Mottled Duck

Mottled Ducks spotted at Boston children's museum

A fun fact about the mottled duck is that its scientific name is Anas fulvigula. the typical site of these ducks range from 18.5 - 22.5 inches. These ducks can be found all around the US. Freshwater wetlands including marshes, lakes, ponds, ditches, impoundments, flooded fields (including rice fields), stormwater collection areas, mosquito control reservoirs, and sewage treatment plants are where these ducks enjoy staying. Approximately 40 percent of the mottled duck's diet consists of insects, snails, mollusks, crayfish and small fish. The remainder of its diet is composed of grass seeds, stems, and roots; seeds of other marsh plants; and bayberries. Mottled Ducks are “dabbling ducks” that feed at the surface or tip up to reach submerged vegetation. They rarely dive unless being pursued by a predator.

Green crabs

green crabs caught at spectacle island

The green crab is considered one of the most invasive species in the marine environment. It has few predators, aggressively hunts and eats its prey, destroys seagrass, and outcompetes local species for food and habitat. Green crabs can be identified by their unique shell shape. Adult shells can be up to 4 inches across. The green crab is a small shore crab whose native distribution is in the northeast Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea, ranging along coasts from northern Africa to Norway and Iceland.

All Access

All Access Boston Harbor offers fun, FREE day trips for youth groups and community organizations to visit DCR’s Spectacle Island and Georges Island. this month has been a riveting experience. Even though I did all access last year this year has been more interactive and exciting. On of my favorite days this month would be days we go to Georges island. The story of the ominous lady in black robes that wanders about the grounds of Fort Warren is a welcoming on on Thursday mornings.

See you next week!

-Seoule

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Welcome!

Welcome to Save the Harbor / Save the Bay's Boston Harbor blog "Sea, Sand & Sky".

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay is a non-profit public-interest Boston Harbor environmental advocacy organization whose mission is to restore and protect Boston Harbor, Massachusetts Bay, the Boston Harbor Islands, the Boston Harbor region's public beaches, Boston's waterfront and the marine environment and share them with the public, for everyone to enjoy.

Since 1986, Save the Harbor / Save the Bay has been the driving force behind the transformation of Boston Harbor from one of the dirtiest urban harbors in America to one of the cleanest in the world.

As a result of our advocacy, Boston Harbor has been transformed from a "Harbor of Shame" into a source of recreational, educational and economic opportunity and civic pride. Today the beaches of South Boston are among the cleanest urban beaches in the nation, the Boston Harbor Islands are a National Park, and Boston's waterfront has become a compelling destination for residents and visitors alike.

Working with a broad base of civic, corporate, government, scientific, philanthropic and community partners, Save the Harbor / Save the Bay continues to strengthen the connections between communities and the harbor, and promote the increasingly important impact Boston Harbor has on the region’s economy.

Each year Save the Harbor / Save the Bay runs 2 free Youth Environmental Education Programs that combine recreation and hands-on education to bring Boston Harbor alive for thousands of Boston area young people. Since 2003, we have connected nearly 250,000 youth and teens to Boston Harbor, the Boston Harbor Islands, our region's public beaches and Boston's waterfront.