May 22, 1980 - Mashomack Point Receives a New NameSECOND SECTION
MAY 22, 1980
Mashomack Point Receives a New Name
Mashomack Point has a new name.
From now on it will be officially called the
Katharine Ordway Wildlife Refuge, in
honor of the outstanding donor who made
this purchase by Nature Conservancy
possible. It was a splendid day for a
dedication. Cool, clear weather with the
spring world virtually busting out all over.
As we listened to the new president of
Nature Conservancy, William D. Blair, tell
us about this most generous lady who
spent most of her life and funds helping the
cause of conservation and land preserva-
tion, we couldn't help but watch a stately
group of Canada geese strutting across the
lawn. These were the unwed ones, juven-
iles. Next year would find their world
much different.
In the tree not far from the great hotel,
an inexperienced osprey played the game
of nest building. He, too, will have to wait
until next year to complete his life cycle.
The tree swallows and barn swallows
continually cruised and dipped about the
open area, playing the game of catch me if
you can. What marvelous insect gatherers
they are. So dedicated are they to this
catching of insects in flight, I'm told they
would starve to death in a cage even
though all types of food were set before
them, for they are programmed only for
catching food in flight. This specialization
has cost many a swallow its life in times
when the cool, wet springs have prevented
insects from hatching out. No flying food --
they die. The one exception to this is the
tree swallow, who in the fall has been seen
eating bayberries.
Rare, Unusual Nest Found
The ceremony was on the south side of
the building for a special reason. A hooded
merganser (a small fresh -water duck)
never known to nest on Long Island, was
nesting in a hollow tree just north from the
hotel. People from the Museum of Natural
History, had already been out to verify this
nesting site because it was so rare and so
unusual.
Through a system of
guided tours the public
will be able to enjoy this
most fabulous of all
wildiife preserves
As we sat listening warblers darted
about in the treetops. The month of May is
the highlight month for birders, for it is
.during this time that these colorful, flitting
jewels pass through our area headed for
the north to nest. What makes it so exciting
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is that sometimes you can actually count
five or 10 different species of warblers in
one tree at a time. The difficulty is that
they are so small and move so swiftly only
those experienced with binoculars can fol-
low them through the new growth above.
This is truly the hallmark of a good birder,
for it is no easy task to follow these erratic
feeders.
Later in the day I led a group of
interested people on a short nature walk
down to Bass Creek. Snowy and common
egrets spotted the marsh and flew up as we
approached, only to settle a short distance
away and continue their feeding. All
along the bank edge, were fiddler crab
holes.
Their presence was a sure sign of a
healthy creek. A yellowlegs bobbed its
head and tail and announced our arrival as
a green heron flew off, probably to its
nesting site in a nearby tree or shrub. They
nest singly and build a flimsy stick
nest.
Barbara and I had been over a few
weeks ago and had had the opportunity to
be driven about this great preserve. It is
only then that you grasp how big this area
is. Through miles of wooded area, popping
out to this cove or that marsh, we were
continually aware of the beauty and
importance to wildlife this area is.
Strutting Tom Turkey
Even today as we came in the long
driveway the beautiful pinkster azalea,
which is rare on the mainland, was seen
along the road edge, with a continuous
display of flowering dogwood. This early
pink azalea will later be followed by a
white azalea which is much more com-
mon.'
On our last trip out we actually had to
stop our vehicle to let a group of turkeys
finish their courtship. Our presence meant
little to this big Tom as he strutted, with
his tail spread and his feathers fluffed out
in all their glory. He was showing off in
front of his harem. He came so close to the
car I actually could not focus on him with
my big telephoto lens. What a magnificent
bird! I only hope his energies were
rewarded.
Farther along the trail we spotted the
white flags of deer as they disappeared in
the woods. It was that old story -- now you
see them -- now you don't.
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Bailing sL011ow
has a great 18 hole
Public Golf Course
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GOLFERS
Public Play
Pu y ,
Greens' Fees
Weekday Special!
weekdays $5.00 per day
2 Golfers — Green Fee & Cart
weekends $8.00 per day
$16.00 per round
REDUCED RATE after 3 P.M.
CATERING Receptions — Group
Luncheons & Dinners
Call For Information - Ask For
George Trutner 727 -6263 or 727 -2614
A Few Choice 1980
Dates Still Available
Surely we of Nature Conservancy are
lucky indeed to have this magnificent area
added to our bank of valuable land
acquisitions. It towers above all others.
Yet all of us are really lucky, for this
area will be left in perpetuity as a living
monument to the way it was years ago.
The public will not be restricted, but
rather welcome here, but by appointment
only. Like any good museum, and that
basically is what this preserve is, its doors
cannot be flung open to all at any time.
Nesting species and fragile areas must be
protected, and so through a system of
guided tours the public will be able to
enjoy this most fabulous of all wildlife
preserves.
PAULSTOUTENBURGH
Graduation
Day
Royal 370 $28900
DUNKERLETS
Main Rd., Southold 765 -3226 — 137 Main St., Southampton 283 -9080