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August 27, 1987 - An Island Haven for Arctic TravelersThe Suffolk Times /August 27, 1987 /Page 9A An Island Haven for Arctic Travelers By PAUL STOUTENBURGH Each year I try to get out to the flats off Moriches Inlet to catch a glimpse of the annual shore bird mig- ration that travels along our south shore flyway. Years ago, when the inlet was dug and maintained, the Focus on Nature spoil was put out in the bay to form islands that eventually became known as the Bird Islands of Moriches. These islands, in those early days, became the nesting sites for literally thousands of common and roseate terns along with a good amount of black skimmers. We'd be greeted by thousands of birds in the air when we went to make our annual count. It was a thrilling sight and one I'll long remember. I'm sorry to say that today most have gone and left the is- lands to the gulls. This aggressive bird -- the gull -- has become so numerous, mostly be- cause of the food supply found in the dumps or, what we call in today's language, landfills. Here a ready source of food is available year - round. It's a case of nature out of bal- ance. When there were just leavings of the sea to scavenge from, there was less food. Less food meant fewer chicks survived and the population remained stable. Today there are more gulls than ever and the num- bers continue to grow. This wouldn't be half bad if they didn't take over the terns' nesting sites, but that's happening in many areas along our coast. But I didn't go to see nesting gulls, for that period has passed. What I wanted to see were the shore birds that had nested in the Arctic, or near Arctic, and were now heading south on their annual migration. Plans for our trip were drawn up a few days in advance and now that the tide was low and the weather clear, it was time to go. Packed and Ready to Go The old Grumman canoe went on the car, the engine and gas in back, and after packing up my camera gear and a bit of lunch, I met Ralph at about seven in the morning. We put the canoe in at the end of the road not far from the Moriches Coast Guard Station and with the little motor putting away, we crossed the bay to the flats in about 10 minutes. The prediction was for hot, muggy weather and it had already started. A haze lay out over the water and the hot air seemed to grab at us as we got out of the car. I'd forgotten the anchor when we got there so I worked a canoe paddle into the soft sand and tied our canoe to it so we'd have a home base as we traveled about the flats. Already we could see shore birds running about in the distance. I'd brought my 20x scope along and was busy setting it up when Ralph ex- citedly called out, "Oystercatchers -- oystercatchers." His binoculars had picked up those colorful big shore birds as they fed on clumps of mus- DOWITCHERS- -Shore birds have been moving along our Long Island flyway since early July. Here three dowitchers rest and feed before heading south sels that dotted the area. Once the scope was set up, I could see them plainly probing with their big, red clam- knife -like bills for mor- sels hidden from view. As we walked up on them, they flew, showing even more clearly their striking black - and -white plumage and red bill. Then to top off this true picture of elegance, they called to each other in their clear sharp " kleep- kleep- kleep." We knew right then our day was going to be a good one. The next large shore bird to catch our eyes stood on long legs, had a rather long bill and was grayish in color. It had to be a willet. Checking out our field guide, we found we were right. Shorebirds, like the family of sparrows, are difficult to distinguish especially when they become smaller and more numerous, so we referred to our guides throughout the day. The markings and the wild call of "whee- wee -wee" when in flight gave us all the clues we needed. It is in- teresting to note that this shore bird and the oystercatcher, along with the small spotted sandpiper, are the three shore birds that nest in our area. All the rest claim the far north for that important event. I believe it was Roy Wilcox, the noted naturalist from Speonk, who first recorded the willet nesting along the bay side of the barrier beach off Southampton years ago. Today it has become quite common. It's nice to see this flashy bird fly for it shows a large white wing patch, making it easy to iden- tify. Blind Taken from Nest The little spotted sandpiper is tiny compared to these bigger shore birds. I remember well photographing it years ago over by the old Ponquogue Bridge. I set up a blind by the nest and left it overnight so the bird would become familiar with it. Lo and behold, the next morning when I returned the bird was there but someone has confiscated my blind. I often wondered what the culprit did with it. Look for this tail- bobbing little shore bird along the narrow shoref- ronts of our creeks and bays. It