www.hobaudubon.org 1

January – February 2013 Volume 1, No. 3

Huntington–Oyster Bay Audubon Society A chapter of the National Audubon Society

Serving Huntington and Northern Oyster Bay Townships

Successful Bird Seed Sale Sharon Brody – Bird Seed Sale Co-chair

On behalf of Huntington-Oyster Bay

Audubon Society, I wish to thank all of

you who remembered to send in your

bird seed order form under very difficult

circumstances. Thank you, again, for

your support of HOBAS and for the

birds that you feed.

The weather on the day of the sale was raw and drizzly.

So, special thanks go to the volunteers who helped out on

December 8th

. The backbreaking work of loading the seed

into the cars was done by Paul Aidala, Marc Brody, Blair

Broughton, Tom Hynes, David Papayanopoulos, and

Vinnie Schiappa. Helping with orders and sales in the

school cafeteria were Susan Aidala, Rosemarie

Papayanopoulos, and Bill Reeves. Simone DaRos,

thankfully, brought the wake-up coffee and donuts early in

the morning. Rosemarie also donated a handmade

Cardinal lap quilt that was raffled to a purchaser of bird

seed. The lucky winner was Dick Furman.

I would like to thank two people in particular for their

exceptional help; first, as always, Cathy Fitts for her

tireless computer work; secondly, to my husband Marc for

handling my honey-do list and for putting up with my

craziness during bird seed sale season.

Editor’s Note: Thank you Sharon for your dedication and

hard work to make this important fundraiser a huge

success.

Help Wanted

Want to help us with our publicity? Just 1 to 1-1/2 hours

per month is all it takes to promote HOBAS' activities and

events. Duties consists of sending out monthly events and

activities via e-mail, as well as posting on some websites.

In addition, you will occasionally field calls if there are

questions about events posted. Great opportunity for a

communications student or anyone who wants to make a

difference with the environment, but isn't ready for boots-

on-the-ground-conservation work. Administrative work in

order to help facilitate our efforts is a vital component of

our organization! If you are interested, please e-mail

stella.miller63@yahoo.com. Thanks.

Pulaski Road

Adopt-A-Highway Program

The Pulaski Road, Adopt-A-

Highway Program for 2012,

concluded on December 16th

.

There will be a break in the

schedule for January and February,

but we will resume our monthly

highway cleanups in March 2013.

A big thank you goes out to all of the volunteers who

have participated in our Adopt-A-Highway Program

and we hope to see you as we begin a new cycle of

monthly cleanups this spring.

We are always looking for new volunteers to help

us with our monthly debris removal efforts. Please

consider joining us for our spring cleanups as we

continue to beautify our stretch of Pulaski Road. For

more information please send an e-mail to Simone

(s.daros@aol.com).

Cleanups are conducted at 7:30 AM and usually

take only about an hour and a half. Meet at the

parking lot across from Wicks Farm. The next

cleanup days are:

Saturday, March 2

Sunday, April 7

Sunday, May 5

Special thanks also goes to WPW Growers for

allowing us to park in their lot.

Killdeer

Inside This Issue

Motmots for Breakfast ....................................... 2

From the President ........................................... 3

Sustainability in Sandy’s Aftermath ........................ 4

Out on a Limb, Birders’ Box ................................ 5

Meetings and Events ......................................... 6

Field Trips and Activities .................................... 7

Children’s Programs .......................................... 8

Killdeer Jan – Feb 2013

2 www.hobaudubon.org

Motmots for Breakfast: Birding in Costa Rica

January 12, 2013, 2:00 PM

Cold Spring Harbor Library

Costa Rica has the greatest

density of bird species of any

continental American country:

893 species sighted in an area

smaller than West Virginia.

Many birders have been there,

most birders have it on their

bucket list. Ian and Donna

will be sharing tales and

photographs of their

adventures, from the

hummingbird vistas of Rancho

Naturalista to the Caribbean

lowlands of La Selva to the

Cloud Forest Preserve of

Monteverde. Sightings of Motmots, Trogons, Sabrewings,

and a rare Ground-dove did not stop them from also

photographing (or trying to photograph) every butterfly,

dragonfly, and lizard that came their way. If you’ve been

to Costa Rica, come relive the fun. If you haven’t, this is

an opportunity to do some armchair travelling (or folding-

chair travelling), and get the inspiration you need to start

planning your own trip.

