WildObs Naturalist 2.0 and WildObs Lookout 2.0 are available in the iTunes App Store.

Both these WildObs products now contain the functionality of WildObs Observer (to record any encounter along with time/location/photograph) but also provide their own features on top. This allows you to pick the WildObs application that is right for you, and stick with that one application.

WildObs Naturalist also let’s you :

• Browse all your records, recent and most viewed, and view your species – favorites, wishlist, and life-list
• Find new wildlife locations around your location, based off other observer’s encounters.
• Find new wildlife species around your location, based off other observer’s encounters.
• Map your recent/local wildlife encounters.

Use your encounters to find nature...

WildObs Lookout also let’s you:

• Browse recent/local wildlife encounters
• Browse recent/local wildlife encounters for species from your favorites/wishlist
• View what your network of observers are seeing.
• Checkout the wildlife at nearby willdife spots (based off other observer’s encounters.)

See what others have seen...

WildObs Observer 2.0 is available for iPhone, iPad and iPod, see here: http://wildobs.com/about/observer

WildObs Observer let’s you record your wildlife encounters (on or offline in the woods), but also let’s you :

• Browse all your records
• See what species are around your location, based off other observer’s encounters.
• Lookup a species by name (partial or scientific.)
• Browse (and comment upon) recent and featured wildlife encounters.

One thing I really enjoy, is that featured encounters are viewable on the home page. Check this and others out …

We had a glorious weekend here in Colorado. Warm, blue skies, just a perfect day for sitting on the deck after a morning’s kayaking at Gross Reservoir…

While out on the deck the Turkey were audibly and visibly very active; rooting around, gobbling at the world, even some chest bumping squabbles. Generally being Turkeys. A few times we heard their tone change, and felt they were on edge. That made us look more closely to see what was around…

First up came momma bear with junior (not a small bear itself) and we saw/heard them walk ‘through’ our thin fence and enter our yard. I wanted to move them on (not too aggressively, but firmly) so I wandered down the driveway making it clear they were not welcome inside the yard. In the years here we’ve interacted with many bear, so I was able to make my presence felt w/o getting too close, or putting myself in risk. Momma huffed at me a couple of times as junior climbed over there fence and then she followed him. She made it look to easy. Such a big bear, yet so nimble.

Not long after we one again heard the turkeys call, and looking down the hill saw yet another bear:

Bear traveling in opposite direction.

Apparently it was also a good day for bears to be out wandering.

Wow, what a wonderful (long) weekend of wildlife!

Wildlife Drive

Not one but two Shrike, it must be Skrike Time

Friday we went for a drive, ostensibly looking for Golden Eagle. On the way out of the canyon we saw our herd of “canyon greeters” (the Coal Creek Canyon Elk herd) but also a less usual visitor, a shrike. We didn’t get close enough for an id, but it was a welcome visit. A few miles, a pair of coyote later, and we were stopped at the lookout point for eagle. To our surprise another shrike (likely a Loggerhead Shrike) came and posed on a fence post right next to us.

We saw more Elk, the obligatory Mule Deer herd (browsing the valley), and a Turkey Vulture recycling a Red Fox before we came upon the Golden Eagle sitting high on a power pylon. Today the bird was resting, preening; attempting the important work of maintaining the flight equipment.

Migrants Return

On Saturday both our local singers returned, almost as if they arrived back together. The house wren — our most energetic singer — was back from migration, and already singing from atop one of ‘his’ two bird boxes (allowing his lady choice of abode.) The green-tailed towhee — loud and glorious — was happy to pick a bush to sing from. Two of our most anticipated birds, back the same day … a wonderful event!

Barr Lake State Park

Sunday — a mother’s day treat — a trip to Barr Lake State Park. We arrived in time to catch the last available spots on the Eagle Express a naturalist guided open air ride to the eagles. We should have made reservations, but this day we were just very lucky. When you go to Barr Lake, book the ‘train’ … it is great for the young and old, and still fun for those in between.

On the ride out we saw a bull snake swimming across the canal, various orioles, and scads of crazed western kingbirds. Too cold (this year) for the carp to be splashing their mating rituals (and that is quite a sight), but the bald eagle were nesting, as were the swainson’s hawks. Perhaps the best aspect of the ride was the northern harrier that put on an amazing show by gliding feet above the reeds. A mule deer gave backdrop to the aerial display off by wandering gently past the harrier.

Barr Lake was alive with life, but perhaps the best part of the day were the many bull snakes.

Bull Snake Show

We came upon a pair of snakes right as the male was making his advances. He’d been patient and taken his time (or so we were told by other observers) but now was pressing his advantage. She recoiled, and puffed up her head (see her pushing out her cheeks) but instead of giving up he chose to strike. He hit his target precisely and grabbed her behind the neck, and now secure from her fangs he attempted his moves. We are not sure if he scored in the ensuing tussle but the two of them writhed and splashed in the waters of Barr Lake for almost a minute before separating & going in opposite directions.

