airports, and share some of the the many important roles of horseshoe crabs CONSERVATION PROGRAM UPDATE AND research and lessons learned. and discuss conservation efforts in the US and ANNUAL MEETING Southeast Asia. By Susan Elbin Wednesday, June 18, 2014, 6pm

Winter 2013-2014 5

56670_NYC_Aud_UA_WinterL.indd 5 11/8/13 9:01 AM Trip Leader Profile: David Perry Carol Peace Robins © O

f you’ve enjoyed NYC Audubon’s Sunday family birding identified the call of a hidden ne L walks, then you know David Perry. He’s the friendly fellow scarlet tanager to which Elliot eaf Photo/ who leads most of these outings, dispensing knowledge promptly led the group. K I hoa and binoculars, along with the how-to’s of handling them with While earning his masters N awkward little fingers. in Environmental Conservation guyen Weekdays, David is a technical trainer for the NYC Depart- Education from NYU Steinhardt, ment of Parks and Recreation, instructing parks employees on the David began interning for NYC Parks database and handheld devices. If a tree limb looks precari- Audubon. He has studied harbor ous or a restroom lacks supplies, the handhelds allow for immedi- herons in Marine Park, worked ate notification. for Project Safe Flight, and more David’s love of nature began indoors in Brooklyn, reading recently, helped kids clean up a Ranger Rick as a child. The puffin issue was his favorite, as were horseshoe crab spawning beach. puffins themselves, although he didn’t set eyes on one for 20 years. As for David’s other side(s), David Perry All his early bird knowledge came from books; he even learned consider these intriguing facts: bird sounds from written descriptions. Then came the “ah hah” He’s a licensed massage trainer, has studied animation and still moment: His mother dropped 12-year-old David off for an all-day loves drawing comic strips, was once a serious cellist, and has walk around Jamaica Bay with Elliott Kutner of the South Shore taught English in Vietnam. He even has perfect pitch. Audubon Society. To this day, David says he has never seen so David and his wife Jenny live in Park Slope, where she many birds—100 species!— nor Jamaica Bay more beautiful than practices her own special talent: Take her to a restaurant and she’ll on that transformative hike. To top it off, the book-taught boy go home and re-create the best dishes. Not a bad combination!

The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) Don Riepe © D

always am heartened when I hear on the cardinal has been extending its range R the first song of the cardinal in late iepe northward into Canada and southward into I February or early March, as it’s a sign . Some of the northward expansion that days are getting longer and spring may be due to the growing number of is not far away. The brilliant red color of people feeding birds in winter when deep the male along with the more subtle but snow and very cold weather can decimate equally beautiful plumage of the female bird populations. Also, cardinals mate for make it stand out among backyard birds. life and a pair may produce two or three The juvenile birds are similar in plumage to broods each year, especially in warmer, the adult female but are generally browner southern states. Limiting factors include all over with a duller bill color. As this habitat loss, stray cats, hawks, owls, and medium-sized bird nests in shrub thickets other predators as well as diseases such and dense tangles in urban and suburban as West Nile virus and avian malaria. To areas and regularly visits bird feeders, the attract cardinals as well as chickadees and cardinal is perhaps the best known and other seed-eaters to your backyard, plant a loved bird in the Eastern and Southern US; shrub thicket or tangle of vines in a corner in fact it is listed as the state bird for seven Male Northern Cardinal of the yard and put out a feeder with black- states: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, oil sunflower seeds. There’s nothing more West Virginia, Kentucky, and North most notably the Saint Louis Cardinals beautiful than seeing a cardinal sitting in a Carolina. Many professional sports teams baseball team. Despite the fact that it is snow-covered shrub in winter. have adopted the cardinal as a mascot, non-migratory, during the last century

6 www.nycaudubon.org

56670_NYC_Aud_UA_WinterL.indd 6 11/8/13 9:01 AM Make Your Family’s Birding Superpowers Count Ned Boyajian

ost birders have secret super- powers: piercing powers of obser- The 2013 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT—ALL BOROUGHS Mvation, almost bionic hearing, and Brooklyn Saturday, 12/14 Mary Eyster [email protected] many others. The wonderful thing about these Staten Island Saturday, 12/14 Ed Johnson [email protected] powers is that anyone can attain them, with a Manhattan Sunday, 12/15 Susan Elbin [email protected] little practice; no radioactive spider is needed. Queens Sunday, 12/15 Corey Finger [email protected] And, your powers grow greater and greater the The Bronx Sunday, 12/22 Michael Bochnik [email protected] more they are used. Two annual events let you use them to the maximum while harnessing mission for everyone. The Count involves easy—and it helps the birds.” them to do Good in the world: the Christ- tromping around in the (usually) cold air, rain Just create an account on the GBBC mas Bird Count and the Great Backyard Bird (or snow) or shine, for a number of hours, in website, count the birds you see for at least Count. Participants make important citizen- the hopes of sighting an interesting bird. fifteen minutes on one or more Count days science contributions to ornithologists’ under- The 2014 Great Backyard Bird Count (you can count longer, of course!), and report standing of bird populations—and have fun will run from Friday, February 14, through what you see on the website. along the way. Monday, February 17. As their website states: For information on how to participate, The Christmas Bird Count is an “The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual visit www.birdsource.org/gbbc. Want to en- integral part of the holiday season for NYC four-day event that engages bird watchers of courage your kids to hone their birding super- area hero-birders. It is also an important asset all ages in counting birds to create a real-time powers? Go to www.birdsource.org/gbbc/kids. for scientists tracking range changes over snapshot of where the birds are. Everyone is Whichever mission is right for you and time. For details about this year’s Count, the welcome—from beginning bird watchers to your family, take part this season; you’ll help 114th, please see the information listed above. experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on birds in need and enjoy some super fun. All are welcome to participate in the one day, or you can count for as long as you Up, up, and away! Christmas Count but it is not, perhaps, the like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and

Volunteer!

