The Urban Audubon

The newsletter of New York City Audubon Win t er Win 2015-2016ter 2014 / Volume / Volume XXXV XXXVI N No.o. 4 4

THE URBAN AUDUBON

Harbor Herons Enter the Information Age The Fall Roost The Christmas Bird Count

Winter 2015-2016 1

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 1 11/12/15 5:31 AM NYC AUDUBON MISSION & VISION Mission: NYC Audubon is a grassroots community that works for the protection Bird’s-Eye View Kathryn Heintz of wild birds and habitat in the five boroughs, improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers. was recently asked to explain the differences among NYC Audubon, Audubon New Vision: NYC Audubon envisions a York, and the National Audubon Society—and then I was asked if a person should day when birds and people in the five boroughs enjoy a healthy, livable Isupport one or two or even all three. My short answer: We are all part of the vast habitat. Audubon grassroots network. And, yes, you should support all three. NYC Audubon is your local Audubon chapter, working for the protection of birds and THE URBAN AUDUBON Editors Lauren Klingsberg & their habitat in the five boroughs of New York City. Audubon New York, based just north Marcia T. Fowle of Albany in Troy, is a state office of the National Audubon Society focused on conservation Managing Editor Tod Winston issues statewide, in addition to overseeing seven New York State Audubon sanctuaries. Newsletter Committee Ellen Azorin, Lucienne Bloch, Ned Boyajian, And National Audubon, engaged in the protection of entire ecosystems and migration Suzanne Charlé, Diane Darrow, flyways throughout both North and South America, has had its headquarters in New York Catherine Heller, Mary Jane Kaplan, City since its founding in 1905. National Audubon’s presence here, and the fact that our Abby McBride, Sarah McGullam, Hillarie O’Toole, Jennifer Rauch, city and state share a name, make things particularly confusing for New Yorkers—but Don Riepe, Carol Peace Robins the relationships among National Audubon and its state offices and chapters are the same throughout the U.S. Through our national and state affiliations, the Audubon community Printing & Mailing Kase Printing, Inc. Design Whitehouse & Company shares resources and leverages clout. New York State’s 27 local chapters connect through Art Director Christina Rubin the Audubon Council of New York State and are part of a national network that is nearly Publisher NYC Audubon 500 chapters strong. THE URBAN AUDUBON is published Local Audubon chapters are independent organizations, and most—like NYC four times per year (spring, summer, Audubon—have their own 501(c)(3) non-profit status. NYC Audubon is a very large fall, and winter) by New York City chapter, one of the largest in the country. We have our own board and staff, including a Audubon Society, Inc. PhD ornithologist and several wildlife biologists. These resources allow us to act quickly BOARD OF directors and knowledgeably in response to New York City’s specific bird conservation needs. President Harrison D. Maas Signature NYC Audubon programs like Project Safe Flight and Waterbirds of New York Executive Vice President David Speiser Vice President Richard T. Andrias Harbor safeguard the wild birds that live and fly through our ultra-urban and densely Treasurer John Shemilt populated cityscape. Birding walks, classes, and harbor cruises connect people of all ages Corresponding Secretary Marsilia A. with the wild birds in our midst. Habitat improvement projects and birding festivals Boyle Recording Secretary Alexander Ewing create bird-friendly communities. Scientific surveys and monitoring of our parks, islands, Immediate Past President Oakes Ames shores, and rooftops provide reliable data on the health of local and migrating species, data Directors Robert Bate; Karen Benfield; that we share with decision-makers to marshal protection for both birds and habitat. Drianne Benner; Alexander Ewing; Andrew Farnsworth, PhD; Marcia T. NYC Audubon’s independent work cannot be done without you, our members and Fowle; Richard Fried, VMD; Catherine friends. We are your Audubon. We fight for the over 350 species that depend upon New Schragis Heller; Sarah Jeffords; Jeffrey York City’s diverse bird habitat: over 50,000 acres of parks and other green spaces, 578 Kimball; Lauren Klingsberg; Lawrence Levine; Eugene Nardelli; Fredric Spar; miles of waterfront, and over two dozen harbor islands. Your direct financial support is Tom Stephenson critical to our success. In this Urban Audubon issue, read about our projects and activities with pride. And please support NYC Audubon at year end as generously as your means ADVISORY COUNCIL Sarah Grimké Aucoin; Claude Bloch, allow. See page 23 and the enclosed envelope for more information. Every gift of every size MD; Albert K. Butzel; Clifford Case; matters—your participation means everything to us and to our birds. Rebekah Creshkoff; Andrew Darrell; Joseph H. Ellis; Lynne Hertzog; Mary Jane Kaplan; Robert J. Kimtis; Kimberly Kriger; Janice Laneve; Pamela Manice; Remember NYC Audubon Peter Rhoades Mott; Dorothy M. Peteet, ew York City is forever changing, and with time the need to protect our PhD; Don Riepe; Lewis Rosenberg; James R. Sheffield urban wildlife and habitat becomes more and more critical. A bequest is a Ngenerous and straightforward way to safeguard birds and their habitat in EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR New York City’s five boroughs. It can be expressed “I bequeath [a sum of money or Kathryn Heintz a percentage of my estate] to New York City Audubon Society, Inc. a not-for-profit DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION AND organization with offices at 71 West 23rd Street, Suite 1523, New York, NY 10010, SCIENCE for its general purposes.” To learn more, contact Director of Development Kellye Susan Elbin, PhD Rosenheim at [email protected] or 646-502-9611.

RECYCLED 2 www.nycaudubon.org Supporting responsible use of forest resources

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 2 11/12/15 5:31 AM In This Issue Winter 2015-2016 © N atalie G

NYC AUDUBON RE 71 West 23rd Street Gorio Suite 1523 New York, NY 10010 Tel: 212-691-7483 Fax: 646-606-3301 www.nycaudubon.org

Cover Photograph: Bufflehead ©Lloyd Spitalnik Small Banner Photographs: Susan Elbin, Steve Nanz, and Don Riepe *This work is licensed under a Creative Commons 6 Attribution License.

Features © D avid 6 Harbor Herons Enter the Information Age R odgers by Mary Jane Kaplan

8 The Fall Roost: Our Glass Was More Than Half Full Ellen Azorin

11 A Day at the Beach Carol Peace Robins

8 15 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Bird Count

17 Good Eggs: Fostering the Future Stewards of the Shoreline by Hillarie O’Toole

18 Update: The Urban Oasis in McGolrick Park 12 by Suzanne Charlé

Departments 18 Book Review

4 Conservation Notes 20 News & Notes

5 Volunteer! 21 Volunteer Acknowledgments

15 11 Winter 2015-2016 Lecture Series 23 Support NYC Audubon’s Mission

12 Events and Adventures 24 Holiday Gifts for the Birds

Winter 2015-2016 3

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 3 11/12/15 5:31 AM Conservation Notes Debra Kriensky

his fall NYC Audubon concentrated Glass Testing from the Leon Levy Foundation to study the primarily on making New York City Our glass testing project with the impact of city lights on bird collisions. With Tsafer for migratory birds via Project American Bird Conservancy, the Wildlife partners from the Center for Urban Science Safe Flight. As winter begins and the last of Conservation Society, Fordham University, NJ and Progress at New York University and the fall migrants clear out, here are some up- Audubon, and Ennead Architects was up and assistance from the Durst organization, we dates from that project and other aspects of running again this fall at the Bronx Zoo. This hope to use a high-tech camera in midtown our work. (Just as this issue went to press, the season, Research Technician Emilio Tobón Manhattan that will measure light emitted National Park Service released its Environ- took the lead in running the tunnel, and we from many different buildings at night to mental Assessment of Jamaica Bay Wildlife are learning more about how birds see glass. see if more light or certain types of light Refuge’s West Pond. The Preferred Alterna- Lights Out correlate with increased collisions. tive plan includes a repair of the breach and We have received a generous grant

restoration of a freshwater West Pond and © D on

loop trail. See page 20 for more details.) R iepe

PROJECT SAFE FLIGHT The Tribute in Light Fall migration reached a peak on September 11, when during the Tribute in Light memorial tens of thousands of birds could be seen circling in the lights. Thanks to the continued cooperation of the Tribute’s sponsor, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum (formerly the Municipal Arts Society), we were able to turn the lights off eight times between 9pm and 4am, allowing birds opportunities to rest or continue on their journey. Many insects were present in the lights as well, providing an abundant food source for bats and insectivorous birds.

Collision Monitoring We tend to see more bird–window collisions in fall than in spring, and this fall was no exception. Many warblers collided with glass windows and buildings around the City, especially black-and-white warblers and common yellowthroats. While much of this collision data comes from the monitoring of major collision hotspots by our dedicated volunteers, we are gathering a lot of valuable information from our D-Bird website (www.d-bird.org). A huge thank you to all who have logged in sightings of dead and injured birds. We have also recently begun receiving collision data from our partners at the Wild Bird Fund; this large additional data source will give us an even Tens of Thousands of Birds Could Be Seen Circling the Lights more complete picture of what areas in the During the September 11 Tribute in Light Memorial City are most dangerous for migrating birds. 4 www.nycaudubon.org

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 4 11/12/15 5:31 AM Conservation Notes Debra Kriensky

Stopover Habitat hunting for insects. On October 8 the first- Greater NY/NJ Harbor meeting. Hosted It’s time to put our Urban Oasis to ever eastern phoebe was spotted using the by the National Park Service, this meeting sleep for the winter. Thanks to our Garden Javits roof. brings together researchers, agency staff, and Guardian Ann Seligman and her intrepid citizen science volunteers to discuss the work Greenpoint volunteers, the quarter-acre plot Jamaica Bay we all do on waterbirds and habitat in the at McGolrick Park is off to a good start. (See In mid-November, NYC Audubon region. page 18 for more about McGolrick Park.) completed our eighth point count survey NYC Audubon’s stewardship is over, but in the North and South Gardens of the Christmas Bird Count we leave the garden in the good hands of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. The Nature See page 15 for dates and registration the McGolrick Park community and some Conservancy is carrying out invasive species information for the City’s five boroughs. wonderful fall warblers (northern parula, removal and native species planting, and we black-and-white warbler, and American are conducting an evaluation of bird diversity Stay tuned for updates and results in the redstart). and abundance pre- and post-treatment. next Urban Audubon. Communications Manager and Research If you would like to get involved with Jacob Javits Convention Center Green Roof Assistant Tod Winston has been our ears and our citizen science efforts, please contact us at In their second year of monitoring, our eyes on this project. [email protected]. green-roof research assistants are hard at work. You can find the latest conservation Dustin Partridge is analyzing arthropod Waterbirds of the NY Harbor: project updates on our blog, Syrinx, at www. data, and Kaitlyn Parkins is finishing up bat Harbor Herons nycaudubon.org/syrinx. surveys. Nesting herring gulls are gone until We are gearing up for our twelfth annual next spring, but American kestrels are back Harbor Herons and Other Waterbirds of the

