Place: Fish Creek, Wilson Bridge
Time: 5:00 pm
Date: 5/15/08
Temp: 60 degrees
Wind: close to none
Soil: still moist from rain that it absorbed
I observed two mallards, a male and a female, and I wonder if these are the same two I have been observing. I hypothesise that right before I began to observe this area, there was some competition over the female, and the more dominant male won. Some of the other organisms I observed was a deer (up on the hill, not really by the creek) and alot of insects, which I predict are mayflys, even though it may still be too cold to provide for their survival needs. Mallards often dabble for insects at the bottom of creeks, and I wonder if they eat these little mayfly type bugs. I also observed some robins, and close to no new plant life since the last time I came to my area. Some of the abiotic factors I have observed are large boulders on the banks. One of the larger ones is growing lichen, which could be primary sucession. I dont think that my area was affected by the Green Ole' Fire but if it was, that would be an example of secondary succession, where the area would grow more plantlife, and more diverse organisms in the area. This thriving communitiy seems to be doing well, and getting better. Every different population I have obsereved helps the ecosystem in their own way. For example I obvsered a dead bird, which will degrade, and transfer energy, helping it's habitat thrive.
1 comment:
The connection to the food chain is great, as well as the continued observation of the behavior of the mallard ducks in your area! Continue to try to identify many of the species in that area, and see how they contribute to the success of your community as a whole.
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