plant/animal reference) to get a bigger picture12 Beach Watchers, one spouse and two Onamac neighbors met at 11:30 a.m. to monitor Onamac Beach. John C. and Duane H. arrived 30 minutes early to begin laying the 2 lines done at this beach.
Line One
Line number one, the south line, started 50 feet out due to numerous huge driftwood logs. The most exciting thing found on this line were the hundreds and hundreds of mussels. There were mussels of all sizes, brown and blue. They were attached to the cobble and the gravel on the beach, halfway down the intertidal. It was noted that this phenomenon had not been observed in previous years on this beach. Some wondered if the Penn Cove Mussel Farm, across the bay to the north might have had a "mussel spat" spill last year.
Line One
Polychaete - Nephtyidae | Sand dollar front side | Sand dollar bottom |
Shaggy moss nudibranch | Lined chiton |
Line number one, the south line, started 50 feet out due to numerous huge driftwood logs. The most exciting thing found on this line were the hundreds and hundreds of mussels. There were mussels of all sizes, brown and blue. They were attached to the cobble and the gravel on the beach, halfway down the intertidal. It was noted that this phenomenon had not been observed in previous years on this beach. Some wondered if the Penn Cove Mussel Farm, across the bay to the north might have had a "mussel spat" spill last year.
This monitoring group also found several segmented worms (Polychaetes) and one in particular caught out attention - a Nephtyidae with its large parapodia and head tentacles. Further down a sand dollar. Dendraster excentricus, was found intact (a rare thing with all the wave action), and a large number of dogwinkles, Nucella Sp., as well as a shaggy moss nudibranch, Aeolidia papillosa. And last but not least this group found a stunning, huge lined chiton, Tonicella lineate, which for many of us was the largest we had ever seen.
Line Two
Cresent Gunnel Fish |
Line two, the north line, was entirely different than line 1. There were very little invertebrates, or sea life. When we finally got down to where there was seaweed, the most exciting things were the numerous gunnels. One leaped out at Jan, who shrieked. That gunnel managed to wiggle itself about 4 feet over rocks and seaweed, and then disappeared down a mysterious hole. This eel-like fish has a long, spiny dorsal fin along its length.
MAJOR HIGHLIGHT - an Osprey
Osprey sitting | Osprey flying |
Following the monitoring, our hosts, John and Jan N. built a campfire and all who helped with the monitoring enjoyed treats and the experience of toasting their own hotdogs over the campfire. It was a beautiful day and everyone seemed to enjoy it. Thanks to John and Jan for this report and their wonderful hospitality.