Roosevelt Island Joins The NYC Bird Alliance Annual Christmas Bird Count Sunday December 15 - Sign Up To Participate In This Family Friendly Scientific Research Project

The NYC Bird Alliance is celebrating 125 years of the Christmas Bird Count. on Sunday December 15

Want to take part in the 125th Annual #ChristmasBirdCount this year? There's still time to register for counts happening across NYC this weekend and next. Learn more and register at https://t.co/30LRw06Blp

— NYC Bird Alliance (@nycbirdalliance) December 11, 2024

According to the NYC Bird Alliance:

The 125th annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count—the nation's longest-running Community-Science bird project—will soon be underway nationwide, and in all five boroughs of New York City.

Anyone can participate, even beginner birders! The data collected over the past century by volunteer observers, ranging from experienced ornithologists to casual nature enthusiasts, allow researchers to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America. This family-friendly activity is a great way to explore our City's natural areas while contributing to valuable scientific research, and we encourage all to participate!...

 iDig2Learn reports that Roosevelt Island is part of the NYC Bird Count 

Here's more on the NYC Bird Count.

Sign up here to join the Roosevelt Island NYC Bird Count

Foraging Sandpiper Looking For Food On Roosevet Island East River Rocks

Click on full screen icon for better view.

Cockatiel Spotted Between Roosevelt Island Tram And Subway Today - Did You Lose A Bird?

Miranda Jacoby shares this picture

reporting:

Cockatiel Spotted Between Tram and Subway around 5:40 pm Today (Mon Jul 11)

The bird was last seen sitting in a tree at the base of the tramway tower. It appeared to have left the immediate area around 6 pm.

Before leaving the area the bird had made what appeared to be two attempts to fly across the river, but came circling back.

and tweets:

There is a cockatiel hanging out between the tram and the subway on Roosevelt Island. Did someone lose a pet bird? pic.twitter.com/M9OatBNDNJ

— Miranda Jacoby (@PracticalPigeon) July 11, 2016

Baby Birds Mooching Muffin From Roosevelt Island Starbucks Outdoor Table Patio Today - Pass The Latte Please

According to the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse:

Baby birds munching muffin from Roosevelt Island #Starbucks outdoor patio table today pic.twitter.com/Vn629UpBLk

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) July 8, 2016

Many Spring Migratory Birds Stunned, Injured Or Killed Each Year Colliding With Roosevelt Island Buildings - You Can Help Prevent By Making Your Windows Visible To Birds Says Wildlife Freedom Foundation President

Roosevelt Island resident Rossana Ceruzzi is the founder and President of the Wildlife Freedom Foundation Inc. (WFF):

...a non profit organization (501(c)(3) formed for the purpose of protecting and conserving wildlife and caring for stray animal populations in NYC.

Ms. Ceruzzi reports:

 Image From Wildlife Freedom Foundation

SPRING MIGRATION IS HERE (March 15TH --- Early June)

Each migration season, twice a year, nearly one-third of the bird species found in the United States, from 30 Warblers species to raptors, die by colliding with building. Roosevelt Island is not immune from this problem.

Every year on Roosevelt Island, dozens and dozens of birds are either stunned, seriously injured or killed by these collisions.

MAKE YOUR WINDOWS VISIBLE TO BIRDS!!

Glass windows are the greatest threat to migratory birds.

It is vital that we do what we can to minimize/eliminate these dangers whenever possible. Birds collide with every size of glass window, door and lobby. Reflective glass windows present deceptive images of trees, water etc. that a bird may fly towards.

PLEASE DRAW BLINDS AND CURTAINS. IT SAVES LIVES.

MOVE INDOOR PLANTS AWAY from windows and clear glass lobbies. (This will not work if there are strong reflections of the landscape in the window.) REMEMBER — leave no uncovered area of glass that is larger than the palm of your hand. Birds will try to fly through any space larger than this!

Use easy DECALS, TAPE, MARKERS, or whatever other type of markings on the windows. You can also hang wind chimes, CDs or other decorative items inside/outside the windows. You can use strips of paper garlands, ribbons and anything that makes your window glass visible to the birds.

If you don’t have any of the above items, use a simple BAR SOAP to draw streaks (after spring migration, you just wash it out.)

Most of the smaller birds species migrate at night, using the moon, the stars and natural landmarks to navigate.

