FIConservancy’s 2019 Spring Migratory Bird Count took place Sun. May 19 under sunny skies. Eleven bird-watching enthusiasts traveled the Island from end to end, noting 56 species, surpassing 2018’s record number of 55. Justine Kibbe Photo
https://aa8816.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Tree-Swallow-Kibbe.jpg?time=17140097807681024Betty Ann Rubinowhttps://aa8816.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/fi-Conservancy-logo350x100.jpgBetty Ann Rubinow2019-05-25 12:01:312019-06-09 11:37:13Record Number of Birds Sighted in 2019 Spring Migration Bird Count: 56 Species
I’ve never seen anything like it! An actual blue jay migration! It all started Saturday May 11 at 10:45 a.m. Just a trickle at first, bright and bold Blue jays coursing over Silver Eel Cove. Then a steady stream of at least 40 noisy migrants flooded into the woods.
https://aa8816.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Bluejays-Bloethe.jpg?time=17140097806831024Betty Ann Rubinowhttps://aa8816.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/fi-Conservancy-logo350x100.jpgBetty Ann Rubinow2019-05-15 07:33:072019-05-18 07:48:06Blue Jay Migration!
It took half an hour of scurrying around her “scrape” (nest) for this piping plover to finally settle down, because five killdeer were being territorial. There are fewer than 2000 pairs of this “threatened” species on the Atlantic Coast.
https://aa8816.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Nesting-Nesting-123-1.jpg?time=17140097807681024Betty Ann Rubinowhttps://aa8816.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/fi-Conservancy-logo350x100.jpgBetty Ann Rubinow2019-05-07 15:31:262019-05-13 13:28:46Nesting, Nesting…123!
A rare sighting on Fishers Island: the veery, a small North American thrush. FIConservancy naturalist Justine Kibbe caught this image of the veery, May 3, when it hopped toward her near Silver Eel Pond.
https://aa8816.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Veery-Good.jpg?time=17140097807681024Betty Ann Rubinowhttps://aa8816.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/fi-Conservancy-logo350x100.jpgBetty Ann Rubinow2019-05-05 15:44:502019-05-05 18:59:06Unusual Visitor!
The 2019 Spring Migration Bird Count will be Sun. May 19 at 8 a.m. Meet at the Community Center. First, however, come to the Parade Grounds Sat. May 18 at 3 p.m. for a brief tour and a tutorial by the experts on the best way to count birds.
https://aa8816.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Mourning-Doves-2015.jpg?time=171400978010241024Betty Ann Rubinowhttps://aa8816.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/fi-Conservancy-logo350x100.jpgBetty Ann Rubinow2019-05-02 13:08:182019-06-14 16:32:102019 Spring Migration Bird Count May 19
The Fishers Island Fire Department (FIFD) conducted a successful controlled burn on selected sections of the Parade Grounds and Elizabeth Airport March 26. FIConservancy relies on FIFD volunteers to coordinate their ongoing training with annual prescribed burns necessary to maintain a healthy natural habitat. (Jane T. Ahrens reporting and photo)
https://aa8816.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Fire-Parade-Burn-26MAR19-JTAhrens-9439-700x525.jpg?time=1714009780525700Betty Ann Rubinowhttps://aa8816.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/fi-Conservancy-logo350x100.jpgBetty Ann Rubinow2019-05-02 11:29:052019-05-04 09:14:02Successful 2019 Controlled Burn
The Fishers Island Conservancy in February awarded Fishers Island School senior Nicolas Hall, “The Edwin Horning Research Grant for Environmental Conservation” to study the effect of acidifying sea water on the soft shells of oysters.
https://aa8816.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Nick-Hall.jpg?time=17140097804981024Betty Ann Rubinowhttps://aa8816.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/fi-Conservancy-logo350x100.jpgBetty Ann Rubinow2019-05-01 23:34:112019-05-04 08:42:58FIConservancy Awards Grant to FI School Student and Island Resident Nicolas Hall
Silk nests of the eastern tent caterpillar (Malacosoma americana) began showing up on South Beach Road in late April. Not to worry! Contrary to popular belief, these nests will not kill trees, plus they provide food for bluejays, orioles, chickadees and nuthatches.
https://aa8816.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Pitch-A-Tent.jpg?time=17140097807681024Betty Ann Rubinowhttps://aa8816.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/fi-Conservancy-logo350x100.jpgBetty Ann Rubinow2019-05-01 12:34:462019-05-04 10:04:41Tent Caterpillars
Record Number of Birds Sighted in 2019 Spring Migration Bird Count: 56 Species
NewsFIConservancy’s 2019 Spring Migratory Bird Count took place Sun. May 19 under sunny skies. Eleven bird-watching enthusiasts traveled the Island from end to end, noting 56 species, surpassing 2018’s record number of 55. Justine Kibbe Photo
Blue Jay Migration!
Field Notes, From the Field, NewsI’ve never seen anything like it! An actual blue jay migration! It all started Saturday May 11 at 10:45 a.m. Just a trickle at first, bright and bold Blue jays coursing over Silver Eel Cove. Then a steady stream of at least 40 noisy migrants flooded into the woods.
Nesting, Nesting…123!
Field Notes, From the Field, NewsIt took half an hour of scurrying around her “scrape” (nest) for this piping plover to finally settle down, because five killdeer were being territorial. There are fewer than 2000 pairs of this “threatened” species on the Atlantic Coast.
Unusual Visitor!
NewsA rare sighting on Fishers Island: the veery, a small North American thrush. FIConservancy naturalist Justine Kibbe caught this image of the veery, May 3, when it hopped toward her near Silver Eel Pond.
2019 Spring Migration Bird Count May 19
Events, NewsThe 2019 Spring Migration Bird Count will be Sun. May 19 at 8 a.m. Meet at the Community Center. First, however, come to the Parade Grounds Sat. May 18 at 3 p.m. for a brief tour and a tutorial by the experts on the best way to count birds.
Successful 2019 Controlled Burn
NewsThe Fishers Island Fire Department (FIFD) conducted a successful controlled burn on selected sections of the Parade Grounds and Elizabeth Airport March 26. FIConservancy relies on FIFD volunteers to coordinate their ongoing training with annual prescribed burns necessary to maintain a healthy natural habitat. (Jane T. Ahrens reporting and photo)
FIConservancy Awards Grant to FI School Student and Island Resident Nicolas Hall
Education, NewsThe Fishers Island Conservancy in February awarded Fishers Island School senior Nicolas Hall, “The Edwin Horning Research Grant for Environmental Conservation” to study the effect of acidifying sea water on the soft shells of oysters.
Tent Caterpillars
NewsSilk nests of the eastern tent caterpillar (Malacosoma americana) began showing up on South Beach Road in late April. Not to worry! Contrary to popular belief, these nests will not kill trees, plus they provide food for bluejays, orioles, chickadees and nuthatches.