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
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
I caught up with the pair of Mute swan (March Field Note jottings) while up east along the bike path bridge nearing the Big Club. It was such a warm spring afternoon with buds and blossoms bursting. I imagined this pair was bursting as well-with pride for their brood.
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe
Bike Path entrance, Fishers Island. Over the last years this small pond has become increasingly familiar habitat to a host of “residents.” A foraging spot for Great egret and muskrat, a look out spot for alert Osprey, a chiming in spot for Bull frogs, and here; a spot in the morning sun for a young Barred owl.
– A video snippet from the field taken by Justine Kibbe April 27, 2018.
Parade Grounds, Fishers Island just before sunrise-birds chiming in on a frosty, misty morning here earlier this April week.
– A video snippet from the field taken by Justine Kibbe April 26, 2018
As you trek within the Parade Grounds on Fishers Island, in the evening hours of spring, just before sunset; most likely you’ll spy a Harrier or two. Known to soar low over these grassy fields and the South beach dunes, this hawk frequently veers its course to include the marshy pond area (“Marsh hawk”); typically hunting for small birds and mice. Adult male Harriers are more grayish in color so I am thinking this is a female that visited with me- swooping in and landing on the telephone pole near the Bike Shop.
These majestic raptors are ground nesters-PLEASE keep all dogs on leash, helping to steward this sensitive habitat.
– Video Snippet by Justine Kibbe April 25, 2018
Nearby to Oyster Pond, far above the brackish brine, wrapped within knotted and draping vine -see two hidden Egrets. Great they are. See the male on lower branch? This spring season note his wispy breeding plumage and green “eye shadow”.
– Video Snippet by Justine Kibbe April 24, 2018
Out in The Field, Fishers Islanders often stop alongside the bike path pointing me in the direction of some unexpected “find”. I am always grateful for “Citizen Science” in the works…a VERY rarely seen Blue Grosbeak feeds on seed near the Driving Range. View Field Note
– Video Snippet by Justine Kibbe April 23, 2018
It’s a tranquil commuter’s hour across Fishers Island Sound.
Brant geese feed north side “Where the wild things are.”
These geese may just remain coastal here until their nesting region in the Arctic tundra thaws a bit and is suitable for their homecoming during summer months.
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe April 16, 2018
I bicycled up to the log cabin on Ski’s Landing to catch the Rollin Boil of Sugar Maple sap collected here on Fishers Island.
The first morning of Spring – sure to bring forth a first batch of Syrup soon!
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe March 21, 2018