American Woodcock. Image by Anthony Macchiarola.
Putnam Highlands Audubon Society
Winter 2024 Newsletter
Local Birding Stories, Sightings, and Upcoming Events
Letter from the president:
On behalf of the PHAS board I’d like to wish our membership a happy new year and we hope your 2024 is off to a good start. The winter time is supposed to look a little different with that stuff we like to call snow and all of the activities surrounding it. However, it looks like we are fast forwarding into the spring which leads me to the question everyone wants to know, when do all of the birds come back?!
This period between now and April in the birding community is nicknamed the “doldrums” due to lack of species diversity and migration activity. However, that is not the case! Waterfowl are beginning to migrate north to their breeding grounds, Bald Eagles are building their nests and beginning to incubate eggs, and blackbirds begin to make their return to your local park or wetland.
The one rockstar of this time period and one of my personal favorites is the arrival and displays of the American Woodcock. A strange, almost alien looking type bird that is in the shorebird family (the birds you normally see on the beach) that inhabits our local swamps and wetlands where they dine on their favorite food, earthworms. This species is well camouflaged and is typically only seen and heard during the dusk period and early morning twilight. They make a unique “PEENT” sound repeatedly before lifting off in a spectacular display flight in hopes to attract a mate. You have a great chance of encountering this bird in any weedy/brushy fields with a wetland nearby around dusk. So, to answer the question of when are the birds coming back—they’re on their way but there’s still plenty to see in the meantime!
– Sean Camillieri
Website Re-launch
PHAS is excited to announce the re-launch of our website. There you will find our upcoming events, the latest newsletter and a new resources page dedicated to bird watching and how to improve your skills or begin from scratch.
*Please note that beginning September 2024, PHAS will be instituting an annual membership fee of $20.00/year. Not only will this membership unlock our 2025 newsletters and members only presentations, but also help fund events for fellow birders and nature lovers and help maintain our wildlife sanctuaries.
Reminder: Reserve Tickets for the Annual Dinner
Saturday, March 23 at 5 PM
Taconic Outdoor Education Center
The annual dinner is our largest fundraiser of the year and a wonderful way to reconnect with fellow bird and nature lovers.
Schedule of events:
- Indoor/outdoor (with heaters) social hour with appetizers provided by B&L Deli
- Silent auction
- Annual remarks from the president and featured speakers
- Buffet dinner and desserts from Red Door Baking Company
This year’s featured speakers are two very accomplished young birders: Julian Batista will present “Wintering Warblers in the Northeast,” and Arabella Pajoohi will present “Grassland Birds: Who Are They, Why They Matter, and How We Can Protect Them.”
Julian and Arabella are both members of New York State Young Birders Club, a special project of the New York State Ornithological Society that supports birders between the ages of 10 and 19 in New York State.
Upcoming Events
March Bird Walk at Croton Point Park
Saturday, March 16 at 7:30 AM
Croton Point Park, Croton-Harmon
As winter transitions to spring, join us for our annual March trek to Croton Point Park to look for early spring migrants, such as Killdeer and Osprey, and lingering wintering oddities. Click here to read about our 2022 walk to Croton Point Park.
Please note that registration is required for this event.
Appreciating New York's Rich Diversity of Bats
Saturday, April 13 at 3:00 PM
Desmond-Fish Public Library, Garrison
Ashley Meyer, a biologist with the New York State Department of Environment Conservation, whose recent field work surveyed wintering bats in abandoned mines of Fahnestock State Park, will describe a variety of bat species, where and how they live, which are endangered and threatened, and why.
Please check back for a registration link from the Desmond-Fish Public Library website as the date approaches.
April Bird Walk at Little Stony Point
Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 AM
Little Stony Point, Cold Spring
Spring migrants will be in full song and fresh plumage! Join us to see birds migrating along the Hudson River. A wide variety of birds can be seen on this walk, including Cerulean Warbler.
Please note that registration is required for this event.
Yellow-throated Warbler. Newburgh Waterfront, Orange County. Image by Anthony Macchiarola.
