Observation #8

Date:5/29/08
Time:8:02 PM
Temperature: 50 Degrees F
Weather Conditions: Cloudy, no wind
Soil Conditions: wet from rain

This observation was my last observation. There was no wind and the pond was completely still, the only ripples on the pond was from fish. This gave me a chance to observe the biotic factors instead of only the abiotic factors. The biotic factors in my area are rocks and water, most other things are plants and animals, which are the abiotic factors. There were no geese this time but there were still many other bird. There were captains finches, magpies, robins, red winged blackbirds, and yellow worblers. When I went outside I could smell a skunk. This is the skunks chemical defense, it ommits a terrible smell to worn the predators and scare them away. There was another fox today, possibly the same one. A parasite that some foxes get is called Sarcoptic Mange. This is the symbiotic relationship called parasitism, the parasite benefits while the fox is hurt. This Sarcoptic Mange is a type of mite that lives in and on the skin of the fox. Other types of dogs get this too. The presence of the mites and the eggs create a allergic response making the animals skin even more itchy. From my first observation to this one many things in my area have changed. Many more types of birds are appearing. During my first observation most of the grass was still brown and now it is completely green.

Observation #7

Date:5/28/08
Time:8:10 PM
Temperature: 60 Degrees F
Weather Conditions: Partially sunny, breezy
Soil Conditions: Moist

During this observation it was mostly sunny out but a little chilly. The geese were still in the field but too far out to tell how many there were. There was 2 drake mallard ducks and 1 hen mallard. There were also robins, magpies, red winged blackbirds and yellow finches. The grass is completely green and the willows are in full bloom now. The water in the pond is really cold because of all the run off from the mountains. The water in the pond is really high too and the outlet stream is running faster. There was a fox on the other side of the pond whent I went to observe. I went out in the kayak and when I was out there I saw the cut throat fish in the water.A food chain I've observed in this area is bugs, fish and the eagles. The fish eat the bugs and then the eagles and hawks eat the fish. This makes the bug a primary consumer because it is eating plants. Then this makes the fish a secondary consumer because it eats the bugs, and the eagle is a tertiary consumer because it eats the fish.

Works Cited

Trees. Arbor Day Foundation. May 20, 2008. http://www.arborday.org/Trees/TreeGuide/treeImages.cfm?ID=224

All About Birds. 2003. Cornell Lab of Orinthology. May 17, 2008. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Great_Blue_Heron.html

Marie Read. Great Blue Heron. 17 May 2008. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Great_Blue_Heron.html

Inajeep. Willow, Pussy. 20 May 2008. http://www.arborday.org/Trees/TreeGuide/treeImages.cfm?ID=224

Flora Report

Pussy Willow
The Pussy Willow, or Salix discolor, has skinny upright branches that have a gray to reddish-brown smooth bark, colorful leaves, and purplish brown furry buds, called catkins. The catkins form any where from early spring to mid spring. The catkins on the female plants bear pistillate flowers, meaning they bear seeds. These catkins are what distinguish the Pussy Willow from any other type of species of its genus. This willow is a type of shrub that can grow to 15 feet to 18 feet in height and 12 to 15 feet in width. They have a very fast growing rate. Growing in almost any kind of soil, such as acidic, loamy, moist, rich, or well drained soils, makes it easy for the Pussy Willow to thrive. Full sunlight suits this willow the best, but will survive in partial shade, these type of willows need lots of water. The habitat of this plant is in wet habitats such as wet meadows, stream banks and lake borders. It is native to the forests and wetlands of southern Canada and the northeast part of the United States, such as Idaho, Wyoming and near the Rocky Mountains. It also occurs through most of Ohio, where the habitat is suitable. This plant is also used by people as an ornamental tree, because of its blossoms. As well as some conservationist plant it to prevent erosion along stream banks. This plant provides pollen for bees, is a food source for birds, provides cover and nests for birds as well.

Observation #6

Date: 5/22/08
Time: 6:47 PM
Temperature: 47 Degrees F
Weather Conditions: Raining, cold
Soil Conditions: Muddy

In this observation there was less biodiversity than any other time I've observed. It was pouring rain, very chilly, slightly breezy, and the soil was muddy because of the rain. The geese are gone again. There was 3 drake mallards and 2 hen mallards flying around and they stopped briefly on the pond. There was also another duck called a gadwall. The grass is almost completely green, and the willows now have green buds on them. There were 4 swallows flying around, along with a red winged black bird, a robin, a magpie, and 2 other birds that I looked up in the bird book called black headed grosbeaks. The most exciting thing I observed was 2 bald eagles flying towards the Grand Tetons.

Observation #5

Date: 5/20/08
Time: 7:01 PM
Temperature: 72 Degrees F
Weather Conditions: Cloudy and Windy
Soil Conditions: Squishy

During my 5th observation, I found the geese had returned. They were all mostly hidden in the grass but I could see about 13 of them. Also there was a muskrat swimming across the pond. There was a hen mallard and 3 drakes. A few magpies and robins were flying around, animals were sparse because of the high wind and it looked like there was going to be a storm. The grass is more green than brown now. Also there was moose poop in the grass, showing a moose had recently wandered through my backyard. In the winters the moose eat the willows in our yard. There is not much competition over the willows, because moose are mostly the only animal that eats the willows. The intraspecific competition is also low because there are many willows near by. My area has primary succession. This is the replacement of one type of community by another one. This occurs after disturbances, and it is primary succession starts with bare ground. My area is primary because it is a man made pond, creating new habbitats and niches, creating a thriving environment. In my area I have seen many interactions between animals. Hawks and bald eagles take fish from the pond. The fish in my pond are cut throats. I have found the most active time in this ecosystem is in the afternoon.

Fauna Report

Blue Heron

The blue heron, or Ardea herodias is a large bird that can have a wingspan of up to 79 inches. Blue herons have blueish-grey shaggy feathers on their backs, wings, and bellies, with long pale yellow legs and an S shaped bodies and a long yellow thick bill. They have a white crown stripe on their heads with a black plume extending from behind their eye to of the back of their head. These birds thrive all the way from southern Canada to the northern part of South America, and are found in southern Florida and the Bahamas. The female blue herons produce 2 to 7 eggs, which both parents protect. However the chicks can survive on their own by the time they are about 2 months of age. Blue herons prey upon mostly fish, but also eat invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds and small mammals such as voles. Due to their larger size, 1.0-1.4 meters tall, they have very few predators. The younger herons are more vulnerable to animals such as red-tailed hawks, eagles, ravens and raccoons. Found in ecosystems along calm freshwater, or shallow marine habitats. They nest in trees near water and sometimes nest in colonies or as a lone pair. Congregating at fish hatcheries, the blue heron are creating problems for fish farmers. Nevertheless it has been found that the herons eat mostly the diseased fish that would die soon anyways. They suffer less from hunters and fertilizers than other birds. The problems the blue herons are facing are habitat disturbance, such as construction at sites in their habitat and pollution. Finally if their prey is killed the blue heron will die if they can’t get enough to eat.