Upper Iowa University – Dr. Aaron Haines

Ring-necked Pheasant

Students and Faculty from the Department of Biological Sciences at Upper Iowa University will now begin monitoring traps to capture wild pheasants.   The goal will be to attach GPS collars onto the pheasants to monitor their movements and recreate their travel paths in the field.  The next step will be to develop a virtual pheasant environment from images of pheasant travel paths taken in the field.  This will be done with help from students and faculty of the Information Technology Department at Upper Iowa University.  Below is a picture of one of the GPS units we plan to attach to a wild pheasant.         

30-gram GPS Pheasant Collar from Telemetry Solutions

On July 13th, 2010, Upper Iowa University conducted it’s last frog call survey for Iowa DNR.  We recorded the calls of Gray Tree Frogs, American Toads and Green Frogs.  We documented a total of 5 different species of frogs and toads calling in Fayette County for this survey year.  We hope to expand on our survey efforts next year and increase our species count.

Green Frog (Photo From HerpNet.net)

On May 25th, 2010, Upper Iowa University conducted it’s second frog call survey for Iowa DNR.  We recorded the calls of Spring Peepers, American Toads and Gray Tree Frogs.  We also spotted Pickeral Frogs crossing the road at the Volga River State Recreation Area.

Check out this video video footage of an American Toad

North Fayette Middle School Students Demonstrating How Stream Health Depends On Species Relationships

On Friday May 21st, Upper Iowa University joined the North Fayette Middle School to talk about Stream Ecology.  Middle school students surveyed Glover’s Creek in Echo Valley State Park for aquatic macro-invertebrates to assess stream health.  They were guided by Upper Iowa Conservation Management student Derek Steele and Upper Iowa University alumnus Rebbecca Daugherty.  This unique program was organized by North Fayette middle school teacher Sean Singewald.

A Diversity of Aquatic Macro-Invertebrates

North Fayette middle school students found the following aquatic macro-invertebrates:   mayfly larvae, caddisfly larvae, freshwater shrimp, leeches, cranefly larvae, midges, and riffle beetles.  Based on these findings the students determined Glover’s Creek to be in relatively good health.

UIU Wildlife Students Derek Steele (left) and Matt Johnston (right) presented the results of their research projects. 

You can download a PDF copy of their presentations using the links below:

Identifying Nest Predators – Matt Johnston

UIU Wildlife Management Projects – Derek Steele

Research efforts will continue through the summer so continue to visit our blog for updates.

The UIU Wildlife Management Class has finished up its nest predation study.  They will be presenting the results of their research on Thursday (May 6th) in Room 106 in Baker Hebron.

Ermine

Virginia Opossum

Long-tailed Weasel

Gray Squirrel

The UIU Wildlife Management Class has recently been surveying for ruffed grouse in Fayette and Clayton County.  One was heard at Grannis Creek early this week.  We are going to go out and try and record their drumming display.

Male Ruffed Grouse

During the last couple of weeks the UIU Wildlife Class has been setting up artificial nests with chicken eggs and monitoring them with remote cameras to identify nest predators.  The purpose of this research project is to use remote cameras to correlate evidence of nest predation events to a specific species of nest predator.  Below are a few pictures of nest predators caught in the act.  More results will come in the future.

On the evening of April 6th, 2010 the UIU Wildlife & Ecology class attempted to night-net American Woodcock.  The purpose of the exercise was to evaluate whether night-netting of woodcock was possible for conducting a potential radio-telemetry study for woodcock on the Volga River State Recreation Area.  This first attempt at night-netting was a success.  We conducted a safe live capture of an adult male woodcock at Volga.  To get a close-up look of the bird, click on the video below.

American Woodcock Up Close

On Thursday evening April 1st, 2010, the Upper Iowa University Wildlife Management Class conducted its first frog call survey for the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program.  The purpose of this program is to help states assess frog and toad population trends.  Data is being collected with the help of volunteers to identify local amphibian species based on their unique calls.  

We only identified 2 different species of frogs calling this evening: Spring Peeper and Chorus Frog.  However, we did happen upon two leopard frogs during our survey.  Check them out on the videos below.   

Large Leopard Frog                                                             

A calling Spring Peeper Frog

Leopard Frog Close Up