Goodbye Old Friend

Well, it's over.

The third summer of the Minnow Aquarium on Third Beach is now concluded. This year was notable as the Norman Bird Sanctuary's Coastal Camp operated for six weeks this summer, up from two weeks last year. With this small army, we were able to witness some notable finds, nothing along the lines of last year's Night Sergeant, but exciting nonetheless.

Once I complete the tallies of fish and inverts I will post them.

So sad to get back to civilian life and bid those halycon days on the beach farewell. 

Salp Soup

 

Newport harbour is awash with these salps (Thalia democratica I think)

Plus there are the usual swarms of comb jellies and a hydromedusaae I can not identify.

 

 

Third Beach Coastal Camp Enemy #1

Lady Crab

   

Waterscorpion-should it be in saltwater?

Hello,

A Norman Bird Sanctuary Summer Camp counselor asked me what this animal was, found at "Crab Town" on Third Beach, Middletown. Wasn't sure, looked it up, and it turns out to be a waterscorpion (Ranatra sp.) Rare sight clearly, however the question is, should it have been in salt water? I think not.