Mammals and Telemetry! (Minnesota, USA)

Well, I thought I'd be "blogging" more, but I've been incredibly busy.

Last Saturday we attempted to capture field and forest small mammals. We were successful catching several Microtus pennsylvanicus and Spermophilus tridecemlineatus (thirteen-lined ground squirrel) in the field with the mammalogy class. Then, we dropped the class off for brunch and dusted 1 Zapus hudsonius, 2 Peromyscus (either leucopus or maniculatus), and several Tamius striatus in "Bill's Forest" = BF. Since I've just been introduced to the animals I'm only familiar with the genus, but I'm sure by the end I'll know the species.

Today was VERY exciting!!! We caught a male and a female and attached transmitters (250 mg) to the backs (by glue) of each. Larry (the telemetry professor) then tracked one of the birds (the females) quite far from the feeder! We'll see where her nest actually is in the next few days. The male was seen fairly close to the feeder. Tomorrow we will hopefully catch more PUFIs!!!!

Kyle and I dusted more carduelines for parasites and quantified plumage rank through spectrometer readings. This weekend we'll have a videographer possibly taping our operation!!
Today was extremely exciting for me.. now it's time to retire to the tent.

Otherwise, nothing too exciting in the net besides ovenbirds.

Sarah