it's good to be back!

Z8 White was a well-behaved bird.

I can't believe I am already back with the Johnny Rooks. After this trip, I will have spent 1/3 of 2014 in the Falklands! Micky and I arrived to Carcass Island yesterday and we got right down to banding. Unfortunately, there was some issues with the equipment that was originally used to mass the birds so we are left with the large issue of re-catching, re-measuring, and re-massing. Surprisingly, there are not a lot of birds around for us to catch. This could be because of 4 very dominant adult birds (the "quartet" as we call them) that are actively defending their territory, which includes all of the settlement. The quartet consists of N7 Yellow, N2 White, S4 White (all believed to be males), and an unbanded female. Cooperative breeding might be happening? We have seen trios in the past actively fledge young from one nest, and it has been noted in Red-throated Caracaras (McCann) before. I would love to look at this for my project, but unfortunately, not everyone thinks it is important. 

Tomorrow, Micky and I are off on the "Condor" (boat) to Dunbar Island where we will hopefully find K8 Yellow's missing GPS unit. Fingers crossed, because they cost ~$4000! We only have until Friday to trap and band as many Rooks as we can here on Carcass because then we will be off to Steeple Jason Island (a 5-hour boat ride away) for two weeks. As a result, i fear that I will not be able to update this blog as often as I usually do because you see, my only connection to the outside world on Steeple is a satellite phone for emergencies. I will promise to provide an update upon my return to the States! 

Since it is a 7am boat ride to Dunbar, I should probably get some sleep. 

Oh, and there might be some positive things happening on my journey of finding a university. I am trying to not get too hopeful, so if you want to send some positive thoughts my way, I wouldn't turn them down! 

Quick Update

Well, summer is officially gone and I fortunately was able to end it in style by visiting Traverse City, MI the past two weekends. The first weekend was spent at a friend's family's cherry farm and the second extended weekend was spent at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, visiting some wineries, and ending with camping at Silver Lake.

Another exciting event was that my first published article as first author came out. This was on a part of my research that I completed during my Masters at Arkansas State University on Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) and American Kestrels (Falco sparverius). If you are interested, you can access the PDF here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-bFXDIEHRZDdi1OUW9JZGV5NzQ/edit?usp=sharing

Regarding the rest of the team, Micky made it to the States a week after I returned and joined Dr. Keith Bildstein at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. Both of them have been busy preparing manuscripts and I believe Keith was hoping to get at least three papers published while Micky was there. Anna has moved to Boise, ID and started her graduate studies under the advisement of Dr. Marc Bechard. I am sure she is doing very well. In the mean time, I have been working, editing the manuscripts that Keith and Micky send to me, and attempting to find an advisor.

Since the title says this will be a "quick" update (and because I have to be up for work in 3.5 hours) I will end by uploading the video I promised in my last(?) blog on the Johnny Rooks solving the pipe puzzle in under 20 seconds during my last trip. You can view and share the video via my Youtube channel here.

OH! How could I forget? 16 October I will be going back to the Falklands to join Micky on Carcass Island and Steeple Jason. This trip will be for banding and for me to obtain more morphometric measurements on the Rooks. I definitely need to have a more concrete plan on a university/advisor because it is not possible to borrow internet on Carcass Island and there is zero communication on Steeple Jason. (Note to self: Remember to buy and pack sea sickness pills)

Greetings from Saunders Island!

*Composed on 2 August 2014*

We all arrived safe and sound to Mount Pleasant airport on 26 July. It did seem dodgy for a little bit in Punta Arenas, Chile due to weather. It added yet another 1.5 hours to our already 4 days of traveling. Needless to say, we were very happy to see Micky waiting (an extra 2 hours because he didn't get my Facebook message before he left) to drive us to Stanley. After getting situated at the Lafone House we went and ate at the Malvina House, as we always do. I was famished and even Micky said he had never seen me eat so much. I couldn't help that the $4.39 bag of chips (“crisps”) that I bought in Chile were not completely satisfying. The fish and proper chips were delicious! I also made sure to get my last helping of lettuce and broccoli (I remember a time when I did not prefer veggies, what was I ever thinking?). Sunday morning we woke up to mostly clear skies, but still quite a chill in the air and snow still on the ground. The sunrise was beautiful though!

