The newsletter of City Audubon FALL 2013 / Volume XXXIV, No. 3

THE URBAN AUDUBON

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

Fall 2013 1

55396_NYC_Audubon_UA_Fall_AA1.indd 1 7/31/13 1:42 PM NYC AUDUBON MISSION & VISION Mission: NYC Audubon is a grassroots Bird’s Eye View Glenn Phillips community that works for the protection of wild birds and habitat in the five boroughs, improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers. ast spring, both The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden unveiled new native plant gardens. While each garden took a Vision: NYC Audubon envisions a different approach, both show a new awareness of local conservation issues and of the day when birds and people in the L five boroughs enjoy a healthy, livable importance of native plants in preserving wildlife diversity. Native plants serve as hosts to habitat. a huge diversity of insects, which in turn are a vital food source for migratory and resident birds—and NYC Audubon has joined our local botanical gardens in promoting their use. THE URBAN AUDUBON Editors Lauren Klingsberg & In the Bronx, the native plant garden features both wild types and selected cultivars in Marcia T. Fowle a contemporary design setting, making it a great place for home gardeners to get ideas about Managing Editor Tod Winston how to incorporate more natives into their own gardens. In Brooklyn, the expanded garden Newsletter Committee Lucienne Bloch, Ned Boyajian, Suzanne Charlé, painstakingly recreates plant communities from around the region, with every specimen of Catherine Heller, Andrew Harmon, known provenance. This garden serves as a living library, helping to preserve the genetic Melissa Husby, Mary Jane Kaplan, heritage of our local plants. Abby McBride, Don Riepe, Carol Peace Robins, Matthew Rymkiewicz Douglas Tallamy, professor and chair of the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Printing & Mailing Kase Printing, Inc. Ecology at the University of Delaware, is an entomologist with a fondness for birds. Studying Design Whitehouse & Company butterflies and moths, he wondered what roles our gardens play in providing the caterpillars Art Director Christina Rubin Publisher NYC Audubon that most migrant birds depend on as a food source. His studies have shown that native plants play host to more species and more numbers of caterpillars than non-native species, THE URBAN AUDUBON is published while generally showing fewer signs of the damage these critters do to plants. four times per year (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter) by Tallamy’s work has inspired our own project to create a bird-friendly, storm-water Audubon Society, Inc. collecting, green street park in Queens. We will use his techniques to monitor caterpillars feeding on the native plants in that garden, and will report on our results in a future issue. BOARD OF directors President Harrison D. Maas If you haven’t yet visited Brooklyn and the Bronx’s new native plant gardens—or even Executive Vice President David Speiser if you have—September is a great time to get out to see them. The gardens are at their Vice President Richard T. Andrias peak now, and migrant birds have returned to feast on the insects, fruit, and seeds that are Treasurer John Shemilt Secretary Marsilia A. Boyle abundant on our native plants at this time of year, a particularly pleasant time in any New Immediate Past President Oakes Ames York garden. See for yourself the value of native plants for our birds. Directors Brenda Torres-Barreto, Clifford Case, Judy Craig, Andrew Farnsworth, Marcia T. Fowle, Catherine Schragis Heller, Lynne Hertzog, Sarah Thank You to Our Summer Staff and Interns Jeffords, Jeffrey Kimball, Robert J. NYC Audubon’s conservation work is Wildlife Refuge, and wrote letters on behalf of Kimtis, Lauren Klingsberg, Lawrence reinforced by our summer staff and interns. NYC Audubon. Levine, Dorothy M. Peteet, Peter Shen, Read below about the work of this year’s Debra Kriensky, a graduate student at Fredric Spar, Tom Stephenson summer team. Columbia University, collected and analyzed Jarad Astin, Anita Cabrera, and Donald Kass, horseshoe crab and shorebird data. ADVISORY COUNCIL Sarah Grimké Aucoin, Drianne Benner, all longtime volunteers, worked as horseshoe Kaitlyn Parkins, a graduate student at Fordham Dr. Claude Bloch, Albert K. Butzel, crab site coordinators. University, analyzed recent Project Safe Flight Rebekah Creshkoff, Andrew Darrell, Elizabeth Craig, a Ph.D. candidate at Cornell data for collisions and light emissions, and Joseph H. Ellis, Mary Jane Kaplan, University, led the waterbird nesting survey coordinated NYC Audubon’s efforts for the Kimberly Kriger, Janice Laneve, Pamela for the fifth consecutive year and helped with 2013 BioBlitz. Manice, E. J. McAdams, Mary Tyler banding cormorants, egrets, and common Emilio Tobon, a Ph.D. student at the Universi- Moore, Peter Rhoades Mott, Don Riepe, terns in the harbor. dad Nacional Autónoma de México, monitored Lewis Rosenberg, James R. Sheffield Jennifer Dilone, a student at the University of nesting success of American oystercatchers Vermont and a TogetherGreen fellow, assisted and helped with banding efforts. Executive Director Glenn Phillips with volunteer and outreach programs. Ann Seligman, a past horseshoe crab site Liz Johnson, past manager of the Biodiversity coordinator, served to coordinate the citizen Program at the American Museum of Natural science volunteer staffing for all horseshoe History, helped design classroom and field crab beaches and led our Lights Out NY trip curricula for our Be a Good Egg program. campaign. Darren Klein, a graduate student at the Leigh Hope Wood, a graduate student at New School, assisted on various field work NYU, helped design classroom and field trip RECYCLED Supporting responsible use of programs, researched the Jamaica Bay curricula for our Be a Good Egg program. forest resources

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55396_NYC_Audubon_UA_Fall_AA1.indd 2 7/31/13 1:42 PM In This Issue Fall 2013 © N YC Audubon NYC AUDUBON 71 West 23rd Street Suite 1523 New York, NY 10010 Tel: 212-691-7483 Fax: 646-606-3301 www.nycaudubon.org

Cover Photograph: Black Skimmer ©David Speiser Small Banner Photographs: Susan Elbin, Steve Nanz, and Don Riepe

© E llen M

ichaels 5

Features 5 Bird-Friendly Retrofit of the Javits Center by Catherine Heller

6 Trip Leader Profile: Tod Winston 8 by Melissa Husby

6 Family Birding © R

ichard Toller by Carol Peace Robbins 7 Red-Shouldered Hawk by Matthew Rymkiewicz

15 The New General Management Plan

15 The New York Birders Conference

10 16 A Sampling of Breeding Birds in the City’s Five Boroughs Photography by David Speiser; text by Howard Fisher,

© Andrew Harmon, Don Riepe D avid S peiser 20 The Fall Roost

Departments

4 Conservation Notes 13 book Reviews

7 Volunteer! 14 2013-2014 Lecture Series 16 8 Events and Adventures 19 News & Notes 1o national/International Trips 19 Acknowledgments

Fall 2013 3

55396_NYC_Audubon_UA_Fall_AA1.indd 3 7/31/13 1:42 PM Conservation Notes Susan Elbin

