the rivertown naturalist · october 26, 2011 wednesday ~ lenoir nature preserve this is the second...

November/December 2010, vol. 38, no. 3

Hudson River Audubon Society of Westchester, Inc. is a non-profit chapter of the National Audubon Society serving the communities of Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington and Yonkers.

Our mission is to foster protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife and habitats, and to be an advocate for a cleaner, healthier environment.

www.hras.org

DIRECTIONS TO LENOIR PRESERVE

Hudson River Audubon Society of Westchester, Inc. holds its meetings at Lenoir, a Westchester County Nature Preserve, on Dudley Street in Yonkers, New York (914) 968-5851.

By car: Take Saw Mill River Parkway to Exit 9, Executive Blvd. Take Executive Blvd. to its end at North Broadway and turn right. Go ¼ mile on North Broadway and turn left onto Dudley Street. Parking lot is on the left.

The Rivertown NaturalistN e w s l e t t e r o f t h e h u d s o N r i v e r A u d u b o N s o c i e t y o f w e s t c h e s t e r

Marshes: A Natural and Unnatural Historywednesday, november 17 ~ 7:00 pm lenoir nature center

Join Judith Weis, Professor of Biological Sciences at Rutgers University and an expert on estuarine biology, as she discusses both the beauty and environmental protection provided by salt water marshes. We will explore the fascinating biodiversity of these wetlands — plants, fish, and animals — and the current stresses caused by human impact and other factors. Judith will emphasize the importance of wetland habitats, the consequences of human neglect and development, and provide insight into how these wetlands can recover.

Much of Judith’s research has focused on estuaries in the New York/New Jersey harbor area. She has co-authored

a very favorably reviewed book, Salt Marshes, and

will have a few of these on hand for sale.

This program will take place

Wednesday, November 17 at 7:30 pm (refreshments

served at 7:00 pm) at the Lenoir Preserve Nature Center.

Program is free and open to the public.

September 2011, vol. 39, no. 1

Meadow WalkSaturday, September 10, 2011Lenoir Nature Preserve ~ 10 am

Bring the family and enjoy an easy walk through Lenoir’s meadow. We will search for flowers, insects and other wild critters that are at home in the meadow. Bird migration will be under way and we’ll watch the sky for raptors and songbirds on their way south. Bring bin-oculars if you have them.

FeederWatchNow that Fall is approaching, HRAS will be getting back to our

Project FeederWatch. From November to April we count birds and species at our feeders at Lenoir, and the data is sent to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It has become a great social event to help beat the Winter blues, and we hope to get everybody out once again this year to have fun while we are contributing to a valuable Citizen Science program.

We generally count for two hours two days in a row, every couple of weeks. Most of the counts are on weekends, although we do have a few on weekdays. We gather in the “observation” room at Lenoir and look out the picture windows to see the birds. We also have refreshments and plenty of conversation.

Anyone interested in being a count leader (recorder), please contact Carol Lange at 914 668-5101 or [email protected]. Or, if you just want to be on our email list to be contacted regularly with the date and time of each FeederWatch session, that’s fine, too. Just contact Carol and let her know.The schedule for Nov. and Dec. is as follows:Nov. 19 and 20, Dec. 3 and 4, Dec. 17 and 18, Dec. 29 and 30

November/December 2010, vol. 38, no. 3

Hudson River Audubon Society of Westchester, Inc. is a non-profit chapter of the National Audubon Society serving the communities of Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington and Yonkers.

Our mission is to foster protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife and habitats, and to be an advocate for a cleaner, healthier environment.

www.hras.org

DIRECTIONS TO LENOIR PRESERVE

Hudson River Audubon Society of Westchester, Inc. holds its meetings at Lenoir, a Westchester County Nature Preserve, on Dudley Street in Yonkers, New York (914) 968-5851.

By car: Take Saw Mill River Parkway to Exit 9, Executive Blvd. Take Executive Blvd. to its end at North Broadway and turn right. Go ¼ mile on North Broadway and turn left onto Dudley Street. Parking lot is on the left.

The Rivertown NaturalistN e w s l e t t e r o f t h e h u d s o N r i v e r A u d u b o N s o c i e t y o f w e s t c h e s t e r

Marshes: A Natural and Unnatural Historywednesday, november 17 ~ 7:00 pm lenoir nature center

Join Judith Weis, Professor of Biological Sciences at Rutgers University and an expert on estuarine biology, as she discusses both the beauty and environmental protection provided by salt water marshes. We will explore the fascinating biodiversity of these wetlands — plants, fish, and animals — and the current stresses caused by human impact and other factors. Judith will emphasize the importance of wetland habitats, the consequences of human neglect and development, and provide insight into how these wetlands can recover.

