Yesterday we progressed south out of Portland (the lighthouse picture) to the Isle of Shoals. A group of low, realtively barren islands off of the coast of New Hampshire (also no 3-G service, hence the update today). One of the archipelago is a marine research center affiliated with Cornell and University of New Hampshire.
After lunch Ken and I ventured onto Appledorf Island where the Shoal Marine Reseach Center is located. They welcomed us to explore and explained some of their programs. We walked into an area by chance that was the migratory bird study center. They catch birds in “mist” nets (they don’t harm the birds) and then examine and band them. They are particularly interested in migratory patterns of the birds that fly as far as South America for the winter.
Dave welcomed us to join him in a survey of the nets where two birds had been snagged. We brought them back to the lab and he did all of his statistical research and then we banded the birds and released them. One was a Chestnut Sided Warbler and the other a Yellow Throated Warbler. It was quite interesting and fun. Other students were out on research boats or doing other projects. Another island there is Star Island, a big conference center. Otherwise your basic barren rocks off shore with some hardy souls on them.
We’re in Glouscester today, but more on that tonight.