Environmental Science Students Explore Off Campus

This fall, teacher Ryan Black took Environmental Science students traveled to the North Brigantine Natural Area along the southern New Jersey coast. This area is a critical shorebird habitat, home to several rare and endangered species, and part of the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island beach along the New Jersey coast. Students learned how to identify different species and estimate population sizes with the goal of reporting this data to state agencies and conservation groups. “They were able to identify seven shorebird species (including endangered red knots) and counted 1,810 birds over the course of our two surveys,” shared Black. “Combined with the data from Episcopal Academy and Haddonfield Memorial HS students, we have counted over 7,000 birds so far this migration season at the North Brigantine Natural Area.” They also documented human activity and other disturbances to investigate the impact on the shorebird species. The data collected (and data to be collected in the future) will be used for a lab report / field study assignment.

Students were on the move once again for a freshwater mussel survey of E. Chester Creek (on campus in the North Woods). Black says, “We have been unable to find any native freshwater mussels in the creek. This is unsurprising since mussels are missing from approximately 95% of regional streams surveyed. We compared the abundance of native mussel species (0) to invasive Asian clams (561). We also collected some water quality data and inspected some areas for macroinvertebrate life (picture of Dragonfly nymph on rock). It was the largest group I have ever had in waders at the same time and they did a great job!” 

Students also had a night field trip to Rushton Woods Preserve to observe Northern Saw-whet owl banding. The students were able to see the researchers collect data on one older female Saw-whet owl that was caught right at the last net check. Our students were hosted by the  Willistown Conservation Trust (WCT) who wanted to ensure that we share that, “All birds were handled for scientific purposes in the presence of Banders-In-Charge at a federally licensed banding station. Do not attempt to handle wild animals without the proper training and permits.”