YC Audubon’s conservation departure this spring to National Audubon’s ibis on Hoffman Island (outer harbor). There program focuses on priority Together Green program) continued for the was apparent tree and shrub damage from the Nhabitats and Important Bird Areas fifth year with our talented summer staff and salt water storm surges during Sandy, so birds that support New York City’s bird species of interns (see page 2). Plumb Beach, one of the that prefer nesting in dense, leafy vegetation greatest conservation need. I’d like to share most important sites for horseshoe crabs in found themselves in suboptimal habitat. with you the highlights from this year’s field New York, was expanded last year through We’re also happy to report a new species for season as well as some new projects from each a beach replenishment process. And despite our survey, a ground-nester: common terns, of these priority areas. some concern about whether crabs would use a state threatened species, are nesting on the the replenished beach, numbers were up: The piers on Governors Island! IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS AND crabs arrived a bit behind schedule, but close A new project, Waterbirds as Bioin- PROJECT SAFE FLIGHT to 1,800 crabs were counted over twelve dicators of Harbor Health, is another way of This program aims to make the City nights as compared to 1,300 in the spring looking at habitat quality. Using herring gulls safer for migratory landbirds by reducing of 2012. After the crabs had spawned, NYC as landscape detectives, we analyzed eggs threats to birds from collisions with glass Audubon, partners at Fordham University, from gulls on five islands across the harbor: and from distracting bright lights at night; and the National Park Service worked with South Brother and Mill Rock (East River); by increasing the value of stopover habitat the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which Little Egg Island (Jamaica Bay); and Hoffman through habitat protection and use of native was doing post-Sandy reconstruction on and Swinburne (outer harbor). Preliminary plants; and by finding solutions to these Plumb Beach, to minimize any disturbance results of analyses of mercury and organic problems through scientific research. to this healthy horseshoe crab breeding contaminants show highest contaminant Collision monitoring is the cornerstone ground. levels in the East River, lowest in the outer of Project Safe Flight. During the past year, The shorebird program received a new harbor, and moderate levels in Jamaica Bay. Adriana Palmer has mentored our team of name this year as we partnered with Audubon We are planning on looking at petroleum- monitors. This spring and last fall we focused New York and New Jersey Audubon to become based contaminants in eggs collected post- on , the Metropolitan Museum “Be a Good Egg.” The program now includes Sandy as compared to eggs collected the year of Art, and the Javits Center. On the edge of beach-nesting birds such as piping plovers and before. brightly lit Times Square, Bryant Park is a outreach to school groups and beachgoers. You key spot for migratory birds such as hermit can do your part by making an online pledge STATEN ISLAND thrushes, ovenbirds, and eastern towhees. It to protect beach-nesting birds: Visit www. The centerpiece of our Staten Island will be a focal area for future studies. goodeggnjny.org to learn more. work is the restoration of Prall’s Island for Among the solutions for collision waterbirds. This joint project with New prevention is the use of glass that birds can WESTERN LONG ISLAND SOUND York City Parks has the long-term goal of see. We are researching glass types with Chris AND THE NARROWS reestablishing vegetation on Prall’s that will Sheppard (American Bird Conservancy), This program includes our Harbor once again support a nesting colony of long- Alan Clark (Fordham University), and Herons wading bird surveys, wading bird legged waterbirds (egrets, herons, and ibis). others with a newly designed tunnel apparatus foraging surveys, and a new project to examine In the meantime, while the trees are growing, (see article on p.5 of the summer 2013 Urban the contaminant landscape of the harbor. Liz Prall’s provides good stopover habitat for Audubon). In past years, the Javits Center has Craig, assisted by Tod Winston, led our nest migrating landbirds. We have been using been one of the top collision sites monitored survey team this spring. They found the mist-netting to identify migrants (including by NYC Audubon. Recent renovation at total number of wading birds in the harbor yellow-rumped warblers and white-throated the center included replacement of reflective (1,457 pairs) was about the same as last year. sparrows in the spring; and catbirds and glass with fritted glass and stainless steel, Hurricane Sandy does not seem to have had goldfinches in the fall). Our camera trapping and preliminary results showed a significant a negative impact on the birds. Cormorant and tracking have also revealed the presence reduction in collisions. You can read more numbers increased slightly (1,586 pairs, a of skunks and raccoons on the island, both about the Javits Center retrofit on p.5. 13% increase). However, the number of birds predators of birds. using specific islands did change. For example, You can find the latest conservation JAMAICA BAY there was a 30% decrease in black-crowned project updates on our blog, Syrinx, at www. Our migratory shorebird and horseshoe night-herons on South Brother Island (East nycaudubon.org/?Itemid=224. crab project (led by John Rowden until his River) this year and a 70% decrease in glossy

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55396_NYC_Audubon_UA_Fall_AA1.indd 4 7/31/13 1:42 PM Bird-Friendly Retrofit of the Javits Center Catherine Heller

ince its completion in 1986, the Javits Center has been a significant bird- tiny ceramic dots that the birds are less Jacob K. Javits Center has been collision site perhaps because the original likely to fly into. Reflected images are not the site of many bird/building dark glass was highly reflective. Birds do crisp, and interior solar glare is eliminated. collisions—and a major concern not see glass as a solid barrier and when The new material is also an energy saver, of NYC Audubon’s Project trees or greenery are reflected, they swoop making the building easier to heat and SafeS Flight (see box below), which has into the panes looking for a safe perch and cool, reducing energy needs by over 25% monitored the site for the past nine years. are wounded or killed. from the pre-renovated building. Most In a happy resolution to For the very first time, heartening for NYC Audubon is that the this longstanding threat to a major New York City new panes have cut down the number of migrating birds, the center building has been retrofitted bird collisions; there were only four in the has nearly completed a with bird-friendly glass. The spring of 2013, a significant reduction renovation that will make architectural firms FXFowle from previous years. the building both more and Epstein are handling the energy efficient and more renovation, and it should Since 1997, Project Safe Flight has been bird-friendly. be completed by the end of one of NYC Audubon’s most important The Javits Center, 2013. Nearly one-third of bird conservation programs. During designed by Pritzker Prize- Fritted Glass Makes the glass panes have been spring and fall migrations, volunteers winning architect I. M. Pei Windows Visible to replaced with stainless steel, are assigned to monitor buildings with windows that are known to injure and as a modern crystal palace, Birds so bird collisions there are kill birds. Volunteers record dead and is a vast system of skylights, windows, and eliminated. The replacement glass panes injured birds, and injured birds are taken glass walls. Such large expanses of glass are are made by manufacturer Viracon, and are to a rehabilitation center with the hope a major threat to birds; it’s been estimated less than half as reflective as the old glass that they will eventually be released to that close to a billion birds are killed in the (15% versus 35%). They incorporate a frit- the wild. NYC Audubon approaches owners of problem buildings and U.S. every year by collisions with glass. The dot pattern within the panes, a design of suggests retrofit options to reduce ©FXFowle/ bird deaths, and also collaborates with architects to specify non-reflecting E pstein glazing products that are coming on the market. At the Javits Center, The Empire State Development Corporation, which owns the site, and architect Bruce S. Fowle were sensitive to the bird-kill issue throughout the renovation process. To volunteer with Project Safe Flight, email [email protected] or call 212- 691-7483.

The Jacob Javits Center is now green and revitalized, more practical and beautiful than it’s ever been. (Additional green elements include a seven-acre green roof; a pair of herring gulls nested there this spring (photo on p.3).) The integrity of the center’s original design, which was never fully implemented, has been fulfilled. It’s good for New York City, and because of the owner and architects’ concern and cooperation, great for the birds. Stainless Steel Plates and Low-Reflection Glass Reduce Bird Collisions

Fall 2013 5

55396_NYC_Audubon_UA_Fall_AA1.indd 5 7/31/13 1:42 PM Trip Leader Profile: Tod Winston Melissa Husby

n many ways, Tod Winston is the “voice” of NYC Audubon: the calls of birds has always brought me a lot of joy,” Tod says. as communications manager, he coordinates The Urban Audu- “It’s a beautiful thing to be in the woods and recognize the ‘friends’ Ibon and The eGret e-newsletter, and maintains the website. nearby.” Now Tod is becoming a familiar face to NYC Audubon members Tod learned to bird while growing up on a small farm in Penn- as well, co-leading popular trips to Jamaica Bay with Don Riepe, sylvania, but the sense of wonder that new birders feel in New York Jones Beach with Peter Mott, and Woodlawn Cemetery with Joseph City remains fresh in his mind. As an adult, he birded while travel- ©

M McManus. ing and visiting family, but despite living here for 20 years, he did aria Gansterer Tod’s first solo ad- not take his binoculars to Central Park during migration season venture was the spring until several years ago. “It was like a dream,” he recalls, “going out 2013 session of Begin- to find the trees just dripping with spectacular birds.” ning Birding, which he In January, Tod will guide NYC Audubon’s trip to Jamaica will teach again this fall (see page 10 for details), where participants will visit the Blue (see page 11 for details). Mountains as well as coastal habitat to see endemic species like the His workshops and field magnificent red-billed streamertail. Next summer, he will coordi- trips for novices em- nate the Harbor Herons Nesting Survey. An aspiring artist, Tod is phasize the importance also developing a career illustrating and writing nature- and biolo- of birdsong, which he gy-inspired children’s books. This eclectic mix of activities reflects likens to learning a new his enthusiasm not just for birding but for learning about ecosys- language. “Knowing tems as a whole—a passion Tod excels at passing on to others.

