EASTERN LONG ISLAND AUDUBON SOCIETY – From the Barrens to the Bays Formerly Moriches Bay Audubon, established 1967

November/December 2008 —Vol. XXXVIII No. 6

NATURE PROGRAMS J a Monday, November 3rd m e s

NY'S SECOND BREEDING BIRD ATLAS G a l l

BY KIMBERLEY CORWIN e t t o NewYork’s second Breeding Bird Atlas is imminent. The book documents changes in our bird distributions over the past 20 years. Some species have increased greatly while others have declined alarmingly. A few species are new breeders in the state while at least one has all but disappeared. Kimberley Corwin, who coordinated the Atlas project and co-edited the Atlas pub - lication, will show distribution maps and share some of the stories with us. Get a sneak peak into the book that NewYork's birders have been waiting years to see! The first feeding from A RedTale Kim is the Co-Editor of the Breeding Bird Atlas publication. She served as the Monday, December 1st James Galletto has been photographing Project Coordinator of the project from JAMES GALLETTO - A RED TALE nature for ten years and is known world its start in 1999. Kim holds a Master's de - wide for his action and behavior photog - James Galletto will give a program called gree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology raphy. His images have graced the cover of A RedTale an intimate view inside the from the University at Albany. In her spare Natures Best Magazine and have hung on life of a Red-tail Hawk Family. We will fol - time, Kim enjoys hiking and birding. She is the walls of Smithsonian National Museum low their lives from egg to fledging to an avid road cyclist and mountain biker. of Natural History. hunting on their own. Nature programs and membership meetings are held the FIELD TRIPS first Monday of every month at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge. Saturday, November 1, 2008 Ocean Parkway east to Robert Moses These free programs JONES BEACH STATE PARK AND State Park. If time permits we walk on the are open to all. POINT LOOKOUT boardwalk to Fire Island Lighthouse. Con - (Directions are on our website.) tact your trip leader John McNeil at 7:15 pm – Nature Chat Leader: John McNeil 631.281.2623 at home or on the day of 7:30 pm – Chapter News the field trip, by cell 631.219.8947. This area is a catch basin for all types of 8:00 pm – Speaker birds, and holds many surprises. We will December 2008 try to catch the end of the fall migration December presents a special opportunity Saturday, November 22 & as well as the arrival of our winter visitors from the north. Do not forget to bring a for you to join one of the Christmas Bird Sunday. November 23 lunch. Counts (CBCs) and/or the Waterfowl Census. The leaders and territories are SEED SALE Meet at the West End #2 parking lot at listed on page 2. Please pick one and par - See Insert for 9 am. We will drive to Point Lookout, ticipate in this nationwide effort that has check the jetties, and come back to JFK been going on for over 100 years. There Order Form Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary. Then check are a few related stories inside. THE OSPREY - November/December 2008 2

Christmas Bird Counts & Winter Waterfowl Censuses John McNeil s the holiday season approaches, it can participate. All help is welcome. ever, to hunt for owls, some observers Ais once again time to think about Experienced birders are needed for each start a few hours before daylight and con - the winter bird counts. Each year, of the counts, but beginners are most wel - tinue for a while after dark. At least eight ELIAS members participate in a series of come. If you are not an experienced hours of field observation during daylight ten counts — five Christmas Bird Counts birder, field parties who are familiar with hours in a CBC circle is required for ac - (CBC) sponsored by the National the territory will help you learn your way ceptance of a CBC report. Audubon Society and five winter water - around. We hope that new observers will Field coverage is primarily done by some fowl censuses sponsored by the NY Or - find the counts to be as exciting as experi - combination of walking and driving, but bi - nithological Association. Dates and enced birders find them to be, and that cycles, boats, motorcycles, and other compilers for the counts are listed below. they will continue to participate in the fu - modes of transportation are also used. If you would like to participate as either a ture. This is the way we can we develop an The Winter Waterfowl Censuses have field observer or a feeder watcher in any adequate pool of skilled, committed ob - been compiled throughout the state of of the listed CBC’s, or as a participant in servers to continue the tradition. NewYork since 1955. These too are done any of the waterfowl censuses, please con - Feeder watchers who live within the count in assigned territories, but only birds such tact the compiler for the count(s). A fee circle are needed to provide additional as ducks, geese, swans, cormorants, grebes, will be collected from all observers over coverage by recording the number of indi - and coots are counted. These censuses are 18, to defray the cost of compiling the viduals and the variety of species that ap - usually done in mid-January by the same data and publishing for the CBC results. pear at the feeder during the count day. CBC compilers. If you would like to partic - There is no fee to participate in the Wa - ipate please contact a compiler. terfowl Censuses. Usually the compilers For the most part, counting begins as soon are very flexible and participants can bird as it is light enough to see (around 6:30 to Below are the people to contact to join with the group until they need to go. 7:00 am) and continues until it is too dark the CBC and the Waterfowl Census. So…please do not hesitate to ask if you to see anymore (around 5:00 pm). How -

