Wreck of Steamer Atlantic This recorded illustrated talk by Museum Director Pierce Rafferty chronicles the dramatic story of Fishers Island’s most deadly and consequential shipwreck, the wreck of the Steamer Atlantic in November 1846. This tragic wreck caught the attention of the nation, and was commemorated by mournful ballads, popular
In the ten days since the two younger osprey chicks passed, the mother fiercely defended her remaining chick as it continued to develop and practice feeding and flying skills. Though it may have appeared that the the chick was alone on Middle Farms nest a good portion of the day and night,
Pollinator Pathway and Controlling Invasive Plants on Fishers Island by Pollinator Pathway organizer and Nix the Knotweed founder Suzanne Thompson and natural & organic landscaper Petie Reed Hosted by HLFM director Pierce Rafferty This recorded illustrated talk, presented July 6, 2023 by Suzanne Thompson and Petie Reed offers timely
This post was initially compiled as a progress report on nest tending - not only by the mother osprey but also by the chicks learning to use their beaks for more than pecking, but tragically both younger chicks have since passed away. On July 5th, 2023 the youngest chick passed away –
As the osprey chicks grew stronger mid-June, the battle for the pecking order grew. Initially the two older chicks fought each other, but when the littlest one got bigger (and hungrier), it received the brunt of the attacks. The following video clips capture some of the battles from June 15, 2023 - June 26,
Conservation Science Protecting Fishers Island’s Forests As steward of the Museum’s Land Trust, Jack Schneider is constantly monitoring the health of the Island’s natural habitats. In 2021, Jack noticed signs of Beech Leaf Disease (BLD) in the American beech stand along Island Pond Trail; he reported it to both the
Conservation Science Biocontrol of Swallow-wort Plants Black swallow-wort, Vincetoxicum nigrum, is ubiquitous on Fishers Island. The vine’s entangling tendrils and proliferation of leaves create a green mass that can overgrow and smother adjacent plants The sap of this vine is toxic, which is detrimental to monarch butterflies. According to a
Conserving Seagrass Human activities in the nearshore waters of Fishers Island In anticipation of the Fishers Island Seagrass Management coalition producing a protection plan for the eelgrass found in our nearshore waters, the Museum joined a citizen-science program called Marine Protected Areas Watch (MPA Watch). In this program, volunteers are
The Fishers Island Seagrass Management (FISM) Coalition Update The Fishers Island Seagrass Management (FISM) Coalition has entered an exciting year in its mission to promote community learning about eelgrass meadows. In August 2022, the FISM Coalition passed an outreach, education, and engagement plan with unanimous support. With this plan, the Coalition acknowledges the
Island History by Pierce Rafferty Aerial showing eastern edge of former Fort H.G. Wright parade ground. Photo courtesy of Google Earth. The pond at center left, originally named “Lake Ladd,” was later nicknamed “Movie Pond.” Note the ditch, first cut by the US Quartermaster Corps circa 1908, that utterly failed to drain the
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F.I. Sketchbook 2005
