CWAS Newsletter November - December, 2005

Newsletter, November - December, 2005

Programs

Raptor Rapture
Our Annual Live Raptor Program
Thursday, November 17, 2005
7:00PM in the Gym
Church St. School
295 Church St., White Plains

Speaker: Jim Eyring

Once again Jim Eyring will thrill us with his presentation of live owls, hawks and falcons. Jim, who is the assistant director of Pace University Environmental Center in Pleasantville and a master falconer, will capture the attention of children and adults alike as he relates his experiences with these beautiful birds and demonstrates their astounding capabilities. Jim always manages to make his program fresh, informative and entertaining. So come, bring the kids and enjoy.

February 16, 2006

Jean Craighead George, award winning author of children's books, will be coming to the Church Street School on February 16, 2006 to talk to us about her new book on Sandhill Cranes. This very special program is co-sponsored with Bronx River/Sound Shore Audubon Society.

Save the Date!

Field Trips

Unless otherwise indicated, all trips will start at Education House, 5 Homeside Lane in White Plains. Car pooling will be available. If you have questions call Jeanne Alpert at 914-946-1780 or Victor Ramos at 914-310-7742. Trips which are led by Victor Ramos are bi-lingual in Spanish and English. You should bring a snack, even for a half day trip. It is most important to bring water, especially in the warm weather. Always wear sturdy shoes and dress in layers. A few loaner binoculars will be available. If you need loaner binoculars, please call us before the trip to reserve one of the few pairs we have. We encourage beginners to join in the fun of birding..

Directions to Education House. Homeside Lane is located off North St. in White Plains. Going south on Mamaroneck Avenue from downtown White Plains, make a left turn on Ridgeway. Go down Ridgeway to the traffic light (firehouse on the left) and turn right on to North Street. Homeside Lane is the third right and Education House is the first building on the left. Parking is available in the circular driveway.

Sunday, November 6, 9AM.
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Meet at Education House at 9AM for carpooling. Join us for an easy, level walk along the dikes and in the gardens of this urban oasis. Among the highlights of this trip will be snow geese, and a variety of wintering ducks. Most will be easy to see and we will have scopes. Dress in layers - it could be windy - and bring a lunch. Bi-lingual.
Leader: Victor Ramos
We also have a few pairs of binoculars to lend. Call ahead to reserve a pair.

Sunday, January 29, 2006, 8AM.
Pelham Bay Park, Daytime Owl Prowl. A winter walk in search of Saw-whet, Great-horned and Long-eared owls. This is also a good location for a variety of wintering ducks. Meet at Orchard Beach parking lot, left front corner toward the beach as you enter the lot. This walk is co-sponsored with Bronx River/Sound Shore Audubon.
Leader: Doug Bloom.

Saturday, February 4, 2006, 8AM.
Croton Point Park & possibly George's Island. This is our annual trip in search of wintering Bald Eagles. Meet at Ed House for car pooling and directions. Leader is Hank Weber of the Wild Bird Center in Scarsdale, which is co-sponsoring this trip.

Pecans for Sale

We have a new supply of delicious Mammoth Georgia Pecans for sale at a price of $9 a pound. To order please call Beth da Silva at 949-5249 or Jeanne Alpert at 946-1780 or click here for an order form.

Trip Reports

Marshlands Conservancy

A beautiful, warm morning, an almost cloudless sky, and a magnificent display of a large group of Osprey. Does this sound too good to be true? Well, on September 18th a small group from CWAS got that and a bit more.

There was not too much bird action at the start of our walk at Marshlands. There was a Northern Flicker on top of a dead tree, a flock of Cedar Waxwings in the canopy and a Blue Jay flying by as we were scanning the trees looking for other species. When we started walking toward the beach, the first Osprey showed up. As we aimed our binoculars upwards to watch it hovering overhead, another Osprey came along. A few moments later a third bird came along holding a big fish in its talons.

