2024 Spring Migratory Bird Count Results

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Announcing the results of the Spring 2024 Migratory Bird Count

We are excited to share the official tally of bird species encountered during our annual bird count, along with the “running count” that includes birds observed over the past two days. This springs birding event was remarkable, marking our most impressive count yet, with a grand total of 68 species recorded during the count. Adding the additional 8 species spotted in the running count, we reached an impressive total of 76 species! (See list of bird species below.)

Despite the chill, which might have deterred the raptors, we enjoyed a dry day with intermittent sunshine—a beautiful setting for our bird count. It’s no surprise that our most significant sightings occurred in areas rich with native flora. One highlight was the spotting of the Blue Winged Warbler. Remarkably, we hadn’t encountered one since our first watch over a decade ago, and yesterday, we were fortunate to observe three. Truly wonderful!

Bird counts play a pivotal 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, informing conservation efforts and ensuring a sustainable future for both our feathered friends and our community.

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

Thank you to all who participated.

Spring 2024 Bird Count
American crow
American goldfinch
American redstart
American robin
Baltimore oriole
Barn swallow
Black-capped chickadee
Brown-headed cowbird
Brown thrasher
Black-throated green warbler
Black-and-white warbler
Blackburnian warbler*
Blue-gray gnatcatcher*
Blue jay
Blue-winged warbler
Canada goose
Carolina wren
Chipping sparrow
Chimney swift
Common eider
Common grackle
Common loon*
Common yellowthroat
Chestnut-sided warbler
Double-crested cormorant
Downy woodpecker
Eastern kingbird
Eastern towhee
European starling
Fish crow*
Greater black-backed gull
Great blue heron
Great-crested flycatcher
Gray catbird
Great egret
Greater yellowlegs
Herring gull
House finch
Hooded merganser
House sparrow
House wren
Killdeer
Laughing gull*
Least tern
Mallard
Magnolia warbler
Mourning dove
Northern bobwhite
Northern cardinal
Northern flicker
Northern mockingbird
Northern parula
Orchard oriole
Yellow warbler
Osprey
Ovenbird
Pine warbler
Red-bellied woodpecker
Red-winged blackbird
Red-eyed vireo
Ring-necked pheasant
Ruby-crowned kinglet
Ruby-throated hummingbird*
Ruddy turnstone
Saltmarsh sparrow*
Song sparrow
Swainson's thrush*
Tree swallow
Tufted titmouse
Veery
White-eyed vireo
Woodthrush
White-throated sparrow
Yellow warbler
Yellow-bellied sapsucker
Yellow-rumped warbler*

2024 Spring Migratory Bird Count

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We invite you to participate in our annual spring migratory bird count on Sunday, May 12th, as we observe the return of migratory birds to their northern breeding grounds after wintering in warmer climates.

Photo: Michele Klimczak

Join us in charting these bird populations alongside esteemed experts such as Dr. Adam Mitchell from Tarleton State University, and the University of Delaware team, including Emily Baisden and Will Almeida.

What: FI Conservancy 2024 Spring Migratory Bird Count

When: Sunday, May 12, 8am—10:30am

Where: Meet outside the Fishers Island Community Center & BYOBinocular

Following Audubon bird count rules, birders will make 15 five-minute stops from the West End to the East End of Fishers Island. At each timed stop, birders count birds and call out what they see. Our experts will lead the count and answer your questions about migratory birds.

We hope to see you at this fun, informative outdoor event, celebrating the spring season at Fishers Island.

FIConservancy Team

2023 Marine Debris Report

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2023 Island Sentinels

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President’s Message 2023

President’s Message: 2023

Thank you for your ongoing support of Fishers Island Conservancy!

Tom Sargent

Dear FIConservancy Community,

With the persistent winds flowing from the north, we on the island are saying a reluctant goodbye to the busy season. As the year winds down, it’s gratifying to think about what the Fishers Island Conservancy has accomplished, thanks to your generous support. Please see highlights from this year below.

With your help, we’re looking forward to an exciting and productive 2024! Please consider giving today at ficonservancy.org/donate.

I want to give a special shout-out to our partners at the Fishers Island Ferry District, who make the Parade grounds and Ferry Park possible, and to the Fishers Island Fire Department, which oversees the annual burn that keeps the Parade grounds environmentally healthy.

My sincerest thanks to our team, board and each one of you, who is making a difference by giving, volunteering, collecting marine debris, attending our events, planting native species and more to help conserve and protect Fishers Island.

A gift to the Fishers Island Conservancy is a gift to Fishers Island. Please donate today. Your ongoing support is essential to our work. Thank you.

Cheers,

Tom Sargent

President, Fishers Island Conservancy

P.S. Got Phragmites? Give us a call. FIConservancy has partnered with a New York State licensed contractor to assist with the removal of highly invasive phragmites. We are helping private land owners coordinate with this contractor to address infestations on their own properties. Contact us today.