For Donna Schulman, birding and photography combine

the joys of life – nature, travel, taxonomy, and

opportunities to meet people all over the world. Donna is

a former editor of News and Notes, the Queens County

Bird Club newsletter, a volunteer with the Sandy Hook

Bird Observatory (NJ Audubon), and is the Book Review

beat writer for the popular birding blog, 10,000 Birds

(http://10000birds.com). She also has a day job as

director of the Carey Library, Rutgers University. Her

photographs have been cited by the Cornell Laboratory of

Ornithology and are used by NJ Audubon staff for

educational presentations.

Ian Resnick has been birding for 25 years, becoming

hooked upon watching a Rose-breasted Grosbeak singing

from its nest at Ward Pound Ridge, Westchester. Ian

joined the Queens County Bird Club in 1990 and has been

an officer (treasurer or president) since 1992. Ian leads

many QCBC field trips, plus beginning birder trips for

Alley Pond Environmental Center. He has birded much of

the US, parts of Canada, and Central and South America,

most recently the Galapagos Islands. His travels to the

southern hemisphere have included volunteer work with

Earthwatch involving sea turtles, parrots, and other

wildlife. He has been to Costa Rica four times, and insists

that he has not seen every bird in that country.

The mission of the Huntington-Oyster Bay

Audubon Society is to increase community

awareness about the environment and to

encourage others to enjoy and protect birds and

other wildlife in their natural habitats.

Killdeer is the newsletter of the

Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society

P.O. Box 735

Huntington, NY 11743-0735

a chapter of the National Audubon Society and is

published five times a year.

Officers

President Stella Miller 516-682-5977

Vice President Vacant

Secretary Ginger Mahoney 516-922-4599

Treasurer Cathy Fitts 631-427-8623

Newsletter

Editor Charlotte Miska 516-922-9710

For Distressed Wildlife Call

Volunteers for Wildlife 516-674-0982

You can find us on the Web at

www.hobaudubon.orgH

e-mail us at has@huntingtonaudubon.org

MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS Cold Spring Harbor Public Library

7:00 PM Refreshments

7:30 PM Speaker

Wednesday, January 30, 2013:

Dark Banquet: Blood and the Curious

Lives of Blood Feeding Creatures with Bill Schutt, Ph.D.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013:

HOBAS Goes to the Movies: Green Fire – A documentary celebrating the life, work,

and writings of Aldo Leopold

See page 6 for details.

Jan – Feb 2013 Killdeer

www.hobaudubon.org 3

From the President Stella Miller

As I write this message, it has now

been close to six weeks since the

storm known as Sandy swept our

shores, leaving devastation and

destruction in her wake. So many

were tremendously impacted by this

brutal storm, and while most of us

had to deal with the inconveniences

of no heat or electricity, and some

toppled trees, there are people who

have truly suffered. Many of them are still enduring

hardship and our hearts go out to them. As is always the

case when tragedy strikes, the best in people is on display

during times like these and it is heartwarming to hear

stories of our members who have devoted time to assisting

those in need. I salute you!

On a lighter note, just two days before the storm hit, we

hosted our first annual Walk/Run for Wildlife and

Conservation. The day dawned a bit cloudy, but luckily

the weather held out and we were able to enjoy a fantastic

morning, successful beyond our expectations.

Walkers supporting wildlife and conservation.

I would like to offer a tremendous thank you to everyone

who helped sponsor the event: Meopta Optics (our lead

sponsor), NYS Parks Department (who allowed us to hold

the walk at the most gorgeous possible setting – Planting

Fields Arboretum), Oyster Bay High School Interact Club,

Planting Fields Foundation, Minuteman Press of

Huntington, Starbucks of Woodbury, and Hollywood

Banners. Our gift basket sponsors were Equinox Fitness,

Fairway Market, Mara's Homemade, Sage Bistro Moderne,

Sapsuckers Hops and Grubs, and Wild Honey Restaurant.

A very special note of gratitude goes to F.P. "Tony"

Bennett, the renowned South Texas bird artist who

contributed the beautiful osprey artwork for the tee shirt.