Family Birding Carol Peace Robins

female American robin! A We headed for the North Woods, (not all of us were good at this): a ruby- female American robin!” but stopped almost immediately to watch crowned kinglet, flicker, catbird, redstart, “A exclaimed an excited high- what looked like two and some yellowthroat, kingbird, and as young David pitched voice. He’d been taught well, this unfamiliar ducks on the pond. Leader announced periodically, “female American 4 ¾-year-old birder. Everybody knows a David explained that they were a male and robin!” Elias spotted our second Baltimore robin, but how many know it’s an American female , but the others—two white, oriole. But perhaps the most exciting robin? Much less a female! David’s mom one largely black—were actually hybrid sighting of all was the raccoon climbing said his pre-K teacher loved birds and often mallards, escapees from a culinary scheme a tree. Easy to find. With or without took the kids to Central Park to learn about to breed a more delectable duckling. binoculars. And very, very slow.

them. A step or two later, David pointed out © N We were just a few steps away from the another surprise: a solitary sandpiper, with YC Audubon Dana Discovery Center at the , no ocean in sight. Next, he noted the call where the Central Park Conservancy’s family of a Baltimore oriole, long before spotting birding event begins at 10am every Sunday, him. The orange beauty was a real crowd spring and summer, with guides from NYC pleaser, inspiring young David to change Audubon. Guide David Perry is frequently his tune to “Baltimore oriole, Baltimore birder-in-charge of these fun, free outings, oriole!” Although he was holding tight to binoculars and instructions included. binoculars, he said proudly, “I saw him with Our group also included young David’s my eyes, not my binoculars.” school friend Daniel and his parents; Elias Eventually, we entered the woods where and Hazel, 13 and 11, with their parents; things got trickier—meaning smaller, and several unaccompanied adults. quicker, and more hidden. Some of us saw A Young Birder at Work

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55396_NYC_Audubon_UA_Fall_AA1.indd 6 7/31/13 1:42 PM Red-Shouldered Hawk Matthew Rymkiewicz

y birding career has been ©Abby hawk perched thirty feet above me. Then it M

notable for the stolen pleasures c flew off—the bird, not the Sibley’s guide, B Mof “birding on the clock.” That ride though that would also one day float off into is, grabbing any available spare moment the wild blue yonder—revealing what I have to run out of the office during the working since come to know as this raptor’s tell-tale day and bird. Early on, I had an experience field mark: pale crescents bordered by dark that provided a powerful dose of positive primary feathers forming a pair of wing-edge reinforcement for this inclination. I was at a parentheses around the bird. work-related conference in Charleston, South And so this stolen moment became one Carolina, for…something…and while I was of those thrilling experiences that added there I grabbed every opportunity to bird at immensely to my birding knowledge. Here I an Audubon preserve which, luckily for me, was being exposed to the finer points of raptor was situated right next to the convention identification just by taking a spare moment center. to run out into the field. Remarkably easy One afternoon, as I scurried out between “life bird!” It was too small and brightly to identify in flight or perched, the red- training sessions with binoculars in hand, I colored to be a red-tail, and too short-tailed shouldered hawk is my “just right” raptor. It heard a ruckus coming from the edge of the yet larger and bulkier than either of those at- fits perfectly in that slot between the more preserve. It didn’t take long to find the culprit that-time-too-difficult-for-me-to-tell-apart common accipiters and red-tails in terms of atop a snag: a medium-sized hawk with burnt- sharp-shinned and Cooper’s hawks. A size and shape. And maybe it’s just me, but orange coloring on its head, throat, and chest, frenzied consultation of my Sibley’s revealed it’s much more enjoyable to look at than my screaming up a storm. Instantly, I thought the spitting image of an adult red-shouldered co-workers or my computer screen. H ummingbird by Vik

Volunteer! M uniz. Courtesy of the artist and

ork in our friendly office or in rehabilitators in the City. A training will the field and make a difference be held Monday, September 9, from 6-7pm. for New York City’s wildlife. Please contact us to register. S

W ikkema Jenkins & Co. To take part in any of the volunteer events listed below, please contact Adriana Palmer INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEAN-UP at [email protected] or 212-691- Saturday, September 21, 10am-2pm 7483 x304. With American Littoral Society and National Park Service TRIBUTE IN LIGHT MONITORING Join us at North Channel Bridge this fall to Tweet Wednesday, September 11: take part in a multi-state effort to improve Each year a tireless group of volunteers coastline habitat. The North Channel Bridge September 26, 2013-January 26, 2014 monitors September 11’s Tribute in Light to area, used by species like the American Children's Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton Street, NYC 10014 ensure that migrating birds do not become oystercatcher, is also a stone’s throw away NYC Audubon is pleased to be partnering entrapped in the light beams. A training from the Harbor Heron Islands, the newly this fall with Children’s Museum of the will be held Tuesday, September 3 from restored Elder Marsh, and the Jamaica Bay Arts, as they present their new exhibition 6-7pm. Please contact us to register. Wildlife Refuge. Help us clear the beach and of children’s bird artwork, “Tweet.” Bird raise awareness of the importance of coastal call workshops will be offered during the exhibition to complement this sample of BIRD TRANSPORTERS areas to birdlife. Equipment, refreshments, local children’s perspectives on our birds. We need caring volunteers to transport and transportation from are Check cmany.org/tweet for dates and times. injured birds to licensed wildlife provided.

Fall 2013 7

55396_NYC_Audubon_UA_Fall_AA1.indd 7 7/31/13 1:42 PM Events and Adventures © E

llen FALL BIRDING AT WAVE PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB NYC Audubon Events • • • M HILL, THE BRONX Wednesdays, September 11, October Partnership Events ichaels • Sundays, September 8; October 2, November 6 13; November 10; 9:30-11:30am 6:30-8:30pm BIRDING FOR FAMILIES • Guide: Gabriel Willow Instructors: David Speiser, Sundays, September 1 – With Wave Hill Lloyd Spitalnik November 24, 10-11am Meet at the Perkins Visitor Meet at the National Audubon Guides: NYC Audubon Center. Naturalist Gabriel Office, 225 VarickS t. Whether Offered by the Central Park Willow contributes his extensive you’re a beginner or more advanced Conservancy knowledge of bird species photographer, our friendly Meet at the Dana Discovery Center and their behaviors on these photography club is the place (inside the Park at 110th Street captivating walks. Wave Hill’s to discuss diverse photography- between Lenox and Fifth Avenues). garden setting overlooking the related topics, hone your skills, and Bring the kids and visit one of New flyway provides learn about the great photography York City’s richest bird habitats. As a the perfect habitat for resident opportunities available in the New family, learn how to spot and identify Cedar Waxwing and migrating birds. Ages 10 York City area. Professional bird and our feathered neighbors in their and up welcome with an adult. nature photographers David Speiser natural surroundings. Binoculars can VAN CORTLANDT BIRD WALKS • Reservations recommended, and Lloyd Spitalnik will share their be borrowed from the Visitor Center. Saturdays, September 7 - November online at www.wavehill.org, by expertise and help you improve your For weather cancellation information, 30, 8-9:30am calling 718-549-3200 x305 or at work. Registration required. No call 212-860-1370. Limited to 20. Age Guide: NYC Audubon or Urban Park the Perkins Visitor Center. Severe limit. $8 per meeting or $55 for the 5 and up. Free Rangers (first Saturdays) weather cancels; for updates call year ($45 members) With the Van Cortlandt Park 718-549-3200 x245 by 8am the FALL WARBLERS Conservancy and NYC Department • day of the walk. NYC Audubon MORNING FALL MIGRATION Friday, September 6, 6:30-8:30pm of Parks & Recreation • members enjoy two-for-one WALKS IN CENTRAL PARK (class); Sunday, September 8, Meet at Van Cortlandt Nature admission Wednesdays, September 11, 18, 25; 8-11am (trip) Center. Influential birders such as October 2, 9, 16, 7:30-10:30am Instructor: Joe Giunta, Happy Roger Tory Peterson and Allan D. Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers Warblers LLC Cruickshank learned their craft on MEMBERS-ONLY LLC Identifying “confusing fall warblers” Van Cortlandt Park’s ecologically Birds & Botany Walk in Meet at Central Park West and 72nd can be tricky, even for the experts. diverse grounds, and these walks Central Park Street. Birders of all levels can enjoy Study some of the most puzzling celebrate the tradition set by them. Tuesday, September 10, this fun and educational series of species that stop through our area Participants will look for resident 7:30-9am six walks, observing the diverse and during fall migration with expert Joe and migrant species and discuss a Meet at Central Park West ever-changing waves of migrants Giunta, and then enjoy a second wide range of avian topics. For more and 72nd Street, parkside. that stop over Central Park during session in the “classroom” of Central information, please call 718-548- Join NYC Audubon Executive fall migration. Limited to 15. $110 Park. Limited to 12. $50 0912. No registration necessary. No Director Glenn Phillips, and limit. Free

