Overview of Accomplishments

• GSBAS at the State level continued to send representatives to Audubon New York's Fall ’10 and Spring ‘11 Council Meetings.
• GSBAS’ Chapter representatives, at the local level, attended Long Island Audubon Council Meetings ("LIAC") on November 13, 2010 and April 9, 2011.
• GSBAS continued its Blue Bird Nest Box Program at Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale, NY. Co-chairs Edith and Bob Wilson, along with volunteers Steve D’Amato, Judy and Patrick Davis, Ken Thompson, Mary and Tom Plant, monitored 22 nest boxes that had been erected in 2009. A Birdcam was installed on one of the boxes known to have Bluebirds. Two nest boxes successfully fledged Bluebirds. Unfortunately, a raccoon predated boxes 1 through 18. This raccoon not only overcame the baffle obstacle, it also worked a lever and opened several of the boxes. An unknown number of Tree Swallow nestlings and eggs were lost.
• GSBAS continued to participate in the American Kestrel Restoration effort funded through a TogetherGreen national innovation grant secured by Audubon New York.  This breeding season, a second box was installed at Connetquot River State Park Preserve.  Co-chairs Alice Heller and Juliane Wohler along with volunteers Jody Banaszak, Joe Brodtman, Bob Grover, Johnna Vullo, and Tom Plant monitored America kestrel nest boxes in St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY, Heckscher State Park, East Islip, NY, and Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale, NY.  One box at St. Charles Cemetery was successful.
• GSBAS received an $800 Audubon New York Collaborative Funding Grant to jump-start its partnership with local resident, Cathy Wilvert, in her Northern Bobwhite Quail Restoration Project at Connetquot River State Park Preserve (CRSPP). The goal of this project is to restore the quail population to a self-sustaining level while educating the community about wildlife and the environment, as well as naturally reducing the tick population within the preserve. The GSBAS instituted an Adopt-A-Quail campaign to raise additional funds needed and to involve its members in the project. The GSBAS also supported a “Help Feed the Quail” day where volunteers planted berry bushes, a natural food source for the quail, at CRSPP. On June 18, 2011, 620 Northern Bobwhite Quail were released in the preserve.
• GSBAS under the auspices of Education Chair, Juliane Wohler, signed up eight local teachers interested in using Audubon Adventures in their classrooms. A total of 11 Audubon Adventure Kits were provided. This is the result of an outreach program at Staples’ 2010 Teacher Appreciation Day, Patchogue, NY. Thanks to volunteer Jody Banaszak for representing the GSBAS at this event and to Juliane Wohler for working with the teachers.
• GSBAS continued its scholarship program to graduating high school seniors within its chapter area planning to major in an environmental science at college. Four scholarships totaling $1500 were awarded to students from Smithtown, Lindenhurst, and Patchogue-Medford high schools.
• GSBAS continues to purchases Audubon Shade Grown Coffee, which is served at its general membership meetings, Annual Outdoor Program at Brookside and other Chapter functions (thanks to Helga Merryman’s purchase of same on behalf of GSBAS).
• GSBAS held ten (10) General Membership Meetings with scheduled Speakers at Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale, NY - GSBAS’ adopted IBA - meeting the third Thursday of the month, September 2010 thru April 20011. These meetings are free and open to the public and are published in GSBAS’ newsletter, The Sandpiper, posted to its Website, http://www.gsbas.org, posted on its Facebook page, and sent out in an email blast. These were our outstanding speakers and their respective presentations at GSBAS’ General Membership Meetings held September 2010 thru June 2011:
• September 16, 2010: Gertrude R. Battaly and Drew Panko presented “Fire Island Raptors”
• October 21, 2010: Speaker cancelled last minute. DVD movie night, “Winged Migration”
• November 18, 2010: Peter Priolo presented “Monarchs: Wing Tag Migration Study”
• December 16, 2010: Annual Member Participation Night. GSBAS’ Members: shared birding slide presentations and experiences.
• Thursday, January 20, 2011: Astrophysicist Kevin Manning presented, “A Journey To The Stars!”
• February 17, 2011: Cathy Wilvert presented, “Northern Bobwhite Quail Restoration at Connetquot River State Park Preserve”
• April 21, 2011: Eric Salzman presented, “Birds of Israel.”
• May 2, 2011: General meeting held at Capt. Bill’s Restaurant. Speaker: Lloyd Spitalnik, Lloyd Spitalnik Photography presented, “Shorebirds – So Few, So Difficult?”
• June 16, 2011: Out door general meeting at Brookside County Park. Sue Krause from Sweetbriar Nature Center presented “Birds of Prey.”
