These positions will provide new information on the distribution of the Point Arena mountain beaver (Aplodontia rufa nigra), a federally-listed endangered subspecies. Field sampling will consist of locating and surveying ground transects to determine the presence of mountain beaver burrows, and placement of hair snares to collect genetic samples. Click below for more information.
PAMB summer 2013 job outreach GS-0404-05
Undergraduate Researcher Matt Zak has been hard at work organizing the Bird and Mammal skin and skull collection at the Millersville Animal Museum Room. Matt is currently organizing bird skins so each bird specimen can be labeled and photographed so a database of all animal specimens can be developed. Tedious work, but very important. These animal specimens help document the presence of particular species at a particular place and time. This allows us to examine geographic and temporal changes in animal populations, species, and communities, and to track those patterns in relation to natural or human-induced changes in the environment (e.g., climate change, landscape alteration, etc.). Museum specimens form the basis for research on evolution, speciation, and distribution, and also provide an important baseline for studies of conservation.
On February 17th and 24th, Students from the Millersville University Ornithology Class helped the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pheasants Forever with Ring-necked Pheasant Surveys in Central Pennsylvania. Students got to count a large number of pheasants with the help of volunteer hunting dogs. Other species that were counted included Northern Harriers, American Kestrels, Short-eared Owls and Rough-legged Hawks.
The Fort Worth Zoo is offering a Conservation Expedition to Anegada, British Virgin Islands to help the critically endangered Anegada iguana (Cyclura pinguis). This trip is geared toward undergraduate students, helping them get real field experience. Click Below For Details.
On February 2nd 2013, The Millersville Ornithology Class conducted a winter survey for birds at the Holtwood Preserve in Lancaster Pennsylvania. The survey was conducted during the morning hours. There were very brisk conditions early, but the morning ended well.
The results of this survey were shared with the Lancaster Conservancy. A total of 26 species were identified and 256 individuals counted. There were some nice looks at Fox sparrows, Red-breasted nuthatches and Eastern Towhees. Also, got a nice look at a red-shouldered hawk (picture below, from New Jersey birds webpage).
Click above for a link to Summer Research Experience at the Wetlands Institute
Below are some great examples of avian artwork completed by students in the BIOL 346 Ornithology Class. The assignment stated to pick your favorite bird, illustrate it and then label all the morphological features of the bird. Artwork is from Veronica Votta, Rebecca McCabe, Krystal Murphy, Ken Strauser and Cydni Ticktin. Can you identify the bird species?
Qualifications: Eight (8) outdoor people with a background in wildlife management, biology, or natural resource management and good communication skills are needed to monitor wild pheasant populations on Pennsylvania’s Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas (WPRAs). Assessing population status of WPRAs to determine restoration success or failure is a strategy identified in the Pennsylvania Pheasant Management Plan. Biologist aides will be supervised by Pheasant Biologists in the PGC Bureau of Wildlife Management, Game Bird Section. Click Below For More Information.
This week I started birds walks for the spring semester. Took the Ornithology class out and identified 16 species. Also went out to look for house sparrows. The ornithology class will begin trapping efforts with house sparrows. No unique birds. However, I am still seeing a House Wren hanging around campus. Rare for this time of year.