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THE NEWSLETTER OF CITY WINTERSUMMER 2014 2019 / VOLUME/ VOLUME XXXV XL NO. NO. 2 4

THE URBAN AUDUBON

Molly Adams: NYC Audubon’s Newest Avian Advocate

The New ‘Green’ Museum

Rain Garden on Justice Avenue: Managing Wastewater Pilot Project

Summer 2019 1 NYC AUDUBON MISSION & STATEMENT Mission: NYC Audubon is a grassroots community that works for the protection of wild BIRD’S-EYE VIEW Kathryn Heintz birds and habitat in the five boroughs, improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers. Vision: NYC Audubon envisions a day when birds ress time for the summer Urban Audubon—and it happens to be Earth Day 2019. and people in the five boroughs enjoy a healthy, livable habitat. It’s no coincidence that the 39th annual day of global environmental observance falls just months ahead of the 40th anniversary of Audubon’s THE URBAN AUDUBON P Editors Lauren Klingsberg & Marcia T. Fowle YHU\ÀUVWPHHWLQJ1HZ

RECYCLED 2 www.nycaudubon.org Supporting responsible use of forest resources IN THIS ISSUE SUMMER 2019 © FXCollaborative

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: Killdeer © Carla Rhodes Small Banner Photographs: Susan Elbin, Steve Nanz, and Don Riepe *This work is licensed under a Creative Commons 9 8 Attribution License. © NYC Audubon FEATURES 2 Oakes Ames: 1931-2019

6 Molly Adams: NYC Audubon’s Newest Avian Advocate by Mary Jane Kaplan

7 The Latest on Bird-safe Building Legislation

7 The State of Green Roofs in NYC: The Second Annual NYC 8 9 Green Roof Researchers Alliance Conference

© Carla Rhodes 8 The New ‘Green’ by Suzanne Charlé

9 Summer of Fun on Governors

14 Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major) by Don Riepe

16 14th Annual Jamaica Bay Shorebird Festival 10 12 17 Rain Garden on Justice Avenue: Managing Wastewater Pilot Project © budgora* by Dustin Partridge

DEPARTMENTS 4 Conservation Notes 15 Book Reviews 5 Volunteer! 16 Remember the Birds

10 Events and Adventures 18 Acknowledgments: Partnerships 17 12 Kingsland Wildflowers 19 News & Notes 14 14 Conservation Program Update and 19 Support NYC Audubon’s Mission Annual Member Meeting 20 Fall Roost Save the Date

Summer 2019 3 CONSERVATION NOTES © Tracy Pennoyer n recent years, we at New York City Horseshoe crab eggs are an impor- Audubon have strengthened and tant part of the diet of certain shorebirds Iformalized our commitment to equity, that stop over in New York City during diversity, and inclusion in all areas of our migration. The hundreds of thousand eggs RUJDQL]DWLRQWREHWWHUUHÁHFWWKHGLYHUVLW\RI  produced by female horseshoe crabs sustain the communities we serve. As part of this these migrating shorebirds. This summer we HIIRUWEHJLQQLQJZLWKWKHÀHOGVHDVRQ will be piloting a study of other components we are changing the language we use to RI  WKH VKRUHELUG GLHW LQFOXGLQJ ELRÀOP³ describe our volunteer science programs. We a mat of microorganisms and organic have adopted the term “community science” PDWHULDOV WKDW IRUPV RQ PXGÁDWV DQG PD\ to describe what have traditionally been be an important shorebird food source. We known as our “citizen science” programs. will also be piloting a study looking at blood Community Scientists Monitoring Horseshoe Crabs We are proud to join other organizations at Plumb Beach West, May 19, 2016 metabolites, which can be an indicator of that have made this change, including the refueling rates. As part of our shorebird National Audubon Society, Greener JC, this opportunity to highlight some of the migration studies, we host a biannual NYC Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and work our community scientists are assisting Shorebird Blitz, in which volunteers fan out Natural History Museum LA. with as this newsletter goes to press. DFURVVWKHÀYHERURXJKVWRFRXQWVKRUHELUGV The terminology we use to describe our on a single day during spring and fall migra- programs matters. While the term “citizen HORSESHOE CRABS AND SHOREBIRDS tions. Established in 2016, the NYC Shore- science” was not originally meant to signify Now in its 11th year, our horse- bird Blitz is our newest community science only those with citizenship, it has now come shoe crab surveys are our largest and most program and draws about 35 participants to seem restrictive and divisive. The implied popular community science program. Annu- each year. We look forward to sharing data exclusivity is not conducive to growing a ally, more than 200 volunteers participate in from this year’s horseshoe crab monitoring welcoming community around bird conser- this effort to quantify the number of horse- and NYC Shorebird Blitzes in future editions vation. We feel that the term “community shoe crabs that spawn on four beaches in of “Conservation Notes.” (See “Volunteer!” VFLHQFHµEHWWHUUHÁHFWVRXULQWHQWWRFUHDWH Jamaica Bay. Our four sites are part of a on page 5 for information on how to partici- an inclusive approach to involving and larger community science program managed pate in the Fall NYC Shorebird Blitz.) empowering everyone who cares about and by the New York State Department of Envi- enjoys birds in New York City. ronmental Conservation and Cornell Coop- PROJECT SAFE FLIGHT COLLISION As members of a grassroots organiza- erative Extension, for which volunteers MONITORING tion with a small science team, our commu- survey crabs on beaches throughout Long New York City Audubon’s longest- nity science volunteers make an invaluable Island and the . running community science program, bird- contribution to NYC Audubon’s work. Of © Sean Sime course, we can put a monetary value on it— our 2018 volunteers donated nearly 2,500 hours of their time, which is an estimated equivalent contribution of more than $60,000—but our community scientists also give us much more than their time. They contribute helpful insights, local knowledge, and valuable diverse perspectives. They are also often the voice of NYC Audubon in WKHÀHOGWHDFKLQJDQGFRQQHFWLQJRWKHUVWR the work we do. Our community scientists are indispensable, and we appreciate every- Community Scientists Counting Number of Birds in Light Beams at Annual thing they do. In that spirit, we are taking Memorial, September 11, 2017 4 www.nycaudubon.org Kaitlyn Parkins building collision monitoring, began in 1997 volunteers will be integrated with datasets tion. Thanks to the collective efforts of many during spring and fall migrations with a on light and bird density to answer impor- people, bird-friendly building legislation has few determined volunteers. Our volunteers WDQW VFLHQWLÀF TXHVWLRQV DERXW KRZ DUWLÀ- now been introduced at the City, State, and tackle new routes each year, depending on cial light at night affects the behavior of Federal levels. New York City Audubon our evolving research goals. In 2018, Project nocturnal migrants. For the 2019 season, looks forward to working with legislators on Safe Flight volunteers monitored 16 build- we have resumed collision monitoring at these bills, and we will be asking not only our ings and recorded 257 dead and injured birds. the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and have community science volunteers, but all our We designed these routes to help us examine begun monitoring at the newly constructed members, to support these initiatives. What’s the behavior of migratory birds with respect Hudson Yards development. good for birds is good for all New Yorkers. WR DUWLÀFLDO OLJKW DW QLJKW DXJPHQWLQJ RXU The data collected by our volunteer (See “The Latest on Bird-safe Building annual research on the effects on birds of collision monitors have been published in Legislation” on page 7 to learn about these the September 11 Memorial & Museum’s VFLHQWLÀF MRXUQDOV DQG KHOS WR LQIRUP RXU bills and what you can do to support them.) Tribute in Light. The data collected by our advocacy for bird-friendly building legisla-

VOLUNTEER!

