4600+ and Counting!

Wow, nearly 700 fish observed when adjusted for the official 90 minutes of counting, even with slow mornings this weekend!  We continue to have occasional triple digit counts for some 10 minute intervals.

At this rate, and with a promising weather forecast, we have a good shot at displacing 2008 for the second biggest count in recent years!  600 or more fish observed would do it!

See the updated comparison here.

The birds!!!!

You pick up the paper and you always see the birds at the herring run in Brewster, but thanks to one of our counters, Betsey Godley, we now have our own photo of the Herring Gull with his namesake! And at our very own Mill Pond in Marstons Mills!  Thanks Betsey!

4000+ Fish and Counting!

We seem to have a serious run again this year!  We've had triple digit counts for most of the last two weeks, with still respectable counts even on the cooler days earlier this week.  The highest daily totals were last Thurs and Friday.  Unfortunately we had several missed counts on the peak day, so the calculated total may not truly reflect what has happened.  However, we've had some big numbers each of the last three days, with a single 10 minute count exceeding 100 fish today!

So clearly we're not at the end. 

This year's count looks like it's settling in on the third highest count over the last eight years, with 2012 being the highest annual count, and 2008 the second highest.  However, based on the last three days (nominally 800 fish!) perhaps we can break into second place!  We'd need to observe more than 1200 more fish....

See the year to year comparisons here.

So What do the Herring Eat?

We don't fully understand how the herring know when and where to go each year.  However, when they get to Middle Pond and Mystic Lake, they are obviously tired and hungry.

So what are they eating this time of year?

Zooplankton!  More specifically, a type of copepod.  Here's a microscope picture of an actual copepod currently living in Mystic Lake.  

Microcyclops Rubellus

Two days of 300+ fish in 90 Minutes!

We seem to be at the peak of the 2013 run this week.  Wednesday, 4/17, and Saturday, 4/20 both have counts exceeding 300 fish, with a couple of counts still not yet reported.  Friday, 4/19 is also nearly 300 fish for an adjusted 90 minute count.

We also have blown past the previous third best year of the last seven with more than 2000 fish counted to date, three weeks into the annual migration.  See the Year to Year comparison posted here.  Numbers shown in Red on the log indicate that some count reports have not yet been received.

Today is the end of week 3 of the run.  Most migrations last 4-5 weeks, so if you have not counted yet, or would like to count again, now's the time to contact us for that last chance!  The schedule for open counting slots is posted here.

With lots of fish showing up at Mill Pond over the last couple of days, the flume at the entrance to Middle Pond is full of fish.  Stop by and take a look soon, as they march into the ponds!

Middle Pond Flume - 4/21/13

Middle Pond Flume - 4/21/13

 
Several counters have reported the run "boiling" with fish at some hours.  I also saw an osprey carrying a herring, but was still counting, so didn't get a picture.  He was gone by the time I finished my count.

Please send us photos if you get a chance, and we'll post them for all to see!

Triple Digit 10 Minute Counts!

Yesterday, April 17, saw beautiful weather and two triple digit 10 minute counts in mid-afternoon!  We've blown well past the 1000 fish count and seem to be in the thick of the run now.  Our new leaderboard count is

172 Fish in 10 minutes!

What is it like to try to count this many fish?  Yesterday's counter, Ruth, recorded some of the action and posted it on YouTube to share with those of us who haven't yet seen the biggest part of the run.

Here it is :



Several of us have seen the big bird who is also interested in all the goings on.

Photo courtesy counter BG

2013 Leaderboard Fish Count Set Today!

While we haven't set a new high daily count for the 2013 run, we did set a new 10 minute high count of 89 fish!  This counter had also counted earlier in the morning, with a single digit count.  What a difference four hours can make!

We'll continue to post the Leaderboard results as they change going forward to keep it interesting. 

2013 Leaderboard - 89 Fish

The Year to Year totals are updated as well - a red number means the daily reports are not yet completely in.  Today's incomplete total shows just under 1000 fish, and this is with all counts to date adjusted as needed to follow the state protocols.

Keep them coming!