Notable Sightings: October 25, 2023 to February 26, 2024
This section covers a long stretch of time that began in late fall and extended nearly to the beginning of spring, providing quite a bit of variety. The fall period saw many of the less common, but reasonably expected species passing through Putnam such as Eastern Meadowlarks and Horned Larks at Glynwood, and Long-tailed Ducks and Red-throated Loons on the reservoirs. A couple of uncommon migrants including Orange-crowned Warbler and Dickcissel passed through during the fall migration period as well. However, the two best birds of the year in Putnam County showed up at the very end of the calendar year; a Barnacle Goose on Lake Gleneida and a Western Tanager at a private residence in Patterson! Both birds were accommodating and seen by many observers. As winter progressed, additional good birds arrived including Northern Shrike that took up residence at the Indian Hill Section of Donald Trump State Park, and an Iceland Gull along the Hudson in Cold Spring. The top bird of the winter period goes to the male Barrow’s Goldeneye photographed at West Point Foundry Preserve!
As always, some exceptional birds showed up in the greater Hudson Valley Region during this time as well. Among the more notable birds were a Hammond’s Flycatcher that spent a little time at Rockland Lake State Park, a Common Eider found along the Hudson River in Newburgh, and TWO Purple Gallinules found in Rockland and Westchester Counties. However, the most notable bird would have to be the Glaucous-winged Gull first seen along the Newburgh/Beacon waterfronts, then in Ulster county, and finally 9 days later in Western NY…145 miles away! This was the second record of this species in NYS, and very likely the same individual recorded in the Bronx last year.
Putnam County:
Oct. 26: Rusty Blackbirds, Croton Falls Reservoir
Oct. 28: Pine Siskins, Glynwood Farm
Oct. 28: Eastern Meadowlark (5), Glynwood Farm
Oct. 31: Dickcissel, Carmel High School
Nov. 1: Red-throated Loon, Croton Falls Reservoir
Nov. 2: Orange-crowned Warbler, Carmel High School
Nov. 2: Red-necked Grebe, Croton Falls Reservoir
Nov. 3: Long-tailed Duck, West Branch Reservoir
Nov. 4: Eastern Meadowlark (2), Glynwood Farm
Nov. 6: Brant, Dockside Park
Nov. 7: Bonaparte’s Gull, Lake Carmel
Nov. 12: Virginia Rail (2), Manitou Point Preserve
Nov. 16: Wilson’s Warbler, West Point Foundry
Nov. 21: Red-breasted Merganser, Lake Carmel
Nov. 24: Snow Bunting (2), Dockside Park
Nov. 30: Horned Lark, Glynwood Farm
Dec. 1: Northern Pintail (3), Barrett Pond
Dec. 1: Greater Yellowlegs Constitution Marsh
Dec. 2: Eastern Meadowlark, Glynwood Farm
Dec. 8: American Pipit, Glynwood Farm
Dec. 29: Western Tanager, Private Residence, Patterson
Dec. 31: Barnacle Goose, Lake Gleneida, Carmel
Jan. 1: White-crowned Sparrow, West Point Foundry Preserve
Jan. 2: Northern Shrike, DJT State Park Indian Hill
Jan. 2: Canvasback, Middle Branch Reservoir
Jan. 2: Horned Lark, Centennial Golf Club
Jan. 2: Virginia Rail, Manitou Point Preserve
Jan. 2: Long-tailed Duck, Hudson River, Cold Spring
Jan. 2: Snow Goose, Boscobel House and Garden
Jan. 2: Baltimore Oriole, West Point Foundry Preserve
Jan. 5: Wilson’s Warbler, West Point Foundry Preserve
Jan. 5: Red Breasted Merganser, West Branch Reservoir
Jan. 11: Rusty Blackbird, DJT State Park, Indian Hill
Jan. 17: Horned Grebe, West Branch Reservoir
Jan. 20: Eastern Meadowlark, Glynwood Farm
Feb. 7: Iceland Gull, West Point Foundry Preserve
Feb. 9: Barrow’s Goldeneye, West Point Foundry Preserve
Feb. 10: Pine Siskins, Private Residence, Mahopac
Feb. 24: Northern Shoveler, Dockside Park, Cold Spring
Feb. 24: Great Cormorant, Dockside Park, Cold Spring
Rockland County:
Oct. 26: Purple Gallinule, Rockland Lake
Nov. 13: Purple Sandpiper, Piermont Pier
Nov. 25: Hammonds Flycatcher, Rockland Lake SP
Jan. 2024: Trumpeter Swan, Rockland Psychiatric Institute
Feb. 1: Western Tanager, Private Residence, Sloatsburg
Westchester County:
Nov. 3: Clay-colored Sparrow, Croton Point Park
Nov. 13: Rough-legged Hawk, Croton Point
Nov. 13: Purple Gallinule, Gate of Heaven Cemetery
Nov. 13: American Goshawk, Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch
Jan. 14 - Harris’s Sparrow, Private Location, Mamaroneck
Ongoing - Red-headed Woodpeckers, Croton Point Park
Orange County:
Nov. 1: Common Eider, Hudson River, Newburgh
Dec. 23 to Jan. 24: Yellow-throated Warbler, Newburgh Waterfront
Jan. 25: Glaucous-winged Gull, Hudson River, Newburgh
Feb. 12: Ross’s Goose, Black Dirt Region
Dutchess County:
Nov. 11: Dunlin, Overlook Park
Nov. 13: Red Crossbills (2), Dover
Jan. 10: Yellow-throated Warbler, Private Residence, Beacon
Jan. 20: Clay-colored Sparrow, Private Residence, Millbrook
Ulster County:
Dec. 23: Little Gull, Hudson River, Kingston
Jan. 2024: Loggerhead Shrike, Shawangunk Grasslands/Galeville Town Park
Feb. 2024: Barrow’s Goldeneye, Hudson River, Kingston
Images from Notable Sightings
Dickcissel. Carmel High School, Putnam County. Image by Anthony Macchiarola.