Thank you to Simone DaRos, Charlotte Miska, Kelly

Simmons, and Joe Wetherell, our hardworking

Walk/Run Committee and volunteers. And of course the

biggest thank you goes to the folks who participated.

Entrants who raised over $100 were entered in a raffle to

win a special food-themed prize basket with a 30-day gym

membership to help burn off all the food consumed!

Congratulations to participant Noell Siepp, who won over

$500 worth of gift certificates from the above mentioned

merchants.

Since this was our first event of this kind, we learned some

lessons that we plan to apply next year. The most

important one? Always measure the course ourselves! We

apologize to the folks who were looking to run a 5K and

discovered that the course was not 3.1 miles as we had

been told. We will make sure the course is measured

properly next year!

All money raised during this event will go directly into a

special fund to be used for conservation projects and

initiatives, including habitat restoration efforts, the

Guatemalan conservation education scholarships, Long

Island river otter research etc.

Speaking of conservation, this is the perfect time to bring

up another important topic, one that I have spoken about in

this column, but it bears repeating. I am frequently asked

by people how they can help protect wildlife and habitat. I

love this question, because it provides me with an

opportunity to illustrate the various ways to become

engaged. I talk to them about boots-on-the-ground

conservation work, explain how easy it is to be an

armchair activist, and for the simplest method of all, I

always suggest they purchase a Migratory Bird Hunting

and Conservation Stamp (“Duck Stamp”).

A Federal Duck Stamp is

the most conservation bang

you can get for your buck.

When you purchase a $15

duck stamp you are

contributing to an important

method of conserving habitat.

Ninety-eight cents of every

dollar generated by the sale of the stamp goes directly to

purchase or lease wetland habitat in the National Wildlife

Refuge System. According to their website, since 1934,

the stamps have generated over $750 million, which has

been used to purchase or lease nearly 6 million acres of

waterfowl habitat in the US. To date, Duck Stamp funds

have been used to acquire habitat at hundreds of refuges, in

nearly every state in our nation. As an added bonus, a

current Duck Stamp can be used for free admission to any

National Wildlife Refuge open to the public. They are also

beautiful collector’s items.

Please do not believe the rumors being circulated that

purchasing a Duck Stamp means you are supporting

hunting activities. This is simply not true. Yes, they serve

Killdeer Jan – Feb 2013

4 www.hobaudubon.org

From the President (Continued) as a hunting license, but anyone can buy one, and as

hunting in the US declines, it is more important than ever

that all outdoor enthusiasts consider supporting this

successful conservation program. Purchasing a Duck

Stamp does not mean you are supporting hunting.

Purchasing a Duck Stamp means you are supporting

National Wildlife Refuges, national treasures that provide

habitat for more than 700 species of birds, 220 species of

mammals, 250 reptile and amphibian species, and more

than 1,000 species of fish. More than 280 threatened or

endangered plants or animals are protected on wildlife

refuges. Each year, millions of migrating birds use refuges

as migratory stopover habitat on their travels between their

winter and summer homes. National Wildlife Refuges

provide recreational usage, not just for hunters (who are

only allowed to hunt on 40% of a refuge) but for all

outdoor enthusiasts, including birders, hikers, kayakers,

nature photographers, and anglers. I have visited wildlife

refuges across the country and have been impressed, awed,

and blown away by the beauty and splendor of these

natural areas. Honestly, for 15 bucks, you just cannot go

wrong!

It is not too late to purchase the gorgeous 2012-13 stamp

which features a Wood Duck and expires in June 2013.

Duck Stamps can be purchased on line at

http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/stamps.htm or at larger

post offices.

As the year 2012 draws to an end, I would like to say

thank you to all of our friends, supporters, and members.

On a personal note, some of you know that 2012 was a

very challenging year for me, and I would like to thank the

HOBAS members who sent me their good wishes and

special thoughts, offering me hugs, assistance, rides, and

support. I truly appreciate it and I just cannot say thank

you enough.

I wish you all a bright and beautiful New Year and the best

of everything in the year 2013!

Sustainability in Sandy’s Aftermath Patricia Aitken, Friends of the Bay Executive Director and HOBAS Field Trip Coordinator.

