Seabird Week

This week is Seabird Week here at the Huntsman!  We have many interesting bird specimens on display as well as some bird-themed games in our children's corner. You should also come check out our new mural that has been completed near the children's fishing boat as well as the mural in progress by the lighthouse.
At our day camp this week, students learnt about the Double-crested Cormorant, the Arctic Tern's migration pattern, and what keeps a Puffin from freezing.  Students also enjoyed some seabird themed games and craft time as well.

Its Seabird Week!!

Puffin and Eider Duck Tic Tac Toe.

The Arctic Tern has a very long migration.

These students are learning a bit more about the Common Eider Duck.

During the Seabird Scavenger hunt, students completed field guides to take home and help them identify different seabirds they may come across.

Time out for a little playtime on our fishing boat. Check out the new mural in the background!

The Bald Eagle; just one of the many beautiful specimens on display.

The next mural is taking form next to the lighthouse, in our children's area. Be sure to come check out the progress.

Invertebrate Biodiversity Week

It is Invertebrate Biodiversity Week at the Fundy Discovery Centre this week and we have many fun activities for you to discover.  Come and try our 'Eye Spy' activity and see how many invertebrates you can count, or play a game of Ocean Bingo!
On Wednesday we also had our Invertebrate day camp with six students in attendance.  We had local children as well as some from as far away as Manitoba and Ontario.  During the morning we studied the animals in the touch pool to discover interesting facts about each one.  Afterwards we had a closer look at the slimy Moon Snail and even made our own Snail Slime!  In the afternoon we explored Brandy Cove and the intertidal animals found there.  We then used our findings to create our own Passamaquody Bay Intertidal Invertebrates field guide.  We ended the afternoon by discussing the invasive species found on our beaches, the Green Crab. We also played a survival game to see which of us would make the right decisions to become a successful invader.

Check out our Eye Spy!

Who will win? The sea star or crab?

Our snail slime!

Everyone had of fun playing with their slime, which for Moon Snails is used to keep them moist during low tides as well as it is also used to help form their egg casings.

Checking in the water, under the seaweed and under the rocks for animals.

The students were particularly keen to find the Green crabs.

After the beach walk, the students worked diligently on their field guides so that they may show their family and friends what they discovered.

Introduction to Marine Biology cont.

The last day of the Introduction to Marine Biology course began with students in the lab conducting an experiment on the strength of the tube feet of the Green Sea Urchin, common Sea Star and Blood Star.  Afterwards it was time to clean up the lab and return all the animals to the water just in time for the seal feeding at the Fundy Discovery Centre. The students then made their way up the hill to pack their belongings before lunch.  After lunch it was time for the students to say their goodbyes with a promise to keep in touch. 

How much weight can one sea urchin hold?

Tying the line around the animal was one of the most difficult parts of the experiment.

This colourful blood star did not seem to be able to hold much weight.



Saying goodbye to all of our marine friends.

A great group of students this year!

NB Nature Camp

Last Thursday the New Brunswick Nature Camp took part in a number of activities at the Huntsman. Their first task was to mark the invasive species, Green Crab at Pottery Creek.  The students with the NB Nature Camp were trying to beat the number of crabs marked by the Introduction to Marine Biology students from earlier in the week.  Despite the fog the students found a record number of the crabs and captured, marked and released 144 crabs!  They more than doubled the total of the previous group.  In the afternoon the NB Nature Camp students boarded the Fundy Spray to take a closer look at the animals that live subtidaly in the bay.  They finished off the afternoon with a tour of the Fundy Discovery Centre.

The campers hit the beach in search of Green Crabs.

Even through the fog they were all eager to beat the record.

Just one of the many crabs found on the beach that morning.

On the Fundy Spray, Moon Jelly spotting.

Our catch from the scallop drag.

The students could not wait to dig in.

Enjoying the view as the fog starts to clear.

Group photo time.

The campers start the tour with a viewing of a film on the local Bay of Fundy tides.

Plankton Day Camp

Students who took part in Wednesday's Plankton Camp began the morning with a closer look at the various types of plankton through the microscope. While playing Plankton Bingo the students learnt which type of plankton were plants and which ones were animals. A Plankton sun-catcher craft came next to learn about why plankton need sunlight. Students also took time out of the camp to attend the seal feeding and have a quick explore of the touch pool.  In the afternoon the full day students went outside to play a filter feeding game in which they would be marine animals trying to catch the plankton that they eat. Afterwards the students returned to the lab to construct a model plankton and play Plankton Wars! Whose plankton would stay near the top of the water column in order to allow for photosynthesis? After a few tweaks most everyone was able to design a 'plankton' that would neither float at the very top of the water, nor sink.

The touch pool is always popular.

It can be exciting to watch the seal feeding from below as well.

 Some examples of the sun-catchers made by the students.

 



Students pretended to be various filter feeding animals (or cowboys?) and tried to pop as many bubbles (plankton) as they could in the time allowed.

The plankton models are being assembled from many different materials.

Both models floated at the top with the majority under water. Way to go!

 

Intro. to Marine Biology cont.

On Tuesday the students in the Introduction to Marine Biology course began the morning at Holey Point exploring the intertidal zone and collecting specimens to study further in the lab later that morning. After lunch students performed a lab to investigate whether or not the size of an echinoderm affects how quickly it can right itself when turned over. The afternoon ended with a tour of the Fundy Discovery Centre.  In the evening it was time to learn more about the invasive species of the area.

On Wednesday the theme of invasive species was continued as students marked Green Crabs at
Pottery Creek.  After lunch fish were studied in more detail and the students toured the Atlantic Reference Centre to view their vast and varied collections.

Tracey explains what to look for and where to find it.

Some students stayed on the beach, others tested the waters.

You had to step carefully on the seaweed to avoid slipping.

 

Sea Urchins were found just past the low tide mark.

Here Tracey shows the difference between a Common Periwinkle and a Dogwinkle.

There are some interesting rock formations on the beach.

 

In the lab to try and identify the intertidal and subtidal species collected.

The lab binder was useful in identifying this Green Crab.

This student carefully examines his specimen.

It took a lot of patience to wait for some of these echinoderms to turn over.

Waiting for a seastar to flip.

The touchpool was a very popular part of the tour.

 

A nice slimy Moonsnail.

Look! Sponge!