EASTERN LONG ISLAND AUDUBON SOCIETY – From the Barrens to the Bays Formerly Moriches Bay Audubon, established 1967
Fall/Winter 2020 — Vol. XLV, No. 4
he Bald Eagle is our majestic national pairs in the lower 48 States. The Bald The symbol. With its white head and tail Eagle’s remarkable recovery is due to its Tand dark body, it is truly a memorable protection under the Endangered Species experience to see one of these regal birds. Act and controls placed on hazardous Bald Do you remember your first encounter chemicals that adversely affected their with a Bald Eagle? Mine was in 1968 or ability reproduce successfully. During the 1969 on the Penobscot River in Maine. last century, reproductive impairment The Bald Eagle population was at a very from pesticides (especially DDT) and Eagle low ebb during that time period. Yet a heavy metals were responsible for the small group of surviving Bald Eagles would virtual elimination of the Bald Eagle Byron Young congregate on the winter ice flows above throughout much of its range. The the Vezzie Dam in Bangor, Maine to feed persistent and toxic compounds would accumulate in fish. When the Bald Eagles feed upon these contaminated fish the chemicals would build up to high levels in the Eagles’ bodies. The higher concentrations of chemical contaminants would interfere with the deposition of calcium in their eggshells, making the eggshells soft and easily broken as the parents attempted to incubate them. DDT, the main culprit in this decline, was banned in 1972 providing Bald Eagles and other fish-eating birds of prey an opportunity to purge their systems of these toxic chemicals and to again successfully reproduce. In 1973, the Endangered Species Act was implemented to protect the Bald Eagles and other birds of prey. The Bald Eagle was practically extirpated in New York during that period of time. In order to restore the Bald Eagle Photo: Janis Hurley population, New York State began a Bald on the Bufflehead and Golden Eye ducks Eagle Restoration Project in 1976. This that overwintered in the open water program was an attempt to reestablish above the dam. It was always exciting to a breeding population of Bald Eagles observe these magnificent birds as they through hacking (hand rearing from hunted, feed or loafed on the ice. nestlings to independence) Bald Eagles. Over the next thirteen years 198 nestling At that time,the 1960’s, the Bald Eagle Bald Eagles were collected (mostly from population had an estimated nesting Alaska), transported and released in population of 417 pairs. Today that New York. number has risen to over 9,700 nesting Continued on page 3
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL TIME! THE OSPREY Fall/Winter 2020 Page 2
THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER Participants are Moving Forward always welcome at Byron Young the Christmas Bird e hope this issue of our resuming until at least Spring 2021. We newsletter finds all our members are exploring ways to “meet” via virtual Counts and their family and friends W methods, and we’ll keep you posted! Our Christmas Bird Counts are going staying well! Annual Fundraising Dinner, usually held ahead, but it is up to each leader to The ELIAS Board of Directors has been in October, has been canceled for 2020. safely meeting throughout the summer, We all miss the social aspect of ELIAS and determine if and how the count is to primarily to develop a timeline in hopes we thank you all for your patience and be conducted. Here are the leaders of resuming the activities we offered support during this unique time. We wish and the dates of the planned counts. . we all could get together – and we will as pre-Covid. On the plus side –The Osprey To participate please contact has returned! We hope you’ve enjoyed soon as possible!! the leaders of each count: receiving it in your mailbox! The Annual On another note, please remember that Seed Sale, in cooperation with Quogue the Fall hunting will begin on October Wildlife Refuge was held in November, 1st and run through the end of February. Quogue-Water Mill CBC with ordering and pick-up modified for Archery season begins on Oct. 1st. Sunday, December 20, 2020 safety reasons. Field Trips have resumed Further information on locations and Contact Steve Biasetti – with modification – for October, seasons can be found on the following [email protected] November and January. Christmas