To engender in the people of the Central New York community a greater appreciation of wildlife, land, water, and other natural resources. The members of Onondaga Audubon believe this will lead to the wiser use of these resources and encourage this result through our programs, field trips, sanctuary management and environmental education.

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April 2009 Program Meeting
In conjunction with Beaver Lake Nature Center
Wednesday, April 15, 7:00 PM
Kyle Wright developed a fascination with all things ornithological with the Onondaga Audubon Society in the mid 1990s, and now returns to central New York as Derby Hill’s official counter. Over the past few years, Kyle has enjoyed working on a number of avian related projects, and will teach us about some of the field techniques being employed by wildlife scientists while sharing incredible stories and pictures of life in some of North America’s most remote and birdiest spots.

May 2009 Annual Meeting and Program
In Conjunction with Beaver Lake Nature Center
Wednesday, May 20, 7:00 PM
This will be our Annual Meeting for the Onondaga Audubon Society.

Help OAS reduce costs for publishing our newsletter --The Kestrel-- by reading it online!

We are asking OAS members who have internet access to give up their printed copy of The Kestrel and instead, read and/or download the latest issue on the OAS website.
The newest newsletter is available on the first of the month when the publication is printed. Back issues are also online. If any member is interested in doing this please contact The Kestrel editor, Julie Covey. Please include the title “Kestrel Online” in your subject heading and your name and address in the email. Upon doing this, your name will be designated as one which will be taken off the postal mailing list for The Kestrel.
A broadcast email is sent when the latest edition has been posted on the website. Thank you!
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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