Fall 2020 Newsletter
Local Birding Stories, Sightings and Tips for Fall
Hello Members and Friends!
Hope you all had a safe and happy Thanksgiving. We are certainly grateful for the generous support of our many members and friends.
Our fall bird seed sales was our best ever. So happy to see so many of our community actively preparing to feed our precious bird population through the fall and winter. In all over 271 bags, about 5,000 pounds of quality Blue Seal bird seed were delivered that raised important funds for our many programs and initiatives. Thank You to all who purchased and all our great volunteers.
We are so pleased that we have been able to resume our Third Saturday bird walks with a wonderful visit to Hubbard Perkins Conservation Area in September. Take a look at some great photos here.
Thanks to Glynwood Farm we had a great walk there in October and have a walk coming up in December at Croton Point, see below.
As always we appreciate your support. Think of us on Giving Tuesday.
Connie Mayer-Bakall - President
The October Bird Walk Another Great Success
After we hit a warbler frenzy on our September walk, we went with the seasons and focused on sparrows at Glynwood Farm for the October walk. While the haze and mist didn't make for ideal conditions we still went forward with great effort in hopes of finding a rare migrant.
We went along the farm fields where we scanned Sparrow flocks. American Kestrels constantly patrolled the fields. We had a nice flock of American Pipits flyover (Always a good bird for Putnam). We ended up with some nice Sparrows including multiple white crowned and swamp sparrows.
One highlight was a large flock of Pine Siskin that landed alongside the path for a short moment before moving on. We had several flyover flocks however this particular flock gave us a good view. All in all a great walk and thanks to everyone for coming out and thanks to Glynwood for hosting us.
Kyle Bardwell
eBird Checklist - 24 Oct 2020 - Glynwood Farm - 34 species
Photo Credit: Diana Polack
December Bird Walk Croton Point
December 5, 2020 Croton Point Park- 8:00AM Main Parking Lot.
Due to constraining factors we are limiting the walk to 12 people.
We will be meeting promptly at 8:00AM in the large main parking lot at croton point park, where we will then bird the infamous hotspot, Croton Point Park. Located on the Hudson River flyway, anytime of the year can be productive at the Point.
We will be on the lookout for anything and everything from finches to raptors. This time of the year Croton Point can hold a variety of Raptor species along with other grassland birds including Snow Buntings and Horned Larks. Given the irruption of Northern Finches this winter, a noteworthy Finch could make an appearance. Register Here.
Photo Credit: Matthew Willis Photography - Backyard and Beyond Croton Point
National Audubon - 2020 Year of the Bird!
When I look back on 2020, I’ll remember it as “the year of the bird.”
Pine Siskins have taken over the country in one of the biggest irruptions in recorded history. Backyard birding was dubbed by the New York Times as “the perfect pandemic pastime.” Downloads of Audubon’s bird ID app doubled as compared to last year. As birds and nature soar, I will sadly but fondly wave goodbye to my Audubon family. It has been my privilege to serve this important mission for the past three years, and I am extremely proud of all that we have accomplished together.
There is so much to look forward to. We’ve elevated our sights and ambitions to focus on transformational change on our coasts, in our forests, and in local communities. Now, the work is coming to life.
Over the next few years, birds like the Saltmarsh Sparrow may forever be impacted by our effort to restore and protect thousands of acres of salt marsh in the Long Island Sound area. The Wood Thrush, American Woodcock, and Golden-winged Warbler will sing (and peent!) as we bring hundreds of thousands of forested land under improved management in both Connecticut and New York. I wish Audubon continued success, and I plan to stay in touch, get involved, volunteer and support these essential efforts in the years to come. You are a phenomenal flock. The Great Egret has been tattooed on my heart and will stay there forever.
With admiration and gratitude,
Ana Paula Tavares. Executive Director, Audubon New York and Audubon Connecticut
Get to Know These 15 Common Birds
Want to put names to species you regularly see? Start here.
One of the best things about birds is that they’re everywhere. (Seriously, there are even records of the South Polar Skua at, you guessed it, the South Pole.) And even though many people don’t realize it, they see and hear a wide variety of birds every day while going about their daily lives—grabbing their mail, outside their work windows, on their morning run, watching their kid’s soccer game . . . everywhere. Despite birds being all over the place, many people's ability to identify them begins with the American Robin and ends with the Rock Pigeon. This list covers many of the other birds you are likely to see on a regular basis, especially during the winter time. It’s composed of the 10 most-reported birds from the 2017 Great Backyard Bird Count and the 13 most-common feeder species, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Despite birds being all over the place, many people's ability to identify them begins with the American Robin and ends with the Rock Pigeon. This list covers many of the other birds you are likely to see on a regular basis, especially during the winter time. It’s composed of the 10 most-reported birds from the 2017 Great Backyard Bird Count and the 13 most-common feeder species, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Support Local Bird and Nature Conservation Programs
It is with a heavy heart that we write to let you know that sadly due to the current health issues and safety fears from exposure to the COVD19 virus, we have had to cancel upcoming events through August. We are hopeful to resume programs in the fall.
However, while all our programs and activities are delivered by 100% volunteers our hard costs for maintaining the three bird sanctuaries that we own do go on.
We need your support now more than ever to meet expenses for insurance, professional fees, warden fees and other on going expenses.
Today we serve Putnam and Dutchess Counties. We maintain bird sanctuaries deRham Watergrass Sanctuary in Philipstown and Reese Sanctuary in New Hamburg. We offer monthly bird walks and educational programs in Beacon, Cold Spring, Garrison, Philipstown and other local towns.
Free, public programs for children & adults
Care of PHAS’s wildlife sanctuaries: , Reese, and deRham Watergrass
Support for bird conservation programs, including bird walks and public programs
Summer internships at Constitution Marsh for high school students
Annual Scholarships
Chapter newsletters
We appreciate your support.