Count Date Compiler Contact Information Quogue to Water Mill CBC Sunday, Dec. 14th Steve Biasetti Hm 874-4684 Wk 765-6450 x205 [email protected] [email protected] Montauk CBC Saturday, Dec. 20th Hugh McGuinness 907-1709 [email protected] Sagaponack CBC Sunday, Dec. 21st Hugh McGuinness 907-1709 [email protected] Central Suffolk CBC Saturday, Dec. 27th Eileen Schwinn 516-662-7751 [email protected] Orient CBC Saturday, Jan 3rd, 2009 MaryLaura Lamont 722-5542 [email protected] Smith Point to Shinnecock Inlet Census Saturday, Jan. 17th Jay Kuhlman 878-4461 [email protected] Yaphank to Peconic Bay Census Midweek of Jan. 17th John McNeil 281-2623 [email protected] Montauk Point to Amagansett Census Saturday, Jan. 17th Hugh McGuinness 907-1709 [email protected] Reeves Bay to Noyack Bay Midweek of Jan. 17th John McNeil 281-2623 [email protected] Fresh Pond to Sag Harbor Midweek of Jan. 17th John McNeil 281-2623 [email protected] THE OSPREY - November/December 2008 3

WHY THE COUNT IS IMPORTANT Other Walks of Interest Saturday, November 1 rom December 14, 2008 through their numbers. Instead of firing a shotgun, MaryLaura Lamont, ELIAS Board Mem - FJanuary 5, 2009, tens of thousands of now we have an annual snapshot. Decades ber and NPS naturalist, will lead a walk volunteers throughout the Americas of data have added up to results envied by on November 1. Meet at 9 am at the will take part in an adventure that has be - other scientists who don’t enjoy such a eastern section of Robert Moses park - come a family tradition among genera - fleet of volunteer help, or creatures as ing Field 5. The walk will go to the Fire tions. Grandmothers and students, soccer easily seen and counted as birds. Island Lighthouse . moms and scientists, armed with binocu - “Counting is the first step in learning how Saturday, November 22 lars, bird guides and checklists will head environmental threats are affecting our Join MaryLaura Lamont, at Hal lockville out on an annual mission – often before birds," said LeBaron. The proverbial "ca - Museum , Sound Ave, Northville. There dawn. For over one hundred years, the de - naries in the coal mine," birds provide an will be a $5.00 fee charged to help Hal - sire to both make a difference and to ex - early warning indicator of the health of lockville educational school programs. perience the beauty of nature has driven the world we all share. dedicated people to leave the comfort of a Meet at 9 am. warm house in the middle of winter. “Last year these birds sent us a clear mes - Sunday, November 23 sage that their fate is determined by These Citizen Scientists are taking action human activity more than anything else,” MaryLaura will lead one more walk to for conservation. By participating in said Audubon President John Flicker when the William Floyd Estate . Enter by Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count, they announcing WatchList 2007. The using the Service Entrance gate, at 20 Wash - help scientists understand how birds are CBC and other data sources, WatchList ington Ave. in Mastic. Contact Mary - faring amid unprecedented environmental identified 178 species in the continental Laura at work (631) 399-2030 for challenges. The data they collect informs U.S. and 39 in Hawaii that are imperiled. details and info. Meet at 9 am the world about the State of Birds, and The report was based on the latest avail - provides the information we need to able research, including the Christmas Bird shape their future and ours. Count. In June of 2007, CBC results were “Each of the citizen scientists who brave pivotal to the Common Birds in Decline snow, wind, or rain, to take part in the Report which revealed that some of From the Field Christmas Bird Count makes an enor - America’s most beloved and familiar birds mous contribution to conservation," said have taken a nosedive over the past forty The planned walk to Jamaica Bay was can - Geoff LeBaron, Audubon's Christmas Bird years, with some down as much as celled due to Hurricane Hanna. The walk Count Director. 80 percent. to Smith Point Park took place too late to Last year, thousands of volunteers counted get a report into this issue of the newslet - nearly 60 million birds across the Ameri - ter. cas and beyond. Each count occurs in a designated circle, 15 miles in diameter, and is led by an experienced birder, or desig - nated “compiler”. The longest running Citizen Science pro - ELIAS hats are available gram in the world, the count originally began on Christmas Day in 1900 when or - at meetings, events nithologist and legendary birder Frank Chapman posed an alternative to an ear - andThe Seed Sale lier traditional holiday "side hunt." Chap - man proposed “hunting” birds to record

Editor’s Note Look for ELIAS bumper stickers! Thank you to Hans Schwinn, MD for the the wonderful photos of Alaskan wildlife that appeared in the last issue. Photo credit was inadvertently left off. THE OSPREY - November/December 2008 4

