One of the most frequently discussed topics on the island is “Where do you get your weather?” Everyone has their trusted app, website, or local weather forecaster that they depend on to give them accurate predictions. Nantucket has always had unpredictable weather patterns; one day, torrential downpours may be predicted, but then the winds will shift, and the storm will bypass the island completely, leaving only clear and sunny skies. There is also Nantucket’s famous fog, the Grey Lady, who is known to either overstay her welcome or disappear without even saying goodbye. One of my co-worker’s favorite sayings is, “If you want to experience all four seasons of weather in one day, head to Nantucket.” Since the weather can change so dramatically, it is best to prepare as much as possible in advance.

Around the island, it is hard to miss the birds that are hard at work building nests and getting ready to raise their young. Recently, I’ve spotted birds in my neighborhood whizzing by with a bill full of grass and seen osprey clutching sticks in their talons. When you think of a bird’s nest, you probably imagine a small cup of woven sticks on a tree branch- usually made by songbirds. While many birds build nests like this, nests vary widely in shape, construction, materials, and placement. Birds are like nature’s little architects and real estate agents and have a diverse array of homes that do not need to go through HDC permitting.