He's making his advances

She doesn't seem interested. Note the puffed up head.

Not sure the outcome (in terms of mating) but he pushed his point. They tussled for a while (part of it underwater) then separated.

Peregrine Falcon photo courtesy Boulder OSMP

As I’ve mentioned, I am participating as a volunteer in a Falcon Watch program. I’d hoped, but never realized how much I would gain from it.

My assigned location is inhabited by Golden Eagles, Buteo (Red-tailed Hawks, Ferruginous Hawk), and Falcon (Pergerine Falcons, Prairie Falcons, American Kestrels) and more. Peregrine Falcons are special; from their awe inspiring hunting technique, to their precarious history, to their grace and beauty. Having seen my first Peregrine Falcon out in the wild (other than those protected by the RSPB at Symonds Yat in Gloucestershire) last summer in Cornwall, I was thrilled to find out they were here in Colorado, and even more thrilled that I’d be watching a nesting site.

Weeks of observation from our group of dedicated volunteers and rangers, through cold and snows, and finally we were rewarded with a sighting of a (likely female) peregrine. She’d made it back from migration, and was waiting (seemingly patiently) for her partner to return from his separate location. A week or so later, and the “honey, I’m home” moment was observed. So starts this season on the cliff face…

My luck has been running high on this program. I’ve religiously made my weekly visits, I go early (to catch the dawn wildlife traffic) and I’ve typically been blessed by clement weather. I’ve seen and heard birds I’ve not seen before, and birds I love to see again and again. Same for mammals, and as the spring kicks in I hope invertebrates & plants. I’ve learned from the rangers, from the other (many more experienced) volunteers, and much from regularly spending time in this wild place. Tracks in the snow, signs, sounds … it is so wonderful to spend four hours each week dedicated to nature, and to citizen science.

One of the experienced volunteers spotted a female peregrine (the same one, she believed, that she’d monitored last year.) None of the group had seen one until now, but this identification was solid and detailed. After a few weeks of seeing GOEG (Golden Eagle) — amazing in itself — but no falcons, and especially no PEFA (Peregrine Falcon), the anticipation was high, knowing they were in “in territory” and that I might possibly see one. An hour of up-hill, lugging binoculars, a spotting scope and full-length tripod on top of a pack full of back-country gear was decent exercise. Getting to the slope and getting set-up took it’s time, but I was there/waiting…

Without fanfare a PEFA flew into the canyon, gave an audible or three, then settled to top of the rocks. There I was, staring at my first Coloradan Peregrine Falcon, hundreds of feet above me on the cliff top. Thrilling. I was able to bring her into view in the spotting scope, view her adult horizontal markings, and really observe her. For 30 minutes she sat, casually observing the things around. Preening, resting on one foot, totally aware of all around her yet casually disinterested. Waiting.

The experience of watching this graceful bird, being able to watch her intimate behaviors was beyond a thrill. It was truly, truly exhilarating. That moment will last with me for a long time. A few weeks building to this, and a more than satisfying reward.

A week to the day later found me sitting atop some scree with views open to the skies, once again hoping to see this lady. I’d not been waiting long when not one bird, but two … two PEFA flew into territory. Together they explored the valley, cliff faces and then on to the cliff she’d been waiting at. Thirty minutes or more they spent poking around the cliff, the cliff that presumably they’d nested at last season. Some brief jaunts around the valley, but mainly cliff exploring.

Now I’ve seen not one but two peregrine falcons in Colorado. I’ve watched them, and am starting to connect with them and their year’s endeavors. I cannot describe how exciting this is, and how privileged I feel to participate.

If you enjoy connecting with nature, consider participating in such a falcon watch.

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Note to those concerned: I’ve checked with OSMP on what I should (and should not) post on this topic, and now and during the nesting season will limit my comments to those that do not convey more information than can be found on the OSMP website.

I was out hiking the other morning and came upon a critter I’d not encountered before. Okay, I’ve seen the species (I believe it was a red fox) however it wasn’t red, nor silver, nor white (albino/leucistic) … it was jet black!

I didn’t know such a coloration existed for a red fox, but doing some research it seems they do occur naturally. This guy was not going to hang around for me to see if s/he had a white tip to the tail, s/he ambled up the hill (with the typical fox bounce in the step) and disappeared over the rise.

S/he left quite an impression with me. A wonderful start to a hike. One more indication of how there is so much new and exciting to learn outdoors…

Black against the snow

Black, not that a Silhouette can show that

To record your wildlife encounter with WildObs all you need are the what, where, when.

• What species did you see.
• Where did you see it.
• When did the encounter occur.