Volunteer!

ake a difference for knowledge of birds are helpful, but species are changing and how we PRESS AND PROMOTION New York City’s wildlife not required. This is a great oppor- can work to conserve them. Harbor Do you have a background in event Mby volunteering with tunity to learn the ins and outs of a Herons Great Egret Foraging Study promotion or advertising, and NYC Audubon. To register for any small nonprofit. volunteers collect data on forag- want to support bird conserva- of the projects listed below, contact ing long-legged waders around the tion? We are looking for someone the office at volunteer@nycaudu- CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS New York Harbor to help us better familiar with the ins and outs of bon.org or 212-691-7483 x304. For If you are interested in contribut- understand how these birds use press releases and event promo- up-to-date information on early ing to NYC Audubon’s conserva- our wetlands. All of these programs tion who can help spread the word spring volunteer events such as tion and science work, there are a can use your help in the spring, about our trips, classes, and other beach clean-ups and native tree variety of projects to choose from. summer, and fall. events. plantings, please visit us at www. Project Safe Flight volunteers moni- nycaudubon.org/volunteer-events. tor buildings in the city to help us BIRD TRANSPORTERS learn what effect they have on mi- We often receive phone calls from OFFICE VOLUNTEERS gratory birds; data collected sup- concerned citizens who have Help answer inquiries about wild- port our work to make migration found injured birds, but are un- life and about our field trips, class- through the city safer. Jamaica Bay able to transport them to medical es, events, and conservation work. program volunteers monitor mi- facilities. We need caring and com- Also help with mailings, research, gratory shorebirds and horseshoe passionate volunteers to transport data entry, photocopying, and fil- crabs so that we may better un- injured birds to licensed wildlife re- ing. Word-processing skills and derstand how populations of these habilitators and veterinarians.

Winter 2015-2016 5

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 5 11/12/15 5:31 AM Harbor Herons Enter the Information Age Mary Jane Kaplan ©Great E gret I mage © N atalie G RE Gorio

s of this past summer, NYC Audubon’s Harbor Herons program includes a new high-technology component: To the long-term surveys of nesting, reproduction, and foraging has been added GPS tracking of two of the colonies’ adult great egrets. NYC Audubon has been wing-tagging great egret Anestlings since 2012 and color-banding snowy egrets since 2008, enabling researchers to identify individual birds found after they’ve left the breeding colonies. The new GPS transmitters, however, communicate the birds’ movements three times each day for an indefinite period. The resulting data is being posted onwww. movebank.org, a website developed to report the movements of tracked animals of all kinds. To see the movements of the two egrets, Edward and Clarence (originally known as Clare, until genetic sexing was done), visit http://tinyurl.com/hhgps01. No password is needed. Edward and Clarence were trapped and fitted with solar- powered transmitters at Wolf’s Pond on Staten Island on June 25 and 26, 2015. (Visit www.njaudubon.org/SectionCitizenScience/ HarborHeronSurveys/GreatEgretTracking.aspx for a description and

6 www.nycaudubon.org

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 6 11/12/15 5:31 AM Harbor Herons Enter the Information Age Mary Jane Kaplan

photos of the process.) NYC Audubon’s participation in this project is stop along the way? Do they return to the same breeding colony part of a larger study being led by Dr. John Brzorad of Lenoir-Rhyne year after year? University of North Carolina and Dr. Alan Maccarone of Friends Already the researchers have learned that from the time of University in Wichita, Kansas. NYC Audubon, together with release with the transmitter through September 6, Clarence spent another partner, NJ Audubon, will expand the new GPS tracking time in three distinct locations on Staten Island’s eastern shore and effort thanks to funding that Dr. Nellie Tsipoura, NJ Audubon’s on nearby Hoffman Island, which is at present the largest breeding senior research scientist and director of citizen science, has received site for the Harbor Herons. He spent about 20 percent of his time from the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (the former on Hoffman, before flying 100 miles south to the eastern shore Meadowlands Commission) to attach transmitters to two more egrets of Delaware Bay later in September. Edward, on the other hand, from the Harbor Heron colonies. never went to Hoffman Island, instead spending the summer in According to Dr. Susan Elbin, NYC Audubon’s director of the Arthur Kill area. In late September, however, he was tracked conservation and science, the GPS data will be used to assess the moving around Brooklyn and Queens, ending up in Jamaica Bay. amount of energy an egret needs to sustain itself—in other words, Will he follow Edward south? By the time this article is in print, how much flying does it do each day from its nesting or roosting his GPS transmitter will have provided the answer. spot to forage for food? In addition to increasing basic knowledge This project marks a return to the long-legged waders of New about the species, the answer will help NYC Audubon judge the York Harbor for Dr. Maccarone and Dr. Brzorad. In the early 1980s, maximum size of the breeding colony that nearby foraging areas can they were among the first field biologists to study the colonies after support. The data will also answer questions about the migration their discovery. patterns of the great egrets. Where do they go in winter if they don’t remain in the harbor area, as some birds do? Where do they

Winter 2015-2016 7

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 7 11/12/15 5:31 AM The Fall Roost: Our Glass Was More Than Half Full Ellen Azorin

1 6

2 7

3 8

4 5 9

hile wine glasses were clinking over a delicious colorful and enchanting collage boards for most of the Roost’s dinner, glass was very much on the minds of silent auction items. Accepting the award, she said, “Every time Wattendees of this year’s Fall Roost. Hans-Joachim we look out a window and hear birds singing, we have to count Arnold, company co-owner and former CEO of German glass our blessings.” manufacturing company ARNOLD GLAS, was being toasted Throughout the evening, held under the sky-high vaulted as one of this year’s three honorees, for his invention of the ceilings of Guastavino’s event space, many of the 217 guests (a revolutionary, bird-friendly architectural glass Ornilux. Roost attendance record!) expressed the same sentiment. They Equally fêted was Marsilia (Marcy) Boyle, for 15 years of felt a warm camaraderie in this gathering of those sharing in visionary leadership as a director and officer of NYC Audubon, the mission of NYC Audubon: the protection of the wild birds as well as for her efforts on behalf of many other bird protection and their habitat within our five boroughs. There was congenial initiatives throughout the city and state. Board President Harry table-hopping as Executive Director Kathryn Heintz introduced Maas cited her as “a powerful voice for birds,” applauding her the program and expressed gratitude to the many people who so “relentless dedication.” generously give their time and support to the cause. And, for the first time, this year’s Roost included an award for During the award presentations, Dr. Susan Elbin, director of “Volunteer of the Year.” Honored was Deborah Jones, the talented conservation and science, surprised everyone with her impeccable artist who, among many other volunteer activities, creates the German as she welcomed the six-member team from Arnold 8 www.nycaudubon.org

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 8 11/12/15 5:31 AM The Fall Roost: Our Glass Was More Than Half Full Ellen Azorin

10 12

Glas, who had flown in from Germany especially for the 1. Virginia Stowe, Marcy Boyle occasion. In his acceptance speech (in equally impeccable English), 2. Dawn Hearne, Deborah Jones Arnold related the history of Ornilux glass, which he described 3. Marcy Boyle, Judith Sloan as an urgently needed product in which no one had originally 4. John Zucker, Karen Benfield 5. Kathryn Heintz been interested. “There simply was no market for it,” he said. 6. Gerry Kane, Priscilla Bijur, Cathy and Lloyd Heller “Its introduction was like an opening night with nobody in the 7. Bruce Fowle, Rebecca Marshall, Ken Sanchez, Alan Steel audience.” But his belief in the product, fueled in no small part 8. Harry Maas and young birders Jordan Spindel, Adam Rudt, by the encouragment of groups like NYC Audubon, finally shaped Ryan Zucker 9. Robert Bate, Tracy Meade, Marcia T. Fowle a market, and he ended by announcing with pride that in 2016, 10. Stefan Göbel, Lisa Welch-Schon, Martin Schwarz, Jennifer ARNOLD GLAS U.S. will be launched. Arnold thanked NYC Hoffmann, Natalie Ank, Hans-Joachim Arnold, Susan Elbin Audubon for its advocacy and support, effectively summing up 11. Allen Levantin the theme of the evening: “Together, we can make a difference.” 12. Silent Auction display created by Deborah Jones The 2015 Roost raised over $180,000 for ongoing projects and operations, and an additional $3,500 towards the purchase of a new Zodiac boat for waterbird conservation fieldwork. All Fall Roost Photos: David Rodgers

Winter 2015-2016 9

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 9 11/12/15 5:31 AM Fall Roost Acknowledgments

