February Program: Bering Seabirds and Environmental Change from 3,000 Years Ago to the Present Day
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Volume 54 Number 2 February 2022 February Program: Bering Seabirds and Environmental Change from 3,000 Years Ago to the Present Day We are in the midst of rapid images and videos of Beringian Left, Short-tailed Albatross and Below—Crested climate change, and the Arctic and seabirds and colonies that few Subarctic are warming three to ornithologists have seen. He four times faster than the rest of will work to convince you that the world. In order to get a better cormorants are probably the most Auklets; Photos by Douglas Causey idea of how these environmental interesting seabirds in the world. changes may affect breeding Dr. Douglas Causey is Professor seabirds in the Bering Sea, Douglas of Biological Sciences at the Causey and his students have been University of Alaska Anchorage looking closely at rapid changes and Senior Fellow of the Arctic in the past 15 years as a way to Initiative, Harvard Kennedy understand what the future may School. An ecologist and hold. But before we can understand evolutionary biologist by training, how great or quick the effects he has authored over two hundred may be, it’s important to know publications on topics as diverse as how seabirds reacted to past the biology of Arctic marine birds, environmental events. policy issues related to the Arctic Join us on Zoom on February environment, Arctic environmental 18th at 7:30 p.m. for Dr. Causey’s security, and bioterrorism and talk about what the archeology of public health. early Aleut middens tells us about Join us on Zoom, the abundance and distribution February 18th at 7:30 p.m. of all breeding seabirds over the Pre-Registration is required at:. past 3000 years. Doug will present https://bit.ly/3ruWUad Mark Your Calendar — Yellowstone Stories- INSIDE THIS ISSUE A Summer in America’s First National Park Climate Change and Birds.......2 Our March program will feature nature photographer, writer and Conservation & Legislation ....3 naturalist Kyle Dudgeon. He will take us through his journey as an interpretive guide in one of America’s wild places, Yellowstone National 2022 Optics Raffle....................3 Park. Experiences amongst grizzly bears, wolves and bison represent Eagles Next Door ....................4 the true embodiment of the American west still found Bird Sightings .........................5 in this place; but drastic growth in annual visitation Christmas Bird Count.............6 threatens the security of that wildness moving Upcoming Activities ...............7 forward. Join us by Zoom on March 18th at 7:30 p.m. Great Backyard Bird Count.....8 Register at https://doas.us/yellowstone-stories/ .
Climate Change and Birds in 2022 Delaware - Otsego Audubon Society, Inc. by Co-president Susan O’Handley Founded 1968 Newsletter Editor: Janet Potter I cannot count the number of should present a good indication times in the past few years that of range changes. Board of Directors we have received email, FaceBook Co-Presidents Becky Gretton or phone messages about changes Andrew Mason in what people in our region are Susan O’Handley seeing in their backyard birds. Treasurer Charlie Scheim Birds they had seen often may Secretary Dorian Huneke not be there this year and people Directors are noticing a difference. In Jane Bachman many cases, these observations Nathan Cutting will happen during the summer Kathryn Davino breeding season or in the fall Red-breasted Nuthatch Photo by Landa Palmer Rob Katz months when the weather is Landa Palmer typically good. Those differences DOAS does not currently Pamela Peters can mostly be explained by participate in the Audubon Janet Potter shifting focus to raising young Climate Watch surveys, mostly Tom Salo or the availability of natural food due to the lack of our ability to sources. That being said, there coordinate another project on top Committee Chairs* are birds that can be targeted for of what we already do. And we and Assignments observations that can be indicative do a lot! (View our annual report Conservation*: Andy Mason of population changes or shifts that video here: https://doas.us/2021- Education*: Susan O’Handley are a result of climate change. doas-annual-report/ ). Volunteers Fundraising*: Dorian Huneke Species that are indicators for are our primary limiting factor in Hawkwatch*: Andrew Mason tracking in our region include what we can accomplish each year. Tom Salo Eastern Bluebird, Red-breasted If we have members or friends Hospitality*: Kathryn Davino Nuthatch, White-breasted who are interested in working on Membership*: Janet Potter Nuthatch, American Goldfinch projects like this, or if you have an Programs*: Becky Gretton and Eastern Towhee. Surveying for idea for something you might like Publicity*: Susan O’Handley these birds during specific times of to do for birds or conservation, Sanctuary*: Andrew Mason Bird Counts: Sandy Bright each year can provide information please reach out to us by email Charter Dinner: Kathryn Davino about range changes and can add at info@doas.us. We have some Finance: Gray Mason important data to the predictions great projects planned for 2022 Historian: vacant for the impacts of climate change. including additional improvements Sales*: Jane Bachman As an example - our Red- and new accessibility features breasted Nuthatch is expected to for the DOAS Sanctuary and Address Correspondence to: face a 66% loss in summer range if Hawkwatch, a Native Plant Sale Delaware Otsego Audubon Society we see a +3.00 C change. Our fundraiser, a how-to presentation P.O. Box 544 Oneonta, NY 13820 DOAS regional bird checklist, to get a native plants program in Email: info@doas.us updated in 2020, (find it on our your community, and continued web site at https://bit.ly/3rgugcD ) work in engaging our region in On the web: https://doas.us/ and indicates that both Red-breasted climate action initiatives, reducing www.facebook.com/ DelawareOtsegoAudubonSociety and White-breasted are common our carbon impact and more. in our region throughout the year. Please let us know if you would To contribute notes or articles for So watching this species closely like to be more involved! The Belted Kingfisher, email: editor@doas.us Page 2 THE BELTED KINGFISHER February 2022
Conservation and Legislation By Andy Mason Priorities for 2022 in Albany — quality improvement. With a tumultuous political scene The Governor also called for nationwide, it is unlikely any expanding the state’s wetlands significant environmental legis- protections by including smaller lation will be forthcoming from wetlands under state law. She also Congress in this election year. So, proposed shifting responsibili- Wetlands at the DOAS Sanctuary on activity on the state level becomes ty for proper disposal of plastic Franklin Mountain even more pertinent and that is waste from the consumer to the Photo by Andy Mason certainly true in New York. producer, a long overdue and In her State of the State address, sensible change. And she contin- Albany. But for now, the budget Governor Kathy Hochul put forth ued her push for electrifying New is the number one priority. We some promising messages. She York’s transportation sector and should urge our state Senators and called for increasing to $4 bil- for zero emission buildings. Assemblymembers to support the lion the size of the Clean Water, All good proposals that will expanded bond act and to pro- Clean Air, and Green Jobs Envi- need support from our legisla- vide dollars for the state’s envi- ronmental Bond Act that will go tors to come to fruition, which ronmental needs, including the before voters this fall, after being is where Auduboners and other Environmental Protection Fund, postponed in 2021. The bond act conservationists can help. alternative energy production, and would provide funding for open What You Can Do — promotion of electric vehicle use space conservation and recre- We will be providing infor- and infrastructure. ation, flood risk reduction, climate mation on specific legislation as Contact information can be found change mitigation, and water the 2022 session moves ahead in in the Advocacy section of our web- site https://doas.us/ . 2022 Optics Raffle—Winners Raffle Winners Choose from Four Prizes! Win a Spotting Scope or Binoculars and Support DOAS. $15 Donation per ticket. Only 250 tickets available. Drawing will take place on Friday, April 15, 2022, 7:30 p.m. during the online monthly DOAS program. More information at https://bit.ly/3A5PkGZ Proceeds to benefit the DOAS Sanctuary and Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch. Notes: You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase tickets. Winners need not be pres- ent to win. If you live outside our pick-up area, we will coordinate for first class mail to you. Shipping and Handling fees will be charged at cost. February 2022 THE BELTED KINGFISHER Page 3
