Wellfleet Bay Natural History Notes

The Natural History Blog and Other Sanctuary Communications

This blog has had a good ride, but the time has come to focus on other types of communications about what's going on at the sanctuary--wildlife news, conservation activities, and programs. The blog won't disappear, but we are not going to be posting on a regular basis.

The sanctuary has a vibrant Facebook page.  There are recent updates and photos that document rescues of two cold-stunned sea turtles already this year! Please be sure you are a friend of the Wellfleet Bay page and check it often. You can upload your own photos and videos as well as "liking" and commenting on posts made by staff. The Facebook icon on the right-hand bar will also take you there. You might want to bookmark the link so you can find it easily.

Also be sure that you're signed up for Wrack Line, the sanctuary newsletter. Sign up on the newsletters page of the Mass Audubon web site.

And most of all, be sure to visit the sanctuary often and enjoy the beauty and peace of the trails!

Mary Lou Roberts

Free Conference Examines the State of Wellfleet Harbor

Each year the State of Wellfleet Harbor conference highlights issues that are important to the entire Cape as well as to Wellfleet Harbor and nearby natural resources. The conference draws experts from the Cape and beyond who cover subjects about which they have special knowledge and experience. This year's conference will be held at the Wellfleet Elementary School on Saturday, November 6, with registration beginning at 8:30.The conference is free and open to all; advance registration is not required.

Subjects to be included in this year's conference include:
    * What filter feeding bi-valves really eat
    * Important diseases of oysters and quahogs
    * Mercury Contamination in Wellfleet Ponds
    * Sand Transport on Beaches
    * Sediment Transport in Salt Marshes
    * Some Causes of Salt Marsh Dieback in Wellfleet
    * Herring River Restoration Alternatives and Modeling Results

There will also be poster sessions. Ample time will be allowed for questions and the voicing of citizen concerns about the health of the harbor.

We encourage you to make time in your fall schedule for this interesting and informative conference! You can see the full agenda here (sign in to Google documents required).

Mary Lou Roberts

Eastern Bluebird

Mass Audubon's Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary in East Falmouth near Rt. 151 is well known for its 65 varieties of holly trees planted throughout the sanctuary and rare wildflowers that bloom in late summer. You’ll find a flurry of activity near the small barn in August with resident barn swallows and colorful bluebirds. The Eastern Bluebirds can be found around the many nest boxes on the western side of the sanctuary.  Bluebirds are known for singing a melodious series of soft whistled notes.

The bluebird is a very popular and beloved sight on Cape Cod.  This brightly colored bird with its vibrant blue and chestnut colored body is most frequently seen in open woodlands, meadows, and grassy fields.  They often make their nests in man-made nesting boxes and natural tree cavities.  A hundred years ago when the Cape was covered with farm fields, bluebirds had plenty of habitat, but those meadows were erased with the return of forests.  Thanks to many local efforts, bluebirds are returning to Cape Cod with a growing number of bluebird trails with a series of nest boxes mounted on fence posts.

The Cape Cod Bird Club (CCBC) has volunteers that monitor eastern bluebird nestbox trails in four locations on the Cape. Their monitoring does help the bluebirds and other native cavity-nesting species succeed.  CCBC monitors nestbox trails at Crowes Pasture in East Dennis (14 boxes), and at Thompson’s Field (24 boxes), Bank Street Bogs (44 boxes) and Texeira Field (8 boxes) in Harwich, amounting to more than 80 boxes in total!  All sites are also being surveyed for bird and other animal species, as well as plants.  The Harwich Conservation Trust and CCBC have combined to create a bluebird trail in Harwich at the Bank Street Bogs which features 44 nest boxes on 60 acres of conservation land just south of Route 39. 

Enjoy,

Craig Gibson
Woods Hole

Saltmarsh Sparrow

For most birders, the task of identifying Sparrows is daunting and challenging!  However, only a small handful of sparrows are typically found in grassy marshes.  The Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow is a common summer breeding bird in Massachusetts.  This sparrow is mostly found in coastal salt marsh habitats.  The images below are from a recent trip to South Beach in Chatham.  Saltmarsh Sparrows are known to be quite secretive as they forage in the marsh for food.  Their song is made up of a series of sweet, soft gurgling notes.

According to The Sibley Field Guide for Eastern North America, the Saltmarsh (Sharp-tailed) Sparrow is “a rather long-billed sparrow with a bright orange triangle on its face, usually distinct dark streaks on its breast, relatively dark gray-brown back with white stripes, and gray crown.”  The Mass Audubon Breeding Bird Atlas mentions that “most migrant Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows arrive during the last week in May. Nesting starts almost immediately in the wide, flat swales of the soft green Salt-hay.  They tend to form loose colonies with little or no courtship behavior prior to nesting. The nests are neat, cup-shaped structures placed on the ground or tucked under tufts of grass.”