ake a difference for early evening. Contact comm@ collect data on building and early morning hours on Mthe City’s wildlife. nycaudubon.org if interested. collisions during migration by September 11-12. There are many ways to help. monitoring designated buildings Unless otherwise noted, FALL NYC SHOREBIRD BLITZ for collisions. This opportunity INTERNATIONAL contact communityscience@ Sunday, August 18 requires a time commitment of COASTAL CLEAN-UP nycaudubon.org if interested in Contribute to NYC Audubon’s about one hour one morning a Saturday, September 21, any of the projects listed below. conservation efforts by helping week from September through 10am-1pm All orientations listed require us take a one-day snapshot early November. Orientations With American Littoral Society, registration in advance. For of fall shorebird activity will be held on Thursday, August , information on fall volunteer throughout New York City. 15, and Tuesday, August 20, and Sadhana events such as beach clean-ups The NYC Shorebird Blitz is a 6-7pm. Join us at North Channel Bridge and tree plantings, visit us at community-science initiative to take part in a multi-state effort www.nycaudubon.org/volunteer- that aims to find the total TRIBUTE IN LIGHT to improve coastline habitat. The events. number of shorebirds using our MONITORING North Channel Bridge area, used city during a 24-hour period, Wednesday, September 11, by species like the American OFFICE PROJECTS helping us answer important begins at 8pm Oystercatcher, is also a stone’s Help with mailings, filing, and conservation questions such With National September 11 throw away from the Harbor general office work. Computer as how many shorebirds are Memorial & Museum Heron and the Jamaica skills and birding knowledge coming through our area during Each year a tireless group Bay Wildlife Refuge. Help are helpful, but not required. peak fall migration, how they are of volunteers monitors the us clear the beach and raise Contact volunteer@nycaudubon. distributed throughout the City, Tribute in Light to ensure that awareness of the importance of org if interested. and what disturbances they face. migrating birds do not become coastal areas to birdlife. Please entrapped in the light beams. check www.nycaudubon.org/ THE URBAN AUDUBON PROJECT SAFE FLIGHT An orientation will be held on volunteer-events in the coming See your name in print by Begins Saturday, September 1 Tuesday, September 3, 6-7pm. months for more details and joining the newsletter committee Light and glass pose major Please note that space for this registration. and contributing your writing threats to migratory birds as they orientation is very limited. skills to four seasonal issues. move through New York City. Participants must be available Meetings are bi-monthly in the Help NYC Audubon biologists to monitor in the very late night Summer 2019 5 MOLLY ADAMS: NYC AUDUBON’S NEWEST AVIAN ADVOCATE © NYC Audubon he job description for a new staff position at New York City Audu- T bon stated that “advocacy efforts on behalf of urban and migrating birds and wildlife are more critical than ever, due to climate change effects and the devastating, steady loss of the natural environment in the city over the last 450 years.” The recent pro- liferation of glass-clad, bird-killing buildings in New York City has also impelled NYC Audubon to advocate with determination for bird-safe building legislation and to educate the public on ways to mitigate bird collisions, which kill up to 230,000 birds in New York City each year. Into this challenging and essential posi- tion, Advocacy and Outreach Manager, stepped Molly Adams on February 25. Molly felt the job description, while somewhat daunting, called for a perfect combination of skills she already had and those she wanted Molly Adams with Eurasian Eagle-owl at Annual Earth Day Celebration at the to acquire. NYC Audubon is delighted to Audubon Center, April 28, 2019 have her join our team. Boston, Chicago, and Seattle. And, by the • On Park Advocacy Day, March 4, she vis- Molly’s previous position, at the New way, the club is not limited to women. (See LWHGWKHRIÀFHVRI VWDWHVHQDWRUVLQ$OEDQ\ York Aquarium, involved teaching and out- www.molly-adams.com/feminist-bird-club to support the Open Space Institute and reach to all ages at schools, libraries, and for more information about the chapters and Parks & Trails New York in advocating hospitals. Earlier, while studying for an MA how you can join.) for state parks, especially the new one in marine conservation and policy at Stony Molly has been quite busy in her new being developed in Jamaica Bay, Shirley Brook University, she worked as an environ- UROH ZLWK 1<& $XGXERQ ,Q KHU ÀUVW Chisholm State Park. mental educator at the South Fork Natural weeks on the job, she had already done the • She prepared testimony on a controver- History Museum & Nature Center in Bridge- following: sial up-zoning plan that would allow a hampton, NY. And along the way, she found • Along with the Linnaean Society of New developer to erect two 39-story buildings time to spend a summer in Ecuador moni- York and the Wild Bird Fund, she gave tes- with glass facades near Botanic toring a breeding program for Andean Con- timony in about a proposed rule Garden. The buildings would be tall dors. change by New York City Department of enough to cast shadows over the Garden, Molly is no stranger to the local birding Parks & Recreation banning feeding of threatening the survival of its plants, and community. After moving to New York City wildlife in parks. (NYC Audubon was in glassy enough to cause bird collisions. in 2016, she formed the Feminist Bird Club favor, provided an exemption was made (Check the March 2019 eGret email news- to encourage birding among people that tra- for already-established bird feeders that letter to learn how you can voice your ditional birding clubs don’t always reach, are properly maintained.) opposition to this plan.) including novices. In addition to offering • At City Hall, she argued along with the The fact that most of these efforts were walks, the club raises money for a variety QRQSURÀW 1HZ

bird-friendly legislation to make our city safer for birds. Molly is working with American THE LATEST ON BIRD-SAFE BUILDING LEGISLATION Bird Conservancy, the Bird-safe Glass Alli- s of writing on May 20, 2019, bird-friendly building legislation has been intro- ance, National Audubon, and Audubon New Aduced at the Federal, State, and City levels. At the Federal level, Representative York in support of recently introduced bird- Mike Quigley (D-IL) introduced H.R.919, the Bird-Safe Buildings Act of 2019. This safe building legislation at the Local, State, bill would require that all new federal buildings that are constructed, acquired, or and Federal levels. (See the right sidebar for VLJQLÀFDQWO\DOWHUHGXVHELUGVDIHEXLOGLQJPDWHULDOVDQGGHVLJQIHDWXUHV7KHUHDUH the latest on these bird-safe buildings bills.) currently 32 cosponsors of this bill. A key to accomplishing these goals, Next, we have even better news at the State level. The Bird-Friendly Building Molly feels, is increasing volunteer and advo- Council Act (Senate Bill S25A), which would create a council dedicated to promoting cacy participation among NYC Audubon’s the use of bird-friendly building materials and design features in buildings, passed in membership. Members will have an oppor- the New York State Senate on April 30. The companion bill in the New York State tunity to get to know her on bird walks, at Assembly is currently in committee and needs our support. tabling events, and on social media, which Bird-safe building legislation is gaining momentum at the Local level as well. she plans to use extensively to promote the NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Council Member Rafael Espinal intro- organization’s work and volunteer oppor- duced the Bird Friendly Glass Bill (Int 1482-2019), which would amend the New tunities. (Be sure to follow @nycaudubon York City building code to require newly constructed or altered buildings to use on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.) In materials designed to reduce bird strike fatalities. This bill, introduced on April 28, is addition, she will be communicating current in the early stages, and we are working with stakeholders and legislators to make sure conservation issues and bird-friendly legisla- WKDWLWVJXLGHOLQHVDUHVFLHQWLÀFDOO\VRXQGDQGDUHJRRGIRUERWKELUGVDQGSHRSOH tion that needs your support through NYC These bills are evolving. There will be actions needed to be taken to help the Audubon’s monthly “Avian Advocates” legislation become law. The best way to stay up to date on how you can help these emails. Visit www.nycaudubon.org to sign up bird-friendly bills and other local conservation initiatives that need your support is to to receive Avian Advocates email alerts. sign up for our monthly “Avian Advocates” emails at www.nycaudubon.org.

