An Update on the Osprey Population on Fishers Island by Pierce Rafferty Fishers Island was one of many eastern seaboard sites that contributed to Osprey research when ornithologists were first grappling with the causes and restoration of the declining Osprey population in the late 1960s and 1970s. Two young graduate students, Paul Spitzer and
Nature Notes: House-hunting Ospreys by Rob Bierregaard The decade of the 1980s was a buyers’ market for househunting Ospreys. Two decades before, our widespread application of DDT on coastal marshes caused Osprey population numbers to plummet. New England Ospreys were decimated (literally) to about 10% of their pre-DDT levels because breeding Ospreys couldn’t raise
The term ‘predator’ may bring to mind images of a muscled mountain lion ready to pounce in an isolated gully or a muddied crocodile lying in wait at a quiet Saharan watering hole. Fishers Island hosts its own murderer’s row of predators, no less fascinating though decidedly less threatening (to humans, at least), and they each have a vital role in keeping the island’s ecosystem healthy, diverse and robust.
The Coalition’s focus this spring and summer will be on reaching out to the island community and off-island stakeholder groups for feedback on proposed seagrass management areas.
The Land Trust has acquired two significant parcels of undeveloped land, partnered with the New York Natural Heritage Program to prepare a “wall-to-wall ecological community map” of our sanctuary areas, worked with the conservation class at the Fishers Island School on vairous projects as well as continued ongoing projects to restore wetland plants and maintain our nature trails.
Perhaps this year more than ever, I feel as if I’m coming out of hibernation after a long winter’s nap. Spring and optimism are in the air and I am looking forward to another summer on Fishers Island.
This recorded illustrated talk is a 50-minute documentary that traces the history of ferry transportation to Fishers Island.
Astronomy and the E. Wilbur Rice Jr. Observatory on Fishers Island Illustrated Lecture by John W. Briggs April 25, 2021. Hosted by Pierce Rafferty, director, Henry L. Ferguson Museum It is not hard to imagine why the island has so many amateur stargazers. The night sky, especially on the south side of the
Two Osprey were spotted on Middle Farms nest April 10, 2021 by Richard Marshall.
The U.S. Lighthouse Service & Women Lighthouse Keepers Illustrated Lecture by Historian Mary Rasa Co-Hosted March 28, 2021 by Pierce Rafferty, director, Henry L. Ferguson Museum New London Maritime Society Custom House Maritime Museum In this program, Ms. Rasa explored the U.S. Lighthouse Service and took a look at five
Untitled
F.I. Sketchbook 2005