Ho Hum Becomes Oh Wow! On a Christmas Count Don and Gigi Spates

hus far, the morning of December had a solid twenty minutes of binocular Pine Grosbeaks. We had no photographic T15th, Christmas Count 2007 for observing, even with time to set up and equipment with us, but the length and our sector of the Quogue to Wa - use our scope while the Grosbeaks re - closeness of observation and the staying termill area had been relatively quiet with mained in that one cedar tree, moving power of the birds left no doubt as to common overwintering bird species in av - only to feed. Indeed, we approached that what we had seen. The dense evergreen erage numbers. The weather was cool and cedar within 15 to 20 feet while the feed - trees growing against the back of an old mostly sunny. ing frenzy of all the birds continued, mov - building, their branches full of berries, cer - Toward 11 am as we drove around a cor - ing a little into the thick-foliaged branches, tainly provided shelter from the winter ner in the hills above Shinnecock Bay we then quickly back out in full view again. chill and cool breezes of the day, and food saw many birds crisscrossing a small side Then, gradually the Grosbeaks and Siskins for hungry birds. The birds, in turn, pro - street. On the east edge of the road was a were replaced by a flock of Starlings that vided warmth to the heart and feast for row of mature red cedar trees; on the wanted in on the feast. the eyes of two Long Island birders. west side, an overgrown, undeveloped lot. Both observers discussed and agreed As each of us exited the car we could upon the identification of this sighting of hear and see a variety of birds on the ground, in the cedars and flitting back and forth from one side of the road to the other. The south-facing side of one cedar Catching the Wave tree, somewhat in the middle of the row and full of cedar berries, was the spotlight Mary Beth Wilson of activity of a variety of species. Immedi - ately, one group of birds stood out as un - was awakened early on the morning of October 7th by the branches of the usual: about robin-size, long-tailed, rosey- pussy willow tree in my yard tapping on the window. That, and the chilly raspberry red with white wing bars on I wind coming out of the northwest, told me that the weather forecasters dark wings, they showed prominently in had actually gotten it right for once, and the cold front they had predicted was the late morning sun, hanging upside down really here! As I raced outside to my car and headed over the bridge towards and sideways, stoking their chunky beaks the Fire Island National Seashore, I could feel it in the air….the hawks were with cedar berries. They were obviously coming! Pine Grosbeaks. The other “stand out” birds mixed through the dark foliage, also The east side of Field 5 at Robert Moses State Park was crowded with cars with thick beaks rounded on top, showed that I knew, at this time of year, did not belong to beach goers….the Fire Is - yellow in the sun. At first glance we land Raptor Enumerators were here, and so too, flying overhead in a steady thought the yellow ones were Evening stream, were the raptors themselves! Grosbeaks which we had seen a number On the hawk-watch platform, the counters were calling out sightings all over of times before, but not recently. Looking the park. “K bird on the left, Sharpie overhead, Merlin coming in over #2… for a few more moments we knew that This is like it was in the old days!” I heard shouted over and over again. In the we were not right with that call, as the two hours I was there, the flow of birds never let up, and at the end of the white on the wings were bars not patches, day, the tally told the story…109 Sharpies, 309 American Kestrels, 107 Mer - and the shapes were more elongated than lins, 9 Ospreys, 1 Cooper’s Hawk and 5 Peregrines. Evenings, with decidedly longer tails and I’m sure that there have been days with higher counts, but for me, a relatively dark not light beaks. The whole head pro - new comer to the hawk watch scene, this was one of the best birding days I portion to the beak spoke Pine Gros - had ever seen. The perfect weather, the excitement among my fellow birders beaks. Both Peterson and Sibley bird on the platform, and above all the joy of seeing so many magnificent raptors guides verified the red Pine Grosbeak streaming across the sky are all part of why I just smile when people say to males and the confusing, yellowish birds as me, “You’re getting up at WHAT time to go WHERE??” Pine Grosbeak females. What a glorious sight—all mixed in with Pine Siskins,Yel - low-rumped Warblers and Robins! We THE OSPREY - November/December 2008 5

