Granite State Stuff : Hampton

More Piping Plover Pairs Nest on NH Seacoast, but Few Young Survive

AskLisa — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:38:00 GMT

The spring breeding season got off to a promising start for New Hampshire’s state and federally endangered piping plovers, but as the 2009 summer came to a close, just two chicks had fledged.

This year, a total of five pairs of the shorebirds returned to coastal beaches in Seabrook and Hampton, an increase from the three pairs that have nested in New Hampshire in recent years. Spring weather was mild, and each pair of plovers quickly established a territory and a nest. “We started off with three nests in Seabrook and two nests in Hampton,” said Brendan Clifford, a biological technician with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program. Each nest had a full clutch of four eggs, so had all of them survived, they would have produced 20 chicks. Sadly, only two plover chicks survived to the end of summer.

Even sadder, human disturbance was the most likely cause of the season’s low productivity. At Hampton Beach State Park, the first nest established had protective fencing, called an “exclosure,” set up around it to keep predators at bay. Early in the year, a person broke into the fence and stole one of the plover eggs, an incident investigated by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Law Enforcement officers. Although the adult plovers continued to incubate the remaining three eggs after the incident, only one of them hatched.

At Seabrook Beach, beachgoers were frequently observed disregarding signs and walking directly through a roped-off plover breeding area. These intrusions repeatedly scared one pair of piping plovers off of their nest, preventing them from being able to incubate their eggs. Eventually, the pair abandoned the nest altogether.

In all, two of five of New Hampshire’s plover nests were abandoned prior to hatching. Of the three nests that successfully hatched eggs, two produced a single fledgling each, while no chicks survived from the final nest.

Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program biologists and volunteers monitored the plovers on a daily basis during the summer to determine the number of birds present, nest locations, nest success or failure, incubation periods and chick survival.

Since protection efforts began in 1997, a total of 83 piping plover chicks have fledged from New Hampshire's seacoast. New Hampshire's efforts are part of a region-wide protection program; overall, the Atlantic coast population of piping plovers continues to hold steady.

Protection of this endangered species is a cooperative effort of the N.H. Fish and Game Department, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, N.H. Division of Parks and Recreation, the towns of Seabrook and Hampton, volunteers, local residents and beach visitors.

See photos of the New Hampshire plovers and learn more about this endangered species at http://www.wildnh.com/Wildlife/Wildlife_profiles/piping_plover.html.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program protects more than 400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, plus thousands of insects and other invertebrates. Visit http://www.wildnh.com/nongame.

New venue, hot jams in Hampton

AskLisa — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:03:00 GMT

The Victoria Inn Bed and Breakfast has partnered with Cuzin Richard Entertainment Associates to present a new music series in Hampton. "Friday Reggae" will feature a different reggae band each Friday through the end of August. Hampton's Victoria Inn owners Aaron and Maureen Brown, and General Manager Pamela Ferguson recognized a deficit in local music venues, and decided the Victoria Inn Annex, located on the Inn's grounds, would make for a great place for people to come to dance, party and have fun.

Owner Aaron Brown says, "We hold lots of very successful weddings and private events here. We thought it was about time we opened up for the general public to enjoy." The Annex features a spacious dance floor and a full bar. A special Barbeque menu provided by Mahalos Catering will be made available during the shows.

Richard Smith, founder of Cuzin Richard Entertainment Associates agency says, "We hear all the time from our artists that there aren't enough places to play out anymore. I'm very excited that Aaron and Maureen have stepped up help to fill the gap." About their choice of music offerings, Smith says, "There's probably no better fit for this place, at this time, than a Reggae series. The bands we've lined up all have great energy and a really positive attitude." He adds, "It's time say goodbye to the rain, and let the heat do it's thing."

The first three acts in the series are:

July 17 - Hot Like Fire. Celebrating 20 years performing current, popular reggae and soca music as well as classic favorites. New England Performer magazine says Hot Like Fire is "energetic, upbeat and highly addictive."

July 24 - Saylyn. Channeling the rhythms of their early life in Jamaica, Danny and Bary "Bilco" have brought their reggae roots to New England audiences for more than a decade, earning a reputation for good music and a fun time enjoyed by fans of all generations.

July 31 - Conscious Band. Jamaican born and now based in Boston, this group not only loves the music they play but also the audience that listens. They are truly dedicated to providing a sound that is soothing, distinct and unforgettable.

Performances will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. each Friday through the end of August. Admission is $12. The Victoria Inn Annex is located at 430 High Street, Hampton. For advance reservations call the Victoria Inn at 929.1437. For more information and schedule updates visit http://www.cuzinrichard.com, or http://www.thevictoriainn.com.

Atlantic Coast, Hampton/Seabrook Harbor Shellfishing Closed - Red Tide

AskLisa — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:27:00 GMT

To protect the public from the possible consumption of contaminated shellfish, officials from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department have closed New Hampshire's Atlantic coastal waters, and the waters of Hampton/Seabrook Harbor, to the taking of all species of molluscan shellfish (mussels, clams, oysters) until further notice. This action is in response to elevated levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning or PSP, commonly known as "red tide," detected in blue mussels collected from Hampton/Seabrook Harbor yesterday.

