Peconic Land Trust: Birdhouse Workshop + Birding @ Wind’s Way, New Column

“Not till June can the grass be said to be waving in the fields.

When the frogs dream, and the grass waves, and the buttercups toss their heads,

and the heat disposes to bathe in the ponds and streams,

then is summer begun.”

— Henry David Thoreau

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Birdhouse Building Workshop

with Brian Kennedy

Video instructions take you through the building with easy to follow guidelines.

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Birdhouse Kits are Still Available for Purchase!

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Looking for an activity? Join us for this virtual workshop with Brian Kennedy of FixHampton who guides you through building your very own birdhouse for our feathered friends!

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Watch Now!

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For do-it-yourselfers, get the plans and instructions to create the birdhouse from a 4 foot long 1″x6″ pine board.

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Rather get your own kit of pre-cut and pre-drilled materials? We’ve created a limited number of birdhouse kits that you can purchase from our website (click here). Once you order your kit, we’ll set up a pick up time for you. Locations will be on the North and South Forks.

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Have questions? Contact Kathy Kennedy at 631.283.3195, ext. 29 or KKennedy@PeconicLandTrust.org

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Thank you to the “builders” who’ve been sharing their houses with us!

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A Bird’s View from Winds Way

The Nesting Season

a new monthly column by Nancy Gilbert

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By the time you read this, the annual spring migration will be winding to a close. Located as we are on the Atlantic Flyway, one of the true joys of spring is watching and listening for migrating song birds, warblers and shore birds to return to nest and raise their young or to rest and refuel before heading further north.”

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While May brings thousands of avian visitors to our shores, woodlands and fields, there is still much to see. The Osprey returned to the North Fork in mid-March and our resident couple is now feeding their young. The babies aren’t big enough to be seen yet, but they should be visible in a week or so. And I’ve seen Robins, Cardinals, and Catbirds happily building nests despite the recent chilly wet weather. Please remember that June is nesting season and birds are engaged in the serious and delicate business of laying eggs and raising young. It is important to respect their need for privacy and non-intrusion.

As you know, the Robins are opportunistic migrators and many stay here all winter. Cardinals are year-round companions, as are many of the cavity nesters – woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Chickadees, Carolina Wrens. The White-Throated sparrows have left for the north along with Juncos, but Chipping Sparrows have arrived to take their place. Keep on the look out for Yellow Warblers. The males are bright yellow with red stripes on their breast and are easy to spot and to hear. They nest here and will remain until late summer. And of course, House Wrens are back and watching their antics will entertain you throughout the summer.

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We had our first kayak adventure recently and were lucky enough to see a Piping Plover and both Least and Common Terns nesting on our local beach. It is critical to respect the fencing and enclosures put up to protect these birds from predators and inadvertent harm from dogs and beach walkers. Luck was with us as we also spotted a large group of Ruddy Turnstones in full breeding plumage. They’re headed to the high arctic tundra to nest and we won’t see them again until they head back south in late summer.

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Want more birds to visit your yard and garden? Plant native plants to provide food and nesting sites, don’t use insecticides or herbicides (99% of a baby bird’s diet is composed of insects!), keep cats indoors, and most importantly, provide a bird bath that is easily seen from inside your house. You’ll be amazed at who you can spot taking a bath! And keep your birding guide close at hand so you can identify the many beautiful and varied visitors you will attract.

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And so begins a new monthly column by one of our board members and avid birder, Nancy Gilbert — with photos from her husband Richard Wines — on our local birds. Nancy’s columns will appear on our blog, please tune in each month for more from Winds Way.

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For photos and images of the birds mentioned by Nancy, check out Audubon’s Guide to North American Birds online.

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Places to Visit

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All of us at the Trust hope you, your family, and friends are all safe and healthy during these uncertain times. As we all do everything we can to fight the spread of COVID-19, spending time in the out-of-doors can provide psychic relief and promote health.

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While all of our buildings and facilities are closed to the public at this time, the grounds of Bridge Gardens in Bridgehampton, the Ag Center at Charnews Farm in Southold, and Quail Hill Farm in Amagansett are open for solitary walks — as well as our hiking trails on preserves. To learn more about the trails in your area, visit our Places to Visit page on our website.

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Please stay safe, stay home if you are feeling unwell, practice physical social distancing (a minimum of 6 feet), wear a mask or face covering in public places, and avoid crowds. Please follow the guidelines of the CDC, State, County and Town officials. If the gardens or trails are crowded, and you cannot maintain social distancing, please come back at another day or time. We thank you for your cooperation.

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Our stewardship team is out on the trails monitoring for encroachments and hazards while also maintaining and blazing new trails for you, your family and friends to enjoy!

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