2017 on Martha's Vineyard: The Year in Nature and Science
On August 21, Islanders joined the rest of the country in watching a partial solar eclipse, seen here through a solar telescope at the Edgartown Public Library.
On August 21, Islanders joined the rest of the country in watching a partial solar eclipse, seen here through a solar telescope at the Edgartown Public Library.
Emery Fullin watches the partial solar eclipse at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary.
Emery Fullin watches the partial solar eclipse at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary.
The partial solar eclipse created crescent shadows.
The partial solar eclipse created crescent shadows.
Fishers, also called fisher cats, are in the weasel family. While fishers have been reported on the Island before, one found last winter on the beach was the first officially documented sighting.
Fishers, also called fisher cats, are in the weasel family. While fishers have been reported on the Island before, one found last winter on the beach was the first officially documented sighting.
Skull of North Atlantic right whale that washed up on Chappaquiddick is on display by the Dike Bridge. Biologist Mark Baumgartner said the skull is a reminder of a species in peril. "I think having that visual, going down and seeing that animal, is really one step closer to understanding what is going on with these species.”
Skull of North Atlantic right whale that washed up on Chappaquiddick is on display by the Dike Bridge. Biologist Mark Baumgartner said the skull is a reminder of a species in peril. "I think having that visual, going down and seeing that animal, is really one step closer to understanding what is going on with these species.”
A dead right whale found in Edgartown Great Pond in August. Scientists said the whale likely died from entanglement in fishing gear.
A dead right whale found in Edgartown Great Pond in August. Scientists said the whale likely died from entanglement in fishing gear.
Errant black-necked stilt seen on private property in Edgartown. The species is usually found in the southwestern United States.
Errant black-necked stilt seen on private property in Edgartown. The species is usually found in the southwestern United States.
Volunteer botanists Gregory Palermo and Margaret Curtin discovered Carex disticha, or brown sedge, along Sengekontacket Pond. It was the first time the plant had been discovered in the United States.
Volunteer botanists Gregory Palermo and Margaret Curtin discovered Carex disticha, or brown sedge, along Sengekontacket Pond. It was the first time the plant had been discovered in the United States.
Carex disticha, or brown sedge, was used as packing material on European cargo ships. "It's not a very charismatic plant," Margaret Curtin said.
Carex disticha, or brown sedge, was used as packing material on European cargo ships. "It's not a very charismatic plant," Margaret Curtin said.
Liz Baldwin with BiodiversityWorks displays a black racer snake. The snake, named Katama, was released into the wild with an implanted transmitter that will allow biologists to track her movements.
Liz Baldwin with BiodiversityWorks displays a black racer snake. The snake, named Katama, was released into the wild with an implanted transmitter that will allow biologists to track her movements.
A grey seal pup rests on the beach.
A grey seal pup rests on the beach.
Mike and Susanna Savoy joined a crowd of 60 people to protest Eversource Energy's plan to spray herbicide under power lines on the Vineyard.
Mike and Susanna Savoy joined a crowd of 60 people to protest Eversource Energy's plan to spray herbicide under power lines on the Vineyard.
Kemp's ridley turtles are among the smallest sea turtles and the most endangered. This juvenile turtle was rescued on Chappaquiddick and helped to safety by Island biologist Gus Ben David.
Kemp's ridley turtles are among the smallest sea turtles and the most endangered. This juvenile turtle was rescued on Chappaquiddick and helped to safety by Island biologist Gus Ben David.
Biologist Dick Johnson collects ticks from a deer to ship off-Island for research. A new deer donation program has been one of several measures to combat tick-borne illness by reducing the deer herd.
Biologist Dick Johnson collects ticks from a deer to ship off-Island for research. A new deer donation program has been one of several measures to combat tick-borne illness by reducing the deer herd.
In June Islanders admired a circumhorizontal arc, a type of rainbow created by sunlight passing through high altitude ice crystals.
In June Islanders admired a circumhorizontal arc, a type of rainbow created by sunlight passing through high altitude ice crystals.
