A recent survey of Microtus breweri on Muskeget Island, MA
This account, shared as a presentation that was originally intended for a small cohort of undergraduate students at Connecticut College, is aimed to help and assist those who might be curious in targeting the endemic Beach Vole on Muskeget Island, Massachusetts. I was a bit shocked, and admittedly quite frightened, when I unearthed Vladimir Dinet’s 2013 trip report on his kayak voyage to the island from nearby Nantucket. As a Nantucketer myself, I had heard stories of the man who kayaked to Muskeget to see the vole. I don’t think anyone had attempted it before (or since!) and it might be of some consolation to the observer to know that his legacy (and impressive nautical feat) lives on within the local folklore. For our purposes, an 18′ Carolina Skiff and outboard motor was preferred.
Every few months I have some curious person reach out to me about the Beach Vole and I have so far willingly shared my notes with them privately, so I am sharing this resource here so that it is accessible for a more general audience. Cheers, and if you find yourself on the shoals anytime in the near future, I hope you’ll receive a friendly Yoho!
Life and Death of the Beach Vole
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