​Animals and Wildlife Of Long Island - Master Naturalists

Delve into the wildlife groups of Long Island with an overview of birds and mammals of Long Island, including their life cycles, habitats, and natural history. Will will also consider how coyote, turkey, bobwhite quail and other species are returning to Long Island, and the mechanisms for their reintroductions.

Introduction To Observing Wildlife

Become an observer and pay attention when looking out your window, walking outdoors, swimming, or  exploring a park. For more intentional viewing, continue  develop an understanding of animal behavior and their life cycles. When do they mate and breed? What habitats are they most likely found in? 

​Migratory cycles refer to annual or seasonal movements by birds, butterflies, whales, and others, taking advantage of summer breeding and overwintering locations. Do they stay through the winter?  Do they hibernate in a dormant state during the winter, or are they actively seeking food during cold winter days?
Another important step is to learn how to identify wildlife. You can use photo identification apps, but handheld field guides help you realize key differences from species to species, and across habitats. 
Morton Wildlife Refuge 

Terminology

  • Biodiversity refers to the variety of life found; where more diverse populations are more resilient.
  • Population dynamics is the up and down swings of a wildlife population across space and time.
  • Limiting factors  are items in short supply.  Each species requires certain, cover,  habitat structure and size.
  • Fragmentation impacts biodiversity. Some species become isolated and can't maintain viable populations sizes, while others require large home ranges to survive.
  • Endangered and threatened species refer to declining populations.​
  • Reintroductions is the intentional return of wildlife via relocation.  Repopulation is a natural process where wildlife returns on their own as suitable habitat becomes available.
  • Invasive Species disrupt naturally occurring  ecosystems.

A Season Full of Wildlife

Birds & Mammals

Birds

Are you just beginning to be curious about birds? Or are you looking for teacher training?  Master Naturalists has designed a program just for you. It will help you get started.
Bird Conservation
It is critical to protect birds from excessive human activity ( climate change, habitat loss, cat predation).  For example, shoreline nesting birds are declining as due to beach stabilization efforts.  Birds rely on different kinds of habitats (fields, woods, beaches, etc) for different purposes.  When certain habitats are on decline in quality or abundance, the associated bird species requiring these habitats also declines. ​
With declining fields, meadows, and grasslands, many Long Island birds populations are on the decline. This is at the heart of bird conservation, not only protecting bird populations from over consumption, but also protecting enough open space and greenway corridors to maintain population viability.
Another example is the Northern Bobwhite Quail. These birds require a diversity of habitats, which may sound like they are generalists, but actually they require differing habitats for different purposes (breeding, feeding, cover, etc).  

Marine Mammals

For all the time we spend along the coastline, how many of us are privy to the marine mammals that live in neighboring waters? And did you know that increasing whale populations also one of the many nature based solutions to climate change? Pictured on the right, is a breaching humpback whale, taken by Artie Kopelman, CRESLI President, who has answers for many of the questions we may ask: 
  • What about their behavior, life cycles, and survival? 
  • Are whale populations declining or recovering or endangered? 
  • How long do they live and how much do they weigh? 
  • How many marine mammals visit Long Island marine waters?
Photography by Artie Kopelman, President of CRESLI
Additional Resources for Birds & Mammals

Amphibians, Insects, Snakes, Macroinvertabrates, Eels

​​Macroinvertabrates can be seen with the naked eye and they have no backbone

Box Turtles

When can I observe box turtles ?

Box Turtles are reptiles. They don't live in water, but my take a dip. ​
Fine Art Illustration by Beach Oak Designs,  Jenn Lucas, Principal
This quick reference chart  is based on habitat use in Massachusetts. Source: ​Mass.gov: Eastern Box Turtle

Eastern Tiger Salamanders

Where can I observe Eastern Tiger Salamanders?

Ask the experts at SOFO, where they conduct conduct mud turtle/frog and salamander surveys each year during their breeding season.

Photography: South Fork Natural History Museum & Nature Center (SOFO).
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Additional Resources: