CWAS Newsletter November - December, 2006

Newsletter, November - December, 2006

Programs

Raptors from the Rafters
Our Annual Live Raptor Program
Thursday, November 16, 2006
7:00PM in the Gymn
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.

Field Trips

Sunday, November 12, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Meet at Education House at 8:30 AM 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. Co-sponsored with Bronx River/Sound Shore Audubon and the Wild Bird Center.

Bird Walks and Other Nature Programs Around the County
All are free.
Sunday, November 11, 10AM, Marshlands Conservancy. Fall Bird Walk.

Saturday, November 18, & December 9, 10 AM, Read Sanctuary. Wintering Ducks. This IBA (Important Bird Area) plays host to thousands of wintering ducks of several different species. Annual duck count on Saturday, December 23rd.

Of Special Interest to Children
Saturday, November 11, 1PM, Cranberry Lake Preserve. All About Owls. Learn about owls and dissect an owl pellet.

Saturday, November 18, 1PM, Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. Tools, Toys and Foods of Eastern Woodlands Indians. Parking fee.

Sunday, November 19, 4PM, Marshlands Conservancy. Crepuscular Walk. Listen to the sounds of evening as day turns into night. You may hear the courtship calls of the Great Horned Owl.

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.

Church Street School Courtyard Garden

Our newly planted garden weathered summer heat and downpours in fine fashion and all of our plants remain in good condition as we approach winter. Summer produced a vigorous crop of weeds which the grounds crew of the White Plains school district removed prior to the opening of school in September and the courtyard now blooms profusely with goldenrod and asters.

A work order to install electricity is being processed so that we will be able to have a circulating water source come spring and a heated bird bath for the winter.

In order to make the courtyard completely safe for student activities a fence will be installed along the retaining wall that separates the upper from the lower courtyard, and a railing will be added to the stairs.

Programs to get the students involved are proceeding nicely. Art teacher, Wendy Podell, has her older students crafting ceramic tiles that will be placed in the garden to identify all of the plants. CWAS board member and 4th grade teacher, Joan Conca, will be initiating a lunchtime bird club shortly. Some additional feeders will be added to the courtyard to supplement the seeds provided by our garden plants and the children will be able to view the garden and bird activity from the glassed in hallway that looks out onto the courtyard. Joan will be using tabulated results of the bird activity in the garden as part of Cornell's "Bird Sleuth" program (formerly called the "Feeder Watch" program).

We will keep you posted as we find new ways for the children to use the garden.

Conservation
Long Island Sound Agreement Signed

Audubon, with strong leadership from New York and Connecticut Congressional Delegations, has helped win passage of a new law to protect Long Island Sound, an Estuary of National Significance. The Long Island Sound Stewardship Act of 2006, a priority of Audubon New York, will identify, protect, and enhance significant open space, ecological and recreational sites along the Sound. This bill represents a major victory for the Audubon's Long Island Sound Campaign, a partnership effort by Audubon New York, Audubon Connecticut and National Audubon Society's Policy office in Washington DC. Included in the areas that will be eligible for funding are the Edith G. Read Sanctuary and Marshlands Conservancy, both Important Bird Areas in Rye, and David's Island in New Rochelle..

The Stewardship Act authorizes $25 million annually for 4 years on a 60% - 40% federal to local share for the acquisition of land and conservation easements, and the improvement of exemplary natural areas. The bill also establishes public access to the Sound as a major goal.

Congress has approved the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Improvement Act, designed to protect America's native migratory birds when they travel south to Latin America and the Caribbean during their migrations. Funding for this act has been increased from $5 million to $6.5 million and it allows Canada to apply for conservation grants.

Audubon in Scotland
By Susan Fried

It was my good fortune that, on my recent visit to Edinburgh, Scotland, my peregrinations brought me to the National Library of Scotland. "Birds of a Feather: Audubon's Adventures in Edinburgh" was on exhibit. The exhibit focused on John James Audubon's attempts to publish his paintings as engravings in a set of books called "Birds of America." An original volume of this work was displayed, along with several original engraved plates. Biographical information and displays covered Audubon's life, travels and paintings. An exhibit about the engraving process was included as well as exhibits about the influential Scots who helped Audubon get his publishing underway.

Audubon's work had been rejected in early 19th century America. His criticism of the popular wildlife artist, Alexander Wilson, along with his unkempt, backwoods appearance were unsavory to the well-groomed sponsors of the arts, who would have no part in publishing his work. Encouraged by Charles Lucien Bonaparte, his friend, fellow artist and nephew to Napoleon, Audubon decided to travel to Europe to attempt to get his work published there. He was a tremendous fan of Sir Walter Scott and this lured him to Edinburgh on five separate visits between 1826 and 1839.

In Scotland, Audubon became acquainted with some prominent Scots who did in fact help him to get started with the publication of his paintings, including his idol, Sir Walter Scott, the famous author. Among his other acquaintances in Edinburgh were William MacGillivray, ornithologist who wrote about the life histories of birds for another later Audubon publication (MacGillivray's Warbler is named for him); George Combe, a lawyer and phrenologist (phrenology relates head contours with personality and abilities and gives us the expression, "you should get your head examined"; Audubon was fascinated with this); Robert Jameson, the natural history professor who gave Audubon access to specimens for painting; and most importantly, William Home Lizars, who agreed to engrave the Double Elephant Folio (named for its huge size).

