This Week on the CMT

This Week on the CMT

This week on the Central Marsh Transect, we did some aquatic fauna sampling. I was able to help guide our two new interns, Sam and Ayanna, on their first time throw trapping and minnow trapping at Corkscrew. We were able to identify several species of fish that we caught in our trapping methods, like the Mosquitofish, Flagfish, and the invasive African Jewelfish. We were also catching crustaceans such as the Everglades and Slough Crayfish. 

The species that I like to see the most are the Peninsular Newts, which is a small newt native to Florida. Other herps we caught included Banded Water Snakes and Greater Sirens, in which this was the first time I've ever seen a Greater Siren. They were slimy, speckled, and had external gills that would expose in water. That species was truly one of the coolest I have ever seen.

In conclusion, there is always a good time to be had on the CMT. We even saw an Acadian Flycatcher that kept an eye on us when we were throw trapping the in the Bald Cypress! Maybe next time I will be able to find my lifer Amphiuma.

Sunbathing and Birds

Sunbathing and Birds

Birds sometimes exhibit a behavior called sunning, which is the act of spreading out in full sunshine, exposing plumage and skin to direct sunlight. Many species exhibit this behavior especially during hot summer months when sunlight is at full exposure. At first, this behavior may look odd to the average birder, but there are many reasons why birds do this.

One example is this photo I captured on Corkscrew's boardwalk, where I observed a Carolina Wren sunning out in the open in the middle of the boardwalk. It is seen spreading and stretching its wings, spreading its tail, and fluffing its feathers on its head and back, exposing its skin. One benefit of this is during colder months, it uses solar radiation to maintain body temperature without exerting as much energy from food. Another benefit is that sunning can help birds convert compounds in their preen oil from a gland at the base of their tail into vitamin D. The most important benefit of this behavior is to maintain feather health. Parasites that are inhabiting the birds feathers will be dislodged when exposed to sunlight, making it easier for birds to remove those parasites when they are preening.

When you see a bird sunning for the first time, you may think it is either injured or sick, but with careful observation, it becomes clear that the bird is actually sunning in order to maintain health. It is also important to try to avoid spooking the bird while its in the middle of this behavior so it doesn't get interrupted during this important behavior.

-Brian, Research Intern