Need I say more?….
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe May 18, 2018
. . . and with a vengeance-Mylar balloons; the most insidious of debris creeping upon Fishers Island. Please promote BEST Practices of Stewardship! It only takes a few seconds to disentangle, deflate and dispose….
Respect & enjoy our unique marine environment for years to come.
Warmth of May days on Fishers Island calls birds of a feather to enjoy “Cater” pillars under the Tent! I stopped to spy these squirming caterpillars blossoming as fast as the buds that surround them. Baltimore Orioles, Blue Jays, Chickadees and the Nuthatch are just a few birds that look forward to this “menu”.
So keep your eyes peeled!
This woodpecker snippet appears “wobbly” I know. But I wanted to share with folks just how filled with bird chatter the mornings on Fishers Island can be!
Up east on the bike path I quickly hopped off to catch this Downy drumming fiercely. These birds audibly mark their nesting territory during breeding season.
On such a quiet Sunday morning I could hear its rival pecking away down the road within woods by Chocomount.
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe May 15, 2018
While riding by Barley Field cove (just before the Big Club) I sighted this Oyster Catcher. Very happy to remark that these years on Fishers Island there are indeed more of these beautiful wading shorebirds documented especially during breeding pair season!
Considered a threatened species with critical shore habitat-Oyster Catchers possess site fidelity-returning to the same locale annually. PLEASE consider even one surviving chick within nesting season a miracle.
*PLEASE be mindful on coastal and beach treks, step lightly and leash dogs during these spring months.
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe May 12, 2018
Great news!
I spied this Piping plover on Chocomount beach mid-week. Note the single black neck- band (breeding plumage) and sand colored camouflage. I was happy to see it feeding within the morning tidal wrack line; deposits from healthy Seagrass (Eel grass) meadows that surround Fishers Island. This shorebird species is listed as threatened in Connecticut and endangered in New York.
*Please be mindful about leashing dogs on beach walks during these nesting weeks.
– Field Note by Justine Kibbe May 10, 2018
This seal pup has been sighted several times along Chocomount beach. While it has been documented for The Mystic Aquarium and the Stranding Network, it appears to be “resting”.
Please use wisdom and keep ALL human activity at a SAFE distance.
Please be aware and leash all dogs!
PS. This pup showed me its sharp teeth with a “snarl”. . .
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe May 9, 2018
I found myself bicycling up east again Thursday afternoon. Lo and behold this individual bird was still dancing about the branches above Oyster Pond. I quickly hopped off to take this closer video snippet of what looks to be a “variant” adult breeding male (occasional individuals are orange) hiding within the ground cover.
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe May 3, 2018
Riding through the wooded habitat that hugs Oyster Pond, I spied this brilliant Scarlet Tanager flitting and perching from branch to branch. My Sibley Guide to Birds notes it’s an adult male with breeding plumage from Mar-Aug; otherwise it dons rich yellow colored feathers with black wings.
I look forward to joining the Fishers Island Conservancy Spring Bird Count Sunday May 6th at 8am-each year learning more and more about my fine-feathered friends.
– Field Note by Justine Kibbe May 4, 2018
It’s funny growing up on Fishers Island; often times we forget to take notice and appreciation of the unique names of the very beaches that are so much a part of our daily lives. Here she is – the Queen. And she’s got the royal “wave” down…but more importantly she rules over healthy Sea grass meadows. Just about 400 healthy acres of eelgrass are left that surround us Islanders within Long Island Sound. So don’t forget Please Preserve & Protect, because we rule…
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe May 2, 2018