Guzzlerpalooza

Wildlife guzzlers collect water so it's available to wildlife in arid areas. They are normally installed to attract and increase game species, but all wildlife benefits. A number of different designs have been utilized through the years, making maintainance interesting.

an original "walk-in" design, with its apron covered in snow; these guzzlers are being converted to prevent unintended issues of animals becoming trapped in the tank

this walk-in (installed in 1966!) has been converted, with a drinker installed below (not in the photo)

	this photo shows a typical drinker, installed below "flying saucer" collectors
	looking down on the "flying saucers" and me hard at work!
	yet another design, this one simply collects water on the top that funnels into the tank

Pinyon-Juniper Removal

I'm sorry I haven't kept up with the blog! A number of factors have contributed, including a busy time of year, not as many new tasks now that I've settled in a bit, and less time in the field. I doubt you'd be entertained much by descriptions of cleaning up GIS data or updating mailing lists. But I'm trying...

A few weeks ago we had contractors removing single-leaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla) and Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) in portions of our resource area. Both species naturally occur here, so why are we removing them?

Although the species historically occur in particular places, both pinyon and juniper have increased their ranges by invading sagebrush and other plant communities. This invasion is believed to have been facilitated by grazing, unnatural fire regimes, and climate change. The conifers displace sagebrush and shade out forbs and grasses, decreasing biodiversity. They also provide perches for raptors hunting Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), and the grouse have been shown to avoid invaded areas.

before (after a snowy weekend)

after (with most of the snow melted)

Bonus Jackrabbit!

While we were letting down fences in the Bodie Hills today, we came across a new species for me, the white-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii townsendii). Considered a pest by many farmers in the Midwest, they have a limited distribution in California, associated with sagebrush habitats and considered a State Species of Special Concern. Like snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus), their fur is brown in the summer and white in the winter. It looks like we caught this one somewhere in the middle.

Despite the name, the white-tailed jackrabbit is a true hare. Remember the differences? Hares are generally larger and faster than rabbits, with larger ears and feet. Their young are born precocial, with fur and able to see. In contrast, the young of rabbits are born altricial, blind and hairless. But both are lagomorphs, not rodents.

Always exciting to find a species I haven't seen before!

Grouse Trapping

Last weekend I had the opportunity to assist the crew of a USGS researcher trapping Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in the Virginia Mountains north of Reno, NV. Two nights previously, they saw 80 grouse, but by the night I was there we only saw 6. Slightly disappointing, but at the same time it was exciting to be in the middle of their transition to winter range. A Nevada Department of Wildlife employee is going to be flying the area to find out where the grouse actually spend their winter, one of the things that this study will tell us.

So how do we trap the grouse anyway? Honestly it's one of the more bizarre wildlife-trapping methods I've experienced. We worked in teams of two. I had the relatively simple job of following the team leader through sagebrush by headlamp, carrying a long-handled net. He did everything else. Using binoculars and a spotlight, he scanned the area to try and catch eyeshine from the grouse. As we snuck closer, he would spotlight the bird and turn on a speaker hooked up to a radio tuned to static. The grouse will flush at the sound of footsteps (walk without rythym...), so any loud noise disguises our steps and keeps the poor bird disoriented. My boss says they used to use chainsaw motors, and some people play music, although the regular beat in songs may not be as successful as noise. Many people use three person teams, with two netters behind the spotlighter. We only needed two because we had a pretty slick net gun. The leader shot the net over the bird, then I followed in to put the long-handled net over it to keep it from escaping.

Normally they take a lot of measurements on the bird, but the focus was to get radio collars on as many birds as possible before the winter. We took pictures and some blood, but the rest of the measurements will be taken when the birds are recaptured next year. We were only able to catch one bird that night, but I'm glad I had the opportunity to do so!

Racing the Seasons...

I'm sorry I haven't done much in the way of updates lately, but we've been busy trying to finish up projects before winter weather shuts us out of parts of our resource area.

