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February 26, 1998 - After the Deluge, the Birds AppearGA • The Suffolk Times • February 26, 1998 After the Deluge., the Birds Appear All things come to an end sooner or later and so we'll stay on here just a few more days at Barbara's brother's place in Florida and when things finally settle down we'll take off and do some explor- ing. I hope our weather will change from what it has been in the past. Not since I was in the service down in New Guinea have I seen Focus it rain so hard. When we had to go on to the house from Nature our camper where Walt's car was we by Paul had to go through Stoutenburgh two inches of water that lay on the lawn. Being a bit adventurous, we both slipped off our shoes and socks and literally waded through the water to the higher ground around the house. To add to this ridiculous situation we held an umbrella over our heads as I held up my pant's Begs and Barbara lifted her skirt so as not to get too wet (we were all dressed up and headed for the church.) As we drove along overflooded roads we could see everywhere parking lots, yards, the roadside, etc., all flooded with water. Where once low gullies took off the water from the normal rains, now rivers of water drained to the south and west. One spot where we usually saw cattle grazing was now a vast shallow lake, the cows still grazing, but now with their noses in the water to reach the grass below. They seemed like water buffalo from some African scene. Pasture Is One Puddle Today, a day after the last deluge, the sun is out and the water is receding from around the park here. Yet on our early- morning bike ride, we found the pasture to the north still flooded with four or more inches of water. Where once there was a small oasis of water and a favorite birding spot, was now a vast, shallow lake of over 40 acres. In one of the watery areas just beyond the fence we spotted a beautiful sandhill crane feeding. It is a big bird, larger than our great blue heron that we often see in our local creeks. Usually sandhill cranes are seen in upland pastures and open fields, but since everything had photographed them nesting on Gardiners and Plum islands. A few wood storks were also seen doing their own version of prob- ing for worms and insects. Not much escapes that gigantic long beak. Hopefully on our travels we'll visit Audubon's famous Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary down here, where these big storks nest. Although there are 17 species of storks throughout the world, there is only one, our wood stork, found here in North 1 wa9w 1 nDw Ilm MWIL a YYYII\ ViAV11% 75 Years Ago Feb. 23, 1923 More Pay for Jurors: A resolution adopted by the February Grand Jury, addressed to the Suffolk Board of Supervisors, recommends that the compensation of grand and trial jurors be increased. This is in line with the recommenda- tions made several weeks ago by Commissioner of Jurors John Clinton Robbins that the compensation of jurors be increased from $3 to $4 per day. A juror residing outside of Riverhead who served this week declared that his expenses for board and lodging while in Riverhead were $3.50 per day and his compensation only $3. News From Mattituck: It is with deep regret that we note the passing of Otis G. Pike of Riverhead. He was one of "Mattituck's boys" who had "made good" in every sense of the word. In Riverhead, where he had made his home for some years, he will be greatly missed in all the activities that looked toward the betterment of the community. His body was brought to Mattituck for interment last Monday. 50 Years Ago Feb. 27, 1948 Local News: Our view of the bay reveals large amounts of floating ice, and word comes that many of the oyster boats have found difficulty in continuing their work under these conditions. At one time it appeared that the ice stretched all the way over to Shelter Island, and reminded Suffolk Times phot 10T—Their conspicuous white bill and p lobefooted swimmers a variety of local :shwater ponds and marshes. They often and seeds. America. Rarely, if ever, does it visit as far north as Long Island. The nice part about bike riding while you're birding is that you can stop every once in a while and give your bottom a rest while you check on birds like the boat - tailed grackle, fish crow, American coot and other wildlife. We even stopped to check out a snake that had been flat- tened by a car. It's a common snake here and has white under its chin and is called the Florida black racer. Where all these creatures that once roamed this semitropi- cal area can escape to in this manmade environment is a sad story. Here in the old- timers of the years when vehicular traffic freely went back and forth. For Sale: Orient — Eight -room house, four bedrooms, two baths, gas, electric and central heating plant, good loca- tion. Asking $9,000. Southold —In the village, nine -room house, five bed- rooms, one bath, in excellent condition with all improve- ments excepting central heating. Two -car garage, large plot. Asking $7,500. 25 Years Ago Feb. 22, 1973 Southold News: The week of Feb. 5 was like "old home" week in Barbados, West Indies. From Southold: Mr. and Mrs. Walter Adamson, Mr. and Mrs. Warren Smith, Dr. and Mrs. Barry Hellmann and the A. Orrs. From Cutchogue: Mr. and Mrs. George Ahlers. Then there was a large group from Greenport: the Sam Copins, Linwood Webbs, Anthony Corazzinis and the William Norkeluns. Dance Aims to `Bridge the Gap': The Student Council of Mattituck High School and the Friends of Mattituck School invite young and adult to a "Bridge the Gap" dance at the high school on March 9. The young folk are as curious to see their elders dance as the latter are to witness, firsthand, the nimble gyrations of the young. The "generation gap" will dance to music of Jimmy Digons. Swapping part- ners across the ages will be actively encouraged. Cowbirds: `Parasites' On our way back we came across a small group of cowbirds. They are about the size of a cardinal, the male black with a brown head, the female more or less gray. She is the notorious brood parasite, laying her eggs in other birds' nests, and neither male nor female have anything to do with the raising of their young. It's been estimated they lay their eggs in over 200 different species of birds' nests, bringing some species to the edge of extinction. Her fiendish trick is to lay her egg so it hatches out first in the nest, there- by it is the first to be fed. The young cow- bird grows the fastest and biggest and demands the most feeding. They grow so much larger that they actually push out the smaller, weaker young, thereby leaving them the sole survivor. A few species have recognized the cowbird's egg and its potential danger and have tossed them out, but they are in the minority. Cowbirds have become a real problem. Back at the camper we were glad to see the lawns were starting to dry out after the devastating downpours. Who knows? Maybe El Nino will quiet down so that we can get away and do some real exploring and camping in Florida.