THE STATE OF GREEN ROOFS IN NYC: THE SECOND ANNUAL NYC GREEN ROOF RESEARCHERS ALLIANCE CONFERENCE

© Diane Cimine Friday, September 27, 10am-5pm At the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Green roofs in New York City offer a way to reduce environmental injustice, increase wildlife habitat, and educate our youth. Attend the second annual NYC Green Roof Researchers Alliance Conference at the Jacob K. Javits Center to learn, respond, and interact with cutting-edge research, curriculum, and policy. The conference will include panel discussions, guest lectures, networking, workshops, and even a visit to the Javits Center’s 6.75-acre green roof. Please contact managing director Dustin R. Partridge at [email protected] for more information. Register for the conference at www.nycaudubon.org. No limit. $30

Director of Conservation and Science Dr. Susan Elbin and Research The NYC Green Roof Researchers Alliances is supported Associate Debra Kriensky Monitoring the Javits Center Green Roof by The New York Community Trust

Summer 2019 7 THE NEW ‘GREEN’ STATUE OF LIBERTY MUSEUM Suzanne Charlé

early three years after breaking © FXCollaborative ground on , the Nnew Statue of Liberty Museum opened to the public on May 16. At 26,000 square feet, it can welcome more people than the previous museum, which could accommodate only 20 percent of Liberty Island visitors on peak days. Equally impor- tant, the new museum is friendly to birds and the environment, employing the latest in bird-safe design and sustainability guidelines. Despite its increased size, the building is designed to be an extension of the land- scape, rather than an intrusion: “Think of it as a garden pavilion with a museum tucked underneath,” says Nicholas Garrison, part- FXCollaborative Rendering of the New Statue of Liberty Museum ner and project designer for FXCollaborative architects. island has historically not been so friendly © FXCollaborative The project, funded by the Statue of to birds: In 1890, the Linnaean Society of Liberty- Foundation and man- New York‘s Journal recorded hundreds of aged by the National Park Service, incorpo- “migrating birds attracted to rays of light rates materials native to the island and the from the Statue of Liberty.” In 1904, natu- statue itself, such as “Stony Creek” granite, ralist William Beebe found 271 dead birds at copper, and bronze. The surrounding the statue’s base; others suggested deaths in garden, planted with native plants typical of the thousands, and protests ultimately led to local wetland and marsh habitats, extends up the dimming of the lights, and fewer avian from the island’s circular plaza to the muse- casualties. um’s green roof, which covers about half of Piselli has been exploring the best ways the building. to limit bird collisions against glass since With its impressive ability to retain 2005. For the Statue of Liberty Museum, The New Statue of Liberty Museum uses storm water, the green roof should help after many tests, FXCollaborative created ORZUHÁHFWLYHLQVXODWHGJODVVZLWKDQRULJLQDOIULW the building attain its LEED Gold designa- DQ RULJLQDO IULW SDWWHUQ RQ ORZUHÁHFWLYH pattern to deter bird collisions. tion target, according to FXCollaborative’s insulating glass. The bird-friendly pattern is minimal for safety and only shines down Director of Sustainability Daniel Piselli. A of gray 1/8” dots closely spaced in vertical to illuminate necessary surfaces. Exterior rain garden behind the museum, designed by lines that are 1 ¾” apart is safer than the lighting will only be used for special occa- Quennell Rothschild & Partners, will control standard 2”x 4” rule recommended by orni- sions. At night, the museum will go dark DQGÀOWHUWKHVWRUPZDWHUUXQRII7KHHQWLUH thologists, according to Piselli. “By making inside and out—with the possible excep- project is “a story of sustainability,” Piselli the pattern even tighter,” says Piselli, “we tion of the original torch, now lit by LED says, with the museum set above 500-year UHGXFHG WKH ¶WKUHDW IDFWRU· UDWLQJ GHÀQHG lighting. ÁRRG OHYHOV DQG EXLOW WR ZLWKVWDQG KXUUL- by the American Bird Conservancy) of the Piselli hopes that the Statue of Liberty cane-force winds. glass to prevent bird collisions.” The innova- Museum “will serve as an inspiration to Although views from inside the museum tive frit pattern helped the project achieve everyone,” including future builders who are expansive, only a quarter of the building the LEED Bird Collision Deterrence credit could opt for bird-friendly glass. The is clad in glass, one strategy to limit the and allows clear views from both inside and museum should, like the Statue of Liberty building’s potential for bird-window strikes. outside the museum. itself, symbolize freedom, hope, possibility, This was a key goal for the project, as the 7ROLPLWDUWLÀFLDOOLJKWH[WHULRUOLJKWLQJ and resilience. 8 www.nycaudubon.org SUMMER OF FUN ON © IBEX Puppetry POP-UP NATURE CENTER AT NOLAN PARK HOUSE 17 OPENS SATURDAY, JUNE 1

June: Open Saturday-Sunday, 11am-5pm July and August: Open Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-5pm September: Hours to Be Announced in Fall 2019 Urban Audubon

YC Audubon returns to Governors Island for a third season of Nprogramming at our pop-up nature center at Nolan Park House 17. Visit our house all summer long for displays on conservation, a children’s room with books and activities, bird-inspired artwork, and studio space showcasing artists creating work inspired by Governors Island and its variety of avian residents. This year we’re welcoming back artist-in-residence Autumn Kioti, who will be creating work all summer in her open studio space. Guests can borrow binoculars and participate in one of our free guided bird walks, or strike out on their own to discover the bright and bustling bird life all over the island. Last year we counted over 60 species in one day, so grab your guidebooks and help us build this year’s list. Visit our house and learn all about the feathery friends who share our urban environment and what we can do to help them. Continue to check www.nycaudubon.org/gov-island IBEX Puppetry Leading an Avian-inspired Workshop on the Front Lawn for updates on house hours, free bird walks, and special events at our of Our Nolan Park House, August 25, 2018 house all summer long. © NYC Audubon SIXTH ANNUAL “IT’S YOUR TERN” FESTIVAL

Saturday, July 13, noon-4pm South Battery, Governors Island With Trust for Governors Island, Friends of Governors Island, National Park Service, New York Harbor School, Earth Matter NY ome celebrate Governors Island’s treasures: Common CTerns and ! Common Terns, listed as a threatened species in New York State, have nested for several years on decommissioned piers on Governors Island’s waterfront. The FRORQ\KDVH[SDQGHGRYHUWLPHDQGEHQHÀWHGUHFHQWO\IURPWKH introduction of shells as a nesting material. Free activities at this year’s festival will include bird walks and talks, as well as hands-on activities for the whole family. Get to the festival by taking the ferry to Governors Island. The festival will take place at the southeast corner of the Parade Ground right across from St. Cornelius Chapel. For more information and directions to the Tern Festival, visit www.nycaudubon.org/festivals. No limit. Free

In case of rain, festival will move indoors to Nolan Park House 17. “It’s Your Tern Festival” on Governors Island, July 14, 2018