Thanks to your support, in 2023:

  • The ongoing work on our restored grasslands at the Fort Wright Parade Grounds never looked better and attracted many visitors. The paths were well maintained and offered a wonderful respite from an increasingly hectic world. Please come down and explore the 175 acres of meadowlands. If you’re lucky, you might witness our resident northern harriers hunting over the grasslands.
  • The new Ferry Park at the entrance to Silver Eel Cove was a true beneficiary of the rainy summer. The wildflower knoll was ablaze with color all season long. The 12,000 Virginia beach grass plugs planted there thrived, and quickly became a nesting ground for the saltmarsh sparrow. To protect the new habitat, FIConservancy worked with the Ferry District to install several hundred feet of natural material guardrail along the entire berm.
  • Our Sentinel Program had its most successful year to date. Under the leadership of program director, Stephanie Hall, eleven student environmentalists, ranging in age from 14 to 21, in addition to our stellar University of New Mexico intern, Anna White, monitored 14 distinct island sites, took measurements and observations. This collected data will help us further understand our fragile environment.
  • Our Marine Debris program, run by Michele Klimczak, continues to make headlines both on and off the Island. Michele’s work was the subject of artist Duke Riley’s film MICHELE in his exhibition DEATH TO THE LIVING, Long Live Trash at the Brooklyn Museum of Art. Approximately half the plastic used in the exhibition was collected by Michele on Fishers Island.
  • We continue to work with the Ferguson Museum on the Fishers Island Seagrass Coalition to educate our community about the critical importance of protecting our marine environment from upland and water-borne threats. Seagrasses have declined in Long Island Sound by up to 97%. These ecosystems serve as a marine nursery for many species. The remaining 3% is mostly found around Fishers Island. We are committed to keeping this population healthy and growing.
  • We honored Joe Henderson, a leader in habitat restoration, at our annual Sunset on the Beach event in July. It was Joe’s vision which prompted our work on the Parade Grounds and he continues to be a valuable asset to our community.
  • Nature Days, chaired by our Executive Director, Kristen Peterson, was held in early August. Several stations in the Parade Grounds featured native plants and animals. This event is always a hit with children and adults alike.
  • Plus much more!

Make a tax-deductible contribution today.

Donate

Fall 2023 Migratory Bird Count Results

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Announcing the results of the Fall 2023 Migratory Bird Count

We are excited to share the official tally of bird species encountered during our annual bird count, along with the “running count” that includes birds observed over the past two days. This fall’s birding event was remarkable, with a grand total of 50 species recorded during the count. Adding the additional 7 species spotted in the running count, we reached an impressive total of 57 species! (See list of bird species below.)

This year brought us some extraordinary birding moments, which we attribute to the recent major storms that grounded much of the bird activity in the days leading up to the count.

With a decade now behind us, we’ve successfully completed our 10th year of the migratory bird count. The data collected during these ten years will serve as a valuable resource for analyzing trends in bird activity on our island.

Here’s the list of species we encountered in our Fall 2023 Migratory Bird Count.

Thank you to all who participated.

Fall 2023 Bird Count
American crow
American goldfinch
American kestrel
American redstart
American robin
Belted kingfisher (running)
Black-capped chickadee
Blue jay
Brown thrasher
Black & white warbler
Bobolink (running and confirmed; congrats Tom!)
Carolina wren
Cedar waxwing
Chimney swift
Chipping sparrow (running)
Common eider
Common grackle
Common loon (running)
Common yellowthroat
Cooper's hawk
Double crested cormorant
Downy woodpecker
Eastern phoebe
Eastern towhee
European starling
Greater black-backed gull
Great blue heron
Golden-crowned kinglet
Gray catbird
Great egret
Herring gull
House finch
House sparrow
Laughing gull (running)
Mallard
Merlin
Mourning dove
Mute swan
Northern cardinal
Northern flicker
Northern harrier
Northern mockingbird
Red-bellied woodpecker
Red-tailed hawk
Northern rough-winged swallow
Osprey (running)
Savannah sparrow
Salt marsh sparrow
Swamp sparrow (running)
Song sparrow
Tufted titmouse
White-breasted nuthatch
White-throated sparrow
Yellow-billed cuckoo
Yellow warbler
Yellow-rumped warbler

Fall 2023 Migratory Bird Count

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Bird watchers scan the skies looking for birds to include in the biannual migratory bird count on Fishers Island.

Join us for our 2023 Fall Migratory Bird Count alongside our University of Delaware experts, Emily Baisden and Will Almeida. 

Event Details: 

What: FIConservancy 2023 Fall Migratory Bird Count

When: Sunday, October 1, 2023 @ 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Where: Meet at Fishers Island Community Center

Make sure to bring your binoculars!

Following Audubon bird count rules, birders will make 15 five-minute stops from West End to East End. At each timed stop, birders count birds and call out what they see.

The outcomes from these bird counts play a crucial role in assisting scientists and conservation groups in mapping bird populations. Furthermore, they provide valuable insights into the distribution and frequency of various bird species within our local environment.