Turkey Vultures, a new species for LI

Larry Penny ents were nowhere to be seen, but Char - and female. How did they find out, that Chief East Hampton Natural Resources lie had seen them around off and on dur - the two, over the course of three years, ing the weeks prior to our visit. had twice made a nest and had each time t was Tuesday evening after Labor Day When I wrote about the young Montauk produced a single offspring. They pro - when I got a call from Charlie Morici I vultures in the East Hampton Press , a local ceeded to take good care of each hatch - who caretakes parks and nature pre - teacher, Brad Dickinson, scion of a well- lines as any good bird parents would do serves in Montauk for the Town of East established Montauk family that raised until it was time for fledging. Carl and Gigi Hampton. What he had to say made my cattle and horses for generations when let them go and that was that. ears pop. He had discovered a TurkeyVul - Montauk was more like the wild west But now, Gigi wonders if somehow, Turkey ture nest with two nestlings in a parkland than an exurb of NewYork City, called me Vultures, as so many other birds, exhibit on the north side of Montauk. Would I like up about those vultures. It turns out that site fidelity — they come back to the to see it? I sure would, was my reply. To two obstreperous lads, both 13 years-old place of their origin. It’s quite possible that my knowledge TurkeyVultures had never and summer school students of his, Richie these two chicks, having grown up in the nested in Montauk nor any other place on Malik-Atkinson and Anthony Santich had confines of the Quogue Wildlife Sanctuary, Long Island. I met Charlie at the Navy discovered the chicks a month-and-a-half were in some way responsible for the Road park site the next morning; I earlier while exploring that part of the growing presence of Vultures on Long Is - brought along another nature preserve hamlet. They came to class and reported land. Recently more than one observer manager, Walter Galcik, who caretakes that they had found two albino Turkey has reported seeing them feeding on road Shadmoor Park on the ocean in Montauk. chicks in an abandoned building. Brad fol - kill deer. When the observers’ vehicles I looked around in the trees and saw lowed them to the spot, and, there were passed by, they didn’t fly off, the way many nothing, I asked Charlie where was the the two whitish chicks all right, but they crows don’t leave roadside carcasses when nest. weren’t Turkeys, they were TurkeyVultures. cars pass by. e very politely informed me that They provided the provender for a very I’m not an authority on TurkeyVultures, Hvultures don’t nest in trees, but on enlightening class look into the life of but I have heard the story more than the ground in a cave, on a rocky these scavengers, which, by the way, in the once that before the Battle of Gettysburg, ledge, or similar non-arboreal spot. I had past ten years or so had become more a turning point in the Civil War, there majored in ornithology in college, had and more common on the South Fork, were noVultures around. Following the studied birds on both coasts and obvi - even showing up on Christmas bird battle, they appeared and have nested in ously I still had a lot to learn. Charlie led counts from time to time. the area ever since. If true, it would be an us to a spot in a county park where there The story is not finished. Just today I example of site fidelity in TurkeyVultures. was a little concrete building no bigger learned from Gigi Spates who used to run Montauk can probably look forward to than an outhouse left over from the the Quogue Wildlife Refuge so ably with having them back along with their parents World War II days when the military the late Carl Helms, that two TurkeyVul - in the next breeding season and in future occupied most of Montauk. He didn’t tures with wing injuries which had been years. want to go through the narrow brushy together in the same cage at the refuge in pathway to the building’s entrance — he the early 1980’s turned out to be male had already done it twice and had con - tracted a bad case of chiggers. One of the chicks in the outhouse-size building left fromWWII.TurkeyVultures nest on the Walter and I sidled through, looked into ground, not in trees like other hawks and eagles. the semi-dark space and immediately were met with loud screeches; when our eyes adjusted to the dimness, we saw the two TurkeyVulture chicks, dark bodies, naked necks, whitish heads huddled to - gether trying to hide. The place stank of vulture excrement and vulture regurgita - tion.Vultures don’t carry prey to their nests in talons the way hawks and eagles do, they carry it in their crop semi-di - gested. It was so dark, I had to use the flash on my camera, but I snuck a picture or two before we backed away. The par - THE OSPREY - November/December 2008 6

