A letter from Russell J. Calemmo, President:

Begun as the East Hampton Chapter of Waterfowl U.S.A., a nonprofit conservation organization, East Hampton Waterfowl has for the past 20 years seriously dedicated itself to raising local funds to provide for the restoration and management of our native waterfowl in our local area, places such as farmlands, ponds, wilderness areas, and open-range land. Most of the money we raise (80 cents on the dollar) goes directly toward conservation and wildlife projects. Our dedicated volunteers devote their time to ensure that our native birds will grow and endure right along with our growing community.

    One of our long-term projects included nine years of restoring Pussy’s Pond to the pristine and prime natural habitat that it once was. With the exception of a nature trail and a bridge built by our members so that the community could enjoy the beautiful natural vista, Pussy’s Pond remains the same as it was when our community first began.

    Working alongside the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, we replanted native vegetation and worked on maintaining the infestation of phragmites. In 2006, our maintenance program was turned over to the town under the leadership of Debra Foster and hopefully the town will keep it as pristine as we did.

    We have built wooden nesting boxes for ducks and placed them throughout East Hampton to help safeguard the eggs of our local breeding ducks. Also, wild turkeys have been reintroduced to East Hampton with the cooperation of the D.E.C. All reports say that natural breeding is now occurring due in part to the restocking efforts of the East Hampton Chapter of Waterfowl U.S.A.

    We have established the Bob Aydelotte and Robert Miller book grants for college-bound students who have an aptitude toward conservation and environmental study and who may also have some financial obstacles.

    Because of encroaching development on wilderness lands, we have initiated a unique winter bird-feeding program, which consists of spreading approximately one ton of kernel corn in and around known bird habitats each year during the harsh winter months.

    This project has encouraged wild birds to remain in the local area. We have achieved immense success with this project. We also work hand in hand with Cornell University with migration studies and the tagging of all waterfowl released and in some cases attaching biodegradable location responders to selected birds. So if you see a duck with a black antenna on its back, please do not think it’s an arrow. It’s part of the location device and will fall off in time and not harm the bird while wearing this very small, light transmitter.

    East Hampton Waterfowl is a proud sponsor of Camp DeBruce, a well-recognized co-educational conservation camp facility. Each year we send young students to this D.E.C. environmental science camp to further enhance their interest and knowledge in regards to natural resources and conservation issues.

    Over the years we have hand-built brooder buildings that consist of four large pens that are used to raise approximately 1,500 birds indigenous to the area, including, but not limited to, quail, pheasants, mallards, and wood ducks, until they are ready to be released into the Town of East Hampton. Because of this success, we are now building four additional pens to increase our breeding capacity. This project is the major force that compels our volunteers to be a part of the East Hampton Chapter of Waterfowl U.S.A.

    We now have a purchase-a-bird program so that we may continue our raise-and-release work here in East Hampton. You may choose to purchase a pheasant, a mallard duck, a quail, or a turkey that we will raise for you and then the bird is yours to be released into the wild.

    We will assist you in the release area when it is time for your bird to go free. We can do one, two, three, or as many as you like for $25 per bird. Just send your tax-deductible donation to East Hampton Waterfowl, P.O. Box 3170, East Hampton 11937 with the appropriate number and type of bird you would like to release, along with your phone number and address, so we may contact you when the birds are ready to be released.

    Releasing of the bird can be done during the week or on weekends. Please join us and see firsthand what your donation does for our community.

    If you would like, you can also be a general sponsor of East Hampton Waterfowl. The money raised here in East Hampton stays here in East Hampton.

    One last point: If you find a bird who is in distress or injured, specifically a mallard duck, a quail, a pheasant, or a turkey, please let us know and we will respond. We have at least 85 years of combined experience of bird language and a vet on staff.

    Thank you on behalf of our hard-working volunteers who also have families and work full-time jobs in our community while devoting their precious time and efforts to the care of our waterfowl and their natural habitat.

    Sincerely,
    RUSSELL J. CALEMMO
    Chairman
    East Hampton Waterfowl