Pair 2 Observations

On the 19th, we were planning to do our surveys on the sites that are furthest west from our home base. However, due to bears in two of the areas where those sites are located, we were forced to take a shorter day. I was hoping to get some more time in on PAJA Pair 2, since I was only able to observe them for a short time the last time, but I only got another 36 minutes in.

Light-morph of PAJA Pair 2

So, I used the time more to test some ideas about how close I can approach the nest before they defend against me. I was 66 meters away before they began to defend. With PAJA Pair 1, on the previous observation, I was 100 meters away when they began their defense against me. I also noticed with Pair 2 this time and the first observation, that I walked away a mere 30 meters when they returned to incubating the nest. I believe this may be due to the current weather conditions. Almost every day has been in the low-mid 30s (Fahrenheit) and with 10-14 mph winds each day. I have actually noticed a few species of tundra nesting birds doing this, including American Golden-Plovers which typically do not go back to their nests with a predator so close.

Here is another chart of my observations for the day.

PAJA Pair 2                Date: 6/19/14              Time spent observing: 14:00 – 14:36

Temperature: 34 F      Wind 10 mph      100% Cloud Cover

Type of Behavior	Total Time Dark Morph	Percent time spent doing behavior	Total Time Light Morph	Percent time spent doing behavior
Defending	7	19.44	4	11.11
Incubating	6	16.67	22	61.11
Hunting/Foraging	0	0	1	2.78
Preening	1	2.78	1	2.78
Loafing	20	55.55	5	13.88
In flight	1	2.78	1	2.78
Altercation	1	2.78	2	5.56

Total time spent observing: 36 minutes