Month: December 2019

WISHING OUR READERS A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Posted on by Kim Smith

HERE’S TO A HAPPY NEW YEAR AND A HAPPY NEW DECADE! 

In spending the afternoon reflecting on the past year’s wildlife stories and photos, I have been thinking about what an extraordinary place is Cape Ann. How fortunate we all are to see amazing and beautiful wildlife stories unfolding in our own backyards each and every day! I am planning a Cape Ann Wildlife 2019 Year in Pictures and hope to find the time to post that this week.

News this year of an increase in Monarchs at the butterfly’s overwintering sites in Mexico, as well as strong numbers during the summer breeding season and fall migration, gives me great hope for the future of this beautiful species, and for all wildlife that we take underwing.

Monarchs flying into Gloucester butterfly trees, forming an overnight roost.

Our community has taken under its wings a pair of Piping Plovers. The two began calling Good Harbor Beach home in 2016. Because the community came together and worked as a team, this year we were able to fledge three tiny, adorable marshmallow-sized fluff balls at Gloucester’s most well-loved and populous beach. Thank you Piping Plover friends and Community for all that you did to help these most vulnerable of shorebirds successfully reach flying age. 

Another definition of “underwing” – three nearly full grown PiPl chicks, all determined to nestle for warmth under Papa

Hooray For Dredging! @MassEOHED @STheken

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

December 18, 2019 dreding the Annsiquam from Corliss Landing

January 1st at 11AM Rocky Neck Polar Plunge

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Come join us for our yearly dip !! Start the new year off with this invigorating and refreshing plunge. We ask once again, to bring non-perishables for The Open Door . We dip at 11am. All are welcome . Please share and bring tons of canned goods.

Location: Oak Cove Beach, Rocky Neck
Parking : Just find a space !!
What to Bring: Canned goods, Peanut butter, Tuna, Juice or cash and/or Checks made out to THE OPEN DOOR

Bring your water shoes as it is very rocky !!

Hope to see everyone!! 🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️ 💜💗❤️💙💛

More info on the Facebook Page Link Here

Farewell 2019

Posted on by Pat D

Although the decade has been tumultuous, 2019 has been amazing. So I feel it’s fitting that I finally was able to photograph an adult eagle nearby. We are absolutely blessed in NY that we have many opportunities to observe eagles nearby but the same hasn’t been true in the Cape Ann area……..until 2019 was closing its eyes and stepping out of the spotlight giving way to a new year and a new decade. Happy New Year to you all. I appreciate each and every one of you.

 

RED-TAILED HAWK: THE URBAN-SUBURBAN-EXURBAN RAPTOR KING

Posted on by Kim Smith

Chances are that if you see a hawk, it is most likely a Red-tailed. Unlike so very many bird species, the Red-tailed Hawk population has increased over the past one hundred years. The global population hovers around 2 million and its success is due largely to its ability to adapt to a wide range of habitats, including urban, suburban, and exurban developments. As long as their is some open space, trees or tree-like structures for perching, and small mammals, you will find Red-tailed Hawks.

The Red-tailed Hawk in the photos was photographed at Parker River on the luxuriously warm Saturday afternoon last weekend. There were loads of people out walking and enjoying the sunny skies. It was difficult to tell if the Hawk was simply extremely tolerant of people or if he were struggling with an injury or illness. He stayed for a very long time in a small area, over an hour, but flew periodically to hunt in the thicket below (unsuccessfully), and then flew easily back up to the phone lines and trees. At one point, he almost flew into a car driving into the refuge, missing the windshield by inches. I hope that after the gates closed at sundown the Red-tailed was able to right himself and find a tasty dinner.

Restaurant comings and goings at both ends of town: Pier 23 Kitchen at 23 East Main closed and is for sale | Trio at 64 Main Street closed – new owners fresh start in the new year #GloucesterMA

Posted on by Catherine

Yes, that's a water inner harbor view_Pier 23 Kitchen restaurant for sale_23 East Main Street_Gloucester MA_20191230_photograph copyright © c ryan.jpg

Pier 23 Kitchen on 23 East Main Street closed. The restaurant is for sale: contact (978) 887-9895. Pier 23 owners and AJ’s contributed major upgrades and renovations at this busy spot. (Mooters, LaRosas, and Cacciatores preceded AJ’s at the Harbor.)

The new sign for Oliver’s Harbor Restaurant and Bar features tiles at each end and heralds a change in ownership at 64 Main Street. The Bragas sold Trio which they had reconfigured after opening Italiano Restaurant in the former La Trattoria space and completing a major renovation and build out replete with a new industrial kitchen. Last year they added additional outdoor seating.

Oliver's Harbor Restaurant and Bar coming soon_64 Main Street_ 2019 December 24_Gloucester MA photograph copyright © c ryan.jpg

 

64 Main Street on Gloucester’s West End as Italiano 2017 and Trio 2018: