The nnewsleewsletteerr of NewNew YoYorkrk CCiityty AuduboAudubonn S P WintRINGe 2016r 2014 / Volume / Volume XXXV XXXVII NNo.o. 14

THE URBAN AUDUBON

ImprovingImproving HabitatHabitat forfor SongbirdsSongbirds atat JamaicaJamaica BayBay TheThe ExtraordinaryExtraordinary BlackBlack SkimmerSkimmer UpUp onon thethe RoofRoof (In(In )Brooklyn)

SPRING 2016 1

66506_NYC_Aud_Spring16.indd 1 2/3/16 8:02 AM NYC AUDUBON MISSION & VISION Mission: NYC Audubon is a grassroots community that works for the protection President’s Perch Harry Maas of wild birds and habitat in the five boroughs, improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers. pring is arriving, and for me, spring means the beginning of the birding year. Vision: NYC Audubon envisions a day when birds and people in the Millions of birds return from their wintering grounds and pass through New York five boroughs enjoy a healthy, livable City or stay to breed here—and our wintering birds head north to begin their habitat. S breeding season. THE URBAN AUDUBON Spring is also the beginning of the new fiscal year for NYC Audubon (coincidentally… Editors Lauren Klingsberg & I think). It is a good time to reflect on who we are, where we are, and where we are going. Marcia T. Fowle And as my fifth and final year as president comes to an end in June, it seems a good time Managing Editor Tod Winston Newsletter Committee Ellen Azorin, for me to reflect as well. Lucienne Bloch, Ned Boyajian, My first tour of duty for NYC Audubon was serving on the board in the 1980s, the Suzanne Charlé, Diane Darrow, early years of our organization. We had no paid staff, very limited funds, and relied on the Catherine Heller, Mary Jane Kaplan, Abby McBride, Sarah McGullam, board and a few volunteers. Our work was primarily reactive advocacy involving policies Hillarie O’Toole, Jennifer Rauch, or practices we felt were detrimental to birds. We offered a small number of bird walks. Don Riepe, Carol Peace Robins Now, during my second time around, the changes and progress I’ve seen are profound Printing & Mailing Kase Printing, Inc. and amazing: a proactive, engaged board, a growing and professional staff, seasonal interns, Design Whitehouse & Company an enthusiastic and large cast of citywide volunteers, a science team that is nationally Art Director Christina Rubin respected, and a host of corporate, foundation, and individual sponsors and supporters that Publisher NYC Audubon allow NYC Audubon to do all it can for the benefit of birds and their habitats. THE URBAN AUDUBON is published Current programs and activities are listed in this issue of The Urban Audubon and in four times per year (spring, summer, The eGret monthly enewsletter, and can also be viewed at www.nycaudubon.org. Our work fall, and winter) by Audubon Society, Inc. runs the gamut from science-based advocacy and programs such as Project Safe Flight to bird walks in all of the City’s major parks and open spaces. And our reach is citywide, as BOARD OF directors we have an ongoing presence in all five boroughs.. President Harrison D. Maas Executive Vice President David Speiser Where do we go from here? The board faces this question currently as we prepare our Vice President Richard T. Andrias Strategic Plan for 2017 and beyond. The challenges confronting birds and their habitat Treasurer John Shemilt in this city (and, unfortunately, worldwide) are numerous, diverse, and daunting—and Corresponding Secretary Marsilia A. Boyle we aim to continue to grow and expand our programs in order to meet these challenges Recording Secretary Alexander Ewing head on. To do so, we need your support, support you have provided since our inception. Immediate Past President Oakes Ames We also welcome ideas, opinions, or suggestions from every one of you as to what else we Directors Robert Bate; Karen Benfield; Drianne Benner; Alexander Ewing; should be doing and how we can improve what we already do. Please do not hesitate to Andrew Farnsworth, PhD; Marcia T. contact me or anyone on the staff. Your thoughts would be helpful and appreciated. Fowle; Richard Fried, VMD; Catherine In the meantime, get out there and enjoy spring migration. Hundreds of species of Schragis Heller; Sarah Jeffords; Jeffrey Kimball; Lauren Klingsberg; Lawrence birds migrate through New York City each year and stop over to rest and feed. If you have Levine; Eugene Nardelli; Fredric Spar; never spent a sunny day with southerly winds in a city park in April and May, now is the Tom Stephenson time to do so. ADVISORY COUNCIL Happy birding. Sarah Grimké Aucoin; Claude Bloch, MD; Albert K. Butzel; Clifford Case; Rebekah Creshkoff; Andrew Darrell; Joseph H. Ellis; Lynne Hertzog; Mary Seeking Nominations for Jane Kaplan; Robert J. Kimtis; Kimberly Kriger; Janice Laneve; Pamela Manice; Board of Directors Peter Rhoades Mott; Dorothy M. Peteet, PhD; Don Riepe; Lewis Rosenberg; YC Audubon is seeking suggestions for nominations to its board of James R. Sheffield directors for three-year terms beginning in June 2016. Please submit EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Nyour suggestions to Alexander Ewing, chair of the nominating Kathryn Heintz committee, at [email protected]. Elections will be held online beginning in May and in-person at our annual meeting on Wednesday, June 8. DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION AND SCIENCE For a final list of nominees, nominee biographies, and details about the election, Susan Elbin, PhD visit www.nycaudubon.org/election2016 after May 1.

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

66506_NYC_Aud_Spring16.indd 2 2/3/16 8:02 AM In This Issue Spring 2016 ©Lauren Alleman NYC AUDUBON 71 West 23rd Street Suite 1523 New York, NY 10010 Tel: 212-691-7483 Fax: 646-606-3301 www.nycaudubon.org

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

©NYC Audubon Features 4 The Extraordinary Black Skimmer: Banding for Understanding by Ellen Azorin

6 Improving Habitat for Songbirds at Wildlife Refuge by Lauren Alleman 7 Songbird Survey at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge by Tod Winston 4 13 American Redstart (Setophaga Ruticilla) by Don Riepe ©Fyn Kynd Photography 13 Take a Picture for D-Bird 14 Birding New York City’s Cemeteries by Mary Jane Kaplan * 15 Freshkills Recycled and Reborn 8 by Cliff Hagen 16 Up on the Roof (In Brooklyn)

©Christina L. Evans by Suzanne Charlé 18 A Special and Enduring Gift by Kathryn Heintz * 18 Assure Your Own Legacy of Protecting Birds 20 World Premiere: Saving Jamaica Bay

13 Departments 18 News & Notes 4 Volunteer! 19 Acknowledgments 5 Conservation Notes 20 Annual Report 2015 “Goes Green” 8 Events and Adventures 20 Winter/Spring 2016 Lecture Series 17 Software and Film Reviews and Annual Meeting

SPRING 2016 3 The Extraordinary Black Skimmer: Banding For Understanding Ellen Azorin © L

f you don’t live near the seashore, you may not loyd Spitalnik The banding itself is a delicate process and know about the beautiful black skimmer—and occurs just before the chicks fledge. Since the young Ithe very unusual way nature has equipped it to birds are still flightless, the banding team is able catch its food, unlike all other American birds. Its to slowly herd them into a large, temporary corral large red-and-black bill is knife-thin, the lower half installed on the edge of their nesting colony. The protruding beyond the upper. It flies low over the corral fence is just two feet high, allowing the chicks water on long, black-and-white wings, skimming the to see and hear the adults nearby. One at a time, each surface with its lower mandible and clamping down chick is carefully picked up and held securely by one on any small it encounters. person, while another attaches an aluminum band In the New York City area, we’re fortunate to with a unique identifying code issued by the United host two locations where black skimmers nest: one States Fish & Wildlife Service to one of its legs. If in Breezy Point on Jamaica Bay in , the other the chick is large enough, a second band—brightly on Nickerson Beach in Hempstead, Long Island. colored for easy spotting from a distance—is placed (A third colony may be starting on the Arverne on the opposite leg. Once the chick is banded, it is beaches in the Rockaways, and nesting also occurs released to rejoin its parents. in several locations further east on Long Island.) The hope is that by banding a large number of This remarkable bird is considered a “high priority species of greatest chicks from colonies in both New York and New Jersey, the research conservation need,” according to the New York State Department team will be able to answer many questions about the population size, of Environmental Conservation. So these nearby locations offer a distribution, local movement, and full life-cycle habitat needs of black rare opportunity to study and better understand the birds’ ecology skimmers—here in New York City and along the eastern seaboard. and behavior. This is being accomplished, starting this spring, via With better understanding, wildlife managers will be able to achieve a banding project conducted cooperatively by the New York State significant conservation goals for this vulnerable beach-nesting species. Department of Environmental Conservation, NYC Audubon, and the And if you haven’t done so already, perhaps you will be lucky Town of Hempstead Department of Conservation and Waterways. Our enough one day to observe the magnificent black skimmer as it streaks own Susan Elbin, director of conservation and science, is one of the across coastal waters’ surface, snapping up prey in its beak and soaring certified master banders involved in this project. aloft on outstretched wings.

