Page 22 Newport This Week May 23, 2013
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NATURE
Avian Influx Continues By Jack Kelly
As this year’s Spring Migration continues, local birders are making many discoveries in the varied habitats across Aquidneck Island, particularly in the Gooseneck Cove salt marshes on Hazard Road in Newport. Over the past four years, the marsh system has been the target of a major restoration project by Save the Bay. Due to years of abuse and neglect, the wetlands had become a festering, odious and unhealthy eyesore. The removal of a non-functioning and detrimental dam, and the addition of two culverts that increased the tidal flow into the marsh system, allowed the wetlands to begin to recover. This tidal flow increase has been advantageous for the reinforcing of existing tidal mudflats and marsh grass areas, as well as the creation of new mudflats. Eventually, these new tidal flats will be planted with marsh grasses which will assist in the long-term health and recovery of this vital wetland system. Each year has seen improvements in water quality, habitat recovery and the populations of fish, crab and other marine life. Save the Bay has reported recent surveys that indicate certain marine and fish species which utilize coastal wetlands as nurseries for their young, have returned to the cove and the marshes. The region also has a rich and diverse population of mammal species. White-tailed deer, coyotes, mink, raccoon, opossum, voles, mice and squirrels inhabit the marsh area or the adjoining woodlands. Deer use the wetlands at low tide to safely traverse their grazing areas. A summer sighting of a doe with her accompanying fawns is a fairly common occurrence. For birders and wildlife enthusiasts, the recovery of Gooseneck Cove has meant the return of many avian species that had abandoned
A local surfer believes he spotted at least one and perhaps two endangered Leatherback Turtles off of Newport’s Easton’s Beach on Monday, May 22. The turtles, which can weigh up to 2,000 pounds, are occasional visitors to Rhode Island waters. About 10 wash up on the state’s beaches each year, according to Skip Graf of the Mystic, Conn. Seal Rescue clinic. In 2011, a 400-pound Leatherback washed up in Narragansett and subsequently died. At about 4 p.m. Monday, Cameron Clark of Middletown was paddling his board across the beach from east to west when he saw a “black figure” in the water about 40 yards away, swimming in the opposite direction. After first thinking it might be a swimmer in a wetsuit, Clark realized it was a huge turtle. “Its head was the size of an elephant seal head. It was swimming
Other observations included an Osprey fishing from the marsh waters, a Red-tailed Hawk circling the perimeter of the wetlands for prey, and a mature Great Horned Owl perched in a tree on the northern edge of the property. As sunset began, a pair of Black-crowned NightHerons and an American Bittern were sighted flying over the marsh on a westerly course. The Gooseneck Cove wetlands and the other marshes of Aquidneck Island are treasure troves of nature’s beauty and mystery. A visit to these special places is well worth the trip. Migration Notes: Miantonomi Park continues to be active with the arrivals and departures of resting and foraging migratory songbirds as they make their way north along the Atlantic Flyway. This pattern will begin to wane this week, but stragglers may be spotted for the next week or so. This weekend is the perfect time to get out and witness the many different species that pass through our region. Jack Kelly, a native Newporter, is a wildlife photographer and nature enthusiast who enjoys sharing his experiences with others.
Leatherback turtle. strongly and submerging gracefully for short periods. It looked at me from 20 yards away. Then I lost sight of it.” Clark and another surfer spotted the turtle again about 25 minutes later at the west end of the beach. “I am convinced that it was the same turtle, because it looked the same and was strong enough of a swimmer to have swum the length of the beach and back again. This time, I noted its back was shiny and
it could easily have been longer than six feet.” According to the species profile for the Leatherback on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website fws. gov, “the leatherback is the largest, deepest diving, and most migratory and wide ranging of all sea turtles. The adult leatherback can reach 4 to 8 feet in length and 500 to 2000 pounds in weight. Its shell is composed of a mosaic of small bones covered by firm, rubbery skin with seven longitudinal ridges or keels. The skin is predominantly black with varying degrees of pale spotting; including a notable pink spot on the dorsal surface of the head in adults. A toothlike cusp is located on each side of the gray upper jaw; the lower jaw is hooked anteriorly. The paddle-like clawless limbs are black with white margins and pale spotting.”
NEWPORT TIDE CHART HIGH
AM
Sudoku Puzzle on page 24
Willet (Photo by Rey Larsen)
Turtle Sighted Off Easton’s Beach
DATE
Crossword Puzzle on page 24
Spotted Sandpiper (Photo by Bob Weaver) the region in the past. Seasonally nesting wading bird species such as Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Glossy Ibis, Green Herons, American Bitterns and many more, have discovered the cleaner waters and the increased fish and crab populations. Flowering and berry-producing bushes, planted by Rogers High School students in the past three years, are attracting more migratory songbirds during spring and fall migrations. Under the guidance of biology teacher Scott Dickison, students have planted vital marsh grasses that will aid the restoration process. During this year’s migration, the wetlands have witnessed large, mixed flocks of migratory shorebirds resting and restoring their energy reserves. On a recent evening, species sighted included Least Sandpipers, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Spotted Sandpipers, Semipalmated Plovers, Black-bellied Plovers, Willets and Greater Yellowlegs. The hungry birds foraged for food throughout the grasses of the marsh and across the tidal flats exposed by low tide. These species will continue on their journeys north to Canada, Alaska and Nunavut in the Arctic Circle.
hgt
23 Thu 6:45 3.7 24 Fri 7:37 3.9 25 Sat 8:28 4.1 26 Sun 9:21 4.2 27 Mon 10:14 4.2 28 Tue 11:10 4.1 29 Wed 30 Thu 12:33 4.3
PM 7:12 8:03 8:54 9:46 10:41 11:36 12:07 1:04
LOW
hgt 4.7 5.0 5.1 5.0 4.8 4.6 4.1 4.0
AM
hgt
PM
hgt
Sunrise
Sunset
12:23 1:14 2:06 2:59 3:50 4:40 5:32 6:27
-0.2 -0.4 -0.5 -0.6 -0.5 -0.4 -0.2 -0.0
12:14 1:03 1:53 2:45 3:38 4:32 5:30 6:39
-0.3 -0.5 -0.6 -0.5 -0.4 -0.2 0.1 0.4
5:16 5:16 5:15 5:14 5:14 5:13 5:13 5:12
8:07 8:08 8:09 8:10 8:10 8:11 8:12 8:13