Barnacle Goose. Lake Gleneida, Putnam County. Image by Anthony Macchiarola.
Glaucous-winged Gull. Hudson River, Dutchess County. Image by Anthony Macchiarola.
Hammond’s Flycatcher. Rockland Lake State Park, Rockland County. Image by Anthony Macchiarola.
Western Tanager. Patterson, Putnam County. Image by Anthony Macchiarola.
Great Cormorant. Dockside Park, Cold Spring. January 2024. Image by Jon Erickson
Golden Eagle. Dutcess County. Image by Anthony Macchiarola.
Notable Sightings: July 1 to October 25, 2023
*These notable sightings were omitted from the Fall 2023 Newsletter.
This section of time encompassed most of the fall migration period and saw many great birds come through Putnam County. Back in July, a very rare Franklin’s Gull was observed on the Hudson River in Cold Spring. Unfortunately, it did not linger, but was observed by a few folks while here. Only a couple of days later, a county first American Avocet was spotted in the same location! Glynwood Farm produced a handful of excellent birds including a Yellow-breasted Chat and county first Clay-colored Sparrow. Shorebirds are always at a premium in Putnam, but Barrett Pond hosted yet another county first White-rumped Sandpiper seen by many. Finally, two excellent warblers made an appearance this fall. A scare migrant Orange-crowned warbler at North Highland Park and a rare (and declining) Golden-winged Warbler at Foundry Preserve.
Some phenomenal birds in surrounding counties would be undoubtedly highlighted by two Northern Wheatears at Croton Point Park! Northern Wheatears typically migrate from northeastern Canada to Greenland, across to Europe, and south to their wintering grounds Africa; making continental US records pretty rare (It is worth noting that it is possible the same bird went unnoticed for weeks.) Surprisingly, two July records of Rufous Hummingbirds were noted (including one in Sullivan that stayed for a week or so and was seen by many). Dutchess had a both a lingering Trumpeter Swan and a one-day-wonder Roseate Spoonbill along the Hudson River.
