THE NEWSLETTER OF NEW YORK CITY AUDUBON WINTER SPRING 2014 2019 / VOLUME/ VOLUME XXXV XL NO. NO. 1 4

THE URBAN AUDUBON

Birds Are Coming to Broadway The Volunteers of Project Safe Flight: A Photo Essay Birding Ethics and Etiquette

Spring 2019 1 NYC AUDUBON MISSION & STATEMENT Mission: NYC Audubon is a grassroots community that works for the protection of wild President’s Perch Jeffrey Kimball birds and habitat in the five boroughs, improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers.

Vision: NYC Audubon envisions a day when ew York City has a new avian star. Not since Pale Male over a decade ago has birds and people in the five boroughs enjoy a healthy, livable habitat. an individual bird captured as much attention as the male Mandarin Duck, THE URBAN AUDUBON holding court as of this writing in The Pond at Central Park, in the extreme Editors Lauren Klingsberg & Marcia T. Fowle N southeast corner of the Park across the street from the Plaza Hotel. This is no ordinary Managing Editor Andrew Maas duck; it’s a spectacularly beautiful © Ellen Michaels Newsletter Committee Seth Ausubel; Ellen Azorin; Lucienne Bloch; Ned Boyajian; Suzanne bird native to East Asia, with mad Charlé; Diane Darrow; Meryl Greenblatt; splashes of color and feathers that Catherine Schragis Heller; Mary Jane Kaplan; Abby McBride; Hillarie O’Toole; Don Riepe; stand upright like little sails. It’s no Carol Peace Robins wonder his presence was noticed Printing & Mailing Kase Printing, Inc. immediately. Design Whitehouse & Company While the provenance of this Art Director Andrew Maas Publisher NYC Audubon bird is unknown, we do know BOARD OF DIRECTORS one thing for sure: he did not fly President Jeffrey Kimball himself here from East Asia. He Executive Vice President Robert Bate has a leg band indicating he had Vice President Richard H. Fried, VMD Mandarin Duck in Central Park, November 8, 2018 Vice President Catherine Schragis Heller been part of someone’s collection, Vice President Sarah Jeffords most likely as a private pet, as none of the area zoos have reported a missing Mandarin Vice President Lawrence Levine Treasurer Drianne Benner Duck. But he is free-flying and chose Central Park as a winter stopover, comfortably Secretary Alexander Ewing settling in with native Mallards and even associating with a native Wood Duck, North Immediate Past President Harrison D. Maas Directors Seth Ausubel; Karen Benfield; America’s own version of the Mandarin with similarly ravishing colors and patterns. César A. Castillo; Christian Cooper; Many in the birding community originally pooh-poohed all the hubbub. Not being Tatiana Kaletsch; Deborah Laurel; Jenny Maritz; Rachel Quiñones; John Shemilt; Alan Steel; a “wild” bird, but a species you could see at the zoo, it certainly couldn’t be “counted” Michael Tannen; Richard Veit, PhD on your birding lists. While I was originally of that mindset, I have a few takeaways from ADVISORY COUNCIL this whole Mandarin affair. First and most obviously, he is a stunningly beautiful creature. Co-Chair Marcia T. Fowle*; That something like him exists in nature is simply a blessing. And seeing him next to Co-Chair James R. Sheffield; Oakes Ames*; Richard T. Andrias; the male Wood Duck, which conveniently overwintered in the same pond, somehow Sarah Grimké Aucoin; Claude Bloch, MD; enhances the native duck’s beauty. Even the green hoods of the ubiquitous male Mallards Marsilia A. Boyle; David Burg*; Albert K. Butzel; Cliff Case; Rebekah Creshkoff; Andrew Darrell; that surround the Mandarin seem to be more vibrant in the presence of this unexpected Joseph H. Ellis; Andrew Farnsworth, PhD; visitor. And anything that draws us to the beauty of nature, I count as a good thing. Lynne Hertzog; Mary Jane Kaplan; Robert J. Kimtis; Lauren Klingsberg; Furthermore, as a result of the duck’s newspaper and TV coverage, hundreds of Kimberly Kriger; Janice Laneve; Pamela Manice; people have stopped by The Pond to take a look, and thousands more have heard or Peter Rhoades Mott*; Dorothy Peteet, PhD; read about the story. Now, countless folks who would not normally pay any attention to Don Riepe; Lewis Rosenberg; David Speiser; Tom Stephenson birds in our midst are embracing a bit more of the wider world and noticing the nature *Past President all around us. This duck is truly an ambassador for birds and nature. STAFF And that, in many ways, is the key to this story. Not only did Central Park invite this Executive Director Kathryn Heintz Director of Conservation & Science Susan wayward straggler to alight in the middle of our city, but it has allowed him to thrive here. Elbin, PhD Turns out, New York City offers healthy habitat for birds. Who knew?! Well, we did, of Conservation Biologist Kaitlyn Parkins course, and every day NYC Audubon works to keep it that way. Our mandate is to make Field Biologist Emilio Tobón Conservation Research Associate Tod Winston the five boroughs a welcome habitat for our year-round avian residents, a viable stopover Programs Manager Danielle Sherman for spring and fall migrants, and—as it turns out—even a vacation spot for exotic visiting Kingsland Wildflowers Project Coordinator Nicole Jackson dignitaries with a message to share. Advocacy & Outreach Manager Molly Adams Director of Development Kellye Rosenheim Grants Manager Anne Schwartz Development Associate Leo Wexler-Mann Communications Manager Andrew Maas Controller David Cavill

RECYCLED 2 www.nycaudubon.org Supporting responsible use of forest resources In This Issue Spring 2019 © Nicolas Holiber: Birds on Broadway, Audubon Sculpture Project

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: Kirtland’s Warbler © David Speiser Small Banner Photographs: Susan Elbin, Steve Nanz, and Don Riepe * This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. 6 © Anina Gerchick / FEATURES

6 Birds Are Coming to Broadway

BIRDLINK by Suzanne Charlé

7 Rodenticides: A Clear and Present Danger to Birds of Prey by Carol Peace Robins

8 BirdCast Migration Maps Add Excitement to Spring and Fall 9 by Heather Wolf

© Sophie Butcher 9 BIRDLINK: Engaging Community, Supporting Urban Birds by Meryl Greenblatt

16 The Volunteers of Project Safe Flight: A Photo Essay by Sophie Butcher

18 Birding Ethics and Etiquette by Kellye Rosenheim

19 The Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) 16 by Don Riepe

© Mark Vance* 19 Third Annual Horseshoe Crab Festival at Jamaica Bay 21 A Message to National Audubon Society Members

DEPARTMENTS

4 Conservation Notes 22 Acknowledgments 5 Volunteer! 19 22 Remember the Birds 10 Events & Adventures 23 Support NYC Audubon’s Mission 15 Spring 2019 Lecture Series 23 News & Notes 20 Book Reviews 24 Kingsland Wildflowers Events

Spring 2019 3 Conservation Notes Susan Elbin, PhD

pring migration is just around the So far, they have generated lighting maps for green roof as it changes over time. In late corner, so we are gearing up for Project buildings in lower Manhattan by integrating October, we installed native bee “hotels” and SSafe Flight and other 2019 field season light measurements gathered from cameras camera traps on the roof as part of a native programs. In the meantime, we are happy to placed midtown at One Bryant Park with radar bee/honey bee study. The cameras will also share with you some highlights of our winter data taken at 15-minute intervals over the allow us to document birds that perch on activities and to introduce you to new spring course of two migration seasons. The students the roof when we are not there surveying in and summer projects. detected correlations between the brightness person. Of course, we are interested in any of buildings in lower Manhattan and concen- changes to the roof ’s biodiversity since the PROJECT SAFE FLIGHT trations of birds flying overhead during these recent completion of many of the Hudson Making New York City safer for migra- migration seasons. Yards skyscrapers that tower over the Javits tory birds is a year-round effort. Our devoted The next step, planned for 2019, is to set Center. Project Safe Flight (PSF) volunteers patrol up a new, hyperspectral camera facing uptown. Thanks to a generous grant from The specific routes, looking for dead or injured This specialized camera will allow us to identify New York Community Trust, Dustin will con- birds—victims of collision with glass. (See light quality as well as quantity as we continue tinue to lead the NYC Green Roof Researchers page 16 for a photo essay on PSF volunteers.) to correlate light pollution with bird behavior Alliance (see “The NYC Green Roof Conservation Biologist Kaitlyn Parkins care- during migration. We will again pair this high- Researchers Alliance,” The Urban Audubon, Fall fully maps routes, locating where to collect tech approach with NYC Audubon’s PSF 2018) for another year. Stay tuned for note- data that will answer specific research ques- monitoring for dead or injured birds. Facing worthy news and conference dates from this tions. One such question we are now looking the camera north, we will be able to investigate group of committed scientists. to address is how proximity to natural areas light pollution in the vicinity of Central Park. (stopover sites), such as Central Park, increases Knowing how different types of light WATERBIRDS OF NEW YORK HARBOR risk of bird collisions. As more funding impact migratory birds will allow us to Winter is mostly the time where we ana- becomes available, we plan to expand our col- approach elected officials to limit light pollu- lyze data and confer with colleagues about lision monitoring program into the outer bor- tion and achieve a bird-friendly lighting ordi- next year’s projects. Field Biologist Emilio oughs, collecting data near stopover sites like nance in New York City. In the meantime, Tobón traveled to Louisiana in November Prospect Park. our advocacy efforts for NYC bird-friendly to participate in the 18th annual American For the past two years, we have been building legislation continue as we work with Oystercatcher Working Group meeting. This increasingly focused on the correlation New York State Assemblymember Deborah meeting provides an important opportunity between artificial light at night, density of birds Glick, updating the bird-friendly building leg- for those working with oystercatchers to share flying overhead, and collisions with nearby islation she first introduced in 2017. local experiences in a larger context and take glass. A new initiative was developed in 2018, part in setting species priorities for the next part of a capstone project at New York Uni- GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE 10 years. By the way, our American Oyster- versity’s (NYU) Center for Urban Science and We continue to work with green infra- catchers are doing well at Rockaway Beach, Progress, that further studies the interaction structure projects and newly created green Queens. Our partners at NYC Department among these three variables using “big data” space that provide habitat for birds and other of Parks & Recreation Wildlife Unit reported (exceptionally large data sets of radar and light wildlife. We are happy to report the Justice 1.48 chicks fledged per nesting pair last season emission). Scientists Greg Dobler (NYU), Avenue Bioswale project is finished, trans- at the beach. Pairs on the Breezy Point Penin- NYC Audubon Advisory Council member forming a desolate traffic island in Elmhurst, sula did not fare as well, with only .41 chicks Andrew Farnsworth (Cornell), and I (NYC Queens, into a small patch of habitat that cap- fledged per nesting pair. This difference in Audubon) are co-advisors of the project. This tures excess stormwater and increases local fledgling success between the two sites is pos- research augments our ground-breaking work flora and fauna biodiversity. Ecologist Dustin sibly because the nests at Breezy Point were at the September 11 Memorial & Museum’s Partridge will continue post-construction more likely to be flooded during high tides Tribute in Light, where we study how beacons monitoring of the site for changes in insect and storm events than the ones at Rockaway of light affect migratory behavior. and bird diversity and abundance. Beach. The NYU students have made tremen- We will continue our work with the Jacob NYC Audubon once again convened the dous strides in manipulating the data sets. K. Javits Center, studying biodiversity at its 14th annual Harbor Herons and Waterbirds of 4 www.nycaudubon.org Conservation Notes Susan Elbin, PhD

the Greater New York/New Jersey Harbor but we were thrilled to learn that our tagged December 15 to December 23. Kaitlyn Parkins Working Group meeting. This year’s two-day birds were detected in Colombia and French organized the counts for the New Jersey-Lower meeting in December brought together over Guiana. Hudson count circle, which includes Manhattan, 80 professional scientists and managers from One major action item emerged from parts of Queens, the New Jersey Meadowlands, governmental agencies, nonprofits, and aca- the meeting: NYC Audubon submitted on and the Palisades. NYC Audubon again hosted demia, who are working in the region to con- behalf of the working group a petition to the count in Central Park on December 16. We serve and protect waterbirds and their hab- the NY State Department of Environmental had 59 intrepid birders join us in the Park on a itats. NYC Audubon Research Associate Tod Conservation to raise the conservation status cold and rainy day, counting 5,323 birds of 57 Winston delivered the flagship presentation, of the Black Skimmer from “NY State species. It turned out to be a good day for seeing showing stable trends in NYC waterbird Species of Special Concern” to “NY State birds of prey. The rainy weather kept raptors nesting populations and gearing us up for Endangered.” We will let you know via our grounded, making it easy to count 13 Red-tailed a full survey in 2019 of all possible nesting eGret email newsletter about opportunities Hawks, 2 Red-shouldered Hawks, and 3 species islands in our city. Kaitlyn Parkins, with the for you to lend your voice in support of this of owl: Great Horned, Northern Saw-whet, and help of Research Associate Debra Kriensky’s significant change. Barred. Central Park’s world-famous Mandarin analysis, presented data on the Semipalmated Duck made an appearance, but not being a wild Sandpipers we have been tracking with AUDUBON CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT bird, he was not included in count totals. Visit signal-emitting NanoTags over the past three We had one major field activity this www.nycaudubon.org/cbc to see final tallies years. We know our Jamaica Bay sandpipers winter: the 119th Audubon Christmas Bird from all five count circles in New York City. go north to breed, and then head back south, Count, held all across New York City from

