the mile marker

this week’s news from Jalova Biological Research Station, 29th january 2010

bird survey exploration

Over the last week, we’ve been sending our intrepid teams out exploring possibilities for bird survey loca-
tions.With our new home at Jalova, and Minae’s assistance, some interesting options have opened up. Bird man
Rich is excited about exploring some new territory and has been assessing the canals that are available to us
in terms of navigability and diversity of habitat. “It is an amazing opportunity to be able to explore areas of
the national park that the general public do not get the privelege to enter. From what we’ve seen so far there
are surprises around every meander!” commented Rich.
...and jag cams set-up
Jag camera set up is also expanding in the forest. We’ve been scouting out produc-
tive sites, and also making use of the ‘old school’ film cameras (see photo) we have.
Project manager Sarah and scholar Jo, with keen assistance from volunteer Richard,
have been plotting the establishment of a remote camera site on the beach. “From
tracks in the sand, we know there is plenty of activity on the beach, so it makes sense
to set up a camera there,” said Jo. However, issues such as the security of the equip-
ment, use of flash, and the extent of the tides have to be carefully considered. The
first camera is up, so watch this space for developments...

large (and not so large) mammal project underway

With the flagging completed and obstructions
cleared, it was time this week to kick off the mam-
mal transect proper.
Project Manager Jo took the first team - Jeremy
and Emily - out on Friday to see what they could
find in the mud, and Sarah
lead the following survey
(with Andrew, Noemie
and Charlotte). Between
them they collected a re-
spectable list that included
usual suspects such as red
brocket deer, raccoons and
agoutis, (identified from their tracks), a variegated
squirrel seen scampering through, and howler
monkeys heard, well, howling, in the trees above.
The mud also yielded some more exciting
evidence. Almost at the end of the transect, Jo
spotted a perfect and rather smaller than usual
cat track (photo above) just off the trail. The team
photographed, measured, and concluded: an oce-
lot had passed this way. The jaguars we know
about; evidence of other endangered cat species
in the forest is very exciting to see.
Track identification can be fiendishly tricky, with
rain patterns, distortion and the ‘wrong kind of
mud’ all conspiring to give mammal teams pause
for thought.
With this in mind, Jo is building up a photographic
reference of tracks seen in the forest and on the
beach, and is now encouraging all volunteers to
point their cameras at the ground. A sunrise may
be spectacular, but the raking light it produces is
also perfect for showing up tracks.
below: jag tracks at sunrise,
and...well, anyone?
Incident Report
As incidentals walks continue, vol-
unteers are becoming acquainted
with the species that frequent our
base.
Elusive or similar looking species
are still proving to be a challenge
however, as intern Russell noted.
“There’s one tiny brown frog that
I can’t identify, but they’re every-
where!”
Volunteers are using reference
books and ID plates to identify spe-
cies, but if they come up short then
a photographic library will enable
searching for a positive ID when
more resources are available.
Speed and unwillingness amongst
study species to remain stationary
is also a problem as Helen, Lydia
and Janet discovered on the hunt
for reptiles:
“I saw some grey, and it was defi-
nitely snake shaped,” said Janet after
seeing something slither away. Still,
with more than 150 species so far
on our incidentls list, and more to
ID, we are building a good picture
of what lives around us.
hummingbird hospital
Staff at Jalova had a brief insight
into wildlife rehabilitation this
week when a rufous-tailed hum-
mingbird got into a bit of a flap.
It had become trapped in our of-
fice when it couldn’t navigate the
mosquito netting to the outside.
Hummingbirds rely on an almost
constant intake of nectar which
is rapidly metabolised by the
body: they spend most of the day
foraging along preplanned routes
which minimise energy waste.
Thus a few minutes of frantic
flapping in our office was ap-
parently enough to exhaust our
visitor. It was rescued from the
netting and brought
out, but was unable
to move, instead ly-
ing on our porch rail.
Apprehensive staff
attempted to revive
the bird with sugar
water but there was
no response when
a metal spoon was
proffered. However, replacing
the spoon with a flower petal
made all the difference, and the
hummingbird began to take sus-
tanance from our mimicked ‘nat-
ural’ nectar. To the delight of all
present, the bird began to flick
its tongue into the petal, and with
animated support it perked up
and flapped off to nearby tree. “I
never thought they would be so
small,” commented intern Rus-
sell. “This sugar water is pretty
good though.” He finished off
the juice, and we fully expect to
see him buzzing around base any
time now...
above: hummingbird
takes a sugar water drink

jungle art This week has seen a few new projects get underway with the emphasis on arts
rather than sciences. In the pipeline is a series of information boards about GVI
and the expedition for the benefit of visitors to the station. While the board con-
tent is finalised, a temporary welcome sign has sprung up at the gate, and in the
kitchen the tables are undergoing something of a transformation.
Scholar Jo, a graphic designer in her ‘other life’ back in the UK, is co-ordinating
the artwork and the first table is nearly finished. Volunteer Lydia is also lending
her considerable skills, and other staff and expedition members are gradually be-
ing lured in.
The first table is nearly finished, and the results are very
promising. Watch this space for updates.

Above and right:

Lydia at work.;
Jo’s jaguar taking
shape; new base
sign.