Long-planned and much-debated raised causeway project at Squibnocket Beach was source of contention in Chilmark. Legal efforts this fall to halt construction did not succeed.
Long-planned and much-debated raised causeway project at Squibnocket Beach was source of contention in Chilmark. Legal efforts this fall to halt construction did not succeed.
At the end of summer, Island fishermen spoke out about annual beach closures because of nesting shorebirds. “There are storm clouds on the horizon, I don’t have to tell you that,” said Cooper Gilkes 3rd, longtime owner of Coop’s Bait and Tackle.
At the end of summer, Island fishermen spoke out about annual beach closures because of nesting shorebirds. “There are storm clouds on the horizon, I don’t have to tell you that,” said Cooper Gilkes 3rd, longtime owner of Coop’s Bait and Tackle.
Endurance, owned by Sam Hopkins, will be allowed to catch up to 17,000 pounds of sea scallops this year after the Martha's Vineyard Fishermen's Trust completed a deal to lease a valuable sea scalloping quota to Mr. Hopkins, a West Tisbury fisherman.
Endurance, owned by Sam Hopkins, will be allowed to catch up to 17,000 pounds of sea scallops this year after the Martha's Vineyard Fishermen's Trust completed a deal to lease a valuable sea scalloping quota to Mr. Hopkins, a West Tisbury fisherman.
Young predators face daunting odds against making it through their first winter. A smart young peregrine falcon was hanging out at the Big Bridge, lured by the pigeons that roost there.
Young predators face daunting odds against making it through their first winter. A smart young peregrine falcon was hanging out at the Big Bridge, lured by the pigeons that roost there.
The Martha's Vineyard Land Bank commission voted to install a fence at Trade Wind Fields Preserve in Oak Bluffs to protect the habitat, spurring a dispute with devoted users of the property. “I’m really afraid of losing it and losing the companionship that people get from being there,” said Rose Cecil. “I don’t think it’s just ecology versus people. To me it seems like they really just want us out of there.”
The Martha's Vineyard Land Bank commission voted to install a fence at Trade Wind Fields Preserve in Oak Bluffs to protect the habitat, spurring a dispute with devoted users of the property. “I’m really afraid of losing it and losing the companionship that people get from being there,” said Rose Cecil. “I don’t think it’s just ecology versus people. To me it seems like they really just want us out of there.”
One of these things is not like the others. An American white pelican visited Martha's Vineyard in August, the fourth time the species has ever been recorded here.
One of these things is not like the others. An American white pelican visited Martha's Vineyard in August, the fourth time the species has ever been recorded here.
Edgartown shellfish committee members Ryan Smith, Christian Thornton, and Leslie Baynes discuss proposal to expand oyster farms to Cape Pogue Pond. After concerns from residents and other fishermen, the committee did not move forward with the proposal, but instead opted for a broader study of aquaculture growth in town.
Edgartown shellfish committee members Ryan Smith, Christian Thornton, and Leslie Baynes discuss proposal to expand oyster farms to Cape Pogue Pond. After concerns from residents and other fishermen, the committee did not move forward with the proposal, but instead opted for a broader study of aquaculture growth in town.
Snowy owls, seasonal visitors from the Arctic, arrived on the Vineyard in November. Bird experts cautioned admirers to stay far away so the birds do not have to expend energy fleeing from admirers.
Snowy owls, seasonal visitors from the Arctic, arrived on the Vineyard in November. Bird experts cautioned admirers to stay far away so the birds do not have to expend energy fleeing from admirers.
The Island paused amid the bustle of an August day, with strangers gathering to gaze skyward at a partial solar eclipse. Back on planet Earth, amateur botanists found something to marvel at right underfoot, with the discovery of a rare plant growing in obscurity along the shores of Sengekontacket Pond.
While fighting tick-borne illness and the plight of right whales dominated headlines, 2017 was also filled with quieter environmental stories about rare plants, visiting birds and unusual animals. From beaches to the skies, the natural world informed or delighted.
More from 2017 on the Vineyard:
The Year in Nature and Science