Nature Walk/Event Recap and Reports
Hempstead State Park Nature Walk
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Recap
by Ken Thompson
Spring birding Fall weather?
On clear crisp cool, forty degrees or so, spring day the GSBAS trip was at Hempstead State Park. It started off very nicely with extended viewing of multiple Wood Ducks in the near pond. We then proceeded to the woods along the creek and around to the field. We saw lots of Myrtle Warblers and afew Black and Whites. In the woods along the field we some more warblers. We saw Blackburnian, always a crowd pleaser and Magnolia. A hardy few hiked up the stream trail and saw a Solitary Sandpiper.
Then in the cars and off to Jones Beach. On the approach road to the West End entrance there was a Red-headed Woodpecker sitting alongside the roadway. What a spectacular bird, the sun was lighting it up and the colors were brilliant.
Another really good trip for,our Tuesday GSBAS folks to participate.
GSBAS Annual Dinner
Monday, May 6, 2013
Our Annual May Dinner fundraiser was held at Capt. Bill’s Restaurant in Bay Shore on Monday, May 6, 2013. Thanks to the generosity of our members and friends we had many lovely prizes. The dinner was a huge success and all who attended had a grand time.
This year’s award winners are:
Cathy & Kenny Wilvert - Bob Laskowski Conservation Award
Juliane Wohler - Fran File Awardd
Larry Merryman - President’s Award
Photos by Helga Merryman and Judy Davis
Central Park Nature Walk
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Here's the list of birds spotted on the Central Park Nature Walk. List provided by Steve D'Amato:
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Birding & Breakfast at Connetquot Preserve
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Recap by Edith Wilson
The morning of 4th May came clear and bright. Over forty people showed up at Connetquot Preserve to enjoy a delicious continental breakfast of bagels, cinnamon bread, assorted cakes, fruits and cheese, with beverages. The splendid repast was sponsored by the Friends of Connetquot with bagels and spreads donated by Melville Deli.
During our walk, the warm spring weather had many birds actively singing and flying out in the open in their efforts to establish or defend their nesting territories. The large number of bird enthusiasts was split into two groups to give everyone a chance to see resident and migrant birds encountered in the trails. A pair of Tufted Titmouse was observed gathering nesting material at the Hatchery area; all around us were the pleasant sounds of male Chipping Sparrow, Pine Warbler, Ovenbird, Eastern Towhee, and many others announcing their presence to females of their respective species. Below is a complete list of the thirty-nine birds seen (S) or only heard (H) by one or both groups.
Our next Birding & Breakfast program is scheduled for September 14th. Reserve the date on your calendar and join us.
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Jamaica Bay
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Recap by Ken Thompson
Four folks including myself showed up this morning at Jamaica Bay for the GSBAS Tuesday nature walk. Again, still pretty quiet but through persistence we managed to make a nice morning out of it. In the gardens we had very good looks at two White-eyed Vireos and two Brown Thrashers, all standing still in the open for nice viewing. The Yellow Warblers have arrived in numbers and they were everywhere to be seen. Also in good numbers and active and visible were Eastern Towhees, a really nice bird to see.
GSBAS Walk at Connetquot
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Eight folks showed up on a damp morning to walk through Connetquot State Park Preserve. We had a really nice showing of birds despite the overcast and chilly morning. A total of 48 species was seen. We had two students join us on an assignment. We walked up to the hatchery and back down around the lake. Highlights were, Black and White Warblers, Purple Martin, Northern Rough-winged Swallows and a calling Red-tailed Hawk flying over us. Not bad for an early spring day.
Brookside Butterfly Garden Club Spring Garden Clean-up
Saturday, March 30, 2013
On Saturday, March 30, 2013, the Brookside Butterfly Garden Club held their Spring garden clean-up. Four volunteers spent a beautiful morning removing much debris deposited over the winter from the Nor’easters and Superstorm Sandy. With the cold weather behind us, and under sunny skies with temperatures in the low 50’s, the grass was raked free of accumulated brush, leaves and litter surrounding the deck, sheds and garden area. The planters were filled with brightly colored spring flowers as a welcome sight to all who visit. The lawn looked beautiful speckled with purple and white crocus! During our visit, a red fox scampered across the lawn and headed to the weir, his distinct scent lingering long after he had disappeared.