Much of Judith’s research has focused on estuaries in the New York/New Jersey harbor area. She has co-authored

a very favorably reviewed book, Salt Marshes, and

will have a few of these on hand for sale.

This program will take place

Wednesday, November 17 at 7:30 pm (refreshments

served at 7:00 pm) at the Lenoir Preserve Nature Center.

Program is free and open to the public.

September 2011, vol. 39, no. 1

Meadow WalkSaturday, September 10, 2011Lenoir Nature Preserve ~ 10 am

Bring the family and enjoy an easy walk through Lenoir’s meadow. We will search for flowers, insects and other wild critters that are at home in the meadow. Bird migration will be under way and we’ll watch the sky for raptors and songbirds on their way south. Bring bin-oculars if you have them.

FeederWatchNow that Fall is approaching, HRAS will be getting back to our

Project FeederWatch. From November to April we count birds and species at our feeders at Lenoir, and the data is sent to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It has become a great social event to help beat the Winter blues, and we hope to get everybody out once again this year to have fun while we are contributing to a valuable Citizen Science program.

We generally count for two hours two days in a row, every couple of weeks. Most of the counts are on weekends, although we do have a few on weekdays. We gather in the “observation” room at Lenoir and look out the picture windows to see the birds. We also have refreshments and plenty of conversation.

Anyone interested in being a count leader (recorder), please contact Carol Lange at 914 668-5101 or [email protected]. Or, if you just want to be on our email list to be contacted regularly with the date and time of each FeederWatch session, that’s fine, too. Just contact Carol and let her know.The schedule for Nov. and Dec. is as follows:Nov. 19 and 20, Dec. 3 and 4, Dec. 17 and 18, Dec. 29 and 30

On the Road Again:Kenya & TanzaniaOctober 26, 2011Wednesday ~ Lenoir Nature Preserve

This is the second part of the Africa journey, this time with Judi Veder as our guide.

Judi will share with us her adventures on safari this past January. She will focus on the people, the visit to the site where the first hominid was found, the special sights, colors, and sounds of Africa. And yes — some of her favorite birds and animals.

Refreshments served at 7:00 PM. Program begins at 7:30 PM.

Looking ahead…This is a great season to get out your

cameras, pencils, paints, etc. to prepare your works for the March 2012 “Seasons at Lenoir” Art & Photography exhibit.

There is still lots of color in the Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden, our Hawk Watch is in full swing on weekends, and a variety of birds are migrating through the area.

FeederWatch will begin in November, and fall foliage should be spectacular. Use your imaginations to come up with many other subjects for works.

October 2011, vol. 39, no. 2November/December 2011, vol. 39, no. 3

Holiday LuncheonDecember 10, 2011 ~ Saturday ~ The Polish Center

There will be a white elephant table with new or gently used books, knick-knacks, or other items that are nature-related. If you wish to contribute something for this table, please mark a suggested donation on the item. Remember: “one person’s junk is another person’s treasure. Anything not sold must go home with the contributor.

Tee-shirts and sweatshirts will also be available. Proceeds will go to HRAS to be used for activities offered by our chapter. Please see flyer for details and be sure we receive your registration form by December 1st.

Northern Saw-whets: the little known owlPresenters: Gertrude Battaly and Drew Panko Wednesday ~ January 11, 2012 ~ Lenoir Nature Center

Join us for a presentation on Northern Saw-whet Owls. The smallest owl found in the Northeast, standing just 7 inches tall, is a common winter visitor to southern New York.

For seven years, Trudy and Drew have been studying these owls. Where do they come from? How long do they stay? Will they come back next year? Do they ever stay to breed? Join us for some answers and more questions about these wonderful creatures! Trudy and Drew will also share some interesting encounters they have had with Saw-whets.

Refreshments served at 7:00 pm. Program begins at 7:30 pm.

Long Live The Queen!An introduction to the European honey bee and beekeepingPresenter: Alan Soiefer Wednesday November 16, 2011 Lenoir Nature Center

You will learn all about the busy social life and caste system of honey bees in their hives, including the duties of the queen, the workers, and the drones. The presentation will also describe a typical beekeeper’s hive (as well as the observation hive at the Nature Center), and the tools and equipment used by a beekeeper. You will be treated to a honey tasting as well.

Refreshments served at 7:00 pm. Program begins at 7:30 pm.

Save the date!

The Opening Reception of “Seasons at Lenoir” Art & Photography Exhibit will take place on March 3rd at 11:00 AM.

Works must have as their subjects some facet of the Lenoir Nature Preserve — the range is broad and can include wildlife, plants and trees, landscapes, structures,

people engaged in activities, etc.

Details will appear in the January/February newsletter.

