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Clinging Jellyfish
Photo of a clinging jellyfish found in Narrow River in June 2018. These jellies are the size of a dime and sometimes sting. PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH THEM.
In June 2018, NRPA found two specimens of a very small species of jellyfish in Narragansett just north of Middlebridge Marina. We have positively identified these as clinging jellyfish (Gonionemus).
Clinging jellyfish are about the size of a dime and have an orange/brown cross on their transparent bodies with visible tentacles. Sometimes these jellies sting, but often they do not. PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH THESE JELLIES. From WHOI: “Reactions to stings can range from no discomfort to severe pain, redness at the sting site, and respiratory and/or neurological symptoms. Symptoms can last three to five days. While the sting symptoms can be severe, WHOI researchers are not aware of any documented fatalities associates with US or Sea of Japan populations.”
Dr. Annette Frese Govindarajan, a clinging jellyfish specialist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) has been tracking clinging jellies in the northeast US. She visited Narrow River shortly after the first two specimens were found and took samples for DNA study at her lab.
Watercolor of clinging jellyfish by artist Christina Machinski.
These creatures are called clinging jellyfish because they cling to eelgrass. They are not known to live in open water or high-energy environments such as beaches near ocean waves. Researchers say they generally only see clinging jellyfish in calm, quiet areas where eelgrass or other seaweeds grow. The Middlebridge area of Narrow River has a large population of eelgrass.
To our knowledge, this is the first time that clinging jellies have been found in Narrow River. They have not been documented in Rhode Island except in Potter Pond a few years ago.
There are many links and resources you may find helpful in learning more about clinging jellyfish.
LINKS AND RESOURCES: (click to access)
FAQ About Clinging Jellyfish from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
Printable Clinging Jelly Frequently Asked Questions sheet from WHOI.
Mysterious Jellyfish Makes a Comeback article from February 2014
Jellyfish and Other Zooplankton from WHOI
Predation on the clinging jellyfish Gonionemus sp. by the spider crab Libinia dubia
2018 Narrow River Turnaround Swim
Annually in late June, Narrow River Preservation Association hosts a one mile open water swim in one of Rhode Island’s most scenic waterways.
Many thanks to all who swam in this year’s Narrow River Turnaround Swim.
Thanks also to the wonderful volunteers who made it all happen!
FULL RESULTS can be found by clicking here.
When: Saturday, June 23, 2018, 9:00 a.m. (rain or shine)
Where: URI Boathouse – Campanella Rowing Center, 166 Walmsley Lane, North Kingstown, R.I.
Parking: Along Walmsley Lane facing downhill on the left. Parking is limited; carpooling is encouraged.
Distance: One Mile (1/2 mile out and 1/2 mile back). Common start for Wetsuit and Non-wetsuit Divisions.
Start and Finish: The beach adjacent to the URI boathouse dock.
Maximum Time: Swimmers are given one hour to complete the swim.
Awards: Awards for best times for male and female swimmers within Wetsuit and Non-wetsuit Divisions.
Limit: 150 participants; the first 125 entrants will receive a 2018 Turnaround Swim T-shirt.
Check In: 7:45 a.m. to 8:40 a.m. No one will be admitted to the Turnaround Swim unless he or she has checked in and received a numbered swim cap by 8:40 a.m.
Mandatory Safety Briefing: 8:55 a.m.
Safety: In the case of weather conditions that make the swim unsafe, the swim will be cancelled. Registered participants will be offered a significant discount on the registration fee for the following year’s swim. The lifeguards and event committee reserve the right to cancel the event to ensure the safety of the participants.
Entry Fee: $35 pre-registration; $40 on the day of the swim.
Swim Sponsor: For an additional $15 donation, become a Swim Sponsor! Swim sponsors receive a one year NRPA Membership and have their name printed on the Turnaround Swim T-shirt. Show your support for Narrow River with this additional donation!
Click here for printable Turnaround Swim Fact Sheet.
Please note that the swim area is a natural environment, so be aware of the presence of objects that may be sharp.
25 Years of River Watch Data: Trends and Findings
Narrow River Water Quality: Trends and Findings Spanning a Quarter Century!
CLICK HERE to see the full article about Narrow River Water Quality over 25 years of monitoring.
CLICK HERE to see the full PowerPoint presentation.
By Annette DeSilva and Veronica Berounsky, Ph.D.
In 1992, NRPA kicked off their River Watch program and since that time volunteers have taken measurements and collected water samples to help us assess the water quality of the Narrow River. In 2016, NRPA reached the 25-year milestone of their River Watch program. To mark the event, we have compiled and plotted all of the data to examine the water quality trends and to assess the condition of our River. A presentation was made at the 2017 NRPA Annual Meeting that highlighted the trends and findings spanning the past quarter century. The full PowerPoint presentation is available by clicking here. In this article, we will summarize many of the findings that were presented.
