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Field School: Sea Turtle and Marine Animal Strandings
Sponsored by Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Class dates and times: Fri, Nov 11, 2011 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm Sat, Nov 12, 2011 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Sun, Nov 13, 2011 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, South Wellfleet Instructors: Bob Prescott - Sanctuary Director, WBWS; Carol (Krill) Carson - New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance; Dennis Murley - Naturalist; Don Lewis - Researcher; Sue Wieber Nourse - Researcher Audience: Adult Members: Adult $220.00 Nonmembers: Adult $245.00
Sea Turtle and Marine Animal Strandings A Cape Cod Field School - 3-day course
Every year in the month of November sea turtles that have lingered in Cape Cod Bay succumb to the dropping water temperatures, become cold-stunned, and wash ashore on bayside beaches. For over 25 years, the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary has been involved with the rescue of these endangered turtles and with the help of a cadre of local volunteers our response and success rates of saving these rare marine turtles have soared.
This is also the time of year when other marine animals can be found stranded on local beaches. Torpedo rays, ocean sunfish, and coastal and pelagic birds are among the wildlife we may encounter. Please note that it is most likely that these particular species will not be alive if found. However, we can gain a lot of insight into their natural history and biology by collecting baseline data on these individuals, and possibly performing necropsies (animal autopsies) on them.
While we can never predict in advance when or if sea turtles and other marine animals will strand, our weekend together is scheduled during peak time according to past records and tidal cycle. Ultimately wind and weather conditions will determine whether the animals are washed ashore, but this weekend is designed for participants to get a "hands-on" perspective of rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
This is a busy weekend with early morning and evening activities, as well as daytime field trips and indoor workshops. Activities include patrolling the beaches in search of stranded turtles, collecting baseline data on stranded animals, and performing necropsies on deceased individuals. A seal and seabird cruise into Wellfleet Harbor is also scheduled. Participants will walk-away from this exciting and unique weekend with an in-depth introduction to the natural history of sea turtles and other local marine animals.
Course includes dinner on the first evening. Sanctuary housing is available at $30 per night.
Instructors: A number of knowledgeable staff and local experts will be your guides including Sanctuary Director Bob Prescott, Sanctuary Naturalist Dennis Murley, Don Lewis and Sue Wieber Nourse who are research consultants, and Carol "Krill" Carson, a marine biologist and adjunct professor at Bridgewater State University.
This course is one of several Cape Cod Field Schools offered. Visit www.massaudubon.org/wellfleetbay/fieldschools to download a brochure.
