Site: Backyard
Date: 5/ 29/08
Time: 8:35
Temp: 55 degrees
Weather: Party Cloudy
Soil: Wet
With each individual observation i didnt see much change, but looking at my first obseravtion, The grass was hardly green, and there was no sign of blooming flowers and trees. Each observation brought more knowledge of the species of animals and plants in this community. My understanding of the biodiversity, competition, preditor prey relationships and simbiotic relationships within this area has more than doubled i have noticed so many more thigs and made many new connections.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Observation #7
site: Backcyard
Date: 5/28/08
Time: 8:30 pm
Temp: 45 degrees F
Weather: Partly cloudy and breezy
In the past three weeks, the rubarb plant in my yard has grown over three feet longer than it's origional sprout. An aspen tree has developed green sprouts since my last visit and the grass has grown about two inches longer. The days of intense sun exposure and the excesive amounts of raian balance eachother and together form a perfect climate for the plants in my yard to grow. Today I took notice to a nest of great horned owls just outside of my observation perimeter. The nest is in an aspen tree about twenty feet high. Judging by their general size, i assume they are only a few weeks old. So many different species and numbers of trees help to support the large populations of birds.
Date: 5/28/08
Time: 8:30 pm
Temp: 45 degrees F
Weather: Partly cloudy and breezy
In the past three weeks, the rubarb plant in my yard has grown over three feet longer than it's origional sprout. An aspen tree has developed green sprouts since my last visit and the grass has grown about two inches longer. The days of intense sun exposure and the excesive amounts of raian balance eachother and together form a perfect climate for the plants in my yard to grow. Today I took notice to a nest of great horned owls just outside of my observation perimeter. The nest is in an aspen tree about twenty feet high. Judging by their general size, i assume they are only a few weeks old. So many different species and numbers of trees help to support the large populations of birds.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Works Cited
blog_dandelion%5B1%5D.May 22, 08. [https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJyt6ps_1b7a5gcajVUqxwoThDGLddg685yXdu_kFgin6Yw-eW5vVXZQ-b_QFyLMLpgRHnaL1yoUkYVza-bDRLFCs6EwhCgK-Z6_6n_7bWq3_YDGaQACSS6rR2cbX_uOVb5dLo9iK_E5P/s1600-h/blog_dandelion%5B1%5D.jpg]
Dandelions. May 29, 08. Wikipedia. May 20. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dandelion]
Dewey, T. and D. Arnold. 2002. "Buteo jamaicensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed May 29, 2008 at [http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Buteo_jamaicensis.html.]
Nature Works Red-tailed hawk. 2008. New Hampshire Public Television. May 12th 08 [http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/redtailhawk.htm].
Redtailhawk4. May 14, 08. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXp0OJHTdmnAWIcGHWp1noLmPUzKzUa3ocohygzkV3M6VMg3G8Mu-CduWq2mFJBP0EUgy1O7eTcJt-Uty4nM4RtckP5LFVCYDvuTyo6Uj-bxfiwIuFukyAoWh7J49c2e-Rsi70nEXgjVAp/s1600-h/redtailhawk4.jpg
Dandelions. May 29, 08. Wikipedia. May 20. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dandelion]
Dewey, T. and D. Arnold. 2002. "Buteo jamaicensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed May 29, 2008 at [http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Buteo_jamaicensis.html.]
Nature Works Red-tailed hawk. 2008. New Hampshire Public Television. May 12th 08 [http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/redtailhawk.htm].