In the early 1990’s, water quality was on the minds of many. Sewers had been installed in Middlebridge and they were starting to be installed along the Narragansett side of the River. However, stormwater from the watershed neighborhoods was still draining directly into the River. NRPA had a strong interest in starting a volunteer water monitoring program because we were aware of high bacteria levels. Also, since there were no industries along the river (obvious point sources), a watershed watch approach to studying water quality was desired.
In 1992, NRPA’s “River Watch” program officially began with 10 monitoring locations.
Narrow River is seven miles long and its watershed is located in North Kingstown, South Kingstown, and Narragansett. The original sites (NR 1 – 10) were picked so that they would span the length of the river from Gilbert Stuart Stream in the north to Pettaquamscutt Cove in the south. The site at Sprague Bridge is closest to the mouth of the River. Over the years we added four additional sites. In 1996, Mettatuxet Brook (in Mettatuxet) was added in response to land development demand. In 2000, Mumford Brook (near Narragansett Elementary School) was added because a Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) study identified this as an area of concern. Sites were added at Lakeside Rd and Lakeside Outfall (in Edgewater) in 2004 because they were near an area where a stormwater management plan would be implemented. With this data, we hope to observe pre- and post-management results.
The River Watch monitoring season runs from May to October each year. Every two weeks during the season, volunteers measure temperature and dissolved oxygen. They also collect samples for salinity and chlorophyll that are analyzed by the URI Watershed Watch Lab. Once a month, samples are also collected for bacteria, nutrient, and pH analysis. The lab analysis services are provided by URI’s Watershed Watch office, which also trains all new volunteers, supplies the monitoring equipment, compiles data into the database, and creates charts and graphs.
This article is continued in full here.
Glossy Ibis
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
Featured on NRPA’s 2016 Road Race T-Shirt
By Craig Wood
Each year NRPA features a local bird species for the Narrow River Road Race T-Shirt, and this year it’s the Glossy Ibis. While the Glossy Ibis does not nest along the Narrow River, it is a relatively common sight in the summer foraging in small flocks within salt marshes for insects, mollusks and crustaceans. Its diet typically does not include fish.
The Glossy Ibis is a medium-sized wading bird, standing up to 26 inches in height. It is easily distinguished from other local wading birds (herons and egrets) by their dark appearance and long, down-curved bill. Unlike herons and egrets which fly with their necks retracted, the ibis flies with its neck stretched out. Touch sensors on the down-curved bill allow the ibis to rapidly snap it closed as it probes the substrate when it encounters prey, while ridges along the bill help to securely grasp it in place. The scientific name, Plegadis falcinellus, is derived from the Latin word Falx, meaning sickle, referring to the bird’s distinctive bill.
While they appear dark at a distance, adult birds are chestnut colored with an iridescent purple gloss on the head, neck, and underside. During the breeding season, bare facial skin becomes a cobalt blue trimmed with a thin band of white. Immature birds are similar to adult, but with a dark banded bill, duller body and a neck covered with light streaks.
The most widespread of all ibis species, the Glossy Ibis is found in North, South and Central America, as well as Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Glossy Ibis are originally from Africa and immigrated to the South American continent in the nineteenth century. In North America, the Glossy Ibis nests in a narrow band along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. The species is migratory and nomadic, those found in Rhode Island may wander widely before migrating southwards to wintering grounds.
Glossy Ibis nest in small mixed colonies with other wading birds, such as Great Egrets and Black-Crowned Night Herons, on predator-free islands in Narragansett Bay. Both the male and female help to construct the nest, built of sticks and twigs in trees or shrubs up to 10 feet from the ground. Both parents incubate the eggs (typically 3-4), the female usually attends the nest at night and the male during the day.
First spotted in Rhode Island in the 1930s, the first recorded nesting in this state was in 1971. This species can display great volatility in the number of nesting pairs, with a Rhode Island population peaking at 500 nesting pairs in 1991, and then declined slowly to 135 pairs in 2013. According to RIDEM biologist Chris Raithel, there were about 200 nesting pairs of Glossy Ibis in Rhode Island last summer. Nationwide, the species is considered a low conservation concern and continues to expand its range. However, due to their small population size in Rhode Island, this species is a local conservation concern.
Many thanks to Johann Schumacher for use of the beautiful photo of the Ibis in flight.
