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Keepers Of The Raptors
By
Tim Charles
Originally published in Suffolk Life, October 31, 2003 |
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| Raptors
are fascinating animals. Not too many years ago it was a rare sight to see
a hawk or falcon in the wild. The now-infamous story of the osprey
exemplifies the critical experiences of these species. The story has its
origin on Long Island.
Dennis Puleston of
Brookhaven Hamlet, a nationally renowned naturalist, became the voice for
the dwindling population of osprey. He, and other leading scientists,
correlated the increasing levels of pesticides, particularly DDT, with the
decline in the reproduction of this magnificent fish hawk. Because these
birds were at the high end of the food chain, DDT levels were concentrated
in the bodies of these birds, causing the thinning of the shells of their
eggs. Reproduction was falling off to near zero. Puleston helped to found
the Environmental Defense Fund, leading the battle cry to ban the use of
these pesticides. In the early 1970s DDT and similar compounds were
banned. The birds began their comeback. |
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"Today the osprey, and such similar species as the eagle,
peregrine falcon and others, have made a remarkable return to
the landscape."
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Osprey |
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| Today the
osprey, and such similar species as the eagle, peregrine falcon and
others, have made a remarkable return to the landscape. Still, the health
of their populations is always suspect. Habitat loss, encroachment from
human disturbance and competition from other species, as well as the
continued concern over the impact of contaminants, inspires hawk watchers
to maintain a constant vigilance.
Famous places like Hawk
Mountain in Pennsylvania draw hundreds of hawk watchers every year. The
data collected from their observations are valuable to scientists studying
these species.
A similar program
occurs each year right in our own back yard. Fire Island is an important
migration route for falcons and hawks. For 22 years, every year from
September 10 to November 10 the members of the Fire Island Raptor
Enumerators have been counting these species. Associated with the Hawk
Migration Association of North America and the Northeast Hawk Watch, these
birders collect valuable data on sightings of kestrels, sharp shinned
hawks, marsh hawks, peregrines, eagles, ospreys, merlins, coopers hawks,
goshawks, red tailed hawks, broad winged hawks and more. |
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Drew Panko
and Trudy Battaly |
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Drew Panko and Trudy
Battaly are retired and semi-retired educators, respectively, and
coordinators of the Fire Island hawk watch. On a blustery October day, I
encountered them in the platform at the east end of Robert Moses State
Park as they braved a southwest wind gusting to near 40 mph in search of
raptors. They readily shared their experiences and concerns with me about
the hawks and falcons of Fire Island.
"The kestrels seem to be
in big trouble," Trudy explained worriedly. "Sharp shins, too, seem to be
on the decline. Peregrines seem to be holding their own, and merlins are
still abundant," she explained on a good note.
Drew opened his data
book to show me pages of graphs depicting the population trends of the
various species. As we spoke of the importance of their work, and the
rewards of birding in general, Drew spotted a harrier, or marsh hawk, as
it is more commonly called.
Drew opened his data book to show me pages of graphs
depicting the population trends of the various species.
"Is it a male?" he
asked Trudy excitedly. Before she could answer, he said it was. "There are
two distinct populations. One migrates, and one is resident. It's hard to
tell the difference."
He continued to
explain about the migratory habits of the various species, of the inland
and coastal populations of ospreys, how their migration patterns vary and
of their excitement at spotting a bald eagle the week before. Along with
Trudy we spoke of the relationship of the birds of prey to the ecosystem
of the Island and how the numbers reflect the state of the environment.
When a whitetail buck appeared under the platform Drew commented about the
problems of the growing deer population. It was clear that he and Trudy
had a deep understanding of the outdoors. They saw much more than birds
through their binoculars. I bid them a good afternoon, confident that the
hawks and falcons of Fire Island were in good hands.
Hawk watchers are
scheduled to participate in the count seven days a week through November
10. For information visit their website at battaly.com/fire or hmana.org. |
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Osprey Photo by
Trudy Battaly
Platform Photo by
Tim
Charles |
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