• Saturday,
May 24, 9 a.m. to 11
a.m.
Mount Loretto: Early Breeding Birds and Late Migrants — Last
year with Howie Fischer we were treated to several breeding bird species
including a family of orchard orioles that was very secretive with their two
youngsters as we followed them around the grounds of Mt Loretto. Among other
birds that could be breeding here at this time are robins and Baltimore orioles. We all
agreed that our searching out a breeding bird family was even more rewarding
than just finding and identifying birds, for the whole purpose of bird
migration, bird calls and their unusual spring plumage is to guarantee the
continuation of their particular species, Comfortable shoes and binoculars
are a must. Meet at the Hylan
Blvd. parking lot on the shore side, opposite
the CYO. For more information phone Howie at (718)981-4002 or Dick at
(718)761-7496.
• Saturday, May 24, 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.
Long Pond,
Tottenville’s newest Pond Park — A one to two mile tour of the
woodlands, ponds and wetlands in the Long Pond
Park area. Take a
leisurely two-hour stroll with naturalist, science educator and S.I. Advance
columnist, Clay Wollney. Evidence of animal life and the adaptations of
plants will be observed as we take an unhurried one and a half mile stroll
through the park. Meet at PS 6, on Page
Avenue and Academy Avenue about 3 blocks NW of
Hylan Blvd. For more information phone Dick Buegler (718)761-7496 or Clay
Wollney at (718)303-7825.
• Sunday,
May 25, 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Clay Pit Ponds State
Park/Preserve: Trees and Wildlife in a mini Pine Barren — Find out why Protectors urged the preservation of this parkland and
how we got our name in 1975. It has two rare pine species, two rare southern
oak species, fence swift lizards, and a few rather unusual wildflowers,
nothing like our Greenbelt
forest. It’s one of the few parks on S.I. that have American chestnut
trees, one healthy, tall and 8-10 inches in diameter and just recently found,
a second, though younger large tree. The third is a spindly, sick,
multi-trunk and diseased tree with the chestnut blight but always seems to
flower and set fruit. This is the only park known to have many deer with footprints
galore and nibbled native wildflowers and shrubs. Leader will be Sandra
Mechanic. We have a permit to enter the restricted natural area with Clay Pit
Pond on the other side of Clay
Pit Road. Meet at the park office at the end of Carlin Avenue,
off Sharrott's Road in Rossville. Call Dick Buegler (718)761-7496 or Sandra
at (718)698-2036 for more information.
• Monday, May 26, 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Memorial Day-Coastal Plant
Dune Walk at Gateway — Join Sandra Mechanic, naturalist and photographer, to explore the
unique challenging beach habitats of both dry and salty conditions for
plants. We will find Winged Pigweed, Common Lambs quarters, Prickly Pear
Cactus (native to Staten Island), Seaside Goldenrod, Sickle leafed Golden
Asters, Sea Rocket, Dune grass, Salt marsh grass, the evergreen False
Heather, Jointed Coastweed, Earth Stars (a kind of puff ball) and loads of
Pinweeds that few recognize. The Asters and Coastweed will not be in bloom.
We could see early Monarch Butterflies and some camouflaged, sand colored
grasshoppers as well as many shore birds if the tide is low. Meet at the Hylan Blvd
parking lot to Great
Kills Park,
Gateway, opposite Buffalo St, a stop on the #78 bus line. Drivers pick
up passengers there at 10:00 a.m. then drive into the park about a mile to
the first parking lot and park at the beach side in the first near corner to
your left. If time permits, we will walk over to the educational building in
front of which Parks Ranger Jackie Duhon and Protectors planted a Wildflower Garden with several hundred plants of
9 wildflower species, 4/14/07, the day before last year’s eight inch
rain storm. Bring water, large hat and sunscreen. For more information phone
Dick Buegler (718)761-7496.
• Saturday, May 31, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Second Spring 2008 Search for the Rare Ragged Fringed Orchid. — See orchids and other wild flowers at Mt Loretto. Join Sandra and Dick
to record the appearance for the fourth year of this once missing orchid from
the records of Staten Island. Will we find
the two to three dozen we saw, or maybe fewer or more? Seen first in July of
2005, earlier in June of 2006, late in July 2007 and perhaps this May.
