MONOMOY

NATIONAL

WILDLIFE

REFUGEBI-WEEKLY

NEWSLETTERVOLUME FOUR

2019

(PHOTO: R.LAMBERT/ USFWS)Through August 2nd, 2019

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THIS ISSUE'S SPOTLIGHT:

VISITOR CENTER: 30 WIKIS WAY CHATHAM, MA (508)-945-0594

REMINDER TO BESMART THIS SUMMER

We are finishing up the mostrecent renovations on MonomoyPoint Light keeper's house byinstalling wallboard and jointcompound. This fall, staff andvolunteers will paint and installinterior trim and doors; ready forstaff, researchers, and guidedpublic tours!

E.POWERS//USFWSDRYWALL INSTALLATION IN THE LIGHTHOUSE

The temperatures continue to rise assummer progresses. We want to remind you tostay hydrated, apply sunscreen, and know therisks of any fun summer activities you maywant to participate in. If the heat becomesunbearable, think about stepping in the visitorcenter to cool off and learn about ourprograms!

LIGHTHOUSE RENOVATION

C.BRADLEY//USFWSMORRIS ISLAND OVERLOOK

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COMMUNITY

NEWS

LANDSCAPE VIEW FROMMONOMOY POINT LIGHT

GETTING OUT TO THE ISLAND

USFWS

We've launched a new exhibit andnew programming for the rest of thesummer. We even have a newinstallation for our younger visitors!From history lovers, to citizenscientists, to the newest explorers ofyour family, we have something foreveryone. Check the full schedule onour Facebook page or website or seesome of the highlights on the last pageof this newsletter!

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

C.BRADLEY//USFWSECOSYSTEM TUMBLE KID'S GAME

ALMOST BLOWN AWAY

M.HILLMAN//USFWSSTAFF AND VISITORS TAKING SHELTER IN THE

VISITOR CENTER BASEMENT

Unusual weather struck the Cape thispast week with three confirmed tornadoesand 90+ mph winds. The refuge trails anddriveway saw significant tree damage, andpower was out for 2 days. Staff have beenworking hard to clean up and repairgrounds and facilities. Staff and visitorstook shelter in the HQ basement duringthe height of the storm, and thankfully, noone was hurt. We thank first respondersand utility crews for all their hard work!

Did you know that Morris Island is only 40 acres of the entirerefuge? The rest is comprised of three off-shore islands, largelyopen to the public by boat. We encourage those who areinterested in enjoying Monomoy's spectacular fishing andbirdwatching to make the trip. If you don't own a boat, the refugepartners with 3 local, specially-permitted operators (listed below),who can deliver you to the Monomoy Wilderness for a fee. Whenvisiting the islands, just remember they are federal wildernessareas, and critical for nesting and migrating shorebirds. Pleasefollow rules and regulations on posted signage and on our website.

MONOMOY ADVENTURES - (508)-292-3060MONOMOY ISLAND FERRY - (508)-237-0420

OUTERMOST ADVENTURES - (508)-945-2030 (NORTH MONOMOY ONLY)

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FIELD

INSIGHTS

ADULT PLOVERS

MONOMOY'S BUZZING WITHBEETLES

USFWS

NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAIL

HOPPING ALONG NOMAN'S LAND ISLAND

USFWS

NORTHEASTERN BEACH TIGERBEETLE

Monomoy is home to thousands of Northeastern BeachTiger Beetles, a federally threatened species, which werereintroduced in 2000 starting with only thirteenindividuals. Th refuge provides ideal beetle habitat due tolarge swaths of undisturbed beach, little foot traffic, and novehicle traffic. Staff conducted an index count last weekand found 2,274 individuals in just the area covered, withanother planned survey in the upcoming weeks. Next year,a sub-sample will be captured at Monomoy andtranslocated to other sites, with the goal of reestablishingself-sustaining populations in the Mid-Atlantic region. Ahuge succes for conservation!

USFWS

THE LAST LATE BLOOMER FOR PLOVERS

The New England Cottontail Project on Noman'sLand Island NWR is continuing to go well. Despite onemortality and two individuals which can no longer betracked, the remaining 10 are using the habitat asanticipated. Refuge staff took a trip last week to monitorthe progress. They mowed a trail in hopes of collectingrabbit pellets for DNA analysis, and sure enough,Biologists located and collected three pellet samplesfrom two individuals. These data will confirm breeding isoccurring on the island if the DNA is from offspring.

We're on our last nest still being incubated! Sevenpairs of plovers have fledged sixteen chicks so far.Fifteen more chicks from an additional five pairs areon track to fledge soon. The numbers are lower thanlast year which is likely due to the challenging seasonthe plovers faced. It is important to rememberchallenging seasons are natural and there will alwaysbe good years for nesting as well as bad years. Mitigating unnatural human influence that can causedetrimental effects is the best way to help our ploversout!

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MORE FROM

THE FIELD

COMMON TERN CHICK FEEDING

TERNS TAKING FLIGHT Despite a later start than normal,our common terns are fledging inlarge numbers and are readyingtheir departure from SouthMonomoy Island to more southernlatitudes. Staff removed portions offield camp as work slows down.We have our common tern censusnumbers in, with 14,343 nesting pairs-- a new record, and once again thelargest tern colony on the east coast!The analysis was delayed due tocorrections needed to account forthe late arrival.  K.LAPENTA//MASS AUDUBON

GREAT WHITE SHARK STRANDEDIN THE SHALLOWS

SUMMER WITH THE SHARKS

USFWS

SUMMER PROGRAMS

UPCOMING

EVENTS

Guided trail walks continuethroughout the summer (seeschedule, below). Additional

walks are available uponrequest Thursdays throughMondays from 10am-3pm.These tours are dependent

on volunteer availability. Thevisitor center is more than

happy to answer anyquestions you may have!

STAY UPDATED AND CONNECTED

WITH OUR FACEBOOK PAGE!

Guided Walks

Fridays & Sundays 10:30am and 2:30 pmSaturdays at 10:30am

Leaving from Visitor Center

As peak shark activity is Augustthrough September, we areobserving more sharks anddepredated seals. Great white sharksare a critical part of our ecosystem,not only here at Monomoy, butacross the globe. Make safe andinformed decisions when enteringthe water, know the risks, and alwaysbe aware of your surroundings. And,remember that Monomoy waspreserved in perpetuity for wildlife;swimming and beach-going maysometimes conflict with this mission.

New environmental education programmingcontinues Thursdays through Mondays until

August 16th. There will be history lectures, sealtalks, geology lectures, educational games for

kids, and  discussions on the great white shark'srole in the food web. Registration is required.

Check our Facebook page, website or stop by thevisitor center for a full schedule and more

information!

Lighthouse Tour

We're extremely excitedto offer an additionallighthouse tour thissummer! Space is

extremely limited andregistration is required, sobe sure to register as soon

as possible. Contactcrystal_bradley@fws.gov

for more information.

August 6th 9:00amLeaving from Visitor CenterRegistration is open from

August 4th-5th