PROJECT FEEDERWATCH BENEFITS BIRDS AND PEOPLE CONNECTION WITH NATURE PROMOTES WELLNESS

ITHACA, NY world’s largest database on feeder-bird functioning,” says Nancy Wells, Cornell More than a populations,” says project leader David University assistant professor of design hundred stud - Bonter. “We are grateful for the contribu - and environmental analysis. Her studies ies have shown tions our participants have made for the find that a view of nature through the that getting birds and are proud of the joy they say it window or access to the environment in closer to na - brings to their busy lives. Since we started any way improves a child’s cognitive func - ture reduces in 1987, more than 40,000 people have tioning and stress and pro - submitted observations, engaging with the reduces the motes a feeling wildlife beyond their windows.” negative ef - of well-being in “Project FeederWatch opened up a fects of stress children and adults. So, filling feeders and whole new world for me,” says participant on the child’s counting the birds that visit may be just Cheri Ryan of Lockport, Kentucky. “It’s so psychological what the doctor interesting to watch the activities of the well-being. ordered! For more than 20 years, that’s birds. I learn something new each time I Wells also what participants in the Cornell Lab of participate.” notes that Ornithology’s Project FeederWatch have when children been doing — benefitting themselves and Scientists learn something new from the spent time the birds. data each year, too, whether it’s about the with nature early in life it carries over to movements of common backyard birds or "It is a great winter time activity for the their adult attitudes and behavior toward unusual sightings of rarely-seen species. the environment. whole family," says Alaska FeederWatcher Highlights of the most recent season in - Nancy Darnell. "If you have children, they clude the largest southward movement of Project FeederWatch welcomes partici - will come to love watching the birds. All of Red-breasted Nuthatches in the history of pants of all ages and skill levels, from scout this is fun and a chance to contribute to the project — part of an expected influx troops and retirees to classrooms and na - scientific studies, too!" of northern birds that fly farther south ture center visitors. To learn more and to The 2008-09 season of Project Feed - when their food supplies run short. Other sign up, visit www.feederwatch.org or call erWatch gets underway November 8 northern species showing up in record the Lab toll-free at (800) 843-2473. In re - and runs through April 3. Participants numbers included Common Repolls and turn for the $15 fee ($12 for Lab mem - count the numbers and kinds of birds at Pine Siskins. Among the rare birds re - bers) participants receive the Feeder- their feeders each week and send the in - ported was a Streak-backed Oriole in Watcher’s Handbook, an identification formation to the Cornell Lab of Ornithol - Loveland, Colorado — the state’s first re - poster of the most common feeder birds ogy. Participants submitted more than port of this bird, native to Mexico. A De - in their area, a calendar, complete instruc - 115,000 checklists during the 2007-08 cember nor’easter deposited a Dovekie in tions, and the FeederWatch annual report, FeederWatch season, documenting un - Newton, Massachusetts, the first time this Winter Bird Highlights. usual bird sightings, winter movements, North Atlantic seabird has ever been re - Many FeederWatchers echo this com - and shifting ranges — a treasure-trove of ported to Project FeederWatch. ment from Mary Strasser of Wisconsin: information that scientists use to monitor Long-term data show some species in - “The greatest reward for me as a partici - the health of the birds and of the environ - creasing in number, such as the Lesser pant in Project FeederWatch these many ment. Goldfinch in the Southwest. Other popu - years has been observing birds and behav - “Being a FeederWatcher is easy and fun, lations continue a downward trend, such ior that I might have missed had I not and at the same time helps generate the as the Evening Grosbeak throughout their been part of this project.” range. Once one of the most common species seen at feeders in the northern half of the continent, the Grosbeaks are declining for unknown reasons. Beyond the benefits to birds and science, however, is the benefit to participants. “Nature is not merely an amenity; it is critical to healthy human development and Photos supplied by Project FeederWatch. Clockwise: AmericanTree Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Black- capped Chickadee and at left, an Evening Grosbeak. THE OSPREY - November/December 2008 7

Conservation Column From “Nobody can do everything but everybody can do something” Kaler’s Pond Beth Gustin Nature Center lection day is almost here . records and views of politicians on the EThere are some issues that national level. Local issues such as land Jay Kuhlman dominate the media and our own conservation, groundwater quality, and political discussions. Things such as the pollution in our waterways are just as he Kaler's Pond Audubon Nature economy, the wars, and healthcare are important as national issues, and our TCenter ended it’s program with a extremely important and we pretty much choices of local officials may have a more Wildlife festival on October 5. This know where politicians stand on these immediate impact on our day to day lives. concluded a good summer, with new sup - issues. Although the environment seems Although Eastern Long Island Audubon port from the residents of the area, and to have been put on the back burner in Society does not make any political en - help from Suffolk County Legislator recent weeks, we should not neglect to dorsements, we do encourage our mem - Ed Romaine, as well as the Town of consider environmental concerns when bers to consider the local, national and Brookhaven. casting our votes this year. The website global environment when making their The gardens have continued to grow and of the League of ConservationVoters is a voting decisions. expand. The bird feeders are always active. great place to research the environmental The next endeavor will be monthly pro - grams held at the Center Moriches Li - brary from January to April on Sunday afternoons. The titles will be announced in the issue.

Chapter Renewal & Membership A For $15 a year, you will receive 6 copies of this newsletter.You will also be supporting our local education and conservation activities. (Members of National Audubon who are Nifty not chapter members receive one copy of this newsletter per year.) Gift This is a H Renewal H New Membership

Name ______

Address ______The Bedside Book of Birds — An Avian Miscellany ______by Graeme Gibson Can't fall asleep? Have this by your bed - City/State ______Zip ______side! You won't fall asleep immediately, but you will take your mind off all the worries Email ______that are keeping you awake! Beautifully il - lustrated, a page or two excerpt of poetry, Make Check payable to: folklore, or a chapter from a published Eastern Long Island Audubon Society volume of literature may put your mind at ease. I've heard from an acquaintance, that and mail to: a copy of this book is in the guest room at ELIAS, Membership their friend's home. I can't think of a nicer PO Box 206 gift to give a birder, or for a birder to give to anyone else who needs to understand East Quogue, NY 11942-0206 why we do the things we do! THE OSPREY - November/December 2008 8

