Field Notes: December 2011
Read about the latest Earthwatch discoveries, rare sightings and exciting news reported by volunteers and scientists from the field.
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Spotted! Unusual visitor recorded by Earthwatch team in Mongolia |
Scientists and volunteers on Earthwatch project Wildlife of the Mongolian Steppe were surprised to observe an unusual visitor to the project study site Ikh Nart Nature Reserve in eastern Mongolia, in the shape of the striking rufous-bellied woodpecker (Dendrocopos hyperythrus). The sighting, a first for Mongolia, was recorded in the latest edition of scientific journal Birding Asia. Dr Rich Reading of Denver Zoological Foundation, who leads the research project in Mongolia says, “Mongolia is outside what we understand to be the normal range of the rufous-bellied woodpecker, although a second sighting of the bird has since been recorded here, so it is likely that animals periodically wander outside their normal range and into Mongolia.”
The rufous-bellied woodpecker is typically resident in Pakistan and northern India to western China and south to Bangladesh, central Myanmar, north-west Thailand and parts of Indochina.
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South African brown hyaenas enjoy a 'substantially reduced' risk of extinction |
The likelihood of a full-scale local extinction of brown hyaena in South Africa has been 'substantially reduced', as its range is found to be larger than previous estimates indicate, according to a study published in November this year. The study was carried out in the country’s north-west province, between 2006 and 2008, by the research team of Earthwatch project South Africa’s Scavenger Species. The team collected distribution data on several key predator species, including the black-backed jackal, caracal and leopard. The brown hyaena, currently listed as Near Threatened (IUCN) was found to have the largest increase in 'extent of occurrence' - the geographical area containing all the sites where a species is known or believed to be. Accurate knowledge of distribution patterns is essential to species management and conservation, as well as to understanding an animal’s risk of extinction. However, this kind of information is often lacking for terrestrial carnivores because they are notoriously difficult to detect.
Full details of the study can be found in Oryx – The International Journal of Conservation, 45(4), 579–586 (Fauna & Flora International 2011).
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'Lucy' the leatherback makes a welcome return to Playa Grande |
In Costa Rica, not even the damage caused by a fishing hook has stopped one leatherback turtle from returning to Earthwatch research site Playa Grande beach to nest. Named by the research team, 'Lucy' was first ‘marked’ in the field season of the year 2000. When she came to the beach during the 2005 field season, she had a fishing hook and line attached to her right shoulder. Earthwatch volunteers watched anxiously as research staff attempted to remove the hook. Biologist Pilar 'Bibi' Santidrián Tomillo notes that “it was an intense experience and I’m sure all the people that were there that night still remember it.” The rescue was successful. However the injury left a deep scar which the team tended to with antibiotics each of the following nine times that the turtle revisited that year. Lucy returned to nest again in the fielding season of 2007, and was not seen again until 8 October 2011, when she laid her first nests of the season. Bibi had recognised Lucy by her scar. “Lucy is a big turtle: 150cm long and very productive,” says Bibi. “She nests around 10 times every season she comes, and she picks good productive seasons. We are happy she is back.”
Leatherback turtles are listed as Critically Endangered (IUCN). Numerous threats to the species include accidental capture in fishing lines and nests. You can help these amazing creatures in their struggle for survival by joining Earthwatch project Costa Rican Sea Turtles.