Re: Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach

2022-07-18 Thread Gus Keri 
Hi Redknot,

I sent you an email to your email address alone but apparently, you didn't 
receive it. It might have gone to your spam folder. You seem to only get the 
email that goes through this list.

In my response to your question if it is possible to put signs and ropes, I 
say: Yes. It can be done. I saw a tent just above the wall and a man was 
walking at the edge of the cliff, just few feet above the nests. If a tent can 
be erected there, signs and roping also can be done.
 
Anyway, this is my last email about this subject on the list. I am happy to 
continue discussion privately. Feel free to send me an email to you email 
address.

Gus Keri






  On Sun, 17 Jul 2022 16:28:25 -0400  Gus Keri  wrote --- 
 > Yes. It can be done. yesterday, I saw a tent just above the wall and a man 
 > was walking at the edge of the cliff, just few feet above the nests. If a 
 > tent can be erected there, signs and roping also can be done. 
 > 
 >   On Sun, 17 Jul 2022 16:22:05 -0400wrote --- 
 >  > Gus: Thank you for sharing some good news! Do you think that signs and 
 >  > roping could be put on top to prevent humans from compressing the 
 >  > nesting chambers?
 >  > 
 >  > 
 >  > -- Original Message --
 >  > From: gusk...@zoho.com
 >  > To: jose.ramirez.garof...@rutgers.edu
 >  > Cc: nysbirds-l@cornell.edu
 >  >     Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2022 1:46 PM
 >  > Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach
 >  > 
 >  >   Great news!
 >  >   After I saw the photo of the nestling taken by another birder 3 days 
 >  > ago (I am sorry for not mentioning his/her name. I don't know if he/she 
 >  > wants the publicity), I had to go and check on the fate of this nestling 
 >  > and the nest.
 >  > 
 >  >   The moment I arrived, I noticed that the nest that was half occluded 
 >  > yesterday is wide open today. It made me happy to see that the swallow 
 >  > re-opened it. Looking inside, I could see the chick is alive and well.
 >  > 
 >  >   Few minutes later, an adult came and fed the chick and I recorded the 
 >  > feeding act on video. You can see it here:
 >  > 
 >  >   https://twitter.com/BirdBrklyn/status/1548720277110005762
 >  > 
 >  >   To the best of my knowledge, this is the first ever Bank Swallow 
 >  > offspring that was born in Brooklyn. If this is inaccurate, please, let 
 >  > me know.
 >  > 
 >  >   The fact that this nest is wide open proved to me again that no bird 
 >  > will ever abandon its chicks permanently. They might abandon them for a 
 >  > short period of time when there is a danger around, but they always come 
 >  > back to care for them after the danger goes away. At least this is my 
 >  > experience with all the nests I have followed over the years.
 >  > 
 >  >   This Swallow couldn't let its chick be buried alive.
 >  > 
 >  >   As for the other nests, they are still occluded. Two of them totally 
 >  > occluded and the third is half occluded. My thinking that there are no 
 >  > living chicks inside. The swallows probably abandoned their eggs, and 
 >  > they might try laying eggs in another burrow, like Jose suggested.
 >  > 
 >  >   Good birding to all
 >  >   Gus Keri
 >  > 
 >  > 
 >  > 
 >  > On Sat, 16 Jul 2022 15:30:59 -0400  Jose Ramirez-Garofalo 
 >  >  wrote ---
 >  >>
 >  >> Gus,
 >  >>
 >  >> Unfortunately, that is a common occurrence with Bank Swallow 
 >  > colonies on the coast. There is really no way to adequately protect the 
 >  > nests unless the land management agency fences off the top of the 
 >  > dune/bluff. Disturbance to the front of the colony site can also a 
 >  > problem at a site like Plumb—though less-so than actual nest collapse. 
 >  > Since they aren’t protected (not even as a Species of Special Concern 
 >  > despite their widespread declines in NYS/the northeast), it isn’t likely 
 >  > that targeted measures will be undertaken for the swallows there.
 >  >>
 >  >> The good news is that they are adept at re-nesting, and will 
 >  > sometimes nest in drainpipes like Northern Rough-winged Swallows. We are 
 >  > pretty late in the season for them, but it isn’t out of the question.
 >  >>
 >  >> Cheers-
 >  >> José
 >  >>
 >  >> --
 >  >> José R. Ramírez-Garofalo
 >  >> Pronouns: He/Him/His
 >  >> PhD Student
 >  >> Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources
 >  >> Rutgers

Re: Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach

2022-07-17 Thread Gus Keri 
I didn't mean to discourage you. I support any effort to try to help these 
unfortunate Swallows.
As I said, putting signs and ropes are very doable. The top of the wall can be 
accessed very easily. People walk over the dunes all the time. 
Gus