Anna had her first proper English breakfast and we went to FIGAS to catch the first flight to Saunders Island. For the first time ever, there was a chance to sit up front with the pilot! Luckily, Anna didn’t put up a fight (thank you Anna!).  

Late that morning, we smoothly touched down on the snow-covered airstrip at Saunders Island. Suzan and David were there to greet us, and so were about 12 Johnny Rooks. I have realized that at the end of this trip, I will have spent 1/3 of the past year in the Falkland Islands. Actually, my “anniversary” of first arriving to the Falklands is on 7 August. I cannot believe this is already my third trip (that means I have taken at least 30 planes!). I am beyond fortunate and thankful to be given this opportunity. I am often asked if I get nervous about traveling so far, and to be honest, my biggest worry is how my neck will fair with all the traveling. I blame my travel bug on going away to Grand Valley for my BS degree. Ever since then it seems as though I have been on the move. After that degree, I moved to Arkansas for two years, during which I even spent a summer living in Louisiana. Don't get me wrong, I love my Mitten State and always miss my family and friends when I am away, but I find myself to be most happy when I am adventuring in a new place and meeting new people. It should come as no surprise that when I came back to the Falklands this time (Saunders Island especially) it almost felt like coming home. I’ve already fallen back into saying a few phrases and words with a British accent (the weirdest of which is the word “what” – pronounced as “wot”). 

After the plane safely took off again, Suzan and David drove us to where we stay on their Settlement where our things that they store for us were already waiting. Keith and I moved into our designated rooms, and Anna got her choice from the remaining two. Micky joined a couple of days later, and he and I set off to teach Anna how to properly trap, band, and measure a Johnny Rook. If you remember from my posts during February and March, I often mentioned how different the birds are between the two seasons. Well, they continue to surprise us. As usual, we do not trap as many, but it seems, as though this time there are less around the Settlement than last August altogether. Granted, we are earlier than when we arrived for the last trip, but it still is strange. The absence of fun-loving Dr. Marc Bechard is also strange.

So far, we have only managed to band 41 birds since 29 July. A far cry from just the 82 birds that Micky and I banded alone on Steeple Jason in 3 days this past March (we banded a total of 166 birds in two months last trip). I am currently writing this from the Neck and we are here until Tuesday so this may (and hopefully will) change.

*As of 5 Aug 2014 we have banded 50 new birds and measured 11 birds previously banded-including re-fitting a GPS unit and re-banding P5 Yellow (now R22 Yellow)*

When we have been banding, Keith has enjoyed, well I assume at least, the new ATV (aka “quad”) with power steering (the other one does not have power steering). He is usually off most of the day on it, so I believe it is a safe assumption. Anna has also started to see what her research will entail and has done one of her foraging observations. Another one will hopefully be completed by the time I am back to the Settlement and able to post this entry.

I was able to run some puzzle experiments and saw something that got me really excited. E5 White is a very smart female who was able to learn the puzzles last summer (i.e., February/March). Well, guess what? SHE REMEMBERED! At least 4 months later, and never seeing the puzzles since then, she was able to walk right up to them and figure them both out. Other birds (Z3 Yellow and M9 Yellow) also exhibited the learning behavior we had observed before, and learned from E5 White. Video will be posted later.

(Not sure what I am talking about when I say “puzzles”? Check out this post, or this video, or this video).