"Red tide toxicity levels are increasing right now in Hampton/Seabrook," said Chris Nash, Shellfish Program Manager for DES. "It is too soon to know how severe this algae bloom will be, or how long it might last." He noted that weekly sampling will continue from now until October.

Blue mussels collected from Hampton/Seabrook last week showed low toxin levels, but two samples collected this week exhibited rising toxin levels. Yesterday's sample was just below the mandatory closure threshold of 80 micrograms of toxin per 100 grams of shellfish tissue. Blue mussels from Star Island, Isles of Shoals, have also exhibited high toxicity levels for most of the month of May. A ban on the harvest of offshore molluscan shellfish was implemented on May 8, 2009.

Other New Hampshire shellfish harvesting areas, including the oyster beds around Nannie Island and Adams Point in Great Bay, are not affected by this PSP closure. Furthermore, the red tide closure does not apply to the harvest or consumption of lobster, although state officials continue to advise consumers to avoid eating lobster tomalley, the soft green substance inside the lobster's body. Officials from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services will continue to monitor shellfish toxicity levels throughout coastal New Hampshire and will implement additional closures as appropriate. Changes to the open/closed status of shellfish waters will be announced on the Clam Flat Hotline (1-800-43-CLAMS) and on the Fish and Game website at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/clam_flat_status.htm.

Red tide is a condition in which filter-feeding shellfish such as clams, oysters, and mussels accumulate a potent neurotoxin produced by a naturally occurring marine algae. Ingesting the toxin is potentially fatal to humans, and cooking does not make contaminated shellfish safe for consumption. For more information on red tide, visit the DES webpage at http://www.des.nh.gov and look under What's New. The DES Shellfish Program webpage can be accessed at http://www.des.nh.gov and searching under Programs or the A to Z list.

Endangered Piping Plover Nesting Season Underway on N.H. Beaches

AskLisa — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:48:00 GMT

Four pairs of piping plovers have returned to the New Hampshire seacoast this spring to nest and raise their young. These state-endangered and federally threatened migratory shorebirds have been nesting each year at locations on Hampton and Seabrook beaches since 1997, when they were first discovered by a jogger running on the beach.

"We have three nests established so far; two are at Seabrook Beach and one is at Hampton Beach State Park," said Samantha Niziolek, the 2009 piping plover monitor for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program. Each of the nests has a protective fence around it, and is covered with netting to keep predators away and protect the birds and their eggs during incubation. "The fourth pair has mostly been seen in Seabrook, although nesting scrapes in the sand have also been found in Hampton," Niziolek said. "We're not sure where this pair will decide to nest; they are our mystery couple right now."

So far, things are going quite well; good weather and early nesting means the chicks will hatch early and be able to fly before the Fourth of July holiday. According to Niziolek, the nest at Hampton Beach State Park should be the first to hatch, with chicks expected right around Memorial Day weekend. The two nests in Seabrook are both expected to hatch soon after, during the week of June 4-13.

Once the chicks hatch, their first 30 days are crucial to their survival. The chicks have feathers when they hatch, but they are unable to fly until they reach about 30 days of age. The tiny hatchlings are able to walk and feed themselves just hours after birth, and may be seen scurrying between the dunes and water, feeding.

"Watch where you step," Niziolek cautioned, "There will be little chicks around, and their defense mechanism is to freeze when people get close, which makes them difficult to see." The chicks are about the size of a cottonball when first born, and both the chicks and adults are light colored and blend in with the sand very well.

"Another concern is that after Memorial Day, people should start leashing their dogs," Niziolek said. "Dogs are one of the biggest threats to endangered piping plovers." Free-running dogs can accidentally step on and crush eggs and chicks. They also may chase the birds, which can lead to many problems, including causing stress for the birds and separating adults from their chicks; dogs have even been known to kill the tiny birds. Hampton Beach State Park and the Town of Seabrook both have restrictions regarding dogs on beaches during the summer. People should check before bringing their dog on any public beach.

Once the plover chicks begin to hatch around Memorial Day, Niziolek will be in need of volunteers to help monitor the plovers. "When the chicks in Seabrook hatch the chicks in Hampton will still be unable to fly, so an extra set of eyes would be helpful. One person could monitor at Seabrook, while the other keeps watch in Hampton," Niziolek explained. Anyone interested in volunteering with plover monitoring duties can contact Niziolek at 603-419-9728.

While things are going smoothly so far for the plovers nesting in New Hampshire, this spring has not been free of incident. During the night of Monday, May 4, vandalism took place at Hampton Beach State Park near the nesting birds. "Someone broke into the fence protecting the plover nest, bent the metal poles, tore the netting on top and stole one of the piping plover eggs," said Niziolek. Footprints in and around the nest site were evidence of what had taken place. Niziolek notified officials with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who are investigating the incident. Since piping plovers are listed as endangered in New Hampshire and threatened throughout their range in the United States, they are protected by both state and federal endangered species laws. "Both the male and female adult piping plovers are continuing to incubate the remaining three eggs at the Hampton location," said Niziolek. "The eggs appear to be unharmed, but we still don't know whether or not they
will hatch."

