Nature & Science
’Tis the time of year young birds are fledging from nests Islandwide. I have taken a section from the Massachusetts Audubon Society Newsletter to answer the many questions I have been asked recently. It is headlined, If You Care, Leave Them There:
Turtles could teach us a thing or two.
These shelled oracles have inspired much advice. Australian athlete Bill Copeland advised us to “Try to be like the turtle — at ease in your own shell.” Wise Dr. Seuss observed that “All the turtles are free – As turtles and, maybe, all creatures should be.” And a Jamaican proverb rightly notes that “Sleepy turtles never catch the sunrise.”
Squeals had been echoing through the Katama Barn at the Farm Institute for 14 hours while three mamma pigs labored last week. Mariah, Carrie and Rhonda, the large sows who together produced 23 piglets, began farrowing Thursday afternoon and by Friday morning were not pleased with all the commotion.
“It’s okay, mamma, it’s okay,” said farm manager Julie Olson, cradling the tiniest newborn piglet from one of three litters. “Everybody’s talking.”
Considering the chilly spring, some might have made dour forecasts for the West Tisbury Farmers’ Market season opener, but they would have underestimated the resilience and enthusiasm of both this Island’s growers, bakers and artisans, and the community that supports them.
Saturday dawned grey, but the rain held off for the morning, allowing vendors and visitors alike to buy, eat and socialize at the first meeting of this annual summerlong institution.
Finally an offshore wind development plan for the ocean off Martha’s Vineyard has found broad acceptance.
In sharp contrast to the controversy which dogged every public meeting about the Cape Wind development in Nantucket Sound, a presentation last night about plans for a far larger development off the Island’s south shore went remarkably smoothly.
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
June 3 79 54 .00
June 4 67 50 .00
June 5 69 44 .00
June 6 69 49 .00
June 7 75 55 .00
June 8 85 62 .00
June 9 86 64 .09
Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 69º F.
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.