As I had mentioned, we are at the Neck of Saunders Island and we almost didn't make it either. Thank you Carole and Suzan for helping get the Rover out!

bogged

I must say I still enjoy being at the Neck, but it is slightly more beautiful in the summer. Granted, it is only day 1, and we have had mostly fog, wind, and misty-rain all day. Oh, and it is still cold (of course). The penguins do not seem to mind though, and several groups of Gentoos were out foraging. There are also 5 juvenile King Penguins this year, most of who are much larger than their adult parents. None have walked up to investigate me like last year, but I am still holding out hope.

Before I forget… My friend, Dan, brought to my attention that 4-10 August is “Threatened and Endangered Species” week in Michigan. Even though this is only designated for Michigan, I feel like we can still all learn a little more about these species in need. So far, you are off to a great start by reading this blog entry about the near-threatened species, Phalcoboenus australis, better known as the Johnny Rook, or Striated Caracara, to you. To learn more about threatened or endangered species in general you can check out this website if you live in Michigan or just want to learn more about the species in danger there, that will be hosted near you!

PS! check out Saunders Island's new website! www.saundersfalklands.com

< 10!

That is how many days until I start my journey back to the Falklands. I can't believe how quickly almost 4 months has passed since the last trip. This trip will be drastically short in relation to the others though. We leave 24 July, arrive to Stanley, FI Saturday, 26 July, arrive on Saunders Island 27 July (weather permitting), and then turn around on 7 August to begin to travel back, arriving home 11 August. 18 days total, that's it! We were supposed to leave a week earlier but since you can only fly in and out of the islands on Saturday, that plane was booked. I am a little worried about how much work will actually be completed in just 10 days on Saunders Island. However, our newest member of the team, Anna, will at least gain an introduction to Falkland life. She will be working under the advisement of Dr. Marc Bechard for her Master of Science degree. 

I have kept pretty busy during my hiatus from the Islands though. I was able to meet some of my devoted blog followers when I presented to the 5th graders at Sturgis Elementary (they were the students that asked me all sorts of questions during my last trip -- you can read that entry here). 

How many Apple products does it take to create a presentation?

One of the two 5th grade classes I presented to. They were AWESOME!

I have also went back to my job at Panera Bread. I truly have a love/hate relationship with this job. 

Things I hate about it: 

1. Rude customers who make you feel worthless. There have been so many instances where I want to scream, "I (probably) have more degrees than you! Just because I ask you if you want a drink with your order does not mean you have the permission to treat me with so much disrespect!"

2. The feeling of being unappreciated by both customers (see number 1) and by Panera itself. 

3. Since moving (oh yes, that happened too since I got back) it now takes me every bit of a half hour to get to work.

4. I now help with Panera's catering and it boggles my mind when people place a $400+ order, have free delivery, and still don't include a tip. Do they not tip when they order a $10 pizza and have it delivered to their house?

Things I love about it:

1. I have worked for Panera Bread on and off since I was laid off from PetsMart at the tender age of 16. My general manager, Brian, is amazing and understanding, and lets me leave and come back. He also lets me work mornings. Despite me not being a morning person, I would rather get my shift done early in the day (5am starts have become the norm for me). 

2. Another plus of working mornings is that customers tend to be a little nicer than the lunch rush. These morning customers also include "the regulars." I have nicknamed a group of five, "The Breakfast Club" (David, Don, Margaret, Dennis, and Carol). I also have the sweetest, most devoted couple, Mark and Susie, but they usually visit later in the morning. These individuals make your busy morning better no matter how crappy it started. You also become invested in them and they become invested in you too, if you are lucky.  For example, David is from England and also followed my blog during my last trip and he would keep the other four up-to-date on what I was doing for the two months I spent in the Falklands. He had asked me if I was willing to do a presentation of my research for him and his friends. Of course I agreed and that is how I gave my first in a brewery. Kuhnhenn Brewing Co. to be exact.

My fellow biologist friends were jealous of my location. I would have been too.