• Thanks to Program Chair, Alice Heller, who secures the speakers for these meetings and thanks to Chapter Publicity Chair, Helga Merryman, the scheduled speakers and their programs get advertised in local papers. Thanks to Hospitality Chair, Mary Plant, and the many monthly Chapter volunteers, these general membership meetings are well supplied with food and beverages. Our monthly General Membership Meetings help GSBAS keep a constant presence in the local community, connect GSBAS with the public at large, and keep its members active and involved with Chapter advocacy and events.
• GSBAS convened ten (10) Board Meetings held September 2010 – June 2011 at its Brookside County Park, 59 Brook Street, Sayville, NY where the overall mission, goals, activities and programs designed to achieve them were reviewed, formulated and set into motion.
• GSBAS continues to publish six (6) editions of our award winning chapter newsletter, “The Sandpiper” thanks to our Newsletter Editor, Harry Anderson. Through its newsletter, GSBAS communicates conservation issues, which are important to Audubon at the local, state and national levels. GSBAS’ newsletter seeks its members’ participation with the submittal of nature stories, poems and related wildlife articles for publication.
• GSBAS’ Mailing Chair, Ken Thompson, and his Mailing Committee volunteers, continue to ensure that GSBAS’ 1,100 +/- members receive their Chapter newsletter – making the huge bi-monthly mailings a mission accomplished!
• GSBAS, held 46 Mid-Week and Weekend Nature Walks during this reporting period thanks to Chapter Nature Walk Coordinator, Larry Merryman, and Chapter Field Trip Leaders, Mike Cooper, Steve D’Amato, Jack Finkenberg, John Gluth, Bob Grover, Alice Heller, Nicholas Laviola, Michael McBrien, Helga Merryman, Larry Merryman, Peter Murphy, Ken Thompson, Bob Wilson, and Edith Wilson. GSBAS thanks its Nature Walk Coordinator, Larry Merryman and each of its respective Nature Walk Leaders for having made these 46 field trips a reality!
• Members of other local Long Island Audubon chapters often attend the nature walks, which are free and open to the public. Chapter run nature walks have resulted in GSBAS gaining many new Chapter volunteers, which help GSBAS to continue to accomplish its mission! GSBAS' Weekend Nature Walks flyer (for period August - May of each year) is printed and inserted in The Sandpiper, detailing these weekend field trips for the upcoming year. This information is also posted to its Chapter’s Website, Facebook page, and sent out in an email blast.
• GSBAS through its Treasurer, Dennis Lenz, CPA, has for 14 years provided the Chapter’s Financial Reports protecting its Not-for-Profit 501(c)(3) status. Thank you Dennis Lenz!
• GSBAS’ official Website, www.gsbas.org and Facebook page continue to remain fully reinvigorated through the efforts of our paid Webmaster, Eric Larson and with material posting oversight by President, Judy Davis.
• GSBAS’ Board approved and made a monetary donation in May 2011 to Starflower Experiences, Inc., Jericho, NY, a local not-for-profit educational organization, to sponsor two children to attend its Earth Keepers Camp at West Hills County Park, Melville, NY.
• GSBAS donated funds to help defray the costs of the dinners for participants of the compilation at the end of the count, for the 49th Annual Captree Christmas Bird Count (“CBC”), coordinators Pat Lindsay and Shai Mitra, on January 3, 2010 that listed 109 species observed.
• GSBAS’ members participated in a Bird Feeder Survey covering over a dozen locations in GSBAS’ Chapter territory, east from Amityville to Blue Point, New York. Survey Compilation Chapter Chair, Helga Merryman, compiled the number of bird species postings submitted by Chapter members and the species results were then published in The Sandpiper. GSBAS thanks Survey Compiler, Helga Merryman!
• GSBAS’ members (thanks to Steve D’Amato, Edith & Bob Wilson, Ken Thompson, John Gluth, Bob Grover and Linda Puglielli - some of GSBAS’ regulars) continue to participate in the Fire Island Hawk Watch which, has contributed greatly to the sum of knowledge about hawk migration. The Fire Island Hawk Watch is held every year from September thru November with FIRE (Fire Island Raptor Enumerators), Parking Lot #5, Robert Moses State Park, Long Island, NY.
• GSBAS’ Beach Cleanup Chairperson & Board Member, Carol Jansch, directed and coordinated the Ed Davis Memorial Beach Cleanup held at Sailor’s Haven, Fire Island in conjunction with the American Littoral Society’s Annual New York State Beach cleanup on September 25, 2010.
• GSBAS’ members Judy Davis and Helga and Larry Merryman attended a meeting of the New York State Horseshoe Crab Coalition to discuss ways to help this imperiled species.

