 Rocky Mountain West |
 |
 June 2011 |
|
 Effects of Bison on Plant and Animal Communities in the Southern Great Plain: Mammals |
|
 Jean Fleming |
June 24, 2011
We arrived at our study site, Last Gulch, this afternoon and had a late night setting up traps for small mammals. When we stopped at the second trap site the bison headed over to check us out and put on quite a show running and jumping around.
June 25, 2011
We got out early this morning to check traps and although we didn't catch anything it was a beautiful morning and some early clouds kept the air much cooler than expected. After checking all the traps we had the afternoon free so Jon and I went out to some of the vegetation survey sites so I could learn some of the methods that the vegetation group is using. On the way out to the sites we saw some Western King Birds, Lark Sparrows, and a Nighthawk. We looked at a couple of plots but there wasn't much growing. This area is suffering from an extreme drought and it is clearly taking a toll on the vegetation. On the way back to the ranch house we caught sight of a burrowing owl on a prairie dog colony. It was by far my favorite sighting of the day!
June 26, 2011
The owner of the ranch was heading out to feed the bison this morning and asked if we wanted to come along for the ride. It was fantastic seeing them up close. After we got back to the ranch house we went to check on the traps. After yesterday
