FODM Board member Jessica Strother, a forester, led a walk on February 27, 2016, and described three of the ecotones of the preserve: the swamp forest, the floodplain forest and the tidal marsh. She explained that trees breathe through their leaves and root system. Trees like the pumpkin ash tolerate water, but cedars like drier, upland soil.
On February 28, 2016, Dr. David Luther, George Mason University biology professor, gave a presentation to FODMers and friends on his research analyzing the effects of noise on birds’ communication, a field called “acoustic ecology.” Generally, birds sing to attract mates, to defend territories and to establish “social status,” he told the 75 attendees. In urban areas, anthropogenic noise, like the noise from traffic or gardening tools, can cause birds to change their behavior and their songs.
On February 22 at Belle Haven Park, several members of the Friends of Dyke Marsh attended and helped release 21 Canada geese that had been oiled and cleaned by staff of Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research of Newark, Delaware.
FODMers and others reported to local, state and federal authorities on February 3 that an oil sheen was in the water at the Belle Haven Marina. Two people photographed an oil sheen that day, one at the marina and one at 7831 Southdown Road, almost a mile south of Dyke Marsh. Tri-State staffers said they were called on February 4 and that they and others caught birds for a week at Roaches Run, Hains Point and Gravelly Point.
Spring is underway in Dyke Marsh, especially in the “bird world.” Former FODM President Ed Eder has taken these beautiful photographs and made a video of some recent bird sightings in Dyke Marsh.
Two barred owls (Strix varia) have been seen near the Haul Road. Here is one flying through a sweet gum tree.
Many FODMers participated in the National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) in January 2016. Larry Meade, president of the Northern Virginia Bird Club, gave this report in the club’s February newsletter, The Siskin:
