Kevin, thank you very much for the information. I am mapping out all the possibilities. One good thing, if that beach in Hyannis is the one by the Korean war monument down the road from the ferry wharf then I have to hope for a storm while I am there cause I will be staying right there practicually the first night.
Brian
-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists of America List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Kevin Czaja
Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2004 17:38
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Boston collecting
Hi Brian,
here are some suggestions. Firstly, Cape Cod's open ocean beaches
though beautiful, are pretty poor for collecting. The only possible
exception is around Chatham where occasionally nice Mesodesma arctatum
(and fossils of Noetia ponderosa and Divarcella quadrisulcata) wash up.
As for Provincetown, I have done quite well on the bay side beaches
(particularly Pilgrim Beach) as you head toward Truro. There have been
times where after sifting through drift, I've collected about 50 different
species. If you get down to areas like Hyannis, and Wood's Hole, there
are many protected bays and good collecting beaches. Unfortunately, they
are all much better in the colder months. The beach adjacent to JFK
monument in Hyannis is a personal favorite of mine. It was pointed out to
me a couple years ago by Boston Shell Club members as a good place to find
the not so common Epitonium championi. Little did I know it would turn
out to be the most diverse species producing New England beach that I ever
collected on. I have collected now 80 different species from that one
beach (including close to 70 in just one visit-championi included).
However, before you make a special trip, I must warn that my prolific
collecting efforts there have all come after fall and spring storms. I
visited once last summer and only came away happy because I was able to
snorkel my way to some keeper species (such as Nassarius vibex live at its
northern range, Tagelus divisus (ditto) and nice live Turbonilla
interrupta and verrilli).
I can't speak for Nantucket as I have not yet collected there. I have
collected extensively on Martha's Vineyard. My two recommendations are as
follows. For the best Argopecten irradians (stunning array of colors)
I've ever seen, the shore of Sengekontacket Pond along the Edgartown/Oak
Bluff's town line is the place to go. I learned after a recent collecting
trip that the gulls pick the shells clean and leave the mathed pairs to
wash up on the shore or get stranded in the shallow water near the shore.
They can also be found live in the pond though there are technically
restrictions against collecting them. This is also a good place for very
large Laevicardium mortoni, Petricola pholadiformis, and occasionally
Tagelus plebius. As for the most diverse collecting (and if you like the
more uncommon minute species), take the short 2 minute ferry to
Chappaquiddick Island from Edgartown. Here on the beach adjacent to the
landing on the south side is often very good for such species as Seila
adamsi, Pyrgocythara plicosa, and Crassinella mactracea. You can also
snorkel for Busycon carica and Busycotypus canaliculatus.
-Hope this helps and you have a great time,
Kevin
Dorchester, MA
On Wed, 21 Jul 2004 06:42:00 -0400, Schweikert, Brian CONT
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>KEVIN,
>
>Picked up on or email here. I am going to the cape in a week. can you
ginve me a run down. I will be on both outer nantuckjet and the vineyard
as well as P-town are and the ocean front coast
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Conchologists of America List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
>Behalf Of Kevin Czaja
>Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2004 17:58
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Boston collecting
>
>
>Hi Jack,
>Boston area collecting isn't the most productive, particularly in the
>summer months. I live on the south side of the city so I know that area
>more intimately than the north. If heading north, you can try Revere
>Beach but it is my understanding that Revere Beach is primarily only
>productive after storms (pref. winter). I find Wollaston Beach just south
>of Boston in Quincy (still reachable by the Subway), is the best Boston
>Harbor collecting. I've collected about 35 species over the years. The
>highlights for this beach are particularly large Mulina lateralis (Dwarf
>Surf Clams) up to 29mm, and Large and sometimes pink hued Macoma balthica
>(some over 40mm). This is also a good place to find the European Oyster
>(Crassostrea edulis) which must have been introduced from European ships
>entering the harbor (or perhaps with seeding efforts?). Other species you
>will most likely find in the drift: Mya arenaria, Ensis directus, Tellina
>agilis, Petricola pholadiformis, Crepidula fornica, plana, and convexa,
>Littorina littorea. Not quite the stunning Florida type assemblege, but
>typical Boston Harbor. If you are constrained to collect right in Boston,
>places like Carson Beach and Castle Island in South Boston will offer some
>of the species listed above, but I find in inferior quality and quantity.
>If you had the chance to go out to the Cape or north of Boston, your
>collecting possibilities would increase greatly. If you do have such an
>opportunity, feel free to contact me directly. I would be happy to share
>my top recommendations for these areas.
>-Kevin
>Dorchester, Massachusetts
>
>
>
>On Sun, 18 Jul 2004 05:57:08 -0700, Jack Donner <[log in to unmask]>
>wrote:
>
>><html><div style='background-color:'><DIV class=RTE>Hello: I will
>be in Boston sometime betwen the middle and end of August. While
>there, I would like to do some collecting. I have never been there
>before, so suggestions, recommendations, locations, and exact directions
>would be most appreciated. Thank you, Jack Donner
>Williamsburg, VA <A
>href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]</A>
></DIV></div><br clear=all><hr> <a href="http://g.msn.com/8HMAENUS/2752??
>PS=47575">Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today -
>it's FREE!</a> </html>
>>
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