I spent a couple hours sitting on a grassy edge off Big Stony, thinking I might catch and share a snippet of sunken fishing vessel salvage. But I was happier, I think, when this Killdeer landed close by, trusting enough to share its lunch with me…
* Nice to see 3 Killdeer over Big Stony this afternoon.
From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, Mar. 19, 2019
Spring Peepers are announcing their return, sounding across rustling grasses this evening, while Red-winged Blackbird sways in gentle breeze alongside “Ibis pond”.
Spring’s wonder—all within 175 acres of preserved habitat maintained by the Fishers Island Conservancy.
Kindly leash all dogs please…
From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, Mar. 20, 2019
Out in the Field awaiting what the USCG has deemed a “pollution mitigation event”, north side off Hay Harbor, Fishers Island.
Fishing vessel to be raised (for now) and all fluids emptied and removed.
From the Field, Field Note, Justine Kibbe, Mar. 19, 2019
This low tide, for feasting juvenile and adult Herring and Great Black-backed gulls, south side Fishers Island.
Blue sky day with Gardiners Island seeming a stone’s throw away…
Sandworm spawn.
*Sanctuary of Sands
From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, Mar. 18, 2019
It was business as usual for gulls within Hay Harbor today.
Both Herring and Great Black-backed gulls swoop and dive after sandworms that spawn each Spring within harbors around Fishers Island.
From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, Mar. 15, 2019
Clean Harbors installed booms Mar. 14 to soak up any remaining oil from capsized vessel. Most affected shoreline areas were quite clean, however, compared to less than 24 hours earlier. The sun helped to burn off diesel oil sheen. (Jane T. Ahrens Photo)
The commercial fishing vessel, All for Joy, capsized south of the Race March 10 and eventually came to rest at the mouth of Hay Harbor, leaking fuel that reached to the shore of Fishers Island. Two fishermen were rescued unharmed.
By 6:30 a.m. March 12, the smell of diesel fuel was “overpowering” on the north side of the Island, particularly at North Hill west past Hay Harbor. Heavy winds and seas prevented divers from safely capping the leaking fuel at that time, because there were too many hazardous pieces hanging and floating around the capsized vessel.
According to the US Coast Guard, all of the tanks on the vessel had been capped by Mar. 13. The current, tide and winds took the fuel into Hay Harbor and along Stony Beach. A crew from Clean Harbors walked the shoreline Mar. 14 to mop up any remaining oil with absorbent pads. They also deployed absorbent booms in those areas where oil was most prevalent.
By Mar. 13, the oil was “disappearing nicely from the sun and tidal action.” On Mar. 15, FIConservancy Naturalist Justine Kibbe monitored the full circumference of Stony Beach and said she was happy to see the usual coyote tracks, herring gulls and great black-backed gulls diving for spawning sandworms. She was particularly happy to see a killdeer “chattering away, hopefully scouting for nest…” (Reporting and photos by Jane T. Ahrens.)
Restored grassland at Parade Grounds.
Tom Sargent
This excellent news encourages the Fishers Island Conservancy to continue with initiatives put in place to ensure the environmental health of Fishers Island today and into the future. I am happy to report that our organization is busy and vibrant. Our collaboration with Professors Doug Tallamy and Adam Mitchell continues as they help us tackle the ongoing challenges of coastal habitat restoration and maintenance.
The University of Delaware Invasives Team completed their third summer here and moved up-Island as the Conservancy begins a pilot collaboration with FIDCO on two parcels on the East End. We look forward to doubling the size of the University of Delaware team next spring and summer, since the challenges facing us in the removal of non-native plant species requires an aggressive approach. That being said, the Conservancy also continues to educate individual property owners with over 25 site visits in the last year.
The Demonstration Garden continues to be a resource to those interested in planting appropriate species native to our locale. The garden acts as a “buffet” to our local insect and bird populations and to those species that use the Island as an important stop on the Atlantic Flyway. As most of you know, both bird and insect populations have plunged from 60 to 80 percent, so we must take action to reverse this troubling trend. I am happy to say that the Fishers Island Conservancy is bucking the decline in the Sanctuary and Demonstration Garden, but much more needs to be done. Please use us as a resource for your own gardens and lawns. We are happy to guide you as to best practices.
As the Conservancy enters its 35th year, I am honored to announce that the Demonstration Garden will be dedicated and renamed the John Thatcher Native Garden in memory of John Thatcher, one of the Conservancy’s founders. John was a long-time summer resident of Fishers Island and, when he died in 2017, its longest serving president. John’s love of Fishers Island and all things natural was palpable. Even after he was unable to travel to the Island due to poor health, he kept in touch with us at the Conservancy, imparting valuable institutional advice and concern for the Island he loved so deeply. Please come spend some time in this wonderful garden that John would have adored.
Finally, I would like to make mention that Justine Kibbe, our Conservancy Naturalist, has left Fishers Island. Her beautiful pictures—more than 3000—and her invaluable data illuminated our precious Island home, whether tracking down snowy owls in February, minks darting in and out of ponds, or returning shorebirds in the spring. She also founded the Island Sentinel program, which teaches students the importance of stewardship. We will miss Justine and wish her the best on her new adventure in the Pacific Northwest.
While the Fishers Island Conservancy has had a successful and productive year, the challenges of environmental protection, habitat restoration and educational outreach continue. Now is the time for us to be aggressive in pursuing our mission: to protect and preserve our Island environment. Fishers Island needs us more than ever. Thank you to all who have so generously supported us in the past. I hope you can find it in your heart to do so again. A gift to the Fishers Island Conservancy is a gift to Fishers Island.
For the Conservancy,
Tom Sargent, President
Daylight saved an extra hour for me, but really it’s just an open window
to see Creation so grand thru Wonder’s expanse…
Simply rich, as Snowdrops* emerge while Sparrows dance.
*Galanthus nivalis
From the Field, Field Note, Justine Kibbe Mar. 11, 2019
Pheasant stops in for breakfast, while crow and ferry announce what looks like a beautiful day in March.
Fort Wright, Fishers Island.
From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe Mar. 11, 2019