October 1
Morning and evening on the first day...
Morning and evening on the first day...
October 5
The pond level has dropped a half inch this week but there is still a decent water level throughout the channel- it is rapidly filling up with falling leaves however and there are sand accumulations marring the passage. A 3" water depth on the gauge is enough for the departing fry in the stream but we are losing that. It has been two weeks now since our 8"-10" rainfall that filled the channel. It is a good time to help the fry depart with fall maintenance as they would have a hard time skittering over the various blockages to gain their freedom. The two crew cleanups last fall were instrumental in the fry's successful emigration, as well as in aiding the returning adults- in great numbers- this past spring. Sandbags may need to be re-employed again and monitored as weather conditions change through these two critical months as we await more rainfall.
The pond level has dropped a half inch this week but there is still a decent water level throughout the channel- it is rapidly filling up with falling leaves however and there are sand accumulations marring the passage. A 3" water depth on the gauge is enough for the departing fry in the stream but we are losing that. It has been two weeks now since our 8"-10" rainfall that filled the channel. It is a good time to help the fry depart with fall maintenance as they would have a hard time skittering over the various blockages to gain their freedom. The two crew cleanups last fall were instrumental in the fry's successful emigration, as well as in aiding the returning adults- in great numbers- this past spring. Sandbags may need to be re-employed again and monitored as weather conditions change through these two critical months as we await more rainfall.
October 8
Water news- schools of alewife fry everywhere today! The APCC crew were out testing the waters and determined its temperature has not stratified yet. They will be adding another month to their data collection this year. We received another 1.5" of rain and the gauge is back at 2.75" and there is plenty of water in the channel. However, due to lack of maintenance (missing the opportunity of all this rainfall accumulation), the condition of the passage is deplorable- fortunately leaves are blocking its entrance to the fry.
An Alewife Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 10 at 4pm.
Water news- schools of alewife fry everywhere today! The APCC crew were out testing the waters and determined its temperature has not stratified yet. They will be adding another month to their data collection this year. We received another 1.5" of rain and the gauge is back at 2.75" and there is plenty of water in the channel. However, due to lack of maintenance (missing the opportunity of all this rainfall accumulation), the condition of the passage is deplorable- fortunately leaves are blocking its entrance to the fry.
An Alewife Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 10 at 4pm.
October 9
Continuous streams of alewife fry passing by in a clockwise circle this morning for 5 hours non-stop. They are feeling the change in temperature in the pond, not yet stratified but the morning mist is claiming some of its warmth. Received another 1.5" of rain this morning- gauge reads 3.75."
Continuous streams of alewife fry passing by in a clockwise circle this morning for 5 hours non-stop. They are feeling the change in temperature in the pond, not yet stratified but the morning mist is claiming some of its warmth. Received another 1.5" of rain this morning- gauge reads 3.75."
October 11
The World Wildlife Fund published their 2024 Living Planet Report yesterday (follow link to read in its entirety). The report clearly shows that for all the challenges facing species worldwide, loss of habitat is a significant contributor to their decline. This is something of concern for us here.
A friend let me know after the meeting that he went down to the Slough passage and there was evidence of recent clearing of leaves. He witnessed schools of fry getting through below the culvert. It must have taken place Wednesday or Thursday but apparently was not done by the wardens. Perhaps someone from the NRD, but it's odd Chris Miller didn't share that information at the meeting which he attended and spoke at. Sometimes there are communication gaps but suffice it to say the clearing out of debris made a good start on it. With the rain accumulation, the fry took advantage of their opportunity. That's good news. I only saw a few dashing past this morning. Regular inspection of the passage will need to take place over the next few weeks as leaves continue to fall and clog up the stream.
Kimberley Crocker Pearson, Chair of the NRAC, provided a brief update on the first eight months of the DMF's two-year herring habitat and nursery study of five ponds in the Stony Brook Watershed, including Slough. She mentioned that Slough Pond is getting more attention than it ever has in the past. I had already been told by the DMF biologist that Slough Pond was passing with "flying colors." The Chair shared that she was surprised and excited by the rich biodiversity of the pond- healthy phyto & zooplankton rarely seen today are present. She is working on the microscopic component of the study with a biologist from the Univ. of NH.
The World Wildlife Fund published their 2024 Living Planet Report yesterday (follow link to read in its entirety). The report clearly shows that for all the challenges facing species worldwide, loss of habitat is a significant contributor to their decline. This is something of concern for us here.
- The Alewife Committee meeting was held yesterday at 4pm. Video link
- The Natural Resources Advisory Commission meeting was held yesterday at 6pm. video here.
A friend let me know after the meeting that he went down to the Slough passage and there was evidence of recent clearing of leaves. He witnessed schools of fry getting through below the culvert. It must have taken place Wednesday or Thursday but apparently was not done by the wardens. Perhaps someone from the NRD, but it's odd Chris Miller didn't share that information at the meeting which he attended and spoke at. Sometimes there are communication gaps but suffice it to say the clearing out of debris made a good start on it. With the rain accumulation, the fry took advantage of their opportunity. That's good news. I only saw a few dashing past this morning. Regular inspection of the passage will need to take place over the next few weeks as leaves continue to fall and clog up the stream.