Meet at the Hylan Blvd. parking lot on the shore
side opposite the CYO. For more information phone Dick at (718)761-7496 or
Sandra at (718)698-2036.
• Sunday,
June 1, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Flycatcher Fanfare at Blue Heron — Explore the backwoods of Blue Heron
Park with top birder
Cliff Hagen to search out a variety of migrant flycatchers hawking insects.
Some flycatchers are short tailed birds with eye rings and wing bars. Most
flip their tail rapidly up and down. The kingbird, scissor-tailed, phoebe and
eastern pewee belong to another group of flycatchers as well. Bring
binoculars and field guides. Meet in the parking lot on Poillon Avenue. For more information
Phone Cliff at (718) 313-8591 or Dick Buegler at (718) 761-7496.
• Saturday,
June 7, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
An adventure
woodland stroll near Latourette golf course — Join Sandra Mechanic,
naturalist and photographer, starting at Forest Hill Road
for a delightful stroll of several miles through the mature forest on the
winding yellow trail near the golf course perimeter. Sandy hopes to see some new faces among
you. Check out this easy walk. Wear sturdy shoes, pants to protect your legs
and a cool beverage. Discover this trail that Dick found to be wonderfully
forested with majestic trees. Meet at the corner of Platinum Avenue and Forest Hill Road, parking on Platinum. For
information, phone Dick at (718)761-7496.
• Saturday,
June 7, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
First trip to Staten Island’s Largest Tree
Plantation — They are only
three months old but the 2500 trees that DEC planted behind the bluff at Mt
Loretto Unique Area seem to be thriving. Some of the dogwoods and black cherries
are even blooming. We hope most of them will make it through the hot and dry
summer. DEC planted an excess of trees to account for high mortality which is
often expected when transplanting. Protectors was told that DEC will be
planting a shrub layer underneath the growing trees this spring. For each
tree, how many shrubs would you suggest planting? Walk a woodland with a
healthy understory and estimate the shrub to tree ratio, Is it 1 to 1 or 3 to
1? A 1 to 1 ratio would require 2500 shrubs. A 3 to 1 ratio would require
three times as many shrubs. Meet at the parking lot opposite the Hylan Blvd.
CYO. On the way up, we hope to check on the growth of the rare orchid
rediscovered there two years ago. For more information, phone Dick Buegler at
(718) 761-7496.
• Sunday,
June 8, 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
Meisner Pond wildflower garden — Join Sandra and Dick in a stroll
around the beautifully planted and landscaped retention pond. where NYCDEP
planted hundreds of trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers. Then stroll along
the white trail past wood duck/buttonbush pond to Buck's Hollow where the
Persimmon trees grow. Walk only a mile and see numerous habitats and dozens
of wildflowers. Park near the intersection of Meisner and Rockland Avenues.
For information, phone Dick at (718)761-7496.
• Sunday,
June 8, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
A revisit to the Best Wildflower display on Staten
Island — Corson’s
Brook Woods deserves more than a visit in mid April solely because of its
unusual spring burst of blooms. Let's go back to see what happens later in
the season. The wild leek probably flowers after its delicate leaves melt
away without a trace. I wonder how long it took naturalists to link the broad
rosette of ramps leaves, with the bare flowering stalk and its dozens of
flowers or seeds in a perfect spherical umbel. We also have never seen the
blooming of the Scilla which was present in the hundreds. I wonder if there
will be any trace of the thousands of spring beauties, trout lilies, Canada May
flowers and wild leek that carpeted the mid April forest floor? It may be
easier to spot the true and false Solomon's seal with their red fruits.It
should be cool in those woods even on a hot day with all the tree shade. Meet
at the rear entrance to CSI opposite Jasper St. on Forest Hill Road. For more information,
phone Dick Buegler at (718)761 7496.
• Saturday,
June 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Forest Restoration Workshop: Greta Moulton at High Rock
— Meet in the Nevada
Avenue Parking lot at High Rock. If you are late, walk to the first bend of
the entry road and follow the yellow trail to the green trail to our working
location near Manor Road.