They are dangerously attracted to the lights left on in office and/or apartment buildings. Please TURN OFF unnecessary interior lights during spring migration season.

Important - SHOULD YOU SEE A BABY BIRD ON THE GROUND, DO NOT PICK IT UP!

Stand back 20 feet and if possible monitor it without approaching to see if parents are feeding it. In general, parents are aware that the baby has fallen, and they are taking care of it. If parents do not appear in one hour, gently place the baby bird in a box with air holes and immediately contact WFF at: 1-855-WFF-NYNY (933-6969) or email us at: wffny.info@gmail.com.

We are deeply grateful for any Donation you can make to help our efforts.

Thank you.

The National Geographic shows efforts to stop migrating birds from crashing into building windows.



Last October, Ms Ceruzzi nursed back to health an injured Kestrel Bird and released it back into the wild.



Check out more about the Wildlife Freedom Foundation at its website.

Photographer's Rare Encounter With Roosevelt Island Falcon Deep In Thought On East River Seawall Railing And Perched High Above

Peter Blumen shares these photos and reports on his encounter with a Roosevelt Island Falcon:

I was walking along the east side of Roosevelt Island Sunday and I mistook him for a wooden scarecrow, which we have in California. He was still and sitting atop the RIOC Bus Depot. His stillness, which was probably a hunting tactic, and being a rare site, confused me and I thought he was not real. How could he be a falcon here, an irrational mix. A few steps closer and he twitched and then I had to abandon that premise. He was real and far from home. On top of the bus depot he was safe but still as I got closer he flew off and along the fence that borders the island.

A minute later, I came upon him again and my camera was already out.

I walked quietly and slowly towards him, all the while taking pictures.

And when I stopped about 5 feet away, he continued to look at me, assessing me. I had interrupted his thoughts, he was staring out to the sun and some snapshot hound was pestering him. He was not fond of me and I was apprehensive of him. He looked smaller with his wings folded in, the size of a 1 year old child. At some point he realized there would be no peace with me nearby and even though I had stopped approaching, he had enough of my nuisance, looked upstream for a more secure location, spread to his full 6 foot width,

seeming to fall off his perch until he caught wind, and climbed about 20 feet in a moment.

I saw him once more, but not from so close a distance and he looked down on me, knowing he had the upper hand. I knew I would never be that close again. I wasn’t a threat to him at his new post,

the tip of the boat lowering device at the fire department station. So I took a few more pictures which the reader sees here. A rare encounter indeed.

Looks like Cornell Tech has an interest in birds too.

We can't wait to work more with @CornellBirds thanks to this generous gift: https://t.co/OzSfr0voIe pic.twitter.com/BsLvGuEmXV

— Cornell Tech (@cornell_tech) November 16, 2015

Perhaps when their Roosevelt Island campus opens in 2017, they can study our birds too.

UPDATE 11/18 - Marco Gentile shares these pictures of what may be the same falcon

hanging out on his Roosevelt Island balcony and adds:

we are very grateful she is keeping the pigeons away lol.

Injured Kestrel Bird Healed And Released On Roosevelt Island By Wildlife Rehab Specialist Rossana Ceruzzi, President Of Wildlife Freedom Foundation - Shows How To Protect Migrating Birds From Crashing Into Hi Rise Buildings Too

An injured Kestrel bird was nursed back to health

Image From Rossana Ceruzzi

by Roosevelt Island resident Rossana Ceruzzi, a NY State and Federal licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Image From Rossana Ceruzzi

Upon the Kestrel regaining its health, Ms Ceruzzi released the bird at Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park on Tuesday September 29.



Ms Ceruzzi is the founder and President of the Wildlife Freedom Foundation Inc. (WFF), a non profit organization (501(c)(3) formed for the purpose of protecting and conserving wildlife and caring for stray animal populations in NYC.

According to Ms. Ceruzzi:

Among other causes, WFF works to control and reduce the population of stray cats in NYC through the Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR)  program, to get the cats adopted when possible, to provide care for stray cats who are not adopted or adoptable and advocate to prevent and end ALL forms of cruelty toward animals.

The video shows the release into the wild, after 3 days of cage rest, of an American Kestrel. Scientific Name: Falco Sparverius.

