crows

As the Crow Flies

,

There are several ancestral “clans” of Crow living and socializing here on Fishers Island. While over the years I have been intrigued with their routines and take note, admittedly I find the birds are really keeping an eye on all of us. You’ll find West End groups on The Green across from Our Lady of Grace church, around Hay Harbor Club’s driveway and my own neighbors (9 of them!) within the Parade Grounds. I’ve read Crows can have a 20-year life span…that’s a lot of Ferries to greet….

From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe Jan. 16, 2019

Ibis Pond

Pond Habitat on Parade

,

This afternoon’s calm allowed me to hop up on a grassy mound and get a better “bird’s eye view” of what I like to call Ibis pond* .175 acres of meadow and shore maintained by FIConservancy appears quite different in dormant winter months. Soon enough, the vivid colors and fresh scents of native plants will sprout lush habitat welcoming home songbirds, insects and Monarchs!

*Named Ibis Pond, because my very first video (July 2015) documented a juvenile Glossy Ibis in the pond. See Video Snippet “Ibis in the Morning”.

From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, Jan. 16, 2019

ibis

Glossy Ibis, July 2015

ibis

Ibis in the Morning

,

Dubbed Ibis Pond, in a neighborly fashion, this marshland behind the Movie Theater is growing year to year with rains and snow. My very first video (above) documented a juvenile Glossy Ibis in July of 2015. The adjoining 175 acres maintained by Fishers Island Conservancy has become a great spot for birders, walkers and nature lovers.

*stewardship is as stewardship does

From the Field, Video Snippet by Justine Kibbe, Jan. 15, 2019

Beach

Be An Eagle Scout

,

It’s just a crispy 21 degrees and awfully calm within West Harbor, Fishers Island this morning. I’m on the lookout for Bald Eagles. Past notes and Community remarks remind me that January and February have proven to be good months to monitor from Dock Beach* as well as within Pirate’s Cove. So keep your eyes peeled!

* “The Little Beach That Could”

From the Field, Video Snippet by Justine Kibbe, Jan. 11, 2019

foraging Brant by Justine Kibbe

Blustery & Brant

,

I just visited Hay Harbor, looking for our local lone Harbor seal who’s fond of fishing in the “Tank”.
I found instead these foraging Brant. They do remind me of their Canada goose cousins without the long neck; but note the delicate feathered white necklace.
Observed more and more these chilly months in estuaries and coves within Fishers Island.

– From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, January 4, 2019

Homeward Bound

Homeward Bound

, ,

It’s just 35 degrees and very calm this late afternoon before the setting sun.
Tugboat hauls and tugs westward while the 4:15 Munnatawket glides effortlessly past Gov’t Bell bouy.

*A bit of snow scheduled for tonight

– From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, January 2, 2019

diving sea ducks

Becoming Eider

, ,

These diving sea ducks are indeed fairly common now; hugging the rocky coasts and coves of Fishers Island.

Nibbling within seaweeds inside Silver eel; this pair appears to be “first winter”. If you look closely you will see white blotches of plumage marking the upcoming of “adulthood” and possible breeding this spring.

– From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, January 2, 2019

Five Harbor Seals by Justine Kibbe

High Five

,

Rode up east for a quick count:
Harbor seals hunker on clump off Hungry Point.
*Snow flurries as I headed west.

– From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, December 13, 2018

East Harbor Seals

Mirror, Mirror

,

On days like this, East Harbor is perhaps fairest of them all.
Hungry Point’s rock “clumps” are typically the Harbor seals
favorite haul-out.
*so still you can just barely hear the bell bouy….

From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, December 11, 2018

Black-bellied plovers by Justine Kibbe

And then there were two

,

Happy to see last weeks lone
Black-bellied plover now has a traveling companion…

*foraging within Sanctuary of Sands, southwestern tip, Fishers Island

From the Field, Video Snippet, Justine Kibbe, December 10, 2018