LET'S GO "DUCKING" on the North Fork with Jody
WINTER DUCKS ON THE NORTH FORK
ARSHAMOMAQUE
SOUTHOLD
Arshamomaque Preserve, representing a partnership between the Town of Southold and The Peconic Land Trust, opened to the public in 2004. Three trails pass through the varied habitats with a newly constructed observation platform. Along the main loop trail (Red Trail) are well made, and well placed, benches. Besides the main loop trail there are, to date, two other pathways; one curving through open forest past vernal ponds (Blue Trail), and the other passes in between two halves of the fresh water pond (Green Trail). Each trail has something to offer, so plan on time to explore. Doing the slow birder’s walk usually takes me 2 l/2 to 3 hours.
The trailhead is on the west side of Chapel Lane in Greenport. (Although there is also a trail entrance on Route 48 before Chapel Lane, I don’t recommend this because the shoulder is narrow and the road is busy with fast moving traffic.) Chapel Lane is accessible from either Rt. 48 (North Road) or from Rt. 25 (Main Road). There is space for 3 or 4 cars at the roadside and a large signboard with an aerial photo view marking the spot.
After entering the wide pathway, there is a wooden bridge spanning a low area that can be quite wet during the rainy season providing some good bird action. The entrance path intersects with the main Red Trail. At the “t” intersection, going to the left, the first area of note is a meadow/grassy area with cherry trees. You will also find a multi-use nest box on a pole and various house wren boxes. A bench is found there as well. Continuing along the main trail, the Blue Trail branches off as the Red Trail curves west (both are marked).
The Red Trail makes its way past brambles, vines, locust trees and newly created clearings. Along the way you may find migrating or nesting warblers, thrushes, sparrows, as well as the resident species. A small open grove of locust and maple trees is a good spot to stop and listen. The grove also marks an edge to one of the fingers of the fresh water ponds, with its muddy edge, reeds and cattails. The trail continues past another arm of the pond on the left (south). On the right is a larger recently cleared area with wild flowers, grasses and more nesting boxes. The Red Trail comes to a “t” intersection; the way on the left leads to the old irrigation pond and another bench. The bramble area surrounding the trail is loaded with Yellow Warblers, Catbirds, Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles and occasionally Cedar Waxwings.
Back at the “t” intersection, follow the Red Trail to the right (or straight ahead, depending on your perspective). This section of the path winds through more brambles, Russian Olives and is lined with pockets of grasses and colorful wild flowers. Catbirds, Robins, Towhees, Goldfinch, House & Carolina Wrens, Yellow & Common Yellowthroat Warblers abound in season. Along this section there are a few birch and cherry trees that attract insect eaters and are worth a pause and listen. The Red Trail passes through a grassy section before approaching the eastern wooded edge of the preserve. There is another bench in the middle of the grasses and around the edges are nesting boxes for Tree Swallows and House Wrens. Ahead is the mixed hardwood and pine tree forest edge. Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Oriole have nested here in previous seasons, as well as Blue-winged Warblers. The trail will then junction at the beginning of the trailhead, where you can exit to the left (east) if you choose.
The Blue Trail, which begins off the Red Trail south of the trailhead “t” intersection, winds past vernal ponds through wooded areas, open groves and a section of the larger fresh water pond. The trail curves to the right (northwest) over a bridge. To the left is a large fresh water pond with its muddy, wet edges. The larger trees host a variety of warblers during migration and wood duck boxes are located at the vernal ponds. The Blue Trail ends and joins the Red Trail (main loop trail) along an edge of the fresh water marsh which passes through the open stand of locust & maples.
The Green Trail, nicknamed the “Rail Trail” (yes, rails are seen there!), is the newest trail, created in 2005. It runs down a small spine of land between the west and east sections of the fresh water pond. The fresh water pond is one of the features that make this preserve unique. Most marshes on the North Fork are tidal and salty, and different habitats bring different birds. The Green Trail can be accessed off the Red Trail; a small path is visible, cut through taller grass. The first bridge is visible as the trail begins its passage between the sections of pond. The trail goes over two bridges and ends at a brand new observation platform. Lots of activity along here, birds as well as mosquitoes, so be prepared.
In my opinion Arshamomaque is the gem of the North Fork. A large piece of this preserve was once part of my family’s land holdings and I remember walking on the farm with my Dad. It was magical to me as a youngster and it is still magical to me as a middle-ager. I hope you will find it magical as well.
Good Birding, Jody
ARSHAMOMAQUE LIST
MIGRANTS:
Great Blue Heron
Hermit Thrush
Wood Pewee
Orchard Oriole
Least Flycatcher
American Redstart
Rough-winged Swallow
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black & White Warbler
White-throated Sparrow
Yellow-rump Warbler
Eastern Phoebe
Hooded Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Red-eyed Vireo
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Common Nighthawk
Kingbird
Louisiana Waterthrush
Chat
RESIDENTS:
European Starling
Song Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Cardinal
Tufted Titmouse
Black-capped Chickadee
Downy Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Mourning Dove
American Crow
Blue Jay
Carolina Wren
House Finch
Herring Gull
Greater Black-backed Gull
BREEDERS:
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbirds
Common Grackle
Eastern Towhee
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler
Catbird
Wood Thrush
Robin
Tree Swallow
Great-crested Flycatcher
White-breasted Nuthatch
Cedar Waxwing
Brown Thrasher
White-eyed Vireo
Brown-headed Cowbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
House Wren
Swamp Sparrow
Virginia Rail
Red-tailed Hawk
Mallard
Wood Duck
Mute Swan
Green Heron
Osprey
Least Tern
Common Tern
Barn Swallow
Chimney Swift
Great Egret
Directions:
From the west on Rt. 48 (North Road) approximately ¼ mile east of the Soundview Restaurant, turn right (south) onto Chapel Lane. Approx. .2 miles on right is a dirt turn-off where you can park.
From the west on Rt. 25 (Main Road) approx. l/4 mile east from Drossos Motel Complex and the LIPA plant entrance, turn left onto Chapel Lane (north). Approx. .2 miles is a dirt turn-off on the left. The large signboard is visible.
From the east on Rt. 48 (North Road) approx. l/4 mile west of the Sunset Motel on right (north) and San Simeon Nursing Home on left, move into left turn land and turn left onto Chapel Lane (south). Approx. .2 miles is a dirt turn-off on the right (west).
From the east on Rt. 25 (Main Road), from Greenport Village, approx. l/4 mile west of the Lutheran Church, turn right (north) onto Chapel Lane. Approx. .2 miles is a dirt shoulder with the large signboard visible.
