Wildlife
Critters, critters, critters - what's crawling around at Lake Johnson Park?
Here's our running list of things we've actually observed, and the evidence we have for our observations.
Amphibians
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Birds
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Mammals
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Reptiles
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*** We will not be recording presence of insect or fish species due to the time required to accurately determine presence of amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles.
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Wildlife Cameras
We will use motion-activated cameras to record images of wildlife in the park. Most of the cameras will be pointed at scent stations (see below) to record the animals that visit. We'll be using ScoutGuard SG550 cameras that can take photos day or night. Stay tuned to this site for images of the critters we capture!
In the field, you might see cameras locked to trees (see photo to right). You might also see people downloading images to computers.
In the field, you might see cameras locked to trees (see photo to right). You might also see people downloading images to computers.
Scent Stations
Scent stations are rings of sand, lime, or other media that will hold impressions of the footprints of animals that walk across them. They are called scent stations because some kind of animal scent is usually placed in the middle to attract nearby animals. Often, wildlife cameras are trained on the scent station - can you see the camera on the tree behind the station (same one in the photo above).
The photograph to the left is a sand / compost scent station.
In the field, you may see students laying out these stations, checking them for footprints, or the stations themselves/
The photograph to the left is a sand / compost scent station.
In the field, you may see students laying out these stations, checking them for footprints, or the stations themselves/
Cover Boards
Cover boards are used to create a microclimate attractive to reptiles and amphibians. They are then periodically lifted and the animals underneath identified, photographed, and recorded. For the most part, the animals are not handled - simply observed.
We will be using three types of cover boards ...
In the field you might see cover boards and people checking them.
We will be using three types of cover boards ...
- Wood - 2' x 2' sheets of plywood (see photo to right). These are most attractive to amphibians that like moist environments when located in relatively cool, moist areas of the forest. ( See video of a wood cover board being installed. )
- Plexiglass - 8" x 10" sheets of plexiglass. These will also be used to attractive animals that like moist environments. They are moistened, placed on the ground, and covered with leaves. The advantage of this approach over plywood is that you do not have to lift the plexiglass - simply push the leaves away and look through it. Thus, the animals are disturbed less.
- Tin - 2' x 4' sheets of tin. These are attractive to reptiles, such as snake, that like warm, drier environments. They will be located in relatively dry, sunny sites.
In the field you might see cover boards and people checking them.