has a rapid, almost insect -like wing beat as it flies over the water. It's an easy one to spot during the summer when all the other shore birds are up north. Often when you are looking at one bird through your glasses on the flats, another comes into view. So it was that a small whitish bird came into focus in our glasses. The small .yellow bill and the striking black on wh America. another leg of their to ere they nested. Some band around its neck told us it was the semipalmated sandpiper. At a quick glance it resembles our piping plover -- grayish on top and white below. But no, it was not this en- dangered species that's having such difficulty on our beaches. Now and in the springtime are the only times you'll see this semipalmated sandpiper. The black - bellied plovers in their handsome plumage seemed to be everywhere. Their characteristic plover stance sets them apart from most other shore birds. There was also a good smattering of sanderlings busy grubbing for food all over the flats, as well as a collection of small peeps. Here's where the field guide Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh Ion journey from up north will go as far as South really comes into use. Smaller than sparrows and colors of browns, tans and creams make these the most challenging to iden- tify. They are usually busy probing with their bills, but if not they might be found sleeping and often on one foot. We saw least sandpipers and semipalmated sandpipers mixed to- gether. Across the stream on another bar we could see dunlin and knots - along with sanderlings and a few yel- lowlegs. It was a wonderful morning just strolling about these vast open areas. Later in the fall we'll go to the barrier beach to watch for hawks on their fall migration. Their time has yet to come. They travel on fall's northwest winds. ICnnam167rCtv Claligin l nnam on rn e e RESTAURANT CATERING SERVICE Outdoor Dining Suggestions from our Chef: Roast duckling with local black raspberry sauce, Cajun blackened shrimp, Veal Milano, scallops in a pesto sauce on linguini, fresh grilled tuna and lots more new dishes. As of October 15 (and through May '88), Cinnamon Tree is available for in -house catering. Now booing for holiday parties, weddings, ebcktail parties, club affairs, etc. Facilities for up to 100 people. August 28 and August 29 j The King Charles Band -Jazz, Swing and Blues Open daily for lunch and dinner • Sunday Champagne Brunch Stirling Square, Greenport, New York • 477 -0012 • 323 -2400 (Just north of the Bank of New -York on Main Street) The Suffolk Times /August 27, 1987 /Page 9A An Island Haven for Arctic Travelers By PAUL STOUTENBURGH Each year I try to get out to the flats off Moriches Inlet to catch a glimpse of the annual shore bird mig- ration that travels along our south shore flyway. Years ago, when the inlet was dug and maintained, the Focus on Nature spoil was put out in the bay to form islands that eventually became known as the Bird Islands of Moriches. These islands, in those early days, became the nesting sites for literally thousands of common and roseate terns along with a good amount of black skimmers. We'd be greeted by thousands of birds in the air when we went to make our annual count. It was a thrilling sight and one I'll long remember. I'm sorry to say that today most have gone and left the is- lands to the gulls. This aggressive bird -- the gull -- has become so numerous, mostly be- cause of the food supply found in the dumps or, what we call in today's language, landfills. Here a ready source of food is available year - round. It's a case of nature out of bal- ance. When there were just leavings of the sea to scavenge from, there was less food. Less food meant fewer chicks survived and the population remained stable. Today there are more gulls than ever and the num- bers continue to grow. This wouldn't be half bad if they didn't take over the terns' nesting sites, but that's happening in many areas along our coast. But I didn't go to see nesting gulls, for that period has passed. What I wanted to see were the shore birds that had nested in the Arctic, or near Arctic, and were now heading south on their annual migration. Plans for our trip were drawn up a few days in advance and now that the tide was low and the weather clear, it was time to go. Packed and Ready to Go The old Grumman canoe went on the car, the engine and gas in back, and after packing up my camera gear and a bit of lunch, I met Ralph at about seven in the morning. We put the canoe in at the end of the road not far from the Moriches Coast Guard Station and with the little motor putting away, we crossed the bay to the flats in about 10 minutes. The prediction was for hot, muggy weather and it had already started. A haze lay out over the water and the hot air seemed to grab at us as we got out of the car. I'd forgotten the anchor when we got there so I worked a canoe paddle into the soft sand and tied our canoe to it so