Our winter started off with an eruption of celebrations starting with the Refuge’s 80th Anniversary Celebration which was enjoyed by over 400 visitors, followed by the Holiday Open House made wonderful with music played by Jim Badzik; and ending December with a celebration of the solstice weekend during our peaceful Light the Night Winter Trail Walks enjoyed by 100 guests. We welcome the quiet of January so that we can plan for 2015. Quite is relative though, as we were very busy keeping up with snowstorms and blizzard Juno, doing our best to ensure the safety of the resident animals and visitors. Lots of folks enjoyed our cross country ski and snow shoe rentals. This is a free benefit to our members. Please remember to renew your membership today if you haven’t already, as your support is essential. A Refuge Membership also makes a nice gift for any nature lover.
In our last newsletter we reported on the building of a Greenhouse behind the Butterfly Garden. We are happy to announce that our tortoises have moved into it and they love it! We will be announcing the opening of it to the public in the spring.
Throughout the winter months, many schools opt to invite QWE into their classroom for live animal programs, specifically Meet the Animals, Birds of Prey, and Reptiles programs. These programs are well received by all, and the students learn about native wildlife. We also teach programs for Scouts, and host Green Birthday Programs for children as well.
A few interesting birds were brought into the Refuge for release on Old Ice Pond. These birds, including a white-winged scoter found the beach and a horned grebe found on the road, are examples of bird species that are unable to take flight from the ground. They actually need to patter across water to gain flight, therefore becoming stranded when they arrive on dry ground. The legs of the these birds are very far back on their body, making it difficult for them to walk on land. Old Ice Pond provided a good place for them to drink, recover, and take flight.
A fun new work to use when you want to get out of the house and into the woods is shinrin-yoko, which is Japanese for forest bathing, or the medicine of being in the forest. We all know how wonderful it feel to just be present in nature, surrounded by trees. When you are in need of some peace and stillness, and a craving a reconnection to yourself and nature, know that you are always invited to Quogue Wildlife Refuge for some shinrin-yoku, as the Refuge is open for your enjoyment daily from sunrise to sunset.
– Marisa Nelson