Chapter Fund Raisers

• GSBAS held its May Annual Dinner this year on Monday, May 2, 2011 at Captain Bill's Bay Shore, NY. GSBAS presented three (3) prestigious Chapter awards. GSBAS honored:
• Shai Mitra as the recipient of its Bob Laskowski Conservation Award;
• Ken Thompson, as the recipient of its Fran File Award;
• Steve D’Amato as the recipient of its President’s Award.
• Guest speaker, Lloyd Spitalnik, presented his program, “Shorebirds – So Few, So Difficult?”
• Members, guests, and friends thoroughly enjoyed the dinner, the speaker, the Silent Auction with several original art works (especially the beautiful painting of Northern Bobwhite Quails and a pencil sketch of a Lesser Yellowlegs and Stilt Sandpiper from Board Member and artist, Steven D’Amato); a Chinese Auction with unique bird related gifts; and many door and raffle prizes. GSBAS was again fortunate to be supported by many donors comprised of its Board Members, Members, local businesses and donations from the families and friends of members and Chapter supporters. GSBAS' 2011 Annual Dinner Prize Donors flyer acknowledges each donor and the gift(s) donated and was distributed to each table the night of the dinner and this year also copied and inserted in its July/August 2011 newsletter.
• GSBAS successfully conducted two (2) Chapter Seed Sales.
  • its Fall Seed Sale held on October 23, 2010 chaired by Judy Davis.
  • its Winter Seed Sale held on February 19, 2011 chaired by Judy Davis.
  • Thanks to Seed Sale Chair Judy Davis and volunteers Bob & Edith Wilson, and Helga & Larry Merryman and Chapter Members who participated in “prepaid orders.” GSBAS has partnered with Gary Fortcher and Kathleen Mulligan, owners of Wild Birds Unlimited, Oakdale, NY, to run its bi-annual seed sales.
• Adopt-A-Quail program raised funds needed for the GSBAS’ Northern Bobwhite Quail Restoration Program at Connetquot River State Park Preserve.
• Annual Appeal, in addition to helping finance Stewardship Activities at Brookside County Park, is also used to help supplement funds to finance Chapter expenses for:
• Speaker fees at its:
• General membership meetings;
• May Annual Dinner;
• Annual June Outdoor Program at Brookside;
• Connetquot River State Park meeting room fees for general membership meetings;
• Newsletters printings and mailing costs;
• Chapter attendance fees at local Community Outreach Events;
• Special education programs at Brookside;
• College scholarships to graduating high school seniors intending to major in one of the environmental sciences;
• Purchasing Audubon Adventure kits for classroom use by teachers in our local schools;
• Paid Webmaster, Eric Larson, to keep its Website and Facebook page updated (thank you Eric for another great year as our Chapter’s Webmaster);
• Verizon service for its phone service for #631-563-7716 (thank you Board Members, Steve D’Amato for retrieving messages and Genevieve Lee for updating the recorded messages) and for the Chapter’s email address: info@gsbas.org (thank you Board Member Juliane Wohler, Communication Committee as the Chapter’s email responder);
• Insurance policies;
• Brookside Butterfly Garden;
• GSBAS’ library at Brookside County Park. Thank you librarian, Vera Capogna!
• GSBAS’ 2010 Annual Appeal was printed courtesy of its Board Member, Peter Murphy. Chapter kudos to Peter Murphy for again donating this printing job! GSBAS also thanks and recognizes each and everyone one of its important Chapter Annual Appeal supporters with a printed supporter’s sheet published in its July/August 2011 issue of The Sandpiper! AGAIN GSBAS THANKS ANNUAL APPEAL DONORS ONE AND ALL!