CO-CHAIRS Harrison D. Maas Janice Laneve SILENT AUCTION DONORS Karen Benfield Timothy and Karen Macdonald Marvin Lange Alamo Inn Bed and Breakfast Marcia T. Fowle Pamela Manice Florence Lapidus BAGGU Catherine Heller Jennifer and Philip Maritz Anne Lee Gary and Ellen Davis Sally Jeffords Morton Williams Supermarkets Allen Levantin Leslie Day Hon. Eugene Nardelli Ellen Manos and Peter Skoufalos John Derian HOST COMMITTEE Mona Payton Hope Matthiessen and David Fishs Eddy ARNOLD GLAS Princeton Public Affairs Group, Inc. Boorstein Susan Elbin Cathy and Lloyd Heller Cheryl Reich and David Dewhurst James McCann Jonathan Franzen Virginia K. Stowe Genie Rice Joseph and Debbie McManus Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers, LLC Karen Benfield and John Zucker Don Riepe Alan Messer Great Performances Steve Senior, Jaan Haus, and Judy Miller Hugo Guinness Riker Danzig Scherer Hyland & Malcolm Morris Kathryn Heintz Perretti LLP Rachel Mullen Irving Farm Coffee Roasters Stephen Berger and Cynthia C. Deborah Rivel Robert Ohlerking Deborah Jones Wainwright Lewis Rosenberg Stephen Pearlman King Ranch Marsilia A. Boyle Donna and Steven Schragis Tracy Pennoyer Debra Kriensky Barbara and Joseph H. Ellis John and Heather Shemilt Hector and Erica Prud’homme Lighthouse Inn at Aransas Bay Marcia and Bruce Fowle Mrs. C. Sidamon-Eristoff Jeff Rosenheim MasterVoices Philip Fried and Bruce Patterson Paul Silverman, SILVERMAN Phoebe Rosenheim Captain Tommy Moore Sarah Jeffords Hon. Michael Sonberg and Andrew Richard Saravay Todd Oldham The LeFrak Organization Austin Nancy Savin Patagonia Judith and Morton Sloan Fred and Winnie Spar Victoria Shaw Wayne Pate Alan Steel, Jacob K. Javits Convention Suzanne Sullivan Jim Sheffield Melissa Posen Center Irene C. Warshauer Stephen Shestakofsky Don Riepe Winning Strategies Washington Dhuane and Scott Stephens Roland Foods Fred Worstell, Dresdner Robin Tom Stephenson Jeff and Kellye Rosenheim D. Bruce Yolton Leslie Sternlieb Quinta Mazatlan Ann Brownell Bailey Virginia Stotz John Shemilt Robert Bate and Tracy Meade CONTRIBUTORS Sam Werthheimer and Pamela Tom Stephenson Ana Maria Birlescu Anonymous Rosenthal Fred Tomaselli Lucienne and Claude Bloch Marian Bach Glen T. Whitney Wildlife Conservation Society Douglas Blonsky Catherine Barron Bonnie Williams Gabriel Willow Borah, Goldstein, Altschuler, Nahins Drianne Benner and Kevin Perry Tod Winston & Goidel, PC Nora Benoliel CONTRIBUTORS TO THE Xenotees Broadway Stages Priscilla Bijur and Gerry Kane NEW BOAT CAMPAIGN Albert K. Butzel Ellen Birenbaum Anonymous ETSY DONORS Virginia Carter MaryJane Boland Nora Benoliel LadyWhoLovesBirds Alexander Ewing and Wynn Senning Gay Brookes MaryJane Boland Macrografiks Andrew Farnsworth, PhD James Fraser Carpenter Alexander Ewing and Wynn Senning AliceFrostStudio Stella Kim and Richard Fried, VMD John and Judy Day Caroline Geenleaf SophieMakesFabrics FXFOWLE Architects Margot Paul Ernst Richard and Ronnie Grosbard Birdversusbird Gallya Gordon Carol Francescani Nancy Hager Whimsybags Edward and Diana Greene Doris K. Freyland Kathryn and Vincent G. Heintz HearthandHarrow Ronnie and Richard Grosbard Anita Friedman Cathy and Lloyd Heller Cherith Harrison Nancy Hager Rainer Gerbatsch Neddie Hernandez Betty Hamilton Natalie Gregorio Jeff Kimball and Pamela Hogan SPECIAL THANKS Laura and David Harris Joanne Graham Deborah Laurel ARNOLD GLAS and Lisa Welch- Anneliese Hartsick Maggie and Ray Greebel Lynn O’Malley Schon: Ornilux samples and party Anna and Tony Hass Cassandra and Robert Greene Steve Senior favors: Kathryn and Vincent G. Heintz Miriam and David Gross Paul Silverman Kristen Bannister: graphic design Amy and Paul Impelluso Linda Gui Leslie Sternlieb Karen Benfield and Jeff Kimball: video Peter H. Joost Kimberly Hardardt Keith White production Jane Kendall Erin Hartnett Sam Wertheimer and Pamela Gala Productions: audiovisual Jeffrey Kimball and Pamela Hogan Kathleen Heenan and Clary Rosenthal Guastavino’s: catering Robert J. Kimtis and Susan Bynum Olmstead Laura Whitman and Tom Danziger Deborah Jones: silent auction artwork Rolf Kinne Marian Heiskell Fred Worstell Scott Perrin and The Event Office: Lauren and Ethan Klingsberg Lynne Hertzog silent auction Andrea Krantz and Harvey Sawikin Joanne K. Hilferty YOUNG BIRDER RAFFLE TEAM Deborah Rivel and Wildtones: sound Kimberly Kriger and David Speiser Cynthia Holden Adam Rudt effects Robert D. Krinsky Pat and Darko Hreljanovic Jordan Spindel David Rodgers: event photography Lee Leggett Angela Januzzi Ryan Zucker Sviba Floral Decorators, Barry Karlin Assemblyman Joseph R. Lentol Mary Jane Kaplan and Cathy Sviba: table decorations Thomas Loizeaux, Fiduciary Trust Michael and Maria Katz International

10 www.nycaudubon.org

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 10 11/12/15 5:31 AM A Day at the Beach Carol Peace Robins

ohan environmental justice by educating people

N about eco-friendly worship and the dangers of arine leaving non-biodegradable items on the beach. To this end the group conducts monthly beach cleanups and outreach to local temples. This year’s volunteers, armed with gloves, grasping tools, and trash bags, ranged from grade-schoolers to retirees to a contingent from Mitsubishi Corporation. They split into small groups of pickers and a recorder who, using a tally sheet, noted each item before tossing it into a bag. “Seven plastic pieces, four plastic bags, two cans, one sock” was a common refrain. “One umbrella, one stroller, one kite” was, while not common, a reality. Volunteers also encountered several dozen Volunteers at the International Coastal Cleanup murtis and other Hindu artifacts, which were lthough there was no swimming or 91 countries collected more than 16 million carefully put aside for collection by Sadhana. sunbathing, Saturday, September 19, pounds of trash from the world’s beaches, Overall, the North Channel Beach A2015, was a pretty special day at the according to the Ocean Conservancy.) volunteers logged in at least 4,460 pieces of beach. It was the 30th annual International Part of Gateway National Park, North “stuff,” including 400 pieces of glass, 343 Coastal Cleanup, created by the Ocean Channel Beach is a small, ordinary stretch cigarette butts, 661 plastic bags, and 19 Conservancy to raise awareness of the need to of shoreline in the middle of Jamaica Bay— diapers. One clean beach is of course no final protect oceans and shores from litter hazardous with one big difference. Here, in addition solution to the worldwide problem of ocean to fish and birds. Thirty-eight volunteers to unwelcome cans and bottles, one often pollution that the International Coastal from NYC Audubon, the American Littoral finds murtis, offerings to God placed there Cleanup seeks to highlight. But volunteers Society, and local group Sadhana met at North by members of the local Hindu community. left satisfied that their day at this particular Channel Beach in Queens. There, as expected, That’s where Sadhana comes in. This beach had made it a much healthier place for they encountered more trash than one would coalition of progressive Hindus, whose name both people and wildlife. ever wish for. (Last year, 560,000 volunteers in means “faith in action,” strives to promote Winter 2015 Lecture Series—New Location! NOTE: our lecture series has moved to the Central Park Zoo 4- D theater, just north of the Arsenal building at Fifth Avenue and 65th Street. Descend the usual flight of steps into the park in front of the Arsenal and walk right around the north side of the building to reach the theater entrance. All lectures are free and open to the public. This series has been made possible by the support of Claude and Lucienne Bloch.

BEYOND WORDS: WHAT ANIMALS THINK AND FEEL THE NARROW EDGE: A TINY BIRD, AN ANCIENT CRAB & AN By Carl Safina, PhD EPIC JOURNEY Tuesday, December 15, 6:30pm By Deborah Cramer Renowned author Carl Safina will deliver a lecture based on his latest Tuesday, January 19, 6:30pm book, Beyond Words. We will go inside animals’ lives and minds, witness- Each year red knots undertake a near-miraculous 19,000-mile journey ing their profound capacity for perception, thought, and emotion, show- from one end of the earth to the other and back. In her book The Narrow ing why the word “it” is often inappropriate as we discover “who” they Edge, Deborah Cramer accompanies them on their extraordinary odyssey really are. Dr. Safina is the founder of the Safina Center at Stony Brook along the length of two continents, tracking birds from remote Tierra del University and host of PBS’s Saving the Ocean. His books include Song Fuego to the icy Arctic. Come hear about the journey first-hand, and learn for the Blue Ocean, Eye of the Albatross, Voyage of the Turtle, Nina Delmar: what’s at stake: for shorebirds, for horseshoe crabs, and for us all. (See The Great Whale Rescue, The View From Lazy Point: A Natural Year in an our review of the book on page 18.) Unnatural World, and A Sea in Flames: The Deepwater Horizon Oil Blowout.

Winter 2015-2016 11

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 11 11/12/15 5:31 AM Events and Adventures

with "winter finches" such as pine • NYC Audubon Events impressive diversity of bird species, • NEW YEAR’S DAY BEACH • Partnership Events siskins, redpolls, and crossbills. even during the winter months. WALK, FORT TILDEN, QUEENS Observing the adaptations for cold- Overnight Trips Explore the beautiful gardens and Friday, January 1, 11am-1pm weather survival among blue jays, woodlands of Wave Hill and observe Guide: Don Riepe, Mickey Cohen titmice, and other resident species the hardy birds that spend the With American Littoral Society and CAMERA CLUB • is fascinating as well. Warm up after winter in this urban oasis. Advanced Gateway National Recreation Area Wednesday, December 2, the walk with a hot chocolate by the registration is recommended, either Meet at Fort Tilden in Breezy Point 6:30-8:30pm fireplace at theL oeb Boathouse. online, at the Perkins Visitor Center, for a brisk hike along the beach, Instructors: David Speiser, Lloyd Limited to 15. $36 (25) or by calling 718-549-3200 x251. dunes, and woods to welcome in Spitalnik Walks run rain or shine; in case the New Year. Look for saw-whet Meet at the National Audubon • MEMBERS-ONLY of severe weather call the number and snowy owls. Enjoy champagne, office, 225 VarickS t. Whether you’re December Member Walk in above for updates. Ages 10 and coffee, and cookies afterward at the a beginner or more advanced Central Park up welcome with an adult. NYC Rockaway Artists Alliance. For more photographer, our photography Wednesday, December 9, 8-10am Audubon members enjoy two-for- information, contact Don Riepe at club is the place to discuss diverse Meet at Central Park West and 72nd one admission (see www.wavehill. 718-474-0896 or donriepe@gmail. photography-related topics, hone Street for a members-only walk with org for more information) com. No reservations necessary. No your skills, and learn about the NYC Audubon Communications limit. Free great photography opportunities Manager Tod Winston. Come brave • THE FRESHWATER PONDS available in the New York City the chilly weather and spot some of OF LONG ISLAND’S SOUTH MONTAUK WINTER WEEKEND area. Professional bird and nature • Central Park’s best wintering birds. SHORE, NY WITH DON RIEPE, LONG photographers David Speiser and Please contact Kellye Rosenheim at Thursday, December 17, 8am-3pm ISLAND, NY Lloyd Spitalnik will share their 212-691-7483 x 306 or krosenheim@ Guide: Tod Winston Friday, January 8–Sunday, expertise and help you improve your nycaudubon.org to register. Limited Visit up to seven South Shore January 10 work. Registration required. No limit. to 20. Free for Contributing NYC freshwater ponds that provide Guides: Mike Bottini, Mickey $14.50 ($10) per meeting Audubon members at the Student/ refuge to a surprising variety of Cohen, Don Riepe Senior level and up wintering waterfowl—and great With American Littoral Society CENTRAL PARK WINTER WALKS • viewing opportunities to birders. Spend a quiet weekend at Montauk Sundays, December 6, January 3, • WINTER BIRDING ALONG THE Possible sightings include hooded during peak winter birding time. February 7; and Saturday, March 5; HUDSON: WAVE HILL, mergansers, green-winged teal, Visit the seal haul-out site and see 10am-1pm THE BRONX ring-necked ducks, northern pintail, many species of seabirds including Guide: Gabriel Willow Sundays, December 13, January 10, and redhead. We’ll also make a loons, scoters, and goldeneye. Meet at Central Park West and 72nd February 14, and March 13; short stop or two by the bay to Accommodations at the luxurious Street. Some of the best sightings 9:30-11:30am look for loons, grebes, and sea Manor House. For reservations await hardy nature-lovers willing Guide: Gabriel Willow ducks. Transport by passenger van and details, contact Don Riepe at to venture out in winter. Several With Wave Hill included. Limited to 12. $93 (65) 718-474-0896 or donriepe@gmail. species of owls are found in Central Meet at the Perkins Visitor Center. com. $395 Park in the colder months, along The Hudson River valley hosts an • WINTER BIRDS AT JAMAICA © BAY L WINTER BIRDING ON THE loyd • Saturday, December 19, 10am-1pm S SOUTH SHORE OF LONG pitalnik Guide: Don Riepe ISLAND: JONES BEACH AND With American Littoral Society and SHINNECOCK INLET Gateway National Recreation Area Saturday, January 9, 9am-6pm Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Guide: Gabriel Willow Refuge Visitor Center for a hike Winter in New York brings the around the pond and gardens to excitement of possibility: Will snowy look for late migrants and arriving owls appear in the dunes? Will winter birds. Learn how birds and harlequin ducks move westward other wildlife survive winter, and from Cape Cod and Montauk, how to identify many species. For and appear in closer waters? more information and to register, Will irruptive northern finches contact Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 and bohemian waxwings move or [email protected]. Free south from Canada? All of these species and more are possible on Long Island in the winter, along Ring-Necked Duck 12 www.nycaudubon.org