Lenoir Programs

Birds, Birds, Birds ~ Saturday, December 3, 2011~ 10:00 AM An introduction to bird identification. Join us as we view images of

our common and some uncommon birds of our area. Learn how to use size, shape and color in identifying birds. We will use our new skills as we sit indoors to watch and identify birds at Lenoir’s feeders. Make a journal to record your observations. Fun and informative for the whole family. Bring binoculars if you have them.

Surviving the Winter ~ Saturday, January 21, 2012 ~ 10:00 AM Learn how plants and animals survive the winter. How do squirrels,

insects, frogs and turtles live in winter? What adaptations do birds make in winter? Learn the answer to these questions and more. Weather permitting we will take a walk at the preserve looking for wildlife. There will be a craft for the children. Ages 5 to 10. Fun for the entire family. Preregistration required. Call the Nature Center at 914-968-5851.

2 The Rivertown Naturalist

Hudson River Audubon Society’s Holiday Luncheon

at the Polish Center, 92 Waverly Street., Yonkers

Buffet by Polonaise Catering Saturday, December 10, 2011 ~ 11:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Special Guest Speaker: David Yarnold, President of the National Audubon Society

$33.00 per person ~ Cash bar available Seating arrangement is on a first come basis.

Checks for reservations must be received by Dec 1 to: Hudson River Audubon Society of Westchester

Holiday Reservation, PO BOX 616, Yonkers, NY 10703

q Yes, We would like to attend. Enclosed is a check for $_________for _______ reservations. Directions, tickets, and confirmation will be sent on receipt of payment.

q Sorry, we cannot attend but enclosed is a donation of $____________to further Hudson River Audubon Society of Westchester’s efforts to educate children about our natural world.

Name: ________________________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip: __________________________________________ Tel._____________________

The Rivertown Naturalist 3

saul scheinbach

Every birder has been at one time or another been dazzled by the iridescent, flashy colors of a male hummingbird. However, the showy display during his aerial maneuvers is not the only thing a female hummingbird notices. In some species when males dive in front of observing females during their courtship flights they also produce high-pitched squeaks or chirps. In 2008 two graduate students Christopher Clark and Teresa Feo at UC Berkeley’s Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, Berkeley, CA, showed that tail feathers produce the squeaks.

But it wasn’t clear exactly how these sounds were produced. So Clark, now at Yale University, New Haven, CT, and his colleagues plucked rectrices, the stiff tail feathers used to control flight direction, from 14 hummingbird species and subjected them to various air speeds in a wind tunnel. They used a Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer, which measures the vibrations of a surface, and high speed videos to observe the fluttering feathers in the wind tunnel. The results, published in the September 9, 2011 issue of Science, show that the squeaks come from tail feathers that vibrate only when the bird is at top speed near the

bottom of his power dive.

For example, male Anna’s Hummingbirds (Calypte anna) climb to 30 meters (100 feet) or more, and then dive at speeds of over 23 meters per second (50 miles per hour). At the bottom of their dive the birds produce a loud chirp.

When Clark et al. placed individual tail feathers in the wind tunnel and gradually increased airflow, they found that male hummingbird feathers began vibrating and producing sounds at wind speeds corresponding to normal dive velocities. The sound frequencies produced in the wind tunnel matched what was observed during a courtship dive. Once the critical air speed was reached, increasing it made the sound louder, which also happens when males speed up their dive.

In certain instances the researchers found that neighboring feathers amplify sound by sympathetic vibrations. For example, while the outermost tail feather, R5, in the Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) produced a sound, the adjacent tail feather (R4) tested at the same wind speed did not. However, placing R4 next to the vibrating R5 feather in the wind tunnel yielded sympathetic vibrations in the otherwise silent feather, which increased the volume of the sound produced by the R5 feather alone. Similarly, removing R4 from a diving male bird decreased the volume of its chirp.

Different species produced different sounds leading the scientists to conclude that each species has a signature sound, determined by physical factors intrinsic to the tail feathers. “The sounds that hummingbird feathers make are more varied than I expected”, said Clark. He speculated that the buzz-bombing displays resulted from sexual selection by females who began using the incidental sounds produced by feathers in flight to determine male fitness. The best flyers are the most fit and they make the loudest sound.

Co-author Richard Prum who has been investigating the realm of evolutionary aesthetics thinks it is much more straightforward than that. He believes that females have simply evolved to like a particular sound. He says, “What intrigues them will ultimately evolve, but what they will find intriguing is as unpredictable as next years fashions.”

Whatever the reason, it seems that a successful male hummingbird must be pleasing to the ear as well as the eye.