© co-leader NYC Audubon • EXPLORE THE BRONX RIVER L loyd Board President Harry BY ROWBOAT S pitalnik Maas, for an eye-opening Saturday, September 14, 3-5pm exploration of fall migrants Guide: Chrissy Word and the plant life that With Rocking the Boat supports them in the rich Launch from Hunts Point Riverside habitat of Central Park. Park and explore the Bronx River Limited to 20. Free for aboard a hand-built wooden boat, Contributing NYC Audubon led by experienced rowers. The Members at the Student/ Bronx River is the city’s only true Senior level and up. Please river and hosts an abundance call Angela Januzzi at 212- of wildlife, including herons 691-7483 x306 to register and egrets, ospreys, and belted kingfishers. Visit restoration sites and learn about the Bronx River ecosystem, as well as its social and cultural history. Rowing optional. Limited to 20. $35 for adults, $25 for ages 18 and under Cooper’s Hawk

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55396_NYC_Audubon_UA_Fall_AA1.indd 8 7/31/13 1:42 PM ©François Portmann • EVENING FALL MIGRATION of Parks & Recreation, Queens WALKS IN CENTRAL PARK Botanical Garden Monday Series: September 16, 23, Meet at Alley Pond Environmental 30; October 7, 14; 5-6:30pm Center, 228-06 Northern Boulevard, Tuesday Series: September 17, 24; Douglaston, NY. Come celebrate October 1, 8, 15; 5-6:30pm National Estuaries Day at Little Neck Guide: Gabriel Willow Bay. Festival activities will include Meet at Central Park West and canoeing, boat rides, NYC Audubon- 72nd Street. Witness the spectacle led nature walks, games, music, and of autumn migration as songbirds more. For more information, please follow the Atlantic Flyway to their call 718-229-4000. No limit. Free tropical wintering grounds. Look for tanagers, warblers, and other • EXPLORE THE BIRDING GEMS neotropical migrants in the wilds OF STATEN ISLAND of Central Park. Choose either our Saturday, September 28, Monday or Tuesday evening series. 8:30am-3:30pm Limited to 15. $95 Guides: Cliff Hagen, Tod Winston Come visit some of the beautiful, • FALL MIGRANTS OF bird-rich spots on Staten Island-- WOODLAWN CEMETERY, THE which can be hard for car-less New BRONX Yorkers to get to. We'll start in the Saturday, September 21, 8-9:30am pristine marsh and beach habitat Guides: Tod Winston, Joseph and Peregrine Falcon of Great Kills Park, looking for McManus shorebirds and wading birds, and With Woodlawn Conservancy • HOOK MOUNTAIN HAWK • TWEET then move on to Mount Loretto Meet at the Jerome Avenue WATCH, NY Thursday, September 26, 2013 - Unique Area to look for migrant Entrance of Woodlawn Cemetery. Sunday, September 22, 9am-4pm Sunday, January 26, 2014 flycatchers, warblers, and more. Join us for a morning bird walk with Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers With Children's Museum of the Arts Bring lunch and water. Transport by NYC Audubon's Tod Winston and LLC Please see p.7 to learn about this passenger van included. Limited to Woodlawn Conservancy's Joseph Part of the Palisades Interstate exhibition of children's artwork, 12. $65 McManus. Attendees will learn Park system, Hook Mountain has including birdsong workshops. about the fall migrants and year- commanding views of all nearby • MIGRATION ALONG THE round residents that can be found mountain ridges and the Hudson • JAMAICA BAY SUNSET CRUISE BARRIER ISLANDS, QUEENS on the cemetery’s wooded grounds. River. From this inland hawk watch Saturday, September 28, Tuesday, October 1, 8am-4pm Woodlawn boasts a remarkable spot we expect to see many species 3:30-6:30pm Guides: Peter Mott, Tod Winston collection of urban trees, claiming of migrating raptors, including Guides: Don Riepe, Mickey Cohen Look for migrating raptors and five of the theN ew York Tree Trust's broad-winged and red-shouldered With American Littoral Society songbirds as they stop and rest “Great Trees” of New York." Bring hawks, bald eagles, accipiters, and Meet at Pier 2 in Sheepshead along Long Island's barrier islands. water. Limited to 15. $20 falcons. Note: this trip requires Bay, Brooklyn. Enjoy a three-hour We’ll visit some of the best spots in a 35-minute hike up and down narrated cruise aboard the 100-foot the vicinity of Jones Beach, to find • PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP: the mountainside. Bring water boat “Golden Sunshine.” Visit what surprises the north winds have FALL MIGRATION IN CENTRAL and a bag lunch to enjoy atop the backwater marshes near JFK Airport, brought us. Past years have brought PARK mountain. Transport by passenger and learn about the 13,000-acre scores of merlins, shorebirds, Saturday, September 21, 8-10:30am van included. Limited to 12. $70 Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. See songbirds, and monarch butterflies. Instructor: Lloyd Spitalnik nesting peregrine falcons, ospreys, Bring lunch and water. Transport by Meet at Belvedere Castle. Join Lloyd • BIRDING TOURS OF BRYANT egrets, shorebirds, and waterfowl. passenger van included. Limited to Spitalnik in Central Park to look PARK, MANHATTAN Includes refreshments. To register, 12. $40 for migrating warblers, vireos, and Thursdays, September 26-October contact Don Riepe at 917-371-8577 thrushes, as well as year-round 24, 8-9am or [email protected]. Limited to • PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB residents. We will focus on camera Guide: Gabriel Willow 140. $55 Wednesday, October 2, 6:30-8:30pm basics, exposure, composition, With Bryant Park Corporation See the September 11 listing for and technique. Recommended Meet at the Birding Tour Sign at • FESTIVAL OF LITTLE NECK BAY details. equipment: DSLR, 300mm+ lens, the 42nd Street & 6th Avenue Saturday, September 28, 11am-3pm and flash if you have one.L imited entrance to the park. Discover the With NYC Audubon, Bayside to 9. Note: if interest allows we will surprising variety of birds that stop Historical Society, NYC Department …continued on page 11 add a second section, to be co-led in Bryant Park during migration. by David Speiser. $60 No registration necessary. No Limit. Free Fall 2013 9

55396_NYC_Audubon_UA_Fall_AA1.indd 9 7/31/13 1:42 PM National/International Trips © L CAPE MAY FALL MIGRATION aura amazing bird life of the region:

