My View of Life on the Dock
Joe – you may have seen word of this local fundraising Cape Ann Brewery initiative with Gloucester City Councilors – a great idea for these cold winter nights – benefiting our Gloucester Veterans Center, the Magnolia Pier, Maritime Gloucester, & Ocean Alliance, among other good causes.
Scott Memhard
Mama (left) and Papa (right) return to Good Harbor Beach on a bitterly cold day, April 3, 2018.
By Kim Smith
The return of Mama and Papa Piping Plover to Good Harbor Beach filled our hearts with hope and heartache. Although not tagged with a definitive id, we can be fairly certain they are the same because the pair attempt to build their nest each year within feet of the previous year’s nest. Not only did our returning pair try to nest on Good Harbor Beach, there were two additional pairs of Piping Plovers, and several free-wheeling bachelors.
The GHB Bachelors
Papa guarding all-things-Mama
Papa and Mama courting, building a nest scrape, and establishing their territory on the beach.
The PiPls are forced off the beach by dogs running through the nesting area. They begin building a second nest in the Good Harbor Beach parking lot.
Each spring the Good Harbor PiPl have returned earlier than the previous, which show us that the pair is gaining in maturity, and in familiarity with the area. Tragically, at the time of their arrival in April, dogs are permitted on the beach. Dog traffic running through the Piping Plover nesting area was unrelenting, despite signs and roping. The Plover family never caught a break, and were soon making overtures at nesting in the parking lot.
Even with desperate calls for help and repeated warnings from the Piping Plover volunteer monitors, owners continued to allow off leash and on leash dogs to run freely through the PiPl’s nesting area, daily forcing the PiPl off the beach. They were at first torn between maintaining the territory they had established on the beach or establishing a new territory on the white lines in the parking lot. After one particularly warm sunny Sunday in April, they gave up completely on their beach nest scrape.
We learned that during the month of April, dogs at Massachusetts barrier beaches, such as Good Harbor Beach, not only endangers the lives of threatened Piping Plovers, but many species of migrating and nesting shorebirds.
On May 5th, the first egg was laid in the parking lot. Thanks to Gloucester’s amazing DPW crew, a barricade around the nest was installed within hours of the first egg laid. Greenbelt’s Dave Rimmer soon followed to install a wire exclosure around the parking lot nest.
Four!
No shortage of vandals.
Garbage left on the beach brings predatory gulls and crows and they, too, became a serious threat to our Piping Plover family after the chicks hatched. The lack of a common sense ordinance to keep dogs off Good Harbor Beach during the month of April, the unaware dog owners, the garbage scavenging gulls and crows, and the vicious vandals are absolutely our responsibility to better manage and to control. For these reasons, and despite the kindness and care of dozens of PiPl volunteer monitors, as well as good people from around the community (and beyond), the Piping Plovers face terrible odds nesting at Good Harbor.
Scroll down to the end of the post to find links to some of the dozens of stories that I have written about the Good Harbor Beach Piping Plovers. Many communities throughout Massachusetts and coastal New England have in place common sense management rules and are successfully fledging chicks. I wrote about that extensively during the summer months and you will find a list of the posts regarding that topic in Part Three: Summer.
Most of the Snowies from the great Snowy Owl irruption of 2017-2018 had departed for their Arctic breeding grounds by the time the Piping Plovers arrived to Cape Ann beaches. This was a relief as I imagined that the Piping Plovers might make a tasty meal in the mind of a Snowy Owl. Thinking we’d seen the last of Hedwig and all Snowies, Bob Ryan called to let us know there was a Snowy Owl hanging around the distillery. I jumped in my car and raced right over. She appeared in good health and stayed for a day.
We did learn weeks later that during July and August there were still a few Snowies remaining on Massachusetts beaches and, from examining their pellets, it was clear they had been eating Piping Plover adults.
I was deeply honored to receive Salem State University’s Friend of the Earth Award.
and to give my conservation program about the Monarch Butterflies as their keynote speaker.
In May, three Wilson’s Plovers were spotted briefly on Good Harbor Beach. This was a very, very rare northern sighting, especially so as there were three.
The Young Swan of Niles Pond was released by Lyn and Dan, only to lose his life later in the spring.
Amelie Severance sent us a lovely and detailed drawing of the Young Swan.