Gloves, plants, tools and refreshments provided. We may plant additional shrubs
and trees unless we have a dry spell this week. Some of the trees including
tuliptrees are at least 10 years old now. Come see how they have thrived. We
will check on our old Highbush Cranberry plantings as well as remove all the
new or returned invasive vegetation. Bring a friend who likes to work
outdoors. Call Dick Buegler for more information at (718) 761-7496.
• Saturday,
June 14, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
New Dorp Beach Walk
— Stroll this beach with naturalist Sandra Mechanic and help her
discover what gems there may be in the sand, what the tides wash in, and what
interesting birds may visit. Look for the black magnetic sand that separates
out on the beach slope. Flip over rocks in the shallows gently to see who
lives, feeds and hides there. Bring the children to help investigate this
rich habitat. Bring small bags to hold their collections of stones, seashells
and sand. We return all live creatures. Meet at the foot of New Dorp Lane at
the gravel parking area. For information, phone Dick at (718)761-7496.
• Sunday,
June 15, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Breeding Orioles
and other exciting birds of Mt. Loretto — We will look for breeding
birds that are unique to this park, Orchard Orioles, Warbling Vireos, Willow
Flycatchers, Yellow Warblers and possibly Bobolinks, if we are very lucky. As
you know this remnant of meadow and former farmland supports some specialties
that include Black Racers, Cottontail Rabbits, Screech Owls and other birds
we don't associate with urban parks. Bring your binoculars and field guides.
Meet at the Mt Loretto parking lot opposite the CYO on Hylan Blvd. For more information phone
Dick Buegler at (718)761-7496 or Howie at (718) 981-4002.
• Tuesday,
June 17, 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Rose or Strawberry Full Moon: Sunset Moonrise Walk at Mt
Moses — Sunset is at 8:30 p.m. and
moonrise is 22 minutes earlier at 8:08 p.m. It takes the moon another 20
minutes to rise above the hills of High Rock so we should see moonrise just
as the sun is setting. This is a rare simultaneous occurrence. Meet at the
base of entry road to Eger Home at intersection of Rockland and Meisner Avenues. Flashlight is
required for each person in your group. You may bring a light refreshment to
share with others. Be sure to dress for a cool evening. The walk is barely
fifteen minutes each way. As we walk past the Rockland Avenue intersection, you will
see the hundreds of trees, shrubs, wildflowers and grasses that NYCDEP
planted in the newly designed flood control system that has worked well so
far in heavy flood rains. We may see some of them in bloom today. Call Dick
Buegler (718) 761-7496.
• Saturday,
June 21, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Arthur Kill
Endangered Wetlands — This is a salt marsh wetland that Protectors
wants saved in its entirety. Meet at the dead-end of Androvette Street (two blocks south of Sharrotts Road on
Arthur Kill Road),
close to the Arthur Kill. We will walk through a portion of the shore land
that the NYSDEC is attempting to conserve to the place where Tappan's Creek,
which originates in Clay
Pit Ponds
State Park, empties
into the Kill. We will observe salt mash and sand beach plants, possibly foraging
shore birds, and the remnants of former salvage operations beside a sand spit
in the Kill. Although the tide will be low, we may have to pass through a
marshy area to enter the site. For more information phone Dick Buegler (718)
761-7496 or Don Recklies (718) 768-9036.
• Sunday,
June 22, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Breeding birds at High Rock
Park — Meet Howie Fischer to find some of the suspected
and confirmed breeding birds that we had encountered last year. We hope to
confirm the breeding of Scarlet Tanagers and hopefully we may be fortunate to
see the nesting Cooper's Hawks. Among the summer residents we will look for
are Wood Thrush, Yellow billed Cuckoo, Screech Owl and Hairy Woodpeckers.
Last year we heard two territorial Scarlet Tanagers and we want to locate
them again. This would be a good record for the Island avian breeding record,
given their long absence as a summer resident in the Greenbelt. Bring your binoculars and field
guides. Meet in the High Rock parking lot at the end of Nevada Avenue or park on local streets
outside the gate if it is not yet opened. For more information phone Dick
Buegler at (718)761-7496 or Howie at (718) 981-4002.
