Floyd Bennett grasslands in jeopardy if Brooklyn Borough President Markowitz has his way....

Peter's posting to the NYC/NYS internet listserves:

Dear Birders of Brooklyn,NYC and NYS:



I am bringing you this critical issue to your attention over Brooklyn's Floyd Bennett Fields grasslands ( formerly an decommissioned airport) now threatened by potential development discussions ( info also based from the recent Blue Ribbon Panel set up by US Senator Charles Schumer and Congressman Anthony Weiner, which last Tuesday eve I attended a listening session/public hearing at Floyd and Mr Markowitz spoke as well) ). Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowitz a NYC elective city official is trying to tell the Federal Gateway National Parks Service to turn it into more recreation amusement emphasis. Floyd Bennett is located on the southeastern part of Brooklyn , NYC, a critical bird migration hotspot where for the few past weeks Buff-breasted Sandpipers were feeding right next to the Aviator Sports complex ( which itself opened the Pandora's box for more potential commercial development ). Mr Markowitz's zeal obviously has no idea of the potential habitat loss and impact to threatened and fragile grass birds that use Floyd Bennett , especially rare birds including RED KNOT(seen on the runway in 2007) and Upland Sandpiper recorded on the Ebird Cornell database ( Check out the list http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ and see "View and Explore Data"). Since 2003, over 215 species have touched down or used Floyd for breeding or migration purposes.The grasslands have been impacted over the years and it needs a buffer perimeter which currently is impacted by overabundance of speeding cars and motorcycles ( the main old airport runway ) using Aviator Sports purposes.

I am hoping you will be deeply concerned and act on Brooklyn Birds' behalf to stop this nonsense and save the last grassland spot in Brooklyn and which grasslands of this size is rare for NYC. This preserve , though it is not pretty in some spots, is a rich bird spot where in recent days also saw Bairds Sandpiper and numerous raptors ( frequent Peregrine Falcon) as well as some wintering owls ( Saw-whet, Long-eared, Snowy sometimes, Barn and on occasions Short-eared) . I hope you will act on behalf of New York City birders. You can contact Mr Markowitz's office or further, contact Gateway NPS administrator ( google Gateway National Park or NYC Harbors Parks ) or the Director of the Interior Ken Salazar. A city official should not delve into Federal natural habitat ( but they do).



Regards,

Peter Dorosh

President

Brooklyn Bird Club



If you want to contact Mr Markowitz's office , go to this website http://www.brooklyn-usa.org/



Check out the following articles from the NEW YORK POST of 9/20 and 9/23



From the NEW YORK POST





Updated: Mon., Sep. 20, 2010, 5:07 PM

Floyd Bennett 'next hot spot'

By RICH CALDER

Last Updated: 5:07 PM, September 20, 2010

Posted: 5:36 AM, September 20, 2010

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz wants the feds to turn Floyd Bennett Field into the next hot green space.

The city made Governors Island and Brooklyn Bridge Park overnight hot spots this summer by boosting transit services there -- especially ferries.

Markowitz said that bringing ferry, water taxi and jitney service to the 1,400-acre former Navy airfield in Mill Basin that's now an underused federal park must be considered. Increasing its limited bus service and creating bike lanes leading to and from it are other options, he said.

He plans to make his pitch tomorrow night during a public hearing on the future of Floyd Bennett Field, the borough's biggest open space and one of the nation's lowest ranked federal parks. It begin 6 pm at Aviator Sports Center on Flatbush Avenue.

The pitch, Markowitz says, will also focus on how Floyd Bennett Field is perfect for hosting “cultural celebrations” and other big events, such as "antique shows" similar to a famous three-week show held annually in Brimfield, Mass. that attracts 6,000 vendors and hundreds of thousands of visitors.

The meeting will be run by a Blue Ribbon Panel created by Sen. Charles Schumer and Rep. Anthony Weiner to guide the National Park Service draft a plan on how to boost services and cleanup Floyd Bennett Field. Improving transit options and educational opportunities at the park are among the ideas the panel says it plans to review.

Since the park is on the Queens border, a similar meeting will be held in that borough on Sept. 27.

Floyd Bennett Field was the city’s first commercial airport. In 1972, it became part of the federal Gateway National Recreation Area system.