An Unbelievable Variety Awaits in Arizona Mike Higgiston recently visited Southeast Arizona on a southeast corner of Arizona. We decided am especially not attuned to steep climbs. Ibirding trip to add to my life list. The to go for the bird even though it meant a However, by just maintaining a one step at local guide I hired last year was very 1:30 am wake-up call. Along the way we a time rhythm, I was able to complete the successful so I decided on a return en - saw Lesser Nighthawk hunting bugs by the climb to Kent Springs, a wet spot in a de - gagement. Our first day found us in world light of lamp posts and Common Poorwill, cidedly dry area. We did see two elegant famous Madera Canyon, about a 90 which tend to roost on lonely country Trogons and a Greater Pewee along the minute drive south of Tucson. An early roads. We arrived at dawn but were un - way. The vistas were incredible. There start was and is always advisable in the able to see or hear the Flycatcher. One were mountains on our left and right and desert as the temperatures easily topped small bird had too much habitat to choose we found ourselves looking down into the the 100 mark every day. Our first target from and so had no loyalty to the place desert basin many miles away. On arriving, bird was the Black-capped Gnatcatcher, a where it was first found. We did spy a it was a pleasure to remove our back - rare visitor from Mexico, which is now Buff-breasted Flycatcher, a somewhat simi - packs and sit and listen for birds. Less than nesting in Madera. While searching for the lar looking bird, which caused some un - a half hour after arriving, a mixed flock of Gnatcatcher, we saw Black-throated Spar - needed adrenaline rush. Also seen was Passerines flew into the area and we saw row, Acorn Woodpecker, Bell’sVireo, Painted Redstart, Band-tailed Pigeon and our target bird amid the Bridled Tit - Canyon Towhee,Vermillion, Ash-throated, Grace’s Warbler. A stop at the Wilcox mouses, Nuthatches and Wrens. And then Dusky-capped and Brown-crested Fly - sewage pond on the way back to Tucson they were gone. Another hour of birding catchers. If one never travels west to bird, saw few birds and we started our return these birds are only a rumor. Finally, a fam - One surprise was the sighting of a trip. We were certainly fortunate in our ily of four Gnatcatchers was found and Yellow-billed Cuckoo, which was at timing, as no one has reported the bird entertained us with their constant move - the edge of its western range. since. ment and chatter. One surprise was the Friday was our last day and after lunch we sighting of aYellow-billed Cuckoo, which left for California Gulch, an area about a was at the edge of its western range. afforded us good looks at an unexpected mile from the Mexican border. Our quarry We continued up the canyon and stopped White Pelican, Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, was Five-stripped Sparrow and Buff-col - at a rental colony, where folks were main - Cinnamon Teal, a colony of Wilson’s lared Nightjar. The Sparrow prefers to taining about 15 feeders, many designed Phalaropes and two Scaled Quail. An roost and nest on vegetation covered for Hummingbirds. It has become the go- Eurasian Collared Dove was found a few canyon walls and, in comparison, makes to site in SE Arizona for Hummingbirds blocks away. theYellow-bellied chat an easy bird to see. and we saw Blue-throated, Black-chinned, Wednesday morning found us on the road This day we were unsuccessful in seeing Magnificent, Broad-billed and Berylline, to Patagonia, south of Tucson. We stopped the Sparrow but heard its call often. An our target Hummer. A Mexican species, at many birdy places and enjoyed watching approaching thunderstorm cut short our the Berylline usually wanders into Arizona Gila Woodpecker, Gilded Flicker, Cassin’s, searching and we returned to the cars to canyons in the summer. An extra special Tropical and Thick-billed Kingbirds, Com - move to the Oro Blanco Mine site to lis - treat at the feeders was another south of mon Ground Dove, Black Phoebe, Lucy’s ten for the Nightjar. As we waited for the border species, a male Flame-colored Warbler, Phainopepla, Lark Sparrow, Grey nightfall, we ate dinner and chatted and Tanager, who stopped by to pick at an or - Hawk,Violet-crowned Hummingbird, waited out an hour long rain shower. ange. Other western birds noted in the Black-Bellied Whistling Duck and Road - Nightfall arrived and we could hear the surrounding cottonwoods and oaks were runner. We ended our day early as Thurs - bird calling. Our guide had use of an in - Bridled Titmouse, Berwick’s Wren, Mexi - day would be another early start and frared devise and was able to see the bird. can Jay, Bronzed cowbird, Hepatic Tanager, would mean a hike of two and a half miles We got into position and saw the Nightjar Hooded Oriole, Black-headed Grosbeak, up 2700 feet of elevation. We needed to as a flood light illuminated the bird. Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher. Upon returning avoid the sun while hiking and it’s always a One couldn’t ask for a more enjoyable to the parking lot, we met a pair of bird - good idea to be present at the site when trip. I noticed that aYellow-greenVireo, ers who pointed out two Montezuma the dawn chorus began. Our target bird usually seen along our entire border with Quail. We returned the favor by showing was the Crescent-chested Warbler, seen Mexico, was found in Madera Canyon them a Whiskered Screech Owl in a nest this year for the first time only two days while I was flying home. It’s just one more hole. before. reason to return to Arizona next year. A Tufted Flycatcher, another Mexican I must admit I was somewhat apprehen - species, had been reported in the extreme sive about such a hike as I am not a hiker. I THE OSPREY - November/December 2008 9

