Wellfleet Bay Natural History Notes

Piping Plovers Return to the Cape

This morning's inbox contained this great image from Don Lewis. Here's what he said in his Turtle Journal:

 

 Whether for good or for evil, whether to cheers or to jeers, piping plovers have returned to our Southeast Massachusetts  shores.  We spotted a pair of piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) in adult breeding plumage in Westport this Sunday afternoon.

There are more images of Plovers and stories of sightings in other parts of the Cape on the Turtle Journal.

It's wonderful to welcome these summer residents back! Thanks, Don!

Mary Lou Roberts

Cape Winter Residents--Long-Tailed Ducks

The Long-tailed Duck is frequently found in offshore waters around Cape Cod and Nantucket during the winters but breeds in the Arctic region during the summer months. The Long-tailed Duck was formerly known as the Oldsquaw. The long tail refers to a pair of elongated black tail feathers that stream behind the male ducks as they fly. It is a midsize sea duck and dives sometimes to depths of almost 200 feet to sustain a broad diet of mollusks, crustaceans, insects, and fish. The male has an overall round body with short dark wings, a white underparts with a black breast band, and a pale head with a large dark patch on the side of its head.

According to Wayne Petersen in Birds of Massachusetts, “the annual late fall and winter concentrations of Long-tailed Ducks off Nantucket Island are one of the most spectacular ornithological phenomena that occur in Massachusetts.”  A fascinating article from the Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror noted that Nantucket is “home to the world’s most concentrated population of long-tailed ducks – and an important habitat for 14 other sea-duck species – and has become a focal point for sea-duck research.” Mass Audubon ornithologist, Simon Perkins, said “it’s one of the greatest avian spectacles in all of North America. Mass Audubon first received funding to study the Nantucket’s long-tailed duck migration patterns in response to the proposed Cape Wind wind farm project.” In the winter of 2007-2008, Mass Audubon staff in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey began using satellite telemetry to gather information on nighttime roosting locations for Long-tailed Ducks in Nantucket Sound. The Mass Audubon Long-tailed Ducks Telemetry Research Project is now in its third season with weekly updates posted online. For a project overview, read an informative article by Simon Perkins in the “Connections” newsletter published by Mass Audubon.

Birding Nantucket author, Ken Blackshaw, has traveled the world over courtesy of the U.S. Air Force and IBM, seeing birds, studying their behavior and authoring and editing many books about birds. He writes a weekly article for the Nantucket Independent newspaper.  In a recent article he explains the phenomena of Long-tailed ducks around Nantucket.  For more information, click here to learn more about the daily movements, flight patterns and feeding habits in the context of habitat management and protection. You are invited to click here to view recent additional flight images of Long-tailed Ducks.

Enjoy,

Craig Gibson
Woods Hole

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is frequently heard and seen on tree trunks as well as at seed and suet feeders in backyards, especially during the winter months.  It is increasingly common on Cape Cod making noisy vocalizations and drumming sounds in breeding season.  This attractive woodpecker can be identified by its red crown and nape along with a fairly long bill.  It is typically 9-10 inches in length with a 15-18 inch wingspan.  It has black and white barring on its back with a pale grayish tan face and underparts. 

Frequently found in the southern part of the United States, the Red-bellied is scarcer farther north but has expanded its breeding range northward in recent decades to the southern border of Canada.  Joan Walsh serves as the coordinator of the Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas for Mass Audubon.  Her fascinating new data shows there are currently 156 species of birds breeding on Cape Cod.  This represents an increase from the prior atlas survey. “Walsh spoke before a packed house at the recebt monthly meeting of Cape Cod Bird Club at Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster.  The early results from the current atlas reveal that the Cape has welcomed breeding turkeys, American bitterns, turkey vultures, Cooper’s hawks, willets, upland sandpipers, barred owls, red-bellied woodpeckers, Acadian flycatchers, warbling vireos, Kentucky warblers and clay colored sparrows since the last atlas was completed in 1979,” according to Rich Eldred in a recent article in The Cape Codder.

David Sibley provides an excellent overview about woodpeckers and their drumming noises.  In his book, The Sibley Guide to Birds, he states that “all woodpeckers tap their bills rapidly against wood to proclaim their territory and attract mates; this “drumming” replaces the song in most species.”  So, you might ask, what protects the woodpecker from head injuries? An online article at enature.com explains how woodpeckers strike a tree with their bill, how their brain fits in their skull, and how muscles in their head provide further protection.  Who would have guessed!!  Click here for a few more recent images.


Enjoy,

Craig Gibson
Woods Hole

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!

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