Ospreys are unique. They are the only raptors that will plunge into the water to catch fish. As soon as the prey is sighted, they dive with the talons outspread, splashing the water and resurfacing quickly. Once the catch is made, they fly off positioning the fish with their talons so that its head is pointed forward.

We spent the rest of that morning watching these amazing birds and estimated that we saw about 23 individuals. Some of them were fishing, others were hovering and circling around, two of them were engaged in what seemed to be a fight for a fish, and some were perched.

This was a very satisfactory morning, all the more so because despite their declining numbers in the '50's and '60's because of pesticides, Ospreys have made a strong comeback thanks to various conservation programs. I wish it was the same for all endangered species.

Victor Ramos

When Coyotes Come Calling

Have you seen any coyotes in your backyard lately? At least two of our board members have. When Gladys Goldmann heard them howling one night, she went up on her deck with a flashlight and saw an adult and a young pup in the woods behind her property; Lynn Oliva saw a coyote walking down the street early one morning.

To learn more about this predator in Westchester several of our board members attended a "Conservation Café" at Pace University on September 21st for a discussion of coyotes in suburbia. Gordon Batchellor, a wildlife biologist with the DEC, spoke of the increasing numbers of coyotes that have been sighted in many of the towns in lower Westchester. He described the physical characteristics of coyotes, which look like a cross between a dog and a wolf and have coats of varying colors. A typical adult will be 4 feet long and 2 feet high. Their diet usually consists of small mammals, but they are opportunistic and will eat garbage. They have also been known to take small domestic animals such as cats and small dogs, but attacks on humans are rare.

Cornell University in cooperation with the state has undertaken a 4-year study of coyotes in Westchester. Coyotes will be trapped, tranquilized and equipped with radio collars in North Salem, Somers, Greenburgh and Mt. Pleasant, thus allowing wildlife biologists to study their habits.

Should you come within the sight of a coyote, Mr. Batchellor suggested that you behave aggressively by shouting and throwing rocks and sticks. In order to protect your small pets, you should keep them indoors at night and not leave them unattended outside. Other strategies for avoiding confrontation include: covering your garbage cans tightly; feeding your pets indoors; cleaning up around your bird feeder; eliminating from your property tall brush, which gives coyotes cover.

Coyotes are here to stay so we are going to have to learn how to live with them.

jsa

Saw-whet Owl Sightings

On the evening of August 3, 2005, four Saw-whet Owls temporarily roosted in the lower branches of maple trees by my house in White Plains. They were exceedingly tame, allowing us to move around in our porch within their view. One in particular seemed curious about us, moving his head back and forth as he followed our movements.

Saw-whet owls, although common, are difficult to find because they are strictly nocturnal and are the smallest of the eastern owls (about 7-8 inches). They can be found in mixed deciduous woodlands, characteristic of this region. They hunt for small rodents, favoring deer mice and voles. Occasionally they will eat small birds.

These owls nest in woodpecker holes in the area that the owls are using. The owls nest from March through July, incubate for about a month, and aren't ready to fledge for at least a month after hatching. Although the female leaves the nest when the young are about 18 days old, the male continues to feed them for about a month after fledging. So, the four birds that we saw may have been the father and three offspring. Four to seven eggs are a common clutch size, and not all would be expected to survive to adulthood.

I had a good look at the adult, who was on the lowest branch of the maple tree right outside the window of my porch. It had a very rounded head and short, compact stature, giving it a cute kewpie doll shape. There were no "ear tufts" (feathers that stick up like ears). Its brownish color was good camouflage against the branches of the trees. The pupils of the eyes were so large in the fading light (around 8:20 pm), that there was hardly any of the distinctive yellow showing. The other birds were in silhouette and difficult to see.

After spending a few minutes in the sugar maple, the owls silently flew to a maple in the front yard. I followed their movement and kept watch as they shifted first from one maple to another. One bird stopped on a branch next to an abandoned squirrel nest made of leaves. Much to may surprise, another bird settled onto the telephone wire next to the maple. Then, they all silently flew off, finding other trees down the street.