Learn more on these websites:
35,000 Salt Marsh Grass Seedlings Planted by Volunteers in Lower Narrow River
July 2017
Throughout May and June 2017, more than 200 volunteers planted salt marsh grass seedlings in the lower Narrow River, completing a multi-year plan to restore the area. Under the guidance of the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), volunteers of all ages removed salt marsh grass plugs from the trays in which they had been growing all winter long, loosened the roots, and tucked them into evenly spaced holes in areas of the marsh that had been raised in the dredging and elevation stage of the project that was completed in January 2017.
NRPA coordinated volunteer scheduling with Ben Gaspar, Biological Technician with USFWS, who provided training and onsite supervision. The collaboration resulted in the successful planting of all 35,000 salt marsh grass plugs. Gaspar reflects “It was wonderful to engage all different ages from the community in a very hands on way. The repeat volunteers and smiling faces at the end of plantings made it very worthwhile to facilitate the nature connection to the marsh.”
Volunteers included Narrow River Watershed residents, kayakers, fly fishers and others who care deeply for this valuable resource. Groups such as Lila Delman Real Estate, Fuss and O’Neill, Inc, Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association’s Kayak and Fly Fishing Committees, and the URI Men’s Rowing Team demonstrated their commitment to the river by helping to plant. Student groups from URI, Compass School, Meadowbrook Waldorf School, EnrichRI homeschool group, and more than 35 students and teachers from South Kingstown High School all brought their energy and enthusiasm to the planting.
Many volunteers expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to be a part of the restoration and health of the salt marshes. The collaboration of NRPA and USFWS for this stage of the project was a continuation of the cooperative joint effort of many entities throughout the restoration project, which included participation from Save the Bay, the Town of Narragansett, and the RI Coastal Resources Management Council. Over the next few years, USFWS will be monitoring the restored marshes and reporting on the longterm success of the project.
Willet
The Willet (Tringa semipalmata)
By Craig Wood
The featured bird for the 2017 Narrow River Road Race T-shirt is the Willet (Tringa semipalmata). The Willet is one of our most conspicuous breeding species in the Narrow River estuary. They are large, stocky shorebirds (pigeon-sized body on long legs) with distinctive black-and-white wing markings. Willets have a thick, straight bill considerably longer than the head. Willet plumage is mottled brown during breeding and plain gray in winter. When startled, they take flight with a piercing “pill-will-willet” call that gives them their name. Willets are often seen alone. They walk deliberately, pausing to probe for crabs, worms and other prey in sand and mudflats, or to pick at insects and mollusks.
There are two nesting populations (subspecies) of Willet in North America; the Eastern Willet nests in salt marshes, barrier beaches, and mangroves along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts from Newfoundland to northeastern Mexico. The Western Willet breeds in interior prairies from Alberta to Colorado. Eastern Willets winter in coastal eastern South America, whereas Western Willets winter on both coasts of North America south to Peru.
Interestingly, the Willet is a southern species that has extended its breeding range north in recent decades. Willets were first documented nesting in Rhode Island during 1987 and are now a locally common breeding species throughout the state. With an expanded breeding range, Willets are now also a common sight in Rhode Island during mitigation periods, especially during fall migration which occurs locally throughout July. Western Willets are sometimes observed in Rhode Island with flocks of Eastern Willets during fall migration.
Willets, along with the salt marsh sparrow (Ammodramus caudacutus), nest in the higher portions of salt marsh bordering Narrow River. This “high marsh” habitat has been disappearing in salt marshes throughout the region. This phenomenon is thought to be the result of accelerated sea level rise. Restoring high marsh is a major objective of the on-going dredging and marsh building project which is placing dredged material on the surface of the marsh to raise the elevation combating drowning and loss of habitat.
Cool Facts
- Although both parents incubate the eggs, only the male Willet spends the night on the nest.
- Willets and other shorebirds were once a popular food. By the early 1900s, Willets had almost vanished north of Virginia. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 banned market hunting and marked the start of the Willet’s comeback to present numbers.
- Like Killdeer, Willets will pretend to be disabled by a broken wing in order to draw attention to themselves and lure predators away from their eggs or chicks.
- Because they find prey using the sensitive tips of their bills, and not just eyesight, Willets can feed both during the day and at night.
- Willet pairs often remain together for several years and return to the same nest sites.
Sources:
Rhode Island Wildlife Action Plan Species Profiles, Species of Greatest Conservation Need, accessed at http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/fishwild/swap/SGCNBirds.pdf.
All About Birds, The Cornel Lab of Ornithology, accessed at https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Willet
Willet in Flight over Winnapaug Pond by David Uliss
W.E.R. La Farge
W.E.R. LaFarge, poet, playwright, and environmentalist, was born in New York City on June 24, 1930. In 1978, he began to live year round at the River Farm, owned by his family since 1908.
