Blue-headed Vireo. Image by Kyle Bardwell.
Putnam Highlands Audubon Society
Fall 2023 Newsletter
Local Birding Stories, Sightings, and Upcoming Events
Greetings PHAS Members and Friends!
This year the weather has been a bit of a jinx, making our bird walks a little bit on the soggy side or cancelled altogether. Please don’t let this discourage you from signing up. We have some of the best bird watchers in the Hudson Valley leading these walks and no matter what conditions, they always manage to turn up something special and make it a great experience! We have an exciting 2024 schedule planned so stay tuned!
Our fall bird seed sales have begun with the next one scheduled for December 16, 2023. Ordering will begin sometime in November and usually ends two weeks prior to the pick-up date. There’s talks that this winter may actually resemble more of a “real” winter which makes it all the more important to keep those feeders full! There is also the possibility of winter finches such as Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, and Evening Grosbeak coming south this year and they will be looking for those nyjer and black oil sunflower seeds!
I would like to mention that although we all enjoy watching birds, its even more important to realize that simple observations are also crucial data points in the bird conservation world. Please visit eBird’s website and learn how you can contribute to the world’s largest citizen science project. While you’re there, check out Putnam County’s page, which includes recently seen species, visited locations, and plenty of media to enjoy. The human influence will always be trying to encroach on our precious habitats and lands putting the birds, plants, and other animals at risk. Without these valuable contributions such as submitting bird sightings on eBird, we would not have crucial data to present facts when special interests may try to prevail.
House Finch. Image by Anthony Macchiarola.
PHAS is also in need of a new sanctuary maintainer at our Reese Sanctuary in Wappingers Falls. It is a paid position that includes maintaining our trails and our relationship with the bordering neighborhood. Please email phas@putnamhighlandsaudubon.org if you are interested and would like more information.
Lastly, I wanted to take the time and say on behalf of the PHAS board and myself, thank you to all of our supporters! Your contributions help keep our chapter going and allow us to continue to provide you with education events, bird walks, bird seed sales and maintenance of two of our wildlife sanctuaries.
Sean Camillieri, President
Sharp-shinned Hawk. Image by Kyle Bardwell.
Upcoming Events
November ‘Third Saturday’ Bird Walk
Big Woods Lot in Fahnestock State Park
Saturday, November 18, 2023 8:00am
Hudson River Ecosystem Presentation by Steve Stan
Desmond-Fish Library, Garrison
Saturday, December 9, 2023, 3pm
Winter Bird Seed Sale
Pick up at Hubbard Lodge, Fahnestock State Park
December 16, 2023, 10am–1pm
Sale details will be posted on November 17, 2023
Christmas Bird Count
January 2, 2024
The annual Putnam Christmas Bird Count will be held on Tuesday January 2nd, 2024. If you are interested in participating please reach out to phas@putnamhighlandsaudubon.org
Save the Date for the Annual Dinner
Taconic Outdoor Education Center
Saturday, March 23, 2024, 5pm
Look for a formal announcement after the holidays!
News and Updates
PHAS at the Annual NYSOA Conference
This year, the New York State Ornithological Association’s annual conference was held in Sleepy Hollow and hosted by Saw Mill River Audubon. Dozens of Audubon chapters, bird clubs, optics vendors, government organizations and 300+ birders and wildlife enthusiasts who drove many hours to catch up with friends, talk birds, and support New York birds and birding! Speakers such as author Tom Stephenson, Shai Mitra, and the key note speaker, David Sibley were enjoyed by all.
PHAS President Sean Camillieri, VP Perry Pitt, and board members Kyle Bardwell and Steve Rappaport were all in attendance.
PHAS also would like to congratulate our President, Sean Camillieri as the new Vice President of NYSOA who will work alongside the new NYSOA President, Anne Swaim for the betterment of birds, birding, and birders in NYS.
The New York State Ornithological Association (NYSOA), established in 1948, is New York's ornithological society. Its objectives are to "document the ornithology of New York State; to foster interest in and appreciation of birds; and to protect birds and their habitats." The NYSOA contains 44 bird clubs, Audubon Societies, and nature organizations, and it endorses the Code of Birding Ethics developed by the American Birding Association. To see all what NYSOA does please visit their website: https://nybirds.org/index.html.
In Memory of Kenneth Maurice Wilson
The Putnam Highlands Society is saddened by the sudden loss of Ken Wilson. Ken has been a regular on the PHAS walks over the last few years and his bright smile and kind personality always made the walks enjoyable. We will feel his loss on future bird walks and wish the best for his family and friends. You will be in our thoughts.
His family has said that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Good Shepherd Services in NYC; Heifer International; or Putnam Highlands Audubon Society.
Fall Bird Walks at Glynwood Farm and Stony Kill Farm
PHAS held two walks at Glynwood Farm in September which were, of course, both rainy. But our walk leaders managed to observe 53 species between both days! Highlights included Merlin, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Philadelphia Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, and American Kestrel. To view the list of species, click here. We would like to thank Glynwood Farm for allowing us to walk the grounds. Your property is one of the best, if not the best place for fall birding in the county!
eBird Lists
On Saturday October 14 at Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center, we had a successful walk despite less than favorable weather, during which 43 bird species were sighted. See our eBird List with 20 Photos Here
The New York State Legislature has passed the Birds and Bees Protection Act
(A.7640/S.1856A)
This is a first-in-the-nation bill that would rein in the use of neurotoxic neonicotinoid pesticides (“neonics”), which now heads to Governor Hochul’s desk for her signature. The Birds and Bees Protection Act bans the neonic uses that in-depth Cornell University shows provide no economic benefits to users or are replaceable with safer, effective alternatives—specifically neonic coatings on corn, soybean, and wheat seeds and lawn and garden uses (with an exception for invasive species treatments). This eliminates 80%-90% of the neonics entering New York’s environment yearly. Read the full report
Health Expert Letter in Support of Birds and Bees Protection Act
Putnam Highlands Audubon Chapter asks all members and friends to write, text, email or call Governor Hochul’s office at (518) 474-8390 to add their support to this legislation that our Chapter has supported.
Thanks to Senator Pete Harckham for his continued environmental support.
Submitted by Connie Mayer, PHAS Conservation Chair
Support Local Bird and Nature Conservation Programs
We strive to serve bird-watchers and conservationists in Putnam and southern Dutchess Counties, delivering exciting monthly birding field trips, professional-level library programs, educational scholarships, and quarterly newsletters.
We maintain two wildlife sanctuaries: the deRham Watergrass Sanctuary in Philipstown, Putnam County, and the Fran Reese Sanctuary in New Hamburg, Dutchess County. Both are are open 365 days a year for bird watching, hiking, and other low-impact nature pursuits.
We appreciate your support!
Palm Warbler. Image by Steve Rappaport.