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 12 11/12/15 5:31 AM with more expected species such warmly. Limited to 90. To register, • WINTER WATERFOWL hundreds. We will travel in comfort as loons, grebes, scaup, eider, contact New York Water Taxi at 212- WEEKEND AT MONTAUK, LI by Metro North to Croton Point northern harriers, purple sandpiper, 742-1969 or www.nywatertaxi.com. Saturday, January 23, 9am–Sunday, Park, where we will look for eagles and more. Bundle up and brave the $35 for adults; $25 for children under January 24, 7pm before hiking up to Croton Point Park cold for some of the best birding 12; $105 for family pack for 2 adults Guide: Gabriel Willow to seek out wintering short-eared our area has to offer. Transport by and 2 children The gatherings of sea ducks around and snowy owls, snow buntings, passenger van included. Limited to Montauk Point are the largest horned larks, and other cold-weather 12. $93 (65) • SNOW BIRDS OF FLOYD winter concentrations in New York specialties. The walk is about two BENNETT FIELD AND FORT State; the Christmas Bird Count miles over easy terrain. Limited to • BIRDING GEMS OF STATEN TILDEN, QUEENS on Montauk Point consistently 20. Round-trip Metro North fare ISLAND: WINTER AT FRESHKILLS Saturdays, January 16 and February tallies from 125 to 135 species, one ($20.50) not included in trip price. PARK 13, 10:30am-4pm of the best totals in the Northeast. $53 (37) Sunday, January 10, 10am-5pm Guide: Gabriel Willow Species that come to feed on the Guides: Cliff Hagen and Tod Winter brings many rare birds to the Point’s rich kelp and mussel beds • CAMERA CLUB Winston City that can’t be found here at any include common and red-throated Wednesday, February 3, 6:30-8:30pm With NYC Parks other time. Perhaps most exciting loon, common eider, all three scoter See December 2 listing for details. Meet at the Manhattan terminal are the “snow birds” of the Arctic species, bufflehead, common of the Staten Island Ferry. Winter tundra, such as snow buntings and goldeneye, great cormorant, and • WINTER BIRDS OF DEKORTE at Freshkills Park is an exciting snowy owls, that can occasionally be red-breasted merganser. Harlequin PARK, NJ time for birding. The grass-covered found in tundra-like habitats further duck and king eider also occur Friday, February 5, 9am-2pm slopes offer birds plenty of seed south. Look for these and other here regularly during the winter. Guide: Gabriel Willow and shelter to huddled flocks of winter visitors such as horned larks, Accommodations at Daunt’s Come explore the wilds of the New horned larks, snow buntings, and American tree sparrows, and rough- Albatross in Montauk. Transport by Jersey Meadowlands at DeKorte Park. sparrow species, as rough-legged legged hawks, as well as wintering passenger van included. Limited to Here, the Hackensack River meets hawks soar overhead. Down below ducks, grebes, and loons. Transport 12. $300 ($50 single supplement) extensive coastal marshes, creating the mounds are a crisscross of by passenger van included. Limited a rich habitat for wildlife—especially tidal creeks filled with a variety to 12. $86 (60) • WINTER EAGLES ON THE wintering waterfowl and raptors. of waterfowl. Grebes, geese, and HUDSON, NY We’ll be on the lookout for large coots swim alongside over a dozen • EAGLE WATCH AND BIRD Saturday January 30, 9am-4pm flocks of canvasback, ruddy ducks, species of ducks including teal, WALK AT INWOOD HILL PARK, Guide: Gabriel Willow green-winged teal, northern pintail, mergansers, and pintails. Transport MANHATTAN Meet at Grand Central Terminal bufflehead, and northern shoveler, by passenger van on S.I. included. Saturday, January 23, 8:30-10:30am and join NYC Audubon in seeking along with common and hooded Limited to 12. $68 (47) Guide: Annie Barry out one of the most incredible mergansers. And we’ll scan the skies Meet at the western end of Dyckman avian spectacles in New York: bald for hunting raptors including rough- • WINTER SEALS AND Street in front of La Marina eagles wintering along the frozen legged and Cooper’s hawks, northern WATERBIRDS OF NY HARBOR restaurant and join Annie Barry for Hudson River by the dozens or even harriers, and perhaps even a snowy Sundays, January 10–March 13, a winter hike through the various ©

12-2pm (no cruise on Sunday, landscapes and habitats of Inwood M ark Watson February 7) Hill Park. Located at the northern Guide: NYC Audubon tip of Manhattan where the Harlem * Meet at South Street Seaport’s River meets the Hudson, Inwood Hill Pier 17 and come aboard NY Park offers shoreline vistas, mature Water Taxi’s eco-friendly vessel for forest, and the last natural salt marsh a winter adventure in New York in Manhattan. We will begin on the Harbor. Look for harbor seals on Hudson shore in search of the bald the rocky shores of Governor’s eagles that have been sighted there Island and the more remote frequently in recent winters, then Hoffman and Swinburne Islands. move into the forest to search for Learn about the surprisingly wintering and year-round birds, and diverse winter birds of New York finally to the salt marsh to look for City, including ducks, geese, loons, wintering ducks. Some hilly walking and sandpipers, many of which required. Limited to 15. $36 (25) migrate south from the Arctic. See the Statue of Liberty and pass under the Verrazano Bridge. Dress Bald Eagle

Winter 2015-2016 13

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 13 11/12/15 5:31 AM Events and Adventures (Continued) © E or short-eared owl. We can warm up llen • WINTER BIRDS OF "birding" but don’t have much (or

at the environmental center and learn M any) experience? Come on a relaxed ichaels BARNEGAT, NJ about the Meadowlands’ ecology. Saturday, March 5, 9am-4pm walk to some of Central Park’s Transport by passenger van included. Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers hotspots to go over birding basics Limited to 12. $86 (60) LLC and see sparrows, finches, warblers, Explore Barnegat Inlet’s expansive ducks, and more. Binoculars • WINTER WATERFOWL OF THE beach to view the winter birds that available. Limited to 15. $36 (25) BROOKLYN COAST gather where land, bay, and sea Saturday, February 6, 9am-3pm meet. Search for harlequin ducks, Guide: Kellye Rosenheim horned larks, Lapland longspurs, EARLY MEMBER REGISTRATION Join Kellye Rosenheim on a tour of snow buntings, and snowy and FOR SPRING EVENTS Brooklyn’s most productive coastal short-eared owls. Transport by Spring and early summer events winter waterfowl sites. We’ll visit passenger van included. Limited to will be posted at www.nycaudubon. Bush Terminal Piers Park, Gravesend, 12. $115 (80) org and available for registration and Calvert Vaux in search of for Contributing NYC Audubon saltwater species such as common • WINTER BIRDS OF SANDY members starting on Monday, goldeneye, long-tailed ducks, loons, HOOK, NJ February 8. (Registration will open and horned and red-necked grebes. White-Breasted Nuthatch Saturday, March 12, 10am-5pm to all on Monday, February 22.) Transport by passenger van included. Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers Limited to 12. $86 (60) ducks, bay ducks, sea ducks, grebes, LLC loons, and cormorants to be found in Sandy Hook, a spectacular barrier • SOARING RAPTORS: EAGLES New York Harbor from Battery Park. island at the northernmost point AND OWLS OF THE HUDSON Limited to 12. $68 (47) of the NJ coast, hosts a variety of • TO REGISTER FOR ALL NYC RIVER VALLEY, NY species including Arctic-bound AUDUBON EVENTS and for more information, visit www. Saturday, February 13, Noon-7pm • WINTER BIRDS OF THE BARRIER migrants and harbor seals that nycaudubon.org or call Darren Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers ISLANDS, LI lie on the beach to warm up in Klein at 212-691-7483 x304 unless LLC Friday, February 26, 8am-4pm the sun. Other possible sightings otherwise specified. You don’t have to travel to Alaska Guides: Peter Mott and Tod Winston include loons, sea ducks, snow to see our country’s emblem, the Several bird species that nest in the buntings, and horned larks. important information American bald eagle. Thanks to one far north spend the winter at Jones Transport by passenger van • Classes meet at 71 West 23rd of the most successful reintroduction Beach, in a habitat similar to their included. Limited to 12. $103 (72) Street, Suite 1523. programs on record, many eagles summer homes. We’ll visit Point • Contributing Members (Student/ now soar over the nearby Hudson Lookout and Jones Beach in search EARLY SPRING BIRD WALK AT • Senior level and up) receive a Valley. Travel with us to see this of harlequin ducks, common eider, JAMAICA BAY 30% discount on most local spectacular raptor, as well as possibly scoters, horned larks, and snow Saturday, March 26, 10am-1pm trips and classes (on discounted spot the secretive short-eared owl. buntings. Transport by passenger van Guide: Don Riepe events, the discounted price Transport by passenger van included. included. Limited to 11. $90 (63) With American Littoral Society and appears in parentheses after Limited to 12. $102 (72) Gateway National Recreation Area the nonmember price). See WINTER THAW BIRD WALK AT • Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife membership form on page 23. WINTER WATERFOWL ID JAMAICA BAY • Refuge for a slide program and • For all coach and van trips, the WORKSHOP Saturday, February 27, 10am-1pm walk to look for eastern phoebes, meeting location is in front of Thursday, February 18, 6-7:30pm Guide: Don Riepe American oystercatchers, osprey, 71 West 23rd Street in With American Littoral Society and (class) and Saturday, February 20, and other early migrants. For more Manhattan unless otherwise Gateway National Recreation Area 10am-1pm (trip) information and to register, contact specified. Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Guide: Gabriel Willow Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 or • We depart promptly at the stated Refuge for a hike around the ponds If it walks like a duck, and quacks like [email protected]. No limit. start time. a duck, it’s probably a duck... but is and gardens to look for very early Free • For all overnight trips, member- it a dabbling duck or a diving duck? signs of spring as well as late winter ship in nyc audubon at the Or could it be a grebe? This class birds. For more information and to • INTRO TO BIRDING: BIRD Student/Senior level and up is will help you distinguish between register, contact Don Riepe at 718- WALK IN CENTRAL PARK required. See membership form ducks, geese, loons, grebes, and 474-0896 or [email protected]. Sunday, March 27, 8-10:30am on page 23. more. Following our class, we’ll put No limit. Free Guide: Tod Winston our newfound skills to work as we Meet at Central Park West and seek out the diverse mix of dabbling 72nd Street. Are you curious about

