Keep Calm and Bird On: January 2022

Ginger Andrews • Dec 17, 2021
“If you don’t look, you don’t see. You have to go and look.”
-Edith Andrews

January is usually when Nantucket gets settled cold weather, varied by an occasional thaw. The last couple of years have brought more thaw than cold, but we are still at the whim of the weather. So, the advice is not to miss the good days, as there are likely to be some, and to dress for the bad weather because it can also bring unusual birds. As a friend of mine once said, (imagine Irish lilt here), “There’s no bad weather, just improper dressin’.” This means paying careful attention to clothing labels, emphasizing wind- and water-PROOF. “Resistance” is futile.


That said, this is when bird feeders have their greatest appeal. But if the same six House Finches begin to pall, there are other options. It’s also a great time for more study, or to browse and compare field guides. Just as we drool over seed catalogues longing for Spring flowers, we can sigh over breeding-plumaged warblers anticipating migration. And if something appeals, don’t stop there; learn more about the species that interest you. There are great on-line resources, such as Cornell’s “All About the Birds” site.  But it’s still good to see the real thing. While some living birds won’t be back yet, there’s another option.

The Edith Andrews Ornithology Collection at the Maria Mitchell Research Center has 1500 or more study skins available for view, as well as historic mounts. You can look at actual birds in the hand, without causing them any further discomfort or trauma. And best of all, they hold still. We also have selected species accounts and printed materials. Open hours, free of charge, start up again on January 8th, from 10.00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and will continue every Saturday.

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Keep Calm and Bird On: May 2024

08 May, 2024
“If you don’t look, you don’t see. You have to go and look.” -Edith Andrews

Shards

By Jascin N. Leonardo FInger • 06 May, 2024
I have written of my love for sea glass and pottery shards in the past and the recent replacement of the sewer and water lines on Vestal Street created a small shard collection over the last month. Since the work required the asphalt to be completely removed (all twelve inches of it!) and the road to be dug up multiple times as they worked to remove pipe, relay new pipe, hook up the water meters, and install drainage and manhole covers, this resulted in the earth in the street being tossed about quite a bit. And, with that, came the shards! Some of these likely came from the sewer line (yes, yuck) but others came from being simply in the dirt of the road – which was not paved until 1946/1948. Pieces were likely tossed out at times, made to act as filler in holes, or simply tossed. So I found all sorts of pieces I will keep here at the Mitchell House. They included: a lovely piece with a red floral, many pieces of plates, glass, the top of a late nineteenth or early twentieth century (medicine) bottle, glass shards, a flattened spoon, a brass knob (found by a neighbor) some nails, a spike, pieces of a larger container or two based on the size and curve and coloring of the shards, and possibly a Wampanoag stone tool. One person’s trash is another one’s treasures! JNLF

Is That A Wrap?

22 Apr, 2024
Yes. Well, almost. After about a month of working – and some living (staff and or neighbors) – on Vestal Street with all the sewer and water replacement work, the paving happened today (April 17, 2024). This is the first “layer” – a three-inch binder coat. In the fall, once time has passed, they will return for the final one inch of the finish layer. Some of the other things along Vestal Street will also be repaired and updated between now and the final coat – and a bit after that. But we are very happy, after all these years to have a modern system of piping – and all new drainage we never had before! While the curator in me loved the old clay pipes, they were riddled with roots from the trees, holes, and in some places, collapsed, and the twelve inches of asphalt had to go. Vestal Street was only paved in about 1946/1948 – and has not been paved in maybe twenty years so that is a lot of asphalt in about fifty years! And with climate change and the increase in how much rain we get in these heavy rain events, all that water rushed down Vestal Street with nowhere to go – except our cellars. I am sure the neighbors are happy too! A thank you to the Town of Nantucket’s Sewer Department, especially David Gray (who may regret giving me his cellphone number forever), N&M Excavating and Utilities (Dean, we appreciate you being so nice when we had too many questions), Victor-Brandon Corp for paving, and numerous others. We are looking forward to great flushing, powerful hose lines, and rainwater being whisked away via the new, never-before-had storm drains! JNLF And to all the N&M workers who wondered why I was constantly looking down as I walked along Vestal Street, you should see the trove of porcelain shards, glass, old nails, a bottle neck, 19 th century spoon, and even possibly a Wampanoag stone tool I found!
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