Volunteer!

ork in NYC Audubon’s can always use help with conserva- found injured birds but are unable Shorebird Monitoring: Count shore- friendly office or in the tion and education projects. to transport them to a rehabilita- birds in Jamaica Bay, an important Wfield and make a differ- tor. We need caring volunteers to stopover for migratory shorebirds. ence for the City’s wildlife. There INJURED BIRD TRIAGE transport these birds to licensed Strong shorebird identification are many ways to help. If interested During spring and fall migration, wildlife rehabilitators in the area. A skills preferred. An orientation will in any of the projects listed below, our office is deluged with reports training session will be held at the be held Thursday, March 31, 6-7pm. please contact us at volunteer@ of injured and/or baby birds. Help Wild Bird Fund Center Wednesday, nycaudubon.org or 212-691-7483 us by answering the phone, as- March 16, 6-7pm. Horseshoe Crab Monitoring: Count x304. For information on spring sessing what help is needed, and horseshoe crabs, an important food volunteer events such as beach if appropriate, arranging transport Project Safe Flight: Spring is here, source for migratory shorebirds in clean-ups and tree plantings, visit to a rehabilitator. and migrants confront many haz- Jamaica Bay. Orientations will be us at www.nycaudubon.org/volun- ards as they migrate through New held Thursdays, April 14 and 21, teer-events. CONSERVATION PROJECTS York City. Volunteers are needed 6-7pm. Become a citizen scientist and help to monitor designated buildings OFFICE HELP conduct conservation research; for bird collisions, rescue injured Harbor Herons Foraging Study: Help with mailings, filing, and gen- read below about the various ways birds, and record any casualties. Observe herons and egrets as they eral office work. Computer skills to get involved. Orientations will be held Monday, forage in New York City waterways. and birding knowledge are not March 21, and Thursday, March 24, An orientation will be held Mon- required. If you do have computer Bird Transporters: We often receive 6-7pm. day, May 2, 6-7pm. and/or Excel skills, however, we calls from individuals who have 4 www.nycaudubon.org

66506_NYC_Aud_Spring16.indd 4 2/3/16 8:02 AM Conservation Notes Susan Elbin © F

his year we join our partners in rançois Portmann important species. Beach-nesting shorebird bird conservation in celebrating the work will continue, and we will be adding Tcentennial of the Migratory Bird black skimmers to this project. Treaty. Signed by the and The goal of Project Safe Flight is to make Great Britain (acting on behalf of Canada) the City safer for migratory birds—exactly on August 16, 1916, this treaty was a what the MBTA supports. Thanks to support groundbreaking step in the protection of from the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conser- birds that migrate across national borders. vation Act, we have made tremendous strides Two years later, the treaty was codified in in our quest for bird-friendly design. We federal law as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act Male Painted Bunting, a Rare will continue our partnership with American (MBTA), the first of several treaties enacted Visitor to Brooklyn’s Prospect Bird Conservancy testing glass treatments to conserve migratory birds. (The MBTA is for their “bird-friendliness.” And we will add focused specifically on birds and is not to be Park this Winter some new sites to our traditional Project Safe confused with the Act, areas: Waterbirds of New York Harbor Flight monitoring routes. A new focus, sup- signed in 1973 as a U.S. environmental law and Project Safe Flight. Our cornerstone ported by the Leon Levy Foundation, is the to uphold the terms of the Convention on Waterbirds project, the Harbor Herons effect of artificial light on migratory birds. International Trade in Endangered Species Nesting Survey, will continue this May with We will be partnering with scientists from of Wild and Flora [CITES].) If these Tod Winston at the helm. We are excited to New York University’s Center for Urban Sci- important treaties had not been signed, who be buying a new boat to get our team out to ence and Progress program in positioning knows what the bird population would be in the islands! In December we held our 11th cameras on the roof of One in or- the U.S. today? annual Harbor Herons and Waterbirds of the der to collect a massive dataset describing ur- As we go to print, the 116th Audubon Greater NY/NJ Working Group meeting. ban light over . Our work on the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) has come Two major knowledge gaps were identified Javits Center green roof will continue, as we and gone. The weather leading up to our during the meeting: Where do our New York work with building managers and green roof local counts could be described as “balmy.” City birds go when they are not here? And botanists to increase the biotic complexity of No polar vortex, no blizzards, just warm how do they use the local landscape when the nearly seven-acre sedum roof. Our recent temperatures and the occasional bit of rain. they are here? To help answer these questions, work with green roofs has opened the door to Would this weather affect our CBC results? we will be adding extra effort to band more a new project in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. We Had birds moved south, or would they birds, in addition to this year’s long-legged will be working with partners to monitor a still be here? We saw plenty of American wader surveys, so that we can continue to new green roof, the Newtown Creek Wild- robins, but that was no surprise. The record learn more about the local movement of flower Roof and Community Space, which high for robins in our region was in 2013, urban egrets. will be installed at 520 Kingsland Avenue. during the 114th count. Overall sightings In 2016 we will continue to work with See page 16 to learn more about this project. were consistent with counts in recent years, Dr. Liz Craig from Cornell University on a One more new activity this spring: we despite the unseasonable weather, and we common tern study in New York City. In have been asked by the New York State Depart- tallied 4,264 individuals representing 55 2015 we were able to tag with geolocators ment of Environmental Conservation to help species. Although we didn’t find any truly two common terns on them put together a meeting on grasslands and unusual species in , we observed and are eagerly awaiting the birds’ return. grassland birds in New York City. NYC Audu- some amazing birds: a Wilson’s warbler in The data collected on their high-tech tags bon roots are deep in grassland birds and their the north end, an orange-crowned warbler will show us where they spent the year. We habitat. Early studies at near the Met, and a great horned owl that had will also continue our work with migratory led to identification of the historic airport as an been in the park for several weeks. Prospect shorebirds and horseshoe crabs, getting important grassland habitat for species such Park held the record for rare sightings this involved in a regional project to determine as savannah and grasshopper sparrows. Stay year, with a persistent male painted bunting shorebird movement and use of Jamaica tuned for updates. on the grass-covered roof of the skating rink Bay. We are currently applying for funding Our conservation science team is cur- and a black-headed gull on Prospect Lake. to attach nanotags to shorebirds captured in rently busy wrapping up year-end reports Looking forward to the field season, we New York City. A network of VHF towers and writing grants for the spring. We are an- will be undertaking some new projects under is being established by the U.S. Fish & ticipating the start of the field season with the umbrella of our two main programmatic Wildlife Service to track migration of these excitement.

SPRING 2016 5

66506_NYC_Aud_Spring16.indd 5 2/3/16 8:02 AM Improving Habitat for Songbirds at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Lauren Alleman, Project Manager, The Nature Conservancy

he and maritime rise, which compromise its value for wildlife, conversations about the need for ecological forests around Jamaica Bay resilience, and accessibility to the public. restoration in the maritime forests of the are sanctuaries for a diversity To address this, The Nature Conservancy Refuge to enhance songbird habitat. TNC of native wildlife and critical (TNC) and Jamaica Bay–Rockaway Parks began a plant inventory in the fall of 2014 to stopover points for thousands Conservancy have forged a public-private delineate the existing quality and condition Tof migratory birds. These green spaces also partnership with the National Park Service of 14 acres of habitat north of the Visitor help New York City residents and visitors (NPS) to guide ecological restoration efforts in Center in an area known as the North and experience nature. Jamaica Bay’s coastal habitat the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens. South Gardens. The most common species, is threatened by and sea-level In early 2014, TNC and NPS began collectively comprising about 70 percent of the site, are invasive vines such as Oriental bittersweet and Japanese honeysuckle, as well as invasive shrubs like autumn and Tatarian honeysuckle. Although these vines and shrubs produce ample quantities of berries that birds use for food, they pose threats to the local biodiversity and long-term resilience of the site. Here’s why: First, vines crowd the understory and suppress native tree regeneration. The most common trees on the site, willow oak and black cherry, are not germinating or surviving in the understory because they are crowded out by the thick carpet of vines. Over time, the native trees will die of old age and will not be replaced by young native saplings as in a healthy forest. Second, invasive vines and shrubs produce huge quantities of fruit, but the fruits are not as nutritious as those of native bayberry, poison ivy, and eastern redcedar. In addition, many songbirds eat caterpillars—but butterflies and moths prefer to lay their eggs on native trees and shrubs because they coevolved. Finally, the wildlife refuge is a coastal maritime forest that experienced flooding during Hurricane Sandy and will be impacted by future storms. Sea-level rise is projected to increase three feet by 2050 in this area. Currently, the dominant species of vegetation are not salt-tolerant, making them vulnerable to the future impacts of climate change. TNC believed that a baseline inventory of the existing habitat quality in the wildlife refuge would not be complete without songbird surveys. In early 2015, TNC coordinated with NYC Audubon to monitor migratory and breeding birds in eight Surveys Taken in Nine Different Locations in Jamaica Bay locations throughout the North and South Refuge Recorded 75 Species of Birds 6 www.nycaudubon.org Improving Habitat for Songbirds at Jamaica Bay wildlife Refuge Lauren Alleman, Project Manager, The Nature Conservancy © L Gardens, and one location at Big John’s Pond auren Alleman (on the other side of Cross Bay Boulevard near the East Pond). Since May 2015, NYC Audubon has documented 75 different bird species utilizing the site, including breeding American redstarts (see species profile on page 13) and cedar waxwings. (See article below to learn more about the songbird surveys.) The restoration project is now under way. Invasive plant removal began in early December 2015 and will continue in phases for the next two years. NPS has hired contractors that will use a combination of mechanical and chemical control methods, in The NPS’ Hanem Abouelezz Surveys a Future Restoration Area accordance with their regional invasive plant control guidelines. After invasive plants are planting. This is an ambitious undertaking, hopes to find volunteer support for long-term removed, the team will plant approximately and the project team invites all interested maintenance. To learn more about volunteer 30,000 native trees and shrubs across the 14 parties to take part. Keeping the invasive opportunities with the project, visit www. acres, relying on volunteers to help with the species at bay won’t be easy, and the team nature.org/nyevents.