Volunteer!

ork in NYC Audubon’s skills to four seasonal issues. will be held Thursday, March 14, a 24-hour period, helping us answer Wfriendly office or in the Meetings are bi-monthly in the and Tuesday, March 19, 6-7pm. important conservation questions, field and make a difference for early evening. Contact comm@ such as how many shorebirds are New York City’s wildlife. There nycaudubon.org if interested. Horseshoe Crab Monitoring: coming through our area during are many ways you can help. Horseshoe crab eggs are an spring migration, how they are Unless otherwise noted, contact CONSERVATION PROJECTS important food source for migra- distributed throughout the City, and [email protected] Become a citizen scientist and tory shorebirds. Collect data on what disturbances they face. if interested in any of the projects help conduct conservation horseshoe crab spawning by listed below. For information on research; read below about the helping count horseshoe crabs PLUMB BEACH spring volunteer events such as various ways to get involved. in Jamaica Bay. We count on 12 VOLUNTEER CLEANUP beach clean-ups and tree plant- All orientations are held at our nights in May and June, but you Saturday, April 27, 10am-1pm ings, visit us at office unless otherwise noted and don’t need to be able to make Each winter, debris winds up in www.nycaudubon.org/ require registration in advance. every count to sign up. Orienta- our waters and washes up on our volunteer-events. tions will be held Thursday, April shores. It’s unsightly and polluting, Project Safe Flight: Light and 11, and Tuesday, April 16, 6-7pm. and it prevents urban wildlife like OFFICE PROJECTS glass pose major threats to migratory birds and horseshoe Help with mailings, filing, and migratory birds as they move Spring NYC Shorebird Blitz: crabs from feeding and nesting on general office work. Computer through New York City. Help NYC Contribute to NYC Audubon’s the beaches. Come out on a spring skills and birding knowledge are Audubon biologists collect data conservation efforts by helping us day and get our beaches ready for helpful, but not required. Contact on building collisions during take a one-day snapshot of spring them. All equipment is supplied, [email protected] if migration by monitoring desig- shorebird activity throughout as well as snacks and water. Trans- interested. nated buildings for collisions. New York City on Sunday, May portation via bus from Manhattan This opportunity requires a time 19. The NYC Shorebird Blitz is is available for a limited number of THE URBAN AUDUBON commitment of about one hour a citizen-science initiative that volunteers. Advance registration is Join the newsletter committee one morning a week from April aims to find the total number of required. Learn more and register at and contribute your writing through early June. Orientations shorebirds using our city during www.nycaudubon.org/plumb-beach. Spring 2019 5 Birds Are Coming to Broadway Suzanne Charlé © Nicolas Holiber: Birds on Broadway, Audubon Sculpture Project he Double-crested Cormorant is a National Audubon Society describing how the frequent visitor to The Pool in the bird will be affected by climate change. Some T northern quadrant of Central Park, include dire statistics: Hairy Woodpeckers, hanging out with the Mallards, Canada Geese, two of which will peek out of tall wooden and other wintering waterfowl. On May 17, poles at the 120th Street Broadway median, a compatriot—albeit much larger, by about are expected to lose 78 percent of their 1,500 pounds—will land four blocks west, summer range by 2080. The Merlin, which its wings spanning the Broadway median will perch in Mitchel Square at 166th Street, between 104th and 105th streets. may lose 97 percent of its current summer This cormorant is part of Nicolas Holiber: range by that year. Birds on Broadway, the Audubon Sculpture Project, Rendering of Double-Crested Cormorant Sculpture Holiber, who chose birds that were “the a public art exhibition presented by the on Broadway Mall between 104th and 105th Streets most eye-catching and diverse,” built the Broadway Mall Association, a non-profit and half years ago in response to the National sculptures with reclaimed wood donated by raising funds from the public to beautify and Audubon Society’s 2015 Birds & Climate Big Reuse in Gowanus. Using hammer and maintain 10.6 acres of gardens in the center Change Report. Avi Gitler, of Gitler &_____ chisel, he fashioned feathers out of pallets, of Broadway on the Upper West Side, and Art Gallery and curator of the mural project, crown molding, floorboards, and shutters; a in partnership with NYC Audubon, Gitler said that so far muralists have painted a third beak from a chair leg; glittering wings of the &_____ Art Gallery, and NYC Department of the 314 North American species that are Double-crested Cormorant with the heads of of Parks & Recreation. For eight months threatened or in danger of extinction because screws. (In all, over $8,000 worth of screws this year, 12 bird sculptures will perch along of climate change. (See “Uptown Birds,” The was donated by Marjam Supply Company.) the medians on Broadway, from 64th Street Urban Audubon, Fall 2018.) “It was like a giant 3D puzzle,” said Holiber. (where a 10-foot-tall Red-necked Grebe and When the idea of expanding the project Using John James Audubon’s prints as a guide, three chicks will greet bypassers) to 166th to sculptures came to Gitler, he reached he painted the birds (with paint donated by Street—not far from the site of John James out to Holiber, who had previously done a Farrow & Ball) but drew the line at water- Audubon’s estate. one-man show in his gallery. The project, proofing them: “I want to show the effects At work in a massive garage-cum-studio- both men explained, is meant to stop New of weather.” turned-aviary in Flatbush, Brooklyn, Holiber Yorkers in their tracks and get them thinking When the Broadway Mall Association’s noted, “All the birds are native to New York about climate change, and how it impacts art exhibition ends in December, Holiber and City or pass through.” The materials he is birds and other species—humans included. Gitler hope that the sculptures “will migrate using for the project are also native to the “Climate change impacts everything,” south” to another welcoming city. Perhaps, City: many truckloads of scrap lumber and said Holiber. “We immediately think how Gitler suggested, New Orleans, where other reclaimed materials. human populations are impacted, but the Audubon once lived—and a place that knows Birds on Broadway is an outgrowth of the reality is that all life is at risk.” Each sculp- the dangers of climate change all too well. Audubon Mural Project, which was begun three ture will be accompanied by a bio from the © Nicolas Holiber: Birds on Broadway, Audubon Sculpture Project © Nicolas Holiber: Birds on Broadway, Audubon Sculpture Project

The Hooded Merganser sculpture is pictured here in progress at Holiber’s studio, standing over eight feet tall and almost 13 feet long. Map of the 12 Bird Sculptures to Be Displayed on Broadway Malls from 64th Street to 166th Street 6 www.nycaudubon.org Rodenticides: A Clear and Present Danger to Birds of Prey Carol Peace Robins © Loves_TaiShan* wls may be portrayed as wise, but they don’t always know the difference between a healthy meal and food that can Okill. For them, as well as the hawks, falcons, and other birds of prey, rodents slowly dying of poison are mighty tempting, but hazardous, targets. It is well known that rodents serve as vectors for disease trans- mission to people. According to The Centers for Disease Control, rats and mice are responsible for the transmission of over 35 diseases worldwide, including hantavirus, rat-bite fever, and plague. In populous cities, such as New York City, where food (garbage) and housing (easy access to shelter) are abundant, rodents are widespread. Rodent populations need to be controlled and poisoning is a standard method, but the problem is that a poisoned rodent can become a poisoned bird. Rodent poisons widely used today are anti- coagulants, which often don’t take effect for several days. During that time, the poisoned rodent is free to roam where birds of prey are Red-tailed Hawk with Rodent looking for food. If a bird consumes a poisoned rodent, it can be secondarily poisoned. If the bird is small enough, like a nestling, or animals from human habitation. The pamphlet emphasizes the has eaten enough poisoned prey, the toxin can be lethal. In one study following: by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation • Remove access to food by keeping trash areas clean and using Wildlife Health Unit, second generation anticoagulant rodenticides locked trash bins. Rats can easily tear through plastic trash bags. were detected in 84 percent of dead birds of prey found in New • Remove access to water by fixing leaky pipes and places where York City. standing water pools. It’s the ultimate goal of NYC Audubon to have rodenticides • Exclude access to your home by sealing all possible entry and banned in City parks. NYC Audubon is in close communication with exit points, such as cracks in basement walls, sidewalks, streets, the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation Wildlife Unit, encour- or trashcan areas, with strong stainless steel mesh. Also seal off aging and supporting them to stop using rodenticides during hawk landscaped areas. Exclusion is a strategy that doesn’t kill rodents, breeding season in areas where birds of prey are nesting. As an alter- but prevents them from becoming a problem. At my own apart- native to rodenticides, the City Department of Health has embarked ment building, when rats were invading our tree pits, we hired a on a program to use dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide) to eliminate rats landscaper with rat control experience who installed a tight mesh in parks. The program calls for dropping dry ice into rat burrows and barrier several inches below the topsoil. Three years later, there’s covering over the holes with soil. The dry ice gradually melts and no sign of these rodents among our mums or begonias. permeates the holes, depriving the rats of oxygen—and effectively Once rodents find a way into your space, what method can you “putting them to sleep.” use to remove them quickly and permanently? Among the most While NYC Audubon works closely with NYC Parks & effective methods are traps: the old-fashioned wooden snap traps, Recreation to limit rodenticide use, word needs to spread beyond the their more modern plastic versions, and electronic traps. They all kill parks. Landscaped grounds and gardens outside of buildings, as well rodents immediately. Glue traps are not a humane solution. These as basement and trash areas in buildings, attract rodents. It is legal for traps will hold the rat—or mouse or bird—until it starves or dies of building managers to hire pest removal professionals who often use exhaustion. rodenticides. NYC Audubon has published a new pamphlet called You don’t have to be a rodent control professional to play a “Rodenticides and Birds of Prey,” aimed at private sector rodent role in keeping our birds of prey safe. Learn more about how to control managers and building tenants. The pamphlet addresses the get rid of rodents responsibly on NYC Audubon’s new Rodenticide dangers of rodenticides and describes successful alternative methods webpage. Print out the pamphlet there and give it to your friends, of getting rid of rodents. The pamphlet can be viewed at www. neighbors, and building managers. If loose garbage is a problem nycaudubon.org/rodenticide, and will be handed out at outreach in your building or you know that your building manager is using festivals and other NYC Audubon events. poisons, suggest one of the non-toxic alternatives. Insist on it. Your The pamphlet emphasizes that the best line of defense against neighbors, including the descendants of Pale Male, will thank you rodents is removing access to food and water and excluding the for it. Spring 2019 7 BirdCast Migration Maps Add Excitement to Spring and Fall Heather Wolf

