Kingfisher Chatter

(a blog about Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge)

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18 Feb 2014

Trail Cam Update

As mentioned in the last post, the motion-triggered, night-vision Trail Cam was moved away from the deer carcass site since the carcass was completely devoured and/or carried off.  New locations were scouted for photographing beaver.  It is a low resolution camera. The Trail Cam is to set out to determine time, position and habits of wildlife so good high-resolution photos can be taken in the future.  The first site proved a bust. There were trees with gnawed bark (winter snack for beavers) in the area but after several days there was no new gnawing and no tracks in the snow.  Another area was chosen. The site was selected on three criteria:

1. noticeable beaver work
2. beaver tracks in the snow
3. open water with evidence of something (beaver, otter, muskrat) keeping the ice open (there were several pieces of ice pushed up on the ice shelf)

The camera was set up in this undisclosed location.  Recorded images were downloaded 4 times over the last 2 weeks.  So far, no beavers were recorded but there is ample evidence that a beaver was in the area; footprints and a newly felled tree adjacent to the camera but out of the camera's field of view.  

Felled tree-evidence of active beaver work (picture courtesy of Paulette Freedman)

Beavers are much less active in the winter, but as their stocked food supplies dwindle in and around their lodges, they venture out to find new food sources.  This may mean felling a tree or just eating a tree's inner-bark.

Tree gnawed by beaver.  A good mid-winter snack

They may also venture out, as do otter and muskrat, to keep holes in the ice open so they are not trapped under too long an expanse of ice.  The site chosen showed ample evidence of that. 

Beaver dam and ice-freed area maintained by aquatic mammals (e.g., beaver, muskrat, otter)

North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) was captured by the Trail Cam.  Follow this sequence:

Out of the water and onto the ice shelf

Clear profile of otter.  Note the ice on the otter's whiskers. 

Back into the water

In the water

One last swim in the open water before disappearing

Although otters are generally crepuscular (most active at dawn or dusk) note the time stamps on the frames above.  They were all shot between 12:17 PM and 2:33 PM.

  

Everybody knows that otters are naturally playful and curious.  Below is a picture of the otter checking out the Trail Cam.  It was too close for a good portrait.  Look closely and you'll see its whiskers.

Trail Cam shot ("selfie") of otter checking out Trail Cam.  Look at the long whiskers

Here's another Trail Cam shot showing otter whiskers in the lower right of photo (Trail Cam in night-mode)

In addition to the otter, a pair of raccoon were also captured by the Trail Cam.

Raccoons shot in night-mode

Kingfishers (me and my friends), Mallards, Canada Geese and Black Ducks have also been frequenting this open water spot maintained by the aquatic mammals.   Certainly the extended cold has made beaver viewing all the more difficult.  This site will continue to be monitored for beaver unless a better site on the refuge can be found.  Any suggestions?

Other

"Owl Prowl"

John Milhaven gave a well-attended talk on owls on Saturday night, February 22nd, at the Visitor Center (VC) in preparation for a post-talk "Owl Prowl".  John, Kizette and Gary led about 24 "owl prowlers" on a star-lit walk on the refuge listening to owls.  The leaders were equipped with audio devices to launch calls for Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Eastern Screech Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl in hopes that upon hearing the audio an owl would call back.  

Gary's group of 14 took the long root from the Visitor Center (VC) around Puffer Pond via Harry's Way to Otter Alley to Taylor Way to Winterberry Way and back to the VC; a distance of about 2 miles.  Twelve of the hikers were on snowshoes and two with just boots.  A Barred Owl was heard at the onset of the trek and again at the end of the trek.  Neither time did it respond to the audio.  

At the intersection of Harry's Way and Pine Garden Trail, one in Gary's group spotted the outline of an owl high up in one of the bare deciduous trees.  It was too dark and to indistinct to make a positive identification but from size and shape it was most likely an Eastern Screech Owl (wrong silhouette for Saw-wet and too small for Barred or Great Horned...no feathered "ear-tufts" as would be characteristic of Long-eared Owl).  It is safe to say it was a Screech Owl which is not uncommon in this area.  The stars over Puffer Pond were spectacular...unforgettable!  Remember the Refuge closes at sunset and it is only with special permission from the rangers that the nighttime "Owl Prowl" could take place.  

Please obey Refuge rules and come see me there.

- The Kingfisher-