The Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge, a 187-acre peninsula on Long Island‘s Noyack and Little Peconic Bays, boasts exceptionally diverse birding habitats. Sandy and rocky beaches fringe the peninsula, while wooded bluffs overlook the bays. The refuge consists of upland forest, fields, ponds, salt marsh, beach, and a lagoon. [Read more…] about Birding Spotlight: Long Island’s Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge
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Birding Events at Crown Point State Historic Site
Crown Point State Historic Site has announced the return of Crown Point Banding Station recording migration data on site for its 47th year. Due to the location under the Atlantic Flyway, the site is a premiere location for viewing birds migrating north for the season. [Read more…] about Birding Events at Crown Point State Historic Site
Avian Influenza Detected in New York’s Wild Birds; Take Down Feeders
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has confirmed that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus has been found in multiple wild bird species in several areas of New York State.
No known HPAI human infections are documented in the U.S., and according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these recent cases of HPAI do not present an immediate public health concern for most people. However, people in contact with known infected or possibly infected birds should take precautions to protect against infection and avian researchers are concerned that bird baths and bird feeders can help spread the virus and are asking that they be taken down for a few months. [Read more…] about Avian Influenza Detected in New York’s Wild Birds; Take Down Feeders
Banding Study Hopes To Understand Mallard Declines
Over the past 20 years, mallard populations in New York and the Northeast have declined significantly, leading to limits on hunting them starting in 2018.
To understand what factors may be contributing to the decline, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Pennsylvania Game Commission, Ducks Unlimited, SUNY Brockport, and the University of Saskatchewan partnered with 22 state, federal, and non-governmental organizations to start one of the largest telemetry projects ever conducted in North America. [Read more…] about Banding Study Hopes To Understand Mallard Declines
Colorful Wood Ducks Returning To The Northeast
I’ve seen all kinds of birds on the wooded New Hampshire hilltop where I live, but never – until recently – a duck. So when I spotted a pair of wood ducks loitering in my yard one spring morning, I reached for the binoculars.
A closer look revealed these were indeed Aix sponsa, newly returned from their wintering grounds. Most likely it was the pair I had seen on the pond a mile from my house. But what, I wondered, were these dabbling ducks doing up here? [Read more…] about Colorful Wood Ducks Returning To The Northeast
Watch the Skies for Spring Bird Migrations
Spring is an ideal time to observe bird migrations. New York is conveniently located along the Atlantic Flyway, one of the main migration routes. This offers a great opportunity to observe birds flying to their summer breeding grounds. [Read more…] about Watch the Skies for Spring Bird Migrations
Watchable Wildlife: Mongaup Valley Wildlife Management Area
The Mongaup Valley Wildlife Management Area, located in the Catskills 75 miles northwest of New York City, was designated a Bird Conservation Area because of its unique combination of habitats important to bird species, including forests, reservoirs, and river habitat where bald eagles nest and overwinter. [Read more…] about Watchable Wildlife: Mongaup Valley Wildlife Management Area
Update On Grasse River Superfund Site Restoration
The Alcoa Massena-West Plant is an aluminum production plant on the north shore of the lower Grasse River. In the 1950s, Alcoa began using and discharging polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) into the Grasse River, contaminating water and sediment. [Read more…] about Update On Grasse River Superfund Site Restoration
Bird Collisions With Planes: A New Study Looks At Patterns
Worldwide, the cost of bird collisions with planes has been estimated at $1.2 billion per year. But information on bird movements throughout the year can help avoid damage to aircraft and risk to passengers.
Scientists from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and partners have been looking for patterns in bird strike data from three New York City area airports. Their findings were recently published in the Journal of Applied Ecology. [Read more…] about Bird Collisions With Planes: A New Study Looks At Patterns
Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area
Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is located in the towns of Lyme and Cape Vincent, in Jefferson County. The 2,028-acre property includes large grassland fields, wetland impoundments, shrublands, and forested wetlands. [Read more…] about Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area