A Strong Start to Shorebird Season

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This past wednesday, FI Conservancy hosted our first Shorebird Pre-Fencing Day to prepare for the return of the endangered Piping Plover and the threatened Least Tern. These small shorebirds nest directly on open sand, which leaves their eggs and chicks highly vulnerable to disturbance. Symbolic fencing helps reduce these risks by clearly marking    nesting areas to keep people and pets at a safe distance.

Fencing was successfully installed at three key sites across the island: Eighth Hole Beach, South Beach, and Airfield Beach. Visitors are now reminded that dogs must be leashed to avoid disrupting or damaging nesting sites. The fencing will remain in place through the shorebird breeding season but will be removed later in the summer once nesting is complete.

We are grateful to the volunteers and partners who joined us for this effort. Thank you to Michele, Nate Chaves, Jessica NeJame from the Henry L. Ferguson Museum, Kristen Peterson, Stephanie Hall, and FIC President Tom Sargent. Special thanks to Sophia Brown and Sean Wiedemann from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, whose guidance was essential as we relaunch the Long Island Colonial Waterbird Survey efforts on Fishers Island.

Protecting shorebirds is a community effort. Thank you to everyone who came out to support this important work. Together we are helping safeguard Fishers Island’s shoreline and the wildlife that depends on it.

Must-Read Article: Doug Tallamy on the Four Things Every Garden Should Do

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Doug Tallamy is no stranger to Fishers Island. A longtime supporter of our mission, he has visited the island multiple times, leading tours of the Parade Grounds and inspiring residents to rethink how their landscapes can support the natural world. His message is simple but transformative: what we plant directly shapes the health of our ecosystems!

In a recent New York Times article, Tallamy outlines four ecological goals every landscape should aim to fulfill:

  • Manage the watershed

  • Support pollinators

  • Bolster a viable food web

  • Sequester carbon

These four principles are central to the work we are doing through habitat restoration, native plant demonstration gardens, invasive species removal, and community education. Like Tallamy, we believe that every yard and every effort counts.

Tallamy encourages small, achievable steps, such as planting keystone native species like oaks or goldenrod, replacing invasive plants, and rethinking the role of lawn in residential landscapes. These changes can transform private properties into powerful tools for conservation.

Whether you’re maintaining a home garden or caring for larger green spaces, this article is a valuable resource for anyone looking to align their landscape with nature!

Read the full article: The Four Ecologically Crucial Things You Should Do in Your Garden (NYT)

April 9, 2025

Article written by Margaret Roach

Feature photo by Rob Cardillo for The New York Times

Pitch In for the Planet- Earth Day 04/19

In honor of Earth Day, the Fishers Island Conservancy and the H.L. Ferguson Museum and Land Trust invite all visitors to join an afternoonof conservation work and community connection.

Participants will meet at the Museum at 2:00 PM to receive assignments before heading out to South Beach, the Parade Grounds, and nearby trails for beach cleanup and invasive plant removal.

Volunteers are encouraged to bring any tools they are comfortable using, such as clippers or loppers. No chainsaws, please. Extra tools will be available. Long pants, long sleeves, socks, and gloves are strongly recommended for protection against thorns and poison ivy.

Following the cleanup, light refreshments will be served at the Museum. A simple craft activity will also be available for those who would like to participate. Race Rock Garden Co. is providing seed pots and soil, and the Conservancy will contribute native seeds along with small seed packets remaining from past Nature Days.

We hope you’ll join us in caring for the land and celebrating Earth Day as a community.

Shorebird Pre-Fencing Day – 04/09

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Sign being installed on symbolic fencing by Anna White

As our tiniest visitor, the endangered Piping Plover, returns to Fishers Island’s shores this spring, the Fishers Island Conservancy is preparing to install symbolic fencing at known nesting sites. These small shorebirds lay their eggs directly on open sand, making them extremely vulnerable to disturbance. To protect them and give them the best chance at a successful breeding season, FIC will kick off the season with Pre-Fencing Day on Wednesday, April 9.

Symbolic fencing is a simple yet critical step that helps reduce disturbance from people and pets by clearly marking sensitive nesting areas. This protection is not just for Piping Plovers but also serves as nesting habitat for Least Terns, which are listed as threatened in New York State. These birds depend on undisturbed beach habitat to successfully nest and raise their young.

This work is part of the Long Island Colonial Waterbird Survey (LICWS), a statewide monitoring and protection program coordinated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. We are excited to partner with Sophia Brown from NYSDEC as we relaunch LICWS efforts on the island. Fishers Island falls within Region 1 of the NYSDEC, which includes Suffolk County and nearby coastal islands.