A fabulous Green Heron was photographed and filmed on an area pond–signs of a great summer season for all species of herons, yet to come.
For the past several years, at least, Killdeers, which is another species of plover (although not endangered) have been nesting in the dunes at Good Harbor Beach. This year we had, at a minimum, two successful nests!
All four chicks hatched and, at only one-day-old, made the epic journey to the beach. Miraculously, four teeny tiny mini marshmallow-sized baby birds, led by Papa and Mama, zig zagged across the parking lot, trekked through the dunes, and landed within feet of the parent’s original nest scrape.
Only one chic, the one PiPl volunteer monitor Heather names Little Pip, survives into summer.
Piping Plovers Return to Good Harbor Beach!
Kim Smith to Receive “Friend of the Earth Award” and Keynote Speaker Salem State earth Days Week
Piping Plovers Driven Off the Beach
Monarch Butterflies at Salem State University
Fencing is Urgently Needed for the Piping Plovers
Check Out Gloucester’s DPW Phil Cucuru Showing Extensive Storm Erosion
How You Can Help the Piping Plovers
Gloucester Celebrates Earth Day With Great News: Lyn and Dan Release the Young Swan Back to the Wild
Piping Plovers Forced off the Beach By Dogs for the Second Weekend in a Row
Piping Plovers and Thoughts About Signs, Dogs, and Why We are in This Predicament
We Need Volunteer Piping Plover Monitors Saturday at the PiPl Nesting Area #3
Heartbreaking to See the Piping Plovers Nesting in the Parking Lot
Snowy Owl at Ryan and Woods Distillery
Breaking: Plover Egg in the Parking Lot at Good Harbor Beach
Breaking: Two Eggs in the Nest: Shout Out to Greenbelt for Installing the PiPl Wire Enclosure
Rarest of Rare Visits from Wilson’s Plovers
Vandals Harming the Piping Plovers
Tonight on Fox See Our GHB Piping Plovers
Debunking Piping Plover Myth #1
Amelie Severance’s Lovely Drawing of the Young Swan
Debunking Piping Plover Myths #2 and #3
More Shorebirds Nesting at Good Harbor Beach!
So Sorry to Write Our Young Swan Passed Away this Morning
Beautiful Shorebirds Passing Through
Debunking Piping Plover Myth #4, Winthrop Beach is Amazing, and Lots of Sex on the Beach
Our Good Harbor Beach Killdeer Chicks
Breaking News: Our Piping Plover Good Harbor Beach Chicks Have Hatched
Piping Plover Makes the Epic Journey to the Beach
Good Harbor Beach Two-Day Old PiPl Chicks
Good Morning! Brought to You By the Fiercely Patient Green Heron
Shout Out to Gloucester’s Animal Control Officers Teagan and Jamie!
Our Third Piping Plover Chick was Killed This Morning
Happy Father’s Day, Brought to You By Papa Plover
OPEN HOUSE THIS SATURDAY JANUARY 12, 2019 BETWEEN 11AM-12:30pm
Welcome Home! Spectacular ocean views from this newly constructed luxury townhouse moments from Good Harbor Beach. Enjoy the sunlit and spacious open concept interior with high end finishes, incredible decks and amazing landscaping. Imagine relaxing in front of a modern outdoor fireplace while basking in the views of the ever changing Atlantic. Elegant hardwood floors, SS appliances, high efficiency heat/air systems, (HERS) Home Energy Rated System, custom kitchen & baths with granite/quartz counter tops and home office w/private bath. Retreat in the master suite with spa-like bath, walk-in closet and private deck. Second floor also has two more bedrooms, full bath and laundry. Expansive unfinished lower level with plenty of storage has french doors that open onto a beautiful patio great for outdoor entertaining or consider finishing for additional living space. Attached over-sized one car garage leads into a large…
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After a rainy and dreary day, as sunset approached the clouds parted and the sun made an appearance. Went over to Singing Beach and White Beach to catch the sunset.
Using Baron Baptiste’s award winning book, “40 Days to Personal Revolution” you will work with the classical pillars of asana, meditation, and self inquiry. You’ll raise your commitment, open your mind, explore your heart, and grow in ways that you never imagined!
