Singing Mice

Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell, (second from left) from North Carolina State University at Greensboro, arrived in late December and immediately launched an ambitious field research team of Kitty Carney (far left), Jessie Briggs,  and Rada Petric (far right). Working along Robertson Creek below Martin Road, these "mouseketeers" cleared out the grid of trails through the poison oak, put out hundreds of mouse live traps and set up radios, microphones and a thermal imaging camera. All to track the mice in several ways so they can track individuals all night and determine which mouse is singing. This is a very challenging technical undertaking. 

   So, the lab is filled with computers, batteries, wires, radio receivers, antennas and lots of wire. They will be joined next week by Eden Gonzales from CSU Monterey Bay. The bunkhouse cottage has become a nocturnal roost for this group as they are out most evenings and nights. So far, they have seen many small mammals and some large ones including a mountain lion and maybe a ring-tailed cat!