Greater Yellowlegs Courting At Boat Meadows Pond On Cape Cod

There is a little pond at Boat Meadows in Eastham on Cape Cod that seems to have a lot of activity on it. Every time I walk by there, something is going on.

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These two Greater Yellowlegs were courting the other evening. The male would chase the female around and around the pond, and then she would fly across the pond and he would follow her. It was pretty exciting to watch!

 

Boat Meadows Pond In Eastham On Cape Cod

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There is a little pond at Boat Meadows Beach which is so pretty. As I was walking by the other day a little bird walking along the edge caught my eye. It was pretty far away, but it looked like a Greater Yellowlegs.

Pretty view, don’t you think? With Cape Cod Bay in the background and the pretty clouds in the sunny sky.

The Herring Are Spawning In Eastham On Cape Cod

Anadromous fish runs occur in rivers and streams that drain out of coastal ponds. These systems are used by migratory fish to feed and reproduce. These fish runs provide open and unblocked paths of travel for herring to reach their spawning habitat.

Herring spawn in these fresh water ponds and then live most of their lives in salt water, which is why it is essential to maintain these runs.

We stopped at one of the herring run rivers the other day and were surprised at the number of herring who were swimming upstream to get to the pond to spawn. You can see 4 herring that have just jumped up the little dam to get to the next resting place before they move on upstream again.

It was really fascinating to watch. Have you ever seen a herring run?

 

Cape Cod daily articles on the wonderful Cape Cod places to hike, experience and photograph. A Cape Cod Outdoor Adventure Series.