There’s still time to take part in the state’s “I Bird NY” challenges — one for beginners and one for experienced birders — before the September 30th deadline.
If you’re age 16 or younger and live in New York State, try the “I Bird NY” beginner challenge. Find 10 common New York bird species and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation will send you a special certificate for participating. Download the beginner’s challenge form (PDF) to get started today.
Or, take your birding to the next level with the “I Bird NY” experienced birder challenge. Find any 10 (or more) of the 50 bird species listed, which represent birds from a variety of habitats all across New York State. Complete and submit the experienced birder challenge form (PDF).
Both challenges are open now through September 30. All entries must be received by October 14. Participants may win prizes in a random drawing for birding accessories.
I Bird NY — getting started
You don’t need a lot to get started bird watching, just a good pair of binoculars, a desire to be outdoors, and a destination. And here on Shelter Island, every destination can be a great birding destination. We suggest you try:
- Mashomack Preserve, where trails are open daily 8 AM to 6 PM
- Sylvester Manor Educational Farm, where the grounds are open dawn to dusk
- Any of the many hundreds of preserved land highlighted in this Town of Shelter Island open space map
Some people like to use a checklist of common species they might find. The DEC suggests these might useful:
- Clements Checklist of Birds of the World from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website
- eBird, an online tool from Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society
- New York State Ornithological Association (NYSOA) has options to order copies or download and print
Learn more about the birds you might see on DEC’s bird species webpage where each species is profiled.
Bird photos by Jim Colligan
Town Councilman Jim Colligan, a volunteer at Mashomack Preserve, is an avid birder. Below are some of his photos of piping plovers and terns nesting on Shell Beach.