are still around, apparently find- Next Door Neighbors ing enough food to sustain them By DOAS Director Dorian Huneke through snow and cold. Most likely few birds of any Here in the little village of fall, and even quite a bit in the species were flying in the brutal Treadwell we are blessed with a winter, I see one or both adult ea- wind and cold of January 10th. nesting pair of bald eagles. I have gles almost every day. Most often But leave it to the Bald Eagle to been watching this pair for quite a they give me a fly-by, going up or brave the weather. I was out in my few years now and never get tired down the creek valley in the early yard with my dog and happened of observing their behavior. morning or late afternoon. Some- to look up at just the right mo- I believe the female is the same times I’m out in our village’s park ment. If you have ever watched bird that moved into this area with my dog and they fly right two raptors challenge each other many years ago, nesting on the smack over my head; other times in the sky, you can imagine the mountain that is just north of the I’m at my barn uphill from the twisting, turning, darting and current nest. A logging distur- creek and have gone outside for diving that takes place. Well, this bance forced the eagles to move some reason and there’s one, ap- eagle was the only bird in the sky, downstream from the village cen- pearing to fly right at me! Some- but the wind had it diving, dip- times one or both are perched in ping, ducking, twirling, and many ter, where they took over a Red- a tree along the creek, and I am more kinds of contortions, trying tailed Hawk’s nest in a white pine lucky to be far enough away not to to stay aloft and keep moving stand. This only lasted a couple of disturb them, but close enough to forward. It appeared as though it years when a storm dumping 30 watch them until I am the one that was competing with a ghost eagle! or more inches of snow on all of has to leave. Move forward it did though, and us destroyed much of this nest— So far, I don’t believe they have finally disappeared downstream. and they had just started sitting on ever migrated away for the winter. I will always keep looking up—I eggs! They moved to the current Even in very cold weather they don’t want to miss any of those location, and survived that year’s great aerial displays! nesting season, but a year or so Banded Adult Bald Eagle in Treadwell Photo by Patricia Leitenberger later it was noted that one of the pair is banded. So, at some point a new mate was taken and this nest has been thriving ever since. From the bridge on Case Hill Road you can look upstream and just about see their nest—in the winter, that is. Too much foliage in the summer. The nest is near the top of a very tall white pine that stands away from the base of that mountain. I imagine this provides some advantages for both hunting and protection from predators. When I’m outside, which is much of the day in spring, summer, and The mission of Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society is to protect our natural environment and connect people with nature to benefit birds and other wildlife through conservation, education, research and advocacy. Page 4 THE BELTED KINGFISHER February 2022
December—January December January Bird Sightings By Sandy Bright In mid-December, Bald Eagles where in Oneonta. The following were active in the area. Jeff Waf- day, she saw a Merlin feasting on fle reported two eagles feeding the leftovers, leaving behind just a on a dead deer at the 14th green small pile of feathers. Barb Palmer of Colonial Ridge Golf Course photographed a Red-tailed Hawk near Laurens. Near the Elk Creek posing against a clear blue sky in Fishing Access, my husband and Middleburgh. I noticed a large flock of Canada On New Year’s Day, Leigh Eck- Partial Leucistic Female Cardinal Geese peacefully foraging in a mair noticed a half dozen or so Photo by Sandy Bright field. Suddenly, hundreds of wings Dark-eyed Juncos in her ancient were desperately flapping as they Quince Bush in Gilbertsville. A partial leucistic female Car- frantically scrambled toward the Though the Quince was extra-pro- dinal returned to our feeders in water; an adult Bald was lazily lific this year, she did not observe Oneonta after spending the sum- following the path of the creek, any birds taking advantage of the mer and fall elsewhere. She’s quite seemingly oblivious to the panic it bounty. In the following days, striking with her snow-white had caused below. Another eagle Becky Gretton had the good for- head, and sports a pink eyebrow, flew over Susan Brunswick in tune of seeing a Northern Harrier buffy cheek, and fashionable Oneonta, dove at something, and working a field in the Town of red-and-white crest. Selectively knocked some dead branches to Springfield. David Diaz reported intolerant of competition at the the ground as it landed in a Maple a small owl – probably an Eastern feeders, she chases other female tree. Crows harassed it for a while, Screech-Owl – perched in the Vil- cardinals away but tolerates the then aggressively escorted it out of lage of Cooperstown. Stan Salthe male when he’s around. Observ- the neighborhood. had a Hairy Woodpecker coming ing bird behavior such as this Susan also spotted a Belted to his suet feeder and noted that, makes these cold winter days Kingfisher at the Mill Race in though they appear every winter, more bearable, but I do look for- Neahwa Park and found a decap- he never sees them at other times ward to warmer days and spring itated pigeon on a sidewalk else- of the year. migration! If you have bird sightings to report, contact Sandy Bright, brights@hartwick.edu or 607 287-4465. Support our business sponsors. Bird-Friendly Coffee You may order bird-friendly coffeeby emailing Jane Bachman (bachmanj@hartwick.edu or call 607-431-9509). Contact her to arrange for payment and pickup from Jane’s front porch in Oneonta. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted. More information at https://doas.us/bird-friendly-coffee/ . February 2022 THE BELTED KINGFISHER Page 5
Christmas Bird Count Wrap-up Oneonta Christmas Bird Great Blue Heron and Gold- Count (CBC) by Sandy en-crowned Kinglet. As Bob stat- ed about his group’s results, “Any Bright day with more kingfishers than The 53rd Oneonta CBC took pigeons is good.” place on the worst day, weath- Many thanks to our 17 field er-wise, of the entire count week, participants: Bob Ciganek, with steady rain, sleet, and snow. Jennifer Hyypio, Peter Fauth, No records were set, as many birds Becky Gretton, Gerianne Carillo, seemed determined to stay either Susan Brunswick, Andy Mason, Red-bellied Woodpecker too far away to be identified or out Bruce Milavec, Rob and Mary Photo by Landa Palmer of sight completely. Scant numbers Kate Katz, Dave and Ann Kiehm, spectively, and a healthy number of species generally represented by Randy and Carol Lynch, Charlie of Bald Eagles were counted, at multiple individuals were found, Scheim; and 7 feederwatchers, 21. Wild Turkey (31) and Red- including a lone Purple Finch Cheryl Boise, Janice Downie, tailed Hawk (10) had the lowest and single Song Sparrow. The Margo Graham, Linda Pearce, numbers in the five years we have 3,371 birds tallied was well below Meg Preston, Merry Lou been doing the count. The mixed average. Despite that, our hardy Wickham, and Hannelore Young. precipitation forecast was much groups of participants scrounged Delaware County Christmas milder and not as bad as all had up a decent 46 species and a few Bird Count by Pam Peters anticipated. It had rained much of good finds. Two birds that were The 5th year for the Delaware the previous week and tempera- absent during the first three de- County Christmas Bird Count tures hovered in the 30s, dropping cades of the CBC, Hooded Mer- (CBC) on January 2nd fielded by end of the day. Possibly as a gansers and Eastern Bluebirds, six teams that found 3,611 birds result of the weather, feeder ac- were found in multiple locations and 48 unique species. Highlights tivity was quiet, and homeowners this year. Perhaps the most color- include 10 Eastern Bluebirds testified to the lack of birds. ful sighting was the Ring-necked observed in three different sectors Many thanks to our awesome Pheasant photographed in West- of the count territory, two Belted counters: Lance Verderame, Re- ville by Randy Lynch. Bob and Kingfishers, and two large flocks nee Davis, Kate Yard, Matt Walter, Karen Donnelly hunted down 3 of Cedar Waxwings totaling 149. Landa Palmer, Linda Burkhart, species of owls (Eastern Screech, A lone Brown-headed Cowbird Sandy Bright, Charlie Scheim, Great Horned, and Barred), 3 and a Field Sparrow made first- Kathryn & Al Davino, Kathy Belted Kingfishers, and the only time appearances for the CBC, Mario, Kay Crane, Tom & Lau- both observed in Downsville. rie Rankin, Chris DeCesare and Black-capped Chickadee earned yours truly, Pam Peters. the highest number of all birds Complete results, current and reported, at 533, and 65 Common past, for both Oneonta and Ravens is a record for the count. Delaware County CBCs are on American Goldfinch and our web site at Slate-colored Junco both had high https://doas.us/bird-counts/ numbers with 110 and 192 re- Ring-necked Pheasant Photo by Randy Lynch Like us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/ DelawareOtsegoAudubonSociety Page 6 THE BELTED KINGFISHER February 2022