Bird websites: Counts will take place mid-December, and the Annual Water Fowl Counts are https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8373. Central Suffolk being planned for January. Be sure that html Sunday, December 27, 2020 we have your email address on file – https://suffolkcountyny.gov/Portals/0/ Contact Eileen Schwinn Our Newsletter Editor frequently sends formsdocs/parks/Maps/ARCHERY%20 [email protected] Constant Contact notices out between INFO%202020-2021.pdf Osprey issues. If you are not on our email Stay Safe and Best Wishes to All!E Orient Count list — go to our web site and sign up. Saturday, December 26 2019 She also posts information on our website Contact: John Sep at and FaceBook page to update and remind. [email protected] Unfortunately, some of our events are not able to resume at this time: Our monthly Members Meetings are not
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Bald Eagles Continued from page1
The hacking project life span in the wild of more than 30 years. ended in 1989, The Bald Eagle mates for life, returning to when the program nest in the general area (within 250 miles) accomplished its from which they fledged. Once a pair goal of establishing selects a nesting territory, they use it for ten breeding pairs the rest of their lives. The oldest record primarily in upstate of 38 years of age is for a New York Bald New York. Since Eagle tagged in 1997 and unfortunately hit then the Bald Eagle be a car in 2015. program’s focus has Hopes are high that Bald Eagles will now shifted to finding continue to expand in New York and and protecting nesting elsewhere, repopulating areas from which pairs in New York they have disappeared. In the meantime, State, and monitoring our challenge is to secure sufficient their productivity. Bald suitable habitat and to limit human Eagles continue to do disturbance within these habitats, allowing well; in 2010 New York the species to continue to live and expand had 173 breeding pairs Photo: Janis Hurley in New York. I contend that the Eagles which fledged 244 young. Each year, New have decided that there is suitable habitat York's Bald Eagles fledge about 10 percent in areas that do not fit the model of ideal more young eagles than the year before. habitat. Let’s take a look at Long Island Bald Eagles build some of the largest and recent Bald Eagle recovery. Yes, there is heaviest of all bird nests, some weighing suitable habitat on Long Island for nesting NESTING FACTS hundreds of pounds. The nests are typically pairs of Bald Eagles, however, such habitat 5 to 6 feet in diameter and 2 to 4 feet tall would not rank high on the any listing for • Clutch Size:1-3 eggs although a few have reached the depth preferred Bald Eagle nesting habitat. • Number of Broods: One brood of eight feet. The shape ranges from The first reported Bald Eagle nesting on • Egg Length: 2.3-3.3 in (5.8-8.4 cm) cylindrical to conical to flat. The nest is Long Island, since pre-industrial revolution usually located high in a tall, live white pine • Egg Width: 1.9-2.5 in (4.7-6.3 cm) days, was from a large parcel of private tree near water. Both sexes bring materials land on Eastern Long Island around 2008. • Incubation Period: 34-36 days to the nest, but the female does most of Since then successful nests have been • Nestling Period: 56-98 days the placement. They weave together sticks spotted in more urban areas around and fill in the cracks with softer material central and western Long Island. It still • Egg Description: Dull white, usually such as grass, moss, or cornstalks. The without markings requires a bit of luck, patience, and skill inside of the nest is lined first with lichen to find one of our resident Bald Eagle • Condition at Hatching: Covered or other fine woody material, then with pairs. If one checks Cornell University’s with light-gray down; eyes brown; downy feathers and sometimes sprigs of eBird website, you can find information on gape, legs, and skin pink. greenery. Near the coastlines, ground nests recent observations which might help you are built of whatever is available, including locate one of these magnificent birds. kelp and driftwood. Nests can take up to three months to build and may be reused Focusing on Long Island, a search of with additions and redecorating each year. the Cornell University eBird annual observational data, provided an interesting The largest Bald Eagle nest on record, in picture of the Bald Eagle’s observations St. Petersburg, Florida, was 2.9 meters around Long Island. Please note that each in diameter and 6.1 meters tall. Another observation does not indicate the level famous nest—in Vermilion, Ohio—was of the Long Island population. While the shaped like a wine glass and weighed data does show tremendous growth in almost two metric tons. It was used for 34 the Long Island Bald Eagle population, it years until the tree blew down. The Bald Eagle is a long-lived bird, with a Continued on page 4 THE OSPREY Fall/Winter 2020 Page 4