On a more positive note, volunteer Don Felix from Seabrook has taken on a new documentary role this summer. Felix, who first discovered the plovers nesting in Seabrook in 1997 while jogging, has been involved with the plover project ever since. He has been instrumental in monitoring the birds and helping to set up fencing every year. This year, Felix has decided to video the breeding plovers and create a piping plover documentary. Using a video camera he purchased himself, he has been filming biologists and volunteers setting up fencing and recording the birds' behavior and activities. "It is quite exciting to be creating this kind of record," said Niziolek. "Felix has gotten some really great footage already!" Felix plans on providing N.H. Fish and Game with a copy of his piping plover documentary, once complete.

N.H. Fish and Game will again work closely this summer with beach managers to temporarily halt beach raking in nesting areas to protect the birds and leave some seaweed that washes ashore, since it harbors insects and other invertebrates that provide vital food sources for the plovers. Fencing and signs will remain in place until all chicks are able to fly. These measures help provide the birds with space free from disturbance by humans during the summer breeding season. "We appreciate the public's patience, cooperation and understanding of the need to respect nesting areas and avoid beach raking during a critical time for the plovers," said John Kanter, Coordinator of Fish and Game's Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program. "Together, we're helping to give an endangered species a chance for survival."

Since protection efforts began in 1997, a total of 81 piping plover chicks have fledged from New Hampshire's seacoast. New Hampshire's efforts are part of a region-wide protection program; overall, the Atlantic coast population of piping plovers continues to hold steady.

Protection of this endangered species is a cooperative effort of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, N.H. Fish and Game Department, N.H. Division of Parks and Recreation, the Town of Seabrook, the Town of Hampton, volunteers, local residents and beach visitors.

For more information on piping plovers, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife website at http://plover.fws.gov.

For more on the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program, visit http://www.wildnh.com/nongame.

Farmers' Market Opens in Portsmouth, May 2

AskLisa — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 02:29:00 GMT

The start of May brings the start of the farmers’ market season. Seacoast Growers’ Association’s weekly Portsmouth Farmers’ Market opens Saturday, May 2, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Five additional markets open the first week of June in Dover, Durham, Exeter, Hampton and Kingston.

Rain or shine, over 50 local vendors can be found every Saturday in the City Hall lot on Junkins Avenue. Local produce, flowers and garden plants, meats and dairy, breads and pastries, prepared foods, fine crafts and more are fresh for the taking, sold directly by the people who grow and make each item.

What You’ll Find:
Year-round provisions such as fresh greens, maple syrup, wine, meats and baked goods are plentiful in the market’s early weeks, while other vegetables and fruits are yet growing and ripening to be picked.

Spring is also an especially good time to walk the aisles in search of the perfect plants for your own gardens—or to give as Mothers’ Day gifts. Vegetable and herb starts, bedding plants, perennials and hanging flower baskets abound. Not sure the difference between a Brandywine or a Jet Star tomato? Curious if a snapdragon will grow on your shaded porch? Ask the grower, and get some advice on pest control while you’re at it. Farmers’ markets are an excellent opportunity to learn.

In honor of the region’s rich agricultural traditions, almost 20 fine crafts businesses attend the farmers’ markets, too. Whether hand-spun yarn, landscape photography or all-natural health and beauty products, Seacoast Growers’ Association guarantees that everything sold at market is made locally.

Special Events:
As always, the Portsmouth Farmers’ Market presents a different entertainer every week. Opening Day’s live music will feature “folk songs and sing-alongs” by Random Acts of Harmony, a trio from Exeter. The rest of May brings: High Range, May 9; Taylor River Band, May 16; special guest TBA, May 23; and Rock Spring, May 30.

Market Tours will also be available on Saturday, May 9, in conjunction with the Sustainability Fair at the Middle School. Volunteer “food ambassadors” will meet tour-goers at the fairgrounds and lead them up the hill to the market, where they’ll receive a personalized tour, introductions to the vendors, and tips on how to choose and purchase items at a farmers’ market. There is no charge, and tours are expected to last 45 minutes. They will be conducted every half-hour from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

What’s a Food Ambassador? Find out at the first training and information session! Learn about the implications of local food choices and how to be represent the local food movement in the Seacoast. The first training will be held on Opening Day, Saturday, May 2. Meet at the Market Information Booth; there is no charge to attend. This program is a joint project of Seacoast Growers’ Association, Slow Food Seacoast, Seacoat Eat Local and Seacoast Local. For more information or to RSVP (requested, but not necessary), contact Michelle Moon at (603) 422-7507 or slowfoodseacoast@gmail.com.

About Us:
Seacoast Growers’ Association is a state-registered nonprofit organization representing 57 local small businesses. SGA works closely with Slow Food Seacoast, Seacoast Eat Local, and Seacoast Local, all of whom can be found every Saturday at the market information booth.

Keep an eye out for additional special events, including special demonstrations at our weekday markets. To sign up for a monthly e-newsletter or for more information about our vendors or directions to market, visit http://www.seacoastgrowers.org.