Category Archives: By-the-Sea

Beautiful, Beautiful Migration

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Dear Friends,

The much needed rainy weather is giving me time to catch up with you. During this past month the days have been lovely and the early mornings filled with documenting the beautiful migration occurring along our shores. We have had two waves of migrating Monarchs, one very modest at the beginning of September and one recent, quite robust movement, when a large population flew in off the water. The Monarchs didn’t stay though despite that the meadows are rife with Seaside Goldenrod in full glorious bloom. Wind conditions were just right to carry them further along and they only stopped briefly to nectar before attempting to fly over the bay toward Westport.

Autumn Meadowhawk

Saturday was spectacular weather for observing migrating creatures. Warblers were out in full force, which usually means a Merlin is not too far away. Sure enough, he/she was perched at the tip of a tall dead tree, intently scoping out its next meal. That same morning, an American Pipit was spotted wagging its tail feathers while foraging atop a pile of seaweed. A large mixed flock of Semipalmated Plovers, Semipalmated Sandpipers, and Sanderlings were devouring the invertebrates in the surf and seaweed and were joined by three Yellowlegs. An abundance of Autumn Meadowhawk Dragonflies were mating during the warmth of mid-day and I filmed a dragonfly landing on a Little Blue Heron’s leg. Not a good place to perch as it instantly became a heron snack. That beautiful day ended with a last sighting of the Whimbrel pair while three American Oystercatchers flew overhead.

The following morning I eagerly returned to find only our ubiquitous Song Sparrows and Catbirds. It’s interesting and mysterious how migration patterns unfold. There is still a bounty of nectar-rich wildflowers, ripe berries, and fruit for more traveling warblers and what nots. I imagine additional waves of winged wonders will be passing through. Please write and let me know what you are seeing in your neighborhood. I have posted several posts, and more posts are planned, featuring these beautiful creatures so please check in with my website for all the photos and short videos, more than I can send in emails.

Two events/activities for local friends that you may be interested in – Saturday, the 27th, from 2 to 4pm, historian Maria Millefoglie will be at the stunning newly renovated Sawyer Free Library to discuss some little known history about Gloucester, which she uncovered when working on a project for Gloucester’s 400th anniversary celebration. “Branded: Enemy Aliens in Gloucester” chronicles the discrimination towards Italian Americans during WWII. And through the weekend, my friend Paul’s sunflower and dahlia fields are still open. His farm is wonderfully family friendly with adorable pet-able bunnies and goats and you can also pick your own flowers.

Have a lovely week and please again let me know what creatures you are seeing in your neighborhoods. Thank you 🙂

xxKim

P.S. Please keep in mind Lights out for Birds! during these weeks of peak migration. Thank you again <3

Horsehead Bro Time!

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Gray Seals, also known as Horsehead Seals, are considered largely solitary creatures however they become social during breeding season. When in the water off our local Cape Ann beaches, typically we see  one or two at a time, possibly three of four, with some distance between each other. What fun to see a dozen Gray Seals bobbing alongside one another, sleeping and sunning in these last days of summer. It’s not yet mating season and the females are pregnant at this time of year. This little aggregate looks like congenial bro time although that will all change when mating season begins.

Gray Seals are found on both shores of the Atlantic, and at the Baltic Sea. The map below shows the distribution of the western Atlantic coast population.

Seahorses, Bunnies, Sunflowers, and Charlotte

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Lucky us that Charlotte and I were able to spend the day together on primary election day, Tuesday. When asked what she wanted to do she instantly said the  Seacoast Science Center, and to visit the bunnies and pick flowers for her Mom’s birthday at my friend Paul Wegzyn’s sunflower farm, Felix’s Family Farm.

