Bald Eagles, Pied-billed Grebe, and Northern Harrier – Birds Listed on New York State’s Threatened List – Provide Stark Images of Lake’s Resurgence
April 10, 2014 – Nearly 500 Central New Yorkers viewed spectacular images of bald eagles, common mergansers, American black ducks, and other waterfowl at Audubon New York’s “Birds of Onondaga Lake” photography exhibit March 29 and 30 at the Onondaga Lake Visitors Center. Audubon New York hosted the exhibit with support from Honeywell and the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps. Onondaga Lake became an Important Bird Area in 1998 and was subsequently co-adopted by Montezuma Audubon Center, Onondaga Audubon Society, and Honeywell because of its value to waterfowl. The exhibit will be on display until the end of April.
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“There have been more than 30 bald eagles and a host of other waterfowl spotted at Onondaga Lake this winter,” said Bob Walker, photographer. “Sometimes you have to spend hours in the cold to capture just one image, but having the opportunity to photograph and share images of an iconic American symbol has been remarkable.”
Left: red-breasted mergansers by Bob Walker. Right: bald eagle by John Savage.
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Left: Chris Lajewski, interim director of the Montezuma Audubon Center, helps Rebecca Rolnick, of Fayetteville, N.Y., spot snow geese. Right: Brian Solomon and Eva Solomon, both of DeWitt, N.Y.
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“The bald eagles returning to Onondaga Lake are a source of community pride and interest,” said Erin Crotty, executive director of Audubon New York, pictured above (right) with John McAuliffe, Honeywell Syracuse program director. “These gorgeous images capture the community’s enthusiasm and tell the story of why Onondaga Lake has achieved a listing as an Important Bird Area.”
To view photos that were shown at the exhibit, click here. |
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Visitors spoke with photographers and learned from habitat experts from Montezuma Audubon Center, Onondaga Audubon Society, O’Brien & Gere, Parsons, and Honeywell.
Left: Bill Stella, of Liverpool, N.Y., learns about habitat improvements at Geddes Brook wetlands from Joe McMullen, O’Brien & Gere habitat expert. Right: local photographers (left to right) John Savage, Willson Cummer, Bob Walker, Cheryl Lloyd, Tom Lloyd (in back), Michele Neligan, and Greg Craybas (not pictured: Suzanne Ray).
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The Onondaga Audubon Society helped visitors view birds on Onondaga Lake. They spotted a pied-billed grebe, a horned grebe, a northern harrier, snow geese, bald eagles and several other birds.
Left: Chris Lajewski, interim director of the Montezuma Audubon Center, helps Dawn Lyndaker, of Carthage, N.Y., use a scope to identify birds. Right: attendees spot a bald eagle flying over the Onondaga Lake Visitors Center (photo taken by Bob Walker).
The “Birds of Onondaga Lake” exhibit was held in partnership with the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps, an expanding organization of community volunteers who are contributing to restoration projects that are creating or improving wildlife habitat in the Onondaga Lake watershed.
The Conservation Corps seeks to inspire future stewards of Onondaga Lake and its watershed through a hands-on, experience-based program. It offers citizens and organizations the opportunity to participate in activities that help restore and sustain Onondaga Lake and its value as an IBA. Founding partners of the Corps include Montezuma Audubon Center, Onondaga Audubon Society, Parsons, O’Brien & Gere, and Honeywell.
To learn more about the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps or participate in future activities, please contact montezuma@audubon.org or call 315-365-3588. Schools, community groups, local organizations and individuals are welcome.
To schedule an appointment to view the exhibit, please call 315-552-9751 or submit the form found at www.lakecleanup.com. There is no fee to visit.
For more information on the Onondaga Lake cleanup, please visit www.lakecleanup.com.