The newsletter of City Audubon Win t erWin 2014-2015ter 2014 / /Volume Volume XXXV XXXV N No.o. 4 4

THE URBAN AUDUBON

Audubon’sAudubon’s ClimateClimate ChangeChange ReportReport AA CallCall toto CitizenCitizen ScientistsScientists

Winter 2014-2015 1

61246_NYC_Audubon_UA_Winter_Corr.indd 1 11/12/14 6:13 AM NYC AUDUBON MISSION & VISION Mission: NYC Audubon is a grassroots Bird’s-Eye View Kathryn Heintz community that works for the protection of wild birds and habitat in the five boroughs, improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers. idway through an otherwise quiet summer, the board of directors of New York Vision: NYC Audubon envisions a City Audubon invited me to become its next executive director. I am honored. day when birds and people in the MAs this dedicated and accomplished organization embarks upon its 35th year, five boroughs enjoy a healthy, livable I am thrilled to join its wonderful staff, to meet its devoted members, and to help craft its habitat. promising future. THE URBAN AUDUBON In just a few weeks, I have seen places I thought I knew: , , Editors Lauren Klingsberg & Greenpoint, the coastline in , and even a garage roof in . But now Marcia T. Fowle that I am looking at them with a bird’s-eye view, I am filled with wonder. Dr. Susan Elbin Managing Editor Tod Winston Newsletter Committee Lucienne Bloch, took me to the Battery to keep an eye out for night-migrating birds during the annual Ned Boyajian, Suzanne Charlé, Diane Tribute in Light memorial. She offered a tour of the Jamaica Bay shoreline, pointing out Darrow, Lee Frankel, Ellen Gerber, the research projects underway. Then she showed me an amazing seven-acre sedum field Catherine Heller, Lynne Hertzog, Mary Jane Kaplan, Abby McBride, Sarah atop the Javits Center followed by an up-close examination of its new exterior fritted McGullam, Don Riepe, Carol Peace glass—Project Safe Flight in action. I have also been moved by the enthusiasm of our Robins dedicated volunteers and the passion of fellow bird-watchers enthralled by Gabriel Willow

Printing & Mailing Kase Printing, Inc. as we took in the nesting herons on their private islands beyond the Verrazano Bridge on Design Whitehouse & Company a sunset cruise. Art Director Christina Rubin Looking ahead, there is much to do. It is a critically important time for wild birds Publisher NYC Audubon and their habitats. I urge you to read National Audubon’s Birds and Climate Change Report, THE URBAN AUDUBON is published which is highlighted in this issue. Also in these pages you will read about our work locally: four times per year (spring, summer, Recent achievements at the Ridgewood Reservoir on the - border and fall, and winter) by the native plant garden in McGolrick Park in Brooklyn are just two we highlight for you Audubon Society, Inc. this season. You will also find the roster of activities and trips we are offering this winter. BOARD OF directors Sign up for the 115th Christmas Bird Count in and the Great Backyard Bird President Harrison D. Maas Count. Join our corps of volunteers, whom we gratefully acknowledge on pages 18 and Executive Vice President David Speiser Vice President Richard T. Andrias 19, whose efforts make all of our work possible. Partake of birding walks, lectures, classes, Treasurer John Shemilt and adventures among friends. Your continuing participation in our programs is essential Secretary Marsilia A. Boyle to their success. Immediate Past President Oakes Ames This is the kind of personal engagement we need to protect wild birds and their habitats Directors Robert Bate, Clifford Case, Judy Craig, Alexander Ewing, Andrew in our urban environment. We need you. As the end of the calendar year approaches, we Farnsworth, Marcia T. Fowle, Catherine ask you for your renewed financial support. Please consider what NYC Audubon means Schragis Heller, Lynne Hertzog, to you and renew your support with a year-end donation in the enclosed envelope, or at Sarah Jeffords, Jeffrey Kimball, Lauren Klingsberg, Lawrence Levine, Eugene www.nycaudubon.org. I hope you will choose to give as generously as your means allow. Nardelli, Fredric Spar, Tom Stephenson Every gift of every size matters to every one of us. Your participation matters most. Thank you all for a warm welcome to NYC Audubon. It is surely a harbinger of great ADVISORY COUNCIL Sarah Grimké Aucoin, Drianne Benner, things to come! Dr. Claude Bloch, Albert K. Butzel, Rebekah Creshkoff, Andrew Darrell, Joseph H. Ellis, Mary Jane Kaplan, Robert J. Kimtis, Kimberly Kriger, Janice Laneve, Pamela Manice, Mary Tyler Remember NYC Audubon Moore, Peter Rhoades Mott, Dorothy ew York City is forever changing, and with time the need to protect our M. Peteet, Don Riepe, Lewis Rosenberg, James R. Sheffield urban wildlife and habitat becomes more and more critical. A bequest is Na generous and straightforward way to safeguard birds and their habitat EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR in the City’s five boroughs. It can be expressed “I bequeath [a sum of money or a Kathryn Heintz percentage of my estate] to New York City Audubon Society, Inc. a not-for-profit organization with offices at 71 West 23rd Street, Suite 1523, New York, NY 10010, for its general purposes.” To learn more, please give Development Manager Angela RECYCLED Supporting responsible use of Januzzi a call at 212-691-7483 x306. forest resources

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61246_NYC_Audubon_UA_Winter_Corr.indd 2 11/12/14 6:13 AM In This Issue Winter 2014-2015 © M ichael B NYC AUDUBON aglole* 71 West 23rd Street Suite 1523 New York, NY 10010 Tel: 212-691-7483 Fax: 646-606-3301 www.nycaudubon.org

Cover Photograph: Common Loons © Andrew A. Reding* Small Banner Photographs: Susan Elbin, Steve Nanz, and Don Riepe 5 *This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. Features 5 Audubon’s Groundbreaking Climate Change Report: 314 Birds on the Brink © D avid by Carol Peace Robins R odgers 6 The Fall Roost 2014 Catherine Schragis Heller

9 NYC Audubon’s New Executive Director, Kathryn Heintz

12 The Birders Coalition for Gateway 6 by Rob Bate 13 A Call to Citizen Scientists © M

ark by Suzanne Charlé H atchski* 14 Going Native: Restoring McGolrick Park by Ellen Gerber

14 The Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) by Don Riepe

15 Progress Is Seen on Preservation of Ridgewood Reservoir 10 by Lee Frankel ©

D avid 16 D-Bird: “The Crowd” Lends a Hand to Project Safe Flight S

peiser by Darren Klein

Departments 16 Winter/Spring 2015 Lecture Series

4 Conservation Notes 17 Book Reviews

9 Volunteer! 18 News & Notes

13 10 Events and Adventures 18 Volunteer Acknowledgments

12 National/International Trips 20 Holiday Gift Ideas

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61246_NYC_Audubon_UA_Winter_Corr.indd 3 11/12/14 6:13 AM Conservation Notes Debra Kriensky

ost of our work this fall has fo- This fall, Project Safe Flight volunteers the spring we will replace plants that didn’t cused on providing safe passage continued to monitor several areas and survive. (See page 14 to learn more about this Mthrough New York City for mi- buildings of concern for birds injured or killed project.) gratory land birds. Our primary accomplish- by collisions with glass. Our citizen scientists Our new “D-Bird” data collection tool ments are highlighted below: patrolled the Metropolitan Museum of Art is fully up and running on our website, and On September 11, our staff including almost every day of the week, and found many people from all over the City have new executive director Kathryn Heintz, that its large glass windows continue to be reported sightings of dead and injured birds. volunteers, and board members once again problematic for migrating birds like common As we continue to receive more reports, this monitored the Tribute in Light memorial, in yellowthroats, white-throated sparrows, and tool will allow us to determine if there are partnership with the Municipal Arts Society. even ruby-throated hummingbirds. Other any buildings or areas of particular concern Migration forecasts shortly before the Tribute sites, such as and Washington for collisions beyond those we monitor on a indicated that a heavy migration night was Square Park, also continue to be collision regular basis. It will also help us determine likely, causing concern; but the vast majority hotspots, with victims including blackpoll which species are at highest risk for injury. of birds ended up passing over just to the warblers, rose-breasted grosbeaks, and So far, we have gotten reports of a variety of west of New York City, missing the lights northern flickers. For the last few weeks of species, but a noticeable number of northern almost completely. The handful of birds fall, we also enlisted several new volunteers parulas, ruby-throated hummingbirds, and spotted flying through the light beams did at Columbia University to start monitoring red-eyed vireos. (Learn more about D-Bird not linger, and the Tribute was not dimmed buildings on campus that have had bird on page 16 of this issue.) as it has been in past years, remaining bright collisions. In addition to our work on the streets throughout the night. (A tourist helicopter We helped create stopover habitat for of New York City, our joint research (with hovered in the beams during the early hours land birds at McGolrick Park, Greenpoint, American Bird Conservancy, New Jersey of the evening... until we called the FAA.) Brooklyn. The garden is sleeping now, but in Audubon, Fordham University, Ennead

©Aniko’ Totha Architects, and the ) on bird-safe glass continued this fall in . The flight tunnel is now in the testing phase, and after banding and measuring each bird, NYC Audubon Research Technician Anikó Totha and Field Assistant Emilio Tobon release it into the tunnel to see if it can differentiate between regular glass and glass designed to be bird-friendly. Gray catbirds are a frequent flyer in the tunnel, but we have tested many species including rose-breasted grosbeaks, palm warblers, and even a Connecticut warbler. (Note: No birds are harmed during this experiment due to a net that catches the birds before they reach the glass.) In the next Urban Audubon, we will highlight our waterbirds program. But for now, we hope to see you at the 115th Christmas Bird Count! (See page 13.) If you would like to get involved with our citizen science efforts, please contact us at [email protected]. You can find the latest conservation project updates on our blog, Syrinx, at www. A Connecticut Warbler Visited the Tunnel this Fall nycaudubon.org/syrinx.