• Sunday,
June 22, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Long Pond, Tottenville’s newest Pond Park — Join naturalist, educator and Advance columnist
Clay Wollney in a search for evidence of animal life, especially reptiles and
amphibians as well the geologic history and human influence, as we stroll
unhurriedly on a one and a half mile walk through the park. Meet at PS 6,
corner of Page and Academy Avenues about 3 blocks NW of Hylan Blvd. Be sure
to bring the children for exciting discoveries. For more information phone
Dick Buegler (718) 761-7496 or Clay Wollney at (718)869-6327.
• Saturday,
June 28, 10 a.m. to 12 noon
What's not Natural here at Mt Loretto? Join Dick Buegler in a two hour circular tour of Mt
Loretto Unique Area to practice the technique of "Reading the
Landscape" in which participants will assist each other in making lists
of changes or modifications man has made on the natural history of this
beautiful site. Work in twos or threes and don't compare observations until
we have completed half our loop walk. Then the problem is what is natural if
anything at all in the Unique Area? We think that if we repeated the exercise
in a wilderness area, we might find few, if any changes or human impacts at
all. Meet in the parking lot of the Mt Loretto Unique Area across the street
from the CYO building on Hylan
Boulevard. For more information, phone Dick
Buegler at (718)761-7496.
• Saturday,
June 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A Panorama Greenbelt Walk — A
four mile walk from St. Andrew's Church to Meisner Pond and back. Join walker,
naturalist and photographer Sandra Mechanic on Old Mill Road, then across a few hills
into the Greenbelt
and back. Walk through a tuliptree forest that never seems to end along a
serene bucolic trail. You skirt between Lighthouse Hill and the Golf course along
the red trail to end up at Meisner Pond. Carry several beverages and dress
lightly with sunscreen protection. Meet at St. Andrews
church at the north end of Arthur
Kill Road where it meets Richmond Road. For information and
reservations, phone Dick Buegler at (718)761-7496.
• Sunday,
June 29, 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Conference House
Beach: Life in the Intertidal Zone —
Past and present blend in Conference House park where history stretches back
thousands of years to the seasonal occupation of the Lenape and hundreds of
years with the habitation of the Dutch and English. In addition to the local
history we will observe the geology of the area and look for what the debris
at the high tide line has to reveal. As the tide goes out we'll move into the
intertidal zone to find out what sorts of living things survive in this
challenging environment. It's going to be muddy so dress appropriately. Be
sure to bring the children for this activity. Meet at the parking lot at the
end of Hylan Blvd.
on the left. For more information phone Dick Buegler (718) 761-7496 or Clay
Wollney at (718)869-6327.
• Sunday, June 29, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Arthur Kill Wetlands, a new
Conservation Site — This is a salt marsh wetland that Protectors wants to
save in its entirety. Meet at the dead-end of Androvette Street (two blocks south of Sharrotts Road on
Arthur Kill Road),
close to the Arthur Kill. We will walk through a portion of the shore land
that the NYSDEC is attempting to conserve to the place where Tappan's Creek,
which originates in Clay
Pit Ponds
State Park, empties
into the Kill. We will observe salt mash and sand beach plants, possibly
foraging shore birds, and the remnants of former salvage operations beside a
sand spit in the Kill. Although the tide will be low, we may have to pass
through a marshy area to enter the site. For more information phone Dick
Buegler (718) 761-7496 or Don Recklies (718) 768-9036.
• Sunday, July 6, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Search for Rare Orchids at Mt Loretto—Two years ago was
the rediscovery of the Ragged Fringed Orchid (not seen on Staten Island for
many years) in several sites along and off the Mt. Loretto
trails by Wilma, Sandra and Dick of Protectors of Pine Oak Woods. Sandra and
Dick revisit again this year to see if the orchids are on the same time
schedule and perhaps propagating. Last year they were not doing as well. With
over 100 acres of hillside meadow, much of which is wet and boggy, Mt.