Chapter Community Outreach Events At Brookside County Park and Offsite

• GSBAS was able to participate at the following community outreach events:
• Volunteer, Jody Banaszak, represented the GSBAS at the Staples’ Teacher Appreciation Day on 21 August 2010 in Patchogue, NY.
• GSBAS had a booth at the Friends Of Connetquot Gala held on 3 October 2010 at Connetquot River State Park Preserve, out adopted Important Bird Area. In keeping with the gala’s theme of “The Birds of Connetquot.” GSBAS provided photos of a Tree Swallow nest box taken by the Birdcam, photos of common birds found at CRSPP, and general education about birds commonly found on Long Island. Thank you GSBAS volunteers Steve D’Amato, Carol Jansch, Helga Merryman, and Judy Davis for manning the booth at the gala.
• Children’s Art Time was held on 3 October 2010 at Brookside County Park, 59 Brook St., Sayville, NY. Thank you Education Co-Chairs Juliane Wohler and Janet Gremli.
• On February 26, 2011, the GSBAS partnered with the Long Island Maritime Museum in Sayville to celebrate National Bird Feeding Month. Board member and past president Jack Finkenberg presented his Birding 101 program followed by a walk through the museum grounds. Thank you volunteers Jack Finkenberg, Michael McBrien, Steve D’Amato, and Larry and Helga Merryman.
• A Children’s program, “Sea Shore Safari” was held at Brookside County Park on March 6, 2011. Tracy Marcus, Marine Educator from Cornell Cooperative Extension taught the children about local saltwater creatures. Thank you Education Co-Chairs Juliane Wohler and Janet Gremli.
• Eco-Carnival held at Seatuck in Islip on 30 April 2011. Thank you Helga and Larry Merryman for representing the GSBAS at this event.
• Earth Day Celebration at Sayville, New York on 30 April 2011. Thank you event chair Kathleen Kozakiewicz and volunteers Jody Banaszak, Juliane Wohler, and Ray Kozakiewicz.
• Audubon’s International Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, 14 May 2010, at Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, Shirley, NY. Thanks to trip leader Alice Heller and volunteer Kathleen Kozakiewicz.
• Board member and past president, Jack Finkenberg, presented his program on John James Audubon to the Babylon Historical Society and the Bay Shore-Brightwaters Historical Society. He also presented his Backyard Birding program to students at Sayville High School. Thank you Jack Finkenberg for sharing your multi-faceted educational programs.
• A Family program, “Northern Bobwhite Quail” was held at Brookside County Park on June 5, 2011. Guests were able to view several Northern Bobwhite Quail being raised by Cathy Wilvert and to learn about our partnership with her to restore the quail to Connetquot River State Park Preserve. Thank you Education Co-Chairs Juliane Wohler and Janet Gremli.
• GSBAS’ Annual June Outdoor Program, “Birds of Prey” by Sue Krause, Sweetbriar Nature Center, was presented to the local community on 16 June 2010 at Brookside County Park, Sayville, NY.
• Young Birders’ Club held the first Sunday of every month at Brookside County Park from 1 to 3 pm. Thank you Education co-chairs Juliane Wohler and Janet Gremli.

