Author Archives: Mundy

OSPREY AT THE NEW WETLAND ISLANDS

Numerous osprey have been sighted at the recently created wetland islands of Rulers bar and Blackwall . They are seen perched on the fencing and hunting over the shallow waters. The islands are already teeming with small bait fish and it appears the osprey are taking full advantage of this hunting opportunity!

COW NOSE RAYS INVADE JAMAICA BAY !!

Members of the Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers & other local fishermen have been reporting large numbers (schools of Thousands plus) of Cow Nose Rays in Jamaica bay. The Cow nose Ray , also known as Sea Eagle for its characteristic way of swimming, is a species that inhabit the waters of the Atlantic ocean and the Caribbean. They are related to skate, stingrays and manta rats and have a cartilaginous skeleton and have 7 senses. They move in large groups and are bottom feeders feeding primarily on crustaceans and mollusks.

The can crack these shells because of their flattened teeth like a nut cracker. Cow nose rays have a poisonous stinger well positioned on their tail which can be very painful. The Rays in Jamaica Bay are very big measuring two foot across their wings and up to 4 inches thick and weigh in excess of 35 pounds.

If hooked they should not be hauled into the boat as they could cause physical damage to anyone near them.

Kayak fisherman should stay clear of schools of Cow nose Rays

Binomial name: Rhinoptera bonasus.

Species: R.bonasus

Genus: Rhinoptera

Dan Mundy, JBEW

Assemblyman Goldfeder inspects wetland Island Restoration Project

August 6th 2013–Assemblyman Goldfeder inspects the just completed Rulers Bar Wetland Island Project in Jamaica Bay. The assemblyman has been a big supporter of Jamaica Bay since his first days in office and it was great to see him take the time to travel out to the island in the middle of jamaica bay and see the results first hand!!

Dan Mundy of Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers and Assemblyman Goldfeder discuss the next phase of restoration projects in Jamaica Bay

Rulers Bar/Black wall Island update —July 24th 2013

Planting of all 86,000 spartina plugs completed!!

Already great and encouraging growth rate is being observed on Rulers Bar wetland island

here is a link to more photos from July 24th

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60358599@N03/sets/72157634868849702/

Wetlands Restoration under way in Jamaica Bay with the help of over 160 volunteers!!!

June 2 2013

Great progress today in the effort to restore Rulers Bar Wetlands island with over 160 volunteers !! This is a coordinated effort between the Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers and the American Littoral Society. Thanks to the team of volunteers who came out and to the boat captains of the six vessels that ferried the large group out to the island. This was no small feat and took alot of coordination and hard work. No doubt it appears worth it as the hundred and sixty volunteers planted thousands of plugs before the rising tides forced us off the island !! A great day was had by all!!