“In some cases it’s just one tail feather vibrating, in some it is two hitting each other, and in some all the tail feathers are involved.” —C. Clark

Science Watch: Fluttering Feathers Fan Affection

Christmas Bird CountsIf you’re looking for a local birding activity that’s not only fun and exciting,

but helps with valuable winter bird population data, come on out and help on a Christmas Bird Count. They are censuses, near Christmas, of the number of each species of bird seen in a 24-hour period in a particular area or count circle.

Bird counts will be conducted from December 14 to January 5, 2012. Our local one, the Bronx-Westchester CBC will be held Monday, December 26, 2011. The Peekskill CBC and the Greenwich CBC will be held a week early on the 17th and 18th of December.

There is no particular meeting place for these events. Different groups of volunteers start at various locations throughout southern Westchester and the Bronx and canvass their area for birds. You can also participate by identifying and counting the birds at your feeder on the count day and phoning in the results.

We will tally the results from all the groups at the compilation dinner ($10) at the Lenoir Nature Preserve in north Yonkers.

For more information, see the count’s web site at http://www.hras.org/bwcbc.html or call the Bronx-Westchester Count Compiler, Michael Bochnik at 237-9331, or e-mail him at [email protected].


From the President’s CornerWe are pleased to announce that Hudson River

Audubon, in partnership with Groundwork Hudson Valley and Westchester County, has been awarded a TogetherGreen Innovation grant from National Audubon. The program supports creative, ambitious conservation partnerships that engage diverse communities and finds innovative solutions to environmental challenges. The grant for $15,000 was one of 40 approved this year in a nationwide competition. Groundwork Hudson Valley will generously supply an additional $7,000. This funding will allow us to create a new riparian habitat exhibit at the Lenoir Nature Preserve.

Working with a newly formed advisory council representing the greater diversity of the Yonkers community, the partners will create an interpretive exhibit, train interpreters to communicate with area residents about the importance of the park’s habitat for birds and other wildlife, and develop events to attract a more diverse audience. In the year ahead, this community restoration effort aims to open Yonkers citizens’ eyes to the gem of a habitat in their own backyard, while instilling a sense of pride and hope about the future of their city. The new project is also intended to create greater opportunities for all area residents to engage in ongoing habitat restoration in Southwest Westchester County. The work is expected to begin in July 2012.

Saul Scheinbach

Project FeederWatch Our Project FeederWatch will kick off

on Saturday, November 19, with Dana and Frank Fazzino as the leaders. We will gather

in Lenoir’s “observation” room and look out the big picture windows to identify and count the birds at the feeders.

Please come and join us for two hours of enjoyment! Bring your

binoculars if you have them.Refreshments will be served.

The FeederWatch schedule for the rest of the year is as follows:

Sunday, November 20 — Jackie Bruskin

Saturday, December 3 — Paul OehrleinSunday, December 4 — Mary Harrington

Saturday, December 17 — Hilary and Alan SoieferSunday, December 18 — Fran Greenberg

Thursday, December 29 — Sandra WrightFriday, December 30 — Yvonne Lynn

Please contact Carol Lange at 914 668-5101, or [email protected] a few days before each session to find out the exact time.


Science Watch: Life on Other Planets?“This is the first really Goldilocks planet.” —R.P. Butler

saul scheinbach

We have long wondered if we are alone. If we ever do discover life elsewhere it would be the biggest news story of all time. Evidence of

life on other planets currently does not exist, so any depiction of aliens is pure make-believe. Scientists agree alien life is possible, but don’t expect to find little green men. The most probable alien life forms would be microbes.

In our own solar system, only Mars might have life because of its similarity to Earth. Liquid water necessary for life has not been found there, but subsurface frozen water has. Gravity on Mars is only one-third that of Earth, yielding a thin atmosphere composed mostly of carbon dioxide with traces of oxygen.

While the existence of life on Mars remains an open question, most scientists would bet that life exists somewhere in the universe. Astronomers estimate there are about 10 sextillion stars in the universe. That’s 1 × 10²³, or 1 followed by 23 zeros! Given such a vast number, scientists say, it is very likely that one or more stars are circled by a planet with the right conditions for life. Astronomers call these putative islands of life “Goldilocks planets”, not too hot, not too cold, but just right for liquid water to exist.

The search for exoplanets, planets outside our solar system, began in the nineteenth century, but only recently tools have been developed to find them. The first was discovered in 1992. As of October 2010 almost 500 have been found and that number likely will soon double.

Most have been detected using a spectrometer attached to a powerful telescope. This method relies on the fact that a star orbited by a planet wobbles because of the gravitational tug of the orbiting planet. When viewed from a distance, these slight movements affect the star’s color. If the star is moving toward us, its spectrum is shifted towards the blue; if it is moving away, it is shifted towards the red. The spectrometer can detect these changes in color. Larger planets exert more pull causing more pronounced star wobble. So this technique has found mostly large gas giants like Jupiter.