WEEKEND, NJ M from parrots and toucans to eyers Saturday, October 5, 9am - Sunday, flamingos and trogons, along with October 6, 7pm many of our wintering neotropical Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers migrants. Includes two pre- LLC. trip workshops, lodging, local Cape May is one of the best birding transportation, most meals, and venues in the United States, all park fees. Limited to 12. Price especially during fall migration. TBA Visit the Cape May Hawk Watch on two days, once late in the day and TANZANIA then early the next morning to get March 2014 a good variety of hawks. Also visit Guides: Susan Elbin, birding hotspots such as Higbee Bjørn Figenschou Beach, Cape May Point, Jake’s Experience the incredibly diverse Landing, Cape May Meadows, wildlife of Tanzania. Visit the vast and Nummy Island. Transport by plains of the Serengeti and the passenger van included. Limited to wildlife-rich Ngorongoro crater 10. $275 ($50 single supplement) and Tarangire National Park. Includes two pre-trip workshops, ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL lodging, local transportation, SEASHORE / CHINCOTEAGUE most meals, and all park fees. WILDLIFE REFUGE WEEKEND Chestnut-Mandibled Toucan Limited to 12. Price TBA Thursday, October 31, 9am - Sunday, November 3, 6pm tanagers, and many rarities. Includes MONTAUK WINTER WEEKEND: COSTA RICA: MONTEVERDE Guide: Don Riepe two pre-trip workshops, lodging, SEALS, SEA BIRDS AND SANDY AND CAÑO NEGRO WIth American Littoral Society local transportation, most meals, BEACHES, LONG ISLAND, NY Saturday, March 8-Saturday, A great wildlife weekend along and all park fees. Limited to 12. Friday, January 10 -Sunday, January March 15, 2014 the Virginia Coast. Includes three $2,695 ($150 single supplement) 12, 2014 Guides: Glenn Phillips, Richard nights at the Refuge Inn, guided Guides: Mike Bottini, Mickey Garrigues hikes, a bus tour of backwater flats, JAMAICA: THE BLUE Cohen, Don Riepe Our 2014 Costa Rica expedition plus an “all-you-can-eat” seafood MOUNTAINS, COCKPIT With American Littoral Society will visit its most famous birding buffet. See wild ponies, sika deer, COUNTRY, AND CARIBBEAN Visit the vast dunes, beaches, destination: Monteverde, home bald eagles and many other species COAST and woods of Montauk during to resplendent quetzals, black of wildlife. To register, contact Don Thursday, January 9-Wednesday, peak sea bird season and hike the guans, emerald toucanets, and Riepe at 917-371-8577 or donriepe@ January 15 beautiful “Walking Dunes,” Hither much more. Other highlights gmail.com. Limited to 30. $385 Guides: Tod Winston, Lyndon Woods, Oyster Pond, and the “Seal include the Celeste Mountain ($150 single supplement) Johnson, Wendy Lee Haul-out” site. Includes double- Lodge, known for its fine French Enjoy a tropical island get-away occupancy lodging at the luxurious cuisine as well as for rarities such BIRDING THE ANDEAN SLOPES: on the isle of Jamaica—and Manor House, most meals, guided as tody motmot and yellow-eared NORTHWEST ECUADOR explore one of the best island hikes, evening programs, a star toucanet; and Caño Negro, where Saturday, December 7- birding destinations. We’ll visit watch, and free pickup at the LIRR Nicaraguan grackles, lesser Sunday, December 15 the stunning Blue Mountains, station in Montauk. To register, yellow-headed vultures, and even Guides: John Rowden, Edwin Perez the pristine Cockpit Country, contact Don Riepe at 917-371- jabiru are possible. Includes two Join us for a trip to one of South and the beautiful north coast to 8577 or [email protected]. pre-trip workshops, lodging, local America’s most celebrated (and look for endemic species such as Limited to 60. $385 ($125 single transportation, most meals, and spectacularly scenic) birding areas, Jamaican todies, orioles and vireos; supplement) all park fees. Limited to 12. $1,995 led by one of Ecuador’s finest bird yellow- and black-billed parrots; ($300 single supplement) guides. Starting from Quito, we’ll and the rare quail dove. We’ll end YUCATÁN, MEXICO cover east and west slope Andean at the renowned Rocklands Bird February 2014 birds, from high páramo to low Sanctuary, where the spectacular Guide: Gabriel Willow foothills. Target species include red-billed streamertail feeds Visit the magical land of the Maya: the coveted Andean cock-of-the- from the hand. Includes one the Yucatan Peninsula of Southern rock, long-wattled umbrellabird, pre-trip workshop, lodging, local Mexico. Explore ancient Mayan Andean condor, and sword-billed transportation, most meals, and ruins, swim in the Caribbean and hummingbird, as well as manakins, all park fees. Limited to 12. $2,695 explore coral reefs, and see the ($470 single supplement)

10 www.nycaudubon.org

55396_NYC_Audubon_UA_Fall_AA1.indd 10 7/31/13 1:42 PM Events and Adventures (continued)

• PHOTOGRAPHY CLASSES: possible sightings include Virginia • RAPTOR TRUST AND GREAT ADOBE LIGHTROOM AND rails, spotted sandpipers, and bald SWAMP,NJ MEMBERS-ONLY PHOTOSHOP eagles. Then look for warblers and Sunday, October 13, 9:30am-6pm October Member Walk in Thursdays, October 3, 17, 31; other fall migrants on the sanctuary's Guides: Don Riepe, Tod Winston Central Park 6:30-8pm trails. Bring lunch and water. Enjoy a private tour of the Raptor Friday, October 18, 7:30-9am Instructors: David Speiser, Transport by passenger van included. Trust rehabilitation center and see Meet at Central Park West and Limited to 12. $90 Lloyd Spitalnik many owls and hawks up close. 106th Street. Experience fall migration with NYC Audubon Join professional photographers Afterwards, we’ll hike the boardwalk Lloyd Spitalnik and David Speiser HAWK WATCH AT FORT Board President Harry Maas as • trails of the beautiful Great Swamp for this series of three classroom TILDEN, QUEENS he leads you through Central National Wildlife Refuge to look workshops focusing on image post- Sunday, October 6, 10am-1pm Park’s picturesque North for raptors, waterfowl, reptiles, and processing, for all skill levels from Guide: Don Riepe Woods. Limited to 20. Free for amphibians. Bring lunch. Transport beginner to advanced. The classes With American Littoral Society Contributing NYC Audubon by passenger van included. Limited progress from the basics of Adobe Meet at 10am at Bldg. 1 in Fort Tilden Members at the Student/Senior Lightroom and managing your raw for a hike to the hawk watch platform to 11. $75 level and up. Please call Angela ©

photos to processing your images to view falcons, hawks, ospreys and D Januzzi at 212-691-7483 x306 avid with Adobe Photoshop to the other migrating raptors. We'll also to register S programs' more advanced features. hike along the beach and dunes to peiser Take advantage of this small-group look for songbirds and shorebirds. setting to answer all your questions. For more information, contact Don • NYC AUDUBON DAY AT Limited to 12. $200 for the package Riepe at 917-371-8577 or donriepe@ HAWK MOUNTAIN, PA of 3 workshops; $85 per workshop gmail.com. No limit. Free Saturday, October 19, 8am-6pm Guides: Hawk Mountain raptor • BIRD AND NATURE • SPARROW ID WORKSHOP educator, Gabriel Willow ILLUSTRATION Thursday, October 10, 6:30-8pm Mid-October is the perfect time to Class: Friday, October 4, 6:30- (class); Sunday, October 13, visit Hawk Mountain, one of the 8:30pm 2-5pm (trip) premier hawk-watching spots in the Trips: Sundays, October 6 and 13, Instructor: Gabriel Willow East. A Hawk Mountain guide will 10am-Noon Sparrows are one of the most introduce us to the variety of raptors Instructor: Alan Messer challenging groups of birds to that may be seen, including golden Learn the basics of drawing birds, identify, yet beautiful and fascinating eagles, buteos, and falcons—and plants, and landscapes for field once they can be distinguished. Learn we will join Gabriel Willow who will notes, nature journals, and personal to identify those LBJs (little brown help us with raptor ID. The path to expression. Alan is a well-known jobs) by studying behavior, field the hawk watch site is a 3/4-mile hike wildlife artist and illustrator whose marks, and songs. Sparrow species through mountainous woodland. work appears in magazines, books, seen in prior years include field, Chestnut-Sided Warbler Bring lunch. Group program, trail and field guides.I ncludes a class swamp, savannah, white-crowned, admission, and transportation by session and two field trips to Central and Lincoln's. Limited to 12. $45 coach or van included. Participants Park or another NYC site, depending • WAVE HILL RAPTOR DAY, may also arrange their own on class interest. Drawing materials • FALL MIGRATION ON THE BRONX transportation. Transportation option and supplies will be provided. RANDALL'S ISLAND Monday, October 14, 9am-4pm limited to 30. $85 with transport / Limited to 10. $125 Saturday, October 12, 9am-noon Guides: Gabriel Willow and $20 without transport Guides: Gabriel Willow, Christopher Others With Wave Hill • BIRDING BY CANOE IN Girgenti of Randall's Island Wave Hill takes flight as we • BEGINNING BIRDING CONSTITUTION MARSH With Randall's Island Park celebrate birds of prey. This day- Tuesdays, October 22, October long event features live raptor Saturday, October 5, 8am-3:30pm Alliance, Inc. 29, and November 5, 6:30-8:30pm shows, bird walks, discovery tables, Guides: Gabriel Willow, Constitution Meet on the N.W. corner of 102nd (classes); and Saturdays, November 2 owl pellet dissections, and more. Marsh Guide Street and the FDR Drive. We'll walk and 9 (trips) Overlooking the Hudson River, Join two expert naturalists, our own across the foot bridge to Randall's Instructor: Tod Winston Wave Hill is the perfect place to spot Gabriel Willow and Constitution Island, an under-explored location Even if you’ve never picked up a in the East River that hosts restored hawks, eagles, ospreys, and falcons. Marsh's Eric Lind, to explore pair of binoculars, you’ll soon be freshwater wetlands and salt See the full schedule of events at Constitution Marsh Audubon identifying warblers, sparrows, Sanctuary—a spectacular 271-acre marsh. We'll look for fall migrants www.wavehill.org. No limit. NYC waterfowl, and more­—both by sight tidal marsh just outside of Cold as we explore the results of recent Audubon members enjoy two-for- and by ear. Classes are adaptive to Spring, NY. Observe marsh birds restoration efforts. Two miles of one admission the needs and interests of students. up close as you paddle through this walking and some modest climbs. pristine fresh water habitat by canoe; Limited to 20. $25 …continued on page 12

