Summer has arrived and there are feathered beach babies on beaches around the island. Our staff is at full strength, with high school and college interns joining our permanent and seasonal work force. We are afield every day of the week ensuring the safety of beach birds, and our wildlife research is ongoing amidst the heat, humidity, ticks and poison ivy. Read on for news on our programs, and we hope to see you at our Summer Gathering on August 4 (see below for details) or at one of our educational events (sign-up links are listed below). Thanks for supporting our efforts to study and conserve the Island's precious biodiversity!
Early Nest Losses Make for a Late Season
Our beach bird conservation program has had a rough month. Many nests were lost in the storm driven tides and others to skunks, raccoons, and crows. Piping plovers have been re-nesting and making some heroic efforts rolling overwashed eggs into new nest scrapes above the high tides – and actually hatching some of those eggs! Oystercatchers and terns have also been re-nesting. On a happier note, some piping plovers, oystercatchers, terns, and black skimmers managed to escape the tides and predators and are tending chicks all around the island, while other pairs are incubating their third or fourth nest attempt. It looks like it will be a long season with chicks into August.
Here's How You Can Help Them Hatch and Fledge Chicks
Respect all areas posted for beach-nesting birds - give them plenty of space - keep your dog leashed and away from the posted areas - take all trash with you when you leave - keep fireworks 1/4 mile away from nesting areas.
Youngsters Boost Prospects for Spotted Turtle
In late spring, females of all four of our native turtle species – painted, snapping, spotted, and box – make forays in search of sandy upland spots to lay their eggs. It’s a critical moment for our ongoing spotted turtle research: a chance to document reproduction in this locally rare reptile and learn what habitats and locations are most critical for its survival. Unlike other local turtles, spotted turtles typically lay eggs at night. Thus, their nests are not easily located.
On June 8, we tracked “Clementine,” a radio-tagged spotted turtle in Chilmark, to a new wetland. By our next visit, she had returned to her home base. It is likely that she was laying eggs one evening between those sightings. “Myrtle,” in Oak Bluffs, did something similar. On June 7 she was found about 200 yards from her usual locale and then was back in her favorite hangout on June 8. Although we haven’t confirmed any spotted turtle nests, we were thrilled to find two hatchlings in our live traps at Squibnocket. That’s proof of successful nesting and new recruits into the population!
Martha's Vineyard Atlas of Life
Research and Inspiration to Preserve Biodiversity
Martha's Vineyard Atlas of Life (MVAL) now has its own web page! We'll be adding content through the summer to help you find, appreciate, and understand the unique biodiversity of Martha's Vineyard. Meanwhile, our MVAL project on iNaturalist continues to flourish: more than 700 observers have contributed almost 8,000 observations documenting about 1,900 Vineyard species. Highlights from early June included stunning records for the snipe fly Brachylinga morata(the only record currently in iNaturalist) and Eastern Sand Tiger Beetle (shown above), the first solid Vineyard record in decades. You can help: set up an iNaturalist account and use your smartphone or computer to upload photographs of wildlife that you find. Get expert input on your discoveries and help document the unique biodiversity of Martha's Vineyard!
The MVAL is a collaborative project with the Betsy and Jesse Fink Family Foundation
Summer Learning Opportunities
Thanks to all who responded to our survey on summer program interests! In response to your interests, we'll be running a series of in-person and webinar events in July. Please register by clicking the links below.
Moth Night at Manuel Correllus State Forest
Wednesday, July 7th
8:30 - 10:30 pm
Join moth expert Paul Goldstein for an evening of moth appreciation - celebrating the diversity and beauty of moths. Participants should bring flashlights and be prepared for mosquitoes. Please bring a mask for when we are in close proximity. Family friendly and free event. No registration needed.
Natural Neighbors Gaining Ground
The Natural Neighbors Program is off to a great start. So far, 27 participants have enrolled in the program, and Angela has visited 12 properties in Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and West Tisbury. On each property, we identify unique features and opportunities to improve ecological health and support wildlife and plant conservation.
The recommendations we offer are tailored depending on the homeowner’s interests, existing plant communities, species present, soil profile, natural cover, and water sources. Responses to the program have been overwhelmingly positive. You can learn more and read what participants have to say about the program on the Natural Neighbors page.
Join us August 4th 5 - 7 pm at Tashmoo Springs
You're invited to our Summer Gathering on Wednesday, Aug. 4th, 5 - 7pm
This casual gathering is a great opportunity to visit with the staff and learn about our programs and wildlife projects.
Please RSVP to:
LuanneJ@biodiversityworksmv.org
for more details.
Saltmarsh Bird Surveys Underway
As partners with the Tidal Marsh Bird project, we have been surveying 14 locations around the island every few years to gather data on saltmarsh nesting birds. As sea levels rise, saltmarshes experience more extreme tidal surges that make it difficult for nesting birds to hatch and rear chicks in that environment. This project gathers important data on the abundance and distribution of saltmarsh birds over time.
Northern Long-eared Bats Survive in Small Numbers
We spent many spring nights netting in forests around the island to capture any Northern long-eared bats that survived the winter and assess their health. Their populations have declined by over 90% since the arrival of a non-native fungus that causes white-nose syndrome during hibernation. While bats of this species were recorded calling on bat detectors in Chilmark, West Tisbury, Tisbury, and Edgartown, the only site where we were lucky enough to capture any in our nets was on Chappy, where we captured three.
The two females and a male had spots of fungus visible on their wings when we illuminated each wing with UV light, but the bats were otherwise in good condition. Having survived another winter of infection, these bats may be slowly developing an immune response. Female bats of all species are raising pups in maternity colonies in late May, June, and July. If you have a colony around your home and want to learn more, sign up for our bat talk or download theHomeowner's Guide to Bats.
Please Support Our Mission
Your donations support these programs, and every dollar makes a difference.
