Narwhals: Arctic Whales In A Melting World

Join us as we welcome Todd McLeish, who will present his latest book on narwhals (also known as sea unicorns) titled Narwhals: Arctic Whales In A Melting World.

Saturday, December 7
4:30pm
Natural History Exhibit

$5 members
$7 non-members
FREE for youth

Watch a preview video:


Learn more about Todd McLiesh's book at toddmcleish.com.

Seabird Rescue!

Look what the storm brought in! 

My new friend and I go for a truck ride.

Life at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center is largely unpredictable, and often chaotic. Inspiring conservation of the Salish Sea is a BIG job and it turns out there are A LOT of ways to do it. Today I helped save a seabird and I'm writing this blog to inspire you to save future ones- and their homes too. 

This striking penguin-like seabird in my lap is a Common Murre. Earlier today a woman braved the wind and rain to bring the bird to us in hopes we would be able to help. She had found him (or her) on a nearby beach, unable to fly and looking tired. We have no idea how to care for birds, but we know someone who does! We called our friend Cindy Daily at Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue (360-379-0802), who's always eager to save a feathery friend. 

While we waited to hear back from Cindy, Chrissy and I went about finishing up our tasks. After all, we had not allotted time in our schedules for bird-sitting and still had to clean up after a day full of harbor seal necropsies (more on that later). We planned to leave the bird in a box lined with a comfy towel, but he kept poking his head out the top and attempting to escape. It was time for Plan B. I tucked him into my jacket and whispered sweet nothings to him as I went about putting things away. 

Getting cozy.

Too soon, Cindy called and it was time to bring my new friend into rehab. We met at the Safeway parking lot to make the exchange. I fought back the urge to ask 'can I keep him?' (it wasn't easy). Instead, I asked what she thought had happened, since I couldn't see any obvious injuries. I was startled by what she told me.

On windy days when the seas get really wavy, contaminants in the water get stirred up. Some types of contaminants, like petroleum or vegetable oils, destroy the insulating capacity of bird feathers. If a seabird like our Common Murre swims through an area with these types of contaminants, they risk death by hypothermia because they can't keep warm. Sometimes a 'de-insulated' seabird winds up on shore, usually cold and exhausted. However, with time, food, and TLC, rehabers are able to save these birds. But only if people bring them in! 

Here's what you should do:

1. If you suspect a bird is 'de-insulated', capture it! It should be fairly easy. Use a towel, blanket, or jacket to cover him up and keep that sharp beak away from your eyeballs. If the bird flies away at a million miles a minute, it probably wasn't de-insulated.
2. Put the bird in a box.
3. Call Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue at 360-379-0802. You could do this first if you are unsure what to do in-the-moment.

Of course the ideal solution to this problem would be to remove all of the troublesome contaminants from the ocean so that seabirds (and everything else) wouldn't be threatened by their presence. Maybe that's not possible, but it's sure worth shooting for.   

Farewell wild one. I forgive you for jabbing me.

Baby steps. Today we helped save a seabird that had been hurt by something people did. Sure, it's not a big difference in terms of the Salish Sea, but it's a big difference for this bird. Thinking about the small things we accomplish on a daily basis allows me to sleep peacefully at night. 

I have high hopes for our little black and white amigo. Thank you mysterious lady who brought him in, huddled in your blanket. You've inspired me!   


*Special note: Cindy Daily is a licensed reahabilitator. It is illegal for the general public to posses a wild bird except for short-term care prior to transporting it to a rehab facility. 

 

Here's a pigeon we brought to Cindy's rehab center a couple weeks ago.
 He had an injury to his neck and crop, but is recovering nicely! 

Thanks for reading!

Danae Presler
AmeriCorps
Marine Mammal Stranding Network Educator

   

   

Gift Shop Sale + Both Exhibits OPEN Thanksgiving Weekend

Friday, November 29 through
Sunday, December 1
Noon to 4 p.m.  

The Marine Science Center Annual Gift Shop Sale tradition continues with a big holiday sale on Thanksgiving Weekend. Both exhibits (Natural History Exhibit and Marine Exhibit) will be open all weekend.

Volunteer Gift Shop Manager, Janine Scott, has greatly expanded our collection of "green" gifts and books for both kids and adults. All merchandise is at least 15% off, with larger savings on some items.

Gift memberships to the PTMSC and gift certificates in any amount are also available.

