Photo courtesy of frogma.blogspot.com, edited by Sheepshead Bites
OMG! Al Gore was right! Nature is mad and we’re ALL GOING TO DIE!
Okay, maybe that’s a little overkill. But, crickie, a pelican in Jamaica Bay?! Was it trying to escape the oily sea of destruction and misery that was once known as the Gulf of Mexico? Are temperatures making it warm enough that it’s finding New York City a comfortable habitat? Is it just lost?
Actually, according to this bird-watching website, the American White Pelican – one of the largest birds on the east coast – do make occasional stops in New York State, but rarely do city birders have a chance to see them. This guy was first spotted in the Queens section of Jamaica Bay last week, and was still observed to be there over the weekend.
I’m no birdwatcher, but the idea of seeing a pelican in Jamaica Bay gets me a little giddy; it’s a beautiful bird and it’d be cool to get into Queens and check it out.
Here’s another photo of the same pelican from 10000birds.com. You can check out their site for even more images:
Update: This story originally included four photos from 10000birds.com. At the request of that site’s owner we’ve reduced the number to one. Head over there for more images; it’s a worthwhile click.
Photo by nolastname
You know spring is near when the South Brooklyn coastal communities are getting ready for the birds. Our area, blessed by the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, is a stopping point for more than 325 species of migrating birds.
Over by the golf course near Flatbush Avenue on the Belt Parkway, locals are kicking off the season with a word – and drawing – of warning to drivers getting on the highway. Scores of Canadian geese take to the area, many landing in the golf course itself. Sections of the fence are down to allow the birds access to the shore, but not before a perilous journey over the Belt.
Drivers, heed this advice: drive slowly on this section of the Belt Parkway (not that you have a choice).
A Tern photographed near the nature center by PhotoJeff via Flickr
…and you should answer! The Parks Department is having two local events this Saturday that you should consider attending with your family.
If you’re into bird watching then head over to the Salt Marsh Nature Center (Avenue U and East 33rd Street, directly across from Marine Park) at 8 a.m. The Park Rangers will be holding a “Birding Event“. Don’t ask me what that means but you’ll learn everything you need to know about birds!
After you’re done learning all about the birds (I wonder if they’ll teach you anything about bees too?), head over to the Coney Island Boardwalk (West 10th Street entrance) for a Marine Mammal Watch. You’ll be looking for seals, whales, and dolphins. Don’t expect any people in the water unless the Polar Bears are out and about!
Both events are courtesy of the City Parks Deparment and provide a perfect way to spend a Saturday morning. If you need any more information then call (718) 421-2021.
If you’re still looking for more to do, the Salt Marsh Nature Center will also hold a Book Blitz on Sunday at 3 p.m. and a Nature Lecture with Dr Judith Weiss on Monday @ 7 p.m.
On Saturday, October 24, the NYC Audubon Butterfly and Bird Walk at Plumb Beach is kicking off at the Plumb Beach Round House off the Belt Parkway. Show up at 9:30 a.m. to see some of the birds and bugs in Jamaica Bay, one of New York City’s only federally protected nature reserves. The walk is free and ends at 1:00 p.m. Call NYC Audubon to reserve at (212) 691-7483.
(Photo courtesy of Tom Turner via Flickr)
(Photo courtesy of vracing via Flickr)
For all the bird-brains out there, the New York City Audubon Society has planned a Jamaica Bay Sunset Cruise departing from Sheepshead Bay this weekend, Saturday, June 20th.
South Brooklyn residents are lucky to live near one of the Northeast’s best bird-watching locales – Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. This weekend, NYC Audubon guides Don Riepe and Mickey Cohen are leading passengers of the Golden Sunshine around the backwater marshes near JFK Airport to learn about the history, ecology, and wildlife of the bay. See nesting peregrine falcon, osprey, egrets, shorebirds, and waterfowl. Includes wine and cheese, fruit, drinks, and snacks.
When: Saturday, June 20th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Where: Golden Sunshine, departing from Pier 2 in Sheepshead Bay
Price: $45
For reservations, call 718-318-9344 or email driepe@nyc.rr.com
(Photo of the Dark-eyed Junco bird courtesy of Wikipedia)
Dillon de Give, an artist living and working in Brooklyn, extends an invitation to everyone to attend a free and very creative protest/birdwatching event this Saturday, 11/22/08. To send the message about how detrimental it will be for our local birds for six artificial grass turf soccer fields to be put in place at Calvert Vaux Park (a.k.a., Dreier-Offerman Park).
The event is entitled “Hello My Name is Dark-eyed Junco” – A Birdwatching Adventure and here is how it is described in the press release on the Implausibot website:
Junco examines the identity of the bird watcher in nature. The play will begin in a decentralized fashion at various stations around the park that humorously “teach” people about birding- transforming the entire area into a kind of military base configuration of psychic avian awareness. The audience will then come together and use the skills they’ve learned in an actual bird-watching tour.
Check for details about these events after the jump.
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