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Markowitz wants large antiques show, drive-in movies at Floyd Bennett Field


More <!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->Print

6:40 PM, September 23, 2010 ι By RICH CALDER

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz wants the feds to turn Brooklyn’s biggest open space into a massive antiques road show.

During a meeting Monday night on the future of Floyd Bennett Field in Mill Basin, Markowitz said the 1,358-acre former Navy airfield is perfect for hosting antique shows similar to a famous three-week show held annually in Brimfield, Mass. that attracts 6,000 vendors and hundreds of thousands of visitors.

“I’m not talking about a flea market,” he later told the Post. “This could be huge.”

His other pitches for the underused site include giving the borough its own drive-in movie theater there and also using the parkland for cultural celebrations and even family reunions.

A blue ribbon panel created by Sen. Charles Schumer and Rep. Anthony Weiner is pushing the National Parks Service for greater cleanup and to boost transit services and programming at Floyd Bennett Field, which is the lowest-rated federal park in the nation.

About 100 community members convened at the Aviator Sports Center to discuss the park’s future and make recommendations on how to improve.

Among the better ideas brought up at a table of local residents that this reporter sat in on was changing the main entrance to a little-used roadway near heavily-used Aviator, instead of the existing entrance further south on Flatbush Avenue by the Marine Parkway Bridge into the Rockaways.

Others include adding ferry service, increasing bike access and opening up access to the entire waterfront.

A second community meeting will be held Monday at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens.

Go to www.rpa.org/floydbennett for more information on the meeting and the Blue Ribbon Panel.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I took the liberty of correlating Specis Great Conservation Need ( SGCN) bird species listed by the NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation ( see link above) with the Cornell's EBIRD first sightings list for Floyd Bennett and found that 69 out of 118 SGCN bird species were recorded in Floyd since 2003. Of course this is not counting rare or extralimital bird species like Connecticut Warbler, Ross Goose, etc. not on SGCN. And also what OTHER non bird species on the SGCN seen in Floyd? was there ever a bio blitz done and I think there was one very recent ? hmm, just a thought for more data to present as an logical argument for total PRESERVATION or protection of the core grasslands + a buffer perimeter at least.


That means 58 % of SGCN bird species seen in Floyd Bennett which makes it a avian wonderland. A real treasure we have to fight for before its ruined .It has always been my personal opinion that Floyd ( along with JBWR) should be National Wildlife Refuges , NOT Recreation Area administered by National Parks Service. There is greater protective restrictions as NWR and run by better knowledgeable ecological minded US Fish and Wildlife. Up in Rhode Island, there is a former naval airport called NINIGRET -- like Floyd but administered by USFW and they tore up a runway for grassland restoration !! ( I was there after the tear up during a BBC weekend trip).. Its a question of who is the manager running the place.



Hard to believe some of the more common species we take for granted but check out the SGCN list

http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9406.html


P.


Here's the list below from NYSDEC 's SGCN list


American Black Duck

American Golden Plover

American Oystercatcher

American Woodcock ( BREEDING)

Atlantic Brant

Bald Eagle

Barn Owl

Bay-breasted Warbler

Black-crowned Night Heron

Black-bellied Plover

Black Skimmer

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Blue-winged Teal

Blue-winged Warbler

Bobolink

Brown Thrasher

Buff-breasted Sandpiper

Canada Warbler

Cattle Egret

Common Goldeneye

Common Nighthawk

Common Loon

Common Tern

Cooper's Hawk

Dickcissel

Dunlin

Eastern Meadowlark

Forster's Tern

Glossy Ibis

Golden-winged Warbler

Grasshopper Sparrow ( used to breed )

Great Egret

Greater Yellowlegs

Greater Scaup

Horned lark

Horned Grebe

Laughing Gull

Least Tern

Lesser Scaup

Little Blue Heron

Long-tailed Duck

Long-eared Owl

Northern Pintail

Northern Harrier ( used to breed)

Osprey

Peregrine Falcon ( formerly ESA species)

Prairie Warbler

RED KNOT ( endangered species)

