“…while tautogs find caves, oysters clench beds,
and crabs revel over a blue heron’s bones
drowned by a quahog from below.
the west wind sends clouds, salt air presents gulls caw, waves patter or pound in a
storm. time hangs for egret silhouettes to stalk,
patient heron again hawks
while confident kingfishers dive for reward
to blend a panorama of sights just off the shore…” – excerpt from a poem by Captain Bob Milne
Every season on the water brings something new, but lately, the Long Island Sound has been buzzing with more wildlife than we’ve seen in years. Some species are familiar friends, while others are rare and exciting surprises that have left even longtime locals wide-eyed.
One of the biggest thrills this summer has been the arrival of dolphins — a rare sight in the Long Island Sound. While we haven’t had them right up at the boat yet, just knowing they’re out there makes every trip feel full of possibility. Alongside them, we’ve also spotted seals, who occasionally pop their heads above the surface like curious neighbors stopping by to say hello.
Overhead, the skies have been just as active. We’ve seen bald eagles soaring over the islands, oystercatchers darting along the rocky shoreline, and an especially large number of roseate terns making their seasonal appearance. Even the gulls have put on a show — from the distinctive black-backed gulls to the boisterous laughing gulls, whose calls are as unmistakable as their name suggests. Add in the graceful great blue herons stalking the shallows, the elegant great egrets standing tall in the marshes, and the striking yellow-crowned night herons that have recently been spotted along the shorelines, and it truly feels like the Sound is alive in every direction you look.
It’s not just the birds and marine mammals making appearances. This time of year marks the monarch butterfly migration, and the islands have turned into tiny rest stops for these delicate travelers on their way south. Beneath the surface, there’s wonder too — with light-up ctenophores glowing like drifting stars in the water on late summer evenings, and cownose rays gliding silently below.
For nature lovers and photographers, it’s the perfect moment to be out on the water. Every trip feels like a chance encounter with something special, whether it’s a rare dolphin sighting, a close-up with a heron, or the flash of orange from a monarch passing by.
If you’ve ever thought about combining a boat ride with a chance to capture incredible wildlife photography, now is the time. Our private charters can be
tailored for wildlife enthusiasts — giving you the space, time, and vantage point to experience the Long Island Sound’s natural beauty up close. Bring your camera, binoculars, or simply your sense of wonder, and let’s see what we can discover together.