Summer 2019 9 EVENTS AND ADVENTURES

• NYC Audubon Events harsh winters. Limited to 15. $46 search for herons and ducks. Some a relaxing pontoon boat ride in • Partnership Events (32) hilly walking required. Limited to 15. search of egrets, night-herons, and Overnight Trips $36 (25) kingfishers along with nesting Osprey, • SUMMER BIRDING AT WAVE Peregrine Falcons, and Marsh Wrens. • VAN CORTLANDT BIRD HILL, • "LET'S GO BIRDING TOGETHER" We'll travel on the Hackensack River WALKS, THE BRONX Sundays, June 9, July 14, August 11, CENTRAL PARK WALK to man-made and restored wetland Saturdays, May 25-July 20, and September 8, 9:30-11:30am Saturday, June 15, 9:30am-noon sites and learn about the area's 9-10:30am Guide: Gabriel Willow With National Audubon Society, environmental history. Bring lunch. Guide: NYC Audubon With Feminist Bird Club Transport by passenger van included. With the Meet at the Perkins Visitor Help us celebrate the 50th Limited to 11. $108 (75) Conservancy Center. Naturalist Gabriel Willow anniversary of the Stonewall riots Meet at Van Cortlandt Nature contributes his extensive knowledge with a riot of birds! Let's Go Birding • BREEDING BIRDS OF THE Center. The history of birding and of bird species and their behaviors Together walks are a way for folks HUDSON HIGHLANDS, NY Van Cortlandt Park are inseparable. on these captivating walks. Wave who love birds and the outdoors Saturday, June 22, 8am-5pm Influential birders such as Roger Hill’s garden setting overlooking to come together during Pride Guide: Gabriel Willow Tory Peterson and Allan D. the flyway provides Month. This walk is for members Join Gabriel Willow on a day-long Cruickshank got their starts on Van the perfect habitat for resident and of the LGBTQIA+ community, their trip to some of the most exciting Cortlandt’s ecologically diverse migrating birds. Walks run rain or families, and allies. This Central Park and beautiful birding locations in grounds. These walks celebrate shine. Ages 10 and up welcome with bird walk is co-presented by NYC the Hudson Valley: Doodletown the tradition set by these great an adult. No registration required. Audubon, National Audubon Society, Road, Constitution Marsh, and ornithologists. Participants will look No limit. NYC Audubon members and the Feminist Bird Club. Advance Indian Brook Farm. We'll look for various species of residents and enjoy two-for-one admission registration required. Visit www. for uncommon breeding warbler migrants and discuss a wide range (see www.wavehill.org for more nycaudubon.org to register. Limited specialties at Doodletown, such as of avian topics. No registration information) to 50. Free Cerulean, Hooded, Blue-winged, necessary. No limit. Free Golden-winged, and Worm-eating • BIRDING BROOKLYN • AUDUBON MURAL PROJECT Warblers. We will then head to • BIRD TOURS, NORTHERN the Constitution Marsh Audubon WALKS, THE BRONX Saturdays, June 15 and July 13, Sundays, June 16, July 14, August 11, Sanctuary, home to breeding Wood Sundays, May 26-June 30, Sunday, August 18, 9-10:30am and September 15, 10am-noon Ducks, Bald Eagles, Least Bitterns, 9-10:30am Guide: Heather Wolf Guide: Leigh Hallingby Marsh Wrens, and more. After a Guide: NYC Audubon Meet at Pier 1 park entrance at the The Audubon Mural Project is an picnic lunch, we will drive to Indian With Pelham Bay Park intersection of Old Fulton Street exciting effort to create murals of over Brook Farm in search of breeding Meet at Rodman's Neck Parking and Furman Street. Join Heather 300 birds in the northern Manhattan Field and Savannah Sparrows, Lot. Join us to explore some of the Wolf, author of Birding at the Bridge, neighborhoods of Hamilton Heights Bobolinks, and Indigo Buntings. best birding New York City has to for a picturesque bird walk along and Washington Heights. As all Transport by passenger van included. offer. Come discover Pelham Bay the Brooklyn waterfront. We'll look the birds painted are threatened Limited to 12. $129 (90) Park's diverse habitat that attracts for breeding and nesting birds like by climate change, the project a variety of spring migrants. No the Gray Catbird, American Robin, is designed not only to help us • BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS OF registration necessary. No limit. Song Sparrow, and more. Visit www. appreciate the beauty of the birds, but JAMAICA BAY Free nycaudubon.org/birding-bk-bridge also make us aware of the challenges Saturday, June 29, 10am-1pm to register. Limited to 19 per walk. they face. In addition to seeing about Guide: Don Riepe • THE PARAKEETS OF GREEN- Free 30 murals, we will visit John James With American Littoral Society WOOD CEMETERY, BROOKLYN Audubon's impressive gravesite Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Saturday, June 8, 10am-1pm • THE SUMMERING BIRDS in the Trinity Church cemetery. Refuge Visitor Center and join Guide: Gabriel Willow OF , Binoculars will be an asset on this naturalist Don Riepe for a slide With Green-Wood Cemetery MANHATTAN walk. Limited to 20 per tour. $30 (20) program and walk around the Explore Green-Wood Cemetery, Saturday, June 15, 9-11:30am per tour refuge to look for butterflies, moths, rich in both history and wildlife, Guide: Annie Barry and other pollinators. Learn about in search of late spring migrants Join Annie Barry for a hike through a • EXPLORE THE NJ their ecology and behavior, as well and the cemetery’s unique avian mature forest in search of Baltimore MEADOWLANDS BY as the plants they depend on. For residents: the huge flocks of and Orchard Orioles, Eastern PONTOON BOAT more information and reservations, brilliant green Monk Parakeets Towhees, Wood Thrushes, Warbling Saturday, June 22, 7:30am-12:30pm contact Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 or that nest there. Native to South Vireos, and other summer residents. Guide: Tod Winston [email protected]. Kids welcome. America, these charming We will then move to the shores of With NJ Meadowlands Commission No limit. Free immigrants flourish even in our the Inwood Hill Park saltmarshes to Explore the Meadowlands on

10 www.nycaudubon.org • BREEDING BIRDS OF • BEACH-NESTING BIRDS OF CONNECTICUT NICKERSON BEACH, NY OVERNIGHT TRIPS Saturday, July 6, 7am-4pm Saturday, July 13, 6:30am-12:30pm • BASHAKILL, SHAWANGUNK valleys, as well as lakes, ponds, Guide: Tod Winston Guide: Tod Winston NWR, AND DOODLETOWN, NY and rivers. This diversity of habitat Discover the nearby birding wonders Come bird at the beach. Departing Saturday, June 8, 8am-Sunday, leads to an incredible array of plant of "the Constitution State": We'll early to beat the heat, we’ll have June 9, 6pm and bird species, including several explore the woods and fields of plenty of time to observe breeding Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy boreal specialties of the mountain Trout Brook Valley Preserve in search waterbirds feeding their young: Warblers LLC spruce and fir forests that cannot of breeding Acadian Flycatchers, Common and Least Terns, American Look for breeding Eastern be found in New York City, such as Eastern Bluebirds, and Red- Oystercatchers, and Piping Plovers. Meadowlarks, American Bitterns, Gray Jays and Boreal Chickadees. shouldered Hawks—and then visit We're also be sure to see nesting Cerulean Warblers, and more at Join NYC Audubon Guide Gabriel the beach and marsh of Sherwood Black Skimmers—and will be on the these three great birding areas. Willow on a four-day tour of this Island to seek out lookout for possible Gull-billed and An overnight stay will facilitate wild region, featuring a day with Purple Martins, Marsh Wrens, and Roseate Terns, as well as summering being in the right spot at the right local Adirondack resident, guide, waterbirds. Bring lunch. Transport sea ducks. Bring lunch. Transport by time. Bring lunch for the first day, and President of the New York State by passenger van included. Limited passenger van included. Limited to binoculars, and a spotting scope Ornithological Association, Joan to 12. $103 (72) 12. $100 (70) (if you have one). Transport by Collins. Transport by passenger van passenger van included. Limited to included. Limited to 10. $730 ($220 • OCEANSIDE MARINE NATURE • BIRDING GEMS OF STATEN 10. $325 ($75 single supplement) single supplement) STUDY AREA, NY ISLAND: Wednesday, July 10, 7am-1pm Sunday, July 21, 8am-3pm • BASHAKILL, NEVERSINK, AND • CAPE ANN WHALE WATCH, MA Guide: Tod Winston Guide: Cliff Hagen STERLING FOREST, NY Thursday, August 8-Sunday, We'll start out early and arrive an With NYC Department of Saturday, June 15, 8am-Sunday, August 11 hour before low tide in hopes of Parks & Recreation June 16, 6pm Guide: Don Riepe observing Saltmarsh Sparrows, Start your trip with a journey across Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy With American Littoral Society Seaside Sparrows, and Clapper the Upper Bay for this special Warblers LLC Visit scenic Gloucester, Rails—along with southward- opportunity to see Freshkills Park, Look for breeding American Massachusetts, and enjoy a whale migrating shorebirds, waders, and in transition from what was once Bitterns, Cerulean, Hooded, and watching boat tour, an evening terns on the mudflats. This easy- the world’s largest landfill into an Golden-winged Warblers, and more cruise on the Essex River, easy to-visit preserve features a nature expansive park. Currently closed to at these three great birding areas. canoeing on the quiet Ipswich center and hosts nesting Osprey, the general public, the Park is home An overnight stay will facilitate River, a guided hike along a scenic Tree Swallows, and Willets. Bring to rolling grasslands, tidal marshes, being in the right spot at the right shoreline, and a lobster dinner. For lunch. Transport by passenger van successional woodlands, and a time. Bring lunch for the first day, more information and reservations, included. Limited to 12. $100 (70) freshwater pond system that host an binoculars, and a spotting scope contact Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 array of breeding birds, butterflies, (if you have one). Transport by or [email protected]. $425 • RIVERSIDE PARK SUMMER mammals, frogs, and turtles. passenger van included. Limited to ($180 single supplement) ON THE HUDSON BIRD WALKS, Grasshopper Sparrows, Osprey, 10. $325 ($75 single supplement) MANHATTAN Yellow Warblers, and Blue Grosbeaks • CAPE MAY FALL Fridays, July 12 and September 13, nest alongside wrens, blackbirds, • BOREAL BIRDING MIGRATION, NJ 5:30-7pm orioles, and shorebirds. Wading IN THE ADIRONDACKS Saturday, September 21, 9am- Guide: NYC Audubon birds feed on the mudflats at low Friday, July 5, 8am-Monday, Sunday, September 22, 7pm Meet at the park entrance at 120th tide while hawks and vultures soar July 8, 8pm Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Street and Riverside Drive and above. On calm, sunny days, one Guide: Gabriel Willow Warblers LLC explore Riverside Park on this family- can expect to find nearly two dozen Adirondack Park's six million acres Cape May is one of the best birding friendly bird walk. Who knows what species of butterflies as they nectar constitute one-third of the land venues in the , birds we'll discover while taking in among the grasses and woodlands. area in New York state. The Park is especially during fall migration. Visit views of the Hudson River? No limit. Transport by passenger van from the the largest publicly protected area the Cape May hawk watch on two No registration necessary. Free St. George Terminal in the contiguous United States, days, once late in the day and then included. Limited to 12. $64 (45) greater in size than Yellowstone, early to get a good variety of hawks. • SIXTH ANNUAL “IT’S YOUR Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Also visit birding hotspots such TERN” FESTIVAL Canyon National Park combined. as Higbee Beach, Jake's Landing, Saturday, July 13, noon-4pm Within its boundaries are vast Cape May Meadows, and Nummy See page 9 for details forests (ranging from deciduous Island. Transport by passenger van to boreal) and rolling farmlands, included. Limited to 10. $350 ($50 towns and villages, mountains and single supplement) . . . CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 Summer 2019 11 EVENTS AND ADVENTURES (CONTINUED)

