NORTH SHORE AUDUBON SOCIETY

SERVING THE WESTERN NORTH SHORE OF LONG ISLAND, N.Y.

Our mission is: to promote, protect and preserve the environment and the birds that inhabit it through education, advocacy and leadership.


This site maintained by Herbert Roth at Email Me


Last updated:
August 26,
2010
All Rights Reserved

  • ON THIS PAGE:

    MONTHLY PROGRAMS

    WHAT'S NEW?

    PROPOSED SALE OF PLUM ISLAND

    FALL LEADERLESS WALKS

    FROM THE PRESIDENT

    MONTHLY PROGRAM CALENDAR

    MONTHLY PROGRAMS

    Held at the Manhasset Library,
    30 Onderdonk Avenue, Manhasset
    (at Northern Boulevard), at 7 p.m    .
    Open to the public and free of charge.
    Handicapped accessible

    Tuesday, October 26, 2010
    RIVER OTTERS
    by MIKE BOTTINI

    River otters are semi-aquatic mammals that inhabit various areas on Long Island, spending most of their time on land traveling from freshwater pond to pond or estuarine ecosystems. Mike Bottini, a veteran naturalist and outdoor educator, has studied these elusive creatures. Join us to find out about their habitats, activities and diets and how you might be able to observe them yourselves.

    Tuesday, November 23, 2010
    DR. ANGUS WILSON
    A New Yorkers Guide to Watching Seabirds
    & Whales, Dolphins, etc.

    How exciting to see a huge whale burst from the water in front of our eyes or to see a variety of sea birds right in our area. Dr. Wilson has led seabird and whale watching trips and will share his experiences and photos with us. Come and be amazed!

    JOIN NOW!
    Click here for membership application form

    WE WANT YOU FOR NSAS

    You've already joined - how about getting more involved?

    You don't need to be an expert birder to serve on a committee or on the Board.

    Are you good with computers, writing, meeting people, publicity or organizing?

    Our Board meetings are friendly and informal. We welcome your talent and time.

    Please call Peggy Maslow at 883-2130 or e-mail pmaslow@gmail.com


    • SPECIAL REPORT:
    THE EARLY HISTORY OF OUR CHAPTER

    CLICK HERE


    WHAT'S NEW?

    International Beach Cleanup
    Port Washington - Saturday, September 25
    Garvies Point- Saturday, October 2

    Join in! All ages are welcome. Volunteers can collect at Manorhaven Park in Port Washington or at Garvies Point Preserve in Glen Cove.
    As you clean the shore and record your findings, you help fight pollution. The data collected helps scientists pinpoint the sources of pollutants in our waters.
    For more info: http://www.alsnyc.org/, or locally
    Jennifer Wilson-Pines 767-3454 (Port Washington),
    Dorothy McGarvey 623-7826 (Garvies Point)

    New Director of Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary

    Audubon New York is pleased to announce that Ted Scherff, a dedicated conservationist and environmental educator, has become the new Director of the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary (TRSAC) in Oyster Bay, helping to reignite Audubon’s education efforts to connect thousands of Long Island residents and school children to the wonders of nature.

    “We are excited to launch a new decade of conservation action on Long Island with Ted Scherff leading our flagship Audubon Center in the state,” said Albert E. Caccese, Executive Director of Audubon New York. “His experience in, and enthusiasm for environmental education and nature center management makes him the perfect fit for our conservation initiatives at the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center.

    Ted had thirty years professional experience in natural resource stewardship, environmental education and public land administration; including fifteen years experience in nature center administration and nonprofit volunteer organization management; and thirteen years experience in community- based conservation. Most recently he worked as Park Manager in the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, where he provided team-oriented leadership and management and led his staff in a creative approach to implement: environmental education, visitor services, natural/cultural resource stewardship, public relations and presentations, community-wide special events, volunteer services, and varied multi- organizational collaborative endeavors.

    “The Board is so pleased and excited that Ted is taking the reins at the Sanctuary. His vast experience in park and preserve management, environmental education and conservation, together with his passion for our natural world will help guide him in adding another chapter to the Sanctuary's long history,” said Ralph Fumante, Chair of the TRSAC Advisory Board. “I encourage everyone to stop by the Sanctuary and say hello.”


     

     


    Proposed Sale of Plum Island

    The General Services Administration is preparing to offer Plum Island, off the tip of Orient Point, for sale with the potential for significant commercial development. Below is an extract of Audubon NY’s comments.

    With its mixture of rocky shoreline, sand beaches, wetlands, and various upland shrub, grassland, and forest habitats, Plum Island stands out as a critically important migratory bird stopover site on Long Island Sound. In 1997 Plum Island was recognized as part of the Orient Point to Plum Island IBA because it supports a great diversity of at-risk species including large concentrations of waterbirds.