Chapter Conservation Advocacy

• GSBAS has been active in the arena of public opinion in the ongoing efforts to save necessary wildlife habitat and reduce pollution. We have testified at local zoning and conservation meetings, and written correspondence to political leaders concerning global and local environmental problems. We have also provided support to organizations seeking to preserve and conserve natural resources. Among our efforts:
• GSBAS continued to provide support to the “Friends of Edgewood” in that organization’s efforts to prevent the DOT proposal to utilize a portion of Pilgrim State as a Truck-Rail Intermodal. The “Friends of Edgewood” position advocated that the proposed Intermodal property was a fragile natural ecosystem adjoining the Edgewood Oak-Brush Plains State Preserve, and was originally designated to be included in the preserve. GSBAS agreed and also pointed out the area of concern is part of a deep flow aquifer recharge area designed as a Special Groundwater Protection area and a major source of drinking water on Long Island.
• GSBAS is a member of a coalition of environmental groups dedicated to preserving grasslands in the Enterprise Park at Calverton (“EPCAL”) called the Calverton Grasslands which is the largest contiguous grassland habitat on Long Island and home to several state threatened, endangered, and special-concern species. GSBAS has made monetary donations to oppose the dramatic development at EPCAL which includes the use of large grassland areas as a giant theme park.
• GSBAS participated in a grant project sponsored and run by the Sierra Club and the Water Sentinels designed to provide base line testing and the reporting of the pollution levels of waters entering from the many tributaries emptying into the Great South Bay. This project ran through January 2011. Thank you Jack Finkenberg for being the GSBAS’ representative in this project.
• GSBAS continues to support and work with the “Fire Island Wilderness Committee” in an effort to see that a comprehensive plan is developed ensuring that the “Otis Pike Wilderness Area” within the Fire Island National Seashore remains in an untouched wild state. Conservation Chairperson, Larry Merryman met with representatives of Senator Charles Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to further this purpose.
• GSBAS participated in the preparation of Audubon New York’s Strategic Plan, and its Conservation Policy Resolutions which includes language that requested Audubon NY to actively seek removal of free-roaming and feral cats from parkland property belonging to New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (NYS Parks) and language included in the above Audubon NY documents that focused on seeking a ban on the harvesting of Horseshoe Crabs in New York State. This was necessary to assist in dealing with their diminishing numbers, as well as helping many shorebirds, including the plummeting populations of Red knots that depend on their survival during their long migrations by feeding on Horseshoe Crab eggs.
• GSBAS participated in Audubon New York’s Chapter Lobby Day on March 28, 2011. Under the guidance of ANY’s Sean Mahar and Laura McCarthy, the GSBAS joined other New York chapters in Albany to lobby our representatives on matters such as: New York State’s Water Management Program, the dangers of Hydraulic Fracturing for Natural Gas, bird collisions with office building windows, and the problems of managed feral cat colonies in our state parks.
• GSBAS met with Long Island Regional representatives of New York State Parks to discuss the ever-increasing problems of managed feral cat colonies in New York State Parks. Thank you Helga and Larry Merryman and Judy Davis for representing the GSBAS at this meeting.
• GSBAS supported Audubon New York’s many positions/campaigns/action alerts via email.

Chapter Partnering

• GSBAS and its members also belong to and serve as board members in other important organizations that have a focus on conservation, thus providing additional energy and coordination in solving important environmental issues. These organizations include, but are not limited to:
• “Sierra Club: LI Water Sentinels”
• “South Shore Estuary Reserve”
• “Open Space Preservation Trust”
• “Native America”
• “The Friends of Connetquot State Park”
• “Seatuck Environmental Association"
• “Friends of Wertheim NWR”
• "Fire Island Raptor Enumerators (“FIRE”)”
• "South Shore Nature Center"
• "Starflower Experiences"
• “Friends of Edgewood Preserve”
• “Coalition to Save EPCAL”
• "Suffolk County Sporting Advisory Council"
• "Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society"
• "Fire Island Wilderness Committee"
• "Coalition to Save Plum Island"
• New York State Ornithological Association, Inc. (“NYSOA”)
• “ABC-Cats Indoors!”
• “HOBAS’ Cat Indoors program partner”
• “New York State Horseshoe Crab Coalition”
• GSBAS has partnered with Friends of Connetquot, Friends of Wertheim, Friends of Fire Island Lighthouse, Seatuck Environmental Association and Edgewood Preserve to present birding field trips, internships, workshops and joint educational programs and supported organizational events through attendance, letters in support of issues and monetary donations.

