Nature & Science
We had a beautiful day on Saturday, Jan. 5 for the Vineyard’s forty-eighth consecutive Christmas Bird Count. We beat Nantucket, sort of, but more on that later. It was a day of fair weather with a bit of wind, but no rain or fog to dampen the birds’ or birders’ spirit. We had a great turnout with 69 field participants including six from Nantucket, a couple from Cape Cod and a couple from the Boston area.
Tonight’s crescent moon appears low in the western sky after sunset in the zodiacal constellation Aquarius. The moon reaches first quarter phase on Tuesday and is in the zodiacal constellation Pisces.
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
Jan. 4 20 8 .00
Jan. 5 35 17 .00
Jan. 6 43 23 .00
Jan. 7 49 36 .00
Jan. 8 52 35 .00
Jan. 9 55 44 .00
Jan. 10 53 36 .02
Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 45º F.
Sometimes a story just drops into your lap, or more accurately into your e-mail box.
That was the case last October when I received an inquiry about a mystery creature. But since I believe in saving for a rainy day, the story has waited until now.
I received a well-written, humorous, and descriptive inquiry from Jamie Katz, who even did some of the research for me.
There is no such thing as a seagull.
Fish Talk
Fish, Fish, Fish will be the topic of Louis Larsen’s talk at the next Friends of the Library speakers bureau at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, at the Vineyard Haven library. Mr. Larsen is the owner of the Net Result. Refreshments will be served following the talk.
Almanac
A comprehensive guide to weather and tides on the Island.
Vineyard Gardener
I guess this past week weather-wise is called a January thaw. We did not really experience it the last several years as December was unseasonably warm.
Farm & Field
Beige and brown and tan and black, with horns spiraled or semicircular or in undulating waves, a legion of goats marched up the hill toward us, bleating in anticipation of fresh grass and leaves.