Date: 2/17/26 11:28 am From: <russ...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Birds are Telling Us to Let the Nissequogue Run Free
Since Mother Nature breached the Stump Pond dam in a rainstorm in August 2024, 11 bird species have been recorded here for the first time in over 10 years. Previously, they likely flew past without stopping. See Note 1 for species. Another 35 species have reached historical high counts on eBird, drawn to the Nissequogue’s expansive new wetlands and thriving field habitats now emerging in Blydenburgh County Park. See Note 2. Birds are telling us that wildlife thrives without the dam. This exceptional ecological recovery and bird movements justify letting the river run free. But alarmingly, this transformation is under threat. Birds risk losing this free-flowing riparian wetland area forever if the dam is rebuilt. Join the growing coalition fighting for a healthy, natural river at FreeTheNissequogue.org. Of 190 total bird species reported at Blydenburgh, 38 are currently imperiled species. They require state, local and NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) to partner to preserve and protect the winding stream, native plant and floodplain habitat that’s emerging to support many of these species populations in NY.
* State Protected: 11 species are listed as Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern under NYS Law (6 NYCRR Part 182). Note 3.
* High Priority: Another 12 are designated as High Priority (HPSGCN) to help DEC staff, local municipalities (counties, cities, towns) and NGO partners to direct their funding, time, and other resources toward conducting urgent research and management. Note 4.
* Conservation Need: 18 additional are listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), facing further declines in NY if conservation actions are not taken within the next 10 years. Note 5.
Restoring the Nissequogue River protects more than just birds; it supports pollinators, native plants and broader wildlife biodiversity to come. What can you do to help birds on Long Island? Add your voice to the grassroots movement fighting for a healthy, natural Nissequogue at FreeTheNissequogue.org. Contact: Russ Comeau President, South Shore Audubon Society | Freeport, NY Director, NYS Ornithological Association Mobile: (928) 614-9186 (call/text) P.S. - Note 1 - Baird's Sandpiper, Dunlin, Pectoral Sandpiper, Sanderling, Semipalmated Plover, Short-billed Dowitcher, Stilt Sandpiper, Vesper Sparrow, White-rumped Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, Worm-eating Warbler. Note 2 - Bald Eagle, Barn Swallow, Blue Jay, Brown Thrasher, Canada Goose, Cape May Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Common Nighthawk, Cooper's Hawk, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Warbling Vireo, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Green Heron, Indigo Bunting, Killdeer, Least Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Marsh Wren, Peregrine Falcon, Pine Warbler, Purple Martin, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Ruby-throat Hummingbird, Rusty Blackbird, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Snowy Egret, Solitary Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Swamp Sparrow, Wild Turkey, Willow Flycatcher. Note 3 - Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Northern Harrier, Osprey, Peregrine Falcon, Pied-billed Grebe, Red-shouldered Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk. 2x - Common Nighthawk*, Red-headed Woodpecker*, Vesper Sparrow*. Note 4 - Per NY State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) - Canada Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Rusty Blackbird. 2x - Common Nighthawk*, Red-headed Woodpecker*, Vesper Sparrow*. Per NYS Law - American Black Duck, Bay-breasted Warbler, Brown Thrasher, Cape May Warbler, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher. Note 5 - American Woodcock, Bank Swallow, Barn Swallow, Black-billed Cuckoo, Black-crown Night Heron, Black-throat Blue Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Brant, Chimney Swift, Clapper Rail, Forster's Tern, Prairie Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Snowy Egret, Swainson's Thrush, Tennessee Warbler, Veery, Wood Thrush. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information Posting Address: <NYSbirds-L...> Archives: The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https://www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>/maillist.html Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at http://www.ebird.org --
