Exciting October Events - Join us in the Greenbelt!
Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt
October 2021
FLPG’s Sundays @ 2 Programming Returns
In September, Steve Young, chief botanist for the New York Nature Heritage Program, returned to present on the unique diversity of coastal ponds of the Long Pond Greenbelt. If you missed it, visit the New York Nature Heritage Program website at https://www.nynhp.org/ for more information. FLPG’s next event is on Sunday, October 17, at 2 pm, when John Shemilt of the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) will present on the life cycle of the Purple Martin and his experience monitoring the colony of man-made gourds that house SOFO’s population of Purple Martins. Details to follow closer to the event.
Northern Water Snake Spotted in Long Pond
FLPG supporter Rob Federico spotted this snake at Long Pond and it reminded him of a Water Moccasin! It is a Northern Water Snake, often confused with the venomous Water Moccasin. Its coloration is similar, but the Northern Water Snake has blotchy markings and the Water Moccasin has bands. These snakes live in freshwater wetlands and feed on fish, frogs, toads, salamanders, insects, and mice. They are excellent swimmers who patrol the water with only their heads above the surface. When threatened, they are able to fully submerge for up to an hour. Predators include otters, hawks, and egrets, as well as other snakes (Northern Black Racers), and even large predacious fish, such as Pike and Bass. This snake is non-venomous but will release a powerful musk when threatened. As fall arrives, an ‘aggregation’ of snakes will group together and brumate (awake but inactive) until early Spring.
Snakeman Chris Chapin also reports that Northern Water Snakes in the Long Pond Greenbelt are different from those on the rest of Long Island. These and the snakes in Montauk have no visible banding and are instead, uniformly dark brown. In addition, the Long Pond snakes lack the row of crescent marks running the length of the underside and have no bright colors at all on the belly. The Montauk snakes also lack crescents but have some yellow and red on the belly.
FLPG Board Members Advocate for Greenbelt at Airport Workshops
The Town of East Hampton conducted four virtual workshops in September to give stakeholders the opportunity to voice their concerns about the future of the airport. Board members Dai Dayton, Sharone Einhorn, and Peter Wilson collectively represented FLPG at two of the workshops, recording FLPG’s position that air traffic over the Greenbelt is inconsistent with its status as a nature preserve. FLPG members can advocate for restoring tranquility to the Greenbelt by sending correspondence via email to ReEnvisionHTO@easthamptonny.gov or via regular mail to the East Hampton Town Clerk at 159 Pantigo Rd, East Hampton, New York 11937.
Upcoming Events in October
Important: Maximum 25 attendees - to register, please email or call (as noted in event detail). Masks required for unvaccinated participants. Priority at all events given to 2021 FLPG Members. Dress appropriately for ticks.
Saturday, October 2 – Tree ID Trail Hike, 10AM-Noon. Join certified arborist Jackson Dodds for an easy-paced, three-mile hike along the William B. Sickles Tree ID Trail with views of Crooked Pond, Deer Drink, and Long Pond. Meet at the Long Pond Greenbelt Nature Center, 1016 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Tpk., Bridgehampton. For more information, call 631-745-0689.
Saturday, October 9 – Annual Celebration of the Long Pond Greenbelt, 10AM-1PM. Co-sponsored by FLPG and the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO).
Saturday, October 16 – Old Farm Road Cleanup, 8:00AM-9:00AM. Help clean up the roadside along FLPG’s adopted road. Meet at Poxabogue Park, 191 Old Farm Road, Sagaponack. Bring gloves. Bags are provided. For more information, contact Peter Wilson, 631-553-1393.
Sunday, October 17 – Purple Martin Life Cycle, Eggs, and Hatched Chicks with John Shemilt, SOFO Purple Martin Steward, 2:00PM. Details to come.
Wednesday, October 20 - Full Hunter’s Moon Hike, 6:30PM-7:30PM. Co-sponsored by FLPG and the SOFO. Native Americans named this bright moon for the light it shone for hunters on the animals that came out to eat the fallen grain following the harvest. Join us for this leisurely-paced, one-hour hike in Vineyard Field. Meet at the SOFO parking lot, 377 Bridgehampton Turnpike, 200 yards north of the RR tracks. To register, email: greenbeltnews@aol.com. Leader: Jean Mc Dermott, 631-599-2391.
Our 2021 Membership Drive is Underway
It's Time to Renew!
Suggested annual membership donations. More or less is welcome.
1-year Individual: $ 25.00
1-year Family: $ 40.00
Individual Lifetime: $250.00
Click here to print a membership form and mail your check
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