Wiki says: BioBlitz or bioblitz "an intense period of biological surveying in an attempt to record all the living species within a designated area. Groups of scientists, naturalists and volunteers conduct an intensive field study over a short, usually 24 hour, time. There is a public component to many BioBlitzes, with the goal of getting the public interested in biodiversity."
The first BioBlitz was in 1996 ~ only sixteen years ago, at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in the USA and about 1000 different species was found.
One is being held at Miranda! Will as many species be found? Will more species be found?
This BioBlitz is organised by the Miranda Naturalists' Trust for 28 February starting at 6 in the morning and finishing at midnight.
People (anyone) are invited to come and participate.
They can come to watch as the number of species identified grows throughout the day, the speci-mometer rises, and the gigantic species location map in the marquee is slowly filled in. They can look down a microscope, identify teenyweeny things from bacteria to burrowing mud crab eggs, or go out into the area to gather things from saltmarsh vegetation to sandhoppers.
They can see Jody the vet flamboyantly perform fascinating dissections, and throughout the day hear the 'Ted' talks presented by experts that will cover topics like how and why ornithologists mist-net small birds, and the wonders of wader bird migration between New Zealand and Alaska.
There will also be informative guided walks both day and night, and an opportunity to explore the Shorebird Education Centre and learn about the birds, plants and other creatures, and the unique geography of the Miranda Chenier Plain.
There will also be a certain hobbling Artist-in-Residence there, who will be working with specimens that are brought in from the field, painting as fast as her little hands can go, watercolour botanical and zoological artworks, which will be available to purchase.
 |
| K M Steeds. Diary of a Naturalist 2009 (detail) |
More information about the BioBlitz
K.M.Steeds? Who's that? I bet the M stands for Miranda! Her artwork isn't haf as good as yours! Sounds like an exciting yet painstaking project. Will you include flora as well as fauna?
ReplyDeleteHa. Trust you, eagle eyes. You're so sharp you'll cut yourself.
ReplyDeleteI'm decided I'm coming 'out' soon YP. Will you have the courage to follow, I wonder?
I plan to illustrate at least three examples from every main specie group, since the bioblitz attempts to find EVERY LIVING SPECIE in the chosen area.
ie Bacteria, plankton, fish, worms, fungi, vegetation, crustacea, birds, plants, trees, lichen, algae, etc. The lot. Very exciting!
Coming out? Whaddya mean? I'm a hetero!
DeleteSounds interesting ... and I bet you'll be run off your ... oh you're already off them aren't you???
ReplyDeleteHahaha! Yes Helsie. Actually I'm driving now! So that is such a great improvement. Takes me 3 minutes to drive to the supermarket and an 15 minutes to walk from the car to the door. Well, I exaggerate, but you get my meaning.
ReplyDelete