It is difficult to find and see single Saw-whet Owls. To see four at one time was a real treat.

Susan Fried

Note from a Summer Camper

Some people get t-shirts and pictures to remember their summer vacations. I got an owl pellet, a Native American instrument, bitter nut and foxfire moss at the Cranberry Lake Preserve camp. I learned how to tell a green frog and a bullfrog apart by the ridges they both have. I also learned what a spotted winter green plant looks like. We built a shelter and roasted marshmallows. I had a great time.
Thank you.
Tommy McCarthy

Keep This Reference Handy

Have you found an injured animal or bird? Call the Greenburgh Nature Center at 914-723-3470.They can put you in touch with a wildlife rehabilitator.

Some Tips for Attracting Birds to Your Yard

Be sure to clean your bird feeders before you fill with seed. Scrub feeders thoroughly with soap and water, dip in a solution of 9 parts water and 1 part bleach, and rinse and dry thoroughly before adding the seed.

While you are doing your yard cleanup this fall, why not build a brush pile for the birds. In an inconspicuous corner, make a mound of raked leaves, clippings, small branches and twigs. Insects will thrive here and serve as food for insect-eating birds and the mound can be used by birds as shelter on cold and windy nights. A supply of clean, fresh water is also important.

Conversations on Conservation

White Tails in Westchester
Friday, November 18, 2005-9AM to 4PM
Pace University, Pleasantville, NY

A conference on deer management strategies in the Hudson Valley Region. Program will include breakout sessions for discussion of issues specific to deer management.

For more information or to register call 914-773-3789 or visit www.westchestergov.com/parks

---------------------------------------------

Conservation Expo
Saturday, November 13-10AM to 3PM
Pace University Student Center, Pleasantville

Find out how to keep our environment healthy. Introduce your child to the world of environmental responsibility through exhibits and displays of environmental non-profits and vendors of environmentally friendly products. Free admission and parking.

