Master Naturalist Wildlife of Long Island Module
Please go to Master Naturalists to register. Then complete Wildlife of Long Island Meaningful Homework to receive credit.
Overview
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 also consider how coyote, turkey, bobwhite quail and other species are returning to Long Island, and the mechanisms for their reintroductions. Become more aware of such conservation biology terms as endangered species.
Conservation Biology
Conservation Biology
- Conservation Biology is the scientific study of nature with the aim of protecting species, their habitats, and ecosystems.
- Biodiversity refers the variety of life found; where more diverse populations are more resilient.
- Fragmentation of habitats by over development also impacts biodiversity. Some species become isolated and can't maintain viable populations sizes, while others require large home ranges to survive.
- Life Cycles - the series of changes in the life of an organism, including reproduction.
- Habitats - that which wildlife requires and includes their home range (open space needs) and their needs for cover (shelter), food, and water. That which is in short supply is known as a limiting factor. Each species requires and benefits from differing habitats.
- Population Dynamics - up and down swings of a wildlife population across space and time.
- Endangered and Threatened species refer to declining populations.
Nature Journal Entries
Contributed by Quality Parks Master Naturalist Graduate Kathy Clark
Contributed By Quality Parks Master Naturalist Graduate Mary Keller
Our guide for the morning began the session by identifying a number of birds around the property and discussing whether they were native or an introduced and/or invasive (exotic) species. For example, the Starling is an introduced and invasive (or exotic) species, as is the house sparrow. After our bird discussion, our guide gave us a tour of the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, pointing out the various fish, turtles, frogs, toads and snakes while identifying those that were native to Long Island. The snakes intrigued me and I looked into this a bit more. During the day, it was mentioned that there are 11 species of snakes on Long Island. Looking at various sources, I discovered that this number various from 10 on the Group for the East End website to 13 on the Hofstra site. According to the Group for the East End, snakes found on Long Island are Eastern Milk, Northern Ringneck, Eastern Hognose, Smooth Green, Eastern Worm, Northern Black Racer, Eastern Garter, Eastern Ribbon, Northern Water and the Northern Brown Snakes. The last 4 give birth to live young. (1)
From time to time we stopped and had discussions about management of the white tailed deer, the wild turkey and the Canada goose. We also talked about the comeback of the coyote and river otter. According to the DEC “human development makes surprisingly good coyote habitat. The abundant food supply makes living close to people possible”. A study at Cornell University found that coyotes in suburbia tried to avoid dense residential areas. (2)
The Wild Turkey, which disappeared from the area in the 1840s due to “deforestation, poor hunting management and industrialization”, was reintroduced during the 1990s. After 15 years, the DEC decided that the species had made enough of a comeback to allow a short turkey hunting season of 5 days. The estimated populated is about 3000 birds. (3) The fall 2012 bag count for Suffolk County was 110 birds. (4).
The Department of Conservation also seeks help from citizens in collecting database on furbearing animals, turkeys, frogs and toad. There are various surveys on the DEC site to report sighting of different species. Anyone interested can access the surveys at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/1155.html
Field Training
Attend Quality Parks Master Naturalist Workshop or attend two LI events (upland and marine wildlife). Document. See below for some ideas:
References
Our guide for the morning began the session by identifying a number of birds around the property and discussing whether they were native or an introduced and/or invasive (exotic) species. For example, the Starling is an introduced and invasive (or exotic) species, as is the house sparrow. After our bird discussion, our guide gave us a tour of the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, pointing out the various fish, turtles, frogs, toads and snakes while identifying those that were native to Long Island. The snakes intrigued me and I looked into this a bit more. During the day, it was mentioned that there are 11 species of snakes on Long Island. Looking at various sources, I discovered that this number various from 10 on the Group for the East End website to 13 on the Hofstra site. According to the Group for the East End, snakes found on Long Island are Eastern Milk, Northern Ringneck, Eastern Hognose, Smooth Green, Eastern Worm, Northern Black Racer, Eastern Garter, Eastern Ribbon, Northern Water and the Northern Brown Snakes. The last 4 give birth to live young. (1)
From time to time we stopped and had discussions about management of the white tailed deer, the wild turkey and the Canada goose. We also talked about the comeback of the coyote and river otter. According to the DEC “human development makes surprisingly good coyote habitat. The abundant food supply makes living close to people possible”. A study at Cornell University found that coyotes in suburbia tried to avoid dense residential areas. (2)
The Wild Turkey, which disappeared from the area in the 1840s due to “deforestation, poor hunting management and industrialization”, was reintroduced during the 1990s. After 15 years, the DEC decided that the species had made enough of a comeback to allow a short turkey hunting season of 5 days. The estimated populated is about 3000 birds. (3) The fall 2012 bag count for Suffolk County was 110 birds. (4).
The Department of Conservation also seeks help from citizens in collecting database on furbearing animals, turkeys, frogs and toad. There are various surveys on the DEC site to report sighting of different species. Anyone interested can access the surveys at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/1155.html
Field Training
Attend Quality Parks Master Naturalist Workshop or attend two LI events (upland and marine wildlife). Document. See below for some ideas:
- Atlantic Marine Conservation Society is the lead on whale rescue and regional response
- Four Harbors Audubon - outings around the Smithtown, Setauket, Port Jefferson, Mt. Sinai area and other locatons
- Friends of Long Pond Greenbelt Calendar - variable events can tie into many session topics
- Quality Parks - offering Master Naturalist field training and other events
- Riverhead Foundation is the lead on seals, dolphins, and turtle rescues.
- SOFO - South Fork Natural History Museum & Nature Center Calendar - variable events can tie into many session topics
- Volunteers for Wildlife (Locust Valley)
- Wild Dog Foundation - you'll have to contact them and see if they're offering any events
- Three Village Historical Society - they've held oyster shellfish history events
References
- Amphibians and Reptiles of Long Island, Staten Island and Manhattan
- Bird Calls and Songs
- Coyotes. Department of Environmental Conservation
- Deer Protection and Management Advisory Committee and its Deer Protection Plan (Town of Southampton)
- Long Island Deer Management - help better manage the Whitetail Deer population on Long Island
- Fall Turkey Count by County. Department of Environmental Conservation
- Hunting on Long Island. Department of Environmental Conservation
- Insect Identification
- Mammal Checklist
- Snakes of Long Island, Group for the East End