Fall 2013 11

55396_NYC_Audubon_UA_Fall_AA1.indd 11 7/31/13 1:42 PM Events and Adventures (continued) © L Field trips to Central Park and loyd • SNOW GEESE AND TUNDRA • WINTER BIRDS & SURVIVAL S Jamaica Bay (transport to Jamaica pitalnik SWANS OF BRIGANTINE, NJ Saturday, December 21, 10am-1pm Bay included). Limited to 12. $125 Sunday, November 10, 9:30am-7pm Guide: Don Riepe Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers With Gateway National Recreation BIRDS AND PLANTS: THE NEW • LLC Area YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN IN Brigantine, part of the National Meet at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge AUTUMN, THE BRONX Wildlife Refuge System, is one of Visitor Center for an easy hike Friday, October 25, 9am-Noon the East Coast’s premier sites for around the West Pond, gardens and Guides: Gabriel Willow, NYBG waterbirds, offering a diversity upland woods. Learn how plants and Docent animals adapt to winter, and look for With The New York Botanical of species and panoramic views. waterfowl, owls, and wintering birds. Garden Bring lunch and water. Transport by To register, contact Don Riepe at 917- Enter through the Mosholu gate passenger van included. Limited to 371-8577 or [email protected]. and meet at the Mosholu ticketing Golden-Crowned Kinglet 12. $85 booths. The NY Botanical Garden is Limited to 25. Free home to a large tract of East Coast as a backdrop. Bring lunch, water, and • WINTER WATERFOWL old-growth forest. Come enjoy the binoculars. Transportation on Staten WORKSHOP CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT, woods and gardens in autumn, and Island provided. Limited to 18. $30 Sat, November 16, 10am-1pm ALL BOROUGHS learn about the fall migrants that With Gateway National Recreation Save the date for the Christmas use this rich habitat to fuel their • NEW YORK BIRDERS Area Bird Count! See dates below; more journey south. Limited to 15. $30 CONFERENCE, LI Guide: Don Riepe, Tod Winston information will be included in the November 1-3 Meet at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge winter Urban Audubon. • PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP: Come one, come all to the New Visitor Center for a slide ID program The Bronx: sunday, December 22 RAPTORS AT STATE LINE York Birders Conference and 66th and walk to look for wintering Manhattan: Sunday, December 15 LOOKOUT, NJ annual meeting of the New York State waterfowl. Learn about their Queens: sunday, December 15 Saturday, October 26, 9am-noon Ornithological Association! Please behavior and biology and how to Staten Island: Instructor: David Speiser see p.15 to learn more about this fun identify them in the field. To register, saturday, December 14 Meet in the State Line Lookout weekend for local birders, or visit contact Don Riepe at 917-371-8577 parking lot. Join professional nybirdersconference.org. See below or [email protected]. Limited to Brooklyn: saturday, December 14 photographer David Speiser as for transportation to the conference. 25. Free. we look for raptors as they soar TO REGISTER FOR ALL NYC by the New Jersey palisades, often VAN TRIP TO THE WINTER • MEMBERS-ONLY • AUDUBON EVENTS and for at eye level. We’ll shoot against WATERFOWL WORKSHOP AT Free Transportation to more information, visit www. the beautiful backdrop of colorful JAMAICA BAY the New York Birders nycaudubon.org or call 212-691- autumn leaves; possibilities include Saturday, November 16, 9am-3pm Conference in 7483 unless otherwise specified. turkey vultures, red-tailed and Uniondale, LI Register for our van trip to the red-shouldered hawks, peregrine Winter Waterfowl Workshop, and Friday, November 1: important information falcons, both accipiter species, get to Jamaica Bay the easy way. Depart 23rd Street at 11:15am; • Classes meet at 71 West 23rd and golden eagles. Recommended depart LI at 8:45pm Transport by passenger van. Bring Street, Suite 1523. equipment: DSLR, 300mm+ lens. Saturday, November 2: lunch, water, your binoculars, and • Contributing Members (Student/ Limited to 6. $70 Depart 23rd Street at 1pm; a spotting scope if you have one. Senior level and up) receive a depart LI at 9:30pm Limited to 12. $20 10% discount on most local trips HIKE TO THE GREENBELT'S Transportation to and from the • and classes. See membership MOSES MOUNTAIN, STATEN New York Birders Conference. • DUCKS, RAPTORS AND MORE form on page 19. ISLAND Limited to 25. Free for AT PELHAM BAY PARK, THE • For all coach and van trips, the Sunday, October 27, 9:15am-4pm Contributing NYC Audubon BRONX Guide: Gabriel Willow Members at the Student/Senior meeting location is in front of Saturday, November 23, 9am-3pm 71 West 23rd Street in Manhattan With NYC Parks and the Greenbelt level and up. Please call Angela Guide: Gabriel Willow Conservancy Januzzi at 212-691-7483 x306 to unless otherwise specified. Come explore the lovely coves and Meet at the Manhattan terminal register • We depart promptly at the stated rocky outcroppings of Pelham Bay of the S.I. Ferry and join us as we start time. Park, looking for wintering ducks, journey to Moses Mountain, which • For all overnight trips, member- PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB migrating raptors, and more. provides a panoramic view of Staten • ship in nyc audubon at the Wednesday, November 6, Bring lunch, water, and binoculars. Island and points beyond. We'll Student/Senior level and up is look for migrating hawks, warblers, 6:30-8:30pm Transport by passenger van required. See membership form and other songbirds—with crimson See the September 11 listing for included. Limited to 12. $70 on page 19. sumac and other autumn foliage details.

12 www.nycaudubon.org

55396_NYC_Audubon_UA_Fall_AA1.indd 12 7/31/13 1:42 PM Book Reviews By Mary Jane Kaplan, Carol Peace Robins, Gabriel Willow

The Warbler Guide know about the bird at a glance: its shape life—at least 18 years—the round-trip By Tom Stephenson and and posture; its overall color-scheme; migration flights it had taken between its under-tail pattern; its range; and Tierra del Fuego and the Arctic tundra Scott Whittle what habitat it’s generally seen in (more exceeded the distance from the earth to Princeton University Press, specifically, how high in a tree). the moon and halfway back: 350,000 2013 The species are arranged alphabeti- miles. cally, and scores of photos show each one The red knot (Calidris canutus) is a from every angle, including below (which medium-sized member of the sandpiper is often the only view you get of a war- group. The rufa subspecies that migrates bler). The guide compares similar species, along the East Coast of the United States and even includes sonograms for all of has been a topic of concern since about their songs, contrasting songs of similar 2000, when biologists realized that its species. numbers had declined drastically—up to The Warbler Guide contains a wealth 80 percent over the previous twenty years. of information. I highly recommend it to This reduction has been linked to falling anyone who wants to improve warbler ID horseshoe crab populations, particularly skills or just become a better all-around in Delaware Bay, where multitudes of red birder. Now I’ll be waiting for the authors knots fatten up on horseshoe crab eggs to apply their innovative format to a field during spring migration. guide to all of the birds of North America. The author structures his account of own more field guides than I care to That will be yet another guide to add to my the red knot’s life history around a year admit. And yet, despite being deeply collection! GW in the life of Moonbird—more prosaically I familiar with the genre, it’s rare that known as B95 for his leg-band code. I see anything truly new and innovative. The truly amazing nature of this bird’s Most field guides are a variation on the Moonbird: A Year on the Wind longevity becomes clear as we read about venerable Peterson ID system: birds in with the Great Survivor B95 the environmental challenges, natural profile, with arrows pointing at field By Phillip Hoose and human-caused, that confront both marks. This system has served us well for Farrar, Straus and Giroux, red knots and horseshoe crabs. For the over 80 years. researchers along Moonbird’s migration Enter The Warbler Guide, a truly 2012 route who anxiously watch for its return groundbreaking book. I had heard each year, the bird has become a symbol of rumors of this book (full disclosure: Tom hope for the species it represents. Stephenson is on the NYC Audubon Moonbird appears under the imprint board and Scott Whittle participates in of the publisher’s “Books for Young an annual Christmas Bird Count with Readers,” but anyone who delights in this reviewer), so I was excited to get my the wonders of bird migration will be hands on a copy. captivated by the story. If it also inspires And what a book it is! This guide a young person to pursue a career in accomplishes a real feat in that it is conservation biology, so much the better. simultaneously exhaustive (but never MJK exhausting) in scope as well as user- friendly and intuitive. It covers all 56 …continued on page 14 members of the family Parulidae (wood warblers) found in the U.S. and Canada. oonbird takes its title from the A number of things set this guide nickname given to a red knot apart. My favorite is a clever, simple set Mby a researcher who calculated of icons that tell you much you need to that over the bird’s implausibly long

