Tracking Class at Monahans Sandhills State Park

Placeholder to group observations made during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Posted on February 28, 2014 11:41 PM by mikaelb mikaelb

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 21, 2014 07:44 AM CST

Description

This is one of about 20 Brewer's Blackbirds that would visit our campground every morning. Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 21, 2014 07:45 AM CST

Description

This is one of about 20 Brewer's Blackbirds that would visit our campground every morning. Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 21, 2014 08:12 AM CST

Description

Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Kangaroo Rats (Genus Dipodomys)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 21, 2014 10:10 AM CST

Description

Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 21, 2014 10:22 AM CST

Description

Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 21, 2014 11:04 AM CST

Description

Concentrated urine in the sand. Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 21, 2014 11:13 AM CST

Description

Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 21, 2014 11:18 AM CST

Description

Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Even-toed Ungulates and Cetaceans (Order Artiodactyla)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 21, 2014 11:32 AM CST

Description

Collared Peccary or feral pig. Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Woodrats (Genus Neotoma)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 21, 2014 11:47 AM CST

Description

Shows yucca leaves cut by a woodrat. Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 21, 2014 12:42 PM CST

Description

Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Pocket Gophers (Family Geomyidae)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 21, 2014 01:56 PM CST

Description

In the second photo you can see we cleared the loose sand away and found the plugged tunnel hole, which had slightly denser packed sand. Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Bobcat (Lynx rufus)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 21, 2014 02:10 PM CST

Description

Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 21, 2014 02:37 PM CST

Description

Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Rodents (Order Rodentia)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 21, 2014 03:04 PM CST

Description

This plant was probably pulled out of the ground by something relatively large like a Collared Peccary, then had its roots gnawed by smaller rodents. Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 22, 2014 09:22 AM CST

Description

The large track on the right is a right front, pointing left. See how toe 5 registers lower than the others. Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Kangaroo Rats and Pocket Mice (Family Heteromyidae)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 22, 2014 09:30 AM CST

Description

In the hind tracks see how toe 1 is lower than all the others. Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 22, 2014 09:50 AM CST

Description

Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 22, 2014 10:10 AM CST

Description

These were one of the most exciting finds of the Monahans trip. We found these zygodactyl tracks that we decided are most likely from a Burrowing Owl. Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Pocket Gophers (Family Geomyidae)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 22, 2014 10:25 AM CST

Description

We identified this as a Pocket Gopher trail based on the walk or trot gait, and the width and length of this gait. I don't know if we can get down to a particular species. Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Kangaroo Rats and Pocket Mice (Family Heteromyidae)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 22, 2014 10:30 AM CST

Description

We think this extremely small bounding gait was from a shrew. Desert Shrew is the only species in range. Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Ord's Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ordii)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 22, 2014 10:34 AM CST

Description

These were by far the most common tracks in the park, and this was one of the best examples I found. Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Eastern Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana ssp. stejnegeri)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 22, 2014 10:38 AM CST

Description

Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Northern Tree Cholla (Cylindropuntia imbricata ssp. imbricata)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 22, 2014 10:42 AM CST

Description

Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 22, 2014 10:42 AM CST

Description

My guess is the nest is from a Cactus Wren. Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 22, 2014 10:46 AM CST

Description

Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 22, 2014 12:46 PM CST

Description

Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 22, 2014 01:28 PM CST

Description

Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Ord's Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ordii)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 22, 2014 06:10 PM CST

Description

Here are most of the rodent mandibles we found in 30-40 Great Horned Owl pellets (posted separately). We believe all of these are from Ord's Kangaroo Rats.

Photos / Sounds

What

Grasshopper Mice (Genus Onychomys)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 22, 2014 06:24 PM CST

Description

We found these two mandibles that we believe are from a Grasshopper Mouse in the Great Horned Owl pellets previously pictured. I don't know if they are from Mearns' Grasshopper Mouse or Northern Grasshopper Mouse. In fact, they could be from two different individuals. So I'm leaving the ID at Onychomys sp. for now. Can anyone tell?

Photos / Sounds

What

Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 23, 2014 08:29 AM CST

Photos / Sounds

What

Northern Red-shafted Flicker (Colaptes auratus ssp. cafer)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 23, 2014 08:33 AM CST

Photos / Sounds

What

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 23, 2014 08:57 AM CST

Description

One of a group of three that was foraging in the dunes.

Photos / Sounds

What

Coyote (Canis latrans)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 23, 2014 09:02 AM CST

Description

Gallop or lope.

Mammals

Photos / Sounds

What

Mammals (Class Mammalia)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 23, 2014 08:42 AM CST

Description

I forgot what we identified this track as. Gray Fox?

Photos / Sounds

What

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 21, 2014 03:42 PM CST

Description

Matt made an incredible find of 30-40 Great Horned Owl pellets under a single tree! Taken during Earth Native Wilderness School's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2013-2014.

Photos / Sounds

What

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 23, 2014 10:44 AM CST

Description

We found an incredibly long Mourning Dove walking trail that spanned multiple dunes. It was hundreds of yards long.

Photos / Sounds

What

North American Jerusalem Crickets (Genus Ammopelmatus)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 23, 2014 10:42 AM CST

Photos / Sounds

What

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

February 2014

Place

Texas, US (Google, OSM)

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