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June 20, 1985 - A Story of Love and RosesPage E The Suffolk Times A Story of Love and Roses By PAUL STOUTENBURGH Remember the osprey I spoke about last week that was tangled in the monofilament fish line? Well. there's good news. After a short stay at the vet's where the bird was cared for, it was transferred to the Quogue Wildlife Re- fuge where it was put into a walk -in cage. There the bird could exercise its injured wing and further recover. This particular bird's home was at the end of Moores Lane on the bay in Cutch- ogue. The folks in the immediate area have become very attached to these ospreys. As a matter of fact, if anyone, state official or not, had Tied to release the injured bird ere but back at its nesting site, tke neighborhood would have been up in arms. It's good to see how folks look out for "their" particular bird or animal. Most people have a soft spot for wildlife and will go a long way to protect it. Needless to say, the osprey was brought back from Quogue and released near its nesting platform on the bay. At. first it did not make a move to get out of the cage, but with a little prod- ding it soon took off and circled around the nest, then flew off to the trees nearby. Later it returned with its mate and the two spent the night together on the platform. Early the next day the mate flew off and brought back a fish to share withal.: returned partner. Who says there's no feeling between birds or an imals? Reunited We were especially glad to see the pair back together again, for it wasn't long after the crippled bird was taken away that two new visitors were mak- ing points with the lone survivor. Evi- dently the presence of both back to- gether again has deterred the two ad- Focus on Nature mirers and the family is united again. The big loss was the young that was carried to its death by the fish line as the adult flew from the nest. This is the price we pay for many of the "trinkets" that modern man carries with him. While we are talking about man and his problems with wildlife, I can't help but relate how man has changed much of the landscape unknowingly in his quest for a better world. Some 15 or so years ago, when farm- ers out west were looking for a better way to keep their cattle without wire fences, someone came up with the idea of using multiflora rose as a hedge. This was a plant from the Far East that does extremely well in our climate and soil. It grew so vigorously and without any care that it was later used throughout the country to create wildlife. habitat and prevent erosion. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation gave it out by the tens of thousands, free for -those who would plant it for wildlife covbr. I even used some along my hedgerows. Time went on and the roses grew and spread. Each year the delicate clusters of white blossoms with their lovely scent -- and later clusters of ber- ries for wildlife -- rewarded us for plan- ting them. • Roses Everywhere Then, slowly, the cumulative effect started to show itself. Because the multi- flowers,_which later turned to multi - berries, proved great wildbird r!' June 20, 1985 Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh OSPREY PLATFORMS- -These nesting sites along our water's edges are put up by volunteers each winter. There are about 40 of them sprinkled along our shores from Jamesport to Orient. This particular nest is where our injured osprey was reunited with its mate this week. food, the seeds, of the rose passed through the digestive systems of the birds, to be deposited helter - skelter throughout the land. Now we are seeing our open fields,' pastures, and even our woods being dominated by this aggres- si4e grower. Once again man has acted without taking a long look at his actions. The problem has gotten so bad that in some states it is against the law to plant mul- tiflora rose. It's a number one problem for the pasture, for it's so prolific that the farmer cannot control it even by de- stroying it. His grassland is disappear - i ng .-Mil lions of dollars of public and pri- vete funds are being spent each year to try to eliminate it, but I'm afraid it's a losing battle. Look at any vacant lot the next time you go out and you'll probably see great clumps of lush multiflora rose outgrow- ing everything else. It has no pests or problems in this country. There's no natural control, as is the case in its na- tive land. Here it flourishes and spreads uncontrolled. It's just another example of how man not looking at the big pic- ture has done harm to his own back- yard. Perhaps there's a good lesson in this for all . of us. THE HUNTER ORIGINAL. CEILING FAN REBATE. May 15 through July 7, 1985 sou�oin E °Wt91tiCS Route 48 (North Road). Southold, N.Y. 11971 785.2313 OPEN MONDAY th'oughSA1UROAY 10',pm Page 12, The Suf£ol,, Times June 20,1985 A Story of Love and Roses By PAUL STOUTENBURGH Remember the osprey I spoke about last week that was tangled in the monofilament fish line? Well, there's good news. After a short stay at the vet's where the bird was cared