The 2013 field season is coming to a close, as is my education. In five months I will graduate with an M.S. in Biology. I don't think I truly comprehend this yet!
Lark sparrows have finished nesting for the summer. Although the number of nests was much lower this summer (5), the nesting success was much higher. I was able to band ten birds, and on two occasions I was able to observe the nests from eggs to successful fledging.
In addition to these nests, I also conducted vegetation surveys for a large number of randomly selected square meter plots, fifty in all. Because botany is not my area of expertise, identification of certain unknown specimens (particularly Poeaceae) has proven to be quite an adventure. Fortunately I have assistance from my advisor and Dr. Bornstein at Southeast as well as a past collection of specimens from Sand Prairie Conservation Area.
