MAY 2008 PROGRAM MEETING in conjunction with Beaver Lake Nature Center Wednesday, May 21 - 7pm Botulism-E and its impacts on water birds and waterfowl on Lake Ontario Irene Mazzocchi, Wildlife Biologist NYSDEC Region 6 In the summer of 2006 on Little Galloo Island, Jefferson County, several hundred nesting colonial waterbirds were found to be sick and dying. Bird carcasses were collected and tested for Botulism E which was determined to be the cause of death. A similar scenario occurred during the summer of 2007. In addition to the summer die offs, migrating loons and other fish eating birds were also found to have succumbed to this disease. The recent outbreak of Botulism E in the Great Lakes has raised many questions about the mechanism in which this toxin is being transferred to fish eating birds and how we can prevent it. ---------------------------- The revised 2008 OAS constitution posted here will supersede the previous one last revised in 2003. It provides for enhanced efficiency in accomplishing our mission and focuses our resources on today's conservation and education priorities. These by-laws position the OAS to be a modern successful organization for the early 21st Century. -- OAS President Gerry Smith ---------------------------- A Reminder to Science Educators Onondaga Audubon Society will once again make the Ruth Engelbrecht Scholarship available this coming year. The winner will attend the Educators Workshop at the Maine Audubon Society’s Hog Island Camp the week of July 13-19, 2008. Judith Lockwood, Education Chair _______________________
Conservation Goals of National Audubon 1. Stabilize and increase populations of at-risk species of birds. 2. Prevent persistent declines or range restrictions in populations of vulnerable native species of birds. 3. Protect and restore sites essential for bird species of conservation concern. 4. Improve and protect the health of landscapes that support or could support birds.
Conservation Challenges for Onondaga Audubon Onondaga Audubon’s territory includes parts of the Tug Hill region, the Great Lake Plain and Allegheny Plateau. The Tug Hill region’s biggest threat will come from development and the subsequent fragmentation of its mature forest cover. Wind power projects, water mining and other extractive activities will continue to put pressure on the region’s bird species and habitats. The Great Lake Plain includes the Montezuma Wetland Complex, a state and national Important Bird Area, in addition to the bird critical wetlands and barrier beaches along the south east end of Lake Ontario. Habitat loss, invasive species, sprawl development, intensive agriculture and poorly sited wind power projects are the biggest threats to this area. The Allegheny Plateau includes the southern hills of our region. Habitat loss and degradation due to fragmentation, succession and the potential for sprawl development are the main threats to this area.
Conservation Activities of Onondaga Audubon Onondaga Audubon is monitoring development activities in the Tug Hill, Great lake Plain and Allegheny Plateau areas in our region and commenting on NYSDEC State Environmental Quality Review applications that might impact birds and bird habitat. Representatives of Onondaga Audubon serve on advisory groups such as the Southeast Lake Ontario Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy - Avian Group. Onondaga Audubon has two sanctuaries on the shore of Lake Ontario: Noyes and Derby Hill. In addition to protecting habitat they both provide opportunities for conservation education and bird population / migration studies. Derby Hill provides important raptor migration data to the Hawk Migration Association of North America. Many of our members are active in citizen science activities providing bird-sighting reports to eBirds and other bird population recording groups. We sponsor three Christmas Bird Counts - Syracuse, Oswego and Skaneateles as well as participation in the annual NYSDEC Waterfowl Count in January. Onondaga Lake historically provided stopover habitat for migrant shorebirds and waterfowl. Onondaga Audubon is supporting efforts for the re-establishment of habitat for birds on and around the lake. _______________________
	Please send all comments and suggestions to OAS President, Gerry Smith

Onondaga Audubon Society
Box 620
Syracuse, NY 13201