• SHOREBIRD IDENTIFICATION • CENTRAL PARK RAMBLE: time of year. We'll also look for early acre park overlooking the Hudson WORKSHOP BREEDING BIRDS AND fall migrants such as Black-and- River about one hour north of the Friday, August 2, 6:30-8:30pm (class) EARLY MIGRANTS White Warblers, American Redstarts, city. The park is a wonderful mix of Sunday, August 4, 10am-1pm (trip) Friday, August 9, 7:30-10:30am both waterthrush species, and forest, wetlands, and grassland that Instructor: Joe Giunta, Happy Guide: Tod Winston flycatchers. Limited to 15. $36 (25) are home to hard-to-find breeding Warblers LLC Birders often don't venture back into bird species such as Indigo Bunting, Shorebirds are one of the most Central Park until September—but • 14TH ANNUAL JAMAICA BAY Grasshopper Sparrow, Bobolink, and challenging groups of birds to many migrants, along with breeding SHOREBIRD FESTIVAL Eastern Meadowlark. The woodlands identify, yet beautiful and fascinating birds, are already there in August. Saturday. August 17, nearby are home to breeding Great once they can be distinguished. Explore the Ramble in search of 8:30am-5pm Horned Owl, Willow Flycatcher, Learn to identify plovers and locally breeding species such as See page 16 for details and Orchard Oriole, as well as the sandpipers (including "peeps") Great-crested Flycatchers, Eastern more expected common breeders. by learning behavior, field marks, Kingbirds, Warbling Vireos, and • CROTON POINT PARK, NY Bring lunch for a picnic in one of the and calls—then take a field trip to Black-crowned Night-Herons—and Sunday, August 18, 8:20am-3pm riverside pavilions. Limited to 20. Jamaica Bay to practice your new observe the recently fledged Gray Guide: Gabriel Willow Round-trip Metro-North fare ($20.50) skills. Limited to 12. $65 (45) Catbirds, Northern Cardinals, and Travel aboard Metro-North to visit not included in trip price. $50 (35) American Robins that abound at this Croton Point Park, a beautiful 500-

KINGSLAND WILDFLOWERS AT STAGES EVENTS © NOoSPHERE Arts © NYC Audubon © NYC Audubon Unless otherwise noted, all programming takes place at Kingsland Wildflowers at Broadway Stages, 520 Kingsland Avenue, Brooklyn, and requires advance registration. Visit www. kingslandwildflowers.com or email [email protected] to learn more about the project, register for events, and see a full listing of programming. /HIWWR5LJKW(UQHVW9LOODORERV.LQJVODQG:LOGÁRZHUV2SHQ+RXVH6DWXUGD\.LQJVODQG:LOGÁRZHUVLQ%ORRP

GREENPOINT OPEN HOUSE ROOFTOP PERFORMANCES artists all across the world. These FIELD DAY FRIDAY: ROOFTOP STUDIOS WEEKEND PRESENTED BY NOoSPHERE ARTS co-hosted summer events will EXPLORATIONS WITH LESLIE Saturday, June 8-Sunday, June 9, Violin Concerts: Ernesto Villalobos raise awareness for environmental ADATTO AND MARNI MAJORELLE noon-4pm and Katy Gunn justice issues and community Friday, June 21, 4-7pm Join us during Greenpoint Open Saturday, June 8, Starts at 6:30pm efforts to revitalize Take a tour of the green roof with House Studios Weekend, where Folk Dance & Music: The Semillas and the surrounding Greenpoint landscape designer Marni Majorelle, art meets nature on the green roof. Collective neighborhood. Registration is followed by a talk with author Leslie We invite you to bring your paints, Saturday, June 22, Starts at 6:30pm preferred. Limited to 200 per event. Adatto as she discusses her new pens, pencils, and sketchbooks to Experience live art focusing on the Free book, 111 Rooftops in New York That sit with us on the green roof and environment jointly presented by You Must Not Miss, which features sketch plant life, the city skyline, or Kingsland Wildflowers at Broadway OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY our very own Kingsland Wildflowers! our unique industrial surroundings. Stages and NOoSPHERE Arts, a Saturday, June 15, 12-3pm Leslie is also the co-founder of the Local Greenpoint artists will have nonprofit housed at Last Frontier Tour the native plant garden and The New York Roof Deck and Roof works on display in our community NYC, the artist studio located our community engagement space Gardening Meetup Group, who will engagement space. No registration just below the roof gardens. as we open Kingsland Wildflowers be joining us for the evening's event. required. No limit. Free NOoSPHERE Arts produces to the general public. Registration Registration required. Limited to 40. multidisciplinary public arts not required. No limit. Free Free

programming from acclaimed 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. 12 www.nycaudubon.org • JAMAICA BAY SHOREBIRD WALK Flag Pole located at the entrance to • HOOK MOUNTAIN Saturday, August 24, 9am-1:30pm the park on the corner of Broadway, HAWK WATCH, NY EARLY MEMBER Guide: Gabriel Willow Battery Place, and State Street. Sunday, September 15, 9am-4pm REGISTRATION FOR We'll search Jamaica Bay's mudflats Join Gabriel Willow to explore Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy UPCOMING EVENTS and ponds for breeding herons the migrating birds that find food Warblers LLC Fall and early winter events will and egrets, Forster's and Common and habitat on 's Part of the Palisades Interstate be posted at www.nycaudubon. Terns, Clapper Rails, and American waterfront. RSVP preferred, visit Park system, Hook Mountain has org and available for registration Oystercatchers, as well as migratory tbcevents.eventbrite.com for more commanding views of all nearby to contributing NYC Audubon plovers and sandpipers that will information. No limit. Free mountains ridges and the Hudson members starting on Monday, already be headed south. Limited to River. From this inland hawk watch August 19, at 9am. (Registration 15. $40 (28) • MORNING FALL MIGRATION spot we expect to see many species will open to all on Monday, WALKS IN CENTRAL PARK of migrating raptors, including Broad- September 2.) • PROSPECT PARK BIRD WALK Wednesdays, September 4- winged and Red-shouldered Hawks, Sunday, August 25, October 23, Bald Eagles, accipiters, and falcons. Saturdays, August 31 and Thursdays, September 5- Note: this trip requires a 35-minute TO REGISTER FOR ALL NYC September 7, 8-11am October 24, 7:30-10:30am hike up and down the mountainside. AUDUBON EVENTS and for Guide: Gabriel Willow Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Bring binoculars, water, and a bag more information, visit www. Join Gabriel Willow for a leisurely Warblers LLC lunch to enjoy atop the mountain nycaudubon.org or call Danielle walk to see early-fall migrants Birders of all levels can enjoy this watching the hawks fly overhead. Sherman at 212-691-7483 x304 and breeding bird residents of fun and educational series of eight Transport by passenger van included. unless otherwise specified. “Brooklyn's Backyard.” Prospect walks, observing the diverse and Limited to 12. $100 (70) Park’s wide variety of habitats ever-changing waves of migrants IMPORTANT INFORMATION attract a large number of migrants that stop over Central Park during fall • DISCOVERY DAY AT • Contributing Members and breeding bird species— migration. Limited to 15 per series. FRESHKILLS PARK, STATEN ISLAND (Student/Senior level and up) significantly more than Central Park $180 (126) per series Sunday, September 15, 11am-4pm receive a 30% discount on in fact. We will explore the park's Guide: NYC Audubon most local trips and classes meadows, forests, and waterways • FALL WARBLERS With Freshkills Park Alliance, NYC (on discounted events, the in search of waterfowl, warblers, Friday, September 6, Parks, NYC Department of Sanitation discounted price appears tanagers, and other species that call 6:30-8:30pm (class) At 2,200 acres, Freshkills Park in parentheses after the the park home. Limited to 15 per Sunday, September 8, 8-11am (trip) is almost three times the size of nonmember price). See walk. $36 (25) per walk Instructor: Joe Giunta, Happy Central Park, and the largest park membership form on page 19. Warblers LLC to be developed in New York City • Classes meet at 71 West 23rd • FALL MIGRATION BIRD WALKS Identifying “confusing fall warblers” in over 100 years. It also has a Street, Suite 1523. AT , SOUTHERN TIP can be tricky, even for the experts. significant history as the site of • For paid trips requiring OF MANHATTAN Come study some of the most the former Landfill. The advance registration, Tuesdays, September 3-October 8, puzzling species that stop through landfill has been covered with layers the meeting location will 8-9am our area during fall migration with of soil and infrastructure, and the be disclosed in your trip Guide: Gabriel Willow expert Joe Giunta, and then enjoy a site has become a place for wildlife, registration confirmation With The Battery Conservancy second session in the “classroom” of recreation, science, education, and email. Meet at the Memorial Central Park. Limited to 12. $65 (45) art. Trails and paths normally off- • For coach and van trips, the