The Bald Eagle does not provide us any direct population high, have a wingspan of 72-84 inches, and levels. The three maps (Figures 1, 2, and 3) weigh between 8 and 14 pounds. Continued from page 3 demonstrate the bald eagle observations This majestic bird is easily identified in for the years 2000, 2009 and 2019. adult plumage by its unmistakable brown Figure 1. Bald Eagle reported observations This remarkable increase in the reported body set off by a white head and tail from Suffolk County during the year 2000. observations over the past twenty and bright yellow bill (male and female years is a direct result eagles look identical, except that the of the restoration female is usually about one third larger efforts by New York and heavier than the male, as is typical in and neighboring states. birds of prey). Sexual maturity and the Moreover, these images characteristic white head and tail are demonstrate the Eagle’s achieved at five years of age. The word ability to adapt to a more bald in the Eagle’s name comes from a urban environment. While word in Old English that means white Long Island does have headed. some very large tracts of Immature Bald Eagles lack the white head land where Bald Eagles and tail. They are mostly chocolate brown can nest and raise their with varying amounts of white over the young, several nests body, tail, and underwings. Juvenile Bald are very close to human activity. One Eagles are often mistaken for immature western Suffolk County nest in particular Golden Eagles, which are much rarer in is adjacent to a motel parking lot and New York. Figure 2. Bald Eagle reported observations readily visible. These birds apparently have from Suffolk County during the year 2009. adapted to the gathered photographers Despite their fierce image, Bald Eagles and birders who visit are actually quite timid and opportunistic. them almost daily. Since their primary prey is fish, Bald Eagles are sometimes called sea eagles, though Most of the nesting they will take some mammals, waterfowl, Bald Eagle pairs on seabirds, and carrion, especially during Long Island are in areas winter. (private property, federal, state or county parks) Bald Eagles' aerial courtship is an where human activities amazing display of avian abilities. The pair can be controlled soars high in the sky, begins a dive, and during critical nesting interlocks talons while descending in a and fledging periods. series of somersaults. Bald eagles produce However, recently Bald only one or two offspring per year, rarely Eagle pairs have been three. In New York, the young fledge by seen checking out cell mid to late summer at about 12 weeks phone towers along the South Shore of of age. By 20 weeks they are largely independent. Figure 3. Bald Eagle observations reported Long Island as potential nesting locations. from Suffolk County during the year 2019. They will, however, have to contend with Bald Eagles are wholly North American, the Osprey who hold the and currently are found in every state nesting lease atop these except Hawaii, as well as throughout cell phone towers. Canada. Eagles prefer undisturbed areas The Bald Eagle was near large lakes and reservoirs, marshes adopted as the symbol of and swamps, or stretches along rivers the United States because where they can find open water and their of its independence and primary food, fish. strength. One of the Eagles will often south in winter to areas largest birds of prey where water remains open. Prior to the (raptors) found in North 1900s, they used as many as 80 nest sites America, Bald Eagles stand about 30 inches Continued on page 6 THE OSPREY Fall/Winter 2020 Page 5
Order your 2021 ELIAS Calendar The calendar makes a wonderful holiday gift.
All the photos were taken right here on the East End of Long Island by members of ELIAS.
