Archive for March, 2014

First Spotted Turtles of 2014 on SouthCoast

Friday, March 21st, 2014

Male Spotted Turtle Basks in SouthCoast Pond

A brisk 44 degrees intensified by a fresh ocean breeze chilled the Massachusetts’ SouthCoast.  Nevertheless, the Turtle Journal team decided to explore a protected pond in East Marion for spotted turtles.  We had observed the first basking turtle at this pond three days ago, but we had not yet held one in our hands to see how well they had fared during this long, hard winter.  As we approached the pond, a flock of “guard” ducks took flight and quacked warning to two spotted turtles hugging the bank.  They dove for the mucky bottom of leaves, twigs and swampy debris.

Sue Wieber Nourse Examines Two Male Spotted Turtles

Undaunted by the challenge, Turtle Journal’s Sue Wieber Nourse plunged into the swamp and scooped up the surprised turtles with her bare hands.  They both were adult male spotted turtles; one was marked and the other was a first time capture.

Male Spotted Turtle #11 (First Marked in 2007)

Turtle Journal’s Don Lewis had first captured the marked turtle (#11) on April 20th, 2007 in the same location.  Within the last seven years, his measurements have not varied noticeably.  However, Spotted Turtle #11 weighs in at 185 grams today, ten grams heavier than his weight in April 2007.   The second turtle, now marked #13D, is an 8-year-old male who weighs 178 grams.  He is missing his left front limb, an injury that is well healed.   He marks the second male spotted turtle in this small pond that we have documented with a missing limb.

Spotted Turtle #11 Released Back into the Wild

After examining and documenting the two males, the Turtle Journal team released them back into the pond while the sun was still high enough to offer basking opportunities.

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Male Spotted Turtles Released Back into Wild

The two lads sprinted across the grass and slid into the swampy pond.  Turtle #11 swam for deeper water in the center of the pond, while #13D hid near the bank among limbs, leaves, duck weed and debris.  You may spot his head at the end of the video, but I warn you that these turtles are incredibly camouflaged.

Two Male Spotted Turtles

This handsome duo proved healthy and they seem to have weathered the long, endless winter quite well burrowed deep under the mucky bottom of the pond.  Hopefully within the next few days we’ll see some of the gorgeous ladies who frequent this wetlands, too.

Great Blue Heron Returns to SouthCoast Rookery

Friday, March 21st, 2014

Great Blue Heron Returns to SouthCoast Rookery (March 21)

Blue skies, a stiff breeze and chilly temperatures greeted the first Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) who returned to the SouthCoast rookery this morning, March 21st.  Soon followed by its mate, the pair naturally took residence in the best nest within the rookery.

SouthCoast Great Blue Heron Rookery

The Turtle Journal team has been following this major Great Blue Heron rookery on the SouthCoast since Spring 2012.  Many pairs of Great Blue Herons compete in sometimes open battle with several pairs of Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) to raise their young in this perfect, well protected nursery habitat.  (See Great Blue Heron Rookery on Massachusetts SouthCoast.)

Great Blue Heron Occupies Disputed Nest

The Great Blue Heron pair this morning assumed occupancy of the best and most disputed nest within the rookery.  For the past two seasons, ospreys have evicted Great Blue Heron pairs from this nest.  (See Aggressive Ospreys Evict Great Blue Heron Nesting Pair.)  It will be interesting to observe whether the battle continues this year.  For the nonce, though, with no ospreys in sight, Great Blue Herons are in charge.

Spring Rain Sparks Salamander Congress on Massachusetts SouthCoast

Thursday, March 20th, 2014

Yellow Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) Heading to Congress

A bitter, seemingly interminable winter has lingered in the  Great White North.  Most ponds, creeks and bog channels remain largely iced.  Yet, after midnight, a spring rain descended on Massachusetts’ SouthCoast with gradually warming temperatures that reached into the low to mid 40s.  So, in the wee hour darkness, Sue Wieber Nourse of the Turtle Journal team ventured out to a nearby wetlands to see if these conditions would spark a salamander congress.

Yellow Spotted Salamander on First Day of Spring (March 20)

Crossing a dirt roadway separating swampy woodlands from bog channels where we have documented an annual congress in previous years, a handsome yellow spotted salamander slithered through the soaking darkness.  Sue saw this moving “twig” in the glare of her headlights and managed to snag him before he disappeared into the bog.

Ventral Side of Yellow Spotted Salamander

These are lovely creatures who, for us, create the surest mark of emerging Spring.  We returned to the bog later in the morning, but did not find any signs of spermataphores or egg masses.  Also, we found no wood frogs. which we normally observe in these same bog channels.  Still too early and too cold, I fear.

First Crocus at Turtle Journal Central Blooms on First Day of Spring

There was another Spring surprise for us this morning.  At Turtle Journal Central, our first crocus of the year bloomed on this first day of Spring. 

First Spotted Turtle of 2014 on Massachusetts SouthCoast

Tuesday, March 18th, 2014

First 2014 Spotted Turtle at Brainard Marsh Pond in Marion

Perhaps there will be an end to this endless winter.  The Turtle Journal team visited Brainard Marsh in East Marion this afternoon.  Spotted turtles in the small, shallow pond in Brainard Marsh usually awaken first on the SouthCoast.  The sun warms this protected pond in mid-March, coaxing spotteds to “spring” to life. 

At 37 degrees Fahrenheit at 2:15 pm, we had little hope of seeing our first turtle of the year.  Yet, the sun must have warmed the water just enough to nudge one adult spotted turtle out of brumation (winter slumber).  Sue Wieber Nourse observed this well camouflaged beauty basking at the surface and representing our first turtle sighting of 2014 on the SouthCoast of Massachusetts.

Let the Turtle Season begin!