we'd have a home base as we traveled about the flats. Already we could see shore birds running about in the distance. I'd brought my 20x scope along and was busy setting it up when Ralph ex- citedly called out, "Oystercatchers -- oystercatchers." His binoculars had picked up those colorful big shore birds as they fed on clumps of mus- DOWITCHERS- -Shore birds have been moving along our Long Island flyway since early July. Here three dowitchers rest and feed before heading south sels that dotted the area. Once the scope was set up, I could see them plainly probing with their big, red clam- knife -like bills for mor- sels hidden from view. As we walked up on them, they flew, showing even more clearly their striking black - and -white plumage and red bill. Then to top off this true picture of elegance, they called to each other in their clear sharp "kleep- kleep- kleep." We knew right then our day was going to be a good one. The next large shore bird to catch our eyes stood on long legs, had a rather long bill and was grayish in color. It had to be a willet. Checking out our field guide, we found we were right. Shorebirds, like the family of sparrows, are difficult to distinguish especially when they become smaller and more numerous, so we referred to our guides throughout the day. The markings and the wild call of "whee- wee -wee" when in flight gave us all the clues we needed. It is in- teresting to note that this shore bird and the oystercatcher, along with the small spotted sandpiper, are the three shore birds that nest in our area. All the rest claim the far north for that important event. I believe it was Roy Wilcox, the noted naturalist from Speonk, who first recorded the willet nesting along the bay side of the barrier beach off Southampton years ago. Today it has become quite common. It's nice to see this flashy bird fly for it shows a large white wing patch, making it easy to iden- tify. Blind Taken from Nest The little spotted sandpiper is tiny compared to these bigger shore birds. I remember well photographing it years ago over by the old Ponquogue Bridge. I set up a blind by the nest and left it overnight so the bird would become familiar with it. Lo and behold, the next morning when I returned the bird was there but someone has confiscated my blind. I often wondered what the culprit did with it. Look for this tail- bobbing little shore bird along the narrow shoref- ronts of our creeks and bays. It has a rapid, almost insect -like wing beat as it flies over the water. It's an easy one to spot during the summer when all the other shore birds are up north. Often when you are looking at one bird through your glasses on the flats, another comes into view. So it was that a small whitish bird came into focus in our glasses. The small yellow bill and the striking black on wh America. another leg of their to ere they nested. Some band around its neck told us it was the semipalmated sandpiper. At a quick glance it resembles our piping plover -- grayish on top and white below. But no, it was not this en- dangered species that's having such difficulty on our beaches. Now and in the springtime are the only times you'll see this semipalmated sandpiper. The black - bellied plovers in their handsome plumage seemed to be everywhere. Their characteristic plover stance sets them apart from most other shore birds. There was also a good smattering of sanderlings busy grubbing for food all over the flats, as well as a collection of small peeps. Here's where the field guide Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh ng journey from up north will go as far as South really comes into use. Smaller than sparrows and colors of browns, tans and creams make these the most challenging to iden- tify. They are usually busy probing with their bills, but if not they might be found sleeping and often on one foot. We saw least sandpipers and semipalmated sandpipers mixed to- gether. Across the stream on another bar we could see dunlin and knots along with sanderlings and a few yel- lowlegs. It was a wonderful morning just strolling about these vast open areas. Later in the fall we'll go to the barrier beach to watch for hawks on their fall migration. Their time has yet to come. They travel on fall's northwest winds. C,nan e ebafei�v? i� Cinnamon Tree RESTAURANT CATERING SERVICE Outdoor Dining Suggestions from our Chef: Roast duckling with local black raspberry sauce, Cajun blackened shrimp, Veal Milano, scallops in a pesto sauce on linguini, fresh grilled tuna and lots more new dishes. As of October 15 (and through May '88), Cinnamon Tree is available for in -house catering. Now booking for holiday parties, weddings, cocktail parties, club affairs, etc. Facilities for up to 100 people. „The King Charles Band -Jazz, Swing and Blues Open daily for lunch and dinner • Sunday Champagne Brunch Stirling Square, Greenport, New York • 477 -0012 • 323 -2400 (Just north of the Bank of New -York on Main Street)