My success trapping doves has increased significantly, with most of the activity isolated to a line of 3 traps set along a dirt road which runs between a mature corn field on one side and a pasture on the other. After starting with 23 mourning dove bands at the beginning of the season (July 1), I have 7 left to deploy between now and August 15, and I am reasonably confident that this objective can be achieved. I had thought I was going to reach the end without trapping a single white-winged dove, as they have been rather scarce at the farm this season, so I was quite surprised when I caught one yesterday. I don’t expect a surplus of the species in the final week of banding, but I will remain prepared nonetheless.
This week into next, I am focusing on spraying mesquite in the morning and trapping doves in the evening, as both need to be completed sooner rather than later and those times of day are respectively ideal for each undertaking. This also allows me a reprieve from the heat in the middle of the day, when I take a break and then focus on indoor tasks, such as researching study methods, vegetation identification, and writing these posts.
The herp coverboard project should be moving forward as of tomorrow, when I plan to begin cutting down the salvaged plywood and tin materials into appropriately-sized boards. This task will require much-needed training and practice in the safe handling and use of various saws as provided by Dr. Tomeček, which will also be helpful in an upcoming project involving the construction of a set of doors to replace an old pair for our store room. I have assisted my dad with carpentry projects in the past and have an understanding of the basics, but this will be the first job that I plan and follow through from start to finish. I look forward to gaining a few new skills with both this and the coverboard endeavor.
Dani Miller
Wildlife Biologist
Stiles Farm Foundation
Week 9