January 18, 2010

Stream Monitoring Popes Head Creek Town of Clifton

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The team assembles!

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Method of collection using a kick net

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Above: netted macros taken to a table for sorting

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Above:Students begn the tedious process of sorting  invertebrates into sampling trays for analysis

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Above: a volunteer Id’s and records the number of each type  macroinvertebrate collected

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Above: Sometimes ID requires careful scrutiny. Here a student uses a field microscope to properly ID a specimen

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Sampling tray (above) Hellgramite larva (below)

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 Students from Lake Braddock High School practice utilize acquired skills in AP Environmental Science this year to collect macroinvertebrates in Popes Head Creek.  A sample of size of 700+ macroinvertebrates were collected.  Prior collections indicated a rich diversity of macroinvertebrates in comparison to other Fairfax County streams.  However, diversity doesn’t always equate to “good” stream quality. The abundance or dominance of  pollution tolerant species over less pollution tolerant species collected  indicate a poor rating for stream quality on this occasion.

Below: Awaiting the results of the survey

Groups finished with their sampling observe from the comforts of the frozen stream bank awaiting the final results.

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January 9, 2010

Black Bear Tracks Western Fairfax County

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(photo by Tony Bulmer and Jim Dewinig Fairfax County Park Authority)

Fairfax County Naturalist discovers these and other mammal traffic indicators along a stream in Sully Woodlands.

November 17, 2009

Spotted Salamander Centreville, VA

Spotted SalamanderGreat specimen caught and released Nov 15, 2009. One of my favorite local amphibinans

Northern Brown Snake covered with tumors

Found near intersection of Henderson and Yatesford Road just above Bull Run MarinaLegions on a Northern Brown Snake

November 9, 2009

Fences kill

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This unforutnate deer was discovered caught between the fence post nearBalmoral (Compton Road) in Novemeber 2009.

October 25, 2009

Herpetology Survey at ECL Park (photos by Michael Gregory)

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Above: Lead Back Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

 

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(Thamnophis sirtalis) Eastern Garter Snake

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(Desmognathus fuscus)Dusky Salamander

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Red Back Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

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Two lined Salamander (Eurycea bislineata)

Well didn’t exactly find skinks on this sunny October morning but were successful at finding three different species of salamanders and one species of snake.  Pictured are three from the genus plethodon (Red and Lead back sal),one from Euryecea (Two lined salamander) and one Desmonagthus (Dusky Sal). The snake is a Thamnophis sirtalis or Eastern Garter Snake. Overall a productive program.

October 23, 2009

Helgramite and Dragon Fly

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September 10, 2009

Tomato Hornworms with and without parasitic Wasp cacoons

Toamto Hornworm with Parasitic wasp larvae

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September 7, 2009

Queen Snake Popeshead Creek 8 Acre Park

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