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61246_NYC_Audubon_UA_Winter_Corr.indd 4 11/12/14 6:13 AM Audubon’s Groundbreaking ClimateClimate ChangeChange Report: 314 BirdsBirds on the BrinkBrink Carol Peace Robins

hat alarmingly high total—314 bird species at risk— is the conclusion of a headline-making Treport released this September by Audubon scientists. In Audubon’s Birds and Climate Change Report, the group led by chief scientist Dr. Gary Langham points out that climate change-induced shrinking and shifting of birds’ ranges could CCOMMONommon LLOONoon threaten the survival of an astonishastonish-- 2000 vs 2080 ing one third of North American bird species within this century. This seven-year study of 588 bird species is largely based on Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count data (See page 13 for details of this year’s count). For 114 years, volunteers have been collecting this valuvalu-- normally depends on isn’t available in its new home? Suppose it’s used able information. But never in its history has the survey served such to living in a forest, and its new place is mostly grassland? And will an important—and dire—purpose. The Count, along with Audubon’s the species that already live there now have to relocate, too? Could the North American Breeding Bird Survey and United Nations estimates time come when there’s nowhere suitable to move to? of the effects of climate change in 2050 and 2080, is the basis for the “When you realize that only nine bird species have gone extinct report’s alarming predictions. in continental North America in modern times, and then you see that For us in the New York metropolitan area, the report forecasts we’re looking at 314 North American bird species at risk by the end that by 2080 there will be no more purple finchesfi nches oror white-breastedwhite-breasted of this century—it just takes your breath away,” laments Langham. nuthatches visiting our feeders. No more double-crested cormorants What’s to be done? Erin Crotty, Audubon New York’s execuexecu-- breeding on New York City’s Harbor Heron islands. The piping tive director, says actions must include protecting habitats, supportsupport-- plover may never again scamper along our beaches. And not too far ing and generating solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and from here could be a Baltimore without a single Baltimore oriole, or a building demand for improved climate policies at all levels. In short, Maine lake where the cry of the common loon is just a memory.memory making a very large noise. But for the birds themselves, things are far worse. If their habihabi-- If ever there were a call to action, it’s now—because what’s true tats change, if areas get hotter or dryer or are otherwise altered, they’ll for birds is equally true for other animals, plants, and of course, the probably have to move. But then what? Suppose the food a bird humans who started it all.

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61246_NYC_Audubon_UA_Winter_Corr.indd 5 11/12/14 6:13 AM The Fall Roost: Celebrating the Javits Center’s Bird-Friendly Renovation Team Catherine Schragis Heller

soaring success! That’s the best way to describe NYC Audubon’s tenth Aannual Fall Roost, celebrated on October 16 at the refurbished and newly green Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The Javits Center had been one of the City’s most problematic buildings for bird collisions, but a new design and improvements created 1 by the architectural team of FXFOWLE Epstein have cut bird fatalities by 90%, and also made the building more energy efficient. Highly reflective glass was replaced with a combination of stainless steel panels and low-reflecting, high-performance patterned glass. Only when you peer closely at the panes is the tiny dot pattern visible. In addition, a new 6.75-acre green roof has been installed, the second largest in the United States, which is carpeted with sedum plants. This year, this new urban habitat attracted bird species including nesting herring gulls and foraging American kestrels—as well as five species of bats. The 2014 Fall Roost honored the team behind this successful renovation: the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Convention Center Development Corporation, and FXFOWLE Epstein Architects. Accepting the award on the honorees’ behalf were Alan E. Steel, president and CEO of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center; Barbara

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61246_NYC_Audubon_UA_Winter_Corr.indd 6 11/12/14 6:13 AM The Fall Roost: Celebrating the Javits Center’s Bird-Friendly Renovation Team Catherine Schragis Heller

Lampen, president of the Convention Center Development Corporation; Bruce Fowle, founding partner of FXFOWLE; and Larry Dalziel, vice president of Epstein Architecture and Engineering. One hundred eighty guests attended the evening, generously contributing nearly $190,000 in support of NYC 3 2 Audubon’s conservation work—more than a 25% increase over last year’s donations. In addition to the Roost’s traditional silent auction, a quick and entertaining live auction was run by Kathleen Guzman, appraiser for the popular PBS program, Antiques Roadshow. Offerings included a birding get-away to Costa Rica, an opportunity to name an American kestrel nesting box to be set up on the green roof next spring, as well as a small replica of the sedum roof planting. Perhaps the biggest star of the evening was the Javits Center itself: The gala was held in the Center’s River Pavilion, a towering space with an 81-foot high ceiling, a skylight, and surround of glass walls overlooking the . On October 16, a dismal and rainy morning became a crisp and clear afternoon and evening, and a former hazard to birds was recognized as a haven for wildlife.

1. Bruce Fowle, Susan Elbin, Larry Dalziel, Barbara Lampen, Alan E. Steel, Harry Maas 2. Steve Margulis, Sherida Paulsen, Kathryn Heintz 3. Susan Elbin, Bruce Fowle, Marcia Fowle 4. Priscilla Bijur, Cathy Schragis Heller 5. Jeff Kimball, Harry Maas, Tom Stephenson 6. Robert Lavalva, Helena Durst, Mark Domino 7. Mary Jane Kaplan, Clary Olmstead, Rob Bate 8. Cristyne Nicholas, Alan E. Steel

All Convention Photos: David Rodgers

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61246_NYC_Audubon_UA_Winter_Corr.indd 7 11/12/14 6:13 AM Fall Roost Acknowledgments

HONORARY CHAIRS Mary T. Bruckmann Doris Freyland Cheryl Reich Daniel A. Biederman Susan Bynum and Robert Kimtis Frances Geller Lyris Schonholz Helena Durst Abigail Canfield Rainer Gerbatsch Gary Schragis Virginia K. Stowe Robert Disch Martin and Susan Goldstein Daniel and Teresa Sesil Margot Ernst Rory and Margaret Greebel John Shemilt CHAIRS Nancy Hager Edward and Diana Greene David Speiser Drianne Benner Betty Hamilton Miriam Gross Alan E. Steel Clifford Case Anneliese Harstick Linda Gui Frederic and Robin Withington Marcia T. Fowle Kathleen Heenan and Clary Lynne K. Hertzog Catherine Schragis Heller Olmstead Cynthia Holden SILENT AUCTION DONORS Jeffrey Kimball Paul and Amy Impelluso Martha Holstein Alexandra Besser Harrison D. Maas Jill and Ken Iscol Mary Jane Kaplan Eagle Optics John and Heather Shemilt Jane Kendall Rolf Kinne Susan Elbin David Speiser and Robert Krinsky Janice Laneve Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers, LLC kimberly Kriger Florence Lapidus Sylvia Le Blancq David Kiehm, Dead Drift Studio Lee Leggett Allen Levantin Bob Klein THE FALL ROOST Leslie E. Robertson Associates Hope Matthiessen and David Joan Lieberman HOST COMMITTEE Harrison Maas Boorstin Mae Mae Cafe, Great BENEFACTOR Steve Nanz and Heidi Steiner Gerald and Eleanor McGee Performances Epstein Architecture and Eugene Nardelli Joseph McManus Nina McLemore Engineering NYC & Company Alan Messer New York Philharmonic FXFOWLE Architects Genie and Donald Rice Judy Miller Orvis Don Riepe Phyllis and Slade Mills Paraíso Quetzal Lodge DONOR Lewis and Sheila Rosenberg Franco Montalto Rancho Naturalista The Durst Organization Donna and Steven Schragis Malcolm Morris Don Riepe Catherine and Lloyd Heller Gary Schragis Rachel Mullen Tom Stephenson Victoria Shaw Stephen and Barbara Pearlman Gabriel Willow STEWARD John Shemilt Jean Pettibone Centerplate Peter Shen and Mary Seeger Cheryl Reich LIVE AUCTION DONORS Marcia and Bruce Fowle Fredric and Winnie Spar Edwin Robb Susan Elbin Philip Fried and Bruce Patterson David Speiser and Kimberly Elizabeth Barlow Rogers Norman Bird Sanctuary Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Kriger Seth Schwartz Scott Perrin Sarah Jeffords D. Bruce Yolton and Stephen James R. Sheffield John Shemilt Jeffrey Kimball Billick Tara Mei Smith Sviba Floral Decorators Pamela Manice Helene Soehngen Virginia K. Stowe HONORARY HOST COMMITTEE Tom Stephenson SPECIAL THANKS Weidlinger Associates MEMBERS Judith Stevens Thank you to the Jacob K. Javits Williams Council Member Daniel R. Virginia Stotz Convention Center Staff Garodnick Alice Thorpe for their energy and time SUPPORTER Queens Borough President Mary Van Pelt coordinating the evening. Anonymous Melinda Katz Bruce Volpe and Betty Diamond Catering: Centerplate Marsilia Boyle Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh Frederic and Robin Withington Event Photography: David Broadway Stages Assemblyman Joseph R. Lentol John and Ryan Zucker Rodgers Judith Craig New York City Comptroller Scott Film Direction and Editing: John Alexander Ewing and Wynn M. Stringer WATERBIRD CONSERVATION Munson Senning Congresswoman Nydia SPECIAL GIFTS Film Narration: Jeffrey Kimball Fiduciary Trust Company Velázquez David Boorstin Floral Arrangements: Sviba Floral International John Day Decorators Lauren and Ethan Klingsberg CONTRIBUTORS Philip Fried and Bruce Patterson Graphic Design: Kristen Edith McBean Marian Bach Linda Gui Bannister Mona Payton Catherine Barron Nancy Hager Live Auction: Kathleen Guzman Schaffer, Schonholz, & Mark Berger Ilana Judah and Heritage Auctions Drossman, LLP Priscilla Bijur and Gerald Kane Jeffrey Kimball Silent Auction Artwork: Deborah Albert Butzel Robert Krinsky Jones FRIEND Lo-yi and Millie Chan Lee Leggett Silent and Live Auctions: Scott Anonymous Gina Colelli Michael and Caroline Mason Perrin and The Event Office Oakes and Louise Ames Joan K. Davidson Chris McKenzie Robert Bate and Tracy Meade John Day Alan Messer Stephen Berger and Cynthia Yoryi De La Rosa Malcolm Morris Wainwright Sandra Fiebelkorn Sherida Paulsen and Steven Daniel A. Biederman Roberta Finke Margulis Note: Donation list as of Friday, Douglas Blonsky Kate and Andrew French Tania Pouschine October 31, 2014

