Mashomack Preserve is considered one of the richest habitats in the Northeast.  The preserve contains 2,039 acres, which is about 1/3 of the island.  Among the riches to be found are tidal creeks, oak woodlands, fields, and freshwater marshes.  The preserve is often referred to as the “Jewel of the Peconic” and is edged in white by 10 miles of coastline.  Mashomack Preserve is open 9 A.M. to 5 P.M., March through September, and 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. October through February.

For those seeking birds, you will not be disappointed.  Many birds are year around residents of Shelter Island and the list is long.  It includes Cedar Waxwing, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, Northern Cardinal, Mourning Dove, American Robin, House Finch, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, and Carolina Wren.  Migrating birds throughout the Spring and Fall include Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Purple Finch, Indigo Bunting, Canada Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Palm Warble, Black-throated Green Warbler, and others.  Lastly, there are the Summer visitors.  They can be a mixed variety but Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, Common Yellowthroat, Eastern Phoebe, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Great-crested Flycatcher, Black-and-white Warbler, Piping Plover, Least Tern, and Osprey.  I think that covers the birds, but let us know if we missed any!

Vacationing on Long Island and going to the beach just seem to be like peas in a pod.  One of the favorite beaches is Orient Beach State Park.  Orient Beach has 45,000feet of frontage on Gardiners Bay and the water is calm and delightful.  It has been said that Orient Beach “has the most shells available at any state park beach” and is a shell-collecting paradise.  Now this is an activity all in itself and a delightful way to enjoy the day.  Of course, to make it a little more enjoyable there is also a bathhouse, showers, restrooms, and a food concession stand.   

Visitors at the beach can swim in the bay, fish, picnic, play ball, go hiking or biking, and enjoy a calming walk on one of the many nature trails.  Since this is a calm beach, it is also perfect for kayaking.  So bring your own or plan to rent one at the beach.  Bike rentals are also available, so not to worry if you do not have yours with you!  However, the all time favorite thing to do is just sit in a beach chair and feel the warmth of the sunshine.  Now this is summer on Long Island!

Museums to put on your list to visit should include East End Seaport Museum, Bootleg Alley, and the shipyards of Greenport.  If you are looking for artists, Greenport is still the home of famous artists including award-winning actress Peg Murray, sculptor Arden Scott, crafts-person Gail Horton, and award winning songwriter Hugh Prestwood.  With outdoor theater, live music events, and galleries galore, the arts of very much alive in the Village of Greenport.

Of course, make sure to have some fun and enjoy a visit to Mitchell Park, which overlooks Greenport Harbor.  Mitchell Park has an outdoor amphitheater, harbor side boardwalk, winter ice skating, and public docks which are quite busy during the summer  months.  Combine that with Greenport’s famous 40-foot carousel which was built in the 1920’s and donated to the village of Greenport in 1995 and you are sure to enjoy the wonders of visiting Greenport at any time of the year!

Cedar Beach Country Park in Southold is a 68 acre park with over 2,800 feet on Shelter Island Sound.  From the park, visitors can enjoy great vistas of Shelter Island Sound and the saltwater marshes of Cedar Beach Harbor.

Arshamomaque Point in Southold encompasses a 54-acres wooded preserve with several trails that wind through mature woodlands, ponds, and saltwater wetlands.

Arshamomaque Preserve in Greenport is a 120 acre preserved owned by the Town of Southold.  They have 1.3 miles of nature trails that wander through mature woodlands, freshwater wetlands, and open fields.

Inlet Pond Park in Greenport enjoys a 55 acre preserve with 1.6 miles of trails leading to Inlet Pond and Long Island Sound.  The North Fork Audubon has a visitor’s center and also offers nature programs.

Dam Pond Maritime Reserve in East Marion is a 36 acre reserve also owned by the Town of Southold.  Here you can enjoy a small protected bay, grasslands, saltwater marshes and woodlands.  There is also a trail that wanders through the reserve which is 1.2 miles long. This trail is a favorite of bird watchers and I love jogging in this park.  The Audubon Society keeps track of the birds that are found here.   This reserve is about a quarter mile from the B&B.

It will take some time to try them all, but we will enjoy having you as our guest at the Arbor View House Bed and Breakfast as you explore the North Fork Wine Country of Long Island

Birds that migrated for the winter are back and their excitement can be heard in the early mornings.  It sounds as if they are as happy as the rest of us that spring on Long Island has returned and summer is just around the corner.  The once vacant beaches are now awaking with activity as couples stroll hand in hand enjoying the feel of sunshine on their faces and the mesmerizing sound of the ocean as waves break at their feet.

Elaborate plans are not needed to enjoy spring on Long Island.  It just happens!

What is included in the Spa and Golf Package?  The golfer in the family gets a half day of golfing at the Island End Golf and Country Club.  The Island End Golf and Country Club is a 6,700 yard course in Greenport a short distance from the B&B.  Their signature par 3 16th hole is on a bluff overlooking Long Island Sound and the view is beautiful.  The four-start rated course has it all and the greens are among the finest on Long Island.