    In 2005, to further the protection of this IBA, Audubon New York convened a group of partners to identify the greatest threats and conservation needs. The result was the development of a Conservation Action Plan for the IBA that was finalized in 2009 and is available on our website.

    One of the priority strategies identified in the plan is to increase our understanding of bird usage on Plum Island. Over the last three years a total of nine surveys were conducted during the breeding, winter, and migration seasons. Over 100 bird species have been documented breeding or foraging on Plum Island and adjacent coastal waters, including; birds-of-prey, shorebirds, wading birds, waterfowl, and songbird species. However, these limited surveys only provide a snapshot of the ecological worth and it is likely that far more species depend on it.
    In 2009, seven active Osprey nests were noted and an active Bank Swallow colony, a bird species on the decline in New York. Piping Plovers, a federally threatened and NY endangered species, are breeding and foraging. Several dozen Roseate Terns, a federally endangered species, and several hundred Common Terns, a NY threatened species, also use the island. The waters surrounding Plum Island are rich in nutrients and are vital feeding and courting grounds. Plum Island likely provides critical stopover habitat for many fall migrant songbird and shorebird species, but this needs better documentation. All of this highlights the biologic importance of this island, and the need to ensure these unique natural assets are protected long term.
    The Long Island Sound Study (LISS), through the Resolution of the Policy Committee dated September 28, 2006, formally adopted a policy to achieve the permanent protection, restoration, and conservation of Plum Island’s vast undeveloped landscape, and to increase public access for appropriate recreation and education. This action was part the Stewardship Initiative, where the LISS formally endorsed 33 inaugural Stewardship Areas around the Sound with significant ecological and/or recreational values. The LISS endorsement was formally signed by all the members of its Policy Committee including the Region I and II Regional EPA Administrators and the Environmental Commissioners of New York and Connecticut, and representing a strong and unequivocal governmental interest in assuring the conservation of the undeveloped portions of Plum Island.

    Protecting this area long term not only makes good environmental sense, but represents good fiscal policy. Bird watching is the fastest growing outdoor recreation in New York and across the nation. In 2006 3.8 million bird watchers in New York contributed $1.6 billion to the state economy. Ensuring the long term protection of this critical area, will help communities surrounding Plum Island to capitalize on ecotourism.

    As the U.S. General Services Administration prepares the EIS for the sale of Plum Island, we recommend a thorough and comprehensive biological inventory of the island be performed. In order to be comprehensive, this inventory should be conducted over the course of a full year to accurately capture use of the island by breeding, migrant, and wintering populations of wildlife as well as the extent and characterizations of the habitats that support them. This information should be used to guide the protection of critical areas if and when the ownership of the island changes. While there are numerous options and strategies available to safeguard the island’s resources, Audubon New York strongly supports all or a significant majority of the island be protected, possibly as a National Wildlife Refuge. We strongly urge that the sale of Plum Island be constructed in such a way that the currently undeveloped portions of the island remain so and are permanently preserved, consistent with Plum Island’s designation as the core of a Long Island Sound Stewardship Area.
    Comments can be sent to; Mr. Phil Youngberg Environmental Manager c/o Mr. John Dugan General Services Administration 10 Causeway Street, Room 925 Boston, MA 02222



    From the President
    Peggy Maslow

    One of the perks of being president is picking up the mail at the PO box and reading the newsletters and publications of Audubon societies and other groups such as ABC, the American Bird Conservancy. ABC’s articles describe their constant battles against threats to birds. On the back cover of their publication called “Bird Calls,” they list these threats: “wind turbines, invasive plants, feral cats, oil spills, brown tree snakes, gill nets, West Nile virus, lead, longline fishing, glass buildings, communication towers, fire ants, floating plastics, mountaintop mining, pesticides, avian influenza, black rat, climate change, deforestation. They also have a wonderful website to read about all their actions and efforts at www.abcbirds.org. There are also action alerts in which you can participate.

    Articles in Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society’s newsletter, Killdeer, can also be read on their website, huntingtonaudubon.org. I especially enjoyed an article on a visit to Great Gull Island located in the middle of Long Island Sound. The volunteers walked very carefully so as not to step on the eggs of common terns, which were everywhere. Another article on Plum Island’s planned sale advocates for keeping it public. HOAS has created an excellent website,

     

     


    In order to read New York State Ornithological Association (NYSOA) articles in their two publications you need to join. To join go to www.nybirds.org . In the third edition of quarterly publication, New York Birders, was an article that interested me greatly, “NYSOA Asks NY Parks Agency to Address Cat Problem.” The article asks people to contact Commissioner Ash (Empire State Plaza, Agency Building 1, Albany, NY 12238) and ask that she make removal of feral cat colonies a priority in her agency. The NYSOA letter to the Commissioner can be found on their website conservation page.
    www.preserveplumisland.org , which I recommend visiting. Visit other Long Island Audubon societies’ websites: Huntington Audubon, www.huntingtonaudubon.org; South Shore Audubon, www.ssaudubon.org; Great South Bay Audubon, www.gsbas.org; Eastern Long Island Audubon, www.easternlongisland
    audubonsociety.org; and North Fork Audubon, www.northforkaudubon.org, for excellent articles and scheduled walks.
    Also visit ny.Audubon.org for their action alerts and excellent articles.

