Overview
As part of our third module in this course, I conducted an observational study on squirrel behaviour in my backyard in Newmarket, Ontario. The unique setting allowed for close-up views of wildlife interactions and foraging behaviours influenced by a variety of factors. This blog post describes the study’s challenges, surprises, and necessary changes as it progresses.
Data Collection Details
- Date and Time: February 7th, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
- Location: Private backyard in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
- Weather Conditions: The observation occurred under partly sunny skies with a light breeze, a temperature of approximately 4°C, and relative humidity at 61%.
Challenges Encountered
The primary difficulties in implementing the sampling strategy included:
Limited Sampling Window: The one-time, 30-minute observation period per day was insufficient to capture the full range of squirrel behaviours, which are likely to change throughout the day and under different weather conditions.
Weather Dependency: The effectiveness of observations was heavily dependent on weather conditions. Adverse weather made it difficult to conduct comprehensive observations, reducing the consistency of data collection.
Technological Limitations: Because of unexpected connectivity issues, access to the online course and related resources was limited, complicating data logging and analysis.
Surprising Findings
Several aspects of the data collected were particularly enlightening:
Preference for Certain Areas: Squirrels showed a strong preference for areas with abundant food and little competition, particularly the wooden deck, despite the expected equal distribution across different backyard zones.
Impact of Competition: Other animals (birds, foxes, and jackrabbits) had a greater influence on squirrel foraging behaviour than expected, with squirrels changing their behaviour in response to potential competitors.
Modifications to the Approach
To enhance the quality and breadth of data in future observations, I plan to implement several changes:
Expanded Observation Schedule: Extending the observation period to include different times of day will help capture a more representative range of behaviours while also accounting for daily activity peaks.
Use of Technological Aids: Motion-activated cameras will enable continuous data recording without human intervention, potentially influencing animal behaviour. This will also be useful for capturing nocturnal or crepuscular activities.
Systematic Environmental Monitoring: More detailed monitoring of environmental variables such as temperature, weather conditions, and the presence of other wildlife will be carried out to better assess their impact on squirrel behaviour.
Conclusion
The initial phase of data collection for observing squirrel behaviour revealed important information about their ecological habits as well as the challenges of wildlife observation. The changes to the research methodology are intended to overcome initial obstacles and improve the data collection process. These changes are expected to provide a better understanding of how squirrels interact with their surroundings and what influences their foraging strategies. This research not only expands our academic knowledge, but it also informs suburban wildlife management practices.