LIVE Video from PTMSC Volunteer's Research Cruise

This weekend we will be streaming video from our volunteer, Nam's research cruise in the Caribbean. Come to the Marine Exhibit to check it out on the big screen, or stream it at home on your computer. Here's an endorsement from the travelling man himself:

“As a volunteer of the PTMSC, I am proud to represent Port Townsend as a science intern aboard the E/V Nautilus during the last two legs of the 2013 expedition in the Caribbean. 

We are currently examining the impacts of volcanic eruptions on the seafloor off the coast of Montserrat. By next week we will be exploring the most active and dangerous submarine volcano (Kick’em Jenny) off the coast of Grenada. The tools and instruments we are using include multi-beam SONAR and sub-bottom (ground penetrating RADAR) for seafloor mapping, as well as the ROVs Hercules and Argus to collect images, videos and samples from the seafloor.

Visit www.nautiluslive.org to read more about our mission, crew, ship, ROVs, and to tune in live as we explore the unknown depths. My watches till Oct 25^th are from 05:00 to 09:00 and 17:00 to 21:00 PST, I will keep everyone updated on my future watch hours. Click on the participate tab on the right-hand side of the page to send us a message. Please remember to note who you are, where you are messaging from, and if you address it to me, our educator will make sure I get your message!”

We can't wait to watch the ROV footage this weekend and we hope exhibit visitors enjoy sending in their questions and messages to the researchers on the Nautilus. 

PTMSC volunteer needs your vote!

Ella Ashford, finalist for EPA contest!

You may remember Ella from the elephant seal bonanza this past spring. She donated dozens of hours seal sitting Star, and is also helping with other citizen science projects at the Marine Science Center, as well as docenting in our exhibits. Did I mention she is 12 years old? 

Ella is a finalist for the EPA's 2013 Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder contest. Now it's up to the public to decide the winner. Please watch her 2-minute PT sustainability song "Me and You" below and then support our young volunteer by casting your vote here: aging.info@epa.gov. Spread the news far and wide.

Deadline is this Friday, October 25th so hurry!!

Did you notice our Science Center volunteers and staff? Looks like she saved the best for last!

For more about Ella's song and inspiration, follow this link: http://www.epa.gov/aging/carson/2013/song/me-you.htm

GO ELLA!

PTMSC Abalone ½ way house; Citizen Science fueling restoration of the Salish Sea

Hi I am Annie and I love abalone! I am a new Americorps Member at PTMSC, focusing on Citizen Science.  Two summers ago, I helped out with an abalone restoration project doing surveys which were monitoring the restoration efforts on out plant sites in the San Juan Islands.  I am so excited to be at PTMSC and working with abalone again!

Here is some info about the story of abalone in WA State:

Haliotis kamtschatkana or the Pinto Abalone is a marine gastropod of the Salish Sea. Starting in the early 1900s, Abalone were overfished in Washington State by sport fisherman.  In 1994 it was recognized that the abalone population had seriously declined and the fishery was closed. The naturally remaining Abalone in the Salish Sea are old, consequently big, and most likely too far away from other abalone to reproduce. Abalone are broadcast spawners which makes reproduction difficult when individuals are far apart and low in numbers.

Puget Sound Restoration Fund (PSRF) is a group powering marine restoration projects in the Salish Sea. The goal for the abalone restoration project is to reintroduce abalone into aggregations with densities high enough for successful broadcast spawning. Our planting efforts started in 2009 when thousands of juvenile abalone were replaced at permanent sub tidal outplants sites around the Salish Sea. Last December, PSRF tried a new restoration technique releasing 400,000 additional larval abalone.

What is the role of PTMSC in abalone restoration?

PTMSC is raising over 200 juvenile Abalone for future abalone restoration efforts.  Every week volunteers feed, measure and weigh the tagged individuals to get information on growth rates.

 

Abalone are a little tricky to handle because they are excellent at sticking to surfaces and move surprisingly quick. Volunteers have been using diligence and team work to get measurements on these sneaky invertebrates.

Volunteers have learned that that Pycnopodia helianthoides or Sunflower sea star is a valuable tool for abalone wrangling.  When Abalone come across the chemical cue of a sunflower sea star they pick up and move quickly allowing an easy snatch.

Thank you to our talented and committed Citizen Scientists for all their help on this project.

PTMSC receives $3000 gift from Wells Fargo Bank

Linnea Rivel, Service Manager at the local Wells Fargo Bank (on right), presents a check for $3,000 to benefit under-served students of the North Olympic Peninsula. Janine Boire, Executive Director of the Port Townsend Marine Science Center (on left) is thrilled to receive the support. The Center connects local children with the environment through hands-on activities and classes. Photo courtesy of PTMSC