NECWA News Blog

NECWA News Blog: Successful and Fun Beach Cleanup at Scusset Beach State Reservation

Beach Cleanup at Scusset Beach State Reservation Date:  Saturday, Oct. 4th Time:  9 am - 11 am No rain date Meeting Location:  Bathhouse/Snack Bar at Scusset Beach We had a great time during our annual Scusset Beach State Reservation Clean-Up this past Saturday. Over 15 people joined NECWA staff as we worked hard to pick up the trash along the shores of Scusset Beach. Kerry, Mary and Jessica checked everyone in as folks met us at the beginning of the boardwalk. Once checked in, everyone picked up their Coastsweep data sheets, protective gloves and trash bags. Checking in.  Before heading to the beach, many participants checked out our free educational material that included buttons, bracelets and literature. Then it was time to get to work. NECWA Intern Fabi helping to set-up the table.  Food, drinks and free educational material for all! Once on the beach, each team headed in a different direction to cover as much area ...

Beach Cleanup at Scusset Beach State Reservation Date: Saturday, Oct. 4th Time: 9 am - 11 am No rain date Meeting Location: Bathhouse/Snack Bar at Scusset Beach The New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance (NECWA) is sponsoring its annual beach cleanup at Scusset Beach State Reservation on Saturday, October 4th from 9 am to 11 am. This beach cleanup is part of a larger effort through COASTSWEEP, the Massachusetts-wide coastal cleanup that occurs during September and October. And our beach cleanup at Scusset Beach is in conjunction with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). COASTSWEEP cleanups are organized by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). Each fall, thousands of volunteers collect tons of trash from beaches, marshes, riverbanks and the seafloor. These cleanups are part of the International Coastal Cleanup organized by the Ocean Conservancy in Washington, D.C. Last year alone, 2,588 volunteers cleaned 139 miles of coastline, ...

September 7, 2014 Seabirds and Whale Tails Excursion A big thanks to Donna Lorello for helping to write this trip report.  With partly cloudy skies, the trip began by surveying Plymouth Beach taking note of gulls, terns, and cormorants.   Race Point, Peaked Hill Bars, the east side of the Cape and Stellwagen Bank were areas that were visited during the course of the trip.    Our first stop was the tip of Cape Cod and the beaches along the backside of the Cape, including Race Point Beach. Here a Sabine's gull was sighted in a large grouping of gulls and terns.   Our captain, Capt. Bob English, did a fantastic job maneuvering the boat close to the beach to track down the bird as it flew to shore.   With some effort, this Sabine’s gull was picked up again and all aboard were able to get good looks at it.   It proved to be an adult with full dark hood over the head and was one of the most notable sightings of the day! Gray sea...

Update on Seabird & Whale Tales Excursion Trip Date: Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014 Time: 8 am to 4 pm  Boarding Time: 7:30 am  For those of you who are registered for our all day trip on Sunday, Sept. 7,. 2014, here are some updates for you. The trip is a go, so get ready for lots of fun offshore! Call me at 508-566-0009 or email me at krillcarson@mac.com if you have any additional questions or concerns. Looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday. Best, Krill To check the Marine Forecast Link: click HERE Galley: You can purchase lots of good food from our galley. We will have some homemade foods (chowder, chili, deli sandwiches, etc.) and both breakfast and lunch items (donuts, bagels, muffins, chips, cookies, sandwiches, etc.) Please, no glass and no alcohol. And bring as little as you need for we are a full boat!! Galley Menu - cash only  Breakfast Specials: Assorted Donuts $1.00 Assorted Muffins $1.50 Assorted Bagels $2.00 Bagel with Cream Cheese...

Finback whale exhaling at the surface.  On July 2, we saw something that most people don't see in their lifetime. We saw a finback whale lift its tail or fluke out of the water. I know it may not sound that exciting, but if you knew how rare this behavior is, then you would understand. Here is the sequence of photos I took of this behavior as we watched this pair. I was the naturalist aboard the Tails of the Sea, a commercial whale watching vessel owned and operated by Capt. John Boats. As we watched a pair of finback whales off the south side of Stellwagen Bank, we were astonished to see that one of the whales lifted its flukes out of the water as it dove deep. When diving, a finback whale typically arches it back and sinks beneath the water's surface. This is called a non-fluke dive. It is very rare to see a finback lift its tail high above the water. Rare or not, this whale broke all the rules! Here is a sequence of photos from this same...