The raptor was found in distress and disoriented in the lobby of a residential building on Roosevelt Island. Many thanks to Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department for calling me promptly.

The American Kestrel was once one of the most common raptors in North America. It is in fact, the smallest and most common falcon in North America. These birds feed mainly on insects, mice and snakes, making this bird a very good friend to farmers! :)

See more about American Kestrels.

Reminder - This is Fall migration season!!

Roosevelt Island is part of The Atlantic Flyway, which many migrating birds use to reach warmer climates.

Please put decals on your windows or please draw blinds. Please make your windows visible to birds.

Some (sad) Facts:
Each migration season, twice a year, nearly one third of the bird species found in the United States, from 30 Warblers species to raptors, die by colliding with building. Roosevelt Island is not immune from this problem. Every year on RI, dozens and dozens of birds are either stunned by these collisions, seriously injured or killed.

Read more:

Architects around the world have created fantastic bird friendly structures that incorporate little or no exposed glass i.e. NYTimes building in NYC (by FX Fowle and Renzo Piano). However, designing a new structure to be bird friendly does not need to add much to the cost of construction. There are many different solutions. I am planning to submit some suggestions to both Cornell and Related in order to promote sustainable bird-friendly construction on Roosevelt Island.

An immediate "Quick Fix" for everyone:

• ABC BirdTape to make home windows safer for birds. Decals.
• It is an easy-to-apply tape that lets birds see glass while letting you see out, is easily applied.
• Visit: www.ABCBirdTape.org/

Check out more about the Wildlife Freedom Foundation at its website.

7th & 8th Graders Sign Up Now For Fun American Museum Of Natural History, Cornell Tech And Roosevelt Island Youth Program Summer Computer Coding And Bird Observation 2 Week Program

 Image From Cornell Lab Of Ornithology

The Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) is partnering with Cornell Tech and the American Museum of Natural History to offer a 2 week summer program for 7th and 8th graders to study ornithology (study of birds) and coding in the Python computer language.

According to RIYP:

Roosevelt Island Youth Program Partners with Cornell Tech to offer exciting Coding off the Grid Program

It is Roosevelt Island Youth Program Beacon's pleasure to introduce a new and exciting opportunity for rising 7th Graders to work in collaboration with Cornell Tech this summer!  July 20th-31st, Cornell Tech and the Roosevelt Island Youth Program's Beacon and the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development will offer students entering 8th grade in the fall an optional 2-week program called "Coding off the Grid" that combines computer science and natural sciences.  The program has been developed by the American Museum of Natural History and will be led by Ms. Kelly Huang, science teacher at PS/IS 217.  Students will spend time outdoors observing birds and the natural environment, and indoors in the computer lab learning to code their observations. No prior knowledge is required for this class.

The program will last three hours every day for 2 weeks, starting at 9:00am and ending at 12:00pm, so students will be able to participate in other Beacon summer activities during the rest of their days.  Coding off the Grid includes two field trips to the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, on July 21st and 31st.  At the conclusion of the program, Cornell Tech will host a tech high school fair for all participants and their families.  There will be no charge for participating.

If you know of a 7th or 8th Grade student in our area who may be interested in this program, please contact the Beacon Office to receive an application at (212) 527-2505 or email us at RIBeacon@gmail.com.

Cornell Tech Director Of K -12 Education Diane Levitt discussed summer program for PS/IS 217 students on the study of birds with the American Museum of Natural History, including learning how to code in Python language, during June 8 meeting of CB 8's Roosevelt Island and Education committees.

Here's what Ms. Levitt had to say



and a video of a student learning how to code colors in Python computer language.

Sign up now if you are a 7th or 8th Grader interested in this program by emailing RIBeacon@gmail.com or calling (212) 527-2505.

Help Return A Blue Jay Baby Bird To Mother In Blackwell Park Asks Roosevelt Island Wildlife Specialist

Image From Rossana Ceruzzi

Roosevelt Island resident Rossana Ceruzzi is a wildlife specialist with the Wildlife Freedom Foundation and is seeking your help today for a baby Blue Jay bird missing from Blackwell Park. Ms Ceruzzi reports:

A baby Blue Jay has been picked up by someone next to the playground at Blackwell Park. The bird must be returned asap or will succumb.

Image From Rossana Ceruzzi

His mother is looking for him!!!