  On Sun, 17 Jul 2022 18:50:14 -0400wrote --- 
 > I think most would if they know their actions could put birds and baby 
 > birds in jeopardy. We can carry this discussion further off-line if 
 > you'd like.
 > 
 > 
 > -- Original Message --
 > From: gusk...@zoho.com
 > To: jose.ramirez.garof...@rutgers.edu
 > Cc: redk...@optonline.net; NYSBirds-L@cornell.edu
 > Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2022 4:45 PM
 > Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach
 > 
 >   The question is: will people obey the signs?
 > 
 > 
 > On Sun, 17 Jul 2022 16:27:49 -0400  Jose Ramirez-Garofalo 
 >  wrote ---
 >> Unfortunately, not likely, We have tried this on Staten Island.
 >> Get Outlook for iOS
 >> From: redk...@optonline.net 
 >> Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2022 4:22:05 PM
 >> To: Gus Keri ; Jose Ramirez-Garofalo 
 > 
 >    > Cc: nysbirds-l@cornell.edu 
 >> Subject: Re: Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb 
 > Beach Gus: Thank you for sharing some good news! Do you think that signs 
 > and
 >> roping could be put on top to prevent humans from compressing the
 >> nesting chambers?
 >>
 >>
 >> -- Original Message --
 >> From: gusk...@zoho.com
 >    > To: jose.ramirez.garof...@rutgers.edu
 >> Cc: nysbirds-l@cornell.edu
 >> Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2022 1:46 PM
 >> Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb 
 > Beach
 >>
 >>   Great news!
 >>   After I saw the photo of the nestling taken by another birder 3 
 > days
 >> ago (I am sorry for not mentioning his/her name. I don't know if 
 > he/she
 >> wants the publicity), I had to go and check on the fate of this 
 > nestling
 >> and the nest.
 >>
 >>   The moment I arrived, I noticed that the nest that was half 
 > occluded
 >> yesterday is wide open today. It made me happy to see that the 
 > swallow
 >> re-opened it. Looking inside, I could see the chick is alive and 
 > well.
 >>
 >>   Few minutes later, an adult came and fed the chick and I recorded 
 > the
 >> feeding act on video. You can see it here:
 >>
 >> 
 > https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FBirdBrklyn%2Fstatus%2F1548720277110005762&data=05%7C01%7Cjose.ramirez.garofalo%40rutgers.edu%7C29a42e35f16f450a9df908da683206b8%7Cb92d2b234d35447093ff69aca6632ffe%7C1%7C0%7C637936861918479676%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=zLp34JGJdJAXzsLv1Ia4smEFqZULgsnqybbERmabTZ0%3D&reserved=0
 >>
 >>   To the best of my knowledge, this is the first ever Bank Swallow
 >> offspring that was born in Brooklyn. If this is inaccurate, please, 
 > let
 >> me know.
 >>
 >>   The fact that this nest is wide open proved to me again that no 
 > bird
 >> will ever abandon its chicks permanently. They might abandon them 
 > for a
 >> short period of time when there is a danger around, but they always 
 > come
 >> back to care for them after the danger goes away. At least this is 
 > my
 >> experience with all the nests I have followed over the years.
 >>
 >>   This Swallow couldn't let its chick be buried alive.
 >>
 >>   As for the other nests, they are still occluded. Two of them 
 > totally
 >> occluded and the third is half occluded. My thinking that there are 
 > no
 >> living chicks inside. The swallows probably abandoned their eggs, 
 > and
 >> they might try laying eggs in another burrow, like Jose suggested.
 >>
 >>   Good birding to all
 >>   Gus Keri
 >>
 >>
 >>
 >> On Sat, 16 Jul 2022 15:30:59 -0400  Jose Ramirez-Garofalo
 >>  wrote ---
 >>>
 >>> Gus,
 >>>
 >>> Unfortunately, that is a common occurrence with Bank Swallow
 >> colonies on the coast. There is really no way to adequately protect 
 > the
 >> nests unless the land management agency fences off the top of the
 >> dune/bluff. Disturbance to the front of the colony site can also a
 >>

Re: Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach

2022-07-17 Thread redknot 
I think most would if they know their actions could put birds and baby 
birds in jeopardy. We can carry this discussion further off-line if 
you'd like.


-- Original Message --
From: gusk...@zoho.com
To: jose.ramirez.garof...@rutgers.edu
Cc: redk...@optonline.net; NYSBirds-L@cornell.edu
Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2022 4:45 PM
Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach

  The question is: will people obey the signs?


