Putnam Highlands Audubon Society

PO Box 292
Cold Spring, NY
10516-0292

*** Events Calendar *** Download March-May Flier

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.

Letter from the PHAS President

Dear PHAS Members and Friends,

At our most recent monthly meeting on December 7, the PHAS Board of Directors voted unanimously in favor of converting this newsletter from paper to electronic format. The motion that passed also set December 2010 as the time by which the newsletter would be paperless. The deci- sion was not made lightly, and there was a lively discussion prior to the vote, as some folks might not have access to a computer and others like the looks of the newsletter and enjoy holding it in their hands when they read it. Ultimately though, it was too hard to argue against saving resources, time, energy, and money.

Each of the six newsletter issues PHAS produces every year typically has twelve pages on six pieces of copy paper. Usually, 400 copies are made to be distributed to members, friends, and affiliates. That is 2,400 sheets of paper per issue and 14,400 sheets per year. Granted, the newsletters are printed on recycled paper, but that is still a lot of paper.

The newsletters are mailed primarily to members in the chapter service area, western Putnam and southwest Dutchess Counties, but some are sent as far away as California. Think about the amount of fuel that is used annually to transport those newsletters to their intended recipients. Despite electronic delivery of the newsletter to the printer, think about the time and energy needed at the printer, then to pick up the copies, address them, and take them to the post office.

Finally, the direct cost of the paper newsletter cannot be overlooked. With postage (non-profit rate) and printing, our chapter newsletter currently costs around $400 per issue. That does not take into consideration the time that is volunteered by its editor or donated for its designer, which is worth a minimum of $500 per issue. By going to an electronic format, the chapter will save upwards of $2,500 annually that could be used, for example, for programs and other special events.

So, how do we transition from a paper newsletter to an electronic newsletter? For you, it is quite simple actually. Instructions are in the box below. And rest assured: if you don’t have access to a computer, we can accommodate your special need for continued paper delivery. Again, see below. On behalf of the Putnam Highlands Audubon Society’s officers and board of directors, thank you for cooperation and understanding as we make this valuable transition.

The very best,
Rich Anderson
(PO Box 174, Cold Spring, NY 10516/(845) 265-2601/randerson@audubon.org)

PHAS Programs

PHAS would like to kick off the new year with a resolution to provide a more regular schedule of programs, including bird walks, educational programs, field trips, and guest lectures. These programs are intended to appeal to a wide range of interests and ability levels. A monthly event that we hope will interest birders of all ability levels and those interested in the greater conservation mission of Audubon is a monthly walk at Constitution Marsh Audubon Sanctuary in Garrison.

Click here for a schedule of upcoming bird walks and other programs in the area.

FAMILY WILDLIFE PROGRAM

SUNDAY, MARCH 14TH

2 PM, DESMOND FISH LIBRARY

“HUDSON VALLEY WILDLIFE”

SEE A BARN OWL, AN OPPOSUM, SNAKES!

Sponsored by Putnam Highlands Audubon Society

And presented by Teatown Lake’s Erin Smithies

FREE!

GREAT FOR ALL AGES

Please RSVP to library 424-3020 or to psalmansohn@audubon.org because of space limitations

Next PHAS Board Meeting:

Mon. Mar 8, 6:30 pm at Hubbard Lodge

All are welcome to attend.

34-13, 44-8, and 17-5

Do You Know These Stats?

Nancy P Durr, Board Member, Putnam Highlands Audubon Society

They're the numbers of species sighted and checklists submitted from Cold Spring, Garrison, and Putnam Valley for the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) in February 2009. The comparable stats for GBBC 2008 were 16-4, 26-8, and 22-9, so Cold Spring and Garrison really bested themselves and, for some reason, Putnam Valley dropped off.

Are you intrigued? competitive? It's free and easy to make the 2010 stats different by participating in the 1-2-3 steps of the 13th annual GBBC this February 12-15 (Fri-Sun).

1) Visit www.birdcount.org for easy to follow instructions, including a downloadable checklist for our area;

2) Count the birds you see, wherever you choose to count (feeder, local park, parking lot, porch, school, etc). Write down the highest number of individual birds you see of one species at one time -- that way you avoid counting any bird twice -- during as little as a 15 minute period, and,

3) Report your tally online at www.birdcount.org.

You can count on 1, 2, 3 or 4 days. You can repeat your count at the same place on each day, or you can visit other locations. One day can be only 15 minutes, another more. Submit a new checklist for each day that you count.

With the amazing participation of citizen-scientists, the 2009 GBBC accumulated 94,165 checklists reporting on 620 species! The data provided the 12th annual snapshot of birds across North America, telling us where the birds are and how their populations are changing and moving -- very valuable information for conservation efforts.

It's easy, free and valuable. All ages and skills levels (novice-to-expert) are welcomed. Please, participate.

Incidentally, the Top 10 most commonly reported species in GBBC 2009 were: Northern Cardinal, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, American Goldfinch, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, House Finch, Tufted Titmouse, American Crow, and Black-capped Chickadee. The GBBC is sponsored by Audubon and by Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, located in Ithaca, NY, which reported 62 species on 96 checklists! You can find 2009 statistics for other nearby towns such as Beacon and Wappingers Falls at www.birdcount.org.

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.

View Watergrass Sanctuary on a larger map

To receive the newsletter electronically, please send your e-mail address to <newsletter@putnamhighlandsaudubon.org>; put “PHAS Newsletter” in the subject line and your name in the body of the message. We will take care of the rest. Your e-dress will be kept in the same strict confidence as your postal address. However, you also will benefit from occasional updates or reminders on PHAS programs or events of interest. Our e-contact with you should not be burdensome.

If you do not have access to a computer, please write to Newsletter, PHAS, PO Box 292, Cold Spring, NY 10516, to arrange for special continued postal delivery of your newsletter.

We know there will be kinks and hurdles in the transition from postal to electronic delivery, so please bear with our effort to be fully electronic by December 2010. Those who sign up now might receive the newsletter by both methods for an issue or two.

With your critical cooperation, our newsletter can succeed in GOING GREEN.

PHAS Chapter Officers:

President: Rich Anderson
Vice President: Connie Mayer-Bakall
Treasurer: Peter Charbonneau
Secretary: Karen Riner

Board of Directors

Audubon 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