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| June 15, 2007 Article in the NY Times Today The current issue of Audubon includes an article on "Common Birds in Decline" with 10 birds listed. An article in the New York Times this morning suggests that this is a study of "meadow" (i.e. grassland) birds in decline although the Audubon purview seems a bit wider than that. Nevertheless the Times has it right: meadow or grassland birds are in steep decline and not only in the U.S.A. but world-wide. Some scientists argue that grasslands (meadow, steppe) are a more threatened habitat than rain forest and that grasslands specialists (most of which cannot live anywhere else) are severely threatened. This has resonance on Long Island where all our native grasslands have been extirpated, wiped out. Yes, grasslands are native to LI and the northeast in general. They go back to the last ice age as is proven by the existence of localized forms of many species. Nowadays, grasslands survive in large enough quantities to support breeding birds almost exclusively at the edge of airports and we have only one larger grasslands left on Eastern Long Island and that is the ex-Grumman facility at Calverton. Among the birds that are nesting there (and, as demonstrated by recent visits) continue to nest there are Grasshopper Sparrow (the largest colony left on LI; this is a threatened bird everywhere) E. Meadowlark (one of Audubon's declining 10; probably the largest colony left on LI) Horned Lark Am Kestrel (which has also been declining) Field Sparrows (one of Audubon's declining 10 and noticeably declined on LI) Our recent observation (on June 12) of a kettle of 11 Turkey Vultures soaring overhead probably belongs here. Turkey Vultures are not known to breed on LI and need wide open spaces. Not far away are the so-called "Manorville Grasslands" which are more properly 'savanna' or 'oldfield' (with emergent trees mixed in). This area needs management or it will revert to woodlands. Other rare or declining grassland birds that occur at Grumman or in the Manorville Grasslands and currently nest or are good candidates for nesting include N. Bobwhite (one of Audubon's 10 declining common birds) Northern Harrier (declining on LI and perhaps elsewhere) Upland Sandpiper (remnant populations only) Savannah Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Yellow-breasted Chat Bobolink Edge, 'savanna' or 'oldfield' birds that breed at the edges of these grasslands include Warbling Vireo, E. Bluebird, Prairie Warbler, Orchard Oriole and Blue Grosbeak. Another strong possibility here is Barn Owl. The Grumman grasslands are an integral part of the Central Pine Barrens and should be at the top of anyone's list for areas that need to be protected. Birders, bird-watchers and their organizations should be active in working to preserve these areas! Eric Salzman P.S.: Extirpated grassland birds that used to nest on LI include the Greater Prairie-chicken as well as Sedge Wren and Henslow's Sparrow. |
| Can We Save Grumman Grasslands? (click here for google map) Some Thoughts & Information from Eric Salzman |
| June 26, 2007 Action on Grumman Grasslands Ever since the RBA posted the following statement >Regarding the Grumman Airport property, we’ve heard a very upsetting >report that Riverhead is selling this property to an industrial >developer. Please do whatever you can to protest this action. This >extensive and vital grassland area should bepreserved, not destroyed. and my posts on the subject of the Grumman grasslands, our last substantial area of grasslands -- an otherwise virtually extirpated habitat on LI -- I have received many inquiries from people who want to know what they can do. With the help of Mary Lamont, Bob McGrath and others, I have come up with some action suggestions. The Grumman property is in the town of Riverhead (it is actually a town industrial park) and Riverhead has the reputation of being the weakest of the East End towns on environmental matters. First of all, major groups like Audubon (national and local), the Nature Conservancy, the Peconic Land Trust need to be pushed to intercede on behalf of the grasslands. The Pine Barrens Society is already in the battle but I'm sure they could use all the support they can get. An organization that should be pressured to get involved is the Open Space Preservation Committee of Riverhead headed by Eva Kaplan. So far they have not taken any steps to preserve the area. The following Riverhead Town officials (the most potentially sympathetic) should be contacted: Supervisor Phil Cardinale Councilman George Bartunek Councilman Barbara Blass Riverhead Town Hall number is 727-3200; ask the operator to switch you to Cardinale, Blass and Bartunek. You will probably get their voice mail and have to leave a message. Also send letters to the the News-Review; they are generally good about publishing letters to the editor. They are on Main Road in Mattituck and their e-mail address is <mail@timesreview.com>. Their phone number is 298-3200. I would also send letters to the Southampton Press, Newsday and Suffolk Life! The main points to be emphasized are the following: 1) grasslands are native to Long Island 2) there are many species of plants and animals that can survive only in grasslands 3) they are an integral part of the Pine Barrens 4) they help feed the pure water system of the pine barrens 5) the ex-Grumman grasslands (or, preferably, Calverton Grasslands) are the only extensive grasslands left 6) It is a beautiful natural area and the ultimate in open space! For birders, I've given lists of grasslands species that are essentially restricted to this habitat or are very rare elsewhere. Grasslands are threatened, not only on LI, but everywhere due to habitat loss, development for agriculture, suppression of fire, pesticides, etc. Eric Salzman |
| YOU CAN HELP!!! |
| August 14, 2007 Grumman/Calverton Grasslands (click here for google map of grassland area location) Notes from Dianne Why be concerned about this piece of property? -Simply because it's important to the birds; our birds! -It's the last substantial area of native grasslands left on all of Long Island! -It's provides nesting habitat for fairly large numbers of three of the five birds of special concern in New York; Eastern Meadowlark, Grasshopper Sparrow, Field Sparrow -It is populated by a large variety of birds during the year. Some examples are: American Kestrel, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Tree & Barn Swallows, Mockingbirds, Prairie Warbler, Pine Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Eastern Bluebird, Osprey, Eastern Kingbird, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird A group, Calverton Grasslands Coalition, has been formed consisting of Eastern Long Island Audubon, North Fork Audubon, Nature Conservancy, Group for the East End. We are currently in the process of organization material to be presented to the Riverhead Town Board. WE NEED YOUR HELP TOO!!! Below, in a message from Eric Salzman, where there is information on who you can contact with your concerns about this issue. There is also mention of the points that should be made in your letters. Please read this information and please TAKE ACTION....write a letter, make a call!! Also please contact me if you have any information that might be of assistance to us. Or is you have any contact information for civic groups, or other groups that might be interested in helping us with this issue. You can contact me at libirding@yahoo.com . Just put "Grumman" in subject line. Thanks much!! LET'S DO THIS!!!! |