What's with the Whales?

WHAT’S WITH THE WHALES? - a post by Susan van Hoek, GTM Research Reserve Educator

It was a warm, moonlit Saturday night as I drove through the countryside by the back roads from the St. Johns River to Marineland, accepting an invitation to the Marineland Right Whale Project’s mid-season gathering of volunteer whale watchers (now referred to as “citizen-scientists”) at UF’s Whitney Lab. Knowing that this year the whales hadn’t shown up, I was curious about what they would discuss.

Because there was little to report on the missing whales, AirCam pilot and Director of the Marineland Right Whale Project, Joy Hampp, gave a surprise presentation on her “summer job.” She helped track down manta rays off Matanzas Inlet from the open cockpit for a study conducted by Georgia Aquarium.

Little is known about the habits of the “mysterious” manta rays. Airborne searching made locating the rays easier than scanning for them from the surface by boat. The entire operation was televised for inclusion in a 2011 TV series titled “Ocean Mysteries with Jeff Corwin.” The following bits of information on the manta ray study are taken from the resulting TV video and Joy’s “Summary of the Right Whale Mid-Season Gathering:”

The Georgia Aquarium was focused on satellite tagging 10 manta rays off the Flagler Coastline last May and July. The pilot located manta rays from aloft and directed the team below to their target-species by boat.
From the bow of the boat, a researcher used a long rod to attach tags onto the rays. This appeared to be a tricky business, but with practice he managed to tag his quota of ten. The tags are designed to detach from the manta rays after several months and float to the surface. From there, radio information is transmitted to the researchers and the tags are
retrieved for further data analysis. The tags help scientists understand manta ray migration and feeding patterns.

The manta ray video was followed by a presentation on the Southern Right Whale calving season off the coast of South Africa from July through November. The Southern Atlantic Right Whale populations have rebounded there and now occur in the thousands compared to Northern Atlantic Right Whales that occur only in the hundreds.

Last to take the stage, Dr. Jim Hain, Principal Investigator of the Marineland Right Whale Project,reported, “Without a doubt, this 12th survey season has been our most unusual.” He spoke of the limited
results to date and cited examples to illustrate the unpredictability of Northern right whales:

Only one whale this season had been documented in the local area. A yearling calf was sighted January 23 off Crescent Beach, and again the next day in South Daytona. The mother was last seen off Crescent Beach in 2005 with another calf but has not been observed since. One mother, usually seen with a new calf each season and considered to be a regular to this coastline, appeared almost like clockwork in 1997, 2002, 2005, and 2008, but was not seen in 2010 or 2011. Another female, dubbed “Half-note,” was seen mid-December to the north of Marineland with
the first calf of the season. But in mid-January she was observed by aerial survey teams, again to the north, several times without her calf, (making this the 3rd calf she has lost in as many seasons, which Hain says is a rare occurrence).

Several other unusual cases were cited. For instance, for years the New England Aquarium has surveyed Northern right whales in the Bay of Fundy during the summer and fall. In the 2010 season, Bay scientists
recorded the smallest number of sightings and the fewest number of whales in the Aquarium’s 31-year history. The surface water temperature in the Bay was warmer than normal and may have resulted in diminished numbers. This correlation is still being examined as well as the possible effect on the whales migrating to our waters. Scientists have speculated about a two-year lag between the abundance of summer food resources for the whales and their calving rates. Dr. Hain said predictions are very hard to make in the face of highly variable populations, and the only way to draw meaningful conclusions is to maintain a consistent sampling effort. He emphasized how crucial it was to continue surveys with the same diligence as always because not seeing whales was also important to science[though later the surveys were discontinued]. He told the citizen-scientists, “Although we may feel that nothing is happening, the exact opposite is true. We are helping to demonstrate that there is a dramatic shift in right whale distribution that seems to correlate with
elevated water temperatures.”

Hain concluded the evening program by saying: “As we like to say, every day, every season, and every whale is different.”

Driving home, I wondered what was really going on off Florida’s northeastern coast. In the same region where practically no right whale sightings occurred this year, sea turtle patrol volunteer monitors had
recorded a greater number than normal of turtle nestings in 2011 for the second year in a row.

(Though the Marineland Right Whale Project was shortened this season, Joy was quoted in the St. Augustine Record as saying, “We encourage everyone to continue with observations as opportunities arise,
particularly those with waterfront homes.”)

Author Susan van Hoek, GTM Research Reserve Educator, is located at the GTM Reserve’s Marineland facility where the Marineland Right Whale Program is also housed during the months when the whales are normally seen off the coast of Northeast Florida.

