Fellow Counters:  We have some openings coming up later this week.  Please check the schedule and let me know if you can take any slots.  Thanks for all your work on this project.

On a good note the Town of Barnstable has approved funds for the design of a new Fish Ladder for our run here at Rt. 28 & Rt. 149.  The ladder and dam took a beating this winter and we look forward to replacing this structure that dates back to the 1970's.

The Three Bays website back up and we need to rewrite the Herring count blog.  If you have any photos that you would like to share please email them to info@3bays.org and we will add them to the new site. Thank you for your efforts counting and lets hope for a strong run.

They are definitely here!!

    We are having such a great run this year!  Let's keep our fingers crossed that it continues! All of the counters have been great and the fish look healthy and big!  

Fish in the run
Taken by Rhonda Lockwood

Comparison Chart from 2012-2014

     So, I put together a chart that shows how very different the runs are from year to year.  You can just never tell how it's going to go.  The weather is such a determining factor in how many fish come up the river and when they make their long trek.  If you remember, 2012 was a banner year for us.  The run started really early because we had such a glorious spring!  But, then we took a little 2 week vacation because the weather turned so cold.  When the fish did come back, they came back with a vengeance.
    In 2013, we had a very slow start but it built up to a great run in about 3 weeks.  This year, the fish have come in big numbers right from the start.  So, it's going to be interesting to see what develops this year.  The weather is supposed to get cold this week and I even heard rumors of snow on Wednesday!!  Keep your fingers crossed and Happy Counting!!
    We do have quite a few empty counting slots beginning this weekend, so look over the schedule and see if you can fill any of them in.

They're Here!!

So, we think they've finally arrived.  Over the weekend we noticed a few fish in the run and by Monday, there seemed to be a few more.  So we are officially starting the counting process on Wednesday, April 9th!  So, if you want to count, please go to the schedule, notice which slots are open, and sign up!!  And if you've already signed up, please double-check the schedule and remember when you're due to count!  
The first few days will probably be a little slow so don't be disappointed if there are a few zero counts.  The water temperature is still a little chilly, so as it warms up in the afternoon, the fish will get more active.
The video above is from Susan Meyers and this is the first documented fish for 2014!!  She took this on Sunday. Thank you Susan!!
Please send an email with any questions to : herringcount@yahoo.com

Almost!

     So we've done a little work on the run in anticipation of the arrival of the fish.  We've cleaned up a little trash and the counting box is in place.  The thermometer, the counter and a laminated sheet of instructions are all in the box. The white board is in place and now we wait! 
     We're not really all that late.  While two years ago we started the count on March 21st (we actually had a spring that year!) the latest we've started was on April 20th in 2007.  The water temperature was 45 degrees this morning so we are inching up towards the magical 51 degrees.  One bright spot is that the osprey are back!!

  It's just a matter of time...