[SEMCO] [Mass Audubon] The Wellfleet Bay Wrack Line - February 2008

Tue Feb 5 12:40:27 EST 2008

The Wrack Line - Wefleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary's eNewsletter

The Wrack Line

February 2008

Welcome to this winter edition of The Wrack Line, Wellfleet
Bay Wildlife Sanctuary's free monthly newsletter. If you do not
want to receive this newsletter please click here. If you need to
change your email address please send us an email message with your
updated contact information.
http://web.massaudubon.org/site/CO?i=GCiJ6n-49ZEREQL7-nCu0dMY7Vv6Xs8M&cid=1361
abermudez at massaudubon.org

The Secret Life of Skunks
The striped skunk is a common mammal in New England, including here on Cape Cod. With its bold black and white
patterning, bushy tail and wobbly gait, the skunk is easily the most
distictive member of the weasel family. Skunks are not true
hibernators, but settle into communal underground dens to sleep
through severe weather. Breeding season begins in February and the
young are born between late April and early June.

Luanne Johnson will be at the sanctuary on February 23 at 2PM to talk
about "The Secret Life of Skunks". Her doctoral research focuses on
the behavioral and population dynamics of skunks inhabiting coastal
waterbird nesting sites. More information on her research and the
Coastal Skunk Ecology Research Project is available here.

http://web.massaudubon.org/site/R?i=0wc9I1O3HZ6KTZkNBK5uZg..

http://web.massaudubon.org/site/R?i=r3HkG56cg0b3_kPvlZh1xw..

Volunteers Needed for spring field work!
Piping plovers return to their breeding grounds in late March or early
April. Their nests are small depressions in the sand on the high
beach, where the plovers lay four eggs which hatch in about 25 days. Both the eggs and young are so well camouflaged that
they are apt to go undetected unless stepped on.

Here at Wellfleet Bay we monitor and protect the plovers on beaches
from Harwich to Truro with the help of interns and an amazing corps of
volunteers. More volunteers are needed for this season - particularly
in Harwich and Chatham - and training sessions will be scheduled for
mid-March. The Coastal Waterbird newsletter has more information, and
quotes from Wellfleet Bay volunteers talking about their experiences.
http://web.massaudubon.org/site/R?i=qWv01rEhMkz16O7_Q6Xpeg..

Mary Hake, of the Cape Cod National Seashore, will be here on
March 5 at 10 AM to talk about piping plovers and the
Seashore's monitoring program. This is an excellent opportunity to
learn more about these endangered birds. Free to those interested in
volunteering.

Horseshoe crabs are another species of concern here at Wellfleet Bay.
Harvesting for bait and medical uses has led to their decline on Cape
Cod and elsewhere. During their spawning season, from May to July, we
will census and tag adult horseshoe crabs on beaches around
Wellfleet Harbor. We'll also be counting and measuring juvenile
horseshoe crabs. We can use lots of help!

Join Bob Prescott on February 29 at 1 PM for a presentation on
horseshoe crabs and learn more about these creatures that have been
around for over 400 million years! Again, this is a free event to
those interested in volunteering.

Please call 508-349-2615 or email Cynthia Franklin, Volunteer
Coordinator, if you are interested in volunteering and would like to
attend either of these programs.
cfranklin at massaudubon.org

The 13th Annual
Cape Cod Natural History Conference
Highlights Current Environmental Research Projects

Is a tiny, native crab responsible for the decline of salt
marshes on Cape Cod? How does human activity affect shorebirds on
South Beach in Chatham? Will salt marsh restoration projects affect
the population of four-toed salamanders? Do wind turbines pose a
threat to bats on Cape Cod?

Questions like these will be explored at the 13th Annual Cape Cod
Natural History Conference on Saturday, March 8, 2008  from 9 AM
to 4 PM.  The conference will be held at the Cape Cod Community
College in West Barnstable, Massachusetts, and is
sponsored by the Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
and the Environmental Technology Program at Cape Cod Community
College.

Now in its thirteenth year, the conference allows environmental
organizations to learn about each other's research and to
exchange ideas. At the same time, it is an opportunity for the public
to learn first hand about some compelling subjects relating to Cape
Cod's ecology, natural history, and conservation. The cost to
attend is $20 for advance registration, or $25 walk-in fee. Advance
registration is highly encouraged.

