Nature & Science
The beach is the place to be. July’s hot weather this summer beckons people to a place to jump into the ocean, sound or pond to cool off. Now there are a bunch of us who wear weird-looking long pants that zip off at the knees, long-sleeved shirts with a label that says “Buzz off” and sneakers or hiking boots on the beach. We don’t carry umbrellas or picnic baskets but sport binoculars around our necks and perhaps a spotting scope over our shoulders. We are birders or bird watchers.
Researcher Will Speak
About Osprey on Island
Rob Bierregaard began researching osprey on the Vineyard in 1969. Since then, he has been investigating the habits and migrations of these birds on the Island and beyond.
He will share his passion at a free lecture at the Oak Bluffs library on Tuesday, July 29, at 6:30 p.m.
Since June 2000, in collaboration with Mark Martell of The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota, Mr. Bierregaard has put satellite transmitters on osprey to track their travels.
Tonight The Trustees of Reservations offers a family night hike from 8 to 9:15 p.m. at Cape Pogue Wildlife Refuge on Chappaquiddick. Families with children ages 4 to 8 can strap on headlamps and take a guided hike in search of night time creatures. Preregistration is required. Transportation from the Chappy ferry is available. The cost is $10 per child, with a parent or guardian free.
Last Tuesday, Janice Perrin stood in her West Tisbury kitchen frantically packing. She had a reservation to leave the Vineyard that evening, but before that she had to dash to Edgartown for an interview and play a game with her volleyball league.
And she had to finish packing.
Deciding what to put in her suitcase was not the problem. It was deciding what to put in her cooler.
Gardener’s Diary
The Polly Hill Arboretum welcomes HGTV host Erica Glasener for two programs. Horticulturist and author Ms. Glasener has hosted A Gardener’s Diary for 13 years. She interviews gardeners from all walks of life. On Wednesday, July 16, at 7:30 p.m. she will present On the Road with a Gardener’s Diary featuring stories of the intriguing people who have created the gardens featured on her show.
It all started with a message on the bird hot line which I received on July 2. A Chappaquiddick summer resident called to say that she had a pair of merlins that appeared to be nesting on her property. Hmm, said I. I was pretty sure there were no records of merlins nesting in Massachusetts, but I checked the Birds of Massachusetts, by R. Veit and W. Petersen before I called. I was right.
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.