SSBC Virtual Bioblitz – May 1st, 2021

 Note: To those who are unfamiliar, these social distancing “walks” are not in-person walks but rather a group chat where members share their experiences for the morning and stay connected. South Shore Bird Club is strict about (and very impressed by its members) adhering to social distancing guidelines, which includes avoiding populated areas, large groups, and close social interaction. We fully support members enjoying the healing and mindfulness that nature can provide and want to foster a social environment for those who may feel isolated-these walks are intended to achieve both of these goals with safety at the forefront of our mission.

On May 1st, 2021, the South Shore Bird Club held its first bioblitz. It started out a bit cool in the morning, but turned into a warm, sunny Spring day. Members observed and identified organisms of all types and logged their observations on iNaturalist. The observations can be viewed at:

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/south-shore-bird-club-2021-cnc-bioblitz

We had 12 participants upload sightings to iNaturalist and a few more contributing via eBird or group chat. We had 277 observations in iNaturalist and 10 eBird checklists submitted that day. Between the two platforms, we saw a total of 272 species. Plant observations narrowly edged out birds for the most species (98 plants vs. 97 birds). We also saw 3 species of mammal, 3 amphibians, 4 reptiles, 12 insects, and 11 fungi.

Turkey-tail by Kathy Rawdon

Plant observations included: Flowering Dogwood, Eastern Cottonwood, American Elm, and Sweet Birch trees and several species of fern. We also found cinquefoils, clubmosses, Wood Anemone, Striped Wintergreen, and a number of violets.

Bird's Foot Violet by Kim Wylie

The insect sightings included: Spring Azure, Eastern Tailed Blue, and Clouded Sulphur butterflies, as well as a Velvet Ant, Water Strider, and Dot-tailed Whiteface dragonfly.

Spring Azures by Dan O'Brien

Interesting bird sightings this week included: Virginia Rails, Sandhill Cranes, and a Caspian Tern seen by multiple members at Burrage Pond. Another group had Black-throated Green Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, and a Pileated Woodpecker at Wompatuck State Park. Carol Molander had a Prairie Warbler and Rose-breasted Grosbeak in Riverside Cemetery in Fairhaven. And Jonathan Glover found a Louisiana Waterthrush at F. Gilbert Hills State Forest.

Sandhill Cranes by Brian Vigorito

For those who want to continue using iNaturalist, I have set up a permanent project to showcase observations by SSBC members. If you already have an account, simply join this project and all of your non-bird observations will be added automatically:

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/south-shore-bird-club-non-avian-observations

For anyone new to iNaturalist, hit the sign up link in the upper right to create an account, then join the project.

- Brian Vigorito