GSBAS’ Stewardship at Brookside County Park

• GSBAS’ trained volunteer Tour Guides are available every Wednesday and Sunday from 1 pm to 3 pm to give tours of Brookside County Park, 59 Brook St., Sayville, NY. Tour guides share their knowledge of the natural beauty and local history of the park.
• Annual Spring cleanups at Brookside County Park spruce up the trails, the butterfly garden and the building. Additional improvements are in the planning stages.
• Brookside County Park continues to be utilized by Eagle Scouts and many students from classes at both Sayville and East Islip School Districts allowing Advanced Placement Students and science students to work on various projects. These projects are important in continuing to foster community interest in the Brookside County Park.
• The Brookside Butterfly Garden Club was established to focus on regenerating the butterfly garden at Brookside County Park. Thanks to chairperson Janet Gremli and volunteers Jody Banaszak, Judy Davis, Mary Engelbert, Kathy Kozakiewicz, Gen Lee, Barbara & Megan McBrien, Helga Merryman, Mary Plant, and Edith Wilson the garden in once again a beautiful focal point at the park.
• Thanks to a grant provided by Audubon New York, Sayville High School teacher Maria Brown and student Sarah Monastero will intensively test the waters of Green’s Creek from May 2010 to April 2011.
• GSBAS has 118 Bird Species and counting at Brookside County Park.

Continuing Challenges and Shortcomings

• Recruiting new Officers, Board Members, Committee Members, and future volunteers needed to carry on GSBAS’ local Audubon mission and goals.
• Increasing Chapter educational outreach activities for children.
• The chapter’s efforts to enlist a Birdathon Coordinator continue to be unsuccessful.

Five Year Strategic Planning

• Continue Chapter Stewardship at Brookside County Park, working together with our Brookside Director and Brookside Committee to maintain and protect the building and grounds.
• Focus on:
• educational programs for children at Brookside County Park;
• educational programs for adults at Brookside County Park;
• continued Chapter attendance at Community Outreach events to promote awareness of Audubon and its local Audubon Chapter's mission and goals and try to increase membership;
• continue Breakfast & Birding activities at Connetquot River State Park Preserve, GSBAS’ Adopted IBA;
• continue to present the Chapter's Annual June Outdoor Program as another form of community outreach to make local residents aware of GSBAS’ Brookside County Park- right in their own backyards – and get them involved.
• Continue our chapter’s efforts to influence local, state and federal authorities concerning vital conservation issues through all forms of advocacy available: written correspondences, emails, telephone calls, scheduled meetings and conservation/environmental partnerships.

Plans For The Upcoming Year

• Continued strong conservation advocacy:
• on local issues;
• on concerns of the Long Island Audubon Council;
• on behalf of Audubon New York and National Audubon issues.
• Continue with GSBAS’ Education Chair to look forward to:
• presenting more educational programs for children at Brookside County Park, Sayville, NY;
• Work on scheduling additional activities at Chapter's adopted IBA, Connetquot River State Park Preserve in Oakdale, NY.
• Continue to build upon the previously listed successful accomplishments of the past year.
• Continue to plan for the orderly succession, and training of new officers for the Great South Bay Audubon Society Board and Chair positions and Tour Guides as part of its stewardship at Brookside County Park.
• Continue to work on broadening the range of interest via enlisting Field Trip Leaders who are conversant with various wildlife topics in addition to bird study.
• Again seek a volunteer to Chair a Birdathon.
• Continue to follow up and measure our progress by assessing the success our chapter has in meeting stated goals.