© Linda Steele/Audubon Photography Awards limits to the public will be open on meeting location is in front • EVENING FALL MIGRATION this day and offer views of the Park’s of 71 West 23rd Street unless WALKS IN CENTRAL PARK hills, creeks, and wildlife. Activities otherwise specified. Mondays, September 9-October 14, include guided bird walks, , • We depart promptly at the Tuesdays, September 10-October 15, running, bike-riding, kayaking, free stated start time. Wednesdays, September 11-October shuttle buses into the Park and to the • For all overnight trips, 16, 5-6:30pm top of a hill offering panoramic views membership in NYC Audubon Guide: Gabriel Willow of New York, and educational tours at the Student/ Senior level Witness the spectacle of autumn and displays. Visit www.freshkillspark. and up is required. migration as songbirds follow the org for more information. No Limit. Atlantic Flyway to their tropical Free wintering grounds. Look for tanagers, warblers, and other neotropical migrants in Central Park. Limited to Scarlet Tanager 15 per series. $146 (102) per series Summer 2019 13 BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE (QUISCALUS MAJOR) Don Riepe © Mr.TinDC* amed for its long keel-shaped tail that it often holds SRLQWLQJ WRZDUG WKH VN\ ZKHQ Á\LQJ RU SHUFKLQJ WKH NBoat-tailed Grackle is a fairly new summer resident in WKHFRDVWDODUHDVRI WKH1RUWKHDVW0\ÀUVWHQFRXQWHUZLWK%RDW tailed Grackles was in the early 1980s along the Georgia coast, where their harsh calls were the dominant song of southern saltmarshes. Like the American Oystercatcher and Laughing Gull, the Boat-tailed Grackle has gradually expanded its range into New York City and as far north as the Massachusetts coast. A few records are noted for -DPDLFD%D\LQWKHPLGODWHV,QDVPDOOÁRFNUHJXODUO\YLV- LWHGP\%URDG&KDQQHOGRFN,PDJLQHP\VXUSULVHZKHQ,ÀUVWKHDUG them one summer morning calling outside my house! Similar to the resident Common Grackle, they are sexually dimorphic in shape, size, and color. While the males are dark purple- black with an iridescent sheen when seen in sunlight and with yellow eyes, the much smaller females are a warm tawny-brown color with Male Boat-tailed Grackles pale yellow eyes. (Florida Boat-tailed Grackles have darker eyes.) © Don Riepe Although taxonomically placed with Icterids, in my view grack- les’ intelligent and opportunistic behavior makes them similar to crows and other corvids. For instance, on beaches they are known WRORRNXQGHUURFNVWRÀQGIRRGZKLOHLQSDUNVWKH\KDYHEHHQVHHQ taking dried, hard food and making it edible by dipping it in water. 7KH\DUHRPQLYRURXVDQGHDWLQVHFWVÀVKIURJVEHUULHVDQGVHHGV as well as scavenge for food in dumpsters, parking lots, and on the ground around human environments. Unlike crows, grackles don’t use tools like sticks, but are very inquisitive and entertaining to watch. I see Boat-tailed Grackles most often in winter, when they for- DJHLQÁRFNVDQGJUDYLWDWHWRWKHQHDUE\4XHHQVFRPPXQLWLHVRI  %URDG&KDQQHODQG+RZDUG%HDFKGXULQJWKHGD\EHIRUHÁ\LQJRII  to roost communally at dusk. In the summer, they nest in shrubs and small trees at the edge of Jamaica Bay’s marshes and can also be found in nearby , . On early spring and summer days, I always enjoy hearing them calling and displaying with beaks pointing skyward. Female Boat-tailed Grackle in Front of Male

CONSERVATION PROGRAM UPDATE AND ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING All lectures are free and open to the public. This series has been made possible by the support of Claude and Lucienne Bloch.

CONSERVATION PROGRAM UPDATE AND NYC Audubon conducts scientific monitoring in all five boroughs to understand how birds are using ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING our urban environment and how this environment affects them, via Project Safe Flight, our Jamaica By Susan Elbin, PhD, and Conservation Staff Bay program, and our Harbor Herons project. Join us as Susan Elbin, PhD, Conservation Biologist Tuesday, June 4, 6pm Kaitlyn Parkins, and our conservation team provide updates on what this research has taught us in The , Central Park, at the past year. Our board election and annual meeting will precede the lecture. Snacks and refresh- 64th Street, Third-Floor Gallery ments will be provided.

14 www.nycaudubon.org BOOK REVIEWS Suzanne Charlé, Mary Jane Kaplan

mentioned can be seen in the Big Apple. urban research projects involve species such Other sections include a helpful listing of as lizards in Puerto Rico, Cliff Swallows in tools of the trade, including information on Nebraska, mosquitos in the London Under- ELQRFXODUVDQGWLSVRQÀHOGFUDIW JURXQG GDPVHOÁLHV LQ %HOJLXP DQG EXOO- Of prime importance, Lindo urges, is ÀQFKHVLQ%DUEDGRV3HUKDSVWKHPRVWKHDYLO\ WRÀQGDSDWFKDORFDODQGIDPLOLDUVLWH\RX researched species is the Eurasian Blackbird bird on a frequent basis. In his own patch at (Turdus merula  /LNH 'DUZLQ·V ÀQFKHV LQ WKH Wormwood Scrubs, a collection of soccer Galapagos, city blackbirds have differenti- HOW TO BE AN URBAN BIRDER ÀHOGV ZLWK D QDUURZ VWULS RI  ZRRGODQG LQ ated from their ancestors in the countryside. By David Lindo west London, Lindo has seen 150 species in Many begin singing three hours before sunrise Princeton University Press, 2018 25 years. Here in New York, a friend of mine WRDYRLGWUDIÀFQRLVH%HFDXVHWKH\ÀQGDPSOH s the title suggests, How to Be an was surprised when, gazing out her window, food in cities even in winter, these blackbirds Urban Birder is aimed primarily at she saw a hawk perched atop the Cathedral of no longer need to migrate and thus, can begin A newcomers to birding in an urban St. John the Divine’s Gothic spire. She found breeding earlier. It is thought that these differ- setting. A regular on BBC TV and radio, as her “patch”—and is heading out to buy her ences will eventually lead to new species. well as author of multiple books and the ÀUVWSDLURI ELQRFXODUVWRVWDUWELUGLQJLQWKH A few of the research projects are local, popular website theurbanbirder.com, Lindo neighborhood.—SC VSHFLÀFWR1HZ

