Chesapeake Almanac

Chesapeake Almanac

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Chesapeake Almanac episodes

  • September: Terns: Bright Sparks of Life
    Terns' flying skills make even ospreys look slow and ponderous--and make them captivating to watch. In this episode, John Page introduces us to some of the various species of terns in the Chesapeake--where they get their strength for their aerial acrobatics, their diet and habitat. And why human population pressure is harder on these bright sparks of life.
    9 min
  • September: Daylight and Water Temperature
    Summer is ending, fall is on the way. Even though the days may still be warm and the landscape green, we have our calendars, our Labor Day holiday, our school schedules--event the Halloween decorations in storefronts--that signal the seasons they are a changin'. But what cues do the birds and fish of the Chesapeake have? The seasonal migrations have already begun. In this episode, John Page shares some of Mother Nature's seasonal magic.
    6 min
  • September: Smartweeds Have Much to Teach
    Welcome to biology class. In this episode, John Page paints a vibrant picture of a high school class learning the skills of observation from aboard canoes in the freshwater marshes of Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge. In the closing words of a student, "Gee, I never thought that there could be so much to learn about two little plants."
    7 min
  • September: Cattails and Big Cordgrass
    While we often think of the Chesapeake's marshes for their rich food stock, like wild rice, acres of tall, tough cattails (Typha angustifolia) and cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides) offer another fall benefit to wildlife--habitat. In this episode, John Page introduces us to those plants that often fade into the background of the marsh and gives us a peek at the the birds and animals that call them home.
    5 min
  • September: The Wild Rice Is Ripe
    In this episode, John Page introduces us to wild rice. Stands of ripe wild rice in tidal fresh marshes along the Bay--and the blue-winged teal, red-winged blackbirds, and bobolink that enjoy it--are tell-tale signs of fall along the Bay.
    7 min
  • August: Bay Marshes at Summer's End
    In this episode, John Page peels back the layers of Bay marshes. At the end of summer, the growth of marsh plants is lush, thick with ripe seeds and colorful flowers. But below the surface a maze of systems has adapted marsh plants to thrive in some highly challenging environments.
    9 min
  • August: What Good Are Sea Nettles?
    In this episode, you might not get a good answer to this question, but you will find out a lot of interesting things about these pesky creatures. Also called stinging nettle and jellyfish, "Chrysaora quinquecirrha" are related to corals and sea anemones. Find out how sea nettles reproduce, what weather patterns keep them at bay, and how they function.
    8 min
  • August: A Challenging Month for Osprey Chicks
    At eight weeks old, osprey chicks are nearly as large as their parents. But learning the skills they need to fly--indeed, just taking that first step--is a daunting challenge. In this episode, John Page shares the skills these youngsters need to learn before they start their migration to South America late next month. And make sure to listen for his tips on how to spot ospreys in flight.
    9 min
  • August: Sea Turtles in the Bay
    Sea turtles have been roaming the world's oceans for millions of years. The Atlantic loggerhead (Caretta caretta) is one of just a few that use our estuary, especially in the lower Bay. But like all wandering sea turtles, they have an air of mystery about them and are difficult to trace. But more is being learned about them.
    7 min
  • July: The Proud Red Badge
    The Chesapeake Bay's best-loved creatures are generally animals we can catch and eat, like blue crabs and oysters. They are followed by species that command our attention, like ospreys and herons. Then there are those whose prominent coloring, distinctive song, and abundance throughout the region mark them as essential to the watershed. In this episode, John Page introduces us to the red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), found from Virginia salt marshes to Maryland tidal fresh marshes, and Pennsylvania river meadows.
    6 min

About Chesapeake Almanac

From the publisher's feed

Join retired Chesapeake Bay Foundation Senior Naturalist John Page Williams every Wednesday for inside accounts of our Bay’s creatures and seasonal events.