GTM Reserve 3rd Annual 5K/10K Trail Run

Register Now!
Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 9:00am
Benefitting Research and Conservation at the Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas
National Estuarine Research Reserve

Meet at the trailhead in the Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve just off of State Road A1A in South Ponte Vedra to enjoy a beautiful outdoor and trail experience at the GTM Reserve 5K and 10K trail run/walk.

All proceeds from this event are used to support ongoing research, conservation and stewardship at the GTM Reserve.

Your participation, support and enjoyment are appreciated. come out and enjoy this jewel of a natural resource, one of the best-kept secrets around!

Trailhead addtess: 505 Guana River Rd, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl 32082

Events will be run on the trails at the GTM Reserve using the Shell Bluff Road (yellow), Timucuan (purple), and South Point Loop (red) trails. This is subject to change with weather conditions.
Fee up to 3/10/12: $25 5K, $30 10K
Fee after 3/10/12: $30 5K, $35 10K

Student 5K or 10K: $15 (present valid ID at the race)

Entries limited to 150 Register Now Space is Limited

GTM Reserve parking fee $3 per car- toll machine at enrty to reserve (or park at the education center at no charge and walk the 400 yards to the trail head).

Register online today!

For event information contact:
Breanna Korsman - breannakorsman@gmail.com at 904-400-3661, or Friends of the GTM Reserve - GTM_Friends@gtmnerr.org at904-823-4527.


The Friends of the GTM Reserve is a private non-profit citizen support organization established to support and enhance environmental education, stewardship of natural resources, and scientific research of the GTMNERR through volunteer initiatives, citizen involvement, and community partnerships.
www.GTMNERR.org
Friends of the GTM Reserve
450 Guana River Rd
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl 32082
904-823-4527
GTM_Friends@gtmnerr.org

3rd Annual Trail Run - Celebrate St. Paddy's Day in the Green Outdoors!

GTM FRIENDS OF THE RESERVE 3RD ANNUAL 5K/10K TRAIL RACE

The Friends of the Reserve will hold their 3rd Annual 5K/10K trail run/walk at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 17th. All proceeds from this event are used to support ongoing research, conservation and stewardship at the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve. All participants receive a FREE Friends of GTM Reserve Membership, which includes free parking in the beach walkover lots for one year, and much more.

Participants will meet at the reserve’s trailhead pavilion which is located at 505 Guana River Road just off of State Road A1A in South Ponte Vedra Beach to enjoy a beautiful outdoor and trail experience. Come out and enjoy this jewel of a natural resource, one of northeast Floriday's best-kept secrets!

Fee up to 3/10/12: $25 5K, $30 10K. Fee after 3/10/12: $30 5K, $35 10K. Student 5K or 10K: $15 (present valid ID at the race). There is $3/per vehicle parking fee.

Register online now!
For further information contact Breanna Korsman at (904) 400-3661 or email breannakorsman@gmail.com, or call the Reserve at (904) 823-4500.

Friends of the GTM Reserve, seeking volunteers

Need volunteers for the Friends Nature Store!

PONTE VEDRA BEACH-Learn about the environment and Florida’s magical estuarine habitats while receiving the gratification of valued volunteerism at the GTM Research Reserve. The reserve needs your help! We are looking for assistance in the Friends of the GTM Nature Store which is located in the GTM Environmental Education Center. The Friends are a non-profit citizen support organization that raises funds to assist with the variety of education, research, and resource management based programs that take place at the reserve. Skills desired include sales experience, customer service, and the ability to operate a cash register (training is provided). This is a scheduled position ideally for four hours per week. The Nature Store hours are from Monday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The GTM Research Reserve Environmental Education Center is located at 505 Guana River Rd., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32084. Call or email Carly Swatek if you are interested at (904) 823-4500 or Carly.Swatek@dep.state.fl.us.

Thanks as always to Diana Eissing for delivering this request for support!

Photo safari January 22 (sign up now!), and a nature walk's rave review

A photo safari in the GTM Reserve (also known as the  GTM NERR) is an intriguing iea on its own, but when it comes under the leadership of Craig O'Neal, you know you don't want to pass it up. Thanks to Diana Eissing, the author of the original email announcement!

