The Rochester Birding Association aims to be a voice for bird conservation in the Rochester area. We educate members and the media about local projects, we donate funds to worthy local projects, and we have boots-on-the ground projects where members can have fun, working together on a tangible conservation project.
GET INVOLVED!
CURRENT RBA CONSERVATION PROJECTS
- INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT: Pale & Black Swallow-wort are swallowing our parks and natural areas, creating habitat changes that negatively impact breeding birds. Members are asked to be on the look-out for Pale & Black Swallow-wort and to pull them whenever possible. More about these invasive weeds here >>
© Richard Ashworth
- HIGH ACRES NATURE AREA: A grassroots conservation campaign started at HANA (located in Perinton) years ago, and RBA has chosen to support these efforts by supporting research internships and by data collection efforts. Here are just some of the projects available (contact us if you’re interested in volunteering). What makes HANA so special?
Eastern Bluebird © L. Kammermeier
Bluebird Nest Boxes: There are currently 16 paired nest boxes at HANA. Nest boxes have been maintained and data collected weekly from April to September since 2009. The need is to form a team of three or four volunteers to continue this project. Volunteer training and orientation should be completed annually by March 31st. Also, an additional six nest boxes are available for installation at new sites.
Wood Duck Nest Boxes: Two nest boxes are available for installation. The need is to form a team of three or four volunteers to select sites, install the nest boxes, and make observations. The nest boxes should be installed by the end of March. Ponds and marshes at HANA are currently covered with thick ice making potential Wood Duck nest box sites accessible. Additional Wood Duck nest boxes need to be constructed and installed in 2015.
Kestrel Nest Boxes: Two nest boxes are available for installation. The need is to form a team of three or four volunteers to select sites, install the nest boxes, and make observations. The nest boxes should be installed by the end of March.
Avian Habitat Restoration and Enhancement: There are no defined projects at this time. Future projects will be determined by the Conservation Plan for HANA (one example that was completed last fall is the removal of woody plants from an old field to improve the habitat for grassland birds. About 15 volunteers were needed for four hours).
Invasive Plant Species Control: There is ongoing work to control purple loosestrife, phragmites, cattails, reed canary grass, garlic mustard, multiflora rose, autumn olive, privet, buckthorn, black swallowwort and other species that degrade the habitats at HANA. Volunteers are needed as projects are identified by faculty and students from RIT and the HANA Conservation Planning team.
Invasive Swallow-wort
Trail Signs: Volunteers are needed from April to July to install new trail signs. There are approximately 25 signs that are being constructed. It is estimated that three or four volunteers can complete this project in about 20 hours.
Maintenance and Enhancement of HANA: Two community work days are scheduled every year. One takes place in late spring and the other in the fall. Projects include trail cleanup and invasive species control. Other projects are identified and scheduled depending on the number of expected volunteers. Notification of the dates and times for these work days will be provided when available.
HOW RBA SUPPORTS CONSERVATION
We have a tradition of supporting organizations that work to protect land with the ultimate goal of providing habitat for migrating and resident birds.
