Arthur H Kuntz County Park/Nissequogue River State Park

Hi guys! I know I am inexcusably late with the next few entries, I am sorry, but I am back to catch you up on all of my birding trips since we last spoke. Let’s just dive right in with our first trip, Arthur H Kuntz County Park/Nissequogue River State Park. This entry is a little different from those I typically write about here, mostly because I was not contained to just one park and instead stayed along the Greenbelt Trail. Starting from Smithtown Landing Golf Course I followed the river through Arthur H Kuntz County Park, spent some time following the trail along town roads and finally found myself in Nissequogue River State Park ending at Kings Park Bluff.

This was one of my most ambitious solo birding trips to date. Typically if I am going out on my own it is to an area I am very familiar with or a smaller park (less risk of getting lost). I am the first to admit that my sense of direction is appalling and combine that with the distraction of searching for birds I am likely to walk off a cliff. But one day back in September I woke up with a fire lit within me and I convinced my husband to drop me off at the trail entrance at Smithtown Landing Golf Course to have an adventure. Right off the bat I nearly started off on the wrong path. The trailhead is in the far corner of the golf course parking lot and rather hidden. there were no signs and the trail was camouflaged behind some overgrown tree branches. Luckily for me a Park Police officer rolling through the lot whom I was able to ask for assistance. He informed me that what I had thought was the trail was actually a maintenance trail for parks employees and showed me to the actual trail. Off to a great start, my husband shook his head from the car (probably deciding which picture he would use for the milk cartons when I inevitable disappeared) and assured that my phone was charged and that I would check in regularly throughout my trip.

The first section of the trail was absolutely breathtaking. The sparkling river ran to my right side and the damp golden sand sunk beneath my boots. Thousands of Fidler Crabs scurried to the shore and gulls circled hungrily above. Right away I spotted a Green Heron across the river hunting in the seclusion of some tall grasses. Gulls and Great Egrets seemed to dot every bend of the shore and every hidden pool. A large group of Double-crested Cormorants sunned from the center of the water. The shoreline widened and narrowed around every turn, sometimes taking me over downed trees or under low hanging branches. The occasional burned out fire broke the landscape of otherwise undisturbed sands. A Mute Swan casually drifted past in a wide section of blue water, unphased by the passing of kayakers paddling through. A Pair of Mourning doves cooed in the warmth of the strong sunlight and Snowy Egrets waded in the shallow polls along the opposite shore.

Soon my trail came to an end.  I searched around with growing concern in my stomach. I was determined not to have to admit defeat so soon. carefully I backtracked along the shore, examining every tree for a trail marker or sign. Nothing. All the while at my left was a wooded incline leading up to a section of dense trees. deep within I could see what appeared to be a foot trail. Keeping an eye close on the shore I ventured into the trees hoping the small trail within would lead me back to where I wanted to be. After a short distance, the trail split and once again I was on the Greenbelt and headed on my way. It was not long before the trail spit me out into the bright sun and onto residential streets along the river. Gulls and Double-crested Cormorants continued to wade by in the distant water now separated from me by a low barricade and sections of grass. Occasionally disappearing all together just to return again a few feet further down the road. A Northern Mockingbird raced along beside me, examining my every move and darting below branches for relief from the sun.

When the trail finally led back into the cover of trees a bench sat overlooking the river and I sat to take in the beautiful view. Despite it being late September the heat of the woods was stifling and there appeared almost to be steam rising from the water below. The trees were silent and a good amount of time passed without another sighting. The trail now rose and dipped in dramatic inclines and slopes, sharp bends and thick gnatty overgrowth. Luckily the trail itself was very well marked and easy to follow. After a while, the trees opened up to let me out into a harbor. Boats pulled in and out of docks, and the eager call of gulls cried out from the horizon. Following carefully to the trail signs I continued across a few streets and through a seemingly unused parking lot finding myself along a fenced off area of green waters. Milfoil blanketed to surfaces so thick only the wake deciphered the water from land. A Black-crowned Night-heron sunned on a fallen tree branch and a family of Wood Ducks swam amidst the carpeted waters. Mute Swans, Great Egrets, Canada Geese, and Mallards also soon appeared in the fenced off cove. I searched along the fence for an opening to get a closer look at the shoreline but the land was a steep drop to the water and the fence only grew taller the further I ventured. Eventually, back on the trail, I came to the end of my road; Kings Park Bluff. Below along the water, the laughter of families echoed from small beaches and sailboats. People were out in droves soaking in the last bits of summer and strolling through the paths of the park. I sat for a while taking in the sights and phoned my husband to let him know that the trip was a success. We agreed to meet up back at the harbor I had passed as it was clearly easier to get to by car then where I was now.

Finding a nice shady bench along the water I relaxed and watched the boats launching. The gulls topping every pole and running along the docks as if preparing to set sail themselves. A Spotted Sandpiper came into land along the shore, a life bird for me and such an exciting end to my trip! A pair of Mourning doves perched beside me in a sparse tree and crows cawed from the road. At my feet, a lone Song Sparrow rested in the grass taking in the sights beside me.

This was truly an incredible walk; breathtaking views, tons of birds and even a lifer to top it off! If you plan on doing this hike as well be sure to take plenty of water and protect yourself against ticks and bugs as most of the area involves walking beside high grasses. I never really recommend going out hiking alone as you never really know what you may run into but as far as this hike goes please keep in mind that there is a good amount of trail that is hard to access if you were to become injured or otherwise in need of help. Always be sure to tell people where you are going and keep your phone fully charged. I fully intend to return to this section of the greenbelt, especially the beginning part of it where the trail was mostly sand and shore. Until next time my friends, Happy Birding!

For more Long Island Birding content, visit my Facebook Page!

•