Bike Path entrance, Fishers Island. Over the last years this small pond has become increasingly familiar habitat to a host of “residents.” A foraging spot for Great egret and muskrat, a look out spot for alert Osprey, a chiming in spot for Bull frogs, and here; a spot in the morning sun for a young Barred owl.
– A video snippet from the field taken by Justine Kibbe April 27, 2018.
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s (WHOI) Coastal Systems Group (CSG) is hunting for evidence of ancient (paleo) hurricanes, and the clues lie in the mud deposited at the bottom of these ponds. “We look for layers of sand that may have been washed over with hurricane storm surge. These layers of sand originating on the beach and carried by the waves and high waters, cover the mud and offer clues about when and how large the storm may have been.” As a precursor to collecting the deep cores of mud from the bottom of the ponds, the team from Woods Hole first needed to determine several bits of information such as: How deep are the ponds? Are they fresh, brackish or salty? For how long have the ponds been there? And are they susceptible to hurricanes of the past tracking along the eastern seaboard?
WHOI visited Fishers Island on June 12, 2014 in an effort to gain scientific information about several ponds on the east end of the Island. With the help of Fishers Island Naturalist Justine Kibbe and Island Sentinel Conner Wakeman, they surveyed the ponds using a skiff (special thanks to Steve Malinowski) kayak and canoe, and utilized scientific equipment such as a depth gun and CTD (Conductivity/salinity, Temperature, Depth) to make measurements.
The ultimate goal was to map the ponds then revisit sites and core 30 feet into the mud to find layers of sand deposited from past hurricanes. The historic record, collected from human observation and tide gauge data, gives us only a short history of hurricane events (about 150 years), whereas a 2,000 year story is preserved in the mud.
Woods Hole Oceanographic institute will be back to core Island Pond sometime over the summer….stay tuned.
Read the full article from The New York Times.
Parade Grounds, Fishers Island just before sunrise-birds chiming in on a frosty, misty morning here earlier this April week.
– A video snippet from the field taken by Justine Kibbe April 26, 2018
As you trek within the Parade Grounds on Fishers Island, in the evening hours of spring, just before sunset; most likely you’ll spy a Harrier or two. Known to soar low over these grassy fields and the South beach dunes, this hawk frequently veers its course to include the marshy pond area (“Marsh hawk”); typically hunting for small birds and mice. Adult male Harriers are more grayish in color so I am thinking this is a female that visited with me- swooping in and landing on the telephone pole near the Bike Shop.
These majestic raptors are ground nesters-PLEASE keep all dogs on leash, helping to steward this sensitive habitat.
– Video Snippet by Justine Kibbe April 25, 2018
A “Sky Dancer”. This female Red-tailed hawk swooped within the grasses and sedge of Parade Grounds soaring upwards to its favorite lookout (for mice and small birds) platform near the airport here on Fishers Island.
– Field Note by Justine Kibbe April 25, 2018
Nearby to Oyster Pond, far above the brackish brine, wrapped within knotted and draping vine -see two hidden Egrets. Great they are. See the male on lower branch? This spring season note his wispy breeding plumage and green “eye shadow”.
– Video Snippet by Justine Kibbe April 24, 2018
A VERY scarce and unique visitor was eating seed along the Recreational bike path here on Fishers Island; fluttering between the waving tall grasses just beyond the Driving Range. A “tropical” bunting and cousin to the northern cardinal, this male Blue Grosbeak has an expansive breeding range: south and central United States as well as Mexico and Central America! Watch Video Snippet
– Field Note by Justine Kibbe April 23, 2018
Out in The Field, Fishers Islanders often stop alongside the bike path pointing me in the direction of some unexpected “find”. I am always grateful for “Citizen Science” in the works…a VERY rarely seen Blue Grosbeak feeds on seed near the Driving Range. View Field Note
– Video Snippet by Justine Kibbe April 23, 2018
Pre-orders are recommended as not all plants on the list will be available the day of the sale. All plant orders MUST be received by MAY 10 and can be picked up May 19-20. Native plant enthusiasts are also welcome to choose from available stock on the days of the plant sale.