summer again

With the return of summer, the carduelis finches seem to have mostly disappeared. I did see one flock of a couple of dozen birds and another of three birds but I am not sure if they were Goldfinches or Siskins or both. Maybe the Siskins went back north or perhaps just to the other side of the creek. In any case, there were a few fall migrants still around: Brown Creeper, both nuthatches, Black-and-white Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Swamp Sparrows,

The fall marsh is resplendent in color with turning Tupelos as a backdrop, the white seed bundles of Baccharis or Groundsel Trees (really bushes) making a strong display all along the edge the marsh and the Glasswort, widely distributed in the marsh, turning a glowing red. In the upland, Asters are in bloom including the very pretty blue ones as well as a couple of different white ones (and the inevitable Montauk Daisies, which are escaping their garden plantings).

A few days ago, at the Quogue Refuge, I was challenged by someone who complained that I would mention all these good or interesting birds but no one go see them since it was all on private property. But this is not true. First of all, I have had many guests coming to visit and some of them have had very good luck in finding birds. Additionally, I should mention that the entire southern half of the property has a conservation easement and, as the Samuel & Frances K. Salzman Preserve, is open to the public. It can be reached via the southern (or southeastern) leg of Randall Lane in East Quogue; there is a right-of-way which is the continuation of this leg and, as soon as you get inside the property, there is a sign marking the main trail. Alas, the town no longer maintains the trail but, even in its overgrown state, it is passable and leads eventually to the head of the marsh. The property, including the beach portion at the mouth of Weesuck Creek and the main marsh, can also be accessed from the town property at the end of Bay Avenue.

Eric Salzman