Redtailhawk4. May 14, 08. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXp0OJHTdmnAWIcGHWp1noLmPUzKzUa3ocohygzkV3M6VMg3G8Mu-CduWq2mFJBP0EUgy1O7eTcJt-Uty4nM4RtckP5LFVCYDvuTyo6Uj-bxfiwIuFukyAoWh7J49c2e-Rsi70nEXgjVAp/s1600-h/redtailhawk4.jpg
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Fauna Report: Dandelions
Kelsey Roberts
3/21/08 Science pd. 7
Dandelions
3/21/08 Science pd. 7
Dandelions
http://blueridgeblog.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/04/29/blog_dandelion.jpg
Dandelions, or Taraxacum officinale, are an obnoxious weed that tend to dominate my backyard. They are able to self-fertilize without pollination, and therefore, the plants are identical to their parent plant. Dandelions are small, flowering plants, with stems usually four to thirty cm in height and leaves that extend five to twenty five cm. Though they produce bright yellow flowers, in the case of the dandelion, looks are deceiving, for they are deadly neighbors. The leaves of a dandelion block sunlight from any surrounding vegetation, causing it to die. Many farmers and gardeners despise dandelions, because they hinder growth of their desired vegetation. In killing their neighboring plants, they cause the biodiversity level to decrease.
The flowers are typically two to five cm in diameter. Initially, they are yellow, but upon maturity, the flowers become white with several seeds that are attached to a bunch of fine hairs. When the flowers are immature, they tend to open during the day, but close during the night. The matured form of the dandelion greatly contributes to their tenacity. The umbrella-like characteristics of the fine hairs of the white flowers allow them to be easily dispersed by wind. This enables dandelion populations to spread over large areas quickly.
Despite their dominant tendencies, dandelions can also benefit the ecosystem through providing a vital source of pollen and nectar to the honey bee population during the earlier months of the summer, when dandelions are most common. Dandelions still randomly flower all year round when permitted by the climate. In addition to my backyard, the species is also commonly found in pastures, fields, and on waste ground throughout temperate regions of the world.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Observation # 6
Site: backyard
Date: 5/22/08
Time: 5:40 pm
Temp: 61ºF
Weather: Cloudy, breezy and raining
Soil: Wet
In the past few weeks, i have seen a large increase in the amount of mice in and around my house. The numbers seemed to have plateaued recently and the hawks are a more common sight. I often see them carrying the mice in their mouths. This is an example of a predator prey relationship. The hawks keep the mice populations at a minimum as do the lower mice populations keep the hawk populations down. I have noticed imbalances in this relationship in the past but it seems balanced recently. I have also noticed that I hear and see fewer birds. I assume this is because they are seeking shelter in the large trees form the never ending rain.
Date: 5/22/08
Time: 5:40 pm
Temp: 61ºF
Weather: Cloudy, breezy and raining
Soil: Wet
In the past few weeks, i have seen a large increase in the amount of mice in and around my house. The numbers seemed to have plateaued recently and the hawks are a more common sight. I often see them carrying the mice in their mouths. This is an example of a predator prey relationship. The hawks keep the mice populations at a minimum as do the lower mice populations keep the hawk populations down. I have noticed imbalances in this relationship in the past but it seems balanced recently. I have also noticed that I hear and see fewer birds. I assume this is because they are seeking shelter in the large trees form the never ending rain.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Observation # 5
Site: Backyard
Date: 5/19/08
Time: 7:08 pm
Temp: 65 degrees F
Weather: sunny, breezy
Soil: dry
Today i noticed some moss on a tree. The moss growing on the tree represents a symbiotic relationship, commensilism. In commensilism, one of the two organisms is benefited by the relationship, while the other is neither harmed, nor benefited but is unaffected. The tree provides the moss with a home for it to grow on and the trees remains unaffected by its new inhabitant. I have also noticed the flowers have now bloomed and the grass is incredibly green. This seems to have happed over night. On my previous visit, the flowers showed no sign of flowers and the grass was most definitely not as green. I'm guessing this is due to the excessive rain and melted snow followed my a few solid days of sunshine.
