Feathers: Not Just a Downy Covering
May 10, 2017
The feathers of birds are one of the many traits that help identify our winged friends. Not only do feathers help birds stay aloft and warm, they also play a role in attracting mates, as well as creating sound. Come learn more about the important functions and uses of these highly modified reptilian scales!
About the speaker: Professor Doug Robinson, PhD, is an evolutionary biologist whose teaching and research experiences have focused on organismal biology and behavior. He has taught classes on animal behavior, ecology, ornithology, vertebrate biology, general biology, environmental science, and anatomy and physiology. He guided a group of students to New Zealand for an 18-day trip as part of his studies. The questions that guide his research revolve around how behavior is shaped by ecological and social environments.
Location: Cold Spring Harbor Library. Snacks start at 6:45, program begins at 7:20 and speaker begins at 7:30 sharp.
Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day Weekend
Muttontown Preserve-May 13th at 7:30am
Help us celebrate International Migratory Bird Day with a morning at Muttontown Preserve. The Preserve includes miles of marked nature trails with local wildflowers, trees, birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Today we will be looking for migrants, as well as breeders that have flown north to nest in our area. Registration is a must: 516-695-0763 or hobaudubon@gmail.com
Directions: Meet in the parking lot off of Muttontown Lane, which is on the south side of Route 25A, just west of Route 106 in East Norwich. Follow Muttontown Lane to the end by the Nature Center.
Kid's Program: Spring is For the Birds
May 13, 2017 at 12pm
Join us today as we learn all about our feathered friends-birds! How are birds different from other animals? How are they the same? Are all birds the same? Why do the males and females sport different coloration from each other? How far can a bird really fly? After a lively lesson on what makes a bird a bird, we will turn crafty and make a springtime bird craft. Space is limited to 15, please, no unregistered siblings. Registration a must: 631-903-5556. Ages five and up. Location: Wild Birds Unlimited, 625 Jericho Turnpike, Syosset
West Hills County Park Warbler Watch
May 14th at 7:30am
Before your Mother's Day brunch, join us as we wander picturesque, well-groomed nature trails, including the historic Walt Whitman Trail to Jayne's Hill (Long Island's highest peak), in this mixed-deciduous forested park. We will investigate this lovely preserve for migrating warblers, as well as other birds. Registration: 585-880-0915 Directions: Take Sweet Hollow Road and turn right into north entrance. Meet at the upper parking area by the Jayne's Hill Picnic Area.
The Birds of Doodletown Road
May 20th at 7:30am
Doodletown is a haven for breeding warblers including hooded and the coveted cerulean. Kentucky warblers are very possible. Registration is a MUST: 516-695-0763 or hobaudubon@gmail.com. Directions: Travel west over the Tappan Zee Bridge to exit 13. Take the Palisades Interstate Parkway north. Go north to Route 6 to the Bear Mountain traffic circle. Leave the circle at the first exit, the Bear Mountain State Park exit. At the light, follow the left fork south along 9W. Within less than 1 mile there will be several small parking areas near two, white concrete abutments indicating the bridge over Doodletown Brook. Park along the road.
Stay overnight and join us on our Sterling Forest trip the next day for a Sterdoodle of a weekend! Field trip participants are responsible for locating their own overnight accommodations.
Exploring Sterling Forest
May 21st at 8:00am
Golden winged warblers are the attraction here, along with many species of breeding birds. Registration: 585-880-0915. Directions: Take Exit 15 off of NY 87 and head north. Make a left onto 17A. In about 2 miles make a left onto State Route 84 (Long Meadow Road). Follow this about 4 miles to HQ Building/Visitor Center where we will meet.
Native Plant Sale Customers! Don't forget to pick up your order on June 3rd at Wild Birds Unlimited in Syosset
Thank you for your support!
Summer Membership Drive
Become a Chapter Supporting Member and receive a free HOBAS tote bag!
While supplies last, we are offering new Chapter Supporting members a free HOBAS tote bag. Why become a member? Because we rely on membership dues and the generosity of donors for all of our programs, projects and initiatives. In addition, if you are a National member (you are receiving Audubon Magazine), would you consider dual memberships by also becoming a Chapter Supporting Member? On average, we receive less than $5 per National member and that is eliminated by the cost, per member, to produce our newsletter. With a Chapter Supporting Membership (still just $20!), your dollars go directly to us. When you become a HOBAS Chapter Supporting Member, you are supporting just some of the following:
- Our monthly public programs-while our programs are free and open to the public, most speakers ask for a fee
- Free educational programs for children and adults, presented by knowledgeable HOBAS board members and volunteers
- Grass and shrubland habitat restoration projects at Underhill Preserve (goats, goats, goats!) and Stillwell Woods Preserve. Once the goats are finished in their pilot site, we would like to move them to other sections of Underhill, but it is extremely costly to rent them
- Conservation Through Art workshops and Be a Good Egg signage for area nesting grounds
- Native demonstration gardens-educating the public while providing needed resources for wildlife
- Our chapter newsletter. Interesting and informative.
- A "Kids and Birds" curriculum in seven schools. "Our" birds spend most of their time in the tropics. How wonderful is it that there is a program which teaches, guides and positions local children to protect, love and fight for the well being of these birds?
- And finally, when you become a member, you are allowing us to count YOUR voice as we advocate on behalf of wildlife and habitat. Writing letters to law and decision makers becomes more impactful when we are speaking on behalf of a large group of their constituents, customers or clients.
Become a member today!