Putnam County:
July 12: Least Bittern, Great Swamp, Patterson
July 19: Franklins Gull, Cold Spring
July 21: American Avocet, Cold Spring
July 22 Caspian Tern, Cold Spring
Aug. 3: Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Glynwood Farm
Sept. 3: White-rumped Sandpiper, Barrett Pond
Sept. 9: Yellow-breasted Chat, Glynwood Farm
Sept. 15: Golden-winged Warbler, West Point Foundry Preserve
Sept. 16: Philadelphia Vireo (2 each locale), West Point Foundry/Hubbard Lodge
Sept. 16: Clay-colored Sparrow, Glynwood Farm
Sept. 27: Orange-crowned Warbler, North Highland Park
Sept. 30 Dickcissel, Glynwood Farm
Oct. 11: Sora, Constitution Marsh Audubon Sanctuary
Oct. 12: Mourning Warbler, Carmel High School
Oct. 12: Eastern Meadowlark, Carmel High School
Oct. 14: Gray-cheeked Thrush, West Point Foundry Preserve
Oct. 21: White-winged Scoter, West Branch Reservoirw
Oct. 23: Black Scoter (16) Croton Falls Reservoir and (2) West Branch Reservoir
Oct. 23: Red-breasted Merganser (2), West Branch Reservoir
Oct. 24: Eastern Meadowlark (2), Croton Falls Reservoir
Dutchess County
Continuing: Neotropic Cormorant
Aug. 5: Upland Sandpiper, Links at Union Vale
Oct. 12: Trumpeter Swan, Tivoli Bays
Oct. 19: Sedge Wren, Southlands Farm, Rhinebeck
Oct. 22: Roseate Spoonbill, Beacon Waterfront Park
Sept. 25: White-rumped Sandpiper, Overlook Park
Oct. 7: Laughing Gull, Hudson River, Beacon
Westchester County
July 19: Western Kingbird, O’Hara Nature Center
Aug. 29: Lark Sparrow, Croton Point Park
Sept. 13: Northern Wheatear Croton Point
Sept. 14: Upland Sandpiper Criton Point
Sept. 25: American Golden Plover, Croton Point
Oct. 6: Blue Grosbeak, Westchester County Airport
Sullivan County
July 22: Rufous Hummingbird, Private Residence
Oct. 2: Red Phalarope
Ulster County
July 23: Rufous Hummingbird, Private Residence
Rockland County:
July 22: Whimbrel, Piermont Pier
Orange County
Continuing Neotropic Comrmorant
Aug. 7: Upland Sandpipers (4) Black Dirt
Oct. 23: Long-billed Dowitcher, Liberty Loop
All of the notable sightings listed here 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 https://ebird.org/region/US-NY-079?yr=all to see Putnam County’s eBird page.
If you are not registered on eBird yet and you have a notable or interesting bird sighting in Putnam County, we would love to hear about it! Please let us know about your notable sightings, and include any documentation (such as photos, which are strongly encouraged to confirm a rare bird sighting) by emailing us at: PHASbirds@gmail.com
Black-headed Gull. PHAS January Bird Walk at Point Lookout State Park. Image by Jon Erickson .
January Bird Walk at Point Lookout State Park and Jones Beach State Park Coast Guard Station
Early on Saturday morning, January 27th, board members from Putnam Audubon met with some very excited bird walk attendees at the Point Lookout parking lot in Nassau County for what is now our annual January bird walk. Birdwatching on the coast of Long Island gives a big change of scenery for all the Hudson Valley participants. For one young girl on the trip, almost all the birds we saw were new to her. Common birds on the Long Island coast can be unbelievably rare in inland counties such as Putnam. Once the bird group made it to the beach from the parking lot it was game on. The amount of life and number of birds on the ocean was a sight to see. As we scanned the ocean with our spotting scopes, we quickly got on a wide array of sea ducks, such as Long-tailed ducks and the three scoter species. A large flock of shorebirds, including Dunlin, Black-bellied plover, and Sanderling, were flying over the close crashing waves, and landing on the rock, jetties, and beach. The group moved over to one of the large rock jetties that extend off Point Lookout Beach. Quickly, the group got great views of the Harlequin duck, one of the target birds of the trip. From there, the group traveled down the beach towards Jones Inlet. With powerful spotting scopes, we were able to get looks at a wide variety of birds that were feeding at the mouth of the inlet. A large flock of feeding gulls that we could see in the distance turned out to be Bonaparte's gulls when we got them in the scope. This was a sight to see. In addition to the good numbers of Bonaparte’s gulls, we had a good number of Razorbills that were sitting on the water a few hundred yards offshore. It was fun to see these football-shaped acids float on the water and occasionally fly around. We searched hard in hopes of finding the recently reported Black-headed gull but had no luck. The group headed back towards the parking lot, occasionally looking at a close loon or Horned grebe. It was on our walk back to the cars that Sean Camillieri spotted not one but two Black-headed gulls. This European gull species occasionally occurs in the northeast. Some of the group attendees followed the board members to Jones Beach Coast Guard Station, where we added Pine siskin and Horned lark to our already diverse list for the day. It was another great trip down to the island, and we can’t wait for next year.
eBird lists:
Point Lookout State Park, Long Island
Jones Beach State Park Coast Guard Station
Short-eared Owl. PHAS February Bird Walk at Shawangunk Grasslands NWR. Image by Jon Erickson.