Loretto Unique Area offers this spectacular orchid a great chance for
proliferation. Then we will walk to the bluff to check on the DEC tree
plantation of some 2500 saplings planted early this spring. Meet in parking lot
of Mt Loretto Unique Area on Hylan
Blvd.
opposite the CYO center in Pleasant Plains. Also have a good sunscreen
with a high number rating and a large broad brimmed hat. It probably will be
sunny and hot. For more information phone Dick Buegler (718) 761-7496.
• Saturday,
July 12, 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Page Avenue Beach Woodlands — Join naturalist, educator and Advance columnist
Clay Wollney in exploring the woodlands above the beach at the bottom of Page Avenue. Besides
the wildlife we will be looking for old foundations and evidence of human
occupation in the past few centuries. Dress sturdily with waterproof
footwear. Meet at the end of Page
Avenue off Hylan Blvd. For more information, phone
Dick Buegler at (718) 761-7496 or Clay Wollney at (718)869-6327.
• Saturday,
July 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Forest Restoration Workshop: Buck's Hollow,
intersection of Blue and White Trails —
Gloves, tools plants and refreshments will be provided. Meet at the
foot of Light House Hill, Meisner and Rockland Avenues. We will check on the
dying Norway Maples a half mile in on the blue trail to see how our many
trees and shrubs, introduced under them, are thriving. This site may need a
lot of exotic Wisteria removal. We'll also check the BMP 8, Bluebelt
restoration at Meisner Ave. Pond. Bring a friend who likes to work outdoors.
For more information, call Dick Buegler (718) 761-7496.
• Saturday,
July 12, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
William T. Davis
Wildlife Refuge in Travis — Join naturalist and photographer Sandra
Mechanic at this gem of a nature preserve that boasts of its planted dawn redwood
prehistoric trees. Actually all our forest trees were prehistoric, but this
species predated the leafed, flowering, fruiting trees, some 50 million years
ago. It is called a living fossil because until 1941 when it was found alive
in Japan,
it was known only from the fossil record. It grows to 50 feet in 20 years and
may reach 120 feet, more than any tree I know of except for the tuliptree
which soars up to 150 feet. It was found growing in central China after
that. This park has extensive wetland growth areas as well as planted
gardens. The park entrance is on Travis
Avenue, a short distance from the Richmond Avenue
end. If the lot is filled, park across the street on Freedom Avenue. Be prepared for some
wet walking. For information, phone Dick Buegler at (718)761-7496.
• Thursday,
July 17, 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Buffalo or Buck Full Moon: Sunset Moonrise Walk at Mt
Moses — Sunset is at 8:25 p.m. and
moonrise is 6 minutes earlier at 8:19 p.m. It takes the moon another 20
minutes to rise above the hills of High Rock so we should see moonrise ten to
fifteen minutes after the sun has set. Last month they occurred at the same
time. That rarely happens. Meet at the base of entry road to Eger Home at
intersection of Rockland
and Meisner Avenues. Flashlight is required for each person in your group.
You may wish to bring a light refreshment to share with others. The walk is
barely fifteen minutes each way. As we walk past the Rockland Avenue intersection, you will
see the hundreds of trees, shrubs, wildflowers and grasses that NYCDEP
planted in this newly designed flood control system that has worked well so
far in heavy flood rains. We may see some summer wildflowers and grasses in
bloom today. Children have always enjoyed this briefer walk for an astronomy
event and for the sharing of refreshments up top. For more information phone Dick
Buegler (718) 761-7496.
• Saturday,
July 19, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Butterflies and Blooms in
Northern SeaView — When the pistil hits the petal, the proboscis finds the pollen.
Experience the gentle field study of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) with
Cliff Hagen. There are inexpensive field guides in the small Golden Guide
nature series entitled "Butterflies and Moths". The same series has
"Insects" which includes the butterflies and moths. Meet on Brielle Avenue
near Wagner H. S. Ball Field. For more information Phone Cliff at (718)
313-8591 or Dick Buegler at (718) 761-7496.
