With the appearance of a Snowy Owl in Central Park, we’ve created a second Owl Etiquette graphic for members to share on their social medial accounts. Please continue to help us get the word out about how to enjoy watching owls responsibly.
Many Linnaean Society of New York members were able to enjoy the very rare appearance of a Snowy Owl in Central Park’s North Meadow on Wednesday, January 27, 2021. In the Linnaean Society of New York archives, the Proceedings of the Society note an early sighting of a Snowy Owl in the park. Mr. L. S. Foster, who was the Treasurer, noted that a Snowy Owl was seen in December of 1890.
Our Owl Etiquette recommendations have been made into a graphic for members to share on their social media accounts. Please help us get the word out about how to enjoy watching owls responsibly.
As the fall season of the Tuesday morning walks has recently come to an end, I would like to thank the members of The Linnaean Society of New York’s outstanding Field Trip Committee, Anne Lazarus, Deborra Mullins, Mary Beth Kooper, Miriam Rakowski, Marie-Claire Cunningham, and Vicki Seabrook, for all their hard work; the extraordinary Central Park trip leaders, Alice Deutsch, Janet Wooten, Kevin Sisco, Will Papp, and Andrew Rubenfeld, for their excellent guidance; the additional trip leaders who guided throughout New York and New Jersey, Alan Drogin, Paul Sweet, Rob Jett, Tom Stephenson, Seth Wollney, Rick Wright, Anne Swaim, Lenore Swenson, Gordon Lam, Roberta Manian, Dennis Hrehowsik, Joe Giunta, Peter Dorosh, and Tom Burke; and, finally, all of the trip registrars, Barbara Saunders, Judi Rabi, Pearl Broder, Gabe Cunningham, Linda LaBella, Kathleen Howley, Louise Fraza, Vicki Seabrook, Deborra Mullins, Mary Beth Kooper, and Miriam Rakowski, for their outstanding organization and preparation this past season. Their combined effort gave me (and many others) the opportunity to enjoy many beautiful birds and to share many excited smiles—hidden by masks, but unmistakably expressed in the eyes of my companions. I’d also like to say hello and send warm regards to Richard Lieberman, our long-time Tuesday morning walk leader. Richard, I missed your traditional Halloween candy this year, and we all look forward to seeing you again in the park soon. (Peppermint Patties, next year, please!) I am also grateful to Bruce Yolton, for his tireless support in posting our trip reports with photos on the LSNY website, and to Mary Jane Kaplan, for the wonderful job she does as our field trip report editor. And finally, a shout out to all of the photographers who contribute their beautiful images to our field trip reports. Great work, one and all!
The many highlights of the Central Park Tuesday walks this fall included Nelson’s Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird, Marsh Wren, Tennessee Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Bluebird, Red-shouldered Hawk, Pine Siskin, Barred Owl, and American Woodcock. Quite an impressive list for a single urban park, I’d say. Even more significantly, everyone benefited from the opportunity to share these magical birding moments in the spirit of friendship, fellowship, and harmony with one another. These are valuable and necessary human qualities which, I’m sad to say, seem to be lacking at times in our complex world. So once again, I thank the committee members, the trip leaders, the registrars, my Tuesday morning birding companions, and, yes, the birds as well, for helping us to remember who we are, and to look for the best part in each of us. Let those eyes shine!
To see trip reports and photographs of past LSNY field trips, visit our Field Trip Reports page.
– Ken Chaya, President, The Linnaean Society of New York
As the cooler weather arrives, NYC has had the pleasure of hosting a number of migrant owls in its local parks. Some of these sightings have been well documented in articles and news reports. It seems that everyone in NYC wants to see an owl! And while everyone should have the opportunity do so, it is important to remember that these are nocturnal birds who need undisturbed rest during the day. Please treat them with care and respect by following these simple guidelines:
The 142 Annual Meeting and Dinner of The Linnaean Society of New York was held at The Lederkranz Club on Tuesday, March 10, 2020.
President: Ken Chaya
Vice-President: Rochelle Thomas
Secretary: Lydia Thomas
Recording Secretary: Position Open
Treasurer: Ruth Hart
Editor: Jonathan Hyman
The Linnaean Society of New York is very pleased to announce that their nominee, Ryan Zucker, has been awarded the 2019 Lillian C. Stoner Award by The New York State Ornithological Association. This is in recognition for his active role in the New York City birding community and for his potential future contributions to birds. As a result, he was able to attend, and participate in, the NYSOA 72nd Annual Meeting and Conference which was held September 13-15 in Kingston, NY.
Congratulations, Ryan!
First-ever joint award by the Linnaean Society of New York and New York City Audubon Society given to Claude Bloch for his generosity and camaraderie as well as his informed and caring commitment to preserving the environment and the creatures in it on June 4, 2019, at the Arsenal.
