JERSEY SHORE ECOTOURISM REMAINS STRONG

July 7, 2010

Reprinted from NBC40.net

CAPE MAY -- Tourism in South Jersey is a booming business during the summertime. And, ecotourism is an important part of the area's economy, but it's not solely about profit.

Ginny Powell grew up in the salt marshes that surround Cape May, and has been leading birdwatching and other trips like this for the past four years.

"Every trip is a treasure hunt honestly. Mother nature, you never know what you're going to see out here," said Skimmer Salt Marsh Safari Captain Ginny Powell.

Click here to read the entire article and watch the video.

 

SHORE'S ECOTOURISM TAKING OFF AMID MARSHES LIKE THE GULF'S

July 2, 2010

Written By Inquirer Staff Writer - Jacqueline L. Urgo

WILDWOOD CREST - It's Day 70 of the gulf oil spill, and the pontoon boat the Skimmer is being steered from the lush, green salt marsh in Jarvis Sound, where passengers have just witnessed the splendor of hundreds of nesting osprey, laughing gulls, and American oyster catchers.

Ginny Powell, the craft's captain, launches into her usual talk about the importance of protecting the wetlands - a kind of nursery for many ocean animal and plant species - and, new this season, the toll the BP oil spill will have on the Gulf of Mexico and its estuaries. The gulf's wetlands environment is similar to New Jersey's, Powell says. And she tells them that nearby Cape May is the third-largest commercial fishing port in the nation.

Click here to read the entire article and watch the video.

6 ABC ACTION NEWS - PHILLY HITS THE JERSEY SHORE

June 26, 2010

Reprinted from abclocal.go.com

June 26, 2010 (WPVI) - Here's the situation Saturday on FYI Philly (no pun intended). We're hitting the Jersey shore to give you the scoop on what's new this season...from farm fresh entrees at the newest eatery...to hot ensembles at a hip new shop! Plus we have some fun ideas on how to spend a lazy summer afternoon; and it's all with the help of Philly Mag's super-sized shore guide. Then we preview the city's July 4th roster of rockin' events!

GEARING UP FOR SUMMER

June 6, 2010

How did it get to be June already? We had a fantastic spring with some excellent rare sightings such as a Long Billed Curlew (which I think was the 4th time since 1990), the infamous Marbled Godwit, and a stunning male Harlequin Duck for a week or so. So many of our guests have been repeat customers that we want to send a special thank you to them for their loyalty and great company! Trust me, we enjoy your company as much as you enjoy the trip! We are gearing up for our summer season schedule which means we will be all over the place. Our trips will run 7 days per week, 10, 1:30 & 6, weather permitting. Most days we sail from our Dolphin Cove location (click on directions). On Wednesdays and 1/2 of Thursday we will sail from the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor. Thursday nights we are back at Dolphin Cove for the rest of the week. Amidst all this we still inject our specialty cruises: Nature Center of Cape May's Monday, 6pm Marine Life Discovery Cruise, we also do a Crabbing 101 on Tuesdays with the Nature Center of Cape May, Saturday's 10am cruise is sponsored by the Cape May Bird Observatory. As you can see, it can be confusing so it is always best to call 1st.

Due to the current environmental catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico, I believe it's more necessary than ever to get as many folks as possible to understand the importance of the salt marsh. It truly is a remarkable environment that we depend on without even realizing it.

Hope everyone is well and we look forward to having you onboard!

 

SATURDAY MORNINGS WITH THE SKIMMER

May 2, 2010

Our inaugural Saturday morning (10am) Cape May Bird Observatory cruise went great!   By the following list, you can see the migration movement that is underway:  70 Whimbrel, 27 Glossy Ibis, Tri-Colored & Little Blue Herons, Great & Snowy Egrets, Lesser Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper, Harlequin Duck, Common Loon, Ospreys, Black Bellied Plovers, Clapper Rail, Seaside Sparrow, Northern Harrier, American Oystercatchers, Gulls (laughing, herring & great black backed) Forester Terns, Short Billed Dowitchers, Dunlin, Boat Tailed Grackles, and Fish Crows.  I probably missed some, because everytime we tried to move on…….another bird would be spotted.  This particular cruise, which will take place every Saturday morning until October 30th is sponsored by NJ Audubon Cape May Bird Observatory.  We do sail everyday, so please check our schedule and remember, it is always best to call first.  Thanks and have a great week!

OLD HOME WEEK

April 25, 2010

Again this week our LOON-A-SEA Cruise was Saturday morning, the 24th, from the Wetlands Institute. A big thank you to a great group on board.  That trip, plus our 1:30 outing, (which felt like “old home week” since it was all repeat customers), back at Dolphin Cove consisted of all the birds listed on my April 18th blog plus:  Spotted Sandpiper, Willets everywhere, Dowitchers, 7 Black Crowned Night Herons, a Harlequin Duck (still hanging around)  2 Red-Breasted Mergansers, a Solitary Sandpiper, a very entertaining Belted Kingfisher, and 8 Whimbrel !!  Why do I always feel like taking a slow deep breath when I’m finished with this blog?  It’s almost like I relive the excitement in a very concentrated form as I write this.