As always the Seacoast Science Center was super interesting and educational with its touch tanks, displays about local marine habitats, and highly knowledgeable staff of young biologists. The highlights were seahorse feeding time and when Raspberry, the endangered Box Turtle, was brought out of his pen to sun himself outdoors. The five seahorses currently at the aquarium are Lined Seahorses (Hippocampus erectus) and they can be found all along the Atlantic coast, from Nova Scotia to Uruguay. They are considered a slow moving fish and that is one of the reasons why seahorses are endangered. Because they are relatively easy to catch, Lined Seahorses are also easily exploited for ornamental display, the aquarium trade, and Chinese medicine.

Paul Wegzyn, Sr. and son Paul Wegzyn Felix’s Family Farm

In these last lingering days of summer and first days of autumn, don’t miss taking your family to Paul’s flower fields. The sunflowers currently blooming are a gorgeous fresh new batch and his exquisite dahlia fields are at peak. As you can see in the photos, for Charlotte, the highlight of the day is bunnies. You can never get too much bunny love and all of Paul’s rabbits are sweet, friendly, and wonderfully pet-able. The favorite of the favorites is Ryan the Rabbit, a breed called a Mini Rex, and he is the softest, sweetest creature you can imagine. He was wholly engaged with Charlotte and she was wondering if it is because of her flowered dress.

Felix’s Family Farm is located at 20 Lowes Lane, Ipswich, and is open everyday for the next two weeks, until  September 28th however, as we get closer to October, be sure to call for hours (978-229-1071).

The Cutest Baby Turkey!

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What a delight to spy this adorable baby Wild Turkey in mid-September. Based on its size, I think it is only about three weeks old, which is very late in the season for poults.

At one point the hen and poult were separated and they were softly vocalizing back and forth to each other. The poult then flew into a low lying tree branch. Poults learn to fly early on in life to keep safe from predators.

Wild Turkey poults eat a wide variety of insects and gradually begin to include nuts, seeds, and berries. Watch how the hen is teaching the poult how to forage. I think the poult is taking an insect from the hen’s beak but I can’t tell for sure if it is berry or bug.

Wild Turkey Mom looking for her poult

Butterfly to Butterfly

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Not phased in the least, this Super Monarch tolerates the Red-spotted Purple visiting his garden patch.

 

Mackerel Fishing in Gloucester

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Wanting to know more about Mackerel fishing in Gloucester because of the striking new public art mural created by Josh Falk, these bits of info, and painting by the Luminism master Fitz Henry Lane, came right up in my search –

From the Sawyer Free Library

Mackerel Fishing Expanded on Georges Bank

“Prior to 1820, mackerel were primarily used for bait, when Gloucester’s catch rarely exceeded 100,000 pounds or 500 barrels. With the introduction of salt mackerel, this fishery quickly expanded up and down the East Coast. In 1822, the Gloucester fleet found large schools of mackerel on Georges Bank, to the east and south of Cape Cod. This summer fishery landed 1.3 million pounds in 1821 and 6.8 million pounds in 1828. By the 1860s, the annual Gloucester catch was more than 30 million pounds. But mackerel could also prove elusive, with dramatic shifts in fish landings from year to year. For example, the enormous schools that predictably migrated each spring from off the Carolinas would nearly disappear in the 1830s, only to suddenly reappear by the early 1840s. Gloucester fishermen pursued mackerel up and down the Eastern seaboard and as far north as the Gulf of St. Lawrence.”

“At the Fishing Grounds” 1851 by Fitz Henry Lane

“This is one of a very few paintings by Lane that depict vessels at work on the fishing grounds. It was initially presumed to illustrate hand-lining for cod, but in fact shows schooners jigging for mackerel. Close inspection will show the fish to have mackerel stripes and the schooners are fitted with chum (bait) boxes on their sides from which the bait is scattered in a way called “tolling.”