Another technique is more likely to find smaller, more Earth-like planets. It uses a telescope with an extremely sensitive light meter to measure the dimming of light, known as a transit, as a planet passes across its sun. In hopes of finding such a planet, NASA in March 2009 launched the

“Kepler” satellite. The Kepler telescope has been watching 100,000 stars for transits and is expected to find dozens of Earth-like planets.

Expectations aside, NASA astronomers using the powerful Keck telescope in Hawaii, and not Kepler, announced on September 29, 2010 that, based on its wobble effect, they have found a likely “Goldilocks” planet, Gliese 581g. The team, led by Steven Vogt, UC Santa Cruz, CA, and R. Paul Butler, Carnegie Institute, Wash., DC, posted their findings on the NASA web site and will publish them in The Astrophysical Journal.

Gliese 581 is a small red dwarf star, cooler than our sun and about as old. The team has been studying the Gliese 581 star system for 11 years. Gliese 581g is one of six planets discovered to date that orbit the star. It has generated much excitement because its orbit is only 17 million miles from its sun, which places it right in that habitable zone where liquid water could exist. The team estimated that the average temperature on the planet is between −24o°F and +10o°F — a summer day at the Earth’s South Pole. The planet’s surface gravity is about 1.5 times that of Earth so it could hold an Earth-like atmosphere.

The planet orbits its sun in 37 days and the same side faces the sun all the time, so there is no day/night cycle. This means that the temperature within any particular region of the planet should be fairly constant. According to Professor Vogt, “Any emerging life forms would have a wide range of stable climates to choose from and to evolve around, depending on their longitude.” Excited about the find he added, “… the chances for life on this planet are 100 percent. I have almost no doubt about it.”

Gliese 581g might fire up our imagination, but we won’t be able to check it out for life any too soon. Although fairly close as stars go, it is 20 light years away or about

120 trillion miles.


saul scheinbach

The effect of socioeconomic status on health has bedeviled scientists for decades — and tortured many a poor primate in the process. For example, experiments in the 1950’s comparing “executive” rhesus monkeys able to decrease the likelihood of electrical shocks with others passively receiving them, led scientists to believe that “executive distress” syndrome could cause ulcers. The work was later discredited because the monkeys were preselected for their greater emotional response. By the 1960’s the opposite became the prevailing view. It was believed that individuals of lower rank experience greater stress from being “picked on” by those above them. This too proved to be an incorrect generalization.

Now a team headed by evolutionary biologists Laurence Gesquiere from Princeton University, and Susan Alberts from Duke University, show that top-ranking alpha male baboons have much higher levels of stress hormones than second-ranking beta males. The researchers measured levels in feces of the male sex hormone testosterone and cortisol, a stress hormone, which in high amounts is associated with hypertension, diabetes and suppressed imamune function. The study, published in the July 15, 2011 issue of Science, is considered notable by other scientists because it involved many individuals for a long time. The team followed 125 adult males over a 9-year period from five troops of savannah baboons (Papio cynocephalus) living wild in Kenya’s Amboselli National Park. The large sample size and long time-frame means the study wasn’t skewed by the quirks of any particular male, but rather reflected the effects of his rank in the troop.

Baboons live in a nerve-wracking environment. Males con-stantly compete to raise their rank within the troop, resulting in high levels of aggression and a shifting of dominance hier-

archies. High-ranking males also vent their anger on females as well as lower-ranking males. When the scientists compared testosterone levels with rank, they found that higher-ranking males had higher levels than lower-ranking males. Alpha and beta males had the highest levels. This is expected because the alpha and beta males perform most of the matings and are aggressive toward all the lower-ranking males.

In general, cortisol levels also showed a predictable pattern. Higher levels of this stress hormone were found in lower-ranking males because they are harassed by those higher in rank and have limited access to food. However, the cortisol levels of alpha males were surprisingly high, much higher than the beta males, even surpassing those found in the lowest-ranking males.

Alpha males do not make “executive” decisions for the troop, but they do engage in more sexual contacts and there-fore spend more time guarding mates than beta males. They also fight with other males more often. Both behaviors use up more energy leaving less time for eating, which generates more stress, according to the authors. “Alpha males have high-er reproductive success than other male baboons, but those benefits come at a significant cost”, said lead author Gesquiere. Whatever the cause, alpha males are under a lot of stress.

Other studies had shown that during periods of shifting dominance among top males within a troop their stress levels increase. Gesquiere et al. say that the nature of their study, i.e., following many males for the long-term, eliminates these short-term perturbations and teases out what really happens to a male when he becomes top dog.

