Virtual Learning Center

Wildlife Wonders

Today is Moose Day!

Live Programs

Today is Praying Mantis Day!
Earth Day 2020! Nature’s Palette
Today is Turkey Day!
Wadsworth Falls State Park
Winter Beachcombing
Stickleback Fish
Sandy Beach
Today is Frog Call Day!
Today is Rabbit Day!
Windsor Meadows State Park
Today is Fox Day!
Today is Crow Day!
Puffball Mushroom
Today is Rainbow Trout Day!
Quahog (Clam)

Activity

Beach comb the wrack line for seaweeds, identify them, and learn more about them.Seaweeds of Niantic, ︎︎Niantic Beaches Living Ecosystem Project http://publictrustfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/seaweed-living-ecosystem-project.pdf

Vocabulary Words

  • Algae – a nonflowering aquatic plant that includes seaweed.
  • Wrack Line – the line of debris left on the beach by high tide.
  • Sponge – simple aquatic animals with dense, yet porous, skeletons.
  • Coral – colonial marine invertebrates.
  • Wave Action – the movement of water on the shore.

Fun Facts

  • Up to 3 million people visit Hammonasset a year.
  • Gulls like to walk along the wrack line looking for food.
  • People like to look along the wrack line for shells, rocks, whelk egg cases, sponges and seaweed – Lots of things to be found!
  •  Winds and waves from the East take sand away from our beach in winter.
  • Winds and waves from the West deposit sand in the summer!
  •  Remember— as you beach comb and visit the shore

             “Take nothing but pictures and memories. Leave nothing but footprints”