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.

FIConservancy President Tom Sargent said the veery has never been counted in FIConservancy’s annual Bird Migration Count (scheduled for Sun. May 19), but thinks he heard the bird’s melodic song a few years ago.

The veery prefers moist leafy woods and forages mostly by hopping about on the ground or in low vegetation to take insects from foliage. It hovers and takes short flights to catch insects in mid-air and also feeds on berries found in shrubs and trees.

According to Audubon’s, Guide to North American Birds, one place veeries like to breed is in damp areas near beaver wetlands. See pictures of beaver sighting on Fishers. The veery winters in central and southern Brazil.

Justine Kibbe Photo

2019 Spring Migration Bird Count May 19

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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.

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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.

The drill began on a clear evening with moderate wind speed…

Jane T. Ahrens reporting and photo.

See full story on fishers island.net
Read firsthand observation of the burn by Don Beck

FIConservancy Awards Grant to FI School Student and Island Resident Nicolas Hall

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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.

The grant enabled Nicolas to purchase equipment to acidify seawater and subject developing oysters to the acidic solution. His goal is to determine the potential future of shelled organisms living in acidifying sea water.

Nicolas is fortunate to live on Fishers Island where he sought the counsel of Steve Malinowski, owner of the nationally-recognized Fishers Island Oyster Farm. “Steve is supplying my oysters,” Nicolas said. “He walked me through feeding and caring for oysters, as well as how I can quantify my results.”

Nicolas, 17, the son of Stephanie and James Hall, grew up on Fishers Island attending Fishers Island School. His love of the ocean developed through the years, but it was a 10th grade oceanography class with science teacher Carol Giles that sparked his intense interest.

“I had a lot of fun in that class. Being around water all my life, it was natural that I would go into a field based on it,” Nicolas said. He will attend Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia this fall, where he will study oceanography.

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.

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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.

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American Oystercatchers Return

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The first pair of American oystercatchers spotted on Stony Beach Mar. 29. Justine Kibbe Photo

Three pairs of American oystercatchers have returned to Fishers Island. FIConservancy Naturalist Justine Kibbe observed the first pair at about 2 p.m. March 29 on Stony Beach in Hay Harbor. She reported the second pair on Sanctuary of Sands, along the Elizabeth Field Runway April 22 and the third pair on Stony Beach April 23.

“I tell young students that there is a great need on-Island to provide safe sanctuary and healthy habitat for dwindling wildlife,” Ms. Kibbe said.

The American oystercatcher, occasionally called the American pied oystercatcher, was originally called the “sea pie”. It was renamed in 1731, when naturalist Mark Catesby observed the bird eating oysters. Oystercatchers feed on crustaceans and mollusks and are able to open crab shells and oysters with their strong red beaks.

One of the second pair of American oystercatchers observed April 22 at Sanctuary of Sands along Elizabeth Field runway. Justine Kibbe Photo

The third pair of American oystercatchers were observed on Stony Beach, Hay Harbor April 23. Justine Kibbe Photo.

Beaver Believers

Multiple people reported late afternoon beaver sightings on the West End in April. The first was April 18 near the airport, and the second was April 19 at the Gatehouse. This is a good thing! Beavers are critical to the healthy ecology of streams and wetlands.

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The Burn: How It’s Done

The Fishers Island Fire Department (FIFD) reported a successful planned burn Mar. 27 of 36.04 acres of restored grasslands along the airport runway and on the Parade Grounds. But what do our volunteers actually do to conduct a safe burn in specifically prescribed areas? Don Beck, FIConservancy Board Member and Fishers Island Club golf course superintendent explains…

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Piping Plovers Return to Fishers Island

Piping Plover pair returns to Fishers Island. House hunting on Sanctuary of Sands, South Beach.

FIConservancy Naturalist Justine Kibbe has been monitoring Piping Plovers in the South Beach area of Fishers Island for several years. Officially designated a “threatened” species, Piping Plovers are named for their melodic mating call.

Piping plovers eat freshwater and marine invertebrates that wash up on shore. They require a specific habitat to survive and are therefore an indicator of the “health” of a marine area. Their speckled eggs blend seamlessly into the coastal environment. Please tread lightly.

See Piping Plover Video