We invite anyone interested in helping to join us on Wednesday, April 9th at 10:30 AM outside the FI Community Center. We encourage volunteers to bring work gloves and dress for the weather.

Come lend a hand and help us protect our islands shoreline and the shorebirds that call it home!

Must-Read Article: Alarming Trends in Bird Populations

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Check this out—the Cornell Lab of Ornithology has released a powerful new report showing that bird populations across the U.S. are continuing to decline. One-third of species are now considered high or moderate concern, and the losses are especially steep for grassland and forest birds.

Here on island, we are working hard to monitor and protect local bird populations through seasonal surveys, habitat restoration, and long-term conservation planning. Our island plays a key role in the Atlantic Flyway, providing critical stopover and nesting habitat for both migratory and resident birds.

Protecting birds means protecting the health of our entire ecosystem. We encourage everyone in the community to take a moment to read this important article and stay connected to the bigger picture.

Read the full article from the Cornell Chronicle here -> State of America’s birds: Population declines continue

2024 Marine Debris Report

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2024 Fall Migratory Bird Count Results

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Announcing the results of the Fall 2024 Migratory Bird Count

We are excited to share the official count of bird species encountered during our annual Fall 2024 Bird Count. Despite a high-pressure system that limited activity, we observed 45 species—well above the average of 39.9 species recorded in previous fall surveys. This year’s count proved to be a unique one, with a notable focus on birds of prey.

Historically, our fall migration reports have shown low counts of raptors, but this year was an exception. Sharp-shinned hawks, merlins, American kestrels, and bald eagles were all observed, alongside the usual sightings of ospreys. It was truly thrilling to witness these predators making their migration across the island.

In addition to the raptors, large mixed flocks of juvenile seagulls were observed moving eastwardly across the island during the official count, having been spotted on the west side the evening prior.

However, some species were notably absent this year—no swallows were observed, and only a few sparrows made appearances. While this is unusual, it highlights the ever-changing dynamics of fall migration.

Why Bird Counts Matter

Bird counts play an essential role in understanding and preserving the rich biodiversity of our island. By documenting avian species year after year, we gain invaluable insights into the health of our island’s ecosystems. These efforts inform our conservation strategies, ensuring a sustainable future for both the island’s bird populations and our community.

Here’s the list of species we encountered in our Spring 2024 Migratory Bird Count.

Thank you to all who participated.

Fall 2024 Bird Count
American crow
American goldfinch
American kestrel
American redstart
American robin
Bald eagle
Barred owl*
Belted kingfisher
Black-capped chickadee
Black-crowned night heron*
Blue jay
Canada goose*
Carolina wren
Cedar waxwing
Common grackle
Common loon*
Common eider
Double-crested cormorant
Downy woodpecker*
Eastern towhee
European starling
Fish crow
Gray catbird
Greater black-backed gull
Great blue heron*
Great crested flycatcher
Great egret
Hairy woodpecker
Herring gull
House finch
House wren
Least flycatcher
Least sandpiper
Mallard
Merlin
Mourning dove
Mute swan
Nashville warbler
Northern cardinal
Northern flicker
Northern harrier
Northern mockingbird
Osprey
Palm warbler
Red-bellied woodpecker
Red-tailed hawk*
Ruby-throated hummingbird
Surf Scoter*
Saltmarsh sparrow*
Snowy egret*
Sharp-shinned hawk
Solitary sandpiper
Song sparrow
Tufted titmouse
White-breasted nuthatch
White-eyed vireo*
Yellow warbler

Fall 2024 Migratory Bird Count

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We invite you to join us for our annual Fall Migration Bird Count!

Event Details:

  • Date: Sunday, September 15
  • Time: 8:00 AM
  • Location: Community Center

We will start our bird count with a gathering at the Community Center at 8:00 AM. Please dress for a long walk and don’t forget your binoculars!

The count will follow Audubon bird count guidelines, with 15 five-minute stops from the West End to the East End of Fishers Island. At each stop, birders will identify and call out the birds they observe. Our team of experts will lead the way and answer any questions.

Fishers Island is a prime spot for birding, especially during the fall migration. Located along the Atlantic Flyway, the island is a key rest stop for birds traveling from as far north as Canada to their winter homes in the south. In late September, our summer bird residents begin their journey, and the skies fill with migrating species passing through.

Whether you’re an experienced birder or just starting out, fall migration is the perfect time to grab your binoculars and witness the incredible variety of birds making their way through the island.

Last year, after a warm, dry summer, we saw many migratory birds beginning their journey south. We appreciate your participation in helping us track these important bird populations.