Fall 2013 13

55396_NYC_Audubon_UA_Fall_AA1.indd 13 7/31/13 1:42 PM Book Reviews (continued)

Snapper purposefully from Point A to Point B in I hadn’t heard probably nested in the By Brian Kimberling telling his story. Instead, he detours from hickory stump I hadn’t noticed on the way place to place and time to time so often, in….” Pantheon, 2013 it’s initially distracting. But Nathan, the Nathan’s mind, however, has him narrator in Brian Kimberling’s first novel wandering far afield: to the incident of Snapper, is such good company and prone the pugnacious snapping turtle and his to such delightful Holden Caulfield-esque clueless boyhood pals; to Uncle Dart and observations that you’ll probably soon Aunt Loretta who “didn’t just come from forgive him. Texas, they brought it with them”; and Nathan is a professional birder fresh to Maude, whose diner in a town called out of college, researching the decline Santa Claus is a place where hungry of songbirds for Indiana University. An strangers become Santa’s helpers. You’ll Indiana native who harbors a robust love- learn that trigonometry is indispensable hate relationship with his state, he also has to a songbird counter and what it’s like an unqualified love for wood thrushes— being miles from anywhere with a tornado and for a girl named Lola. aimed at you. Throughout it all flits the His job has him stalking woodland free-spirited Lola, but also the certainty nests at 5am, sometimes with his boss that Nathan is a true lover of nature: its athan Lochmueller, unlike Gerald, who after sitting on a log, eyes vulnerable birds and trees, its oddball the songbirds he’s so poorly closed for ten minutes, “would quietly humans, and yes, even its snapping Npaid to count, doesn’t migrate announce that the Carolina chickadee turtles. CPR 2013-2014 Lecture Series All lectures are free and open to the public and are held at The , 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.

EPIC JOURNEYS: SHOREBIRD MIGRATION complete guide to aging and sexing warblers. Join Tom and NYC By Shawn Carey Audubon to learn these methods and much more… and add to Wednesday, September 25, 6pm your warbler ID toolkit. (Learn more about The Warbler Guide in Each year millions of shorebirds make an amazing round-trip Gabriel Willow’s review on p.13.) journey between the northern and southern hemispheres. Join filmmaker and photographerS hawn Carey of Migration CONSERVING GRASSLAND BIRDS ON MILITARY LANDS Production, and learn about their newest video, “Epic Journeys,” By Nellie Tsipoura which looks at three shorebird species—red knot, piping plover Wednesday, January 8, 2014, 6pm and semipalmated sandpiper—and the challenges these species face during each of their monumental annual treks. HORSESHOE CRABS OF THE NEW YORK HARBOR By Mark Botton THE WARBLER GUIDE: SECRETS TO WARBLER Tuesday, February 18, 2014, 6pm IDENTIFICATION IN THE FIELD By Tom Stephenson MARCH LECTURE TBA Wednesday, November 13, 6pm Date TBA Every avid birder knows how tricky it is to identify warblers in the field. The Warbler Guide, by NYC Audubon board member Tom CONSERVATION PROGRAM UPDATE AND ANNUAL MEETING Stephenson, is a book that brings revolutionary new features to By Susan Elbin the field guide format, including a new system of understanding Wednesday, June 18, 2014, 6pm vocalizations, comprehensive visual and song/call finders, and a

14 www.nycaudubon.org

55396_NYC_Audubon_UA_Fall_AA1.indd 14 7/31/13 1:42 PM The New General Management Plan: Make Your Voice Heard

ateway National Recreation Area, the National Park conservation of this vital habitat as its principal priority. Comments Service unit that stretches from New Jersey’s Sandy Hook must be submitted by September 30, 2013. New York City’s birds to Jamaica Bay, released its draft General Management are counting on you! G ©François Portmann Plan in early August. National Recreation Areas like Gateway are intended to have a mix of uses, including protecting natural and historic resources, active recreation, and visitor concessions. The General Management Plan provides the outline for which kinds of uses will be permitted and sets priorities for each location. This revision to the management plan is the first since the park was created in 1972. Although the General Management Plan was not released in time to provide a detailed analysis here, it is important that comments be submitted by everyone concerned with the preservation of this vital habitat for birds in New York City. Details about the plan, and notes to help you submit your own comments, are available at www.nycaudubon.org/gateway-gmp. If you would like us to mail you sample letters, please call us at 212-691-7483 x301. Please act now to learn more about the General Management Jamaica Bay, Part of Gateway National Plan and help ensure that the plan’s final version will have Recreation Area, Is a Vital Habitat for Wildlife

This November In Western Long Island: Remember The New York Birders Conference NYC Audubon

bequest is a thoughtful and straightforward Away to protect birds and bird habitat in the five boroughs. It can be expressed “I bequeath [a sum of money or a percentage of my estate] to Society, Inc., a not-for-profit his fall, NYC Audubon will be a sponsor of the New York Birders Conference and 66th organization with offices at 71 rd annual meeting of the New York State Ornithological Association. The Queens County West 23 Street – Suite 1523, Bird Club is hosting the event, which will take place the weekend of November 1-3, New York, NY 10010, for its T general purposes.” 2013, at the Long Island Marriott in Uniondale, NY. The first event of its kind in the New York Metropolitan area, the conference is an opportunity for birders throughout the region to meet, exchange ideas, learn about new research, socialize, bird Consult your attorney and together, and celebrate our wonderful shared pastime. The weekend will include paper sessions, give Executive Director bird identification workshops, presentations on important conservation issues, and a banquet Glenn Phillips a call at dinner, featuring James Currie of Birding Adventures TV. And, yes, great field trips! Please visit 212-691-7483, x303. nybirdersconference.org for more information. To learn about free transportation to the conference available to NYC Audubon contributing members, please see p.12.

Fall 2013 15

55396_NYC_Audubon_UA_Fall_AA1.indd 15 7/31/13 1:42 PM A Sampling of Breeding Birds in the City’s Five Boroughs

Green Heron These wading birds rival living statue street performers in Times Square for their motionless abilities to stalk the water’s edge on the lookout for frogs and other amphibians. Records show they’ve nested recently in Prospect Park, Brooklyn; Manhattan’s Central Park; Little Egg Marsh in Jamaica Bay, Queens; and Staten Island’s Blue Heron Park Reserve, High Rock Park, and Buck’s Hollow.

Snowy Egret A beautiful wading bird known for its white plumage and “golden slippers,” the snowy egret was recorded this year as nesting in Elder’s East Marsh and Subway Island in Jamaica Bay, Queens, and in great numbers off the shores of Staten Island on Swinburne and Hoffman islands, as well as on Mill Rock, South Brother Islands, and other islands in Western Long Island Sound. Their breeding success has been tracked by NYC Audubon since 1980 as part Great Blue Heron of the Harbor Herons nesting One pair of great blue herons nested this survey. year in Clove Lakes Park near the Staten Island Zoo, a first for Staten Island. The nesting and care of four chicks by the parents became a “Central Park ” sensation for Staten Islanders. These large waders have also nested recently on tiny Goose Island, in Western Long Island Sound. 16 www.nycaudubon.org

55396_NYC_Audubon_UA_Fall_AA1.indd 16 7/31/13 1:42 PM Photography by David Speiser A Sampling of Breeding Birds in the City’s Five Boroughs Text by Howard Fisher, Andrew Harmon, and Don Riepe

Black Skimmer The black skimmer is a priority species of National Audubon, a bird of concern because of its declining numbers. As they have done for years, skimmers nested this year on Breezy Point in the Rockaways, Queens, where Hurricane Sandy took its toll, but did not destroy their breeding grounds.