e regularly check the daily of bird movement. prevent thousands of bird collision deaths. weather forecast, but what An important aspect of this technology, A similar approach could be taken to turning W about the daily “birdcast”? and one that has always been a goal of the off wind turbines. As a web developer for Cornell Lab of BirdCast project, is its implication for bird An exciting breakthrough for birders Ornithology, I have had the pleasure of conservation. The ability to predict the and conservationists, BirdCast’s maps add a working with the BirdCast team led by heaviest migration nights could help keep whole new dimension to migration season. NYC Audubon Advisory Council member birds safe. For example, a request made to So tonight, visit www.birdcast.info to check Andrew Farnsworth, PhD. BirdCast has building managers to turn lights out for only whether tomorrow will be a birding day you been providing nocturnal migration fore- a few nights is more likely to be honored won’t want to miss . . . or if it’s that rare day casts based on radar through its website, than a request to turn lights off every night during migration when you can catch some www.birdcast.info, since 2012, but these pre- during migration. This could potentially extra sleep. dictions involved some human input. The © Cornell Lab of Ornithology team recently announced a significant update to BirdCast that provides two new auto-gen- erated tools to help birders know the best days to find migrants: a three-day migration forecast, and an up-to-the-moment replay of nocturnal migration activity. While weather radar has long been used to analyze and predict bird movement, it was previously unfeasible to auto- generate forecast models with the existing technology. Recent improvements in data processing have enabled BirdCast to do that, using a trained model, developed by A snapshot of BirdCast’s auto-generated migration forecast for the night of September 13-14, 2018. The Benjamin Van Doren and Kyle Horton of color-coded map combines projected weather conditions and bird movements measured by radar to show where the BirdCast team. The model synthesizes and when the most intense migrations are expected, up to three days in advance. over 20 years of spring migration data from 143 U.S. weather radars combined with data © Cornell Lab of Ornithology on atmospheric conditions. Maps generated from BirdCast’s model show the predicted intensity of nocturnal migration all across the U.S. for three hours after local sunset for the next three days. Areas with expected high activity are shown in “warm” colors (red, yellow, orange) and areas with low or no expected activity in “cool” colors (blue, green, purple). Live migration maps complement the forecast maps by showing nocturnal migration in near real-time, updating every 10 minutes throughout the night. These animated maps, using an algorithm designed by BirdCast’s Adriaan Dokter, light up in varying degrees BirdCast’s near real-time analysis maps show intensities of actual bird migration as detected by the U.S. of brightness according to the concentration weather surveillance radar network, updated every 10 minutes. This map, for the night of March 28-29, of birds, with arrows indicating the direction 2018, shows heavy migration activity in the Southeast occuring at 12:10am Eastern Time. 8 www.nycaudubon.org B IrdlinK: Engaging Community, Supporting Urban Birds Meryl Greenblatt

rt and environmental awareness come together in © Anina Gerchick / BIRDLINK BIRDLINK, a proposed network of native plant sculp- A tures designed to connect isolated patches of urban bird habitat while promoting awareness of migratory bird species that pass through our city. The brainchild of artist and landscape archi- tect Anina Gerchick, BIRDLINK made its debut in prototype form last July at NYC Audubon’s seasonal nature center on Governors Island. From there, the BIRDLINK prototype moved to East River State Park in Williamsburg, and plans are underway for a separate full-scale version to debut this summer in Sara D. Roosevelt Park in lower Manhattan. All versions of BIRDLINK are planted with a variety of native plants such as Purpletop Tridens and Black-eyed Susans to attract both birds and insects. The plants, donated by New York The BIRDLINK prototype installed at Governors Island last July was planted City Department of Parks & Recreation Greenbelt Native Plant with a variety of native plants in a series of wire mesh nets supported by bamboo Nursery, are rooted in a series of wire mesh baskets supported by ladder-like structures. modular bamboo ladder-like structures. This free-standing, spiral- © Anina Gerchick / BIRDLINK ing green wall of native plants is designed to be a conversation- starter for people, a valued rest stop for migratory birds, and an inspiration for backyard and rooftop gardeners. Over time, Ger- chick envisions multiple installations, with the goal of linking wild- life corridors through neighborhoods in New York City that will support local and migratory birds and motivate local communities to support habitat conservation and biodiversity. Gerchick found inspiration for this project at a Lower East Side park, where neighborhood songbird pet owners often bring their caged birds. “Watching the songbirds fly around in the cages, I thought a public art project could engage the community by sup- porting urban birds through habitat creation,” says Gerchick. “That BIRDLINK moved from Governors Island to Williamsburg’s East River State led me to focus on the world of wild birds in the City and the chal- Park last September, accompanied by a sign with information on bird migrations lenges they face.” through New York City and ways you can help keep migratory birds safe.

Last September, BIRDLINK was relocated from Governors © Anina Gerchick / BIRDLINK Island to East River State Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where it will reside at least until May 31. There it joins another structure de- signed to help migrating birds, a Chimney Swift nest tower created in 2009 in memory of Geoffrey Cobb Ryan, a founding member of NYC Audubon. In June, another BIRDLINK living sculpture will be installed in Sara D. Roosevelt Park on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, very close to the park where Gerchick originally took inspiration for the project. Says Gerchick, “My work now as an ‘Eco-Artist’ is to bring the plight of urban birds and their survival to public notice.” Learn more about the project at www.birdlink.world/ new-york-city, and be on the lookout for information about events Artist Rendering of the Planned Full-scale BIRDLINK Sculpture at Sara D. planned around the project later this year. Roosevelt Park in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Scheduled to Be Installed This June Spring 2019 9 Events and Adventures

his extensive knowledge of bird AUDUBON MURAL PROJECT learn about the valuable resources the NYC Audubon Events • • TOURS IN NORTHERN Garden offers birds and other wildlife. • Partnership Events species and their behaviors on these captivating walks. Wave Hill’s garden MANHATTAN Binoculars available. Register for one Overnight Trips setting overlooking the Hudson River Sundays, March 24, April 14, May 12, date or the whole series of five walks flyway provides the perfect habitat and June 16, 10am-12pm (walk-ins welcome). To register, email • WINTER BIRDS OF THE for resident and migrating birds. Guide: Leigh Hallingby [email protected] or visit BARRIER ISLANDS, LI Ages 10 and up welcome with an The Audubon Mural Project is an www.queensbotanical.org/calendar. Friday, March 1, 8am-4pm adult. No registration required. No exciting effort to create murals Each walk limited to 25. Free (with Guide: Tod Winston limit. NYC Audubon members enjoy of over 300 birds in the northern Garden admission) This trip is sold out. two-for-one admission (see www. Manhattan neighborhoods of wavehill.org for more information) Hamilton Heights and Washington • EARLY SPRING BIRD WALK • WINTER WALK AT INWOOD Heights. As all the birds painted AT JAMAICA BAY HILL PARK, MANHATTAN • FIRST DAY OF SPRING IN are threatened by climate change, Saturday, March 30, 10am-1pm Saturday, March 2, 10am-12pm CENTRAL PARK the project is designed not only to Guide: Don Riepe Guide: Nadir Souirgi Wednesday, March 20, 8-11am help us appreciate the beauty of the With American Littoral Society, Inwood Hill Park, simply put, is a Guide: Tod Winston birds, but also make us aware of the Gateway National Recreation Area jewel. Nestled between the Hudson This trip is sold out. challenges they face. In addition to Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife River, Dyckman Street, and Seaman seeing about 30 murals, we will visit Refuge and enjoy a slide program Avenue, this last tract of largely • THE SKY-DANCE OF John James Audubon's impressive as well as a hike around the ponds undeveloped oak and tulip forest THE WOODCOCK gravesite in the Trinity Church and gardens to look for returning transports you to another world and Saturdays, March 23 and 30, cemetery. Binoculars will be an asset Osprey, Eastern Phoebes, Glossy Ibis, another time. Glacial "pot holes," 5-9:30pm on this walk. Each walk limited to 20. and other early spring migrants. For towering trees, and stunning river Guide: Gabriel Willow $30 (20) per walk more information and reservations, views create an unrivaled birding The American Woodcock is contact Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 or backdrop. Search for wintering a remarkable bird. It is in the • BEGINNING BIRDING [email protected]. No limit. Free species, including ducks in the tidal sandpiper family but lives in Classes: Wednesdays, March 27, marsh. Limited to 15. $36 (25) woodlands, often far from beaches. April 3 and 10, 6:30-8:45pm • SPRING MIGRATION IN PELHAM The male performs an incredible Trips: Sunday, April 7, 8am-2:30pm BAY PARK, THE BRONX • INTRO TO BIRDING: BIRD WALK crepuscular aerial display and song (Jamaica Bay) and Sunday, April 14, Saturday, April 6, 9am-4pm IN CENTRAL PARK early in the spring, soon after the 8-10:30am (Central Park) Guide: Gabriel Willow Saturday, March 2, 8-10:30am snow melts in the northern U.S. Instructor: Tod Winston Explore the lovely coves and rocky Guide: Tod Winston We’ll look for it (and bats, owls, and This series is sold out. outcroppings of the City’s largest Are you curious about "birding" but other critters) at Floyd Bennett Field. park, Pelham Bay Park, seeking out don’t have much (or any) experience? Bring a headlamp or flashlight and a • QUEENS BOTANICAL migrating songbirds, late wintering Come on a relaxed walk to some of snack. Transport by passenger van GARDEN BIRD WALKS birds, ducks, and a breeding pair Central Park’s hotspots to go over included. Each trip limited to 12. $92 Saturdays, March 30, April 27, of Great Horned Owls. The rich birding basics and see sparrows, (64) per trip and May 18, and diverse habitat makes this park finches, warblers, ducks, and more. Sundays, April 7 and 14, an urban gem and a great home Binoculars available. Limited to 15. • PELHAM BAY PARK SPRING 9:30-10:30am for wildlife. Past rarities include a $36 (25) BIRD WALKS, THE BRONX Guide: NYC Audubon Northern Goshawk and a Purple Sundays, March 24-May 19, With Queens Botanical Garden Sandpiper. Bring lunch and water. • WINTER BIRDS OF 9-10:30am Explore Queens Botanical Garden Transport by passenger van included. BARNEGAT, NJ Guide: NYC Audubon in search of migrant songbirds and Limited to 12. $90 (63) Sunday, March 3, 9am-4pm With Pelham Bay Park © Mark Eden / Great Backyard Bird Count Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Meet at Orchard Beach Parking Lot. Warblers LLC Join NYC Audubon to explore some This trip is sold out. of the best birding our city has to offer. Three times the size of Central • SPRING BIRDING AT WAVE Park, Pelham Bay offers diverse HILL, THE BRONX habitat that attracts a variety of Sundays, March 10, April 14, and spring migrants. Past rarities include May 12, 9:30-11:30am Purple Sandpiper and Northern Guide: Gabriel Willow Goshawk. No registration necessary. With Wave Hill No limit. Free Meet at the Perkins Visitor Center. Naturalist Gabriel Willow contributes Yellow-throated Warbler 10 www.nycaudubon.org • BIRD WALK IN of Freshkills Park with special guest by sound alone. We'll discuss the identification and ecology. Each FLUSHING MEADOWS guide and former Staten Island meanings of different songs and series limited to 15. $145 (102) per CORONA PARK, QUEENS Museum Director of Science Ed calls as we get to know them. All series Sunday, April 7, 10-12pm Johnson. Start your trip with a experience levels welcome. Limited Guide: NYC Audubon journey across the Upper Bay. From to 12. $127 (89) • ADVANCED BIRD WALKS IN Meet inside the park at the wetlands to woodlands to rich, PELHAM BAY, THE BRONX intersection of 69th Road and rolling grasslands, Freshkills Park • SPRING BIRDS OF Wednesdays, April 17 and Meadow Lake Drive. Come explore offers a diverse collection of habitats SANDY HOOK, NJ May 15, 8-10am the bird life of Meadow Lake on and wildlife. On a spring day, over Sunday, April 14, 9am-4pm Guides: Joe McManus, Jack Rothman this bird walk perfect for beginners. 100 species of birds and a variety of Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy With Pelham Bay Park We can can expect to see a variety butterflies can be seen at New York Warblers LLC Meet at the Orchard Beach parking of ducks and other bird species at City’s latest, greatest park. Transport This trip is sold out. lot. Join us at Pelham Bay, New York Flushing Meadows Corona Park, by passenger van on S.I. from the City’s largest park, to explore some Queens’s largest park. Participants Staten Island St. George Terminal • EVENING SPRING MIGRATION of the best birding the City has to should be prepared for about 30 included. Limited to 12. $50 (35) WALKS IN CENTRAL PARK offer. This advanced bird walk will minutes of easy walking on paved Mondays, April 15-May 20, seek out spring migrants, waterfowl, paths. Binoculars available. All • BIRDING BY EAR IN Tuesdays, April 16-May 21, and more. Registration in advance ages are welcome. No registration CENTRAL PARK Wednesdays, April 17-May 22, preferred but not required. No limit. required. Limited to 19. Free Tuesdays, April 9-May 7, 7-10am 5:30-7pm Free Guide: Tod Winston Guide: Gabriel Willow • BIRDING GEMS OF STATEN Join Tod Winston for a five-week Witness the spectacle of spring • BIRDS, TECHNOLOGY, ISLAND: SPRING MIGRATION AT exploration of all of the chips, tweets, migration on this six-week series AND CITIZEN SCIENCE: eBIRD FRESHKILLS PARK trills, and warbles we hear as we of walks as songbirds follow the WORKSHOP Sunday, April 7, 8am-3pm wander Central Park's best migrant Atlantic Flyway northwards. Look Thursday, April 18, 7-8:30pm Guide: Ed Johnson spots. Though we certainly won't for orioles, tanagers, warblers, Instructor: Gabriel Willow With NYC Department of pass up any non-singing birds, this vireos, and other migrants in the Birders increasingly use technological Parks & Recreation series is intended specifically for wilds of Central Park, and learn tools to locate birds, share their Join us for a springtime exploration those who'd like to identify birds about the finer points of their . . . Continued on Page 12 NYC Audubon Members-only Events Join us for a free NYC Audubon member event this spring. Please note: Member events are free for contributing NYC Audubon members at the Student/ Senior level and up. Except for the KIDS walk, all member walks are limited to 20 people. As these events are popular and fill quickly, please limit your registration to one free member event in Central Park. Contact Kellye Rosenheim at [email protected] or call 212-691-7483 x306 to register.