• Saturday,
July 26, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
3 Miles Greenbelt
to Gateway and 3 Miles Back — Join walker, naturalist and
photographer Sandra Mechanic on a scenic, enchanting White trail walk, a six
mile, not too slow walk along the Amundsen trailway to the Great Kills mud
flats. It replaces the parkway that was to be built from where we met, down
to Great Kills. Expect warm weather and carry several beverages for use along
the way. Meet at the intersection of Rockland
and Meisner Avenues where the white trail crosses just where we park. For
information and reservations, phone Dick Buegler at (718)761-7496.
• Saturday,
July 26, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Long
Pond Park
at Dark — The night is
alive with moths, bats and owls. Explore the dark corners of Long Pond
Park with Cliff Hagen
to search out our nocturnal neighbors. Meet at the corner of Page Ave and Amboy Road by the bank. Be sure to bring a flashlight for
each person with you. For more information Phone Cliff at (718) 313-8591 or
Dick Buegler at (718) 761-7496.
• Sunday,
July 27, 9 a.m. to 11 am
Page Avenue Beach at low tide — We will begin with a look at the local geology then move
to examining the flotsam and jetsam accumulated at the high tide lines to see
what nature's debris has to tell us. As the water recedes with the tide we'll
move into the intertidal zone to find out what sorts of living things survive
in this challenging environment. A variety of crabs, snails, clams, worms and
small fish are likely to be discovered. It's going to be muddy so dress
appropriately. Be sure to bring the children for this shore activity. Meet at
the parking lot at the end of Page
Avenue below Hylan Blvd. For more information phone
Dick Buegler (718) 761-7496 or Clay Wollney at (718)869-6327.
• Saturday,
August 2, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Long Pond Park,
Tottenville’s Newest — Join
naturalist, educator and Advance columnist Clay Wollney in a search for
evidence of animal life, especially reptiles and amphibians. The geologic
history and human influence on the park will be observed as we take an
unhurried stroll on a one and a half mile walk through the park. Meet at PS
6, corner of Page and Academy Avenues about 3 blocks NW of Hylan Blvd. For
more information phone Dick Buegler (718) 761-7496 or Clay Wollney at
(718)869-6327.
• Saturday,
August 2, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Butterflies and Blooms in Long Pond
Park — When the pistil hits the petal, the
proboscis finds the pollen. Experience the gentle field study of Lepidoptera
(butterflies and moths) with Cliff Hagen. There are inexpensive field guides
in the small Golden Guide nature series entitled "Butterflies and
Moths". The same series has "Insects" which also includes the
butterflies and moths. Meet at the corner of Page Ave and Amboy Road by the bank. For more information Phone Cliff at
(718) 313-8591 or Dick Buegler at (718) 761-7496.
• Saturday,
August 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Forest Restoration Workshop: High Rock from Nevada Avenue to
Hour Glass Pond — We will continue
removal of invasives and plant additional shrubs and trees if available.
Gloves, plants, tools and refreshments provided. Help us check to see if any
of our almost 200 recently planted black walnuts are germinating. Bring a
friend who likes to work outdoors. Meet in the Nevada Avenue Parking Lot. Call Dick
Buegler (718) 761-7496 for more information.
• Saturday,
August 9, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Blue Heron Park at Dark — The night is alive with moths, bats and owls.
Explore the dark corners of Blue Heron Park with Cliff Hagen to search out
our nocturnal neighbors. Meet at the parking lot on Poillon Avenue. Be sure to bring a
flashlight for each person with you. For more information Phone Cliff at
(718) 313-8591 or Dick Buegler at (718) 761-7496.
• Sunday,
August 10, 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Midsummer Coastal Plant Dune Walk at Gateway — Join naturalist and photographer Sandra Mechanic
and explore the unique challenging beach habitats of both dry and salty
conditions for plants. We will now find this year's new green plants
including Winged Pigweed, Common Lambs quarters, evergreen Prickly Pear
Cactus (native to Staten Island), Seaside Goldenrod, Sickle leafed Golden
Asters, Dune grass, Salt marsh grass, the evergreen False Heather, Earth
Stars (a kind of puff ball) and loads of sprouting Pinweeds that few
recognize even when they are mature and flowering, but they are all over this
area. We may see some summer bird visitors on the open lawns along with our
typical residents and many shore birds if the tide is low. Meet at the Hylan Blvd.
parking lot to Great
Kills Park,
Gateway, opposite Buffalo St.,
a stop on the #78 bus line. Drivers pick up passengers there at 10 a.m. then
drive into the park about a mile to the first parking lot and park at the
beach side in the first near corner to your left. If time permits, we will
walk over to the educational building in front of which the Ranger Jackie Duhon
and Protectors planted a Wildflower Garden with several hundred plants of 9
wildflower species, 4/14/07 last year and again May 10 this year.