14 www.nycaudubon.org

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 14 11/12/15 5:31 AM Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Bird Count Jennifer Rauch

The 116th Annual Christmas Bird Count December 19, 20, and 27, 2015 The 19th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count February 12-15, 2016

On a chilly December day, six of us stood on Staten Island’s Clove Also this winter, the 19th Great Backyard Bird Count Road, peering through a chain-link fence at a distant pond. The spot (GBBC) will be held February 12-15, 2016. Last year, people in can be a real honey pot for birds. “Mallard, Canada goose, American more than 100 countries submitted the largest-ever number of wigeon, green-winged teal,” observed one member of our circle. He GBBC observations, including a record 671 species in the U.S. counted individuals of each species, and the team leader jotted down Some local highlights in 2015 included an irruption of snowy the totals. Seeing a square-headed duck with drab coloring and a black owls and a huge number of pine siskins—10 times as many as the © L

bill, I called out, “There’s a gadwall, too!” As aura previous year—feasting on a glut of spruce

a Christmas Bird Count novice, I was excited M cones. eyers when everyone acknowledged the contribu- Both of these counts create a real-time tion: “Good call!” snapshot of bird populations. Both play a Camaraderie like this is just one reason to critical role in gauging how birds respond get involved with the Christmas Bird Count to climate change. Yet these citizen-science (CBC). There’s also the singular thrill of spot- projects are conducted in different ways: ting birds. There’s the opportunity for begin- • CBC participants work together in estab- ners to learn and for seasoned birders to share lished “count circles” to tally everything their knowledge. And, there’s the satisfaction they see and hear. Then, they report ob- of collecting data for the nation’s longest-run- servations through team leaders and local ning citizen-science project, which has helped count compilers. conservationists track changes in birds’ winter • GBBC volunteers count species indepen- ranges and population sizes since 1900. dently in their backyards or local parks, for Every year, tens of thousands of nature as little as 15 minutes at a time. Then, they lovers across the country participate in the submit sightings either online or through Christmas Bird Count. In 2014, volunteers reported 157 species in the free BirdLog app. New York City, with unusual winter sightings such as black vulture Both counting events are free and fun for birders of all ages. in the Bronx, Cassin’s kingbird in Brooklyn, golden eagle in Manhat- To take part in the CBC tradition, just get in touch with the count tan, Wilson’s warbler in Queens, and pileated woodpecker in Staten compiler for your borough (see below). Island. This year, the 116th Christmas Bird Count will take place in To join the Great Backyard Bird Count, you can register at the City on December 19, 20, and 27, 2015. www.birdcount.org.

Count Date Contact eMail Brooklyn Saturday, 12/19 Bobbi Manian [email protected] Staten Island Saturday, 12/19 Will Lenihan [email protected] Manhattan Sunday, 12/20 Debra Kriensky [email protected] Queens Sunday, 12/20 Corey Finger [email protected] The Bronx Sunday, 12/27 Michael Bochnik [email protected]

Winter 2015-2016 15

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 15 11/12/15 5:31 AM Bufflehead (Bucephala Albeola) Tod Winston ©Abby M c B ride

Birder 1: “He’s up! Just to the left of the buoy!” Birder 2: “Where?” “WHICH buoy?” Birder 1: “The… Ah, too late; he’s down.”

his fragment of excited and ultimately disappointing conversation will be Tfamiliar to any who’ve spent time focused on the sea ducks, grebes, and loons that winter along our shoreline—all of which merit a closer look. If I had to choose a favorite among this varied though sometimes frustrating group of waterbirds, however, it would be a diminutive diving duck that is easy to spot, especially beautiful, and exquisitely adapted to its particular ecological niche: the bufflehead. life in frigid waters, conditions that humans and clear-cutting of its boreal forest nesting The smallest of North American ducks can withstand for minutes at most. An ancient grounds—and, of course, climate change. (See at just 13.5 inches in length, the bufflehead’s bird, the bufflehead has survived in its present pages 12-14 for a number of opportunities to name is thought to derive from a combination form for at least two million years. see bufflehead this winter.) of “buffalo” and “head”; while displaying, Bufflehead are among the last sea ducks the male raises feathers on its large head, to leave our area in the spring, when they creating an odd shape. Male bufflehead stand head north to the boreal forest of Canada to out against the gray expanse of winter water breed. There this species, so well adapted to because of the brightly contrasting white diving and hunting beneath the water, nests and black of both their heads and bodies. in an unexpected locale: abandoned nesting Seeking (On closer inspection, their “black” coloring cavities of the northern flicker. So closely is the reveals an iridescent green and purple sheen.) bufflehead’s ecology intertwined with that of Nominations The female is grayer in tone, with a smaller the flicker that its breeding range lies entirely for Board of white patch behind the eye. Wintering across within that of this woodpecker. Bufflehead, North America and as far south as the Yucatan which are largely monogamous, raise broods of Directors and Cuba, bufflehead can be found bobbing up to a dozen or so young—which tumble to about in small groups in ponds, lakes, and the ground from their nest hole, miraculously NYC Audubon is seeking sheltered coastal waters. As the birds feed, one unhurt, within a day or two of hatching. nominations to its board of individual often “stands watch” for predators Though the bufflehead is considered directors for three-year terms at the surface, as its companions dive with a “species of least conservation concern,” beginning in June 2016. Please a distinctive and energetic whole-body it is hunted frequently—and recovered submit your suggestions to David movement in search of fish and crustaceans. from overhunting in the early 20th century Speiser, chair of (Bufflehead are themselves prey to many following adoption of the Migratory Bird the nominating committee, at raptor species, as well as the great black- Treaty Act and Migratory Bird Convention [email protected]. backed gull.) Whether because of its small size Act by the U.S. and Canada. The greatest or its undeniably cute character, I am always current threats to the bufflehead’s survival awed by the bufflehead’s perfect adaptation to are development of its wintering habitat

16 www.nycaudubon.org

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 16 11/12/15 5:31 AM Good Eggs: Fostering the Future Stewards of the Shoreline Hillarie O’Toole © E mily was surprised to see both master’s degree candidates studying environmental conservation M

iller that many of them education at NYU’s Steinhardt School, helped to lead the Be a Good “I would have liked to Egg program, which is a collaboration with the NYU Wallerstein spend more time cleaning up the Collaborative for Urban Environmental Education. The program’s goal litter from the beach!” That is to connect students with local beaches and wetlands so that they statement is probably not understand the ecological value of these sites. The curriculum focuses what you would expect to hear on the interrelationship of living species and on protection of local about a group of middle school migratory shorebird habitat, culminating in a field trip to Plumb Beach. students, but it was indeed Plumb Beach is an important breeding site for horseshoe crabs—and the sentiment expressed the vast numbers of eggs laid by the horseshoe crabs are an important by NYC Audubon intern Hauling Trash Away food source for migratory shorebirds. In addition to observing species Jennifer Leigh Bombardier as they have studied, students lend a hand to clean the beach and gain she recalled a mid-June field valuable skills in data collection, critical thinking, and stewardship. trip to Plumb Beach, along the shore of Jamaica Bay. The seventh-grade Speaking of the program’s impact, Miller said “Students become students from Edward B. Shallow School in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, more aware of what important roles the animals have in the ecosystem, were participants in NYC Audubon’s “Be a Good Egg” program, along and how human activity can have a positive and negative impact on this with their teacher Diana Halvey local natural environment.” After the field trip, the students were asked Perhaps not so surprising is that for nearly 50% of the students, to present their observations and data. One group summed up what it was their very first time visiting the beach. When current statistics they’d learned by stating, “The litter on the beach affected the survival are reporting that children are spending less time outdoors and ever- of many of the species. The less you litter, or if you don’t litter at all, increasing time in front of a screen, how are we to ensure that they you can save the habitat.” have an opportunity to simply become acquainted with the natural The Be a Good Egg program is in the midst of its seventh year environment, let alone learn to love and care for it? collaborating with Halvey’s classroom; plans are already in motion for Bombardier and fellow NYC Audubon intern Emily Miller, the 2015-16 school year. © © E E mily mily M M iller iller

Students from the Edward B. Shallow School, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn Spotting a Horseshoe Crab

Winter 2015-2016 17

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 17 11/12/15 5:31 AM Update: The Urban Oasis in McGolrick Park Suzanne Charlé

he initial work is finished in this New plantings were overseen by Garden Guardian which is on the National Register of Historic York City landmark, the birds are Ann Seligman. In all, over two dozen native Places. But the effort is important nonetheless: Tcoming back—and so are the kids. varieties are now in residence in the 124-year- “In addition to habitat, there’s the educational In May 2014, with a $25,000 grant from old park. Some—including common component.” Children from two nearby the Greenpoint Community Environmental milkweed and royal ferns—haven’t become schools are often in the park, bird-watching.