To learn more about the conference or to receive a brochure and
registration form, contact the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary at
508-349-2615 or visit "Special Events" at the
sanctuary's website.

http://web.massaudubon.org/site/R?i=e8kpVPttubcikzXaf2OLyQ..

Sea Turtle Wrap-up
The 2007 sea turtle stranding season was shorter than usual, and we
had the lowest number of stranded turtles in years. Temperatures
remained relatively warm late into November, and then the sharp cold
spell in early December made it difficult for any turtles to
survive. Thirty-nine turtles were found on beaches from Dennis to
Truro. Sixteen - 13 ridleys and 3 greens - are now at the New
England Aquarium and are being cared for until they can be released
this summer. For more information on our stranded, cold-stunned turtle
program and specifics on the 2007 season click here.

http://web.massaudubon.org/site/R?i=l7XsoclQEbbQWSGipjfuqA..

February Vacation Adventures
Come to camp in the winter! Join a naturalist and other kids (age 4
and up) for a morning or afternoon of exploration, discovery, and fun.
We'll search for coyote tracks, check out owl pellets, walk a
winter beach, make crafts to take home, and have lots of fun with
some new friends. Sign up daily or for the whole week. Click here for
more information.

http://web.massaudubon.org/site/R?i=0dxuitKNyLvIwUFiyma-iA..

Check out our family programs in the afternoons- beachcomb, examine
owl wings, discover your creative side by drawing and painting,
or look for tracks along the trail. Please call or check our web site
for more information.

http://web.massaudubon.org/site/R?i=HKG05N8_BUq66MoAQ5K30w..

Summer Day Camp
Registration has begun for our summer Natural History Day Camp. To
download the 2008 brochure and registration form click here.

http://web.massaudubon.org/site/R?i=vHRX5JthKuKV7lj2vq3ISg..

Wellfleet Bay Blog
Want to know what we're up to here at the sanctuary? Check out our
blog and keep in touch with what's going on. We will be updating the
blog several times a week and invite your comments and input.
http://web.massaudubon.org/site/R?i=r4WMed6sCQxrF8CRdPe7oA..

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

FAMILY & CHILDREN

After School Nature Club will begin the fourth session on
February 26.

February Vacation Adventures! (see story below)  February 18-22

ADULTS

Seabird Watch
February 8, 10-11:30 AM

Birding the Winter Beach
February 23, 10 AM to noon

The Secret Life of Skunks
February 23, 2 PM

Search all programs >>

http://web.massaudubon.org/site/R?i=DXYXYW3ZWN0Wq8a6DhY7Kg..

VOLUNTEERS

Citizen Science
We will soon be scheduling trainings for a number of research projects
this spring: horseshoe crab census and tagging, oyster reef project,
monitoring ospreys, coastal waterbirds, and diamondback terrapins.
Lots of interesting volunteer opportunities! 

Exhibit Hall and Front Desk Help our visitors have a great experience
at Wellfleet Bay! Volunteers needed to greet our visitors, help at the
gift shop, and serve as Exhibit Docents.

Volunteer Science Conference
February 27  9:30 AM to noon 
Open to current and prospective volunteers. This is an opportunity to
learn about some of the volunteer field work done at Wellfleet Bay.
Presentations on the lichen trail, odes surveys, diamondback
terrapins, and the nest box program.

Interested in any of the above? Click here to send a message to the
volunteer coordinator.
cfranklin at massaudubon.org

DON'T FORGET!

Cape Cod Summer Field Schools  offers a wide variety of field
courses for adults, focusing on the unique coastal environment and
wildlife of Cape Cod. The 2008 brochure and registration form is
now available on our website. 

http://web.massaudubon.org/site/R?i=PZhhaqm4DJTkWPobalfIlA..

ETCETERA...

HOUSING NEEDED!

for spring and summer interns April - August. If you have, or know of,
space available please call the sanctuary at
508-349-2615 or email Cynthia Franklin
cfranklin at massaudubon.org

MEMBERSHIP

Join Mass Audubon this year, support New England's largest
conservation organization, and get free admission to 45 wildlife
sanctuaries across the state. Just click here.
http://web.massaudubon.org/site/R?i=g3QIgCyOUhj0-TS1MzrInw..

Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Mass Audubon
291 State Highway, Route 6
P.O. Box 236
South Wellfleet, MA 02663
508-349-2615
wellfleet at massaudubon.org
http://web.massaudubon.org/site/R?i=D6X2VUEzTSq4WXDWFTsCLA..

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