Field notes, v1414
Page 161
Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
Koford, R. 1975 Journal White Cloud campground, 4300 ft, 11 mi E Nevada City, Nevada Co., Calif. 8 May I spent 0700 to 0730, 0800 to 1200 in the campground and study area. I moved all the traps except 1 near A2 to near the campground entrance in the early morning. I caught 1 squirrel. I heard at least 11 churring calls, mostly between 0800 and 0900. Sky clear, wind 0-10 mph. Temp. at 0800 was 48°F; at 1300 it was 62°F. 14 May I arrived in the campground at 1400 and parked in camp 43. I looked for squirrels in the campground and study area from 1430 to 2000, hearing 1 churring call and seeing 3 squirrels and 1 non-territorial interaction between a σ and ♀. I tried a model squirrel with which I hope to test territorial behavior, but got no overt reaction. It is a stuffed squirrel in a running pose, on a board with wheels. By jerking it along with a string I hope to evoke chasing or calling in the squirrels. I suspect that I'll get different reactions depending on time of year and perhaps distance from the center of the territory. I want to try it out on squirrels in the campground first. There were about 4 cars with people in the campground, and at least 1 dog. Most of the snow is gone - less than 1/2 of ground is covered with it. Some patches are as much as 5 m. across. The sky was clear, wind 5-15 mph. Temp. at 1430 was 68°F; at 2000 it was 51°F. I saw 1 deer twice or two deer, south of the campground. I also saw canine tracks, coyote-sized, in the study area.