Heads up! An Adult Bald Eagle Just Flew By!

2 for the eagle survey count here on Manchaug Pond! This time an adult, last time a juvenile. As I sat at the kitchen table minutes ado, I saw the big bird gliding directly toward me – huge wingspan was the give away it was a big bird. With the camera in front of me, I thought I could catch a picture as it flew by the window… white head and tail clearly visible … but that delay from the time you press the button until the shutter moves left us with this I can’t see it among the branches. :(( It was close so it should be easy to spot. Next time, perhaps. I’ll email MassWildlife education biologist Marion Larson with this sighting!http://environment.blog.state.ma.us/ By any chance did anyone capture that sunrise this morning – pink and blue stripes?

An Immature Eagle! That’s 1 for the Count!

Just before 4 p.m. today a large, dark bird flew slow and low up the channel heading north here at Manchaug Pond. It circled east giving us another look before it headed toward Camp Blanchard. Definitely a juvenile eagle! Did you see it? I’ll be notifying MassWildlife of the sighting as part of the National Midwinter Eagle Survey! If you see an eagle now through January 13 email it in! Here’s the details:Help us count bald eaglesMarion LarsonOutreach Coordinator, MassWildlife Every year, MassWildlife participates in a midwinter eagle survey that occurs nationwide. This year, the Midwinter Bald Eagle survey period begins on December 30, 2009 and ends on January 13, 2010. I encourage everyone who is outdoors and sees an eagle during this time period to report his or her sighting! You can send your report to us at mass.wildlife@state.ma.us or to Eagle Survey, MassWildlife, Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA, 01581. Please provide the date, time, location, and town of eagle sightings, plus the number of birds, whether juvenile or adult, and your contact information. On January 8, 2010, agency biologists and many other cooperators will take part in a statewide effort to …

Tonight – An Eclipse of a Blue Moon!!

Space Weather News for Dec. 31, 2009 BLUE MOON ECLIPSE: For the first time in almost 20 years, there’s going to be a “Blue Moon” on New Year’s Eve. In Europe, sky watchers will witness an even rarer event—an eclipse of a Blue Moon on New Year’s Eve. What are the odds? Probabilities and observing tips may be found at http://spaceweather.com. A “Blue Moon” is the occurrence of a full moon twice in one calendar month. The moon Tuesday from the state boat ramp: Wednesday in Douglas: Wednesday from Torrey Road: Last night I heard the moon looked awesome from across the lake. Today we are overcast and snowy with no visibility. But it is happening! On Dec. 31st, the Blue Moon will dip into Earth’s shadow for a partial lunar eclipse. The event is visible from Europe, Africa and Asia. At maximum eclipse, around 19:24 Universal Time, approximately 8% of the Moon will be darkly shadowed. Click the link for an animated preview http://shadowandsubstance.com/ Blue Moons are rare (once every ~2.5 years). Blue Moons on New Year’s Eve are rarer still (once every ~19 years). How rare is a lunar eclipse of a Blue Moon on New Year’s Eve? …

He’s Jigging! Season’s First Ice Fisherman

Taken today from the state boat ramp in Sutton, we sighted a first ice fisherman of the season on Manchaug Pond! Also a report came in this morning of 0 degree F temperatures over on the Ledgestone side of the lake. Good for ice-making! As the ice forms, the lake is also making its loud “whale” sounds! Please be cautious! Consult the following link from MassWILDLIFE Division of Fisheries and Wildlife on Ice Strength & Safety Tips. http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/ice_safety.htm Here’s a quick guide… 2″ STAY OFF!or less 4″ Ice fishing or other activities on foot 5″ Snowmobile or ATV

Temps in the Single Digits This Morning

The skim of ice that was forming on the lake was broken up by the three days of wind we have had. The following photos taken yesterday at the north end show the lake is clear. At the dam, the men from R. H. White continued the annual maintenance work – in the cold and wind. Today the wind has died down but morning temperatures have dropped from yesterday’s teens to the single digits. Was that 9 degrees F this morning? The ice is back today! This cove will benefit from the drawdown as it fills with an invasive weed called fanwort. http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/fact/fanwort.htm http://www.mass.gov/dcr/watersupply/lakepond/publications.htm#factsheets