Nature Conservancy @ Mashomack: Exhibits | Plover Patrol | Healthy Oceans | Programs….

Plover Patrol

This is a great time of year to see piping plovers on beaches around Shelter Island and the rest of Long Island. Piping plover nest monitoring began at Mashomack in late April and will continue through mid-August, or until the chicks are fledged (mature enough to fly on their own). This summer, the preserve had six plover pairs each attempt a nest. Although we lost one nest to predation, the other five nests successfully hatched chicks! Mashomack has fledged four chicks and we anticipate another four by the first week of August.

A plover chick takes about 30 days to mature and grow flight feathers, during which time they are very susceptible to predators and disturbance. For this reason, Mashomack’s coastline is off-limits to hikers, unless along the designated Coastal Loop. Their main defense is their ability to camouflage with the sand. Plovers can be seen foraging and feeding along the shorelines, preparing for their long migration south in the coming weeks. They are a federally protected species and our monitoring, along with larger monitoring efforts across the region, help aid in their protection. Please appreciate these unique birds from a distance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Savoring Summer
From bird photography in the meadows to coastal kayak trips along our shoreline, visitors of all ages have enjoyed spending time immersed in nature at Mashomack.

Haven’t had a chance to join us for a program yet this summer? There’s still plenty more ahead! Join us as we bring back our community haul seine and enjoy s’mores at the Manor House; grow your writing skills during our nature writing workshop; explore the marsh with us, and more! See below for a sample of upcoming programs and stay up-to-date with new ones at nature.org/events. Advanced registration is required for all programs. Call 631-749-4219 or email MashomackPresereve@tnc.org to reserve your spot today!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Living Nature Library for Kids
Date: Every Wednesday in August, 3 – 4 PM
The Nature Conservancy’s team at Mashomack is coming together with the Shelter Island Library staff to bring you an August full of programs. Join us as we learn about awesome animals, terrific trees, fun fungi and much more. We’ll read, walk and craft our way through the exciting natural world around us. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hanging with Hummingbirds–Photography and Observations
Date: Saturday, August 3^rd, 10 – 11:30 AM
Join professional photographer K C Bailey as she unlocks the secrets of capturing the elusive hummingbird in flight. This event offers an accessible, up-close look at the feeding behaviors of these small, captivating pollinators from the beautiful porch of the Mashomack Manor House. Bring your favorite camera. Adults only. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Community Haul Seine at Mashomack
Date: Thursday, August 8^th, 6 – 7:30 PM
(Rain Date: Friday, August 9^th, 6 – 7:30 PM)
All hands on deck! Help pull in our 300-foot haul seine net and get a close-up look at the hidden underwater life found in Peconic Bay. Bring your water shoes and join our Mashomack team as we wade across to the outer beach where we’ll gather, learn and explore. Summer night s’mores to follow. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bass Creek Kayak and Sandflat Exploration
Date: Saturday, August 10^th, 9 – 10:30 AM
Join us for a kayak exploration of Bass Creek. The paddle will wind through the shallow waters of the tidal marsh from the bay to the far back reaches of the creek. Along the way, we’ll have a chance to stop and explore wildlife on the sandflats and along the marsh grasses on foot. We’ll use hand nets to catch and examine different species before returning them safely back to the water. Ages 10 and up. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nature Writing Workshop: Storytelling in the Natural World
Date: Saturday, August 10^th, 10 AM – 1 PM
Join us at the Mashomack Manor House for a second installment of our Nature Writing Workshop series, led by Maryann Calendrille, co-owner of Canio’s Books in Sag Harbor. During this special three-hour workshop, you will spend time in nature and learn skills and techniques for capturing and transforming nature into story. Light refreshments provided. Participants are invited to bring a bagged lunch. Program fee is $25. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Moonglow: A Reading with Author Peggy Dickerson
Date: Thursday, August 22^nd, 10:30 – 11:30 AM
Moonlit summer nights are so special. Local North Fork environmental educator Peggy Dickerson’s book Moonglow is a fun fantasy about raccoons, frogs, turtles and more. Come meet the author as she reads her children’s picture book and do a fun animal identification activity. All ages welcome.

—————–

The Nature Conservancy
79 South Ferry Rd
PO Box 850
Shelter Island, New York 11964