Least Tern
Sanctuary of Sands, Fishers Island. Note the distinct yellow beak, white forehead and dark primaries (wing feathers) during this adult breeding time: March thru August. PLEASE continue to kindly leash […]
Author Archive for: BARubinow
Entries by Betty Ann Rubinow
Blue Jay Migration!
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.
Nesting, Nesting…123!
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.
Unusual Visitor!
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.
Veery Lovely
This is the time of year when I always look forward to the Conservancy’s Spring Migration Bird Count (May 19). A point to point, west to east survey of all […]
2019 Spring Migration Bird Count May 19
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.
Successful 2019 Controlled Burn
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)
FIConservancy Awards Grant to FI School Student and Island Resident Nicolas Hall
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.
Tent Caterpillars
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.
Island Beauty by Justine Kibbe
FIConservancy Naturalist Justine Kibbe walks and bikes Fishers Island from end to end. Her pictures, captured with patience and thoughtful attention, reveal the beauty of this Island.
