Wolf takes sheep

Here's an interesting video of a single wolf nabbing a bighorn sheep in Canada. 

Wood thrushes at White Haven

My summer crew found a wood thrush nest on a forested property between Mountain Top and White Haven, PA.  We used a GoPro to capture an image of the three eggs then deployed a camera. 

The camera burned through over 5000 images. Most of them are the female just looking the nestlings. There's a heavy gypsy moth outbreak and it looks like they're bring them to the nestlings. Worms are another favorite (note that all worms in the area are invasive). Happen to capture a very image of both parents are the nest. 

About 4000 images into our monitoring the camera is bumped and two nestlings disappear. Unfortunately our camera doesn't catch it. So it goes. We did, however, happen to catch an image of a mouse (I think!) at the nest. White-footed mice are common nest predators on eggs - not so sure on nestlings. Whatever it was it bumped the camera so I suspect it was one of the classic mesopredators - a raccoon, possum, or skunk. 

Phenology of a disaster

A few weeks ago I reported on the gypsy moth outbreak in the Lehigh Valley. I thought the Wyoming Valley may have escaped but today I was able to see the damage that the caterpillars of the moths have wrought. The south side of the valley has large brown bands where acres have been defoliated. 

I visited a cemetery, looking for wood thrush (not one found) but the entire place was fluttering with moths. So many they were landing on vehicles and myself. Disturbing. 

Deer don't know it's hunting season

NC State has a fabulous wildlife biology program with very talented faculty. A recent study out of NCSU shows that hiking and hunting to not affect many mammals species - game and nongame. 

Many times I have heard from locals that there are lots of deer that move to protected areas during hunting season. Just not true. 

Successes of the Endangered Species Act

The Center for Biological Diversity examined population trends of 120 birds protected under the ESA and they have been increasing since being listed - some dramatically so. 

Short video: cancer stem cells are different

Huh! Did not know this. There are stem cancer cells and they divide more slowly and evade some of the traditional treatments. 

State Game Lands 206

Today I visited SLG 206 just south of Rickett's Glen State Park. Beautiful site but heavily over-browsed by deer (ironic for a game land). 

Picked up two wood thrush (no nests - grrrrrr) along with the goodies: worm-eating warbler and black-throated green warbler. I suspect there are many other birds at this site but I was stomping around looking for nests. There was also a nice stream (with trout) running through the site.