Remember those headcuts in Aurora Canyon? We've been working on some of the smaller ones, simply filling them with rock or concocting more intricate structures with erosion cloth and logs. The idea is that the structures will both slow the water down and collect sediment to bring the level of the drainage back up.

log check dams over cloth

filling with rock

Another project we're working on is an abandoned mine closure at a mine where Townsend's big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii) hibernate. Some features will receive bat-compatible gates while others will be permanently closed. We need to get the work done before the hibernating bats arrive to prevent disturbing them.

This adit held the powder magazine. The bat gate will be behind the door to preserve the historic feel of the site.

The main mine entrance has wooden cribbing supporting the portal. The bat gate will have to be located farther back in stable rock.

This vertical shaft, not far from a road, will be closed. A false bottom will be created using polyurethane foam (PUF), then the hole will be filled with surrounding material.

Warm air escapes through this shaft at the top of the mine, pulling cold air into a north-facing adit below, creating perfect hibernation conditions for bats. A metal cupola will be built over the top, preventing access, protecting the existing historic structures, and allowing bats to fly out.

Other species are feeling the chill as well. This Great Basin gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer deserticola) was all stretched out on Fish Slough Road, soaking in some warmth. Despite the fact that I swerved around him on the road, he wasn't very happy when we went to check on him. He puffed up with air, hissed loudly, and vibrated his tail in his best rattlesnake impression. Sorry buddy, you can't fool us! You're welcome for not running you over though. =P

Winter is coming...

Fall Color Hanging in There...

...though perhaps not for long with our incoming weather. We took a quick drive up to North Lake, west of town, and found some impressive stands still showing off. I didn't have my camera, but snapped a couple shots with my iPhone.

In the left photo, the ducks on the lake are northern shovelers (Anas clypeata). The males are in their winter eclipse plumage. Never having seen that before, I actually wasn't able to identify them, especially without binoculars. Fortunately, I came home to a posting on the Eastern Sierra Birds message list talking about them. I love it when the internet is helpful!

Fish Slough School

This week local 4th grade classes came out to Fish Slough for a Hands on the Land program about the area. I helped with the Owens pupfish stations, where the students gathered clues about the fish's ecosystem at each station, including substrate, water quality, other fish, aquatic invertebrates, and emergent vegetation. We asked the students to be detectives attempting to solve the mystery of the disappearing pupfish!

testing pH

sedges have edges, rushes are round

IDing aquatic invertebrates

awesome classroom

Basin Mountain and Mt. Tom; I love the snow line

Horse and Burro Adoption in Bishop, October 23

About 20 horses and 10 burros will be available for adoption at the Tri-County Fairgrounds in Bishop from 8am to 5pm on Saturday, October 23rd. More information is available here.

A Wintry Day at Fish Slough

Just a few pictures from my brief visit to Fish Slough today...

snow on the Whites

this poor young horned lizard was too cold to outrun me

tenebrionid beetle giving us a warning

Winter Weather Advisory

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RENO NV
315 AM PDT MON OCT 4 2010

CAZ073-050000-/O.NEW.KREV.WW.Y.0027.101005T0300Z-101005T1800Z/MONO-315 AM PDT MON OCT 4 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 11 AM PDT TUESDAY ABOVE 8500 FEET...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RENO HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY ABOVE 8500 FEET FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 11 AM PDT TUESDAY.

* TIMING: HIGH ELEVATION SNOW WILL INCREASE TODAY AND TONIGHT AS LOW PRESSURE MOVES OVER THE CENTRAL SIERRA. PERIODS OF SNOW ARE LIKELY TO CONTINUE IN THE HIGH SIERRA THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 4 TO 8 INCHES OF SNOW ARE POSSIBLE IN THE SIERRA ABOVE 8500 FEET THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING.

* SNOW LEVELS: SNOW LEVELS NEAR 11000 FEET WILL DROP TO NEAR 9000 FEET LATER TODAY AND FALL NEAR 8000 FEET LATE TONIGHT.

