Field Notes

Monthly Weather Review
Monthly Rainfall Total – 1.66 in
Highest Temperature - 81°F
Lowest Temperature - 22°F
Average Wind Speed – 7.03 mph

Monday February 3^rd

• Bill Strosnider and Anna had a training day to learn about our new water monitoring equipment.
• While exploring the creek, Anna found a Gray-Footed Lancetooth Snail (Haplotrema concavum).

Tuesday February 4^th

• A Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) was spotted climbing down a tree, while a juvenile opossum remained hidden in the treetops.

Friday February 7^th

• While waiting for the interns to arrive, a Carolina Anole (Anolis carolinensis) was seen basking in the sun.
• The interns had their first field day after orientation, where they learned Drone 101. CWF staff provided a quick overview on how they use the drone for field work and each intern had the opportunity to fly the drone around Fireworks Prairie.

Friday February 14^th

• While out in the field with the interns, a pair of Barn Owls (Tyto alba) were observed in their usual location- an old silo.
• One of the Barn Owls swiftly flew out of the silo and perched in a nearby tree.
• During an owl pellet dissection activity, the interns identified various rodent skulls as well as a small bird skull, helping to analyze the owls’ diet.

Friday February 21^st

• Sal Blair from Winthrop University conducted a winter fish survey in Thompson Creek with three of his students.
• He demonstrated fish sampling techniques while showing the interns the different species found, such as the Redlip Shiner (Notropis chiliticus), Piedmont Darters (Percina crassa), and Whitemouth Shiner (Notropis alborus).

• After the fish survey, the interns visited Otter Pond where a North American Beaver (Castor canadensis) was seen swimming between dams.

Monday February 24^th

• A prescribed burn was conducted at Fireworks Prairie. Prescribed burns are great at improving wildlife habitats, creating more plant biodiversity, as well as assisting in the removal of invasive plant species.
• During the fire, numerous small mammals and rodents were seen fleeing the field for safety in another area of the property.

Tuesday February 25th

• While checking the game cameras and beetle traps, the CWF staff noticed a small, unusual object attached to the back of a game camera pole. After researching and identifying, it was confirmed to be a Praying Mantis Egg case.

Wednesday February 26^th

• With bird nesting season approaching, weekly monitoring has resumed.
• No nests have been detected yet, but many eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) were seen around the boxes.
• Within the next few weeks, we can expect to see many nests being made.
• Two Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) were spotted flying over a woodland prairie with their calls were loud and clear.
• A group of American Robins (Turdus migratorius) were seen gathered at the edge of a tree line standing in the sunlight.

Friday February 28^th

• The interns spent their day in the creek learning water quality sampling techniques and how to conduct a mussel survey using bathyscopes.
• While surveying for freshwater mussels, an intern discovered Black Fly larvae on a few rocks and found one mussel - an Eastern Elliptio (Elliptio complanata).