    On Sun, 17 Jul 2022 16:27:49 -0400  Jose Ramirez-Garofalo 
 wrote ---
   > Unfortunately, not likely, We have tried this on Staten Island.
   > Get Outlook for iOS
   > From: redk...@optonline.net 
   > Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2022 4:22:05 PM
   > To: Gus Keri ; Jose Ramirez-Garofalo 

   > Cc: nysbirds-l@cornell.edu 
   > Subject: Re: Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb 
Beach Gus: Thank you for sharing some good news! Do you think that signs 
and
   > roping could be put on top to prevent humans from compressing the
   > nesting chambers?
   >
   >
   > -- Original Message --
   > From: gusk...@zoho.com
   > To: jose.ramirez.garof...@rutgers.edu
   > Cc: nysbirds-l@cornell.edu
   > Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2022 1:46 PM
   >     Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb 
Beach
   >
   >   Great news!
   >   After I saw the photo of the nestling taken by another birder 3 
days
   > ago (I am sorry for not mentioning his/her name. I don't know if 
he/she
   > wants the publicity), I had to go and check on the fate of this 
nestling
   > and the nest.
   >
   >   The moment I arrived, I noticed that the nest that was half 
occluded
   > yesterday is wide open today. It made me happy to see that the 
swallow
   > re-opened it. Looking inside, I could see the chick is alive and 
well.
   >
   >   Few minutes later, an adult came and fed the chick and I recorded 
the
   > feeding act on video. You can see it here:
   >
   > 
https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FBirdBrklyn%2Fstatus%2F1548720277110005762&data=05%7C01%7Cjose.ramirez.garofalo%40rutgers.edu%7C29a42e35f16f450a9df908da683206b8%7Cb92d2b234d35447093ff69aca6632ffe%7C1%7C0%7C637936861918479676%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=zLp34JGJdJAXzsLv1Ia4smEFqZULgsnqybbERmabTZ0%3D&reserved=0
   >
   >   To the best of my knowledge, this is the first ever Bank Swallow
   > offspring that was born in Brooklyn. If this is inaccurate, please, 
let
   > me know.
   >
   >   The fact that this nest is wide open proved to me again that no 
bird
   > will ever abandon its chicks permanently. They might abandon them 
for a
   > short period of time when there is a danger around, but they always 
come
   > back to care for them after the danger goes away. At least this is 
my
   > experience with all the nests I have followed over the years.
   >
   >   This Swallow couldn't let its chick be buried alive.
   >
   >   As for the other nests, they are still occluded. Two of them 
totally
   > occluded and the third is half occluded. My thinking that there are 
no
   > living chicks inside. The swallows probably abandoned their eggs, 
and
   > they might try laying eggs in another burrow, like Jose suggested.
   >
   >   Good birding to all
   >   Gus Keri
   >
   >
   >
   > On Sat, 16 Jul 2022 15:30:59 -0400  Jose Ramirez-Garofalo
   >  wrote ---
   >>
   >> Gus,
   >>
   >> Unfortunately, that is a common occurrence with Bank Swallow
   > colonies on the coast. There is really no way to adequately protect 
the
   > nests unless the land management agency fences off the top of the
   > dune/bluff. Disturbance to the front of the colony site can also a
   > problem at a site like Plumb—though less-so than actual nest 
collapse.
   > Since they aren’t protected (not even as a Species of Special 
Concern
   > despite their widespread declines in NYS/the northeast), it isn’t 
likely
   > that targeted measures will be undertaken for the swallows there.
   >>
   >> The good news is that they are adept at re-nesting, and will
   > sometimes nest in drainpipes like Northern Rough-winged Swallows. 
We are
   > pretty late in the season for them, but it isn’t out of the 
question.
   >>
   >> Cheers-
   >> José
   >>
   >> --
   >> José R. Ramírez-Garofalo
   >> Pronouns: He/Him/His
   >> PhD Student
   >> Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources
   >> Rutgers University
   >> 14 College Farm Road,
   >> Ne

Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach

2022-07-17 Thread Gus Keri 
The question is: will people obey the signs?


