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March 12, 2009 - On the trail of preserve's winged wondersSUFFOLKTIMES.COM I MARCH 12, 2009 I 7A On the trail of preserve's winged wonders We wrote about seeing some of the 487 -acre Robinson Preserve when we first got to Florida this winter and have been wanting to visit it again. Now we ve learned it is the most visited preserve in the state, and we can understand why. This rehabilitated farm turned nature preserve has something for both young and old, who take advantage of the area by biking, roll- erblading,kayaking or just plain walking. FOCUS 0 We were part of the walking group. We g� P k could see that the wide "asphalt trail" made it easy for the many young mothers pushing baby stroll- ers with little effort PAUL STO on the trail's smooth surface. Others brought their dogs to exercise; it is not a problem as long as the dog is on a leash and the owner cleans up after it. We were amazed to see just how popular this preserve had become in less than a year. The parking lot was full and we had to drive around and around to find a spot. Once parked, cameras and binoculars in hand, we headed out past the picnic area and into the preserve. We were ready to explore. We started by walking along the asphalt trail that gave us good views of the saltwater areas along the way. I was glad I had brought my binoculars along, as they came in handy in helping me better identify the birds we were seeing. At one point we left the asphalt trail and started out on one of the It seems every year we see more and more ofthese upland cattle egrets in Florida. We spotted them gorging them- selves on lizards, crickets and just about anything that moved in front of them S J6& 0-t t4 ov15 VIC weeL kopre 1Qf- &V hard - packed dirt trails leading to a shallow waterway, where we saw a wader (marsh bird) going through its wing- spreading act that we're told helps in the capture of small fish. The spreading of its wings may also help the stalker see better without the glare of the sun on the water. Here's how it works. The bird crouches low and, with head and neck poised to strike N NATURE at anything that moves, stalks around in the marsh with its wings opening and closing over its head. When it sees its prey frightened and head - ing for a safe, shad - UTENBURGH owy hiding place, the wader strikes with deadly accuracy. In this case the predator was a reddish egret. We were to see this clever hunter in two other locations later on. A significant part of this preserve is made up of saltwater marshes. It's along these edges that we saw piping plover, killdeer, willets, snowy egrets, great blue herons, yellowlegs and an anhinga, also known as the snake bird, so named because it looks much like a snake as it moves along with only its long neck and head above the water. We even had an osprey fly by, reminding me of the many osprey platforms I'd put up with the enthu- siastic help of others over the years. Today I'm glad to see many around the North Fork are putting up plat- forms for "their osprey" to nest on. M eat OUR EASTER CANDY IS HERE! a �.,ea -� uast.i,e� � d � � a.� e�(�Cabier✓_v! W WV1.lOVC1anCS WCCf S.GQm 7 tf BARBARA STOUTENBURGH PHOTOS Of all the birds in Florida's Robinson Preserve, you will probably always find the great blue heron stalking at the edges of the water for a meal Whatever it's after, that bill is sure to find its mark every time. I'm often asked, "When do the os- preys return ?" and, "Do they use the same nest each year ?" Our ospreys on the North Fork usually return around the middle of March and yes, they mate for life and do use the same nest each year. Back on the asphalt trail I spotted the prize of the preserve. Off in the distance I could see the well- protect- ed bald eagle's nest. I could make out the familiar black- and -white color- ing of one of the adult birds. We've really just started our exploring of this great area. We'll be back and hope you can come along with us. TA Fu Jet open 24 hours A week later: Sure enough, friends came down from the snowy North Fork to spend some time with us and we decided to take them to the Robinson Preserve. While we stood under the late - afternoon sun, look- ing all around the dome of the blue sky above, we could see a bird with some white on it headed right for us. You guessed it! It was the bald eagle in all its splendor, heading back to its nest. It took its time moving above us, and though we tried for a picture, we were so mesmerized by the beauty of that magnificent bird, there are only mental pictures for us to remember it by. Things aren't al- ways what they seem This looks like a bird with unusually long, disjointed legs, but upon looking closer we see it is only the reflec- tion in the water that gives this snowy egret that unusual look. KATIE—GIRI IN FORKS - LL- SERVICE ,�,; FOR DOG HORSES, ✓v s Now offering overnights in your home! • Walk/feed while you work or vacation • Round -trip to your veterinarian, groomer, play