June 04, 2009 - A spring saunter in Goldsmith's Inlet parkJUNE 4, 2009 1 c:MA sDrinR saunter
in Goldsmith's Inlet par
PAUL STOUTENBURGH PHOTO.
great blue heron, which stands over three feet tall, is seen occasionally in our creeks but does not nest in our area.
We haven't been together for a walk on the
North Fork since last year, so let's take advantage
of the day and visit a little -known park on the
Sound. It is called Goldsmith's Inlet County Park
and it is located off Mill Road in Peconic.
Access to the park from Route 25 in Peconic is
made by heading north on Peconic Lane, crossing
over the four -lane highway onto Mill Lane. Con-
tinue north until you reach Soundview Avenue
and turn right. It takes a little detective work to
find the entrance once on Soundview Avenue, but
that makes it all the more interesting. There is a
sign on the north side of the road once you get
there. Parking is limited and you should be careful
of the rough road entrance and exit.
Once out of the car you will see the path that year,
ago was the roadway
FOCUS ON NATURE to cottages along the
Sound. Walking out
through this path
from the road brings
back fond memories
for Barbara and me,
as one year we were
1 out in a late - winter
PAUL STOUTENBURGH snowfall checking on
newly arrived ospreys
to see how they were making.outan(
here to check on the nest in the area.
It was one of those snows where the flakes
stuck to every leaf and limb. As we stood there
I searched the woods with my binoculars to try
to find some sign of our osprey. How beautiful
and silent it was. It was here we witnessed one of
nature's most memorable moments.
We spoke to each other in whispers as if we
were in 'a church. Then just when we were ready
to give up, there it was, our osprey, sitting in a tree
so covered with the new - fallen snow it reminded
us of a snowy owl. We left as if walking on tiptoe,
as we were afraid if we made any noise we'd break
the spell of that unforgettable scene.
Back now to our spring walk. As you get a little
farther down the path you will see a small open
salt marsh and pond ahead of you. A resident pair
of mute swans might greet you there. The last
time we were there a great blue heron was stalkin€
along the edge of the marsh for his next meal.
You will have no trouble identifying the heron,
as he-stands over 3 feet tall and will usually scold
you as he flies off with his low, harsh call. You
would probably also see footprints along the wa-
ter's edge of a raccoon, perhaps returning from a
raid on someone's garbage pail.
On our most recent visit to the area we were
disappointed to see that a great quantity of debris
from along the Sound shore had found its way in
through the inlet and into the,big pond.
Once across the short bridge, the path leads up
into the woods, where you will begin to see hick-
ory, wild cherry, shadblow and magnificent oaks.
The shadblow with its smooth bark has finished
its burst of white blossoms and is now in the slow
process of converting those blossoms into edible
berries that taste exactly like blueberries. -
I remember years ago when we worked with
students at Peconic Dunes, there was a special
shad tree right by the dining room door that had
the biggest shadberries I had ever seen. We picked
handfuls of them and enjoyed them on our morn-
ing cereal.
The path rises from the water's edge to hidden
dunes that once were created by wind and blow-
ing sand. Today, with the accumulation of debris
from the trees and bushes, the appearance of
dunes is long forgotten.
In a short distance the dune drops off. It was
here at the bottom of the dune-while taking a walk
with our grandchildren some years ago, we found
an American toad alongside the path. O course,
we had to tell them they wouldn't get.warts from
picking it up and that set them free to follow this
interesting new find.
Do keep your eyes out for poison ivy along the
way. Look for its shiny three leaves and beware.
The pathway soon narrows as we work our way
to the beach. Here the beautiful salt spray rose in
both pink and white can be seen. In the fall the
shrubs produce the beautiful red rose hips. Down
on the lower beach you will find sea rocket, an ed-
ible plant that adds a salty taste to salads.
Enjoy your walk through the woods at Goldsmith
Inlet County Park to the Sound and consider re-
turning again in the fall, when the changing leaves
create new scenes for you to eniov.
Left: You'll often find our American toad in sandy, dry, hot areas. It was once thought that a toad would leave you with
warts if you handle it, but that's just an old wives' tale. Right: This salt spray rose is not indigenous to our area. Its homeland
is in Asia but now it flowers along our beaches. It's an excellent plant to help prevent erosion along our shores.