Date: 5/19/08
Time: 7:08 pm
Temp: 65 degrees F
Weather: sunny, breezy
Soil: dry
Today i noticed some moss on a tree. The moss growing on the tree represents a symbiotic relationship, commensilism. In commensilism, one of the two organisms is benefited by the relationship, while the other is neither harmed, nor benefited but is unaffected. The tree provides the moss with a home for it to grow on and the trees remains unaffected by its new inhabitant. I have also noticed the flowers have now bloomed and the grass is incredibly green. This seems to have happed over night. On my previous visit, the flowers showed no sign of flowers and the grass was most definitely not as green. I'm guessing this is due to the excessive rain and melted snow followed my a few solid days of sunshine.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
red tailed hawk
Kelsey Roberts
5/15/08
Science pd 7
Ms. Overly
Red Tailed Hawk
5/15/08
Science pd 7
Ms. Overly
Red Tailed Hawk
http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/redtailhawk.htm
Bluteo jamaicensis, also known as the red tailed hawk, is a large bird with a length anywhere from 18-25 long, it weighs about two to four pounds and its wingspan can stretch up to four and one half feet long. The Female hawks are about 25% larger than male. The under belly of a red tailed hawk is significantly lighter than the rest of its dark brown feather. Along with a dark ring of feathers across the belly, a signature red tail is uniform.
A red tailed hawk usually lives in large, open areas such as deserts, swaps and agricultural lands. These hawks are very territorial and are constantly on the look out for intruders. Its main foe is the great horned owl. The two compete for nesting spots and serve as each other’s predators for nestlings and eggs. Hawks migrate south during the winter but return for mating season which is usually anywhere from March to the end of May.
Cliffs and high trees are chosen for nests, which are 28-38 inches in diameter and can be three feet tall, and usually habitats include tall trees, telephone poles and wires so they can encompass a good view of their prey on the ground below Hawks use their excellent eyesight while hunting in the sky. it can pick out even the slightest movement from below. When diving for its prey, a red tailed hawk can exceed a speed of 120 mph! Its prey includes small rodents such as mice, moles, rabbit, reptiles and other birds.
Red Tailed hawks play an important niche in the environment. They regulate mouse and mole populations as well as rabbit; at the same time they create competition for neighborhood owls. By building such large nests, they provide a home for other smaller birds such as house sparrows.
Bluteo jamaicensis, also known as the red tailed hawk, is a large bird with a length anywhere from 18-25 long, it weighs about two to four pounds and its wingspan can stretch up to four and one half feet long. The Female hawks are about 25% larger than male. The under belly of a red tailed hawk is significantly lighter than the rest of its dark brown feather. Along with a dark ring of feathers across the belly, a signature red tail is uniform.
A red tailed hawk usually lives in large, open areas such as deserts, swaps and agricultural lands. These hawks are very territorial and are constantly on the look out for intruders. Its main foe is the great horned owl. The two compete for nesting spots and serve as each other’s predators for nestlings and eggs. Hawks migrate south during the winter but return for mating season which is usually anywhere from March to the end of May.
Cliffs and high trees are chosen for nests, which are 28-38 inches in diameter and can be three feet tall, and usually habitats include tall trees, telephone poles and wires so they can encompass a good view of their prey on the ground below Hawks use their excellent eyesight while hunting in the sky. it can pick out even the slightest movement from below. When diving for its prey, a red tailed hawk can exceed a speed of 120 mph! Its prey includes small rodents such as mice, moles, rabbit, reptiles and other birds.
Red Tailed hawks play an important niche in the environment. They regulate mouse and mole populations as well as rabbit; at the same time they create competition for neighborhood owls. By building such large nests, they provide a home for other smaller birds such as house sparrows.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Observation #4
Site: Backyard
Date: 5/15/08
Time: 8:21 pm
Temp: 65° F
Weather: Clear sky, windy, sun setting
The plants have yet to bloom but the grass is significantly greener this is probably do to the amount of snow that melted and has been absent for a while. The biodiversity is very high in this community for i hear multipul types of birds in the trees and many of each. The trees are full of nests i have two right out my bedroom window where there have been multipul robins nesting in the past and i have gotten to watched them hatch and grow. Small birds live inside the nests of other larger birds such as Red Hawks. I also heard a frog which are usually more common in the summer thhis is most likely because the weather is warmer and sunnier.