ake a difference for life and about our field trips, port our work to make migration cerned citizens who have found New York City’s classes, events, and conservation safer. Jamaica Bay program vol- injured birds, but are unable to Mwildlife by volun- work. Also help with mailings, unteers monitor migratory shore- transport them to medical facili- teering with NYC Audubon. research, data entry, photocopy- birds and horseshoe crabs so that ties. We need caring and compas- To learn about the many ways ing, and filing. Word-processing we may better understand how sionate volunteers to transport to help, register for our gen- skills and knowledge of birds are their populations are changing injured birds to licensed wildlife eral orientation on Wednesday, helpful, but not required. This is and how we can work to conserve rehabilitators and veterinarians. March 12, 6:30-7:30pm, or for a great opportunity to learn the them. Harbor Herons Great any of the projects listed be- ins and outs of a small nonprofit. Egret Foraging Study volun- PRESS AND PROMOTION: Do low, by contacting the office at teers collect data on foraging you have a background in event [email protected] or CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS: long-legged waders around the promotion or advertising, and 212-691-7483 x304. For infor- If you are interested in contribut- New York Harbor to help us un- want to support bird conserva- mation on spring volunteer events ing to NYC Audubon’s conserva- derstand how these birds use our tion? We are looking for some- such as beach clean-ups and tree tion and science work, there are a wetlands. All of these programs one familiar with the ins and plantings, visit us at www.ny- variety of projects to choose from. can use your help in the spring, outs of press releases and event caudubon.org/volunteer-events. Project Safe Flight volunteers summer, and fall. promotion who can help spread monitor city buildings to help us the word about our trips, classes, OFFICE VOLUNTEERS: Help learn what effect they have on mi- BIRD TRANSPORTERS: We often and other events. answer inquiries about wild- gratory birds; data collected sup- receive phone calls from con-

Winter 2013-2014 7

56670_NYC_Aud_UA_WinterL.indd 7 11/8/13 9:01 AM Events and Adventures

for a great view of the ocean and NYC Audubon Events will discover how and why birds Rangers (first Saturdays) • sing, learn to imitate bird calls and New York Harbor. Afterwards, visit • Partnership Events With the Van Cortlandt Park songs, and have the opportunity Conservancy and NYC Department the Rockaway Artist's Alliance for

H coffee, cake, and free champagne. ummingbird by Vik to create their very own bird song of Parks & Recreation recording, which will be featured Please note: December 7 will be No reservation necessary. For more on the museum’s blog. Please visit the final Van Cortlandt bird walk information, contact Don Riepe at www.cmany.org/tweet for more this year; walks will resume in April 917-371-8577 or donriepe@gmail.

M information. Limit of 6 children per com. No limit. Free

uniz. Courtesy of the artist and 2014 session. Free with admission to Meet at Van Cortlandt Nature Children’s Museum of the Arts Center. Influential birders such as • WINTER SEALS AND Roger Tory Peterson and Allan D. WATERBIRDS OF NY HARBOR • CAMERA CLUB Cruickshank learned their craft on Sundays, January 5–March 9, 2-4pm Wednesdays, December 4, Van Cortlandt Park’s ecologically Guide: Gabriel Willow

S February 5, March 5, 6:30-8:30pm diverse grounds, and these walks With New York Water Taxi ikkema Jenkins & Co. Instructors: David Speiser, celebrate the tradition set by them. Meet at South Street Seaport’s Lloyd Spitalnik Participants will look for resident Pier 17 and come aboard NY Water Meet at the National Audubon and migrant species and discuss Taxi’s eco-friendly vessel for a winter Office, 225 VarickS treet. Whether a wide range of avian topics. For adventure in New York Harbor. Look you’re a beginner or a more more information, please call for harbor seals on the rocky shores TWEET! Exhibition and Bird • advanced photographer, our camera 718-548-0912. No registration of Governor’s Island and the more Call Workshops club is the place to discuss diverse necessary. No limit. Free remote Hoffman and Swinburne Exhibition Open through Sunday, photography-related topics, hone Islands. Learn about the surprisingly January 26, 2014 your skills, and learn about the CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT, ALL diverse winter birds of New York Bird Call Workshops great photography opportunities BOROUGHS City, including ducks, geese, loons, Sunday, December 15, 2013, 12-3pm available in the New York City Put the Christmas Bird Count on and sandpipers, many of which Saturday, January 11, 2014, 12-3pm area. Professional bird and nature your calendars! Please see p.7 for migrate south from the Arctic. See Thursday, January 23, 2014, 3-6pm photographers David Speiser and dates and contact information. the Statue of Liberty and pass under Instructors: Gabriel Willow, Cliff Lloyd Spitalnik will share their the Verrazano Bridge. Limited to Hagen, NYC Audubon staff expertise and help you improve your WINTER BIRDS & SURVIVAL 90. To register, contact New York With Children’s Museum of the Arts • work. Registration required. No Saturday, December 21, 10am-1pm Water Taxi at 212-742-1969 or www. NYC Audubon is pleased to be limit. $8 per meeting nywatertaxi.com. $35 for adults; $25 partnering with Children’s Museum Guide: Don Riepe With Gateway National Recreation for children under 12 (no member of the Arts, offering Bird Call VAN CORTLANDT BIRD • Area discount) Workshops in conjunction with the WALKS, THE BRONX Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife museum's bird art exhibit, Tweet. Saturday, December 7, 8-9:30am Refuge Visitor Center for an easy • PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP: During the workshop, participants Guide: NYC Audubon or Urban Park hike around the West Pond, WINTER WATERFOWL OF LONG gardens, and upland woods. Learn BEACH ISLAND/ BARNEGAT © LIGHT, NJ D how plants and adapt avid to winter, and look for waterfowl, Sunday, January 12, 6:30am-3pm S peiser owls, and wintering birds. To Instructor: David Speiser register, contact Don Riepe at 917- The Barnegat jetty is one of the 371-8577 or [email protected]. best locations in the United States Limited to 25. Free to photograph wintering birds, including harlequin ducks, purple • NEW YEAR’S DAY sandpipers, scoters, long-tailed BEACHWALK, BREEZY POINT, ducks, and possibly Ipswich QUEENS savannah sparrows or short- Wednesday, January 1, 11am-1pm eared owls. For photographers at Guides: Mickey Cohen, Don Riepe an intermediate level or above, With Gateway National Recreation this small-group workshop will focus on exposure, cold-weather Area Meet at Building #1 in Fort Tilden, photography, and composition. Breezy Point, Queens. Keep up the DSLR, 200-400mm or greater. 30-year tradition by joining us for a Trip includes walking over a mile brisk hike along the beach at Fort on uneven or icy trails. Bring Tilden to celebrate the New Year. lunch. Transport by passenger van Harlequin Duck At noon, hike up to the hawk watch included. Limited to 8. $165 8 www.nycaudubon.org

