Piping Plover Volunteer Meeting: Announcement

NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

For more information, contact Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Training offered on May 14 for volunteer piping plover, beachnester monitors

LEWES (April 6, 2011) – Volunteers who would like to learn more about Delaware’s endangered piping plovers and other beachnesters and find out how they can join DNREC’s monitoring team are invited to a free training session from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Biden Center at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes.

The session will begin with refreshments and a slideshow, followed by a discussion on the monitoring program and how volunteers can help to ensure that our beachnesting shorebirds are given the peace and quiet they need to successfully rear their chicks.

Weather permitting, the group will finish out the session by going out to the Point at Cape Henlopen to look for piping plovers and other shorebirds that will likely be out on the tidal flats feeding. A few birding scopes and pairs of binoculars will be available for use, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own optics if they have them.

Wildlife Biologist Matthew Bailey hopes the session will draw both new and seasoned volunteers – and plenty of them – to help DNREC staff in their efforts to protect beachnesters and educate the public.

“Volunteers are a critical component of our protection efforts. When posted at the boundaries of the nesting areas, they can help explain to the public facts about the breeding birds and the importance of keeping closed areas free of human disturbance. Without having volunteers to supplement the coverage that our staff can provide, many people might never have the chance to better understand how humans can make a difference in the breeding success of beachnesting birds,” Bailey said.

Preregistration is encouraged, but attendees also will be accepted at the door. Park entrance fees will be waived for volunteers attending the training by notifying the fee booth attendant. For more information, please contact Wildlife Biologist Matt Bailey at 302-382-4151 or email matthew.bailey@state.de.us.

Vol. 41, No. X

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De State Park Pass Decal Removal: Chic Fix.

The annual rite of removing the old and adhering the new DE State Park Pass is the Spring Ritual indicating Beach Time is Near!

Yet, I dread this task. It is an 1.5 hour task and 2 hours adding in the time to fix my nails!

Here is the Routine:

Buy the old-fashion, Acetone based Nail Polish Remover. Soak the sticker and then go have a long lunch.

Now equipped with an elaborate Italian Dessert small fruit/cheese knife, Windex, paper towels and a plastic bag for waste....... start soaking and scraping. Be patient...... after about 10 minutes the decal starts to degrade and then it gets a tad easier. Allow ~ 30 minutes of scraping!

Clean the window with Windex. Dry it. Then apply the new decal!

Clean up the plastic bits strewn all over the car!

But you are not done yet!

I affix the sticker to the " approved alternate location", on the back driver's side window. The problem is this: the windows are tinted. The beautiful decal is rich with deep blues and greens making it invisible!

Now take a bright yellow sticky- note and write on it the following:

DNREC: PARK POLICE: HERE IT IS!

Now affix this to the window above the decal.

Go polish your nails as the acetone and scraping wrecked your most recent manicure!

PS: DNREC: maybe design the decal with a bright sunny background for visibility thru tinted windows?

Beach Blessings,

DE State Park Pass for Volunteers

I have to admit that I adore having a "free" DE State Park Pass! It signifies myself as a "DNREC Groupie". Who knew and not certainly myself until I started down the path of staring and counting: Red Knots, Piping Plovers and Raptors!

I love going thru the park "toll booths", being recognized by the staff while I simultaneously point out the sticker.

I will also admit that I did not like having to purchase the pass. It is not that I can not afford one.

My objection is this: I am a DE property owner yet I am required to pay the "Out of State" fee which is considerably higher than that of a DE resident. Or rather for those that own a DE registered vehicle as the fee is based on one's license plate.

When I paid full rate each and every time I pulled yet again into CHSP, Tower Beach, Keybox or Gordon's Pond, in my mind I'd pro-rate the sticker cost!

So happy I am with my sweet volunteer park pass reward even though sometimes the seasonal "police" can not find my sticker which is located on my back tinted windows.

I made a bright yellow sign with an arrow pointing to it: HERE IT IS!

And me too!

Beach Blessings,

My Beach Version: Eat, Pray, Love

At an airport bookstore I scanned the book: Eat, Pray, Love. I passed on the purchase. Yet, the Trifecta Search mode is what I have been doing these past five beach seasons!

My version?

Buy a Beach Shack:

*****EAT****SWIM****VOLUNTEER (for Endangered Species Birds and Plants)*****

EAT:

Upon arrival my very first stop in Dewey Beach is to purchase local fish, produce and baked goods! This past weekend I purchased Fifer's Roast Chicken and Baked Corn Salad which I threw together to make the weekend's salad!

SWIM:

For four seasons running my reason TO LIVE was TO SWIM in the ocean! I LIVED for my daily beach time with at least 2-3 swims. I was bereft if I could not swim because of the surf, my schedule or the weather.

I knew I had to find my "dry land swim time".

VOLUNTEER:

My dry-land time found me at Cape Henlopen State Park ( CHSP). I fell into several volunteer events before I found my gig projects for DNREC's Endangered Species ( Shorebirds and Plants).

