With the intention to observe the place sea geese journey on their migration journey and collect data on executing emergency response, biologists can be spending time on the White Rock pier within the earliest hours of the morning over the span of some weeks.
Beginning Monday, Nov. 21 — if climate permits — till Dec. 16 on the newest, Megan Ross, analysis lead and different biologists with Surroundings and Local weather Change Canada can be arrange on the pier within the early morning darkness with their nets, able to seize Scoters (sea geese) that can be tagged with GPS transmitters. .
“We’re making an attempt to seize Scoters —White-winged and Surf Scoters— and discover scale habitat use and motion within the Salish Sea,” Ross mentioned.
White Rock pier is a hot-spot for each species of Scoters due to the quantity of varnish clams — an invasive clam that Scoters like to eat — the realm has to supply.
Based on Sean Boyd, analysis scientist emeritus with Surroundings Canada, the clams had been nowhere to be discovered some 40 years in the past, however now, between west seaside and the U.S. border, there are roughly 1 billion varnish clams due to how prolific they’re at breeding.
An analogous technique of monitoring motion patterns on Scoters was completed with final yr’s inhabitants of birds within the space.
“Final yr, we had a male that bred within the Northwest Territories, then he travelled to Alaska, then moulted off the coast of Alaska now he’s simply come again to the Salish Sea,” Ross mentioned.
The GPS trackers are correct inside a pair meters of their motion.
Though the information is fascinating for Ross and her counterparts, it will probably additionally play a big function in emergency response and serving to the birds in the event that they want.
“We have to know the place the birds are, what number of of them there are and at what time of the yr in order that we are able to reply if there was an emergency like an oil spill,” she mentioned.
For roughly one month’s time, the crew for Ross’ analysis can be making an attempt to get their 25 GPS transmitters tagged on the birds, with the assistance of a veterinarian.
Stationed in boats with nets laying on prime of the water, they’ll await the Scoters to fly to the nets with decoys to draw the Scoters in an effort to be tagged. Some may even have their feces sampled for researchers to assemble data on not solely which habitats the birds are utilizing, however what they’re additionally consuming in these places.
The info will go on to help the nationwide emergency response groups to help them of their mission to guard the birds, Ross mentioned.
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