Re: [nysbirds-l] 7-4 Jamaica Bay Queens East Pond Water Level Management

[Arie Gilbert]

Shai, Can you elaborate on this problem a bit more? I was under the impression that with the east pond's valve having been replaced the water level problem could be mitigated and that NPS staff should be attending to the task of lowering the water level as presumably they are supposed to do. What is the problem? Are they simply not doing their job? Arie Gilbert North Babylon, NY WWW.Powerbirder.blogspot.com  WWW.qcbirdclub.org . On 7/13/2015 8:22 AM, Shaibal Mitra wrote: Watching water evaporate is dull, especially when it is the turbid, viscous, malodorous, and voluminous water of the East Pond. I stopped by the north end this morning, hoping that the recent dry weather had improved matters to some extent, perhaps enough to provide some habitat for longer-legged species such as Lesser Yellowlegs and Stilt Sandpiper, but I was disappointed. There is no shorebird habitat at all at the north end. I startled one Least Sandpiper from the trail itself, under a full canopy of trees, and watched a single Lesser Yellowlegs calling disconsolately as it circled the deep water repeatedly before drifting off over the bay. Some photos of the dismal scene are here: https://picasaweb.google.com/109808209543611018404/LongIslandMiscellany2015#6170965175995819810 I'm not sure what can be done at this point. I'd certainly understand it if Andrew were to take a break from his advocacy, perhaps to tidy up some gaps in his year list up in the north country. Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: bounce-119426911-11143...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-119426911-11143...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Andrew Baksh [birdingd...@gmail.com] Sent: Saturday, July 04, 2015 2:31 PM To: nysbirds-l Cc: Nyc ebirds Subject: [nysbirds-l] 7-4 Jamaica Bay Queens East Pond Water Level Management Several people have recently contacted me about the water level situation on the East Pond, so I thought a visit and update was in order. On this 4th of July, I visited the East Pond this morning to take a water level read and to get a sense of where the pond level is at. As I suspected, the recent rainfall has not helped compounded with drainage which is slow, the water level remains IMO, too high for this date. Reports out of Canada already show shorebirds staging on the prairies and Isaac Grant who is in Virginia reported to me today that surveyors out there have all ready seen multiple Wilson's Phalaropes and Stilt Sandpipers among the several shorebirds reported out there. With a West Pond basically out of commission, it is critical that the East Pond, is ready for migrating shorebirds who need a place to refuel and rest. At the current drainage I don't see this pond getting anywhere near the levels we need to be within the next few weeks as we have ZERO flat exposure on the South End which where we start seeing mudflats first. I suggest to start calling these numbers to let NPS officials know how concerned you are about the East Pond water level. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge: (718) 318-4340 (pretty much they will take your information but I can't guarantee anything will come of it. it) Alternatively, you could contact Dave Taft: 718-338-3625 or Jennifer Nersesian: 718-354-4665 Maybe one year we will get it right and this won't be necessary.  For me, it is very frustrating!! A Happy and Safe 4th of July to all, On Fri, Jun 12, 2015 at 5:25 PM, Andrew Baksh <birdingdude@gmail.com> wrote: Dear all, As we are nearing mid June, some of us are already thinking about the upcoming shorebird season. I have been working with NPS over the last few years in monitoring the East Pond water levels and I wanted to report that drainage on the pond has begun for 2015.  Additionally, I have begun clearing the trails to the pond. The lowering of the pond takes some time so please don't go to the pond next week and post that the water level is high. I will continue to monitor the levels and report again on the status of the pond once ample shoreline is available.  Cheers, -- 風 Swift as the wind 林　 Quiet as the forest 火　Conquer like the fire 山　Steady as the mountain Sun Tzu  The Art of War (\__/) (= '.'=)                                             (") _ (")                                      Andrew Baksh www.birdingdude.blogspot.com -- 風 Swift as the wind 林　Quiet as the forest 火　Conquer like the fire 山　Steady as the mountain Sun Tzu  The Art of War (\__/) (= '.'=)                                             (") _ (")                                      Andrew Baksh www.birdingdude.blogspot.com -- NYSbirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basics Rules and Information Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net Please submit your observations to eBird! -- View the CSI, Faculty, and Student Awards Page -- NYSbirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basics Rules and Information Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net Please submit your observations to eBird! -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basics Rules and Information Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net Please submit your observations to eBird! -- Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.6081 / Virus Database: 4392/10221 - Release Date: 07/13/15