Nature In Your Neighborhood

Scientists can use technology to view animals when people can’t be there to watch them. This helps them answer questions about the animals and their habitats.

How many song birds to house cats kill? University of Georgia: Kitty Cams research examined the nature of outdoor activities of owned cats by monitoring pets outfitted with "Kitty Cam" video cameras. Kitty Cams allow recording of a cat-eye view without disrupting behavior. We used Kitty Cams to investigate the activities of urban free-roaming cats in Athens, Georgia from Nov. 2010 -Oct. 2011, with goals for wildlife conservation and for improving the health and well-being of pet cats. http://www.kittycams.uga.edu/index.html

How important are coyotes in keeping disease-carrying rodent populations down? The Atlanta Coyote Project consists of scientists devoted to learning more about coyotes living within the metro Atlanta area of Georgia. Whether you are captivated, concerned, or just plain curious when it comes to coyotes, we strive to be a relevant and credible source of information and to provide strategies for avoiding human-coyote conflict. https://atlantacoyoteproject.org/

How are bald eagle eggs recovering from pollution? Berry College’s bald eagle couple first appeared on the main campus in the spring of 2012. Since that time, they have continued to nest in the top of a tall pine tree. It is believed that the bald eagles remain in the area during the summer months and do not migrate as there is plentiful food available from lakes, the Berry quarry and the nearby Oostanaula River. https://www.berry.edu/eaglecam/

Are poachers hunting wild tigers? San Diego Zoo: The tiger is one of the world’s most revered animals, a symbol of power, strength, and regal dignity. It has come to represent the essence of wildness itself. Rare and elusive, few have seen a tiger up close. At the Safari Park’s Tiger Trail, we transport you deep within the forests of Sumatra and into the realm of these majestic big cats. https://www.sdzsafaripark.org/wildlife/tiger

In 2017 I received a grant from the Georgia Science Teachers Association to begin the “Nature In Your Neighborhood” trail camera program. I purchased a few Bushnell E3 Trail Cameras and placed them on the nature trail at school. We’ve captured some pretty cool stuff! Keep in mind, for every picture of a rabbit, I’ve deleted 20 pictures of squirrels. Every month or two I’ll try to post some of the best pictures here. In January we were asked to join the Atlanta Coyote Project’s citizen scientist program of tracking wildlife throughout metro Atlanta!

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