Watch Migrating Birds’ Nest, and Pick Up a Native Plant, With the North Fork Audubon Society

It’s easy to become one with nature, and all it takes is quick trip to the North Fork.

Greenport’s Inlet Pond County Park is more than trails, woodlands and beach. It’s also the headquarters of the North Fork Chapter of the Audubon Society (NFAS). Founded in 1971, the nearly-all-volunteer-based organization’s mission is to “connect people with nature” through education, conservation and hands-on experience.

For the last 10 years, Robin Simmen, a board member, landscape designer and chair of the NFAS Landscape Committee, said that one big event the team gets excited for is their annual Spring Native Plant Sale — which is most likely the first, and longest-running, native plant sale on the North Fork.

“Native plant sales have been an amazing way to give people more access to native species,” she said. “They’re not always easy to find, and our local nurseries are doing a better job as more people request them, but it’s been a long time coming for people to find what they’re looking for.”

On May 18 and 19 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., people from all over will flock Greenport and head to the Inlet Pond County Park to check out NFAS’ large selection of native plants — plants that have occurred naturally in a particular region, ecosystem or habitat without human introduction. Simmen said that learning, and planting, these plants is important because one small plant could have a huge impact on the local wildlife.

“We don’t learn a lot about plants as a consequence to our native species,” she said, noting the butterfly weed (asclepias tuberosa) — something that has been deemed a nuisance on Long Island lawns, but is instrumental for the life of a monarch butterfly.

“For many years, people thought that they were supposed to plant other things like tulips, daffodils, but animals and birds depend on the plants that live here,” Simmen said. “Wildlife populations are plummeting as a result, so what we can do is research what was here before and help bring it back.”

By learning about what plants should be in our backyards to help insects, birds and animals survive, “we can educate ourselves and understand what the bigger picture is between what I plant on my land and what birds will come into my yard,” she added.

Come Fly With Them

NFAS’ work is known to support birds and preserve local wildlife, along with their habitats, locally on the East End and beyond by hosting online webinars, in-person programs and their well-known, popular bird walks for people of all ages. These bird walks happen twice a week and often have a solid group of people ready to visit various spots across Long Island to spot our flying friends.

“A big focus is to preserve and celebrate our wonderful native habitat for all the migratory birds,” Simmen said. “We’re so privileged living on the East End to have all of the world’s birds flying over us. We want to make it a welcoming place for them.”

Because of changes in habitat, environment and even climate, various species of birds’ migrations schedules have been interfered with, and sadly, some groups have slowly started to die off. By planting native plants and making small changes, Simmen said she’s personally seen a change in her own backyard.

“Nature lovers want to do everything we can to restore our native habitat for birds and wildlife since so many have declined,” she said. “They’re not getting the food or the habitat they used to thrive in. Our focus on sustainable horticulture helps us understand how important it is to make sure the changes we make for our landscape are healthy for us and for our wildlife.”

By planting black-eyed Susan’s (rudbeckia hirta), aster’s (from the asteraceae family) and other seed-bearing plants, Simmen has seen an increase in different finches and warblers.

“I see a relationship between what I plant the birds in my yard,” she said. “They live where they can find food to eat.”

The Spring Sale

One week before the sale, the 60+ species of plants will be listed online to give patrons an idea on what will be available for purchasing. Of those 60, all are native to the northeastern part of the U.S. and are drought and deer resistant.

Also on sale will be winterberries — a type of plant that are not only pretty, but also essential to support migrating and overwintering bird species. NFAS’ newest program, “Berries for Birds” is an effort to help plant these native berry-producing plants and help them survive.

“They’re a beautiful tree shrub that has bright red berries throughout the winter,” Simmen said. “That’s a popular one at the sale, and birds love them and depend on them.”

Simmen said that in previous years, other plants have sold quickly due to their popularity. The blue flag iris (iris versicolor) is “gorgeous, native to here and throughout the coast of New England … it’s just a really beautiful plant.”

Others to be found during the sale are wild geranium’s (geranium maculatum) and beebalms (monarda) – which bees adore, but deer hate.

All the proceeds from the sale will go to habitat restorations — buying native plants for the Inlet Pond County Park and back to NFAS’ efforts to continue educating people.

“This is what we’ve been doing for our entire history,” Simmen said. “We connect people with nature because we’re part of it and it is so important to understand our place in it.”

Nature and Nurture Can Be Found by Volunteering

While NFAS’ calendar of events (which can be found online) is long and busy, different levels of education and bird watching are available. Every Tuesday and Friday, beginner bird lovers or veterans can head with the group to different parts of the island, early in the morning, to catch a glimpse of a flock that one might have never seen before. If hiking isn’t that appealing, other educational programs are available through Zoom, including “Fa La La, Cheep, Cheep … Songbirds of LI.”

NFAS also hosts the Young Naturalist Club at Inlet Pond County Park, where for a few hours once a month, kids ages 7 to 12 get to hike and spot different birds along with other fun indoor and outdoor activities. This month, on Saturday, May 11, they will journey to spot migrating warblers and celebrate World Migratory Bird Day.

“At these events, you will meet likeminded people who really love the natural world on the East End of Long Island and learn so much about birds, the environment and what they can do to make this a healthier, more bird friendly place for all of us,” Simmen said. “We have a lot of fun.”

Peggy Lauber, president of NFAS, added that the group is also always looking for new volunteers since they focus on a lot more than just how plants can impact birds. To name a few of their other initiatives, they advocate to help reduce plastic pollution, work to reduce light pollution, highlight the risks climate change poses to bird populations and the loss of shorelines where many species of bird’s nest, while also covering wildlife like otters, foxes and coyotes.

“Everything we do is to get people off their cell phones and enjoy the outdoors,” Lauber said. “While it’s definitely grown in interest, we’re all about getting new people involved.”

Simmen added that while it’s on the North Fork, everyone from everywhere is welcome.

The Spring Plant Sale will be showcased May 18 and 19 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Roy Latham Nature Center at Inlet Pond County Park, 65275 County Road 48 in Greenport. Cash, check and credit will be accepted.