AT JAMAICA BAY WILDLIFE REFUGE, SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 8:30AM-5PM

uring the past 40 years, over 40 species of shorebirds Limited free van transportation from Manhattan to the Jamaica (including rare and accidental vagrants) have been Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is available for NYC Audubon Drecorded at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge’s East and members at the Student/Senior level and up. Meet at 71 West 23rd West Ponds from mid-July through October, with the greatest Street at 7:30am. Contact NYC Audubon at 212-691-7483 to reserve diversity and abundance usually occurring in August. We invite you a seat. Limited van shuttle service will be available from the Broad to attend our 14th annual celebration at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Channel A Train subway station to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Refuge on Saturday, August 17. Activities at this day-long festival Visitor Center until 10:30am. For more information, contact NYC include hikes to the East and West Ponds, lectures by prominent Audubon at 212-691-7483, American Littoral Society at 718-474- shorebird experts, kids programs, and more. Learn about shorebird 0896, or Don Riepe at [email protected]. The program is free, behavior and biology, as well as how to identify these birds in the but suggested donations of $20 for adults (children are free) to ÀHOG:DONOHDGHUVLQFOXGH.HYLQ.DUOVRQ'RQ5LHSHDQG/OR\G NYC Audubon are most welcome to offset the festival cost. Spitalnik. The festival meets at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. A full schedule of activities will be posted on www. The Shorebird Festival is a NYC Audubon partnership program with nycaudubon.org closer to the time of the festival. American Littoral Society and Gateway National Recreation Area.

REMEMBER THE BIRDS here are many ways to play a significant and lasting role in supporting New York City Audubon’s mission to protect wild Tbirds and their habitat in the five boroughs of New York City: • Include New York City Audubon in your will or irrevocable trust. Specify “New York City Audubon Society, 71 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010” as a beneficiary. You can change your bequest or designation at any time. • Name “New York City Audubon” as a residual beneficiary, or co-beneficiary, in your retirement account, bank account, or insurance policy. It’s very easy! Many times it can be done online. Retirement plans include IRAs, 401(k) plans, profit-sharing plans, Keogh plans, and 403(b) plans. • Have payments from your retirement account made directly to New York City Audubon. You must be 70½ or older. Payments made this way are not included in your gross income. The tax benefits of these options can be very attractive, too. Be sure to speak with your financial advisor about any arrangements you make on behalf of New York City Audubon. To learn more about ways to plan a gift to New York City Audubon, contact Director of Development Kellye Rosenheim at [email protected] or 646-502-9611.

16 www.nycaudubon.org RAIN GARDEN ON JUSTICE AVENUE: MANAGING WASTEWATER PILOT PROJECT Dustin Partridge

hat happens when you turn a © Dustin Partridge strip of asphalt in a W roadway into a species-rich rain garden dense with native plants? Our conser- vation team at NYC Audubon, in coordina- tion with New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), is working on this exact question. This stormwater Best Management Practice project involves the conversion of a portion of Justice Avenue in Elmhurst, Queens, into a small patch of habi- tat that captures excess stormwater within the Watershed and increases local Justice Avenue Rain Garden Photographed after Installation, October 18, 2018 biodiversity. in 2017 and found 17 invertebrate taxa and 1<& $XGXERQ HFRORJLVWV UHFHQWO\ ÀQ- This new rain garden—a transformed one bird species (House Sparrow). Results LVKHG WKHLU ÀUVW SRVWLQVWDOODWLRQ VXUYH\ RI  VTXDUHIRRW WUDIÀF LVODQG ERUGHUHG from this pre-construction survey indicated both the rain garden and Horsebrook Island. by Justice Avenue, 56th Avenue, and 90th that the small amount of green space and soil :KLOH VDPSOHV DUH FXUUHQWO\ EHLQJ LGHQWLÀHG Street in Queens—is part of a larger effort of Horsebrook Island was habitat for a few early analysis indicates that the rain garden has by DEP to reduce combined sewer over- wild species, but it was lacking attributes to been colonized by a rich arthropod community ÁRZV DQG FUHDWH JUHHQ LQIUDVWUXFWXUH WKDW provide a more robust invertebrate and bird and there has been an increase in both inverte- attracts wildlife. During heavy storms, over- population. This project was undertaken by brate abundance and richness on Horsebrook ÁRZV RI  VWRUPZDWHU DQG ZDVWHZDWHU ZRXOG DEP in connection with the settlement of Island. discharge into nearby waterbodies in what is an enforcement action taken by New York The habitat created by the rain garden is NQRZQDVFRPELQHGVHZDJHRYHUÁRZHYHQWV State and the New York State Department still “new,” yet it already has attracted a diver- (CSOs). CSOs negatively impact water qual- of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for sity of pollinators and ground dwelling spe- ity in the Hudson and East Rivers, as well as violations of New York State law and DEC cies such as Bombus bimaculatus (Two-spot- other wildlife-rich bodies of water. The Jus- regulations. The goal of the pilot is to expand ted Bumble Bee) and leafcutter bee species. tice Avenue pilot project, managed by DEP the green space with an area of dense native SCAPE Studio designed the rain garden with a DQGGHVLJQHGE\HQJLQHHULQJÀUP+'5,QF plantings which may be enough to turn this mixed native palate of shrubs, perennials, and ZDVFUHDWHGWRFDWFKRYHUÁRZDQGGHWDLQWKH depauperate patch into a more robust wild- grasses, such as Cornus sericea (redosier dog- water until it is absorbed into the soil. To do life community. wood), varieties of Asclepias tuberosa EXWWHUÁ\ this, a rain garden was installed at a previously © Dustin Partridge weed), and Panicum virgatum (switchgrass). As unused section of asphalt adjacent to the Jus- the vegetation develops, and more invertebrate WLFH$YHQXHWUDIÀFLVODQG1<&$XGXERQLV species colonize, we expect the rain garden studying the density of invertebrates both to become more biodiverse and increase the before and after the project to learn whether number of species using Horsebrook Island. native rain gardens like these can attract a rich Our ecologists will continue their monitoring arthropod community and become quality efforts for two years. avian stopover habitat. This rain garden is an example of how Installed in summer 2018, the Justice the properly planned addition of even a small Avenue native rain garden sits adjacent to amount of green space can start changing the Horsebrook Island, a small (~1,200 sq ft) ecology of a neighborhood. Small conserva- WUDIÀFWULDQJOHSDUNSODQWHGZLWKWUHHVDIHZ tion projects, such as this and our Kingsland shrubs, and covered with mulch just a block :LOGÁRZHUV SURMHFW DUH D JUHDW ZD\ WR KHOS from the Queens Center mall. NYC Audu- Recently Planted Sweet Pepperbush Growing at ´JUHHQµ1HZ