In spring, mackerel form large schools off the mid-Atlantic coast and migrate northward with small groups going off to their local spawning grounds as the main school heads northward. When Georges Bank is reached, the school pauses to take advantage of this rich feeding ground; it thereafter breaks up into regional schools which swim off to smaller grounds in Cape Cod Bay, the Gulf of Maine, Canadian coastal waters, and particularly the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The significance of this scene is that it shows the last great gathering of mackerel schooners before the fleet breaks up to follow the smaller schools to their spawning grounds. The 1850s marked a peak period in this fishery when the catching of mackerel by hooks was to give way to capture using the purse seine and subsequent rises and falls in the fortunes of this fishery.”

–Erik Ronnberg, Cape Ann Museum

Mackerel fishing today in Gloucester – Atlantic Mackerel fishing varies moderately throughout the year. High season is May to September. Low season is January to March and November to December. There is no closed season.

Mackerel image courtesy wik commons media

Holy Mackerel!

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Love Gloucester’s newest public art, brought to you by artist Josh Falk and Awesome Gloucester – 

Sal Zerilli writes, “Awesome Gloucester trustees proudly present the latest addition to our maritime mural series: The Holy Mackerel Mural!

Milestone moment: With this award, Awesome Gloucester has now distributed $218,000 in community support!

The project: Created by local artist Josh Falk! A companion to our beloved “Sacred Cod” mural, honoring the fish that have profoundly shaped Gloucester as America’s oldest seaport. This new piece will grace Americold’s prominent Rogers Street wall – one of our city’s most visible and iconic locations.

Community collaboration: Americold has been generous and truly community-oriented throughout this partnership. Additional support comes from the Rotary Club of Gloucester and Institution for Savings. Our dedicated trustees Rick Doucette, Stefan Edick, Bonnie Fendrock, Shawn Henry, Julie La Fontaine, Sue Salem, and Sal Zerilli made additional personal contributions to make this vision reality.

The impact: Our 9th mural continues Gloucester’s tradition of accessible public art that celebrates our maritime heritage and enriches daily life for residents and visitors alike.
Learn more about this outstanding project:
http://www.awesomefoundation.org/…/363927-the-holy&#8230;

Congratulations to all our community partners making public art possible”

Waves of Impact making a Big Splash at Good Harbor Beach! #gloucester

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A special Waves of Impact event is happening right now at Good Harbor Beach. They were setting up for the day when I was there earlier this morning with Liv to check on Plovers. When I drove past just now the beach is full of families having a wonderful time and learning how to surf!

Waves of Impact is a surf camp, with branches in California, Texas, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Their mission statement reads, “Waves of Impact is dedicated to providing access to the healing and therapeutic power of the ocean to individuals with exceptional challenges. Our mission is to foster growth, self-esteem, and wellness through adaptive surfing. We strive to create an inclusive and safe space for our participants, and to provide the highest quality of surf and ocean-based therapy to those in need.”

Gloucester lifeguard volunteers John Dalone, Kansas Ricci-Munn, and Charlotte Morris

Every year volunteers are needed on the beach and to help with the kids in the water. I’d love to learn more about the camp and help next year. Read more about Waves of Impact here. 

 

Love, Love Felix’s Family Farm!

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Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality

Paul Wegzyn and his family have created a most magical family friendly farm event. The theme this season is LOVE and beautiful quotes are placed throughout the fields.

Every season Paul develops new and wonderful experiences for people and this year is no exception. If you do, as do we, have a bunny- and goat-loving youngster in your family, they will be utterly delighted with the very pet-able, softest bunnies and sweetest goats around!

He has created a lovely butterfly garden with Mexican Sunflowers, Zinnias, and Cleome and you can PYO all the flowers on the farm, including Paul’s beautiful dahlias.

A new crop of lavender is almost ready to pick as is a freshly opening field of orange sunflowers with dark centers, which I can not wait to see.

Felix’s Family Farm is open everyday from now until about the third week in September, or as long as the flowers last.

Felix’s Family Farm

20 Lowes Lane, Ipswich, MA

978-229-1071

The following is a list of even more activities Felix’s Family Farm has to offer. To learn more, please go here.