56670_NYC_Aud_UA_WinterL.indd 8 11/8/13 9:01 AM ©

L meet. Search for harlequin ducks, • WINTER BIRDING ALONG THE loyd

HUDSON: WAVE HILL S horned larks, Lapland longspurs, pitalnik Sundays, January 12 and February 9; snow buntings, and snowy and short- 9:30-11:30am eared owls. Bring lunch. Transport Guide: Gabriel Willow by passenger van included. Limited With Wave Hill to 11. $80 Meet at the Perkins Visitor Center. The Hudson River valley hosts an • CAMERA CLUB impressive diversity of bird species, Wednesday, March 5, 6:30-8:30pm even in winter. Come explore the See the December 4 listing for beautiful gardens and woodlands details. of Wave Hill and observe the hardy birds that spend the winter • WINTER BIRDS OF SANDY here. Advanced registration is HOOK, NJ recommended, online at www. Snow Buntings Saturday, March 8, 10am-5pm wavehill.org, by calling 718-549-3200 Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers x305, or at the Perkins Visitor Center. and ducks with NYC Audubon • LATE WINTER BIRDWALK AT LLC (Walks run rain or shine; in case Camera Club leader David Speiser JAMAICA BAY Sandy Hook, a spectacular barrier of severe weather call the number (Lloyd Spitalnik will join if we are Sunday, February 16, 10am-1pm island at the northernmost point above at x245 for updates.) Ages 10 able to add a second section). We’ll Guide: Don Riepe of the NJ coast, hosts a variety of and up welcome with an adult. NYC photograph American goldfinches, With Gateway National Recreation species including Arctic-bound Audubon members enjoy two-for- brown creepers, yellow-bellied Area migrants and harbor seals that lie one admission sapsuckers, and more at the Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife on the beach to warm up in the sun. Ramble feeders. Then we’ll be off to Refuge Visitor Center. Visit the East Other possible sightings: loons, sea • SNOW BIRDS OF FLOYD the Reservoir to look for waterfowl and West Ponds to look for rafts ducks, snow buntings, and horned BENNETT FIELD AND FORT including northern shovelers, ruddy of wintering ducks in breeding larks. Bring lunch. Transport by TILDEN, QUEENS ducks, and hooded mergansers. plumage, raptors such as northern passenger van included. Limited to Saturday, January 18, 10:30am-4pm This workshop, for beginners and harriers, sharp-shinned hawks, 11. $65 Guide: Gabriel Willow up, will focus on camera basics, and long-eared owls, as well as Winter brings many rare birds to the proper exposure, and more. early spring migrants. To register, City that can’t be found here at any Please visit www.nycaudubon.org/ contact Don Riepe at 917-371-8577 other time. Perhaps most exciting photography-club for more details. or [email protected]. Limited • TO REGISTER FOR ALL NYC are the “snow birds” of the Arctic Limited to 8 per instructor. $45 to 25. Free AUDUBON EVENTS and for tundra that can occasionally be more information, visit www. found in tundra-like habitats further • SOARING RAPTORS: EAGLES • WINTER AT JONES BEACH, LI nycaudubon.org or call 212-691- south, such as snow buntings and AND OWLS OF THE HUDSON Tuesday, February 25, 8am-4pm 7483 x304 unless otherwise snowy owls. Look for these and RIVER VALLEY, NY Guides: Peter Mott, Tod Winston specified. other winter visitors such as horned Sunday, February 9, noon-7pm Several bird species that nest in larks, tree sparrows, and rough- Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers the far north spend the winter at important information legged hawks, as well as wintering LLC Jones Beach, where they prosper in • Classes meet at 71 West 23rd ducks, grebes, and loons. Bring You don’t have to travel to Alaska a habitat similar to their summer Street, Suite 1523. lunch. Transport by passenger van to see our country’s emblem, the homes. We will start at Point • Contributing Members (Student/ included. Limited to 12. $75 bald eagle. Thanks to one of the Lookout and work eastward as far as Senior level and up) receive a most successful reintroduction Robert Moses State Park in hopes 10% discount on most local trips • CAMERA CLUB programs on record, many eagles of finding an interesting variety of and classes. See membership Wednesday, February 5, 6:30-8:30pm now soar over the nearby Hudson avian guests. Bring lunch. Transport form on page 15. See the December 4 listing for Valley. Travel with us to see this by passenger van included. Limited • For all coach and van trips, the details. spectacular raptor, and possibly to 11. $50 meeting location is in front of spot the secretive short-eared owl. 71 West 23rd Street in Manhattan • PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP: Bring lunch. Transport by private • WINTER BIRDS OF unless otherwise specified. CENTRAL PARK FEEDERS AND coach included. Limited to 35. $75 BARNEGAT, NJ • We depart promptly at the stated RESERVOIR Tuesday, March 4, 9am-4pm start time. Sunday, February 9, 9-11am • The Great Backyard Bird Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers • For all overnight trips, member- Instructors: David Speiser, Lloyd Count, All Boroughs LLC ship in nyc audubon at the Spitalnik Friday, February 14 through Explore Barnegat Inlet’s expansive Student/Senior level and up is Meet at the Central Park Boathouse. Monday, February 17 beach to view the winter birds that required. See membership form Learn how to photograph songbirds See page 7 for more information. gather where land, bay, and sea on page 15.

Winter 2013-2014 9

56670_NYC_Aud_UA_WinterL.indd 9 11/8/13 9:01 AM NYC Audubon gratefully acknowledges the long-term support of National/International Trips the following travel destinations Please mention NYC Audubon the next time you visit.

©Gerardo lesser yellow-headed vultures, MONTAUK WINTER WEEKEND: and even jabiru are possible. Canopy Tower Lodge, SEALS, SEA BIRDS, AND SANDY Panama’s premier ecolodge recently S