Upcoming Activities February Tessier will begin at 7:30 p.m. Register at February 18 – DOAS Public Program: “Bering https://bit.ly/3zTxK8E . Seabirds and Environmental Change from 3,000 Years April 15– Optics Raffle Drawing during April Public Ago to the Present Day,” presented by Dr. Douglas Program: Prizes include spotting scope and binocu- Causey. See article on page 1. Our Zoom program will lars. Tickets only $15! More information on page 3 begin at 7:30 p.m. and at https://bit.ly/3A5PkGZ . Register at https://bit.ly/3ruWUad . April 19 – DOAS Board Meeting: 6:30 p.m. February 18-21 – Join the 25th Annual Great April 22 – EARTH DAY. Details coming soon. Backyard Bird Count as people from around the May world come together to watch, learn about, count, and May 7 – Susquehanna Greenway Bird Walk: Meet at celebrate birds. More information on page 8 and at 8 AM in the parking lot by the fields near the school https://www.birdcount.org/. district bus garage, just past the transfer station for a March two-hour walk to view returning migrant birds on the March 1 – DOAS Board Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Greenway trail, located on Silas Lane, off Rte. 205 in March 15 – Native Plant Sale Kickoff and DOAS Panel Oneonta. This will be an easy hike on level ground. Discussion on Zoom: “Delhi Homegrown National Contact Charlie Scheim at 607-434-4880 or scheimc@ Park - Project Presentation.” Register at hartwick.edu. https://bit.ly/3Goy7L8 . May 14 – DOAS Big Day Bird Count: The Big Day is a March 18 – DOAS Public Program: “Yellowstone group effort in which birders, working alone, in pairs, Stories- A Summer in America’s First National Park.” or in small groups, will try to locate as many bird spe- During our Zoom program beginning at 7:30 p.m., cies as possible. Contact is Charlie Sheim (607-434- Kyle Dudgeon will take us through his journey as an 4880 (voice or text) or scheimc@hartwick.edu). interpretive guide in Yellowstone National Park. Reg- May 17 – DOAS Board Meeting: 6:30 p.m. ister at https://bit.ly/3tlOwMw . May 20 – DOAS Public Program: “Breeding Bird At- April las: 2022 Update.” The program will begin at 7:30 p.m. Venue to be determined. More information at https:// April 15 – DOAS Public Program: “Landscaping with bit.ly/3K5D4uw . Native Plants.” Our Zoom program featuring Lisa In Case You Missed It — Past Webinars Are Available Online at https://doas.us/webinars/. To stay up- to-date about events, visit the DOAS website (https://doas.us/events/) or Facebook Page and sign up for our ENews at https://doas.us/sign-up-for-doas-news/. ENews is a monthly email notification and is different from the Belted Kingfisher. DOAS Membership Cost is $25 annually or $35 for two years; family memberships $30 annually or $40 for two years. Memberships can also be purchased online at https://doas.us/membership/ or make your check payable to “DOAS” and mail payment to: DOAS Membership Chair, PO Box 544, Oneonta, NY 13820-0544. Support DOAS education and conservation programs with an additional donation! Is your Membership Current? Your mailing label on the back page of this newsletter will inform you of your membership expiration date. This is the only notice you receive to let you know you need to renew your membership. Thanks for rejoining when your membership expires. “ I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” — John Burroughs February 2022 THE BELTED KINGFISHER Page 7
Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, Inc. PO Box 544, Oneonta, NY 13820 www.doas.us people are invited to spend time Each checklist helps researchers February 18-21, 2022 in their favorite places watching at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Join the 25th Great and counting as many birds as and the National Audubon Soci- Backyard Bird Count they can find and reporting them. ety learn more about how birds These observations help scientists are doing, and how to protect For four days each February, better understand global bird them and the environment we the world comes together for the populations before the spring share. love of birds. To celebrate birds, migration. Anyone can take part in the participants watch, learn about, Participants are asked to count Great Backyard Bird Count, and count birds during the Great birds they see or hear for as little from beginning bird watchers to Backyard Bird Count, organized as 15 minutes (or as long as they experts, and you can participate by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, wish) on one or more days of the from your backyard, or anywhere National Audubon Society, and four-day event. The count should in the world. Learn more at Birds Canada. Over the four days be reported online with par- https://www.birdcount.org/ from February 18th to the 21st, ticpants choosing eBird or another participate/ . tool at https://www.birdcount.org.
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