  On Sun, 17 Jul 2022 16:27:49 -0400  Jose Ramirez-Garofalo 
 wrote --- 
 > Unfortunately, not likely, We have tried this on Staten Island.
 > Get Outlook for iOS
 > From: redk...@optonline.net 
 > Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2022 4:22:05 PM
 > To: Gus Keri ; Jose Ramirez-Garofalo 
 > 
 > Cc: nysbirds-l@cornell.edu 
 > Subject: Re: Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach Gus: 
 > Thank you for sharing some good news! Do you think that signs and
 > roping could be put on top to prevent humans from compressing the 
 > nesting chambers?
 > 
 > 
 > -- Original Message --
 > From: gusk...@zoho.com
 > To: jose.ramirez.garof...@rutgers.edu
 > Cc: nysbirds-l@cornell.edu
 >     Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2022 1:46 PM
 > Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach
 > 
 >   Great news!
 >   After I saw the photo of the nestling taken by another birder 3 days 
 > ago (I am sorry for not mentioning his/her name. I don't know if he/she 
 > wants the publicity), I had to go and check on the fate of this nestling 
 > and the nest.
 > 
 >   The moment I arrived, I noticed that the nest that was half occluded 
 > yesterday is wide open today. It made me happy to see that the swallow 
 > re-opened it. Looking inside, I could see the chick is alive and well.
 > 
 >   Few minutes later, an adult came and fed the chick and I recorded the 
 > feeding act on video. You can see it here:
 > 
 >   
 > https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FBirdBrklyn%2Fstatus%2F1548720277110005762&data=05%7C01%7Cjose.ramirez.garofalo%40rutgers.edu%7C29a42e35f16f450a9df908da683206b8%7Cb92d2b234d35447093ff69aca6632ffe%7C1%7C0%7C637936861918479676%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=zLp34JGJdJAXzsLv1Ia4smEFqZULgsnqybbERmabTZ0%3D&reserved=0
 > 
 >   To the best of my knowledge, this is the first ever Bank Swallow 
 > offspring that was born in Brooklyn. If this is inaccurate, please, let 
 > me know.
 > 
 >   The fact that this nest is wide open proved to me again that no bird 
 > will ever abandon its chicks permanently. They might abandon them for a 
 > short period of time when there is a danger around, but they always come 
 > back to care for them after the danger goes away. At least this is my 
 > experience with all the nests I have followed over the years.
 > 
 >   This Swallow couldn't let its chick be buried alive.
 > 
 >   As for the other nests, they are still occluded. Two of them totally 
 > occluded and the third is half occluded. My thinking that there are no 
 > living chicks inside. The swallows probably abandoned their eggs, and 
 > they might try laying eggs in another burrow, like Jose suggested.
 > 
 >   Good birding to all
 >   Gus Keri
 > 
 > 
 > 
 > On Sat, 16 Jul 2022 15:30:59 -0400  Jose Ramirez-Garofalo 
 >  wrote ---
 >>
 >> Gus,
 >>
 >> Unfortunately, that is a common occurrence with Bank Swallow 
 > colonies on the coast. There is really no way to adequately protect the 
 > nests unless the land management agency fences off the top of the 
 > dune/bluff. Disturbance to the front of the colony site can also a 
 > problem at a site like Plumb—though less-so than actual nest collapse. 
 > Since they aren’t protected (not even as a Species of Special Concern 
 > despite their widespread declines in NYS/the northeast), it isn’t likely 
 > that targeted measures will be undertaken for the swallows there.
 >>
 >> The good news is that they are adept at re-nesting, and will 
 > sometimes nest in drainpipes like Northern Rough-winged Swallows. We are 
 > pretty late in the season for them, but it isn’t out of the question.
 >>
 >> Cheers-
 >> José
 >>
 >> --
 >> José R. Ramírez-Garofalo
 >> Pronouns: He/Him/His
 >> PhD Student
 >> Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources
 >> Rutgers University
 >> 14 College Farm Road,
 >> New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
 >>
 >>
 >> From: Gus Keri 
 >> Date: Sat, Jul 16, 2022 at 12:52 PM
 >> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach
 >> To: Birding alert, NYSBirds, Birding alert 
 >>
 >>
 >> Updates on these nests:
 >> Today, the third nest was totally occluded and the fourth one is 
 > half-occluded, and I anticipate it to be gone by the end of the day.
 >> The reason: people are camping on the top of the cliff exactl

Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach

2022-07-17 Thread Jose Ramirez-Garofalo 
Unfortunately, not likely, We have tried this on Staten Island.

Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>

From: redk...@optonline.net 
Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2022 4:22:05 PM
To: Gus Keri ; Jose Ramirez-Garofalo 

Cc: nysbirds-l@cornell.edu 
Subject: Re: Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach

Gus: Thank you for sharing some good news! Do you think that signs and
roping could be put on top to prevent humans from compressing the
nesting chambers?


-- Original Message --
From: gusk...@zoho.com
To: jose.ramirez.garof...@rutgers.edu
Cc: nysbirds-l@cornell.edu
Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2022 1:46 PM
Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach

  Great news!
  After I saw the photo of the nestling taken by another birder 3 days
ago (I am sorry for not mentioning his/her name. I don't know if he/she
wants the publicity), I had to go and check on the fate of this nestling
and the nest.

  The moment I arrived, I noticed that the nest that was half occluded
yesterday is wide open today. It made me happy to see that the swallow
re-opened it. Looking inside, I could see the chick is alive and well.

  Few minutes later, an adult came and fed the chick and I recorded the
feeding act on video. You can see it here:

  
https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FBirdBrklyn%2Fstatus%2F1548720277110005762&data=05%7C01%7Cjose.ramirez.garofalo%40rutgers.edu%7C29a42e35f16f450a9df908da683206b8%7Cb92d2b234d35447093ff69aca6632ffe%7C1%7C0%7C637936861918479676%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=zLp34JGJdJAXzsLv1Ia4smEFqZULgsnqybbERmabTZ0%3D&reserved=0

  To the best of my knowledge, this is the first ever Bank Swallow
offspring that was born in Brooklyn. If this is inaccurate, please, let
me know.