Long Islanders are still reeling from the damage caused by

Superstorm Sandy. For those of us who have watched

news coverage of hurricanes that have hit in the Caribbean

or Florida and thought “oh my gosh, that’s awful” now

know just how awful it can be to experience a hurricane,

and to deal with its aftermath. I doubt very much that

many people will have a cavalier attitude towards riding

out a storm and not heeding evacuation orders again.

Costs continue to rise, and are staggering. What the true

cost is, in terms of lost productivity and losses not covered

by insurance, may never be known or accurately compiled.

The cost to the human psyche is impossible to quantify.

Perhaps some of the sadness caused by the destruction of

our homes, businesses, and the familiar places we love will

be counterbalanced by the incredible response by

volunteers, both local and nationwide, and the outpouring

of generosity towards those impacted by Sandy. We are

used to being the givers of charity, not the receivers.

So, where do we go from here? On the local, state, and

national level, we will be looking to rebuild. Part of the

dialog that will occur must involve sustainability and the

wise use of those funds to rebuild. Frances Beinecke,

Executive Director of the Natural Resources Defense

Council addressed these issues very well on her blog.

“America is paying dearly for climate change. Now it is

time to invest in solutions that will yield dividends for

generations to come. Green infrastructure – things like

grassy swales, permeable pavement, and pocket parks –

have been proven to reduce flooding and make

neighborhoods more livable at the same time. Robust

coastal wetlands will help absorb storm surges and filter

pollution. Upgraded power grids and small-scale,

renewable plants will diversify our power supply and limit

blackouts. And making smart choices about how and

where to rebuild and requiring states to account for climate

change when they develop natural disaster mitigation

plans, as NRDC recently petitioned FEMA to do, will help

make our communities better prepared when future storms

strike.”

Questions are being asked about rebuilding on barrier

islands. These islands provide valuable protection for the

south shore communities, but, barrier islands like Fire

Island will have their shapes changed by hurricanes. Sand

will be eroded from some beaches, and replenished on

others. Dunes will be washed away, and in time will

reform. This is nature’s way. Humans build homes and

businesses on these islands, and expect them to be

permanent fixtures. Yet, nature does not allow this.

Should we rebuild? And if the decision to rebuild is made,

who will bear the cost?

Breeches occurred on Fire Island. Two have already been

filled. One has been left open, and will be allowed to close

naturally, if that occurs. Communities along the south

shore want it filled in, feeling that the breech makes them

more vulnerable to flooding when the next storm

inevitably comes. Yet, marine biologists feel that the

circulation of ocean water into the Great South Bay will

help the water quality in the bay which has been plagued

with algal blooms and low dissolved oxygen. This in turn

could be beneficial to shellfish and marine life, which in

turn would benefit fishermen, boaters, and the tourism

industry. Once again, should nature be allowed to take its

course, or how much human interference should be

allowed? Difficult questions with no easy answers!

Jan – Feb 2013 Killdeer

www.hobaudubon.org 5

Out on a Limb Alex McKay

As 2012 fades into memory, we can

remember it as the year of Superstorm

Sandy, the year that an area of Arctic sea

ice larger than the United States melted, a

year that permafrost continued to thaw, a

year of wildfires and severe drought in the

West and Midwest, torrential rains on the

Pacific Coast, and a year that saw record temperatures

across the country and in Europe. Ocean temperatures

continue to rise as the ocean acidifies and deoxygenates,

endangering corals and sea life; ice sheets and glaciers are

retreating; and carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere at

394 parts per million are the highest in at least the past

800,000 years. January to November 2012 were the

warmest of any year on record for the contiguous United

States. May was the warmest on record for the Northern

Hemisphere and the 327th

consecutive month in which the

temperature of the entire globe exceeded the 20th

century

average.

Cause for alarm? Not for talk show pundits like Rush

Limbaugh who blithely proclaimed, “If there is scientific

proof – and see, I don’t need scientific proof because to me

the people who are promoting manmade global warming

are a bunch of frauds.” A recent Walt Handelsman

editorial cartoon shows a man in the shattered window of

the Climate Change Deniers’ Association offices covered

with downed trees labeled Sandy and Irene and Extreme

Weather ironically proclaiming, “We’re losing power!” It

gets harder and harder for climate change deniers to

maintain that we are not living on a warming planet. As

old Henry Thoreau noted, “Some circumstantial evidence

is very strong as when you find a trout in the milk.”

