2018 Spring Migratory Bird Count Nets Record Number of Birds!

FIConservancy’s 2018 Spring Migratory Bird count, held May 6 in collaboration with the National Audubon Society, was a huge success! Three hundred birds, comprising 55 species, were recorded from one end of the Island to the other, compared with 45 species recorded last spring.

An overcast sky and the threat of rain did not deter a group of 13 birders in four vehicles, led by Adam Mitchell from University of Delaware. Following Audubon bird count rules, the group made 15 five-minute stops. At each timed stop, the birders would count birds and call out what they saw.

Sites with the greatest number of bird species included:

  • Race Point (15)
  • Money Pond (15)
  • Demonstration Garden/Theater (13)

“It is likely that the increased number of birds in the Parade Grounds correlates directly with the removal of invasive plants,” Mr. Mitchell said.

Although 55 is the number for the official count May 6, a few dedicated birders informally added nine more species as they scanned the sky on the ferry ride to the Island May 5 and at an informal birding tutorial that afternoon.

Birders also reported hearing an American woodcock calling out on the Parade Grounds the night before the official count.

Photo by Kristen Peterson.

Recorded bird species, both official and unofficial:

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
American Black Duck
Common Eider
Red-breasted Merganser
Ring-necked Pheasant
Common Loon
Great Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Osprey
Northern Harrier
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Greater/Lesser Yellowlegs
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Tern
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Blue-winged Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Song Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Northern Cardinal
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Merlin

controlled burn

2018 Grassland Restoration Controlled Burn

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2018 controlled burn at Battery Marcy, east of the airport. Jane Ahrens Photo

The Fishers Island Fire Department, in coordination with FIConservancy, annually conducts controlled or “prescribed” burns in the Parade Grounds and surrounding areas that are part of the Conservancy’s Grassland Restoration project.

Fire is necessary to maintain grassland, and different sections are burned on a rotating basis every three years, with careful exclusion of nesting bird areas.

John Sargent wrote a thoughtful and comprehensive story about the 2018 controlled burn.

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NY Sues EPA Over Long Island Sound Dumping Site

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For updates to the lawsuit intended to protect the Long Island Sound Estuary, filed in August 2017, including the recent update on April 16, 2018, please visit fishersisland.net

Hunting for Evidence of Ancient Hurricanes

Hunting for Evidence of Ancient Hurricanes in Fishers Island Ponds

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s (WHOI) Coastal Systems Group (CSG) is hunting for evidence of ancient (paleo) hurricanes, and the clues lie in the mud deposited at the bottom of these ponds. “We look for layers of sand that may have been washed over with hurricane storm surge. These layers of sand originating on the beach and carried by the waves and high waters, cover the mud and offer clues about when and how large the storm may have been.” As a precursor to collecting the deep cores of mud from the bottom of the ponds, the team from Woods Hole first needed to determine several bits of information such as: How deep are the ponds? Are they fresh, brackish or salty? For how long have the ponds been there? And are they susceptible to hurricanes of the past tracking along the eastern seaboard?

WHOI visited Fishers Island on June 12, 2014 in an effort to gain scientific information about several ponds on the east end of the Island. With the help of Fishers Island Naturalist Justine Kibbe and Island Sentinel Conner Wakeman, they surveyed the ponds using a skiff (special thanks to Steve Malinowski) kayak and canoe, and utilized scientific equipment such as a depth gun and CTD (Conductivity/salinity, Temperature, Depth) to make measurements.

The ultimate goal was to map the ponds then revisit sites and core 30 feet into the mud to find layers of sand deposited from past hurricanes. The historic record, collected from human observation and tide gauge data, gives us only a short history of hurricane events (about 150 years), whereas a 2,000 year story is preserved in the mud.

Woods Hole Oceanographic institute will be back to core Island Pond sometime over the summer….stay tuned.

Shorebirds, The World’s Greatest Travelers, Face Extinction

A 9,000 mile migration? It was no problem for these remarkable birds – until humans got in the way.

Read the full article from The New York Times.

 

Native Plant Sale May 19-20!

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Audubon Greenwich is hosting a native plant sale May 19-20 at 613 Riversville Rd, Greenwich, CT.

Pre-orders are recommended as not all plants on the list will be available the day of the sale. All plant orders MUST be received by MAY 10 and can be picked up May 19-20. Native plant enthusiasts are also welcome to choose from available stock on the days of the plant sale.