Image From Rossana Ceruzzi

The baby Blue Jay should be returned to Blackwell Park. I have been monitoring the bird for 3 days since the nest fell from the tree. A second Blue Jay is in rehabilitation and this one was just fine as his mother Blue Jay was taking care of him until he went missing.

Can you help?

Are You Missing A Little Roosevelt Island Bird - Was Found In Another's Apartment

A Roosevelt Island resident asks:

Found this cute little guest inside my apartment, anybody missing a bird.

Seems like this little one is hungry and thirsty. Who does it belong to? What should I feed him??

Another resident reports:

We actually saw this little guy flying around near the traffic circle by RIDN a few days ago -- I think he's been on his own for a while. We couldn't get him to come down from the tree he was stuck in...

Hope he finds his home.

If it's your bird, respond in the comments for return home.

Not A Roosevelt Island Sequel To Alfred Hitchcock Movie The Birds, Just Nina Da Bird Whisperer At Meditation Steps

No, a sequel to Alfred Hitchcock's movie The Birds was not being being shot yesterday on a foggy Roosevelt Island. Rather, Vadim Malinsky filmed Nina as she whispered to Roosevelt Island pigeons



on the Meditation Steps.

Was That A Hawk, Falcon Or Osprey On Roosevelt Island Main Street Lamp Post Today?

Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy spotted this bird perched on top of a Roosevelt Island Main Street lamp post earlier today

before it flew off into Capobianco Park.

I was told that the bird is not a Hawk or a Falcon but an Osprey who feeds on the Roosevelt Island pigeons and rats.

Anybody know for sure?

Swans Return To Roosevelt Island - Perform Swam Lake

Roosevelt Island resident C. Grant shares these photos of our East River wildlife neighbors

Image From C. Grant

and adds:

 Displaced hurricane residents perform Swam Lake spotted off the north eastern bow

Image From C. Grant

The Birds Take Over Roosevelt Island's Firefighters Field This Afternoon - But Don't Worry, No Alfred Hitchcock Moment

This afternoon, these birds took over Roosevelt Island's Firefighter's Field for a while.

You Tube Video of Birds Taking Over Firefighters Field

Fortunately, nothing like this happened.

You Tube Video From Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds

New York City Geese Being Killed To Protect Airliners - Are Roosevelt Island Geese Next?

Image of Roosevelt Island Canadian Goose From Chedpics

Roosevelt Island Geese may soon have more to worry about than being hit by speeding vehicles on the East Channel Road adjacent to Coler-Goldwater Hospital. According to CNN:

Four hundred Canada geese from Brooklyn's Prospect Park were herded into crates and euthanized last week in an effort to reduce their number near New York's airports, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Measures to lower the number of Canada geese close to John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia international airports have been in place since last summer, said Carol Bannerman, spokeswoman for the USDA's Wildlife Services...

NBC New York reports:

... Carol A. Bannerman, a spokeswoman for the USDA's Wildlife Services Division, told NBCNewYork that the program began last year as part of the Aviation Passenger and Property Protection Act.

In January 2009, two geese flew into the engines of US Airways Flight 1549, causing Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger to make his infamous emergency landing in the Hudson River...

But it's not only Brooklyn's Prospect Park Geese that are in danger but all Geese within 7 miles of Kennedy and La Guardia Airports which would include the Roosevelt Island Geese. According to the NY Times City Room Blog:

... The Prospect Park geese were not the only ones removed in the last month. The goal is to remove all geese within seven miles of La Guardia and John F. Kennedy airport.

Roosevelt Island is within range. The Geese better watch out.

The June 5 2010 Main Street WIRE interview with former Roosevelt Island Operating Corp. (RIOC) President Steve Shane mentioned the Roosevelt Island Geese and some residents seeking to help them.

... Did you hear about the geese? There’s a family of geese. What happened, apparently, was that they were behind the fence in the Southpoint area and, for reasons best known to them, they led their goslings outside [north of] the fenced area, because there’s a lot of construction activity down there, and now they can’t get back to get in the water. There’s no place for the goslings to get in the water, so the tenderhearted goose lovers now want to make some special arrangements for them in our wildlife sanctuary. Unfortunately, our wilderness out here is passing as we do our development. And to encourage this family of geese to reestablish their nest next year – that would probably be a mistake, because they always come back.
That’s the goose story....