The deniers aside, there is little disagreement among

serious scientists that global warming, climate change, a

warming planet, or whatever else you want to call it, is a

real and present danger and that education and action are

need to control carbon emissions and the concentrations of

greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. An international

goal of keeping global temperatures from rising more than

3.6 degrees Fahrenheit above preindustrial levels seems

unrealistic when temperatures have already risen 1.4

degrees. A recent projection by the World Bank had

temperatures increasing to 7.2 degrees by 2100.

Continued rises in sea level, with more severe storms seem

inevitable. Massive investments in clean and renewable

energy seem unlikely.

Hurricane Sandy should have been a wake-up call; yet,

outside the scientific and environmental communities,

there seems to be no sense of urgency about curbing global

warming. Delegates to the UN’s Framework Convention

on Climate Change in December seemed more concerned

with airing the concerns of poor and rich countries for

financing controls to limit carbon emissions and on

extending the Kyoto Protocol to 2015 and paving the way

for a new global treaty in 2020. The Kyoto accord did not

include the world’s biggest emitters, the US and China,

and New Zealand, Canada, Japan, and Russia have

indicated they will not make commitments to a new treaty.

The outlook for international action is grim.

Even grimmer perhaps are events in the developing giants

China, India, and Brazil. Over 1,200 new coal burning

plants are planned worldwide, with most in India and

China. Even though China will use new, cleaner

technology in many plants, there will be an overall

increase in carbon emissions. More startling is the

urbanization of the Amazon region of Brazil. New cities

are growing rapidly to accommodate hydroelectric, energy,

mining, and industrial projects. The population of the

Amazon will reach a startling 25 million in cities such

Maraba, Le Doca, and Parauapebas which few of us have

ever heard of. The rainforest is a priceless carbon sink,

absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide. A loss of even 15

percent is said to be the equivalent of the carbon output of

every vehicle on earth.

There is a carbon superstorm brewing in the atmosphere

and the nations of the earth are ill-prepared for it. CFC

bulbs and higher mileage autos are not going to hack it.

.

Birders’ Box

October 14, Robert Moses State Park. Blair Broughton led about 20 birders on a very blustery day to the Hawk Watch at RMSP. The only raptors seen were a Merlin and a Kestel. But many smaller birds were seen such as Yellow-rumped warblers, White-throated Sparrows, Eastern Phoebe, Northern Flicker, Junco, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Gannets. The most numerous bird of the day was the Golden-crowned Kinglet.

October 21, Sunken Meadow State Park. Norm Klein led 9 others on a cold, drizzly, windy day that wasn’t conducive to birding. The only birds of note were a Cooper’s Hawk and a pair of Red-tailed Hawks.

November 18, Pelham Bay Park. A handful of people joined Blair Broughton to see if there were any birds around after the wrath of Hurricane Sandy. As some of the park was closed, new areas were explored. Some of the sighted species were Hairy Woodpecker, Hooded Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Brant, Bufflehead, Scaup, a late season Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, Tufted Titmouse, and a Guinea Hen.

Species seen on 2012 HOBAS trips: 163

Killdeer Jan – Feb 2013

6 www.hobaudubon.org

MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Membership meetings and most activities of the Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society are free to members and nonmembers.

Meetings are held the second Wednesday of the month at the Cold Spring Harbor Library except for the months of July and August.

Our refreshments will be set up and ready for you at 6:45 PM so that you will have ample time for socializing, meeting Board members,

and perusing the printed materials available. The program starts promptly at 7:30. For full program descriptions as well as speaker

biography, please go to www.hobaudubon.org.

Saturday, January 12, 2:00 PM – Motmots for Breakfast: Birding in Costa Rica at the Cold Spring Harbor Library. If you’ve been to Costa Rica, come relive the fun. If you

haven’t, this is an opportunity to do some armchair

travelling (or folding-chair travelling), and get the

inspiration you need to start planning your own trip. Ian

Resnick and Donna Schulman will be sharing tales and

photographs of their adventures, from the hummingbird

vistas of Rancho Naturalista to the Caribbean lowlands of

La Selva to the Cloud Forest Preserve of Monteverde.

Sightings of Motmots, Trogons, Sabrewings, and a rare

Ground Dove did not stop them from also photographing

(or trying to photograph) every butterfly, dragonfly, and

lizard that came their way.

