Marine Biology: Class of 2004 Field Trip To Weedon Island

What is the Weedon Island Preserve?

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Mrs. Peck's Marine Biology class took a field trip to Weedon Island. What an amazing preserve!!!

We began the day taking one of the boardwalks back into the mangroves and salt flats. We were able to see all 3 species of mangroves and numerous other salt tolerant plant species. We observed many crabs, spiders, and anoles and were able to catch some. (obviously we released them unharmed back into their habitat)

 

 

The boardwalk enabled access to a saltwater pond habitat as well as a 45 foot observation tower.

 

We took advantage of both. We were able to observe the mosquito trenches which were created to allow the movement of water in and out of the mangroves during the tides.This decreased the amount of standing water as well as changed the hydrology of the preserve enabling new species to call Weedon Island their home. The mosquito trenches have created a vast number of kayaking trails on Weedon Island.

 

After the boardwalk, we took a tour of the Cultural and Natural History Center

We finished the day with a field study of the estuary which we could easily access across the street from the Nature center. We walked out through the mangroves to the water. We were able to catch and release a number of species including hermit crabs, blue crabs, horseshoe crabs, large snails, and a needle fish. We observed 10 stingrays.....Mrs. Peck (after warning all of her students to shuffle their feet in the water) stepped on a stingray. She screamed and the stingray jumped clear out of the water. Luckily, Mrs. Peck was unharmed!!!!!! Some example I was!

 

We collected sediment from a variety of areas. On shore we used sieves to separate the plant material and organisms from the sediment. We found a ton of worms and insect larva. COOL (well only to a Marine Biology teacher who has taken medical parasitology).

 

We had a terrific time out at Weedon Island......Until the giant crab ate us!!!!