  • Baby Goat Yoga
  • Alpaca Yoga
  • Yoga Yurt with a variety of classes and events
  • Luxury Glamping Experience on The Farm
  • The Ability To Host Private Parties and Events
  • Honey From The Farm
  • Professional Cow Photoshoots
  • Picnics on The Farm

Plover Rescue!

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Our Plover partners at Audubon received a call over the weekend that there was a Piping Plover at Coffins Beach with a broken wing. Plover Ambassador Deborah B located the Plover yesterday afternoon and Charlotte and I headed over to Coffins.  Sure enough, its left wing was dragging on the ground but it appeared otherwise in good shape, foraging and running the length of the beach.  It also seemed very bonded with another Plover, possibly a sibling.

Through Carolyn Mostello, the Massachusetts Coastal Waterbird Biologist with Mass Wildlife, we received clearance to rescue the Plover. Because Plovers are listed as a threatened species there are specific protocols that must be followed before handling the bird. Next we needed to get the go ahead from Tufts Wildlife Clinic that they could at this time accept the Plover.

After the all clear, Lis Kernan , Mass DCR Shorebird Recovery Program Coordinator, and I met at Coffins. We quickly found the Plover. Lis had brought two nets and she expertly guided me on how we could safely steer the bird into the nets. She was soooo fast and in no time, the bird was safely tucked into a waiting cardboard box outfitted with a soft towel, as was recommended by local wildlife rehabber Jodi Swenson from Cape Ann Inc..

As I was driving the little one to Tufts Wildlife Clinic in Grafton he/she began piping. It wasn’t the sharply piercing warning call Plovers make when stressed but the gentle sing-song piping that we hear when they are communicating with one another. I think it was calling to see if there were other Plovers in the vicinity. I responded (with words, not piping) and we seemed to have a back and forth conversation but then I wanted it to conserve its energy and stop piping. I tried singing lullabies to see if that would soothe its little soul, but he kept piping all along until the car stopped.

A very kind staff member, Patrick, was waiting at the clinic. He provided us with a case number so that we can check in periodically. If all goes well, it should take about three weeks for the broken wing to heal and then several more weeks to learn how to fly. I am afraid it will miss peak migration and see a road trip to North Carolina in our future 🙂

As Jamie from Audubon mentioned, today was a great example of cross-organization collaboration to help an injured creature.

Above photos courtesy Lis Kernan

Piping Plover September Update

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Dear PiPl Friends,

Our youngest fledgling has resurfaced at Good Harbor Beach! He/she had not been since the morning of the fierce hail and rain storm but there she was in the soft sand today, preening and sleeping alongside a mini flock of Semipalmated Plovers. Will they migrate south  together? Piping Plovers are reportedly solitary but are often seen during the non-breeding months foraging in mixed groups of Semipalmated Plovers, Sanderlings, and Dunlins. Several years ago, during their southward migration, I saw a flock of a dozen Piping Plovers tucked in with several hundred Semipalmated Plovers, all resting on the upper part of the beach.

39 day old Piping Plover fledgling with Semipalmated Plovers

Semipalmated Plover range map – orange = breeding, yellow = migration, blue = wintering grounds

You can see from the map that the range of Semipalmated Plovers is vast when compared to Piping Plovers. They nest in subarctic and arctic environments and that is why we do not see them nesting at our local beaches. August is the peak time of year for the Semipalmated Plover’s southbound migration and we have seen many at Good Harbor Beach over the past month. Partners in Flight estimates the global population to be about 200,000 while the Piping Plover population as of 2020 was only about 8,000 adults.

Semipalmated Plovers are often mistaken by beachgoers for Piping Plovers.  During the southward migration, their feathers are faded and worn, which only increases confusion.

Semipalmated Plovers are called as such because only their two outer toes are webbed, ie. semi. The photos show the webbed tracks and the partial webbing of the toes.