  The fact that this nest is wide open proved to me again that no bird
will ever abandon its chicks permanently. They might abandon them for a
short period of time when there is a danger around, but they always come
back to care for them after the danger goes away. At least this is my
experience with all the nests I have followed over the years.

  This Swallow couldn't let its chick be buried alive.

  As for the other nests, they are still occluded. Two of them totally
occluded and the third is half occluded. My thinking that there are no
living chicks inside. The swallows probably abandoned their eggs, and
they might try laying eggs in another burrow, like Jose suggested.

  Good birding to all
  Gus Keri



    On Sat, 16 Jul 2022 15:30:59 -0400  Jose Ramirez-Garofalo
 wrote ---
   >
   > Gus,
   >
   > Unfortunately, that is a common occurrence with Bank Swallow
colonies on the coast. There is really no way to adequately protect the
nests unless the land management agency fences off the top of the
dune/bluff. Disturbance to the front of the colony site can also a
problem at a site like Plumb—though less-so than actual nest collapse.
Since they aren’t protected (not even as a Species of Special Concern
despite their widespread declines in NYS/the northeast), it isn’t likely
that targeted measures will be undertaken for the swallows there.
   >
   > The good news is that they are adept at re-nesting, and will
sometimes nest in drainpipes like Northern Rough-winged Swallows. We are
pretty late in the season for them, but it isn’t out of the question.
   >
   > Cheers-
   > José
   >
   > --
   > José R. Ramírez-Garofalo
   > Pronouns: He/Him/His
   > PhD Student
   > Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources
   > Rutgers University
   > 14 College Farm Road,
   > New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
   >
   >
   > From: Gus Keri 
   > Date: Sat, Jul 16, 2022 at 12:52 PM
   > Subject: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach
   > To: Birding alert, NYSBirds, Birding alert 
   >
   >
   > Updates on these nests:
   > Today, the third nest was totally occluded and the fourth one is
half-occluded, and I anticipate it to be gone by the end of the day.
   > The reason: people are camping on the top of the cliff exactly
above the nesting wall.
   > It is very sad that the first ever Bank Swallow nesting in Brooklyn
will not be successful this year and we won't have any new generation of
this species here.
   > Gus Keri.
   >
   >  Forwarded message 
   > From: Gus Keri 
   > To: "Birding alert,  NYSBirds,  Birding
alert"
   > Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2022 20:35:40 -0400
   > Subject: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach
   >  Forwarded message 
   >
   >  > As some of you know there are few nest holes in Plumb beach for
Bank Swallow this season and this happened here for the first time ever,
as

Re: Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach

2022-07-17 Thread redknot 
Gus: Thank you for sharing some good news! Do you think that signs and 
roping could be put on top to prevent humans from compressing the 
nesting chambers?


-- Original Message --
From: gusk...@zoho.com
To: jose.ramirez.garof...@rutgers.edu
Cc: nysbirds-l@cornell.edu
Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2022 1:46 PM
Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach

  Great news!
  After I saw the photo of the nestling taken by another birder 3 days 
ago (I am sorry for not mentioning his/her name. I don't know if he/she 
wants the publicity), I had to go and check on the fate of this nestling 
and the nest.

  The moment I arrived, I noticed that the nest that was half occluded 
yesterday is wide open today. It made me happy to see that the swallow 
re-opened it. Looking inside, I could see the chick is alive and well.

  Few minutes later, an adult came and fed the chick and I recorded the 
feeding act on video. You can see it here:

  https://twitter.com/BirdBrklyn/status/1548720277110005762

  To the best of my knowledge, this is the first ever Bank Swallow 
offspring that was born in Brooklyn. If this is inaccurate, please, let 
me know.

  The fact that this nest is wide open proved to me again that no bird 
will ever abandon its chicks permanently. They might abandon them for a 
short period of time when there is a danger around, but they always come 
back to care for them after the danger goes away. At least this is my 
experience with all the nests I have followed over the years.

  This Swallow couldn't let its chick be buried alive.

  As for the other nests, they are still occluded. Two of them totally 
occluded and the third is half occluded. My thinking that there are no 
living chicks inside. The swallows probably abandoned their eggs, and 
they might try laying eggs in another burrow, like Jose suggested.

