A nature-like “fishway”: a series of pools and boulders that helps fish migrate upstream each spring. Photo by Beth David.
The fishway at the The Sawmill in Acushnet helps river herring swim up river to their spawning areas each spring. Each spring, thousands of fish, river herring, American eels and more migrate up river from Buzzards Bay to fresh water. The fishway was made by humans from rocks to create a nature-like design to help the herring along their annual journey.
The Buzzards Bay Coalition held its annual Herring Festival on Saturday, 5/20, at the Sawmill in Acushnet. The family-friendly event included a Birds of Prey show, river herring talk, live mammal program, and entertainment by Toe Jam Puppet Band. People could also take a turn out in a canoe or just explore the grounds of the property which includes a pond, fishway to help the herring travel up stream, hiking trails with informational signs, and opportunities to view lots of wildlife. The BBC owns the property and operates it as a public park. Visit http://www.savebuzzardsbay.org for more information.
“Lady,” a red-tailed hawk that was hit by a car and can no longer live in the wild, perches on the arm of Kim Calcagno, Refuge Manager, Powder Mill Ledges Refuge and Fort Refuge, for the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. Red tails are “soaring hawks” that swoop in on their prey, such as small rodents, and hunt during the day. Photo by Beth David.
Ms. Calcagno presents Moxie, an American Kestral Falcon. Moxie was also hit by a car and has a permanently damaged wing, so she would not survive in the wild. Kestrals also hunt during the day and feed on large insects and small mammals. Grasshoppers are a favorite prey. Photo by Beth David.
Two snakes kept the company of humans at the canoe launch. One was a swimmer, the other a landlubber. Photos by Beth David.
The Lebeaus, L-R: Max, Oliver and Aaron, enjoy canoeing on the pond at the Sawmill. Photos by Beth David.
To learn more about The Sawmill and the BBC, visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org.
Click here to download the entire 5/25/17 issue: 05-25-17 HerringFest