Anyone interested in participating in the Butterfly Garden Club activities are welcome to join us on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. at Brookside to begin planning the additions to the garden. Feel free to participate in as many or few of the meetings and activities that are held as many hands make light work!
Photos courtesy of Judy Davis - Click image to enlarge
Custom Built Raccoon Baffles Installed to Protect Blue Bird Nests in Connetquot River State Park Preserve
March 9, 2013
The GSBAS is the proud recipient of $600 in Audubon Collaborative Funding. Continuing our “Audubon in the Parks” campaign, we have used the funds toward the creation of custom built raccoon baffles. The baffles will help protect our 22 Bluebird nest boxes at Connetquot River State Park Preserve (CRSPP) from the marauding raccoon that has been wreaking havoc for the past two years. Thankfully, the Bluebirds successfully fledged before the raccoon made his rounds but the Tree Swallows have not been so lucky.
Special thanks go out to Edith and Bob Wilson chairs of our Bluebird Nest Box Program, as well as Annette Brownell and her friend Rick Barns, A&N Reliable Welding for getting this project off the ground. The fabrication of the baffles was accomplished by Carl Bausinger, Jr., at The Sheet Metal Shop in Bay Shore.
Installation day, 9 March 2013, dawned clear and relatively warm. Under the guidance of Edith and Bob, the new baffles were installed in two hours by Rick Barns, Annette Brownell, Judy and Warren Davis, Bob Grover, and Helga and Larry Merryman. Bluebirds could be heard in the area. Perhaps they were some of the birds we had observed during the 19 January 2013 Breakfast and Birding.
If you would like to join the Bluebird Nest Box Program team and experience the joy of watching these magnificent birds throughout their nesting process, training is available to become a nest box monitor. Give the GSBAS a call at 631-563-7716.
Photos courtesy of Judy Davis and Helga Merryman - Click image to enlarge
Young Naturalists Club
March 3, 2013
Attendees had lots of fun making hatching chicks!
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Day After Snowstorm at Brookside
Saturday, February 10, 2013
These photos were taken on Saturday, February 10, 2013 at Brookside Park by Tour Guides Lenora and Peter Daniel, following the snowstorm.
All photos were taken by Lenora and Peter Daniel
Click to enlarge photo
Breakfast & Birding
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Recap by Judy Davis
Saturday, January 19, 2013, dawned clear and bright as 46 people gathered at Connetquot River State Park Preserve (CRSPP) for the winter Breakfast & Birding. This event is sponsored by CRSPP, Friends of Connetquot (FOC), and the Great South Bay Audubon Society (GSBAS).
The group enjoyed a marvelous continental breakfast, provided by the FOC and volunteer bakers, while Pam Hunter (CRSPP) gave an overview of some of the woodland birds and ducks we might observe. For the first time, mounted specimens were used during the overview.
With full stomachs, the large group was broken down into three smaller groups lead by GSBAS volunteers, Helga & Larry Merryman, Edith and Bob Wilson, and Ken Thompson. Each group went to a different part of the park in search of birds.
The group I was in, led by Pam Hunter and the Merrymans, headed west. On the pond we viewed Mallards, Gadwalls, American Wigeons, and a beautiful Great Blue Heron. Walking a bit into the west line trail, where the GSBAS has a portion of their Bluebird nest box trail, the group was treated to the sight of at least 10 Bluebirds feeding. Three were perched on top of two nest boxes, their blue feathers glistening brilliantly in the sun.
Other species observed by the groups were: Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Canvasback, Ring-necked duck, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Ruddy duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Red-tailed Hawk, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Titmouse, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, American Robin, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, and House Sparrow.
It was a wonderful day spent enjoying nature with old and new friends alike. Did you miss this Breakfast & Birding? Our next event is scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2013. We hope you’ll join us!
All photos were taken by Warren Davis
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Daisy Troop Pinecone Feeder Program
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Making pinecone feeders at the January 6, 2013 meeting of the Young Naturalists Club.
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