Re: [nysbirds-l] Birdingwatching In the Time of Covid-19.
Alan, Thanks so much for sharing your observations of birding locally. Your comments embody what I feel is the essence of atlasing. It brings joy to really get to know your local birds and I too have felt pride in successful nesting attempts. Yours is a wonderful message to appreciate what you have right outside your door. I would be interested to hear if others have experienced something similar. I could make a collection of stories and share them in the next atlas newsletter and on social media. Happy local birding, Julie -- Julie Hart New York Breeding Bird Atlas III, Project Coordinator PARTICIPATE Website <https://protect2.fireeye.com/url?k=c8d6c650-94f0fe6e-c8d43f65-000babda0031-6934d6a512b40f2c=1=https%3A%2F%2Febird.org%2Fatlasny%2Fabout> | Newsletter <https://mailchi.mp/a6c58a33437d/nybbaiiisignup> FOLLOW Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/nybba3/> | Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/nybbaiii/> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/nybbaiii> SUPPORT Store <https://www.zazzle.com/store/nybbaiii> | Donate <https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=tPYqacOnC6V6g_icb8rE7VF0NeOxZDhVbMUR_iOE_dpykMM7-RvqmRTpwtn6zUzgqbGhh0=US=US> > On May 26, 2020, at 22:58, Alan Drogin wrote: > > This pandemic has forced me into birding the same mile of Riverside Park > south of 96th Street, just down the block from where I live, almost every day > for over two months now. Unable to chase birds throughout the hot spots of > New York State this season, the fortunate timing during peak Spring migration > at least has provided me with plenty of FOY pleasures. Nevertheless, this > routine has shown me that not all nature just passes through affording > thrilling chance encounters, but that there is a natural “neighborhood" just > outside my door which changes slowly with the seasons. Fortunately, > Springtime is when the male birds must stake out a territory and proclaim > their constant presence through glorious song in order to attract mates. > > It has been my newfound pleasure to recognize the singing 7+ days of > individual Towhees, Cardinals, House Finches, and finally the Catbirds in > their respective “blocks” (there are just too many House Sparrows, Pigeons, > Robins, and Starlings to keep track of). This has been a chance to watch the > gradual cessation of White-throated Sparrows, the aggressive courtship of > House Sparrows, Robins giving chase, Starlings gathering nest material, and > now the constant high-pitched pleas for food from the gaping yellow mouths of > awkward fledgelings. > > I now identify exactly three male Northern Flickers who alert each other with > their steady staccato calls of their “turf” across from 82nd, 84th, and 91st > streets. A pair of Downy Woodpeckers whinny in the middle at 86th. I’ve > found two of the Flickers clearing out respective tree holes in Hippo > Playground and just south of River Run Playground. Last week I saw a female > sticking her head. > > Since my first walk I have expected every day the loud “teakettle, teakettle > teakettle” of the Carolina Wren just north of Hippo Playground. Last > Wednesday I saw the wren on a tree stump by the high stone wall, but heard > the song from a few yards away - this must be the female mate. But then came > a plaintive peep a few yards in the other direction. Then all three swooped > to a scrawny sapling across my path - it was the baby getting fed. Dare I > say a tinge of grandparental pride? > > Stay safe birding, > > Alan Drogin > > > > > > > > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm > > ARCHIVES: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html > 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L > 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- > -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] Birdingwatching In the Time of Covid-19.
