Nature & Science
From my office I can hear a bird hit the glass sliders in the bedroom. Some sound worse than others. In no instance is it a pleasant sound. Stella, our boxer, always hears them too and comes to find me, with a look that says, “Did you hear what I just heard? Come on, let’s check it out!” Sometimes there’s nothing to find, and it is business as usual. Sometimes all the birds are completely out of sight, meaning the neighborhood Cooper’s hawk has cruised the area at mach speed, closing down shop at the feeders. Sometimes there’s a groggy accident victim.
This year’s Martha’s Vineyard Christmas Bird Count was held on Jan. 3. Ninety-three people participated in the count, with 55 individuals divided into 13 to 15-person field teams, and 38 people watching their bird feeders.
A total of 82,794 individuals and 129 species were recorded: 119 species and two subspecies on count day, and 10 other species in count week (the three days preceeding and following count day). The final results are listed below.
Species Number Counted
Snow goose (white morph) 9
By MARK ALAN LOVEWELL
The Martha’s Vineyard Surfcasters Association will hold their annual banquet tomorrow at noon at the Edgartown Whaling Church. More than 100 recreational fishermen are expected to attend the luncheon in the Baylies Room. The event is open to club members and prospective members during this celebration of the club’s 20th year.
With the moon in new moon phase on Monday, skies will be moonless this weekend, and ideal for stargazing. From sunset to nearly sunrise, through the weekend, the sky is without the brilliant moon to interfere. If the weather cooperates, even the faintest of stars will be viewable.
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
Jan. 16 20 4 .14*
Jan. 17 20 4 .00
Jan. 18 36 15 .05*
Jan. 19 38 30 .54
Jan. 20 34 29 Trace*
Jan. 21 33 20 .04*
Jan. 22 28 21 .00
Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 38º F.
Felix Neck offers summer camps for children 4 to 13 on its 350-acre wildlife sanctuary, with programs that encourage kids to actively investigate and observe their surroundings, make their own discoveries, appreciate nature and have fun. The camps incorporate outdoor games, activities, hikes, stories and crafts.
If you would like a brochure mailed to you, call 508-627-4850 or e-mail [email protected] — or you can download it from the Web site massaudubon.org. Registrations are taken on a first come, first serve basis.
Almanac
A comprehensive guide to weather and tides on the Island.
Vineyard Gardener
I guess this past week weather-wise is called a January thaw. We did not really experience it the last several years as December was unseasonably warm.
Farm & Field
Beige and brown and tan and black, with horns spiraled or semicircular or in undulating waves, a legion of goats marched up the hill toward us, bleating in anticipation of fresh grass and leaves.