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December 04, 1997 - The Changing Face of Six Mile Preserve6A;'• The Sdffdlk1Tithes4 DbeAtriber 4, 1,997 The Changing Face of Six Mile Preserve There are so many similar patterns in nature that once you understand one it's easy to apply it to and understand the oth- ers. One of these patterns occurred just the other day when Barbara and I took a mini - adventure into the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve down here to FOCUS Florida. The fringe area is a primarily On flat, wooded com- munity of slash Nature pine and saw pal- metto that grows by Paul only a few inches Stoutenburgh in elevation above the wet interior, and in that slight eleva- tion difference a whole new community of plants and animals has evolved. This same pattern holds true with the salt marshes that line our many creeks on the North Fork. The tall thatch grass grows at the water's edge where the tide flows in and out twice a day. It's at a lower level than where the shorter salt hay grass flourishes in the back on higher ground. The difference between the two elevations is sometimes hardly noticeable but the results are striking. Only a slight elevation in a fresh or salt marsh can make an entirely different ecosystem with its own special plants and animals. Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve was first brought to the attention of the coun- ty by high school students who petitioned the legislature to save it from develop- ment. And what foresight these young minds had, for today as we drove up to the entrance there was already one devel- opment across the street, complete with its new hurricane -proof homes and newly planted palm trees. Not far away, flying in the breeze, was pink surveyor's tape advertising more development to come. Happening on a Heron No sooner had we started down the mile -long boardwalk when we were greeted by a little blue heron standing on the railing. Evidently it had been hunting in the nearby slough and was apparently satisfied with its meal and now wanted to warm up in the early sun. We could walk up to it within a few feet before it unwill- ingly flew away. The boardwalk leads to a large pond ■ 1.419� ■ �A�11M that was dug when the state road was built nearby. One sees these manmade ponds everywhere. Seeing much of the land is so low and close to the water table things like roads have to be built up so that when it rains they won't be flooded. Fill was taken from the "borrow pit" to raise the road level. I'm not sure why they say "borrow pit," for the term implies something will be returned and I doubt there will be any re- turning to this borrow pit. The pond has its resi- dent alligators but seeing it was a cool morning and still early, none were about. On the far shore wading egrets and herons probed for their morning meal. Then three American coots scurried across the water from under the boardwalk. These dark - colored, plump little duck -like birds have few distinct markings, the exception being a white bill and big greenish feet that are not webbed like a ducks but have lobed toes instead. We see them quite often walking and feeding on the grasses along the Peconic River in back of downtown Riverhead. Fresh water is their habi- tat but brackish water will do when they can find a good food supply nearby. Barbara pointed out a three -foot racer that was making its way through the bushes alongside the boardwalk. This is the second time we've seen this harmless black snake down here. The area was rapidly changing as we entered the wetter part of the slough. Now slash pine and palmetto gave way to the water - loving cypress trees whose needles have already fallen for winter. This area at one time, back in the '30s, was logged for its valuable wood. Huge old cypress stumps, now moss - covered and dripping with ferns and lichens, were still visible. Their resistance to rot shows their tenacity to endure. All through the area were garlands of Spanish moss hanging from the trees. Sable palms fought for sunlight here and there and on their trunks grew the "resur- rection fern." Probably many of you know this fern from seeing it sold in stores as a novelty. It dies back and looks the last, the golden fern that had a large golden frond dominating all the others. As we walked along we saw the telltale marks of the yellow - bellied sapsucker on one of the trees and it reminded me of our little orchard back home that has its row of holes around the tree bark from the sapsucker. This woodpecker not only enjoys the sap that flows from the tree but he also enjoys the insects that come to feed on the sweetness as well. As we moved along we came to an observation blind where you are par- tially hidden at the edge of a natural pond. We peeked out and saw an anhinga drying its wings in the now -warm sun- light. It looks something Re our cormorant, those black duck -like