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61246_NYC_Audubon_UA_Winter_Corr.indd 8 11/12/14 6:13 AM NYC Audubon’s New Executive Director, Kathryn Heintz © D

aised in suburban Washington, DC, NYC Audubon’s new executive avid R

director, Kathryn Heintz, developed a substantial career in odgers cultural and conservation nonprofits, all at New York institutions. She studied literature as an undergraduate at SUNY’s Purchase College, and performing arts administration as a graduate at NYU’s RSteinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. She served for the past two years as director, principal gifts with the Wildlife Conservation Society, the zoological and global conservation organization headquartered at the Bronx Zoo. From 2001 to 2012 she was director of development at , the public garden and cultural center along the Hudson River in the northwestern Bronx, following seven years in a similar capacity with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Kathryn learned to love wild birds at the Audubon Naturalist Society’s Woodend Nature Sanctuary in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Now at the helm of NYC Audubon and understanding that a healthy environment for wild birds is a healthy environment for all New Yorkers, Kathryn is eager to advance NYC Audubon’s scientific research, to build its educational work and public programs, and to support its advocacy activities throughout the five boroughs—all efforts that share a common goal of preserving critical natural areas that provide wild birds with welcoming, safe, and healthy habitats.

Volunteer!

ake a difference for OFFICE VOLUNTEERS Help have on migratory birds; data col- BIRD TRANSPORTERS We often New York City’s answer inquiries about wild- lected support our work to make receive phone calls from con- Mwildlife by volun- life and about our field trips, migration through the city safer. cerned citizens who have found teering with NYC Audubon. classes, events, and conservation Jamaica Bay program volunteers injured birds, but are unable to Learn about the many ways to work. Also help with mailings, monitor migratory shorebirds and transport them to medical facili- help at our general orientation on research, data entry, photocopy- horseshoe crabs so that we may ties. We need caring and compas- Wednesday, March 11, from 6:30 ing, and filing. Word-processing better understand how popula- sionate volunteers to transport to 7:30pm. To register for the ori- skills and knowledge of birds are tions of these species are changing injured birds to licensed wildlife entation or for any of the specific helpful, but not required. This is and how we can work to conserve rehabilitators and veterinarians. projects listed below, contact the a great opportunity to learn the them. Harbor Herons Great office atvolunteer@nycaudubon. ins and outs of a small nonprofit. Egret Foraging Study volunteers PRESS AND PROMOTION Do org or 212-691-7483 x304. For collect data on foraging long- you have a background in event up-to-date information on early CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS legged waders around the New promotion or advertising, and spring volunteer events such If you are interested in contribut- York Harbor to help us better un- want to support bird conserva- as beach clean-ups and native ing to NYC Audubon’s conserva- derstand how these birds use our tion? We are looking for some- tree plantings, please visit us at tion and science work, there are a wetlands. All of these programs one familiar with the ins and www.nycaudubon.org/volunteer- variety of projects to choose from. can use your help in the spring, outs of press releases and event events. Project Safe Flight volunteers summer, and fall. promotion who can help spread monitor buildings in the city the word about our trips, classes, to help us learn what effect they and other events.

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61246_NYC_Audubon_UA_Winter_Corr.indd 9 11/12/14 6:13 AM Events and Adventures

• NYC Audubon Events • MEMBERS-ONLY • NEW YEAR'S DAY BEACH geese, loons, and sandpipers, • Partnership Events December Member Walk in WALK, , QUEENS many of which migrate south from Central Park Thursday, January 1, 11am-1pm the Arctic. See the • CAMERA CLUB Wednesday, December 10, Guide: Don Riepe and pass under the Verrazano Wednesday, December 3 and 7:30-9am With American Littoral Society and Bridge. Dress warmly! Limited to Wednesday, February 4; 6:30- Meet at Central Park West and Gateway National Recreation Area 90. To register, contact New York 8:30pm 72nd Street for a members-only Meet at 11am at Bldg.1 in Fort Water Taxi at 212-742-1969 or www. Instructors: David Speiser, walk. Come brave the chilly Tilden for a brisk hike along nywatertaxi.com. $35 for adults; Lloyd Spitalnik weather and spot some of the beach. Visit the hawk watch $25 for children under 12; $105 Meet at the National Audubon Central Park's best wintering platform for great views of beach for family pack for 2 adults and 2 office, 225 VarickS t. Whether you're birds with NYC Audubon and bay and enjoy champagne, children a beginner or more advanced Communications Manager Tod coffee, and cake afterwards at photographer, our friendly Winston. Please call Angela the Rockaway Artists Alliance. To • WINTER EAGLES ON THE photography club is the place Januzzi at 212-691-7483 x306 register, contact Don Riepe at 718- HUDSON, NY to discuss diverse photography- to register. Limited to 20. Free 474-0896 or [email protected]. Saturday January 24, 8:45am-4pm related topics, hone your skills, and for Contributing NYC Audubon No Limit. Free Guide: Gabriel Willow learn about the great photography members at the Student/Senior Meet at the clock in Grand Central opportunities available in the New level and up • WINTER SEALS AND Station and join NYC Audubon for York City area. Professional bird WATERBIRDS OF NY HARBOR one of the most incredible avian and nature photographers David • CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT, Sundays, January 11 - March 8, 12- spectacles in NY: bald eagles Speiser and Lloyd Spitalnik will ALL BOROUGHS 2pm (Note: no cruise on February 1) wintering along the frozen Hudson share their expertise and help you Put the Christmas Bird Count on With New York Water Taxi River, where they gather to feed improve your work. Registration your calendars! Please see page 13 Guide: NYC Audubon and rest in great numbers. We will required. No limit. $14.50 (10) per for dates and contact information. Meet at South Street Seaport’s travel in comfort, taking Metro meeting Pier 16 and come aboard NY Water North to Croton Point Park, where • WINTER BIRDING ALONG Taxi’s eco-friendly vessel for a winter we will seek out eagles as well as • WINTER WATERFOWL THE HUDSON: WAVE HILL, adventure in New York Harbor! wintering short-eared owls, snowy WORKSHOP AT JAMAICA BAY THE BRONX Look for harbor seals on the rocky owls, snow buntings, horned larks, Saturday, December 6, 10am-1pm Sundays December 14, January 11, shores of and and other cold-weather specialties. With Gateway National February 8, and March 8; 9:30- the more remote Hoffman and The walk is about two miles over Recreation Area 11:30am Swinburne Islands. Learn about the easy terrain. Limited to 20. Round- Guides: Don Riepe, Tod Winston Guide: Gabriel Willow surprisingly diverse winter birds trip Metro North fare ($19.50) not Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife With Wave Hill of New York City, including ducks, included in trip price. $53 (37) Refuge Visitor Center for a slide Meet at the Perkins Visitor Center. ©

ID program and walk to look for The Hudson River valley hosts F rançois Portmann wintering waterfowl. Learn about an impressive diversity of bird their behavior and biology and how species, even during the winter to identify them in the field. To months. Come explore the beautiful register, contact Don Riepe at 718- gardens and woodlands of Wave 474-0896 or [email protected]. Hill and observe the hardy birds Limited to 25. Free that spend the winter in this urban oasis. Advanced registration is • VAN TRIP TO THE WINTER recommended, either online, at the WATERFOWL WORKSHOP AT Perkins Visitor Center, or by calling JAMAICA BAY 718-549-3200 x251. Walks run rain or Saturday, December 6, 9am-3pm shine; in case of severe weather call Register for our van trip to the the number above for updates. Ages Winter Waterfowl Workshop and 10 and up welcome with an adult. get to Jamaica Bay the easy way. NYC Audubon members enjoy two- Transport by passenger van. Bring for-one admission lunch and water. Limited to 12. $28.50 (20) Northern Pintail

