On the Search for North American River Otters

Post contributed by Samantha, seasonal Natural Resources Technician:

Our department was able to purchase two trail cameras funded by an REI grant we received through the Saint Paul Park Conservancy in 2014. These trail cameras are being used to document the illusive wildlife found within the City of Saint Paul. Recently, our department decided to install one of the trail cameras in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area in hopes of capturing photos of North American river otters (Lontra canadensis). To help with this endeavor, I contacted Ranger Allie with the National Park service who has been tracking river otters along the Mississippi River for a few years. Lucky for me, Ranger Allie was willing to meet me out in the field for a guided otter tracking lesson.



A land bridge used by otters.

 On a humid Tuesday morning, Ranger Allie, Emily, and I hopped into a canoe to begin tracking otters. As we canoed along the river, Ranger Allie discussed the tracking process including the living preferences and habits of river otters. Ranger Allie taught us that otters and beavers commonly cohabitate in the same areas. The reason behind this seemingly odd relationship is that beavers alter the landscape around their lodge, which benefits other semi-aquatic mammals. Also, beavers are able to break through the thick ice in the winter, which provides river otters with access to water and food. Another key point to consider when tracking river otters is that they prefer land bridges that quickly transfer them from one water body to the next.



Otter scat contains mostly fish scales.

Upon docking near a beaver lodge, we immediately came across an otter latrine with scat. The older the otter latrine, the more white in color the scat will appear due to the amount of crayfish that otters consume. In general, the makeup of otter scat is mostly fish scales. Another sign to look for when tracking otters is an area resembling a deer bed of padded down brush and grass near the shoreline. Otters tend to lay and play in these soft areas leaving behind evidence of their activity.


After surveying a couple of beaver lodges, we finally found a promising location to set up the trail camera. The area we chose was a land bridge between two water bodies. Not only was there a worn, muddy path between the bodies of water, but also semi-fresh scat containing fish scales.

Please check back to see photos of the river otters as well as learn more about the fun projects our department undertakes!

Below is a link to Ranger Allie’s trail camera footage from years past:

http://www.nps.gov/miss/learn/nature/otters.htm

Como Park Bluebird Trail: 2015 Results!

Post contributed by Sharon, volunteer bluebird trail monitor:

The last three bluebirds fledged bringing this year’s season to a close. A total of 60 birds fledged on the trail from May through August—34 bluebirds, 20 tree swallows, and 6 chickadees. Of the 49 bluebird eggs laid on the trail, 69% hatched and successfully fledged. A very successful year on the Como Park Bluebird Trail!

 

Como Park Bluebird Trail Update: August 15th, 2015

Post contributed by Sharon, volunteer bluebird trail monitor:

The last three bluebirds of the season are just over a week old and will fledge sometime in the next two weeks. Their parents are busy feeding and watching over them. All empty boxes have been removed for winter storage.

Como Park Bluebird Trail Update: August 6th, 2015

Post contributed by Sharon, volunteer bluebird trail monitor: 

 

Last bluebirds of the season

The last four bluebird eggs have hatched in the trail’s only occupied box. All other boxes are empty and ready for removal.

Como Park Bluebird Trail Update: July 30th, 2015

Yellow coneflowers along the bluebird trail

Post contributed by Sharon, volunteer bluebird trail monitor:

Four bluebirds fledged last week, for a total of 31 bluebirds raised on the trail so far this year. There are five abandoned unviable bluebird eggs in one nest box, and four bluebird eggs that will soon hatch in another. All other boxes are empty and will soon be removed for maintenance and winter storage.

 

Como Park Bluebird Trail Update: July 23rd, 2015

Post contributed by Sharon, volunteer bluebird trail monitor:



A third batch of eggs!

One pair of bluebirds has laid four new blue eggs—their third batch of the season. If all goes well, this one pair alone will have fledged 13 bluebirds! In the past week, eight bluebirds fledged, and four more will be ready to go sometime in the next week. Unfortunately, there may be more bad news for the persistent female bluebird who sat on her nest incubating eggs for weeks and weeks—the five new eggs she laid have not yet hatched and this is the third week I’ve seen them. It could still happen in the next day or two, but it is unusual to see eggs three weeks in a row. There are now seven unoccupied boxes.

Como Park Bluebird Trail Update: July 15, 2015

Heliopsis in Como Park

Post contributed by Sharon, volunteer bluebird trail monitor:

Woodland trail

Only five nest boxes are now occupied, and all of them belong to bluebirds. In the past week, the last of the tree swallows, at least three, fledged. Four bluebirds also fledged. That pair of bluebirds may begin a third brood—a new nest has already been built on the old empty one. Eight more bluebirds from two nest boxes will likely fledge in the coming week. There are four week-old bluebirds and five eggs in the two other boxes. To date, the trail has fledged at least 19 bluebirds, 20 tree swallows, and 6 chickadees.