Wellfleet Bay Natural History Notes

As We Continue to Focus on Feeders

What better way to spend a rainy, blustery day than enjoying more of Craig Gibson's beautiful images of birds at feeders?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

They are, from top to bottom, Blue Jay, American Goldfinch, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Purple Finch, Northern Cardinal, Song Sparrow, White-breasted Nuthatch, female House Finch.

Craig and I both hope you enjoy them and get set to Focus on Feeders on February 6 & 7!

Mary Lou Roberts

Focus on Feeders, Feb. 6 & 7 2010

In backyards all over Cape Cod bird feeding has become a very popular winter activity. According to recent studies, over 40% of Cape Cod residents feed and closely watch birds and wildlife. As a result of this, Mass Audubon has been promoting backyard bird feeder surveys for over 40 years. Observations from these surveys have contributed in a big way to improved understanding of critical trends and patterns in bird life.
 
Learn more about the long history of feeder watching in Massachusetts. You will be amazed at some of the past results. You may also take a closer look at the specific results from Focus on Feeders 2009. You are strongly encouraged to join the fun knowing that participating is very easy. All you have to do is count the highest number of each bird species seen together in your backyard and at your feeders at any one time during the weekend of February 6 & 7th. You are asked to then report your observations online or fill out the official tally form and mail it in to Mass Audubon.

You can have fun doing this with family and friends. Field guides such as the Sibley Field Guide to Birds of North America will be very helpful to have on hand even for the most experienced birders. Unexpected visitors have a way of showing up and your ability to make a positive identification will help a lot. Prizes will be given out in several categories to participants. Photos showing the birds you observed as well how they behaved on or near your feeders are also welcome. A photo contest will also be part of the fun! For more information click on Focus on Feeders, the very informative Mass Audubon web page about Birds and Birding or the recently published State of Birds Report from the U.S. Department of the Interior. As a reminder, you may want to consider signing up to receive “The Warbler” an e-newsletter from Mass Audubon on birds, birding, and bird conservation.

Enjoy,

Craig Gibson
Woods Hole 

Horseshoe Crab Regulations Hearing Set

For the past three years the sanctuary, in partnership with other conservation organizations, has been studying horseshoe crabs in Wellfleet Bay. Many of you have been out with us on those frigid, dark nights and beautiful, bright sunny days! Our hard work is paying off in terms of new regulations being proposed by the Division of Marine Fisheries and the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission. You can read the full text of the regulations on their site.

The public hearing is scheduled for on January 19 at 6 pm at the Cape Cod Natural History Museum, Rt. 6A, Brewster. They will also accept written comments at the hearing and by mail or email until January 22 (now extended to Jan. 29). The email is marine.fish@state.ma.us and the mailing address is Division of Marine Fisheries, 251 Causeway St., Suite 400; Boston, MA 02114.

Mass Audubon is taking a position in support of Option 1 of the proposed regulations and supporting Option 2 only if it is combined with Option 1. Mass Audubon does not support Option 3. You can find additional detail, including rationale for our position and suggestions for how to communicate your support, on our Horseshoe Crab Page. We encourage you to read it carefully before you communicate with DMF.

Bob has an excellent presentation on issues affecting horseshoe crabs in Cape waters. If you would like more information regarding horseshoe crabs, the proposed regulations and this hearing, feel free to email horseshoecrab@massaudubon.org or call the sanctuary (508-349-2615).

Sarah Martinez and Katherine Terkanian
Project Managers/ Horseshoe Crab Conservation

Oyster Reef Project Attracts National Notice

The oyster habitat restoration in Wellfleet Bay is important in terms of both conservation and  science. This is the way it looked last summer before it got covered with ice and snow!

We are pleased to announce that the oyster reef project will be receiving another piece of important publicity next week.

The story will air on WBUR on Saturday, January 16 at 7 a.m. and on WGBH on Sunday at 7 a.m. If you miss it, it will be archived on the Living on Earth website. I'll add a link to this post as soon as I get it.

Mary Lou Roberts

The text of the segment is now up on the Living on Earth website. It's excellent; please take a look.