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61246_NYC_Audubon_UA_Winter_Corr.indd 10 11/12/14 6:13 AM © D avid await hardy nature-lovers willing to species including Arctic-bound S peiser venture out in winter! Several species migrants and harbor seals that lie of owls can often be seen in Central on the beach to warm up in the sun. Park, as well as winter finches Other possible sightings: loons, such as pine siskins, redpolls, and sea ducks, snow buntings, and crossbills. Warm up after the walk horned larks. Bring lunch, water, and with a hot chocolate by the fireplace binoculars. Transport by passenger at the Loeb Boathouse. Limited to 15. van included. Limited to 12. $96 (67) $36 (25) per trip • EARLY SPRING BIRD WALK • Conserving Our City Saturday, March 28, 10am-1pm of Nature: The Artwork of Guide: Don Riepe Alan Messer With American Littoral Society Bald Eagle Presented by NYC Audubon Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Opening Reception: Wednesday, Refuge for a hike around the ponds • SNOW BIRDS OF FLOYD • SOARING RAPTORS: EAGLES March 4, 6-8pm and gardens to look for egrets, ibis, BENNETT FIELD AND FORT AND OWLS OF THE HUDSON The Arsenal, Central Park, Fifth osprey and other early returning TILDEN, QUEENS RIVER VALLEY, NY Avenue at 64th Street, Third-Floor species. To register, contact Saturdays, January 31 and Sunday, February 8, Noon-7pm Gallery Don Riepe at (718) 474-0896 or February 28; 10:30am-4pm Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers Join us for the opening reception [email protected]. Free Guide: Gabriel Willow LLC of this exhibition of the beautiful Winter brings many rare birds to You don’t have to travel to Alaska artwork of Alan Messer. Alan's NYC that can’t be found here at any to see our country’s emblem, exquisite paintings and drawings of • TO REGISTER FOR ALL NYC other time! Perhaps most exciting the American bald eagle. Thanks wild birds have been selected and AUDUBON EVENTS and for are the “snow birds” of the Arctic to one of the most successful organized to depict NYC Audubon's more information, visit www. tundra, such as snow buntings and reintroduction programs on record, conservation mission in New York nycaudubon.org or call Darren snowy owls, that can occasionally many eagles now soar over the City—and the precious birds we Klein at 212-691-7483 x304 unless be found in tundra-like habitats nearby Hudson Valley. Travel with strive to protect. Exhibition runs otherwise specified. further south. We will travel to us to see this spectacular raptor, as from Thursday, March 5 to Thursday, in search of well as possibly spot the secretive April 23. Gallery hours Monday- important information these and other winter visitors such short-eared owl. Bring lunch, Friday, 9am-5pm. Free • Classes meet at 71 West 23rd as horned larks, American tree water, and binoculars. Transport by Street, Suite 1523. sparrows, and rough-legged hawks. passenger van is included. Limited • WINTER BIRDS OF BARNEGAT, • Contributing Members We’ll then head to Fort Tilden and to 12. $100 (70) NJ (Student/Senior level and up) Breezy Point to look for wintering Wednesday, March 4, 9am-4pm receive a 30% discount on ducks, grebes, and loons. Transport • WINTER AT JONES BEACH, LI Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers most local trips and classes by passenger van included. Limited Thursday, February 19, 8am-4pm LLC (on discounted events, the to 12. $97 (67.50) per trip Guides: Peter Mott, Tod Winston Explore Barnegat Inlet’s expansive discounted price appears Several bird species that nest in beach to view the winter birds that in parentheses after the nonmember price). See • WINTER SURVIVAL WILDLIFE the far north spend the winter at gather where land, bay, and sea membership form on page 19. WALK AT JAMAICA BAY Jones Beach, where they prosper in meet. Search for harlequin ducks, • For all coach and van trips, the Saturday, February 7,10am-1pm a habitat similar to their summer horned larks, Lapland longspurs, meeting location is in front of Guide: Don Riepe homes. We will start at Point snow buntings, and snowy and 71 West 23rd Street in With Gateway National Recreation Lookout and work eastward as short-eared owls. Bring lunch, unless otherwise Area far as Robert Moses State Park in water, and binoculars. Transport by specified. Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife search of sea ducks, horned larks, passenger van included. Limited to • We depart promptly at the Refuge for a slide presentation snow buntings, and more. Bring 12. $115 (80) stated start time. and walk to look for overwintering lunch. Transport by passenger van • For all overnight trips, member- birds and other wildlife. See many included. Limited to 11. $80 (56) WINTER BIRDS OF SANDY • ship in nyc audubon at the species of ducks, geese and HOOK, NJ Student/Senior level and up is winter finches. To register, contact CENTRAL PARK WINTER WALKS • Saturday, March 7, 10am-5pm required. See membership form Don Riepe at (718) 474-0896 or Saturdays, February 14 and Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers on page 19. [email protected]. Free March 7; 10am-1pm LLC Guide: Gabriel Willow Sandy Hook, a spectacular barrier Meet at Central Park West and 72nd island at the northernmost point Street. Some of the best sightings of the NJ coast, hosts a variety of Winter 2014-2015 11

61246_NYC_Audubon_UA_Winter_Corr.indd 11 11/12/14 6:13 AM National/International Trips © L loyd 135 species, one of the best totals boardwalks, and other state and S

pitalnik in the Northeast. Species that county parks. New birders and come to feed on the Point’s rich photographers welcome. For kelp and mussel beds include reservations and details, contact common and red-throated Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 or loon, common eider, common [email protected] goldeneye, great cormorant, and

all three scoter species. Harlequin © L duck and king eider also occur aura M

here regularly during the winter. eyers Accommodations at Daunt’s Albatross in Montauk. Transport by Black Scoters passenger van included. Limited to 12. $300 ($25 single supplement) MONTAUK WINTER WEEKEND WINTER WATERFOWL WITH DON RIEPE, LONG WEEKEND AT MONTAUK FLORIDA EVERGLADES ISLAND, NY WITH GABRIEL WILLOW, Sunday, April 12-Sunday, April 19 Friday, January 9 - Sunday, LONG ISLAND, NY Guide: Don Riepe January 11 Saturday, February 21, 9am - Enjoy up-close viewing of many Guide: Don Riepe Sunday, February 22, 7pm species of birds and other wildlife. Spend a quiet weekend at Montauk Guide: Gabriel Willow Visit the north and south units during peak winter birding time. The gatherings of sea ducks of Everglades National Park, Visit the seal haul-out site and see around Montauk Point are the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, many species of seabirds including largest winter concentrations in Sanibel Island (J.N. Ding Darling loons, scoters, and goldeneye. For New York State; the Christmas National Wildlife Refuge), reservations and details, contact bird count on Montauk Point Green Cay and Wakodahatchee Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 or consistently tallies from 125 to [email protected] Reddish Egret

The Birders Coalition for Gateway Rob Bate ©

N o strengthen the response to the ’s proposed General YC Audubon Management Plan for Gateway National Recreation Area, an area that includes TJamaica Bay and its surroundings, a coalition was formed in 2013 by New York City area birding organizations and other local environmental organizations. This group, which calls itself the Birders Coalition for Gateway, includes the New York State Ornithological Association, Brooklyn Bird Club, the Queens County Bird Club, the Linnaean Society, the American Littoral Society (Northeast Chapter), Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers, Protectors of Pine Oak Woods, as well as Audubon chapters from Great South Bay, Huntington-Oyster Bay, and South Shore, with NYC Audubon taking the lead. Additionally, a few unaffiliated but committed birders joined the effort, most actively Andrew Baksh and Douglas Futuyma. The Birders Coalition for Gateway is closely involved in the implementation of the adopted version of the General Management Plan, as each part goes through a vetting process. Along with this effort, the coalition continues to advocate for habitat restoration of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge’s West Pond, originally a freshwater pond that was breached by the Bay’s salt water during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The full recommendations for the West Pond restoration, prepared by NYC Audubon in cooperation with the Birders Coalition, can be found at www.nycaudubon.org/jamaica-bay-west-pond-restoration.

12 www.nycaudubon.org

61246_NYC_Audubon_UA_Winter_Corr.indd 12 11/12/14 6:13 AM A Call to Citizen Scientists Suzanne Charlé

he 115th annual Christmas Bird Count will soon be under way in all five boroughs of New York City—as well as across the Hudson in the rest of the coun- try—starting December 14 and running through January 5. The importance of this annual survey—the oldest and largest citizen-science program in the world, with over 2,300 separate bird counts and tens of thousands of participants—extends well beyond the parks, prairies, and wet- Tlands where it occurs. Thanks to the data gathered over the decades, conservationists are able to chart changes in the range and popula- tion size of birds throughout the United States. National Audubon researchers used accumulated data from Christmas Bird Counts, along with data from other studies, to formu- late ominous predictions in its Birds and Climate Change Report. The news: 314 species are imperiled, with 126 projected to lose more than 50 percent of their current range by 2050. (See page 5 for more details.) Harry Maas, president of the NYC Audubon’s board, says that while Central Park is too unique a site to indicate much in the way of climate change, over the decades a number of southern birds have come to live year round in the park: the northern cardinal, the Carolina wren, and the red-bellied woodpecker. “Seventy-five years ago they wouldn’t have been found.” With less snow, robins are staying longer. On the other hand, owls—which used to spend the winter here—have mostly disappeared. “The study is vital for conservationists,” says Director of Conservation and Science Susan Elbin, who helps organize the Central Park Christmas Bird Count and compiles all the data for the New Jersey/Lower Hudson count circle. She explains that the Count’s long-term data set, collected from 115 annual surveys conducted during the same 23-day period every year, enables ornithologists to analyze trends and patterns and evaluate the long-term health and status of bird populations. Anyone can take part in the count tradition, founded over a century ago as an alternative to the sport of shooting game birds at Christmas time. In addition to the scientific contribution you’ll be making while counting birds, a good learning opportunity is in the offing: Beginners are paired with experts. There’s also the possibility of seeing a bird never before seen in these parts. Maas recalls the 2004 count when a boreal owl was sighted, roosting near Tavern on the Green—the first time in City history. At the count’s end, everyone gathers inside to thaw out, tally the numbers, and enjoy food and drink—also part of the tradition. The Christmas Bird Count is free and open to birders at all levels. To volunteer with a local count, find the contact below for your preferred borough:

