Keep Calm and Bird On: August 2025
August 1, 2025
“If you don’t look, you don’t see. You have to go and look.”
-Edith Andrews
August is a great time to look for shorebirds. Yes, they are mostly brown and white in varying mixtures. But don’t let that intimidate you. Think of it as welcome relief from the struggle of plumage detail and look at location, size, and behavior, followed by bill and leg color. Admittedly, a telescope is best for seeing the latter, but sorting by location and behavior makes a good start.
Sanderlings are smallish-medium size birds of the ocean beach. Almost constantly active, they run like wind-up toys, feeding in the swash, probing with black bills and legs. They chase after a retreating wave, and scurry back up as the next one comes in. They often rest on one leg, tucking the other up out of sight. Be skeptical of reports of one-legged Sanderlings.
On calm flats and sandbars in bays and harbors, sort them first by size. Godwits (a rare and lucky sight) are biggest, with upcurving two-tone bills. Next are Whimbrel with crescent-shaped down-curved bills. Least Sandpipers are smallest and brownest. Dowitchers are a chubby medium. Think of them as the “sewing-machine” birds. They get into a line in or at water’s edge, mechanically moving their long straight bills up and down, as if stitching a hem of water. Yellowlegs, Greater and Lesser, actually do have yellow legs and sweep with thin bills in the water. Ruddy Turnstones, once described to me as “looking like a slice of marbled rye” (although possibly ‘cinnamon toast’ might better incorporate their ‘ruddy’ plumage) turn stones and flip shells over to seek the goodies beneath. Oystercatchers are unmistakable with their large red bill; Willets have a similar wing pattern but are otherwise brownish-greyish all over. White-rumped Sandpipers have white rumps visible in flight. Walking or running, Spotted Sandpipers bob their tails. Plovers have distinctive style: run-stop; run-stop; run-stop-look, peck. Black-bellied are largest, and if still in breeding plumage, have black tummies. Semi-palmated Plover are the color of wet mud; Piping Plover, the color of dry sand.
Shorebirds not at the shore include American Woodcock, Upland and Buff-breasted Sandpiper—the latter does have a buffy breast, the color of light toast.
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NANTUCKET, MA— Please join us in person at the Maria Mitchell Association’s Research Center, 2 Vestal Street, or online via Zoom, on Wednesday, August 6, 5pm – 7pm, for a very special presentation of this summer’s astronomy research. The MMA’s National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF-REU) 2025 interns will present their research on everything from glowing supernovae and mysterious variable stars to ways dust affects the light we see. The MMA’s Maria Mitchell Observatory operates the NSF-REU program each summer and has done so for decades. The program, funded by a generous grant from the National Science Foundation, allows the MMA to bring six top undergraduate students to the MMA each summer who are selected out of a pool of over 250 applicants from around the United States. The NSF-REU interns come to Nantucket for ten to twelve weeks during the summer to participate in astrophysics research projects. While on Nantucket, the NSF-REU interns also participate in the outreach efforts of the Astronomy Department, primarily by hosting public Open Nights at the Loines Observatory. This summer’s five NSF-REU interns and their research presentations are: Madison Gerard (University of Texas at Austin): How Low Can You Glow? Analyzing the Low-Luminosity SN IIP 2024abfl Kaylee Perez (Texas State University): How Dust Changes the Light We See: Exploring the Link Between Dust Extinction and Attenuation with Simulated Data Lauren Barkey (California Poly Pomona): Peek-a-Boo!: Exploring the NEOWISE Lightcurves of R Coronae Borealis Variable Stars Aiden Agostinelli (University of Montana) & Ben Radmore (University of Michigan): When the Dust Settles: Late-Time Infrared Imaging of SN 2011ja This event is free to the public. This presentation is offered both in person and online via Zoom. Pre-registration is required. Register for in person here : https://112458a.blackbaudhosting.com/112458a/Science-Speaker-Series---MMA-x-NSF-REU-Interns-A Register for Zoom here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_U5mGYBdESzKI8z_HX835eA The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA), founded in 1902, is a recognized leader in inspiring and training the next generation of astronomers and scientists. Since the Astronomy Department’s inception, hundreds of undergraduate students, the great majority of them women, have discovered the joy of doing astronomical research surrounded by the natural beauty and dark skies of Nantucket Island. Many have gone on to successful careers as astronomers at leading universities, observatories, and other organizations. In fact, it is estimated that one of every twenty American women PhDs in astronomy today acquired their first research experience at the MMA’s Maria Mitchell Observatory. The organization’s success in STEM education was recognized in 2009 with the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring from President Obama for its half-century long program of mentoring student research in astronomy. Over the years, several MMA NSF-REU interns have won the prestigious Chambliss Astronomy Achievement Student Award, including in each of the past five American Astronomical Society winter meetings, a testament to the quality of the MMA’s astronomy internship program. Approximately 90% of MMA astronomy interns have gone on to astrophysics Ph.D. programs. The Maria Mitchell Association was founded in 1902 to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. After she discovered a comet in 1847, Mitchell’s international fame led to many achievements and awards, including an appointment as the first female professor of astronomy at Vassar College. Maria Mitchell believed in “learning by doing” and today that philosophy is reflected in the MMA’s mission statement, programs, research projects, and other activities. The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, a research center, and preserves the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages. ###
