Past GSBAS Alerts and News Links

Congratulations to GSBAS Past President Larry Merryman - 2013 Norm Stotz Award Winner

Congratulations to the GSBAS' Conservation Chair and Past President, Larry Merryman, for winning the 2013 Norm Stotz Award for Outstanding Chapter Leadership at the Audubon Council of New York State Spring Assembly.

Trap, Neuter, Return Programs Make Feral-Cat Problem Worse by Ted Williams

In my recent op-ed I reported that a common over-the-counter drug, an effective and selective poison for feral cats, had not been registered for this use because of pressure from feral-cat advocacy groups. While the statement was not inaccurate, it was unwise because readers might construe it as a suggestion to go out and start poisoning feral cats. What’s more, the statement could be, indeed was, manipulated by feral-cat advocates into something I didn’t write or intend. I should have used the generic, lesser-known name. Further, I should have explained that this feral-cat poison, if registered, would be applied only by the state and federal wildlife managers who are widely, legally and lethally (but not effectively) controlling feral cats with rifle, shotgun and trap. I urge people not to take the law into their own hands. They should leave it to professionals. Finally I should have explained, as was later explained by the Sentinel, that “editor-at-large” of Audubon magazine was a freelance, not salaried, title. I regret this slovenliness.

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New York Times Article - That Cuddly Kitty Is Deadlier Than You Think

From the January 29th New York Times by By Natalie Angier

For all the adorable images of cats that play the piano, flush the toilet, mew melodiously and find their way back home over hundreds of miles, scientists have identified a shocking new truth: cats are far deadlier than anyone realized.

In a report that scaled up local surveys and pilot studies to national dimensions, scientists from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and the Fish and Wildlife Service estimated that domestic cats in the United States — both the pet Fluffies that spend part of the day outdoors and the unnamed strays and ferals that never leave it — kill a median of 2.4 billion birds and 12.3 billion mammals a year, most of them native mammals like shrews, chipmunks and voles rather than introduced pests like the Norway rat.

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ACTION ALERT: Plum Island is in danger of being sold to the highest bidder!

Located less than a mile from Orient Point, the tip of Long Island's North Fork, lies this 840 acre island.

An ecological gem, Plum Island is home to federally threatened and N.Y.S. endangered piping plovers, along with approximately 190 other bird species that utilize the island for breeding or migratory purposes. In addition, it is the most significant seal haul-out site in southern New England, playing host to up to several hundred grey and harbor seals each winter. Forty rare and protected plant species round out the treasure trove of ecological abundance that this island possesses.

Now, Plum Island's rich wildlife habitat is in danger of being sold to developers! For more information and how you can help, please visit the Preserve Plum Island website

"Kill Plastic, Not Wildlife"

Be on the lookout for marked Fish Crows

Carolee Caffrey marked three Fish Crows (when nestlings) on the campus of Hofstra University (Hempstead) last spring.  At least two of them were still OK in mid-August when they dispersed out of the area. Carol asks people to keep a look out for them and to please get back to her at clcaffrey@gmail.com if they're seen. They've got light blue patagial tags bearing two letters - the same on both sides: BB, HU, and SR.

GSBAS Featured on MyLITV.com

A Volunteer Expo was held to persuade locals to donate their time to helping Suffolk County Parks.  GSBAS' own Judy Davis is featured in the video at the following link:

http://www.mylitv.com/articles/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=605%3Asuffolk-county-parks-foundation-volunteer-opportunity-expo&catid=48%3Along-island-community&Itemid=30

Audubon's "Birding the Net" Program

Audubon is letting birds loose on the Internet! Their unprecedented Birding the Net social media campaign challenges virtual birders to compete for prizes in a “big month” from October 10 through November 7, 2011. Birds are fluttering, hopping, and soaring across more than 100 websites. Each time you see a bird, it's a chance to add that species to your list – and add to your chances of winning awesome prizes, including a trip for two to the Galapagos Islands courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions. Please see the Audubon website for more details on how to get involved.

Feral Cat Colonies Present Perfect Storm of Rabies Risk

(Washington, D.C., September 21, 2011) Feral cat colonies bring together a series of high risk elements that result in a 'perfect storm' of rabies exposure, according to Steve Holmer, senior policy analyst at American Bird Conservancy. Holmer’s assertion is part of his presentation, called "Managed Cat Colonies and Rabies,"  that is one of 28 presentations being aired in over 70 countries in connection with the second annual World Rabies Day International Webinar to be held September 21 and 22. More information