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Posts Tagged "stream"

Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana)

Posted on Nov 9, 2015

Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana)

Sean had zig-zagged a net across a stream crossing in the hopes of trying to catch some birds following the stream corridors. Sure enough, a short time later they heard this Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana) calling from the nets. This nice male is one of the smaller species of kingfishers in Costa Rica. They have very nice sharp long bills to grab fish with – or slice bird researcher’s hands with. Photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project in Costa Rica while on assignment for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of...

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Autumn Field Surveys

Posted on Oct 12, 2015

Autumn Field Surveys

While the field season never completely ends, projects shift and our attention will soon be focused on other seasonally appropriate surveys during the upcoming cooler months. As the temperatures continue to drop as well as the leaves, our stream work surveying for the elusive Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) is winding down. This week we got out to take more samples and carry out more rock lift surveys. So far we have found that the stream we have been working in has a good number of Mudpuppies (Necturus maculosus) and has a lot of interesting macroinvertebrates, all of...

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What’s Under That Rock?

Posted on Oct 9, 2015

What’s Under That Rock?

As a little girl growing up in rural Western New York, I always had an affinity for animals. My mom worked at a veterinary clinic and would often take me to work with her where, at a young age, I learned to respect animals and treat them with gentleness and compassion. I also spent a lot of time in the woods going on hikes with my dad and grandpa finding whatever was along the trail or fishing out whatever was in a nearby fishing hole. For the longest time I loved all things furry, with horses, dogs, and guinea pigs being amongst my favorites. But as I grew a little older and spent more time...

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Freshwater Mussels

Posted on Sep 17, 2015

Freshwater Mussels

Is it just me, or does it seem this mussel is sticking it’s tongue out at us? Interestingly, mussels don’t have tongues at all! The white, fleshy protrusion you see is actually referred to as the mussel’s foot. While we often don’t witness mussels moving, as they do it very slowly, this is exactly what this one is attempting to do. Mussels will use their muscular foot to inch themselves across a stream or river bed when they feel they are in danger or need to find a more suitable area to settle. Once in place, a freshwater mussel will often bury itself into the...

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Hellbender Surveys Continue

Posted on Sep 11, 2015

Hellbender Surveys Continue

While the summer season is winding down, our survey work certainly isn’t! As stream conditions allow, we will continue surveying for the elusive Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) in the French Creek watershed and beyond. Working closely with the University of Buffalo and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, we have found habitats within the area that may support hellbenders. Test results and hands-on surveys will reveal whether these sites may support a viable population, so we have our fingers crossed and will share more details soon!

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