While it is tempting to make human comparisons (for example, are vice-presidents healthier than presidents?), we are not a strictly hierarchal species. Those who rank lower on the job may gain status in other venues like coaching, teaching or playing a sport. Furthermore, baboon bosses may be stressed out, but human bosses shouldn’t be — that is unless they are having sex with lots of women and yelling at their subordinates.

Know anyone like that?

The Cost of Life at the Top“We’ve known for decades that alpha males have an advantage in reproduction, but these results show that life at the top has a real downside, and that being an alpha male comes at a cost.” —S. Alberts


A VISIT TO THE GARDEN FOR HUMMINGBIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Starting at 9 AM at the Lenoir Nature Preserve, Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds and Monarch Butterflies will be searched for; along with a talk about each of these animal's interesting life histories.

FALL MIGRATION BIRD WALK Saturday, September 25, 2010

9 AM at Lenoir Nature Preserve. Join Hudson River Audubon bird experts to look for migrant birds using the Hudson River Flyway.

LENOIR HAWK WATCH Saturday, September 25, 2010

From 10 AM – 1 PM at Lenoir Nature Preserve. Join the bird experts from Hudson River Audubon to watch and count hawks flying down the Hudson Valley.

JAMAICA BAY WILDLIFE REFUGE IN QUEENS Sunday, September 26, 2010

Car pool from Lenoir Nature Preserve at 8 AM or meet at JBWR at 9 AM.

HAWK DAY Saturday, October 2, 2010 (tentative day)

10 AM Hawk Watch at Lenoir Nature Preserve. Live Hawks and Owls with flight display at 1 PM.

LENOIR HAWK WATCH Saturday,October 9, 2010


LENOIR HAWK WATCH Saturday,October 16, 2010


JONES BEACH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010

Meet at the Coast Guard Station on the West End at 9 AM

HRAS FIELD TRIp – TBASunday, November 21, 2010

pEEKSKILL CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTSaturday, December 18, 2010

BRONx-WESTCHESTER CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTSunday, December 26, 2010

HRAS FIELD TRIp – TBASunday, January 30, 2011

HRAS FIELD TRIp – TBASunday April 3, 2011

Hudson River Audubon Upcoming

Outdoor activities such as birding and hiking with a group are a wonderful way to share your interests with like-minded people to learn more about nature, and to enjoy many preserves and natural areas.

Hudson River Audubon Society field trips are free. Non-members/newcomers are welcome and are encouraged to join us as members ($20 introductory offer).

Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them. Some are available for loan for those who need them. Dress appropriately for the weather. For more information call Michael Bochnik at (914) 237-9331.

Directions for most trips can be found on our web site at www.hras.org.

LENOIR HAWK WATCH every Saturday & Sunday, starting around 10 am,

from Sept. 18 through October, 2011Join the bird experts from Hudson River Audubon to watch

and count hawks flying down the Hudson Valley. Meet us out on the lawn overlooking the Hudson River.

HAWK DAY Saturday, October 1, 2011

9:00 am – 12:00 pm : Hawk watch out on the lawn. You can join us at any time.

1:00 pm : Live hawk talk and flight demonstration

THE BIG SIT! Sunday, October 9, 2011, 8:00 am

Meet at Lenoir Hawk Watch as we try to see as many bird species in a day.

HILLSIDE WOODS, HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON Saturday, October 29, 2011, 8:00 amMeet at the pool/tennis court parking lot.

JONES BEACH Sunday, December 4, 2011, 8:00 am

Meet at the Coast Guard Station in the West End II section.

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS Peekskill, Saturday, December 17, 2011 Greenwich, Sunday, December 18, 2011

Bronx-Westchester, Monday, December 26, 2011

GEORGE’S ISLAND Sunday, January 22, 2012, 7:00 am

Eagle viewing on the Hudson River.

PELHAM BAY PARK Sunday, January 29, 2012, 8:00 am

Owl prowl.