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Bird Count birders

Spring Migration Bird Count May 6

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FIConservancy’s annual Spring Migration Bird Count will be Sunday May 6.

First, however, come to the Parade Grounds Sat. May 5 at 3 p.m. for a brief tour and a tutorial by the experts on the best way to count birds. The University of Delaware team of Adam Mitchell, Emily Baisden and Will Aleida will lead the bird count and be available to answer all questions about migratory birds.

FIConservancy President Tom Sargent and his wife Allison will host a reception at their house Sat. May 5 at 6:30 p.m. for all those participating in the Spring Migration Bird Count and for anyone else interested in meeting the University of Delaware experts.

The Spring Migration Bird Count begins Sun. May 6 at 8 a.m. Meet at the Community Center and bring your binoculars!

 

President’s Message: 2018

Restored grassland at Parade Grounds.

It is hard to believe that spring is upon us when the biggest snow storm of the season has just blanketed the east coast. But Red Wing Blackbirds have returned to the island and the White Throated Sparrow could be heard calling “Sam Peabody Sam Peabody” shortly thereafter – a sure sign that the seasonal shift is now upon us.

Tom Sargent

Soon, many of us will be returning to Fishers Island and to the beauty and serenity that the island provides. With summer fast approaching, we at the Fishers Island Conservancy have been getting to work planning exciting initiatives and programs. One of our first yearly projects is our seasonal burn that took place in February in partnership with the Fire Department. Our ongoing work will continue in the Sanctuary with remediation to tackle invasives while over seeding with native grasses and wild flowers. Look for additional bird boxes to provide nesting spots for the Eastern Bluebird as well as abundant Tree Swallows.

Stop by the Demonstration Garden and see how well it fared over the winter and watch it slowly wake with the longer days. Sit on one of the benches and observe the host of wildlife that our native flora attracts. We will have more benches throughout the sanctuary to invite contemplation and a chance to disconnect for a little while. Perhaps you will catch a glimpse of the Northern Harriers that call the sanctuary home. It’s a truly wonderful sight.

The Conservancy will continue to work with Professors Doug Tallamy and Adam Mitchell from the University of Delaware. We will hold our Spring Migration Bird Count the first weekend in May, which promises to be enlightening and fun. All are welcome to go birding with some of the best. The Weed Team from the university will be returning again this June so please say hello when you see them in the field. We will be joined by the Delaware folks in both July and August for the Conservancy’s Sunset on the Beach (Saturday July 21st) as well as Nature Days (Aug.11th). Please stay tuned for specific program events.

In addition to our work in the Sanctuary, our island naturalist Justine Kibbe, has been continuing to engage our students in the Island Sentinels program. She also provides real time year round observations that enhance our understanding of the island’s place in the natural world. We will be welcoming back those involved in eco friendly mosquito control and will perform occasional water testing to assure our beaches and waterways stay as clean as possible. As always, we will work in concert with homeowners to offer remediation plans to further eradicate the “foreign invaders” that disrupt and overwhelm our native species.

As you think of the coming summer and the precious beauty of the Atlantic coast, please remember the Fishers Island Conservancy in your giving plans. Your donation is greatly appreciated.

For the Conservancy,
Tom Sargent, President

Battery Marcy, after the 2018 prescribed burn

FI Conservancy Controlled Burn 2018

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Battery Marcy, after the 2018 prescribed burn

Battery Marcy, after the 2018 prescribed burn.

In February, FIConservancy proceeded with its annual prescribed burn. The burn is critical to maintaining grassland restoration. We are grateful for our partnership with the Fishers Island Fire Department for the annual burns and with the Fishers Island Ferry District for the opportunity to establish grassland restoration on grounds owned by Southold and managed by the Ferry District. Click for more information on: Why We Burn.

FIFerry District 2016 Burn Plan

FIFerry District 2018 Burn Plan

Plum Island Lighthouse JT Ahrens

Plum Island: For the Birds

Plum Island Lighthouse JT Ahrens

Plum Island Lighthouse. JT Ahrens photo

“Years of observation and research show that Plum Island is an extremely important migratory rest stop, critical home and breeding ground for a wide variety of birds (reportedly in the 100s), fish, and other land and marine mammals.”

– By Jane T. Ahrens
Editor, FishersIsland.net

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