Refreshments provided. You may wish to bring extra water. For more
information phone Dick Buegler (718) 761-7496.
• Saturday,
August 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Meisner Pond
wildflower garden — Join
Sandra Mechanic, naturalist and photographer, in a stroll around this beautifully
planted and landscaped retention pond which was constructed to protect
downstream homes from flooding. Then NYCDEP planted hundreds of trees,
shrubs, grasses and wildflowers including the orange butterfly milkweed,
purple NY ironweed, yellow sneezeweed, dogwood and elderberry. We may see
tiny tree frogs, an inch and a half long sitting on plant leaves. Then stroll
along the shady, cool, White trail past woodduck, buttonbush pond to Buck's
Hollow where the Persimmon trees grow. Sandra may show you the house
foundation of the farmer who tried to grow grapes on the poisonous serpentine
soil of this rocky hill slope. Walk only a mile in and back to see numerous
habitats and dozens of wildflowers. Park near the intersection of Meisner and
Rockland. For
information, phone Dick at (718)761-7496.
• Saturday,
August 16, 7:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Sturgeon or Grain Full Moon: Sunset-Moonrise Walk at Mt
Moses — Sunset is
at 7:52 p.m. and moonrise is 3 minutes earlier at 7:49 p.m. However, It takes
the moon another 20 minutes to rise above the hills of High Rock so we should
see moonrise fifteen to twenty minutes after the sun has set. Back in June,
they occurred at the same time. That rarely happens. Meet at the base of
entry road to Eger Home at intersection of Rockland and Meisner Avenues. Flashlight is
required for each person in your group. You may bring a light refreshment to
share with others. The walk is barely fifteen minutes each way. As we walk
past the Rockland Avenue intersection, you will see the hundreds of trees,
shrubs, wildflowers and grasses that NYCDEP planted in this newly designed
flood control system that has worked well so far in heavy flood rains to
protect the homes further downstream. We may see some summer and fall wildflowers
and grasses in bloom today. Children have always enjoyed this briefer walk
for an astronomy event and the sharing of refreshments. For more information
phone Dick Buegler (718)761-7496.
• Saturday,
August 23, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Migrating swallows, kingbirds and other early migrants — Join Howie Fischer at Mt. Loretto
to look for migrating birds, local bird residents and waterfowl on the ponds.
Some of the Goldenrod species should be in full bloom. We may find shorebirds
if the ponds have adequate water levels. Birds will be our focus and anything
is possible as far as early departing species is concerned. Ask Howie to see
the rediscovered orchids and the 2500 tree plantation on your tour. Meet at
the Mt Loretto parking lot opposite the CYO on Hylan Blvd. For more information phone
Dick Buegler at (718) 761-7496 or Howie at (718) 981-4002
• Saturday,
August 23, 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Second trip to Staten
Island’s Largest Tree Plantation — They are only five months old but the
2500 trees that DEC planted behind the bluff at Mt Loretto Unique Area seem
to be thriving. We think most of them will make it through the hot, dry summer.
DEC planted an excess of trees to account for high mortality which is often
expected when transplanting. By now, DEC has planted a shrub layer. For each
tree, how many shrubs would you suggest planting? Walk a woodland with a
healthy understory and estimate the shrub to tree ratio, Is it 1 to 1 or 3 to
1? On the way up, we hope to check on the growth of the rare orchid
rediscovered there two years ago. Meet in the Mt Loretto parking lot,
opposite the CYO on Hylan Blvd.
For more information, phone Dick Buegler at (718) 761-7496.