Songbird Survey at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Tod Winston © L ast summer, Debra Kriensky, Susan aura thrashers and sparrows than expected during M

Elbin, and I were constantly itchy. eyers the nesting season, leading us to wonder if LSuch was the price we paid for they are present but simply harder to detect. spending our early mornings counting We found American redstarts at a majority birds at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge—and of points, implying that a number of pairs wading through a sea of poison ivy to do may be nesting. Cedar waxwings were so. Fortunately, the benefits outweighed the observed in flocks into late June, indicating costs: in all we completed eight baseline breeding, while both willow and great- (pre-restoration) songbird “point counts” crested flycatcher were heard in mid-June. in the North and South Garden areas of Highlights during spring migration included the Refuge. Between May and November rose-breasted grosbeak, yellow-billed cuckoo, 2015, we tallied 75 species total, including and chestnut-sided warbler, while in the fall “fly-over” species. On each count date, a a merlin and a sharp-shinned hawk flew over pair of us arrived at the Refuge at dawn and as we tallied chip notes of yellow-rumped hiked to the nine survey points, randomly Cedar Waxwing Feeding on warblers and white-throated sparrows. selected to coincide with sites of planned Native Eastern Redcedar We look forward to our first spring survey habitat restoration. We listened and observed this March. As the restoration work progresses, (but mostly listened) during a period of 10 at the Refuge! Other common breeding we expect that bird diversity will decrease minutes at each point, recording all birds we species included yellow warbler, northern at first, as small new plants take hold, and heard within a 50-meter radius. cardinal, eastern towhee, house wren, and then increase as the plantings become better Not surprisingly, gray catbirds were brown-headed cowbird—with smaller but established. We hope to conduct ongoing the most common species recorded: catbirds consistent numbers of white-eyed vireo and post-restoration point counts in order to definitely rule from the “catbird seat” Carolina wren. We counted fewer brown assess the long-term success of this project.

SPRING 2016 7

66506_NYC_Aud_Spring16.indd 7 2/3/16 8:02 AM Events and Adventures © D

avid Speiser . Register for one • NYC Audubon Events date or the whole series of five • Partnership Events free walks. Explore the Garden in search of migrant songbirds and • SPRING BIRDING AT WAVE learn about the valuable resources HILL, that the Garden offers birds and Sundays March 13, April 10, May 8, other wildlife. Binoculars available. and June 12, 9:30-11:30am Limited to 25. Appropriate for all Guide: Gabriel Willow ages. To register, email info@ With queensbotanical.org or visit www. Meet at the Perkins Visitor queensbotanical.org/calendar. Free Center. Naturalist Gabriel Willow with Garden admission contributes his extensive knowledge of bird species and their behaviors • BIRDING TOURS OF BRYANT on these captivating walks. Wave PARK Hill’s garden setting overlooking Mondays, April 11–May 16, 8-9am the Hudson River flyway provides Thursdays, April 14–May 19, 5-6pm the perfect habitat for resident Guide: Gabriel Willow and migrating birds. Advance With Bryant Park Corporation registration is recommended, either American Woodcock Meet at the Birding Tour sign at online at www.wavehill.org, at the the 42nd Street and 6th Avenue Perkins Visitor Center, or by calling history, ecology, and management of both by sight and by ear. Three fun entrance to the park. Discover the 718-549-3200 x251. (Walks run rain this 13,000-acre urban preserve. For and educational in-class sessions, surprising variety of birds that stop or shine; in case of severe weather reservations, contact Don Riepe at paired with field trips to JamaicaB ay in Bryant Park during migration. No call the number above for updates.) 718-474-0896 or donriepe@gmail. and Central Park (van transport to registration necessary. No limit. Free Ages 10 and up welcome with an com. No limit. Free Jamaica Bay included). Limited to 12. adult. NYC Audubon members $179 (125) • SPRING MIGRATION IN enjoy two-for-one admission • THE SKY-DANCE OF THE , THE BRONX (see www.wavehill.org for more WOODCOCK • BIRDING BY EAR IN CENTRAL Saturday, April 16, 9am-4pm information) Saturdays, March 26 and April 2; PARK Guide: Gabriel Willow 5-9:30pm Tuesdays, April 5–May 10, 7:30- Explore the lovely coves and rocky • FILM SCREENING: SAVING Guide: Gabriel Willow 10:30am outcroppings of the City’s largest JAMAICA BAY The American woodcock is a Guide: Tod Winston park, Pelham Bay Park, seeking out Thursday, March 17, 8pm remarkable bird. It is in the Meet at Central Park West and 72nd migrating songbirds, late wintering Join us for the world premiere of sandpiper family but lives in Street or Central Park West and birds, ducks, and a breeding pair this important new film. See page woodlands, often far from beaches. 103rd Street (alternating weeks). of great horned owls. This park’s 20 for details. The male performs an incredible Join Tod Winston for this six-week rich and diverse habitat makes it crepuscular aerial display soon after exploration of all of the chips, an urban gem and a great home • VAN TRIP TO THE EARLY the snow melts in the northern U.S. tweets, trills, and warbles we hear for wildlife. Past rarities include SPRING BIRD WALK AT JAMAICA Let’s go look for it (and bats and as we wander Strawberry Fields, a northern goshawk and a purple BAY owls and other critters, too) at Floyd the Ramble, and the North Woods. sandpiper. Bring lunch. Transport by Saturday, March 26, 9am-3pm Bennett Field. Bring a headlamp Though we won’t pass up any non- passenger van included. Limited to Hop in our van and take a ride out or flashlight and a snack for a singing birds we come across, this 12. $90 (63) to Jamaica Bay for the Early Spring post-woodcock picnic. Transport by series is intended specifically for Bird Walk; see description below. passenger van included. Limited to those who’d like to identify birds by • SPRING BIRD MIGRATION AT Bring lunch. Limited to 12. $53 (37) 12. $90 (63) per trip sound alone. Take as a warm-up to JAMAICA BAY our May Introduction to Bird Song Saturday, April 16, 10am-1pm • EARLY SPRING BIRD WALK AT • BEGINNING BIRDING class, or by itself. Limited to 12. $150 Guide: Don Riepe JAMAICA BAY Classes: Wednesdays, March 30– (105) With American Littoral Society and Saturday, March 26, 10am-1pm April 13, 6:30-8:30pm Gateway NRA Guides: Don Riepe, Tod Winston Trips: Saturday, April 9, 8am-2pm • Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife With American Littoral Society and and Saturday, April 16, 8-10:30am BIRD WALKS Refuge Visitor Center for a slide Gateway NRA Instructor: Tod Winston Saturdays April 9, May 7, June 4, program and hike around the Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Learn the keys to identifying the and Sundays April 24 and May 22; gardens and ponds. Learn about Refuge Visitor Center for a slide spectacular variety of birds that 9-10am the mystery of bird migration program and walk to look for migrate northwards through New Guide: NYC Audubon and look for warblers, thrushes, eastern phoebes, American York City every spring. Even if you’ve With Queens Botanical Garden ibis, and other recent arrivals. For oystercatchers, osprey, and other never picked up a pair of binoculars, We are happy to announce a new reservations, contact Don Riepe at early migrants. Learn about the you’ll soon be identifying warblers, series of spring migration bird 718-474-0896 or donriepe@gmail. thrushes, waterbirds, and more— walks in partnership with Queens com. No limit. Free

8 www.nycaudubon.org

66506_NYC_Aud_Spring16.indd 8 2/3/16 8:02 AM • BIRDING GEMS OF STATEN • CAMERA CLUB • THE BIRDS OF WOODLAWN Central Park’s rich bird habitat ISLAND: SPRING HIKE IN THE Wednesdays, April 20 and June 1; CEMETERY, THE BRONX and migration hot spots with GREENBELT 6:30-8:30pm Sunday, April 24, 8-10:30am Conservancy Discovery Guides and Sunday, April 17, 9:30am-3pm Instructors: David Speiser, Lloyd Guides: Tod Winston, Joseph NYC Audubon. Witness firsthand Guide: Gabriel Willow Spitalnik McManus, Susan Olsen how the Conservancy’s work has With NYC Parks and the Greenbelt Meet at the NYC Audubon office, 71 With The Friends of Woodlawn made the Park a sanctuary for Conservancy West 23rd Street (please note that Meet at the Jerome Avenue entrance birds. Binoculars available. Ages Meet at the Manhattan terminal our venue has changed). Whether of Woodlawn Cemetery. Join us for 5 and up. Maximum of three of the Ferry and you're a beginner or more advanced a morning bird walk and tour of children per parent or guardian. For begin your tour on water as we photographer, our photography beautiful Woodlawn Cemetery: Tod weather cancellation updates and cross the Upper Bay. Explore trails club is the place to discuss diverse Winston and Joseph McManus will pre-registration information, call within the 3,000-acre Staten Island photography-related topics, hone look for spring migrants and year- 212-772-0288. Limited to 20. Free Greenbelt and visit High Rock Park, your skills, and learn about the round residents on the expansive, (pre-registration is recommended, Walker Pond, and the Pouch Camp great photography opportunities wooded cemetery grounds, while as space is limited) property: 143 acres of unspoiled available in the New York City Woodlawn’s Susan Olsen will woods and wetlands. Look for area. Professional bird and nature share fascinating stories about the • BIRDING BASICS FOR spring migrants and learn about the photographers David Speiser and cemetery’s history and the interesting FAMILIES: NORTH WOODS, Greenbelt’s ecology. Trip involves Lloyd Spitalnik will share their mixture of individuals interred there. CENTRAL PARK approximately 3.5 miles of hiking. expertise and help you improve your Limited to 15. $35 (24) Sundays, May 1–May 29, 10-11am Transportation on Staten Island work. Registration required. No Guides: NYC Audubon, Conservancy included. Limited to 19. $43 (30) limit. $14.50 ($10) per meeting • 100 YEARS OF THE MBTA: SPRING Discovery Guides MIGRANTS OF CENTRAL PARK Offered by the Central Park • EVENING SPRING MIGRATION • BIRDS AND PLANTS: NEW Tuesday, April 26, 7:30-9:30am Conservancy WALKS IN CENTRAL PARK YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN IN Guides: Kellye Rosenheim, John-Paul Meet at the Dana Discovery Center Monday Series: April 18–May 16 SPRINGTIME, THE BRONX Catusco (inside the Park at 110th Street Tuesday Series: April 19–May 17 Saturday, April 23, 10am-1pm With Central Park Conservancy between Fifth and Lenox Avenues). Wednesday Series: April 20–May 18 Saturday, May 14, 11am-2pm Meet at the Loeb Boathouse. Join Experience Central Park’s rich bird (All Walks 5:30-7pm) Guide: Gabriel Willow Kellye Rosenheim and the Central habitat and migration hot spot with Guide: Gabriel Willow Meet by the ticket booth just inside Park Conservancy’s John-Paul Catusco Conservancy Discovery Guides and Meet at 72nd Street and Central the Garden’s Mosholu Gate on for a morning walk celebrating NYC Audubon. Witness firsthand Park West for this five-week series Southern Boulevard. The New York the centennial anniversary of the how the Conservancy’s work has of walks. Witness the spectacle of Botanical Garden is home to a large Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We’ll explore made the Park a sanctuary for spring migration as songbirds follow tract of East Coast old-growth forest. the Ramble and surrounding areas birds. Binoculars available. Ages the Atlantic Flyway northwards. During the peak of spring migration, looking for spring migrants. Limited to 5 and up. Maximum of three Look for orioles, tanagers, warblers, the beautiful gardens come alive 15. $29 (20) children per parent or guardian. For vireos, and other migrants in the with migrating songbirds. Limited weather cancellation updates and wilds of Central Park, and learn to 15. Entrance fee to NYBG not • MORNING SPRING MIGRATION pre-registration information, call about the finer points of their included. $39 (27) per walk WALKS IN CENTRAL PARK 212-772-0288. Limited to 20. Free identification and ecology.L imited Wednesday Series: April 27–May 25 (pre-registration is recommended, to 15. $122 (85) per series Thursday Series: April 28–May 26 as space is limited)

