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Upcoming HGCNY Programs and Events
Our meetings are free and open to the public. Join us!
NOTE time change! Field Trip to Chaumont Barrens Saturday May 23. We'll first tour the Barrens at 10:00 am, then go for lunch. Our field trip this year
is a guided tour of a unique natural area near Watertown, NY called Chaumont
Barrens. Several of our speakers this past season referred to this alvar
grassland (prairie) as an inspiring and beautiful example of a native
plant community. During our tour, we should see the rare Prairie Smoke in bloom,
as well as many other more familiar native plants such as blue phlox, bloodroot,
yellow ladyslipper and white cedar, along with the other creatures that live in
the community. For details and sign-up info ...Summer meetings: We tour gardens, parks, and other sites of interest. Be watching for dates, times and locations on our meetings and events webpage ...
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UPDATE: A solution to the deer problem?
In the last issue (April 23), we included a tip from an internet blog indicating that dribbling a path of human urine seems to deter deer. We asked for feedback and received a comment indicating that so far it was working! They indicated that they reapplied it fairly frequently, especially after a rain - just a quick 5-minute walk around the perimeter of the landscape. We welcome more feedback from anyone who's tried this technique! |
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Great new online bird resource
Cornell's Lab of Ornithology has just redesigned their All About Birds website, and it offers many useful resources to help you enjoy birds.
Jessie and Chris share their
tips, tools, and techniques for identifying birds with
confidence-whether you're new to birding or seeking to hone your
skills. In the first four online video episodes, learn the secrets of the "four
keys" to bird identification.
After watching the videos, explore the rest of the newly redesigned All About Birds website.
It's packed with stunning images and information about every aspect of
birding. Enhance your bird knowledge by visiting the Bird
Guide, with more than 500 species profiles, new photo ID tools, cool
facts, sounds, and video. Peruse the Living Bird section for articles
about travel, science, and conservation. Practice using the four keys
to identification or sharpen your knowledge about Songs and Calls in
the Building Skills section. Check out the Multimedia theater to watch
videos about birds from the Arctic, coasts, and grasslands-or learn
more about attracting birds right to your own yard.
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Are fireflies disappearing?
 Spotting fireflies is a special part of warm summer nights, but lately they seem to be disappearing from our landscape. Researchers from Boston's Museum of Science and other researchers are tracking these amazing insects and they need your help!
It's easy to participate. Just report how many fireflies you see either in your own yard or elsewhere. They suggest 10 minutes once a week, but even just one evening of data is useful information - even if you don't see fireflies.
Sign up on the Firefly Watch website so you'll be ready to report your first firefly!
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 Let people know you're a Wild One!
Did you know that Wild Ones, HGCNY's parent organization, has an attractive metal yard sign available?
The weatherproof aluminum yard sign announces to
all that the owner's land is being restored toward harmony with nature.
The sign is enameled with a white border,
beige background, black printing and a scratchboard-effect coneflower
over a purple field. The vertically displayed sign measures 7"x10" and
has two mounting holes top and bottom
to allow for securing to a support by either screws or ties such as
wire or cording.
No hardware is included.
To purchase ($29), go to the Wild Store.
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Gardening for life
Whether or not you've already read Bringing Nature Home by Douglas Tallamy (and we highly recommend that you do!), you'll find the Gardening for Life section of his website useful and inspiring.
The Gardening for Biodiversity section includes a handy list of the 20 best native woody and perennial plants for supporting biodiversity. Note that the list uses just the genus. Be sure you choose the native species. For example, it lists geranium and iris, but it does NOT mean bedding geranium or Oriental iris.
You can also hear a radio interview with Tallamy.
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