five-warbler morning

Five warblers this morning: Yellow, Yellowthroat, Black-and-white, Northern Waterthrush and American Redstart -- the last-named, the first one I've seen this season (there were actually at least two birds). Also an active empid flycatcher that I could not pin down as to species before it disappeared.

At the same time as our SOFO group was working west from Shinnecock Inlet yesterday, Eileen Schwinn had an ELIAS (Eastern LI Audubon Society) group at Cupsogue (Moriches Inlet). They not only located two Marbled Godwits but also found an unlikely Upland Sandpiper -- 'unlikely' since this odd shorebird usually lives up to its name and hangs out in upland grasslands rather than down at the shore.

The Long Island Native Plant Initiative is holding a Native Plant Symposium at Brookhaven Lab on September 27th and 28th. The notion of gardening with native plants instead of exotic cultivars is an idea whose time has come. The problem has always been getting a hold of native plant stock ("ecotypic native plants") which are, by definition, adapted to local conditions. This, along with other issues of diversity, ecological importance and propagation will be addressed at this symposium. 
More information at or .

Eric Salzman