birds we see sitting on buoys and fish traps. It dives for fish much as the cormorant but secures the fish in an entirely different way. The anhinga literally spears the prey with its sharp pointed bill, while the cormorant catches its meal in its long sharp - toothed beak. It's inter- esting to watch the anhin- ga bring its speared fish to the surface. To eat it he has to flip it off his bill into the air and then catch it. Only then can he swal- low it. Quite a trick, I'd Suffolk Times photo by Paul Stoutenburgh GREAT BLUE HERON —No matter where you go from Maine to Florida, you are bound to run into this stalker of the shallows. Even though the great blue does not nest on Long Island, we often see his stately stance in our local creeks. "OIL a nuun main 75 Years Ago Dec. 1, 1922 New Road at Mattituck: The Southold Town Board has inspected and granted the application for the pro- posed road petitioned for by Harry DePetris of Mattituck, who dedicates all the land for the laying out of the highway. He also agrees to clear the land for the new road. It will be known as Legion Road. Classified: Agents Wanted — Industrious men and women wanted to retail the genuine Watkins Products in city territories. Exceptional opportunity to tie up with the oldest and largest company of its kind. Our hustler's average income is $1.10 an hour. Are you doing as well? If not, write today for free samples and particulars. The J.R. Watkins & Co., Dept. 81, New York, N.Y. 50 Years Ago Dec. 5, 1947 Advertisements: James Stewart, starring in Robert Riskin's "Magic Town," an RKO Radio release, says: "Men's socks by Holeproof fit into my style picture for every occasion." Socks by Holeproof, Lipman Bros., Greenport. For Thanksgiving, give your family a treat and take them dead when the fern dries out, but give it a watering and it "comes to life" and once again becomes green and growing. One tree had four different ferns growing on it: a strap fern that didn't look like a fern but like a green strap; then the resurrec- tion fern, now green because of our recent rains; the shoestring fern that looked like a cluster of hanging green spaghetti; and to Claudio's Restaurant, where they will enjoy an old -fash- ioned turkey dinner with all the trimmings, including celery and olives, fresh fruit cup, cream of turkey soup, roast Maryland turkey with chestnut dressing, boiled onions, turnips, mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, green salad, hot rolls, pumpkin pie, mince pie, suet pudding, fruits and nuts, coffee, tea, milk. $2.50. 25 Years Ago Dec. 7, 1972 Nothing Like the Old Songs: History made music as the Stirling Historical Society gathered in the Methodist parish hall, Greenport, last Thursday for an evening of old - fashioned music. Sheet music dating back to the early 1800s from collections of Donald Boerum and Mrs. Ella Tuthill Wiggins provided the theme for the program of songs and music. Mr. Boerum and Mrs. Alton Klipp presented approx- imately 20 selections for the enjoyment of the society's members and guests. Among the selections were "The Russian Grand March," waltzes of the Victorian era, love songs, war songs and those decrying the dangers of drink, sung by Mrs. Klipp. Music written near the turn of the century by Adolph Johnson of Greenport was heard. Mr. Johnson, who composed much music for the piano, lived in the First Street residence subse- quently owned by the late Frank Barth. say. Also sitting in the low underbrush were three or four yellow- crowned night herons. These wad- ing birds had done their hunting during the night and were now ready to sleep away the day in the warmth of the sun. A four -foot alligator also was taking advan- tage of the warm sun as it spread itself out on a low log jutting out into the pond. A red - bellied turtle enjoyed the warmth of the sun as it slept at the pond's edge. We had peeked into their world and then left without disturbing them. One of the educational exhibits along the boardwalk was a small aquarium that held a group of what looked like female guppies. The written explanation was that they were gambuzia or mosquito fish. They inhabit the water throughout the Six Mile Preserve and help keep the mosqui- toes down. In our three -hour walk we felt no mosquitoes along the way — the gam - buzia were doing their job. They remind- ed me of my goldfish in the pond at home — no mosquitoes there. By now my gold- fish are down in the ooze of the pond bot- tom. Winter's cold breath has ceased all activity for now and so the world will wait for the warmth of spring, when new life will again sneak back into the pond. Tax Aides Sought The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) seeks vol- unteers to help moderate- and low - income seniors prepare their tax returns for four hours per week beginning next February. Candi- dates who pass an open -book test will be given free training. Call 878 -2687.