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The Bald Eagle All ELIAS Continued from page 4
a Bird of Bad Moral Character. He does in New York, primarily in the northern MEMBERSHIPS not get his living honestly. … Besides he is and western parts of the state. a rank Coward: The little Kingbird barely EXPIRE IN JANUARY Wintering grounds are from southern bigger than a sparrow attacks him boldly Canada south, along major river systems, and drives him out of the District.” in intermountain regions, and in the Great Sometimes even the national bird has to Plains. Many hydroelectric plants, including cut loose. Bald Eagles have been known some in New York, provide suitable to play with plastic bottles and other PLEASE REMEMBER wintering habitat for Bald Eagles. objects pressed into service as toys. One Bald Eagles have always been seen as observer witnessed six Bald Eagles passing TO RENEW competitors with humans for important sticks to each other in midair. wild food sources and as threats to farm Immature Bald Eagles spend the first four YOUR MEMBERSHIP! animals – at one time, bounties were even years of their lives in nomadic exploration offered for killing them. of vast territories and can fly hundreds Rather than do their own fishing, Bald of miles per day. Some young birds from Eagles often go after other creatures’ Florida have wandered north as far as SEE THE MEMBERSHIP catches. A Bald Eagle will harass a hunting Michigan, and birds from California have Osprey until the smaller raptor drops its reached Alaska. prey in midair, where the Eagle swoops Bald Eagles occasionally hunt RENEWAL FORM ON it up. A Bald Eagle may even snatch a fish cooperatively, with one individual flushing directly out of an Osprey’s talons. Fishing prey towards another. THE BACK OF THE mammals (even people sometimes) can also lose prey to Bald Eagle piracy. It is always exciting to see the white head and tail of the Bald Eagles soaring above NEWSLETTER Had Benjamin Franklin prevailed, the you. Eagles usually keep their wing board U.S. emblem might have been the Wild straight so keep your eyes out Long Island, Turkey. In 1784, Franklin disparaged the and enjoy the sight.E national bird’s thieving tendencies and its vulnerability to harassment by small birds. "For my own part,” he wrote, “I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is
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– including a Bald Eagle (head and talon only!!) – with some behaviors, nests, and Why’s that habitats filling in the two page spread for each species. New bird watchers and grizzly, long-time birders can learn bird doing something new here! And you’ll hopefully be able to answer those constant that? questions of “Why’s that bird doing that?” Reviews by Eileen Schwinn
With the Holiday Season quickly approaching, and the current health situation somewhat restricting most of our normal activities, here are a few book suggestions you might wish Backyard Guide to the to consider – as gifts for others or Birds of North America for yourself! A National Geographic book authored by Jonathan Alderfer and Noah Strycker. he second edition, published in 2019, covers 150 birds most likely seen Tin most backyards. OK, OK, the chances of a Chestnut-backed Chickadee showing up at my backyard feeder are I Love Birds” – Fifty-two Ways to practically zero, but it’s nice to know Wonder, Wander and Explore Birds there are more than the also illustrated with Kids Black-capped Chickadees in this world! by Jennifer Ward. A really nice companion to the “I Love Birds” book, this book is useful from ivided by the four seasons, there inside cover to back cover. With maps are indoor and outside activities, for location, ID hints, food choices, and a Dall designed to promote creativity, really fine Basics introduction, the authors’ encourage exercise, and in some cases, “field guide” section arranges the bird to facilitate relaxation. Most of all, it’s families in the same layout as the usually designed to encourage stewardship accepted traditional field guides do. Geese for living things. Not a field guide, and ducks at the beginning, Cardinals What It’s Like To Be A Bird – the illustrations are pretty basic. This and Tanagers at the end. Great practice from Flying to Nesting, Eating to is a wonderful book to share with for finding “your bird” as you – or your Singing – What Birds Are Doing, any elementary school aged child or protégée – progresses. It’s small size and Why grandchild who enjoys looking at birds! make it perfect for sitting by the window By David Allen Sibley. The activities can fill 15 minutes, or a few or walking in the yard. Various bird hours. Who knows – combined with a “tidbits” are sprinkled throughout, as are nown for his outstanding area Field basic field guide, you might really kick-off occasional photographs, making this an Guides, Sibley provides a beautifully what could become a life-time of birding interesting book to just sit down illustrated volume which focuses awareness and enjoyment. K and read! E on familiar backyard birds that can be easily identified and observed by all. Originally, Sibley started this project as a children’s book, however he soon found it moving into a greater field of appeal. Of course, any birder is happy to receive a birding book during the Holiday The text is written for adults but its non- Season. Hopefully any or all of these will not only become a welcome addi- technical approach make it an easy sharing experience for the whole family – parents tion to your own shelf, they might even help form a lasting bond between a and grandparents, and children – to enjoy. friend or relative to the Wonderful World of Birds!! Eighty-four birds are life-sized illustrated THE OSPREY Fall/Winter 2020 Page 8
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Across 36. __ _ _ _ Staub, a popular NY Mets ball player Our mission is to be an inspiration or a type of blackbird. 1. __ _ _ _ 23 Across, or__ _ _ _ Black-backed 37. Northern ______. Gull, Gray Owl, Crested Flycatcher, you get the to those who feel a sense of kinship 38. __ _ _ Sparrow. idea. 3. A good thing to be when birding while social with Long Island by encouraging an distancing, or a Sandpiper, not Spotted. 6. ______Long Island Audubon Society Down appreciation for the natural world and 9. 14 Down _ _ _ _ 1. Purple______uncommon in Florida, 10. Black or Yellow-billed ______, or someone but… Say no more. 2. 29 Across ______.Last September at Mecox. a commitment to the environment. who claims to see an Ivory-billed one 11. __ _ _ _ Sandpiper, very small with yellow legs 3. Pine ______12. Try the Stone Bridge Watch in Setauket for the 4. Ruddy ______Common ______5. ______Warbler or Vireo. 14. Common or Fish 7. __ _ _ Song, a Led Zepplin tune. 8. ______Duck, formerly an Old Squaw. Places to Bird 15. Yellow-shafted here 13. 17 Down _ _ _ _ Answers to Summer puzzle 17. ______Sparrow. I prefer Oh, Canada, Canada over Old Sam Peabody. 14. ______9 Across. The salt water one by Tom Moran 19. ______Grackle. not Great-tailed of 16. 29 Across ______Grumman Grassland is the south. a good place to look spring through fall. 20. __ _ _ _ Sparrow. A regular at Arshamomaque 17. ______13 Down this season 18. ______Hummingbird, 2017 Aquebogue 23. 1 Across _ _ _ _ _ 21. Northern or Louisiana ______24. ______Sapsucker. Used by 22. Who cooks for you is an example of Yosemite Sam to insult Bugs Bunny! one species' call 28. ______Sandpiper. Seen at Oregon Rd with 25. ______Starling. a Buffy this summer. 26. ______Gull, a real jokester. 29. ______Golden 34 Across, thin billed, 27. Cedar or Bohemian ______check the sod farm at CR 51 and 111 in Sept. 30. You old __ _ _ . 31. 29 Across ______. Yellow and black, favors 32. __ _ _ Sparrow. An August/September bird at thistle. Jones Beach West End 34. 29 Across Golden ______. 33. __ _ _ _ Sparrow, falling ping pong song. 35. __ _ and Wilson’s Phalarope in area this September. THE OSPREY Fall/Winter 2020 Page 9
ELIAS was saddened to learn that turned so fast I thought half of them would fall off the boardwalk! That was SHELLEY Shelley G. Vakay died in May at the the very beginning with my friendship age of 86. Although she had not been with Shelley. I remember saying to her “Wow…this is a serious birding group active lately many members remem- to get such a good quick response to a VAKAY migrating Black and white warbler!” She bered her spirit and enthusiasm and said “why don’t you come to our meetings love of birding. Some remembrances at Quogue Wildlife Refuge when you get off Fire Island for the winter”? I did and REMEMBERED follow. from then on Shelley was a good friend and companion bird partner. We would go birding together in various spots, or by From MaryLaura Lamont sometimes go botanizing, as she was also into wildflowers. She had me over several f there was ever a saint who walked Bob Adamo times to check out her flowers in her yard among us it was Shelley Vakay. Not or she would come over to my place to a stranger herself to some awful see wildflowers in my woods. She gave me Sue Benson Ihard times that life can throw at you, turtleheads one year and they flourished she always remained graceful, kind, in those woods until finally either rabbits MaryLaura Lamont compassionate, funny, giving, and sharing or deer consumed them. in light of her own misfortunes. So I used and to think her a saint. I’ll