NEWS AND UPCOMING COURSES:River Otter Sightings and Sign
The River Otter is a member of the Mustelid family with a characteristic weasel-like body (long and slim with short legs). Fully grown, it weighs 20 pounds and averages 3.5-4 feet in length, with its unusually-shaped tail being one-third of that. Its short, dense fur is dark brown with a light-colored throat, and its feet are webbed.
It is difficult to confuse an otter on land with anything else. But in the water, relative body size and shape can be difficult to determine. Our most common aquatic mammal, the muskrat, is much smaller. Watch carefully and note how the animal is swimming. Does it stop and raise its head and shoulders above the water, like a periscope (otter)? Is there vegetation trailing from its mouth (muskrat)? Is it taking a fairly direct route and staying at the surface (muskrat), or twisting and turning and disappearing below the surface (otter)? River Otters are elusive and not easy to observe in the wild, therefore most surveys document their presence by finding and mapping their sign. Otter sign includes tracks, scat, other scent secretions, and slides. Tracking is a very useful survey technique in regions that have long periods of snow cover. Otter slides are much rarer than the popular literature would make them appear; in many cases what some people describe as otter slides on the banks of rivers were created by waterfowl climbing in and out of the water. The Long Island River Otter Survey is relying on scat and other scent secretions left by otters. Otter scat is an unmistakable pile of fish scales and bones bound together with a sweet-smelling, blackish-green coating. Over time, weather and sun turns this into a loose pile of bleached fish remains. They also secrete a very distinctive, white, jelly-like substance. Both are a means of communication among otters, and are often left near areas where otter must exit the water to get around a dam or other obstacle, or to travel overland to reach another pond or creek, and on points of land that jut into a waterway. Biologists refer to these places as otter latrine sites. Otter scat can be analyzed in a lab to determine how many individual otters are using a particular latrine site, and to estimate the otter population of a particular region. We need your help! Please report sightings or sign of River Otter to Mike Bottini Phone: (631) 267-5228 E-mail: mike@peconic.org posted by mike # 3/21/2009
 Slide Show: 2008 Long Island River Otter Survey
Mike Bottini will present the results of his 2008 L.I. River Otter Survey, as well as interesting historical and ecological information about this species.
Dates and locations: Wed. March 4, 2009 at 7pm. Friends of the Bay, Oyster Bay (http://friendsofthebay.org) Wed. March 25, 2009 at 7:30pm. Quogue Wildlife Refuge (www.quoguewildliferefuge.com) Wed. May 6, 2009 at 6pm. Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt (http://www.longpondgreenbelt.org) posted by mike # 3/01/2009
Seal Observation Walks: 2009 Join Mike on a 3 mile (round trip) hike to view seals and learn about their habits, adaptations, and population trends in the Long Island region. Dress warm and wear comfortable hiking shoes; we will be outdoors for 2.5 hours. Binoculars recommended but not necessary; a spotting scope will be available. This program is sponsored by New York State Parks, and is scheduled to coincide with low tide, when seals are most likely to be basking on rocks. Strong northerly wind and wave conditions prohibit basking. Meet at the Montauk Point concession area. FEE: $5/person ($3 for children). Call 631-668-5000 for reservations and additional information. DATES&TIMES: 3/21@10am, 3/22@10am, 3/28@2pm, 4/4@10am, 4/5@10am, 4/11@2pm. posted by mike # 12/21/2008
AUGUST KAYAK TOURS HICKS ISLAND PADDLE Tuesday August 19 5:30 pm - 8 pm A circumnavigation of this remote island boasting remnants of a menhaden fish processing factory dating back to the 18oos and a designated bird sanctuary. MECOX BAY PADDLE Thursday August 21 5:30 pm - 8 pm Learn about this unique waterbody, Long Island's largest that is periodically open to the ocean, and its diverse wildlife. ACCABONAC HARBOR TOUR Wednesday August 27 5:30 pm- 8 pm The classic tour of my favorite harbor. EARLY BIRD SUNRISE PADDLE TO CARTWRIGHT ISLAND Sunday August 10, 2008 5:30 am- 7:30 am PLACE: Barnes Hole Road beach, East Hampton. Weather permitting, we'll paddle the one mile crossing of Gardiners Bay to Cartwright Island, a private bird nesting sanctuary that is off limits to landing. We will circumnavigate this tiny but interesting island before returning, a 3 mile R/T. CEDAR POINT FULL MOON TOUR Saturday August 16 6 pm - 9 pm Bring a picnic dinner for this paddle along Hedges Bank and around Cedar Point into Northwest Harbor. We'll stop to enjoy the sunset before continuing by the light of the moon. All trips are led by naturalist Mike Bottini and are suitable for novice paddlers (no first-timers please... participants should have some paddling experience). FEE: $20 per tour RENTALS: Single kayaks = $30/tour; tandem kayaks = $50/tour (seats 2). REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Call 631-267-5228 or e-mail mike@peconic.org to register and get directions. posted by mike # 7/28/2008
KAYAK INSTRUCTION Learn paddling, bracing, maneuvering and rescue skills, and build confidence for future trips and explorations. Kayaks, lifejackets and paddles will be provided. EAST HAMPTON Location: Alberts Landing Beach, Amagansett Eligibility: Minimum age = 10 Fees: $100 Each program consists of 3 two-hour classes: Program 1: August 4, 5 and 7 (M-T-Th) [10:00 a.m. - noon] Program 2: (ADULTS ONLY): August 11, 12, 13 (M-T-W) [6 pm–8 pm] SOUTHAMPTON Location: Long Beach, Noyac Eligibility: Minimum age = 10 Fees: Resident $100 Non-Resident $110 Each program consists of 3 two-hour classes: ADULTS ONLY Program: August 4, 5 & 6 (M-T-W) [6:00 - 8:00 p.m.] YOUTH & ADULT Program: August 12, 13 &14 (T-W-Th) [10:00 a.m. – noon] posted by mike # 7/28/2008
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