NANTUCKET, MA— Join the Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA), Nantucket Land and Water Council (NLC), and Sustainable Nantucket (SN) for the Sixth Annual Nantucket Green Crab Week! The MMA, NLC, and SN will be offering fun daily events August 3 to August 9 to learn about and take action against invasive European green crabs on Nantucket. European green crabs were first introduced to North America in the 1800s, likely traveling in the ballast water of merchant ships from Europe. This invasive species is now abundant on Nantucket, threatening crucial aquatic resources, including eelgrass beds, shellfish populations, and native crab communities. Together, as a community, it is possible to help prevent green crabs from destroying the natural resources that make Nantucket’s waters so special! Please come join us during Nantucket Green Crab Week to learn more. MMA Green Crab Identification Workshop and Derby Information Session Registration Link: https://112458a.blackbaudhosting.com/112458a/Nantucket-Green-Crab-Identification-Workshop-and-Info-Session-04Aug2025 Monday, August 4, 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM Price: FREE Location: MMA Aquarium, 32 Washington Street Join Maria Mitchell Association Aquarium staff to learn how to identify the European green crab ( Carcinus maenus ), an invasive species that threatens Nantucket's native species and habitats! We will compare these species to local crab species and determine their biological sex. This is a great chance to learn about our annual Nantucket Green Crab Derby and all its events! MMA Nantucket Green Crab Survey: Seine Method Registration Link: https://112458a.blackbaudhosting.com/112458a/Nantucket-Green-Crab-Survey-Seine-Method Tuesday, August 5, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM Price: FREE Location: Hither Creek Beach Access (Beach Access #52) Join Maria Mitchell Association Aquarium staff on a survey for invasive European green crabs! This survey will be a part of the MMA Nantucket Green Crab Community Science Survey that you can do yourself at any time. In this session, we will be using a seine net. Annual Green Crab Fertilizer and Bait Pickup Registration Link: https://112458a.blackbaudhosting.com/112458a/Annual-Green-Crab-Fertilizer-Workshop-with-the-Nantucket-Land-Council-07Aug2025 Thursday, August 7, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Price: FREE Location: MMA Aquarium, 32 Washington Street Join Maria Mitchell Association Aquarium staff to pick up green crabs for free, fun, and exciting ways to help control the population of the invasive green crab, while creating environmentally friendly fertilizer for your garden or bait for your fishing! Registrants can drop by the Maria Mitchell Association Aquarium at 32 Washington Street on Thursday, August 7, between 10am and 12pm to pick up a take-home green crab fertilizer kit or bait crabs! Kits will include green crabs and instructions on how to make your own green crab fertilizer – you will need your own white vinegar. Nantucket Green Crab Survey: Wading and Hand Net Registration Link: https://112458a.blackbaudhosting.com/112458a/Nantucket-Green-Crab-Survey-Wading--Hand-Net-08Aug2025 Friday, August 8, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Price: FREE Location: The Creeks/Harbor Flats, 99 Washington Street Ext Join Maria Mitchell Aquarium staff on a survey for invasive European green crabs! This survey will be a part of the MMA Nantucket Green Crab Citizen Science Survey that you can do yourself at any time! In this session, we will be wading and using hand nets. Annual Green Crab Derby Registration Link: https://112458a.blackbaudhosting.com/112458a/Annual-Green-Crab-Derby-09Aug2025 Saturday, August 9, 12:00 AM – 4:00 PM Price: $10, Groups of Up To 4 Persons Can Compete Help the Maria Mitchell Association and the Nantucket Land Council fight the green crab invasion by participating in the annual Nantucket Green Crab Derby! Participate in a team of up to 4 to help us maintain healthy marine habitats and for a chance to win prizes! Rules and prize details are detailed in the reservation process. Green crabs can be caught between 12am – 4pm and dropped off at the Maria Mitchell Association Aquarium between 12pm – 4pm! The Maria Mitchell Association is a private non-profit organization. Founded in 1902, the MMA works to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, and a research center, in addition to preserving the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages. For more information on the Maria Mitchell Association’s environmental work and initiatives, please visit www.mariamitchell.org. The Nantucket Land and Water Council is a 501(c)3 environmental advocacy organization – protecting and preserving open space, harbor, pond, and groundwater, and advocating for the environment at Select Board, Planning Board, and Conservation Commission meetings. The Nantucket Land and Water Council also hosts the State of the Harbor Forum and Oysterfest each year to educate residents on the state of our water resources, and what we can all do to help maintain this critical resource. For more information on the Nantucket Land and Water Council, please visit www.nantucketlandcouncil.org. Founded in 2000, Sustainable Nantucket’s mission is to preserve the community character of Nantucket while sustaining its economic and environmental vitality. Sustainable Nantucket (SN) is a grassroots, local, non-profit organization that is building a more locally-based and self-reliant food system on-island through education, advocacy, training, and partnerships which include farmers, fishermen, local food producers, schools, restaurants, and other community stakeholders. For more information on Sustainable Nantucket, please visit www.sustainable-nantucket.org. ###
August 1, 2025 marks Maria Mitchell’s 207 th Birthday! Since just about the founding of the Maria Mitchell Association – way back in 1902 – the MMA has hosted some celebration or marked the occasion of our namesake’s birth. From 3-5PM FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2025 , Vestal Street will be close to traffic and our Vestal Street properties will be open free to the public. We will have activities, games, art projects, live music with Susan Berman and Ray Saunders, and refreshments will be served. So, stop by and say hello! JNLF P.S. If we actually get rain, we will move our celebration to Saturday, August 2 - so keep your ears out! We will decide Wednesday.