HUSSING POND, MATTITUCK
Hussing Pond is a little slip of a place, but as the old saying goes, good things come in small packages. Even though it is small in area, various habitats are packed into a condensed space, which attracts different species. So, it is a fine spot to visit if one’s time is limited, or in combination with other North Fork locations close by (for example, Fort Corchaug or Lake Maratooka in Mattituck on a winter duck scout adventure). Husing Pond, acquired by the Nature Conservancy several years ago, is in Mattituck on Peconic Bay Blvd., south of Route 25.
The preserve has unique plants, oak, hickory and flowering trees, with an undergrowth of vines and briars. On a recent visit, I noticed that some work has been done to remove invasive wild rose shrubs. One of the special features of Husing Pond is a fresh water pond and its adjacent red maple swamp. The pond is, however, surrounded by invasive phragmites, blocking off clear views of the pond. One opening was created offering a view of the pond from a memorial, where one can view the Osprey nesting platform.
The memorial bench area is the first off-shoot on the sole path that runs the length of the preserve. The trail first passes through oak and hickory trees. Another off-shoot from the trail opens onto an open field and one more branches off onto a board walk through the phragmites, ending at an open deck with a bench. The above mentioned field is private property, but do scan for the occasional raptor or swallows in season. The bench on the boardwalk is a great place to sit a moment or eat a snack. The Osprey platform is readily visible from there. Be on the look-out for the swans, especially if one is eating! In the fall and winter, I have seen Hooded Mergansers, Ring-necked Ducks, American Wigeons, Black Ducks, Buffleheads and Mallards. I have also seen Ruddy Ducks there, but not in recent years. In winter many residents will be seen, as well as over-wintering Yellow-rumped Warblers, Juncos, White-throated Sparrows, occasional Kinglets, Brown Creepers or Fox Sparrows.
The list of migrating species that use Husing Pond is impressive. I’ve seen at least 14 species of warbler; two of them, Yellow and Common Yellowthroat nest there. I’ve taken great pleasure in observing the territorial displays and nesting behavior of the Yellow Warbler. Husing Pond is near to the bay shore, so at any time of year water and shorebirds can be seen stopping in or flying overhead. During breeding season, Common and Little (Least) Terns feed on the pond. Also, during nesting season, Red-winged Blackbirds are awash in the reeds and their calls can be quite deafening. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can be seen nesting there as well. Because of the small size of the area, there is not a great variety of nesters within the preserve, however many species utilize it or nest nearby.
Husing Pond is surrounded by houses and yards, and one disadvantage is that the sounds of human activities are all around. Recently, at the north end of the adjacent open field accessible from a spur path off the main trail mentioned above, is now a horse stable. Be mindful, the field is not part of Husing Pond. Be watchful as well; even though only foot traffic is allowed occasionally someone will ride a horse on the trail, so look our for manure piles!
The last section of the main trail going past the boardwalk path changes elevation a bit. It passes by the horse stable on one side and the other side is the red maple swamp. The trail ends at a private house and the tour of Husing Pond continues with the reverse journey to the trail head.
Good Birding, Jody
HUSSING POND LIST
YEAR-ROUND RESIDENTS
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Mute Swan
Downy Woodpecker
Canada Geese
Hairy Woodpecker
Herring Gull
Flicker
Ring-billed Gull
American Crow
Great Black-backed Gull
Blue Jay
Cardinal
White-breasted Nuthatch
Chickadee
Titmouse
Mourning Dove
Carolina Wren
Mockingbird
Starling
Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Song Sparrow
SPRING/FALL MIGRATION VISITORS
Warblers
Ovenbird
Magnolia Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Canada Warbler
Redstart
Northern Parula
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Pine Warbler
Connecticut Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler
Black & White Warbler
Bird of Prey
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Water Birds
Black Skimmer
Pied-billed Grebe
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Ruddy Duck
Great Blue Heron
Woods
White-breasted Nuthatch (nest nearby)
Brown Creeper
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Purple Finch
Eastern Phoebe
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Eastern Towhee (nest nearby)
Blue-gray Gnatcatchers
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo (nests nearby)
Common Nighthawk
SUMMER BREEDERS
(or seen overhead, nearby)
Yellow Warbler
Barn Swallow
Common Yellowthroat
Tree Swallow
Baltimore Oriole
Chimney Swift
Brown Thrasher
Purple Martin
Catbird
Cedar Waxwing
Double-crested Cormorant
House Wren
Osprey
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Tern
Common Grackle
Least Tern
Eastern Kingbird
Great Egret
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Snowy Egret
Warbling Vireo
Green Heron
Great-crested Flycatcher
Belted Kingfisher
LET'S GO "DUCKING" on the North Fork with Jody
WINTER DUCKS ON THE NORTH FORK
DIRECTIONS:
From the west on Route 25, just past a gas station & McDonald’s (south of Rt.25) is a stop light. Make a right turn onto Sigsbee Road at that light. Sigsbee Road intersects with Peconic Bay Blvd. in about ½ mile. Turn right. Proceed .2 miles to a parking on the left by the baseball fields. Walk across the street back a few yards to the trail head.
From the east on Route 25, after village of Mattituck, make a left turn onto Bay Ave. A HESS gas station is on the corner. On Bay Ave. look for Peconic Bay Blvd. Turn right. (Veteran’s Beach Park is on south side of Peconic Bay Blvd.) Continue on .4 miles to parking area on left. Walk across street to trail head.
