Regina McCarthy

I first met Regina in the offices of NYC Audubon as I was preparing for the 2004 Harbor Herons Shore Monitoring Program. She was lively and energetic and full of stories. Little did I know at the time that Regina would be one of my most trusted volunteers that season, helping me shuttle volunteers in here care to the various monitoring locations.

The monitoring program, now entering its third year, actively involves its participants in identifying and mapping the foraging grounds of the Harbor Herons – herons, egrets, and ibis nesting in the Estuary. The program first identifies and charts the flight lines of wading birds as they leave and enter their island-colonies in New York Harbor. These flight lines are then used to track the wading birds to their foraging grounds. Once the documentation of all foraging sites is complete, we hope to use this information to ensure that these areas are protected and conserved for future generations of humans and birds.

During the past season Regina had a host of great ideas. Her best idea was to fly over the bird colonies using the Fuji Film blimp. The result was an unforgettable trip over New York Bay and Hoffman Island. She also suggested we visit foraging grounds in New Jersey Meadowlands in order to see how many Harbor Herons were foraging there. Driving in her car, I had the rare chance of hearing about all sorts of people from New York City's environmental movement, both past and present.

Regina is an icon in NYC Dept. of Education. She has worked as a teacher in various schools, and was the coordinator of the Gateway Environmental Study Center for almost ten years. She only recently became a NYC Audubon volunteer. As a naturalist, she wanted to become a better birder, and what better place to start than NYC Audubon. Regina was drawn to the Harbor Herons Program because of the science. But having a masters in Elementary Education, she was "particularly interested in children doing what scientists do." Regina also volunteers once a week in the office, helping out with whatever needs to get done.

This season the program intends to expand beyond the shore and monitor the island-colonies from all sides by employing small boats which will serve as monitoring platforms. If you want to learn more about the Harbor Herons Shore Monitoring Program, visit our website at www.nycaudubon.org. If you wish to become a Harbor Herons Shore Monitor this summer, please write to volunteer@nycaudubon.org.