The Fishers Island Conservancy COVID 19 protocols

April 30, 2020

The Fishers Island Conservancy remains cautiously optimistic that some form of an enjoyable summer experience awaits us. So the Parade Ground paths will remain open and accessible as long as folks respect the social distancing guidelines outlined by the State of N.Y. Please keep six feet apart and use the merges to pass when going in opposite directions. All dogs MUST be leashed and they too should be kept at a distance of six feet from unrelated persons. As always, please clean up after your pets.

Also the Thatcher Demonstration Garden is open and remains a pleasant place for reflection. The spring bird migration is in full swing and the Garden is popular stop off point for our migrating avian friends.

At this point, our programming schedule is only tentative. Please stay tuned for further information about Nature Days and potential speakers and children’s programming.

Please note that the Conservancy’s Spring Migration Count will be held Sunday, May 3rd at 9 am. As always, we will meet at the Community Center, only this time only one quarantined family per vehicle. Please bring masks and gloves and your own binoculars. While we are all social distancing for safety’s sake, nature carries on like has done so for thousands of years. Fun to watch.

Be well and be safe.

Cheers,

Tom Sargent
President
Fishers Island Conservancy

Injured Adult Harp Seal Uses the Race for Rest & Recuperation

Adult harp seal, apparently injured, rests at the Race. In photo below, Race Rock Lighthouse in background gives perspective to first sighting of beached seal. Stephanie Hall Photo

This adult harp seal beached itself in high winds at the Race April 21. Stephanie Hall, monitoring the shoreline for FIConservancy, saw the seal and what appeared to be blood near its fin.

The first call is usually to Mystic Aquarium, but its rescue service has been suspended due to Covid-19. Not giving up, Stephanie’s next call was to the U.S. Coast Guard station in New London, which led her to Mystic Aquarium’s veterinarian, and then to The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation in Riverhead, N.Y.

The seal had returned to the water but then beached itself again near the end of the Elizabeth Field runway.

After viewing photos and a video that Stephanie sent to the Riverhead Foundation, Jill at the Foundation offered positive news: “Its injury doesn’t seem too concerning, and the video showed that he is resting comfortably. Hopefully, he will rest and be able to move on once the weather improves.”

Stephanie checked the next morning and the seal was gone.

Social Distancing

In the age of COVID-19, social distancing works. But painted turtles, the most widespread native turtles in North America, have no such concern. This group gathered April 15 to bask in the sun on the pond near H.L. Ferguson Museum. (sent as email blast 4/17/20)                        Marlen Bloethe Photo

Signs of Spring

Snowy egret returns in early April to pond near H.L.Ferguson Museum. Marlin Bloethe Photo. Early April daffodils hug the side of a hill next to Fishers Island School. Stephanie Hall Photo

Enduring Comfort

“When thou art weary I’ll find thee a bed, Of mosses and flowers to pillow thy head.” John Keats (1795-1821). Oyster Pond trail, April 4, 2020. (sent as email blast 4/7/20) Dianne Crary Photo