Brooklyn birdwatchers concerned about new construction inside Prospect Park
The park, specifically the Vale section, has become one of the only stopover habitats left on the East Coast for migrating birds.
Members of the Brooklyn Bird Club are voicing their concerns about new construction at the Vale of Cashmere, a northern section of the park.
“This park is incredibly important for the survival of birds," said Tom Stephenson, a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club.
The park, specifically the Vale section, has become one of the only stopover habitats left on the East Coast for migrating birds.
“They’ve got very few choices, so when they hit the New York metro area, and they are like, ‘Where do I go? I need to rest. I need food,’" said Stephenson.
The quiet, secluded area is well known to birders, thanks in large part to it remaining mostly untouched and the different layers of feeding it provides the birds. That was until construction began.
“The question is, ‘How will the restoration affect what the birds need?’ and it’s unknown," said Stephenson.
A spokesperson for the Prospect Park Alliance says they've invested significant time and resources into creating a design that uses,
“Native plants, trees, shrubs that will provide rich habitat for birds and other wildlife. This includes the undercarriage, including groundcover, shrubs and small trees,” said Stephenson.
