Wellfleet Bay Sanctuary

My turtle Tippy thanks you for all the work you do.

My turtle would kick that turtle's ass...if it wasn't, like, in the shell and everything.

Tortoises can't swim - they are terrestrial and have heavy shells with feet more like an elephant's than flippers like a sea turtle or webbed toes like fresh and brackish water turtles.

Loggerhead sea turtles have also been measured to swim as fast as 30 mph and their brain's are about the size of an adult's little finger, so the point about speed and smarts is moot and making this comment to take away from the hard work of Mass Audubon and the New England Aquarium to save these species is an insult.

Thank you, both groups, for all that you do. There are people who appreciate your work even if blogs seem to draw out anonymous ignorance.

Tortoises are slower than hares, but much smarter. Whenever they race, the tortoise always picks the Marine Rescue Center as the end destination of the race. Then, while the rabbit is hopping down the bunny trail, the turtle just hangs out on the beach until some tree hugger gives him a ride to the MRC.

The rabbit gets to the MRC, sees the turtle is already there, and is so befuddled that he wanders out into traffic and gets smashed by one of those huge Peterbilt rigs. If God is feeling ironic, it is carrying carrots at the time.

Anyhow.. this is why you always see tortoises beached, and why you always see rabbits mashed on the road. Glad i could help.

4 and 20 plovers, baked in a pie....

Turtles rule.

"Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out."

James Bryant Conant

COOOOOOL!!!!!

Thanks for sharing.

Well thats great to see.Just hope a "threatned species" doen't decide to nest there or the Audubon will try and close the dump.

Great article! I've found box turtles in two locations this year, Baxter's Neck in Cotuit and near Highland Light in Truro.
Last Saturday I heard a realtor on WXTK bemoaning steps to protect box turtles.
I believe they are well worth protecting, as reptiles are the "canaries in the coal mines" with respect to the purity of our aquifer.
Thanks for sharing that!

Float like a butterfly... sting like a bee.

Craig and I thank you so much for your stories. Keep on birding!!

Excellent pic's. A few years back, a warbler we called Tennessee, flew into the pane of glass on the sliding door. We thought it was done for but the Ms would hear none of it. She got a shallow tin and put a little water in it and placed the warbler therein. About four hours later it woke up and flew to the nearest branch where it stayed for another couple of hours. Mr warbler then resumed the good life.

Great pictures Craig! Those feathery critters are quite hard to catch on film.
I parried about last week, camera in hand, as a pair of Baltimore Orioles revelled near mile 12 on the Rail Trail.

Thanks to both of you! We love bringing these items to you!!

Great post! I appreciate the lengths you go to show these largely hidden worlds. It further underscores the idea that nature's complexity should be noted and revered, particularly in light of recent political trends whereby non-scientists sarcastically ask why we should bother studying such subtleties.
Even these small worlds hold lessons about the 'big picture"
Thanks!

STOP ! You're turning me into a nature lover for the first time.
P.S. I love it.

Motorized vehicles nor bicycles are permitted on sanctuary grounds.

Sorry, but the sanctuary page link in the post makes it clear that in order to protect sanctuary wildlife (and the visitor experience) neither motorized vehicles nor bicycles are permitted on sanctuary grounds. That would include mountain bikes.

Scenic Trails - Mountain bikes welcome!

"Mass Audubon made a careful scientific study of the proposed project". Hmmmm!

"MA Audubon has challenged Cape Wind to accept an Adaptive Management Plan that includes rigorous monitoring, beginning at the construction phase and continuing at least three years post construction; to be funded by Cape Wind; with contributions from independent institutions and government agencies as appropriate."

I challenge MA Audubon to answer one question: What agency do they suggest should be eligible to bid on, or awarded this multi-million dollar, long-term monitoring contract, if Cape Wind is permitted in Nantucket Sound?”

Dr. Taber Allison: "Mass Audubon scientists have never concluded that up to 6,600 birds, or any number of birds, would be killed if this project is permitted."

MA Audubon's testimony to the USACE:

“By utilizing other bird mortality data provided in the DEIS, Mass Audubon staff scientists arrived at avian mortalities that ranged from 2,300 to 6,600 collision deaths per year.”

I'm sorry you got the recording. The peak summer season isn't here yet and the sanctuary is closed on Mondays. If you call tomorrow, you will get a live--and helpful--human being.

Mass Audubon made a careful scientific study of the proposed project before it voiced its support of the Cape Wind project. You might find our position paper and the links it contains informative reading.

MLR,blog editor

"For information call the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary at 508-349-2615."

I called and got a Mass. Audubon recording. So this feels good story is prompted by the group that will support Cape Wind so long as it gets the contract to count the dead "endangered species" that fall victim to the turbine blades.

Speaking of hypocrites!

I'd like to see those people set upon by a pack of Rottweilers.

but they're not on Cape

The audio files are excellent!!!

I just might blast them on my
stereo some summer night to
confuse my neighbors.

There are many peepers along the tracks just West of Bass River, a stone's throw from Route 6. I can't wait to hear their signature call.

We'll be adding more frogs as the season progresses and more species come out. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, you may enjoy checking out this page http://www.learnnc.org/search?area=multimedia&phrase=frogs

Love the audio files... would you add a bull frog and green frog please?

Thank you! The email link goes directly to Bob Prescott and he'll be delighted to hear from you!! I can also forward comments. We appreciate your interest!
ML

There are countless peepers here in Mashpee every spring, especially near Great Neck and Rte 130 area..
I'll email when they start and perhaps a followup here with a quick tour would suffice..
Will keep you posted.

possee

Shecky..."Today is the time to ensure that The Audubon is here for them."

The same Audubon that will support Cape Wind as long as they have the contract to count the dead birds?

Dan...

That was crewl(sic) & funny as heck too.

I love those effing loon calls. And I still live on Balognasamich pond. Stewed Loon is the Specialty of our house, come on down!

Thought this was an article about Teddy Kennedy and Cape Wind.