for the Greenpoint oil spill), work started to joe-pye weed, black raspberry, and the recently eligman transform the barren landscape of a corner of planted common and Canadian serviceberry, Brooklyn’s McGolrick Park into a quarter-acre blackhaw viburnum, and highbush blueberry, native plant garden. (See “Going Native,” The are doing very well, says Kriensky. Urban Audubon, Winter 2014-15.) In May and June, Kriensky oversaw “The idea was to improve the habitat for additional bird surveys. Eight species of migrating birds, insects, bats, and butterflies,” birds were counted: house sparrow, European says Debra Kriensky, NYC Audubon’s starling, rock pigeon, American robin, fish conservation biologist. The project—a joint crow, mourning dove, northern cardinal, and effort by NYC Audubon, New York City chimney swift. On September 18, 2015—the Department of Parks & Recreation, and last survey—Kriensky saw American redstart, the Lutheran Church of the Messiah, which black-and-white warbler, and northern parula. borders the park—got off to a running “Nice to see that migrating songbirds are in start in June 2014. Volunteers planted over fact stopping in the park,” she notes. 4,000 native plants in three days, and NYC Kriensky adds that, since the area is so Audubon conducted two bird surveys, before small and the native plants have yet to fully A Young Canadian Serviceberry and after planting. establish themselves, it’s hard to prove the Grows among New England Asters This year in May and June, additional benefit of the plantings in the historic park, and Goldenrod

Book Review Carol Peace Robins

t’s an amazing adventure story, its ending yet unknown. A hardy sandpiper called the rufa red knot and an ancient mariner known as the horseshoe crab meet on East Coast beaches every spring. The Ibird is on its way to its Canadian Arctic breeding grounds from its winter home at the tip of South America—a 19,000-mile round-trip. The crab is crawling ashore to lay its eggs. For The Narrow Edge, Deborah Cramer decided to follow the red knot “to the edge of the sea from one end of the earth to the other.” Her goal was not only to witness the highlights of this astounding migration and relationship but to explore both the plight of the shorebird, recently listed as a threatened species, and that of the horseshoe crab, whose numbers are rapidly dwindling. Cramer accompanies scientists as they count and flag birds by plane, helicopter, and ATV through blistering heat and bitter cold. Beginning at the knot’s winter home in Tierra del Fuego, she admires the art of counting birds from the air. In Delaware Bay she sees emaciated knots arriving for two weeks of rest and fattening up on nourishing horseshoe crab eggs. In the Arctic she visits the birds’ Southampton The Narrow Edge: Island breeding grounds, in hopes of finding numerous nests. But everywhere she travels, there are far fewer knots, horseshoe crabs, and nests than in past years. A Tiny Bird, an Ancient Crab Knots have declined because crabs have declined. And crabs have declined because fishermen value them & an Epic Journey as bait and medical researchers prize their blue blood for its remarkable ability to detect toxins. By Deborah Cramer Unlike the red knot, Cramer takes a number of detours on her way, discoursing on the dangers of wind farms, avian flu, and red tide; she tells tales of early explorers, monumental oil spills, and the migration of Yale University Press, 2015 eels. Her wide-ranging account is complemented by the lovely drawings of Michael DiGiorgio.

18 www.nycaudubon.org

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 18 11/12/15 5:31 AM Holiday Books for Children Suzanne Charlé

ith holidays approaching, we’re offering a few suggestions of books to inspire the youngest birders and their families. (Our thanks to WAnn Levine of Bank Street Book Store for her suggestions.) Non-Fiction and Hands-On In her Field Guide to the Neighborhood Birds of New York City, Leslie Day, a science teacher who lived on a boat at the 79th Street Boat Basin, has produced a delightfully informative book that helps identify 90 of the City’s bird species. With a foreword by our own Don Riepe, illustrations by Trudy Smoke, and photographs by Beth Bergman. (Johns Hopkins University Press) Egg: Nature’s Perfect Package teaches beginning biologists all about eggs—from those of the extinct elephant bird to those of the chicken and crocodile. With ingenious illustrations of cut and torn papers by Steve Jenkins and clever text by Robin Page. (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

Audubon Birds – A Field Guide to North American Birds—available as free apps for iPhone, Android, and Kindle—gives kids all the info they might want, allowing them to search birds by color, size, etc. They can even record bird sightings in a virtual notebook. (www.audubon.org/apps) Aviary Wonders Inc. is a “catalog” cleverly crafted by Kate Samworth, offering birders young and old a chance to create their own birds with an assortment of wings, beaks, and crests; the birds can even be taught to sing. Counterbalanced by sobering facts about exotic species that are now extinct. (Clarion Books) “Bird Sleuth: Bird Spy Bingo” is just one of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s creative lures to attract children to the out-of-doors. The goal: to fill an entire Bingo line by getting four common observations of birds correct in a row. Another resource, “Bird Sleuth Game Cards,” features 36 large photos of Eastern birds and information about them. (www.birdsleuth.org/502/) Fiction

In Shh! We Have a Plan by award-winning illustrator Chris Haughton, four friends try to catch a bird, but the youngest keeps calling “Hello, Birdie!,” foiling the others’ plan. A perfect read-aloud book. (Candlewick Press) In A Home for Bird, Philip C. Stead follows Vernon the toad and his friend, a silent blue “Bird,” on a fantastic and ultimately successful search for home. A Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Book of 2012. (Roaring Brook Press) You Nest Here with Me is a lyrical bedtime portrait of birds’ nesting habits and habitats, while following sleepy swallows, terns, and a dozen more, all in rhyme. By mother-daughter team Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple and illustrator Melissa Sweet. (Boyds Mill Press) Owl Babies finds three owlets awake in their hole in a tree, awaiting their mother’s return. A perennial favorite by Martin Waddell with illustrations by Patrick Benson. (Candlewick Press)

Winter 2015-2016 19

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 19 11/12/15 5:31 AM News & Notes

of products containing plastic microbeads in the City: Int. No. 0928-2015. We also support pending New York State legislation, Res. No. A.5896/S.3932 (also known as the “Microbead-Free Waters Act”). Mi- crobeads, a common ingredient in modern hygiene products, do not biodegrade and are harmful to water quality, and ultimately to waterbird and human populations alike. Please visit www.nycaudubon.org to learn more

CONSERVATION ON THE BIG SCREEN This fall, NYC Audubon participated in discussion panels following the screenings of two films concerning imperiled bird populations: The Messenger and Poached. Learn WEST POND PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE roof continued to receive positive media more about Poached at www.poachedmovie. RELEASED coverage this summer and fall, including a com. The Messenger will have its theatrical In early October the National Park Service July 22 article in the Wall Street Journal (“A U.S. release on December 4. Learn more at (NPS) released its long-awaited Environ- Project that’s Literally for the Birds”), a fea- www.themessengerdoc.com. mental Assessment (EA) for the breach ture on CBS This Morning in early August repair of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge’s (watch it at http://tinyurl.com/CBSJavits), BOARD, ADVISORS, AND STAFF West Pond. The NPS Preferred Alternative and a September 4 article in the New York After over nine years of service, Mary Tyler would “emphasize repair of the primary Times (“Renovation at Javits Center Al- Moore has stepped down from the Advisory and secondary breaches and the subsequent leviates Hazard for Manhattan’s Birds”). Council. Ms. Moore was instrumental in restoration of West Pond and the loop NYC Audubon Director of Conservation bringing attention to the removal of Pale trail. This alternative would also include and Science Susan Elbin was interviewed Male’s nest from its Fifth Avenue site in replacing the water control structure, pos- for all three pieces concerning the success 2004, and was honored at NYC Audubon’s sible installation of a groundwater well or of the Center’s renovation in reducing bird Fall Roost in 2006. More recently, she municipal water source, implementation of collisions, as well as NYC Audubon’s con- provided crucial support for publication of resource management strategies to improve tinuing monitoring of the green roof’s gull our “raptors and rodenticide” brochure. We seasonal use by wildlife, and opportunities colony, bats, and other wildlife. thank Mary Tyler Moore for her dedication for natural resource-based activities such to conservation and for her contributions to as birding, walking, and improved inter- STATE FUNDING FOR TNR VETOED NYC Audubon’s work. pretive activities.” As The Urban Audubon We are happy to report that in late Octo- We are happy to welcome our new went to press, NYC Audubon conserva- ber, Governor Cuomo vetoed legislation Controller, David Cavill, who joined us tion staff were reviewing the EA in detail, to provide state funds to feral cat Trap- in October. David (who prefers to go by but pleased that the Preferred Alternative Neuter-Return (TNR) programs, which “Cavill,”) has a professional background would restore a crucial freshwater habitat have not been scientifically proven effective in non-profit finance, operations, and to the Jamaica Bay ecosystem. Following at reducing feral cat populations. Feral cats management. Much of his connection to its release, the EA was available for public pose great risks to New York’s wild bird mission-driven organizations comes from review and comment until November 6. populations. a sense of spiritual motivation. He holds a Please visit www.nycaudubon.org to get master of divinity degree from Yale current details. EFFORTS RAMP UP TO “BAN THE BEAD” Divinity School and is currently pursuing On October 26, NYC Audubon testified rabbinic ordination at the Academy for ALL EYES ON THE JAVITS CENTER to the New York City Council Committee Jewish Religion. The Jacob Javits Convention Center’s re- on Consumer Affairs in support of pro- cent bird-friendly renovation and green posed legislation that would ban the sale

20 www.nycaudubon.org

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 20 11/12/15 5:31 AM Volunteer Acknowledgments