A One of a Kind Photo Safari Through the Guana Reserve
Go on a one-of-a-kind photo safari through Guana Reserve's rich and varied natural resources. Led by expert local photographers, this three-hour tour is designed for advanced beginner and intermediate photographers who are ready to discover new places and new skills.  Join Craig O'Neal, GTM Research Reserve Volunteer and master naturalist whose photos appear each week in The Florida Times-Union, and Joe Hunt, an award-winning photographer from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 22, 2012.  Learn more during the photo walk about the techniques they use to capture nature at its best:  Proper camera settings,  composition, macro photography, landscape photography, HDR (High Dynamic Range) imagery, and post-processing software tips. Cost is $69 per person with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the Friends of the GTM Reserve. Meet at the Trailhead Pavilion. There is a $3/per vehicle parking fee and space is limited. To register and pay for this workshop and for more information visit http://www.gtmnerr.org/ and click on Register for Photo Tour. The GTM Research Reserve is located at 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082, (904) 823-4500. Visit http://www.photosherpas.com/ for more additional information.

And if you've been on a nature walk in the NERR, you already know how educational and purely enjoyable they are. A recent walk in the southernmost section of the NERR, not far from Marineland, was given high marks by the Daytona Beach News-Journal. Read all about it here.

One final incentive to our own Great Outdoors: the crisp winter weather offers refeshing walks and views with the added allure, through the end of March, of possible North Atlantic right whale sightings. The west winds have smoothed the surface of the ocean and made walks on the beach especially pleasant. Get out there!

Stay tuned for news about an upcoming cycling event benefitting the Friends of the GTM Reserve...you get back to training and we'll keep you posted.

Happy 2012, under blue crystal skies

It's been a quiet month or so here in blog land. There've been the holidays, and some resting and family time, and maybe a football game or two...well, you know the drill. But  we've rung out the old, and we're getting ready to ring in the new in a big way. We've celebrated so much in 2011, including our arrival here, and on Facebook and Twitter. The Friends of the Reserve held its 2nd annual OceanWise event to Fish & Wildlife who keep a special eye on the North Atlantic Right Whales who calve in our waters every winter.

2012 promises to be an exciting year for GTM NERR for a BUNCH of reasons, not least of which is the thoughtful expansion of our online presence. We're taking a look at how we meet everyone where they want to be met online, whether here at the blog, our web sites, online content like our newsletter and via social media. We've just debuted a new newsletter and will be including it here soon. More exciting events are planned, including a fundraising Run sponsored by the Friends coming in late winter/early spring and lots more.

But you don't need a reason to visit the Reserve. Wrap up in your winter gear and walk the beach or trails. Canoe. Fish. Photograph. These chilly winter days range from cloudy nor'easters to bright, stunning days under skies so blue they seem to shimmer, and our pristine beach offers as many shades of blue as Ireland is said to offer of greens. Go see for yourself. And if you see a Right Whale, be sure to call it in (888.979.4253). Right Whales don't have dorsal fins, often rest at or near the top of the water, and are dark in color, so they can be easy for boaters to overlook. Beachgoers often spot them by the v-shaped "blow", or by the simple fact of their amazing size as they break the surface of the water to breathe - they can be up to 55 feet long, and that's not a typo. So come on out!



We're on Facebook at GTMResearchReserve, and you can follow us on Twitter @GTMReserve.

Looking for Christmas Gift Ideas? Adopt a Sea Turtle Nest!

The GTM Research Reserve Marine Turtle Program has boasted
nesting counts in the 2010 and 2011seasons that were unusually high. From 1989 to 2009 the average number of nests was around 72. This year there were 187 documented marine turtle nests, the second highest nesting season on record for the GTM Research Reserve, after the previous 2010 season when there were 261 nests.

Of the total nests documented this season, 175 were loggerhead (Caretta caretta), five were Atlantic green (Chelonia mydas), and seven were leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) turtles.

In addition to simply monitoring the nests, Scott Eastman, Reserve Biologist is studying such variables as temporal and spatial patterns in nesting, strandings, and in-water use of habitats which he tracks via satellite.

Volunteers working under the GTM Research Reserve permit, monitor nests and record data throughout the season, working in pairs and arriving on duty to patrol the beaches by 5:00 a.m. daily. The volunteers are credited for their dedication to the program. It is crucial to the goal of gaining a better understanding of marine turtle populations.

Many of the same volunteers return to duty year after year, doing their part to help these great turtles continue to populate the world’s oceans. As volunteer George DeMarino recently told a Jacksonville News Tribune reporter, “Sea turtles have been around since the time of the dinosaurs, and now they need our help to survive.”

In addition to its help with volunteers, the marine turtle program depends heavily on donations from individuals who support the work of the reserve. Visit our GTM Research Reserve Volunteer page for more information on how you can help support this wonderful program! 

Happy Holidays!