Alan, Thanks so much for sharing your observations of birding locally. Your comments embody what I feel is the essence of atlasing. It brings joy to really get to know your local birds and I too have felt pride in successful nesting attempts. Yours is a wonderful message to appreciate what you have right outside your door. I would be interested to hear if others have experienced something similar. I could make a collection of stories and share them in the next atlas newsletter and on social media. Happy local birding, Julie -- Julie Hart New York Breeding Bird Atlas III, Project Coordinator PARTICIPATE Website <https://protect2.fireeye.com/url?k=c8d6c650-94f0fe6e-c8d43f65-000babda0031-6934d6a512b40f2c=1=https%3A%2F%2Febird.org%2Fatlasny%2Fabout> | Newsletter <https://mailchi.mp/a6c58a33437d/nybbaiiisignup> FOLLOW Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/nybba3/> | Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/nybbaiii/> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/nybbaiii> SUPPORT Store <https://www.zazzle.com/store/nybbaiii> | Donate <https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=tPYqacOnC6V6g_icb8rE7VF0NeOxZDhVbMUR_iOE_dpykMM7-RvqmRTpwtn6zUzgqbGhh0=US=US> > On May 26, 2020, at 22:58, Alan Drogin wrote: > > This pandemic has forced me into birding the same mile of Riverside Park > south of 96th Street, just down the block from where I live, almost every day > for over two months now. Unable to chase birds throughout the hot spots of > New York State this season, the fortunate timing during peak Spring migration > at least has provided me with plenty of FOY pleasures. Nevertheless, this > routine has shown me that not all nature just passes through affording > thrilling chance encounters, but that there is a natural “neighborhood" just > outside my door which changes slowly with the seasons. Fortunately, > Springtime is when the male birds must stake out a territory and proclaim > their constant presence through glorious song in order to attract mates. > > It has been my newfound pleasure to recognize the singing 7+ days of > individual Towhees, Cardinals, House Finches, and finally the Catbirds in > their respective “blocks” (there are just too many House Sparrows, Pigeons, > Robins, and Starlings to keep track of). This has been a chance to watch the > gradual cessation of White-throated Sparrows, the aggressive courtship of > House Sparrows, Robins giving chase, Starlings gathering nest material, and > now the constant high-pitched pleas for food from the gaping yellow mouths of > awkward fledgelings. > > I now identify exactly three male Northern Flickers who alert each other with > their steady staccato calls of their “turf” across from 82nd, 84th, and 91st > streets. A pair of Downy Woodpeckers whinny in the middle at 86th. I’ve > found two of the Flickers clearing out respective tree holes in Hippo > Playground and just south of River Run Playground. Last week I saw a female > sticking her head. > > Since my first walk I have expected every day the loud “teakettle, teakettle > teakettle” of the Carolina Wren just north of Hippo Playground. Last > Wednesday I saw the wren on a tree stump by the high stone wall, but heard > the song from a few yards away - this must be the female mate. But then came > a plaintive peep a few yards in the other direction. Then all three swooped > to a scrawny sapling across my path - it was the baby getting fed. Dare I > say a tinge of grandparental pride? > > Stay safe birding, > > Alan Drogin > > > > > > > > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm > > ARCHIVES: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html > 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L > 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- > -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] Purposeful Birdwatching
I'll reiterate Michael's post and also put a plug in for atlasing and watching bird behaviors. We are gearing up for the third Breeding Bird Atlas in NY and I hope that many of you will join this important conservation project. Information and materials are being made available on the website <https://ebird.org/atlasny/about>as they become available. We will be using eBird for data entry and you can see an example of how the data will be made available on the Wisconsin <https://ebird.org/atlaswi/home> Breeding Bird Atlas portal or also closer to home in Maine <https://ebird.org/atlasme/about>. At the core of the atlas is the observation of breeding behaviors. Atlas birding is a great opportunity to become more familiar with your local birds and will inevitably deepen your enjoyment of the natural world. Best of all, it's the perfect antidote to the June and July doldrums! It does seem that things are a bit "off" this year. I suspect that the cool, wet spring not only delayed the arrival of spring migrants, but also led to the failure of many first nesting attempts. But every day I see more and more birds frantically trying to find enough food to satisfy their growing chicks. While this time of year may not be full of excitement, you can get some practice in for the upcoming bird atlas by familiarizing yourself with breeding behaviors and starting to use breeding codes <https://ebird.org/atlasny/about/breeding-codes> on your eBird checklists. Happy birding, Julie -- Julie Hart New York Breeding Bird Atlas III, Project Coordinator SUNY ESF | New York Natural Heritage Program NY BBA III Website <https://ebird.org/atlasny/about> | FaceBook <https://www.facebook.com/nybba3/> | Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/nybbaiii/> On Thu, Jun 27, 2019 at 3:09 PM Michael Schrimpf wrote: > I also get a lot of enjoyment out of observing details about the common > birds in my local neighborhood (though it helps that I've been moving to a > new local neighborhood every few years for the last decade or so!) > > For everyone who wants another reason to explore "common" birds and > "normal" places, however, I'll put in a plug for the third NY breeding bird > atlas, which will get started with data collection next year: > https://ebird.org/atlasny/about > > Since a big part of this project will involve collecting eBird checklists > with breeding codes all over the state, I suspect that many NY birders will > have many interesting places to explore during June in the next few years, > on the hunt for all of those breeding robins, mockingbirds, and sparrows, > etc. It makes sense to start looking