I sat within the tidal pools along what I love to call Sanctuary of Sands west end; parallel to the runway here on Fishers Island. So happy to “report” what certainly appeared to me as an increase in this spring’s shorebird activity. Breeding and non-breeding plumage is visible on Ruddy turnstone, Killdeer and Black-bellied plover standing “Sentinel”.
** Please be mindful and leash dogs during this precious nesting time.
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe May 24, 2018.
Shorebird Reunion!
I sat within the tidal pools along what I love to call Sanctuary of Sands west end; parallel to the runway here on Fishers Island. So happy to “report” what certainly appeared to me as an increase in this spring’s shorebird activity. Breeding and non-breeding plumage is visible on Ruddy turnstone, Killdeer and Black-bellied plover standing “Sentinel”.
** Please be mindful and leash dogs during this precious nesting time.
– from The Field by Justine Kibbe May 24, 2018.
It was a mirror-calm afternoon up east within Fishers Island Sound.
Typically this clan of seals will haul off and out by May’s end.
Based on my monitoring notes from past years; we can expect a mid- September “homecoming”.
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe May 19, 2018
Need I say more?….
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe May 18, 2018
. . . and with a vengeance-Mylar balloons; the most insidious of debris creeping upon Fishers Island. Please promote BEST Practices of Stewardship! It only takes a few seconds to disentangle, deflate and dispose….
Respect & enjoy our unique marine environment for years to come.
Warmth of May days on Fishers Island calls birds of a feather to enjoy “Cater” pillars under the Tent! I stopped to spy these squirming caterpillars blossoming as fast as the buds that surround them. Baltimore Orioles, Blue Jays, Chickadees and the Nuthatch are just a few birds that look forward to this “menu”.
So keep your eyes peeled!
This woodpecker snippet appears “wobbly” I know. But I wanted to share with folks just how filled with bird chatter the mornings on Fishers Island can be!
Up east on the bike path I quickly hopped off to catch this Downy drumming fiercely. These birds audibly mark their nesting territory during breeding season.
On such a quiet Sunday morning I could hear its rival pecking away down the road within woods by Chocomount.
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe May 15, 2018
While riding by Barley Field cove (just before the Big Club) I sighted this Oyster Catcher. Very happy to remark that these years on Fishers Island there are indeed more of these beautiful wading shorebirds documented especially during breeding pair season!
Considered a threatened species with critical shore habitat-Oyster Catchers possess site fidelity-returning to the same locale annually. PLEASE consider even one surviving chick within nesting season a miracle.
*PLEASE be mindful on coastal and beach treks, step lightly and leash dogs during these spring months.
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe May 12, 2018
Great news!
I spied this Piping plover on Chocomount beach mid-week. Note the single black neck- band (breeding plumage) and sand colored camouflage. I was happy to see it feeding within the morning tidal wrack line; deposits from healthy Seagrass (Eel grass) meadows that surround Fishers Island. This shorebird species is listed as threatened in Connecticut and endangered in New York.
*Please be mindful about leashing dogs on beach walks during these nesting weeks.
– Field Note by Justine Kibbe May 10, 2018
This seal pup has been sighted several times along Chocomount beach. While it has been documented for The Mystic Aquarium and the Stranding Network, it appears to be “resting”.
Please use wisdom and keep ALL human activity at a SAFE distance.
Please be aware and leash all dogs!
PS. This pup showed me its sharp teeth with a “snarl”. . .
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe May 9, 2018