Putnam Highlands Audubon Society

Summer 2022 Newsletter

Local Birding Stories, Sightings and Coming Events

Greetings PHAS Members and Friends!

It has been an honor to serve as Chair of PHAS for the past thirteen years, and work with all of you, to promote bird conservation in the Hudson Valley and beyond!

My goal ten years ago, was to diversify the Board of Directors and attract younger members interested in expanding our conservation, education and stewardship programs.

I am delighted with the results as we have welcomed new members who will continue to build on our past achievements. They have invigorated the Chapter with new ideas that will translate into increased membership and activities as we move forward into the future and work to protect the many bird species that depend on our local habitats!

I thank Sean Camillieri and Kyle Bardwell for filling in for me as we segued into elections for a new Chair this June. I am very happy that Sean agreed to take on the responsibilities of Chairmanship and I know he will have your support, and mine! Sean has the background and skill we need to deal with new and old conservation issues! Climate issues, bird conservation, habitat preservation, stewardship of PHAS’ Sanctuaries are all priorities moving forward.

One local challenge will be to ensure that Constitution Marsh Audubon Sanctuary stays open and free to daily visitors as it has for so many decades providing access to the marsh and the Hudson River Estuary.

Please join with me in welcoming Sean as he takes the helm!

Thank you for your continued support and friendship! A special thanks to Perry Pitt who has been Vice-President during my tenure!

Yours in bird conservation!

Connie Mayer, Outgoing PHAS Chair

Notable Bird Sightings of the Year

PHAS Board Member and prodigious birder Anthony Macchariola has had a very fulfilling year roving Hudson Valley Counties sighting scores of fabulous bird species and noting them in eBird.

All of the notable sightings listed below were compiled using eBird.org. eBird is a fantastic website that allows to you to find birds and places to go birding (both locally and while travelling somewhere new), as well as a way to keep track of your bird lists and photos. All of the data you input into eBird contributes to science and to the conservation of birds and their habitat. We encourage everyone to join eBird (it is free, you just need to create an account) and record all of your bird sightings there. And remember, eBird is not just for notable sightings! Please visit ebird.org/about to learn more and to sign up. And visit eBird Putnam County to see Putnam County’s eBird page. 

June 1, 2022 – August 31, 2022

February 1, 2022 – May 31, 2022

October 15, 2021 – January 30, 2022

January 1,2021 - October 2021

July 2022 Bird Walk Constitution Marsh

by Sean Camillieri

On July 23rd our chapter partnered with Constitution Marsh who graciously hosted 13 participants who braved the heat and humidity and went on a relaxing canoe trip through the marsh. Of the 4 miles canoed, 41 bird species were recorded.

This time of the year is often referred to as the “doldrums” in the birding community. Most breeding activity has finished for the season with very few species still tending to young. Most of the bird’s energy shifts from claiming territories, mating, and raising young to molting into fall or juvenile plumages and getting ready for the fall journey ahead of them. Read More

Access to Constitution Marsh Sanctuary

As we are sure you know, 2 years ago this past May, access to Constitution Marsh Bird Sanctuary and Indian Brook Falls was restricted due lack of oversight by Parks and parking issues with neighbors. As your local Audubon Society Chapter restoring access to the Sanctuary to our local community is a very important issue

A report on actions PHAS is taking by Sean Camillieri:

On June 29th, members of the PHAS Board participated in a meeting with members of NY/CT Audubon regarding the parking situation at Constitution Marsh. Audubon said they were committed to giving back to the local community and remaining relevant in the greater Philipstown area but yet were very hesitant to commit to a solution to the existing parking lot closure.

After the meeting, the PHAS board wrote a letter to the director of NY/CT Audubon expressing our dissatisfaction with Audubon’s top-down decision when it came to the parking lot closure. The decision was made without seeking input and ideas from those who are most affected by the closing, and by the local community the Marsh has served for fifty years. PHAS expressed that the current options for access involving parking at Boscobel for a high fee put in place are temporary, and very limiting to providing access, and are not convenient from a local community standpoint.

After writing the letter, I canvassed various Audubon Chapters and bird clubs in the Hudson Valley, and beyond, to sign on to our letter. They are now joined with PHAS in asking NY/CT to explore viable options to re-open the parking lot for free access. We would like to share our letter with the membership and friends.

More updates to follow! Read Our Letter Here