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Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Early risers this week will be rewarded with Eta Aquarid meteor showers arcing across the sky, peaking Wednesday and then diminishing by Mothers Day, this shower originated from Haley's Comet. The full moon rises May 9 with a few early morning daylight low tides:
| Monday, May 11 |
7:14 am |
-0.9 feet |
| Tuesday, May 12 |
7:56 am |
-0.7 feet |
| Wednesday, May 13 |
8:36 am |
-0.5 feet |
| Thursday, May 14 |
9:32 am |
-0.2 feet |
That most hardy of shorebirds, the snowy plover, has one nest being monitored this year—so far. Enclosures of string and metal fencing along the Great Beach are reminders of where they are attempting to nest, please avoid these areas, look for the annual closures signs especially from Kehoe Beach South to North Beach.
Springtime is also the beginning of annual bat monitoring—a healthy 212 Townsend Big eared bats in the first Olema Valley counts; spotted owl nest counts in older growth woods are also positive this year! The usual sign of spring at Bear Valley—the gopher hunting great blue heron appeared last week.
This week is also peak harbor seal season—Bolinas Lagoon and the Estero Trail are good spots to observe from a safe distance. Or the newly repaired film at Bear Valley Visitor Center has some great images of onshore antics of these marine mammals.
A permit for 100+ people at the Bear Valley Picnic area has been issued for Sunday, May 10 between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Expect congestion in this area.
New photography show at Bear Valley Visitor Center is nature images by Kevin Shea going up this week!
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Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Forwarded to Park Wavelengths Subscribers:
Subject: Park Wavelengths- Hypothermia Seminar 5/9 @ Red Barn
Hypothermia – Effects, Preparation and Precautions for Cold Water and Cold Weather
Point Reyes Outdoors in collaboration with the Point Reyes National Seashore is presenting a seminar: Hypothermia – Effects, Preparation and Precaution.
This presentation is designed to give participants a more complete understanding of hypothermia. Topics discussed will include: how to prepare for boating on cold water, hiking in damp cold areas, how to recognize symptoms in yourself and others, and steps to surviving potentially life-threatening situations. The evening will include presentations by PRNS Search and Rescue, Point Reyes Outdoors Kayaking and Safety Instructor Ted Brechbill, and The Cold Water Boot Camp Video used by the Coast Guard. Attendees will leave with vital information on how to prepare and safely enjoy outdoors adventures both on land and on the water.
When: Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 6:30pm
Costs: Free
Participants: Everyone is welcome
Where: The Red Barn Conference Room, Park Headquarters, Point Reyes Station
Contact: Laurie Manarik, Owner
Phone: (415) 663-8192, (415) 663-9405
Email
Laurie Manarik
Point Reyes Outdoors
PO Box 1498
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
TEL: 415-663-8192
FAX: 415-663-8330
Email
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Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Forwarded to Park Wavelengths Subscribers
Subject: Invasive Plant Management on the Giacomini Wetland Restoration Area
Today contractors started mowing areas targeted for Invasive Plant Removal near Inverness Park. Mowing and hand removal tasks will continue on the east and west pasture through next week.
All mowed areas have been surveyed for bird nesting, and where nests are found, the contractor will maintain a 100 foot buffer.
Attached is the sign that will be posted on the Giacomini Signs. (120 KB PDF)
Thanks,
Brannon Ketcham
Hydrologist
Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
(415) 464-5192
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Thursday, April 23, 2009
The fog moved back in this week in time to obscure viewing of the Lyrid meteor shower this week, the thin crescent moon will not drown them out. Best viewing of falling stars originating from the constellation Lyra the harp, is before dawn. The new moon on Friday brings early morning low tides over the weekend:
| Sunday, April 26 |
6:36 am |
-1.3 feet |
| Monday, April 27 |
7:23 am |
-1.4 feet |
| Tuesday, April 28 |
8:15 am |
-1.3 feet |
| Wednesday, April 29 |
9:13 am |
-1.1 feet |
| Thursday, April 30 |
10:15 am |
-0.8 feet |
| Friday, May 1 |
11:20 am |
-0.5 feet |
Wildflowers enjoyed the recent rain and sun cycle and have been prolific! Chimney Rock is in peak condition, the newest species observed flowering is the yellow Indian Paintbrush. The pastures at Bear Valley are purple with tiny Sky Lupines. We hope to confirm the flowering of the dogwood on Bear Valley Trail—first reports are in for that exotic shrub. Poison Oak is also enjoying a banner year—leaves of three let it be—it can be a shrub or a climbing vine.
The last of the gray whales are moving north, the third pulse of the annual movement is the mother and calf pairs passing the Lighthouse; a couple of pairs have been seen each day over the past week.
The first string enclosures to protect snowy plover nests are being put up on the Great Beach; nesting activities have been observed so far; no eggs yet.
An upcoming free brown bag lunch talk on "A race between an introduced parasitic castrator (Upogebia pugettensis) and the native mud shrimp; another millstone for salmon and shorebird restoration?" is scheduled at 12:00 - 12;45 on April 30 at the Red barn Classroom at park headquarters. A mouthful in many ways!
A permit for a small wedding (+5) has been issued for May 2nd from the Lighthouse parking area; no congestion is expected.
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