Red-shouldered Hawk

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-throated Loon

Ruddy Duck

Sanderling

Scarlet Tanager

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Short-eared Owl

Short-billed Dowitcher

Snowy Egret

Tennessee Warbler

Upland Sandpiper

Vesper Sparrow

Willet

Willow Flycatcher

Wood Thrush

Worm-eating Warbler

Yellow-breasted Chat

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

**

FROM EBIRD CORNELL First sightings


Floyd Bennett Field
First Sightings

All-time records

First Sightings, 1900-2010

Species # Observer Location Date

1 Snow Goose 2 Roseanne Caleca Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 28, 2005

2 Ross's Goose 3 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 20, 2009

3 Brant 60 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

4 Canada Goose 17 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

5 Mute Swan 5 Coby Klein Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jun 24, 2004

swan sp. 2 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Feb 18, 2010

6 Wood Duck 2 Coby Klein Floyd Bennett Field (map) Mar 12, 2006

7 Gadwall 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Sep 16, 2006

8 Eurasian Wigeon 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 8, 2006

9 American Wigeon X Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 6, 2006

10 American Black Duck 36 Unknown Observer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Feb 5, 2006

American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Mar 14, 2010

11 Mallard 2 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

12 Blue-winged Teal 2 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 16, 2006

13 Northern Shoveler X Coby Klein Floyd Bennett Field (map) Mar 12, 2006

14 Northern Pintail 1 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Mar 12, 2008

15 Green-winged Teal 2 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

16 Canvasback 1 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Mar 21, 2008

17 Greater Scaup 1600 Unknown Observer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Feb 5, 2006

18 Lesser Scaup 3 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Dec 19, 2009

Greater/Lesser Scaup 20 Scott Whittle Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 25, 2009

19 Long-tailed Duck X Unknown Observer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Feb 5, 2006

20 Bufflehead X Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 6, 2006

21 Common Goldeneye 1 Unknown Observer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Feb 5, 2006

22 Hooded Merganser 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 20, 2009

23 Red-breasted Merganser X Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 6, 2006

24 Ruddy Duck 8 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Dec 8, 2007

25 Ring-necked Pheasant 1 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

26 Red-throated Loon 1 Unknown Observer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Mar 4, 2006

27 Common Loon X Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 6, 2006

28 Horned Grebe X Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 6, 2006

29 Red-necked Grebe 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 1, 2007

30 Northern Gannet 1 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Dec 20, 2008

31 Double-crested Cormorant 10 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

32 Great Cormorant X Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 6, 2006

cormorant sp. 3 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 8, 2010

33 Great Blue Heron 1 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

34 Great Egret X Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jul 5, 2005

35 Snowy Egret 2 Avi Lewis Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 19, 2006

36 Little Blue Heron 1 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 21, 2008

37 Cattle Egret 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 12, 2007

38 Green Heron 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 12, 2007

39 Black-crowned Night-Heron 5 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

40 Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 2 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jun 10, 2007