CWAS Home Page	Newsletter, November - December, 2005 Programs Raptor Rapture Our Annual Live Raptor Program Thursday, November 17, 2005 7:00PM in the Gym Church St. School 295 Church St., White Plains Speaker: Jim Eyring Once again Jim Eyring will thrill us with his presentation of live owls, hawks and falcons. Jim, who is the assistant director of Pace University Environmental Center in Pleasantville and a master falconer, will capture the attention of children and adults alike as he relates his experiences with these beautiful birds and demonstrates their astounding capabilities. Jim always manages to make his program fresh, informative and entertaining. So come, bring the kids and enjoy. February 16, 2006 Jean Craighead George, award winning author of children's books, will be coming to the Church Street School on February 16, 2006 to talk to us about her new book on Sandhill Cranes. This very special program is co-sponsored with Bronx River/Sound Shore Audubon Society. Save the Date! Field Trips Unless otherwise indicated, all trips will start at Education House, 5 Homeside Lane in White Plains. Car pooling will be available. If you have questions call Jeanne Alpert at 914-946-1780 or Victor Ramos at 914-310-7742. Trips which are led by Victor Ramos are bi-lingual in Spanish and English. You should bring a snack, even for a half day trip. It is most important to bring water, especially in the warm weather. Always wear sturdy shoes and dress in layers. A few loaner binoculars will be available. If you need loaner binoculars, please call us before the trip to reserve one of the few pairs we have. We encourage beginners to join in the fun of birding.. Directions to Education House. Homeside Lane is located off North St. in White Plains. Going south on Mamaroneck Avenue from downtown White Plains, make a left turn on Ridgeway. Go down Ridgeway to the traffic light (firehouse on the left) and turn right on to North Street. Homeside Lane is the third right and Education House is the first building on the left. Parking is available in the circular driveway. Sunday, November 6, 9AM. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Meet at Education House at 9AM for carpooling. Join us for an easy, level walk along the dikes and in the gardens of this urban oasis. Among the highlights of this trip will be snow geese, and a variety of wintering ducks. Most will be easy to see and we will have scopes. Dress in layers - it could be windy - and bring a lunch. Bi-lingual. Leader: Victor Ramos We also have a few pairs of binoculars to lend. Call ahead to reserve a pair. Sunday, January 29, 2006, 8AM. Pelham Bay Park, Daytime Owl Prowl. A winter walk in search of Saw-whet, Great-horned and Long-eared owls. This is also a good location for a variety of wintering ducks. Meet at Orchard Beach parking lot, left front corner toward the beach as you enter the lot. This walk is co-sponsored with Bronx River/Sound Shore Audubon. Leader: Doug Bloom. Saturday, February 4, 2006, 8AM. Croton Point Park & possibly George's Island. This is our annual trip in search of wintering Bald Eagles. Meet at Ed House for car pooling and directions. Leader is Hank Weber of the Wild Bird Center in Scarsdale, which is co-sponsoring this trip. Pecans for Sale We have a new supply of delicious Mammoth Georgia Pecans for sale at a price of $9 a pound. To order please call Beth da Silva at 949-5249 or Jeanne Alpert at 946-1780 or click here for an order form. Trip Reports Marshlands Conservancy A beautiful, warm morning, an almost cloudless sky, and a magnificent display of a large group of Osprey. Does this sound too good to be true? Well, on September 18th a small group from CWAS got that and a bit more. There was not too much bird action at the start of our walk at Marshlands. There was a Northern Flicker on top of a dead tree, a flock of Cedar Waxwings in the canopy and a Blue Jay flying by as we were scanning the trees looking for other species. When we started walking toward the beach, the first Osprey showed up. As we aimed our binoculars upwards to watch it hovering overhead, another Osprey came along. A few moments later a third bird came along holding a big fish in its talons. Ospreys are unique. They are the only raptors that will plunge into the water to catch fish. As soon as the prey is sighted, they dive with the talons outspread, splashing the water and resurfacing quickly. Once the catch is made, they fly off positioning the fish with their talons so that its head is pointed forward. We spent the rest of that morning watching these amazing birds and estimated that we saw about 23 individuals. Some of them were fishing, others were hovering and circling around, two of them were engaged in what seemed to be a fight for a fish, and some were perched. This was a very satisfactory morning, all the more so because despite their declining numbers in the '50's and '60's because of pesticides, Ospreys have made a strong comeback thanks to various conservation programs. I wish it was the same for all endangered species. Victor Ramos When Coyotes Come Calling Have you seen any coyotes in your backyard lately? At least two of our board members have. When Gladys Goldmann heard them howling one night, she went up on her deck with a flashlight and saw an adult and a young pup in the woods behind her property; Lynn Oliva saw a coyote walking down the street early one morning. To learn more about this predator in Westchester several of our board members attended a "Conservation Café" at Pace University on September 21st for a discussion of coyotes in suburbia. Gordon Batchellor, a wildlife biologist with the DEC, spoke of the increasing numbers of coyotes that have been sighted in many of the towns in lower Westchester. He described the