BioBlitz 2012 at the Don Edwards SF Bay NWR

24 Oct 2012
iNaturalist.org - BioBlitz 2012 Map. Screenshot courtesy www.inaturalist.org.

iNaturalist.org - BioBlitz 2012 Map. Screenshot courtesy www.inaturalist.org.

Scientists and naturalists gathered at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge last weekend to document plants and wildlife at the refuge.

Termed BioBlitz 2012, participants at the event uploaded their photos and findings to iNaturalist.org. The website recorded a total of 126 different types of wildlife that were spotted in the 24 hours from 3 PM on October 21 through 3 PM on Oct 22.

A songbird captured in a mist net. Image courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service

Cheryl Strong, Wildlife Biologist at the refuge, led the Song Bird Banding Demonstration. She showed how to capture songbirds in a mist net, release them when they become entangled in it, transport them in cloth bags to the banding station, place a metallic band on their leg, and take measurements while holding them in hand in a firm birder's grip. Image courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Bay Area Amphibian And Reptile Society brought snakes for petting. Image courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service

The Bay Area Amphibian And Reptile Society brought snakes for petting. Image courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Corky Quirk, of the non-profit organization NorCal Bats talked about bats. Image courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service

Corky Quirk, of the non-profit organization NorCal Bats talked about bats. Image courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Debbie Sisson held the crowd mesmerized with the birds of prey that she brought from Sulphur Creek Nature Center. Image courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service

Debbie Sisson held the crowd mesmerized with the birds of prey that she brought from Sulphur Creek Nature Center. Image courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service.

A Screech Owl from the Sulphur Creek Nature Center demonstrated at the BioBlitz 2012. Courtesy USFWS. Copyright CC BY-SA 3.0.

Screech Owl. Courtesy USFWS.

A Barn Owl from the Sulphur Creek Nature Center demonstrated at the BioBlitz 2012. Courtesy USFWS. Copyright CC BY-SA 3.0.

Barn Owl. Courtesy USFWS.

A Kestrel from the Sulphur Creek Nature Center demonstrated at the BioBlitz 2012. Courtesy USFWS. Copyright CC BY-SA 3.0.

Kestrel. Courtesy USFWS.

Judy and Jerry Steenhoven from the Ohlone Audubon Society led the Bird Walk Survey. Image courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service

Judy and Jerry Steenhoven from the Ohlone Audubon Society led the Bird Walk Survey. Image courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Researchers from UC Davis sampled fish in the marshlands. Image courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service

Researchers from UC Davis sampled fish in the marshlands. Image courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service.

June Smith from the California Native Plant Society led the plant survey. Image courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service

June Smith from the California Native Plant Society led the plant survey. Image courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Biologist Stacy Moskal instructed citizen scientists on sampling for macroinvertebrates in the mud. Image courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service

USGS Biologist Stacy Moskal instructed citizen scientists on sampling for macroinvertebrates in the mud. Image courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service.

In Mammal Release, a gray fox caught overnight was tagged and released to the delight of the crowd. Image courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service

In Mammal Release, a gray fox caught overnight was tagged and released to the delight of the crowd. Image courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service.