WELLFLEET — For decades, the New England cottontail, a rare species of rabbit, appeared to be nearly wiped out here. But a new study has found evidence that these rabbits […]
Environment
BUCK TAG
At the Deer-Check Station, Science and Tradition Cross Paths
For one week in shotgun season, state biologists examine every deer taken in the state
ORLEANS — In the long, flat twilight of a December afternoon, two pickup trucks rolled up to the rear entrance of the Goose Hummock Shop in Orleans a few minutes […]
RABBIT HOLES
A Rabbit Species That Once Was Lost Is Now Found
The rare New England cottontail persists, and maybe thrives, on the Outer Cape
WELLFLEET — For decades, the New England cottontail, a rare species of rabbit, appeared to be nearly wiped out here. But a new study has found evidence that these rabbits […]
NOT A FOLLY
It’s a Holly, Y’all
The Outer Cape is the last stop on the train for Ilex opaca, the American holly, a southern tree whose range snakes up the mid-Atlantic and New England coasts before […]
RARA AVIS
This Week’s Bird Sightings
Confirmed bird sightings on the Outer Cape in the week preceding the Independent’s deadline on Tuesday, Dec. 10 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
RADIOACTIVITY
NRC Finds Apparent Security Violations at Pilgrim
‘Escalated enforcement action’ may be needed to protect spent fuel storage area
PLYMOUTH — Inspectors from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) have found apparent violations in the security measures being used to protect the spent fuel storage area on the grounds of […]
PUBLIC HEALTH
Officials Want Handlers of Rabid Raccoon to Seek Care
If tests show the animal was from here, wild animals will be vaccinated in spring
EASTHAM — A dead raccoon that turned up on Smith Lane with a face full of porcupine quills on Nov. 17 tested positive for raccoon variant rabies — a variant […]
IN THE DEEP
$2M Grant to Fishermen’s Alliance Means More Boats Gathering Ocean Data
Center for Coastal Studies will install sensors to expand a measurement network
CHATHAM — Strange things have been happening in recent years in the Gulf of Maine, the 36,000 square miles of relatively enclosed ocean stretching from Cape Cod to Nova Scotia. […]
MORNING FLIGHT
Not Just Birds of a Feather
In the off-season, mixed flocks of disparate birds work together instead of apart
Winter is not easy if you’re a bird. The abundant food supply you relied on all summer is gone, you use a lot of energy keeping warm, and without leaves […]
BULLY FOR YOU
Cats ’n’ Dogs
There are three species of cattail that one might find around these parts — a meatier one that’s well behaved and local, a slim one from Eurasia and northern Africa that […]
RARA AVIS
This Week’s Bird Sightings
Confirmed bird sightings on the Outer Cape in the week preceding the Independent’s deadline on Tuesday, Dec. 3 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
ISN’T IT GOOD?
Sugar, We’re Not in Norway Anymore
If your Acer turns a dull yellow in the fall, it’s probably not a native tree; while the sugar maple can hit that end of the spectrum, it does so […]
RARA AVIS
This Week’s Bird Sightings
Highlights from bird sightings on the Outer Cape over a little less than the usual one-week period. The Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary tally for us ended a day […]
WILDLIFE
Go Slow on the Straightaways – It’s Deer Crossing Season
A review of police dept. data show collision hotspots on Route 6 in all four Outer Cape towns
November is a risky time to be a deer on the Outer Cape. Besides that it’s bow-and-arrow hunting season, collisions between deer and cars are most frequent in this month.
WILDLIFE
Go Slow on the Straightaways – It’s Deer Crossing Season
A review of police dept. data show collision hotspots on Route 6 in all four Outer Cape towns
November is a risky time to be a deer on the Outer Cape. Besides that it’s bow-and-arrow hunting season, collisions between deer and cars are most frequent in this month.