for, it was transferred to the Quogue Wildlife Re- fuge where it was put into a walk -in cage. There the bird could exercise its injured wing and further recover. This particular bird's home was at the end of Moores Lane on the bay in Cutch- ogue. The folks in the immediate area have become very attached to these ospreys. As a matter of fact, if anyone, state official or not, had tried to release the injured bird anywhere but back at its nesting site, the neighborhood would have been up in arms. It's good to see how folks look out for "their" particular bird or animal. Most people have a soft spot for wildlife and will go a long way to protect it. Needless to say, the osprey was brought back from Quogue and released near its nesting platform on the bay. At first it did not make a move to get out of the cage, but with a little prod- ding it soon took off and circled around the nest, then flew off to the trees nearby. Later it returned with its mate and the two spent the night together on the platform. Early the next day the mate flew off and brought back a fish to share with its returned partner. Who says there's no feeling between birds or animals? Reunited We were especially glad to see the pair back together again, for it wasn't long after the crippled bird was taken away that two new visitors were mak- ing points with the lone survivor. Evi- dently the presence of both back to- gether again has deterred the two ad- Focus on Nature mirers and the family is united again. The big loss was the young that was carried to its death by the fish line as the adult flew from the nest. This is the price we pay for many of the "trinkets" that modern man carries with him. While we are talking about man and his problems with wildlife, I can't help but relate how man has changed much of the landscape unknowingly in his quest for a better world. Some 15 or so years ago, when farm- ers out west were looking for a better way to keep their cattle without wire fences, someone came up with the idea of using multiflora rose as a hedge. This was a plant from the Far East that does extremely well in our climate and soil. It grew so vigorously and without any care that it was later used throughout the country to create wildlife habitat and prevent erosion. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation gave it out by the tens of thousands, free for those who would plant it for wildlife cover. I even used some along my hedgerows. Time went on and the roses grew and spread. Each year the delicate clusters of white blossoms with their lovely scent -- and later clusters of ber- ries for wildlife -- rewarded us for plan- ting them. Roses Everywhere Then, slowly, the cumulative effect started to show itself. Because the multi- flowers, which later turned to multi - berries, proved great wildbird 1 "Wicker Tyme" by Superior Reed 2(0% (04f SEVERAL STYLES IN STOCKIIMMEDIATE DELIVERY Goldin Furniture Company, Inc. and Greenport Carpet Company 434 MAIN STREET, GREENPORT, N.Y. 11944 (516) 477 -0940 Mon. - Sat. 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Sun. 1 - 3 -- and by appointment Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh OSPREY PLATFORMS- -These nesting sites along our water's edges are put up by volunteers each winter. There are about 40 of them sprinkled along our shores from Jamesport to Orient. This particular nest is where our injured osprey was reunited with its mate this week. food, the seeds of the rose passed through the digestive systems of the birds, to be deposited helter - skelter throughout the land. Now we are seeing our open fields, pastures, and even our woods being dominated by this aggres- sive grower. Once again man has acted without taking a long look at his actions. The problem has gotten so bad that in some states it is against the law to plant mul- tiflora rose. It's a number one problem for the pasture, for it's so prolific that the farmer cannot control it even by de- stroying it. His grassland is disappear- ing. Millions of dollars of public and pri- vate funds are being spent each year to try to eliminate it, but I'm afraid it's a losing battle. Look at any vacant lot the next time you go out and you'll probably see great clumps of lush multiflora rose outgrow- ing everything else. It has no pests or problems in this country. There's no natural control, as is the case in its na- tive land. Here it flourishes and spreads uncontrolled. It's just another example of how man not looking at the big pic- ture has done harm to his own back- yard. Perhaps there's a good lesson in this for all of us. THE HUNTER ORIGINAL UP TO CEILING FAN R? R REBATE, May 15 through July 7, 1985 SOUTH O LD STE3VE WOMES Route 48 (North Road), Southold, N.V. 11971 765 -2313 OPEN: MONDAY through SATURDAY 10 5 pin U.S.S. HOLLAND Site of the First Submarine Base in the U.S. / Galley Ho Restaurant NEW SUFFOLK, N.Y. 734 -5330 DEAN BLAIKIE LUNCH AND DINNER SPECIALS DAILY OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK ALL YEAR -ROUND LUNCH: 11:30 -3, Sun. 12 -3 DINNER: 5.10, Sun. 12 -9 All Major Credit Cards Accepted