EAGLE FEST Saturday, February 4, 2012

8th Annual Hudson River Eagle Fest at Croton Point Park

HEMPSTEAD LAKE STATE PARK Saturday, April 28, 2012

TIBBETTS BROOK PARK Friday, May 4, 2012, 6:00 pm

CENTRAL PARK Saturday, May 5, 2012, 8:00 am

ROCKEFELLER STATE PARK Saturday, May 12, 2012, 8:00 am

MOTHER’S DAY WARBLER WALK Sunay, May 13, 2012, 8:00 am

BIRD-A-THON Saturday, May 19, 2012

2

HUDSON RIVER AUDUBON SOCIETYOF WESTCHESTER, INCP.O. Box 616YONKERS, NY 10703

DATED MATERIALPlease Expedite

NON PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDWHITE PLAINS. NY

Permit 7312

HRAS BOARD MEMBERS & VOLUNTEERS

President [email protected] Saul Scheinbach 718-884-4740

Vice-President/Field Trips [email protected] Michael Bochnik 914-237-9331

Conservation [email protected] Michael Bochnik 914-237-9331

Treasurer [email protected] Paul Oehrlein 914-693-2569

Secretary [email protected] Judi Veder 718-884-4740

Education [email protected] Beverly Smith 914-965-5553

Walter Chadwick [email protected] 914-237-5791

Publicity [email protected] Jeanette Johnson 914-965-7541

Membership [email protected] Michael Bochnik 914-237-9331

Programs/Seasons [email protected] Lynn Shaw 718-549-2380

Butterfly Garden [email protected] Mary T. Harrington 914-667-1494

Science [email protected] Saul Scheinbach 718-884-4740

Circulation William Van Wart 914-376-2401

Hospitality [email protected] Kelli Bochnik 914-237-9331

Educator [email protected] Walter Chadwick 914-237-5791

Feeder Watch [email protected] Carol Lange 914-668-5101

Lenoir Liaison [email protected] Danniela Ciatto 914-968-5851

Rivertown Naturalist Editor [email protected] Sandra Wright 914-674-9147

Join The Hudson River Audubon Society of Westchester!

Every membership supports Audubon’s vital efforts to protect birds, other wildlife and natural habitats. Membership includes a subscription to Audubon magazine and affiliation with National Audubon. As a member, you will also receive our chapter newsletter, The Rivertown Naturalist, and an open invitation to all our guest lectures, field trips and events.

siGN Me uP As A New MeMber. oNe yeAr for $20.

Name

Address

City

State Zip Code

Telephone

chAPter No c9Zr200Z

Send check and this application to: National Audubon Society

P.O. Box 422250Palm Coast, FL 32142-2250

Please make check payable to National Audubon Society.


✄www.hras.org

The Big SitSunday, October 9, 2011

“the tailgate party for birders”Lenoir Nature Preserve, Yonkers8:00 AM to 2:00 PM and beyond?

Join us for our ninth BIG SIT! What’s a Big Sit? It’s the largest sedentary bird watching event of the

year. Teams and individuals around the country will try to identify as many species all from a 17-foot diameter circle. Our circle is at our hawk watch.

We should see hawks, warblers, phoebes and a surprise or two. Up to sixty species may be seen.

This is an all-day event, so come and go as you please. We will be out there from 8:00 AM (or earlier) to 2:00 PM. Help keep us company and help spot the birds. Feel free to bring drinks, lunch and don’t forget your binoculars!

Hillside Woods, Hastings-on-Hudson

Saturday Oct 29, 2011 Meet at the Pool/Tennis parking lot 8:00 AM

A bird walk through the woodland trails for late migrants and fall foliage.

For map and direction visit our web site for Hillside Woods at http://www.hras.org/wtobird/hillside.html

upcoming trips…

Saturday, October 15, 2011Fall Forest WalkLenoir Nature Preserve

Saturday & Sunday, October 15 & 16, 20117th Annual Aquefest!A trail-long celebration of the Old Croton Aqueduct

Croton Point Park Sunday November 13, 2011

5:30 AM for early risers9:00 AM meet at the Main Gate

Paul Oehrlein has volunteered to lead a club bird walk in November. Sunrise is at 06:40 and any hearty souls are welcome to meet him at the Croton River train bridge south of the parking lot at 05:30 to see the departing overnight waterfowl.

Another meeting spot will be the main gate to the park at 9 AM and we’ll look for pipits and other grass birds on the landfill followed by a return trip to the estuary to see what waterfowl may be present. There is also a good probability we'll see some eagle activity. Dress warmly; it is always chillier near the water! See http://www.hras.org/wtobird/croton.html for directions and map.

Jones BeachSunday Dec 4, 2011

8 AM Meet at the Coast Guard Station in the West End II section

The barrier beaches are great places to bird in the late fall/winter. The bays and ocean can have a variety of loons, grebes, scoters, mergansers and other seaducks. The grassy median and parking lots can hold Snow Buntings, Horned Larks, and Lapland Longspurs. Rare gulls may mingle with common gulls. Birds of prey like the Northern Harrier and maybe even a Snowy Owl may be hunting in the dunes. The trees and shrubs may hold a rare bird or stray from the west. A long and varied list of birds should be tallied. Dress appropriately; expect windier and cooler conditions than at home. The trip should last till early afternoon. Only heavy rain will cancel the trip.

Directions: In Long Island take the Southern State to Exit 22S, Meadowbrook Pkwy./Jones Beach. Take Meadowbrook Parkway south and at the closed parking tolls stay to the left and go around them, then get back into the right lane. After about ½ mile bare right toward West End 2. Go past the Police barracks on the right and continue to the next turn off. Make two rights into the public parking area. See http://www.hras.org/wtobird/jonesbeach.html for map.

