Diary of a Wandering Zoologist: Springing Forwards

Recently friends and family members both here at A Rocha and back in Europe have been jumping on the snow-enjoying bandwagon by hurling themselves down ski slopes (breaking various appendages in the process). But here the weather finally seems to have taken a turn in a spring-like direction. After a few weeks of delays to our field-work, firstly because of the large amounts of snow and secondly because of large amounts of rain (which made working in the river too unsafe), spring has been most welcome!

Once water levels became less dangerous, we spent just under two weeks trapping for Salish Suckers. We didn't find any Suckers in the sites we surveyed this term. Whilst that could seem disheartening, it's important to remember that this kind of information is just as valuable for understanding more about the rare fish species as finding one-hundred Suckers would be! During surveying we had a few hair-raising and unexpectedly whitewater-ish canoe experiences and discovered how hard it can be to paddle upstream. But the weather for much of the surveying time was beautiful and the hard upstream work made it all the more enjoyable to drift back downstream with the warmth of the sun on our skin.

Enjoying a hard earned break... most ridiculous (and dare I say attractive?) selfie ever?

But the warmer temperatures meant that the time we could allow for Sucker surveys was limited by the pressing need to start the seasonal amphibian egg mass surveys. There are numerous native amphibian species that live and breed in the Little Campbell River watershed. These include the Pacific Chorus Frog (the calls of whom can be heard loud and clear during the evenings), the Northern Red-legged Frog, the Western Toad, Northwestern Salamander and the Long-toed Salamander. A Rocha has been collecting a long-term data set monitoring the population trends for some of these species. This year we've decided to start asking additional questions, rather than simply adding to the initial data set. One of our projects involves understanding more about the critical breeding habitat of the Northern Red-legged Frog. This will help us to work out the different ways we can restore habitat to encourage population growth within the watershed, whilst tackling the spread of the invasive Bullfrog.

A Red-legged frog we caught in a Salish Sucker trap!

An exceptionally cute Northwestern Salamander

One of the most effective ways to gain information about amphibian populations is egg mass surveying. This, perhaps unsurprisingly, means that we collect data about the habitat characteristics of a specific pool (for example, whether it is in a woodland or not, what sort of woodland, dissolved oxygen levels in the water, etc) in addition to recording the number of egg masses found in that pool. This year we've been blessed by the addition of two kayaks to our team, as well as some more polarized glasses, making surveying much more comprehensive (and fashionable right ?!).

Kayak? Check. Clipboard? Check. Measuring Stick? Check. Water quality monitor? Check. Waders? Check. Sunglasses? Check. What a winning combination!

We've got a few more weeks left for these studies. It's going to be busy, but I'm excited about the results we'll get and what we'll be able to find out!

Sunny frog pond!

With the onset of spring it's not just conservation scientists and amphibians that are getting busier. Where a few weeks ago there were bare, grey branches there are now the pale white blooms and bright green leaves of the Indian Plum and the bright pink of Salmonberry flowers. Where the forests were still and quiet, song birds now sing their elegant mate seeking repertoires, joined by the alien calls of spring and summer migrants. And new calves and lambs are also to be spotted in the fields surrounding Brooksdale!

I've been particularly enjoying exploring parts of Vancouver in the sunshine, as well as the longer, brighter evenings, and I look forward to evenings that are warm enough to sit outside with a good book. Roll on summer!