Count Date Contact eMail Manhattan Sunday, 12/14 Susan Elbin [email protected] Queens Sunday, 12/14 Corey Finger [email protected] Brooklyn Saturday, 12/20 Mary Eyster [email protected] Staten Island Saturday, 12/20 Seth Wollney [email protected] The Bronx Sunday, 12/28 Michael Bochnik [email protected]

The Great Backyard Bird Count

Another excellent citizen science opportunity, a joint project of Audubon, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and Bird Studies Canada, takes place February 13-16: The 18th annual Great Backyard Bird Count. Everyone is welcome to spend as much or as little time wher- ever they are, counting birds and creating a real-time snapshot of where the birds are. To learn more, to sign up, and to see results of previous counts, visit gbbc.birdcount.org/get-started.

Winter 2014-2015 13

61246_NYC_Audubon_UA_Winter_Corr.indd 13 11/12/14 6:13 AM Going Native: Restoring McGolrick Park Ellen Gerber

ou wouldn’t think it would take such tremendous effort, ©Chris K

so much work, by so many people, for so many months, to reussling Ytransform a quarter-acre section of compacted soil and exotic plant species into a more natural habitat. But it did. And the results are amazing. McGolrick Park in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, which opened in 1891, was designated a New York City landmark in 1966 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Periodically falling into disrepair and periodically being restored, it was last rehabilitated in 1985. Conservation Field Ecologist Alexander Summers offered The current restoration effort is notably different from invaluable advice as the acting consultant for the garden. To ensure past efforts. A $25,000 grant from the Greenpoint Community that the plants were well positioned, he shared his preliminary Environmental Fund supported the project, which was facilitated by findings with NYC Audubon staff: a map of the canopy cover, pH NYC Audubon Board Member and Greenpoint resident Marcy Boyle. readings of the soil, and an analysis of sand, salt, clay, and drainage With extraordinary help from NYC Audubon, New York City Parks conditions. Of course, he explained, “in the end, plants will move & Recreation, and the Lutheran Church of the Messiah (which borders themselves to where they need to be.” the park), an urban oasis was created over this past growing season for The native plants chosen provide “habitat and food, in the form the neighborhood and for both migratory and resident birds. of berries, seeds, and insects they attract,” explained Parkins. Rain “I didn’t realize how much work goes into a project like this,” barrels will collect water. The plantings may take one to two years to said Kaitlyn Parkins, former research assistant at NYC Audubon. be established, and native moths, butterflies, bees, and birds are sure “Volunteers needed to be recruited, trained, and organized into to follow. Eventually, the park will be turned over to the McGolrick a group that has not only worked to install the garden, but will Park Neighborhood Alliance. continue to maintain it.“ Additionally, biodiversity surveys need to be The project has already been a success. The community has conducted regularly in order to evaluate the success of the plantings, enthusiastically embraced it, people have learned invaluable lessons increasing the need for committed workers. As of early July, about 40 about the environment, and, as community resident Tom Milligan individuals have signed up. sees it, “McGolrick Park represents a future for our children.”

The Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) Don Riepe ©

D he largest of be within arms’ reach of them, and they seem to be totally unperturbed on R

iepe our pelagic by your presence. It is truly an amazing, noisy spectacle. While one T(oceanic) birds, parent bird is sitting on the nest, the other is out hunting for fish, such with a wingspan of as herring and mackerel, which the agile birds catch by diving into six feet, the northern the water from heights of 40 feet or more to average depths of 20 to gannet comes ashore 30 feet below the surface. Strong flyers, they may venture up to 200 only once a year to miles or more from their colony in search of food and often can be seen nest on offshore cliffs hunting in association with whales. There is some concern about the and islands along the northern gannet’s future, as warming and acidifying oceans may reduce coast of the Maritime the numbers of their prey fish or drive the fish to deeper waters farther Provinces. During that offshore. time, one of the best Although strictly pelagic, gannets can be seen flying or diving just places to see large numbers is on Bonaventure Island just off the tip offshore in winter and early spring. In New York City, a good place to of the Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec. After a short boat ride and a half- observe them is from the Rockaway and Breezy Point beaches as well mile hike across the island, you’ll come in close contact with what is as shorelines in Brooklyn and Staten Island. Sometimes they fly a little perhaps the largest colony of nesting gannets in the world, estimated inland; I have seen them on two occasions from my Broad Channel at 58,000 pairs in 2014. Standing behind a thin rope barrier, you can dock in Jamaica Bay. 14 www.nycaudubon.org

61246_NYC_Audubon_UA_Winter_Corr.indd 14 11/12/14 6:13 AM Progress Is Seen on Preservation of Ridgewood Reservoir Lee Frankel

he collaborative effort to save Ridgeway Reservoir as a freshwater review of further information from New York City Parks. This decision wetlands habitat took a step closer to its goal on September 2, came in response to a letter to Governor Cuomo from eight City and T2014. Over the past seven years, various damaging schemes State elected representatives, requesting the downgrade and advocating have targeted the 50-acre, three-basin reservoir, which is no longer preservation by stating that “We are deeply concerned these changes in use and is located within on the Queens-Brooklyn will significantly harm the natural and largely undisturbed habitats of border. NYC Audubon has been active among those pressing for the the animals that currently live there.” decommissioned reservoir’s preservation as a natural area. Since its decommissioning in 1989, the reservoir has transformed The latest threat resulted from the classification of the retaining itself through natural processes to its wild state and now hosts a rare, walls of the reservoir from a “class C” or “high hazard” dam under New small birch forest, more than 100 native plant species, and more than York State regulations. This designation would require the New York 150 migratory and resident bird species, according to Rob Jett, founder City Department of Parks & Recreation to dig culverts through the of the Save the Ridgewood Reservoir blog. Both the flora and fauna basin walls, connecting the reservoir’s three basins—a six-million- include species listed by New York State as Threatened, Endangered, dollar project involving a new road through the wetlands inside the or of Special Concern, including such bird species as short-eared owl, basins, truck traffic, and the felling of many trees. Preservationists, pied-billed grebe, and red-shouldered hawk. led by former NYC Audubon Board Member Steve Nanz and his wife This fall the DEC is scheduling an update of the mapping and Heidi Steiner, who founded the Highland Park/Ridgewood Reservoir delineation of the wetlands in the reservoir’s basins. The preservationist Alliance, have strongly protested this unnecessary waste of tax money community looks forward to receiving the schedule and to news of the that would severely damage the beauty and treasured status of one of reservoir’s official downgrade to “low hazard.” the few freshwater wetlands left in New York City. A history of the Ridgewood Reservoir, updates on preservation, Now, the New York State Department of Environmental and photographs are posted at www.nycaudubon.org/issues-of-concern/ Conservation (DEC) has agreed that a downgrade of “low hazard” to keeping-ridgewood-reservoir-green, ridgewoodreservoir.blogspot.com, the flood-risk classification for the dam “may be justified,” pending and www.nycgovparks.org. © N A S A

An Aerial View of Ridgewood Reservoir

Winter 2014-2015 15

61246_NYC_Audubon_UA_Winter_Corr.indd 15 11/12/14 6:13 AM D-Bird: “The Crowd” Lends a Hand to Project Safe Flight Darren Klein

ince 1997, NYC Audubon has been studying building-related bird mortality in New York City as part of an effort known as Project Safe Flight; current Project SSafe Flight research suggests that more than 90,000 birds are killed each year by collisions with buildings in the City. To complement Project Safe Flight research, NYC Audubon has launched a tool for collecting crowdsourced data called D-Bird; D-Bird went live on the NYC Audubon website in September. Crowdsourced data are becoming an important component of scientific research. Crowdsourcing is the use of large amounts of data that have been contributed by the general public. Many birders are familiar with eBird, a crowdsourced data collection tool operated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology; birders log in to eBird and report their observations, and these data are used by Cornell researchers. Another Cornell Lab data collection device is used as part of the Great Backyard Bird Count. (See page 13 for details on this year’s count.) D-Bird is intended to be used in a similar fashion, but specifically to collect information on dead and injured birds. When you find a dead or injured bird, you can visit the NYC Audubon home page and follow the link to D-Bird. Once there, you can provide information about where the bird was found by either clicking on a map or entering an address. Other information fields collect data about when the bird was found, what species it was, and other details. NYC Audubon researchers will analyze these reports and integrate the results into the existing body of Project Safe Flight data, giving us a better idea about which buildings in what parts of the City are most dangerous for birds. This information will help us better determine characteristics of buildings that put birds at risk, and help us identify areas in need of bird-friendly solutions. In short, D-Bird is a way for NYC Audubon to get a lot of eyes on a big problem. If you find a dead or injured bird, you can contribute to Project Safe Flight by reporting it at nycaudubon.neocities.org/D-Bird.htm.