Here is a short video of the process on the website:

More WildObs videos can be found here http://youtube.com/wildobservations.

Some tips & pointers:

• Everything is editable, and things like descriptions, photos, videos can be added at a later date.
• Don’t worry if WildObs doesn’t find your species or location immediately, those can be refined later (including being added to the WildObs database.)
• Tags (keywords) are comma separated categorizations. E.g. first-of-season.
• Title and Description are optional, but do enrich the encounter.
• Syndicate means “this is more than the everyday encounter, it should be published as such”.
• Public/Private allows you to  record encounters, but not share them with anybody else.

Quickest Record Entry:

Record your Encounter (with context)

Whenever you see the following link button on the top right of a page you can enter a wildobs, and information from the page you are on will be used as defaults on that wildobs encounter. This can save both typing and look-ups.

• Species page: The species (what) is defaulted.
• Place page: The place (where) is defaulted.
• Encounter page. The species & place are defaulted.
• Image page. The photograph is defaulted.

For example if you’ve seen another encounter that you’ve posted before, you can press “Record your WildObs” on that encounter to carry over most of t he details (with the time changing to now.)

Thanks for sharing your wildlife, and guiding others to nature.

Peregrine Falcon photo courtesy Boulder OSMP

This year I applied to be a Raptor Nest Watch volunteer with Boulder Mountain Parks & Open Space. I found out about the opportunity on the Boulder county nature-net mailing list (from the Boulder County Nature Association) and found myself thrilled at the opportunity to monitor nests of eagles, osprey, falcons (and other species.) Bird of prey are so spectacular, and yet other than the few standouts like the eagles/osprey so hard to identify in the field (for the non-native birder, like me.) As such, ever since I applied I’ve been excited about what I’d learn.

I was lucky enough to be accepted into the program, and assigned a nest site not too far from my home, and in a beautiful location (not that they all aren’t around here.) I was assigned peregrine falcon, a bird I hadn’t even realized was around here. I saw my first Peregrine Falcon (at least first since perhaps in childhood) when in Cornwall, UK last year. I was hiking along the clifftops and a parent/offspring duo flew past me granting me a wonderful close-up. Having them here in Colorado, near my home, wow … awesome!

I’ve never been much of a joiner, and I like my nature empty (except for wild critters, my iPhone to record my wildlife, and my dog at camp) so this application was a first for me. Amusingly perhaps I’ve joined the volunteer program that suits this preference best, since observers perform their observation duties by themselves and exchange reports via e-mail. Still, I’ve met others in the team (for this site) at the orientation meeting and on a field trip, and both times enjoyed their company. It is nice to know who they are, to understand the pleasure we all share from the outdoors, and to get and share reports on the site. Working behind the computer of a day it is wonderful to be vicariously taken outside, to connect with this wildlife location.

My first solo trip for the weekly two hour observation duty met with decent weather, and clear skies. Falcons (other than Kestrels, which are partial migrants here) are only just returning to Colorado so there is not much falcon activity, however the Golden Eagle put in an appearance high above. A pair of these massive & majestic birds rode the thermals along the ridge-line (rising, tucking wings and diving to rise again as if having a roller-coaster of fun) before resting on the rocks above. Townsend’s Solitaire were the ‘dawn’ chorus, with American Robins soon taking over as the noise makers.

All in all a very pleasant time of putting the busy world aside for a while and sitting watching the natural world while contributing to natural science. I am so grateful of this opportunity, and am looking forward to the nesting season ahead.

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Note to those concerned: I’ve checked with OSMP on what I should (and should not) post on this topic, and now and during the nesting season will limit my comments to those that do not convey more information than can be found on the OSMP website.

Use WildObs Lookout to find your nature:

• Find nearby encounter from the WildObs community (including for your favorite and wish-list species.)
• Find nearby wildlife places (National Parks, State Parks, and more.)
• Browse encounters from the WildObs community.

The latest WildObs Lookout is in the App Store:

Find your nature with WildObs Lookout

Find Nearby Encounters:

Find nearby nature with WildObs Lookout

View an Encounter:

Find your nature with WildObs Lookout

Show the Species:

Find your nature with WildObs Lookout

Map the Encounter:

Find your nature with WildObs Lookout

We just released WildObs Mobile for Android version 1.3 into the market with a new menu item: HOME.

The HOME button allows you to log in to WildObs Mobile and enabled features like commenting upon encounters, and allowing you to record encounters from your mobile browser.

As always, feedback is welcomed and encouraged. Please let us know how this works for you.

Login to your WildObs account from your Android device.

Record the what, where & when of your wildlife encounters. This version provides optional support for use of device GPS to capture location information speeding your wildlife recording.

Record your WildObs wildlife encounters from your Android device

Find out more about WildObs Mobile for Android or (if you are on an Android device) go to the market: