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Thesis for Applied Professional Project: NYCNatureNews.com
Shari Romar
Green Mountain CollegeMaster of Science in Environmental Studies
Submitted: May 1, 2009
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Abstract
NYCNatureNews.com ( www.nycnaturenews.com ) focuses on nature of New York
City, specifically Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx and Staten Island (also referred to as
the five boroughs). The website features articles on various animals, insects and plants, places
to go, people working to preserve the areas environment, volunteer opportunities, as well as a
comprehensive calendar of events. Information will be updated and expanded on a quarterly
basis.
IntroductionWith approximately 5,573 high-rise buildings (Emporis), 50 Broadway theaters
(Playbill, Listings/Tickets: Broadway, 2007), 18,696 restaurants (NYC & Company, NYC
Statistics/Eating Out), and an untold amount of retail space, it may not come as a surprise that
New York Citys 8,214,426 residents (Emporis) and 43.8 million visitors (NYC & Company,
NYC Statistics/Total Visitors to NYC ) have many things on their mind besides nature
appreciation. Indeed, in such a man-made environment, it can seem as though nature is
nonexistent. Yet such a notion is ill-conceived; on the contrary, New York City boasts 578
miles of waterfront (Mittelbach & Crewdsen, 1997, p. 11), over 29,000 acres of land managed
by the Parks Department alone (New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, para. 1),
a national park, and remarkable biodiversity with species counts of 330 birds (resident and
migrating), 30 mammals, 32 reptiles/amphibians, and over 200 fish (Mittelbach and Crewdsen,
1997, p. 61).
Unfortunately, many residents (and presumably many more tourists) do not realize this
wealth of local nature that awaits. Nevertheless, several environmental organizations exist in
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Critters fact sheets on native birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and
insects, usually focused at the species level, and including suggested viewing times and
locations.
Plants fact sheets on native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, as well as mosses and
fungi, usually focused at the species level, and including suggested viewing times and
locations, when possible.
Places information on preserves and parks with general information on landscape,
hours, transportation, maps and related information, broken into two sub-sections of
Local Places (accessible by mass transit within the five boroughs), and Farther
Afield (day-long or nearby overnight trips).
People features on the people helping to protect these natural areas and animals, both
professionals and volunteers.
Get Busy broken down into two sections: volunteer opportunities with local
environmental non-profit organizations, and calendar of event listings of programs
offered by local groups. Data will be listed in chronological order initially, though a
future goal is to create a database searchable by date, sponsoring organization, and
location.
More Info provides further information found through outside sources like websites,
magazines and books, as well as all citations in fact sheets.
About Us brief details of the website concept, contact information, an opportunity to
sign up for the email list, and requests/suggestions for content.
While a print version by the same title was initially considered, a website offers many
advantages. Costs are greatly reduced since printing is not involved, plus the Internet offers
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fluidity unmatched by print media, allowing for more frequent calendar updates, and changes
when required. Finally, the Internet offers a wider distribution than any magazine stand could
offer (see Examination of Need and Target Markets, pages 6-8; and Marketing, Promotion,
Benchmarks and Budget, pages 14-15.)
Examination of Need and Target Markets
In his 2005 book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit
Disorder , Richard Louv puts forth compelling reasons to involve children in more outdoor
play. Though his thoughts are targeted to children, much of what he opines can beextrapolated and applied to broader audiences, particularly those in metropolitan areas like
New York City.
For instance, on several occasions he notes an intangible, far-away quality in todays
perceptions of nature. For some young people, nature is so abstract the ozone layer, a
faraway rain forest that exists beyond the senses. For others, nature is simply background, a
disposable consumer item. (p. 68-69). Furthermore, in talking with an educator, Louv says,
Children learn about the rain forest, but usually not about their own regions forests, or, as
Sobel puts it, even just the meadow outside the classroom. (p. 135).
With an entire chapter dedicated to urban wilderness, Louv further demonstrates the
need and opportunities to connect with urban nature. In fact, he states that nature may be
what is lacking in the busy lives of families: Parents already feel besieged by the difficulty of
balancing work and family life. Understandably, they may resist the idea of adding any to-dos
to their long list of chores. So here is another way of viewing the challenge: nature as an
antidote. Stress reduction, greater physical health, a deeper sense of spirit, more creativity, a
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sense of play, even a safer life -- these are the rewards that await a family when it invites more
nature into childrens lives. (p. 163).
With his theories in mind, NYCNatureNews.com is well positioned to connect urban
residents adults and children alike to the nature within the five boroughs. Through
informal interviews with a number of city residents, it is indeed apparent that many know little
about the environment existing, quite literally, in their own backyards and instead picture
nature as a phenomena found in distant and less-populated areas. Even amongst enthusiasts,
not all realize the wealth and diversity offered within city borders. Zoe, a newcomer to the
city who was spending a January afternoon on her first trip to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge,was not aware of all other locations where she could photograph trees, and how many were
accessible by public transportation.
From a different perspective, New York City is already viewed as a major tourist
destination, with 46 million spending $28.85 billion in 2007 (NYC & Company). According
to data from a United States Department of Agriculture survey, activities showing the greatest
growth include wildlife viewing, visiting nature centers, viewing/photographing fish, day
hiking and viewing birds (United States Forest Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, University of Georgia, and University of Tennessee, 2005). Wouldnt it be
interesting to offer tourists an opportunity to combine the typical sightseeing destinations with
outdoor recreation?
With such considerations in mind, three target markets become clear:
City residents with limited nature knowledge can utilize NYCNatureNews.com
as a gateway to learning about their bioregion. These users may be adults,
families or educators.
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City residents already participating in nature-related activities, and interested in
expanding their knowledge of the area.
Visitors to New York seeking other tourism and outdoor recreation
opportunities.
By reaching these target audiences, the citys non-profit environmental organizations
can benefit by expanding their reach and promoting their mission in a cost-effective manner.
Though Louv may find the idea shameful owing to its focus on technology, the Internet
provides a useful platform to transmit the content of NYCNatureNews.com. The numbers are
staggering: the internet penetrates 73.6% of the North American population (Internet World
Stats, 2008) and a 2000 report cites that nearly 2/3 of 8 to 12 year olds access internet
(DiCamillo & Schaefer, 2000), a number one can only imagine has grown over the last nine
years.
Besides its widespread presence in our lives, the Internet is also a cost-effective and
dynamic medium. New research and information is easily updated, websites offer
collaborative opportunities, and the content is relatively portable when compared with
volumes of books and other publications (Gosline, 2001).
Site Design and Content Considerations
The key to reaching the target markets listed above is to provide relevant content in an
easy-to-read format without becoming too technical or too simplistic. Design must be easy tonavigate, taking into account variable bandwidths. To protect the content, copyright
information appears on each web page. The Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative 3.0
United States License from Creative Commons allows NYCNatureNews.coms content to be
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shared for non-commercial purposes, unaltered from its original form, and accompanied by
attribution.
Design:
According to Beaird, There are two main standpoints from which most people
determine whether a website is good or bad. Theres a strict usability standpoint, which
focuses on the functionality, the effective presentation of information, and efficiency. Then
theres the purely aesthetic perspective, which is all about presentation, hot animations, and
sexy graphics. (p. 4). He further notes that while good design is important, users are drawn to
the content. Additionally, a design needs to provide easy navigation and a consistentappearance to all pages (Beaird, 2007).
With such thoughts in mind, the graphical interface of NYCNatureNews.com seeks to
focus on its content and usability to reach its three target audiences. Though incorporating
color and images within its pages, the design is more focused on functionality, readability, and
ease of navigation than incorporating Beairds sexy graphics.
All pages follow the style set forth in the home page to provide a consistent look and
brand image for NYCNatureNews.com. Black text and a white background were chosen to
improve readability (Hall and Hanna, 2004), and since white offers a clean, light appearance
(Beaird, 2007). The masthead, NYCNatureNews.com, appears at the top of each page
followed by a series of small navigation buttons directly below. An analogous color scheme
was utilized for both these components: the mastheads green is commonly associated with
nature, freshness and hope, while the navigation buttons blue is symbolically tied to water and
sky, plus offers a sense of calm (Beaird, 2007).
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For improved download speed across various bandwidths and browsers, both masthead
and navigation buttons appear in the graphic interchange format (GIF), which is most suitable
for these simple images. Conversely, full color photographs used on the web pages appear in
the more appropriate Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format, saved in the lowest file
size possible (72 dpi) to maximize image appearance, while minimizing download time
(Lynch and Horton, 2002). Furthermore, to provide a consistent appearance on pages,
photographs all appear in landscape layout (as opposed to portrait), with widths set to 3.5.
Like the images and color scheme, typesetting considerations also focus on readability.
The mastheads serif font conveys a traditional style, while all other type appears in san-serif that is more contemporary and easier to read on a computer screen (Beaird, 2007.)
Furthermore, all headlines and text are left justified, and paragraphs are separated by an extra
line rather than an indentation; both characteristics make for a more balanced, readable web
page with suitable white space (Lynch and Horton, 2002.)
Content:
Although Beaird notes that all pages must have a consistent style throughout the
website (2007), in terms of content, a web page must be able to function independently since
users may access it in a variety of ways, and not necessarily through the home page (Lynch
and Horton, 2002). With that in mind, the content of each page within NYCNatureNews.com
not only ties in with the rest of the site thanks to use of consistent graphics, but each page is
able to stand alone.
Following the considerations recommended by Lynch and Horton (2002), writing must
be concise as text is often skimmed and not read word for word. Thus, each web page begins
with a Headline to announce the content (i.e. the web fact sheet on the piping plover begins
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with the headline Piping Plover, Charadrius melodus ) followed by The Basics -- quick,
bulleted points to provide information about a species or location. Users then can read more
information in the section entitled The Details and learn of additional sources in
References at the bottom of the page. These citations are not formatted in the traditional
academic style, but presented in a more user-friendly manner with titles listed first, followed
by author(s), publication date and company, or a link in the case of websites.
As stated by Lynch and Horton (2002) a website should seek to cultivate a unique
voice to distinguish itself from other sites. With this in mind, NYCNatureNews.com
maintains a fun, enthusiastic, and engaging tone in order to inspire nature appreciationamongst its three target audiences. For example, the heading Critters was chosen for its
folksy tone as well as ease in encompassing animal species (including insects). Furthermore,
to appeal to a non-scientific audience, the web pages limit the use of jargon (or provides
definitions).
Home page copy offers a warm welcome to users, providing brief seasonal information
and will include highlights of recent updates, while main pages of each section offer additional
introductions to the subject matter. Fact sheets begin with the aforementioned fundamentals
(found under The Basics), most useful for those just learning about the citys nature, tourists,
or users simply requiring a quick synopsis as stated in the above paragraph. In the case of
species, this includes information on appearance, viewing times and locations, while Places
provides directions. After such preliminaries, the content moves into finer points under The
Details; in the case of a bird species, this may include courtship behaviors, nesting habits, egg
and chick numbers, and migration patterns, while a Place could include suggested trails,
topography, history, in addition to safety precautions and an accuracy disclaimer. Such
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features help the more experienced city naturalist or tourist, while still offering the novice
additional information.
Finally, in order to create a sense of community, each web page closes with an email
address ( [email protected] ) so users can provide feedback. To this end,
NYCNatureNews.com also recognizes the opportunity to partner with local non-profit
organizations and build a community focused on furthering the citys conservation efforts.
Such an association may be as simple as the organization sending field trip details for the
Calendar of Events page on a regular basis, or the relationship may deepen to shared content
and marketing/promotion efforts.
Technical Specifications
Content for NYCNatureNews.com is composed in Word on a Gateway laptop and
transferred to a Dell desktop once finalized. Web pages are then created with Adobe
Dreamweaver, an HTML editing program; photos and other images are created and formatted
in Adobe Photoshop. Afterwards, pages are uploaded through Smart FTP.
The NYCNatureNews.com URL purchase and hosting service is provided through
GoDaddy.com and is valid through October 2011. The current contract allows for 10
gigabytes of storage space, and 300 gigabytes of transfer space. If required, additional storage
space can be acquired for a fee. GoDaddy.coms platform is a Windows server.
A multi-tiered backup system exists in case of malfunction. Copies of all content are
stored on both the Gateway laptop and Dell desktop, and both computers are backed up daily
onto a remote Mirra server.
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Competition
Noting that many websites focus on specific conservation issues, Bradford (2003)
suggests Exploring ecology-related educational resources on the Internet is like vacationing
in a city known for its excellent restaurants: There is something for every palate, but with so
many options, it can be overwhelming. (p. 552).
Indeed, the comparison is accurate. Nearly every organization hosts a website as part
of their communication strategy, often including news and programs/events such as clean-ups,
family outings, nature walks, and fundraisers. But in most cases, these websites only promote
the organizations events, or is focused only on one area of interest (i.e. New York CityAudubon concentrates on birds, the New York Turtle and Tortoise Societys interest is in
herpetology). Many groups also seek to promote wilderness appreciation, but the nature of
their mission makes them more focused on advocacy issues. Finally, several of these websites
are geared to enthusiasts, and generally dont target a lay audience that may be unaware of the
flora and fauna in the five boroughs.
Interestingly enough, a 2000 article indicated that no wildlife agency or organization
website was listed in the top 100 sites for children or top 100 of all websites (DiCamillo &
Schaefer). A more recent check on February 19, 2009 shows that little has changed. Only one
wildlife-related website featuring animal sounds was listed on The Ultimate Top 100 Kids
Sites ( http://www.ultimate-top100.com ); the Web 100 website ( http://www.web100.com/web-
100) only lists National Geographic.
Clearly NYCNatureNews.com fills a void by providing information geared to both a
lay audience and enthusiasts, and a one-stop shop providing users with information on a
variety of plant and animal species, and promoting events offered by a range of organizations.
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Marketing, Promotion, Benchmarks and Budget
In order to generate interest and traffic when the site launches in Spring 2009, an
integrated marketing plan is in place. Due to budget limitations, the strategy cannot be
expansive but will instead be a targeted direct marketing effort through emails, promotional
postcards, and partnership opportunities. A summary of actions includes:
Create email database with addresses of associates to be sent an email alert toannounce launch and new content quarterly.
Request inclusion on promotional materials for organizations listed in Get busy
pages. Request associate email addresses from individuals featured in People section in
order to expand NYCNatureNews.coms email database.
Create and print postcards to distribute to local preserves and similar locations.
Offer link on About us page with opportunity to sign up for email list to benotified about new content and events as indicated above.
Additionally, each web page contains meta-tags in order to optimize search engine
results.
Success measurements are not unlike benchmarks of a commercial website, though the
current emphasis is on outreach, not gathering profits. As with any site, regular traffic is the
gauge of success; to achieve this goal, new content updated quarterly and a current calendar of
events is critical. Usage statistics, provided by Google Analytics, will be measured and
monitored on a monthly basis, and content adjusted as needed. In particular, the following
data is useful to analyze:
Number of unique visitors
Number of repeat visitors
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Time spent on site
Number of pages viewed (Hughes, 2001)
Furthermore, in order to gauge users opinions and experiences of the site, email
surveys will be distributed on the 6 th, 12 th, and 18 th month of operation. Similarly,
organizations will be asked to track new visitors and volunteers generated by the site.
Although not considered a requirement for project success, the goal is that through
solid content, planning, and repeat visitors, the site becomes popular enough to attract
commercial sponsors in order to offset expenses.