SONGS OF CENTRAL PARK SPRING WALK IN THE birding hotspots with Jeff Ward, EXPLORING GOVERNORS ISLAND Wednesday, April 24, CENTRAL PARK RAMBLE Nancy Ward, and Kellye Rosenheim. Friday, May 17, 10am-12:30pm 7:30-9:30am Wednesday, May 1, 7:30-9:30am Walk is only for preregistered KIDS Take a look around one of the Meet at Central Park West and Meet at Central Park West and 72nd Members 8-12 years old. All KIDS final frontiers in New York City 72nd Street to seek out early Street. Explore the Ramble with Members must be accompanied birding. Meet at the Governors spring migrants with Tom NYC Audubon Immediate Past by a parent or guardian. Please Island Ferry (Battery Marine Stephenson, author of The President Harry Maas and marvel let us know if you need a pair of Terminal near the Staten Island Warbler Guide and creator of at spring migration. binoculars. To register, parents Ferry) for a short ride to the the BirdGenie smartphone app. should email KIDS@nycaudubon. island and a morning of birding CENTRAL PARK’S NORTH WOODS org. under the guidance of expert BROOKLYN'S BEST Thursday, May 2, 7:30-9:30am Annie Barry. Saturday, April 27, 7:30-9:30am Meet Kellye Rosenheim at Central SPRING MIGRATION Bird with Tom Stephenson Park West and 100th Street to see Tuesday, May 7, 7:30-9:30am SPRING MIGRATION IN on his home turf. Meet at the what the North Woods have to offer at Enjoy a spring walk through ASTORIA PARK, QUEENS entrance to Prospect Park the peak of migration. the Ramble with Jeff Kimball, Saturday, May 18, 9-10:30am across from Grand Army Plaza filmmaker of Birders: The Central Meet NYC Audubon Board and join Tom for a walk around KIDS MEMBER WALK IN Park Effect and president of NYC Member Kellie Quiñones at the Brooklyn's premier birding CENTRAL PARK Audubon. Meet at Central Park entrance to Astoria Park at 19th location. Saturday, May 4, 3-4:30 pm West and 72nd Street. Street and Hoyt Avenue North as Meet at 72nd Street and Central Park we seek out migratory birds and West and explore the park's best resident species. Yellow-throated Warbler Spring 2019 11 Events and Adventures (continued) sightings, and keep track of their • BIRDING TOURS OF THE a rest and a snack on their way north. and other wildlife. For reservations, observations. The most widely used NORTH WOODS, CENTRAL PARK We will explore the Ramble and contact Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 of these tools is eBird, a website Mondays, April 22-May 20, surrounding areas as well as stop for or [email protected]. and app that allows users to upload Wednesdays, April 24-May 22, a rest and enjoy a snack ourselves at No limit. Free and track their sightings and see Fridays, April 26-May 24, the Boathouse. Each walk limited to what other users have found. It’s 5:30-7pm 15. $36 (25) per walk • VAN CORTLANDT BIRD WALKS, also a citizen-science tool that pools Guide: Nadir Souirgi THE BRONX all the data, allowing scientists to Meet at the 103rd Street and Central • SPRING MIGRATION AT Saturdays, April 27-July 20, study trends in bird populations, Park West entrance to the Park. JAMAICA BAY 9-10:30am migration timing, and more. Learn Discover birding in the more serene Saturday, April 27, 10am-1pm Guide: NYC Audubon how to use eBird and other modern northern part of Central Park during Guide: Don Riepe With the Van Cortlandt Park technological tools like field guide the height of songbird migration. With American Littoral Society, Conservancy apps and automated bird ID apps. No registration required. No limit. Gateway National Recreation Area Meet at Van Cortlandt Nature Limited to 12. $33 (23) Free Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Center. The history of birding and Refuge during peak spring migration Van Cortlandt Park are inseparable. • AFTERNOON BIRD WALK IN • THE BATTERY BIRD WALKS, for a slide program and hike around Influential birders such as Roger CENTRAL PARK SOUTHERN TIP OF MANHATTAN the reserve to look for migratory birds Tory Peterson and Allan D. Saturdays, April 20 and Tuesdays, April 23-May 21, 8-9am May 11, 2-3:30pm Guide: Gabriel Willow Guide: Jeff Ward With The Battery Conservancy Overnight Trips Search for spring migrants on a Meet at the Netherlands Memorial leisurely afternoon walk through Flagpole located at the entrance • CAPE MAY SPRING a boat tour of marshes, a safari bus Central Park's best birding spots to Battery Park on the corner MIGRATION WEEKEND, NJ tour of backwater dunes, guided with Jeff Ward, NYC Audubon’s of Broadway, Battery Place, and Saturday, April 27, 9am-Sunday, hikes along beaches, woods, newest trip leader (see Winter 2018- State Street. Join Gabriel Willow April 28, 7pm and marshes, plus two evening 2019 The Urban Audubon for profile and The Battery Conservancy to Guide: Gabriel Willow programs. For more information and on Jeff). Each walk limited to 15. $36 explore the diversity of migrating Welcome the spring in lovely reservations, contact Don Riepe at (25) per walk birds that find food and habitat in Cape May, NJ, the East’s capital 718-474-0896 or donriepe@gmail. The Battery. RSVP preferred, visit of birding. On good spring com. $425 ($95 for van transport • BIRDS AND PLANTS: NEW tbcevents.eventbrite.com for more migration days, the area’s forests from Manhattan) YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN IN information. No limit. Free and marshes are swarming with SPRINGTIME, THE BRONX warblers in breeding plumage. • DOWN EAST MAINE & ACADIA: Sunday, April 21, and Saturday, • MORNING SPRING We’ll visit Cape May Point, Higbee A BIRDER'S PARADISE June 15, 10am-1pm MIGRATION WALKS IN Beach, Cape May Meadows, Saturday, May 25-Sunday, June 2 Guide: Gabriel Willow CENTRAL PARK and more in search of returning Guide: Gabriel Willow The New York Botanical Garden is Wednesdays, April 24-May 22, songbirds, shorebirds, wading This trip is sold out. home to a large tract of East Coast Thursdays, April 25-May 23, birds, and terns—as well as old-growth forest. During the peak 7:30-10:30am lingering winter visitors including • MONTAUK SPRING of spring migration, the beautiful Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy sea ducks and gannets. Transport WEEKEND, LI gardens come alive with migrating Warblers LLC by passenger van included. Friday, May 31-Sunday, June 2 songbirds. Each walk limited to 15. This five-week series of walks will Limited to 10. $340 ($50) Guides: Mike Bottini, Mickey Cohen, Entrance fee to NYBG not included. observe the waves of birds passing Don Riepe $39 (27) per walk through Central Park during spring • ASSATEAGUE/ With American Littoral Society migration. Each series limited to 15. CHINCOTEAGUE WEEKEND Visit the east end of Long Island and • BIRDING TOURS OF $143 (100) per series Thursday, May 2-Sunday, May 5 enjoy hiking along beaches, bluffs, BRYANT PARK, MANHATTAN Guide: Don Riepe woodlands, and dunes. Registration Mondays, April 22-June 3, 8-9am • A SPRING MIGRATION With American Littoral Society includes lodging at the luxurious Thursdays, April 25-June 6, 5-6pm MORNING WALK IN Spend an extended weekend at Montauk Manor, five meals, five Guide: Gabriel Willow CENTRAL PARK this famous wildlife area during guided field trips, two evening slide With Bryant Park Corporation Fridays, April 26-May 17, 8-10am spring bird migration. See wild programs, an evening star watch, Meet at the Birding Tour sign at Guide: Gabriel Willow ponies, Bald Eagles, Black-necked and free pickup at the LIRR station the 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue Join Gabriel Willow for a spring Stilts, White Ibis, dolphins, and in Montauk. For more information entrance to the Park. Discover the morning walk in Central Park to maybe a North American River and reservations, contact Don Riepe surprising variety of birds that stop welcome the arrival of warblers, Otter. Includes three nights' at 718-474-0896 or donriepe@gmail. in Bryant Park during migration. No vireos, tanagers, cuckoos, and other lodging at Refuge Inn, breakfasts, com. $395 ($140 single supplement) registration required. No limit. Free species stopping off in the Park for 12 www.nycaudubon.org Cruickshank got their starts on Van classroom, followed by a field trip in Randall’s Island, an under-explored • SPRING WARBLERS Cortlandt’s ecologically diverse Central Park to bird by eye and ear. location in the East River that hosts Class: Friday, May 10, 6:30-8:30pm grounds. These walks celebrate Limited to 12. $72 (50) restored freshwater wetlands and Trip: Sunday, May 12, 8-11am the tradition set by these great saltmarsh. We’ll look for spring Instructor: Joe Giunta, Happy ornithologists. Participants will look • MORNING SPRING WALK migrants (both waterbirds and Warblers LLC for various species of residents and AT INWOOD HILL PARK, landbirds) as we explore the results of First learn to identify the 30-plus migrants and discuss a wide range of MANHATTAN recent restoration efforts. Limited to species of warblers that migrate avian topics. For more information, Saturday, May 4, 9-11am 20. $40 (28) through our area each spring, using call 212-691-7483. No registration Guide: Nadir Souirgi field marks and other techniques. required. No limit. Free Inwood Hill Park is a jewel. Nestled • DAWN BIRDSONG IN CENTRAL Then go out in the field and reinforce between the Hudson River, Dyckman PARK'S NORTH WOODS what you’ve learned on our field trip • EARTH DAY AT PROSPECT PARK Street, and Seaman Avenue, this last Sunday, May 5, 6-10am to Central Park. Limited to 12. Sunday, April 28, 1-4pm tract of largely undeveloped oak and Guide: Tod Winston $72 (50) With Prospect Park Alliance tulip forest transports you to another Get up early to enjoy the chorus of Join NYC Audubon and community world and another time. Glacial "pot early morning birdsong, right after • RIVERSIDE PARK SUMMER partners for Prospect Park Alliance’s holes," towering trees, and stunning dawn, in a small group. We'll explore ON THE HUDSON BIRD WALKS, annual Earth Day celebration at the river views create an unrivaled the peaceful and beautiful Great Hill, MANHATTAN Prospect Park Audubon Center. Enjoy backdrop for observing the many North Woods, and Loch, listening for Fridays, May 10, July 12, and fun-filled, family-friendly programming migratory and breeding avian species warblers, vireos, tanagers, orioles, and September 13, 5:30-7pm that celebrates the environment, that are drawn to this hotspot. Rose- more. Limited to 12. $40 (28) Guide: NYC Audubon including catch-and-release fishing, breasted Grosbeak, Wood Thrush, With Riverside Park Summer raptor demonstrations, volunteer and Yellow Warbler breed here, and • NATURE SKETCHING FOR on the Hudson cleanups, citizen-science activities, the Park includes Manhattan's last BETTER BIRDING Meet at the park entrance at 120th arts and craft, and nature games. No remaining tidal saltmarsh. Limited to Sundays, May 5-19, 3-5pm Street and Riverside Drive and registration required. No limit. Free 15. $36 (25) Instructor: Nadir Souirgi explore Riverside Park on this Learn to use the art of nature relaxed, family-friendly bird walk. • THE BIRDS OF WOODLAWN sketching to improve your birding Who knows what birds we will CEMETERY, THE BRONX • SEASONAL RESIDENCE ON skills with bird guide and art instructor discover while taking in views of Sunday, April 28, 8-10:30am GOVERNORS ISLAND Nadir Souirgi. Central Park is your the Hudson River? No registration Guides: Tod Winston, Joseph Visit our seasonal nature center on classroom for this workshop, where required. No limit. Free McManus, Susan Olsen Governors Island for family-friendly you’ll explore the world of birds With the Woodlawn Conservancy activities, information on the City’s in a whole new way, focusing on • STERLING FOREST Join us for a morning bird walk and birds and habitats, binoculars to making drawings and taking notes WARBLERS, NY tour of this beautiful cemetery: Tod borrow, and opportunities to meet on structure, proportion, patterning, Saturday, May 11, 7am-3pm Winston and Joseph McManus will avian-inspired artists at work. Our and color. Nadir will share the joy Guides: Don Riepe, Tod Winston