Greetings and Happy May Day. We came out yesterday in some of he worst weather of the year -- high winds, heavy rain, cool temperatures -- but we are more or less installed and today I was actually able to take my first morning walk of the year. This was just around the East Quogue place which still shows the scars of Sandy; it will be interesting to see signs of recovery and regrowth. The tide was very high and the flooded marsh featured two white egrets -- the big one and the little one -- on the marsh edges. There were also a few gulls and cormorants on the creek but no waterfowl in sight (and it was too misty to spot anything on the opposite side). Otherwise most of the birding was by ear on this damp, foggy May 1st. Most of the usual resident were accounted for by sound including chickadees, titmice, N. Cardinal and American Robin, Carolina Wren, Blue Jay, American and Fish Crows, Song and White-throated Sparrows, Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers (and a possible N Flicker), Early spring flowers, almost all of them introduced, are out including daffodils, forsythia, Chinese or Saucer Magnolia, Periwinkle, Dandelions. and the evil and pernicious Garlic Mustard, still spreading like wildfire. The wild onions that are coming up are, however, native and I must say that I love the aroma and taste of these plants. Does anyone know the proper species ID for this delicious common wild plant? Allium canadense? In any case, I managed to get a bunch out of the ground, with both grass-like leaves and most of the little white bulbs, which we will eat for dinner. This is our own version of the ramps which have become so popular in fancy NYC restaurants. A b----h to clean but worth it!
Eric Salzman
es@ericsalzman.com
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