Itemized approximate two-year operating costs for NYCNatureNews.com are as
follows:
Two-Year Budget
Item
EstimatedCost for
TwoYears
URL Registration $12Webhosting $77Office Supplies $500Computer Supplies $1,000Postcard Printing $200
TOTAL $1,789
Time for maintenance, writing and uploading additional content, and responding to
queries is currently estimated at 7-10 hours per week. The thesis author shall act as
webmaster, managing such tasks in her spare time; as NYCNatureNews.com grows and seeks
advertisers, the webmaster will draw a small salary in order to dedicate more hours (at this
early stage without advertising, it is difficult to assign an hourly labor rate).
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Conclusion
While a thesis ends on a designated date, NYCNatureNews.com is not static. Instead,
NYCNatureNews.com looks forward to adding more content and images, as well as evaluating
user feedback in order to build the best community resource for the citys residents, tourists,
and non-profit organizations. Long-term plans include:
Additional fact sheets for all species categories
Photographs on all fact sheets
Interviews for the People section Regular updates to the Calendar of Events and Volunteer pages
Development of database for Calendar of Events, searchable by month, location,
and sponsoring organization
Certainly the success of this venture is measured by site traffic statistics, but the
broader goal is to link New York Citys nature to the three target markets through an
interactive, regularly updated information source. By engaging residents and tourists,
NYCNatureNews.com can highlight the wealth of biodiversity in one of the worlds most
populated cities, and by extension, show that urban nature weaves together vibrant, living
ecosystems that deserve attention and preservation. Furthermore, with 80% of the countrys
residents living in urban areas (NationMaster.com), such preserves are more accessible than
distant locales.
Armed with a better understanding of the nature just beyond their door,
NYCNatureNews.com hopes to inspire its users to become more actively involved by
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volunteering, attending an event or field trip, or simply keeping an eye out for trash while on
their own nature walk.
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Appendix A -- Site Map
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Appendix B -- Content
Home page
Welcome!Spring, 2009
The air is getting warmer, the sun shining longerno two ways about it spring has
sprung!
So too has NYC Nature News! Welcome to the first edition. We aim to be your one-
stop shop for nature information around the five boroughs and beyond.
Click around our pages to find out about the diverse species (both animals ( link ) and
plants ( link ) that call NYC home and places ( link ) to see them. Plus, check out the calendar
(link ) for upcoming events, and organizations that would welcome volunteers ( link ). Soon
well also introduce you to some of the great people ( link ) helping nature in our area.
Check back often as well regularly add to and expand our content!
Have any thoughts? Want to recommend a place or person to feature? We want to
make this your favorite local site, so dont hesitate to contact us at [email protected] !
Thanks and talk to you soon.
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Screen shot of home page:
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Critters web page
It may be hard to believe sometimes, but within New York Citys heavily developed
landscape, there still exists remarkable species diversity with 330 resident and migrating birds,
30 mammals, 32 reptiles/amphibians, 200 fish ( Wild New York by Margaret Mittelbach and
Michael Crewdson) and untold number of insects.
Heres where to find the low-down on the creatures that fly, swim, crawl, and creep
across the city!
Birds
Fish and aquatics Insects and similar critters
Mammals
Reptiles/amphibians
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Screen shot of Critters page:
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Birds web page
The pigeon may be a familiar bird but New York has hundreds more that live here
year-round, or pass through en route to their breeding or wintering grounds. Learn about some
of these species by clicking on the fact sheets below:
American robin
Bald eagle
Great egret
Mallard duck
Piping plover
Tree swallow
Screen shot of Birds page:
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Fish and aquatics web page
They may go unnoticed under the water, but make no mistake New York Citys
waterways are full of a wide variety of fish! Learn more about them here.
Atlantic menhaden
Horseshoe crab
Killifish
Screen shot of Fish and aquatics page :
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Insects and similar critters web page
Though they may make people squeamish, insects are a fascinating group of critters,
often beautiful to look at, and also beneficial (after all, we need bees for honey). While spiders
and others are not technically insects, most tend to lump them all together so well do the
same. Click below to learn more about these important species:
Eastern tent caterpillar
Lightning bug
Monarch butterfly
Screen shot of Insects and similar critters page:
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Mammals web page
Found both on land and in the water, New York Citys mammals go beyond just
humans! Learn about this diverse group by clicking on the fact sheets below:
Harbor seals
Little brown bat
Virginia opossum
Screen shot of Mammals page:
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Reptiles and amphibians web page
Besides the urban legend of alligators in its sewers, New York City is home for several
species of reptiles and amphibians. Learn about them below:
Common snapping turtle
Diamondback terrapin
Spring peepers
Screen shot of Reptiles and amphibians page :
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Bird web fact sheets:
American robin, Turdus migratorius
The Basics:
Size: 10 long with 17 wingspan.
Color: brownish back, red or orange breast, white feathers at rump and yellow bill.
Habitat: forests, woods, parks and yards.
When and where to observe: may be seen year-round in parks, golf courses, and
residential properties.
The Details:
As one of our most familiar birds, this member of the thrush family graces everyones
lives with its good looks and flute-like melodies. Commonly considered a sign of spring and a
regular summer resident, the American robin actually is with us throughout the year, and can
be seen gathering in large winter flocks.
Their familiar physical features are a grayish black, red or orange breast, long legs and
a rather long tail, slender yellow bill, white feathers at the rump, and measuring 10 long with
a 17 wingspan. Just as familiar are the birds foraging habits. With their head cocked
towards the ground, they are not listening for worms but actually looking at them, along with
snails and insects. Adults also eat fruit, and have a particular fondness for eastern red cedar
cones.
As a habitat generalist and adaptable to human-altered environments, American robins
are found in a wide range of habitats tundra, forests, woods, parks, gardens and golf courses.
Males sing to defend territory and attract females with courtship displays that include
spread wings and tail feathers, inflated throats, and shaking. Upon mating, both build nests of
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twigs and grass in a mud cup in shrubs, sometimes on the ground and commonly seen on
structures. Traditionally thought to be monogamous, this is now in question.
Females lay roughly four, 1 long eggs in pale blue, and incubate them for 12-14 days.
Young chicks are altricial, meaning they depend on the parents for warmth and to provide
insects to eat. After 14-16 days, they are able to fly keep an eye out for the fledglings with
subtle brown and black spots on their red breasts, and remaining tufts of down on their
feathers, giving them a somewhat unkempt appearance.
The workload of raising two or even three broods in a season is split between the sexes
with the male caring for the first nest as the female incubates the second. They are busy,dedicated parents and good at defending their nests and chicks! Nevertheless, the open nest
attracts predators like squirrels, skunks, raccoons, snakes, blue jays and crows.
Perhaps strange for us to consider today, this common backyard bird was once hunted
for food and the use of DDT in the 1950s further threatened the species. Though pesticide use
still is a concern and should be avoided, clearly the American robin has rebounded to grace our
parks and yards.
References:
All About Birds: American Robin by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, accessed on
1/16/09 at:
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Robin.html
The Birders Handbook: A Field Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds by Paul R. Ehrlich, David S. Dobkin, and Darryl Wheye, published in 1988 by Simon
and Schuster.
The Sibley Guide to Birds by David Allen Sibley, published 2000 by Chanticleer Press.
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The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior edited by Chris Elphick, John B. Dunning,
Jr., and David Allen Sibley, published 2001 by Chanticleer Press.
Sample Birds web fact sheet (American robin):
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Bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus
The Basics:
Size: 31 long with 80 wingspan.
Color: white head and tail, black or brown body, with a yellow bill, legs and talons
(clawed feet); immature with mottled blackish and gray feathers.
Habitat: coasts, rivers, and large lakes in open areas.
When and where to observe: best in the winter, especially along the Hudson River near
Croton-on-Hudson.
The Details:
We couldnt believe it. Soaring low along Cross Bay Boulevard was the largest bird
weve seen in some time. Too big to be a vulture or an osprey and with the wrong coloring
it was an immature bald eagle! Though one had not been reported in the area that day,
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge ( link ) staff confirmed that from time to time, our national bird
stops over for a visit.
The bald eagle, at least in its adult plumage, is perhaps the most recognized and easily
identifiable bird even for non-birders, with its strongly hooked yellow bill, white head and tail
contrasting with black or brown feathers on the body, plus yellow legs and talons (clawed
feet). Adults measure 28-38 long, with an impressive 80 wingspan. Our national emblem
since 1782, we have become familiar with this species since childhood, and over the last
several decades learned about its struggle to survive.
Breeding along coasts, rivers, and large lakes in open areas, monogamous pairs use tall
trees as the foundation to support their large nests created with sticks, vegetation and various
other materials. Here they raise one brood each year consisting of 1-3 bluish white eggs,
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measuring about 3 long, which both males and females incubate for 34-36 days. Chicks
called eaglets are somewhat dependent on their parents for food and warmth, but are able to fly
in 70-98 days. While parents coloring is striking, immature bald eagles are far more subdued
with mottled blackish and gray feathers, yellow talons and dark bills.
Though their diet is primarily fish, bald eagles eat small mammals, waterfowl, seabirds
and carrion. Their winter range extends southward into Mexico, but they are frequently seen
along the Hudson River at the same time of year. Watch for these large birds with their
characteristic stiff, shallow and weak, chirping whistles at various spots along the Hudson
check out the New York State Department of Environmental Conservations helpful web pagelisted in References (Georges Island Park ( link ) on a cold winter day has often been very
productive!).
Being at the top of the food chain, bald eagles were hard hit by the use of pesticides
like DDT from the 1940s through the 1960s, which killed birds and thinned eggshells. But
thanks to the elimination of this pesticide and legal protections, our national symbol was
removed from the Endangered Species List in 1997.
References:
All About Birds: Bald Eagle by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, accessed on 2/16/09 at
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bald_Eagle_dtl.html .
Bald Eagle Soars Off Endangered Species List by the United States Department of the
Interior, June 28, 2007, accessed on 2/16/09 at:http://www.doi.gov/news/07_News_Releases/070628.html .
Bald Eagles of the Hudson River by the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation, accessed on 2/16/09 at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9382.html .
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The Birders Handbook: A Field Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds
by Paul R. Ehrlich, David S. Dobkin, and Darryl Wheye, published in 1988 by Simon
and Schuster.
The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior edited by Chris Elphick, John B. Dunning,
Jr., and David Allen Sibley, published 2001 by Chanticleer Press.
The Sibley Guide to Birds by David Allen Sibley, published 2000 by Chanticleer Press.
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Great egret, Ardea alba
The Basics:
Size: 39 long, 51 wingspan.
Color: white feathers, black legs, yellow bill.
Habitat: wetlands like tidal creeks, marshes, swamps, streams, and rivers.
Where and when to observe: spring through summer in appropriate habitat.
The Details:
The great egret is a stately, spectacular white wading bird measuring 39 long, with
broad wings that reach to a 51 wingspan, black legs and a thin, yellow bill. Its long neck
takes on a deep curve when in flight, a posture also seen when on land when the neck is not
outstretched to its full -- and impressive -- length. Despite such good looks, their voice is
hardly as melodious as one might hope, more like a series of deep, gravelly croaks.
Frequently seen in our area along wetlands like tidal creeks, marshes, swamps, streams,
and rivers, great egrets quietly stalk their prey in the water. Standing motionless, the head
suddenly juts forward into the water nabbing fish, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, birds or
even small mammals.
Great egrets gather in loose flocks, wintering from New Jersey southward to Central
and South America. They are regular visitors to New York City from spring through fall.
Arrival of spring also marks the breeding season. Egrets are communal nesters, and
build loosely constructed twig nests in trees and shrubs. The monogamous pair incubates one
brood of 1-6 light blue or bluish green eggs for 23-26 days. The semiprecocial chicks are still
dependent on parents for food and warmth, but fledge in 42-49 days.
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The great egrets beauty was nearly its demise. The birds were nearly hunted to
extinction in the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries as plume hunters collected the stunning
feathers for fashionable hats. But the species plight thankfully did not go unnoticed and
became the impetus behind the conservation movement that, along with many other
achievements, led to the establishment of the National Audubon Society, which uses the great
egret as its symbol.
Though populations began to rebound by the mid-20 th century, great egrets were again
at risk from the pesticide DDT. Today, with plume hunters and DDT no longer an issue,
populations are stable once again. Nevertheless, great egrets, like so many other species,depend on our quickly disappearing wetlands for food, shelter and a place to raise their young.
Lets work together to protect this vital habitat so that we can admire this majestic bird for
years to come!
References:
All About Birds: Great Egret by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology accessed on 1/16/09
at: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Great_Egret.html
The Birders Handbook: A Field Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds
by Paul R. Ehrlich, David S. Dobkin, and Darryl Wheye, published 1988 by Simon and
Schuster.
The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior edited by Chris Elphick, John B. Dunning,
Jr., and David Allen Sibley, published 2001 by Chanticleer Press. The Sibley Guide to Birds by David Allen Sibley, published 2000 by Chanticleer Press.
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Mallard duck, Anas platyrhynchos
The Basics:
Size: 23 long, 35 wingspan.
Color: males in breeding plumage have bright green head, chestnut chest, white neck
bank, and yellow bill; females are brown with dark eye stripe, orange bill; both have a
broad blue wing stripe bordered by white.
Habitat: shallow ponds, lakes, marshlands, flooded field.
Where and when to observe: year-round in nearly every park with just a small amount
of water.
The Details:
A familiar favorite at local duck ponds everywhere, the mallard is probably one of the
first birds we can recall as children. Certainly I was captivated at a very early age by their
tame nature, charming waddle, laugh-like quacking, and colorful feathers!
Our largest of the dabbling ducks at 23 long with a 35 wingspan, they also might be
the most widespread, found in nearly any wet habitat shallow ponds, lakes, marshlands, even
flooded fields from a city park to the tundra.
In the familiar breeding plumage, males sport a yellow bill, bright green head and
chestnut chest, separated by a white neckband, and curly tail feathers. Females are muted with
brown feathers, a darker stripe around the eye, and an orange bill with a touch of black in its
center. Most visible in flight, the wings of both males and females have a broad blue stripe
called a speculum bordered by white.
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They feed on vegetation just below the waters surface by upending themselves with
tails in the air, but mallards also forage in fields and add insects, aquatic invertebrates and
grain to their diets.
Spring brings the enjoyable sight of ducklings under the protective watch of the female
who raises them on her own. After mating, she builds a nest on the ground around dense
vegetation, though some occasionally choose odd spots like building roofs as evidenced by
periodic new stories. She lays one brood consisting of 7-10 buff, greenish or grayish eggs
measuring 2 long. Eggs are incubated for approximately 28 days. Ducklings are precocial
able to feed and keep themselves warm and fledge in 42-60 days.Though predators exist, particularly nest raiders like skunks, mallard populations look
stable. They live year-round in our region and are regular residents of nearly every pond or
wetland.
Tempting as it may be, when paying the ducks a visit at the local pond, dont offer
them bread which is not a nutritious food source, and may create other problems like attracting
nuisance animals like rats. Instead, just relax and spend the time admiring these lovely ducks,
while reminiscing about childhood visits with these feathered charmers!
References:
All About Birds: Mallard by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, accessed on 1/16/09 at:
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Mallard_dtl.html .