* IMPACTS: SNOW WILL IMPACT TRAVEL OVER TIOGA PASS...SONORA PASS AND HIGHWAY 203 NEAR MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN.

* SNOW MAY AFFECT THE HIGHER PASSES ALONG HIGHWAY 395 TONIGHT IN MONO COUNTY BUT ACCUMULATIONS ARE UNLIKELY TO OCCUR.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

SNOW IS EXPECTED TO POSE AN INCONVENIENCE TO TRAVELERS. MOTORISTSSHOULD SLOW DOWN AND USE CAUTION. CHECK OUR WEBSITE ATWEATHER.GOV/RENO OR LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR UPDATES ONTHIS SITUATION.

&&

$$

BRONG

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/RENO

Southwestern Desert Bats Class

This past weekend I attended a Southwestern Desert Bats Class taught by Dr. Pat Brown. The class took place at the Desert Studies Center in Zzyzx, CA on the northern edge of the Mojave National Preserve. We learned a lot about bat biology, identification, echolocation, survey methods, and conservation. We spent an evening mist-netting along Salt Creek and captured three species: western parastrelle or canyon bat (Parastrellus hesperus), California myotis (Myotis californicus), and pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus). We also spent some time with other desert creatures. A very informative class in a wonderful location! I highly recommend it.

A Key to California Bats (pdf) provided at the class

Parastrellus hesperus

Antrozous pallidus

scorpion under blacklight

baby scorpion on a dime

I love the DSC!

Bat Exclusions

Abandoned mines can be hazards to human health and safety as well as essential maternity and hibernation habitat for bat species. Balancing these two issues can be a challenge. With the expertise of Dr. Pat Brown, we're able to plan mine closures that keep people safe and maintain habitat for the bats. Bat gates are installed on addits and shafts with larger numbers of bats. Some mine features don't appear to have any bats using them, and we're able to "hard close" the portals. They're either filled with rocks and dirt or polyurethane foam (PUF). To prevent any bats from being trapped inside, we first exclude them by covering the portals with chicken wire after any fly out. Bats are able to crawl out through the chicken wire if we miss them, but are unwilling to put in the effort to crawl back in and will find another hole that won't be closed. However, we need to finish the hard closures before hibernation season, since that's a good enough reason for the bats to make the effort to re-enter. Timing is everything!

excluded shaft

unrolling the exclusion

mounting a large exclusion

night sky through IR goggles

Fall Color!

Despite our unseasonably warm temperatures, fall is here and the aspen at higher elevations are changing to gorgeous colors. We took a quick drive up to Lake Sabrina and were rewarded with views of yellow, orange, red, and green patchwork on the slopes.

Fall Color Hot Spots - link to current updates by our BLM Bishop botanist

Speaking of color, we came across this impressive wasp while walking down the street in town. Best I can tell, it's Chlorion aerarium (Sphecidae), or steel-blue cricket hunter. Certainly the genus is at least correct, since she's carrying a cricket! Like the tarantula hawk I've posted a picture of previously, she'll place the paralyzed cricket in a burrow and lay an egg on it. When the larva hatches, it will feed on the still-living cricket. Creepy! The adults only feed on sap or nectar, but can give a painful sting.

Revitalizing River Springs

For National Public Lands Day, volunteers and employees from BLM, Forest Service, and Fish & Game spent the day on a number of projects to improve River Springs in Adobe Valley. Along with the spring providing water for wildlife, it is also the site of a historic stage coach stop. Projects included installing a kiosk, putting up a new fence around the spring, rebuilding the rock corral, and weed and garbage removal. A big thanks to everyone who came out to help!

the troops gather

Greg gives us the history

Troy digs a hole

the boys discuss the finer points of augering

here comes the weed crew!

Jeff shows off the fence work

repairing the woodwork

rebuilding the corral

hauling out

conquering the barbed wire beast

Grouse Tracks!

Sage-grouse tracks in Long Valley's sandy soil.
I love their chicken-dino-feet!