Two NYC Parks Wildlife Unit Programs

By D. Bruce YoltonGeneral News

The NYC Parks Wildlife Unit asked me to help get the word out about two programs of interest to NYC Raptor enthusiasts in NYC…

Citizen Science: Raptor Monitoring with NYC Parks Wildlife Unit

2020 Raptor Nest Monitoring Project

The NYC Parks’ Wildlife Unit is reaching out to outdoor, park-caring enthusiasts for help scouting for raptor nests during the 2020 breeding season. NYC Parks records data on raptor nests, such as red-tailed hawks, cooper’s hawks, American kestrels, and others, found in or adjacent to park property. We are looking to recruit some additional eyes to scout throughout the city, especially in the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island (Northern Manhattan and Prospect Park, Brooklyn are already very well covered). Your assistance will be useful in creating a vivid picture of where birds of prey are nesting in NYC. This information will also be helpful for future conservation and education efforts conducted by NYC Parks and our partner agencies and organizations. We know you are already outside enjoying the outdoors and caring for Parks, we would love to put some of your observations to good use.

Scouts will be asked to:

  • commit to exploring an area of their choice to scout for nesting raptors, February through June 2020
  • participate in an online training session to learn more about the project
  • if a nest is found, scouts can commit to monitor the nest and send in weekly observations
  • strictly follow wildlife viewing ethics, to be discussed during training session

If interested in participating, please email or call. Also contact us with any additional questions.

Sunny Corrao Public Engagement Associate
NYC Parks’ Wildlife Unit
212-360-1447
Sunny.corrao@parks.nyc.gov

Also note an upcoming raptor scouting session:

Citizen Science Raptor Nest Scouting Day
When: Saturday, March 14; 11:00 a.m.

Meet at the Greenbelt Nature Center; 700 Rockland Avenue; Staten Island

NYC Parks’ Wildlife Unit collects information regarding location and success of nesting birds of prey throughout NYC. Participate in our citizen science project and scout areas to find active nests around the Greenbelt in Staten Island. NYC Parks’ staff will provide basic training and binoculars to borrow, for those that need it. Pre-registration is preferred. To register or for more information please contact Public Engagement Associate Sunny Corrao by email or phone: sunny.corrao@parks.nyc.gov or 212-360-1447.