look for spring migrants and year- residence at Governors Island's and satisfaction that comes when Explore the woodland and pond round residents on the expansive Nolan Park House 17 will start accurate bird drawing leads to seeing habitat of the 20,000-acre Sterling grounds, while Woodlawn Cemetery on Saturday, May 4. Hours of birds accurately as well. Three class Forest preserve during peak spring Director of Historical Services Susan operation, bird walk schedule, and sessions in the field allow for intensive migration. Look for nesting warblers Olsen will share fascinating stories other Governors Island activities work with personalized attention from as well as spring wildflowers, about the cemetery’s history and the will be announced in our email the instructor. Intended for those with reptiles, and amphibians. Trip interesting mixture of individuals newsletter, The eGret, and online at intermediate drawing experience. involves four-mile hike and some interred there. Limited to 20. $35 (25) www.nycaudubon.org/gov-island. Limited to 10. $92 (64) rocky terrain. Bring lunch and water. Interested in volunteering with Transport by passenger van included. • INTRODUCTION TO BIRDSONG us on Governors Island? Email • CENTRAL PARK'S SUMMIT ROCK Limited to 12. $115 (80) Class: Friday, May 3, 6:30-8:30pm Danielle Sherman at dsherman@ AND RAMBLE Trip: Sunday, May 5, 8am-12pm nycaudubon.org. Friday, May 10, 7-10am • SPRING MIGRANTS Instructor: Joe Giunta, Happy Guide: Tod Winston AT INWOOD HILL PARK, Warblers LLC We'll start bright and early at Summit MANHATTAN Do you ever wonder who is singing? • SPRING MIGRATION ON Rock and Tanner's Spring to find Saturday, May 11, 9-11:30am Learn to identify the large variety RANDALL’S ISLAND colorful songbirds at peak migration Guide: Annie Barry of migrant and resident birds in Saturday, May 4, 9am-2pm time, resting and feeding after a long Join Annie Barry for a hike through a New York City. Joe Giunta will first Guides: Gabriel Willow, Randall’s night's flight. Then we'll head to mature forest in search of kinglets, introduce you to the subtleties Island Park Alliance Staff the rich habitats of Turtle Pond, the warblers, flycatchers, sparrows, and of birdsong identification in the With Randall’s Island Park Alliance Ramble, and the Lake. Limited to 15. We’ll walk across the foot bridge to $36 (25) . . . Continued on Page 14 Spring 2019 13 Events and Adventures (continued) other migrants and residents. We’ll ponds to search for warblers and winged Warbler. Bring lunch. of migrants and breeding birds. No then head to the shores of recently vireos, then hike the trails of Jamaica Transport by passenger van registration necessary. No limit. Free restored Muscota Marsh, the last Bay to see migrant shorebirds, included. Limited to 12. $122 (85) natural saltmarsh in Manhattan, to waterfowl, and more. Bring lunch • JAMAICA BAY SUNSET CRUISE search for herons and ducks. Some and water. Transport by passenger • BIRDING GEMS OF STATEN Sunday, May 26, 4-7pm hilly walking required. Limited to 15. van included. Limited to 12. $115 (80) ISLAND: CLOVE LAKES PARK Guide: Don Riepe $36 (25) Sunday, May 19, 8am-12pm With American Littoral Society, • PROSPECT PARK BIRD WALK Guide: Gabriel Willow Gateway National Recreation Area • RANDALL'S ISLAND Friday, May 17, 5-7pm Journey to the "forgotten borough" Meet at pier 4 in Sheepshead Bay BIRDING BONANZA Guide: Gabriel Willow to discover some of the beautiful to board the “Golden Sunshine.” Saturday, May 11, 10am-1pm Join Gabriel Willow for a leisurely forests and incredible birding spots Learn about the Bay and its history, Guide: NYC Audubon walk to see spring migrants of Clove Lakes Park. Look for ducks management, and ecology. See egrets, With Randall's Island Park Alliance and breeding bird residents of and seabirds in New York Harbor on herons, ibis, terns, gulls, falcons, Meet at Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh, “Brooklyn's Backyard.” Beautiful our way across on the ferry and then and shorebirds. Includes wine and south of Icahn Stadium. Randall's Prospect Park’s wide variety of catch a bus to the Park. Numerous cheese, fruit, drinks, and snacks. For Island is home to over 180 species habitats attract a large number warblers, vireos, tanagers, and more information and reservations, of birds. Enjoy a day of free, family- of migrants and breeding bird other migratory songbirds can contact Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 or friendly activities and birding. Learn species—significantly more than be seen here, as well as nesting [email protected]. Limited to about the amazing adaptations of Central Park, in fact. We will explore Eastern Screech-Owls and Great 140. $55 birds as they thrive in the Island's the Park's meadows, forests, and Blue Herons. We'll even see one of restored habitats. No registration waterways in search of waterfowl, the largest and oldest trees in New • THE BREEDING BIRDS OF required. No Limit. Free warblers, tanagers, and more. York City. Limited to 15. Bus fare DOODLETOWN ROAD, NY Limited to 15. $36 (25) ($2.75 each way; please bring your Friday, May 31, 8am-4pm • EARLY MORNING BIRDSONG MetroCard or exact change) not Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy IN THE RAMBLE • NESTING PEREGRINES AND included in registration price. Warblers LLC Monday, May 13, 6-9am RED-TAILS OF THE UPPER WEST $43 (30) A great variety of warblers and other Guide: Tod Winston SIDE, MANHATTAN songbirds, including species at risk, Get up early and enjoy the chorus of Saturday, May 18, 1-4pm • BIRDING SOUTH BROOKLYN: breed at Doodletown Road in Bear early morning birdsong, soon after Guide: Gabriel Willow MARINE PARK AND Mountain State Park. Hooded, Cerulean, dawn, in a small group. We'll explore Many New Yorkers are astonished PLUMB BEACH and Golden-winged Warblers may be the migration hotspots of Strawberry to discover that their city of steel Saturday, May 25, 6:30am-12:30pm seen, as well as Indigo Buntings, Wild Fields and the Ramble, listening for and glass is home to a diverse Guide: Tod Winston Turkeys, and much more. Bring lunch warblers, vireos, tanagers, orioles, population of large birds of prey: We'll arrive early at the Salt Marsh and water. Transport by passenger van and more. Limited to 12. $40 (28) the City boasts the world’s highest Nature Center at Marine Park to included. Limited to 12. $122 (85) densities of the Peregrine Falcon— seek out secretive Saltmarsh and • BIRD WALK IN THE NORTH the world’s fastest flyer—and a Seaside Sparrows, Clapper Rails, and • BREEDING BIRDS OF WOODS OF CENTRAL PARK growing population of Red-tailed waders—and then head to Plumb JAMAICA BAY Tuesday, May 14, 7-11am Hawks (several pairs of which have Beach right after low tide in search of Sunday, June 2, 7am-1pm Guide: Tod Winston reached celebrity status). We’ll visit Ruddy Turnstones, Red Knots, Black Guide: Tod Winston Explore the peaceful North Woods the nesting site of a pair of each of Skimmers, and terns. Bring lunch, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is home and Loch at the height of spring these fascinating species, and may water, and binoculars. Transport by to nesting Cedar Waxwings, Brown songbird migration. We'll look (and glimpse parents feeding their chicks. passenger van. Limited to 12. Thrashers, White-eyed Vireos, Tree listen) for warblers, vireos, tanagers, Limited to 15. $36 (25) $87 (61) Swallows, Yellow Warblers, American grosbeaks, and more. Limited to 15. Redstarts, Osprey, Willet, and seven $36 (25) • THE BIRDS OF ROCKEFELLER • PELHAM BAY PARK SUMMER species of wading birds. We'll walk the STATE PRESERVE, NY BIRD WALKS, THE BRONX refuge trails and observe these species • PEAK MIGRATION DAY AT Saturday, May 18, 7:30am-2:30pm Sundays, May 26-June 30, and many more on their breeding ALLEY POND PARK AND Guide: Tod Winston 9-10:30am grounds. Bring lunch. Transport by JAMAICA BAY Explore the forested hills, fields, Guide: NYC Audubon passenger van included. Limited to 12. Tuesday, May 14, 8am-4pm and ponds of this lovely preserve, With Pelham Bay Park $93 (65) Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy a former country estate of the Meet at Rodman's Neck Parking Warblers LLC Rockefeller family. We'll look for Lot. Join NYC Audubon to explore Join Joe Giunta for this tour of the migrant songbirds as well as local some of the best birding our city crown jewels of Queens: Alley Pond breeding species like Eastern has to offer. Three times the size Park and Jamaica Bay. First visit Alley Bluebird, Pileated Woodpecker, of Central Park, Pelham Bay offers Pond’s wooded grounds and kettle Yellow-throated Vireo, and Blue- diverse habitat that attracts a variety 14 www.nycaudubon.org © Christine Haines / Great Backyard Bird Count the intersection of Old Fulton Street trip to some of the most exciting TO REGISTER FOR ALL NYC and Furman Street. Join Heather and beautiful birding locations in AUDUBON EVENTS and for more Wolf, author of Birding at the Bridge, the Hudson Valley: Doodletown information, visit www.nycaudubon.org for a picturesque bird walk along Road, Constitution Marsh, and or call Danielle Sherman at 212-691- the Brooklyn waterfront. We'll look Indian Brook Farm. We'll look 7483 x304 unless otherwise specified. for breeding and nesting birds like for uncommon breeding warbler Gray Catbird, American Robin, Song specialties at Doodletown, such as IMPORTANT INFORMATION Sparrow, and more. Visit www. Cerulean, Hooded, Blue-winged, • Contributing Members (Student/ nycaudubon.org/birding-bk-bridge Golden-winged, and Worm-eating Senior level and up) receive a 30% to register. Limited to 19. Free Warblers. We will then head to discount on most local trips and the Constitution Marsh Audubon classes (on discounted events, • EXPLORE THE NEW JERSEY Sanctuary, home to breeding Wood the discounted price appears in MEADOWLANDS BY Ducks, Bald Eagles, Least Bitterns, parentheses after the nonmember PONTOON BOAT Marsh Wrens, and more. After a price). See membership form on Song Sparrow Saturday, June 22, 7:30am-12:30pm picnic lunch, we will drive to Indian page 23. Guides: Tod Winston, NJ Brook Farm in search of breeding • Classes meet at 71 West 23rd Street, • THE PARAKEETS OF GREEN- Meadowlands Docent Field and Savannah Sparrows, Suite 1523. WOOD CEMETERY, BROOKLYN With NJ Meadowlands Commission Bobolinks, and Indigo Buntings. • For paid trips requiring advance Saturday, June 8, 10am-1pm Explore the Meadowlands on Transport by passenger van registration, the meeting location Guide: Gabriel Willow a relaxing pontoon boat ride in included. Limited to 12. $129 (90) will disclosed in your trip registration With Green-Wood Cemetery search of egrets, night-herons, and confirmation email. Explore Green-Wood Cemetery, rich kingfishers—along with nesting For all coach and van trips, the EARLY MEMBER • in both history and wildlife, in search Osprey, Peregrine Falcons, and meeting location is in front of 71 REGISTRATION FOR of spring migrants and its unique Marsh Wrens. We'll travel along the West 23rd Street in Manhattan unless UPCOMING EVENTS avian residents: the huge flocks of Hackensack River to both man-made otherwise specified. Summer and early fall brilliant green Monk Parakeets that and restored wetland sites and learn We depart promptly at the stated start events will be posted at • nest there. Native to South America, about the area's environmental time. www.nycaudubon.org and these charming immigrants flourish history. Bring lunch. Transport by For all overnight trips, membership in available for registration • even in our harsh winters. Limited to passenger van included. Limited to NYC Audubon at the Student/ Senior to contributing NYC 15. $46 (32) 11. $108 (75) level and up is required. Audubon members starting on Monday, May BIRDING BROOKLYN BREEDING BIRDS OF THE • • 13, at 9am. (Registration BRIDGE PARK HUDSON HIGHLANDS, NY will open to all on Saturday, June 15, 9-10:30am Saturday, June 22, 8am-5pm Monday, May 27.) Guide: Heather Wolf Guide: Gabriel Willow Meet at the Pier 1 park entrance at Join Gabriel Willow on a day-long