From Life Traces of a Georgia Coast

Birds of the World

Piping Plover tracks

Enjoy this beautiful Labor Day,
xxKim

PSA: Dogs on Beaches

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Why Can’t I Bring My Dog to the Beach?

According to the Gloucester City ordinance code, it is a $300.00 fine (doubled during the season) to bring a dog to Good Harbor Beach. For example, if you bring two dogs, that is 600. x 2 = $1200.

But stating the fines right off doesn’t explain why.

Health and Safety

Our beaches are wonderfully filled with beachgoers during the summer months. Can you imagine adding dogs, either on or off leash, to the mix? Dog ownership is at a record high, much greater than even a generation ago. In 2000 there were roughly 68 million pet dogs, today there are about 90 million dogs. What if everyone who owns a dog brought theirs to the beach?

Let’s face the facts, a great many dogs are not on voice command. We have dogs jumping on children, knocking over the young and old, biting people, and getting into dog fights and biting each other. That is not a safe scenario for any beachgoer.

But what if the law were changed to allow dogs on leash?

We would have half abiding by the leash law and half saying “I left my leash at home,” or “I thought it was okay to let my dog off leash after 5pm,” or “I thought it was okay before 8am,” etc. etc. How do we know this? Because we already hear these statements during the off leash/on leash days at Good Harbor Beach.Pile of poop at the Good Harbor Beach snack bar area

Dog Poop is a consequential environmental issue. During the season when dogs are allowed on the beach we see the gamut of poop-maintenance behaviors. Most people clean up after their pet. However, many people bury the poop in the sand or leave their poop bags behind. When someone leaves their bag by the footbridge, then other dog owners take it as a sign as a place to deposit their bag. The pile of dog poop in a rainbow color of bags grows and grows. Do we want beachgoers stepping in sand covered poop or being confronted with piles of dog poop? There is no poop cleaning fairy. It is left  to our awesome DPW or one of the very nice volunteers, like Chris Cefalo, his brother, and Michael Cook who regularly cleans GHB to remove garbage and also the bags of poop.

Good Harbor Beach footbridge

Keeping Dogs out of the Dunes During the Growing Season Helps Protect the Dune Ecosystem

If you regularly visit Good Harbor Beach during the off season, you can’t help but notice, the “Keep out of Dunes” signs are frequently ignored by pet owners. There are many who do respect this vital habitat, but also many who don’t. Dogs running and playing vigorously through the vegetation tears at the roots and weakens the plants. Vegetation holds the dune sand in place and without plants the dunes continually recede.

Over the past several years, you may also have noticed the vast improvement in the overall health of the dunes. There is a direct correlation to keeping the symbolically roped off areas up through out the summer season and into the fall because by preventing people and pets from recreating right up to the base of the dunes, it allows just that much more room for vegetation to take hold, and is one fantastic tool in the tool box against fighting erosion.

Dog going pooh within nesting area

Keeping Dogs off the Beach Helps Nesting Shorebirds Survive

Last, but not least, dogs on the beach are a well-known threat to shorebird nests and especially to young birds that can’t yet fly to escape danger.

How so you may wonder? “My dog is so sweet and would never harm a baby bird.”

When there are baby birds on the beach, the Plover parents do their absolute utmost best to keep the chicks safe. The parents exhibit all sorts of distraction behaviors including dragging and fluttering their wings on the ground to fake injury, thereby encouraging the predator to follow it and drawing the threat away from their most vulnerable chicks.

Plovers cannot tell the difference between a domestic dog, Fox, or Coyote. Dogs bound exuberantly on the beach through nesting areas and Coyotes and Fox dig in the sand for eggs and chicks. The ever vigilant Plover parent will  leave the nest and fly at any creature Canid. Often, both parents will fly away from the nest in a sort of tag team distraction method. But while they are busy defending the chicks from a member of the dog family, that is the perfect time for a gull, crow, hawk, or falcon to swoop in and snatch the eggs or eat the baby chicks. Crows focus on eggs and gulls not only eat the eggs, they also eat chicks at every stage of development, even fledglings that have grown as large as the parent. Coyotes eat both eggs and chicks.

