Out in the Field awaiting what the USCG has deemed a “pollution mitigation event”, north side off Hay Harbor, Fishers Island.
Fishing vessel to be raised (for now) and all fluids emptied and removed.
From the Field, Field Note, Justine Kibbe, Mar. 19, 2019
Clean Harbors installed booms Mar. 14 to soak up any remaining oil from capsized vessel. Most affected shoreline areas were quite clean, however, compared to less than 24 hours earlier. The sun helped to burn off diesel oil sheen. (Jane T. Ahrens Photo)
The commercial fishing vessel, All for Joy, capsized south of the Race March 10 and eventually came to rest at the mouth of Hay Harbor, leaking fuel that reached to the shore of Fishers Island. Two fishermen were rescued unharmed.
By 6:30 a.m. March 12, the smell of diesel fuel was “overpowering” on the north side of the Island, particularly at North Hill west past Hay Harbor. Heavy winds and seas prevented divers from safely capping the leaking fuel at that time, because there were too many hazardous pieces hanging and floating around the capsized vessel.
According to the US Coast Guard, all of the tanks on the vessel had been capped by Mar. 13. The current, tide and winds took the fuel into Hay Harbor and along Stony Beach. A crew from Clean Harbors walked the shoreline Mar. 14 to mop up any remaining oil with absorbent pads. They also deployed absorbent booms in those areas where oil was most prevalent.
By Mar. 13, the oil was “disappearing nicely from the sun and tidal action.” On Mar. 15, FIConservancy Naturalist Justine Kibbe monitored the full circumference of Stony Beach and said she was happy to see the usual coyote tracks, herring gulls and great black-backed gulls diving for spawning sandworms. She was particularly happy to see a killdeer “chattering away, hopefully scouting for nest…” (Reporting and photos by Jane T. Ahrens.)
According to Brett Molina in a USA Today article published February 12, 2019:
“More than 40 percent of the world’s insect species could go extinct over the next several decades leading to “catastrophic” results for the planet’s various ecosystems, a new study says.”
The study referred to was published in the peer-reviewed journal Biological Conservation. Highlights from the study abstract are:
The loss of the native insects will have dire consequences for the rest of the life chain. For those who may have missed this article. We are not alone. And we are fighting the right conservation battle. According to Matt McGrath, Environment correspondent at BBC news “Global insect decline may see ‘plague of pests'”. . .
FIConservancy has installed a new maintenance shed behind the Movie Theater.
Bill Colman and his family of six were driving west on Crescent Avenue heading to Thanksgiving (2018) dinner at the home of his in-laws, the Meyers. They had just passed the electric station, when his wife, Jenny, insisted that they stop and back up the car.
“It was very cold and windy, with 20-30-mph winds, but Jenny noticed the owl on the north side of the road and demanded that we back up. And there it was. A barred owl! It appeared that he was in the tree taking shelter from the wind or just didn’t want to fly under those conditions,” Dr. Colman said.
“In any case, he was more than willing to have his photo taken and didn’t seem scared at all. I couldn’t get to my Nikon fast enough, so used the iPhone to take the shots.”
Dr. Colman and his son Tommy took the dramatic “Red-tailed Hawk vs. Mink” photos that appeared on this website in August, 2018.
Right now in Silver Eel Cove, Fishers Island
3 degrees, NW26 G38, windchill -20 degrees
*brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, Jan. 21, 2019
West End, Fishers Island
*see you again in 2021
From the Field, Field Note, Justine Kibbe, Jan. 20, 2019
Total lunar eclipse starring: SUPER BLOOD WOLF MOON
Winter skies are the “happening place” this Saturday (1/19/19) 10:10 p.m. thru Sunday (1/20/19) 2:15 a.m. EST.
You’ll recognize the Super Moon by its size (truly closest to earth!) and by its reddish hues produced by shadow. By all means—something to howl about!
*blue moon over Parade Grounds, Fishers Island 7/31/15
From the Field, Field Note, Justine Kibbe, Jan. 18, 2019
Carolina chickadees photo courtesy of Desirée Narango
This wonderfully “timely” article mentions Dr. Doug Tallamy, founder of “Neighborhood Nestwatch” and whose collaborative research with Fishers Island Conservancy has been monumental for land preservation here these past years. . .
By Adam Cohen
smithsonian.com
October 31, 2018
They say the early bird catches the worm. For native songbirds in suburban backyards, however, finding enough food to feed a family is often impossible. READ MORE . . .
These years I have been grateful for the opportunity to document and help bring attention to Seagrass Meadows surrounding our precious Fishers Island. Growing up here, I never imagined decades later there would be a dire need for Community to actively help restore, preserve and sustain this unique critical habitat.
*low tide, Hungry Point
From the Field, Field Note by Justine Kibbe, Oct. 18, 2018
There will be a Fishers Island Seagrass Management Meeting Tues Oct. 23rd in the Museum 1:30-4:00. All are welcome.
Guest speakers, Matias Tong, Data Technician, and Stephen Lloyd, Sr. Spatial Analyst/GIS Manager – both with the TNC – will present their analyses and results of the boating and eelgrass surveys conducted around Fishers Island last year. NYSDEC representative, Vicky O’Neill, will also attend.
Barred Owl. Bill Colman Photo
Super Blood Wolf Moon