Let it Rain! Ugh!

What We Did Today:

1. Checked our Traps!

First thing we did was open the doors in the field traps. We didn't want to catch a species of shrew that's found here (it's too big to fit through the escape hole in the back and it'd otherwise die). So each morning we open the doors and each evening we close the doors.

Secondly, we checked our traps along the woods. Nothing for C group today, but one other group did get a vole.

By this time, the clouds had pretty much taken over and the wind was coming in strong! Hail and rain started to take over and the temperature dropped. It was cold!




2. We did a Woodtick count. Unfortunately, it was so cold they weren't moving real well. Taking a light colored blanket from one of our beds (no kidding!!), we'd drag it along the ground in a field area for 10 meters. Then flip it over and count the ticks on it. Today, with 5 swipes = nothing. Yesterday? We each had about 20 ticks on all our pantlegs, shoes, necks, hats... you name it. They were out in full force yesterday - although it was MUCH warmer yesterday! Tomorrow's supposed to be just like today, maybe we'll have to wait for Thursday for the tick studies!



3. Trail Creation. Part of our job today involved some trail maintenance, so we spent several hours cutting trails that will eventually go around a cottage area and near a lake shore.



LUNCH!













4. Afternoon involved hare droppings count and checking the traps one last time (& closing the doors in the field traps).


COOL STUFF:
**One cool discovery today?
Owl Pellets! At the base of a spruce tree, we found some Owl Pellets... what are they?

**Cool Video Clip. Copy and paste this youtube address. Short (& silly) video clip of us setting traps in the field.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7HT68vIXPU


What We'll Do Tomorrow:
1. Brave the downpour rain and check the traps again!
2. More tick checks if the weather holds out.
3. More deer & hare droppings counts.




For YOU......

1. We've only found woodticks so far, but Lyme's Disease and Deer Ticks are becoming much more common in this area? What's the difference between these 2 ticks?

2. What are Owl Pellets? Why do they make them?

Monday's Picks:

1. In reference to the fire holes: Besides being a great water source, what other positive thing did it provide - without really intending to?

A fabulous wetland for water fowl and amphibians! Spring water time is crucial for amphibian eggs, nesting areas for water fowl, and creating more food for animals that are farther up the food chain.

2. If you didn't know the Cook's lake area was an old homestead site, what information could give you a big clue that there was probably a house(s) in this area before?

The apple trees. Apple trees rarely grow without being planted in a certain spot. If there is an apple tree in the middle of the woods, chances are very good that it was put there by someone - usually near an old house many years ago.

See you soon!
Hope the weather will take a turn for the better!
KVWH