41 Glossy Ibis 1 Steven Plust Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 13, 2006

42 Turkey Vulture 1 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 30, 2008

43 Osprey 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Sep 16, 2006

44 Bald Eagle 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 6, 2009

45 Northern Harrier 2 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

46 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Oct 1, 2006

47 Cooper's Hawk 1 Unknown Observer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Oct 1, 2006

48 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Nov 7, 2009

49 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Nov 4, 2006

50 Rough-legged Hawk 1 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Dec 15, 2007

51 American Kestrel 6 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

52 Merlin 1 Avi Lewis Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 4, 2006

53 Peregrine Falcon 1 Unknown Observer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 31, 2006

54 American Coot X Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 20, 2009

55 Black-bellied Plover X Unknown Observer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 31, 2006

56 American Golden-Plover 1 Heydi Lopes Floyd Bennett Field (map) Oct 29, 2009

57 Semipalmated Plover 5 Avi Lewis Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 21, 2006

58 Killdeer 2 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jul 5, 2005

59 American Oystercatcher 1 Coby Klein Floyd Bennett Field (map) Mar 12, 2006

60 Spotted Sandpiper 1 Steven Plust Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 13, 2006

61 Solitary Sandpiper 2 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 23, 2007

62 Greater Yellowlegs 2 Steven Plust Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 13, 2006

63 Willet 1 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jun 27, 2007

64 Lesser Yellowlegs 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 19, 2008

Tringa sp. 8 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 22, 2010

65 Upland Sandpiper 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 22, 2009

66 Ruddy Turnstone X Unknown Observer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 31, 2006

67 Red Knot 2 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 21, 2007

68 Sanderling X Unknown Observer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 31, 2006

69 Semipalmated Sandpiper X Unknown Observer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 31, 2006

70 Western Sandpiper 2 Joseph O'Sullivan Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 22, 2008

71 Least Sandpiper X Unknown Observer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 31, 2006

72 White-rumped Sandpiper 1 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 12, 2009

73 Baird's Sandpiper 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 22, 2007

74 Pectoral Sandpiper 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Oct 28, 2008

75 Purple Sandpiper X Unknown Observer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Nov 19, 2006

76 Dunlin X Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 6, 2006

77 Stilt Sandpiper 1 Joseph O'Sullivan Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 22, 2008

78 Buff-breasted Sandpiper 1 Benjamin Van Doren Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 31, 2010

79 Short-billed Dowitcher 4 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 21, 2007

80 Wilson's Snipe 2 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 16, 2006

81 American Woodcock X Avi Lewis Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 4, 2006

shorebird sp. 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 23, 2010

82 Black-headed Gull 1 Danielle Gustafson Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 24, 2009

83 Laughing Gull X Coby Klein Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jun 24, 2004

84 Ring-billed Gull X Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 6, 2006

85 Herring Gull 25 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

86 Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 3, 2010

87 Great Black-backed Gull X Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jul 5, 2005

88 Least Tern X Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jul 5, 2005

89 Common Tern X Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jul 5, 2005

90 Forster's Tern X Unknown Observer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 31, 2006

91 Black Skimmer X Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jul 5, 2005

92 Rock Pigeon X Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jul 5, 2005

93 Mourning Dove 1 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

94 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jun 10, 2007

95 Barn Owl 1 Rob Jett Floyd Bennett Field (map) Feb 21, 2009

96 Snowy Owl 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Dec 14, 2008

97 Long-eared Owl 1 Corey Finger Floyd Bennett Field (map) Nov 15, 2009

98 Common Nighthawk 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 29, 2009

99 Chimney Swift 1 Unknown Observer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 31, 2006

100 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Sep 16, 2006

101 Belted Kingfisher 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Sep 23, 2006

102 Red-headed Woodpecker 1 D. Edward Davis Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 9, 2009

103 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Sep 29, 2008

104 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 13, 2008

105 Downy Woodpecker 1 Coby Klein Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 25, 2006

106 Hairy Woodpecker X Unknown Observer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 1, 2006

107 Northern Flicker 5 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

108 Eastern Wood-Pewee 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Sep 16, 2007

109 Willow Flycatcher 10 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jun 10, 2007

Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's) 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jul 5, 2005

110 Least Flycatcher 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 12, 2007

Empidonax sp. 2 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Sep 17, 2008

111 Eastern Phoebe 3 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Sep 23, 2006

112 Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Sep 23, 2006

113 Eastern Kingbird 1 Avi Lewis Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 19, 2006

114 White-eyed Vireo 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Sep 16, 2006

115 Yellow-throated Vireo 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 13, 2006

116 Blue-headed Vireo 1 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 4, 2008

117 Warbling Vireo 2 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 13, 2006

118 Red-eyed Vireo 2 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Sep 16, 2006

119 Blue Jay 2 Coby Klein Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jun 24, 2004

120 American Crow 20 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

121 Fish Crow 4 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

crow sp. 2 Scott Whittle Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 25, 2009

122 Horned Lark 7 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Feb 11, 1996

123 Tree Swallow 11 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

124 Bank Swallow 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jul 29, 2008

125 Barn Swallow X Coby Klein Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jun 24, 2004

126 Black-capped Chickadee 6 Coby Klein Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 25, 2006

127 Tufted Titmouse 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Oct 6, 2008

128 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Dec 2, 2006

129 White-breasted Nuthatch X Heydi Lopes Floyd Bennett Field (map) Oct 29, 2009

130 Brown Creeper 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 14, 2007

131 Carolina Wren 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 8, 2006

132 House Wren 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Sep 16, 2006

133 Winter Wren 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Sep 23, 2006

134 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 30, 2008

135 Golden-crowned Kinglet X Unknown Observer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 1, 2006

136 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 Unknown Observer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 1, 2006

