The red squirrel mating season has officially started in Kluane! Yesterday
Patrick observed our first mating chase on Agnes (our food-addition study
grid). We have yet to see any mating activity on the control grids (Kloo and
Sulphur), but are checking the adult females daily, so we'll be sure to catch
it when it does!
Other researchers have been on the study grids this week. Elizabeth Hofer
(featured on CBC's Nature of Things last year) and her crew have been trapping
the snowshoe hares on Sulphur. According to Liz, the hares are starting to
increase and we should see them peak in a couple of years...could be a good
time to visit Kluane!

Until next time...
Winter Crew 2005

We're all in town today for the Silver Sled dog sled race (an annual event
that has teams race from Haines Junction to Silver City, YT). This year the
squirrel crew volunteered to help out at the start line. There were 19 teams
in the main race and an assortment in other smaller events. Even Evening got
into the spirit and tried his hand (paw) at the one-dog weight pull.
Unfortunately he wasn't able to pull the empty sled...perhaps next year.
We have now begun behavioural observations and checks of focal females for
signs of estrus. Apart from the mating buzz heard earlier this week we have
yet to witness any mating activity. The new crew is rapidly learning to use
radio-telemetry and should all be pros by the next entry!

Until next time...
Winter Crew 2005

We have been trapping three of our study grids extensively (Agnes, Kloo and
Sulphur). Maureen (Moe), Christina and Pat are all learning quickly, and
operating solo for the most part. We have almost all of our focal individuals
radio-collared (just need 3 more males and 4 females!), and have caught 85-90%
of the resident individuals. Starting tomorrow we'll begin behavioural focals.
We heard our first mating buzz today, so timing couldn't be better! The
squirrels have lost out in the mating race to a couple of other resident
species though. Woodpeckers have been drumming for the past two weeks, and
boreal chickadee courting was observed this week. In other wildlife news two
moose (a mother and calf) have been keeping us company on Kloo grid for the
past three days.

Until next time...
Winter Crew 2005