After only 10 plates were engraved (including the most well known "wild turkey"), a labor strike in Scotland forced Audubon to turn to Robert Havell in London, who completed the printing in 1838. At a cost of about 29,000 pounds, only 200 sets of four volumes of "Birds of America" were printed. Each set included 435 engraved plates of bird species. Three sets remain in Edinburgh today. In 2000, another set was auctioned for $8.8 million, making "Birds of America" one of the most valued sets of books printed.

You don't have to travel to Scotland to see Audubon's original works. The New York Historical Society has almost 500 original Audubon drawings and paintings. Audubon's life-like bird paintings in natural settings inspired later painters, who ultimately gave us some of our finest field guides to the birds.

At Sheldrake Environmental Center

An Exhibition of Natural Science Art: Invasive, Native, Rare and Endangered by the Greater New York Chapter of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators

October 15, 2006 - December 15, 2006
685 Weaver St., Larchmont, 834-1443

This is an exhibition of framed, scientifically accurate and beautifully illustrated works representing a variety of native and non-native plant species that are of interest to the Westchester area. Because they have no natural enemies here to control their aggressive growth,. non-native invasive plants threaten our ecosystem by displacing many native plants necessary to sustain wildlife and environmental balance. Included in the display will be original works depicting a variety of native plants including wildflowers and plants which are considered to be rare or endangered.

Letter from a Happy Camper

Thank you for awarding me a scholarship to the Ecology Program at Cranberry Lake. Over the week I had a lot of fun and I learned a lot too! I learned about several different types of rocks and how they were formed. I also learned that bees without fury bodies are actually wasps. I really like this camp and anyone who enjoys nature as much as I do should go to this camp.
Thanks again.
Sincerely,
Abby Strug

Sightings

Seen at the hawk watch at Lenoir Preserve on September 30th, A Northern Goshawk!

The bird was flying low enough for us to see its field marks. A fairly unusual sighting for these parts.

CWAS Sugar Babies
(Candied Pecans)

1 pound pecans
1 egg white
1 tablespoon water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
Beat egg white and water until frothy. Add sugar, cinnamon and salt. Mix well. Fold in pecans. Stir until well coated. Pour and spread out evenly onto foil-lined and greased cookie sheet with sides (11x15). Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Candied pecans can be stored in plastic bags and frozen if desired. Makes a great hostess gift for the holidays.