For the non-golfer in the family, do not worry as the Arbor View House Bed and Breakfast has it covered.  Relax in the comforts of a half day spa service and settle in to a welcoming massage, followed by a body scrub, and wax.  Just feel the stress of daily life melt away!

The gallery is located in the historic Davis-Corwin House and admission is free and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 10 A.M. – 4 P.M.  Black and White is a member’s show focusing exclusively on black and white art.  It opened on January 15th and will continue to run through February 26th.   The Body in Motion will depict bodies in the process of moving and will be an eclectic combination of man, beasts, and other displays of bodies in motion.  It will open on March 5th and continue through April 9th.  Also, be sure not to miss the reception on March 5th, from 5-7 P.M.  The entire exhibition schedule for 2010 has been published and can be viewed on their website.    

In additional to their gallery, additional exhibit spaces can be found at Riverhead Town Hall and the Rosalie Dimon Gallery within the Jamesport Manor Inn.  Currently, Allan Bull & Carol C. Young art is exhibited at the Jamesport Manor Inn.  This exhibit started on February 5th and continues through May 5th.  An upcoming reception is scheduled for February 21st, from 3-5 P.M.  Riverhead Town is exhibiting Dolores Castrucci Earth Paintings through March 1st. 

Enjoy the arts and your stay with the Arbor View Bed and Breakfast!

Greenport’s Winterfest Gallery Walk

The line-up of galleries is impressive and includes deCordova Studio & Gallery, Gallery M, The South Street Gallery & Framers, Winter Harbor Gallery, Terrace Joyce Gallery, Greenport Art and Design, and Studio E Gallery.  Each gallery will host a featured artist and demonstrations and presentations will be done according to the artists’ specialty.  Gallery visitors will enjoy a variety of sculpture, computer graphics, painting, watercolors, crafts, and demonstrations.  

Greenport’s Winterfest Gallery Walk will be held from 2-9 P.M.  The complete 2010 schedule is now available and will be held the third Saturday of the month during their normal season June through November.

Noah Schwartz, former chef at the Seafood Barge in Southold, has opened a new Greenport restaurant, Long Island.  The restaurant is at the former location of the Frisky Oyster Bar on 136 Front Street and is called Noah’s.  As the Seafood Barge could not renew their lease, Noah quickly scouted the area and found that this location would be perfect for him.  Renovations were underway and now Noah’s is officially open.

Noah is a native Long Islander and a graduate of New England Culinary School and worked for over seven years in California’s wine country and then made his move to long Island North  Fork Wine country.   He has experience in opening restaurants and this one is very special to him, as it is his own.  Noah will be bring to Noah’s, a culinary experience enjoyed in California and he is already receiving positive feedback from his customers.  Recent reviews had customers raving about the scallop ceviche and pomegranate ribs.  The sardines were quite a surprise and totally delicious as is the  Pulled Duck from the Crescent Farms in Aquebogue.  There are so many Oyster dishes  so that you’d think that he’d call the place Noah’s Oysters. Even though the menu is mostly fresh seafood, Noah is a master with the Steak which  is done with Manchego Cheese and rich crispy onions, yummy.

The concept at Noah’s is to offer “small plates” at the top of his menu ranging from $6 to $15.  Thus, allowing his guests to sample multiple smaller plates and enjoying a variety of dishes.  The menu also features 2-3 oz. wine pours to accompany the small plates.  Of course, to balance this he will also have snacks on the menu beginning at $3.  Truly a delightful way to dine!

We have eaten there several times and recommended Noah’s to guests  who rave about the selections and love the ambiance and personal service. What we love the best are the small plates giving you more choices to sample several dishes.  Noah’s Restaurant is now the newest and  hottest restaurant in Greenport.

Call for reservations at 631-477-6720 tell them Wilfred from Arbor View House Bed & Breakfast sent you.

Greenport Tea company

Tea lovers unite and add the Greenport Tea Company to your list of places to stop when shopping in Greenport, Long Island.  Once a tea lover, always a tea lover and Greenport Tea Company has everything that you need to enjoy a great cup of tea.  Zagat calls them the “gem” of an afternoon tearoom and says they bring a “touch of England” to the bay.  This is easy to do since one of the owners came from England and knows how to serve a great cup to tea.

The shelves of the Greenport Tea Company are filled with over 50 jars of tea, all dedicated to the pleasure of steeping and drinking first-rate loose-leaf tea.  They even have a dessert tea called Sweet Endings, which was blended by the owners and has scents of caramel, chocolate, and vanilla.  Perhaps you may wish to have a little lemon curd or enjoy High Tea for two?  Once you have tried their tea and returned home, fear not!  They offer on-line shopping on their website and you can replenish your supply of tea or enhance your tea brewing accessories.

At any time during the year, but especially during the winter months, this is a delightful way to spend an afternoon in Greenport on the North Fork of Long Island.

We at Arbor View House also serve tea in the afternoon for our guests.  Come join us here and in Greenport