Day 5: Inspecting and Mapping Tree Hollows
Kaitlyn Boyer: My name is Kaitlyn Boyer and I reside in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I have a Masters in Art Education and work in Council Rock School District as a middle school Art Teacher at Newtown Middle School.
Lauren Hubert, M.Ed. is a National Board Certified teacher who has taught science and sponsored the Science Club for 23 years at Camelback High School in Phoenix, Arizona. In spring 2023, she will be researching K-12 Sustainability education in Singapore through the Fulbright D.A. program with a goal to collaborate on project-based learning opportunities.
Lauren Hubert, M.Ed. is a National Board Certified teacher who has taught science and sponsored the Science Club for 23 years at Camelback High School in Phoenix, Arizona. In spring 2023, she will be researching K-12 Sustainability education in Singapore through the Fulbright D.A. program with a goal to collaborate on project-based learning opportunities.
Science Blog:
Inspecting and Mapping Tree Hollows
Today we are learning how to inspect and map tree hollows that owls nest in. This is the last piece of information in our training and an important part of the data collection done by the group of researchers. The teams will go out and map a 50 by 50 meter plot, calculate the tree density of the plot and then search for trees cavities and record data on these cavities. The tree cavities that you look for need to have depth that would allow an owl to nest in.
As of this point approximately 2150 trees have been mapped in the Chiricahua Mountains. The researchers are trying to determine why owls select specific trees and hollows to nest in and which cavities owls are currently nesting in. The most common trees used for their cavities are: 30% Arizona sycamores and 21% Quaking Aspen (most commonly found in the Utah site).
Inspecting and Mapping Tree Hollows
Today we are learning how to inspect and map tree hollows that owls nest in. This is the last piece of information in our training and an important part of the data collection done by the group of researchers. The teams will go out and map a 50 by 50 meter plot, calculate the tree density of the plot and then search for trees cavities and record data on these cavities. The tree cavities that you look for need to have depth that would allow an owl to nest in.
As of this point approximately 2150 trees have been mapped in the Chiricahua Mountains. The researchers are trying to determine why owls select specific trees and hollows to nest in and which cavities owls are currently nesting in. The most common trees used for their cavities are: 30% Arizona sycamores and 21% Quaking Aspen (most commonly found in the Utah site).
Tree species that have been mapped with tree hollows
The data that is collected on the cavity is:
-the type of tree species -the type of trees in the study area -whether the tree is alive or dead -tree latitude and longitude -bearing -the height of the cavity -the opening width of the cavity -cavity type (excavation, chimney, box) -cavity quality (1-5) -what was found in the cavity Each cavity is labeled. The cavity number is labeled using the following formula: A. 1. A. (team name) (tree # in plot) (cavity name per tree, as there are sometimes multiple cavities per tree) |
Recording cavity data in the field
Putting this into practice:
After learning about how to inspect and map tree cavities we then went out into the field and identified the plot that we would be searching for cavities in. Then we scanned the trees in the area for possible tree cavities, making sure that each side of the tree was searched. We looked for excavation cavities made by animals and chimney cavities made from fallen branches. Upon finding a tree with a possible cavity we then used the camera to observe the cavity and started measuring and recording the data in the inventory chart. Each cavity was quickly observed and recorded into the database.
After learning about how to inspect and map tree cavities we then went out into the field and identified the plot that we would be searching for cavities in. Then we scanned the trees in the area for possible tree cavities, making sure that each side of the tree was searched. We looked for excavation cavities made by animals and chimney cavities made from fallen branches. Upon finding a tree with a possible cavity we then used the camera to observe the cavity and started measuring and recording the data in the inventory chart. Each cavity was quickly observed and recorded into the database.
Cavity Inventory Plot Database
Contents of a tree cavity
Nighttime Field Survey
JACKPOT! After separating into two teams and pacing off 350 and 700 meters down the road in opposite directions, both teams recorded the presence of multiple owl species. Team "Owlsome," led by Dave, heard 4 species and netted two different Whiskered owls. The male of this pair followed Dave's team down the road and was netted a second time.