physical characteristics of coyotes, which look like a cross between a dog and a wolf and have coats of varying colors. A typical adult will be 4 feet long and 2 feet high. Their diet usually consists of small mammals, but they are opportunistic and will eat garbage. They have also been known to take small domestic animals such as cats and small dogs, but attacks on humans are rare. Cornell University in cooperation with the state has undertaken a 4-year study of coyotes in Westchester. Coyotes will be trapped, tranquilized and equipped with radio collars in North Salem, Somers, Greenburgh and Mt. Pleasant, thus allowing wildlife biologists to study their habits. Should you come within the sight of a coyote, Mr. Batchellor suggested that you behave aggressively by shouting and throwing rocks and sticks. In order to protect your small pets, you should keep them indoors at night and not leave them unattended outside. Other strategies for avoiding confrontation include: covering your garbage cans tightly; feeding your pets indoors; cleaning up around your bird feeder; eliminating from your property tall brush, which gives coyotes cover. Coyotes are here to stay so we are going to have to learn how to live with them. jsa Saw-whet Owl Sightings On the evening of August 3, 2005, four Saw-whet Owls temporarily roosted in the lower branches of maple trees by my house in White Plains. They were exceedingly tame, allowing us to move around in our porch within their view. One in particular seemed curious about us, moving his head back and forth as he followed our movements. Saw-whet owls, although common, are difficult to find because they are strictly nocturnal and are the smallest of the eastern owls (about 7-8 inches). They can be found in mixed deciduous woodlands, characteristic of this region. They hunt for small rodents, favoring deer mice and voles. Occasionally they will eat small birds. These owls nest in woodpecker holes in the area that the owls are using. The owls nest from March through July, incubate for about a month, and aren't ready to fledge for at least a month after hatching. Although the female leaves the nest when the young are about 18 days old, the male continues to feed them for about a month after fledging. So, the four birds that we saw may have been the father and three offspring. Four to seven eggs are a common clutch size, and not all would be expected to survive to adulthood. I had a good look at the adult, who was on the lowest branch of the maple tree right outside the window of my porch. It had a very rounded head and short, compact stature, giving it a cute kewpie doll shape. There were no "ear tufts" (feathers that stick up like ears). Its brownish color was good camouflage against the branches of the trees. The pupils of the eyes were so large in the fading light (around 8:20 pm), that there was hardly any of the distinctive yellow showing. The other birds were in silhouette and difficult to see. After spending a few minutes in the sugar maple, the owls silently flew to a maple in the front yard. I followed their movement and kept watch as they shifted first from one maple to another. One bird stopped on a branch next to an abandoned squirrel nest made of leaves. Much to may surprise, another bird settled onto the telephone wire next to the maple. Then, they all silently flew off, finding other trees down the street. It is difficult to find and see single Saw-whet Owls. To see four at one time was a real treat. Susan Fried Note from a Summer Camper Some people get t-shirts and pictures to remember their summer vacations. I got an owl pellet, a Native American instrument, bitter nut and foxfire moss at the Cranberry Lake Preserve camp. I learned how to tell a green frog and a bullfrog apart by the ridges they both have. I also learned what a spotted winter green plant looks like. We built a shelter and roasted marshmallows. I had a great time. Thank you. Tommy McCarthy Keep This Reference Handy Have you found an injured animal or bird? Call the Greenburgh Nature Center at 914-723-3470.They can put you in touch with a wildlife rehabilitator. Some Tips for Attracting Birds to Your Yard Be sure to clean your bird feeders before you fill with seed. Scrub feeders thoroughly with soap and water, dip in a solution of 9 parts water and 1 part bleach, and rinse and dry thoroughly before adding the seed. While you are doing your yard cleanup this fall, why not build a brush pile for the birds. In an inconspicuous corner, make a mound of raked leaves, clippings, small branches and twigs. Insects will thrive here and serve as food for insect-eating birds and the mound can be used by birds as shelter on cold and windy nights. A supply of clean, fresh water is also important. Conversations on Conservation White Tails in Westchester Friday, November 18, 2005-9AM to 4PM Pace University, Pleasantville, NY A conference on deer management strategies in the Hudson Valley Region. Program will include breakout sessions for discussion of issues specific to deer management. For more information or to register call 914-773-3789 or visit www.westchestergov.com/parks --------------------------------------------- Conservation Expo Saturday, November 13-10AM to 3PM Pace University Student Center, Pleasantville Find out how to keep our environment healthy. Introduce your child to the world of environmental responsibility through exhibits and displays of environmental non-profits and vendors of environmentally friendly products. Free admission and parking.
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	Central Westchester Audubon Society
	Elmsford, Greenburgh, Harrison, Purchase, Rye, Rye Brook, Port Chester and White Plains
	P.O. Box 359, White Plains, NY 10602 email: cwas@centralwestchesteraudubon.org