Research Field Notes: No. 1

Introduction: As an outreach project, the library has embedded two staff members (one scientist and one information specialist Librarian) into a community organization to participate in scientific research. The Taras Oceanographic Foundation is conducting cetacean research off the coast of Palm Beach County (Palm Beach Dolphin Project). We will be posting field updates here so students and the public can learn about this organization and the research the library is participating in. You can read all about the project on the Taras website.

Notes from the field No. 1:

5/22/2014. Dolphin Boat Survey

Today’s survey extended from the Jupiter Inlet (N 260 56.624' W 800 03.805') down to the Lake Worth Inlet [aka the Palm Beach Inlet] (N 260 46.300' W 800 03.500').

Water conditions: EAST NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET

Duration: 8am-12:00pm

Recorded dolphin photo id: three bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncates); at least two others were spotted, but not photographed.

Other: We observed three manatees; one mother nursing her calf. We saw at least 30 sea turtles; two were mating. It is nesting season, so the coastline was scattered with turtles waiting to go onshore. There was a variety, one leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and several green (Chelonia mydas) or loggerhead (Caretta caretta). The boat did not get close enough to identify them specifically (except for the leatherback).

Here is a short video of our trip and of Dr. Barbara Brunnick, Director of Research at Taras and the Palm Beach Dolphin Project .