At a volunteer event DNREC thanked me for my service.

Oh, no. Thank YOU, DNREC!

My volunteering is self-serving and self-fulfillment.

*****EAT****SWIM****VOLUNTEER ********************************

Beach Blessings,

Zany Bandz Camo Backpack: Thank you DNREC!

The first time I showed up for DNREC's Fish and Wildlife's Red Knot Duty I sported a beach bag. WRONG!

The second time I showed up for Red Knot Duty I proudly sported a hot PINK backpack! WRONG.

I quickly learned that black, brown and camo were the accepted colors.

( Also at Hawk Watch my girly pink backpack got wide-eyed stares ).

I missed out on attending the Volunteer Reward Party. I thought my reward might be a coffee mug???

At the Friends of Cape Henlopen Meeting, I was astounded when my "reward" showed up and it was a CAMO-color Back Pack with the Delware Park's Logo!!!

I was stunned! Beautiful and appropriate for all my "true Volunteer" duties.

Certainly someone suggested that I needed to lose the Pink Backpack!

I love this backpack, but like a new kid returning to Middle School: I just had to make it my own.

Off I went to purchase a set of neon-colored Zany Bandz!

I put the Zany Bandz thru each pull tag and then as decoration the remaining went into the outside mesh pocket.

Perfection!

Thank you, DNREC!!!!

2010 State Park Pass! Sign of Spring!

A certain sign of Spring and getting prepared for Beach Season is scraping off the old annual Delaware State Park Pass and putting on the new.

After five years, I now have the removal technique down-pat.

Soak the sticker with Citronella.

Go have lunch.  Have fruit and cheese for dessert.

Return to the vehicle with a small Italian-made cheese spreader knife.

Wipe the sticker with more Citronella until all ink is gone. :-)

Now use the spreader knife to scrape off the adhering clear film.

Wipe clean with more Citronella and then Windex.

    This year my DE State Park Pass is a DNREC and Cape Henlopen Volunteer "reward".

Every year when I went to buy my pass........ I admit to being annoyed to pay the "out of state fee" even though I own DE property!  The fees are based on your license plate place of registration.

I am so psyched by this show of gratitude amidst the economic stresses of "this economy".

Thank you, Delaware!!!!

Beach Blessings,

DNREC Release on the Minke Whale Stranding

Release:

Matthew Bailey

Wildlife Biologist

Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program

An Eventful Weekend.  Thanks to all the volunteers who helped to make the best of a tough situation.

On Saturday, August 8 at about 10:45 a.m., staff of Cape Henlopen State Park (CHSP) reported to Matt Bailey, Wildlife Biologist with the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) in the Division o f Fish and Wildlife, that a whale had beached itself on the bayside of the Point in the protected nesting area for Piping Plovers, a species protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act. Volunteers and Division biologists familiar with the specific location of plover chicks at the Point assisted by monitoring chick movements, participating in response, rescue and recovery decisions in coordination with MERR Institute (Marine Education Research and Rehabilitation) and CHSP staff to avoid and minimize impacts to plovers, and by talking with the public and ensuring they kept a safe distance from both the rescue operation and plover chicks.   It was determined that the whale was a 22-foot long Minke that stranded on the tidal flats about 150 feet inside the closed area.  Several attempts were made to coax the whale back into deeper water, but each time the whale turned around and headed back into the shallows.  A veterinarian was called in to assess and ultimately to euthanize the whale.  Five volunteers with MERR also volunteer for the Plover Watch project, which greatly assisted with providing accurate information to the public about both the whale and the piping plovers.   The Division continued to assist with monitoring plovers and speaking with the public on Sunday, August 9 while MERR conducted a necropsy.  Under the circumstances, the Division appreciates the cooperative spirit among state agencies, MERR and all of the volunteers who assisted with this stranding event.

Matthew Bailey

Wildlife Biologist

Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program

Phone: (302) 382-4151

matthew.bailey@state.de.us

Piping Plover Watch and a Beached Minke Whale Named Opal

Part 1:
This is my Tale of Piping Plover Bird Police and a Beached, Dying Minke Whale, we named Opal.

On Saturday, despite battling a whopping case of food poisoning, I woke up early to make a nice early start for Cape Henlopen State Park ( CHSP) Bird Police and to snag parking at my gig, The Point.

I groaned as I entered the parking lot..... full to the gills.   I scooted into the slimmest of spots...... then looked around....... important DNREC vehicles loaded the lot.  I knew something important was happening.  I called out to a local who announced the news, a live beached whale.

 As I approached the bayside  beach, throngs of people were massed on the public side watching the wrenching story.

At ~ 6:45 AM a live Minke Whale beached on the sandbar while the tide was coming in.  The local MERR team went into action and so did many recruited beach-goers.

