Haddonfield High School September 18 &19,2005
On September 18th we welcomed Haddonfield High School for their first visit to Sedge. Prior to boarding the pontoon boat to the island, the group spent several hours exploring Island Beach State Park. We first visited the interpretive center where we examined exhibits relating to the history of the area and learned about some of the plants and animals found in the Marine Conservation Zone. We also took a walk on the beach where we measured ocean water salinity and viewed the topography of the barrier island from the primary dune.
The group of eighteen students and two teachers filled the McLain House. But, because the group worked so well together it never seemed too crowded. Everyone pitched in to help with program activities as well as chores. Warm water and warm air temperatures allowed us to kayak comfortably in bathing suits and many of the students snorkeled on the sandbar south west of the house (AKA - the Bahamas.) After a circumnavigation of Sedge Island, we returned to the house where we fished (several small sea bass and snapper blues) and crabbed (three blue claws and one large green crab). AP Biology teacher Jan Eckhouse and some of the students helped Jim clean, sort and measure a sample of the 10,000 seed clams we have growing in five plastic mesh bags (the average size is now 19 mm compared to 11mm when we put them in the water at the end of June.)
After dinner we gathered on the porch to watch the Harvest Moon rise over the bay. We briefly turned on the lights so students could take notes as AP Environmental Studies teacher Ron Smith talked about estuaries and the general ecology of the salt marsh. Then we walked out on the dock and with the full moon illuminating the entire area we were treated to a display of bio-luminescence in the water. It was such a beautiful night that many of the students elected to sleep out on the upper deck of the house.
At sunrise we had the most unique wakeup call Jim has experienced in his five years at Sedge. Group coordinator, Ron Smith played Revile on his fiddle! The soothing notes were just loud enough to ease the group awake. After breakfast we paddled about ΒΌ mile east of the island to do some more scientific research. Half the group did a transect study of an eel grass bed while the other half used a seine net to capture and identify as many large aquatic animals as possible. We then paddled through some of the natural canals and a mosquito ditch the marsh near the peregrine falcon nest (we saw two birds on the platform.) We noticed that the only osprey still around seem to be the birds from farther north who are making their way down the coast. Perfect weather allowed for optional activities of more fishing and kayaking in the afternoon prior to departure.
The group of eighteen students and two teachers filled the McLain House. But, because the group worked so well together it never seemed too crowded. Everyone pitched in to help with program activities as well as chores. Warm water and warm air temperatures allowed us to kayak comfortably in bathing suits and many of the students snorkeled on the sandbar south west of the house (AKA - the Bahamas.) After a circumnavigation of Sedge Island, we returned to the house where we fished (several small sea bass and snapper blues) and crabbed (three blue claws and one large green crab). AP Biology teacher Jan Eckhouse and some of the students helped Jim clean, sort and measure a sample of the 10,000 seed clams we have growing in five plastic mesh bags (the average size is now 19 mm compared to 11mm when we put them in the water at the end of June.)
After dinner we gathered on the porch to watch the Harvest Moon rise over the bay. We briefly turned on the lights so students could take notes as AP Environmental Studies teacher Ron Smith talked about estuaries and the general ecology of the salt marsh. Then we walked out on the dock and with the full moon illuminating the entire area we were treated to a display of bio-luminescence in the water. It was such a beautiful night that many of the students elected to sleep out on the upper deck of the house.
At sunrise we had the most unique wakeup call Jim has experienced in his five years at Sedge. Group coordinator, Ron Smith played Revile on his fiddle! The soothing notes were just loud enough to ease the group awake. After breakfast we paddled about ΒΌ mile east of the island to do some more scientific research. Half the group did a transect study of an eel grass bed while the other half used a seine net to capture and identify as many large aquatic animals as possible. We then paddled through some of the natural canals and a mosquito ditch the marsh near the peregrine falcon nest (we saw two birds on the platform.) We noticed that the only osprey still around seem to be the birds from farther north who are making their way down the coast. Perfect weather allowed for optional activities of more fishing and kayaking in the afternoon prior to departure.
posted by Sedge Island at 8:40 PM
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