Circumpolar Plover

This morning I was trying to catch up with newly hatched Swan cygnets in tow behind mother Swan in Barley Field Pond. I decided to walk over to the beach side for a better view. Two Canada Geese sounded their alarm and through a handful of scurrying Semipalmated Plovers, this lone handsome bird stood still AND stood out!

I myself have never encountered a Black-Bellied Plover. Donning his breeding plumage, this circumpolar visitor has made Fishers Island a convenient flight stop over.

Greater Or Lesser?

There are two larger species of sandpipers found in our region-the Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs.
Honestly, I have only seen the birds behind glass exhibited in our Henry Ferguson Museum, so rounding the corner along Dock Beach I immediately took notice of this very lanky legged and long billed shorebird.

The tides were loaded with plant life, as I noted the animated behavior of the lone bird swinging its bill from side to side, skimming the water for insects and small fish.

While I could not see the color of its legs immersed under water, as it took flight I heard:

“dear! dear! dear!”

Watching its white tail fly away across West Harbor, I realized these were all clues to identifying the differences between a Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs…..

Who Is Counting Who?

Taking part in the North American Migration Count this month, really has opened my eyes as to just how many species of birds call Fishers Island a resting place, a nesting place, and home.
I’ve got my trusty Sibley bird guide in my backpack now, so I can welcome a Northern Parula darting over my bicycle’s handlebar, so every morning I can point out the single Belted King Fisher hanging out on a telephone wire by Oyster Pond, and watch diligently for Yellow Warblers  that whiz around sprinklers on the Golf Course up east.

Yesterday, as I soared along on my bicycle west and then through woods filled with a sweet sounding symphony, orchestrated by birds along the Island Recreational Path, I could just imagine the lead conductor bird tweeting and screeching, then crowing and twittering:

“Look! Look!  There goes a Yellow-Headed Double Vans Sneakered Pedaler”.

And then at the end of the day as I headed east I met a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk that welcomed me into its world for a moment…

“Who is counting who?” we asked each other.

Bird’s Evensong

Upon a lichen covered rock, as Sun’s golden ray turns to white

Listen to bird’s prayer take wing, as day returns to night.

And Oh, the sweetness of the song

Its melody and might…..

Nestle down now, with hopes and dreams created

For Nature’s pure delight.

Let It Bee Bumble

Let It Bee Bumble
I tried not to stumble across this Bumble buzzing madly across my path.

It appeared injured-not making any headway so I gently shepherded it onto a piece of straw and placed it on a nearby Dandelion cushion-half humorously thinking it would be so simple if a herbal remedy tea was all this delicate creature needed.

Key pollinators of crops and wildflowers, the Bumblebee population is in steep decline. Joining the ever growing list of endangered insects living in imbalanced ecosystems, bees and the conservation buzzwords “Habitat Restoration” speak loudly!

Reading up on the plight of bees, the supposed causes for their disappearance ranges from climate changes, pesticide use and introduction of nonnative pathogens.

Hopefully, learning more about Fishers Island land management- restoring, enhancing, and creating high quality living space, each property owner may actively provide bees and insects with time to make a comeback “home”. 

So we can all Bee.

Party’s Plover

It’s time to get serious.

Today, I observed just one single Semipalmated Plover on the whole of Chocomount.

Yesterday, I recorded another single Plover up at Big Club Beach.

I remember years ago many of these birds wading and darting along the Island’s south side wrack lines.

Seems to me now, there are more balloons than Plovers.

Party’s over……

Dinosaur Crossing

This high stepping Snapping turtle unearthed itself to switch lanes and swamps.

Please drive carefully.

*Among reptiles, turtles are the most distantly related to dinosaurs…..

Sitting Amongst Reeds In May

Red winged messenger

Delivers to me

Spring’s call is

Hearken!

Through slats I see

White winged messenger

Presents to me

Spring’s call is

Mute.

Through slats I see

Nature Painted

Seeing me

Of Wrack Lines,TEDtalks & Plastic

Chocomount is beautiful-shimmering sands shifting now with tides that sweep in kelp, knotted wrack, and sea lettuce forming what is called the Wrack Line. This area of beach serves as a prime feeding ground for birds and animals hunting along what I identify as a full of “life line”.

I noted Common Eider by the “Thelma Pheobe” rocks.

I noted a purple fishing lure along with more strangling balloon debris.

I noted the back pond area and have been taking photos since Hurricane Sandy- it just looks dead, a “flat line”, a Pond of Plastics.

Oceanographer Charles Moore gives a TEDtalk: Seas of Plastic (TED.com). After he discovered the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Moore now documents this plague of plastics infecting our oceans.

As I walk the Wrack Line, down Chocomount Beach, I imagine it is a good thing that each year my data sheet grows with more columns for different duck species and seabirds to identify.

I cannot imagine all the columns needed for plastic marine debris though- It’s tough for me to identify with that.

Up,Up & Away

With all due respect to The 5th Dimension, I am not particularly convinced “The world’s a nicer place in my beautiful balloon.”

I have more than enough photo documentation to “release” that would suggest  rubber, mylar, latex, and nylon balloon debris can be hazardous to our delicate Fishers Island ecosystems and habitats.

Some years ago, Suffolk County, LI. (includes Southold) with the persistence of  heroic third graders aiding the Sea Turtle Conservancy, helped to declare through legislature, the banning of releasing over 25 helium filled balloons at one time. Imagine, simple letter writing and colorful, caring posters made a huge impact on conserving oceans and marine life.

I am aware that these next weeks, I will see washed up, tangled up,  maybe even  deflated ,tired, AND fed up balloons congratulating Graduates,  acknowledging   Mothers & Fathers.…..

Perhaps this summer season of celebration, reuniting, and happy festivities we can all be more sensitive, simple-even courageous. Bring on the cakes, the recyclable cards and just say “I Love You”.

BUT ban the balloons!

And if you think I might be “full of hot air”? take a walk around the circumference of our precious Island and see for yourselves…..