Winter/Spring 2015 Lecture Series All lectures are free and open to the public and are held at The Arsenal, Central Park, 5th Avenue at 64th Street, 3rd Floor. This series has been made possible by the support of Claude and Lucienne Bloch.

MYSTERIES OF MIGRATION Paige Warren, research assistant professor of natural resources con- By Giff Beaton servation at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, will speak about Tuesday, January 20, 2015, 6pm her research to understand processes generating and maintaining Join naturalist and author Giff Beaton for an in-depth look at the feats biological diversity in an urban world. of endurance and navigation many bird species perform twice a year. With lavish images and maps, this talk will bring insight into a com- ORIGINS: READING THE EARLIEST DESCRIPTIONS OF plex and fascinating subject and will leave attendees with an enhanced AMERICA'S BIRDS appreciation for the hazards and impressive physical performance By Rick Wright migrating birds surmount each spring and fall. Tuesday, March 31, 2015, 6pm

URBAN GREENING FOR URBAN BIRDS IMAGINING NEW YORK CITY FOR BIRDS AND OTHER BEASTS: By Paige Warren THE WELIKIA PROJECT Tuesday, February 17, 2015, 6pm By Eric Sanderson What are the needs of an urban bird? What can be done to enhance Tuesday, April 21, 2015, 6pm the diversity of birds living in the city? The highly managed nature of a city landscape provides biologists with some unique opportunities CONSERVATION PROGRAM UPDATE AND ANNUAL MEETING to understand both the role of humans in altering patterns of biologi- By Susan Elbin and Conservation Staff cal diversity and the role of behavior in limiting animal distributions. Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 6pm

16 www.nycaudubon.org

61246_NYC_Audubon_UA_Winter_Corr.indd 16 11/12/14 6:13 AM Book Reviews Mary Jane Kaplan, Carol Peace Robins

derived from the results of experiments on studies to show that the owls travel immense human cognition and behavior that may also distances even in non-irruptive years, and be applicable to birds, rather than the reverse. proposes that this pattern is mirrored by Its main theme is the surprising behaviors of that of nomadic humans like Bedouins or thirteen bird species and the recent research Australian aborigines. on them, some of it drawn from the author’s The last section of the book is labeled own fieldwork. The behaviors range from “Spirit.” Included here are chapters on mental hummingbirds’ aggressiveness to chickens’ capacities rarely if ever found in non-humans, enforcement of social status to turkey vultures’ but which arguably may exist in certain finding faraway roadkill. Readers may be bird species: self-awareness (magpies’ self- familiar with many of these characteristics, but recognition in mirrors); aesthetic decision- Mr. Strycker’s detailed illustrations enhance making (bowerbirds’ nest-building); altruism our sense of amazement. After discussing (fairy-wrens’ cooperative nesting); and scientific experiments targeting the reasons romantic love (albatrosses’ life-long mating). The Thing With Feathers: for these behaviors, he draws parallels between In each case, after engaging descriptions of The Surprising Lives of Birds and the birds’ behavior and that of humans. the behaviors and of experiments to learn What They Reveal About These parallels are often very imaginative. their origins, Mr. Strycker proposes human After his dramatic portrayal of the stressfulness equivalents and ends the book by conjecturing Being Human of hummingbirds’ lives, the author cites that love between couples may have evolved for By Noah Strycker studies showing that people have recently the same reasons in albatrosses as in humans. Riverhead Books, 2014 begun walking faster and suggests that our Whether or not you find this plausible, you fast-paced lives may expose us to the same will be charmed by his story of an albatross his book’s title is partly misleading, vulnerabilities as hummingbirds. The chapter pair’s long, solitary travels and their uncanny since the material about “being on the irruptions of snowy owls into the lower ability to find each other when it’s time to Thuman” is either speculative or 48 states uses data from satellite-tracking breed again. —MJK

ow do they do it? What guides the same small bog near Fairbanks, Alaska. godwits from Alaska to Australia He revels in their joy at being home again, Hacross the featureless Pacific in as they call in unison to mark their territory, nine days—without feeding, drinking, or then mate, nest, and lay their eggs. sleeping? How is it that a Vermont naturalist The author patiently watches tent can band a Bicknell’s thrush and discover the caterpillars as they weave their home and very same Bicknell’s thrush while visiting forage for food. He feeds flies and bees to the Dominican Republic? Bernd Heinrich’s Charlotte, his very own spider, to learn how The Homing Instinct (which he also illustrated) she traps and weaves and dines. He explains doesn’t provide definitive answers; there’s still why termites build their version of air- some mystery left in our world. But it does conditioned skyscrapers. And he points out offer some fascinating examples and attempts the difference between birds that migrate by to figure it all out. learning from others (swans and geese) and Heinrich’s family emigrated from those that do so by solar or star navigation, Germany when he was a boy, settling in Maine. landmarks, genetic programming, or some The Homing Instinct: One of his book’s objectives is to examine the still secret means. Meaning and Mystery in similarities between humans and animals Most entertaining is Heinrich’s portrayal Animal Migration when it comes to home—he has returned to of the extremes to which scientists go to the very same spot in Maine year after year. test various hypotheses. Contact lenses on By Bernd Heinrich To begin, Heinrich introduces Millie pigeons! Glasses on migrating green turtles! Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and Joe, a sandhill crane couple who spend Unfortunately, he doesn’t elaborate on the 2014 most of the year in Texas or Mexico, but latter. —CPR have flown north for at least fifteen years to Winter 2014-2015 17

61246_NYC_Audubon_UA_Winter_Corr.indd 17 11/12/14 6:13 AM News & Notes Volunteer Acknowledgments