• Saturday,
August 30, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Page Avenue Beach at low tide — We will begin with a look at the local geology
in the beach sands, then move to examining the flotsam and jetsam accumulated
at the high tide lines to see what nature's debris has to tell us. As the
water recedes with the tide we'll move into the intertidal zone to find out
what sorts of living things survive in this challenging environment. A
variety of crabs, snails, clams, worms and small fish are likely to be
discovered. It's going to be muddy so dress appropriately. Meet at the
parking lot at the bottom of Page
Avenue below Hylan Blvd. Be sure to bring the
children for this fun activity. For more information phone Dick Buegler (718)
761-7496 or Clay Wollney at (718)869-6327.
• Sunday,
August 31, 1 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Clay Pit Ponds State
Park/Preserve: Pine barren trees and wildlife — Find out why Protectors
urged the preservation of this parkland and how we got our name in 1975. It
has rare southern “pine and oak” trees, nothing like our Greenbelt forest. With
a permit, Sandra and Dick will lead us into the restricted area where few
have trod. We will check in the sand or mud for deer prints throughout the
park. We’ll find the diseased clone of the American Chestnut that has
produced flowers and fruit the past few years and the healthy 7 to 8 inch
diameter chestnut tree, now 20+ feet tall and 9 inches in diameter and still
disease free. The normal trunk-splitting at the base is not indicative of
chestnut blight unless a fungus growth is observed. Meet at the park office
building at the end of Carlin
Avenue, off Sharrott’s Road in Rossville.
Call Dick Buegler (718) 761-7496 for more information.
• Saturday,
September 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Forest Restoration Workshop: Egbertville Ravine in the
Greenbelt —
Meet near the intersection of Rockland
and Meisner Avenues, at the foot of the entry road to Eger Home. We walk to
the entrance of the white trail off London
Road to continue our removal of the English Ivy
Ground Cover. There is a new patch a couple of hundred feet west of the
original site that needs eradication. We could also do a hunt for the young
seedlings of the black walnuts we planted last year to see if any of them
survived the squirrels and germinated in pairs as we planted them. We may
have gotten some black walnut potted seedlings to plant. Gloves, plants,
tools and refreshments provided. Bring a friend who likes to work outdoors.
Call Dick Buegler (718) 761-7496 for more information.
• Monday,
September 15, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sturgeon or Grain Full Moon: Sunset Moonrise Walk at Mt
Moses — Sunset is at 7:05 p.m. and
moonrise is 4 minutes earlier at 7:01 p.m. It would appear that we would see
them occur at the same time. However, It takes the moon another 20 minutes to
rise above the hills of High Rock so we should see moonrise fifteen to twenty
minutes after the sun has set. Back in June, they occurred for us at the same
time. That rarely happens. Meet at the base of entry road to Eger Home at intersection
of Rockland
and Meisner Avenues. Flashlight is required for each person in your group.
You may bring a light refreshment to share with others. The walk is barely
fifteen minutes each way. As we walk past the Rockland Avenue intersection,
you will see the hundreds of trees, shrubs, wildflowers and grasses that
NYCDEP planted in this newly designed flood control system that has worked well
so far in heavy flood rains to protect the homes further downstream. We may
see some fall colors appearing on this day, a bit early. Look for summer fall
wildflowers still in bloom today. Children have always enjoyed this briefer
walk for an astronomy event as well as the sharing of refreshments. For more
information phone Dick Buegler (718) 761-7496.
• Saturday, September 20, 9 a.m. to 12 noon
Staten Island Beach Cleanup at Sharrott & Mt Loretto
Beaches — Protectors of Pine Oak
Woods has volunteered again to participate in this international
coastal clean up effort by assuming responsibility for the beach below the Mt
Loretto bluff from Sharrott
Avenue south past the bluff. Gloves, tools, bags
and light refreshments will be provided. Last year we removed over 400 pounds
of beach litter. It should be less of a chore this year. The cleanup is
funded by the NY Environmental Fund. We have the full support of New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), purchaser of the Mt
Loretto Unique Area. Meet at the NYC beach parking lot at the end of Sharrott Ave. For
more information, phone Dick Buegler at (718) 761-7496 or Dominick Durso at
(718) 967-0379.