antos* Includes two pre-trip workshops, BEACHES, LONG ISLAND, NY lodging, local transportation, opened its newest resort, Canopy Camp Friday, January 10–Sunday, most meals, and all park fees. Darien, at a location featuring nesting January 12, 2014 A full tour description and harpy eagles. Guides: Mike Bottini, Mickey day-by-day itinerary is available www.canopytower.com Cohen, Don Riepe online at www.nycaudubon.org/ With American Littoral Society El Refugio de Intag Cloud For- Visit Montauk’s vast dunes, overnight-trips. Please contact Adriana Palmer at apalmer@ est Lodge, Ecuador beaches, and woods during Located at 6,000 feet in the mountains peak sea bird season and hike nycaudubon.org or 212-691-7483 x304 to learn more and register. of northwestern Ecuador, El Refugio the beautiful “Walking Dunes,” is a premiere destination for birders, Hither Woods, Oyster Pond, and Limited to 12. $1,995 ($300 single room supplement) famous for its proximity to a cock-of- the “seal haul-out” site. Includes the-rock lek. double-occupancy lodging at the www.elrefugiocloudforest.com luxurious Manor House, most FAMILY meals, guided hikes, evening EXPEDITION Saturday, March 15–Saturday, Emerson Resort & Spa, programs, a star watch, and Hudson Valley free pickup at the LIRR station March 22, 2014 Pre-Trip Workshop: Sunday, Located in the shadow of Slide Moun- in Montauk. To register, contact tain, the original discovery site of the Don Riepe at 917-371-8577 or February 16, 10am–noon Guide: Glenn Phillips Bicknell’s thrush, Emerson Resort offers [email protected]. Limited to Catskill elegance for birders and non- 60. $385 ($125 single supplement) Explore the rain and cloud American Flamingos forests of Costa Rica with birders alike. www.emersonresort.com Executive Director Glenn YUCATÁN, MEXICO Phillips and his family. Perfect Hacienda Cusín, Ecuador Saturday, February 15-Monday, along with many of our wintering for families with children aged One of the finest resorts in theE cua- February 24, 2014 neotropical migrants. Includes one 5 and up, this relaxed natural dorean high country, Hacienda Cusín Pre-Trip Workshop: Wednesday pre-trip workshop, lodging, local history expedition will explore boasts elegant service in proximity to January 22, 2014, 6-8pm transportation, most meals, and the lush Pacific lowlands near many good highland birding destina- Guides: Gabriel Willow, Local all park fees. A full tour description the beachside town of Jaco. tions. www.haciendacusin.com Guides and day-by-day itinerary is available Visit the magical land of the Maya: online at www.nycaudubon.org/ Highlights include a boat ride overnight-trips. Please contact through a mangrove swamp full Quisisana Resort, Maine the Yucatan Peninsula of Southern A full-service resort, offering easy Mexico. Explore ancient Mayan Adriana Palmer at apalmer@ of crocodiles and an exciting nycaudubon.org or 212-691-7483 aerial tram ride through the access to the White Mountains by day, ruins; swim in the delicious meals and opera, Broadway and explore coral reefs; and of x304 to learn more and register. rainforest canopy—but there Limited to 12. $2,295 ($450 single will also be plenty of time to musicals, and chamber music by night. course, see the amazing bird life www.quisisanaresort.com of the region—from parrots and supplement) relax by the pool or play on the toucans to flamingos and trogons, beach. Before heading home, COSTA RICA: MONTEVERDE we will visit the renowned cloud Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

© AND CAÑO NEGRO forest reserve of Monteverde to One of the best places to see the snow- L aura Saturday, March 8-Saturday, look for spectacular resplendent cap, an endemic hummingbird, Rancho

M Naturalista boasts delicious meals and

eyers March 15, 2014 quetzals. Includes one pre- Pre-Trip Workshops: Thursdays, trip workshop, lodging, local beautifully maintained trails throughout February 20 and 27, 6:30-8:30pm transportation, most meals, its private forest reserve. Guides: Glenn Phillips, Richard and all park fees. A full tour www.ranchonaturalista.net Garrigues description and day-by-day Our 2014 Costa Rica expedition itinerary is available online Savegre Hotel, Natural Resort, will visit its most famous birding at www.nycaudubon.org/ & Spa, Costa Rica destination: Monteverde. Home familyexpeditions. Please contact Located at 7,000 feet in the Cerro de la to resplendent quetzals, black Adriana Palmer at apalmer@ Muerte, Savegre is known for its unique guans, emerald toucanets, and nycaudubon.org or 212-691-7483 highland birds, including the magnifi- many more cloud forest species, x304 to learn more and register. cent resplendent quetzal. Monteverde has a well-deserved $4,237 per family (2 adults www.savegre.com reputation. Other highlights and 2 children under 12; other include the Celeste Mountain packages are available) Strawberry Hill Resort & Spa, Lodge, known for its fineF rench Jamaica cuisine as well as for rarities such One of Jamaica’s most elegant resorts, as the and yellow- Island Outpost’s Strawberry Hill is fa- Green Honeycreeper eared toucanet; and Caño Negro, mous for its luxurious rooms and fine where Nicaraguan grackles, Jamaican cuisine. Many of Jamaica’s 28 endemic species can be found here or in nearby Hardwar Gap. www.islandoutpost.com/strawberry-hill

10 www.nycaudubon.org

56670_NYC_Aud_UA_WinterL.indd 10 11/8/13 9:01 AM Test Flights at the Bronx Zoo: The Sequel Carol Peace Robins ©J. Andrew boyle hen last you heard, the fl ight tunnel at the WBronx Zoo was being assembled to test bird-safe window glass options. It has now been up and running all summer and fall. Actually, it’s researchers Will and Kaitlyn who have been up and running. Here’s how it all works. The tunnel is inside a vented shipping container located near the World of Birds exhibition. At the far end of the tunnel, bathed in artifi cial daylight, are two windows side by side. On this occasion, one is plain glass, the other plexiglass. Both have images of sky and clouds behind them, but the plexiglass also has thin Female American Redstart horizontal stripes across it. The near end of the tunnel is covered by what looks like a magician’s certifi ed, according to NYC Audubon’s Director of Conservation black curtain, featuring a small pocket with a hole in it. More and Science Susan Elbin, with permits for bird banding, permits about that later. for buying mist nets, and permits to run birds in the tunnel. Meanwhile, off in the nearby woods, eight mist nets—so called No one can yet say what the results will show. Will has because they’re nearly invisible—have been installed, attached observed that “the birds do appear to avoid the black stripes pretty to trees, ready to gently immobilize migrant birds that fl y into well, but only time and more birds will tell us if this is a fl uke or if them. The nets function only when there are monitors on duty; at the birds are actually avoiding it.” He says that the tunnel will be other times they’re rolled up neatly into a thin rope, incapable of operating for at least another year, joining one other in the United harming birds. Each morning at daybreak, monitors Will Haffey States, in the ongoing search for bird-safe glass that prevents and Kaitlyn Parkins, both graduate students at Fordham, unroll collisions resulting in an estimated 600 million bird deaths a year the nets. Every thirty minutes during their shift, they inspect in this country alone. them for avian arrivals. One September day, after a slow period with no customers, Kaitlyn spotted a mostly gray-olive little bird with yellow highlights, just as she was closing up shop: a female American REMEMBER Redstart. She placed it in a small bag, made for just this purpose, and delivered it to Will back at the tunnel. NYC AUDUBON Will set his camera on a shelf above the black curtain to video what came next. After taking the bird out of the bag, he banded it. bequest is a thoughtful and straightforward way to protect birds and bird habitat in the fi ve boroughs. Then, speaking into the camera, he noted the species, gender, age, It can be expressed “I bequeath [a sum of money and band number. He placed the bird in the curtain pocket and off A or a percentage of my estate] to New York City Audubon it fl ew toward the windows, hopefully to make the right selection. Society, Inc. a not-for-profi t organization with offi ces at 71 (There is a mist net in front of the glass to prevent crashes, and an West 23rd Street, Suite 1523, New York, NY 10010, for its exit door that is opened immediately after a bird’s tunnel fl ight to general purposes.” Consult your attorney and give Executive allow it to fl y free.) Director Glenn Phillips a call at 212-691-7483 x303. During the fall, the birds tested were mostly warblers, vireos, thrushes, and catbirds. As for the people involved, they’re all