© (All Walks 7:30-10:30am) E llen Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers • BIRDING GEMS OF STATEN M

ichaels LLC ISLAND: SPRING MIGRATION AT Meet at 72nd Street and Central Park FRESHKILLS PARK West. This five-week series of walks Sunday, May 1, 8am-3pm will observe the waves of birds passing Guides: Cliff Hagen, Tod Winston through Central Park during spring With NYC Parks migration. Limited to 15. $143 (100) Meet at the Staten Island Ferry and per series start your trip with a journey across the Upper Bay. From wetlands • BIRDING BASICS FOR FAMILIES: to woodlands to rich, rolling THE RAMBLE, CENTRAL PARK grasslands, Freshkills Park offers a Saturdays, April 30–May 28, 10-11am diverse collection of habitats and Guides: NYC Audubon, Conservancy wildlife. On any given spring day, Discovery Guides over 100 species of birds and a Offered by the Central Park variety of butterflies can be seen Conservancy here. Join local naturalist Cliff Hagen Meet at (inside and the NYC Parks Department on Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher the Park, mid-Park just north of the 79th Street transverse). Experience …continued on page 10

SPRING 2016 9

66506_NYC_Aud_Spring16.indd 9 2/3/16 8:02 AM Events and Adventures (continued)

this special opportunity to explore Then go out in the field and well as spring wildflowers, , are inseparable. the secret places of the City's reinforce what you’ve learned. Field and . Visit the rustic Influential birders such as Roger latest, greatest park. Transport by trip to Central Park. Limited to 15. visitor center. Trip involves a 4-mile Tory Peterson and Allan D. passenger van on S.I. included. $72 (50) hike and some rocky terrain. Bring Cruickshank got their starts on Van Limited to 12. $68 (47) lunch. Transport by passenger van Cortlandt’s ecologically diverse • STERLING FOREST WARBLERS, included. Limited to 12. $115 (80) grounds. These walks celebrate the • SPRING WARBLERS ORANGE COUNTY, NY tradition set forth by these great Class: Friday, May 6, 6:30-8:30pm Saturday, May 7, 7am-3pm • VAN CORTLANDT BIRD ornithologists. Participants will look Trip: Sunday, May 8, 8-11am Guides: Don Riepe, Tod Winston WALKS, THE BRONX for various species of residents Instructor: Joe Giunta, Happy Explore the woodland and pond Saturdays, May 7–July 30, 8-9:30am and migrants and discuss a wide Warblers LLC habitat of the 20,000-acre Sterling Guides: NYC Audubon, Van range of avian topics. For more First learn to identify the 30-plus Forest preserve during peak spring Cortlandt Park Conservancy information, call 212-691-7483. No species of warblers that migrate migration. Look for nesting warblers With the Van Cortlandt Park registration necessary. No limit. Free through our area each spring, using (including golden-winged, cerulean, Conservancy field marks and other techniques. hooded, prairie, and blue-winged) as Meet at Van Cortlandt Nature • PEAK MIGRATION DAY AT Center. The history of birding and AND JAMAICA BAY Tuesday, May 10, 8am-4pm NYC Audubon Members-Only Events Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers LLC Join us for a free NYC Audubon 1785 on Saint-Domingue (now Kellye Rosenheim to search for Join Joe Giunta for this tour of member event this spring. Please Haiti), Audubon roamed widely spring migrants in Strawberry the crown jewels of Queens: Alley note: Member events are free during his eventful life. Not many Fields and the Ramble. At least Pond Park and Jamaica Bay. First for Contributing NYC Audubon know that he wound up in Trinity one parent or legal guardian visit Alley Pond’s wooded grounds members as detailed below. As Cemetery near his New York City must be present at all times and and kettle ponds to search for these events are popular and home at Minniesland. Join Kellye you must register in advance. warblers and vireos, then hike the fill quickly, please limit your Rosenheim for some afternoon Please let us know if you need trails of Jamaica Bay to see migrant registration to one free member birdwatching and a tour of this a pair of binoculars. To reserve shorebirds, waterfowl, and more. event per month. historic graveyard with Trinity a spot, email us at KIDS@ Bring lunch. Transport by passenger Cemetery’s Daniel Levatino, as nycaudubon.org. No limit. Free van included. Limited to 12. $115 • “WOODCOCKTAILS” AT well as a look at some nearby for NYC Audubon KIDS Members (80) JAMAICA BAY Audubon bird murals with and one adult companion Thursday, April 14, 3-9:30pm National Audubon’s Mark Jannot. • A WALK IN THE NORTH Join Don Riepe to witness Call Kellye Rosenheim at 212-691- • CENTRAL PARK WITH WOODS the spectacular flight of the 7483 x306 to register. Limited HARRY MAAS Wednesday, May 11, 7:30-10:30am woodcock, as well as enjoy a few to 20. Free for Contributing Monday, May 2, 7-8:30am Guide: Tod Winston “woodcocktails” on us. After a NYC Audubon members at the Meet at Central Park West and Meet at 103rd Street and Central leisurely check of Jamaica Bay Student/Senior level and up 72nd Street. Join Harry Maas, Park West, parkside. Explore the Wildlife Refuge’s West Pond president of NYC Audubon, when peaceful North Woods and Loch and gardens, we will adjourn to • CENTRAL PARK WITH TOM migration is in full swing! Call at the height of spring songbird the woodcock courting grounds STEPHENSON Kellye Rosenheim at 212-691- migration. We'll look (and listen) to look for male woodcocks Wednesday, April 27, 7:30-9am 7483 x306 to register. Limited for warblers, vireos, tanagers, executing their dramatic flight Meet at Central Park West to 20. Free for Contributing grosbeaks, and more. Limited to 15. displays. Call Kellye Rosenheim and 72nd Street to seek out NYC Audubon members at the $36 (25) at 212-691-7483 x306 to register. early spring migrants with Student/Senior level and up Bring dinner; transport by Tom Stephenson, author of • INTRODUCTION TO passenger van, snacks, and The Warbler Guide. Call Kellye • CENTRAL PARK WITH BIRDSONG drinks provided. Limited to Rosenheim at 212-691-7483 x306 KELLYE ROSENHEIM Class: Friday, May 13, 6:30-8:30pm 11. Free for Contributing NYC to register. Limited to 20. Free Friday, May 6, 3:30-5:30pm Trip: Sunday, May 15, 8am-Noon Audubon members only at the for Contributing NYC Audubon Meet at the Loeb Boathouse Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers Family and Supporter levels and members at the Student/Senior to look for songbirds at the LLC up level and up height of migration with Kellye Do you ever wonder who is singing? Rosenheim. Call Kellye at 212- Learn to identify the large variety • HAPPY BIRTHDAY, • KIDS SPRING WALK IN 691-7483 x306 to register. Limited of migrant and resident birds in JOHN JAMES AUDUBON! CENTRAL PARK to 20. Free for Contributing New York City. Joe Giunta will first Tuesday, April 26, 3:30-5pm Saturday, April 30, 3-4:30pm NYC Audubon members at the introduce you to the subtleties Meet at the gates to Trinity Meet at 72nd Street and Central Student/Senior level and up. of birdsong identification in the Cemetery, on 155th Street Park West. Calling all NYC classroom, followed by a field trip in between Broadway and Audubon KIDS Members! Join Central Park to bird by eye and ear. Amsterdam. Born on April 26, Tod Winston, Nancy Ward, and Limited to 12. $72 (50)