dates • Quality pet care and sitting for the ones you love Serving all pets ecitb love and respect Sys, 631- 734 -4265 • 516 -695 -0137 klehrhoff imsn/com uF S, CATS, Exorres References SUFFOLKTIMES.COM I MARCH 12, 2009 On the trail of preserve's winge won ers I'm often asked, "When do the os- preys return ?" and, "Do they use the same nest each year ?" Our ospreys on the North Fork usually return around the middle of March and yes, they mate for life and do use the same nest each year. Back on the asphalt trail I spotted the prize of the preserve. Off in the distance I could see the well- protect- ed bald eagle's nest. I could make out the familiar black- and -white color - ing of one of the adult birds. We've really just started our exploring of this great area. We'll be back and hope you can come along with us. A week later: Sure enough, friends came down from the snowy North Fork to spend some time with us and we decided to take them to the Robinson Preserve. While we stood under the late- afternoon sun, look- ing all around the dome of the blue sky above, we could see a bird with some white on it headed right for us You guessed it! It was the bald eagle in all its splendor, heading back to its nest. It took its time moving above us, and though we tried for a picture, we were so mesmerized by the beauty of that magnificent bird, there are only mental pictures for u: to remember it by. .1 BARBARA STOUTENBURGH PHO Of all the birds in Florida's Robinson Preserve, you will probably always find the great b heron stalking at the edges of the water for a meal. Whatever it's after, that bill is sure find its mark every time. It seems every year we see more and more of these upland cattle egrets in Florida. We spotted them gorging them- selves on lizards, crickets and just about anything that moved in front of them. �u/, r lit BARBARA STOUTENBURGH PHO Of all the birds in Florida's Robinson Preserve, you will probably always find the great b heron stalking at the edges of the water for a meal. Whatever it's after, that bill is sure find its mark every time. It seems every year we see more and more of these upland cattle egrets in Florida. We spotted them gorging them- selves on lizards, crickets and just about anything that moved in front of them. We wrote about seeing some 487 -acre Robinson Preserve when we first got to Florida this winter and have been wanting to visit it again. Now we've learned it is the most visited preserve in the state, and we can understand why. This rehabilitated farm turned nature preserve has something for both young and old, who take advantage of the area by biking, roll - erblading, kayaking hard- packed dirt trails leading to a shallow waterway, where we saw a wader (marsh bird) going through its wing- spreading act that we're told helps in the capture of small fish. The spreading of its wings may also help the stalker see better without the glare of the sun on the water. . Here's how it works. The bird crouches low and, with head and neck poised to strike or lust plain walking. FQ�(,j () NATUR at anything that 1ATa T r AATa + -V +L. ers with little effort PAUL STOUTEN on the-trail's smooth - surface. Others broug eir ogs to exercise; it is not a problem as long as the dog is on a leash and the owner cleans up after it. We w re amazed to see just how populat this preserve had become in less than a year. The parking lot was full and we had to drive around and around to find a spot. Once parked, cameras and binoculars in hand, we headed out past the picnic area and into the preserve. We were ready to explore. We started by walking along the asphalt trail that gave us good views of the saltwater areas along the way. I was glad I had brought my binoculars along, as theycame in handy in helping me better identify the birds we were seeing. At one point we left the asphalt trail and started out on one of the moves, stalks around in the marsh with its wings opening and closing over its head. When it sees its prey frightened and head- ing for a safe, shad - H owy hiding place, the wader strikes with deadly accuracy. In this case the predator was a reddish egret. We were to see this clever hunter in two other locations later on. A significant part of this preserve is made up of saltwater marshes. It's along these edges that we saw piping plover, killdeer, willets, snowy egrets, great blue herons, yellowlegs and an dnhinga, also known as the snake bird, so named because it looks much like asnake as it moves along with only its long neck and head above the water. We even had an osprey fly by, reminding me of the many osprey platforms I'd put up with the enthu- siastic help of others over the years. Today I'm glad to see many around the North Fork are putting up plat- forms for "their osnrev" to nest on. Things aren't al- ways what they seem. This looks like a bird with unusually long, disjointed legs, but upon looking closer we see it is only the reflec- tion in the water that gives this snowy egret that unusual look.