Hoary redpoll surrounded by common redpollsJuliet may be the best cub wrangler we’ve seen yet. In today’s 8-minute video, Juliet shows more of her gentle wrangling like we saw last night when she used her muzzle and paw to gently guide the errant cub back into the fold. I was surprised that she didn’t pick the cub up with her teeth as we’ve seen other mothers do. Juliet is also less vocal than other mothers we’ve watched—even after giving birth. It was difficult to tell when each cub was born without the grunts we’d come to expect from Lily and Jewel. But today, as Juliet was nudging a cold, screaming cub back underneath her with its siblings, she did give some grunts of concern. The temperature during that 10 o’clock hour was edging up from a low of 23 below zero F toward the high of 3 above. Juliet is a gem—but then, that’s how we feel about all the bears we’ve come to know well.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GNJF3Me0CM
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/119165113
Archives: http://www.bearstudy.org/website/research/2014-juliet-archives.html
Holly became active and curious about what was going on with her Den Cam today. Scott and I had wondered how we could create a better view of her den. The snow and tube present white surfaces that make the camera reduce the aperture, leaving Holly looking darker than we’d like for good viewing. Scott tried to fix it, but there was no way at this point to improve the situation. The way it was installed was the best it could be. The activity made Holly check out her Den Cam like we’ve never seen her do, and a Mod captured it all on video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KLcOHPp1pQ&feature=youtu.be&hd=1.
A Lily Fan asked if the Black Bear Field Courses this year would have the restrictions that the DNR imposed on us when we were still under their permit. No. We’re back to the way things have been over the years. Participants will truly be able to learn all they can safely learn like we did before the restrictions were imposed—having experiences that many participants claimed were “life changing.” Plus new activities suggested by past course participants. We’re looking forward to the fun of meeting bears, meeting participants, and learning together.
Out the window, a Hoary Redpoll (Acanthis hornemannis) has joined the big flock of Common Redpolls (Acanthis flammea). Hoary Redpolls are lighter and grayer with a slightly larger body, shorter bill, and paler rump patch. The Hoary in this flock was throwing its weight around, making the common redpolls give it a little extra feeding space. In the past, I’ve been amazed how quickly these arctic birds tame down. Today, they flew when I moved my camera inside the window, but were calm when I stepped out onto the porch. In years past, I have put my hand (full of seeds) by the patch of seeds they were feeding on and shortly found them sitting on my hand—both Common and Hoary Redpolls.
I’m not sure how I did it, but whenever I buy something on Amazon, a box appears suggesting I switch to the Amazon Smile page where prices are the same but a percentage goes to the North American Bear Center. If everyone did that, the percentage could make a difference. (Editorial note: go to http://www.smile.amazon.com and sign in to your Amazon account, then choose the North American Bear Center as your preferred charity. Click here for more info: http://smile.amazon.com/about/ref=smi_ge_ul_lm_raas)
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
All photos taken today unless otherwise noted.