10 www.nycaudubon.org

66506_NYC_Aud_Spring16.indd 10 2/3/16 8:02 AM © F • BIRDING GEMS OF QUEENS: rançois Portmann including tricolored heron. We'll FOREST HILLS GARDENS AND walk the refuge trails and seek out these species and many more. Bring Saturday, May 14, 8am-Noon lunch. Transport by passenger van Guide: Tod Winston included. Limited to 12. $88 (62) Meet near the 71 Ave E/F subway station—specific location to be • SPRING MIGRATION ON announced. Join Tod Winston as we RANDALL’S ISLAND tour the lovely green neighborhood Saturday, June 4, 9am-2pm of Forest Hills Gardens—often rich Guides: Gabriel Willow, Randall’s with songbirds—on our way to Island Park Alliance Staff Forest Park. There we'll hike through With Randall’s Island Park Alliance, the park's native woodland habitat Inc. in search of tanagers, orioles, and Meet on the northwest corner of warblers, and visit the famous Belted Kingfisher 102nd Street and the FDR Drive. “water hole,” popular with thirsty We’ll walk across the foot bridge to migrants and eager birders alike. Randall’s Island, an under-explored JAMAICA BAY SUNSET CRUISE forests and incredible birding spots Limited to 15. $36 (25) • location in the East River that hosts Saturday, May 21, 5-8pm of . Look for ducks restored freshwater wetlands and With American Littoral Society and and seabirds in New York Harbor NESTING PEREGRINES AND salt marsh. We’ll look for spring • Gateway NRA on our way across on the ferry RED-TAILS OF THE UPPER WEST migrants (both waterbirds and land Meet at Pier 4 in Sheepshead Bay ride and then catch a bus to the SIDE birds) as we explore the results of to board the “Golden Sunshine.” Park. Numerous warblers, vireos, Sunday, May 15, 1-4pm recent restoration efforts. Limited to Learn about the Bay and its history, tanagers, and other migratory Guide: Gabriel Willow 20. $40 (28) management, and ecology. See songbirds can be seen here, as well Meet in front of Riverside Church. egrets, herons, ibis, terns, laughing as nesting eastern screech-owls and Many New Yorkers are astonished THE PARAKEETS OF GREEN- gulls, osprey, peregrine falcons, great blue herons. We'll even see • to discover that their city of steel WOOD CEMETERY, BROOKLYN and shorebirds. Includes wine and one of the largest and oldest trees and glass is home to a diverse Sunday, June 5, 10am-1pm cheese, fruit, drinks, and snacks. in New York City. Limited to 15. Bus population of large birds of prey: Guide: Gabriel Willow For information and reservations, fare ($2.75 each way; please bring The City boasts the world’s highest With Green-Wood Cemetery contact Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 your MetroCard or exact change) densities of the peregrine falcon, Meet at the cemetery entrance at or [email protected]. Limited to not included in registration price. the world’s fastest flyer, and a 5th Avenue and 25th Street, Park 140. $55 $43 (30) growing population of red-tailed Slope, Brooklyn. Explore Green- hawks (several pairs of which have Wood Cemetery in search of spring HORSESHOE CRABS AND RED THE BREEDING BIRDS reached celebrity status). We’ll visit • • migrants and its most surprising KNOTS OF DOODLETOWN ROAD, a nesting site of a pair of each of avian residents: the huge flocks of Sunday, May 22, 9am-Noon ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY these fascinating species, and may brilliant green monk parakeets that Guides: Mickey Cohen, Don Riepe Thursday, June 2, 8am-4pm glimpse parents feeding their chicks. nest there. Native to South America, With American Littoral Society and Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers Limited to 15. $39 (27) these charming immigrants flourish Gateway NRA LLC even in our harsh winters. Limited Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife A great variety of warblers and other SPRING MIGRANTS to 15. $46 (32) • Refuge Visitor Center and carpool songbirds, including species at AT , to a nearby site in Broad Channel risk, breed at Doodletown Road in MANHATTAN SUNSET ECOCRUISES TO THE to see the annual spring mating Bear Mountain State Park. Hooded, • Saturday, May 21, 8:30-11am HARBOR HERON ISLANDS ritual of the ancient horseshoe cerulean, and golden-winged Guide: Annie Barry Wednesdays, June 8–August 17 crab. Look for endangered red warblers may be seen, as well as Meet at the entrance to Inwood Hill 7-9pm (Brother Islands; Hoffman knots, ruddy turnstones, and other indigo buntings, wild turkeys, and Park at the corner of Isham Street and Swinburne Islands) shorebirds feeding on the eggs. much more. Bring lunch. Transport and Seaman Avenue. Join Annie 6:30-9:30pm (Jamaica Bay) Children welcome. For reservations, by passenger van included. Limited Barry for a hike through a mature Guide: Gabriel Willow contact Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 to 12. $122 (85) forest in search of kinglets, warblers, With New York Water Taxi or [email protected]. No limit. flycatchers, sparrows,B altimore Meet at South Street Seaport Pier 16 Free BREEDING BIRDS OF JAMAICA orioles, and other migrants and • and set sail in search of glossy ibis, BAY residents. We’ll then head to the little blue and tricolored herons, BIRDING GEMS OF STATEN Saturday, June 4, 7:30am-1:30pm shores of recently restored Muscota • great and snowy egrets, and black- ISLAND: CLOVE LAKES PARK Guide: Tod Winston Marsh, the last natural saltmarsh in and yellow-crowned night-herons: Sunday, May 29, 8am-Noon Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is Manhattan, to search for herons and all these spectacular wading birds Guide: Gabriel Willow home to nesting cedar waxwings, ducks. Some hilly walking required. nest here in New York Harbor. Visit Meet at the Manhattan terminal brown thrashers, white-eyed vireos, Limited to 15. $36 (25) of the Staten Island Ferry and tree swallows, yellow warblers, journey to the “Forgotten Borough” American redstarts, osprey, willet, …continued on page 12 to discover some of the beautiful and seven species of wading birds

SPRING 2016 11

66506_NYC_Aud_Spring16.indd 11 2/3/16 8:02 AM Events and Adventures (continued)

the fascinating Brother Islands, the © EXPLORE THE MEADOWLANDS E and peregrine falcons. Bring • llen large egret and cormorant colonies BY PONTOON BOAT, SECAUCUS, M lunch. Transport by passenger van on Hoffman and Swinburne Islands, NJ ichaels included. Limited to 12. $101 (71) or the great expanses of Jamaica Saturday, June 11, 7:30am-12:30pm Bay. Whichever your destination, Guides: Tod Winston and NJ • BIRD WALK you’ll experience the wonders of Meadowlands Docent Saturday, June 11, 8-11am New York Harbor at sunset and see With NJ Meadowlands Commission Guide: Gabriel Willow some of the 3,000 herons, egrets, Explore the Meadowlands' Mill Meet under the arch in Grand and ibis nesting here. To choose Creek Marsh, a 225-acre restored Army Plaza. Join Gabriel Willow for a cruise and register, contact New off the Hackensack River. a leisurely walk to see late spring York Water Taxi at 212-742-1969 We'll take a relaxing pontoon boat migrants and breeding residents or www.nywatertaxi.com/tours/ ride through this vast salt marsh of “Brooklyn's Backyard.” Beautiful audubon. Limited to 90. Price varies habitat for close-up views of egrets, Prospect Park’s wide variety of by destination night-herons, belted kingfishers, habitats attracts a large number and marsh wrens—along with Prairie Warbler of migrants and breeding bird nesting osprey, red-tailed hawks, species—significantly more than Central Park, in fact. We will explore the park's meadows, forests, and waterways in search of waterfowl, warblers, tanagers, and more. Overnight Trips Limited to 15. $36 (25) • BREEDING BIRDS OF THE HUDSON HIGHLANDS, MANHATTAN Saturday, June 25, 8am-5pm • CAPE MAY SPRING MIGRATION Camden and on the lovely and • BASHAKILL, SHAWANGUNK Guide: Gabriel Willow WEEKEND, NJ remote Monhegan Island, a NWR, AND DOODLETOWN, NY Join Gabriel Willow on a day-long Saturday, April 30, 9am–Sunday, birder's paradise where seeing 25 Saturday, June 11, 9am–Sunday, June trip to some of the most exciting May 1, 7pm to 30 warbler species in a day is 12, 6pm and beautiful birding locations in Guide: Gabriel Willow not uncommon. Includes double Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers the Hudson Valley: Doodletown Welcome the spring in lovely occupancy lodging, some meals, LLC Road, Constitution Marsh, and Cape May, NJ, the East’s capital of museum entrance and local Look for breeding eastern Indian Brook Farm. We'll look birding. On good spring migration transportation fees, a lobster dinner, meadowlarks, American bitterns, for uncommon breeding warbler specialties at Doodletown, such days, the area’s forests and marshes and van transportation in Maine cerulean warblers, and more at as cerulean, hooded, blue-winged, are swarming with warblers in (airfare not included). Limited to 10. these three great birding areas. An golden-winged, and worm-eating $1,950 ($595 single supplement) overnight stay will facilitate being in breeding plumage. We’ll visit Cape warblers. We will then head to May Point, Higbee Beach, Cape the right spot at the right time. Bring the Constitution Marsh Audubon May Meadows, and more in search • MONTAUK SPRING WEEKEND lunch for the first day. Transport by Sanctuary, home to breeding wood of returning songbirds, shorebirds, Friday, June 3–Sunday, June 5 passenger van included. Limited to ducks, bald eagles, least bitterns, wading birds, and terns—as well as Guides: Mike Bottini, Mickey Cohen, 10. $290 ($55 single supplement) and marsh wrens. After a picnic lingering winter visitors such as sea Don Riepe lunch, we’ll drive to Indian Brook ducks and gannets. Transport by With American Littoral Society • BASHAKILL, NEVERSINK, AND Farm in search of breeding field passenger van included. Limited to Join us for our 20th year at the STERLING FOREST, NY and savannah sparrows, bobolinks, 10. $330 ($30 single supplement) luxurious Montauk Manor and Saturday, June 18, 9am–Sunday, and indigo buntings. Transport by passenger van included. Limited to enjoy indoor/outdoor heated June 19, 6pm 12. $129 (90) • PUFFINS, WARBLERS, pools, jacuzzi, and spacious suites. Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers AND LOBSTER BOATS: THE Registration price includes five LLC EARLY MEMBER ENCHANTING COAST OF MAINE meals, guided field trips, evening Look for breeding American bitterns, REGISTRATION FOR Saturday, May 21–Saturday, May 28 slide programs, an evening star cerulean, hooded, and golden- UPCOMING EVENTS Guide: Gabriel Willow watch, and free pickup at the LIRR winged warblers, and more at Mid-summer to early fall Join Maine native Gabriel Willow in station in Montauk. For information these three great birding areas. An events will be posted at exploring the Maine coast, home and reservations, contact Don Riepe overnight stay will facilitate being in www.nycaudubon.org and to Atlantic puffins, shorebirds, at 718-474-0896 or donriepe@ the right spot at the right time. Bring available for registration for warblers, and other migratory gmail.com. No limit. $395 ($130 lunch for the first day. Transport by contributing NYC Audubon members starting on Monday, songbirds. Stay in charming single supplement) passenger van included. Limited to May 9. (Registration will open 10. $290 ($55 single supplement) to all on Monday, May 23.)

