On Sunday, June 14th, the FI Research and Survey Team (FIRST) conducted a breeding bird survey across the island. The survey follows the same format as our classic migratory bird survey, but instead focuses on the birds currently nesting and raising young here on Fishers Island, outside of the migratory window. Unlike our migratory visitors passing through, these breeding residents will stick around for the next few months, relying on the island’s insects and other resources to feed and raise their chicks.
During the survey, FIRST identified 42 unique species across the island, including familiar residents like Osprey, Gray Catbird, and Double-crested Cormorant. The team also turned up a few exciting surprises, including a Scarlet Tanager and a Willow Flycatcher.
Breeding surveys may not have the same buzz as migratory season, but they play an important role in tracking the health of the birds that call Fishers Island home for the summer. Keeping an eye on these populations helps us understand how well our nesting birds are doing year over year.
Featured photo by Naomi Zahn
Here is the full list of species identified during the survey:
| June 2026 Breeding Bird Count |
|---|
| Common Tern |
| American Herring Gull |
| American Robin |
| European Starling |
| Red-winged Blackbird |
| Tree Swallow |
| American Goldfinch |
| Song Sparrow |
| Bank Swallow |
| Baltimore Oriole |
| Northern Mockingbird |
| Barn Swallow |
| Common Yellowthroat |
| Fork-tailed Flycatcher |
| Common Grackle |
| Gray Catbird |
| Willow Flycatcher |
| Double-crested Cormorant |
| Killdeer |
| Great Black-backed Gull |
| Yellow Warbler |
| Canada Goose |
| American Redstart |
| House Finch |
| Mourning Dove |
| Northern House Wren |
| Fish Crow |
| American crow |
| Ring-necked Pheasant |
| Great Crested Flycatcher |
| Yellow-breasted Chat |
| Eastern Towhee |
| Wood Thrush |
| Red-eyed Vireo |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker |
| Eastern Wood-Pewee |
| White-eyed Vireo |
| Cedar Waxwing |
| Scarlet Tanager |
| Tufted Titmouse |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird |
| Mute Swan |