one good tern . . .

A propos of terns (see yesterday's post about a 'new' tern that appeared on Weesuck Creek): both Gull-billed and Sandwich Terns were seen on Wednesday at Cupsogue and Sandwich Tern was seen there again yesterday. Moriches is the next big bay to the west and Cupsogue is probably less than 10 miles away as the tern flies. So much for my theory about default terns (i.e. that Gull-billed is the more likely, Sandwich being more of a stray on Long Island). The two pictures show the similarities and the differences; the Sandwich Tern has the longer tail and the thinner beak while the Gull-billed has a shorter tail, a thicker bill and is generally a bit bulkier and top-heavy. I still think the bird I saw on Wednesday was likely a Gull-billed but it was even more distant appearing than these pictures show and mostly flying away from me. With a littler more experience of these birds in flight, I'm sure I could have made a somewhat more confident call. But figuring it out and learning in the process is, for me, most of the fun.

Mike Bottini wrote me about wild roses, pointing out that Carolina and Pasture Rose are the same species and have straight thorns. Our plants have curved thorns so they are either Virginia or Swamp. The difference has to do with the stipules -- the leafy growths attached to the leaf stalk; on the Swamp Rose they are supposed to 'curl around the stalk'. Well the stipules on these don't curl completely around but they do appear to clasp the stalk. That feature and the habitat would seem to make them Swamp Roses.

A lot of other flowers are in bloom right now, notably Yucca, one of the loosestrifes, Montauk Daisies, Common Mullein and the delicate little Deptford Pinks. These are all basically introduced or garden varieties that do quite well on their own. Yucca (Yucca filmentosa?) is one of those 'near native' southeastern plants that got here thanks to human help but is now quite naturalized. There are native species of loosestrife but I think these plants are a garden escape. One truly striking and unquestioned native, just now coming into bloom is the Striped Wintergreen -- a exotic looking plant of the piney forest floor with striped leaves and beautiful nodding waxy flowers.

Speaking of Yucca, there is a native plant of similar habitat that also should be in bloom right now. I'm talking about Prickly Pear Cactus which, contrary to what a lot of people think, was not introduced but occurs here naturally. It used to flourish in the open area in front of the house but it has been shaded out and all the plants have disappeared.

Eric Salzman