Black-crowned night herons (BCNH)* appear to be everywhere these days, especially out from under the ferry dock on Fishers Island.
At about three years of age, this heron sports its “adult plumage”.
’Tis the breeding season, with two long, white plumes flitting in the breeze.
*Silver eel Cove
From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, April 11, 2019
Black-crowned Night Heron roosting this afternoon in treetops within Ferguson Museum Sanctuary, Fishers Island. At just about sunset, this nocturnal resident will forage for fish at Duck pond.
With remarks From the Field, this week marks the return of Great Blue Herons as well as Great Egrets, especially in coves northside.
Keep your eyes peeled…
From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, April 9, 2019
There is still a lot to learn about the lives of Piping Plovers during their winter migration. These delicate shorebirds can fly as far as the Gulf of Mexico before returning to the North Atlantic coast. With development and disappearing habitat, we can only imagine the effort these winged visitors expend to come home to this safe sandy spot on Fishers Island.
Although these two Piping Plovers are not banded, I’m grateful to see the “same pair” return after several years of monitoring.
*site fidelity
From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, April 6, 2019
With yesterday’s raising and removal of sunken fishing vessel “All for Joy”, and the discovery of now TWO Piping Plovers returning to safe sands parallel and south of Elizabeth Field Airport, my friend (feeling refreshed) reminds me there is always something good to “crow about”!
From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, Mar. 31, 2019
I find joy jotting and remembering the arrival and departure dates of the very few individual ravens and shorebirds: black-crowned night herons under the ferry dock, green herons sneaking within the old stone “Tennis Racquet”, American oystercatchers on Big Stony.
These years, there is such a need on-Island to provide safe sanctuary and healthy habitat for dwindling wildlife. I tell the kids that the animals themselves begin to recognize an trust those that care about their Natural world—that “they too, expect to see you”.
From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, Mar. 30, 2019
I returned this afternoon to Sanctuary of Sands to catch a snippet of this area’s first returning Piping Plover. Hopefully finding a mate, watching over chicks, and summering peacefully here.
From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, Mar. 28, 2019
Last evening’s annual “healthy burn” invites lush native grasses to return and flourish within 175 acres of maintained and preserved meadowland. Very soon, Parade Grounds will be welcoming insects and Monarch butterflies, migrating songbirds, as well as this foraging Killdeer.
*stewardship is as stewardship does
From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, Mar. 28, 2019
Don’t “dabble” and evidently never dawdle. Buffleheads, tiny and compact, dive and glide speedily while feeding off South beach.
Adult males in view are sporting breeding plumage (white back of head). Very agile offshore, these smallest of ducks will nest in tree cavities.
From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, Mar. 26, 2019
…no more!
For several years, I’ve had a sneaking suspicion that our Raven pair feel at home in and around the old naval station, south and cliffside on Fishers Island.
Mostly I’ve heard their distinct varied calls echo roadside thru the tall pines, but today while walking Hay Harbor Golf course, I was happy to catch a glimpse of this rascal pair.
*Male perched above
From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, Mar. 26, 2019
Exquisitely so!
Overlooking Fishers Island Sound from Hay Harbor & Big Stony. Wanted to remind everyone just how grateful we Islanders are for the very few acres (fewer than 400) of healthy Eelgrass meadows that surround us, helping to create precious underwater habitat.
Thinking USCG will return with updated plan to remove vessel.
PS. Next FI Seagrass Management Meeting, April 10.
From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, Mar. 20, 2019