5-28-16: Parker River NWR, about 40 miles north-northeast of Boston, MA on Plum Island. The refuge occupies the southern 3/4's of Plum Island which is 8 miles long and varies in width from 3/4 to 1/4 mile.
The refuge dunes are interspersed with wetlands formed when major storm events, like nor'easters, break down the interior dunes with strong wind and waves. The storm creates depressions in the sand that are later filled with fresh water from the rain and snow. These vernal pools (seasonal wetlands) can be dominated by moss, cranberries, small shrubs, or mature trees. As the only natural freshwater habitat on barrier islands, vernal pools are very important to all wildlife, especially breeding frogs and salamanders. Since vernal pools dry up later in the summer, no fish are able to survive in them, providing a safe egg-nursery. Fallen leaves from trees and shrubs, like the Red Maple, provide nutrients needed by invertebrates and amphibians found in these vernal pools.
The refuge beaches on Plum Island are currently closed to provide breeding habitat for the endangered Piping Plover. We spoke with one of the Bird Stewards on the beach and learned that there are 36 pairs of Piping Plovers and 22 pairs have nested and are sitting on eggs. Hopefully the rest of the pairs will follow suit.
Beach Rose
Rosa rugosa
Yellow Warbler, Male
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| Those red streaks on the male really stand out in bright sunlight. |
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| Kids don't seem to get into trouble when they're fishing. |
Gray Catbird
Catbirds sing beautifully. Tough to decide among Catbirds, Mockingbirds and Brown Thrashers as tl who is the best singer.
Wild Turkeys feeding in the salt marsh. Who'd a thunk it?!
After a while, he came up next to the road to feed.
Purple Martins
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| Interestingly, our Purple Martins in St Pete laid eggs over a month ago and most of the young have fledged or will be fledging soon. Being so much farther north, the martins up here are just starting to lay their eggs. |
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When the martins begin bringing green leaves into their nests it signals that egg-laying will soon commence.
Least Terns don't always nest on the beach.
Canada Geese on the move
Newburyport Harbor Lighthouse at the north end of plum Island
Black-bellied Plover in breeding plumage
 In transitional plumage on its way to a full "black belly"  Song Sparrow   |
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