The Birders Handbook: A Field Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds by Paul R. Ehrlich, David S. Dobkin, and Darryl Wheye, Simon and Schuster, 1988.
The Sibley Guide to Birds by David Allen Sibley, Chanticleer Press, 2000.
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What do I feed ducks? by Ducks Unlimited, accessed on 2/20/09 at:
http://www.ducks.org/faq.aspx?faqCategoryID=1&faqID=92 .
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Piping plover, Charadrius melodus
The Basics:
Size: 7 long, 19 wingspan.
Color: Buff, sandy color with a black stripe on forehead and black collar band; orange
legs and bill tipped in black.
Habitat: Sandy beaches along the ocean (though there is also a population along the
Great Lakes).
When and where to observe: Breeding from March to September along the Atlantic
Coast from Newfoundland to North Carolina; see them in the Rockaways ( link ) in
Queens, New Jersey and Long Island beaches like Jones Beach State Park ( link ).
The Details:
It is difficult to imagine that this stocky, adorable shorebird nearly became extinct from
game hunting. It is just as challenging to comprehend the reasons many people loathe this bird
today, when others consider it a charming little spirit of the sands as naturalist C.H. Rogers
wrote in 1921. To understand these reasons, it is best to first understand the bird.
At 7 long with a 19 wingspan, the piping plover can be seen along area beaches
such as the Arverne Shorebird Nesting Area ( link ) in the Rockaways, as well as the Long
Island and New Jersey shorelines. Their buff, sandy coloring makes them a little difficult to
spot, but watch for the dark breast band, black line across the forehead, an orange bill tipped in
black, and orange legs. Males and females look similar, but female coloring is a little subtler.
Sometimes they are easier to see as they run short distances on the sand, then stop
suddenly as if to think of their next move, and then run off again while feeding on marine
worms, crustaceans, and insects found in the sand.
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Piping plovers begin to arrive in March to secure a breeding territory and find a mate.
Males lead the courtship with calls of peep or poeeep while circling the female with
spread wings and stamping feet. Not just limited to the land, males add fancy aerial moves by
flying in circles or figure eights. Field guides indicate piping plovers make other calls in a soft
whistle sounding like peep, peeto, or peep-lo.
Once formed, the mating pairs are monogamous. Nests are simple, inconspicuous (and
extremely vulnerable) scrapes in sand above the tide line, often lined with stones and shells for
camouflage. The 3-5 eggs are equally well concealed with buff coloring and brown or black
flecks. After both parents incubate the eggs for 25-31 days, the chicks emerge.While adults are considered charming to all people who enjoy birds, their offspring are
even more so, often compared to cotton balls with legs! Chicks are precocial meaning that
they can feed themselves and can fly in 20-32 days. Juvenile coloring resembles that of
adult non-breeding plumage, which lacks the dark stripes on the head and collar and the orange
bill.
Tending to be somewhat shy, non-confrontational birds, parents have a unique and
rather valiant way of defending their chicks. If a predator comes too close, the chicks remain
motionless while the parent flutters about on the sand as if they have a broken wing, hoping to
lure the predator away from the nest.
As summer ends, so too does our visit from the piping plover as they depart by mid-
September for their winter range in North Carolina south to Florida and into parts of the
Caribbean.
Despite breeding in our area, it may be difficult to see piping plovers for reasons
beyond their excellent camouflage. Though commercial hunting nearly caused their
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extinction in the 19 th century, their populations began to increase once they received legal
protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. Today however, they are a species in
trouble for a number of reasons.
As beaches become more developed for human uses, piping plovers (and many other
species) lose habitat to feed, nest, and raise young. They also now face more predators than in
years past. Raccoons are frequent nest raiders, and even house pets like dogs and cats kill
plovers and their chicks.
With such inconspicuous nests in the sand, unsuspecting beach strollers -- as well as
vehicles -- frequently crush both nests and chicks. To protect plovers, authorities installfencing and may close portions of beaches in the summer. Sadly, these actions do not sit well
with some people who have come to loathe the bird, instead of enjoying the privilege of seeing
an endangered species and taking pride in helping in its survival.
As if all this is not enough, even the weather has an impact on a piping plovers life
since nests can be destroyed by high tides brought in by storms.
But the situation is not hopeless! Many people, charmed by this little bird and its
plight have taken action to protect their habitat by volunteering ( link ) with local nature groups.
Most of all, piping plovers benefit when we simply appreciate them and work to help
others do the same. During the lazy summer beach days, be sure to plan a beach stroll to visit
the piping plovers, but keep in mind the conservation issues that affect their survival. When
walking on the beach, keep close watch where you step and leave pets at home. Follow rules
posted on fencing installed to protect nests, and keep a good distance away so the birds are not
disturbed -- and so your attention does not lure predators. And always leave the beach clean.
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Lets do whatever we can as New Yorkers to help along this endearing species by
making it feel at home along our beaches!
References:
The Atlantic coast piping plover by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service,
August 2007, accessed on 12/15/2008 at:
http://www.fws.gov/northeast/pipingplover/pdf/plover.pdf .
Audubon Watchlist: Piping Plover by Audubon accessed on 12/15/2008 at:
http://www.audubon2.org/watchlist/viewSpecies.jsp?id=160 .
The Birders Handbook: A Field Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds
by Paul R. Ehrlich, David S. Dobkin, and Darryl Wheye, published 1988 by Simon and
Schuster.
Local Area Hot Spots: Arverne Piping Plover Nesting Area by the Brooklyn Bird Club,
accessed on 12/15/2008 at: http://www.brooklynbirdclub.org/arverne.htm .
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http://www.fws.gov/northeast/pipingplover/pdf/plover.pdfhttp://www.audubon2.org/watchlist/viewSpecies.jsp?id=160http://www.brooklynbirdclub.org/arverne.htmhttp://www.brooklynbirdclub.org/arverne.htmhttp://www.audubon2.org/watchlist/viewSpecies.jsp?id=160http://www.fws.gov/northeast/pipingplover/pdf/plover.pdf8/14/2019 Shari Romar Thesis - NYC Nature News Website
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Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor
The Basics:
Size: stocky, 5 long, 12-14 wingspan.
Color: males with blue-green iridescent plumage on the back, white feathers on the
chest and belly; females and chicks with brownish black on the back and white feathers
underside.
Habitat: open areas and woodland edges frequently near water; nest in tree cavities and
nest boxes.
When and where to observe: throughout the area in appropriate habitat from spring
through late summer. West Pond trail in Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge ( link ) is a
particularly good location.
The Details:
Tree swallows are like miniature dive bombers buzzing about, narrowly missing trees
and birdwatchers heads, deftly landing on nest boxes. Of all the birds, I think they make
flight look the most fun.
But its not all fun and games for the tree swallow -- no, that flight is focused around
food and courtship. During summer months, these stocky, pint-sized birds, measuring 5
long with a 14 catch insects on the fly at low altitudes, making it easy to watch their flight.
Come winter, their diet switches to waxy berries found in southern areas.
In courtship, males display moves that would make stunt pilots envious, just to attract
the attention of females. Making them even more eye-catching is the males stunning, blue-
green, iridescent plumage on their backs, set against white feathers on the chest and belly.
(Females have the same white undersides, but are brownish black on the back.) The only
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visual characteristic of this bird that could be considered plain is their tail, which lacks the
forked outline seen on other swallow species.
Tree swallows are found in the New York City region from spring to early fall, where
they breed in open areas or woodland edges, frequently near water, sometimes forming loose
nesting colonies. Tree cavities are the traditional nest choice, but they readily take to nest
boxes.
Both males and females raise one brood of 4-6 white eggs. They are usually
monogamous but occasionally mate with others if ample food is available. Females incubate
eggs for 13-16 days. Chicks are altricial, dependent on parents for food and warmth. In 16-24 days, chicks fledge and take on coloring similar to adult females.
Watching tree swallows dive through the air with their clear, high twit-weet calls in
spring is just as much fun as watching them form large flocks in late summer, changing their
tune to tzeev hisses as they prepare to migrate south as far as Central America.
Populations are stable though tree swallows still fall victim of the usual foe: habitat
destruction. Help offset such loss by erecting nest boxes ( link ) with appropriately sized holes
to deter house sparrows from taking over the new home.
Though you can watch these stunt pilots at several locations in the region, put the West
Pond trail at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge ( link ) at the top of the list for a great aeronautics
show!
References :
All About Birds: Tree Swallow by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, accessed on 1/16/09
at: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Tree_Swallow_dtl.html
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The Birders Handbook: A Field Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds
by Paul R. Ehrlich, David S. Dobkin, and Darryl Wheye, published 1988 by Simon and
Schuster.
The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior edited by Chris Elphick, John B. Dunning,
Jr., and David Allen Sibley, published 2001 by Chanticleer Press.
The Sibley Guide to Birds by David Allen Sibley, published 2000 by Chanticleer Press.
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Fish and aquatics web fact sheets:
Atlantic menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus
The Basics:
Size: 12-18 long.
Color: blue to green on top, silvery sides, black spot behind gills, yellowish fins.
Habitat: Estuaries and deeper waters.
When and where to observe: Might see a school passing through in deeper waters in
spring, or spawning in estuaries.
The Details:
Also called bunker, these herring move into New York Harbor in such huge schools
that the whole group can weigh several tons!
Atlantic menhaden are one of our waters most common fish. They measure 12-18
long, have large, toothless jaws, a deeply forked tail, and somewhat small yellowish fins.
Coloring ranges from blue to green on top, with silvery sides, and a black spot behind the gills.
They feed along the Atlantic coast, consuming microscopic plants and crustaceans by
filtering them through their mouth to the gills (remember they lack teeth!).
Though they can spawn (reproduce) throughout the year in estuaries, spring and fall are
most productive times.
Besides being a food source for other species like bluefish and striped bass, Atlantic
menhaden serve another important service their food filtering system keeps our waters
healthy!
Unfortunately, menhaden have several other uses and are frequently used in various
products like fertilizers, so overfishing is a distinct concern. Though we may not see them
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often unless were lucky enough to see a school of them in the harbor its important to
remember that even those more unfamiliar critters serve an important role for our city.
References:
Brevoortia tyrannus by Animal Diversity Web/University of Michigan Museum of
Zoology, accessed on April 1, 2009 at:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Brevoortia_tyrannus.
html.
Menhaden by Gulf of Maine Research Institute, accessed on April 1, 2009 at:
http://www.gma.org/fogm/Brevoortia_tyrannus.htm . Net Losses: Declaring War on the Menhaden by H. Bruce Franklin, Mother Jones ,
March/April 2006, accessed on April 1, 2009 at:
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2006/03/net-losses-declaring-war-
menhaden .
Wild New York: A Guide to the Wildlife, Wild Places and Natural Phenomena of New
York City by Margaret Mittelbach and Michael Crewdson, 1997, Three Rivers Press.
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Sample Fish and aquatics web fact sheet (Atlantic menhaden):
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Horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus
The Basics:
Size: up to 20 long and 10 wide; females are larger than males.
Color: Brown carapace (outer shell).
Habitat: Salt waters and beaches.
Where and when to observe: May and June around area beaches like Jamaica Bay
(link ), Marine Park and Plumb Beach.
The Details:
They may look a little scary but theres no reason to fear this fascinating creature that
dates back 310 million years and is considered a living fossil.
Named for the shape of its brown carapace (protective outer shell), the horseshoe crab
is actually related to spiders! The carapace measures up to 20 long and 10 wide; females are
larger than males. They have 10 eyes but the most noticeable are on the carapaces sides. Six
pairs of jointed legs help them move along and the long, pointed tail isnt for defense but
instead used as a helpful lever if the crab is overturned.
Horseshoe crabs are found along the bottom of the coastal shelf to the tide line, up to
75 feet deep, where they scavenge for mollusks, marine worms, algae, and dead fish.
Come May and June during the highest tides provided by full and new moons, females
crawl onto beaches with males not far behind. Females lay up to 300 olive green eggs, which
are fertilized by males before the tide takes the adults back to the water.
Two weeks later, coinciding with the next high tide, hatchling crabs emerge and are
swept into the ocean with the tide.
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Horseshoe crab eggs are a vital food source for migrating shorebirds. However, their
populations appear to be declining thanks to such issues as overharvesting for fishing and
habitat loss.
But you can help horseshoe crabs! First, dont be frightened by their imposing
appearance, but rather observe and learn about these fascinating living fossils. Great places to
visit them include Marine Park, Plumb Beach and Jamaica Bay ( link ). If you see one
overturned, give it a helping hand by turning it right side up. Many organizations like the
American Littoral Society ( link ) offer horseshoe crab walks in May and June.
References: Field Guide to the Natural World of New York City by Leslie Day, published 2007 by
Johns Hopkins University Press.
The Horseshoe Crab by the Ecological Research and Development Group accessed
April 1, 2009 at: http://horseshoecrab.org/ .
Wild New York: A Guide to the Wildlife, Wild Places and Natural Phenomena of New
York City by Margaret Mittelbach and Michael Crewdson, 1997, Three Rivers Press.
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Killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus
The Basics:
Size: less than 5 long.
Color: males dark green or steel blue above with yellow and white spots, light bellies,
and silvery bars on sides (color intensifies in breeding season); females are olive green.
Habitat: Spartina salt marshes.
When and where to observe: most likely to see from spring to fall in salt marshes like
Idlewild Preserve and Marine Park.
The Details:
Just like its hometown, the killifish is a tough New Yorker. Also called the common
mummichog, this fish withstands polluted waters, but also low oxygen levels, high salinity,
and temperature shifts. Not bad for a critter less than 5 long!
Found along the Atlantic coast to the Gulf of Mexico, killifish are omnivores, eating
plants, animals, and even dead fish. They help terrestrial New Yorkers by consuming huge
amounts of mosquito larvae.
Males are dark green or steel blue with a yellow and white spotting pattern above,
while their bellies are white, pale yellow or orange. Silvery bars decorate their sides. Colorful
as this may already sound, their color intensifies in breeding season. Females are always in
olive green with lighter undersides.
Besides the vibrant colors in breeding season, males fight with each other as they vie
for the attention of females. Killifish spawn (reproduce) up to eight times between spring and
fall. Females may lay over 400 pale yellow eggs in a few inches of water in shady spots, and
eggs hatch in 9-18 days, depending on temperatures.
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Young killifish coloring varies from pale to dark with dark bars on the sides that
disappear as they mature.
As cooler temperatures begin in fall and winter, most killifish burrow into the mud up
to 6-8 deep. Their burrowing technique also helps them if they become stranded in tiny pools
of evaporating water.
Visit these tough little fish in the Spartina salt marshes all around New York like those
found at Idlewild Preserve or Marine Parks Salt Marsh Environmental Center.
References:
Common mummichog by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, accessed on April 1,2009 at: http://www.gma.org/fogm/Fundulus_heteroclitus.htm .
Wild New York: A Guide to the Wildlife, Wild Places and Natural Phenomena of New
York City by Margaret Mittelbach and Michael Crewdson, 1997, Three Rivers Press.
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Insects and similar critters web fact sheets:
Eastern tent caterpillar, Malacosoma americanum
The Basics:
Size: caterpillars 2-2 long when mature; moths with 2-2 wingspans.
Color: caterpillars are black with white stripe on back and series of blue dots on sides;
moths reddish-brown.
Habitat: frequently found on cherry and apple trees around the region.