40 Days EXPRESS – this option is for students brand new to power yoga, returning from an injury or long hiatus, or with extenuating work, travel, or life circumstances (like a new baby!) You’ll do 3 studio practices a week and your meditation will cap at 10 minutes. All other aspects of the program will be the same. Of course you’ll be welcome to do more, you may just find that your energy and motivation bump you right up into the regular program! The prices are the same and you’ll have unlimited access to…
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Stop by Cape Ann Museum Saturday morning January 12th from 10:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m for a fun reception! As part of CAM Kids Second Saturday series, explore the inventive worlds of children’s books in the special exhibitions on view this winter: The Little House: Her Story and Once Upon a Contest: Selections from Cape Ann Reads! Meet some of the writers and artists featured in the exhibit, enjoy light refreshments, draw & color, explore the gallery with a “Seek & Find” and more!
Also look for Story Time in the Gallery each Wednesday through March!
photo credit: T. Barrieau/The Trustees
Courtney Richardson at the Cape Ann Museum shares information about an upcoming special event at the museum:
Lecture – Life on the Edge: The Ecology of Crane Beach, Saturday Jan. 19th, 3PM
The Cape Ann Museum, in collaboration with The Trustees, is pleased to present a lecture about the natural history and ecological significance of Crane Beach with ecologist Jeff Denoncour. This program is offered in conjunction with the special exhibition Sky/Horizon/Light: Perspectives on Crane Beach. This program is free for Museum members, Trustees members, Cape Ann residents or with Museum admission. Reservations required. For more information visit capeannmuseum.org or call 978-283-0455 x10.
When one thinks of Crane Beach, the sea, sun, and sand might be the first things that come to mind. But how did the forces of nature create the stunning landscape? What’s special about this incredible barrier beach and marshlands it protects? How do The Trustees protect special places and care for our vulnerable coast? Join Jeff Denoncour, an ecologist with The Trustees, for a dive into the natural history and ecological significance of Crane Beach, how they protect our coastal resources, and examples of success stories resulting from their work.
Jeff Denoncour is the Eastern Region Ecologist with The Trustees where he manages and monitors ecological resources on its properties in Eastern Massachusetts. Jeff grew up on Cape Ann and has spent most of his life living along the coast. He has 11 years of experience managing rare and endangered shorebirds that nest on beaches. For the past eight years, he has been managing the Shorebird Protection Program on Crane Beach, as well as other natural resources that make the Crane Beach such a treasured place.
This program is offered in conjunction with Sky/Horizon/Light: Perspectives on Crane Beach a special exhibition of the paintings of Dorothy “Doffie” Arnold. The works on view at the Cape Ann Museum offer an ever changing vista of Crane Beach as observed across Ipswich Bay from Arnold’s studio in Bay View (Gloucester). Painted in the 1980s, these acrylics on paper are part of larger series of works by Arnold that take as their subject the intersection of water, land and light viewed from a single vantage point over a period of years. With a low horizon line, a sky that is often turbulent and waters that range from placid to racing, the paintings reflect the strong influence of nature on the artist and her work.
A 1980 graduate of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Dorothy Arnold maintained studios in Cambridge and Gloucester. While much of her work is large scale, the Crane Beach paintings measure just 11×15 inches. Her work, which includes landscapes, still lives, figure studies and abstractions, was the subject of an international retrospective in 2001–2003. It was Arnold’s wish to exhibit her art locally in an effort to strengthen the community’s appreciation of the culture and traditions of the area.
About the Cape Ann Museum Continue reading “Cape Ann Museum & The Trustees present “Life On the Edge: The Ecology of Crane Beach” Jeff Denoncour lecture”
Gloucester Smiles with friends from Anchorage Alaska
Taxes are hard. But they are a part of life; a challenge for us all to overcome. It doesn’t have to feel overwhelming though. This year we’re bringing in some experts to give everyone a helping hand. If you’ve struggled in the past years getting them done or just want to make sure you are getting the most out of your tax bill, this event is for you.
Join us, along with CPA Howard Frisch & Mary Lou Balbo from Horvitz & Frisch PC. Ask questions, and find out the best way to make the most of your taxes this year.
As usual we’ll provide the food and drink to make it all go down a little easier.
Space is limited.
Please RSVP to monica@grandbanksbp.com
When: Wednesday, January 16 @ 5:30
Where: Grand Banks
7 Crafts Road, Gloucester
Well, two things…..
First of all, this is all the way down in Providence. Which is about 90 minutes away.
