Long Cove Property
The land consists of typical boreal forest along the coast and mixed woods at the northern part. Most of it, however, consists of upland bogs with scattered glacial "eratics" (boulders). The coast consists of rocky coastline interspersed with sheltered sandy coves. The coastal area provides a stop-over area for migrating shore birds (eg. We observed flocks of semipalmated Sandpipers, and shortbilled Dowiitchers).
Note: Latin names consist of two parts - the first or generic name is always capitalized, the second or lower case is always in lowercase. I have given both the Latin and common names, except where no common name exists. If a number of different species of the same genus were present or if a species of that genus are inseparable in the field, then the abbreviation ssp. (species plural) is used after the genus name. Latin names are always underlined or italicized.
The property can be divided into two major biomes - inland forest and coastal bog - each with distinctive vegetation. The inland forest was mostly mixed woods composed of:
Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides), Large-toothed Aspen ( Betula grandidentata), Wire Birch (Betula populifolia), Downy Alder (Alnus crispa), Beech (Fagus gradifolia), White Pine (Pinus strobus), Tamarack (Larix laricina), White Spruce (Picea glauca), Red Spruce (Picea rubens).
The understory consists of Bayberry (Murica pensylvanica), Goldenrod (Solidado spp.), Asters (Asters spp.), Dogwoods (Cornus, ssp.), Club mosses (Lycopodium, ssp.), Bracken fern (osmunda cinnamomea), and Sensitive fern (Onaclea sensibilis).
Scatter upland bogs contained Sphagnum mosses and the meat-eating Pitcher plants (Sarracenia purpurea)and Sundews (Drosera ssp.)
The coastal bog contained: Black Spruce (Picia mariana), Tamarack (Larix laricina), Laborador Tea (Ledum groenlandicum) Rhodora (Rhododendron canadense), Laurels (Kalmia angustifolia and Kalmia polifolia), Andromeda (Andromeda glaucophylla), Leathleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata), Huckleberry (Gaylussacia ssp.), Cranberry (Vaccinum ssp.), Sphagnum Moss (Sphagnum ssp.).
Scattered glacial eratics also supported populations of the fern Rock Polypody (Polypodium virginauum).
Small coves and salt marshes alone the coast supported Beach Pea (Lathyrus japonicus), the saltwater grasses Spartina patens and Spartina alteriflora and the seaweeds Ascophyllum ssp. and Fucus ssp.
The ava-fauna can be divided into two groups corresponding to the coastal bog and inland forest regions. For non-breeding species, accurate numbers are almost impossible to estimate as populations are constantly changing. Therefore I have listed them as only as common, abundant, or uncommon. These lists of the ava-fauna are not exhaustive. A long-term study should turn up at least 75-100 breeding species, and 200-250 migratory species for this parcel of land.
COASTAL
|
SPECIE |
Assumed Breeder |
Abundance |
|
|
|
|
|
Double-Crested Cormorant |
No |
Abundant |
|
Belted Kingfisher |
Yes |
Common (2-3 pairs) |
|
Spotted Sandpiper |
Yes |
Common (2-3 pairs) |
|
Common Tern |
Yes |
Common (2-3 pairs) |
|
Black Duck |
Yes |
Common (6-10 pairs) |
|
Greater Black-backed Gull |
No |
Common |
|
Herring Gull |
No |
Common |
|
Common Loon |
Yes |
Common (1-2 pairs) |
|
Willet |
Yes |
Abundant (20 pairs) |
|
Sharp-Tailed Sparrow |
Yes |
Abundant (20 pairs) |
|
Savanah Sparrow |
Yes |
Abundant (25 pairs) |
|
White-throated Sparrow |
Yes |
Common (5 pairs) |
|
Common Yellow Throat |
Yes |
Common (5-8 pairs) |
|
Song Sparrow |
Yes |
Abundant (20-25 pairs) |
|
American Robin |
Yes |
Abundant (10-15 pairs) |
|
Catbird |
Yes |
Uncommon (1-2 pairs) |
|
Yellow-rumped Warbler |
Yes |
Common (5-8 pairs) |
|
Semipalmated sandpiper |
No |
Seasonally abundant |
|
Short-billed Dowitcher |
No |
Seasonally abundant |
INLAND FOREST
|
SPECIE |
Assumed Breeder |
Abundance |
|
|
|
|
|
Yellow Warbler |
Yes |
Common (10 pairs) |
|
Yellow-rumped Warbler |
Yes |
Common (10 pairs) |
|
Magnolia Warbler |
Yes |
Common (5 pairs) |
|
Black-Throated Green Warbler |
Yes |
Common (5 pairs) |
|
American Redstart |
Yes |
Common (6-10 pairs) |
|
Northern Raven |
Yes |
Uncommon (1 pair) |
|
Common Crow |
Yes |
Common (3 pairs) |
|
Veery |
Yes |
Common (5 pairs) |
|
Hermit Thrush |
Yes |
Common (5 pairs) |
|
Northern Tunco |
Yes |
Common (10 pairs) |
|
Red-Eyed Vireo |
Yes |
Common (10 pairs) |
|
Black-Capped Chicadee |
Yes |
Common (10 pairs) |
|
Ruby-throated Kinglet |
Yes |
Common (5-8 pairs) |
|
Flicker |
Yes |
Uncommon (2 pairs) |
|
Ovenbird |
Yes |
Common (5 pairs) |
|
Mourning Dove |
Yes |
Uncommon (1-2 pairs) |
|
Barn Swallow |
Yes |
Common (5 pairs) |
Property visited on Oct 9th and again on Dec 23rd, 1989
|
SPECIE |
Number seen |
Abundance |
|
October 9, 1989 |
|
|
|
Old Squaw |
9 |
Common |
|
Common Golden-Eye |
16 |
Common |
|
Common Eider |
143 |
Abundant |
|
Bufflehead |
13 |
Common |
|
Black Duck |
21 |
Common |
|
Northern Harrier |
2 |
Common |
|
Sharp-Shined Hawk |
1 |
Common |
|
Red-Tailed Hawk |
1 |
Common |
|
Double-crested Cormorant |
8 |
Common |
|
December 23, 1989 |
|
|
|
Common Loon |
5 |
Common |
|
White-winged Scoter |
25 |
Common |
|
Common Black Scoter |
20 |
Common |
|
Canada Goose |
14 |
Abundant |
|
Horned Lark |
1 |
Uncommon |
|
Snow Bunting |
250 |
Common |