12 www.nycaudubon.org

66506_NYC_Aud_Spring16.indd 12 2/3/16 8:02 AM American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) Don Riepe © © D E avid Speiser

• TO REGISTER FOR ALL NYC llen

AUDUBON EVENTS and for M ichaels more information, visit www.nycaudubon. org or call Darren Klein at 212-691-7483 x304 unless otherwise specified.

important information • Classes meet at 71 West 23rd Street, Suite 1523. • Contributing Members (Student/Senior level and up) receive a 30% discount on most local trips and classes (on discounted events, the discounted price appears in parentheses after the nonmember price). See membership form on page 19. • For all coach and van trips, the meeting location is in front of 71 West 23rd Street in Manhattan unless otherwise specified. • We depart promptly at the stated start time. • For all overnight trips, membership in nyc audubon at the Student/ Senior level and up is required. See membership form on page 19. common migrant and occasional or rare nester in a few New York City parks, the American redstart is easily identified in both spring and fall, as it doesn’t change to Adrab—and confusing—fall colors as many other warbler species do. Redstarts keep their coloration year-round and are also sexually dimorphic: the adult male is black with bright orange Take a Picture patches on the wings and tail (see cover), while both the female and immature males are a drab gray with yellow wing and tail markings (see photo above). The American redstart is conspicuous for D-Bird compared to other warblers as it is usually very active, constantly flitting around trees and bushes, Attention citizen scientists! NYC flicking its wings and spreading its tail. Because of this colorful display, it is sometimes referred Audubon’s Project Safe Flight needs to as the “butterfly of the bird world.” In Central America and northern parts of South America your help. If you find a dead or where the bird spends its winters, it is called “candelita,” which roughly translates as “little flame” injured bird in the City (especially or “little torch.” if you think it has hit a building), American redstarts generally prefer early successional deciduous forests with shrubby edges please visit www.d-bird.org on for breeding. For the past 15 years, at least one pair has nested in the North Garden area of the your smartphone or computer and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. On its Latin American wintering grounds, the species inhabits both report it to us. D-Bird has recently natural forests and shade-grown coffee plantations, both rich in . (The redstart’s wing- and been upgraded and can now accept tail-flashing display is actually thought to flush prey as the birds forage.) In the tropics, photos. If you are unsure of the redstarts can also be found feeding on flies around outhouses and garbage piles, lending them yet species or just want to help provide another, less flattering, nickname: the “latrine bird.” accurate documentation, photos can Like many other neotropical migrants, American redstarts are declining in number owing be attached from both mobile and to habitat loss in both their breeding and wintering ranges. Nest parasitism by brown-headed desktop devices. Your efforts will cowbirds may also be a factor, as fragmentation of woodlands from development creates more help us make the City a safer place edge areas that allow cowbirds easy access to warbler nests. Man-made development along redstart for birds. migratory pathways also increases hazards, especially to young birds. Thankfully, the “sport” of To see an interactive map birding has become a popular pastime in America, and this helps Audubon organizations like of D-Bird results, visit www. NYC Audubon gain political support for protecting habitats for birds and other wildlife. nycaudubon.org/project-safe- Read more about nesting American redstarts at Jamaica Bay on pages 6-7. And join us on flight#D-Bird. a field trip this spring to see many species of colorful warblers and other migrants as they pass through the New York City area during April and May; see pages 8-13.

SPRING 2016 13

66506_NYC_Aud_Spring16.indd 13 2/3/16 8:02 AM Birding New York City’s Cemeteries (Part One of a Two-Part Series) Mary Jane Kaplan

specially during migration, cemeteries attract birds for the of woodpecker; and a merlin, a frequent visitor to the cemetery. Pre- same reason as do large city parks: they offer substantial vious sightings have included belted kingfishers, red-breasted nut- Egreenery amid landscapes that are otherwise devoid of prom- hatches, an orchard oriole, and groups of wild turkeys (which nest ising feeding areas. This is true not just in urban agglomerations but on the cemetery grounds). in rural areas as well: if the choice for a tired songbird is to spend Woodlawn, founded in 1863, welcomes groups with various the day in a well-treed cemetery or a plowed field, most will choose interests—mushrooms, trees, stargazing—but other birding groups the trees. are requested to tie in with NYC Audubon, since their tour lead- All of New York City’s boroughs offer good opportunities for ers already know and follow the rules. See page 9 for details on our cemetery birding, with large, well-maintained cemeteries, some cre- spring walk at Woodlawn. ated by well-known landscape designers. These beautiful, park-like A very different sort of cemetery is Trinity Uptown, formally spaces provide a welcome respite from the city’s bustle—and some- known as the Trinity Church Cemetery and Mausoleum, sloping times a surprising diversity of birds. An added advantage: the quiet steeply down to the Hudson River in Washington Heights. It was es- atmosphere makes it relatively easy to hear the birds sing. tablished in 1842 to accommodate the overflow from the graveyard at For several years, NYC Audubon has offered field trips to the Trinity Church on Wall Street. Its major interest for birders has been Bronx’s 400-acre Woodlawn Cemetery co-led by Tod Winston, the 16-foot-high grave marker of John James Audubon, who died in communications manager and research associate at NYC Audubon, 1851 and whose last residence was just north of the cemetery. (This and Joe McManus, a long-time resident of the Bronx, frequent April 26, Audubon’s birthday, Kellye Rosenheim and representa- birder at the cemetery, and tives from both Trinity Uptown guide of NYC Audubon’s and National Audubon will lead Van Cortlandt Bird Walks. a NYC Audubon member walk at Usually accompanying the the cemetery; see page 10.) group is Susan Olsen, director At 23 acres, Trinity cannot of historical services for the compare to Woodlawn as a bird- cemetery; in between bird ing venue, and while the director, sightings, she calls the group’s Daniel Levatino, has on occasion attention to permanent celebrity noticed individual birders on the residents, special monuments, grounds, eBird has no postings and noteworthy trees—and has from the cemetery. Neverthe- an intriguing anecdote to go less, as the accompanying photo with each one. (Although not shows, the landscape does attract a birder when NYC Audubon predators, and its proximity to the first began the field trips, she Hudson River means that bald ea- has since taken Tod Winston’s gles must pass from time to time. class on beginning birding— Nearby Fort Washington and she found the number of species Highbridge Parks also provide to be “overwhelming”—and no good birding opportunities. doubt will soon be pointing out If you visit the Trinity birds as well.) Church Cemetery and Mausole- Over the past couple of um, be sure to also take in the years, the number of species seen large murals of birds painted by on the two-hour walks has aver- local artists found on the eastern aged around 34. The most recent and northern boundaries of the tour, in September 2015, pro- cemetery—one on Amsterdam duced a great blue heron, a great Avenue and another on 155th egret, and a flock of wood ducks Street.They too constitute an ap- on Woodlawn Lake; five species Red-Tailed Hawk at Trinity Church Cemetery propriate memorial to Audubon.

14 www.nycaudubon.org

66506_NYC_Aud_Spring16.indd 14 2/3/16 8:02 AM Freshkills Recycled and Reborn Cliff Hagen

