Greater East End coverage is funded in part by Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead, providing world-class services to all of Eastern Suffolk. Because an extraordinary community deserves extraordinary care.
The cownose ray has arrived along Long Island’s south shore — and in spectacular fashion.
There to capture it all on video was East Hampton photographer Sutton Lynch. Stunning drone footage posted by Lynch on Instagram today shows a large school — or fever — of the migrating rays swimming in the Atlantic near the Hamptons.
Cownose rays sometimes travels in groups of hundreds or even thousands. They prefer shallow, coastal waters and are typically spotted during their seasonal migrations in the warmer months.
“Similar to the V formations created by migrating geese, cownose rays migrate in distinct geometric patterns on the surface of the ocean,” Lynch explained in his Instragram post. “Species across the animal kingdom form these patterns when crossing long distances to more effectively communicate and coordinate, as well as to conserve energy.
“Researchers studying birds discovered that this method allows flocks to fly up to 70% farther than if they were to use the same amount of energy on their own,” he continued. “Similar laws of energy conservation certainly apply to these rays as they swim up from the Chesapeake Bay to New York.”
Click on the post below to watch Lynch’s video, which he took on Sunday.
Larger cownose rays can cary a wingspan of up to four feet. They generally weigh between 20 and 50 pounds.
The conservation status of the cownose ray (aka rhinoptera bonasus) is classified as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Their lifespan is 15 to 20 years.
One appreciative Instagram commenter, @neileyroyston, noted, “A ‘fever’ of Sting Rays. If that’s the only thing I learn today, it’s a good day. 💙”
@jenniferrogers quipped, “Ocean raviolis 🥰🥰.” And @paragongalley showered Lynch with appreciation: “Beautiful video and thank you for sharing about these extraordinary creatures. Nature has it all figured out over and over again.!!”
