​April 1
As we await the arrival of the returning alewives, many return to John Hay's timeless classic The Run, chronicling the herring migration in Brewster during the 1950's. The balance of history and science, conveyed with his characteristically eloquent language,  has never lost its appeal. I suggest that readers look for the original publication (1959) or other early publications which  feature the exquisite illustrations of his good friend, and Dennis resident, David Grose (Grose Gallery); as John intended the book to be, in the natural history tradition. His collaboration with David extended through the years and featured illustrations in two of John's other significant books, Nature's Year (1961) and The Great Beach (1963). Unfortunately, the 40th anniversary edition (1999) eliminated these drawings. David was generous enough to allow me to use his illustrations in our documentary of 2004, A Journey that Never Ends, John Hay's The Run and John and David were able to enjoy a reunion in their final years.

April 4
All is well and all is waiting here, meanwhile, down at the fish ladder, 731 herring have arrived between March 25th and April 4th.

April 8
Still no sign of the alewives returning to Slough Pond as of yet, though numbers are up into the 3,000's down at the ladder. Our passage is holding a good level of water except for the section closest to Slough where sand accumulates. The massive sandbag weir is holding the pond water back but for some lapping over the surface with the wind's fetch across the water, creating a slight flow in the stream. Other migrants have returned to the pond, osprey, swallows, and flocks of Canada Geese, as well as the unfeathered or finned- APCC arrived at the pond today to begin their annual data gathering which will continue monthly through November.