  Good birding to all
  Gus Keri



    On Sat, 16 Jul 2022 15:30:59 -0400  Jose Ramirez-Garofalo 
 wrote ---
   >
   > Gus,
   >
   > Unfortunately, that is a common occurrence with Bank Swallow 
colonies on the coast. There is really no way to adequately protect the 
nests unless the land management agency fences off the top of the 
dune/bluff. Disturbance to the front of the colony site can also a 
problem at a site like Plumb—though less-so than actual nest collapse. 
Since they aren’t protected (not even as a Species of Special Concern 
despite their widespread declines in NYS/the northeast), it isn’t likely 
that targeted measures will be undertaken for the swallows there.
   >
   > The good news is that they are adept at re-nesting, and will 
sometimes nest in drainpipes like Northern Rough-winged Swallows. We are 
pretty late in the season for them, but it isn’t out of the question.
   >
   > Cheers-
   > José
   >
   > --
   > José R. Ramírez-Garofalo
   > Pronouns: He/Him/His
   > PhD Student
   > Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources
   > Rutgers University
   > 14 College Farm Road,
   > New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
   >
   >
   > From: Gus Keri 
   > Date: Sat, Jul 16, 2022 at 12:52 PM
   > Subject: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach
   > To: Birding alert, NYSBirds, Birding alert 
   >
   >
   > Updates on these nests:
   > Today, the third nest was totally occluded and the fourth one is 
half-occluded, and I anticipate it to be gone by the end of the day.
   > The reason: people are camping on the top of the cliff exactly 
above the nesting wall.
   > It is very sad that the first ever Bank Swallow nesting in Brooklyn 
will not be successful this year and we won't have any new generation of 
this species here.
   > Gus Keri.
   >
   >  Forwarded message 
   > From: Gus Keri 
   > To: "Birding alert,  NYSBirds,  Birding 
alert"
   > Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2022 20:35:40 -0400
   > Subject: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach
   >  Forwarded message 
   >
   >  > As some of you know there are few nest holes in Plumb beach for 
Bank Swallow this season and this happened here for the first time ever, 
as far as I know.
   >  > For the last couple of weeks, there were total 4 holes in a 
small sandy wall that span some 10-15 feet high and 15-20 feet wide. I 
only saw the swallows go into three of these holes.
   >  > Today, I saw only two open holes while the other two were 
completely occluded with sand.
   >  >
   >  > I remember at the beginning that two or three other holes closed 
completely with sand, but this was before they started nesting.
   >  > At that time, I thought they make few nests and then choose one 
or two of them to be used.
   >  >
   >  > But this time the issue is different. I have seen a swallow go 
into one of the two closed nests few times whic

Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach

2022-07-17 Thread Gus Keri 
Great news!
After I saw the photo of the nestling taken by another birder 3 days ago (I am 
sorry for not mentioning his/her name. I don't know if he/she wants the 
publicity), I had to go and check on the fate of this nestling and the nest.

The moment I arrived, I noticed that the nest that was half occluded yesterday 
is wide open today. It made me happy to see that the swallow re-opened it. 
Looking inside, I could see the chick is alive and well.  

Few minutes later, an adult came and fed the chick and I recorded the feeding 
act on video. You can see it here:

https://twitter.com/BirdBrklyn/status/1548720277110005762

To the best of my knowledge, this is the first ever Bank Swallow offspring that 
was born in Brooklyn. If this is inaccurate, please, let me know.

The fact that this nest is wide open proved to me again that no bird will ever 
abandon its chicks permanently. They might abandon them for a short period of 
time when there is a danger around, but they always come back to care for them 
after the danger goes away. At least this is my experience with all the nests I 
have followed over the years.

This Swallow couldn't let its chick be buried alive.

As for the other nests, they are still occluded. Two of them totally occluded 
and the third is half occluded. My thinking that there are no living chicks 
inside. The swallows probably abandoned their eggs, and they might try laying 
eggs in another burrow, like Jose suggested. 