Wednesday, January 16, 7:15 PM – Meeting of the Board

of Directors at the Cold Spring Harbor Library.

Wednesday, January 30, 7:00 PM – Membership meeting at the Cold Spring

Harbor Library. Dark Banquet: Blood and the

Curious Lives of Blood Feeding Creatures with

Bill Schutt, Ph.D. For centuries, blood feeders

have inhabited our nightmares and horror stories, as well as

the most shadowy realm of our scientific knowledge.

Tonight, Dr. Bill Schutt, author of the critically acclaimed

book Dark Banquet and an authority on vampire bats, takes

us on a dark but entertaining voyage into the world of some

of its strangest creatures – the sanguivores, or animals that

feed on blood.

Monday, February 4 – Deadline for the March-April

Killdeer.

Wednesday, February 13, 7:00 PM – Membership

meeting at the Cold Spring Harbor Library. A screening

of Green Fire, the first full-length,

high-definition documentary film

ever made about the legendary

conservationist Aldo Leopold and

his environmental legacy. Green

Fire shares highlights from his

extraordinary career, explaining how

he shaped conservation and the

modern environmental movement. It also illustrates how

Leopold's vision of a community that cares about both

people and land continues to inform and inspire people

across the country and around the world, highlighting

modern projects that put Leopold’s land ethic in action in a

multitude of ways.

Wednesday, February 20, 7:15 PM – Meeting of the

Board of Directors at the Cold Spring Harbor Library.

Wednesday, March 13, 7:00 PM – Membership meeting

at the Cold Spring Harbor Library. The Wildlife of

Rwanda with Graeme Patterson, Ph.D. Despite a decade of

war and environmental devastation, Rwanda has a long,

proud conservation history. Rwanda's environment is a rich

tapestry of habitats and its government is striving to build a

post-conflict ecotourism industry. Tonight we will hear

something of the history of conservation and of current

efforts to secure the protection of the rich wildlife estate of

Rwanda. Graeme Patterson is a Deputy Director of the

Wildlife Conservation Society Africa Program based at the

Bronx Zoo.

For $20 a year you can be a member of Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society. Your membership will help support

conservation efforts, and educational and youth programs. As a member you will receive our newsletter, an open invitation

to our monthly guest lectures, field trips, and events, along with special member’s only discounts and events.

Please fill out this form and mail with your

check payable to:

Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society P.O. Box 735 Huntington, NY 11743-0735

HOBAS never sells or shares your personal information.

Name

Address

City

State Zip

e-Mail

THANK YOU!

HOBAS Membership Form

Jan – Feb 2013 Killdeer

www.hobaudubon.org 7

FIELD TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES

Field trips are free, unless otherwise specified, and open to the public. Newcomers are welcome. Binoculars are advised. Carpooling is

possible, gas and tolls are shared. The trip leader is not responsible for arranging carpools, but will provide names of others who are

interested in carpooling. Registration is necessary. Call the trip leader by 9:00 PM Thursday for a Saturday trip and by 9:00 PM Friday for a

Sunday trip. You may participate if you didn’t register, but we will not be able to notify you of any changes or cancellations without your

phone number. Call the leader if in doubt about the weather. For the comfort and safety of all participants, there is no smoking on field trips.

Montauk and the South Fork Saturday, January 5, 9 AM. All day trip. Winter

waterfowl abound including scoters, eiders, loons, gannets,

and numerous pond ducks. Leader: Sharon Brody. Call

516-433-5590 to register.

Directions: LIE to exit 70, Manorville. Go south on

Route 111 to Route 27. Take Route 27 east all the way to

Montauk Point Lighthouse. There may be a parking fee.

Meet by the restaurant opposite the parking lot.

River Otter Adventure Saturday, January 26, 10 AM (rain date January 27

th)

Join us today as biologist Mike

Bottini leads us along the North

Shore, looking for signs of Long

Island's favorite comeback kid,

the river otter! We will begin in

at Upper Francis Pond in Mill Neck, searching for recent

activity. We will also keep our eyes peeled for winter

birds. For the hardy souls who want to continue the trek,

we will head over to Fort Salonga to visit another otter

hotspot and see what we shall see. Co-leader: Stella

Miller. Call 516-695-0763 to register.

