Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge

I visit many Long Island parks, but I prefer to feature only my neighborhood ones on my blog. However, I am going to make an exception this week. Yesterday I drove out east to the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge in Shirley. Cecile Wertheim, who died in 1974, in her will gifted this property to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The purpose of her donation was to protect the Carmans River Estuary for migratory birds. The refuge seems well-maintained with a new visitor center and some river overlook decks that provide views of the water.  Although I didn’t get a chance to go into the visitor center, I did take a hike along the river. I saw many painted turtles and birds, including terns, ospreys, and warblers.  My favorite photos of the day (although not my best) were of a yellow warbler feeding a worm to its mate or baby. This alone made my trip to the refuge worthwhile.

Black-Crowned Night-Heron

It’s nice working one evening during the week, because it allows me to spend the morning walking in the park when it’s somewhat quieter there.  I tend to also see more uncommon wildlife when fewer people are around. This Thursday during an early morning walk at Connetquot River State Park, I spotted a Black-Crowned Night-Heron at Deep Water Pond.  He was perched on a tree limb that was partially submerged in the water.  He was so still and peaceful that he appeared to be meditating. This was the first time I had seen a Black-Crowned Night-Heron, and I admit that I had to refer to my Peterson Field Guide to Birds in order to identify him. A few days later, I asked the park manager about the Black-Crowned Night- Herons, and he informed me that they were fairly common years ago when the fish hatchery was operational, but ever since the hatchery was shut down, these birds have become less numerous at Connetquot.  I later read in the Atlas of Breeding Birds of New York State that decades ago (1930s and before) the evening quawk of the Black-Crowned Night-Heron was once a familiar night sound on Long Island. Unfortunately, overdevelopment has destroyed much of their breeding grounds and they are disappearing. So I feel rather fortunate to have seen one of these lovely birds while walking in my favorite local preserve.

Spring Birds

Last weekend I saw a Bluebird (first time ever seeing one) and today a Baltimore Oriole at the Connetquot River State Park. It's a real bonus when walking in the springtime to see and hear all the birds. I only wish that I had a quicker camera trigger finger to get shots of many of the birds I see.  The bird above appears to be a still unidentified warbler, busy gathering nest-making material.

Foxes

Yesterday I took a walk in the Byron Lake area of Oakdale. Fortunately, I thought to bring my camera along for what I thought would be just quick way to get in a little exercise before the Connetquot River State Park opened.  I wasn't expecting to see anything of interest, but I was delighted to discover a family of foxes that were watching all the runners and walkers that had invaded their territory. Although they aren't pictured in any of my photographs, there were a few kits. However, every time I raised my camera, the kits would dash into the woods. The parents weren't as camera shy.

Warbler

It's that time of year when warblers return to our area. Now when I'm walking, I look for these small and usually brightly colored songbirds. My problem is that there are so many different types of warblers that I often have trouble identifying them. The bird pictured above, that I saw this past Saturday at the Connetquot River State Park, I believe is a Pine Warbler, but again I'm never sure when it comes to warblers.