Spring 2019 Lecture Series All lectures are free and open to the public. This series has been made possible by the support of Claude and Lucienne Bloch.

BIRDSONG: SONG LEARNING AND CULTURAL EVOLUTION CONSERVATION PROGRAM UPDATE AND ANNUAL MEETING By Ofer Tchernichovski, PhD By Susan Elbin, PhD, and Conservation Staff Tuesday, March 26, 7pm Tuesday, June 4, 6pm Reidy Hall at the Unitarian Church of All Souls, 1157 Lexington Avenue, Manhattan The Arsenal Third-floor Gallery, Central Park How and when does a Zebra Finch learn to sing, and what effects does Fifth Avenue at 64th Street, Third-Floor Gallery hearing a song have on its brain? How does sleep affect song learning? NYC Audubon conducts scientific monitoring in all five boroughs to How does the learning of birdsong compare to the learning of speech in understand how birds are using our urban environment and how this human infants? Learn the answers to these questions and more from Ofer environment affects them, via Project Safe Flight, our Jamaica Bay Tchernichovski, PhD, who studies animal behavior and the dynamics of vocal program, and our Harbor Herons project. Join us as Susan Elbin, PhD, learning and sound production at the Laboratory of Vocal Learning at Hunter Conservation Biologist Kaitlyn Parkins, and our conservation team College. The lab aims to uncover the specific physiological and molecular provide updates on what this research has taught us in the past year. brain processes that underlie song learning. Tchernichovski holds a PhD in Our board election and annual meeting will precede the lecture. Snacks zoology from Tel Aviv University and is a doctor of veterinary medicine. and refreshments will be provided.

NOTE: This lecture was originally scheduled for Tuesday, March 12.

Spring 2019 15 The Volunteers of Project Safe Flight: A Photo Essay Sophie Butcher © Sophie Butcher

Project Safe Flight volunteers are assigned a specific route to follow once a week during spring and fall migration seasons to look for dead or injured birds. pring and fall are incredible seasons buildings and light pollution drawing birds dawn and head to some of Manhattan’s for New York City birders, with an to buildings. NYC Audubon estimates that most problematic glass buildings to search S abundance of exciting migratory between 90,000 and 230,000 birds are killed for dead and injured birds. Neither glamor- bird species travelling through our City. But yearly in New York City due to window colli- ous nor easy work, PSF volunteers are moti- as some people look up to admire the daz- sions. To help understand the causes behind vated to participate in the name of science, zling array of migrants, some are also looking urban bird collisions and identify ways to knowing their diligent data collection will be down, seeing a very different bird story. prevent them, NYC Audubon launched in instrumental in making the City a safer place New York City is located at a geographic 1997 the citizen science program, Project for our birds. nexus of the Atlantic Flyway bird migra- Safe Flight (PSF). Starting out with only a Over the course of last spring, I had the tion route, which millions of birds follow few dedicated volunteers that year, PSF has pleasure of accompanying and documenting each year on their long travels between their now expanded to a team of over a dozen PSF volunteers on their morning routes as northern nesting grounds and southern win- passionate volunteers who each fall and they carried out their meticulous and vital tering grounds. Our City’s surprising diversity spring monitor collision hotspots around work. The photographs in this piece offer of natural habitat provides these birds with Manhattan. a glimpse into the lives and work of these a nice pit stop—a place for them to rest and These volunteers are from many dif- stalwart PSF volunteers, who are critical refuel before continuing on. But for many ferent backgrounds—bankers, psycholo- in helping NYC Audubon understand the birds, it’s also where their journeys end. Two gists, teachers, activists, retirees—but they causes of bird collisions in New York City. major challenges confront birds migrating all believe our City’s birds deserve better A full version of this photo essay is available through New York City: highly reflective glass protection. They wake up at the crack of online at www.nycaudubon.org. 16 www.nycaudubon.org The Volunteers of Project Safe Flight: A Photo Essay Sophie Butcher © Sophie Butcher © Sophie Butcher

Mia Feldman, a landscape architecture student, started volunteering with PSF Cynthia Guile, a psychologist, carefully approaches a stunned Ovenbird. After after moving from Pittsburgh to New York City. Mia’s work with NYC it rests in the paper bag for about 20 minutes, it is released into a small park Audubon is a big part of what inspired her to pursue a career designing and nearby. Says Guile, “There’s usually not a happy ending for the birds I find, so advocating for both human and nonhuman animals in urban spaces. it feels wonderful when there’s a bird I can help return to its life.” © Sophie Butcher © Sophie Butcher

John Thieroff, an avid birder, enjoys the citizen science aspect of PSF: “The Longtime volunteer Gunda Narang logs her findings, noting time, weather, data that results from tracking these routes regularly is useful in a variety of location, species if known, and condition of bird (dead, injured, or stunned). ways. It’s a consolation to know that some good comes out of the fact that not She volunteers for PSF because she loves nature and knows that these data are every bird completes migration successfully.” essential to initiate legal changes to make our City safer for birds.

Bird Alert: An Exhibition oin us at KCBC during spring migration for an evening of art and conversation centered on migratory bird collisions. Sophie Butcher is a photographer and photo editor based Featuring the Works of Sophie J in Brooklyn. Her photographs document the dedicated volunteers behind Project Safe Butcher and Annie Novak Flight, NYC Audubon’s citizen science program studying bird collisions in our city. Her Thursday, April 25, 5-8pm project aims to celebrate the volunteers, but also bring awareness to an important environ- At Kings County Brewers Collective (KCBC) mental issue. Annie Novak is an author, illustrator, and urban birder. Her new work illus- 381 Troutman Street, Brooklyn, NY trates nocturnally migrating birds and the changing landscape below their arduous journeys. Doors open at 5pm Panel discussion with artists, NYC Audubon Visit www.nycaudubon.org/bird-alert to register. Email Nicole Jackson at njackson@ conservation staff, and Project Safe Flight nycaudubon.org for more information. Ages 21 and up. Exhibition from 5-7pm limited to volunteers begins at 7pm 150 registrants. Panel discussion at 7pm limited to 30 registrants. Free

Spring 2019 17 Birding Ethics and Etiquette Kellye Rosenheim

he subject of birding ethics involves a concern for the they bring a bird down (even if it doesn’t get eaten by a predator), welfare of the birds and the rights of fellow birders. we’ve stopped its natural activity of feeding or resting. Use playback Although sometimes these needs overlap, the welfare of and pishing judiciously, and never use these attractants when birds T are most vulnerable: while nesting. Take care as well to avoid giving birds and their environment comes first. For the birds, it all starts with the question, “Is what I’m the impression that birds exist for our entertainment. They delight us, doing harmful?” As a conservation organization, NYC Audubon and delight us most when the natural behavior of the bird is on view. protects birds and their habitat, so any field practice is going to Whoo doesn’t love to watch a perched owl? Those who give a be filtered through that question. We rely on the American Birding hoot keep their reports of owl roosting places to word of mouth. Association’s (ABA) Code of Birding Ethics to guide our staff and trip When visiting these secretive and sensitive birds, try to kindly educate leaders, available to view at listing.aba.org/ethics. the yet-to-be-converted that owls are especially prone to disturbance © Michael Harvey / Audubon Photography Awards KEY RULES FROM ABA’S CODE OF BIRDING ETHICS • Promote the welfare of birds and their environment. • To avoid stressing birds or exposing them to danger, exercise restraint and caution during observation, photography, sound recording, or filming. • Limit the use of recordings and other methods of attracting birds, and never use such methods in heavily birded areas or for attracting any species that is Threatened, Endangered, of Special Concern, or is rare in your local area. • Keep well back from nests and nesting colonies, roosts, display areas, and important feeding sites. • Use artificial light sparingly for filming or photography, espe- cially for close-ups. • Stay on roads, trails, and paths where they exist; otherwise, keep habitat disturbance to a minimum. • Be an exemplary ethical role model for the group. Teach through word and example. • Follow this code and distribute and teach it to others. The Barred Owl, like other owl species, is very prone to disturbance. If you find an owl, please be quiet and don’t use flash photography. One of the most controversial topics, one that particularly and that this period of rest is essential to their survival. resonates these days, is the playing of recorded bird sounds in order As for fellow birders on field trips, use common sense and be to bring birds within view. The ABA counsels the limited use of courteous. Do not talk too loudly or too much, elbow your way to sound and applying ethical judgments to sensitive situations. I recall the spotting scope and spend too long there, block views of fellow in my early days as a trip leader, walking a group through the woods participants at critical moments, hog the leader’s attention, walk ahead along The Palisades en route to the fall hawkwatch atop Hook of the leader, or go off trail. Mountain. We stopped near a pool and could hear a flock of birds And finally, what can you do when someone outside your birding foraging overhead. Eager to see them, I was encouraged to “pish” group breaks park rules like allowing dogs off leash, destruction of them down. We were delighted when they turned out to be a mixed- property, or unlawful vending? The only agency authorized to inter- age bunch of Black-throated Green Warblers. However, as an adult vene in New York City parks (like Central and Prospect Park) is the male approached the pool, evidently to take a drink, a bullfrog leapt NYC Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR). Report rules viola- up and very nearly caught him. We would have been regretful indeed tions by calling 311 or contacting the office of DPR Commissioner if the bird had died because of our actions. Mitchell J. Silver at 212-360-1305. Calls to organizations like NYC Scientists are still debating whether playback harms birds, but Audubon or the Central Park Conservancy will get you a sympa- scientists have not always known what birders, diligent observers of thetic ear, but community members desiring action should bring their the natural world, know. Birders can see for themselves that when concerns directly to DPR. Serious crimes should be reported to 911. 18 www.nycaudubon.org The Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) Don Riepe

he Ruddy Turnstone is one of © Laurie Boyle* days. Others have been known to make the two turnstone species, the other 3,000-mile overwater journey from Alaska to T being the Black Turnstone, which Hawaii. is found along the Pacific Coast. Ruddy One of the few shorebird species to Turnstones are small, stocky shorebirds, overwinter in Jamaica Bay and Long Island, aptly named for their ruddy-colored backs they can often be found in small numbers and their foraging habit of turning over resting on docks, bulkheads, jetties, and rocky stones, shells, and seaweeds with their short, shorelines, as well as beaches and marshlands. stout beaks to look for amphipods and Good spots to look for Ruddy Turnstones in other marine invertebrates. To the best of winter are the jetty at Breezy Point, Queens, or my knowledge, no other shorebirds use this along the north shore of Long Island. strategy. They also feed on marine worms, Ruddy Turnstones in breeding plumage have a In breeding season, Ruddy Turnstones barnacles, and even the eggs of other bird calico patterned back, a black-and-white face, and have brightly colored plumage, with orange orange legs. species. One of the tamest shorebirds, they legs, a dappled rufous back, and a bold are usually last in a mixed flock to fly when way to the southern tip of South America. black-and-white harlequin pattern on the disturbed. I’ve even had one walk right next They also spend winters along the coastal head and breast. Some people call it a to me on a dock in Florida. areas of Western Europe, Africa, Asia, and “calico appearance.” During their northward Ruddy Turnstones nest in the Arctic Australia. Strong flyers, Ruddy Turnstones migration in May, they are usually found tundra from Alaska to Greenland and can undertake extensive migrations: Some roosting on marshland in Jamaica Bay at high migrate south in fall to New York and have been recorded flying over 4,700 miles tides, along with Red Knots, Dunlin, Black- southern U.S. coastlines. Some venture all the nonstop from Australia to Taiwan in just six bellied Plovers, and Semipalmated Sandpipers.

