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A Tale of Two Owls August 2024
Northern Spotted Owl,
photo by John and Karen
Hollingsworth
"The Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) has a limited range in the Pacific Northwest, using unlogged, mature coniferous forest with large trees and a mix of vegetation types, sizes and ages. It is listed as a federally threatened species by the USFWS, which has recommended changing its status to endangered. The owl’s population has dropped rapidly in recent decades, with logging and wildfire as factors in loss of habitat. However, another primary and perhaps greater cause of Spotted Owl decline is competition with ‘invasive’ Barred Owls (Strix varia) .... In response to the continuing impact of Barred Owls on Northern Spotted Owl numbers ... the USFWS has put forth a management strategy for Barred Owls ... [that] lays out different plans ... [that] rely on killing significant numbers of Barred Owls to reduce competition with Spotted Owls ....
Where should NYSOA stand?"
Read
the full article about this difficult issue by Andy Mason, NYSOA Conservation Chair
Promising News for Wetland ProtectionSpring 2022
photo © Carena Pooth
"In her State of the State address last month, NY Gov. Kathy Hochul called for broadening the state’s freshwater wetlands regulations to protect an additional one million acres of these important wildlife habitats. In particular, smaller wetlands falling below the state’s current legal threshold will benefit from improved mapping and enhanced regulation. Many of these wetlands lost federal protection a number of years ago, and efforts to bring them into the state’s purview have not been successful."
Read
more about this from Andy Mason, NYSOA Conservation Chair, and learn what you can do to help.
Fish for BirdsOctober 2021
Black Tern
photo © KenSturm USFWS
"Should a bird organization be concerned over fish? Most definitely in a state with over 2600 miles of coastline, including the Great Lakes. The great variety and numbers of seabirds found in New York and offshore areas can in some seasons constitute the majority of the state's birds. And these terns, gulls, petrels, sea ducks, and others depend for sustenance on a food chain that includes aquatic invertebrates and forage fish."
Read
the article by Andy Mason, NYSOA Conservation Chair.
NYSOA Urges USFWS to Protect Nesting Piping Plovers
at Sandy Pond, NYJuly 2021
Piping Plover
photo © Carena Pooth
"Piping Plovers are a highly endangered species, with scattered populations at risk from habitat loss, human disturbance, predation, and other threats. Inland nesting birds such as those at Sandy Pond are in particular trouble and have disappeared from numerous breeding areas. The recent proposal to dredge a channel in proximity to these birds' nests poses a high risk of disturbance and abandonment. The federal Endangered Species Act prohibits such activity and it is critical that protections be maintained and enforced while the birds are present."
Read
the full letter from Andy Mason, NYSOA Conservation Chair, to Tim Sullivan of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
2021 NY State Legislative Session— Opportunities Missed July 2021
Golden Eagle
"The NY State Legislature wrapped up its 2021 session in mid-June with a mixed record of environmental action. Regarding birds in particular, three positive measures moved forward but fell short of final approval....Each of these measures had good support in the legislature, but was held back from final votes in the end-of-session rush that characterizes Albany politics. They will be considered in the next session, however, and birders should let their representatives know they are important and deserve passage."
Read
the details in the article by Andy Mason, published in the July 2021 issue of NYSOA's newsletter, New York Birders.
NYSOA Urges NYS Legislators to pass the Birds and Bees Protection ActJune 2021
Honey Bee
photo © Carena Pooth
"This legislation would address the continuing threat that neonicotinoid pesticides (neonics) pose to birds and to important pollinating insects. These chemicals, commonly used on turf, ornamental plants and agricultural products, can kill pollinators, birds, and fish. Neonics have been linked to colony collapse disorder, a disturbing trend of massive bee die-offs. Beekeepers in New York have lost over 40% of their bee colonies every year for the past decade."
NOTE: The bill passed in the Senate on June 8 and was sent to the Assembly, where it was referred to the Environmental Conservation committee.
Read
the full letter sent by Andy Mason, NYSOA Conservation Chair, to several NYS senators and assembly members.
Common Tern Nesting Island, Niagara River Corridor
A joint project of Buffalo Audubon Society and the NYSDEC January & July 2021
Common Terns
photo © Sue Barth
"The Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) is a native resident bird in the Niagara River corridor. It is designated as Threatened by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, (NYSDEC), and the long-term health of the Niagara River population is essential for the species's regional survival. The Buffalo Audubon Society, teamed with the NYSDEC (Region 9 staff), received approvals to construct an approximate 1.35 acre, man-made gravel nesting island in the Niagara River.... The area available for nesting will be approximately 14,400 square feet.... The NYSDEC plans to incorporate this site into their annual Common Tern monitoring program."
Note: The Buffalo Audubon Society (BAS) was a founding member at NYSOA's first formal Annual Meeting in November 1948. BAS is also celebrating its own 112th anniversary.
Read
the article by Jerry Thurn, published in the January 2021 issue of NYSOA's newsletter, New York Birders, and the update published in the July 2021 issue.
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