Marsh Wren The secretive marsh wren finds its ideal wetland nesting habitat throughout the outer boroughs. The marsh wren’s high, reedy song may be heard in the Bronx’s Pelham Bay and Van Cortlandt Parks, and in Queen’s Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and Alley Pond Park. On Staten Island, the birds are found in restored saltmarsh on the western shore, in William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge, and in Great Kills Park.

Baltimore Oriole This species has adapted well to a variety of tall tree habitats in the City. The Bronx’s Bronx Park, Pelham Bay Park, and Van Cortlandt Park all have had nesting pairs recently, as has Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. In Manhattan, orioles nest in Central Park and Riverside Park, while in Queens the birds are to be found in Alley Pond and Forest Parks. On Staten Island the birds are ubiquitous, nesting on the campus of Wagner College as well as in Clove Lakes Park, Conference House Park, W. T. Davis Wildlife Refuge, Mount Loretto State Preserve, Great Kills Park, Wolfe’s Pond Park, and various parts of Staten Island’s Greenbelt. …continued on page 18

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55396_NYC_Audubon_UA_Fall_AA1.indd 17 7/31/13 1:42 PM Breeding Birds in the City’s Five Boroughs (continued)

Osprey Jamaica Bay, Queens, is prime nesting habitat for osprey. This year there were 17 nesting pairs, including one pair on a pole next to busy Cross Bay Boulevard. Osprey also nest in Queens’ Alley Pond Park, in the Bronx’s Pelham Bay Park, and at the Saltmarsh Nature Center at Marine Park, Brooklyn. Several pairs nest on Staten Island.

Common Yellowthroat The common yellowthroat nests in many areas of the outer boroughs where there is open space and brushy, second- growth vegetation. To name a few places, this warbler nests Piping Plover at Jamaica Bay, Queens, in the Also a priority bird of National Audubon Bronx’s Pelham Bay and Van because of declining numbers, the piping Cortlandt Parks, and at Staten plover nested once again this year on Breezy Island’s Mount Loretto State Point and Arverne in the Rockaways, Queens. Preserve, Teleport property, and The upheaval caused by Hurricane Sandy did Fresh Kills Park (formerly the not destroy—and may have expanded—this landfill). species’ nesting habitat.

18 www.nycaudubon.org

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YC Audubon’s conservation work and education programs are COOPERATIVE STEWARDSHIP OF made possible by generous contributions from members, friends, PALE MALE AND FAMILY corporations, foundations, and agencies. We’d like to express our The Management of 927 Fifth gratitude to all those who have sustained us in our work this past Avenue, the building on which Pale Nseason. In particular, we’d like to thank the Leon Levy Foundation for its leadership Male and his mates have maintained support of science and conservation. their nest, cooperated this spring to ensure that the red-tailed hawks’ AMERICAN KESTREL John and Heather Shemilt New York/ New Jersey nesting was successful. Having CIRCLE Virginia K. Stowe Harbor Estuary Program consulted with NYC Audubon, Oakes and Louise Ames Elizabeth Woods and of the Environmental management delayed work on the Claude and Lucienne Charles Denholm Protection Agency Bloch building’s façade until the three New York State Ronald and Jean Bourque chicks had fully fledged. We’d like CORPORATIONS, Department of Clifford Case and Karen B. FOUNDATIONS, AND to thank 927 for being Environmental Dubno GOVERNMENT AND Conservation caring stewards of Pale Male, his Joseph and Barbara Ellis NONPROFIT AGENCIES Port Authority of New mates, and their progeny. Bruce and Marcia Fowle Con Edison York and New Jersey The Durst Organization LINDA CANZANELLI RETIRES Philip Fried Sims Metal Management The Eppley Foundation Linda Canzanelli, superintendent Richard Fried and Spectra Energy for Research of Gateway National Recreation Stella Kim Taconic Foundation Fiduciary Trust Company Area, retired at the end of Cathy and Lloyd Heller TogetherGreen: Audubon Sarah Jeffords International June. A 35-year National Park and Toyota Dawn and Tommy Lee General Contractors Service Veteran, Linda returned Jones Association of New York MEMORIAL GIFTS to Gateway as superintendent Jared and Songmei Keyes Leon Levy Foundation In memory of Starr Saphir in 2010, having served there as Jeffrey Kimball and Lily Auchincloss Steve Metzger chief of interpretation and visitor Pamela Hogan Foundation, Inc. Julia Scully services in the 1980s. Linda’s past Lauren and Ethan Manomet Center for posts also included work in Cape Klingsberg Conservation Science/ Cod National Seashore; National Steve Nanz and Heidi National Fish and Park Service Headquarters in Steiner Wildlife Foundation Washington, D.C; and Florida’s National Audubon Society Biscayne National Park.

NYC AUDUBON WELCOMES NEW STAFF We are happy to welcome several new Join NYC Audubon [ ] Supporter $100 [ ] Family $50 staff members. In July, Angela Januzzi [ ] Friend $25 [ ] Student/Senior (65+) $15 Members are essential to our joined us as our new development education and conservation work. Name:______manager. In June, Andrew Maas took Help protect birds and habitats in the five boroughs by joining Address:______on a new part-time role as special our flock. ______assistant to the executive director, Mail this form with your payment to: Phone:______while Yoryi De La Rosa, a longtime NYC Audubon, 71 West 23rd Street, volunteer, joined us as a part-time Suite 1523, New York, NY 10010 Email:______development assistant. Membership in NYC Audubon [ ] Enclosed is my check payable to NYC Audubon does not include National Audubon [ ] Charge my credit card: membership or Audubon Magazine. [ ] Visa [ ] MC [ ] Amex [ ] DSC Donations to NYC Audubon are tax-deductible to the extent allowed Card #: ______by law. NYC Audubon is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Expiration Date: ______

Fall 2013 19

55396_NYC_Audubon_UA_Fall_AA1.indd 19 7/31/13 1:42 PM 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: Fall 2013 Newsletter

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

Save the Date! Wednesday, October 16, 2013 the Fall Roost 6-9pm The Central Park Boathouse

Hall INDICIA's.indd 1 11/1/12 10:33 AM

oin NYC Audubon as we celebrate our ninth annual Fall first wildlife rehabilitation center in New York City. Ms. Heidgerd Roost on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at The Boathouse in is the practice administrator at Animal General veterinary hospital; JCentral Park. This year we honor five of New York City’s most Ms. McMahon recently retired as a market research consultant for dedicated conservationists: Oakes Ames, Dr. Claude Bloch, Karen broadcast and cable television. Through a network of veterinarians, Heidgerd, Ritamary McMahon, and Starr Saphir. rehabbers, foster-caregivers, sanctuaries, and volunteers, the Wild Oakes Ames, the immediate past board president of NYC Bird Fund Center now provides x-rays, testing, surgery, and other Audubon, has served on the boards of many environmental care to approximately 1,500 animals a year. organizations, including the National Audubon Society and Audubon Starr Saphir, known by many as “the Matriarch of Central Park,” New York. An experimental nuclear physicist, he was president of shared her knowledge and love of the Park’s avian life for nearly 40 Connecticut College from 1974-1988. years through morning walks and classes. An institution among New Dr. Claude Bloch is a member of NYC Audubon’s advisory York City birders, Starr died this past February after a long battle council and a sponsor of our monthly lecture series. He is also a member with cancer. of many other organizations, including several local Audubon chapters Proceeds from the Fall Roost support NYC Audubon’s work in and the New York State Ornithological Association. A radiologist and environmental education, conservation, and advocacy. The evening published researcher, Dr. Bloch continues teaching at Mount Sinai will begin with a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by a Hospital since retiring from his long-time private practice. seated dinner. Tickets start at $350. For tickets or more information, Rita McMahon and Karen Heidgerd co-founded the Wild Bird please contact Angela Januzzi at 646-502-9611 or ajanuzzi@ Fund in 2005; in 2012, they opened the Wild Bird Fund Center, the nycaudubon.org.

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