North section - 12/29/2023
Friday, 7:34 - 9:35 AM, 41 dead newts, no live ones
Weather: 59 °F, rain and windy
Coverage: Jones trailhead to the second stop sign
Other roadkill: none
Traffic - 46 cars, 8 trucks, 2 pedestrians, 7 parked cars.
Surveyors: Karan + Edris
My observations of the day - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?on=2023-12-29&place_id=any&user_id=karangattu&verifiable=any
Notes: Spoiler alert: Surveys in rain is not fun, even though it was not cold, its miserable walking around with wet pants and socks. The good thing about the rain was that it detracted most people who would want to go hiking on the trails and hence less cars during the survey.
On the positive side, the dead newts were much easier to peel.
A little disappointed I did not get invited by any newts for the new year's eve party.
תגובות
@karangattu, thanks so much for volunteering. Your help is invaluable. And I so enjoy your videos!!!
I agree - patrolling in the rain is not fun. I almost ruined my camera several times when moisture got inside the lens. Not to mention you get soaked to the bone. If the wind blows, you also freeze to the brink of death. We who have experienced this are especially appreciative of your efforts.
@merav, it's very scary that so few newts are on the road... In previous years, there were hundreds upon hundreds of dead newts on the road. Is the population on a fast decline? Can anything be done for them in the short term?
That is a really fun video!
Sorry ☹️ to hear about the cold conditions you had during the survey. I think REI has reasonable priced rain pants. Also, their outlet next to the Saratoga store resells slightly damaged and returned goods. Sometimes there are good deals to be had there .i think Sports Basement in Sunnyvale rents snow gear, maybe including ski pants?
FWIW, Wednesday, Merav mentioned the low roadkill count we had may not be a good sign.
I could do assist on survey next week, if someone else leads. I do not really have any contacts to put out feelers, so if there is a message or email list, kindly add me to it..
Terry B
I have a pair of rain pants, I just underestimated the rain situation so went underprepared.
As for the the survey next week on Wednesday, we can send out an email to the group to see if someone is willing to come on Wednesdays to assist you, Terry. Merav will be the best person to know which people are active in the list, but if she is travelling, I can send the email on Sunday.
I personally can only do weekends or holidays unfortunately.
I'll send out a message tonight/ tomorrow so that we'll all have each other's contact info.
Walking in the rain is miserable, but it's a good way to test your rain gear. My is better now than what I had 2 years ago.
I also learned that my iPhone will stop working when it gets too wet, the touch screen will simply stop reacting. I had to switch to my underwater camera on very rainy days...
Robin signed up for the South Section next week and we have Molly for the North section later in the week. So we have next week covered
I plan to accompany Robin Tuesday, unless I hear otherwise. Let me know if that is not desired for any reason :)
you can contact Robin directly - I'll send you her contact info. Or tag her here - @anudibranchmom
@karangattu please write how many people did each survey - we need that number when we analyse the data
@merav done! sorry about that
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