Visual Encounter Surveys – aka Herpetological Competition Times!
Who could catch the most frogs and reptiles on a dark evening on the Frontier Trail? That was the big question. The competition was fierce with staff member Andy and the two French volunteers, Elodie and Marius, in pole positions on the transect. Following them with a +2 handicap was Emma (who was scribing), Emily, and newest staff member Leeron.
It was to be a high scoring contest with P. ockendeni and Dwarf-climbing Salamanders (Bolitoglossa minutula ) a plenty, but the highlight spot had to go to Elodie who swiftly spotted a Tawny Forest Racer (Dendrophidion dendrophus) midway into the transect.
Everything was so close and wide open with five minutes to go. Andy was just clinging on to the lead with seven captures with both Elodie and Marius close behind on six each. “Victory is mine”, laughed Andy, he had spoken too soon, as just then the Frenchman bagged his seventh. “Oh dear”, whimpered Andy. In a panicked frenzy both Andy and Marius searched in desperation towards the final metres of the transect. Andy fell to his knees and wept as Marius plastic bagged up his hand and caught the winning P.ockendeni. A French victory! Special mention has to go to Emma for scribing 25 individuals on her first transect ever. That’s some good writing and some good spotting from all involved. Good work team GVI Amazon volunteers, a fantastically fruitful night on the transect!
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