NYC Audubon’s conservation and education work would not be possible Doug Futuyma BC Mary Jane Kaplan OA, UA Ed Gaillard CBC Gail Karlsson HH, WE without the help of hundreds of volunteers who donate thousands of Dennis Galcik JB Karen Karp PSF hours each year. If you volunteered during the period from October 2014 Andrew Garn IBT Donald Kass EO, JB, TIL Ellen Gerber UA Ellen Kastel EO to September 2015 and your name is not on this list, please let us know! Evan Gever JB Linda Keller JB We strive to keep accurate records for our funders and want to make Christopher Girgenti HH Aminta Kilawan CON sure you receive the recognition you deserve. Jessica Glass CON Jeffrey Kimball FR, OA Lisa Glass CON Robert J. Kimtis OA Beryl Goldberg TIL Catherine Kindschuh JB Patricia Aakre CON Marsilia A. Boyle MP, OA Noa Milca Cruz CBC Rachel T. Goldberg CBC Mark Kindschuh JB Madison Abadi-Biscaino Elizabeth Bradley CBC Marie-Claire Cunningham Donna Marie Goldman JB Cameron King CBC CON Jess Braverman JB CBC Kate Goldman JB Kara Kinsey MP Colin Ackers JB John Breen MP Phil Cusimano JB Abby Goldstein CBC Bridget Klapinski JB Tiffany Adams CBC, EO, JB Brenda Brewer CON Jessica Cuthbert PSF Max Goldstein CBC Sarah Kleinman JB Deborah Allen CBC Mike Britt CBC Stephanie Damoff JB Rob Goldstein CBC Lauren Klingsberg OA, UA Barbara Alpert EO, TIL Pamela Broderick JB Andrew Darrell OA Sadie Goldstein CBC Jonathan Klizas UA Oakes Ames OA Allison Bronson JB Diane Darrow PSF, UA Amy Gong CON John Knoernschild CBC John Anderson JB, PSF Maude Brown OA Christine Datz-Romero CBC Nicolas Gonzalez CBC Michelle Knoernschild CBC Patrick Andrews MP Donegal Browne IBT Alice Davis CON Kate Gorman CBC Jeff Kollbrunner IBT Richard T. Andrias OA Claudia Brumbaugh EO, JB Elijah Davis PSF Adèle Gotlib CBC Jeff Kolodzinski HH, WE Jan Arendtsz WE Adrian Burke CBC Leslie Day IBT Louise Gouck CBC Janice Kosta CON Felicity Arengo CBC Albert K. Butzel OA Dillon de Give MP Gabriella Grafakos PSF Heather Kramer JB Julia Armstrong JB Kamryn Byron JB Alexandra DeCandia PSF, UA Brian Gratwicke UA Jeff Kraus HH, JB Stephen Garrett Arnold JB Fayme Cai PSF Marisa DeDominicis EO Alexis Grecki PSF Lynn Kraus HH, JB Sarah Grimké Aucoin OA Claire Cammarata TIL Melanie del Rosario HH Victoria Grecki PSF David Krauss CBC Seth Ausubel BC Judy Capel EO Daniel Dellatorre PSF Michael Faisal Green PSF Chris Kreussling UA Ellen Azorin EO, UA James Owen Caprell JB Wolfgang Demisch CBC Caroline Greenleaf CBC Kimberly Kriger FR, OA Patrick Baglee CBC Joshua Carrera JB Brad Derfner CBC Natalie Gregorio WE Bob Krinsky CBC Michael Baglole UA Clifford Case FR, OA Martin Dessejour JB Renata Grieco PSF Joseph Kulhanek HH Mike Baird WE Juliane Casey CON Meelan Dessejour JB Stefan Guelly HH Dave Kunstler HH Derek Bakken UA Andrew Casey-Tomasi JB Alice Deutsch CBC Cynthia Guile EO, IBT Benedict Kupstas JB Andrew Baksh BC, EO Liam Casey-Tomasi JB Charmain Devereaux IBT Lorraine Haddad IBT Akira Kurosawa IBT Kristen Bannister FR, LA Noeleen Casey-Tomasi JB Elizabeth Dluhos HH Clifford Hagen BC Janice Laneve OA Richard Barcia CBC, PSF Elaine Chachkin IBT Benjamin Dobson JB Nancy Hager OA David W. Lavinsky CBC Elle Barnes PSF Suzanne Charlé UA Marymichael D’Onofrio JB Alex Hamabuchi CON Jeffrey Lazar JB Catherine Barron CBC Esmeralda Connors Chauca Stephanie Dosch CBC Jennifer Hamilton CBC, PSF Anne Lazarus CBC Annie Barry EO TIL Jane Dowling JB Karen Hammonds PSF Anne Lee JB Dorit Bar-Zakay WE Franci Chauca TIL Kathy Drake CBC Judith Hartmann CON Ching Lee CON Rob Bate BC, OA, UA Judy Chen CBC Jessica Drew JB Daryl Hartshorne PSF Kyu Lee CBC Helen Baumgartner OA Maurice Chen JB Alan Drogin CBC Mark Hatchski UA Ranyee Lee CBC David Beal PSF Christine Cheng JB Amanda Duncan JB Dawn Hearne EO Cameron Lefevre WE Andrea Bearbower JB Skylar Cheng JB Helena Durst FR Dellman Hecht JB Cindy Lenkiewicz CBC Ryan Bearbower JB Victoria Choy CON Zef Egan MP Thomas Heinimann HH Lawrence Levine OA Matt Beck JB Michael Christopher JB Gregory Elbin JB Sarah Heintz CBC, HH Theodore Levine CON Eugene Beckes WE Anthony Ciancimino UA Suzie Elliott CBC Catherine Schragis Heller FR, Richard Li PSF Karen Benfield OA Robert Ciardullo PSF Joseph H. Ellis OA OA, UA Richard Lieberman CBC Drianne Benner FR, OA Angela Cichoski TIL Blake Evans CBC Lynne Hertzog CBC, OA, UA Jay Lim CON Kevin Bennett PSF Richard Cino IBT Clementine Evans CBC Tim Hettler MP Alice Lin CON Matthieu Benoit CBC Caitlin Clark JB Alexander Ewing OA Jessica Hoch JB Charles Lindsay JB Nora Benoliel PSF Robin Clugston CBC Auden Fader TIL Carla Hojaiban MP Anna Liu JB Kristen Berger JB Jane Coakley OA Marc Fader TIL Nicole Hokia CON Michelle Locke CBC, JB Mika Berger-Wills JB Joanne Coco CBC Andrew Farnsworth CBC, TIL Don Hooker JB Anne Lyons MP Daniel A. Biederman FR Alan Cohen JB Farris Farouki CBC Bobby Horvath IBT Barbara Lysenko PSF Amanda Bielskas PSF Chloe Cohen JB Sherry Felix WE Cathy Horvath IBT Andrew Maas HH Chris Blair JB Julie Cohen JB Mike Feller HH Robert Houston PSF Harrison D. Maas BC, CBC, James Blewitt CBC Phoebe Cohen JB Sandy Fiebelkorn IBT Claire Huang PSF FR, OA Dr. Claude Bloch OA, UA Jared Cole CBC Alexandra Filipek PSF Holly Hunnicutt IBT Charlie Madeira CBC Lucienne Bloch UA Nicholas Comparato HH, James Karl Fischer PSF Amy Impelluso HH Samuel Madeira CBC Len Blumin UA JB, PSF Jonathan Flothow JB Paul Impelluso HH Melissa Malloy HH MaryJane Boland IBT Jules Corkery IBT Marcia T. Fowle FR, OA, UA Sarah Jeffords OA Beth Manes HH Jennifer Bombardier TIL Sunny Corrao JB Laura Francoeur HH Janet Jensen WE Pamela Manice OA Avi Bonime TIL Elizabeth Craig EO, HH Lee Frankel CBC, UA Rob Jett IBT Camila Marcone PSF Victoria Booth HH, IBT, JB, Judy Craig BC, OA Don Freiday/USFWS WE Eartha Johnson CON Janet Marinelli JB PSF, WE Claudia Cravens MP, PSF Richard Fried OA Emily Joiner JB Doris Martin JB Ron Bourque JB Rebekah Creshkoff OA Anita Friedman OA Deborah Jones EO, FR Johnny Martin JB Chris Bowser JB Erika Crispo JB Samantha Friend PSF Henry Jordan-Levy CBC Rob Mastrianni IBT Ned Boyajian UA Sara Crosby PSF, TIL Mai Fukata CON Anita Kalonaros PSF Lily Mastrodimos PSF Markley Boyer JB Mayra Cruz CBC Elizabeth Fuller CON Bryan Kao PSF Annette Mathes CBC

Winter 2015-2016 21

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 21 11/12/15 5:31 AM Volunteer Acknowledgments (continued)