forward to that now! > > Wisconsin (where I grew up) is nearing completion of their latest breeding > bird atlas, which also used a special eBird portal to organize the data > collection. You can read all about the process on their main website here > <https://wsobirds.org/atlas>, and on the special eBird portal page, here > <https://ebird.org/atlaswi/home>, which has the atlas-specific map > showing all of the survey blocks. I'm not involved with the NY effort in > any way, so I don't know how much will be different in the approach, but I > imagine there will be similar resources ready ahead of next year's effort > in this state. > > Anyway, > Happy "doldrums" birding! > Michael Schrimpf > Suffolk County > > > <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail> > Virus-free. > www.avg.com > <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail> > <#m_-591447986188102_m_-4119953374293423719_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2> > > On Wed, Jun 26, 2019 at 11:12 AM Shaibal Mitra > wrote: > >> Judging from many, many recent conversations with fellow birders, it >> seems that people are having a tough time of it during these June doldrums. >> From independent sources over the past week, I've heard: "crushing >> disappointment;" "why is it so bad?;" "is it going to get better?" >> "something could show up, right?;" "didn't birding used to be good?;" "this >> place used to be good, I think" and more. And this has mostly been in the >> context of ordinary, local birding, not directly related to the more >> ominous big-picture concerns expressed by Chris recently. >> >> My usual response, admittedly slightly sadistic, is that birding >> excitement has always been relative. We modern observers can't begin to >> imagine how bad it was before the legal protection of birds was implemented >> a century ago, and yet the observers of that time still found birdwatch
Re: [nysbirds-l] Purposeful Birdwatching
I'll reiterate Michael's post and also put a plug in for atlasing and watching bird behaviors. We are gearing up for the third Breeding Bird Atlas in NY and I hope that many of you will join this important conservation project. Information and materials are being made available on the website <https://ebird.org/atlasny/about>as they become available. We will be using eBird for data entry and you can see an example of how the data will be made available on the Wisconsin <https://ebird.org/atlaswi/home> Breeding Bird Atlas portal or also closer to home in Maine <https://ebird.org/atlasme/about>. At the core of the atlas is the observation of breeding behaviors. Atlas birding is a great opportunity to become more familiar with your local birds and will inevitably deepen your enjoyment of the natural world. Best of all, it's the perfect antidote to the June and July doldrums! It does seem that things are a bit "off" this year. I suspect that the cool, wet spring not only delayed the arrival of spring migrants, but also led to the failure of many first nesting attempts. But every day I see more and more birds frantically trying to find enough food to satisfy their growing chicks. While this time of year may not be full of excitement, you can get some practice in for the upcoming bird atlas by familiarizing yourself with breeding behaviors and starting to use breeding codes <https://ebird.org/atlasny/about/breeding-codes> on your eBird checklists. Happy birding, Julie -- Julie Hart New York Breeding Bird Atlas III, Project Coordinator SUNY ESF | New York Natural Heritage Program NY BBA III Website <https://ebird.org/atlasny/about> | FaceBook <https://www.facebook.com/nybba3/> | Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/nybbaiii/> On Thu, Jun 27, 2019 at 3:09 PM Michael Schrimpf wrote: > I also get a lot of enjoyment out of observing details about the common > birds in my local neighborhood (though it helps that I've been moving to a > new local neighborhood every few years for the last decade or so!) > > For everyone who wants another reason to explore "common" birds and > "normal" places, however, I'll put in a plug for the third NY breeding bird > atlas, which will get started with data collection next year: > https://ebird.org/atlasny/about > > Since a big part of this project will involve collecting eBird checklists > with breeding codes all over the state, I suspect that many NY birders will > have many interesting places to explore during June in the next few years, > on the hunt for all of those breeding robins, mockingbirds, and sparrows, > etc. It makes sense to start looking forward to that now! > > Wisconsin (where I grew up) is nearing completion of their latest breeding > bird atlas, which also used a special eBird portal to organize the data > collection. You can read all about the process on their main website here > <https://wsobirds.org/atlas>, and on the special eBird portal page, here > <https://ebird.org/atlaswi/home>, which has the atlas-specific map > showing all of the survey blocks. I'm not involved with the NY effort in > any way, so I don't know how much will be different in the approach, but I > imagine there will be similar resources ready ahead of next year's effort > in this state. > > Anyway, > Happy "doldrums" birding! > Michael Schrimpf > Suffolk County > > > <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail> > Virus-free. > www.avg.com > <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail> > <#m_-591447986188102_m_-4119953374293423719_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2> > > On Wed, Jun 26, 2019 at 11:12 AM Shaibal Mitra > wrote: > >> Judging from many, many recent conversations with fellow birders, it >> seems that people are having a tough time of it during these June doldrums. >> From independent sources over the past week, I've heard: "crushing >> disappointment;" "why is it so bad?;" "is it going to get better?" >> "something could show up, right?;" "didn't birding used to be good?;" "this >> place used to be good, I think" and more. And this has mostly been in the >> context of ordinary, local birding, not directly related to the more >> ominous big-picture concerns expressed by Chris recently. >> >> My usual response, admittedly slightly sadistic, is that birding >> excitement has always been relative. We modern observers can't begin to >> imagine how bad it was before the legal protection of birds was implemented >> a century ago, and yet the observers of that time still found birdwatch
