Fall 2019 Banding Season, Week 9: October 7—11

Lately, the local herd of Manomet deer has been spotted infrequently along the net lanes. The fawns from the summer have finally lost their spots, no longer needing their camouflage as they can forage on their own. Walking the back edge of the “Big Bog,” Nick and Megan were surprised to look up and be eye to eye with three of the deer standing stock still among the grasses in the bog.

While the Nor’easter may have closed the mist nets for the majority of the week, it did make for interesting sea-watching. From both Manomet’s bluff and nearby Manomet Point, birders saw species such as Northern Fulmar, Leach’s Storm-Petrel, Pomarine Jaeger, and hundreds of Northern Gannets and migrating sea ducks. With several inches of rain falling, the Holmes Farm bogs have refilled with water, making a dent in the drought and creating habitat for wintering waterfowl. We’ll also be interested to see if any new fungi pop up along the net lanes after the rain.

Cheers,

Megan, Sarah, Evan, and Nick

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