Our best to everyone, we look forward to having you aboard!

LOON-A-SEA CRUISES

April 18, 2010

Want to thank everyone that participated in the LOON-A-SEA cruises that sailed from the Wetlands Institute.   Actually, the entire day on the marsh was awesome!  A quick rundown of sightings is as follows:  lots of Ospreys, Little Blue Heron, Black Duck, Brant, Oystercatchers, hundreds of laughing gulls, 2 large nesting areas of Great Black Backed Gulls, Herring Gulls, adorable courting Forester Terns, both Common and Red-Throated Loons, Great and Snowy Egrets, Male & Female Boat Tailed Grackles, Fish Crows, Dunlin, Golden Plover, Black Bellied Plover, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Great and Double Crested Cormorants and a few Great Blue Herons.  Lots of dating going on in the marsh…hmmm.    Hope to see you soon!

Some good news and bad news:  the good news is the grouping of 8 Harbor Seals we had been sighting were obviously healthy and have left, as they should.  The bad news is you may not have had the opportunity to see them.  But we do have pictures here and on our Facebook page:  Skimmer Salt Marsh Safari

LET THE SEASON BEGIN

April 8, 2010

We officially started our season April 1, 2010, and what a start it has been!  The salt marsh is very active!  Lots of loons, (including us), a really pretty Harlequin Duck (same place each day so far), nesting Oystercatchers, Greater Yellowlegs, Brant, Terns, Laughing Gulls and yes, Desi & Lucy are back along with all the osprey couples.  All are busy refurbishing their “shore house”.  Also, this past week, we have had a group of 8 seals lounging around in the marsh.  There are large numbers of migrants on the move meaning it can only get better each day.  We look forward to having you on board!

LOON-A-SEA CRUISES:  Saturday, April 17th and 24th, 10 AM & 1 AM.  Please join us at the Wetlands Institute dock in Stone Harbor, NJ for a special springtime birding adventure.  These two-hour trips past Nummy and Champagne Islands will turn up loons, the last of the wintering waterfowl, and first spring migrants.  See the seasonal transformation of the marsh from a shorebird’s perspective!  Besides, you can take advantage of the special stimulus pricing!  Please call us for reservations & information:  609-884-3100

SUNSET WITH THE SKIMMER

March 9, 2010

WOW, I’m not sure what to be happier about.  Spring is just around the corner or the fact that the snow has finally melted!  Not being fans of cold weather, peeking out our car window with binoculars in hand is getting old, even though it’s warm…..lol.  We will be running again by April 1st and we can’t wait!  We’re looking forward to spotting our eagles again.  There’s been no shortage of waterfowl either.  A quick rundown of who is around:  Brant, Pintails, Black Duck, Buffleheads, Mallards, Scaup, Mergansers, Wigeons,  Shovelers, Teal, Great Blue Herons, Belted Kingfishers, Northern Harriers, Great Egret, Grebes, Oystercatchers,  Ruddy Turnstones and Loons (in their tuxedos).  There are just too many to name let alone the fact that “Lucy & Desi” are due back anytime to set up housekeeping!

Thought you would enjoy this picture which is compliments of AndySmithPhotography.com.  I call it “My View at Sunset” taken right from my dock.  And they wonder why I moved the Skimmer?  to be continued……..

MY FIRST BLOG

May 31, 2009

This being my first blog of the 2009 season, I would like to start by saying “Thank You”. So many of you have repeatedly been on board, referred your friends and relatives, and have reciprocated your knowledge with me. Each trip has been a treasure hunt of wildlife and new friends, experts and novices alike! Birding has certainly been rewarding including but not limited to the following: Ospreys galore, Peregrine Falcon, Northern harriers, Great Blue Herons, Little Blue Herons including mottled juveniles, TriColored Herons, Green Herons, both Black & Yellow Crowned Night Herons, Glossy Ibis, Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, Clapper Rails, American Oyster Catchers, Laughing, Great Black Backed and Herring Gulls, Common, Forster and Least Terns, Marbled Godwit, Whimbrel, Willets, Yellow Legs, Ruddy Turnstones, Black Bellied Plovers, SemiPalmated Sandpipers, Dunlin, Sanderling, Seaside & Sharptail, Redwing Blackbirds, Boat Tailed Grackles, and Fish Crows to name a few! We’ve been busy :} Our Diamond Backed Terrapins are out and about and the marine life is abundant! And just as I started this blog, I would also like to end it with a Thank You! Without you I couldn’t do what I do!