Today was my first day in the field... which lasted all of 10 minutes.
Our day started with being greeted by a gate blocking entrance to our study site, which led to curb jumping and lots of metal-on-concrete scraping. When we finally launched the boat and tried to deploy our acoustic receivers we found the method we were hoping to use for 5 of our 8 receivers was a big flop. In fact, the only way it would have worked is if I were to have jumped in the water to deploy them. That, however, wasn't going to happen with the water being 4C or 39F! No thanks!
So, it's back to the original plan and start field work in late-April.
Ah, the joys of field work.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Early Arrival
Thanks largely to this mild winter (a result of the beginning of an el Nino year), my field season will begin much sooner than expected. In my last post I said field work would begin in late-April or late-May, but this crazy weather and a trip to British Columbia for help with another student's project has forced us to start early.
We will be electrofishing, performing surgeries, and deploying our acoustic receivers next week. Hopefully all goes well and we can get the eight muskies we're looking for.
For those interested, the below picture is the type of data we are looking to record in terms of "activity" patterns. Notice the distinct "resting" and "active" periods.
We will be electrofishing, performing surgeries, and deploying our acoustic receivers next week. Hopefully all goes well and we can get the eight muskies we're looking for.
For those interested, the below picture is the type of data we are looking to record in terms of "activity" patterns. Notice the distinct "resting" and "active" periods.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Still Here!
Hi folks. My apologies for not updating more frequently. I am in the process of analyzing data, writing, and presenting to various clubs and conferences. This summer will yield more updates though, I promise.
We are in the process of trying to create a study design that will enable us to look at fine-scale activity patterns of muskies across 24-hour periods over several months. Using transmitters from Vemco (http://www.vemco.com/), activity will be based on acceleration and depth patterns obtained through transmitters that have acceleration and pressure sensors inside. Data is sent to underwater receivers spaced throughout the river at intervals of 60-90 seconds. This is very new technology that has yet to receive significant global use. In other words, this is cool stuff! We will be able to obtain information never before described that should be largely applicable across the muskie's range.
Receiver placement will occur in mid-April and electrofishing for our subjects will begin either late-April or late-May. Of course, you'll get to see all that action right here in the blog so stay tuned.
We are in the process of trying to create a study design that will enable us to look at fine-scale activity patterns of muskies across 24-hour periods over several months. Using transmitters from Vemco (http://www.vemco.com/), activity will be based on acceleration and depth patterns obtained through transmitters that have acceleration and pressure sensors inside. Data is sent to underwater receivers spaced throughout the river at intervals of 60-90 seconds. This is very new technology that has yet to receive significant global use. In other words, this is cool stuff! We will be able to obtain information never before described that should be largely applicable across the muskie's range.
Receiver placement will occur in mid-April and electrofishing for our subjects will begin either late-April or late-May. Of course, you'll get to see all that action right here in the blog so stay tuned.
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