Winter 2013-2014 11

56670_NYC_Aud_UA_WinterL.indd 11 11/8/13 9:01 AM Fall Roost Matthew Rymkiewicz

t the 9th annual Fall Roost at the Lake Room of the Central to restore Jamaica Bay and to ensure that the National Park Service Park Boathouse, NYC Audubon honored five tireless focuses on the preservation of its wildlife, habitat, and natural Aservants to the cause of conservation and to the protection resources, as the future of this birding jewel lies in the balance. An of the City’s feathered visitors and inhabitants. Beyond their many excerpt from “Jamaica Bay Lives,” a documentary-in-progress by Dan acomplishments, it is their spirit and ability to make a lasting impact Hendrick, brought into bold relief the precarious present and the that distinguishes them all. importance of sound decision-making and energetic advocacy. Oakes Ames served on the boards of Audubon New York, As the evening drew to a close, the honorees were cheered, and National Audubon, and as the immediate past president of NYC the flurry of silent auction bids ceased, you felt there was no better Audubon. place to be if you are concerned about the fate of birds and birding in Dr. Claude Bloch, birder extraordinaire, is a NYC Audubon New York City, for there was no shortage of inspiration, energy, and advisory council member and benefactor to countless Audubon determination. chapters and environmental groups across the northeast and beyond. All photos © Jeffrey The indefatigable Rita McMahon and Karen Heidgerd co- founded The Wild Bird Fund, New York City’s first wildlife K rehabilitation and education center, which opened its new facility on ollbrunner the Upper West Side in 2012. The late Starr Saphir, beloved mentor to countless birders in Central Park, was featured prominently in the 2012 documentary, “Birders: The Central Park Effect.” She was paid tribute in a touching short by Jeffrey Kimball, the film’s director. While the physical setting for the Fall Roost was in the heart of Central Park, the backdrop was post-Hurricane Sandy Jamaica Bay. Executive Director Glenn Phillips and Board President Harry Maas spoke at length of the work NYC Audubon is spearheading Honorees Oakes Ames and Rita McMahon; Peter Gelfan

Fall Roost Acknowledgments

THE FALL ROOST Fiduciary Trust International MaryJane Boland and Mark Lewis Rosenberg Council Member Jimmy Van HOST COMMITTEE Jill and Ken Iscol Risinger Matthew Rymkiewicz and Bramer PATRON Sarah Jeffords Ronald and Jean Bourque Nancy Karimi Commissioner Veronica M. Joseph and Barbara Ellis Valerie Jennings Mary T. Bruckmann Richard and Marjorie White Cathy and Lloyd Heller Jeffrey Kimball and Pamela James Carpenter Schneidman Hogan Martin and Susan Goldstein Dimitri Sevastopoulo and CONTRIBUTORS DONOR Robert Kimtis and Susan Nancy Hager Catherine Rasenberger Tylee Abbott Claude and Lucienne Bloch Bynum Betty Hamilton Frederic and Robin Daniel Biederman Clifford Case and Karen B. Lauren and Ethan Klingsberg Anneliese Harstick Withington Elise Boeger Dubno Cheryl Reich Marian Heiskell Robert and Blaikie Worth Ned Boyajian The Durst Organization Lyris A. Schonholz Anne E. Impellizzeri Alexander Zagoreos Mary Catherine Burkart Marcia and Bruce Fowle John and Heather Shemilt Paul and Amy Impelluso John Zucker Albert Butzel Philip Fried and Bruce Peter Shen and Mary Seeger Svetlana Ivkov Edward and Diana Greene Patterson Fredric and Winnie Spar Mary Jane Kaplan HONORARY HOST Robert Greene The Nanz Company David Speiser and Kimberly Jared and Songmei Keyes COMMITTEE MEMBERS Karl Holtzschue Sims Metal Management Kriger Robert D. Krinsky Assemblymember Deborah Jane Kendall Virginia K. Stowe Lenore and Peter Standish Florence Lapidus J. Glick Cynthia Kracauer D. Bruce Yolton Harrison D. Maas Council Member G. Oliver Janice Laneve SUPPORTER Mary Parker and Damon Koppell Danyal Lawson Adele and Leonard Block FRIEND Smith State Senator Liz Krueger Lee Leggett Marsilia Boyle Vivian Berger and Michael Mona Payton Congresswoman Carolyn B. Allen Levantin Benice Brilliant Finkelstein Warrie and James Price Maloney Margaret Lundin Abigail Angell Canfield Priscilla Bijur and Gerry Kane Betty and Michael Rauch Congressman Jerrold Nadler Hope Matthiessen and Judy and John Craig Douglas Blonsky Genie and Donald Rice Manhattan Borough President david Boorstin Susan R. Drossman Don Riepe Scott M. Stringer E.J. McAdams

12 www.nycaudubon.org

56670_NYC_Aud_UA_WinterL.indd 12 11/8/13 9:01 AM Fall Roost Matthew Rymkiewicz

Honoree Claude Bloch with daughter Justine and wife Lucienne Lorene Janowski, Jim Sangster, Vanessa Jaworski, 2012 honoree Helena Durst, Jonathan Rivera, Adam Kohler

Charen Kim, Lewis Rosenberg, Thailary Lim Honoree Karen Heidgerd John and Ryan Zucker peruse the Silent Auction

Jean M. McCarroll Richard Katz Rick Wright OUT & ABOUT IN NYC Kristen Bannister (graphic Malcolm Morris Jane Kendall Alex Zagoreos Late Show with David design) Jean Pettibone Jeffrey Kimball Jennifer Zaso Letterman Dan Hendrick (Faces of NYC Gary Schragis Ethan and Lauren John Zucker Lincoln Center for the Audubon video) Victoria Shaw klingsberg Performing Arts, Inc. Deborah Jones (auction Mrs. C. Sidamon-Eristoff Janice Laneve SILENT AUCTION Mae Mae Cafe, Great posters, centerpieces, and Virginia Stotz Jonathan Leigh DONORS Performances giftbags) Rochelle Thomas E.J. McAdams GIFTS & GEAR New York Philharmonic Jeffrey Kimball (Starr Saphir Lynne Veitch Jean McCarroll Eagle Optics One Day University video) Malcolm Morris Jeffrey P. Feinberg, Citadel Jeffrey Kollbrunner CHALLENGE GRANT Loris Nazarian Trading Corp. RESORTS & LODGES (photography) SUPPORTERS Margaret Parker Meopta USA, Inc. Canopy Camp Darien, SmartSource Rentals Oakes and Louise Ames Cheryl Reich Peter Rhoades Mott Panama (audiovisual) Robert Bate and Tracy Meade Donald and Genie Rice The Orvis Company, Inc. Emerson Resort & Spa, Vivian Berger Don Riepe Patagonia Hudson Valley EVENT VOLUNTEERS Marsilia Boyle Matthew Rymkiewicz Island Outpost, Strawberry Karen Asakawa Mary T. Bruckmann Schaffer, Schonholz, and LOCAL EXCURSIONS Hill Resort & Spa, Jamaica Margaret Lundin Clifford Case Drossman Susan Elbin Quisisana Resort, Maine Anne Schwartz Erin Crotty John Shemilt Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers, Rancho Naturalista, Costa Ann Seligman Bruce and Marcia Fowle Carl Sorenson III LLC Rica Elaine Silber Caroline Greenleaf David Speiser Don Riepe Savegre Hotel, Costa Rica Lenore Standish Nancy Hager Virginia K. Stowe John Shemilt Deborah Zerden Pamela Hogan Rochelle Thomas Tom Stephenson SPECIAL THANKS to Vanessa Jaworski Yen Tran Gabriel Willow Action Letter, Inc. Peter Joost Frederic Withington The Central Park Boathouse