Laura Mauldin JB Annie Mulholland JB Beverly Parker CON Larry Pugliares UA Linda Sincavage OA E.J. McAdams CBC Deborra Mullins HH Harald Parzer JB Kellie Quinones EO Shay Singh JB Abby McBride UA Melissa Murgittroyd HH Kristine Paulus WE Alastair Rae UA Gerald W. Slevin CBC Michael McCarthy WE Linda Muriello IBT Irene Payne CBC Miriam Rakowski CBC Breann Sliker JB Mike McCue PSF Fritz Myer UA Mona Payton PSF Hailey Ramjas CON Hermina Smatlanek JB Betsy McCulley UA Wendy Nadler JB Ken Pearlman CBC Shannon Randall CBC Tara Mei Smith JB Liam McDermott PSF Steve Nanz UA, WE Ellen Pehek HH Anita Randolfi CBC Lynsy Smithson-Stanley CBC Mary McGlynn CON Gunda Narang PSF Anders Peltomaa CBC Jennifer Rauch HH, UA Samantha Snowden TIL Sarah McGullam CBC, UA Eugene Nardelli OA Chang Peng HH Alison Rea WE Evdokia Sofos JB Rita McMahon HH, PSF Rohan Narine CON, UA, WE Paulette Penzvalto IBT Andrew A. Reding UA Ben Solotaire JB Robert McMinn IBT Baker Neale JB Amanda Perkins MP Esther Regelson TIL Fredric Spar OA Tatum Megumi MP Christine Nealy JB Tom Perlman CBC Declan Rexer CBC Jennie Spector EO Laura Meyers UA, WE Jane Nealy JB Dadie Perlov PSF Peter Richter IBT David Speiser BC, FR, OA, Ellen Michaels UA, WE Max Nelson PSF Stacy Pesarchik JB, HH Hailey Riechelson PSF UA, WE Martha Millard CBC Mary Ng IBT Ferran Pestaña WE Don Riepe BC, CON, HH, Lloyd Spitalnik BC, UA, WE Emily Miller JB, TIL Maryanne Nolan MP Dorothy M. Peteet OA OA, UA, WE Cathy St. Pierre IBT Keelin Miller CBC Jeff Nulle BC, CBC Johanna Phelps MP David Ringer CBC, TIL Barbara Standley MP Nathan Miller PSF James O’Brien IBT Amy Phillips HH Hannah Ripps PSF Susan Stanley HH Peter Miller WE Lisa Ochs EO Sharon Phillips IBT Rachel Ripps PSF Tom Stephenson OA Thomas Milligan MP Sofia Olivera OA David Polek CBC Deborah Rivel IBT Caroline Stern PSF Virginia Millington MP Grace Oppel JB Steve Pontillo CBC Matthew Ro JB Marcy Stern CBC Lance Mitchell JB Joe O’Sullivan EO Brittany Porter JB Carol Peace Robins Leslie Sternlieb CON David Momjian PSF Hillarie O’Toole HH, UA Sarah Porter CON, JB CON, UA Margaret Stevens EO Kate Mooney JB Kelly Otterness JB François Portmann IBT, UA, David Robins CON Virginia K. Stowe FR Liz Mooney JB Steven “Otto” Ottogalli PSF WE Carrie Roble JB Walter Strachowsky JB Mary Tyler Moore OA Sandy Paci BC Peter Post BC James Rodrigues PSF Louise Stracke PSF Malcolm Morris CBC Adriana Palmer PSF Elizabeth Powers JB Alexandra Roe JB Orr Stuhl MP Anne “Dusty” Mortimer- Roxanne Palmer CBC Chrystal Prather HH Carlton Roe JB Alexander Summers HH, MP Maddox EO, FR, OA Ekaterina Papchinskaya WE Kevin Pratt IBT Kevin Roe JB Debbie Swamback CBC Mark Moschell WE Will Papp CBC Robin Preiss PSF Natasha Roemer PSF Lenore Swenson CBC Ben Moss MP Rajesh Parameswara JB Susan Price CON Lynn Rogan IBT Lauryn Tacoronte JB Peter Rhoades Mott EO, OA Traci Paris HH Alix Prybyla PSF Lewis Rosenberg OA Alicia Tait JB Allison Roth PSF Mary Tannen IBT Gillian Rothchild CON Jeanne Tao PSF Andrew Rubenfeld BC Mya Than OA Give a Gift of Membership Christina Rubin EO, OA Shifaan Thowfeequ JB Show that you care by giving a gift that makes a difference. Elizabeth Ruiz JB Brian Tierney PSF Help protect wild birds and habitat in New York City with a gift membership to NYC Masumi Russel CON Vijay Tiwari CON Audubon. Members receive The Urban Audubon newsletter and The eGret enewsletter; Julia Russell PSF Maggie Tiwarie CON enjoy discounts on field trips and classes; and make a difference in the City’s wildlife Diane SanRoman JB Nancy Tognan HH Neil Schimmel CON Anikó Totha UA and natural areas. Sue Schmid PSF Elizabeth Tryon JB [ ] American Kestrel Circle $2,500 [ ] Conservationist $250 [ ] Supporter $100 Robert Schmunk IBT Phyllis Tseng JB [ ] Family $75 [ ] Dual $50 [ ] Friend $25 [ ] Student/Senior(65+)$15 Kenneth Cole Schneider WE Jeffrey Twumasi PSF [ ] New [ ] Renewal Alison Schondorf CBC Jessica Twumasi PSF Casey Schott JB Yuko Ulrich JB Additionally, I would like to make a donation to NYC Audubon in Kerry Schuss CBC Lisa Uomoleale JB Max Schuss CBC Gretchen Van Matre CBC, the amount of $ _____. Monica Schuss CBC CON, EO, TIL Mark Schwall UA Montana Vasquez-Grinnell Name: ______Jean Schwartz IBT PSF Mitch Schwartz EO Sandya Viswanathan JB Sara Schwartz JB Evelyn Vivar CON Address: ______Vicki Seabrook CBC, IBT Bernard von Simson JB Ann Seligman EO, JB, MP Isabelle von Simson JB Francis Serrano CON Peter von Simson JB Phone: H: ______C: ______Email: ______Mike Shane HH Tina Walsh JB Hallie Shapiro MP Jeffrey Ward CBC [ ] Enclosed is my check payable to NYC Audubon Lenore Shaw OA Nancy Ward EO, OA James R. Sheffield FR, OA Terra Weiland PSF [ ] Charge my credit card: [ ] Visa [ ] MC [ ] Amex [ ]DSC John Shemilt BC, FR, OA Sally Weiner CBC Christa Shen PSF Dottie Werkmeister JB Card #______Exp. Date:______Dominic Sherony UA Katherine Westermeyer MP Isaiah Sigman CBC Sarah Wheeler JB Elaine Silber CBC, FR, OA Lou Widerka BC Mail this form with your payment to: Stefanie Siller PSF Anna Wierzbicka MP NYC Audubon • 71 West 23rd Street, Suite 1523 • New York, NY 10010 Jodi Silver CON Megan Wilcots PSF Heather Simon JB Angell Williams WE

Membership in NYC Audubon does not include National Audubon membership or Audubon Magazine. Donations to NYC Audubon are Richard Simon IBT Gabriel Willow CBC, UA tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. NYC Audubon is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Michael Simons MP Simon Wills JB

22 www.nycaudubon.org

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 22 11/12/15 5:31 AM Support NYC Audubon’s Mission

Angus Wilson BC There Are Many Ways to Protect Birds New York City’s Wild BIRDS Tod Winston UA John Wittenberg CBC n addition to becoming a member or Give a Matching Gift Louise Woehrle JB making a one-time donation, there Supporters can double or triple the value of Amanda Wu PSF Yael Wyner PSF Iare several ways to play a larger role donations through their employers’ matching Misako Yamagishi CBC, CON, PSF in supporting NYC Audubon’s mission to gift programs. Contact your company’s Amy Yee IBT, TIL Atom Yee TIL protect wild birds and their habitat in the five personnel office to learn how. Be sure to specify Kathryn Yengel UA boroughs of New York City: New York City Audubon as the designee. Bruce Yolton CBC, IBT, WE Tiffany Yu CON Chris Zavelo OA Give Monthly Leave a Legacy Julia Zeh PSF Provide ongoing monthly support to ensure When you designate New York City Audubon Daniel Zeiger JB Sam Zhou CBC our birds are protected throughout the year. as a beneficiary in your will, IRA, life insurance John Zucker CBC You can make a huge difference for as little policy, or investment/bank account, your gift Ryan Zucker CBC Marsha Zuckerman CBC as $10 per month. See the membership form will support the conservation of the birds below or donate online at www.nycaudubon. you love for many years to come. Visit www. VOLUNTEERING ORGANIZATIONS Children’s Museum of Art EO org/donate. nycaudubon.org/leave-a-legacy, or contact us to Columbia University Environmental Club learn more. For more information on a bequest, PSF Earth Matter EO Become a Member of the American see the Remember NYC Audubon box on page 2. Governors Island Alliance EO Kestrel Circle Kenneth Cole CON Soar above the rest by making a donation of To learn more about any of the above, contact Little Eva’s EO McGolrick Park Neighborhood Alliance MP $2,500 or more. American Kestrel Circle Director of Development Kellye Rosenheim The Mission Continues CON Patrons enjoy special access and exclusive at [email protected] or 646-502- Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas) CON National Park Service EO tours. See the membership form below or 9611. Rocking the Boat CON donate online at www.nycaudubon.org/donate. Sadhana CON, EO Volunteer for Wildlife IBT Contact us to learn more. Wild Bird Fund EO, PSF Wildlife Conservation Society PSF William E. Macaulay Honors College PSF MAKE A DIFFERENCE Contributing members are essential to our education and conservation work. Help protect birds and habitat in the five boroughs by joining our flock. As a member of NYC Audubon you will LEGEND BC = Birders Coalition for Gateway receive The Urban Audubon newsletter and The eGret enewsletter; enjoy discounts on field trips and classes; and make a difference in the City’s wildlife and natural areas. CBC = Christmas Bird Count [ ] American Kestrel Circle $2,500 [ ] Conservationist $250 [ ] Supporter $100 CON = Conservation [ ] Family $75 [ ] Dual $50 [ ] Friend $25 [ ] Student/Senior(65+)$15 [ ] New [ ] Renewal EO = Education and Outreach [ ] I would like become a member by making a recurring donation in the amount FR = 2014 Fall Roost of $_____ each month. HH = Harbor Herons Additionally, I would like to make a donation to NYC Audubon in the amount of $ ______. I’m already a member but would like to make a gift in the amount of $ ______. IBT = Injured Bird Transporters and Raptors NYC Group Name: ______JB = Jamaica Bay (includes Horseshoe Crab and Shorebird Surveys) Address: ______OA = Office Administration LA = Look Around New York City Phone: H: ______C: ______Email: ______

MP = McGolrick Park [ ] Enclosed is my check payable to NYC Audubon PSF = Project Safe Flight [ ] Charge my credit card: [ ] Visa [ ] MC [ ] Amex [ ]DSC Card #______Exp. Date:______TIL = Tribute in Light Mail this form with your payment to: UA = The Urban Audubon NYC Audubon • 71 West 23rd Street, Suite 1523 • New York, NY 10010 WE = Website and The eGret eNewsletter Membership in NYC Audubon does not include National Audubon membership or Audubon Magazine. Donations to NYC Audubon are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. NYC Audubon is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Winter 2015-2016 23

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 23 11/12/15 5:31 AM Spectrum INDICIA’S JOB #______

PRSRT STD NOTES: US POSTAGE PAID #1 PERMIT #575 Manchester, NH

FIRST CLASS US POSTAGE PAID #2 PERMIT #575 Manchester, NH

New York City Audubon NONPROFIT ORG. 71 West 23rd Street US POSTAGE Suite 1523 PAID #3 New York, NY 10010 PERMIT #575 Manchester, NH

Dated Material: Winter 2015-2016 Newsletter

FIRST CLASS PRESORT US POSTAGE PAID #4 PERMIT #575 Manchester, NH

BOUND PRINTED MATTER US POSTAGE PAID #5 PERMIT #575 Manchester, NH Holiday Gifts for the Birds

Give a Gift That Travels the HemisphereSpectrum INDICIA's.indd 1 5/1/12 1:50 PM his holiday, give the gift of a banded bird or tagged horseshoe crab! Threatened American oystercatchers and common terns have headed south for the winter, Tbut they’ll be returning soon to nest in New York City. NYC Audubon can track these and other birds throughout the year thanks to generous support of our bird-banding research, conducted each spring during nesting season. When you give the gift of an adopted tern, oystercatcher, egret, snowy owl, or horseshoe crab, you’ll be helping to fund valuable ongoing research—and the “adoptive parent” will receive a beautiful photo of his or her adopted animal, a field update, and the tracking number of the actual banded bird or horseshoe crab sponsored. Price varies according to animal selected. Gifts may be ordered at www.nycaudubon.org/support-us or by calling the NYC Audubon office at 212-691-7483. Give the Gift of Membership hare your love of New York City’s birds with a NYC Audubon Gift Membership. Includes all regular membership benefits plus a Sset of eight holiday gift cards. See page 22 for details. Happy Holidays!

24 www.nycaudubon.org

65662_NYC_Audubon_Winter15.indd 24 11/12/15 5:31 AM