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| are you ready to have your mind blown? |
Welcome to the Vinalhaven Sightings Report – March 22, 2020
Brought to you with the support of VLT and MCHT – Thanks to both
organizations!
Highlights – Worms, crabs and springtails – who could ask for anything
more!
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| old tail ducks in the Reach photos by John Drury |
Contact us –
with all the observable nature stuff going on around Vinalhaven it feels good
to have a safe place where you can unload and share your sightings with other
humans. Send your photos, sightings and whatnots to vinalhavensightings@gmail.com . The place to be really, and to share.
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| lots to howl about outside! mainland shot |
Lots of words in this post. More words than recent
photos from Vinalhaven so I will be filling in spaces with limited editions and
shots from the mainland. Off island ones will be clearly marked!
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| some vernal pools still have ice on them mainland shot |
PSA – Hey – What
a week, huh? Unless you’ve been stowed away on the set of “Big Brother Germany”
you are aware and concerned about the global Coronavirus situation. While some
of us have been practicing “social distancing” for decades, there are many
behavior adjustments one can make to decrease the chances of being exposed to or
exposing others to potential sickness. This is no time to be selfish, as if
there ever was a good time to be that way, but we need to think of and be
considerate of others. Heck, I’m even washing my hands and I don’t think I’ve
done that since high school.
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| slugs are out and this one was feasting on a tree ear mainland shot |
Getting outside is fortunately not
off limits, and instead is being actively encouraged. Many folks are taking advantage
of the nice weather we’ve been having and hitting the trails both on island and
on the mainland. Be aware that certain points on preserves - picnic tables,
benches, kiosks – are points of contact
for hikers. And while it’s highly unlikely anything would come of touching
these objects, washing hands after hiking – that sounds so funny – is a good
idea. With this in mind MCHT will be closing registration and map boxes at
Huber and the Basin Preserves for the foreseeable future. My apologizes to the
three people who sign in!
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| its always a good time to look for owl pellets this frozen one is from a barred owl on the mainland |
See you out there. From 6 feet away
of course!
Sightings – Byron Thomas was kind enough to send in
a few videos he took while walking shorelines and checking the intertidal. He’s
got a good eye and a somewhat steady hand. First the worms!
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| orange jelly is out and abundant after warm rains |
Great video of Polycheate worms in the shallows! Early spring low tides - (happy
spring everybody) – bring gulls to muddy shallowly coves around island to feast
on these squirmy dudes. It is understood that the worms are there to breed,
bummer to be eaten at those times.
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| this, however, is a witches butter, as it is growing off a deciduous branch. Funky and from the mainland |
A loose translation of ‘Polycheate’ means ‘many brushes’, an
apparent reference to their locomotion appendages called ‘Setae’ - stiff, hair-like appendages the worms use for their
undulating transportation (see the video!). And while there are many species of
Polycheate worms in the Gulf of Maine let’s call these Sandworms (Nereis
virens), at least until we are told differently!
Been watching the gulls hunting for
years, seldom seeing the actual worms they are wormin’ for. Great video and
thanks for sharing!
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| mainland ice |
Byron also
shared this video of Green Crabs
under rocks in the intertidal. Finding groups of green crabs in the intertidal
is not an uncommon event for much of the year. Byron notes that mid-march, however,
is “about the earliest” he has come across such groups. There is much seasonal movement/migration
connected with the intertidal, and many species head for deeper waters in
winter. Tide pooling in the winter is cold and slim pickings. Thanks again
Byron for sharing!
Anyone else noticing anything they
feel might be on the ‘early’ side of things?
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| springtail gathering photo by Banner Moffat |
Springtails – Banner Moffat was kind enough to send
in these photos of a mass emergence of Springtails
(Class Entognatha, Order Collumbola) up Crockett Cove way. Springtails are
great, and Snow Fleas are an example of a species easily observed on snow on
warm, winter days. Snow fleas are a species we report sightings of yearly, but
there are many other species of springtails on island and Maine to choose from.
Here’s what Maine.gov has to say
about springtails in Maine –
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| a closer look shows like a gagillion individual springtails photo by Banner Moffat |
“Springtails
are minute wingless insects of the order Collembola that live in a variety of
moist habitats. Because of their small size and micro-habitat, they are seldom
observed. Springtails are generally considered harmless, but at times large
numbers may invade greenhouses, swimming pools or houses to become a nuisance.”
Springtail nuisance, now that I want
to see! Thanks Maine for spreading irrational, alarmist Springtail fear.
Here’s more about springtails from
Wikipedia (got to be true, right?) –
“In
sheer numbers, they are reputed to be one of the most abundant of all
macroscopic animals, with an estimate of 100,000 individuals per 5 meters of
ground”
And…
“Springtails
are highly sensitive to desiccation. The gregarious behavior of Collenbola,
mostly driven by the attractive power of pheromones excreted by adults gives
individuals a better chance to find suitable, protected places from
desiccation, predation, and to safely reproduce.”
Thank you Wikipedia.
Safety in numbers for sure. Springtails impress on land, snow and
in the intertidal. We love them and it’s great that folks are seeing them in
the woods and in the yard! Mainland folks have also been sending in springtail
photos, so it’s a ‘thing’ this year. Worth keeping an eye out for them! Hope
they aren’t a nuisance to you!
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| old tails, taking off photo by John Drury |
John Drury was
kind enough to send in some Old tail
Duck photos from the Reach earlier
this winter….
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| rough-legged hawk photo by John Drury |
And one of the Rough-legged Hawk that spent a chunk of winter hunting (and
presumedly feasting) on Greens Island. Thanks John!
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| whats up with the tongue tattoos? |
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| what is jello teaching kids! why are we letting jello teach our kids! |
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| I get that monster slime tastes like limes, but 'unicorn slime' sounds gross, not a good sign when the packaging has to tell you the contents are "100% edible" |
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| apparently this is what will blow your mind. |
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| chaga harvesting |
And, of course, some of Leif in action. We are making the most of
distance schooling and time in the neighborhood. Shooting a lot of hoops (no
photos)
Chaga hunting
And howling. Crazy and good times.
Crazy good times? I don’t know.
Hang in there, be vigilant, and wash your hands! Never thought I be telling people that. Never should have questioned my mom! She was right all along!
See you out there!