February Bird Walk at Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge
On Saturday, February 24th, Putnam Audubon held its annual February bird walk at Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge in Wallkill, New York. This is another one of our annual winter trips where we venture away from Putnam County. The wildlife refuge is an extensive protected grassland, which holds unique and many threatened bird species at all times of the year. In the winter months; the grassland is known for the diversity of raptor species, finding mice in the tall grasses. Two of the most sought-after raptor species that seek out this grassland are the Rough-legged hawks and Short-eared owls. These are always targets when we host our annual February bird walk at the grasslands. We always hold this walk in the late afternoon for the best opportunity to get views of Short-eared owls. The grasslands, once again, did not let the group down. The day started with a few board members getting to the grasslands early. From there, we drove to Galeville Park, which allows a view of a different grasslands section. It took us 45 minutes to locate a recently reported and long-staying Loggerhead strike. Loggerhead shrike formerly nested in New York State but now is certainly a rare sighting at any time of the year. This sneaky individual perched on snags low above the tall grasses and flew around, hunting. We watched it successfully catch, at least one insect. After some decently accommodating views, we drove back to the large parking lot at the grasslands to meet the rest of the group. From 3:30 to 5:30, the group aligned on the edge of the grasslands and watched over for any signs of movement through the observation. We had great looks at Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, American kestrel, and bald eagle, both vulture species, and our two targets, the rough-legged hawk and short-eared owl. It wasn’t till 4:58 on the dot that our first Short-eared Owl appeared. This one was enjoyed by several others and provided unbelievable views to the group. One bird even perched really close to the group. For a few group members, these were their first ever short-eared owls. We have been very fortunate with some great grassland trips and hope we continue this luck next year.
eBird list: Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge
Great Shearwater. Image by Arabella Pajoohi.
Birding While at Sea: 24 Hours on the American Princess Cruise
By Arabella Pajoohi
Arabella will be a featured speaker at the upcoming Annual Dinner, scheduled for March 23 at the Taconoic Outdoor Education Center.
The black night sky slowly took on the first hints of blue as the sun emerged, casting varying shades of pink and orange over the horizon. As we emerged from our slumber and took our places on the deck of the American Princess Cruise, the first birds of the day came into view: frisky Wilson’s Storm Petrels (the house finches of the sea), swooping, swallow-like, across the waves followed shortly thereafter by a Band-rumped Storm Petrel. Although the Band-rumped preferred to distance itself from our boat and remain obscured from great views, the frisky Wilson’s Storm Petrels allowed for fantastic photographic opportunities. Great Shearwaters glided across the glassy and still depths of the ocean, albatross-like, with the occasional Cory’s (Shearwater) in tow. The Shearwaters, both Great and Cory’s, classified in the family “Procellariidae”, summer in the North Atlantic and tend to forage in flocks. On that day, they stayed true to this behavior by feeding close to our boat on fish and squid being thrown overboard. Soon thereafter, the acrobats of the ocean, Wilson’s Storm Petrels, again appeared and remained at our side, or should I say starboard and port.
For much of the morning, our avian sightings remained largely unchanged: Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Cory’s Shearwater, and Great Shearwater. Then, we had our first cetacean spotting of the day; a pod of Atlantic Spotted Dolphins took turns surfing in the waves of our boat, a silvery calf leaping with them. After crossing under our boat multiple times, these highly social cetaceans continued to entertain us with aerial feats and then, deciding that they had had their fill of play, continued on their travels.
A cry went up, suddenly: Long-tailed Jaeger! We frantically dashed from port to stern, stern to starboard, and every way we could. Some of us, including me, dashed up the stairs to the top deck for photos as the Jaeger flew over. It was thrown some chum, which it happily gobbled and then flew away, chum dangling from its beak. Shortly thereafter, the lure of chum being too irresistible, the Jaeger returned, and we once again dashed about frantically, seeking glimpses. What a sight we must have been to it, and to all creatures out there; at this point, each time it flew over, we ran about, clasping the railings for footing, running and shuffling along while trying to be mindful of our gear and one another.
Suddenly, a shorebird flew over us, uttering a cry. It turned out to be a Whimbrel!! For a bit, all was quiet, and then the ocean had another rare treat in store for us: “White-faced Storm Petrel!” We watched as the White-faced flew in, bouncing off the waves as if the ocean itself were one mighty trampoline. After the White-faced departed, the Wilson’s Storm Petrels flew in once again, dashing about and careening over the waves, followed by a pod of Common Dolphins and then Bottlenose. Soon thereafter, Sperm Whales and Pilot Whales captured our attention, both pods accompanied by calves.
