Speaking of playbacks, MNWR is currently conducting a march bird monitoring program (I recognize that the OP was referring to recreational use of playback tapes and not research usage) . Teams of volunteers have established sites throughout the Refuge and the protocol includes a call back session for Least Bittern, Sora, Virginia Rail, King Rail and American Bittern. We are also listening for (but not broadcasting the songs of) American Coot, Common Gallinule and Pied-billed Grebe. My wife and I have the south part of the Main Pool and surveyed last night after the wind died down. The only species we dd not record were Least Bittern and King Rail (no surprise!). Highlights included dueling thunderpumpers, a gazillion muskrats, Bald Eagles perched on muskrat lodges, and as we were hauling out the canoe we spotted a short-tailed weasel. At first I thought it was a mink (the danger of identifying a species by habitat) but he gave us some good looks and there is no doubt as to its identity. Laura got out of the canoe as the bow touched land and that is what spooked up the weasel. It ran back and forth on the shore a bit and was completely focused on me and the canoe, to the extent that it did not even seem to see Laura. It eventually ran right past her and ON her paddle. Who says volunteers don't get paid? ________________________________________
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