Since I truly enjoy talking about my research and about the Falklands, I will always jump at a chance to educate others about this special place and its Johnny Rooks. I never expect anything more than the opportunity to broaden the knowledge of conservation to people to come out of my presentations. So, it was quite a surprise that through this presentation I gained two donors (I won't say who in case they want to remain anonymous). I am forever grateful and touched that they think so much of me to be willing to donate their hard-earned money to my research. Without Panera this never would have happened. (Want to join the donation team? Let me know!)

3. By working at this Panera location I am given the opportunity to meet a lot of corporate Moosejaw employees (Moosejaw is an awesome local Michigan backpacking and outdoor store). After getting to know one employee that comes in regularly and who took an interest in my research, I was gifted with some warm clothes for this upcoming trip. Thank you Moosejaw! 

Another thing that happened during this hiatus is that BBC aired the show (in the UK and its territories) that was filmed while I was in the Falklands. Appropriately, the Johnny Rooks were the stars of the segment, but my hat and hand did manage to make the final cut into the episode! Woo!

That hand and hand in the bottom right photo belong to me. I am basically a TV star now, I know. (jk)

On a less uplifting note, I still have not been able to find a professor that has funding for a stipend for basic living and tuition so it looks as though I will have to wait another year to start school. I have been trying to come to terms with this idea for a while, and sadly I am still holding out hope that something will turn up. In the meantime though, I have been applying to other jobs for the Fall that will make me feel more significant (e.g., research jobs, adjunct instructors at colleges, etc.). I also will have my first published article as first author come out in the next Journal of Raptor Research. There are more papers in the works too, so that will hopefully help my mental state. This is not where I thought I would be if you asked me two years ago, but like many people have told me, it is all happening for a reason. Even if I don't currently understand, it is for the best, and it is okay. 

Now Showing...(1/2)

This puzzle was never shown to them before. Okay, that's a partial lie. This video is of the 5th try because we had to keep modifying it before then (see, this post). Thank God, the BBC Deadly crew took it in stride and were patient (Steve Backshall is in the background). Luckily a smart adult Johnny Rook was around to solve it although other juveniles seemed to have understood the concept as well. This puzzle was adapted from puzzles that are tested on a species of parrot from New Zealand called Keas. From what I have read about Keas, Johnny Rooks behave very similarly. Click this link to see the video our puzzle was adapted from. 

Now Showing... (part 2/2)

This puzzle simulates more of their natural behaviors of when they rake their talons in the kelp and sand looking for invertebrates (insects) to eat. Again, Steve Backshall of BBC's Deadly program is in the background.

Back in the Mitten

Well, tomorrow will make one week since I made it home to Michigan (aka the Mitten state). Luckily, the Falklands are filled with breathtaking sights and wildlife that it makes the 6-plane, 4-day journey worth it. On Thursday, 28 March, I said goodbye to Saunders and the Pole-Evans, people who have become like a second family and ventured to Stanley. Of course, since I was the first stop on the FIGAS flight I got to "visit" Pebble Island, Darwin Island, and Goose Green before making it all the way back to Stanley. I joined Andy (from Falklands Conservation) and his family for lunch (aka dinner) and they offered for me to spend the next two nights at their house (which I thank them immensely for taking me in!). I walked around Stanley for most of the day, sorted out data, and then went to Andy's. On Friday, I spent more time walking around Stanley, visiting Bittersweet (delicious vanilla chai!), and then was given the opportunity to help clean an oiled Gentoo Penguin that FC had received the day before.

Me with a lucky, unhappy, adult Gentoo Penguin.

Since Gentoo Penguins are said to forage up to 16 mi (26 km) away from the shore it isn't hard to believe that they may run into some oil patches out at sea (NatGeo). Oil spills can happen when there is an equipment failure (or basic neglect)  such as the the ones most recently in Galveston, TX, Lake Michigan, and in the past, the devastating Gulf of Mexico (anyone notice a pattern with those catastrophes? BP). They also happen on a smaller scale when boats overfill their fuel tanks. 