PARTNERSHIPS &RQVHUYDWLRQDQGRXWUHDFKDUHQRWSRVVLEOHZLWKRXWZRUNLQJSDUWQHUVKLSV1<&$XGXERQFROODERUDWHVZLWKJRYHUQPHQWDJHQFLHVDQGRWKHUQRQSURÀWDQGFRPPXQLW\RUJDQL- zations to reach broader audiences and achieve common conservation goals. Recent partnerships have included the following organizations: Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park Natural Areas Conservancy American Bird Conservancy Natural Resources Defense Council NEW YORK CITY AUDUBON THANKS THE American Birding Association The Nature Conservancy FOLLOWING FOUNDATIONS, CORPORATIONS, American Institute of Architects New York New Jersey Audubon Society American Littoral Society New Jersey Meadowlands Commission AND GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES FOR THEIR American Museum of Natural History The New School FINANCIAL SUPPORT Arader Galleries New York City Department of Environmental Atlanta Audubon Protection The Achelis & Bodman Foundation Audubon Connecticut New York City Department of Parks & Recreation AmazonSmile Foundation Audubon Mural Project New York City Department of Parks & Recreation - American Littoral Society Audubon New York Natural Resources Group Anima Mundi Herbals The Battery Conservancy New York City Department of Parks & Recreation - Anova BIRDLINK NYC Wildlife Unit Aqua ViTea Kombucha Birds & Beans Coffee New York City Department of Youth and Community Atlas Obscura Nicolas Holiber: Birds on Broadway Development Bird-safe Glass Alliance New York City Economic Development Corporation Broadway Stages Broadway Mall Association New York City Green Roof Researchers Alliance Brooklyn Bird Club Alliance New York City Soil & Water Conservation District Brooklyn Brewery New York Harbor School Brooklyn Gin Conservancy New York State Department of Environmental Corporation Conservation Con Edison Canadian Wildlife Service New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Curious Elixirs Caveat NYC Preservation Custom Ink Central Park Arsenal New York State Ornithological Association Dobson Foundation Central Park Conservancy New York University Center for Urban Science and The Durst Organization Christodora Progress Euler-Revaz Family Foundation City University of New York New York University Wallerstein Collaborative for FXCollaborative College of Staten Island Urban Environmental Education and Sustainability Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund Columbia University NOoSPHERE Arts Harry & Rose Zaifert Foundation Conserve Wildlife The North Shore Waterfront Conservancy of Staten Herban Cura Constitution Marsh Audubon Sanctuary Island, Inc. The Honeybee Conservancy Cornell Cooperative Extension NYC H2O Hudson River Foundation Cornell Lab of Ornithology NYC Urban Soils Institute Iglooplay Drexel University Oceana New York Innisfree M&A Incorporated Earth Matter NY The Office of Council Member Andrew Cohen Investors Bank Foundation Ennead Architects The Office of Council Member Mark Gjonaj Ioby The Evergreens Cemetery The Ornithological Council Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Fairhope Graphics Pace University Kekst CNC Feminist Bird Club Palisades Interstate Park Commission Kickstarter Fordham University Patagonia Kimball Foundation Freshkills Park Alliance Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Kings Brewers Collective The Friends of Governors Island Prendergast Laurel Architects Leaves of Grass Fund Friends of Pelham Bay Park Prospect Park Alliance Leon Levy Foundation Friends of Van Cortlandt Park Prospect Park Audubon Center Lily Auchincloss Foundation FXCollaborative Queens Loren Manufacturing, Inc. Gateway National Recreation Area Randall’s Island Park Alliance Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences Gitler &_____ The Raptor Trust The Marta Heflin Foundation THE GRAY MARE Riverkeeper Materials for the Arts Green Horizons Riverside Park Summer on the Hudson National Audubon Society Greenbelt Native Plant Center Rockaway Waterfront Alliance National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Green-Wood Cemetery Rocking the Boat National Park Service Harbor Program Rockaway Waterfront Alliance New York City Department of Environmental Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus Protection Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society SCAPE Studio The New York Community Trust IBEX Puppetry Science and Resilience Institute at Jamaica Bay New York State Department of Environmental International Dark Skies Association Shoals Marine Laboratory Conservation The Intrepid Museum Student Conservation Association New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Jacob K. Javits Convention Center SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers Swarovski Optik Patagonia Jamaica Bay-Rockaways Parks Conservancy The Trust for Governors Island Peak View Foundation Kings County Brewers Collective U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pilot Kombucha Kingsborough Community College U.S. Geological Service Robert and Joyce Menschel Family Foundation LeFrak City U.S. Green Building Council of New York The Strachan & Vivian Donnelley Foundation Linneaen Society of New York U.S.D.A. APHIS/Wildlife Services U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences Rangers Upstate Massachusetts Audubon Society The Waterbird Society The Walt Disney Company Foundation Metropolitan Society of Natural Historians Waterfront Alliance Weinshel Goldfarb Foundation Michael Ahern Production Services Wave Hill The William C. Bullitt Foundation Morgan Stanley Wild Bird Fund The Williams Companies National Audubon Society Wildlife Conservation Society Wood Thrush Fund National Park Service The Woodlawn Cemetery and Conservancy Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream National September 11 Memorial & Museum 18 www.nycaudubon.org NEWS & NOTES SUPPORT NYC AUDUBON’S MISSION

SPREADING AWARENESS ABOUT CLIMATE THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO PROTECT NEW YORK CITY’S WILD BIRDS CHANGE TO NEW YORKERS n addition to becoming a member or GIVE A MATCHING GIFT making a one-time donation, there Supporters can double or triple the value of Iare several ways to play a larger role donations through their employers’ matching in supporting NYC Audubon’s mission to gift programs. Contact your company’s SURWHFWZLOGELUGVDQGWKHLUKDELWDWLQWKHÀYH SHUVRQQHO RIÀFH WR OHDUQ KRZ %H VXUH WR boroughs of New York City: specify New York City Audubon as the designee. GIVE MONTHLY Provide ongoing monthly support to ensure LEAVE A LEGACY On the morning of May 17, Nicolas Holiber: our birds are protected throughout the year. When you designate New York City Audubon Birds on Broadway, the Audubon Sculpture You can make a huge difference for as little DVDEHQHÀFLDU\LQ\RXUZLOO,5$OLIHLQVXUDQFH Project was unveiled to the public. Ten as $5 per month. See the membership form policy, or investment/bank account, your gift sculptures of New York City birds imperiled below or donate online at www.nycaudubon. will support the conservation of the birds by climate change, chosen from National Audubon's Birds and Climate Change org/donate. you love for many years to come. Visit www. Report, now line the Broadway malls from nycaudubon.org/leave-a-legacy, or contact us 64th Street to 157th Street. The birds will BECOME A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN to learn more. be on view through January 2020. This KESTREL CIRCLE public art project, presented by Broadway Soar above the rest by making a donation To learn more about any of the above, contact Mall Association in partnership with Gitler of $2,500 or more. American Kestrel Circle Director of Development Kellye Rosenheim &____ Gallery, NYC Department of Parks & patrons enjoy special access and exclusive at [email protected] or 646-502- Recreation, and NYC Audubon, highlights tours. See the membership form below or 9611. Save paper, time, and money by making climate challenged birds, raising awareness donate online at www.nycaudubon.org/ your contribution online 24/7 at of the effects of climate change on our donate. Contact us to learn more. www.nycaudubon.org/support-us. environment, wildlife, and people. That night we presented a free screening of the National Geographic film Paris to Pittsburgh at Kingsland Wildflowers at Broadway Stages. Over 150 attendees came to the BECOME A MEMBER Contributing members are essential to our conservation and outreach work. screening and panel discussion, learning 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 about the national and worldwide effects City’s wildlife and natural areas. of climate change and discussing how we [ ] I would like become a member by making a recurring donation in the amount of $______as citizens can demand and develop real each month. solutions to reduce our carbon footprint. I would like to become a member by making a one-time donation: [ ] American Kestrel Circle $2,500 [ ] Conservationist $250 [ ] Supporter $100 WELCOME BACK TOD WINSTON [ ] Family $75 [ ] Dual $50 [ ] Friend $25 [ ] Student/Senior(65+)$15 We are thrilled to welcome back Tod [ ] Dual Senior (65+) $30 [ ] New [ ] Renewal Winston to our communications team as [ ] Additionally, I would like to make a donation to NYC Audubon in the amount of $ ______. a Communications Content Manager for [ ] I’m already a member but would like to make a gift in the amount of $ ______. Special Projects. Tod previously served as [ ] Please direct my gift to D-Bird research Communications Manager for New York City Audubon before taking on the role of Name: ______Program Associate for National Audubon’s Plants for Birds program. Even while Tod Address: ______was at National Audubon, he continued working for New York City Audubon Phone: H: ______C: ______Email: ______as a Conservation Research Associate coordinating our annual Harbor Herons [ ] Enclosed is my check payable to NYC Audubon surveys. In his new communications role, [ ] Charge my credit card: [ ] VISA [ ] MC [ ] AMEX [ ] DSC Tod will be helping us produce additional CARD #: ______Exp. Date: ______Security Code: _____ content for our organization, including our Mail this form with your payment to: soon-to-be-unveiled Strategic Plan, new NYC Audubon • 71 West 23rd Street, Suite 1523 • New York, NY 10010 brochures, and updated webpages. Membership in NYC Audubon does not include National Audubon membership or Audubon Magazine. Donations to NYC Audubon are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. NYC Audubon is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Summer 2019 19 New York City Audubon 71 West 23rd Street NONPROFIT ORG. Suite 1523 US POSTAGE PAID New York, NY 10010 HUDSON NH PERMIT No. 82

DATED MATERIAL: Summer 2019 Newsletter

20 www.nycaudubon.org