This sparrow is a "species of conservation concern" for the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service as well for a number of coastal states.  The Saltmarsh Sparrow's limited range and shrinking habitat concern conservationists. A National Audubon report states that “on top of habitat losses caused by commercial development, the Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow is impacted by toxic environments and the invasion of exotic plant species.  Extensive, healthy marshlands dominated by grasses are essential for the Saltmarsh Sparrow.  The Mass. Audubon online Cape Cod Weekly Bird Sightings recently reported 11 horned larks, 300 tree swallows, and 18 saltmarsh sparrows at South Beach in Chatham.

Enjoy,

Craig Gibson
Woods Hole

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

August is perhaps the most exciting time to feed and observe Hummingbirds as their southward migration is at its peak this month.  The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most common hummingbird on Cape Cod and is seen in gardens and at nectar feeders.  Hummingbirds are attracted to bright red flowers like the perennial cardinal flower in the photo. 

This  young male has a glittering emerald green crown and upperparts, grayish white underparts, a red gorget feather and a lot of reddish wash on the flanks, as well as the typical long slightly downcurved bill.  These hummingbirds typically are about 3.5 to 4 inches in length with a 4.5 inch wingspan.  Hummingbirds use their long bill and tongue to probe blooming flowers for nectar and sweetened water from backyard feeders.  They also feed on small insects and spiders.  If you listen closely, you may hear its call which consists of a series of rapid squeaky chipping notes. 

The Ruby-throated is the only hummingbird to breed east of the Mississippi River.  It is usually found in open, mixed woodlands and backyard flower gardens from May until September.  These feather-weight avian creatures are known to fly as fast as 60 miles an hour with wing beats as fast as 80 beats per second.  This young male ruby-throated hummingbird was observed in a beautiful garden overlooking Falmouth Harbor.

Enjoy,

Craig Gibson
Woods Hole

Least Tern

On many protected barrier beaches you may find Least Terns feeding and raising their new chicks alongside Piping Plovers.  Their nests usually consist of a shallow scrape on a sandy beach. Least Terns are the smallest terns and have gray upperparts, white underparts, a black cap and nape, a white forehead, and an orange-yellow bill with a dark tip.  Stay clear of their nests as they are very protective and will take a sharp dive directly at any and all intruders while making lots of screeching noises.

According to the Mass. Natural Heritage Endangered Species program, the Least Tern breeds along the Atlantic coast and also in inland locations along major rivers. On Cape Cod, Least Terns arrive in early May to nest in coastal locations and typically depart in early September for their winter grounds in Central and South America. In Massachusetts, the Least Tern is considered a species of special concern along with many other bird species that face of a variety of threats and risks to their natural habitats.

In a recent Cape Cod Times article, Vern Laux notes that “terns have recently fledged young and are appearing in greater numbers than a week ago on Cape Cod beaches. The young terns are learning to fly and how to dive into the water and capture live fish. It takes years to learn how to "plunge-dive" and decades to perfect the technique. This image from Black Beach in Falmouth shows an adult Least Tern returning to the nest with a live fish.

Enjoy,

Craig Gibson
Woods Hole

Ruddy Turnstone

The Ruddy Turnstone is a compact shorebird with distinctive plumages and bright orange legs. It has a short, wedge-shaped dark bill that it uses in its unique foraging style. This male was found recently at Wood Neck Beach in Falmouth.  This Turnstone shows striking breeding plumage with a white belly, rusty colored back striped with black and white, black and white face markings and a black bib on its breast.  Click here for a sound clip of the short rattling chuckle or twittering of the Turnstone.


During migration turnstones inhabit coastal areas with sandy or rocky shores, although they are most typically found on mudflats, especially those with rocks.  They are named for their method of feeding, in which they walk along the beach, overturning small stones and seaweed looking for small marine food items.  A recent Cape Cod weekly bird sightings report from Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary showed 86 ruddy turnstones at Lieutenant Island in Wellfleet. 


Enjoy,

Craig Gibson
Woods Hole

Help Your Friends Discover the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

While it may seem hard to believe, there are some people out there who have never heard of  Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary or Mass Audubon. And we aim to change that with a FREE “Discovery Day” scheduled for Saturday, June 5 from 10 am – 3 pm at the sanctuary. This event, fun for all ages, will feature guided walks in search of coastal wildlife, live animal demonstrations, garden tours, a craft table for children, and more.

And there is no better time to visit Cape Cod and the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. In early June, nature is busy with migrating birds, spawning horseshoe crabs, nesting turtles, and blooming flowers. You never know what you’ll discover when you head outdoors and explore the beautiful coastal habitats of the sanctuary. 

All of the activities are free and there is no charge for admission! Wellfleet Bay’s Discovery Day is one of seven Discovery Days hosted at Mass Audubon sanctuaries across the state courtesy of our sponsor The Environmental Insurance Agency.

So spread the word and invite your neighbors and friends to celebrate the season and discover Wellfleet Bay and the wonders of nature!

Melissa Lowe
Education Coordinator

Ed. Note: It's easy to spread the word! Just select the green Share It icon below, select the email option, and email to one or more of your friends and neighbors.

