If you entered the Onondaga Audubon.org address you might be surprised to have arrived here. Both our OnondagaAudubon.com and OnondagaAudubon.org visitors are now directed automatically to this site.
We hope you find this site informative, helpful and a destination you return to often for news about our chapter, conservation issues and birding in Central New York.
Nature lovers, especially those familiar with the Adirondack Park in New York State, mourn the passing of one of its strongest and most memorable advocates. On July 1, 2011, naturalist Anne LaBastille passed away in Plattsburgh at the age of 77. Her work in the field of environmental conservation and as Adirondack Park Agency commissioner from 1975-1993, leaves a lasting legacy in the form of all she did to preserve the wild character of the Adirondack Park. (Adirondack almanac, 7/4/11) Her Woodswoman series of books inspired countless readers, especially women, who love the outdoors.
We also remember Wangari Muta Maathai, the woman who believed that the lives of Kenyans would be made better if “economic and social progress went hand in hand with environmental protection” (www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15060167 -Richard Black, 26 September 2011). Maathai lost her battle with cancer on September 25. She founded The Green Belt Movement in 1977 to counter the deforestation that had destroyed the pristine landscape she had known as a child. Land had been cleared for cash crops like coffee and tea. Trees were gone, firewood supplies depleted, and the streams had dried up. The women, who had to gather firewood and fetch water, saw the damage firsthand. She taught them to plant trees and to make their own tree nurseries. Maathai led thousands of women to take action in a culture where the male is “the sage of the family” (Taking Root-The Vision of Wangari Maathai). At first, the women were not taken seriously, but in time the ones in the Green Belt Movement were viewed as a threat by the government that was continuing the colonial tradition of land clearing. In spite of harassment, the women persevered and The Green Belt philosophy even spread to other African nations. The forests and the wildlife they maintain have been preserved in conflict areas like the Congo Basin. In Kenya alone, 45 million trees have been planted. Wangari Maathai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. She was the first African woman to receive such recognition, as well as the first woman in East Africa to earn a PhD. She did all of this in the context of a culture that labeled her a ‘crazy woman’ and felt that she “should behave like a good African woman and do as she was told” (www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment).
I urge anyone who is interested in learning more about this remarkable woman to watch the 2008 film titled “Taking Root-The Vision of Wangari Maathai.” It may be accessed online at www.pbs.org/independentlens/takingroot/index.html. It is a truly inspirational tribute to a woman who came to devote her life to the principle that, “It is the people who must save the environment” (Taking Root…). The film is startling to those of us who have either forgotten about or never viewed the harsh realities of imperialism and government oppression. Her advice for humanity to stop threatening its life support system resonates with truth today.
2011 provided four seasons of interesting field trips led by Onondaga Audubon members:
Oswego River, February 19 led by Bill Purcell
Derby Hill and environs, March 26 led by Gerry Smith
Derby Hill again, April 23 led by Gerry Smith
Camillus Forest Unique Area, May 14 led by Paul Richardson
Whiskey Hollow and vicinity, May 28 led by Joe Brin
Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area, June 4 led by Joe Brin
Green Lakes State Park, July 23 led by Catherine Miles
July 30 led by Paul Richardson
August 6 led by Gene Huggins
August 20 led by Jerry Case
August 27 led by Paul Richardson
Oneida Lake, September 4 led by Tony Shrimpton
Sylvan & Verona Beaches, September 17 led by Bill Purcell
Fair Haven Beach State Park November 19 led by Gene Huggins
2012 is starting out with a terrific (if sometimes cold) trip:
Oswego River and Harbor, Saturday, January 7 led by Bill Purcell
Join Bill on a 4-6 hour trip to look for waterfowl and gulls along the Oswego River to Oswego Harbor. Please contact Bill for details at 315 382-2871 or wpurcell@twcny.rr.com
Look here in January as more field trips are planned for the late winter and spring
Field trips are free and open to the public. Novice birders (and non-birders too!) are welcome. If you are planning to join us on a field trip, you should contact the leader. Typically there is contact information with the trip details on this page. Please call at a reasonable hour as most birders turn in early. Carpooling from the meeting place is good for the environment.. If your schedule allows you to join a carpool, consider offering the driver help with the cost of gas.
We are organizing our first ever Bird Festival at Derby Hill for May 12, 2012 and are looking for people interested in planning and helping at the festival. You can learn more by contacting Jason Mauro at 474-3778 or jmauro@ocs.cnyric.org.
Be a part of this festival from the beginning!
The chapter is always happy to accept dollar donations but sometimes people have equipment and supplies they no longer need but we could really use. Here is our wish list:
• Portable digital projector
• Portable public address system
• Shop Vac
If you have any of these items that you would like to donate, please contact Ken Karwowski at sterna@twcny.rr.com.
Thank you for helping.
Story of the Bald Eagle Recovery in New York State
Mike Allen, a retired DEC agent who worked extensively on the recovery of the Bald Eagle in New York State, will share the story of his work.
Wednesday, December 14, 7:00 PM, Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard Street, Fayetteville, NY
Saturday, December 3, 9AM -3 PM
Gerry Smith will lead an Onondaga Audubon sponsored field trip to Northwestern Jefferson County for early winter hawks, open country birds and waterfowl. Short-eared Owl and Snowy Owl are possible with other northern species likely. This trip will be primarily by car and is weather dependent. For anyone interested an extension to dusk to seek Short-eared Owls leaving their daytime roost may be offered. Please contact Gerry at 315 771-6902 for details.
Fair Haven State Park
Saturday, November 19
Gene Huggins will lead his traditional trip to Fair Haven State Park to look for Purple Sandpiper. There is also the possibility of seeing a Red-throated Loon, Snowy Owl, Horned Larks and Snow Buntings. Important: Please dress warmly. Please contact Gene for details 315 696-8065.
Birds of India
Onondaga Audubon board member Margaret Tzen spent several weeks in northwestern India this summer. Come and spend a fascinating hour learning more about the bird life and habitats of this fabulous land.
Wednesday, November 9, 7:00PM
Fayetteville Library
300 Orchard Street
Join thousands of citizen scientists across the Americas in what has become a birding tradition. For over one hundred years families, students, birders and scientists have made a difference by contributing to our knowledge of bird populations.
Onondaga Audubon members are active participants in three local Christmas Bird Counts.
If you would like to participate please contact the count compiler directly.
Syracuse Christmas Bird Count
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Kevin McGann – Compiler
635-7013
Oswego Christmas Bird Count
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Bill Purcell – Compiler
382-2871
Skaneateles Christmas Bird Count
Monday, January 2, 2012
John Cashier – Compiler
469-3314
Owls of the Pacific Northwest
It’s a long ways from upstate New York but owls are fascinating anywhere! Come for an evening learning about SUNY ESF graduate student Chris Standley’s work on the owls of the unique habitats of Washington State.
Wednesday, October 12, 7:00PM
Liverpool Library
310 Tulip Street, Liverpool, New York
