Wellfleet Bay Natural History Notes

Harbinger of Spring! Cape Cod Natural History Conference

The conference, sponsored by the sanctuary and funded in part by the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank, will feature a fascinating variety of presentations. Topics range from “eel ramps” in local rivers to the habitat of spadefoot toads to spawning surveys of horseshoe crabs. Presenters are drawn from environmental organizations, agencies, and colleges across Cape Cod and Massachusetts. They have deep involvement in their particular area of expertise concerning the identification, behavior, and status of Cape Cod plants, animals or natural communities. 

Now in its 15th year, the conference allows environmental organizations to learn about each other’s research and to exchange ideas. At the same time, it is a great opportunity for the public to learn first-hand about compelling subjects relating to Cape Cod’s ecology, natural history, and conservation. Please click here for the complete conference agenda and plan to join us on Saturday, April 3, 2010 from 9 am to 3 pm at Cape Cod Community College.

See you there for a rewarding day of interaction with the Cape Cod conservation community!

Melissa Lowe and Mark Faherty

Screech Owl Residing in Falmouth Backyard

This Eastern Screech Owl (red phase) has made its home in a local backyard nesting box in West Falmouth.  This adult owl is a striking reddish brown overall with streaked underparts, yellow eyes, pale grayish bill and short “ear” tufts.  The Eastern Screech Owl species has two distinct color phases, red and gray. The red phase is less common than the gray phase.

These widespread owls are typically heard but not seen. Click here to listen to the descending whinny-like territorial call!  They nest in tree holes in woodlands and suburban areas as well as in nest boxes. The Screech Owl is mostly nocturnal and usually becomes active around dusk. “They hunt from dusk to dawn, with most hunting being done during the first four hours of darkness.They hunt mainly from perches, occasionally hovering to catch prey. The Screech mainly hunts in open woodlands, along the edges of open fields or wetlands, or makes short forays into open fields,” according to Owlpages.com.

Mass Audubon has developed an excellent online guide to Owls in Massachusetts. You’ll find an overview, instructions on how to build a nest box, local owling programs at Mass Audubon sanctuaries, an online Owl reporting page to record and share your sightings, and a very informative section on the 11 owls species that may be seen or heard in Massachusetts!

Enjoy,

Craig Gibson
Woods Hole

 

Join Us to Learn More About Horseshoe Crabs!

Horseshoe crabs are popular inhabitants of the coastal waters of Cape Cod. Their size and recognizable shells make them a favorite of child and adult beachgoers alike. Horseshoe crabs provide food for important bird species as well as bait for the fishing industry Their blood—sustainably harvested—is used in a test for bacterial contamination in a wide range of drugs, vaccines and medical devices that was discovered at the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole. Bob covers these and other issues in this presentation.

Horseshoe Crabs Of Cape Cod

Research by the sanctuary on horseshoe crab populations in Wellfleet Harbor has been ongoing for more than two years. Many sanctuary volunteers have assisted in this research. The research has already prompted the Division of Marine Fisheries to propose new regulations to improve the management of horseshoe crab populations in Cape waters. We appreciate all of you who attended the hearing and submitted letters and emails to the DMF. We will let you know when a decision is reached.

As part of the sanctuary’s enhanced research effort we have scheduled a free, public conference. It will  highlight important studies related to horseshoe crabs, with noted researchers from the local area sharing their findings. Information on how to become a citizen scientist and help in this research will also be provided.

The Horseshoe Crab Conference is scheduled for Saturday, April 17, 9:30 am-3 pm at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. This free conference will feature presentations by local experts. They will include the biology and development of horseshoe crabs by Dr. Daniel Gibson of WPI; an overview of state-wide spawning surveys and management of horseshoe crab fisheries by Vincent Malkoski of Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries; results of an independent study on the  mortality of horseshoe crabs bled for the bio-medical industry by Alison Leschen; and details of the movements of horseshoe crabs within Pleasant Bay by Dr. Mary-Jane James-Pirri.

For a full agenda, please click here. And plan to join us for this interesting and informative conference!

Mary Lou Roberts

An Unusual Canvasback Sighting

While checking out the local wintering ducks around Perch Pond off of Teaticket Path in East Falmouth, a pleasant surprise popped up.  A single male Canvasback duck was moving around in open water and near the ice pack. The Canvasback is a large diving duck and rarely found close to shore.  According to Wayne Petersen in Birds of New England, “Canvasbacks are typically found on large areas of open water and birders are often forced to admire them from a distance.”  Canvasbacks frequently move around to different locations based on ice conditions and food supply.

The male Canvasback has a striking appearance with a bright rusty red head, wild red eyes, a black breast along with white sides and back and a black tail.  It has a sloping profile from the top of its head to the end of its dark bill.  It is one of the largest and heaviest ducks in North America.  Click here to hear a sound clip for the Canvasback. According to All About Birds, a similiar species is the “Redhead with gray, not white body, a rounded head, a shorter profile, a brighter red head, and a blue bill.”

Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay provides weekly bird sightings online for birds and ducks seen on the Cape. The most recent posting states: “The Upper Cape area continues to be excellent for ducks, and sightings this week included 4 redheads, a canvasback, and a Eurasian Wigeon at Perch Pond in Falmouth, another redhead in the canal at Buzzard's Bay, and king eiders in the canal at both Scusset Beach and near the railroad bridge in Buzzard's Bay.  The Cape Cod Bird Club also provides online list of bird sightings on bird and duck sightings.  Recently, a sighting and photo page link was posted about four Bald Eagles spotted around Mashpee Pond in Mashpee!

Enjoy,

Craig Gibson
Woods Hole

Ed. Note: Rembember to Focus on Feeders this coming weekend!