never forget on a She was always ready to take positions for Christmas Bird Count we went to an old Moriches Bay Audubon and was always one of the first to volunteer to head up Gigi Spates woman’s house someplace on the south fork to count birds about her yard and and organize a worthwhile project, like surroundings. Shelley knew the lady so the huge undertaking of hosting a NYState she let all of us in to warm ourselves from Bird Federation meeting, with hundreds the cold. The older woman had recently from all over the state attending. Shelley had a great loss in her life and she started was funny too. Once at an Audubon crying so Saint Shelley sat with her, held monthly meeting someone in the audience her hand, and listened with compassion had said he had seen “2 immature eagles and brought comfort to that lady while mating, an unusual occurrence surely the rest of us excused ourselves to go because they were not adults yet.” Shelley outside. It was a personal moment and remarked out loud “oh-you know how that was Shelley Vakay — always giving and teenagers are”!! The audience roared with being a compassionate friend to someone laughter! in need. One winter’s day she had me over to see Shelley Vakay was one of the very first a Dickcissel at her feeder. It was the first people to warmly welcome me into her and only one I have ever seen to this day. group of birder friends, the old Moriches The first bald eagle I ever saw on Long Bay Audubon Society. It was about 1980 Island (an immature-probably one of those and she had come over to Sailors Haven, teenagers she earlier remarked about) Fire Island with an adult environmental was at the Eastport pond right next to group outing that had been prearranged her house, and she was there with me by Carl and Alta Mae Helms of Quogue when we saw it. She would come over our Wildlife Refuge. As the ranger there I house with gifts for my kids and in those was to give them a good natural history days they used to call her Aunt Shelley. tour/talk on the famous Sunken Forest. She would bring some botany books for Half way through the tour I knew this us adults as well. You know what was the Shelley Vakay, photo supplied by the family would be a great group of people to join true and best gift of all? It was Shelley when, as I was babbling on at some stop herself, and now a light has gone from on the boardwalk I was also keeping my this world, and it makes it darker for us eye on a black and white warbler that who knew and loved her. Rest in peace….. was right behind the group. I said “there’s good Shelley Vakay. She was the best of us. a black and white warbler right behind MaryLaura Lamont you all as I was talking and……….” That’s all I had to say! The whole group THE OSPREY Fall/Winter 2020 Page 10
From Sue Benson From Bob Adamo in my mind I was back in her kitchen looking out at one of the neat birds that was lucky to have started my official helly Vakay spent 86 years on this were constantly being attracted to her (Christmas Bird Counts) birding with earth, and is now spending eternity bountiful feeders. Through the years Shelley. She was everything you could with her Lord, along with deceased Shelley provided many avian thrills for our Iwish for in a companion, very funny, Sfamily and friends...and no one deserves birding community, along with expanding kind and knowledgeable. She taught me this reward more than Shelley. Her her neighbors knowledge of the bird about having a good time birding and also life span was filled with works of love, world. She, of course, was the first person sticking to rules, accurate and honest understanding, consideration and charity. they would call if they needed help in counting, staying in our territory and all She always put others needs before her identifying the mystery bird that was the while enjoying every minute. Lucky own, and did so without hesitation. Her visiting their own feeders. to be with her for counts, big day events smile never faltered and her words always and a garden club trip to Chelsea Flower helped – no matter the subject, or the The earliest memory I have of Shelley Show. Shelley, her sister Kathy and I were situation at hand. is from 1982, when MBAS hosted the the only birders on that trip. Life birds and Annual Meeting of the Federation of Shelley was an Eastport girl her whole N.Y.S. Bird Clubs, which since, has endless guffaws. I will miss you Shelley and life. Born there, schooled there, and after thank you for all you gave me. experienced a name change to the N.Y.S. graduating from it’s high school, took her Ornithological Association. Gil Raynor Sue Benson first job at the Adelwerth’s Bus Company, was the person most influential in our From