Ask any Chipmunk-“Time and tide waits for no man”.*

I find myself mimicking the essential rhythm of seasonal change especially as the last of lengthy shadows follow me and precede winter.

Hibernation – the slowing down of activities and conserving energies has my bicycle resting on its kickstand by 3:00 pm and my gloveless palms wrapped around a hot “cuppa” minutes later. Timers for indoor lighting are reluctantly readjusted and the 7pm ferry horn wears on my nerves….slightly.

Begin to take note: Cormorants and Canada Geese vying for V formation now appear to head south over Wilderness Point. Voracious and vocal Cardinals, Jays, and Chickadees fluttering between piney branch behind Naval fencing. The peculiar scent of trailing Ladybugs sneaks and rests into sunny corners of a windowpane in the Community Center.

Meanwhile, a mainland Chipmunk reaps a harvest of berries, seed and nut; then pauses-a  slow, swirling maple leaf beckons the both of us to seek refuge and burrow. 

*Chaucer

 

Most familiar bird wearing

family crest

Cardinalidae.

Sweet whistle

Grosbeak

finding thistle.

Red spy in morning

From behind dark mask

Privy to suet in Privet

Make Way For Ducklings Dive

Common Eider teach their ducklings diving technique along healthy eelgrass meadows surrounding the northeast end of Fishers Island.

By Guest Naturalist Mike Bottini

In late March, 2013, three colleagues and I arrived on Fishers Island to survey for river otter (Lontra canadensis) – thanks to a grant from the Fishers Island Conservancy. You may wonder, as many have asked, “Why look for river otters on an island that has no rivers?” As is the case with many common names, this one does not accurately reflect the habitat frequented by this interesting creature. River otters actually spend most of their time on land, but when they are hungry and looking for a meal, they will dive into any waterbody – river, swamp, pond, tidal creek or bay – that has their favorite prey: fish, crabs and crayfish.

You may also wonder: why the interest in documenting the presence of river otters? Positioned high on the aquatic food chain, and being year-round inhabitants of fairly limited areas (unlike migratory species like the osprey), river otters are valuable indicators of the health of the aquatic systems in which they reside.