Monday November 5: Isabella Beach close to 3:00pm: Dozens of migrating Robins swoop among the last of the berry bushes as the Cardinals, Chickadees and Jays arrive in this neighborhood. There is hardly a wavelet on this peaceful day. I take a long look at remnants of Hurricane “Sandy”. There is tons of driftwood. Huge trees and trunks, mangled roots and limbs, telephone poles, pilings and shredded docks line the upper most part of Isabella. There is a gigantic assortment of rubbish from A-Z. Shotgun shells, treated wood frames, plastic toys (doll appendages on every shore!) cigarette lighters, tires, fencing, plastic flower pots, basket ball, tennis balls, golf balls, shoes…..No cactus remains here, plenty of pine cones.
FI Brick at Napatree Point, RI
Field NotesFriday November 23: Occasionally I monitor sites off Island as I did this day while visiting Napatree Point in Westerly, RI. I figure it is a good practice as I can note similarities in different areas. Here there is a clear view of eastern Fishers Island.
My walk starts off with thankfulness left over from the holiday. It appears our beaches and community sustained comparatively minor damages. Down the road and a few beaches over Misquamicut tells a different story. I note that like our own historic Fort Wright area there are gun emplacements here as well. I like the railings installed for the visitors.
The commercial fishing debris is very evident here whereas our southerly beaches collected a smaller version. I was gifted too, for my monitoring endeavors. Scouring Fishers Island for a very certain treasure after Hurricane “Sandy” I always came up empty. But here at Napatree beach I laugh as I look in the surf and spot a brick . . . Dig the “FI”on it!!
Dolphins off Government Bell
Field NotesNovember 19 Morning: Island residents Mike Rogers, Chris and Sara Rafferty observe a pod of 8-10 dolphins fishing off Government Bell near the jetty outside Silver Eel Pond. This is very unique news. Some have said it been almost 30 years since dolphin sightings have been noted in the Long Island Sound.
Oh to be everywhere at once! I am sorry I missed this moment.
Whale at Isabella (no pics, sorry)
Field NotesTuesday November 13 near 9:15am: Island resident Geordie Loveday again sights whale spouting off Southside near Isabella Beach
Golden Eagle sighted at Middle Farms!!
Field NotesTaken at Middle Farms Pond-I surprised the eagle and it flew into tree.
At Hooverness
Field NotesArmstrong’s “Hooverness” on November 8: My first travels in the Conservancy car-winds are strong. I have not been back to survey since “Sandy”. There is more driftwood debris and trash than ever here. I have noted that of the few sites observed on the north side of Fishers, this beach manages to attract the most diverse trash debris for such a small beach.
The car battery dies but thankfully Aaron Rice from FIDCO happens around the bend and rescues me with a jump start.
Dock Beach Extra Sandy
Field Notes6:55am Wednesday Nov 7: Due for a Nor’Easter today. My dock site near Mobile station in West Harbor has been pulled up since the Hurricane. I will broaden survey over to Dock Beach. Two raccoons scurry in front of my bike on my way home
Silver Eel Pond back to business
Field NotesNovember 6: It was a damp 27 degrees this morning. Silver Eel Pond is back to business as usual with the ferry Race Rock’s engine humming and cars lined up. Wildlife is scarce with this routine hub of activity. Plastic debris is plentiful now washed in from “Sandy” and wrapped around the inner harbor.
Tons of Driftwood on Isabella Beach
Field NotesMonday November 5: Isabella Beach close to 3:00pm: Dozens of migrating Robins swoop among the last of the berry bushes as the Cardinals, Chickadees and Jays arrive in this neighborhood. There is hardly a wavelet on this peaceful day. I take a long look at remnants of Hurricane “Sandy”. There is tons of driftwood. Huge trees and trunks, mangled roots and limbs, telephone poles, pilings and shredded docks line the upper most part of Isabella. There is a gigantic assortment of rubbish from A-Z. Shotgun shells, treated wood frames, plastic toys (doll appendages on every shore!) cigarette lighters, tires, fencing, plastic flower pots, basket ball, tennis balls, golf balls, shoes…..No cactus remains here, plenty of pine cones.
Beach Cactus
Field NotesSunday November 4 @11:00 this morning I rode my bicycle up to the Big Club. The golf course is closed now and hunting for pheasants is in progress. I hear shots sounding and note both pheasant and coyote tracks on the beach. The remains of cactus plants are evident here as well as on other Southerly facing sites-except for Isabella. I have asked about this unusual find –I am told the plants are found in Georgia and the Carolinas.
Baby Sand Dollars have continued to grow larger-I find a larger specimen hidden in the white sands.
I travel farther up Island and climb down on the South shore of boulders. The water is completely calm and flat and I am looking for spouts of passing whales. A large seal bobs up and down spying at me. I am assuming because of its almost 7 ft. length and horse shaped head it is a Gray seal. He is just as curious as I am and for 20 minutes dives and returns to the surface always keeping an eye on me. I can hear his exhale. It is just so still today, hardly a ripple. I spot a Loon as I am leaving-a lonely song follows me.
New Beachscape at Hungry Point
Field NotesSaturday November 3: Hungry Point, my first look at the Island’s northern side since “Sandy” I think this site is the most diverse and active for my wildlife viewing. There is still enough sand area left that I can make out raccoon tracks heading inland. Another “new” beachscape as the shrubbery has been up rooted or shoved back.