Directions to Upper Francis Pond Preserve: From

Route 25A in East Norwich, take Route 106 north to

Oyster Bay. Make left on to Lexington Ave then another

left on to West Shore Road. At the Mill Pond (on the left),

take the middle road, up Mill Hill. Follow Mill Hill to the

bottom and continue on Oyster Bay Road. You will

eventually see Upper Francis Pond on your right. Go to

the T in the road with the blinking light and make a right.

Very shortly thereafter, you will see the entrance to Upper

Francis Pond Preserve on your right.

Point Lookout Sunday, February 10, 10 AM. Look for loons, grebes, and

Harlequin Ducks which are

usually seen on Long Island only

at Point Lookout. Leader: Blair

Broughton. Call 631-851-1881 to

register.

Directions: Meadowbrook Pkwy

to Loop Pkwy. At the end of

Loop Pkwy, turn left. Go to the end of the road. Park

anywhere near the entrance to the Park. Meet by the gate

to the Park.

Massapequa Preserve and South Shore Ponds Sunday, March 3, 9 AM. We will bird

the ponds at Massapequa Preserve, then

head east in search of variety of

wintering ducks and land birds.

Leader: Blair Broughton. Call 631-851-1881 to register.

Directions: Meet at the Massapequa Preserve entrance at

Pittsburgh Avenue and Parkside Blvd.

Visit the vast dunes, beaches, and woods at Montauk during peak sea bird

season and hike the beautiful "Walking Dunes," Hither Woods, Oyster Pond,

and the "seal haul-out" site. Includes double-occupancy lodging at the

luxurious Manor House, most meals, guided hikes, evening programs, a star

watch, and free pickup at the LIRR station in Montauk. Leaders: Mike

Bottini, Mickey Cohen, Don Riepe. Cost: $375/person (double occupancy;

single room supplement $120). For reservations and info: call Don 917-

371-8577 or e-mail donriepe@gmail.com.

Montauk Winter Weekend Seals, Surf, and Seabirds

January 11-13

www.hobaudubon.org 8

Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society P.O. Box 735 Huntington, NY 11743-0735

Printed on recycled paper.

Children’s Programs

Call 516-695-0763 to register.

Presented by Kelly Simmons, Stella Miller, and Tesi Copa.

No unregistered siblings please.

The Fantastic and Fabulous Fox Story Time, Craft, and Outdoor Ramble

Saturday, January 5, 10:30 AM. Today

we will read from the book Fox by Kate

Banks and then turn crafty, and create

paper bag fox puppets. While the glue is

drying, we will wander outside to enjoy

the crisp cold air and see what we shall

see. For ages 3 to 6.

Directions to Cold Spring Harbor Library: The library is

located at 95 Harbor Road (Route 25A), next door to Cold

Spring Harbor State Park. Meet in third floor story room.

Young Naturalists Owl Discovery Program, Craft, and Owl Prowl for Kids Saturday, February 16, 6:00 PM. Have you ever wondered

what an owl eats for dinner? Do you want to know how they

find their dinner? Why are they such excellent hunters?

Can they really see in the dark? Just how many owls live on

and visit Long Island? Join the Huntington-Oyster Bay

Audubon Society as we

learn the interesting

behavior and life-cycle

of the several species

of owl which frequent

our area. After the

interactive program, we

will turn crafty and create pine cone owls to take home; then

head outside to try and call in an owl while the glue dries.

Each participant will be provided with material for their pine

cone owl. Group size limited to 20. For ages 6 and up.

Directions to Planting Fields: LIE to Exit 41 North or

Northern State Parkway to Exit 35 North. Go north on Rte

106 towards Oyster Bay. Turn left onto 25A Northern Blvd.

Make first right onto Mill River Road. Follow green and

white signs to the Arboretum on Planting Fields Road.

Signs of Spring Young Naturalist Program Saturday, March 30, 10:00 AM.

Join us today as we celebrate the

emergence of spring. We will

start off by creating a craft that

celebrates the return of spring,

followed by an outdoor ramble to

discover the early signs of the season. For ages 6 and up.

Location to be announced.

Killdeer Non-Profit

Organization U.S. Postage

PAID Huntington, NY Permit No. 546

January – February 2013