What a group! It is 9:30 am and about 18 degrees outside - but a beautiful morning. We've got two Land Trust staff, nine nest counters, five Ivy pullers, and a photographer! All at the Samish Island Heron Nesting site for the annual count of nests and documenting new trees being used for nesting AND to pull some more of the invasive ivy at the site. There are both veterans and newbies so it will work well and everyone will be a veteran soon!
Some introductions and instructions - like KEEP YOUR EARS COVERED!
We'll be doing a LOT of this!
Nest Counters work in a group of three.
There are new folks and experienced ones in each group. Two will count while one will record. It takes about 2 1/2 hours to get the job done - there are about 300 nests to find and record - and maybe the duties will be rotated.
Each group has pink flagging, some nails and pre-numbered aluminum tags, and a record book. Here they are, examining their gear.
OH MY! This is what we will be seeing and counting. For first timers it is truly awesome. There are hundreds - some easy to see, some well hidden. Usually each group member counts and discusses results.
The count has been happening for many years. If a tree has had nests before, it has a tag and flagging. Last year the flagging was purple. Once the nests in a tree are counted and recorded, the old flagging is removed ands this year's (pink) is tied on. The type of tree and its condition is also recorded. Sometimes all the nests have fallen or been blown down from the tree and no new ones were added. Sometimes nests have been added in new trees! These get a brand new numbered tag. This is most interesting research!