W.E.R. was a founding and active member of the Narrow River Preservation Association that, over the years has preserved so much of the river we all enjoy. W.E.R. believed in preserving watersheds, farmland and public access to recreational and scenic areas. He believed that we are all stewards of the land, inextricably bound to it and to each other.
LaFarge Point Park and the U.R.I. Rowing Center were once part of the River Farm. W.E.R. donated these parcels and permanently restricted development on his land through conservation easements. The value of the gift was used as matching funds, allowing the Narrow River Land Trust with the assistance of the The Champlin Foundations and the Nature Conservancy, to preserve additional land on the upper pond.
Each year, NRPA honors someone who has made a large, positive impact on the Narrow River Watershed by awarding them the W.E.R. La Farge Friend of the River Award in W.E.R.’s honor.
Through the efforts of Senator John Chafee, the lower end of the estuary has been designated as the Pettaquamscutt Cove National Wildlife Refuge.
W.E.R. died at home in October 27, 1994 and is buried at the River Farm. His poem reprinted here was inspired by the glacial estuary we call “Narrow River”.
Earth’s Song
by W.E.R. LaFarge (1974)
I lie alone
remembering changes
how sudden crystals grew
from water falling
in a cup in a rock
surprising forms
acids in a cup in a rock
receiving lightning
a cup in a rock receiving
lightning
I am here
I lie alone
no one completes me
after lightning
I bide my time
I hold my forms beyond
surprising islands
I lie alone
remembering changes
how grinding ice came down
the slide of earth
rub of rivers
knuckles of trees cracking rocks
receiving ice surprising
cracking rocks receiving ice
a tree of rivers sprang inside
me
I am here
I lie alone
no one completes me
after water
I bide my time
I hold my face beyond
surprising rains
URI Rowing and Coach Shelagh Donohoe
by Alison Kates, Fall 2016
With a warm smile and friendly greeting, Head Coach Shelagh Donohoe welcomes me at the Middlebridge dock one chilly November morning as the URI Women’s Rowing Team is finishing up practice. Student athletes are coming in from the river. They row to the platform, lift their boat out of the water and walk it to an area for rinsing before storing it until tomorrow. All of this is fun to watch – each boat (skull) is carried by all of the rowers who fit inside and directions are coordinated by the coxswain. The students smile and seem to know exactly what they are doing.
The URI Rowing Team’s 50 members, Novice and Varsity, arrive at practice at the Middlebridge site daily by 5:45 am to practice until 8:00am. They row on Narrow River and in the Fall and Spring, and train indoors during the winter months. They consistently achieve one of the highest combined GPAs of all URI sports teams.
The Rowing team takes community service and local stewardship very seriously. They spent Sunday, November 13 improving trails at Canonchet Farm. Visit the Canonchet Farm website for great photographs of their efforts. http://canonchet.org/trails.php
The same day that the team was doing the heavy lifting at Canonchet Farm, the finishing touches were put on their new boathouse, which the team affectionately calls ‘the structure’. A sturdy steel frame covered in strong polyethylene will provide the team’s skulls with protection from the weather over the winter months. A strip of clear polyethylene along the highest point on the roof lets light into the vast space. Set back from the waterfront just past the parking area, the structure was deliberately placed out of the sightline of the scenic riverfront. The design is meant to blend in with the surrounding area, not to disturb it.
Likewise, the boat dock, installed in Spring 2016, was specifically designed and installed so as to not disturb the eelgrass and other life along the river’s edge.
The team uses one of the cottages on the Middlebridge property for storage, bathroom facilities and electric service. Even though it is filled to the gills with equipment and supplies, it’s clean, well organized and has a welcoming feel.
Lily Herberger, originally from California, walked on to the rowing team as a Freshman at URI and quickly fell in love with Rhode Island, the University and Narrow River. She rowed for four years while earning her Bachelor’s Degree, working her way up to the Varsity level. Now that she is working toward her Master’s Degree in Environmental Science, she’s helping coach the team.
Lily remembers when the team moved to the Middlebridge site from the Boathouse further up the river. She described how one day in September 2015, the team boarded the boats at the old site and rowed down to their new home at Middlebridge. Since then the team has embraced the Middlebridge site as their home.
Shelagh was delighted to talk about the Narrow River and the watershed. She has been coaching rowing at URI for 10 years. Shelagh has been involved with Rowing for decades. Her accomplishments as an athlete include winning a silver medal at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 in the women’s straight 4. As a coach, she has guided many teams to victory, most recently the US Paralympic Team to silver at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics this summer.
Shelagh has high hopes for the future. She would love to work with the town and interested partners in the future to offer a rowing program to high school students and the general public. Shelagh loves the fact that NRPA, the Town and the team all have the same goal: protecting and helping people enjoy Narrow River.