Winter 2013-2014 13

56670_NYC_Aud_UA_WinterL.indd 13 11/8/13 9:02 AM News & Notes Volunteer Acknowledgments NYC AUDUBON REPORTS ON RESEARCH AT THE NEW YORK BIRDERS CONFERENCE ew York City Audubon’s conservation and education work would not In early November, NYC Audubon be possible without the help of hundreds of volunteers who donate sponsored the New York Birders thousands of hours each year. If you volunteered during the period Conference and 66th annual meeting from October 2012 to September 2013 and your name is not on this Nlist, please let us know! We strive to keep accurate records for our funders and want of the New York State Ornithological Association (a.k.a. Federation of New to make sure you receive the recognition you deserve. York State Bird Clubs), hosted by Humad Ahmed TG John Burke HH Kathleen Dreyer PSF Daryl Hartshorne PSF Deborah Allen Louise Burns JB Alan Drogin CBC Tom Heimimann HH the Queens Bird Club. Director of CBC, OA Elly Busby JB Jacob Drucker CBC Catherine Schragis Barbara Alpert EO, TIL Wendy Bustamante FR Gregory Elbin JB, HH Heller OA, UA Conservation and Science Susan Elbin Regina Alvarez JB Albert K. Butzel OA Sarah Elliott CBC Zoe Hernandez TG presented a paper on NYC Audubon’s Oakes Ames OA Wendy Byrne CBC Suzie Elliott CBC Myke Herrera TG Richard Andrias OA Anita Cabrera JB Joseph H. Ellis OA Peggy Herron PSF work with harbor herons and other James Ang TG Magali Calderon CBC Diana Epperson JB Lynne Hertzog waterbirds. Our 2013 summer interns Natalia Arzola TG Carole Campbell PSF Margot Ernst CBC CBC, OA Karen Asakawa FR Dawn Campbell JB Suzelyn Eugene TG Miles Hilger CBC also contributed to the program: Debra Jarad Astin JB Clifford Case OA Blake Evans CBC Matthew Hillard OA Kriensky gave a talk on our shorebird Michael Athay TG Karen Casey TG Clem Evans CBC Pat Hilliard CBC Christine Attanasio TG Elaine Chachkin PSF Donna Evans HH Nadine Hofgaertner and horseshoe crab research, while Sarah Grimké Aucoin Rebecca Chalmers JB Minhal Faiz TG TG Kaitlyn Parkins presented a poster on OA Suzanne Charlé UA Annegret Falkein JB Claus Holzapfel CBC Seth Ausubel JB Gabriel Chavez JB Andrew Farnsworth Lynn Hoppe CBC Project Safe Flight. Kelly Colgan Azar UA Glenn Chavez JB CBC, OA, TIL Mitchell Horowitz CBC Andrew Baksh JB, UA Greg Chavez JB FDNY TG Bobby Horvath CON NATIONAL AUDUBON CONVENTION Kristen Bannister FR Leonor Chavez JB, PSF Mike Feller HH Sarah Anikin Hospodar Jasmine Bardos TG Ken Chaya CBC Sandy Fiebelkorn UA PSF This past July, NYC Audubon Elle Barnes PSF, TIL Henry Chen TG Howard Fisher UA Susan Houston PSF participated in Audubon’s first National Brenda Torres-Barreto Jimmy Chen TG Erica Fitzgerald FR Michelle Howard TG OA Judy Chen EO Angela Fortezza TG Kathleen Howley CBC Convention in over a decade. Executive Catherine Barron Kristy Chen TG Marcia Fowle CBC, Holly Hunnicutt PSF CBC, HH William Chen TG OA, UA Alex Hurr TG Director Glenn Phillips co-chaired the Annie Barry CBC, HH Anna Cheung TG Kate Francis FR Melissa Husby UA planning committee for the meeting, William Barry TG Lily Cheung TG Louise Fraza CBC Jon Hyman CBC Lena Begin CBC Hava Chisti TG Carolyn French PSF Sarah Iams PSF which took place in Stevenson, WA, Pierre Begin CBC Holli Chlebowski TG Mark French CBC Yumiko Iwasaki JB while Director of Conservation and Ariel Behr CBC Victor Choi TG Dennis Galcik JB Zahar Jabbar TG Mohammed Beidak JB Michael Christopher JB Frank Gallagher CBC Frances Jacobus-Parker Science Susan Elbin helped lead a Drianne Benner OA Miranda Chu TIL Maria Gansterer UA JB workshop on bird-friendly buildings Jane Bernstein OA Richard Cino PSF Josué Garcia HH Sandy Jarmuth PSF Carl Bernzweig CBC Kyra Clarke TG Agnieszka Gasparska Sarah Jeffords OA in conjunction with American Bird Kelly Bertrand JB Jane Coakley OA JB Peter Jensen TG Conservancy’s Chris Sheppard and others. Amanda Bielskas PSF Alan Cohen JB Ross Gibson JB Rob Jett JB Robert Blair HH Britt Coles JB Wendy Giman TG Mandi Jimenez TG Through this workshop, the groundwork Henry Blezard TG Christina Colon PSF Elyse Glenn JB Deborah Jones CBC, was laid for National Audubon’s Bird- Claude Bloch OA Katie Conrad JB Ethan Glover-Bailey EO, FR Lucienne Bloch UA Jules Corkery CON PSF Peter Joost EO, UA Friendly Communities program, which Rebecca Block JB Sunny Corrao JB Robert Gluck CBC Nidhin Joseph JB Shane Blodget JB Christina Costello JB Kate Gluzberg JB Daedre Kaehler EO aims to make cities safer for migratory Elise Boeger CBC Judy Craig OA Cesar Gomez TG Jayanthi Kallam JB birds across the US. Ardith Bondi CBC, HH Rebekah Creshkoff OA Ramon Gomez CBC Jerry Kamlet CBC Victoria Booth JB Sara Crosby PSF, TIL Marcin Gorecki JB Mary Jane Kaplan Ron Bourque JB, UA Cidele Curo EO, PSF Raylene Gorum PSF CBC, EO, OA, UA MONITORING GREEN ROOF BIODIVERSITY Chellie Bowman CBC Phil Cusimano Adele Gotlib CBC Danny Karlson CBC NYC Audubon is working with the Ned Boyajian UA JB, CON Melanie Graham TG Billy Kaselow CBC Kasey Boyer CBC Alison Cymes JB Alexis Grecki PSF Fred Kaselow CBC sustainability team from the Jacob Javits Markley Boyer JB Nidhin Cyril PSF Vicky Grecki PSF Donald Kass EO, JB, Center to design a monitoring program Marsilia Boyle OA Andrew Darrell OA Jessica Green CBC OA, TIL Michelle Brachfield BJ Diane Darrow EO, PSF Sarah Greenwald FR Ari Kavour OA for the Center’s six-acre green roof habitat. Dolores Brandon HH Jon Davies JB Helen Gross EO Soomin Kay TG The monitoring program, planned for the Michael Brashears TIL Leslie Day HH Sheldon Gross EO NiAsia Kearse TG Thomas Brinskelle TG Yoryi De La Rosa Ania Grzesik PSF Julian Keifetz TG spring and summer of 2014, will determine Michael Britt CBC fr, OA Margarita Halikias FR Frances Kelly EO a baseline for biodiversity of birds, bats, and Pearl Broder CBC Marisa Dedominicis Karen Hammonds PSF Lena Kelly HH Antionette Brown TG HH John Handrik JB Sean Kelly JB arthropods to compare to later studies of Claudia Brumbaugh Elke Dehner JB Jeannine Hanibal JB Dmitri Kerievsky PSF this and other green roofs. EO, JB Alice Deutsch CBC Sean Hanley JB Jeffrey Kimball CBC, Brooke Buchanan FR Vera DiBenedetto PSF Andrew Harmon UA FR, OA James Buckler CBC, Ben Dobson JB Steven Harris TG Robert J. Kimtis OA CON Jean Dommermuth Wendi Harrison Mark Kindschuh JB Becke Buffalo CBC CBC JB, OA Coby Klein HH David Burg CBC Jane Dowling JB Ellen Hartig JB Darren Klein JB, HH 14 www.nycaudubon.org

