The Critter of the Month pairs an original watercolor from Julie Trommatter of Good Juju Designs with a brief essay. It’s a new initiative from the Horn Point Lab (UMCES) in collaboration with the PhytoChop Coastal Observatory, a premier platform for testing phytoplankton monitoring tools and advancing molecular ecology.
The ongoing research activities at PhytoChop are made possible through the generous support of The Bailey Wildlife Foundation. More information can be found at https://www.umces.edu/
March 2025 - Striped Blenny
Our Critter of the Month is the Striped Blenny, a small but tenacious year-round resident of the oyster reef. Pictured here in his breeding colors, this determined fish fiercely defends his small territory among oyster shells. As waters warm and days lengthen, he will soon be defending eggs deposited in his chosen oyster shell home. A brief essay about the Striped Blenny can be found here.
April 2025 - Osprey
Our Critter of the Month for April is the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus). Did you know the Chesapeake Bay hosts the world’s largest concentration of these fish-eating specialists? With a body built for capturing slippery prey and a remarkable ability to transform navigational structures and platforms into suitable homes for their oversized stick nests, it’s no wonder that an estimated 30% of the world’s Ospreys make the Chesapeake their home. A brief essay can be found here.
Do you have a favorite Chesapeake Bay creature, big or small, that you’d like to see featured in future editions? We’d love to hear from you. Contact Claire at cotterbein@umces.edu.