BioBlitz 2016

     The White Memorial wildlife research team participated in this year's Connecticut BioBlitz, which was in Hartford. We are especially proud to have contributed this year, as Connecticut BioBlitz 2016 has set a new world record for most species identified in a 24-hour period!  A total of 2,765 species were identified in a variety of taxa including including plants, fungi, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals.

Although we were focusing on mammals, it was hard not to get distracted by other wildlife, like this leopard frog.

      BioBlitz lasted from 3:00 pm on June 3rd to 3:00 pm on June 4th.  Scientists from a variety of fields participated, as well as members of the Hartford community. James Fischer, Molly Mullen and I, as well as several others from outside of White Memorial, focused our attention on mammals.  The goal was to determine what species were present in the area, so tracks or scat left behind by animals counted as much as seeing the animal itself.  We were very surprised by the variety of species living in and around the Hartford area.  Members of the mammal team saw woodchuck, white-tailed deer, gray squirrel, red squirrel, beaver, muskrat, and fisher.  Tracks and signs identified included red fox, flying squirrel, weasel, bobcat, and bear, as well as a variety of small mammals.  In all, 23 species of mammals were identified.  

Since we had to rely so much on tracks and scat, it was very exciting to see the animal itself.

    

     For more information on BioBlitz, check out their official website.  To see a complete list of the species identified this year, look at the iNaturalist BioBlitz page.