56670_NYC_Aud_UA_WinterL.indd 14 11/8/13 9:02 AM Lauren Klingsberg Ellen McKnight PSF François Portmann Marjolein Schat CBC Virginia Stotz UA Judith Werner OA oA, UA Rita McMahon HH CON, UA, WE Diane Schenker CBC Amy Strauss EO, HH Lisa White PSF Michelle Knoemschild Robert McMinn CON Peter Post HH Lisa Scheppke EO Taylor Sturm CBC Stephan Whyte TG PSF Ian Mednick JB Elizabeth Powers JB Patrick Schever CBC Amylou Sullivan CBC Delta Willis CBC James Knox CBC Christina Megill JB Agnes Pyrchla TG Sam Schmerler JB Alex Summers HH Gabriel Willow UA, WE Jeff Kollbrunner CON Dara Mendeloff EO Queens Green Teens TG Rob Schmunk CON Lenore Swenson CBC Seth Wollney UA David Krauss CBC Alan Messer CBC Kellie Quinones EO Susan Schulz CBC Johnny Szeto TG Monica Wong TG Jeff Krauss HH, JB Laura Meyers EO, UA, Miriam Rakowski CBC Freda Scott TG Lauryn Tacoronte JB Leigh Wood JB Debra Kriensky HH, WE Maria Ramos CBC Scott Scovel TIL Chris Takacs CBC Michael Woodruff UA CBC, JB Ellen Michaels UA, WE Jim Reed HH Steve Seegmiller CBC Jeremy Tausch JB Lu Wu FR, PSF, Kimberly Kriger OA John Miller PSF Mariana Regalado JB Ann Seligman EO, JB, John Thieroff CBC Irene Wurshaur CBC Joe Kulhanek EO, HH Siddhartha Mitra JB Esther Regelson TIL PSF Jim Thompson HH Bruce Yolton CBC, CON Dave Kunstler HH Collin Moore JB Sean Rice TIL Hannah Sheehan JB Karen Thomson PSF Carina Yuen TG Ivan Kuraev CBC Mary Tyler Moore OA Peter Richter CON James SheffieldO A, UA Morgan Tingley CBC Fran Yuen TG Alexandra Kuvaldina PSF Anthony Mora JB Don Riepe CON, EO, Maureen Shelly JB Richard Toller UA Gary Yuen TG Yunmee Kyong PSF Ingrid Morales TG HH, OA, TG, UA, WE John Shemilt OA Aniko Totha CBC Kristina Zabierek PSF Alessandra Lacorazza JB Mary Morris TG David Ringer CBC Peter Shen OA Marry Tran TG Christopher Zavelo OA Dharshan Malcolm Morris CBC, Caroline Rippe JB Elaine Silber CBC, EO, Denise Trezza PSF Fiona Zheng TG Lakshminarayan JB TG Carol Peace Robins UA FR, OA Phyllis Tseng JB, CBC, Joan Zofnass PSF Janice Laneve OA Nancy Rosoff Morrow JB Francis Rogers CBC Louise Simard UA EO, PSF John Zucker CBC Deborah Laurel PSF Anne Mortimer-Maddox Ambika Roos JB Ashanti Simon TG Jonathan Turer TG Ryan Zucker CBC Gohan Lavin PSF EO, OA Lewis Rosenberg CBC, Richard Singh JB Andrew Turk EO, TG Susan Lavin PSF Peter Rhoades Mott OA Anastasia Smith FR Eileen Twiggs EO Legend Anne Lazarus CBC, PSF CBC, OA John Rowden TIL Corey Smith JB Gretchen Van Matre EO CBC = Christmas Bird Count Jacqueline LeDonne CBC Michael Muchmore Christina Rubin LA, Tara Mei Smith JB Prabu Vasan CBC CON = Conservation Ai Li Lee JB EO, TG OA, UA Fredric Spar OA Tamara Vasan CBC EO = Education and Outreach Brandon Lee JB Erica Mueller CBC Josh Rudder JB Jennie Spector EO John Vazzana JB FR = Fall Roost Caroline Lee PSF Linda Mulaney CBC Elizabeth Ruiz JB David Speiser CBC, EO, P.J. Vazzana JB HH = Harbor Herons JB = Jamaica Bay (includes Daniel Lee TG Eileen Mund JB Mike Ruscigno CBC OA, UA, WE Francesco Veronesi UA Horseshoe Crab and Nim Lee JB Steve Nanz UA, WE Hilary Russ CBC Felicity Speiser CBC Ilona Vinklerova TG Shorebird Surveys) Lawrence Levine OA Gunda Narang PSF Matthew Rymkiewicz UA Lloyd Spitalnik CBC, Suzanne Vlamis PSF OA = Office Administration Rugan Lewis JB Chandni Navalkha JB Kelly Rypkema JB UA, WE Kate Walker UA LA = Look Around Richard Lieberman CBC, Mike Newhouse CBC Tompkins Sabrina TG Stayc St. Onge EO, PSF John Walsh CBC PSF = Project Safe Flight CON Katie Ng TG Phylis Salom OA Kathy St. Pierre CON Karen Waltach CBC TG = TogetherGreen Linda Lin TG Stephanie Nieves TG Diane SanRoman JB Lenore Standish FR, Matt Wangerin CBC Volunteer Days Megan Litwhiler CBC Geoffrey Nulle CBC, JB Erica Santana HH HH, OA Jason Wat TG TIL = Tribute in Light Ben Loehnen CBC James O’Brien CON Casey Schadie JB, PSF, Susan Stanley HH Nina Webb PSF UA = The Urban Audubon Heydi Lopes JB Luke O’Brien JB, TG TG Tom Stephenson OA Sally Weiner CBC WE = Website and Michelle Luebke JB Lisa Ochs EO Janne Schaefers P Gretchen Stoddard JB Dottie Werkmeister JB The eGret eNewsletter Margaret Lundin Bob O’Neill JB fr, OA Alisa Opar JB Krauss Lynn HH Rob Orrok JB Give a Gift of Membership Show that you care by giving a gift that makes a difference. Chris Lyons CBC Joseph O’Sullivan Barbara Lysenko JB eo, OA Help protect wild birds and habitat in New York City with a gift membership to NYC Audubon Xiao Hong Ma TG Jessica Otterman TG [ ] Supporter $100 [ ] Family $50 [ ] Individual $25 [ ] Student/Senior (65+) $15 Andrew Maas TG Mike Otterman TG Giver ______Harrison Maas CBC, Steven Ottogalli TIL JB, OA Robert Owen JB Address: ______Maura MacBride EO Sara Pace UA Debra Magadini PSF Ed Paje TG Phone:______Email: ______Pamela Manice OA Adriana Palmer CBC Donna Manion CBC Alexander Papachristou ______David Manry JB, HH, TIL OA Recipient: Sarah Marks CBC Eugene Park TG Tristan Marsh JB Xenia Ley Parker TG Address: ______Neil Maruca CBC Kaitlyn Parkins JB, TIL Jenny Mastantouno HH Wynne Parry JB Phone: ______Email: ______Rob Mastrianni CBC, Ayesha Patel TG CON Rosemary Paul TG [ ] Enclosed is my check payable to NYC Audubon Jenith Mateja EO Mona Payton PSF [ ] Charge my credit card: [ ] Visa [ ] MC [ ] Amex [ ] DSC Romana Mattia OA Adam Pekor CBC, HH Andrew Mattson JB Paulette Penzvalto PSF Nora Mattson JB Sasha Perez TG Card #: ______Exp. Date: ______Laura Mauldin JB Nancy Perkins PSF Join NYC Audubon Members are essential to our education and conservation work. Help Sandra Maury CBC Tom Perlman CBC protect birds and habitats in the five boroughs by joining our flock. As Ma ember of NYC Audubon E.J. McAdams OA Gillian Permuy JB you will: • Receive The Urban Audubon newsletter • Enjoy discounts on field trips and classes Chuck McAlexander CBC Amanda Perry CBC Abby McBride UA Dorothy M. Peteet OA • Make a difference in your city’s wildlife and natural areas. Emma McCauley JB Kesone Phissamone JB Mail this form with your payment to: Betsy McCulley UA Felipe Pimentel CBC NYC Audubon, 71 West 23rd Street, Suite 1523, New York, NY 10010 Gerry McGee OA, UA Matthew Pimm CBC Fran McGorty PSF Tracy Plowman CBC Membership in NYC Audubon does not include National Audubon membership or Audubon magazine. Donations to Sandy McKee JB Jane Politi CBC NYC Audubon are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. NYC Audubon is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Winter 2013-2014 15