Future of Fire Island Piping Colin Ackers JB Nadya Caban JB Jessica Drew CON Clifford Hagen BC Plover Habitat Uncertain Susanne Acosta CON Yolanda Caban JB Alan Drogin CBC Taylor Hains TIL The proposed Fire Island Inlet to Moriches Tiffany Adams CBC Perl Cadawan TIL Michael Durham UA Alex Hamabuchi CON Barbara Alpert EO John Cairns CBC Sidra Durst JB Ellia Hamabuchi CON Inlet Stabilization Project (FIMI Project), Stephanie Ameres CON Claire Cammarata TIL Dennis Edge CBC Ellis Hamabuchi CON part of a longer-term strategy of coastal Oakes Ames OA Carole Campbell PSF Greg Elbin HH, JB Jennifer Hamilton PSF Sam Anderson EO Mark Canavera JB Suzie Elliott CBC Karen Hammonds PSF storm management along Long Island’s Tessa Andrew EO Irving Cantor CBC Joseph H. Ellis OA Rukhshan Haque EO South Shore, is expected to damage Richard T. Andrias OA Judy Capel EO Richard Elzay UA Andrew Harmon UA critical habitat for endangered piping Nathan Aragon CON Cesar Carvajal CON Neil Emond CBC Ellen Hartig CON Jason Argila CON Clifford Case OA Judah Encarnacian CON Daryl Hartshorne PSF plovers. Unfortunately, efforts this fall to Jason Argila, Jr. CON Steve Casey CON Lisa Encarnacian CON Dawn Hearne EO modify or halt the project have failed. Erin Zachary Argila CON Andrew Casey-Tomasi JB Erik Erikson JB August Heffner MP Garrett Arnold JB Liam Casey-Tomasi JB Anastasia Etropolski JB Kathryn Heintz CON, TIL Crotty, Audubon New York’s executive Karen Asakawa FR Noeleen Casey-Tomasi JB Black Evans CBC Catherine Schragis Heller director, issued the following statement Ardythe Ashley CON John Castalhs CON Clem Evans CBC OA, UA Abigail Atkins HH Joseph Castalhs CON Alexander Ewing OA Victoria Herbst CBC after the state chapter’s legal efforts Sarah Grimké Aucoin OA Ilan Cernat-Toroff JB Daniel Fagan CON Peggy Herron PSF were unsuccessful: “Audubon New Seth Ausubel BC Elaine Chachkin PSF Dennis Fagan CON Lynne Hertzog OA, UA York is very disappointed in the District Dina Avishti MP Debra Chan CON Rebekah Fagan CON Tim Hettler MP, CON Mike Baird WE Suzanne Charlé UA Andrew Farnsworth CBC, Noel Hidalgo MP Court’s decision denying our motion for a Adam Baker WE Esmeralda Connors OA, TIL Matthew Hillard MP, OA preliminary injunction. While we remain Andrew Baksh BC Chauca TIL Farris Farouki CBC Jeff Hinton MP Brandon Ballengée PSF Franci Chauca MP, TIL Don Faulkner WE Robert Hipkens CBC steadfast in our science-based concerns Kristen Bannister FR, LA Alina Chen CON Mike Feller HH Chris Hippeli CON about the project’s impacts on critical Richard Barcia PSF, CBC Ching-Lynn Chen CBC Jamie Felton UA Jana Hippeli CON Elle Barnes PSF Michael Chen CON Mike Fernando JB Tony Hisgett WE piping plover habitat and the species, we Melanie Barotte CON Wendi Cheng CON Chris Ferullo JB Berit Hoff MP will not be appealing the decision to the Connie Barr WE Roselyn Chernesky CBC Sandy Fiebelkorn CON Carla Hojaiban MP Second Circuit. Audubon calls on elected Brenda Torres-Barreto OA Sally Chin MP Alexandra Filipek PSF Kathy Hornreich CON Catherine Barron CBC Michael Christopher JB Alison Filosa MP Bobby Horvath CON officials and government agencies to Annie Barry CON, CBC, Miranda Chu PSF Shaina Finnigan JB Anna Houston PSF ensure the mitigation proposed to offset UA, WE Robert Ciardullo PSF Tom Fiore CBC Robert Houston PSF Alexander Barton TIL Richard Cino PSF Kerry Fitzgerald TIL Susan Houston PSF critical habitat and piping plover loss Kimberly Basic JB Caitlin Clark JB Natasza Fontaine JB Carl Howard CON is funded, carried out, and successful. Robert Bate BC, CON, OA Robin Clugston CBC Marcia T. Fowle LA, OA, Robert W. Howington UA Audubon will continue to actively monitor Patrick Baylee CBC Jane Coakley OA UA Kate Hoy MP Andrea Bearbower JB Alan Cohen JB Lee Frankel UA Holly Hunnicutt PSF the implementation of this precedent- Ryan Bearbower JB Alice Cohen MP Louise Fraza CBC Jon Hyman CBC setting coastal recovery project and future Matt Beck PSF Chloe Cohen JB Rich Fried CBC Lisa Itsia CBC Stephan Beffre HH Julie Cohen JB Samantha Friend PSF Laura Jacobs CBC projects on Long Island. Storms like Briana Belbeck CON Phoebe Cohen JB Daniel Frydman MP Mark Jannot CBC Hurricane Sandy are our new reality, and Gordon Bell JB Jared Cole CBC Doug Futuyma BC Sarah Jeffords OA Drianne Benner OA Michele Cole CBC Ed Gaillard CBC Emilia Jerez JB we must develop smarter, sustainable Matthieu Benoit CBC Charissa Collazo CBC Dennis Galcik JB Rob Jett CON solutions to protect our communities and Arla Berman JB Lorraine Collazo CBC Ken Gale CBC Eartha Johnson CON natural resources.” Olivia Bernard CBC Yvonne Collery JB Sam Gallick WE Ian Johnson CON Jane Bernstein OA Cass Collins UA Jacob Garcia CON Jordan Johnson CON James Blewitt CBC Jules Corkery CON Javiar Garcia CON Kevin Johnson CON NYC Audubon Staff News Dr. Claude Bloch OA Sunny Corrao JB Joaquin Garcia CON Lauryn Johnson CON Lucienne Bloch UA Joaquin Cotton UA Andrew Garn PSF Maya Johnson CON This past October, Director of Marian Block PSF John Cotton HH Steve Garvie WE Nicole Johnson CON Conservation and Science Susan Elbin was Noel Boccia MP Karen Coughlin CON Brea George CON Deborah Jones EO, FR, an invited panelist at the Symposium on Elise Boeger CBC Elizabeth Craig CON, HH Ellen Gerber UA HH, OA Jane Bognacci MP Judy Craig BC, CON, HH, Jessie Gillan MP Oliver Jowle MP Urban River Restoration, “Reclaiming a Krystal Boley JB OA Christopher Girgenti HH Petra Jowle MP River,” hosted by the Wildlife Conservation Avi Bonime TIL Rebekah Creshkoff OA, Kate Gluzberg JB Teddy Jowle MP Victoria Booth PSF, JB, HH PSF Sara Gold CBC Beryl Kahn HH Society, the National Oceanic and Mark Botton JB Sara Crosby TIL, PSF Beryl Goldberg TIL Anita Kalonaros PSF Atmospheric Administration, and other Ron Bourque CON, UA Ted Cubinski MP Abby Goldstein CBC Andy Kaminski MP Ned Boyajian UA Sophie Cunningham JB Max Goldstein CBC Jerry Kamlet CBC partners. Susan participated in the session Kay Boyes CON Phil Cusimano JB Sadie Goldstein CBC Mary Jane Kaplan CBC, entitled, “Restoration of Fish & Wildlife J. Andrew Boyle UA Joseph Czeisel CBC Jake Gonchar PSF OA, UA Populations: The River & Estuary.” Marsilia A. Boyle CON, Simona Daniela MP Shan Shan Gong CON Monica Kapoor JB MP, OA Andrew Darrell OA Laura Gooch UA, WE Eda Karagoz CON Rebecca Bratburd CBC Diane Darrow PSF, UA Sarah Goodell JB Dylan Karame CON Research Assistant Debra Kriensky gave a Robert Brauman UA Alice Davis CON Adele Gotlib CBC Danny Karlson CBC John Breen MP Leslie Day CON Jennifer Granville MP Gail Karlsson HH lecture in early November to students at Fabio Bretto WE Allie DeCandia TIL Brian Gratwicke WE Donald Kass TIL Brooklyn Generation School, presenting Pearl Broder CBC Marisa Dedominicus EO Aaron Graubart TIL Ellen Kastel EO Pamela Broderick JB Harald Deischinger UA, Alexis Grecki PSF Lena Kelly HH the dangers birds face in our urban Emma Bromley CON WE Victoria Grecki PSF Sean Kelly JB environment—with a particular focus on Donegal Browne CON Melanie del Rosario EO, Matthew Green UA Jeffrey Kimball FR, OA nearby Jamaica Bay. Debra also provided Claudia Brumbaugh EO, JB MP Mike Green MP Robert J. Kimtis OA David Buchbinder MP Sandrine Delattre MP Renata Grieco PSF Catherine Kindschuh JB college and career guidance to students Becky Burcham TIL Wolfgang Demisch CBC Megan Gropre CON Mark Kindschuh JB interested in science. David Burg CON Joe DiCostanzo CBC Robert Gropre CON Mark Kindschuh, Jr. JB Kim Burgas JB Kat DiCristina CON Stacy Grossman MP Kara Kinsey MP Louise Burns JB R.J. DiCristina CON Adrienne Grunwald CBC Joseph Kirchlaf MP Albert K. Butzel OA Aneesh Didwania CON Ania Grzesik PSF Joe Kirchoff MP Wendy Byrne CBC C.J. Dippolito CON Stefan Guelly HH Jerry Kirkhart WE Joanna Caban JB Jean Dommermuth CBC Cynthia Guile EO, HH Bridget Klapinski JB Maria Caban JB Brigid Dorrity CON Merna Hagar CON 18 www.nycaudubon.org

61246_NYC_Audubon_UA_Winter_Corr.indd 18 11/12/14 6:13 AM New York City Audubon’s conservation and education work would not be possible without the help of hundreds of volunteers who donate thousands of hours each year. If you volunteered during the period from October 2013 to September 2014 and your name is not on this list, please let us know! We strive to keep accurate records for our funders and want to make sure you receive the recognition you deserve.

