February 19, 1981 - Birthday at MashomackFebruary 19, 1981
The *U001h TGmeg
Page 7
CANADA GEESE - -Most of the geese seen during the winter will head
north to breed, yet each year a few stay behind to breed locally.
Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh
Birthday at Mashomack
How does one spend a birthday? Some go
out for dinner, others go to a show or some
may even go on a cruise. None of these
seemed to fit the perfect Saturday we just
had. It was a day to be outdoors, one of the
rare days in February. So it was that we
packed a lunch, cameras and binoculars
and headed for Mashomack, that preserve
of all preserves over on Shelter Island.
In no time we found ourselves waiting in
line at the old railroad station in Green -
port. We were not the only ones heading for
Shelter Island. There were cars filled with
additions to summer bungalows. City folks
had probably planned on the trip all winter
long and this perfect day made it happen.
As we quietly moved across the water,
we watched chunks of ice drifting out with
the tide. This would be their last passage.
Once at sea they were doomed. For with
the warm sun, and lapping waves, they'd
soon be dissolved and become part of the
sea.
Beautiful Dering Harbor was bare. Not
even a mooring could be seen. Thoughts
ran back to summer when we stayed
overnight there. Then it was a busy place
with hundreds of boats swinging to the
wind. Now it was cleansing itself and
awaiting summer.
Shelter Island Has Much Going For It
Shelter Island has so much going for it;
winding country roads, bright white cot-
tages, little shops and quaint restaurants.
Wa wondered if time would change it all.
Route 114 took us to the north gate of
Nature Conservancy's Mashomack Pre-
serve. The road leading in told us the
previous week's thaw had already caused
ruts in the road and the notorious potholes
of winter. Unpaved roads pay the price.
We'd only driven in a short way when we
disturbed a flock of robins that had
evidently wintered over. They were feed-
ing on their survival food, the small
berries that are found on catbrier or
greenbrier. As required, we had called
Mike Laspia, the project manager, to
make arrangements to visit the preserve.
Once there we inquired, "Have you seen
the golden eagle Iately ?" "Yes, three day
ago down by Plum Pond," "Anyone else
seen it ?" "No." Well, that was good
enough for us so soon we were headed off
with map in hand and cameras over our
shoulders in hopes of seeing this unusual
visitor. It had been reported for the last
three months but sitings were never
predictable.
We headed south along a well worn trail
that led us to the bank on the west side of
the island. Here we followed the stony
beach until Barbara's sharp eyes caught a
curious formation at the water's edge. It
was the remains of a huge stump that
obviously had its roots in the ground for
hundreds of years. What made it so
unusual was that it was 60 feet out from the
base of the bank. Through the years the
land had eroded giving positive proof to
the problem of our Long Island shores. No
wonder local planning boards require 100
foot setbacks along the Sound and 50 foot
setbacks along the bay for houses. The
more we know about our world the better
we are able to live in it.
Our eyes continually searched the blue
sky above ever hoping to see the soaring
eagle. It had been reported last week over
the north shore and we wondered if it was
still in Mashomack or had it started on its
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homeward journey to the mountains in the
north.
We had passed Bass Creek with its one
planked bridge some time ago and were
now on the shore of Majors Harbor. This
beautiful cove is a rendezvous for yachts-
men and in the summer would be filled
with anchored boats. Today 250 goldeneye
ducks took off with the males f(ashingfthet-
white wings as we approached. These
birds are starting to congregate in flocks
and would soon be on their way north to
breed.
On the shore farther up the beach were
30 or more geese that waddled out into the
water and floated to safety in the harbor.
Perhaps these would stay here at Masho-
mack and breed. What determines who
will stay and who will go north is hard to
say.
Once my heart jumped when I saw a
hawk through the trees and blue sky in
back but as it cleared itself above the trees
it proved to be a red - tailed hawk. Later we
were to see another red - tailed hawk this
time in the company of a rough - legged
hawk. Both were soaring on the currents
above Mashomack.
All through this southern part of the
preserve we could see old abandoned
osprey nests. It won't be long now before
they will be occupied for March 21 is their "
target date for arrival. They await the
warming of our waters which in turn stir
the flounders and eels in the mud from
their long winter's sleep. These fish will
provide the food for the osprey.
Pause For Lunch
We stopped and ate our light lunch in the
warmth of the cove. Out across the bay in
back of Cedar Point light were scallopers
that were also thankful for the warmth of
the day. After a long walk on the beach we
headed toward Nicols Point with its long
jetty of rock. The sun began to cast longer
shadows which meant we should think of
heading back.
Checking our map, we worked our way
up the steep forested bank in back of Plum
Pond to a road that would lead us to the
lodge. Dogwoods were everywhere along
the road and we made up our mind to come
back in the spring to see these flowering
trees.
As we drove back to the ferry we thought
how fortunate all of us are to have this
wonderful preserve set aside for posterity
where it will be cared for and protected
from the ravages of our world. It did not
come without a cost to the people of Shelter
Island, that's for sure. Yet in the long run
there are few things we can put our money
in that will last as long and do as much
good for so many as Mashomack Preserve.
The people of Shelter Island can be proud
of what they have done. Surely those off
the island are proud of them.
PAULSTOUTENBURGH
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