Citizen Science

I have been hearing a lot of ‘Citizen Science”. Ordinary people volunteer their time to help collect data on all sorts of subjects and then they submit it to a big database. Scientists and experts use that information to study trends and changes over large areas of the country. Cornell Labs has a citizen science project called Feeder Watch. Mom signed us up for a second year in a row to participate. From November to mid-April, you write down all of the species of birds that come to your feeders over a two day period (once a week). You have to count the highest number of each species that shows up at one time.

You spend a lot of time looking out the window counting birds. It becomes a bit of a game to find the most birds and highest number of species for the season. On the downside, Mom gives the birds several tons of sunflower seeds to “bribe” them to come to the feeders. The thought of giving away so many seeds to the birds is enough to make any chipmunk go insane! Those seeds could be put to much better use in my six commercial underground warehouses. The birds are such messy eaters. They leave shells everywhere. Another good reason to leave us chipmunks in charge of the sunflower seed.

While I was contemplating this travesty of injustice, Mom knocked on the burrow door and asked if I would help with the project. She needed someone to take photos of the birds, and said I was most qualified person for the job. I grabbed my gear and went to work. I even made some new friends.

 I setup my photograph bird blind in the wheel well of the car. It was great advantage point.

 

What the heck?! That bird looks like something from the Jurassic Park movies.[Compared to Chippy, this female turkey is size of T-Rex - Mom] Thank goodness I am in a steel reinforce bird blind.

Northern Cardinal (He just signed a deal with Hallmark greeting cards)

This White Breasted Nuthatch likes "hanging around" 

This Tufted Titmouse enjoys a sunflower snow cone

This Black Capped Chickadee enjoys the many winter sports offered at the Woodpile

Red Belly Woodpeckers seems to have missed the memo that woodpeckers are supposed to eat bugs.

This one really likes the cracked corn.

This Downy Woodpecker demonstrates “proper” woodpecker behavior.  

Mr. Grackle and myself did some after hour bird feeder raiding.

Meet my newest friend.

Indiana Chippy

My favorite films are the “Indiana Jones” series. I like to day dream about “Indiana Chippy.” Mom writes books of stone structures. She takes all these trips to far away archaeological sites in New England. I keep asking to go along but she says it is too dangerous (something about the hotels not allowing pets. I am not a “pet”!). Well, I sort of stowed away in the luggage on Mom’s last trip. I was having a grand adventure exploring the archaeological sites … until Mom caught me red pawed. I finally convinced her that having the world’s smartest and smallest archaeologist on the team was a huge asset. I can crawl into all sorts of tight spots. No hi-tech expensive snake camera needed. Here is my secret for stowing away:

 How do I open this (backpack)? 

 

Is anyone looking?

Double check to coast is clear

Time to stow-away

 

 This is Mom exploring a 1750s American Indian log run dug into the side of a mountain in Connecticut (just before she turned around and caught me following her!) 

Here I am exploring a crevice

I discovered this ancient temple full of gold (Update: It is only about a year old… and no gold)

This is a real American Indian ceremonial stone cairn from the mid 1700s. (Note the blue backpack I stowed away in.)

Honoring Bushy

Every year certain members of the Woodpile are recognized. We heard about a human custom where they “Roast” honorees, it supposed to be very comedic. No one at the Woodpile knew how these ceremonies were performed … so, we improvised just a bit. I was given the task of being the emcee for the event. This year’s honoree was Bushy for his community service to the Woodpile.

  Bushy arrives not knowing what is going on – “What is all the wood for”

 “Whats cooking?”

Please come sit in the Woodpile `Pot of Honor’. You are Woodpile Critter of the Year.

Feel free to “dive-in.”

You need to get all the ways in

[Chippy) “Bushy has been very industrious this year. He has made sure there were no stray seeds on the ground. He has eaten every one of them despite the fact it has caused him to fatten up. He wouldn’t let anyone else help him. For his many hours of public service we made this stew for him.”

(Bushy) “I am honored you made this roast sunflower stew to celebrate my accomplishments. It is very tasty. What is on the menu for the main course?”

(Bushy) “Hey guys, this pot of honor is getting rather warm.”

(Chippy) “All good things must come to end. So it is with Bushy. Time to cook the main course.”

(Bushy) “I have a bad feeling about this …”

 "Hey, this isn’t funny anymore, I’m out of here.”

[audience] burst of uncontrollable laughter.

By now you’re thinking, “oh my God, the Woodpile has gone mad.” I might have forgotten to mention one tiny, small, unimportant detail – this was an April Fools prank.