137 Eastern Bluebird 2 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Oct 1, 2006

138 Veery 1 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 14, 2008

139 Swainson's Thrush 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Sep 23, 2006

140 Hermit Thrush 40 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Nov 4, 2006

141 Wood Thrush 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 12, 2007

142 American Robin 3 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

143 Gray Catbird 3 Coby Klein Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jun 24, 2004

144 Northern Mockingbird 3 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

145 Brown Thrasher 1 Coby Klein Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jun 24, 2004

146 European Starling X Coby Klein Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jun 24, 2004

147 American Pipit 6 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Oct 7, 2008

148 Cedar Waxwing X Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jul 5, 2005

149 Golden-winged Warbler X Leonor Chavez Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 20, 2009

150 Tennessee Warbler 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Oct 10, 2008

151 Orange-crowned Warbler 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Nov 11, 2008

152 Nashville Warbler 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Sep 11, 2008

153 Northern Parula 1 Avi Lewis Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 11, 2006

154 Yellow Warbler X Coby Klein Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jun 24, 2004

155 Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 12, 2007

156 Magnolia Warbler X Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 13, 2006

157 Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 Avi Lewis Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 19, 2006

158 Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

159 Black-throated Green Warbler 1 Avi Lewis Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 11, 2006

160 Blackburnian Warbler 3 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 20, 2007

161 Pine Warbler 2 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Sep 16, 2006

162 Prairie Warbler 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 13, 2006

163 Palm Warbler 3 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 16, 2006

164 Bay-breasted Warbler 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 20, 2007

165 Blackpoll Warbler 2 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 12, 2007

166 Black-and-white Warbler 1 Avi Lewis Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 11, 2006

167 American Redstart 1 Avi Lewis Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 11, 2006

168 Worm-eating Warbler 1 Heydi Lopes Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 7, 2009

169 Ovenbird 3 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 12, 2007

170 Northern Waterthrush 3 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Sep 16, 2006

171 Connecticut Warbler 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Sep 15, 2007

172 Common Yellowthroat 2 Avi Lewis Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 12, 2006

173 Hooded Warbler X Leonor Chavez Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 20, 2009

174 Wilson's Warbler 1 Avi Lewis Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 15, 2006

175 Canada Warbler 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 20, 2007

176 Yellow-breasted Chat 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Oct 10, 2008

177 Eastern Towhee 2 Coby Klein Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jun 24, 2004

178 American Tree Sparrow 6 Unknown Observer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Mar 4, 2006

179 Chipping Sparrow 1 Avi Lewis Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 11, 2006

180 Clay-colored Sparrow 1 Scott Whittle Floyd Bennett Field (map) Oct 4, 2008

181 Field Sparrow 4 Coby Klein Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 25, 2006

182 Vesper Sparrow X Scott Whittle Floyd Bennett Field (map) Oct 21, 2007

183 Lark Sparrow 1 Rob Jett Floyd Bennett Field (map) Sep 17, 2009

184 Savannah Sparrow 1 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

185 Grasshopper Sparrow 2 Joseph O'Sullivan Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 22, 2008

186 Fox Sparrow 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Nov 4, 2006

187 Song Sparrow 2 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

188 Lincoln's Sparrow 2 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Oct 14, 2007

189 Swamp Sparrow 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 8, 2006

190 White-throated Sparrow X Unknown Observer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 1, 2006

191 White-crowned Sparrow 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Sep 23, 2006

192 Dark-eyed Junco 2 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Oct 14, 2006

193 Lapland Longspur 1 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Dec 7, 2007

194 Snow Bunting 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Nov 21, 2007

195 Scarlet Tanager 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 20, 2007

196 Northern Cardinal 5 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

197 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 12, 2007

198 Blue Grosbeak 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 29, 2009

199 Indigo Bunting 2 Avi Lewis Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 12, 2006

200 Dickcissel 2 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jul 5, 2005

201 Bobolink 100 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Aug 29, 2007

202 Red-winged Blackbird 6 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

203 Eastern Meadowlark X Scott Whittle Floyd Bennett Field (map) Oct 21, 2007

204 Common Grackle X Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 13, 2006

205 Boat-tailed Grackle 4 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

206 Brown-headed Cowbird 2 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 20, 2003

207 Orchard Oriole 1 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jun 10, 2007

208 Baltimore Oriole 1 Avi Lewis Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 12, 2006

209 Purple Finch 1 Ronald Bourque Floyd Bennett Field (map) Nov 14, 2007

210 House Finch X Avi Lewis Floyd Bennett Field (map) May 12, 2006

211 White-winged Crossbill 1 Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Feb 5, 2009

212 Common Redpoll 1 Michael Mayer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jan 24, 2009

213 Pine Siskin 10 Tom Preston Floyd Bennett Field (map) Nov 2, 2008

214 American Goldfinch 1 Unknown Observer Floyd Bennett Field (map) Apr 1, 2006

215 House Sparrow X Doug Gochfeld Floyd Bennett Field (map) Jul 5, 2005

Floyd Bennett Field's future in your hands --we need public support

 
National Park Conservation Association "Action Alert"