Ospreys

A tasty inflight meal! An Osprey snags some fast food from Oyster Pond in Falmouth. Springtime means ospreys have returned in full force to their nests all over Cape Cod.  Massachusetts Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay is now tracking more than 200 active nests of breeding pairs of osprey all over the Cape. The fish-eating birds of prey are best known for their spectacular hunting style: They dive headfirst into lakes, rivers, and bays after hovering above the water’s surface to target their prey, which they then take to a nearby nest or perch to eat.

What makes the ospreys unique compared with other birds of prey is their amazing dexterity and cleverness when it comes to their feeding strategy. With its streamlined feathered frame it hovers over the water from an amazing altitude of 50 to 200 feet, and then dives to catch its prey. A reversible front toe and barbs, called spicules, on the bottom of its feet make it easy for the osprey to hold onto a slippery meal. It positions the fish, pointing headfirst, in its talons in order to remain aerodynamic while flying back to the nest. With a diet consisting mostly of live fish, these avian acrobats are indicators of good water quality and minimal pollution in lakes, tidal streams, and oceans.  For more information please click here to go to a Mass Audubon site that provides more details on the Cape Cod Osprey Project details, or feel free to contact Mark Faherty at 508-349-2615 or Ian Ives at 508-362-7475.

For those with an interest, don’t miss the free lecture, "The Lives of Ospreys—A Satellite's View," cosponsored by Mass Audubon's Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary and the Westport River Watershed Alliance, will be offered at the Westport Public Library tonight Thursday, May 6, at 7 pm. Presenter Rob Bierregaard, a research biologist at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, has studied osprey migration since 2000 and deployed over 30 transmitters on birds in southeastern Massachusetts. He will share findings from his research using satellite telemetry that reveals the route of ospreys' annual round-trip migration between their breeding territories in this region and their wintering grounds in South America.

Enjoy!

Craig Gibson
Woods Hole

rEELing in a Summer Camp Experience on Cape Cod

Ed. Note: Summer day camp on Cape Cod at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is a magical experience. Camp director Amy Ferreira recounts one special outing. Each child departs camp with his or her own story of exploration and discovery. Do you know a child between the ages of 4 and 14 who would like to make day camp part of summer 2010? Please share this information with the family!

 
It was a hot, overcast August day on Cape Cod when we set out for the tidal flats. We were heading to the place where the salt marsh creek empties into Wellfleet Bay, intent on catching an eel. With  nets & buckets in hand counselors and twelve seven and eight year olds left the nature center in high spirits.  This was going to be a highlight of our summer day camp experience!

We spread out over the flats, getting our equipment ready, while others beachcombed for shells  like moon snails, whelks, quahogs, and razor clams. When we were ready, each child had a dip net or a seine net and we entered the water.  The cool water felt good after a warm hike down to the water’s edge. The overcast sky was perfect, as the sun wasn’t beating down on us and we could spend hours out here if we wanted. Our first few scoops with the nets pulled up the usual mummichogs, silversides, shrimp, and a few hermit crabs. It was a good catch and the campers were able to hold each of the animals, but they had their sights set on eels.

We continued to beachcomb and use our nets, when all of a sudden I felt a nudge at my leg. I looked down, but didn’t see anything. A few seconds later I felt it again. It wasn’t the gentle prick of shrimp, but a real nudge against my calf. Then another against my ankle. I asked everyone if they felt anything, which of course drew everyone closer to and into the water. My seining partner then yelled out “OH! I just felt it too!” All the campers started to squeal with excitement as they looked on. What was it!?!

A few minutes later we finally caught a glimpse. It was an eel! At long last…an American eel! And then we saw a second one, both swimming near the marsh edge, in the creek, right around our feet. Some campers squealed with excitement, some with nervousness, some even ran out of the water, but they all had smiles on their faces and their eyes were glued to the water. We used  the seine net to corral them and draw them up out of the water. They were HUGE! Each about 4 feet long and jet black!

They wiggled and wiggled so much that they soon fell out of the net onto the sand. The kids squealed again, as we all ran over to try to pick them up and put them in the bucket, but with their scales being so small they were just too slippery.  So we tried using our dip nets to scoop them up. We were successful in catching them, but as we brought them over to the bucket they slipped through one of the holes in the net. More squeals of delight! We caught them again and got them in the bucket long enough for the campers to come and see and touch. But in the midst of all twelve campers huddled around the bucket touching these fish, they got out again!! More squeals of delight!

We realized the buckets were way too small and the eels needed to go back in the creek. We hated to let them go, but we knew it was best for them. We said some quick good-byes and let them go. One day they will head thousands of miles away to the Sargasso Sea to mate and lay eggs, but for this one day they were here with us. This memory will last a long time in the minds of these campers and in mine. It was quite a day on the flats. We had a lot to tell the parents when we got back!

There are more great day camp experiences in the offing for summer 2010! Download our brochure and application!

Amy Ferreira
Education Coordinator