Yesterday, several NAFHA members enjoyed the hospitality of the USGS (repaying it with a substantial bit of work) and established a survey site for glossy snakes in San Diego county. Populations of the coastal form (Arizona elegans occidentalis) have been severely impacted by development, and for some areas, data need to be gathered to show if the snakes are still there. Dr. Fisher from the USGS provided instruction to our group of intrepid herpers.
Prepping the cover boards was one of the first tasks
And then the boards had to be transported (the old-fashioned way) to the appropriate location
Placing the boards in an effective matter requires some effort.
And then once the boards were placed, the position and size were recorded.
The process was repeated…and repeated…and repeated….125 times! But it wasn’t all drudgery, we saw a few critters. I managed to snap a usable voucher shot of an orangethroat whiptail.
We also found a dead spadefoot toad, along with a recently killed legless lizard. And to top it off, towards the end of the day we found a big adult coastal horned lizard – that’s four Species of Special Concern on a hot, dry May day.
It’ll take some time before the boards are productive, but we all have high hopes that glossy snakes will be found in the area, and measures will be taken to protect this population.
Yesterday with our USGS partners
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- Kent VanSooy
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Re: Yesterday with our USGS partners
Well done!
Re: Yesterday with our USGS partners
That's awesome, guys…
- MarcLinsalata
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Re: Yesterday with our USGS partners
Very cool and awesome pictures.
- shredsteban
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Re: Yesterday with our USGS partners
Very cool!
Re: Yesterday with our USGS partners
Thanks for your efforts, guys. Placing 125 boards is a lot of work, for sure.
Robert
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Re: Yesterday with our USGS partners
well done guys... wish i could have made it. i is gud at bored carry...
And Fisher's a very entertaining guy...
And Fisher's a very entertaining guy...
Re: Yesterday with our USGS partners
Great work. I'm sure the hard work will more than payoff in the future. Look forward to seeing what's there.