Considering late year donations to your favorite charities and non-profit?

Go online to our web page at www.hras.org and click on “Donate” to make a contribution to the

Hudson River Audubon Society using Facebook Causes.

Or send us your donation to HRAS, PO Box 616, Yonkers, NY10703

Thank you.





Permit 7312





Permit 7312






Permit 7312























Name

Address

City

State Zip Code

Telephone

chAPter No c9Zr200Z





✄www.hras.org

Pr esident 718-884-4740 Saul Scheinbach [email protected]

Vi ce-President 914-237-9331 Michael Bochnik [email protected]

Tr easurer 914-693-2569 Paul Oehrlein [email protected]

Se cretary 718-884-4740 Judi Veder [email protected]

M embership/Conservation 914-237-9331 Michael Bochnik [email protected]

Ed ucation 914-237-5791 Walter Chadwick [email protected]

Pu blicity 914-965-7541 Jeanette Johnson [email protected]

Pr ograms/Seasons 718-549-2380 Lynn Shaw [email protected]

Bu tterfly Garden 914-589-3293 Mary T. Harrington [email protected]

Cir culation William Van Wart 914-376-2401

Ho spitality 914-237-9331 Kelli Bochnik [email protected]

Fe eder Watch 914-668-5101 Carol Lange [email protected]

Bo ard Member Frances Greenberg [email protected]

Bo ard Member Jackie Bruskin [email protected]

Le noir Liaison 914-968-5851 Danniela Ciatto [email protected]

Ri vertown Naturalist Editor Sandra Wright [email protected]

4





Permit 7312























Name

Address

City

State Zip Code

Telephone

chAPter No c9Zr200Z





✄www.hras.org

















4





Permit 7312























Name

Address

City

State Zip Code

Telephone

chAPter No c9Zr200Z





✄www.hras.org

















4

HRAS BOARD MEMBERS & VOLUNTEERS Pr esident 718-884-4740

Saul Scheinbach [email protected] Vi ce-President 914-237-9331

Michael Bochnik [email protected] Tr easurer 914-693-2569

Paul Oehrlein [email protected] Se cretary 718-884-4740

Judi Veder [email protected] M embership/Conservation 914-237-9331

Michael Bochnik [email protected] Ed ucation 914-237-5791

Walter Chadwick [email protected] Pu blicity 914-965-7541

Jeanette Johnson [email protected] Pr ograms/Seasons 718-549-2380

Lynn Shaw [email protected] Bu tterfly Garden 914-589-3293

Mary T. Harrington [email protected] Cir culation

William Van Wart 914-376-2401 Ho spitality 914-237-9331

Kelli Bochnik [email protected] Fe eder Watch 914-668-5101

Carol Lange [email protected] Bo ard Member

Frances Greenberg [email protected] Bo ard Member

Jackie Bruskin [email protected] Le noir Liaison 914-968-5851

Danniela Ciatto [email protected] Ri vertown Naturalist Editor

Sandra Wright [email protected]

Join The Hudson River Audubon Society of Westchester! Every membership supports Audubon’s vital efforts to protect birds, other wildlife and natural habitats. Membership includes a subscription to Audubon magazine and affiliation with National Audubon. As a member, you will also receive our chapter newsletter, The Rivertown Naturalist, and an open invitation to all our guest lectures, field trips and events.

SiGN ME UP AS A NEW MEMBER. ONE YEAR FOR $20.

Name

Address

City

State Zip Code

Telephone

CHAPTER # C9ZR200Z


P.O. Box 422250 Palm Coast, FL 32142-2250


HRAS BOARD MEMBERS & VOLUNTEERSPresident 718-884-4740 Saul Scheinbach [email protected] 914-237-9331 Michael Bochnik [email protected] 914-693-2569 Paul Oehrlein [email protected] 718-884-4740 Judi Veder [email protected]/Conservation 914-237-9331 Michael Bochnik [email protected] 914-237-5791 Walter Chadwick [email protected] 914-965-7541 Jeanette Johnson [email protected]/Seasons 718-549-2380 Lynn Shaw [email protected] Garden 914-589-3293 Mary T. Harrington [email protected] William Van Wart 914-376-2401Hospitality 914-237-9331 Kelli Bochnik [email protected] 914-668-5101 Carol Lange [email protected] Jackie Bruskin [email protected] Members Frances Greenberg [email protected] Carolyn Whittle [email protected] Frank & Dana Fazzino [email protected] Liaison 914-968-5851 Danniela Ciatto [email protected] Naturalist Editor Sandra Wright [email protected]

hras.org

the rivertown naturalist · october 26, 2011 wednesday ~ lenoir nature preserve this is the second...

Documents