Especially during pupping season, Red Fox scavenge the beach looking for shorebird eggs, small mammals, and birds to feed their growing family. Plovers cannot distinguish the difference between a Coyote, Fox, or domestic dog. 

Fierce Dad and FairFeathered Mom tag team distracting a Herring Gull

As I am writing this message, please know that we still have young birds at Good Harbor Beach that can’t yet fly well enough to escape predators. This is extremely late in the season and is due to the tremendous loss of nests during the May Nor-easter; losses all along the coast of Massachusetts. Many of the nesting birds eventually re-nested and we are seeing their offspring. Shorebird managers across Massachusetts  are contending with taking care of these late flying chicks.

Here are on Cape Ann we are blessed with many beautiful alternative locations to walk our dogs, including Crab Beach (adjacent to  the Boulevard), which is open year round to dogs and dog owners.

If you would like to see scenes of Plovers displaying their fascinating distraction techniques and learn more about predators on beaches, please watch our film The Piping Plovers of Moonlight Bay, which I created specifically for people to learn more about how we can all help protect shorebird wildlife and their habitats.  Our documentary is streaming on the PBS Passport AP 24/7. Anyone can become a member of PBS Passport by donating to PBS. It’s so worthwhile, especially for young children with curious minds.  What other streaming service can you get for $5.00 a month!!

As I first wrote, it is a $300.00 fine and doubled during the season to bring dogs to Good Harbor Beach, so please dog owners, for your sake, for the health of the beach ecosystem, and for the safety of growing shorebirds, please do not walk your dog at Good Harbor Beach or any beach where there is precious habitat and baby birds. Thank you!The No Dogs from April 1st through September 30th signs are boldly displayed at every entryway to Good Harbor Beach

Wing warming

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A newly emerged male Monarch warms his wings before take-off.

 

Thank you Miss Ladybug!

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In the garden experimenting with my new camera and I came across Ladybugs devouring aphids on our Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) buds.

What a love and we so appreciate your appetite for all things aphids <3

 

Happy July 4th from Glorious Good Harbor Beach!

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Snapshots from St. Peter’s Mass and Sunday Morning Procession

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A joy to film and photograph our beautiful community. Viva San Pietro!

NEW VIDEO: MAX ALLEN Greasy Pole Saturday Champion 2025

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The winning walk! 

Why Can’t I Fly My Drone Over Good Harbor Beach?

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Fairly frequently when coming onto Good Harbor Beach to check on the Plovers, we find the birds off their nests and in utter panic. I have learned over time that there is only one reason why the birds along the one mile stretch of beach are frightened enough to leave their nests, in unison.  Sure enough, in a moment or two, you hear the drone’s whirring motor first and then observe as it passes over the protected areas of the beach. Usually not one go around, but the operators make repeated passes over the birds. Whether zooming at top speed or hovering, the Plovers are terrified by these modern day avian predator-like cameras.

It is illegal and considered harassment under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to operate a drone over breeding areas. People are either unaware, feign ignorance, or even worse, are aware and simply don’t care. Countless times we have come onto our shifts to find all the birds in the area in complete meltdown mode. The birds think the drone is a predator that has come to eat their eggs, chicks, or themselves. There are even instances where a bird has flown after the drone and becomes injured. Today a man told me he was fully licensed to fly his drone over Good Harbor Beach. Drone operators need to understand that state, federal, and local ordinances supersede any licensing permit (see below for Good Harbor Beach regulations regarding drones).

There is accumulating evidence that the mere presence of drones causes direct harm to birds, not just during breeding season. The unfamiliarity and noise interrupts courtship, mating, and feeding. Entire tern and heron colonies have been abandoned due to drone disturbances.

