Matt Cross from BGSU and Metroparks Toledo are conducting research on Eastern Box Turtles and area burns. As part of this research, they brought in Turtledogs to find turtles to add GPS tags and record location and individual statistics. This effort took place on Tuesday adn Wednesday of this week and will continue on Thursday. I was able to participate on Wednesday. We managed to find three turtles before the rain chased us off, we actually were out for about an hour in the rain before the sky opened up and almost drowned us.
We started with some explanations in the Buehner center, and then moved out to sites. The dogs are Boykins and are very friendly. Here is a link to a video about them. LINK
We started with some explanations in the Buehner center, and then moved out to sites. The dogs are Boykins and are very friendly. Here is a link to a video about them. LINK
The dogs were given a dousing of water to keep them cool (they gather scent better when they are not panting), and then we were off.
It took a while to find some turtles. But along the way we entertained ourselves by finding a young hog nosed snake acted very ferocious until it decide to play dead. And then we saw some Jack-in-the-Pulpit fruit.
Eventually the first turtle of the day was found. And shortly after two more. I was off following a dog that was on a trail, so I missed the 2nd and 3rd turtles.
After that it was more following the dogs, but no more turtles. The rain turned from a light rain to a downpour, and the day was called. I think it will take us all a few days to dry out.