Where and when to observe: caterpillars active in spring on host plants.
The Details:
On spring days as leaves begin to unfurl, many of our citys tree branches sport large,
strange webs thanks to the work of a rather messy little insect, the eastern tent caterpillar.
Soon after hatching, the larvae (caterpillars) begin to eat leaves and construct these silk
tents, which may eventually cover the entire plant! And because they feed in groups, the
hungry insects might devour all a trees leaves. But the feeding frenzy is certainly not one-
sided as the caterpillars make a nice meal for birds.
The tents provide caterpillars with protection at night and from bad weather, and
though rather unattractive, the young insect is anything but. Caterpillars are black with a
white stripe running along the back, and a series of blue dots on the sides. When mature in 4-6
weeks, they measure 2-2 long.
Larvae settle down on trees, fences, and similar structures to spin yellowish-white
cocoons where they will rest and change shape to become moths. This adult form emerges in
late June to early July and unlike the caterpillars, adults are comparatively bland in color --
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reddish brown bodies and wings with a white stripe along the forewing. Wingspans are 2-2
long.
After mating, females lay up to 300 black eggs, clustered together. Since one of their
favorite foods are cherry and apple trees, the 1 long egg clusters encircle a twig so the
caterpillars dont have far to travel when they hatch the following spring.
References:
Eastern Tent Caterpillar/The Interactive Plant Manager by New York State Integrated
Pest Management Program, accessed on April 3, 2009 at:
http://www.nysipm.cornell.edu/ornamentals/Eastern_tent_caterpillar.asp . Field Guide to the Natural World of New York City by Leslie Day, published 2007 by
Johns Hopkins University Press.
Sample Insects and similar critters web fact sheet (Eastern tent caterpillar):
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Lightning bug, Photinus pyralis
The Basics:
Size: Adults approximately long.
Color: Pronotum (cover protecting head) is reddish with yellow edges and black dot in
center; elytra (wing covers) are black with yellow edges.
Habitat: Grassy areas like fields and lawns.
Where and when to observe: Watch for them in nearly every park during summer, soon
after sunset.
The Details:
Call them what you will light bugs, lightning bugs, fireflies there is one thing we
can agree on: these ubiquitous summer insects remind us of the balmy nights of summer when
school books were exchanged for more leisurely pursuits.
While nearly 200 species exist, the lightening bug most New Yorkers are familiar with
is Photinus pyralis.
Adults measure about long. What is commonly considered the head is actually a
protective cover called the pronotum, a reddish shield with yellow edges and a black dot in the
center. Wing covers, called elytra, are black and lined in yellow.
The greenish-yellow light show is produced by an enzyme chemical reaction in the end
of the abdomen, and the resulting illumination is called bioluminescence. Males fly about and
flash roughly every five seconds to signal a nearby flightless female on the ground who flashes
back every two seconds.
After mating, females lay eggs in or on the soil that hatch four weeks later. Immature
lightning bugs are called larvae and they burrow into the soil to feed on other insects. They
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Monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus
The Basics:
Size: caterpillars grow to 2 long; butterflies with 3 -4 wingspans.
Color: caterpillars with black, white, and yellow stripes; butterflies have orange and
black wings with white dots and black bodies with white dots.
Habitat: fields with milkweed plants (for caterpillars) and other wildflowers like
goldenrods.
Where and when to observe: found from mid-June through fall especially around
coastal areas such as Riis Park, Breezy Point, Fort Tilden, Great Kills, and Jones Beach
(link ).
The Details:
Quick think of a butterfly!
I could be wrong, but Id bet the first one that came to mind has orange and black
wings with white dots, and a black body also decorated with white dots, right?
The word butterfly usually conjures an immediate thought of one specific species
the monarch. And theres good reason as they are not only beautiful, but also a fascinating
insect with a 2,000 mile migration to its winter home in Mexico.
Found flying in our region from summer through fall as they journey south, the
monarch begins life as a tiny egg laid on the leaf of a milkweed plant. Three to five days later,
a caterpillar emerges. It has black, white, and yellow bands along its body and gets to work
devouring the milkweed leaves its sole food source. Plus, since milkweed has a chemical
that makes the caterpillar distasteful, it is protected from predators.
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A young caterpillar is just 1/8 long but in 2-3 weeks it measures about 2 long and is
ready for the next stage in life. The caterpillar spins itself into a cocoon called a chrysalis,
where it transforms into the adult butterfly, emerging in approximately two weeks.
A newly emerged butterfly remains still at first, working to expand its wings by slowly
pumping liquid into the veins that reach a 3 - 4 wingspan. Soon after, it is off and
fluttering to nearby plants to feed on nectar extracted with its long tongue called a proboscis.
Monarchs begin to fly south in September, with 60 million arriving in Mexico two
months later. Here they spend the winter huddled on fir trees and living off fat reserves.
Activity resumes in March butterflies mate and females lay eggs for the generation thatbegins the trip northward. Two more generations continue the migration, reaching New York
around mid-June. These butterflies lay eggs for the fourth and final generation that repeats the
southbound journey in fall.
Look for monarch butterflies beginning in summer to fall, especially in areas that have
milkweeds or goldenrods. Coastal areas are particularly good such as Riis Park, Fort Tilden,
Breezy Point, Great Kills and Jones Beach ( link ).
References:
Field Guide to the Natural World of New York City by Leslie Day, published 2007 by
Johns Hopkins University Press.
Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America by Eric R. Eaton and Kenn
Kaufman, published 2007 by Houghton Mifflin. Wild New York: A Guide to the Wildlife, Wild Places and Natural Phenomena of New
York City by Margaret Mittelbach and Michael Crewdson, 1997, Three Rivers Press.
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Mammals web fact sheets:
Harbor seals , Phoca vitulina
The Basics:
Size: males 5-5 feet long, 200-250 pounds; females 4 -5 feet long, 150-200
pounds.
Color: speckled fur with variable color ranging from blue-gray, tan, to nearly black.
Habitat: open waters and rocks or sandbars.
When and where to observe: most likely to spot between November and mid-May at
haul-out sites like Thomas Pell Wildlife Sanctuary in Pelham Bay Park, Wolfs Pond,
Mount Loretto, and Long Island spots like Jones Beach ( link ) and Montauk State Parks.
The Details:
At first glance, the four seals almost looked like people treading water, bobbing up on
the surface in a position called bottling, near a derelict boat by Floyd Bennett Fields ( link )
sea plane ramp. They seemed to look at us just as much as we were looking at them!
According to the Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island, the harbor
seals scientific name loosely translates to sea calf or sea dog, a rather appropriate
nickname given their dog-like snout. Their fur has a speckled pattern with variable coloring
from blue-gray to tan to almost black, with lighter colored fur on the belly. Males are 5-5
feet long, weighing 200-250 pounds while females are 4 -5 feet and 150-200 pounds. Their
diet consists of fish, shellfish, and crustaceans.
Harbor seals are rather long-lived, perhaps up to 25 years old. Not only adept
swimmers, they are able to dive to the remarkable depth of over 1,900 feet and can remain
underwater up to 15 minutes, though the average time is two minutes.
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Though the New England population is increasing currently estimated at 91,000
they do fall victim to oil spills, boats, fishing gear and chemicals.
Summers are spent in the eastern Canada and New England breeding grounds. Males
mature between 4-6 years of age, though females are ready to reproduce earlier. Young seals,
called pups, are born in the spring. They can swim right away, and are nursed by their very
protective mother for 3-6 weeks. Pups weigh 12-20 pounds and measure 2 feet long.
Come winter, the seals move south as far as the Carolinas. Though some scientists
believe they are year-round residents of our waters, the most likely time to see this sociable
species is between November through mid-May. Watch for seals in our salt waters, bottling atthe surface or in small groups hauled out on rocks and sandbars with head and back flippers
raised to a banana position. Though wary of people, they do not appear bothered by us at a
distance and sometimes follow fishing boats to feed on scraps.