Gigi Spates which is still in business at the same club volunteering for this huge job, and Eastport location. While working there, he did so knowing Shelley was his ace in helley, I am sitting outside to write she met Jack Vakay, a fellow employee, the hole! He knew her gifts and talents, this piece to honor the outdoor who would become her future husband. and his confidence in Shelley gave us all woman that you were! You lived Jack, along with some of his friends, built the motivation to believe our small club Sacross a then-quiet road from the eastern the house on East Pond Lane, which was could successfully accommodate this large Eastport Pond and kept track of its home to Shelley, Jack, and their 3 children, statewide organization. Through Shelley’s feathered inhabitants the year round. Brenda, Scott and Neal. constructive and warm disposition, her At your home you maintained multiple Shelley had many interests that kept her ability to match the correct member to a bird feeders and observed them eagerly busy, She was a member of the Eastport specific task, and her calmly keeping the from multiple windows. You both led and Bible Church for over 50 years, and took schedule always moving ahead, she pulled followed in birding walks and bird counts, part in the many services it provided to it off in grand style! Her choice of Dennis willingly and enthusiastically sharing your the community. As a church Steward for Puleston as Banquet Speaker was perfect, knowledge. You knew your botany too, many years, she provided food for church with his presentation on Antarctica being viewing and discussing plants on many events, organized and planned social simply, superb! Shelley then put the cherry a field walk. You had great humor yet events, and delivered meals to the sick. on the cake, by giving each attendee a poignancy—even anger—about human- 4" high plush Penguin as a “favor” to Shelley had a very strong affection for caused loss of habitat, an example of commemorate this 3 day celebration! which is your across-the-street pond the natural world, which fostered her Some other wonderful memories I have accommodating less and less water birds support for many wild-life organizations including Shelley are from the trips a as the growing neighborhood created throughout her life. She was a longtime number of MBAS members took to more and more disturbance with lights, Audubon member with the Moriches the Connecticut Lakes area in New sounds and traffic. Bay Audubon Society, which is now the Eastern long Island Audubon Society. Hampshire. These lakes are about 30 For me, Shelley was a role model of quiet She was a strong supporter of the miles south of the Canada border in the tenacity. She was a highly skilled female Quogue Wildlife Sanctuary, as well as town of Pittsburgh, N.H. John Ruscica was birder among almost all male birders, men, a much respected board member of the one responsible for organizing these many of whom at the time only reluctantly the Southampton Town Conservation great trips, which meant arranging for acknowledged her abilities. In that way Committee. accommodations, hiring a bird guide, and she became a link between an older offering the use of his very large van so Shelley was also one of 3 parents who generation of women “standing behind we could all travel together. These trips were responsible for establishing the first their man” and a younger generation of took place in June of 1991,1992 and 1993, Cub Scout Troop in Eastport. women as equals in bird identification, and with Shelley and her sister Kathy being more importantly as “standing on their I was one of Shelley’s birding friends, an integral part of this happy group of own two feet” — and without arrogance. and spent many cherished moments birders. The rest of the crew was made up Thank you, Shelley, for of this and more, with her, both in the field and at social of Jim Clinton, Sr., myself, John, of course, like your homemade chocolate cakes, your events…some of which were made more and possibly Jim Clinton, Jr. and others, will-to-live, and certainly your joie de vivre. enjoyable, when they entailed her baking a whom I can't think of now. We never tired "sweetening agent" for the occasion. of returning to this heavily wooded area, Gigi Spates While writing about her home above, which produced many boreal breeding species, such as Black-backed Woodpecker, THE OSPREY Fall/Winter 2020 Page 11
