By Beth Sullivan
Summer is just around the corner.
For many, Memorial Day weekend signals the beginning of the season,
and the weather has finally seemed to settle into a more summer-like
mode as well.
 |
| Happy Memorial Day, It time to remember we need to share Sandy Point with many species. |
A Sandy Point Summer
It only seems right to think about
Sandy Point at this time, though the birds and Horseshoe Crabs and
USFWS have been thinking about it for quite a while! More than a
month ago the shorebirds arrived, and already the American
Oystercatchers have established nests. Piping Plovers have also
arrived, and we are waiting to get reports of numbers this year.
 |
| Oystercatchers have already nested successfully this season. Photograph by Rick Newton. |
The Full moon in May also signals
the real beginning of the Horseshoe Crab migration to the island for
nesting-a trek that has gone on for thousands if not millions of
years. Avalonia Stewards are gearing up to do our kayak excursions
out to the island to count and tag the returning crabs. Later we
will paddle out to look for the nests and hatching young and juvenile
crabs that take refuge in the calm waters on the north side of the
island.
 |
| The Horseshoe crabs have returned to nest. |
As we have reported over the last
year, Avalonia Land Conservancy has entered into a very supportive
relationship with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to manage the
island. It had become impossible to juggle the needs of the
wildlife for the special habitat to survive, and the wishes of the
island-loving public that has enjoyed the island’s sandy shores and
inviting waters for generations.
 |
| Dogs are not allowed on the island at all. Please leave them home. |
The Service
will provide wildlife biologists as experienced stewards who will
study the protected species, will note where they nest, and provide
protection for them. They will also be available to educate the
public, answer questions and explain the rules. An informed visitor
is far more likely to be compliant and actually help with the effort
to preserve and protect the place we all love. They will also have
the ability to see that the rules are followed.
 |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service will educate the public and protect the wildlife. |
Passes are still needed to visit
All of this effort comes at a cost
and, as in the past, there will be a fee for usage of Sandy Point,
which will help offset this expense. The USFWS has developed a fee
scale that is very fair and is actually less expensive than in past
years. Also, they have decided to continue the relationship with
the Stonington COMO to assist with the management of the process and
procedures to obtain passes and their distribution. You can go
directly to the COMO if you choose, or very easily go to the COMO
website and link to Summer Beach Passes. The direct link to purchase
a Sandy Point Pass is below:
It will be important to keep the
pass with you and a personal ID while visiting the island, as
stewards will check for them. They will be required from Memorial
Day and through Labor Day.
It truly is a small price to pay to
be able to enjoy the beautiful island beaches and waters, but also
know that your purchase actually goes to support the stewardship of
the island to protect and preserve it for all who visit or call it
home.
 |
| When done for the day, pick up your litter. It can be deadly for birds and other wildlife. |
We will keep you posted on the
seasonal changes out there. In the meantime, get your passes and
enjoy the early summer pleasures of Avalonia’s gem- Sandy Point
Island.
Photographs by Beth Sullivan unless
otherwise indicated.
No comments:
Post a Comment