Putnam Highlands Audubon Society
PO Box 292
Cold Spring, NY
10516-0292
"Who's Whoo-ing" In Your Backyard?
A Citizen Science Study on Suburban Owls needs your help
The existing Cedar Ridge Trail (part of the NYNJ Trail Conference system) is now extended through PHAS' Watergrass Sanctuary. Come explore our beautiful Sanctuary -- the trail head is north of the Sanctuary sign on Route 9.
Citizen Science
Are you familiar with this term? Find out how you can help collect information that will be used in ongoing scientific research projects.
Join the Putnam Highlands Audubon
Yahoo Group to stay informed!To join, go to http://groups.yahoo.com. You will need to register with a Yahoo ID. Then, in the “Find a Group” box,” enter Putnam Highlands Audubon. You can elect to receive postings as separate email messages, or compiled into once-daily digests.
The group is restricted to PHAS members and is moderated, so you will not receive any spam through this group.
Questions? Contact Pat Grove, PHAS Webmaster.
Hudson River Almanac
—Keep up to date — Read and share—
Free archives of weekly E-Almanac of Hudson River Nature Notes. <http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/25608.html>
Free e-subscription: e-mail <hrep@gw.dec.state.ny.us>, subject: E-Almanac.
To share observations, e-mail <trlake7@aol.com>.
The Blue-winged Warbler was incorporated in the PHAS logo because this pretty bird is common in Putnam County while being uncommon in much of its North American range. 
September 2009
All are welcome to attend
Peek in on a chimney swift (Chaetura pelagica) nest that was begun May 25. This is a live feed from a nest in Glenham, NY. Courtesy of Michael Postolan. More on Alaska Issues
Lauren Heirl sent the following links as a followup to her recent presentation to our chapter:
Teshekpuk Lake Video (and Cyber-birding challenge):
http://audubonalaska.org/IssuesAction_Teshekpukvideo.html
Where you can sign up to Take Action on Audubon’s website:
http://audubonaction.org/audubon/home.html
audubonalaska.org has a lot of very informative links on their website discussing the issues she talked about (plus others), as does National Audubon’s page, which has links to other issue information pages listed on the left side of the screen: http://www.protectthearctic.com/
Finally, if anyone wants to sign up for the Alaska Eider enewsletter, email her (lhierl@audubon.org) and she can add you to the list. FYI, there is currently no way to separately sign up for Eider without getting on the general Take Action list.
U.S. State of the Birds Report
From John Flicker (president@audubon.org)
Audubon once again helped to deliver the message on Thursday that America’s birds are alerting us to the need for urgent action to protect the environment they share with all of us. This time, the message came as part of an unprecedented U.S. State of the Birds Report that builds on the model and title so successfully employed by Audubon in recent years to spread the word of alarming bird declines, along with the hope and evidence that we have the power to reverse them.
The new report is the product of combined bird population trend information and analysis from government agencies and numerous non-profit organizations. This unprecedented alliance gives the information heightened credibility and allows its call to action to reverberate more widely than ever.
I was privileged on Thursday to join Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and leaders of several conservation groups to brief the press on the latest findings and what they mean—and you are no doubt seeing headlines about this collective report today. I have provided a link here with Audubon's coverage about the report. You can also read the report itself at a special coalition web site, http://www.stateofthebirds.org/ .
Like our Common Birds in Decline analysis and the most recent iteration of our WatchList, this new coalition report showcases dramatic declines among grassland and arid land bird populations over the past 40 years. It highlights the specific plight of many species in Hawaii, yet uses the improving condition of wetlands birds and other species to illustrate our power to make a difference through decisive action.
As Secretary Salazar told reporters: “The will of our nation to prevent extinction and reverse environmental degradation are exemplified by the remarkable recovery of waterfowl through wetlands conservation, and the comeback of species that were once endangered, such as Bald Eagles and Peregrine Falcons. This shows that we can meet these challenges and maintain the integrity of our nation’s natural resources - the foundation upon which our precious resources, our wildlife, and the future of our children depend.”
From addressing climate change to ongoing conservation efforts that protect specific habitats and safeguard endangered species, this new report highlights the need for the ongoing Audubon work that your support makes possible. Data from our Christmas Bird Count supplied a vital foundation for its findings, and Audubon Bird Conservation Director Greg Butcher provided essential analytical expertise. But it will take the continued work of our entire grassroots network to devise and deliver the strong and concerted conservation actions that will truly make a difference.
By working on this report with government agencies and with many of our colleague groups, we have helped the State of the Birds Report evolve to a new level that will continue to move the nation toward positive action. Audubon-exclusive products, such as our recent Birds and Climate study, will provide further inspiration and inspiration. And our on-the-ground conservation efforts will deliver results.
Together, with your help, we will shape a brighter future for birds, other wildlife and people too.
JohnMission:
Connecting People with Nature
The mission of the Putnam Highlands Audubon Society is to preserve and maintain those lands and waters that have been entrusted to our stewardship; to inform and educate the public on issues involving birds, wildlife, and the environment; and to encourage membership in the chapter and participation in its activities.
Officers:
President: Rich Anderson
Vice President: Connie Mayer-Bakall
Treasurer: Peter Charbonneau
Secretary: Position openBoard of Directors
Membership:
To join the National Audubon Society and Putnam Highlands Audubon (Chapter R-25) call Audubon Customer Service at 1-800-274-4201 and get the advantaged rate of $21/yr for up to 3 years and pay by credit card! It’s important that you specify that you wish to join Chapter R-25.
To renew your membership call Audubon Customer Service at 1-800-274-4201 and renew by credit card at $21/yr for up to 3 years. The usual renewal rate is $35/yr.
Newsletter Only Option: If you prefer not to join as a member, you can still receive the Chapter’s newsletter to thank you for your fully tax-deductible contribution of $25 or more, which should be mailed to PHAS, PO Box 292, Cold Spring, NY 10516
Comments, suggestions ... contact: webmaster@putnamhighlandsaudubon.org
© 2009 and prior years. Putnam Highlands Audubon Society. All rights reserved.