CWAS Home Page	Newsletter, November - December, 2006 Programs Raptors from the Rafters Our Annual Live Raptor Program Thursday, November 16, 2006 7:00PM in the Gymn 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. Field Trips Sunday, November 12, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Meet at Education House at 8:30 AM 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. Co-sponsored with Bronx River/Sound Shore Audubon and the Wild Bird Center. Bird Walks and Other Nature Programs Around the County All are free. Sunday, November 11, 10AM, Marshlands Conservancy. Fall Bird Walk. Saturday, November 18, & December 9, 10 AM, Read Sanctuary. Wintering Ducks. This IBA (Important Bird Area) plays host to thousands of wintering ducks of several different species. Annual duck count on Saturday, December 23rd. Of Special Interest to Children Saturday, November 11, 1PM, Cranberry Lake Preserve. All About Owls. Learn about owls and dissect an owl pellet. Saturday, November 18, 1PM, Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. Tools, Toys and Foods of Eastern Woodlands Indians. Parking fee. Sunday, November 19, 4PM, Marshlands Conservancy. Crepuscular Walk. Listen to the sounds of evening as day turns into night. You may hear the courtship calls of the Great Horned Owl. 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. *Church Street School Courtyard Garden* Our newly planted garden weathered summer heat and downpours in fine fashion and all of our plants remain in good condition as we approach winter. Summer produced a vigorous crop of weeds which the grounds crew of the White Plains school district removed prior to the opening of school in September and the courtyard now blooms profusely with goldenrod and asters. A work order to install electricity is being processed so that we will be able to have a circulating water source come spring and a heated bird bath for the winter. In order to make the courtyard completely safe for student activities a fence will be installed along the retaining wall that separates the upper from the lower courtyard, and a railing will be added to the stairs. Programs to get the students involved are proceeding nicely. Art teacher, Wendy Podell, has her older students crafting ceramic tiles that will be placed in the garden to identify all of the plants. CWAS board member and 4th grade teacher, Joan Conca, will be initiating a lunchtime bird club shortly. Some additional feeders will be added to the courtyard to supplement the seeds provided by our garden plants and the children will be able to view the garden and bird activity from the glassed in hallway that looks out onto the courtyard. Joan will be using tabulated results of the bird activity in the garden as part of Cornell's "Bird Sleuth" program (formerly called the "Feeder Watch" program). We will keep you posted as we find new ways for the children to use the garden. Conservation Long Island Sound Agreement Signed Audubon, with strong leadership from New York and Connecticut Congressional Delegations, has helped win passage of a new law to protect Long Island Sound, an Estuary of National Significance. The Long Island Sound Stewardship Act of 2006, a priority of Audubon New York, will identify, protect, and enhance significant open space, ecological and recreational sites along the Sound. This bill represents a major victory for the Audubon's Long Island Sound Campaign, a partnership effort by Audubon New York, Audubon Connecticut and National Audubon Society's Policy office in Washington DC. Included in the areas that will be eligible for funding are the Edith G. Read Sanctuary and Marshlands Conservancy, both Important Bird Areas in Rye, and David's Island in New Rochelle.. The Stewardship Act authorizes $25 million annually for 4 years on a 60% - 40% federal to local share for the acquisition of land and conservation easements, and the improvement of exemplary natural areas. The bill also establishes public access to the Sound as a major goal. Congress has approved the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Improvement Act, designed to protect America's native migratory birds when they travel south to Latin America and the Caribbean during their migrations. Funding for this act has been increased from $5 million to $6.5 million and it allows Canada to apply for conservation grants. Audubon in Scotland By Susan Fried It was my good fortune that, on my recent visit to Edinburgh, Scotland, my peregrinations brought me to the National Library of Scotland. "Birds of a Feather: Audubon's Adventures in Edinburgh" was on exhibit. The exhibit focused on John James Audubon's attempts to publish his paintings as engravings in a set of books called "Birds of America." An original volume of this work was displayed, along with several original engraved plates. Biographical information and displays covered Audubon's life, travels and paintings. An exhibit about the engraving process was included as well as exhibits about the influential Scots who helped Audubon get his publishing underway. Audubon's work had been rejected in early 19th century America. His criticism of the popular wildlife artist, Alexander Wilson, along with his unkempt, backwoods appearance were unsavory to the well-groomed sponsors of the arts, who would have no part in publishing his work. Encouraged by Charles Lucien Bonaparte, his friend, fellow artist and nephew to Napoleon, Audubon decided to travel to Europe to attempt to get his work published there. He was a tremendous fan of Sir Walter Scott and this lured him to Edinburgh on five separate visits between 1826 and 1839. In Scotland, Audubon became acquainted with some prominent Scots who did in fact help him to get started with the publication of his paintings, including his idol, Sir Walter Scott, the famous author. Among his other acquaintances in Edinburgh were William MacGillivray, ornithologist who wrote about the life histories of birds for another later Audubon publication (MacGillivray's Warbler is named for him); George Combe, a lawyer and phrenologist (phrenology relates head contours with personality and abilities and gives us the expression, "you should get your head examined"; Audubon was fascinated with this); Robert Jameson, the natural history professor who gave Audubon access to specimens for painting; and most importantly, William Home Lizars, who agreed to engrave the Double Elephant Folio (named for its huge size). After only 10 plates were engraved (including the most well known "wild turkey"), a labor strike in Scotland forced Audubon to turn to Robert Havell in London, who completed the printing in 1838. At a cost of about 29,000 pounds, only 200 sets of four volumes of "Birds of America" were printed. Each set included 435 engraved plates of bird species. Three sets remain in Edinburgh today. In 2000, another set was auctioned for $8.8 million, making "Birds of America" one of the most valued sets of books printed. You don't have to travel to Scotland to see Audubon's original works. The New York Historical Society has almost 500 original Audubon drawings and paintings. Audubon's life-like bird paintings in natural settings inspired later painters, who ultimately gave us some of our finest field guides to the birds. At Sheldrake Environmental Center An Exhibition of Natural Science Art: Invasive, Native, Rare and Endangered by the Greater New York Chapter of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators October 15, 2006 - December 15, 2006 685 Weaver St., Larchmont, 834-1443 This is an exhibition of framed, scientifically accurate and beautifully illustrated works representing a variety of native and non-native plant species that are of interest to the Westchester area. Because they have no natural enemies here to control their aggressive growth,. non-native invasive plants threaten our ecosystem by displacing many native plants necessary to sustain wildlife and environmental balance. Included in the display will be original works depicting a variety of native plants including wildflowers and plants which are considered to be rare or endangered. Letter from a Happy Camper Thank you for awarding me a scholarship to the Ecology Program at Cranberry Lake. Over the week I had a lot of fun and I learned a lot too! I learned about several different types of rocks and how they were formed. I also learned that bees without fury bodies are actually wasps. I really like this camp and anyone who enjoys nature as much as I do should go to this camp. Thanks again. Sincerely, Abby Strug Sightings Seen at the hawk watch at Lenoir Preserve on September 30th, A Northern Goshawk! The bird was flying low enough for us to see its field marks. A fairly unusual sighting for these parts. CWAS Sugar Babies (Candied Pecans) 1 pound pecans 1 egg white 1 tablespoon water 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt Beat egg white and water until frothy. Add sugar, cinnamon and salt. Mix well. Fold in pecans. Stir until well coated. Pour and spread out evenly onto foil-lined and greased cookie sheet with sides (11x15). Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Candied pecans can be stored in plastic bags and frozen if desired. Makes a great hostess gift for the holidays.
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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