Counting Done for Another Year



Mom and her cygnets - by Betsey Godley



The newest members of the Mill Pond family - by Betsey Godley



The new family - by Bob Parsons

Well, we've decided to call it a day for another year!  The last few days have had almost no fish come up the ladders.  We thought that maybe the warmer weather would bring a resurgence, but it didn't happen.  We've had another tremendously successful year.  We're almost as surprised this year as we were last year.  We were not expecting this huge amount of fish to pass through, so we were pleasantly surprised! 

We sincerely want to thank everyone who helped again this year to document the passage of the fish.  We can't do this without your help, so we are truly grateful.  It doesn't matter if you counted once a day, once a week, or once during the entire run; every count mattered! We know that it's not always a pleasant experience, with the weather and the swans not always cooperating.  But at least the swans had a happy ending!!!

So, until next year - Have a happy summer.

And we will be posting all of the counting results here for everyone to see, so keep an eye on the lookout!!

8000+ and Counting!

 As of Friday, fish were still observed for every single 10 minute count!  Not always a lot of fish, as the total for the day was 72, but still....herring jumping every hour!  We've now recorded nominally 90% of the total number of fish that were observed in the peak year - 2012.  The weather forecast for early next week looks like it should be good for seeing more fish.

See the latest report here.

Take Mom to see the Herring!

At Day 39, we are steady and closing in on 8000 fish observations.   So far, we are running at double the average count for the previous 7 years, with only 2012 reporting higher figures.  See the latest report here.  Red numbers in this year's count mean the reports from counters are not yet fully received and logged.

We've just now dropped to double digit daily counts, after 3-1/2 weeks of mostly triple digit daily counts.  So, are we close to the end?  Look at the 2012 data - 2012 dropped to double digit counts also at Day 39, and yet the run continued for another 2-1/2 weeks, with several hundred additional fish reported over that period.  We likely have the bluebacks running now, which are the second wave, after the alewives.  If you're on either Middle Pond or Mystic Lake now, you'll likely see some herring that have made the full 2-1/2 mile trip up the river.

We'll continue the count until we have two consecutive days of zero observations.

So take Mom out to the run and enjoy the start of summer!

Counters needed!!!

It looks like this count is still going strong and we have a lot of empty slots coming up next week.  So please feel free to continue signing up!!  Thank you all so much for your help so far.  We are so pleased with the response we've been getting from all of you! 

Day 35 - 7000 fish +/-....Same as the 2012 Record Year at Day 35!

We're seeing a different sort of run for 2013 than we have for the previous seven years for which we have detailed records.  Except for half a dozen days with double or single digit counts since the run really got going on Day 8, we are consistently seeing triple digit daily counts.  Unlike last year, with a massive number (1453 fish observed over 90 minutes!) on one day, we seem to consistently observe a sustained and robust daily figure.  As of Day 35, we are at nominally 7000 fish, which is right where we were at Day 35 of the 2012 run!   

See the latest report here.  Red numbers in this year's count mean the reports from counters are not yet fully received and logged. 

Take a close look and compare the data for 2012 and 2013 through Day 35.  It's two very different patterns, but we're at the same number of fish observations! 

Last year's run went for 58 days.  This year's run seemed to more mirror the 2008 run to start, but the daily trends over the last two weeks are very different.

The bottom line is that we need to keep counting to help better our understanding of these herring migrations.  No trend just yet of an end to this year's run!  So please help us with your very helpful counts, enjoy the pond, take a break from any daily stress, and welcome summer all in 10 minutes!

Our "friendly" swan?

Many of you may have noticed our "friendly" companion down at the run.  He is always alert as to what we are doing in "his" backyard.  While we have no reports of him actually attacking or being of any real menace to anyone, he does like to hiss and swim back and forth while we are counting.  Our theory is that his mate is on the nest and he is being very protective of his family.  He will attack if provoked!  Swans are not known for their gentle natures.  They are actually very aggressive birds and are very powerful as well.  I remember someone telling me once that he was out fishing on a pond and got too close to an adult swan with her cygnets.  The Mom actually came after him and dented his aluminum boat!!  So, just beware!  If you feel uncomfortable at any time, please just back away and give him some space!  And thanks Betsey for another great photo!