Something to Crow About!

– Field Note by Justine Kibbe September 18, 2017.

* Come join the Conservancy Fall Bird Migration Survey. Sunday Sept 24th @ 8am

Summer fades now. Tawny dune grasses bend and bow towards brilliance- Monarchs that float and morph between orange and red maple leaves.

Most families have packed up here on Island, boarding ferries, migrating across the Sound, perhaps heading south or who knows where, but bound to return as trees promise to bud next year.

While shore birds and waders like 6 American Oyster Catchers of South beach, 2 Willets along Big Stony spit, Hay Harbor and several Egrets near 14th hole and bridge up at Big Club will soon all follow suit and leave Island too.

But then many bird families fly in, fly thru or stay on here. And the Fishers Island Conservancy counts on it (literally!) and so can Islanders.

The Blue Jays-there’s a talkative bunch heading east behind navy fencing; the birds sounding alarm from pine stands there, and more chiming within the conifer woods nearing Gray Gulls.

Listen, pretty much everywhere now-open grass lands like Parade Grounds, brushy habitat around Isabella cliffside, and the Northern Cardinal rules – “tik…tik…twik…”

Look up and down between sun shadows within lichen covered tree trunks that hug Oyster Pond and see Northern Flickers and Downy Woodpeckers poking and scratching for ants.

It is wonderful to become familiar with birds here and quite an opportunity.

Back in my neck of the woods over the years a band of now 8 crows has kindly adopted me. I think they must know I have an affinity towards their clan. Each morning awakens with quite a raucous-especially with coveted autumn fruit dropping to the ground. Sunny afternoons I happen upon the squawking squadron waiting for takeoff; their jet black feathers with the look of warm upon a windswept runway. Usually by the time the 4:15 ferry arrives for Island workforce and students, the crows have circled round to preen atop a chimney and bid farewell till the morning.

Come join a lead team of expert birders from University of Delaware take tally of bird species from several point to point spots west end to east end. Learn even to recognize unique calls of each species, bring binoculars and we’ll all see what the migration survey says!

PS. We’re meeting 8 am at the *Community Center.