Third Annual Horseshoe Crab Festival at Jamaica Bay © Camilla Cerea / Audubon With American Littoral Society and Gateway National Recreation Area Sunday, May 19, 8:30am-2pm

oin us for a day of celebrating the annual arrival of horseshoe Jcrabs to our local shores. During the full and new moons of May and June, these prehistoric animals, which date back approximately 400 million years, come ashore to mate. The females lay billions of eggs at the high tide line each season. At the same time, thousands of migrating shorebirds arrive in the northeast bays to feed on the eggs, regaining the body weight they lost during their long journey north. At the festival you’ll see and hold live horseshoe crabs and learn about their important ecological and medicinal values. For more information on the festival, contact the American Littoral Society at 718-474-0896 or email Don Riepe at donriepe@ Participant Holding Horseshoe Crab at 2017 Horseshoe Crab Festival gmail.com. The program is free, but suggested donations of $20 for adults and $10 for children to NYC Audubon are suggested to The Horseshoe Crab Festival at Jamaica Bay is a NYC Audubon offset the festival cost. To inquire about van transportation from partnership program with American Littoral Society and Gateway National Manhattan, call NYC Audubon at 212-691-7483 x304. Recreation Area. Spring 2019 19 Book Reviews Mary Tannen, Meryl Greenblatt, and Carol Peace Robins

the present, from birds to humans and back near human settlements as far back as 300,000 again. For example, the chapter on the North- years ago. The ancient Egyptians were one of ern Fulmar discusses—among many other the first to recognize the pigeons’ value, cul- things—the bird’s flight mechanics; the belief tivating them for their nutrient-rich drop- of whaling crews that fulmars were the spirits pings, which served to fertilize crops in the of bygone Greenland ship captains; and the Nile River Valley. Notable for their homing story of one geolocator-fitted fulmar that, on instincts, they were recruited as messengers as a journey of nearly 3,900 miles from its nest early as 2500 BC in Sumeria; Genghis Kahn and back, homed in on its destination with the and the Roman Brutus also made use of their same technique used by Viking navigators. services. And they have been studied by no The Seabird’s Cry: The Lives Over the past 60 years, seabird numbers less than Charles Darwin and B.F. Skinner. and Loves of the Planet’s have declined by about two thirds. There is Darwin incorporated the pigeons into his Great Ocean Voyagers hope, though, that advances in technology can theory on the mutability of species, while By Adam Nicolson help us better understand the challenges these Skinner’s studies supported his own theory of Henry Holt & Co., 2018 birds face. Today, miniature monitors can get positive reinforcement. so intimate with seabirds that we can judge Garn devotes a chapter to pigeon dam Nicolson was eight when his the stress level of a Black-legged Kittiwake. anatomy and social structure. Half a Rock father took him to the tiny unin- Nicolson asks if we can infuse our detailed Pigeon’s weight is made up of 1,500 feathers, A habited Shiant Isles off the coast of scientific knowledge with the empathy of our each with a unique shape. They can fly 500 Scotland. Puffins, razorbills, and other nesting poets to appreciate, respect, and protect the miles at sustained speeds of 50 mph without seabirds abounded on these rocky islands. The unique way seabirds experience their world, stopping for food or water. Devoted parents, seabirds’ stench and the din might have hor- their “Umwelt.” —MT Rock Pigeons typically live in large flocks, rified another child, but for Nicolson it was share nest-building chores, and even feed “dazzling and almost overwhelmingly thick others’ young. A mated couple can produce with the swirl of existence . . . 300,000 birds, four to seven clutches per year. a pumping, raucous, polymorphous multiver- Published in association with the Wild sity in which everything was alive and nothing Bird Fund (WBF), this book also delves into refined. . . . It was a section through creation, the “Pigeon People” who care for injured and the column of life itself.” rescued birds. Notable among these is Rita Now an author of over 20 books, Nicol- McMahon, founder of the WBF. The stories son returns to his childhood passion in The are endearing, demonstrating the deep bonds Seabird’s Cry, a generous, far-ranging, spir- that can form between humans and their ited account of seabirds. Each of the book’s charges. 10 chapters focuses on a different species or The New York Pigeon: Behind the At the centerpiece of The New York Pigeon family of seabirds, with drawings by Kate Feathers are Garn’s exquisite photos: intimate por- Boxer that are as graceful and ethereal as the By Andrew Garn traits capturing the City’s Columba livia across birds themselves. powerHouse Books, 2018 their wide variety of plumage. Each bird pho- Only 350 out of the 10,000 or so known tographed is given a personal name, often bird species are seabirds, able to live in three ans of New York City’s favorite accompanied by the story of how it arrived at elements: air, land, and sea. These “edge maligned species will rejoice with the the WBF. Many are rescues that were treated at choosers” are long-lived, slow to breed, and F publication of The New York Pigeon: the WBF and later released or adopted. Garn largely monogamous; they often raise just one Behind the Feathers. Photographer Andrew Garn highlights their beauty and individuality in a chick. Young birds learn wind and ocean cur- gives Columba livia—the Rock Pigeon—the way reminiscent of fine portrait photography. rents, and may even map the seas by smell, in royal treatment through a series of portraits This veritable love letter to pigeons, with a “slow cumulative mastery which amounts in showcasing these illustrious birds and the an introduction by Emily S. Rueb and an after- the end to genius.” people who care for them. word by Rita McMahon, is sure to engage Nicolson limns how seabirds have Relative newcomers to North America in even those who think twice before devoting a entered our myths, songs, poems, even our the 17th century, Rock Pigeons were one of the New York City minute to this ubiquitous bird. very bodies. He ranges from ancient times to first domesticated animals, with remains found —MG

20 www.nycaudubon.org Book Reviews Mary Tannen, Meryl Greenblatt, and Carol Peace Robins

Conservancy, where she served as president features and venues. While Gordon Davis was until 1996. both friend and kindred spirit, Henry Stern Rogers begins Saving Central Park with a was friend—but not so kindred. description of the park’s creation in 1857 at The memoir delves into clashes between the artistic hands of Frederick Law Olmsted the Conservancy and the NYC Department and Calvert Vaux. Their design, filled with of Parks & Recreation, mayors, and citizens. winding paths, diverse collections of shrubs The “Battle of the Ramble” started when she and flowers, vast open meadows, and irregular ordered a dozen small black cherry trees to Saving Central Park: A History clustering of trees, among other features, lent be cut down because they were too prolific. and a Memoir the park a romantic and informal aesthetic. Birders and NYC Audubon considered this a By Elizabeth Barlow Rogers Rogers then explores the (unfortunate, in her desecration of wildlife habitat. Another con- view) changes made to their masterpiece by tentious episode was the Conservancy’s plan Knopf, 2018 two Parks Commissioners: Robert Moses, to remove the Naumburg Bandshell because or good portions of the ’60s and ’70s, who converted portions of the “Olmstedian” it blocked the view of and from the Wisteria you might have thought twice about landscape into playing fields and playgrounds Pergola. That, and the Conservancy’s unpop- F taking a walk in Central Park; it wasn’t in the ‘50s; and Thomas Hoving in the ’60s, ular proposal to relocate the Tennis House, considered safe. Benches and buildings were who opened the park to large-scale demon- never materialized. broken. Bridges, rocks, and sculptures were strations, concerts, and unregulated sports— Lovers of Central Park will find the history covered in graffiti. Many areas were known all of which unintentionally played a part in and politics of this public-private relationship better as places for illicit activity than as sites the park’s decay. intriguing. Rogers’s habit of skipping around for nature watching. Rogers’s goal “to make Central Park in time is sometimes challenging. (What year? Into that scene stepped Texas native clean, safe, and beautiful” meant meticulously Which commissioner?) And while the photos Elizabeth Barlow Rogers, first as the head of adhering to Olmsted’s vision. She saw the are excellent, the book really should include a the Central Park Task Force, then as Central park as a “framed landscape,” putting her up park map to follow as you read. Oh, well. You Park administrator, and finally as founder, in against some parks commissioners in the ‘80s can probably get one from the Conservancy. 1980, of the privately funded Central Park and ‘90s who saw it as a collection of separate —CPR

A Message to National Audubon Society Members

any of you may not know that New York City dent chapters and only send The Urban Audubon to brand-new National Audubon Society is a separate organization from the Audubon members on a trial basis for three issues. M National Audubon Society. We are completely inde- If your Spring 2019 newsletter contains a “This could be your last pendent, with our own board, nonprofit certification, membership, issue” envelope, it means you are a new National Audubon member and conservation programs, just like many other Audubon chapters. and will only receive our newsletter for this three-issue trial period. We affiliate with National Audubon and collaborate on a number of If your Spring 2019 newsletter contains a “This is your last issue” issues. Our organizations, of course, have identical missions: to con- envelope, you are a current National Audubon member and will no serve and protect birds and their habitats. However, NYC Audubon longer receive the newsletter. As always, The Urban Audubon is available concentrates its efforts exclusively on the birds and habitat of New to read online at www.nycaudubon.org/our-publications, no matter York City, and in so doing, develops tools to share with other urban your membership status. chapters across the Audubon network. Some people know this and If you would like to support local bird conservation, or just con- choose to hold membership in both organizations. tinue to receive the newsletter, please join us. NYC Audubon member- To date, we have sent our newsletter, The Urban Audubon, to ship includes added benefits, such as a 30 percent discount on most National Audubon members residing in New York City. National local trips and classes and access to free Members-only events. Just as Audubon offers a reimbursement to our organization for the cost of important, your support will help our organization continue expand- printing and posting our newsletter to its members. With rising costs, ing its research of urban bird conservation issues, advocacy for bird- however, and a reimbursement figure that has not changed since the friendly practices, and programs that introduce people of all ages to 1990s, we’ve decided to follow in the footsteps of other indepen- the joys of birds and nature in New York City. Spring 2019 21 Acknowledgments

NYC Audubon’s conservation work and public programs are made possible by philanthropic contributions from members, friends, corporations, foundations, and government agencies. We are grateful to all those who have sustained our work this past season, including the 1,288 members and donors whose individual gifts in amounts up to $2,499 collectively provided $167,259 in support of our mission from June 1 to December 31, 2018.