Team "Jesse & the Owls" had the most successful night. They heard all five targeted nocturnal owl species - Elf, Whiskered Screech, Flammulated, Western Screech, and Saw-Whet - and successfully netted and tagged two. The first was a Whiskered Screech Owl and the other was the first Western Screech Owl of the week. So far this week, 12 different owls have been recorded, measured and banded. It was a very successful night here in the Sky Islands.
JACKPOT! After separating into two teams and pacing off 350 and 700 meters down the road in opposite directions, both teams recorded the presence of multiple owl species. Team "Owlsome," led by Dave, heard 4 species and netted two different Whiskered owls. The male of this pair followed Dave's team down the road and was netted a second time.
Team "Jesse & the Owls" had the most successful night. They heard all five targeted nocturnal owl species - Elf, Whiskered Screech, Flammulated, Western Screech, and Saw-Whet - and successfully netted and tagged two. The first was a Whiskered Screech Owl and the other was the first Western Screech Owl of the week. So far this week, 12 different owls have been recorded, measured and banded. It was a very successful night here in the Sky Islands.
Personal Blog:
Our week in the Chiricahua Mountains has been so very beneficial to the teacher volunteers. While assisting the Earthwatch team collect data, we've all been inspired into "creative mode" for lesson plans and project ideas that apply all the training from this week. Sharing our ideas and getting feedback and suggestions from each other has led to more ideas, collaboration, and cross-curricular inspiration for all grades K-12.
During our week here we have been lucky to work with a great team of scientists, teachers and a writer who is a part of our expedition. Charles (Chuck) Bergman is an Award-winning author and photographer who teaches English at Pacific Lutheran University. He has been traveling with us this week and documenting our experience here. To see his work follow the below links:
https://www.charlesbergman.com/
https://linktr.ee/wild_quests
We look forward to reading the article that he will publish about our Earthwatch expedition: Following Forest Owls in the Western US.
Our week in the Chiricahua Mountains has been so very beneficial to the teacher volunteers. While assisting the Earthwatch team collect data, we've all been inspired into "creative mode" for lesson plans and project ideas that apply all the training from this week. Sharing our ideas and getting feedback and suggestions from each other has led to more ideas, collaboration, and cross-curricular inspiration for all grades K-12.
During our week here we have been lucky to work with a great team of scientists, teachers and a writer who is a part of our expedition. Charles (Chuck) Bergman is an Award-winning author and photographer who teaches English at Pacific Lutheran University. He has been traveling with us this week and documenting our experience here. To see his work follow the below links:
https://www.charlesbergman.com/
https://linktr.ee/wild_quests
We look forward to reading the article that he will publish about our Earthwatch expedition: Following Forest Owls in the Western US.
Did you know?
Tree cavities can be formed by broken branches that rot, are created by a woodpecker/other excavating animal, or can be a human made box. Owls rely on other animals/humans to create their cavities, as they are not able to create their own. Owls do not do much nest maintenance or bring in any material but rather they use the nest how it was originally found.
Tree cavities can be formed by broken branches that rot, are created by a woodpecker/other excavating animal, or can be a human made box. Owls rely on other animals/humans to create their cavities, as they are not able to create their own. Owls do not do much nest maintenance or bring in any material but rather they use the nest how it was originally found.
Chimney cavity created by a fallen branch and naturally occuring rot
BONUS!!
Jesse's Team was also witness last night to the "chupacabra-esque" sounds of a nearby encounter, possibly involving a bobcat. Though not visible in the dark forest, the noisy commotion was followed by the distinctive hoots of a Great Horned Owl. Note: This was, of course, the opportune time to share a round of scary stories, especially for our inexperienced campers, before meeting back up with the other team just after midnight. Learning + Fun = Success.
Jesse's Team was also witness last night to the "chupacabra-esque" sounds of a nearby encounter, possibly involving a bobcat. Though not visible in the dark forest, the noisy commotion was followed by the distinctive hoots of a Great Horned Owl. Note: This was, of course, the opportune time to share a round of scary stories, especially for our inexperienced campers, before meeting back up with the other team just after midnight. Learning + Fun = Success.