veryone who birds Freshkills Park, on ©City of New York, NYC Parks, Staten Island’s western shore, arrives Eat the park with the same wide-eyed, slack-jawed expression. Two thousand two hundred acres of rolling grassy hills and me- F andering tidal creeks belie the discarded his- reshkills Park tory hidden right beneath the surface: Landfill, once the largest of its kind in the world. (The landfill ceased regular opera- tions in 2001; construction of the park began in 2008 and will continue through 2036.) On a warm, bright Sunday morning in early October, a group of NYC Audubon birders enjoyed five hours’ wandering about the new park, much of which is not yet open to the public. Freshkills’ grasslands, decidu- ous woodlands, freshwater ponds, and tidal creeks are all tied together by a system of hard- surface roadbeds and dirt roads. At the park’s four corners lie four grass-covered mounds, each approximately 100 feet high, offering gorgeous views of the New York City sky- line, the , and, on a clear day, the Kittatinny Range of New Jersey, which runs a crisp line north and south along the western horizon. Our first stop was the Freshkills Park Visitor Center, which provides a useful orien- Freshkills Park, with the Bayonne Bridge and Manhattan Skyline in the tation. Floor-to-ceiling aerial photos and maps Distance; a Landfill Gas Wellhead Is Visible in the Foreground adorn the walls. A glass display case offers a cross-section of the landfill’s rubbish, protec- double-crested cormorants, while an un- harriers, sharp-shinned and Cooper’s hawks, tive barriers, soils, and vegetative layers, a vi- usually quiet belted kingfisher stood guard American kestrels, and a merlin. sual depiction of the process of containing and nearby on a vacant osprey nest. Further on, At our final stop atop one of the park’s tall capping New York City’s past. Other displays a pond of runoff and rainwater was speckled mounds, song and savannah sparrows mingled include local artifacts and a detailed history of with mallards, gadwall, an American coot, among the grasses and lingering blooms of the area, providing some context for this park’s and nearly a dozen northern pintail. goldenrod, along with late-flying butterflies: unusual habitat. After lunch, a long walk along a gravel pearl crescents, sulfurs, cabbage whites, mon- Once the group stepped outside the road brought us to an area offering a marvel- archs, two black swallowtails, and two Ameri- Visitor Center, the birding began. Virginia ous vista of the confluence of the Freshkill can ladies. Grasshopper sparrows, which bred creeper has spent decades climbing the fences and vehicles racing along nearby Richmond here this past spring in good numbers, alas around the Center’s parking lot, and in its Avenue. Three great blue herons, several eluded us. But we weren’t to be disappointed: tangles we heard a golden-crowned kinglet great egrets, and one snowy stalked the shal- last, deep in the grasses of the north mound, busying itself among a full show of autumn lows of the creek as it meandered beneath an eastern meadowlark sprang up and gave us colors. The Center is situated alongside the the flow of traffic. Overhead, turkey vultures a good look as it beat a retreat across the open Freshkill, the main branch of the tidal creek graced the sky, sometimes alone, sometimes skies above New York City’s colorful fall land- for which the park is named. Skeletal struc- in groups of eight, twelve, or twenty. And on scape. tures of past industry lie in the creek’s shal- two occasions bald eagles made a brief show Visit www.freshkillspark.org to learn low water, and perched upon this framework for us. Other raptors made appearances as more about the park’s creation. For details on we found the three usual species of gulls and well, including red-tailed hawks, northern our spring trip to Freshkills, see page 9. SPRING 2016 15

66506_NYC_Aud_Spring16.indd 15 2/3/16 8:02 AM Up on the Roof (In Brooklyn) Suzanne Charlé

n the not-too-distant future, NYC Audubon will collaborate is atop Broadway Stages’ Eagle Street Studio building, and solar pho- with four partners in the the construction, management, and tovoltaic systems power seven of its sound stages. Ipublic programming of a 21,711-square-foot wildflower garden “The site is about as industrial as you can get,” Kellye Rosenheim, atop a renovated warehouse at 520 Kingsland Avenue in Greenpoint, NYC Audubon director of development, notes: “On one side there’s Brooklyn. a construction debris-pulverizing site, on another a water-treatment A grant of $971,782 was announced in late December by the plant.” The green roof meadow will reduce the flow of runoff water Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund (GCEF), a joint pro- into Newtown Creek, capturing 33,000 gallons of rainwater during a gram of the New York State Attorney General’s Office and the New one-inch storm. York State Department of Environmental Conservation to improve Susan Elbin, NYC Audubon director of conservation and sci- the environment in and around Newtown Creek. (GCEF was estab- ence, will be in charge of monitoring the birds, insects, and bats that lished in 2011 with funds from a $19.5-million settlement with will be attracted to the green space. Herring gulls, double-crested ExxonMobil over oil and related environmental contamination at its cormorants, and American kestrels have already been spotted nearby. Greenpoint facility and in the surrounding community.) In all, GCEF “Black-crowned night-herons loaf there, along the shoreline,” she has funded 46 projects, including McGolrick Park’s native plant gar- notes, adding that six bird boxes will also be installed. “We hope that den, another NYC Audubon project completed last year. tree swallows will nest in them. We could follow their progress dur- Competition for the final round of grants was stiff: in mid-2015 ing the breeding season—which would be a really exciting experience NYC Audubon submitted its proposal, and after several rounds of to bring to the local community.” voting by the community, the Newtown Creek Wildflower Roof and Other species will enjoy the garden, also: The roof will serve Community Space was among several large-scale projects given the as a space for classes and lectures provided by the project partners, green light. including Newtown Creek Alliance and Trout in the Classroom. The Brooklyn-based Alive Structures will design and install the Fortune Society will coordinate job-training programs. In all, Elbin bird-friendly green roof using native plant species. Broadway Stages, says, the project will take three years: “Think of all the rooftops in which owns this building and several other conversions where films New York City. This is a tremendous opportunity for NYC Audubon and TV shows including “The Good Wife” are shot, is a pioneer in to become a leader in managing such spaces for wildlife.” the greening of New York City rooftops. The City’s first rooftop farm ©Alive Structures

Design Rendering of the Newtown Creek Wildflower Roof and Community Space

16 www.nycaudubon.org

66506_NYC_Aud_Spring16.indd 16 2/3/16 8:02 AM Software and Film Reviews Catherine Heller and Carol Peace Robins

BirdGenie™ most common species of land birds in its area. well as the scientists who are passionately More species will be added in the future. trying to reverse the trend. Backyard East Software The BirdGenie app also allows the user to As one biologist notes, the world has lost Created by Tom Stephenson, share recordings with the BirdGenie website. half its songbirds since the 1960s. Like the Stephen Travis Pope, and If the site cannot identify a bird, experts canary in the coal mine, songbirds are sending Scott Whittle associated with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology a message that something is wrong. Much of Princeton University Press, will assist. When a birder shares a recording, what’s threatening them is also threatening BirdGenie becomes an important scientific all of planet earth: energy production, 2016 tool to identify variations in song within overdevelopment, harmful agricultural the same species from different geographic practices, habitat loss, climate change. The areas. Does an eastern meadowlark sound fact that humans have caused all of these perils the same in New York as it does in northern may offer a slight trace of good news. We can, Florida? A library of song variation across the after all, mend our ways. United States will be built, with the help of Striking slow motion footage of indigo BirdGenie’s citizen-scientist users. buntings and Baltimore orioles accompanies BirdGenie is simple to use and will be visits to three continents. In New York, we of most benefit to the novice backyard birder. see how the National September 11 Memorial We applaud the use of modern technology to & Museum’s annual Tribute in Light is a aid people in their study of the natural world. potential threat to migrating birds. Yet Learn more at www.birdgenie.com. -CH simply turning out the lights periodically (as or many people, identifying birds by the Tribute’s management does in cooperation their song is more difficult than by with NYC Audubon) alleviates this danger. Ftheir physical appearance. But what The Messenger In Toronto, as in New York, thousands of if you could record a bird and identify it Directed by Su Rynard birds are killed in collisions with reflective TM instantly? BirdGenie does just that—and SongbirdSOS Productions and high-rise windows. But in buildings with it is the most exciting technology for birders treated glass—bearing marks that birds see since binoculars. Films à Cinq, and humans don’t—deaths are reduced by NYC Audubon board member Tom 2015 80 percent. In Costa Rica, where 80 percent Stephenson, along with Stephen Travis Pope of the forests have vanished since 1945, and Scott Whittle, has developed an app ornithologists are showing farmers how shade- that just may revolutionize bird watching. grown coffee helps both birds (by providing Available since February 2016 for the habitat) and farmers (birds eat agricultural one-time bargain download fee of $2.99, pests). BirdGenie allows anyone to record birdsong Other scenarios aren’t quite so promising. on a smart phone and identify it. An Internet In France, hunters eagerly trap ortolan connection is not necessary; the ID is made by buntings in order to serve them for dinner. means of the downloaded BirdGenie library. And in the Canadian boreal forest, logging The app even starts recording the sound 1.5 and pipelines destroy valuable habitat. seconds before it’s tapped, so the start of a Then there’s this: a 1958 newsreel of Mao song won’t be missed. Tap again at the end of Tse-Tung ordering the killing of tree sparrows the song and the identification appears almost for eating crops. The sparrows were nearly instantly, along with the probability that the wiped out. But so too was the subsequent match is correct. A picture of the bird in 3-D crop, because there were no birds to eat plant- also appears (familiar to those who have used destroying insects—ultimately contributing Tom Stephenson’s Warbler Guide app), which arning! Canadian director Su to a famine that killed 30 million people. means you can adjust the picture to see the Rynard’s film The Messenger We didn’t heed that message. How many bird from all angles. Wis stunning, surprising, lush, more will it take? At present there are Eastern and Western enlightening—and frightening. It stars many To find out where you can see The versions of BirdGenie, each covering 65 of the of the world’s declining songbird species, as Messenger, visit www.messengerfilm.com. -CPR

SPRING 2016 17

66506_NYC_Aud_Spring16.indd 17 2/3/16 8:02 AM A Special and Enduring Gift Kathryn Heintz News & Notes © E

elen Mattin loved nature. Her passion for state of NATIONAL MICROBEAD BAN gardens and plants is wonderfully acknowl- SIGNED INTO LAW H edged at the Helen Mattin Warm Temperate elen Following widespread efforts M

H attin Pavilion at the . A frequent to ban the sale of products presence on early New York City Audubon bird walks, containing plastic microbeads Helen was also part of a close-knit cadre of regular office on a local and state level, this volunteers in our developmental years, often in league past December President Obama with Norman Stotz and a host of avid bird lovers who signed the Microbead-Free Waters helped launch the chapter over 30 years ago. When Act of 2015. The law will phase Helen passed away in August 2014, we learned that out the manufacturing of face she had chosen to make a special gift by including New wash, toothpaste, and shampoo York City Audubon in her will. We are honored and containing plastic microbeads by proud to be among an interesting and enlightened group of charitable organizations that were July 1, 2017, and the sale of such important and meaningful to Helen during her lifetime, and whose work will benefit enormously beauty products by July 1, 2018. from her generosity for many years to come.