56670_NYC_Aud_UA_WinterL.indd 15 11/8/13 9:02 AM Hall INDICIA’S JOB #______

PRSRT STD NOTES: US POSTAGE PAID #1 N. READING, MA PERMIT NO. 234

FIRST CLASS MAIL US POSTAGE PAID #2 N. READING, MA PERMIT NO. 234

New York City Audubon NONPROFIT ORG. 71 West 23rd Street U.S. POSTAGE Suite 1523 PAID #3 New York, NY 10010 N. READING, MA PERMIT NO. 234

Dated Material: Winter 2013-2014 Newsletter

HALL.indd 1 8/15/12 11:22 AM

Holiday Gift Ideas from NYC Audubon

AUDUBON’S AVIARY: The Original Watercolors for The Birds of America, by Roberta J.M. Olsen; Skira Rizzoli, 2012 This important new volume presents the complete collection of dazzling watercolors that Audubon painted for his famous set of engravings, accompanied by the story of their creation. $60

COMMON TERN PIN Home to the largest tern colony in the Western Hall INDICIA's.indd 1 11/1/12 10:33 AM Hemisphere, Great Gull Island (at the tip of Long Island’s North Fork) provides nesting habitat for endangered roseate tern and common tern. This sterling silver pin was designed by sculptor Richard Malenky. A portion of the proceeds supports research and conservation at Great Gull Island. $37.50

THE WARBLER GUIDE By Tom Stephenson and Scott Whittle Princeton University Press, 2013 GIVE THE GIFT OF The cold winter months are the perfect time for you MEMBERSHIP or the birding fiend you love to study up on the finer Share your love of New York points of warbler identification, to be ready when our City’s birds with a NYC spring migrants return. The Warbler Guide, created Audubon Gift Membership. by NYC Audubon Board Member Tom Stephenson Includes all regular membership and photographer Scott Whittle, is a groundbreaking benefits plus a set of eight guide featuring more than 1,000 stunning color photos, holiday gift cards. extensive species accounts, and an entirely new system to See page 15 for details. help you learn songs and calls. $25.95

Gifts may be ordered through our online store at www. nycaudubon.org/support-us or by calling the office at Happy Holidays! 212-691-7483 x306.

16 www.nycaudubon.org

56670_NYC_Aud_UA_WinterL.indd 16 11/8/13 9:02 AM