The Year in Nature and Science on Martha's Vineyard 2018
Cold snap in January brought so-called slurpee waves as slushy cold water rolled in.
Cold snap in January brought so-called slurpee waves as slushy cold water rolled in.
Winter storms saw sea surge and coastal erosion to the south shore.
Winter storms saw sea surge and coastal erosion to the south shore.
Blue moon on Jan. 31 rose near the Edgartown Lighthouse.
Blue moon on Jan. 31 rose near the Edgartown Lighthouse.
Snowy owls stayed later in the year. This one takes flight in April.
Snowy owls stayed later in the year. This one takes flight in April.
April found John Keene grooming the new beach at Squibnocket.
April found John Keene grooming the new beach at Squibnocket.
Town of Aquinnah extended scalloping season into April.
Town of Aquinnah extended scalloping season into April.
Sheriff's Meadow Foundation released a trail app for Island hikers.
Sheriff's Meadow Foundation released a trail app for Island hikers.
Two piping plover nests caused unusually long closures at Norton Point Beach.
Two piping plover nests caused unusually long closures at Norton Point Beach.
Polly Hill Arboretum creative director Tim Boland and a beaked stewartia, one of 20 trees named iconic.
Polly Hill Arboretum creative director Tim Boland and a beaked stewartia, one of 20 trees named iconic.
Mill Pond Watershed Study
Mill Pond Watershed Study
No swimming was allowed at Ice House Pond during July after the pond tested over the limit for bacteria counts.
No swimming was allowed at Ice House Pond during July after the pond tested over the limit for bacteria counts.
Rare appearance by a brown booby that touched down in Menemsha.
Rare appearance by a brown booby that touched down in Menemsha.
Grasshopper sparrows returned to Katama this summer and seen as hopeful sign of ecological health.
Grasshopper sparrows returned to Katama this summer and seen as hopeful sign of ecological health.
About 150 dolphins, with at least one pup, were seen about a mile offshore from Menemsha.
About 150 dolphins, with at least one pup, were seen about a mile offshore from Menemsha.
An invasive plant called kudzu cropped up in West Tisbury.
An invasive plant called kudzu cropped up in West Tisbury.
Leatherback turtle was rescued after being entangled in lobster pot ropes.
Leatherback turtle was rescued after being entangled in lobster pot ropes.
Water spout was spotted off West Chop in October.
Water spout was spotted off West Chop in October.
Even one cattle egret sighting is rare on the Vineyard. But a whole flock of them visited in October.
Even one cattle egret sighting is rare on the Vineyard. But a whole flock of them visited in October.
Brazilian watermeal was documented on the Island. It was a first recorded sighting for Dukes County.
Brazilian watermeal was documented on the Island. It was a first recorded sighting for Dukes County.
Quick acting samaritans saved a loggerhead turtle before Thanksgiving.
Quick acting samaritans saved a loggerhead turtle before Thanksgiving.
Natural highlights for the year that was included a pod of about 150 dolphins frolicking not far off Menemsha and filmed by the Finkelstein family. Grasshopper sparrows returned after a long absence to the plains of Katama, a possible sign of ecological health, while a brown booby was spotted in Menemsha, another avian sign of global warming as territories move ever northward for many species, including kudzu, an invasive plant discovered this year in West Tisbury.
Cattle egrets enjoyed a respite near Middle Road, a cold stunned loggerhead turtle was saved just before Thanksgiving, and a leatherback turtle was saved earlier in the season after being entangled in a lobster pot.
Sheriff’s Meadow introduced a trail app to help hikers know where they are in the woods, along with its Take a Break campaign to put benches along the paths for weary walkers.
On the downside, Ice House Pond was closed much of the summer due to high bacteria counts and the plight of the Right Whale population continues to be in jeopardy.
Polly Hill Arboretum unveiled its list of 20 iconic trees to mark its 20th anniversary and the Mill Pond Watershed study was released.
Old friends visited too, like the snowy owl, one of whom extended its stay into June.
Squibnocket Beach enjoyed a makeover to its beach and parking lot as the surf continued to beckon as well as the woods and ponds and inlets of the Island outdoors.