I arrived at 9:45AM, and noted immediately the tide.....almost high tide.  Only 2 safe working hours.  With this knowledge I was near to bawling.

The MERR team valiantly herded the whale out to deeper waters 4 times, only to watch the whale make that gloomy u-turn back to shore.  I witnessed 2 times.

The beach was also filled with an enormous back-hoe, nearly all of CHSP DNREC rangers and the CHSP Administrator.

There was no need for me to do much but my usual duty of making certain the restricted area stayed free and clear.   Although I did not see him present, I was certain Matt Bailey, the Director of Natural Heritage-Endangered Species-Beach Nesters knew the basic situation.  

The Whale tired of trying, and tired of the corralling by waders and kayakers..... then made her final dash for shore, 50 yards into the Restricted Area, "home" for the Piping Plovers and Least Terns!

The public almost dove into the restricted area........ the little kids were beyond themselves with excitement.

On the cell, I called Mat Bailey, and said he had a whale in the restricted area.

As we waited for Matt's arrival...... 20 minute drive which was one hour  and 20 minutes due to the weekend resort traffic...... the pace slowed.  Matt had to be there to start making the decisions involved.

Part 2:

Back at my Posted Fence Line Duty I quickly had to determine who was who.  Public crashing the gate or MERR Team or DNREC or????  I caught on to this easily and directed all to walk along the water's edge.

I was put in charge of holding a DNREC walky-talky.  Now that was fun hearing the insider's talk ;-)

MERR quickly set up a tent and ordered in Pizza and water.

Soaked towels and sheets covered the whale.  Buckets of water poured onto her to keep her skin from sun-burning.   Affectionate pats were given.  

As the tide went out, we could see her!  GORGEOUS, Beautiful, CREATURE!!!! 

Our whale was dying her lungs, carrying some water, and collapsing under her weight,  the choice was made to call the Vet for euthanasia.

The Vet arrived much later than anyone expected.  The CHSP lifeguards after their duty were asked to help the MERR Crew of virtually all women.  The lifeguards helped man-handle the whale for the injections.  Our whale passed on ~ 12 hours after her arrival.  Her struggle was heroic.

Non-stop until ~ 3 PM I was on Whale Learning Curve and educated  the public as to the goings-on, the restricted area, endangered birds!  Then my food poisoned body needed to get out the hot sun and humidity and recover.  I promised Matt Bailey I'd return Sunday to continue in my role.

Before I left, I was honored with the invitation to approach our Whale.  With many thank you-s for gracing our Oceans and blessings for her Passing, I placed my open hand on her nose.

It was near impossible to separate and return to my beach shack.

Part 3:

Why are we so drawn to our encounters with sea mammals?  My heart leaps when I see dolphin pods, my heart leaps even more when I am swimming and dolphins surface so near me I hear the blow holes!

When their world enters our world, and visa versa we are in awe.  Whales do not want to drown so they choose death on land..... which is our world. 

When I arrived for Sunday Duty it was an entirely different experience.  Our beautiful, shimmering Whale was just a dead fish, being clinically carved up...by the all female team for necropsy studies.

Our Whale was a Beautiful Girl, yes, a "teenager" female, at 22 feet, 4-5 tons. The closest on site clinical guess to the death was she recently gave birth...... most likely at the recent full Moon Lunar Eclipse.

A screen was set up to block the gruesome view, but the whale was so huge... it could not be hidden.  You could walk out at the low tide and get quite the view of the back-hoe lifting the severed head, mouth wide open to obtain samples.

My Bird Police/Whale Interpretation Role now became "Grief Counsellor" for the families with  little children who were both fascinated, awed, and deeply disturbed by the visuals.  I listened carefully to their questions.

A sweet little girl asked me, " Did you name the whale"?  " Oh, no", I answered.  She replied, " She is Black and White, so I named her Opal".  I was stunned!  I told her I loved the name,  and I would always refer to the Whale as Opal.  I promised her I would tell everyone involved, her name is Opal!

Many questions went as followed: "Why are you digging a hole for the whale"?  I would then put my hand on the child's head and answer that the whale was dead and needed burial.

Part: 4

Upon the invite of Matt Bailey, DNREC and MERR, I spent some time under the tent, in observation of the activities.  As I did I also had to watch my "fence post" duty for intruding public..... which they did.

MERR members showed me, the ear and the eyeball!  As my stomach did flip-flops, I thought it was time to return to my post.  My Opal was gone.  Not a bit of her remained with her cut and bloodied remains.

The remainder of the afternoon I hung at the fence line continuing my "Grief Counsellor Role", answering a zillion questions on life and death of birds and whales.

Finally my body still suffering with food poisioning called and demanded a cool down by swimming.  The beach was fairly empty of beach-goers, and I had put in a total of 9.25 hours for the weekend.

It was time to return to my world, my Dewey Beach- beach shack.  It was time to contemplate one of the most important encounters I've ever had with an Ocean Mammal, Our Opal, the Minke Whale.