The FI Conservancy Board voted March 9 to fund work under four new grants. The first grant will fund planting of native trees in the FI Cemeteries. Another grant will support Justine Kibbe in her work as our island naturalist for another six months. The board also approved a second proposal by Justine and the FI Community Center to work with two FI high school students on stewardship and monitoring of our island’s natural environment. The fourth grant funded a survey of river otters on Fishers Island, which included FI School 9th graders and members of the Island community.
Read more about the grants:
Native Trees – Fishers Island Cemetery Committee – The Cemetery Committee asked for support of their hurricane recovery effort, which involves clean-up, removal, and replacement of damaged and dying trees on the three island cemeteries. The board approved funding for replacement trees, which will be native trees chosen from a list generated in consultation with Penny Sharp and Edward Richardson, President of the Connecticut Botanical Society.
Justine Kibbe, Island Naturalist – Justine has successfully completed her first six months of for the Conservancy. Justine monitored a wide range of sites, collecting data, documenting and reporting on her findings with notes and photographs. She has also authored Field Notes on the Conservancy’s website, in an effort to engage our membership with the state of the island’s natural communities. The board approved Justine’s work for another six month cycle, beginning April 2013.
Island Sentinels – Justine Kibbe – The Conservancy board voted to approve a pilot environmental stewardship program for Island high school students, being developed by Justine Kibbe with support from Island Community Center Director, Elizabeth Reid. Justine will start the program with two students, chosen in collaboration with the FI School. Justine will train the students, the “Island Sentinels”, in late June. During the months of July and August, Justine will work with the students each week to conduct an environmental survey of the island by monitoring key sites. She will then work with the students to help them present their data and findings to the community. The hope is that the data will also provide the basis for further student work during the school year, and, if successful, that the program may expand to the full year.
Mike Bottini/Group for the East End – Shortly following board approval of their proposal, Mike Bottini and a team of three other wildlife biologists visited Fishers and conducted a successful survey, determining the presence of established river otter territories on Fishers Island. They surveyed 40-50 sites on the island by foot and kayak and found otter sign at 20, including an otter den (pictured below)! The research team presented to the Senior Lunch and gained critical information from island residents Steve Malinowski, Lou Horn and Ken Edwards, Bob Evans and Pierce Rafferty. They were accompanied and assisted by FI school 9th graders in some of their survey work. Mike Bottini will return to the Island in July to provide educational programming to FI residents regarding the research and the broader implications for wildlife on Fishers Island.
The team was fascinated by Fishers’ natural environment, including our coyote population. The researchers were thrilled to make their first osprey sighting in 2013, and to see a great-horned owl feeding its chicks on an osprey nest at the east end. To quote team lead, Mike Bottini: “Fishers Island is an amazing place, both the landscape and the folks living there. Although geologically so similar to eastern Long Island, in some ways it is very different. You have some of the largest swamp azaleas I have ever seen, and stands of yellow birch in some of your forests – a species that we don’t have on eastern Long Island. We have some fairly deep and dramatic kettleholes here, but I have never seen anything as striking as the clay pit kettleholes near Isabella Beach…”
Photo by USFWS Chris Paul.
Seaweeds
Field NotesThe intertidal zone along the coast of Race Point displays the three primary “kingdoms” of seaweeds.
Simply distinguished by color; the red, green, and brown algae washed ashore forming a terrace or berm that was knee-high.
Possibly the changing weather patterns and temperatures caused a bit of stir creating this sea salad mix of Kelps, Wracks,(brown ) Dulse, Carrageen Moss,(red ) and sea lettuce (green ).
New Conservancy Grants Fund Otter Research, Naturalist Work, Student Program and Native Trees
Conservancy News, grants, NewsThe FI Conservancy Board voted March 9 to fund work under four new grants. The first grant will fund planting of native trees in the FI Cemeteries. Another grant will support Justine Kibbe in her work as our island naturalist for another six months. The board also approved a second proposal by Justine and the FI Community Center to work with two FI high school students on stewardship and monitoring of our island’s natural environment. The fourth grant funded a survey of river otters on Fishers Island, which included FI School 9th graders and members of the Island community.
Read more about the grants:
Native Trees – Fishers Island Cemetery Committee – The Cemetery Committee asked for support of their hurricane recovery effort, which involves clean-up, removal, and replacement of damaged and dying trees on the three island cemeteries. The board approved funding for replacement trees, which will be native trees chosen from a list generated in consultation with Penny Sharp and Edward Richardson, President of the Connecticut Botanical Society.
Justine Kibbe, Island Naturalist – Justine has successfully completed her first six months of for the Conservancy. Justine monitored a wide range of sites, collecting data, documenting and reporting on her findings with notes and photographs. She has also authored Field Notes on the Conservancy’s website, in an effort to engage our membership with the state of the island’s natural communities. The board approved Justine’s work for another six month cycle, beginning April 2013.
Island Sentinels – Justine Kibbe – The Conservancy board voted to approve a pilot environmental stewardship program for Island high school students, being developed by Justine Kibbe with support from Island Community Center Director, Elizabeth Reid. Justine will start the program with two students, chosen in collaboration with the FI School. Justine will train the students, the “Island Sentinels”, in late June. During the months of July and August, Justine will work with the students each week to conduct an environmental survey of the island by monitoring key sites. She will then work with the students to help them present their data and findings to the community. The hope is that the data will also provide the basis for further student work during the school year, and, if successful, that the program may expand to the full year.