Date: 5/15/08
Time: 8:21 pm
Temp: 65° F
Weather: Clear sky, windy, sun setting
The plants have yet to bloom but the grass is significantly greener this is probably do to the amount of snow that melted and has been absent for a while. The biodiversity is very high in this community for i hear multipul types of birds in the trees and many of each. The trees are full of nests i have two right out my bedroom window where there have been multipul robins nesting in the past and i have gotten to watched them hatch and grow. Small birds live inside the nests of other larger birds such as Red Hawks. I also heard a frog which are usually more common in the summer thhis is most likely because the weather is warmer and sunnier.
Observation #3
Site: backyard
Date: 5/13/08
Time: 8:00 pm
Temp: 69°F
Weather: Thin clouds, breezy, sun setting
Soil: Normal, somewhat dry
The flowers still have not bloomed but grass is noticeably greener. A red tailed hawk swooped down to a high perch on tree with a mouse in it's talons and was just as quickly chased back out by a number of smaller birds. The competition between organisms seems high for space and nesting materials. Birds are very territiorial due to their young in trees. If another bird comes close to a nest they are ambushed. Change is very limited nothing to noticeable has caught my eye since my previous observation.
Date: 5/13/08
Time: 8:00 pm
Temp: 69°F
Weather: Thin clouds, breezy, sun setting
Soil: Normal, somewhat dry
The flowers still have not bloomed but grass is noticeably greener. A red tailed hawk swooped down to a high perch on tree with a mouse in it's talons and was just as quickly chased back out by a number of smaller birds. The competition between organisms seems high for space and nesting materials. Birds are very territiorial due to their young in trees. If another bird comes close to a nest they are ambushed. Change is very limited nothing to noticeable has caught my eye since my previous observation.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Observation #2
Site: Backyard
Date: 5/8/08
Time: 6:01 pm
Temp: 50˚F
Weather: Partly cloudy and breezy
Soil: Damp form rain previous day
Date: 5/8/08
Time: 6:01 pm
Temp: 50˚F
Weather: Partly cloudy and breezy
Soil: Damp form rain previous day
The plants have still not flowered but look perky. Since last observation, there are more birds out of the trees, flying around and walking around on the ground and i have noticed mosquitoes in the air. This is probably due to the fact that it was raining during my previous observation. The birds were gathering twigs and dead grass, which leads me to believe they are nesting. The birds are also fighting in the air and are significantly noisier. I'm interested in what they are fighting over. Are they fighting over females? Is it mating season? I have also found scat, which i believe to have been left behind by a weasel.
Observation #1
Site: Backyard/off highway 89 by highschool
Date: 5/7/08
Time: 8:17 pm
Temp: 60 degrees f
Weather: Coudy sprinkling slightly breezy
Soil: Moist
My observation area is located just off highway 89 in Jckson Wy. It contains three ever green tree that are about 40-50 feet tall and is surounded by a feild used for razing cows and horses. THe trees and plants are not yet flowering this is most likely due to the cold weather. They appear they will flower soon probably in a week or so when the temperature is warmer and the sun is more exposed. The birds are sheltered in the trees from the rain along wit the insects. I assume the insects will probably be a more common sight when it is warmer, dryer maybe earlier on in the evening. I am curious to see if the brids are nesting yet. The giant trees provide for a bird sanctuary for birds like magpies, robins, brewer black birds, owls, redtail hawks and many more. I am interested to see if the flora bloom with in the next 4 weeks.
Date: 5/7/08
Time: 8:17 pm
Temp: 60 degrees f
Weather: Coudy sprinkling slightly breezy
Soil: Moist
My observation area is located just off highway 89 in Jckson Wy. It contains three ever green tree that are about 40-50 feet tall and is surounded by a feild used for razing cows and horses. THe trees and plants are not yet flowering this is most likely due to the cold weather. They appear they will flower soon probably in a week or so when the temperature is warmer and the sun is more exposed. The birds are sheltered in the trees from the rain along wit the insects. I assume the insects will probably be a more common sight when it is warmer, dryer maybe earlier on in the evening. I am curious to see if the brids are nesting yet. The giant trees provide for a bird sanctuary for birds like magpies, robins, brewer black birds, owls, redtail hawks and many more. I am interested to see if the flora bloom with in the next 4 weeks.
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