Two Common Terns standing side by side on a floating log amid a patch of Sargassum floated by, with the Terns using the log as a rest stop where they could preen and stretch. Sargassum, also known as a floating hydrophyte, or free floater, floats freely through the ocean and supports a large diversity of marine life, including more than 100 species of fish, more than 100 species of invertebrates, and four species of sea turtles. Migratory birds, such as the Common Tern, often use Sargassum mats to feed from, and perhaps this was the case here as well.
Long-tailed Jaeger. Image by Arabella Pajoohi.
Other Cory's Shearwater. Image by Arabella Pajoohi.
White-faced Storm Petrel. Image by Arabella Pajoohi.
Wilson's Storm Petrel. Image byArabella Pajoohi.
As the waves quieted, Wilson’s Storm Petrels skimmed the gently lapping waves, and Risso’s Dolphins emerged, their sides painted with what looked like nicks and cuts (don’t worry, this is how their skin appears). Common Dolphins arrived shortly after the departure of the Risso’s, spraying water as they played. Then, the chip note of a small passerine caught the attention of our ears – a Yellow Warbler – followed by a Flycatcher species that remained unidentified. Near the horizon, a Little Brown Bat fluttered and flapped, and then, as Green darners and unidentifiable moths fluttered by, the little bat flew directly over our heads and over the top deck! Bat sightings across the ocean have been recorded since at least 1890, although science is only beginning to understand the migratory patterns of bats across open oceans.
Movement in the distance caught the eye of a trip leader who walkied it to the crew. Technology sometimes fails us when we need it, and in this case, it did just that; the walkie talkie died before the alert went out. The movement in the distance turned out to be Red-necked Phalaropes, an Arctic breeding bird that I have been hoping to see for some time. The ocean and the skies stilled themselves again, and some of used this opportunity to cure our disappointment at missing this species and take a much needed mid-afternoon nap (birding can be exhausting!).
Late afternoon waves brought forth Loggerhead Sea Turtles who peaked their heads up and then disappeared into the depths. Hammerhead Sharks meandered nearby, showcasing their fins and impressive tails, while Wilson’s Storm Petrels accompanied us on our voyage back to shore. As the sun began to set, casting its orange, red, and violet rays across the ocean, city lights greeted us along with the squawks of Lesser-blacked Gulls and Herring Gulls. As we approached shore, Mute Swans appeared on either side of our boat, guiding us to port.
Birding the sea is unlike any other form of birding and experience. As others have written, there is something magical about traveling the open ocean, observing birds who are undertaking what would seem to be improbable feats to survive in what continues to be a more challenging and inhospitable world. That evening, as we returned to Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, the ocean presented us with a final gift: a Black-crowned Night Heron, sitting half-hidden in the shadows of the dock, welcomed us back to land and bid us farewell from the seas.
Good birding,
Arabella
Call to Action: Draft Budget Before Congress Would Undermine Environmental Protections
Dear PHAS Board and Members,
Congress is working on a pending budget and some members are trying to gut our environmental priorities—such as opening millions of acres of critical Caribou and Polar Bear habitat to new oil and gas development. Environmental groups are highlighting the importance of a 'clean budget'. Provisions would also gut the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. Please stand up and make a difference! These lands are critical for migratory Caribou herds.
A bipartisan group of Senators and House Democrats have already committed to pass a budget with NO POISON PILL RIDERS and to oppose measures that open the Arctic to new gas and oil development. Make sure they follow through! Tell congressional offices now: no appropriations deal can include concessions of the Arctic's pristine ecosystems. They must pass a budget that excludes any anti-Arctic riders.
Many of us have Congressman Mike Lawler as our representative. His email is lawler.house.gov. Or alternatively, you can go on his website lawler.house.gov, hover your mouse over “Contact” (located on the right navigation bar), then click “Email Me” to send a message directly from the website.
Thank you for your support,
Connie Mayer
PHAS Conservation Chair
Thank you from the PHAS Board of Directors
Sean Camillieri (President), Perry Pitt (Vice-President), Peter Conway (Treasurer), Giannina Santo Cappello (Secretary), Connie Mayer, Kyle Bardwell, Lew Kingsley, Katherine Lukacher, Anthony Macchiarola, Deborah Macleod, Lauren Martin, Steve Rappaport, Pete Salmansohn, Scott C. Silver
Eastern Bluebird. Image by Jon Erickson.