Englewinds celebrates
Teaneck Creek Conservancy

Englewinds is delighted to highlight the recent habitat restoration undertaken at Teaneck Creek with the composition “Across an Open Sky” ” by Peter Piacquadio.

Three billion breeding birds have disappeared from America since 1970, with 80% of those losses experienced by migrating species such as the Blackpoll and the Rusty Blackbird. While different species decline for various reasons, a number of common causes stand out: more buildings, climate change, less habitat, more light — all of which makes the seasonal journey more treacherous. Navigating regions such as New York City and Bergen County is especially treacherous as a bird. Research led by NYC Audubon's demonstrated that nocturnal collisions with lighted buildings is a leading cause of death for nearly 250,000 birds annually. So the need for habitat in our neck of the woods is acute. The two-year habitat restoration project at Teaneck Creek removed acres of phragmites - a giant-sized invasive species known for towering over and displacing native flora. With the phragmites removed, New England aster, wild blue indigo, and swamp rose mallow are free to populate the wetter regions and meadows. White oak, black gum, and and lowbush blueberry diversify the forests providing shelter and food for wildlife. More than a replanting project, TCC’s habitat restoration enhances ecosystems by providing much needed habitat so that our winged and feathered friends have safer places to refuel and rest on the great migrations across the sky. With “Across an Open Sky” Englewinds celebrates migrations and open skies.

Learn more:

Is Bird Migration Getting More Dangerous?
Living Bird Magazine, Spring 2021

‘Lights Out Initiative’ Launched in NYC to Protect Migrating Birds,
NY Department of Conservation, May 2022