Page Four of The Watershed, Vol. 5, No. 1, Summer 2000

POND SAMPLINGS

Oyster Pond Freezes Solid

By Robert Wilsterman

Waterfowl Tells of Changes in Pond

Just as last summer was the summer of the swans on Oyster Pond -- up to 40 of them grazed the pondweeds -- so the winter was the winter of the coots. In previous winters only occasionally did some coots make their appearance on the pond. But past winter, there were at least two flocks of them, each about 40 strong. They arrived at the end of October and stayed until the pond froze over in January. Coots, like swans and geese, eat vegetation, and often would crowd around feeding swans vying for the scraps of vegetation they had pulled up. Their presence tells of abundant vegetation in the pond. In October, also buffleheads (5-6 pair), hooded mergansers (about 30) and pied billed grebes (3) arrived, as well as a few American black ducks and mallards. Alas, no wood ducks this winter! In December, rafts of scaup of several hundred birds floated mainly on the middle and southern part of the pond, often interspersed with ruddy ducks (up to 40). The scaup are jittery birds, taking wing at the slightest disturbance. They stayed only a few weeks, and then transferred to Salt Pond. Also in December red breasted mergansers arrived with their companions of the air, the Bonaparte gulls. There were days when more than 60 mergansers and perhaps as many gulls fished the pond. Two pairs of canvas backs were seen occasionally, 3 great blue herons, and 2 kingfishers In early January, 7 ring billed ducks and several Barrow's golden eye made their appearance. Of the 30+ swans that crowded the pond in the summer, 3 wintered over (or were they different ones, from farther north?) and also 6 Canada geese. Then in late January the pond froze over -- and except for a few hardy swans and geese, the fishing ducks left. After the thaw in late February, some mallards, great blue herons, buffleheads, red breasted and hooded mergansers returned and ring necked ducks. The coots, grebes and ruddy ducks, however, never showed up again. 4 black crowned herons perched in trees along the pond during spring. A red tailed hawk patrolled the pond quite often, and in spring, Bill Kerfoot reported a peregrine falcon in OPET's conservation land. Other hawks -- sharp shinned hawk and northern harrier -- were also seen occasionally. Sorely missed were two great horned owls that had hooted nightly in the northern pond area for the past four winters. They presumably had nested in the Cumloden area now under development. Otters could occasionally be seen swimming in the pond. They left their tracks on the ice-covered pond and spoors in the snow on land, betraying their route from the conservation land to the pond.

DO YOU HAVE NEW NEIGHBORS?

Please let OPET know when you see a house or lot in the pond's watershed area go on the market. And if you have a new neighbor, could you please tell us their names? OPET would like to inform new residents about how they can help protect the pond. You can drop us a note at this address:
P.O. Box 496, Woods Hole, MA 02543, or call 508-548-5984. Thanks.

Thank You, SEA and Treetops

As in the past years, the Sea Education Association (SEA) once again has generously offered their facilities for OPET's Annual Meeting on July 13th. We are very fortunate to have use of this conveniently located place in a beautiful setting, with ample parking, an excellent meeting room and space for socializing. We appreciate it! OPET's monthly Board of Director's meetings take place at the Treetops Club House, and we thank the Treetops Condominium Association for making this facility available to us. Again, it could not be more conveniently located, and the room is just perfect for our group.

From the Membership Desk

Please note: no paid staff, no "development office", less than $100 for fundraising ('soliciting'). OPET has a loyal and caring membership family! Thank you all for your generous donations! Oyster Pond is well worth it! Reminder: Memberships expire May 31st. Why not renew today with a generous gift?

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