Spring at CBFL

Greetings CBFL Members and Friends,

Spring is almost here and with it comes the Ospreys. The first Osprey was sighted on St. George Island on Tuesday, March 10, 2009.

We have many here now with more arriving daily. After a few days rest and some sunshine they will start to nest. Last year, CBFL members placed small piles of straw and different colored rags on the fields and the birds scooped them up for their nests. They seem to like the color black for the cloth. They used up almost a bale of straw.

The migrating Northern Gannetts are passing through the Chesapeake Bay following the bait fish and the large rockfish. They migrate through here on their way to Newfoundland nesting grounds.

The Northern Gannett (left) is a large white bird with black wing tips and yellow bill. They dive from above to the water like a javelin and stay under sometimes for 20 seconds or more.

Our membership annual meeting party will be held on Sunday, March 22, 2009 from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Chesapeake Bay Field Lab, 16129 Piney Point Road, St George Island. The menu will include steamed Chesapeake Bay oysters, stuffed ham, seafood chowder and a host of other morsels. Admission is free to members-you can join that day! Visit www.thebaylab.org for more membership information. A short members meeting will be held at 3 pm.

The Chesapeake Bay Lab's field trips will begin in early April with the mission to educate citizens about the Bay. CBFL is holding with its vision of using local vessels of the Chesapeake Bay as teaching platforms in accomplishing that mission. Last year CBFL taught about 4000 students about becoming better stewards of the Chesapeake...

The Chesapeake Bay Field lab will sponsor a Needlework and Fiber Arts Conference Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4, 2009 at the Paul Hall Center Hotel in Piney Point, Maryland. The overnight conference includes classes, demonstrations, speakers and an opportunity to complete charitable projects. Fees include registration, meals and overnight accommodations based upon two persons per room. Please register by March 17, 2009 to guarantee roommate and class selections. Contact conference manager, Becky Benton at 301-872-9306 or register on the website.

The Chesapeake Bay Field Lab is a nonprofit outdoor educational facility. See “calendar” on www.thebaylab.org for registration and more about CBFL’s mission.

Finally, on Sunday, June 28, 2009 CBFL will sponsor a canoe/kayak event on the Island Creek in front of the Bay Lab.


Remember: "It's Our Bay, Lets Pass It On"
From: Capn Jack and 1st Mate Fulchiron