Exhibitions

SOFO Naturalist

The SOFO Naturalist  is a quarterly newsletter featuring articles on natural history, a report of local seasonal observations, information about the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center, nature information by, for, or about children, and Peregrinations, the museum’s quarterly calendar of nature walks, talks and workshops. Museum members receive this publication as a benefit of membership.

Local Checklists

SOFO has compiled a series of checklists focusing on local fauna and flora of the South Fork of Long Island. Checklists are a valuable tool for the identification of local species. They are more area specific than a field guide, giving the user local abundances, local reproductive status, and a better description of location and times of year to view the species. SOFO’s checklists are keyed to be used in conjunction with a field guide, which gives in depth information on a wide range of species. Checklists narrow the number of species to those specifically found on the South Fork of Long Island. Knowing the probability of observing a species during different seasons and in the proper habitat can lead the user to the correct identification of the species.  These valuable tools are available upon request for museum members at no charge as a benefit of membership.

Available checklists:

Butterflies of the South Fork

Damselflies and Dragonflies of Eastern Long Island

Seashells of the South Fork

Wildflowers of the South Fork

Reptiles and Amphibians of the South Fork (REVISION)

Birds of the South Fork (REVISION)

Mammals of the South Fork

Coming soon:

Marine Fish of the South Fork

Ferns of the South Fork

Long Pond Greenbelt Trail Guide

The Long Pond Greenbelt Trail Guide combines a map of the Long Pond Greenbelt trail system, an overview of the Greenbelt, and information about the wildlife communities that make up the Greenbelt. The Long Pond Greenbelt is widely recognized as one of the most ecologically significant areas in New York State. This map delineates six miles of trails through 1,100 acres of interconnected ponds, woods, and wetlands that stretch from Sag Harbor on the north southward to the Atlantic Ocean shore in Sagaponack. Compact and waterproof, it is indispensable for anyone who hikes this area or is interested in nature study.

The Long Pond Greenbelt Trail Guide can be purchased at the museum for $5 or by mail for $5 plus postage.

Winter Birding By Car

Watching birds in winter can be a less than enjoyable experience when confronted with freezing weather and howling wind. One way to change this is to bird from the comfort and security of your automobile. Another benefit is that a car makes an excellent mobile blind, which most birds do not associate with danger. The result is that you are often treated to very close views that would not be possible if you were on foot. This map, covering the area of the South Fork of Long Island, from Montauk Point to the Shinnecock Canal, is designed to steer you to some of the more productive and accessible birding locations available by car.

Museum members can receive this publication free upon request. It is available at the museum to non-members for $5 or by mail for $5 plus postage.