After a bird is coated in oil, they will attempt to preen and clean their feathers to rid them of oil. If they left the oil on, penguins especially, are not able to regulate their body temperatures and stay warm. They also would not be able to float in the water. Both of these side effects do not allow them to go to sea and forage for food. Since penguins (and all birds) preen with their beaks they inadvertently consume and ingest the oil. The ingested oil can lead to ulcers and kidney failure, and if not treated, the bird will die. 

In the States, we all have seen the Dawn dish soap commercials where they usually use baby animals and show them in a bubble bath. Well, that isn't exactly a far-stretch from the truth. However, the animals are probably not as happy as they appear in those commercials. Being oiled is already a very stressful time for the bird (you're cold, hungry, away from other members of your species), so imagine being restrained and lathered with first vegetable oil (to loosen the oil from the feathers), then lathered with dish soap (in the Falklands its called Fairy Liquid), and finally you are rinsed with water. This process is repeated and repeated until the base of the feathers begin to turn white again. Doesn't sound fun, does it? Penguins also are said to have around 3,000 feather/square inch of their body! 

Even when the oil is mostly removed from the feathers, another problem develops. Dish soap is used because it can remove oil. Unfortunately, it also removes the bird's natural oils, which provide a natural waterproofing to them. This leaves the bird still susceptible to the cold and since penguins would not be able to be released right away, they have to stay in captivity until they are fully waterproof again. 

But enough about penguins and back to the bird this blog is meant for: the Johnny Rooks.

A Recap of the Late Summer 2014 Field Season 

• We visited 3 islands 
• Saunders
• Carcass
• Steeple Jason
• A total of 166 birds were banded
• 44 were banded on Saunders Island
• 40 were banded on Carcass Island
• 82 were banded on Steeple Jason
• Blood for determining the sex were taken on all 166 birds
• Blood was analyzed for lead concentration on 61 birds
• Morphometric measurements were taken on 152 birds
• 4 puzzles that have been tested with Keas and Crows were tested on the Johnny Rooks
• At least one Rook was able to figure out each puzzle
• The Rooks were filmed by BBC's Deadly: Pole-to-Pole with Steve Backshall
• 2 additional GPS transmitters were deployed

To Date

• 746 birds have been banded across 4 islands
• 303 lead analyses tests have been conducted
• Morphometric measurements have been taken on 266 birds
• 5 GPS transmitters are currently up and active
• 2 GPS transmitters are currently MIA

(click photo to make larger)

U3 White (fledgling)
Deployed: 25 Feb 2014 on CCI

M0 White (Juvenile)
Deployed 8 February 2014 on SDI

K8 Yellow (Juvenile)
Deployed 1 September 2013 on CCI

G0 Yellow (Adult)
Deployed 18 August 2013 on SDI

P5 Yellow (Subadult)
Deployed 15 August 2013 on SDI

What We Still Need
Help from You!

Whether, you have found this link via Facebook or by word-of-mouth, if you reading it and live in the Falklands or have visited the islands, we are asking you for help. Re-sightings of banded birds are critical data we need collected for this project. Suzan Pole-Evans has gone above-and-beyond the call of duty, and has provided us with over 4,000(!) re-sightings of banded Johnny Rooks that come to Saunders Island. We also have received some sightings from Dunbar Island. However, we are lacking sightings from the other outer islands. Even if they are of the same birds, day after day, this is still important. We want to determine if these birds move amongst islands based on their age, and we would also like to determine the sex-ratio for each island. These birds are highly curious so reading most bands is not difficult. On the ones that are, the color of the band and the leg the band is on are still important bits of information. So please, take a moment to record and report the bands to here, the Facebook page, to raptors@conservation.org.fk, or directly to me at melissa.bobowski@gmail.com. 

In the coming weeks, I will hopefully be posting links to the videos of the puzzles and other photos from the field. 

Thanks for reading and following along during this field season!

-Melissa Bobowski, MSc.