© PORT AMBROSE FACILITY F rançois Portmann DEFEATED This past November, Governor Assure Your Own Legacy of Cuomo vetoed the proposed Port Protecting Birds Ambrose liquefied natural gas facility off the coast of Long Island. This decision followed years of opposition from environmental advocates and elected leaders.

BIRD-FRIENDLY BUILDING DESIGN Bird-Friendly Building Design, created by the American Bird Conservancy in partnership with NYC Audubon, has recently here are many ways to play a significant and lasting role in supporting New York City been updated and can be viewed Audubon’s mission to protect wild birds and their habitat in the five boroughs of New at www.nycaudubon.org/ York City: T our-publications/bird-friendly- • Include New York City Audubon in your Will or Irrevocable Trust. Specify “New York City building-design. This important Audubon Society, 71 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010” as a beneficiary. You can resource for all people in the change your bequest or designation at any time. building and design industries • Name “New York City Audubon” as a residual beneficiary, or co-beneficiary, in your as well as policy makers is Retirement Account, Bank Account, or Insurance Policy. It’s very easy! Many times it can based on NYC Audubon’s Bird- be done online. Retirement plans include IRAs, 401(k) plans, profit-sharing plans, Keogh Safe Building Guidelines, first plans, and 403(b) plans. published in 2007. • Have payments from your Retirement Account made directly to New York City Audubon. You must be 70½ or older. Payments made this way are not included in your gross income. The tax benefits of these options can be very attractive, too. Be sure to speak with your financial advisor about any arrangements you make on behalf of New York City Audubon.

To learn more about ways to plan a gift to New York City Audubon, contact Director of Development Kellye Rosenheim at [email protected] or 646-502-9611.

18 www.nycaudubon.org

66506_NYC_Aud_Spring16.indd 18 2/3/16 8:02 AM Acknowledgments

NYC Audubon’s conservation work and public outreach programs John Derian TRIBUTE GIFTS are made possible by generous contributions from members, Susan Elbin In honor of… Fishs Eddy Marsilia A. Boyle friends, corporations, foundations, and government agencies. We’d Jonathan Franzen Kathy Drake like to express our gratitude to all those who have sustained us in Joe Giunta Susan and Greg Elbin Great Performances Marcia and Bruce Fowle our work this past season. Hugo Guinness Franny Geller Cherith Harrison Cynthia Guile AMERICAN KESTREL CIRCLE National Grid USA Kathryn Heintz Kathryn Heintz Tylee Abbott National Park Service Irving Farm Coffee Roasters Catherine Heller Karen Benfield and John Zucker The Nature Conservancy Deborah Jones Lynne Hertzog Stephen Berger and Cynthia NRG Energy Sidney R. Jones Sharon Kass Wainwright Patagonia King Ranch Cam Levin Claude and Lucienne Bloch The Port Authority of NY & NJ Debra Kriensky Kellye Rosenheim Ronald Bourque Princeton Public Affairs The Lighthouse Inn Andy Sabin Marsilia A. Boyle Real Estate Board of New York Master Voices Susan Vadala Joseph and Barbara Ellis Riker Danzig Scherer Hyland Perretti, Todd Oldham Tod Winston Andrew Farnsworth LLP Patagonia Dora Woodruff Marcia and Bruce Fowle SUNY College Of Environmental Helen Plaisance Alan Wright Philip Fried and Bruce Patterson Science & Forestry Melissa Posen Richard Fried and Stella Kim Tiger Baron Foundation Quinta Mazatlan Birding Center MEMORIAL GIFTS Nancy Hager U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Don Riepe In memory of… Cathy and Lloyd Heller Vital Projects Fund Roland Foods Mary Birchard Sarah Jeffords The Williams Companies, Inc. Lewis and Sheila Rosenberg Lillian I. Langsan Jeffrey Kimball and Pamela Hogan Winning Strategies-Washington Kellye and Jeff Rosenheim Christine M. Crichton Mannella Lauren and Ethan Klingsberg Woodthrush Foundation John Shemilt Edith McBean The Skimmer BEQUESTS Lewis and Sheila Rosenberg IN-KIND DONATIONS Tom Stephenson The Estate of Helen Ann Mattin John and Heather Shemilt Alamo Inn Fred Tomaselli The Estate of Evelyn Nethercott Judith and Morton Sloan Birds and Beans Coffee Wildlife Conservation Society Frederic and Winnie Spar Claude and Lucienne Bloch Wildtones Alan Steel Katie Carpenter Gabriel Willow Antonia Stolper and Bob Fertik Gary and Ellen Davis Tod Winston Virginia K. Stowe Leslie Day Xenotees Elizabeth Woods and Charles Denholm MAKE A DIFFERENCE CORPORATIONS, Contributing members are essential to our education and conservation work. Help protect birds and habitat in the FOUNDATIONS, AND five boroughs by joining our flock. As a member of NYC Audubon you will receive The Urban Audubon newsletter GOVERNMENT AGENCIES and The eGret enewsletter; enjoy discounts on field trips and classes; and make a difference in the City’s wildlife and The Achelis Foundation natural areas. American Bird Conservancy ARNOLD GLAS [ ] I would like to become a member by making a recurring donation in the amount of $______each month. Aviator Sports & Events Borah, Goldstein, Altschuler, Nahins I would like to become a member by making a one-time donation: & Goidel, P.C. [ ] American Kestrel Circle $2,500 [ ] Conservationist $250 [ ] Supporter $100 Broadway Stages [ ] Family $75 [ ] Dual $50 [ ] Friend $25 [ ] Student/Senior(65+)$15 City of New York, Office of the [ ] New [ ] Renewal Queensboro President ConEdison [ ] Additionally, I would like to make a donation to NYC Audubon in the amount of $______. The Dobson Foundation [ ] I’m already a member but would like to make a gift in the amount of $______. Fiduciary Trust Company International FXFowle Architects Name: ______Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund Address: ______Hudson River Foundation Investors Bank Foundation Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Phone: H: ______C: ______Email: ______Kimball Foundation The LeFrak Organization [ ] Enclosed is my check payable to NYC Audubon Leon Levy Foundation Lily Auchincloss Foundation [ ] Charge my credit card: [ ] Visa [ ] MC [ ] Amex [ ]DSC McKenna Long & Aldridge Card #______Exp. Date:______Morton Williams Supermarkets Mail this form with your payment to: National Audubon Society Inc. National Fish and Wildlife NYC Audubon • 71 West 23rd Street, Suite 1523 • New York, NY 10010 Foundation 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.

SPRING 2016 19

66506_NYC_Aud_Spring16.indd 19 2/3/16 8:02 AM KASE INDICIA’S JOB #______

PRSRT STD NOTES: US POSTAGE PAID #1 HUDSON NH PERMIT No. 82

FIRST CLASS US POSTAGE PAID #2 HUDSON NH PERMIT No. 80

New York City Audubon NONPROFIT ORG. ALL NONPROFIT JOBS MUST BE REVIEWED 71 West 23rd Street US POSTAGE WITH THE MAILING DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO Suite 1523 PAID #3 New York, NY 10010 HUDSON NH PRINTING. CUSTOMER INFORMATION IS PERMIT No. 82 REQUIRED

Dated Material: Spring 2016 Newsletter

FIRST CLASS PRESORT US POSTAGE PAID #4 HUDSON NH PERMIT No. 80

World Premiere: Saving Jamaica Bay Annual Report 2015 Please join NYC Audubon friend and filmmaker Hendrick for the world premiere of this first-ever feature-length film about Jamaica Bay. BOUNDThis important PRINTED MATTER “Goes Green” film was made with the support of NYC Audubon, its board USmembers POSTAGE and supporters, and many members of the New York City birding community.PAID #5 NYC Audubon’s HUDSON NH PERMIT #82 Thursday, March 17, 8pm Annual Report 2015 is Museum of the Moving Image now available online at (36-01 35th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106 www.nycaudubon.org/annual-report. (close to R subway stop at Steinway Street) To request a print copy, Tickets $10-12 available online at please contact the office at www.queensworldfilmfestival.com. 212-691-7483 x303. To learn more and see a film trailer, visitwww.savingjamaicabay.com .

Winter/Spring 2016 Lecture Series and Annual Meeting All lectures are free and open to the public. This series has been made possible by the support of Claude and Lucienne Bloch.

PRIORITIES AND PARTNERSHIPS: learn how recent findings will guide our pro- update us on how they “use” ’s birds and NYC AUDUBON grams in the future. migration spectacles as fuel for conservation CONSERVATION UPDATE and education for the next generations—and By Susan Elbin, PhD and Conservation Staff BIRDS AND CONSERVATION IN ISRAEL share striking new visuals in celebration of the Tuesday, March 15, 6:30pm AND BEYOND birds and Central Park 4-D Theater By Dan Alon and Jonathan Meyrav Are the birds of New York City getting what they Wednesday, May 11, 6:30pm NYC AUDUBON ANNUAL MEETING: need here in the five boroughs? NYC Audubon 4-D Theater WHAT CAN I DO TO SAVE BIRDS? conducts vital monitoring of the City’s wild From the snow-covered northern peak of Wednesday, June 8 birds, working with research partners in evalu- Mount Hermon to the Red Granite Moun- Includes the annual board election. Location ating how native populations are doing both tains on the shore, the is and time to be announced in the May and June locally and regionally. Join us as Susan Elbin extremely rich in migratory birdlife. Following issues of The eGret enewsletter. Please sign up and her research team provide insights from on their 2015 lecture, Dan Alon and Jonathan for The eGret at www.nycaudubon.org/egret. the work we’ve done over the past year—and Meyrav of the Israel Ornithological Center will

20 www.nycaudubon.org

66506_NYC_Aud_Spring16.indd 20 2/3/16 8:02 AM