Seed Collecting in the Marsh
October is a busy time for field work for those of us in the marine habitat restoration field. Eelgrass, our local seagrass, is almost exclusively planted by CCE divers in October (occasionally in November, or in the spring while waters are cold). But another one of our target species for restoration is also at an important stage. Our local salt marshes turn a golden brown this time of year, and if you look closely, you will see why. Our marshes “go to seed” in October, with some variation in seed readiness depending on location.
CCE’s Back to the Bays team has been collecting this seed from various locations within Southampton Town for the past two weeks or so in order for us to have plenty of seed for our Reef Raisers and Meadow Makers programming.
Marsh edge in Sag Harbor Cove is full of golden seed heads ready for collection.
A mantis camouflages in the marsh grass.
The seed will be carefully cleaned and stratified over winter, and will then be ready for germination in March! We are excited to get this going at several schools this spring, including East Quogue, thanks to funding secured through Southampton Town Community Preservation Funds.
Seeds naturally fall due to wind once mature, and are transported by the tide. Seeds were plentiful along the high tide line.
Glassworts, also known by locals as sea pickles, are succulents that thrive in our upper marshes. In Fall, they turn this beautiful ruby red color.
Collection should be timed with low tides, and one should don waders and bring a partner in case you get your boot stuck in the mud!
While exploring these beautiful shorelines, I got to see some new trails, species I’ve never seen (like this Devil’s Finger’s mushroom below), and others in their full fall colors (like the ruby red glasswort above). Here are a few snapshots from Flanders and Sag Harbor. Enjoy!
