Cecropia moth

Cecropia Moth

Common Name: Cecropia moth, Robin moth

Scientific Name: Hyalophora cecropia

Season: One generation a year in New England, with adults flying late May into June, and caterpillars from June into the fall.

Food: Many different woody plants in the Northeast: alder, ash, basswood, birch, cherry, dogwood, elm, hawthorn, maple, oak, poplar, wax myrtle, and willow.

Ecology: One of the largest moths in the US, with a very large caterpillar to boot. Unfortunately, this species of moth is in decline, due to a parasitic fly that was initially released to handle gypsy moths, as well as loss of native host plants. Although caterpillars appear to have spikes on their body, they do not sting. Caterpillars will move to the base of host plants and form silken bag cocoons, where they will overwinter.

Doug Tallamy Photo

Parade Grounds summer beauty

Summer’s Beauty on Parade

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An Easterly wind rustles through historic Parade Grounds, this July afternoon.
These meadows are conserved and preserved by The Fishers Island Conservancy-175 acres cultivating & demonstrating native plant species; providing critical habitat and nutrition for insects and migrating birds.

Video Snippet, From the Field by Justine Kibbe, July 21, 2018

Doug Tallamy Sunset

2018 Sunset on the Beach a Huge Success!

University of Delaware entomologist, Doug Tallamy spoke to an enthusiastic crowd of over 350 people at FIConservancy’s 2018 Sunset on the Beach Sat. July 21, 2018 at the Fishers Island Club’s Beach Club.

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nature days

Nature Days 2018: “Conservation on Parade”

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Conservation on Parade

FIConservancy’s Nature Days is back! This year, enjoy a Free Family Event Sat. Aug. 11, 3-6 p.m. at the Parade Grounds. Enter through the Demonstration Garden.

Learn about local wildlife through hands-on discovery. Have an up-close visit with a bird of prey, touch turtles and snakes, meet frogs, see and touch feathers, furs and many other natural items.

Don’t miss the ice cream truck, and stop by for wine, beer and lemonade.

 

"Conservation on Parade" Poster

 

Got MILKweed for Monarchs?

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Monarch CaterpillarMonarch caterpillar feeding on milkweed
Monarch Caterpillar
Monarch Caterpillar
Monarch Caterpillar
Monarch Caterpillar
Monarch Caterpillar
Monarch Caterpillar

Parade Grounds, Fishers Island.

Monarch Caterpillar feeding on milkweed, getting ready to pupate.

Field Note, From the Field by Justine Kibbe, July 16, 2018

“The Least Terns are Coming! The Least Terns are Coming!”

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Wonderful news for our Island!
Marked increase in observations of least terns this summer. Thank you to the Nature Conservancy Long Island for new informative signage near least tern breeding activity in a unique critical habitat.
Please tread lightly.

Stewardship is as Stewardship does.

Least terns are returning to Fishers Island.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Field Note, From the Field by Justine Kibbe, July 12, 2018

Cecropia moth

West End Cecropia Moth Sighting

cecropia moth

Cecropia moth, early morning. Dianne Crary Photo

The Cecropia moth, largest moth in the eastern U.S., made a surprise appearance on Fishers Island July 3, 2018. Dianne Crary was out for a morning walk and spotted the stunning moth on the needles of a yew shrub on Lucinda Herrick’s property.

Adam Mitchell, University of Delaware PhD candidate has encountered Cecropia caterpillars on the Island, but not the adults. “This moth is a female, so she was probably laying eggs for the next generation nearby,” Mr. Mitchell said. “They feed on a lot of different plants, but cherry, birch and sugar maple will likely be the host plants on Fishers.

Cecropia moth, late afternoon. Lucinda Herrick Photo

“Unfortunately, this species of moth is in decline, due to a parasitic fly that was initially released to handle gypsy moths. They also suffer from the loss of native host plants.

“Although caterpillars appear to have spikes on their body, they do not sting. Caterpillars will move to the base of host plants and form silken bag cocoons, where they will overwinter.”

Island Sentinels

Island Sentinels

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Island Sentinels

This Evening, Hay Harbor.

Grateful on Fishers Island: Thank you Fishers Island Conservancy!
The Island Sentinel Program, in its 6th year.

Helping me to share Local. Traditional. Knowledge. with generations to come.

So Proud of my 2018 Tribe:
Wilson & Gardner Thors, with Marc Rosenberg monitoring Eel Grass meadows and wildlife trends.

Stewardship is as Stewardship does.

Field Note, From the Field by Justine Kibbe, July 16, 2018

Weed Warriors: Still Strong

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Week 6: Removing invasive plant species within 175 acres of historic Parade Grounds, Fishers Island.

Erick Jones, Emily Birardi, & Nickia Gibson from University of Delaware concentrate on European buckthorn and cottonwood as well as core invasives ; autumn olive, oriental bittersweet and bush honeysuckle.

Video Snippet From the Field

 

Got MILKweed?

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Monarch's MilkweedFlowering milkweed
Monarch's Milkweed
Monarch's Milkweed

Parade Grounds.

Help Fishers Island
Help Monarch butterflies
To help themselves…
Keep ‘em coming back for more!

Field Note, From the Field by Justine Kibbe, July 6, 2018