NPCA and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz invite you to attend a public meeting to share your thoughts about the future of Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, the 1,400 acre unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. One of New York City's largest public spaces, Floyd Bennett Field provides many environmental, recreational, and cultural benefits to the people of Brooklyn and beyond, but its full potential has never been realized.

The National Park Service is now drafting a plan to shape Gateway's future, and Senator Charles Schumer and Congressman Anthony Weiner have formed a Blue Ribbon Panel to provide recommendations about Floyd Bennett Field for this plan. NPCA is working with the Regional Plan Association (RPA) and our elected officials to make sure your voice is heard by the people creating the plan for Gateway's future.

Please join this important conversation.

WHAT: Brooklyn public meeting about Floyd Bennett Field

WHEN: Tuesday, September 21, 6 - 8 p.m.

WHERE: Aviator Sports Center, Hangar 5, Floyd Bennett Field, 3159 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11234

WHO: Event is FREE and open to the public. Meeting hosted by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, NPCA, and RPA.

CONTACT: Questions? Contact Maya Borgenicht with the Regional Plan Association at maya@rpa.org or 917.652.6359.

For more information, go to www.rpa.org/floydbennett

More history

http://www.npca.org/search.jsp?query=floyd%20bennett&x=12&y=9

The National Park Service MISSION STATEMENT

The National Park System
Caring for the American Legacy

"...to promote and regulate the use of the...national parks...which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."

National Park Service Organic Act, 16 U.S.C.1.

What you can do to save Ridgewood Reservoir.

http://www.nycaudubon.org/home/ridgewood.shtml

About a month ago , I sent out a note about Ridgewood Reservoir coming under review by the NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation for wetland protection. We have a chance as a concerned birding community to save a critical habitat from destruction for sports fields by the city parks.

NYC Audubon created a form letter ( if letter writing isn't your strong suit) you can use  to copy and paste unto a Microsoft word document ( or similar software) and mail. Its that simple. Our appreciation to NYC Audubon for coming up with the form letter.See the link above.

We do need to save this wonderful place on the north Brooklyn border.

Please act today.

---Kinsgboider

NYS Hydrofracking moratorium bill passed

----- Original Message -----

From: Catskill Mountainkeeper

To: amlazarus@earthlink.net

Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 1:15 PM

Subject: CORRECTED Action Alert: ASSEMBLY BILL # IS A11443-b NYS Drilling Moratorium Passes Senate





Catskill Mountainkeeper Action Alert

August 4, 2010


CORRECTED ASSEMBLY BILL NUMBER BELOW

The New York State Senate Passes Gas Drilling Moratorium Bill

The fight to prevent unsafe gas drilling in New York State received a huge boost last night when at 12:17 AM the New York State Senate passed a bill that would impose a moratorium on granting permits for hydrofracking until May 15, 2011.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Antoine Thompson (D-Buffalo), was passed by a margin of 48-9. The vote had strong bipartisan support and included 15 Republicans.

The next step is for the Assembly version of the bill (A11443-b) to be voted on by the Assembly when they return from their summer break after September 15th.

Many had considered the bill "dead on arrival", but legislators were positively affected by the unrelenting efforts of Catskill Mountainkeeper and a broad coalition of our environmental and grass roots partners. According to Wes Gillingham who managed Mountainkeeper's field efforts to generate public support for the bill, and was on the Senate Floor this morning pushing up to the last minute "this important step is a
tremendous display of what can happen when citizens stand up and take action."

It is very important to note that the passage of this bill by the State Senate does not make this a done deal. We now must make sure the bill is passed by the Assembly and be signed by the Governor as quickly as possible.
Here's how you can help!

Email and call Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and your own Assembly Members (contact your member here) now to tell them to bring the bill (A11443-B in that house) to a vote as soon as possible.