Boreal Chickadee, Ruffed Grouse and Mourning Warbler. We also looked Field Trips this Fall forward to our nightly excursions to the salt licks outside of town to see moose of all sizes and ages, getting their fill of this needed mineral…the orangey tan coats of the smaller juveniles are memorable. One sighting in particular that thrilled Shelley and me was of a pair of Evening Grosbeaks, who were “gritting” along the side of a country road. They were both in “high” breeding plumage, which meant their bills were covered in an intensively bright chartreuse color. Neither of us had ever seen this plumage in the field, due to the time of year they normally migrate through Long Island in the spring and the fall. We found this field mark illustrated in our bird guides, along with an explanation of this adaptation…amazed to have never noticed it before. Conversely, like life, all our birding trips were not successful. I’m reminded of the short trip Shelley and I took down to Dune Road, in the hope of finding the NORTH FORK COUNTY PARK Although greatly Northern Shrike that had been reported curtained this year on Sept. 20 ELIAS sponsored earlier in the day. As we waited in the a trip to North Fork County Park. To keep the Tiana Beach parking lot for the bird to groups small, three groups headed out in different appear, we caught up on life. While the directions. The park being big enough to allow Shrike didn’t return, the original finder of this. Everyone enjoyed coming across flocks of this “good” bird did, and this is how we Cedar Waxwings and a few warbler species met Orhan Birol. Orhan, originally from moving around. Turkey, and just retired from Wall Street, was new to birding. We found him to ROBERT MOSES & THE FIRE be a friendly and enthusiastic fellow, and ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE stayed on after he left to see the bird On October 10 it was off to for ourselves… but it wasn’t meant to Robert Moses and The Fire be. What was meant to be was the time Island Lighthouse. It turned Shelley and I spent together hoping for into a windy blustery day. an unusual bird, getting shut out on that Some hawks were flying. A few level, but still being very thankful to be in Merlins flew by, along with a the moment. I miss those moments with Peregrine Falcon, an Osprey Shelley! and a Northern Harrier. The It was Shelley’s wish to be cremated. She group was on the lookout had asked her son Neal to make an urn and found Red-breasted out of Wormy Chestnut wood to hold Nuthatches and Pine Siskins, her remains. Jack created a work of art, two of the irruptive species using a number of woods, topping it with this year. Many Yellow-rump a carved 3 dimensional Black-capped Warblers (above) kept the Chickadee, which is a work of heart! group busy. A memorial service was held at Eastport Masks and social distancing, oh Bible Church on October 3rd. yes! I wish to thank Shelley’s son Neal, his wife Trips were announced via Stephani, and her longtime friend Helen our Constant Content list. Tuttle for being most helpful to me in If you would like to be on the writing this tribute. E list, please sign up on Bob Adamo our website. E Non Profit Org U.S. Postage PAID Published by Permit No. 3 Eastern Long Island Audubon Society Center Moriches, NY 11934 A Chapter of the National Audubon Society P.O. Box 206 East Quogue, NY 11942-0206
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ELIAS OFFICERS & DIRECTORS 2021
President: Chapter Renewal/Membership Byron Young 631-821-9623 Membership is $20 a year, you will receive 6 issues of The Osprey and Vice President & Field Trips: Eileen Schwinn 631-728-8342 you will be supporting our education and conservation activities. Recording Secretary: This is a m Renewal m New Membership Chris Schmitt 631-727-2860 m I would like to make a donation of ______in addition to my membership Corresponding Secretary: Gigi Spates 631-765-1436 Treasurer: Tom Moran 631-849-4434 Name______Address______BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Bob Adamo 631-369-1958 City/State______Zip______Ridgie Barnett 631-288-3628 John McNeil 631-281-2623 Email______Sally Newbert 631-281-6008 Phone______Suzi Stewart 516-443-4906 Evelyn Voulgarelis 631-727-0417 Please include your email to receive reminders of programs, trips, or weather related cancellations. COMMITTEES/PROJECTS Field Trips: Eileen Schwinn 631-728-8342 This list is not shared. Programs: Suzi Stewart 516-443-4906 Make check payable to: Eastern Long Island Audubon Society and Bob Adamo 631-369-1958 and mail to: ELIAS Membership, Conservation & PO Box 206 Bluebird Restoration: Gigi Spates 631-765-1436 East Quogue, NY 11942-0206 Education: Evelyn Voulgarelis 631-727-0417 & Suzi Stewart 516-443-4906 Newsletter Editor & Publicity: Sally Newbert 631-281-6008 EASTERN LONG ISLAND AUDUBON SOCIETY [email protected] From the Barrens to the Bays Serving Eastern Brookhaven, Western Riverhead & The Hamptons www.easternlongislandaudubonsociety.org