Feeder Survey

Brian O’Keeffe Survey Dates: Survey Dates: The Survey will be conducted the 1st November 2-November 9, 2008 December 7-December 14, 2008 week of the month starting on Sunday and Name ______Name ______ending the following Sunday. INSTRUCTIONS FOR Address ______Address ______FEEDER SURVEY ______I Define an area containing feeders that Town ______Town ______you can see all at once from a window. Phone ______Phone ______The area should be one you glance at frequently during your daily routine. ______Mourning Dove ______Mourning Dove I Don't include birds seen off premises. ______Northern Cardinal ______Northern Cardinal ______Blue Jay ______Blue Jay I Predators perching in or swooping ______House Finch ______House Finch through the count area (not just flying ______Black-capped Chickadee ______Black-capped Chickadee over) may be counted if you feel that ______Tufted Titmouse ______Tufted Titmouse they were attracted by the birds at the ______Downy Woodpecker ______Downy Woodpecker feeder. ______White-throated Sparrow ______White-throated Sparrow I Record the largest number of each ______Dark-eyed Junco ______Dark-eyed Junco species that you see in your count area ______House Sparrow ______House Sparrow during the eight-day count period. ______White-breasted Nuthatch ______White-breasted Nuthatch ______Song Sparrow ______Song Sparrow I Do not add counts from previous days ______Red-bellied Woodpecker ______Red-bellied Woodpecker together. Be specific with the species ______American Crow ______American Crow name, e.g. we can't use just the name ______European Starling ______European Starling Sparrow, Blackbird or Gull. ______Common Grackle ______Common Grackle I At the end of the count period, record ______Carolina Wren ______Carolina Wren your final tallies and send in the form ______Northern Mockingbird ______Northern Mockingbird ______American Goldfinch ______American Goldfinch immediately. ______Red-winged Blackbird ______Red-winged Blackbird Personal observations and comments are ______Hairy Woodpecker ______Hairy Woodpecker welcome as are suggestions to improve ______Common Flicker ______Common Flicker the surveys and reports. ______Rufous-sided Towhee ______Rufous-sided Towhee ______American Robin ______American Robin ______Brown-headed Cowbird ______Brown-headed Cowbird ______Sharp-shinned Hawk ______Sharp-shinned Hawk ______Rock Dove (pigeon) ______Rock Dove (pigeon) ______Gray Catbird ______Gray Catbird ______Yellow-rumped Warbler ______Yellow-rumped Warbler ______Red-breasted Nuthatch ______Red-breasted Nuthatch ______Other ______Other ______

Please mail immediately after each survey period to: Brian O’Keeffe, 12 Union Ave., Center Moriches, NY 11934. Or to send via the internet, go to: easternlongislandaudubon.com and 1) Click on Chapter Projects 2) Click on Feeder Statistics 3) Click on To submit via the internet, etc. THE OSPREY - November/December 2008 10

On Birds and Books… Two new Field Guides — Just in time for Holiday Gifts! Reviews by original classic. Released with much fan - Eileen Schwinn, ELIAS President fare on the 100th birthday of the late au - Two birding field guides recently appeared on thor, the guide uses the familiar local bookshelves, and either would make a illustrations drawn by Roger Tory fine holiday gift for any bird enthusiast! Peterson in a larger format. Multiple Smithsonian Field Guide to the species on the same page, with the famil - Birds of North America , edited by Ted iar arrows pointing out key characteris - aYellow-Crowned Floyd, covers 750 species and “introduces tics, help the birder with identities. Night Heron with a whole bird approach” into one volume. Range maps are on species pages, which bright red legs! No Multiple photographs are used for each makes use of the guide much easier! En - guide I had with me bird, along with range maps, and a five- larges range maps, a life list, and access showed or men - and-a-half hour DVD of birdsongs.Various to video pod casts (which, admittedly, I tioned this feature. plumages and gender differences are show have yet to conquer) round out this When I got home, I as remarkably clear photos, with unclut - beautiful guide. began searching all my books, finding this tered backgrounds. An excellent introduc - While both volumes are “advertised” as high-breeding characteristic mentioned in tion, glossary of terms, and an American Field Guide, I think their size makes them only one book. Birding Association Checklist, round out a little bulky to actually stick in a pocket Either — or better yet, both the Smith - this well thought out, easy to navigate or under a belt. Better kept in the car or sonian Field Guide to the Birds of guide. home on the shelf for later reference. Re - North America and Peterson Field Peterson Field Guide to Birds of member, no one guide can provide all the Guide to the Birds of North America North America , by Roger Tory Peterson, information on every species — as an ex - — would be a welcome addition to any is the highly anticipated update to the ample, a few spring times ago, I observed birder’s library.

