Hello everyone!
Thanks for reading the March 16th edition of the EwA highlights. That spring feeling is in the air!
📸 Bill spotted this northern shoveler (Spatula clypeata) at Horn Pond on Wednesday. This duck is a rare example of a bird filter feeder, using its huge beak to sift microorganisms out of the water. Flamingoes feed the same way!
EwA iNaturalist Record (© Bill MacIndewar · Woburn, MA · Mar. 13, 2024)
Non-dormant bugs are making up an increasing proportion of our highlights. One of the first conspicuous insects you’ll see every spring in New England is the mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa). We didn’t have much snow this year, but this butterfly is sometimes active while there’s still snow on the ground!
EwA iNaturalist Record (© Bill MacIndewar · Stoneham, MA · Mar. 14, 2024)
Speaking of early-active bugs, EwA’s most-observed species this week was again the winter firefly (Ellychnia corrusca). EwA naturalists still haven't documented any mating yet, but that should start soon!
EwA iNaturalist Record (© Claire O’Neill · Medford, MA · Mar. 9, 2024)
📊 Thanks to everyone for your great biodiversity records this past week, totaling 372 observations of 187 distinct species. If you’re curious about the records from this week that have been validated by the iNat community so far, you can find them » here.
🏆 Running tally: To date, we have recorded 175,589 observations of 10,644 distinct species! Check out our EwA umbrella project, see the details per site/observer, and more » here.
📅 EwA Upcoming Public Events
Ewa Field Events » Check the EwA Spring [ Event details and registration » ] Don’t miss some great opportunities to follow the rhythm of the season in our local habitats and in the local wildlife! Space is limited for all our field events. Wildlife ethics is important to us and we seek to avoid putting the pressure on natural habitats which large gatherings unavoidably do. We are asking our audience to register-and-commit (or cancel when you know you can’t come) to avoid no-shows.
EwA Fieldwork (and Resources)
It’s a great time to join our monitoring programs. Check EwA’s Volunteer Program Calendar 📅 to know when things happen. And if a session is of interest to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to get the rendezvous location.
📅 EwA Sites Map | 🌱 Site Protocols and Guides · Field Rosters · Field Notes » All here! | ℹ️ More about EwA’s Citizen Science Program » Here
❓ Do you have any questions? Don’t be shy. Just email me or reply to this thread.
That’s all for this week—hope you have a good one!
-Mike