Good birding to all
Gus Keri



  On Sat, 16 Jul 2022 15:30:59 -0400  Jose Ramirez-Garofalo 
 wrote --- 
 > 
 > Gus,
 >  
 > Unfortunately, that is a common occurrence with Bank Swallow colonies on the 
 > coast. There is really no way to adequately protect the nests unless the 
 > land management agency fences off the top of the dune/bluff. Disturbance to 
 > the front of the colony site can also a problem at a site like Plumb—though 
 > less-so than actual nest collapse. Since they aren’t protected (not even as 
 > a Species of Special Concern despite their widespread declines in NYS/the 
 > northeast), it isn’t likely that targeted measures will be undertaken for 
 > the swallows there.
 >  
 > The good news is that they are adept at re-nesting, and will sometimes nest 
 > in drainpipes like Northern Rough-winged Swallows. We are pretty late in the 
 > season for them, but it isn’t out of the question. 
 >  
 > Cheers-
 > José
 >  
 > -- 
 > José R. Ramírez-Garofalo
 > Pronouns: He/Him/His
 > PhD Student
 > Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources
 > Rutgers University 
 > 14 College Farm Road,
 > New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
 >  
 >  
 > From: Gus Keri 
 > Date: Sat, Jul 16, 2022 at 12:52 PM
 > Subject: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach
 > To: Birding alert, NYSBirds, Birding alert 
 > 
 > 
 > Updates on these nests:
 > Today, the third nest was totally occluded and the fourth one is 
 > half-occluded, and I anticipate it to be gone by the end of the day.
 > The reason: people are camping on the top of the cliff exactly above the 
 > nesting wall.
 > It is very sad that the first ever Bank Swallow nesting in Brooklyn will not 
 > be successful this year and we won't have any new generation of this species 
 > here.
 > Gus Keri.
 > 
 >  Forwarded message 
 > From: Gus Keri 
 > To: "Birding alert,  NYSBirds,  Birding alert"
 > Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2022 20:35:40 -0400
 > Subject: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach
 >  Forwarded message 
 > 
 >  > As some of you know there are few nest holes in Plumb beach for Bank 
 > Swallow this season and this happened here for the first time ever, as far 
 > as I know.
 >  > For the last couple of weeks, there were total 4 holes in a small sandy 
 > wall that span some 10-15 feet high and 15-20 feet wide. I only saw the 
 > swallows go into three of these holes.
 >  > Today, I saw only two open holes while the other two were completely 
 > occluded with sand.
 >  > 
 >  > I remember at the beginning that two or three other holes closed 
 > completely with sand, but this was before they started nesting.
 >  > At that time, I thought they make few nests and then choose one or two of 
 > them to be used.
 >  > 
 >  > But this time the issue is different. I have seen a swallow go into one 
 > of the two closed nests few times which made the possibility of nesting bird 
 > inside very high. And this made me think; what if there was a female sitting 
 > on the eggs when the hole collapse! Can she make her way out? Are these 
 > holes connected to each other from the inside to provide an escape?
 >  >  
 >  > The sand in this wall seems to be soft and can collapse easily. This will 
 > put all the other nests at risk.
 >  > I have never seen Bank Swallow nests before, so, I have no knowledge of 
 > this trouble.
 >  > 
 >  > I thought some of you might have an answer.
 >  > 
 >  > Does sand collapse cause any harm to the nesting birds?
 >  > Is there an

Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach

2022-07-16 Thread Gus Keri 
Thank you for the info, Jose. I hope you are right, and they will keep trying.
A birder replied privately and sent me two photos of a nestling (peeking from 
the burrow) and its parent (flying away with a fecal sac). Both were taken two 
days ago. This proved that there are grown nestlings in these nests.
I only hope that these swallows are able to save themselves and their 
nestlings. 
I guess if they can dig their way in, they can dig their way out. Or is it 
wishful thinking on my part?

  On Sat, 16 Jul 2022 15:30:59 -0400  Jose Ramirez-Garofalo 
 wrote --- 
 > 
 > Gus,
 >  
 > Unfortunately, that is a common occurrence with Bank Swallow colonies on the 
 > coast. There is really no way to adequately protect the nests unless the 
 > land management agency fences off the top of the dune/bluff. Disturbance to 
 > the front of the colony site can also a problem at a site like Plumb—though 
 > less-so than actual nest collapse. Since they aren’t protected (not even as 
 > a Species of Special Concern despite their widespread declines in NYS/the 
 > northeast), it isn’t likely that targeted measures will be undertaken for 
 > the swallows there.
 >  
 > The good news is that they are adept at re-nesting, and will sometimes nest 
 > in drainpipes like Northern Rough-winged Swallows. We are pretty late in the 
 > season for them, but it isn’t out of the question. 
 >  
 > Cheers-
 > José
 >  
 > -- 
 > José R. Ramírez-Garofalo
 > Pronouns: He/Him/His
 > PhD Student
 > Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources
 > Rutgers University 
 > 14 College Farm Road,
 > New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
 >  
 >  
 > From: Gus Keri 
 > Date: Sat, Jul 16, 2022 at 12:52 PM
 > Subject: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach
 > To: Birding alert, NYSBirds, Birding alert 
 > 
 > 
 > Updates on these nests:
 > Today, the third nest was totally occluded and the fourth one is 
 > half-occluded, and I anticipate it to be gone by the end of the day.
 > The reason: people are camping on the top of the cliff exactly above the 
 > nesting wall.
 > It is very sad that the first ever Bank Swallow nesting in Brooklyn will not 
 > be successful this year and we won't have any new generation of this species 
 > here.
 > Gus Keri.
 > 
 >  Forwarded message 
 > From: Gus Keri 
 > To: "Birding alert,  NYSBirds,  Birding alert"
 > Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2022 20:35:40 -0400
 > Subject: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach
 >  Forwarded message 
 > 
 >  > As some of you know there are few nest holes in Plumb beach for Bank 
 > Swallow this season and this happened here for the first time ever, as far 
 > as I know.
 >  > For the last couple of weeks, there were total 4 holes in a small sandy 
 > wall that span some 10-15 feet high and 15-20 feet wide. I only saw the 
 > swallows go into three of these holes.
 >  > Today, I saw only two open holes while the other two were completely 
 > occluded with sand.
 >  > 
 >  > I remember at the beginning that two or three other holes closed 
 > completely with sand, but this was before they started nesting.
 >  > At that time, I thought they make few nests and then choose one or two of 
 > them to be used.
 >  > 
 >  > But this time the issue is different. I have seen a swallow go into one 
 > of the two closed nests few times which made the possibility of nesting bird 
 > inside very high. And this made me think; what if there was a female sitting 
 > on the eggs when the hole collapse! Can she make her way out? Are these 
 > holes connected to each other from the inside to provide an escape?
 >  >  
 >  > The sand in this wall seems to be soft and can collapse easily. This will 
 > put all the other nests at risk.
 >  > I have never seen Bank Swallow nests before, so, I have no knowledge of 
 > this trouble.
 >  > 
 >  > I thought some of you might have an answer.
 >  > 
 >  > Does sand collapse cause any harm to the nesting birds?
 >  > Is there anything can be done to protect the current nests?
 >  > 
 >  > Gus Keri
 >  > 
 > 
 > --
 > 
 > NYSbirds-L List Info:
 > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
 > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm
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 > 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01
 > 
 > Please submit your observations to eBird:
 > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/
 > 
 > --
 >  --  NYSbirds-L List 
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 > Archives:   The Mail Archive 
 >

Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach

2022-07-16 Thread Jose Ramirez-Garofalo 
Gus,

Unfortunately, that is a common occurrence with Bank Swallow colonies on the 
coast. There is really no way to adequately protect the nests unless the land 
management agency fences off the top of the dune/bluff. Disturbance to the 
front of the colony site can also a problem at a site like Plumb—though less-so 
than actual nest collapse. Since they aren’t protected (not even as a Species 
of Special Concern despite their widespread declines in NYS/the northeast), it 
isn’t likely that targeted measures will be undertaken for the swallows there.

The good news is that they are adept at re-nesting, and will sometimes nest in 
drainpipes like Northern Rough-winged Swallows. We are pretty late in the 
season for them, but it isn’t out of the question.

Cheers-
José

--
José R. Ramírez-Garofalo
Pronouns: He/Him/His
PhD Student
Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources
Rutgers University
14 College Farm Road,
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901


From: Gus Keri mailto:gusk...@zoho.com>>
Date: Sat, Jul 16, 2022 at 12:52 PM
Subject: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach
To: Birding alert, NYSBirds, Birding alert 
mailto:nysbirds-l@cornell.edu>>


Updates on these nests:
Today, the third nest was totally occluded and the fourth one is half-occluded, 
and I anticipate it to be gone by the end of the day.
The reason: people are camping on the top of the cliff exactly above the 
nesting wall.
It is very sad that the first ever Bank Swallow nesting in Brooklyn will not be 
successful this year and we won't have any new generation of this species here.
Gus Keri.

 Forwarded message 
From: Gus Keri mailto:gusk...@zoho.com>>
To: "Birding alert,  NYSBirds,  Birding 
alert"mailto:nysbirds-l@cornell.edu>>
Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2022 20:35:40 -0400
Subject: Bank Swallow nests at Plumb Beach
 Forwarded message 

 > As some of you know there are few nest holes in Plumb beach for Bank Swallow 
 > this season and this happened here for the first time ever, as far as I know.
 > For the last couple of weeks, there were total 4 holes in a small sandy wall 
 > that span some 10-15 feet high and 15-20 feet wide. I only saw the swallows 
 > go into three of these holes.
 > Today, I saw only two open holes while the other two were completely 
 > occluded with sand.
 >
 > I remember at the beginning that two or three other holes closed completely 
 > with sand, but this was before they started nesting.
 > At that time, I thought they make few nests and then choose one or two of 
 > them to be used.
 >
 > But this time the issue is different. I have seen a swallow go into one of 
 > the two closed nests few times which made the possibility of nesting bird 
 > inside very high. And this made me think; what if there was a female sitting 
 > on the eggs when the hole collapse! Can she make her way out? Are these 
 > holes connected to each other from the inside to provide an escape?
 >
 > The sand in this wall seems to be soft and can collapse easily. This will 
 > put all the other nests at risk.
 > I have never seen Bank Swallow nests before, so, I have no knowledge of this 
 > trouble.
 >
 > I thought some of you might have an answer.
 >
 > Does sand collapse cause any harm to the nesting birds?
 > Is there anything can be done to protect the current nests?
 >
 > Gus Keri
 >

--

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