These quiet days of September are perfect for learning more about butterflies.*
Find a bench warmed by the sun within native meadows across from Silver Eel Cove, and you’re bound to see just how “social” these brilliantly colored insects are, flitting from one flower to the next.
Some populations gather enough nutritious energy feeding on plants (aster family) within Parade Grounds to migrate south. Others stay behind and overwinter here on Fishers Island.
*The painted lady butterfly is one of the most ubiquitous butterflies in the world and is identified by the shape of its wings and its eyespots, particularly evident on the underside of its hind wings. The butterflies flare with orange when flying and are sometimes mistaken for monarch butterflies.
*According to the National Geographic Society, the two-inch painted lady butterfly can migrate nearly 2,500 miles, starting from Europe, traversing obstacles such as the Mediterranean Sea, North Africa’s mountains and the Sahara Desert. Unlike monarch butterflies, chemical signatures in the painted lady wings reveal that they can make the trip in a single generation.
From the Field, Field Note by Justine Kibbe, Sept. 9, 2019
Painted Lady Butterfly Observed
Field Notes, From the Field, NewsThese quiet days of September are perfect for learning more about butterflies.*
Find a bench warmed by the sun within native meadows across from Silver Eel Cove, and you’re bound to see just how “social” these brilliantly colored insects are, flitting from one flower to the next.
Some populations gather enough nutritious energy feeding on plants (aster family) within Parade Grounds to migrate south. Others stay behind and overwinter here on Fishers Island.
*The painted lady butterfly is one of the most ubiquitous butterflies in the world and is identified by the shape of its wings and its eyespots, particularly evident on the underside of its hind wings. The butterflies flare with orange when flying and are sometimes mistaken for monarch butterflies.
*According to the National Geographic Society, the two-inch painted lady butterfly can migrate nearly 2,500 miles, starting from Europe, traversing obstacles such as the Mediterranean Sea, North Africa’s mountains and the Sahara Desert. Unlike monarch butterflies, chemical signatures in the painted lady wings reveal that they can make the trip in a single generation.
From the Field, Field Note by Justine Kibbe, Sept. 9, 2019
Alexa Rosenberg Goldfinches on FI
SentinelsThe goldfinch can be identified by its vibrant yellow plumage accented by bold black streaks. These birds are common and can be seen in a variety of places on Fishers Island.
Locations of sightings include, but are not limited to, the Parade Grounds, South Beach, Dock Beach and the Ferry Dock. Their diet consists mainly of seeds and insects. The goldfinch has an irregular migration, remaining North lingering for the food supply. Keep watching for these brightly colored birds.
Alexa Rosenberg watercolor
Sanctuary of Sands Migration Station
Field Notes, From the Field, NewsFor many diverse species of shorebirds, Fishers Island has become the best “next stop” for fall migration, with tepid tidal pools, thick salted wrack lines and sand dunes buffered with tall beach grass. Birds returning to this ideal habitat feed, rest and recover morning, noon and night.
Calling All Birders to Fall Migration Bird Count!
Events, NewsDemonstration Garden is a busy third stop on Fall Migration Bird Count.
Mark your calendars for the 2019 Fall Migration Bird Count Sept. 22, 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Meet at the Island Community Center. Bring binoculars.
Following Audubon bird count rules, Dr. Adam Mitchell and two additional experts will lead birders, making 15 five-minute stops from West End to East End. At each timed stop, the birders will count birds and call out what they see.
Not sure how to count birds? Come for a tutorial and quick tour of the Parade grounds Sept. 21 at 5 p.m. Meet at the Parade Grounds.
Common Buckeye Butterfly
Field Notes, From the Field, NewsThe Common Buckeye Butterfly is another beautiful pollinator, in addition to the Monarch Butterfly, drawn to goldenrod in late summer.
Monarch on Thorny Thistle
Field Notes, From the FieldAs evening light overshadows and cricket’s echo dims–
See beams of setting sunshine pass though butterfly wings.
And feel breeze–fly above and beyond wispy meadow grasses.
*Parade Grounds, Fishers Island
From the Field, Field Note by Justine Kibbe, Sept. 4, 2019
As Requested: Fishers Island Seed Mix
NewsFishers Island’s native grass meadows, grown from “Fishers Island Seed Mix”, were on full display for “Conservation on Parade” Aug. 3 in the Parade Grounds. FIConservancy Photo
There have been numerous requests for “Fishers Island Seed Mix” used in FIConservancy’s grassland restoration project on the Parade Grounds and adjacent to South Beach and Elizabeth Airport.
Ernst Conservation Seeds, the largest native seed producer and supplier in the eastern United States, created a custom blend for Fishers Island. The seeds are listed below. Butterfly milkweed, however, is out of stock but will be available in the spring.
Seeds can be planted from mid-to-late October or in the spring. Call 800-873-3321 for further information. Learn more about planting meadows at the Ernst website: www.ernstseed.com>Planting Guides>Uplands, Meadows & Pollinator Planting Guide and www.ernstseed.com>Life Cycle of a Meadow.
Recoup for Cooper’s Hawk
Field Notes, From the FieldBetsy Conger: 2019 Conservation on Parade
SentinelsTwo Filtered Water Filling Stations Installed on Fishers Island
NewsFIConservancy Vice President Jane Harvey fills water bottle from newly installed filtered water filling station on second floor of the Island Community Center.
FIConservancy has purchased two filtered water filling stations in an effort to help Island residents and guests reduce the use of bottled water. The two stations were installed in late August, one on the second floor of the Island Community Center near the fitness room, and the other inside the ferry terminal waiting room.
The community center no longer sells plastic water bottles. Instead, refillable glass water bottles are available for purchase. The community center has reported a positive response to the water filling station.