     

     

    I also enjoy reading Bird Watcher’s Digest. The online website only lets you see a few pages of the digital version without a subscription. Go to birdwatchersdigest.com if you want to subscribe and read articles on birds, birding and often photography. Ken Kaufman always writes an interesting article. In the May/June issue he discusses whether there can be too many birders. He says no. “With luck, we might wind up with enough birders to make a difference, to make our voices heard, to protect more bird habitat for future generations.” There are also several articles about different birds and identification of birds.

    On August 12, I read in the New York Times Home section a wonderful article about purple martin houses and how the owners take care of the birds. It appears that purple martins, members of the swallow family, tolerate people handling their young. The article has information on purchasing purple martin houses. I read about purple martin houses near water in the Hamptons in the ELIAS newsletter and wonder if we can put up one near water in our area.

    Now that it’s Fall I know I will have less time to read but I still hope NSAS members will try some of my reading suggestions. There is one more, a book, Bayshore Summer by Pete Dunne; see my review elsewhere in this issue.


    North Shore Audubon Society
    FALL 2010 - BIRD WALK SCHEDULE
    Walks are for beginners and experienced birders alike.
    Weather permitting, walks start at 9:30AM unless indicated otherwise.
    If in doubt, please call the trip leader.
    Please note: all phone numbers are area code 516 unless otherwise indicated.
    In most cases, the contacts are also leaders for the respective walks.
    Go to our website at www.northshoreaudubon.org for directions.
    We would like to encourage carpooling, where possible.

    Wed. Sept. 1 Bailey Arboretum (start here), Coffin Woods, Francis Pond Barbara Garriel 628-9022
    Sat. Sept. 4 Shu Swamp Helen McClure 671-4758
    Wed. Sept. 8 Welwyn Preserve Mike Henahan 627-7018
    Sat. Sept. 11 Alley Pond Park Lenore Figueroa 718-343-1391
    Wed. Sept. 15 Muttontown Preserve Helen McClure 671-4758
    Sat. Sept. 18 Garvies Point Preserve Mike Henahan 627-7018
    Wed. Sept. 22 Planting Fields Arboretum Don & Joyce Bryk

    621-6678
    Sat. Sept. 25 Welwyn Preserve Helen McClure 671-4758
    Wed. Sept. 29 Garvies Point Preserve Don & Joyce Bryk 621-6678
    Sat. Oct. 2 St. Joseph's Monestary (Lattingtown) (see note 1) Barbara Garriel 628-9022
    Wed. Oct. 6 Jones Beach Coast Guard Station Wendy Murbach 546-6303
    Sat. Oct. 9 Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Lenore Figueroa 718-343-1391
    Wed. Oct. 13 Robert Moses State Park, Fire Island, Field 5 Wendy Murbach 546-6303
    Sat. Oct. 16 Sands Point Preserve (see note 2) Jennifer Wilson-Pines 767-3454
    Wed. Oct. 20 Planting Fields Arboretum Mike Henahan 627-7018
    Sat. Oct. 23 Nature Study Center, Oceanside Ralph Metragrano 785-3375
    Wed. Oct. 27 Hoffman Center Barbara Garriel 628-9022
    Sat. Oct. 30 Nassau Fine Arts Museum, Roslyn Don & Joyce Bryk 621-6678
    Wed. Nov. 3 Twin Lakes Preserve Ralph Metragrano 785-3375
    Sat. Nov. 6 Massapequa Preserve (LIRR parking lot) Don & Joyce Bryk 621-6678
    Wed. Nov. 10 Upland Farm (Nature Conservancy) Don & Joyce Bryk 621-6678
    Sat. Nov. 13 Jamica Bay Wildlife Refuge Lenore Figueroa 718-343-1391
    Wed. Nov. 17 Stehli Beach, Bayville (west end of parking lot)) Helen McClure 671-4758
    Sat. Nov. 20 North Shore Duck Walk (meet at Macy's in Manhasset) Jennifer Wilson-Pines 767-3454

    Note 1: To reach the monestary, take Lattingtown Road east to East Beach Drive. An open gate is ahead.
    Note 2: The parking fee is $5 per car at Sands Point


    MONTHLY PROGRAM CALENDAR

    These programs are held on Tuesdays at the the Manhasset Public Library,
    30 Onderdonk Avenue, Manhasset, unless otherwise stated.

    DATE TOPIC SPEAKER
    October 26, 2010 River Otters Mike Bottini
    November 23, 2010 New Yorker's Guide to Watching Seabirds Dr. Angus Wilson