Mike Bottini/Group for the East End – Shortly following board approval of their proposal, Mike Bottini and a team of three other wildlife biologists visited Fishers and conducted a successful survey, determining the presence of established river otter territories on Fishers Island. They surveyed 40-50 sites on the island by foot and kayak and found otter sign at 20, including an otter den (pictured below)! The research team presented to the Senior Lunch and gained critical information from island residents Steve Malinowski, Lou Horn and Ken Edwards, Bob Evans and Pierce Rafferty. They were accompanied and assisted by FI school 9th graders in some of their survey work. Mike Bottini will return to the Island in July to provide educational programming to FI residents regarding the research and the broader implications for wildlife on Fishers Island.
The team was fascinated by Fishers’ natural environment, including our coyote population. The researchers were thrilled to make their first osprey sighting in 2013, and to see a great-horned owl feeding its chicks on an osprey nest at the east end. To quote team lead, Mike Bottini: “Fishers Island is an amazing place, both the landscape and the folks living there. Although geologically so similar to eastern Long Island, in some ways it is very different. You have some of the largest swamp azaleas I have ever seen, and stands of yellow birch in some of your forests – a species that we don’t have on eastern Long Island. We have some fairly deep and dramatic kettleholes here, but I have never seen anything as striking as the clay pit kettleholes near Isabella Beach…”
Photo by USFWS Chris Paul.
Slipper Snail Shells by the Seashore
Field NotesThe Atlantic Slipper snail or Slipper limpet is abundant in both West and East Harbors.
Very often I see them growing attached to docks, a Horseshoe crab’s shell,
Lobster pots –even an old washed up bottle.
This snail species lives a very sedentary life cycle, staying put- literally.
The Oldest, larger female animals form the base of a shell stack supporting multiple “pairs of slippers” assembling on top. I’ve read that larger male slipper snails will in fact “become” female should females die off- filling her slippers so to speak.
Rather than graze on sea algae, the slipper snail filters tiny marine organisms.
Just like the oyster, it is a filter feeder.
This can pose a threat to populating oysters by stacking up on (and against) them, competing for nutrient foods and starving them out.
Voted Best Nest & Breakfast
Field NotesThat’s what the Island’s feathered residents are crowing about this morning…
A Brant Goose samples tasty sea lettuce in the Sound.
A Mute Swan provides a down comforter for future signets up east.
A Fish Crow tucked in twigs enjoys a room with a view.
Even a Turkey Vulture was all abuzzard…
Take Wing
Field NotesRed bud
Red wing
Bent reed
Take Heed
“Oak-a lee, oak-a-lee”
Fly
Sing
Dear Earth,
Field NotesHow magnificent you are.
With the loveliness of your artistry
Keeping rhythm and orderliness
In spite of us
Do Not Disturb
Field NotesThis April I have documented just two pairs of American Oyster Catchers-one on South Beach and this week a second in Hay Harbor.
Once thriving, this species of shore bird became extinct locally in 19th century New England because of hunting and gathering of eggs.
Since 1918 they are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
These coming weeks and months it is important to step lightly (or not at all) along the stony shoals off the south side of Elizabeth Field Airport and within Hay Harbor.
Keep the peace for a hopeful and strong returning of Piping Plovers, the Least Tern, Skimmers and more American Oyster Catchers.
Stake Your Territory Trickster!
Field NotesI love Crows and Ravens.
Nature’s Spirit guides and Sentinels.
These “Corvids” (species) are noted as the most intelligent of birds.
Today, there is even data observing their construction and use of stick-like tools to get food.
It is nesting season on Fishers Island, and more often than not I will hear the clans of crows before I actually spot them.
En route to Hay Harbor I spied two crows “mobbing” a Red-tailed Hawk.
Both hawks and owls if given the opportunity will attempt to reside in an abandoned crow’s nest.
A Good Read
Field NotesIt is said (or read) that a book that is illuminating and well worth the time it takes to read it- is indeed a “Good Read”
I think of a beach as a book.
“Tidal”: South Beach
For instance, the more time I spend on South Beach, the more I understand the present flow of everyday happenings for its inhabitants (even characters).
I can tell you that 6 curious crows along with 1 territorial Great Black Backed Gull and at least 3 raucous Herring Gulls call the tidal zone their “community”.
Picking and sifting through small crustaceans and bivalves, these particular birds are most often observed during low seas.
Now, just like last Spring 2 Oyster Catchers have returned to join in the morning’s buffet.
Hurricane Sandy has turned a few pages historically. Old bunker type remains have emerged with high wave surges these last months.
Will the white glistening sands return this summer?
South Beach could be a Best Seller…
River Otter Survey of Fishers Island
Field Notes, From the Field, Habitat, NewsBy Guest Naturalist Mike Bottini
In late March, 2013, three colleagues and I arrived on Fishers Island to survey for river otter (Lontra canadensis) – thanks to a grant from the Fishers Island Conservancy. You may wonder, as many have asked, “Why look for river otters on an island that has no rivers?” As is the case with many common names, this one does not accurately reflect the habitat frequented by this interesting creature. River otters actually spend most of their time on land, but when they are hungry and looking for a meal, they will dive into any waterbody – river, swamp, pond, tidal creek or bay – that has their favorite prey: fish, crabs and crayfish.
You may also wonder: why the interest in documenting the presence of river otters? Positioned high on the aquatic food chain, and being year-round inhabitants of fairly limited areas (unlike migratory species like the osprey), river otters are valuable indicators of the health of the aquatic systems in which they reside.