AMERICAN KESTREL CIRCLE Elizabeth Woods & Charles Denholm IN-KIND DONATIONS Pilot Kombucha Tylee Abbott and Katie Ermilio John Anthony Wright AguaViTea Kombucha Juan Carlos Pinto Gina Argento Anima Mundi Herbals Pollock-Krasner House and Study Tony Argento CORPORATIONS, FOUNDATIONS, Annie Barry Center Rob Bate & Tracy Meade AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES Karen Benfield James Prosek Karen Benfield & John Zucker The Achelis & Bodman Foundation Drianne Benner REI Claude & Lucienne Bloch AmazonSmile Foundation Jennifer Berlinger Don Riepe MaryJane Boland American Littoral Society MaryJane Boland Jeff L. Rosenheim Ronald Bourque Anova Brooklyn Brewery Buddy Ryan Marsilia A. Boyle The Apple Hill Fund Brooklyn Gin San Jorge de Tandayapa Lodge Virginia Carter Atlas Obscura Brooklyn Grange Will Schragis Chris Cooper The Bay and Paul Foundations Christine Burgin & William Wegman John Shemilt Jonathan Cuneo Broadway Stages David Burg Short Path Distillery Althea Duersten Brooklyn Bird Club Virginia Carter Nadir Souirgi Helena Durst The Capital Group Companies Chukar Cherries Alan Steel Joe & Barbara Ellis Charitable Foundation Chris Cooper Stew Leonard’s Farmingdale Aline Euler Con Edison Curious Elixirs Paul Sweet Henry Euler Custom Ink The Easton Foundation Troutbeck Alexander Ewing & Wynn Senning The Dobson Foundation El Refugio de Intag Lodge Upstate Andrew Farnsworth & Patricia Ryan The Durst Organization Susan Elbin Van Leeuwen Marcia & Bruce Fowle FXCollaborative Alexander Ewing Gabriel Willow Philip Fried & Bruce Patterson Harry & Rose Zaifert Foundation Fairhope Graphics Tod Winston Rich Fried & Stella Kim Hudson River Foundation Fishs Eddy Nancy Hager Innisfree M & A Incorporated Marcia T. Fowle TRIBUTE GIFTS Ellen & Scott Hand Investors Bank Foundation Joe Giunta Richard Andrias Kathryn & Vince Heintz Ioby Hugo Guinness & John Derian Annie Barry Cathy & Lloyd Heller Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Hacienda Cusin Alexander Ewing Sarah Jeffords Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Kathryn Heintz Marcia T. Fowle Tatiana Kaletsch Chicago Cathy & Lloyd Heller Philip Fried Mary Jane Kaplan Kickstarter Herban Cura Kathryn Heintz Jeff Kimball & Pamela Hogan Kimball Foundation The Honeybee Conservancy Cathy Heller Lauren & Ethan Klingsberg Kings County Brewers Collective Iglooplay Pamela Hogan Deborah Laurel Leaves of Grass Fund Island Oyster Jeff Kimball Jennifer Lee Leon Levy Foundation Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Michele McCue Pete Lengyel & Patty Woo Manomet Center for Conservation Peter Joost & Janice Laneve The NYC Audubon Staff Adrienne Lynch Sciences Kikkerland Ellyn Polansky Jenny & Flip Maritz The Marta Heflin Foundation Jeff Kimball Wynn Senning Patrick Markee & Lizzy Ratner National Audubon Society Kings County Brewers Collective Jim Sheker Andre Meade National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Kings County Distillery Joyce Menschel National Park Service David & Esther Kininmonth MEMORIAL GIFTS Tom & Louise Middleton New York City Department of Autumn Kioti Doris Ali Clark Mitchell Environmental Protection Kimberly Kriger June Corona Malcolm & Mary Morris The New York Community Trust Lark Fine Foods Anna Lee Culp Will Papp New York State Department of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Jim Heckenbach Cheryl Reich & David Dewhurst Environmental Conservation Deborah Laurel Jessica Karp Lew & Sheila Rosenberg New York State Office of Parks, Loren Manufacturing Gerhard Kiefer Jeff & Kellye Rosenheim Recreation, and Historic Preservation Tanya Marcuse Carol Kramer Michael Scheer Patagonia MasterVoices Lillian L. Langsan Jennifer Shotwell Peak View Foundation McKittrick Hotel Barbara Maas Art Sills & Sarah DeBlois Robert & Joyce Menschel Family Alap Momin Elizabeth M. Schill Fredric & Winnie Spar Foundation Neversink Spirits Sid Schwager Alan Steel The Strachan & Vivian Donnelley Newtown Creek Alliance Wily Antonia Stolper & Bob Fertik Foundation Orvis Virginia Stowe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Kaitlyn Parkins BEQUESTS Mary & Michael Tannen The Walt Disney Company Foundation Patagonia Estate of Evelyn Nerthercott Elizabeth Weinshel & Joel Goldfarb William C. Bullitt Foundation Gail Persky Sam Wertheimer & Pamela Rosenthal The Wood Thrush Foundation Cara Piazza

Remember the Birds ake sure that New York City remains a haven for the birds and wildlife you love. A bequest is a generous and straightforward way to safeguard birds and their habitat in New York City’s five boroughs. It can be expressed as, “I bequeath [a sum of money Mor a 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.” To learn more, contact Director of Development Kellye Rosenheim at krosenheim@ nycaudubon.org or 646-502-9611. 22 www.nycaudubon.org Support NYC Audubon’s Mission News & Notes

THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO PROTECT NEW YORK CITY’S WILD BIRDS WELCOME ABOARD MOLLY ADAMS We are thrilled to welcome Molly Adams as NYC n addition to becoming a member or GIVE A MATCHING GIFT Audubon’s advocacy and outreach manager. making a one-time donation, there Supporters can double or triple the value Molly will coordinate and lead our organization’s are several ways to play a larger role of donations through their employers’ environmental policy activism, government affairs, I inter-agency advocacy, public engagement, and in supporting NYC Audubon’s mission to matching gift programs. Contact your protect wild birds and their habitat in the company’s personnel office to learn how. Be community outreach. Molly previously served as five boroughs of New York City: sure to specify New York City Audubon as outreach coordinator for the New York Aquarium. the designee. She also founded the NYC-based Feminist Bird GIVE MONTHLY Club in 2016. We are excited to add Molly to Provide ongoing monthly support to ensure LEAVE A LEGACY our team, especially as we intensify our efforts our birds are protected throughout the year. When you designate New York City Audubon to promote bird-friendly building legislation and You can make a huge difference for as little as a beneficiary in your will, IRA, life insurance grow the ranks of our engaged membership. as $5 per month. See the membership form policy, or investment/bank account, your gift below or donate online at www.nycaudubon. will support the conservation of the birds RIDGEWOOD RESERVOIR PROTECTED org/donate. you love for many years to come. Visit www. Ridgewood Reservoir, a 50-acre birding gem bordering Queens and Brooklyn, was designated nycaudubon.org/leave-a-legacy, or contact us as a Class 1 freshwater wetland on December BECOME A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN to learn more. 23, 2018, by the New York State Department of KESTREL CIRCLE Environmental Conservation. This designation will Soar above the rest by making a donation To learn more about any of the above, guarantee that all three basins of the Reservoir on of $2,500 or more. American Kestrel Circle contact Director of Development Kellye the Brooklyn-Queens border will be safeguarded Patrons enjoy special access and exclusive Rosenheim at krosenheim@nycaudubon. from development and permanently protected as tours. See the membership form below or org or 646-502-9611. Save paper, time, and a natural area. Built in 1859, Ridgewood Reservoir donate online at www.nycaudubon.org/ money by making your contribution online provides habitat for over 160 species of birds. NYC donate. Contact us to learn more. 24/7 at www.nycaudubon.org/support-us. Audubon joined efforts led by NYC H20, Brooklyn Bird Club, and concerned citizens in strongly advocating that the reservoir be preserved. Congratulations to all who successfully fought this decade-long battle to keep this important bird MAKE A DIFFERENCE Contributing members are essential to our conservation and outreach work. habitat as a natural area. As a member of NYC Audubon, you will receive The Urban Audubon newsletter and The eGret email newsletter; enjoy discounts on field trips and classes; and make a difference in helping to protect the City’s wildlife and natural areas. FREDRIC J. SPAR: 1948-2018 [ ] I would like become a member by making a recurring donation in the amount of $______It is with great sadness that we report the each month. passing of NYC Audubon board member Fred I would like to become a member by making a one-time donation: Spar. Born in Brooklyn, Fred led an active life [ ] American Kestrel Circle $2,500 [ ] Conservationist $250 [ ] Supporter $100 and career that had many chapters: He worked [ ] Family $75 [ ] Dual $50 [ ] Friend $25 as an elementary-school science teacher before [ ] Student/Senior(65+)$15 [ ] Dual Senior (65+) $30 [ ] New [ ] Renewal completing a PhD (1980) at Brown University, [ ] Additionally, I would like to make a donation to NYC Audubon in the amount of $ ______. where he studied Chinese history. He lectured at [ ] I’m already a member but would like to make a gift in the amount of $ ______. Keene State College before working 36 years as a communications consultant at Kekst & Company Name: ______in Manhattan. Fred was a member of the 2010 class at Harvard University’s Advanced Leadership Address: ______Initiative and applied his experience thereafter advising or serving on the boards of environmental Phone: H: ______C: ______Email: ______organizations, including our own, as well as the Watershed Institute and Friends of Princeton [ ] Enclosed is my check payable to NYC Audubon Open Space. He joined NYC Audubon’s board [ ] Charge my credit card: [ ] VISA [ ] MC [ ] AMEX [ ] DSC of directors in 2013 and served as the Treasurer CARD #: ______Exp. Date: ______Security Code: _____ for two years. Fred will be fondly remembered by Mail this form with your payment to: NYC Audubon for his graciousness, imagination, NYC Audubon • 71 West 23rd Street, Suite 1523 • New York, NY 10010 thoughtfulness, and outstanding leadership, Membership in NYC Audubon does not include National Audubon membership or subscription to 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. tirelessly helping to protect wildlife habitat in New York City and elsewhere.

Spring 2019 23 New York City Audubon 71 West 23rd Street NONPROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE Suite 1523 PAID New York, NY 10010 HUDSON NH Permit No. 821

DATED MATERIAL: Spring 2019 Newsletter

Kingsland Wildflowers at Broadway Stages Events Unless otherwise noted, all events meet at Kingsland Wildlflowers at Broadway Stages, 520 Kingsland Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Register for Kingsland Wildflowers events at www.kingslandwildflowers.com. More events will be posted on this website throughout the spring.

SAVING THE DARK FILM SCREENING NORTH BROOKLYN BIRD WALKS JANE’S WALK: GREENPOINT WALKING TOUR Friday, March 15, 6:30pm Greenpoint Avenue Bridge to Calvary Sunday, May 5, 12-2:30pm Kingsland Wildflowers will host a special screening Cemetery: Sunday, April 7, 8-10am Guide: Mitch Waxman of Saving the Dark, a non-profit documentary film McGolrick Park: Sunday, May 19, 8-9:30am Kingsland Wildflowers is excited to take part in by Sriram Murali that explores the significance of Guide: Heather Wolf Jane’s Walk, an annual festival of free, citizen-led the night skies for humans and wildlife. A dark- Come along with Heather Wolf, author of Birding walking conversations inspired by urbanist and sky advocate, Sriram produced the film to raise at the Bridge and web developer for Cornell Lab activist Jane Jacobs. For this Jane’s Walk event, awareness of light pollution’s costly impact on of Ornithology's eBird.org, for a leisurely walk to Newtown Creek Alliance historian Mitch Waxman astronomy, human health, and wildlife, show the see spring migrants and breeding bird residents will lead a walking tour from McCarren Park's work of non-profits like NYC Audubon that are in North Brooklyn. Registration required. Limited Demonstration Garden, traveling to the new fighting to preserve dark night skies, and explain to 20. Free Sergeant William Dougherty Park, followed by a what individuals can do to fight light pollution. A visit to Penny Bridge, and ending at Kingsland tour of the green roof will precede the screening. FIELD DAY FRIDAYS Wildflowers. Registration required. Free Registration required. Limited to 35. Free Fridays, April 19, May 17, and June 21, 4-7pm With Newtown Creek Alliance NYC AUDUBON ECOLOGY LECTURE AND COMMUNITY SCIENCE ON THE BANKS OF Tour the Kingsland Wildflowers green roof SUNSET WALKING TOUR NEWTOWN CREEK and learn about Newtown Creek Alliance’s Date and Time TBD Saturday, April 6, 12-4pm work to restore, reveal, and revitalize Newtown With Atlas Obscura Join Newtown Creek Alliance as well as academic Creek. Field Day Fridays provide an opportunity Join Kingsland Wildflowers and Atlas Obscura and community partners for an afternoon to participate in community discussion and for a roof tour and lecture with NYC Audubon symposium on Newtown Creek-based research workshops focused on conservation, stewardship, ecologists, who will present findings from and monitoring projects. As large-scale cleanup and ecology. No registration required. Free the past year of monitoring and research at efforts progress on Newtown Creek, a diverse the Kingsland Wildflowers green roof. NYC ecology of plants, insects, birds, and marine OPEN HOUSE SATURDAYS Audubon ecologists will discuss green roofs as wildlife are slowly returning to this once vibrant Saturdays, April 20, May 18, and June 22, 12-3pm habitat for birds, bats, and arthropods in urban waterway. The symposium will feature a series of Tour the native plant garden and visit our environments, the benefits of native plants as a presentations and discussions between speakers community engagement space as we open way to attract biodiverse pollinators, the value and attendees. Food and drinks will be provided Kingsland Wildflowers to the general public. No of quality stop-over habitat for birds, and more. for attendees. Registration required. Free registration required. Free Registration required. Free Funding for Kingsland Wildflowers at Broadway Stages provided by the Office of the New York State Attorney General and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation through the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund. 24 www.nycaudubon.org