Project Update - December 2021
December was a bit of a slow month. We didn’t have as much in terms of programming, the weather kept most of us inside, and of course, many of us were preoccupied by the holiday season!
Either way, we did still have a handful of new observations added to the project. The project increased from 3379 to 3393 observations (+14), 1140 to 1146 species (+6), and 122 to 123 observers (+1). We didn’t have any bioblitzes in December. For our next one, we will be meeting at Eagle Point on January 8. Come join us, and we will see what we can find.
Another stat that we will start tracking is the number of Research Grade observations. Of our 3393 observations, 2071 are Research Grade. This equates to 61.04% (up from 60.16%).
In total, there were 15 observations added to the project within December 2021. The observations include 7 plants, 4 insects, 2 birds, 1 mammal, and 1 fungus. Note: the discrepancy with the number shown in the second paragraph (+15) might relate to an older observation no longer being counted towards the project). This probably happens regularly, but it is easier to notice with such a small number of observations.
Of these, there were 13 species recorded (some observations are not yet beyond Phylum level). No species was observed more than once.
The 15 observations came from just 5 observers, who conveniently all place in our top 5 observers for the month: @jenniferc3 (8), @aimeeasterling (3), @martyndrabik (2), @mikehensley75 (1), and @tylerben (1).
The top observations of the month include:
Common Hover Fly Parasitoid Wasp (Diplazon laetatorius) - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/102332180
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103410630
Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra) - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103931533
Goldenrod Gall Fly (Eurosta solidaginis) - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103652373
Eastern Boxelder Bug (Boisea trivittata) - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/102388620
Thanks to all for contributing to the project. We will post another update next month. Please also look out for our upcoming programs via https://eriemetroparks.org/programs/
~ Martyn