Darren Klein CON, EO, Peter Rhoades Mott CON, Ómar Runólfsson WE Fredric Spar OA Chuq Von Rospach WE PSF, UA EO, OA Hilary Russ CBC Jennie Spector EO Bernard von Simpson JB Volunteering Lauren Klingsberg OA, UA Maryann Mulholland JB Matthew Rymkiewicz UA David Speiser BC, JB, OA, Isabelle von Simpson JB Organizations Jonathan Klisaz HH, WE Chris Nagy CON Michaela Sagatova UA UA, WE Howard Wai CBC Boy Scouts of America, Pete Klosterman CON Angela Nahigian MP Pamela Sah CON Lloyd Spitalnik BC, EO, JB, Caitlin Waid MP Troop 96 CON Michelle Knoernschild PSF Steve Nanz CON, EO, UA Karina Samcall CON UA, WE Cherly Walpole MP Cub Scout Pack 304 CON Sarah Knotz MP Gunda Narang TIL, PSF Nathaniel Samcall CON Cathy St. Pierre CON Tina Walsh JB The Fire and Emergency James Knox CON, CBC Eugene Nardelli OA Shante Samcall CON Lenore Standish FR, HH Allison Walz JB Services Exploring Jeff Kollbrunner CON Khoa Nguyen/One Leaf Brooke Samuelson CON Susan Stanley HH Isabel Wang CON Program EO Heather Kramer JB Photo UA Jordan Samuelson CON Michael Starr JB Stanley Wang CON Garden School Key Club David Krauss CBC Arianna Nieto CON Vil Sandi UA Tom Stephenson OA David Wappler CBC CON Jeff Krauss JB , HH Marissa Nolan CBC Laura Saniuk-Heinig MP Margaret Stevens EO Yohay Wasserlauf TIL Girl Scouts Troop 4623-4587 Lynn Krauss JB , HH Maryanne Nolan MP Erica Santana HH Judy Stivelband JB Deborah Waxenberg CON CON Chris Kreussling MP, WE Tenzin Norzin CON Gerardo Santos UA David Straussman CON Nina Webb PSF H350 (Hunter High School Debra Kriensky JB, LA Jeffery Nulle BC, CBC, JB Theresa Sarbeng MP Joden Straussman CON Sally Webster CON environmental club) Kimberly Kriger OA Raina Oberlin MP Casey Schadie PSF Alison Strong OA Terra Weiland EO, PSF CON Alexander Kulcsar HH James O’Brien CON Andrea Schaffer WE Chris Strub PSF Sally Weiner CBC Mitsubishi Corporation Joseph Kulhanek HH Luke O’Brien CBC, JB Diane Schenker CBC Yukie Stubbs CON Judith S. Weis UA (Americas) CON Dave Kunstler HH Lisa Ochs EO Elena Schleyer CON Taylor Sturm CBC Dottie Werkmeister JB Rocking the Boat CON Alexandra Kuvaldina PSF Emilia Oleson CBC Glen Schleyer CON Alexander Summers HH, Judith Werner OA Volunteer for Wildlife CON Brian Lai CON Tod Olson CON Jay Schleyer CON MP Brian Whipple CBC Jordan Lai CON Bob O’Neill JB Monica Schleyer CON Debbie Swanback CBC Lou Widerka BC Kristin Lai CON Gail Orr CBC Robert Schmunk CON Lenore Swenson CBC Anna Wierzbicka MP Susana Lai CON Joe O’Sullivan EO, HH Kenneth Cole Schneider WE Suzanne Talmadoe JB Dave Wilder CON Legend Janice Laneve OA Sandi Paci BC Jay Schoen MP Jeanne Tao CBC, PSF Bradley Wilken CON BC = Birders Coalition for Anne Lazarus CBC Adriana Palmer CON Lyris Schonholz CON Denise Taylor TIL Paul Williams WE Gateway Sandrine Lee WE Karen Palmienteri CON Emily Schroeder JB John Tebbetts CON Gabriel Willow UA CBC = Christmas Bird Count Donna Leikensohn CBC Miles Palmienteri CON Anne Schwartz FR Karen Thomson PSF Angus Wilson BC CON = Conservation John Leikensohn CBC Zoe Palmienteri CON Charles Schwartz PSF Morgan Tingley CBC Cara Wolinsky JB EO = Education and Outreach Gessica Lesser MP Niki Papadopoulos MP Vicki Seabrook CBC Stephanie Tougas MP, PSF Lu Wu PSF FR = Fall Roost Bryan Levine HH Tyler Parlato HH Jerry Seigler CBC Elizabeth Tryon JB Misako Yamagishi CBC, PSF HH = Harbor Herons Phyllis Tseng JB David Yarnold CBC Lawrence Levine OA, UA Mona Payton PSF Ann Seligman EO, FR, JB, JB = Jamaica Bay (includes Anna Liu CON Anthony Pedone CON PSF Andrew Turk EO, HH Cyndi Yates UA Horseshoe Crab and Shorebird Elora Lopez TIL Ellen Pehek HH Hallie Shapiro MP Gretchen Van Matre EO, TIL Sergey Yeliseev WE Surveys) Margaret Lundin FR Anders Peltomaa CBC, WE Hannah Sheehan JB John Vazzana JB D. Bruce Yolton CBC, CON OA = Office Administration Chris Lyons CBC Joanna Peluso HH James R. Sheffield OA P.J. Vazzana JB Lisa Yoneno JB Barbara Lysenko CON Paulette Penzvalto PSF Tasmi Sheikh CON Leonardo Vega CON Hiroki Yoshihara JB LA = Look Around New York City Tom Lysenko CON Tom Perlman CBC John Shemilt BC, CON, OA Nelvi L. Vega CON Billy Young CBC MP = McGolrick Park Harrison D. Maas BC, CBC, Dadie Perlov PSF Peter Shen OA Francesco Veronesi UA, WE Chris Zavelo OA PSF = Project Safe Flight CON, JB, OA Dorothy M. Peteet CON, Skyler Shipley CON Jeff Victor CBC Deborah Zerdin FR TIL = Tribute in Light Jennifer Mahan TIL OA Leah Shucter EO Kai Victor CBC Isaiah Zopp CBC UA = The Urban Audubon Julie Larsen Maher WE Johanna Phelps MP Elaine Silber CBC, FR, OA Hanna Vilbaum CON John Zucker CBC WE = Website and The eGret Robert Manao CON Sharon Phillips PSF Richard Simon CON Alejandra Villadiego EO Ryan Zucker CBC eNewsletter Tyler Manao CON John Pignataro JB Tara Mei Smith JB Yadira Villegas CON Marsha Zuckerman CON Roberta Manian HH Graham Polhill CON Ben Solotaire JB Michael Vincent CBC Aleksandra Zviaguine CON Pamela Manice OA François Portmann CON, Noor Souirgi EO Sai C. Vishudhi CON David Manry CBC UA, WE Donna Marie JB Peter Post BC Theresa Marko MP Jessenia Preciado JB Give a Gift of Membership Show that you care by giving a gift that makes a difference. Tristan Marsh JB Robin Preiss PSF Andrew Martin MP Kellie Quinones EO Help protect wild birds and habitat in New York City with a gift membership to NYC Audubon David Martin CON Miriam Rakowski CBC [ ] Supporter $100 [ ] Family $50 [ ] Friend $25 [ ] Student/Senior (65+) $15 Doris Martin JB Brandee Ramer MP Florence Martin JB Sonia Rastogi JB Giver ______John Martin JB Ricki Ravitts CON Safinaz Mashali JB Esther Regelson TIL Address: ______Peter Massas WE Sadie Resnick PSF Rob Mastrianni CBC, CON Esmerelda Reyes MP Phone:______Email: ______Sandra Maury CBC Shawn Rice MP, JB E.J. McAdams OA Shanda Richardson CON Chuck McAlexander CBC Stu Richel CON Recipient:______Abby McBride UA Peter Richter CON Aidan McCarthy CON Don Riepe BC, CON, EO, Address: ______Kevin McCarthy CON HH, OA, UA Sean McCarthy CON David Ringer CBC Phone: ______Email: ______Sarah McGullam UA Jaheim Robertson CON Sandra McKee JB Jermaine Robertson CON Rita McMahon HH Carol Peace Robins CON, [ ] Enclosed is my check payable to NYC Audubon Joseph McManus EO UA [ ] Charge my credit card: [ ] Visa [ ] MC [ ] Amex [ ] DSC Robert McMinn CON Chelsea Robinson JB Laura Meyers UA, WE Carrie Roble JB Mary Michael JB Brendon Rodriguez JB Card #: ______Exp. Date: ______Ellen Michaels WE Natasha Roemer PSF Erin Michaels MP Sara Roemer PSF Join NYC Audubon Members are essential to our education and conservation work. Help protect Ethan Miller CBC Angela Rose MP birds and habitats in the five boroughs by joining our flock. As a Member of NYC Audubon you will: Kaelin Miller CBC Lewis Rosenberg OA Receive The Urban Audubon newsletter • Enjoy discounts on field trips and classes • Make a difference Angie Milligan MP Kate Rosenbloom MP in your City’s wildlife and natural areas. Thomas Milligan MP John Rowden CBC, JB Mail this form with your payment to: NYC Audubon, 71 West 23rd Street, Suite 1523, New York, NY 10010 Virginia Millington MP Robert Royce UA Daniel Molina HH Andrew Rubenfeld BC Malcolm Monlie CBC Christina Rubin OA, UA Membership in NYC Audubon does not include National Audubon membership or Audubon magazine. Donations to Mary Tyler Moore OA Laurel Rubin JB NYC Audubon are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. NYC Audubon is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Anne Mortimer-Maddox Marat Rubin JB EO, FR, OA Jorge A. Rueda CON Winter 2014-2015 19

61246_NYC_Audubon_UA_Winter_Corr.indd 19 11/12/14 6:13 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: Winter 2014-2015 Newsletter

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

Holiday Gift Ideas from NYC Audubon BOUND PRINTED MATTER US POSTAGE ©

Give a Gift that Travels N YC Audubon more than 1,000 stunning color photos,PAID #5 the Hemisphere extensive species accounts, and anHUDSON innovative NH This holiday, give the gift new system for learning bird song—andPERMIT has#82 of a banded bird or tagged quickly become a staple of the serious birder’s horseshoe crab! Threatened library since its publication last year. $25.95 American oystercatchers and Available mid-December: The new Warbler common terns have headed Guide App for your smart phone! Learn more south for the winter, but at press.princeton.edu/titles/10416.html. they’ll be returning soon to nest in New York City. NYC Audubon can track these Gifts may be ordered through our online and other birds throughout the year thanks store at www.nycaudubon.org/support-us or to generous support of our bird-banding Look Sharp with the New by calling the office at 212-691-7483. research, conducted each spring during NYC Audubon Cap nesting season. When you give the gift of As you scan wintry fields seeking the bright Happy Holidays! an adopted tern, oystercatcher, egret, snowy eyes of a snowy owl, or gaze at the tree tops owl, or horseshoe crab, you’ll be helping to searching out that elusive blackpoll warbler, fund valuable ongoing research—and the keep the sun out of your eyes with our new “adoptive parent” will receive a beautiful NYC Audubon cap. Smart and simple photo of his or her adopted animal, a in dark blue, emblazoned with the NYC field update, and the tracking number of Audubon logo. $20 the actual banded bird or horseshoe crab sponsored. Price varies according to animal THE WARBLER GUIDE selected. By Tom Stephenson and Scott Whittle Princeton University Press, 2013 GIVE THE GIFT OF MEMBERSHIP The cold winter months are the perfect time Share your love of New York City’s birds for you or the birders you love to study up with a NYC Audubon Gift Membership. on the finer points of warbler identification, Includes all regular membership benefits to be ready when our spring migrants plus a set of eight holiday gift cards. See return. The Warbler Guide, created by NYC page 19 for details. Audubon Board Member Tom Stephenson and photographer Scott Whittle, features

20 www.nycaudubon.org

61246_NYC_Audubon_UA_Winter_Corr.indd 20 11/12/14 6:13 AM