SEATUCK ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATION JULY 2021
INTRODUCTION
Over the past year Seatuck Environmental Association (“Seatuck”) conducted seasonal surveys of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock (“UUCSR”) property in Manhasset, NY. The goal was to document the presence of bird and other wildlife species inhabiting the property. Five bird surveys were conducted (September and October 2020 and March, May, and June 2021) and one survey of the vernal pools (March 2021).
For the bird surveys, we established a “point count” system, with eight listening stations throughout the property (see map at right). Surveys were conducted at each point for three minutes; counting all birds heard or seen. The points were spaced out to minimize repeat counts of the same birds. This approach allowed us to capture all representative habitats and ensure comprehensive overage, while establishing an easily repeatable survey procedure.
Each survey had a different goal. The September and October visits were designed to capture Fall migration, while the early March visit was designed to ascertain overwintering birds. The May visit was designed to capture Spring migration, while the June survey was to determine breeding status of various bird species.
In addition to the field surveys, Seatuck also inspected around the UUCSR buildings during each visit to determine the effectiveness of window stickers that were applied to many of the facility’s windows to prevent bird-window collisions.