Pooping Pigeons Continue To Plauge Roosevelt Island F Subway Station- Keep Your Head Down!

Roosevelt Island F Subway Station Rafters Filled With Pigeon Droppings

Be careful not to look up into the rafters of the Roosevelt Island F Train subway station when entering because you might get a big disgusting surprise plopped right in your face. Pooping pigeons continue to plauge the Roosevelt Island F Train subway station with their droppings.

Yesterday's scene at the F Train entrance was particularly vile. (Click on the images for full impact). Fortunately, the turnstyle droppings were cleaned up later that day.

Roosevelt Island F Subway Station Turnstle Bird Droppings

The MTA keeps performance metrics on such quality issues as on time train performance, crime, passenger overcrowding and escalator maintenance. Perhaps they should add a metric for disgusting pigeon poop? If they do, Roosevelt Island would certainly fail big time in this category!

Pigeon Waiting For F Train At Roosevelt Island Subway Station

Audubon Society Ecology Tour Of Roosevelt Island - What Impact Will Proposed FDR Memorial Have On Nesting Cormorants and Other Wildlife?

Image of Cormorants Nesting Off Southpoint Park From David Byrne's Journal

Blogger City Birder reports that the Audubon Society will be exploring Roosevelt Island this Saturday June 6. From City Birder:

Exploring Roosevelt/Welfare/Blackwell's Island
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Discover one of the lesser-known islands of the archipelago that is New York City. Roosevelt Island has a rich ecological and human history: located in the middle of the East River between Manhattan and the Brooklyn/Queens border, it has been known as Blackwell's Island for the family that farmed it (their farmhouse still stands today), and later as Welfare Island for the many city hospitals and institutions found there. We will visit fascinating architectural remnants of these eras, and search for birds from this prime location in the center of the East River. We could see some of the gulls, cormorants, and herons that nest on smaller islands nearby.
$20 ($18 for members)

Register for the exploration here.

Talking Heads David Byrne took a bike tour of Roosevelt Island and shot some Cormorants too.

This might be the last year to see these nesting birds near Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park if the proposed Kahn Memorial (disguised as a FDR Memorial) is built and replaces much of the green park land with granite and concret.

FDR Memorial Room Image From Village Voice Runnin Scared Blog

This is what will be lost at Southpoint Park - Wedding Image From Jerry Yoon

I may have missed it but I did not see any mention of the Kahn/FDR Memorial's ecological impact on the surrounding bird and other wildlife habitat other than it's impact on Fish habittats in the Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt's Institute's SEQR Environmental Impact Study. If such a study has not been conducted to date, I would hope that it will be done prior to any RIOC Board approval of the project.

Pooping Pigeons Plague Roosevelt Island F Train Subway Station - Look Out Below!

Image of Pigeon waiting for F Train with other Roosevelt Islanders

Traditional metrics for evaluating the MTA's subway service include criteria such as on time performance of the trains, passenger overcrowding, crime, escalator and elevator outages etc. Now we can add a new item for measuring subway service - PIGEON POOP DROPPINGS - and the Roosevelt Island F Train Station fails horribly.

Pigeons are all over the subway station and leave their delightful calling cards on the ground, the turnstiles, stairs and everywhere else. I recall a time not too long ago when as I was sweeping my metro card through the turnstile machine a big glob of pigeon poop landed on my hand and card. Not a very pleasant experience!

A reader sent in these Roosevelt Island Subway Pigeon Poop Pictures.








Someone once told me that it is good luck to be pigeon pooped on your head but I think that is an honor I can do without.

Blogger Annietown had some thoughts on pigeon pooping on head luck idea.

... Here’s the thing: a bird takes a dump on me EVERY YEAR. And I don’t even spend a lot of time outdoors. In fact, one might say that I do not like the outdoors and am generally suspicious of anything that does not have four walls and a roof. Last year I was walking down 8th Ave and 50th St. and a bird just laid one on me. I mean it’s MIDTOWN. There’s zero chance of nature there. And yet there I was, with bird shit on my sleeve and all over my watch. The year before that it was actually on my head. Everyone loves to tell you that it’s good luck, but then why don’t they make bird shit key chains like a rabbit’s foot? Everyone is clearly lying and they are horrible horrible people. It’s good luck for the bird.