Finished up the final week with the Conservation Biology Class at the Chincoteague Bay Field Station.  This week we discussed population modeling to guide management strategies for species conservation and also discussed adaptive management.  We then went snorkeling at the clear waters of the Chincoteague Bay eelgrass beds and then ended the week kayaking around Greenbackville to discuss habitat restoration planning and monitoring.  Had a great time with the students and hope to return next year.

Click here to see the eel grass beds from atop a flat-bottomed stable vessel, The Monitor.

Below are a few great photos taken by Conservation Biology student Heather Smith which include a Red-headed woodpecker, Delmarva Peninsula Fox squirrel and a pair of Piping Plovers.

Finished up week 2 with the Conservation Biology Class at The Chincoteague Bay Field Station.  Started the week with a nice early morning bird survey at Tom’s Cove at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.  We saw a total of 35 bird species and a red fox.  Set up rodent traps and sparrow traps this week.  No success with rodents, but caught a few bird species including a common grackle, Northern mockingbird and house sparrows.  Also, had some fun surf fishing.  We caught a bullnosed ray, smooth dogfish shark, sandbar shark, king fish and a cownose ray.  Looking forward to next week.

P.S. All animals were released safely after capture.

On June 30th, The Conservation Biology Class started at the Chincoteague Bay Field Station.  So far this week we have been involved in seining for marine wildlife, conducting bird surveys, setting up traps for small mammals and visiting unique coastal habitat types.  In addition, we took a trip to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge to discuss their Comprehensive Conservation Plan.  Looking forward to next week.