Suggested harbor seal viewing spots include the Thomas Pell Wildlife Sanctuary in
Pelham Bay Park with a spotting scope at low tide, Wolfs Pond Park, Mount Loretto, and
sometimes extremely cold winters see harbor seals on ice around Riverside Park. Long Island
has several great places for seals like Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge, Jones Beach
State Park ( link ), or Montauk State Park. Plus two Long Island-based organizations, the
Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island ( link ) and the Riverhead Foundation
for Marine Research and Preservation ( link ), offer winter seal walks and boat cruises.
References:
Field Guide to the Natural World of New York City by Leslie Day, published 2007 by
Johns Hopkins University Press.
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Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, accessed 2/1/09 at:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/pinnipeds/harborseal.htm .
Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina) by the Coastal Research and Education Society of Long
Island, accessed 2/1/09 at: http://www.cresli.org/cresli/seals/hbrseals.html .
Pinnepeds by the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation,
accessed 2/1/09 at:
http://www.riverheadfoundation.org/edu/content.asp?code=pinnipeds .
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Little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus
The Basics:
Size: 4 long, 8-10 wingspan.
Color: glossy brown fur, lighter underside.
Habitat: found throughout the five boroughs.
When and where to observe: various locations; bat houses erected in many city green
spaces like Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge ( link ).
The Details:
It was incredible. Right there, near the Queens Boulevard street lamps on a warm
summer night, a little brown bat went floating by almost like a butterfly. Since that time Ive
kept my eyes open for them, and have seen the bats flicker across the apartment window, or
float above my head on the way home from the subway station.
Our most common bat, this species can be seen around the five boroughs and appears
to tolerate and even embrace human-altered habitats, often finding shelter under building
eaves along with more natural and traditional structures like tree cavities and rock crevices.
Bats are the only mammals capable of flight.
With a span of 8-10, the little brown bats wings are actually extensions of skin, and
they, along with legs, are used in flight. Measuring just 4 long, with elongated fingers and
ears, the bat is covered by glossy, brown fur and lighter, buff fur on its underside.
As nocturnal creatures, they find their way around with echolocation, transmitting
high-pitched sound that bounces off obstacles in their flight path so they can navigate and
locate food in the dark.
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Little brown bats hibernate in large groups beginning in the fall, conserving energy by
lowering their body temperatures to nearly freezing and slowing their metabolism. They
become active again beginning in March through May.
Bats mate in fall and winter. After giving birth, females create maternity colonies
where they nurse the young bats for 18-21 days. Baby bats are called pups, and they hang
onto the mothers fur as she forages for food. After four weeks, pups are independent. Little
brown bats can live for more than 10 years one was recorded at 31!
Bats unfortunately suffer from a bad, and inaccurate, public persona. They rarely
transmit rabies and have absolutely no interest in sucking your blood. On the contrary, theyprefer eating insects and can consume over 50% of their body weight in bugs in a single night,
and 500 mosquitoes in an hour!
Like any other species, little brown bats play another role in the food chain as a meal
for mice, owls, hawks, snakes, raccoons and domestic cats. Though their populations appear
to be secure, they may be plagued with health problems and shorter lives from a build up of
pesticides in their system.
Instead of reaching for chemicals, why not embrace our ecosystem by letting the bats
do the outdoor insect pest control work? Check out their handiwork and their lilting flight
shortly after dusk at one of our great parks. Or even just along Queens Boulevard!
References:
Animal Diversity Web by University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, accessed on
1/16/09 at:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Myotis_lucifugus.ht
ml.
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Field Guide to the Natural World of New York City by Leslie Day, published 2007 by
Johns Hopkins University Press.
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Virginia opossum, Didelphis virginiana
The Basics:
Size: 36 long.
Color: covered with white and gray fur.
Habitat: wooded areas.
Where and when to observe: active at night in spring through fall at various parklands
throughout the five boroughs particularly Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge ( link ), the Cass
Gallagher Nature Trail in Van Cortlandt Park, and the Riverside Park Bird Sanctuary.
The Details:
Perhaps he became startled, but when my brother-in-law a saw a little Virginia
opossum looking in his back porch window, he ran to another room!
Giving him the benefit of the doubt, many people do not look at these unusual
mammals in the most positive light, frequently and inaccurately cited as a rabies carrier. How
unfortunate since this species the only marsupial in North America is not only fascinating,
but also provides important clean-up services for the environment.
With its coarse, salt and pepper fur, white face, long pointed nose and hairless tail and
ears, the Virginia opossum is sometimes mistaken for a rat. But take a closer look and notice
the hind foots thumb and a pouch that holds up to 17 babies. Plus, at up to 36 long, they are
more cat-sized.
Another misconception is the use of the hairless tail. No, it doesnt allow them to hang
upside down but rather helps them keep balance while clinging to branches and carrying
nesting material.
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Females nest in hollow trees, logs or abandoned burrows, lining the space with leaves.
Babies are born in less than two weeks after mating. They are just long and stay in the
mothers pouch where they will nurse for three to four months. After leaving the pouch they
remain with their mother, hanging onto her back as she forages for food. By 100 days old,
they are ready to go out on their own. Females raise 1-3 litters per year.
As a nocturnal omnivore, they eat all kinds of items -- many of which we consider
pests or unwanted like carrion, eggs, slugs, grasshoppers, berries, and grass. Though they do
not hibernate, opossums remain in their dens during winter, leaving only to forage.
Though their populations are stable, and their range appears to be moving northward,Virginia opossums do have predators like hawks, owls, foxes, and coyotes. To deal with such
threats, they play possum by playing dead rolling over, sticking out the tongue and
entering into a trance that actually slows their breathing and heart rate.
Natural predators certainly claim the lives of opossums but automobiles are even more
serious, particularly since they are not quick moving animals and females may be weighed
down with a full pouch. Such threats mean that Virginia opossums live only 1-2 years on
average.
These little animals can be seen in parks and wooded areas around the city, especially
at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge ( link ), the Cass Gallagher Nature Trail in Van Cortlandt Park,
and the Riverside Park Bird Sanctuary.
References:
Didelphis virginiana by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, accessed on 1/16/09
at: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/40502 .
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Field Guide to the Natural World of New York City by Leslie Day, published 2007 by
Johns Hopkins University Press.
Opossum Society of the United States, accessed on 1/16/09 at:
http://www.opossumsocietyus.org/ .
Sample Mammals web page fact sheet (Virginia opossum):
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Reptiles and amphibians web fact sheets:
Common snapping turtle , Chelydra serpentina
The Basics:
Size: usually between 8-14 long but may reach 19 and a weight of 50 pounds.
Color: carapace (upper shell) brownish black, becoming olive or tan with age;
plastron (lower shell) cream colored with dark markings; black or gray skin; eyes
black and gold sunburst pattern.
Habitat: freshwater ponds, rivers, lake edges, estuaries and sometimes salt marshes.
When and where to observe: may occasionally see them basking in shallow water, or
females when nesting (NOTE: They are large, can be aggressive and may inflict a
serious bite keep a distance).
The Details:
The snapping turtle is aptly named one would be wise to keep their fingers away
from the massive jaw attached to the long, flexible neck of this animal!
Besides its jaw, the whole turtle is big; in fact, it is one of the worlds largest
freshwater turtles. They may weigh up to 50 pounds but captive ones may be 75 pounds or
more. The carapace (upper shell) ranges between 8-14 long, though 19 has been recorded.
It is brownish black when the turtle is young, becoming olive or tan with age and features
ominous spikes along the back edge. The plastron (lower shell) is cream colored with dark
markings. Skin is blac