Kimberley Crocker Pearson, Chair of the NRAC, provided a brief update on the first eight months of the DMF's two-year herring habitat and nursery study of five ponds in the Stony Brook Watershed, including Slough. She mentioned that Slough Pond is getting more attention than it ever has in the past. I had already been told by the DMF biologist that Slough Pond was passing with "flying colors." The Chair shared that she was surprised and excited by the rich biodiversity of the pond- healthy phyto & zooplankton rarely seen today are present. She is working on the microscopic component of the study with a biologist from the Univ. of NH.
Speaking of revisiting, I'm repeating an image I posted on social media the other day announcing both meetings. It has drawn some attention. I'm grateful to everyone who commented on the beauty of our little alewife fry of Slough Pond. May they all soon find their way out to sea...
October 13
The mouth of the Slough Pond herring passage.
The mouth of the Slough Pond herring passage.
What's left of the sandbag weir at the mouth of the Slough Pond fish passage.
The gauge at the Slough Pond landing still hovering above the 3" mark, the minimum required for fry emigration.
October 15
An eventful day... a few sacrificial fry were collected down at the passageway, in the name of science. Ryan from the Natural Resources Department netted about ten fry for the microscopic end of the habitat study. If a few will save the many well it's not too hard to bear. The departing fry have plenty more challenges to overcome, if possible, on their way out to sea, never mind in the ocean depths. The leaves created some obstacles for the fry in the passage but many were seen making their way down (video below) - though below the culvert the sand accumulation was quite extensive. Ryan told me that the NRD had not been the ones who cleared the passage last week. We have an anonymous Good Samaritan to thank for creating a channel between the fallen leaves along the entire stream to help the fry make their way out on the good level of water the rains provided. Thank You! He also told me there were fry spotted down at the ladder and I saw them myself later in the day. Unfortunately they seemed to be caught up in a whirlpool in one of the upper most pools on the north side below the mill. This type of velocity is something they have never encountered before. I did not see any break free but most likely some will (video below). It is highly likely some of the Slough Pond fry were in these spinning schools.
An eventful day... a few sacrificial fry were collected down at the passageway, in the name of science. Ryan from the Natural Resources Department netted about ten fry for the microscopic end of the habitat study. If a few will save the many well it's not too hard to bear. The departing fry have plenty more challenges to overcome, if possible, on their way out to sea, never mind in the ocean depths. The leaves created some obstacles for the fry in the passage but many were seen making their way down (video below) - though below the culvert the sand accumulation was quite extensive. Ryan told me that the NRD had not been the ones who cleared the passage last week. We have an anonymous Good Samaritan to thank for creating a channel between the fallen leaves along the entire stream to help the fry make their way out on the good level of water the rains provided. Thank You! He also told me there were fry spotted down at the ladder and I saw them myself later in the day. Unfortunately they seemed to be caught up in a whirlpool in one of the upper most pools on the north side below the mill. This type of velocity is something they have never encountered before. I did not see any break free but most likely some will (video below). It is highly likely some of the Slough Pond fry were in these spinning schools.
October 20
No fry in the stream for the past couple of days nor any sightings in the pond. Hopefully most made their way out. Which is not to say that the passage doesn't need some maintenance, it does- for those juveniles remaining and to set the stage for the spring, as it was done last fall. There was a little maintenance done this week. A tree that had fallen in the spring storms and settled across the stream was finally cut and removed. Sandbags were installed by the Alewife Committee wardens at the mouth of Slough to block the passage until the water level rises. When it does, an opening in the blockade is planned. The video below shows the effects of the Good Samaritan's hard work clearing a path for the fry along the entire stream; only October leaves passed by peacefully while the flow lasted.
No fry in the stream for the past couple of days nor any sightings in the pond. Hopefully most made their way out. Which is not to say that the passage doesn't need some maintenance, it does- for those juveniles remaining and to set the stage for the spring, as it was done last fall. There was a little maintenance done this week. A tree that had fallen in the spring storms and settled across the stream was finally cut and removed. Sandbags were installed by the Alewife Committee wardens at the mouth of Slough to block the passage until the water level rises. When it does, an opening in the blockade is planned. The video below shows the effects of the Good Samaritan's hard work clearing a path for the fry along the entire stream; only October leaves passed by peacefully while the flow lasted.
October 23
October light with wildlife.
October light with wildlife.
October 24
The sandbags were actually a welcome sight today with all the falling leaves collecting in the passage. There is no fish of any size who could navigate this. It will take some rainfall and some maintenance by early December to clear the way for the fry that remain in our pond and no doubt others.
Wonderful FB post by APCC on the wonder of the departing fry. If you are on FB: Read here, otherwise see below.
The sandbags were actually a welcome sight today with all the falling leaves collecting in the passage. There is no fish of any size who could navigate this. It will take some rainfall and some maintenance by early December to clear the way for the fry that remain in our pond and no doubt others.
Wonderful FB post by APCC on the wonder of the departing fry. If you are on FB: Read here, otherwise see below.
October 31
As we wrap up the month, no alewives have been seen since the 15th. I hope that most of the thousands born here in Slough Pond this summer were able to emigrate but I wonder. Now that the Alewife Committee has re-installed sandbags at the mouth of the passage we can only wait and hope. I will ask again for clearing of the passage in the weeks ahead.
As we wrap up the month, no alewives have been seen since the 15th. I hope that most of the thousands born here in Slough Pond this summer were able to emigrate but I wonder. Now that the Alewife Committee has re-installed sandbags at the mouth of the passage we can only wait and hope. I will ask again for clearing of the passage in the weeks ahead.
