Herald gumem 22 August 84 Stone Harbor Sidewalk Sale_ SH~5 o': .. , . s - ' 1 $

Stone Harbor Sanctuary , A Unique Attraction For Birds and People

• STONE HARBOR - What has only one counterpart anywhere in the world, and that across the Pacific near Tokyo, Japan? The answer is the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary, which is the only heronry in the United States sponsored by a municipality. The birds' refuge is registered as a National Landmark by the National N Park Services. \ THE BIRDS came to Stone Harbor long before there was a sanctuary or even a town, because they liked the thickets of cedar, holly, sassafras, and bayberry. The adjacent marshes provided ample feeding grounds. The area contains approximately 21 acres of vegetation and trees, located in the southern end of the borough on Third Avenue between 111th and 117th Streets. The tract was set aside as a bird sanctuary in 1947 at the suggestion of the Wilmer Stone Club, a local wildlife organizaiton. VISITORS ARE not permitted to enter the sanctuary, but the parking lot • on Third Avenue provides an excellent vantage point to view the nesting birds. At this spot there is a display to help visitors identify the birds. There

are also coin-operated binoculars for those who want a closer view. Over 125,000 persons visit the sanctuary each year, from all 50 states and more than 50 foreign countries. AT THE HEIGHT of the nesting season some 10,000 birds, including seven species of herons and the glossy ibis occupy the sanctuary. During the nesting season, which starts shortly after the birds arrive from the south on or about March 15, and lasts untfl sometime in July or early August, many birds can be seen flying out to the feeding areas and back to the sanctuary throughout the day. After the nesting season, few birds remain in the sanctuary during the day as all birds; except the night herons leave for the feeding areas at daybreak and return during the twohour period before sunset. EVEN DURING the nesting season, more birds leave and return at these hours than at any other time during the day. The night herons reverse the * regular procedure by leaving for the feeding areas at night and returning in the morning. '.As winter approaches the birds begin to migrate to Florida and other southern

states, and by the end of November, practically all have left except a few herons, which occasionally remain during the winter. Birds which nest in the sanctuary include great egrets, snowy egrets, green herons, little blue herons, Louisiana herons, and glossy ibises (all long legged wading birds); blackcrowned and yellowcrowned night herons; and cattle egrets. WITH THE exception of the cattle egrets, which fly to farms in the southwest part of Cape May County to feed on insects near the cattle, all others feed on fish, frogs, and other acquatic animals along the inland waterways — in shallow Waaler, at the water's edge, or in the marshes. The list of notables who have visited the sanctuary includes the late Arthur" Godfrey and Charles A. Lindbergh, who wrote following his visit: "I want to tell you how interesting I found the earlydawn flight of the birds to be — the mist of wings ris* ing from tree branches — the Altering upward of more feathered bodies through the leaves — the seemingly endless supply of birds, as though they were emerging from the earth itself."

■*5"" Z WINQ? v wATea Truly an area celebration of our unique environment! Again this year there will be exhibits, tours and special events throughout the weekend and you'll find all the features, photos and schedules in Tte Herald and Lantern. A great opportunity for area businesses to show their support and display their products or services to the many visitors attending. LOOK FOR THE' OFFICIAL PROGRAM IN THE SEPT. 12TH * cCO5wttt RSIIF OF THE l-w-'

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