Secondly, it is sold out for this weekend….because it is pretty cool.
So, look into it and reserve your ice bumper car time slot for a weekend later on this winter.
The Providence Rink at the Alex and Ani City Center has the first outdoor rink to host this unique all-ages entertainment. Imagine sitting in the bumper car moving forwards, backward and sideways with a full 360-degree turn radius bumping opponents out of your way!
Head to Joppa Flats on Plum Island birding activities
Sunday Morning is Meet Backyard Birds from 10:00-12:30. Suitable for all ages and FREE.
Drop in at Joppa Flats for an up-close winter wildlife experience! On Sunday mornings in winter, Joppa’s Bird Banding Station Manager Ben Flemer presents demonstrations on bird research and banding. After capturing wild birds in the Joppa backyard, Ben brings them inside to measure, weigh, examine, and then release them. The unique band that Ben places carefully on each bird’s leg connects other bird researchers with the data he’s collected. You’ll learn about your own backyard birds and why they’re here while watching scientific research in action.
This is a free program. All ages welcome. No registration required. Since bird safety is dependent on weather conditions, this program will not be held in inclement weather. If in doubt, please call ahead to confirm that the program is on for the day.
Come birding with our talented guides in one of the best year-round birding locations in the country. Each week throughout the year (except July), we’ll search out avian activity in the Newburyport/Plum Island area. Beginners and birders of all levels are welcome to drop in and join us.Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please wear weather-appropriate clothes and sturdy footwear, and bring binoculars (we do have some loaners available).
January 2, 2019
By Andrew Schiller
The safest cities in America are not remote, rural places. They are closer than you think. They may not be big, but often they are just minutes from the largest cities in the U.S.
One of America’s safest cities is just 3 miles from Manhattan, and 7 miles from Central Park, in the heart of New York City. That city is Fort Lee, New Jersey. Fully eleven of them are within the New York Metro area.
In many ways, these cities serve as neighborhoods within the large metro area.
Similarly, NeighborhoodScout’s research revealed nineteen of the safest cities are in the Boston metro area, and eight are in California, including Danville, which is a scant 22 minutes from Oakland, one of the nation’s most dangerous cities. This is a common pattern our researchers have noted: the safest and most dangerous parts of America’s great urban areas are often just a few miles apart.
Lake in the Hills, IL, the safest city in America for 2019, is a well-to-do community in the Chicago area, while Chicago itself is one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S. In his book The Big Sort, author Bill Bishop describes how America is sorting itself by income, education, and lifestyle into isolated communities. The pattern of crime and safety reflects this social sorting, not just by region but by city and neighborhood within the same commuting zone.
The nineteen Massachusetts towns and cities and their ranking are as follows:
2. Franklin
3. Shrewsbury
6. Marshfield
19. Reading
22. Needham
23. Billerica
24. Arlington
28. Newton
32. Beverly
33. Wellesley
39. North Andover
47. Milton
50. Belmont
52. Melrose
59. Wakefield
68. Gloucester
76. Andover
87. Bridgewater
91. Watertown
We always like to go down and see what’s new at St. Peter’s Square.
Save the Date! Gloucester Biotechnology Academy will be hosting its annual OPEN HOUSE on Thursday, January 24th from 3pm to 6pm. Open to all prospective students AND interested community members, the Open House is a great chance to learn about the unique opportunities the Academy provides – not only for high school graduates looking to start their careers in Biotech, but also for current high school students who are interested in taking summer courses in biotechnology through our SummerSTEM program!
Please reach out to Education Director John Doyle at john.doyle@gmgi.org or 978.491.5968 with any questions. 
Do you experience bouts of dizziness?
Ginger helps to relieve dizziness and nausea. Studies have shown that it may even be more effective that over-the-counter medications. You can use ginger in the form of supplements. You can also prepare a ginger tea by adding a half inch piece of ginger root to boiling water. Sipping on some ginger ale or chewing on ginger candy is also helpful in treating dizziness.
• When you start feeling dizzy, practice deep breathing. Inhale slowly and take in more air during each breath. This helps to soothe the nerves and alleviates stress.
Let Ayurveda Wellness Healing, LLC help you get to the root cause and begin your path to balancing your body.
info@ayurvedawellnesshealing.com to book a private consultation.
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Good Morning Gloucester 