Great Friends, Great Flexibility and a Grand Sense of Humor

A Supremely Bad Idea — to weekend trips with his friends, Don British-born, Three Mad Birders and Donna. Then onto vacations with long-time andTheir Quest to See It All these pals to Arizona, Florida, Michigan, U.S. resident, by Luke Dempsey the Pacific Northwest, Texas, and Col - falls in love I am extremely jealous of Luke Dempsey. orado — just the places we mid-level with America There, I’ve said it. OK, well, not about birders have all been to or have on our over and everything in his life, but definitely the to-do list. He writes about Montauk, Jones over again. birding part of it. He’s got great friends, Beach and Union Square — our places The cap - great flexibility in travel and great experi - and our birds — too! And it’s not just tioned happy ences to tell you about. Oh, and an ab - about the birds. As he puts it, “.....expect - snaps of birds and whatnot are an solutely grand sense of humor. His book, ing rare birds,....we found rare people, added treat. A Supremely Bad Idea — part memoir, too.” A supremely good idea — pick up this part travel review, and part bird check-list Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation book and read it. I laughed out loud and records Dempsey’s journey from his Stamps, birders with bird-related names, shed a tear or two along the way, follow - “first” bird through to this past January, in anti-immigrant vigilantes, the ”Pregnants”, ing Luke and his posse. And I wished I a casual, easy to read way. He’s Joe Every - bad motel rooms (really, really bad motel could call him up and ask to be invited one — not a scientist, not BigYear ob - rooms), nearly missed plane flights, Pacific along. I think you will, too! sessed, not a big-name — just a guy who Northwest early settlers history, “Bar - Five great big Feathers! was bitten by the birding bug as so many bara” (his car’s GPS voice of reason and of us have been. A resident of NewYork direction), breathtaking places, and a mul - City, his birding in Central Park expanded titude of other reasons show why this THE OSPREY - November/December 2008 11

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ELIAS Officers & Directors Mark Your Calendars! President Eileen Schwinn 631-728-8342 November Past President Alfred Scherzer Sat., November 1 Field Trips: Jones Beach See page 1 Vice President Beth Gustin Recording Secretary Chris Schmidtt FIre Island Lighthouse See page 3 Correspondence Secretary John McNeil Mon., November 3 Nature Program: 631-281-2623 NY’s Second Breeding Bird Atlas Treasurer EvelynVoulgarelis by Kimberly Corwin See page 1 Directors Ridgie Barnett Sat & Sun., Nov 22 & 23 SEED SALE AT QUOGUE WILDLIFE REFUGE MaryLaura Lamont Brian O’Keeffe Orders must be received by November 10. Chris Schmidtt Sat., November 22 Field Trip: Hallockville Museum See page 3 Dan Wilson Sun., November 23 Field Trip: William Floyd Estate See page 3 Committees/Projects Membership and Mailing John McNeil December Conservation Gigi Spates Mon., December 1 Nature Program: Programs Brian O'Keeffe James Galletto - A Red Tale KP Nature Ctr. Liaison Alfred Scherzer See page 3 Education EvelynVoulgarelis December 14 through Nature Chats Openy January 5, 2009 Christmas Bird Counts See page 2 Hospitality Ridgie Barnett Feeder Stats Brian O'Keeffe Field Trips John McNeil r Printed on Plainfield Plus paper which is elemental chlorine free, acid free, and recycled – Publicity Peggy Caraher made with 20% post-consumer waste. Webmaster Annette DeGiovine-Oliveira Bluebird Restoration Gigi Spates EASTERN LONG ISLAND AUDUBON SOCIETY Newsletter Layout & Editing Sally Newbert From the Barrens to the Bays [email protected] 2 E. Moriches Blvd., E. Moriches, NY 11940 Serving Eastern Brookhaven, Western Riverhead & The Hamptons 631-281-6008 www.easternlongislandaudubonsociety.org

THE OSPREY NON PROFIT ORG Published by: U.S. POSTAGE Eastern Long Island Audubon Society PAID P.O. Box 206 Permit No. 3 East Quogue, NY 11942-0206 Center Moriches, NY 11934

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