Thursday, May 23, 2013 Page B1
SECTION
LIVING
B
WHAT’S ON? Q DINING GUIDE Q WHATS COOKING? Q REAL ESTATE Q CLASSIFIED Q SERVICE GUIDE Q BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY
FOR THE BIRDS Vannie is counting on naturalists counting feathered friends By Sarina Trangle strangle@riverdalepress.com
T
wenty groups of birders participated in Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy’s nearly 12-hour birdathon, scouring the park for as many species as possible on Saturday. The conservancy uses the annual event to raise funds by asking birdwatchers to find sponsors to donate for each species they spot. Conservancy volunteers kept a list on a whiteboard and by the rainy afternoon, more than 30 birds were scrawled on the whiteboard — from osprey — a predatory raptor with deep brown wings, a curled black beak and talons — to the common pigeon. While experienced birders stalked into the marshes alone, novice birdwatchers took advantage of guided tours. Earnestine and John Allun, a couple from White Plains, decided to sign up on a whim. They trailed behind Margot Perron, the conservancy president, as she pointed out mallard ducks floating on the pond, a cardinal digging for worms beneath trees and a red-winged blackbird fluttering above the marsh. “We’ve been getting interested in birds since we set up a birdfeeder in the backyard with our grandkids,” said Ms. Allun. “This was really a nice area.” Ms. Perron said it would take a few weeks for participants to collect their pledges and for the conservancy to announce a the name of the birder with the most sightings. For a checklist of all the avian varieties that visit the park, see page B2.
Photos by Marisol Díaz
Clockwise from top left: a common grackle, a pair of mallard ducks, a shimmering grackle, an American robin and a red-winged blackbird.
DIGITAL PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE Experience Our Recently Released Issue at halstead.com/portfolio Featuring Thousands of Tri-State Listings Now Enhanced for Optimal Viewing on all Your Screens & Devices