Call Governor Paterson and tell him to heed the call of New Yorkers across the state who are calling for the state to slow new gas drilling down and to make sure it can be done safely before our communities, our drinking water, our air quality and our landscapes are sacrificed.

This has been a long, hard and expensive fight. We weren't given a chance to win two years ago when we picked up the gauntlet on behalf of the citizens of the Catskill region and New York State. Today an important victory is within sight if we can continue to build public pressure. Please help us continue this positive momentum by donating to Catskill Mountainkeeper today.

Support Mountainkeeper

We act as your advocate in protecting the Catskills. Our only funding comes from individual contributions and foundation grants. Help us continue to work for you by making a donation of any size.

About Catskill Mountainkeeper

Catskill Mountainkeeper is a community based environmental advocacy organization, dedicated to creating a flourishing sustainable economy in the Catskills and preserving and protecting the area's long term health. We address issues of water integrity for the Delaware and Susquehanna River Systems, the defense of the vast woodlands that encompass the Catskill Forest Preserve and the New York City Watershed as well as farmland protection. We promote "smart" development that balances the economic needs and concerns of the Catskill regions' citizens and the protection of our abundant but exceedingly vulnerable natural resources. Catskill Mountainkeeper is fiscally sponsored by the Open Space Institute, Inc. as part of its Citizen Action Program.

NYS Smarth Growth bill needs the Governor's signature

Conservation means the wise use of the earth and its resources for the lasting good of men.


      -----Gifford Pinchot , first Chief of the United States Forest Service (1905–1910)



http://tinyurl.com/2eb9egq


Dear Peter,

Last month's action alert worked. Many of you sent letters to your legislators about the Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy Act, and it passed in both houses! Thank you! But we still need your help now: the Governor only has a couple days to sign this bill into law.

We're close to getting a Smart Growth plan in NY, which means ensuring that planning and land use decisions focus development in downtowns, main streets and community areas with existing infrastructure, helping to eliminate suburban sprawl, and saving open space and habitat for birds and other wildlife. If you took action before, THANK YOU! Now we need to send letter to Governor Paterson urging him to sign this bill today! Click here to send your letter!

Thank you!

Laura McCarthy, Grassroots Coordinator and Sean Mahar, Director of Government Relations and Communications for Audubon New York



Audubon New York
200 Trillium Lane, Albany, New York 12203
(518) 869-9731 | NYaction@audubon.org

The benefits of walking thru native habitat

July 5, 2010

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/06/health/06real.html

The Claim: Exposure to Plants and Parks Can Boost Immunity By ANAHAD O’CONNOR

THE FACTS

This time of year, allergies and the promise of air-conditioning tend to drive people indoors.

But for those who can take the heat and cope with the pollen, spending more time in nature might have some surprising health benefits. In a series of studies, scientists found that when people swap their concrete confines for a few hours in more natural surroundings — forests, parks and other places with plenty of trees — they experience increased immune function.

Stress reduction is one factor. But scientists also chalk it up to phytoncides, the airborne chemicals that plants emit to protect them from rotting and insects and which also seem to benefit humans.

One study published in January included data on 280 healthy people in Japan, where visiting nature parks for therapeutic effect has become a popular practice called “Shinrin-yoku,” or “forest bathing.” On one day, some people were instructed to walk through a forest or wooded area for a few hours, while others walked through a city area. On the second day, they traded places. The scientists found that being among plants produced “lower concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse rate, and lower blood pressure,” among other things.

A number of other studies have shown that visiting parks and forests seems to raise levels of white blood cells, including one in 2007 in which men who took two-hour walks in a forest over two days had a 50-percent spike in levels of natural killer cells. And another found an increase in white blood cells that lasted a week in women exposed to phytoncides in forest air.

THE BOTTOM LINE

According to studies, exposure to plants and trees seems to benefit health.

ANAHAD O’CONNOR scitimes@nytimes.com

New Federal Duck Stamp out July 1st

*****************************************************

Every July 1st, the new federal duck stamp comes out for sale.Its

great for collecting but better as an entry pass for the National

Wildlife refuges for the next whole year ( most refuges ask for 4

dollars entrance fee).

Available from www.usps.com  ( look for on

menu bar "shop for stamps" ,then search "Duck Stamp")

 $15.00 + $ 1 shipping.

The stamp raises funds for wetlands/property purchase and conservation programs.

here's the image on this link

http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/