Zoology Field Notes
I have researched maternal colonies of northern long-eared bats (Myotis septentrionalis) on and off since 2017. I am fascinated with the roost-switching process in particular. Maternal females give birth and raise their pups in tree cavities, but they don’t just stick to one for the entire summer–they move almost daily, even while their pups are … Read more
As a junior in college, I encountered a rare opportunity: a biologist asked me if I wanted to have a research project of my own. I would have no real supervision; just the keys to an old, near-retirement Ford Ranger and a map of bridges in the nearest three counties in western Montana. I would … Read more
On opening day of deer season I drive over the Medicine Bows, giving the two-fingered wave to all the men in orange hats in their farm trucks. With a roaring wildfire to the southwest and camouflaged men behind every willow bush, I’m one of the few non-hunters venturing into the mountains at this early hour. … Read more
The Making of a Raptor Biologist I was tired. Not an unusual feeling during a field season, but this exhaustion was something different. I hadn’t slept in two days. I peered blearily ahead of me where the graduate student, Bryce, was trudging steadily forward, as he had throughout the research project. He hadn’t spoken much … Read more
Domestic cats and dogs have the potential to harass and kill native wildlife, which is a problem for those of us who enjoy both. Some people believe strongly in the right for their animals to roam freely; others feel just as strongly that it is unethical. Of course, there are other reasons to keep a … Read more
For a long time I’ve awaited an app that would identify plants. After all, a robot can much more efficiently scan through thousands of images and names, when my brain is a leaky cauldron. I was surprised to learn that an identification app already exists! The Seek app (by the already well-known iNaturalist) uses an … Read more
There is not always a perfect answer for what to do in unexpected encounters with wildlife. There are very handy guides available online for step-by-step instructions to follow if you find a bat indoors or outdoors. However, I still receive a lot of questions about different scenarios and when bats need our help, or need … Read more
“Experience it today, preserve it for always.” -yellowstone.org The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is one of the largest intact ecosystems remaining in the continental United States. It is well known for its geothermal activity, unique landscape features, and its extremely charismatic megafauna (including bison, elk, and bears). Of course, it also has bats. Although I grew … Read more