Plover in crouched position, frightened by overhead drone, and off her nest

This past spring there was a political rally at Good Harbor Beach. We thought it tremendous that people were gathering in support of their views and the birds had absolutely no problem with the steady stream of people entering the beach from all directions. However, the representative’s organizers began preparing a sign that could be read only from an aerial pov, which meant they intended to fly a drone over the beach. We asked the organizers to please not fly the drone but they ignored our pleas and told us the drone was only going to fly over the water and the drone would only be on the beach for a few minutes. Of course we knew that would not be the case and sure enough the drone flew repeatedly over the dunes, disturbing every bird along the entire length of the beach. After fifteen minutes of sounding their alarm calls, all the birds on the beach flew off in unison. The drone was documented flying low over the beach for 45 minutes. Clearly, a beach with nesting birds is not the place to hold a rally if a drone is part of the equation, particularly when there are other locations as easily accessed.

Over millennia, nesting birds evolved with the constant threat of avian predators, including hawks, falcons, crows, gulls, and eagles. They have not adapted to understand that a drone is not a predator, no matter how much the drone operator protests that the birds are unbothered by the drone and have become used to its presence.

It is imperative for the safety of the birds that they have a healthy fear of drones. The last thing we want are nestlings thinking that hovering airborne shapes are nothing to be afraid of.

In our collective experiences monitoring the Plovers, we come across unethical behavior not only on the part of drone operators but also by fellow wildlife enthusiasts. We have seen photographers mashed up against the symbolically roped off areas, despite massively long telephoto lens, parking themselves for hours on end, and also following the birds relentlessly up and down the beach, despite the bird’s clear signals it is trying to get away and/or tend to its chicks. Early on in the pursuit of my dream to document wildlife, I was part of crowds that photographed owls. Observing how sensitive are owls, I no longer film owls in known locations. If I come across an owl or rare bird when out filming, I take a few photos and footage and go on my way. Crowds and hovering persons are also the reason why I no longer post specific locales and keep location information general.

To ethically document wildlife requires thought and is also a tremendous responsibility. We can all do our part to protect the beautiful creatures in our midst by being mindful and sensing their boundaries, especially, especially during the time of year when they are breeding.

Thank you for taking the time to read this information. I hope your question is answered, and why. Please share this post. Thank you 🙂

Nesting birds that are negatively impacted by drone operators include, but are not limited to, Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, American Oystercatchers, Least Terns, Little Blue Herons, and Piping Plovers

City of Gloucester Good Harbor Beach Regulations for Model Airplanes, Radio Controlled Aircraft, Drones

Good Harbor Beach Parking Lot

1. Permitted to fly only when beach parking lot is not in operation (no attendant on duty).

2. Restricted to times when pedestrian and vehicle traffic are at a minimum.

3. Not permitted before 8:30am.

4. Shall fly over the parking lot and marsh areas, not the road or beach.

5. Noise levels will be restricted to an acceptable level (non-flow thru, expansion chamber mufflers only).

6. Pilots shall fly in a safe and responsible manner at all times.

7. Pilots will be responsible and liable for their actions.

8. Pilots will abide by regulations in effect and maintain a safe environment.

9. Pilots will be considerate of wetlands and wildlife.

Beaches Ravaged by Late May Nor’easter

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Dear PiPl Friends,

First the bad news – our Super Mom and Dad’s nest was washed away during Thursday’s nor’easter. We are very sad about this especially as chick hatching was imminent.

Our Original Pair have never before lost a nest because of a storm however, several years ago, a pair at GHB did lose their nest due to wash out as it was in a very unsafe place, smack dab in the middle of the beach. That pair successfully renested.

We are much more fortunate than some beaches. Our Plover ambassador friends at Hull lost a total of 25 nests and the high tides have destroyed miles of their symbolic shorebird protections.

Super Mom and Dad after the nor’easter

Fierce Dad catching breakfast after the storm

For the good news – Piping Plovers often renest, especially when this early in the season. One pair was documented renesting a total of seven times in one season.   And it appears as though Super Mom and Dad are preparing to do just that. After a day of looking lost and forlorn, Dad is making scrapes in the sand and calling to Mom. Producing a new batch of eggs is very taxing for the female and our Super Mom is already very vulnerable due to her loss of one foot. A gentle reminder that when you see Plovers on the beach, please give them lots of space to forage, and hopefully, make new eggs.

Despite the extremely high storm tide going all the way to the base of the dunes, Good Harbor Beach survived the storm fairly well and looks better after this nor’easter than any nor’easter that I can recall. Why you may wonder? As a direct result of the symbolically roped off areas in place for the Plovers, beachgoers and pets are restricted from recreating  right up to the base of the dunes. This has allowed native vegetation to take hold, and in some areas, to thrive. This vegetation, such as beach grass and Sea Rocket, holds the sand in place and is our very best defense against rising sea level and the ravaging effects of the highest of tides and gale force winds.

The photos tell the story best

 

Compare the above photos from storm damage in 2018 and how the dunes look in 2024. Note how far back is the dune, the sheer drop off, and complete lack of vegetation. I recall a time when people were so very worried about how much beach we were losing each year to severe storm damage. That is no longer the case!

Click on the above photos from 2018 to enlarge and get a sense of how much the beach has filled in and how much healthier are the dunes.

Good Harbor Beach 2021, 2024, and 2025 – vegetation gradually taking hold and the sand is filling in.

A plethora of Atlantic Surf Clams tossed ashore by the sea

What are these peculiar mounds dotting the beach after the nor’easter? The photos are included to show how much the sand shifted during the storm and how vegetation helps keep sand in place

Soooo much seaweed at Brace Cove! The insects attracted to the drying seaweed is fantastic for wildlife, but get ready for super smelliness!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend,

xxKim

Love is in the Air

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There are currently so many creatures migrating through our region that it is challenging to keep up with all. In addition to the beautiful northward migrating shorebirds and songbirds, our resident wildlife are setting up house, and also mating like crazy! On Friday I took the entire day off to film and was delighted that in the span of an hour, a pair of Killdeers mated several times, and at every Osprey nest that I like to check in on, pairs were mating, also repeatedly!Great Egret with it’s distinctive green eye feathers, only seen during mating season

Killdeers mating

Male Osprey swooping in to mate

Male and female White-tailed Deer. Look closely and you can see the male’s budding antlers.

Mom and Dad PiPl mating

Plover nest scrapes

Female Red-winged Blackbird building her nest in the reeds.

Male Red-winged Blackbird

 

 

Golden-winged Northern Flicker

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Yet another wonderful woodpecker is returning to our shoreline, ponds, and woodlands. This fabulous golden-winged boy is a Northern Flicker, so named because of the brilliant underwing feather shafts that flash gold when he is in flight. Listen to his drumming and songs to a female before take-off.

Go here to download a nest box plan for a Northern Flicker

Instructions for completing the nest box.

St. Joseph God Bless America

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After taking the group photo, Joseph Briguglio led the ensemble in a spontaneous singing of “God Bless America.” 

Celebrating the Feast of Saint Joseph with Family, Friends, Faith, and Devotion

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Welcoming Spring with the most joyful celebration – Happy St. Joseph’s Day, Happy Spring!

Viva San Giuseppe!

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF SAINT JOSEPH

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The year 2025 marks the Groppo Family’s 30 year tradition of hosting the nine day novena and Saint Joseph Feast Day.

People from all walks of life are invited to the Feast of Saint Joseph at the Groppo’s welcoming home. There was a steady stream of hungry celebrants throughout the day and evening. Tables were laden with wonderfully delicious dishes, featuring both Sicilian cuisine and Gloucester seafood. Thank you to Nina, Franco, Maria, Enza, and this wonderful community of family and friends for sharing the very special tradition of the Feast of St. Joseph. 

Viva San Giuseppe!

More photos and footage to come –