Taking Better Field Notes
Over the weekend, I spent time entering in the data Mike has kept on snowstorms over the years into the Phenology Page. But as I entered the snow amounts, I found myself wanting to know more. Sometimes two or three days in a row showed up – and while the amounts were fine, I also wanted to know was it all one storm system? Flurries moving through? Was it light, fluffy powder snow that fell or snow heavy with moisture? Did it stick around or did it melt right away?
I notice while reading my field notes taken on the boardwalks in Yellowstone, that I usually completely skip over the list of eruption times and linger over the notes taken that give more of a narrative.
Lists or Narratives – or Both?
Whenever I start to observe something, numbers are a great entry point. Take my feeder watch notes. At first I just stuck to counting and identifying birds. Now that I have so many days of observation, I’m noticing more details – and those are the ones I really need to get down. For example – from this morning:
- Dark Eyed Junco – 5 – first seen at 0653
- Mtn Chickadee – 3 – first seen at 0654
- Pine Sisken – 8 – first seen at 0712
- White Breasted Nuthatch – 1 – 0718
- Evening Grosbeak – 12 (at least) – 0718
- Red Breasted Nuthatch – 1 – 0720
- Cassins Finch – 3 – 0723
- Steller’s Jay – 1 – 0724
That gives a bit of a picture, but to really give depth to the numbers, I need a narrative to accompany it.
The day dawned overcast, with snow showers showing off in the distance, slowly marching their way closer. I take a look at the weather station display on the wall – 10 degrees outside – not quite as cold as the forecast, but perhaps the low for the 24 hours was colder. And 59 degrees inside – the fire blazed merrily behind me in the woodstove – quickly warming the room.
The first bird landed so quickly at such a dark time it was hard to make out. Luckily, it went from the feeder to the deck where I could make out the roundish body and markings of a pink-sided Dark-eyed Junco. I was surprised this morning to not see the Mountain Chickadees first – they are so often the first birds to arrive. Within a minute, two Mountain Chickadees darted in and out from the tree to the feeder and back as quickly as they could. A third joined in within another few minutes. Then, at 0712, I saw the first of many Pine Siskens land at the main hopper style feeder. Out of view, I could hear an Evening Grosbeak call. Just one for the moment, but the rest of the flock would arrive soon. Six minutes later, they did. It seems the Grosbeaks and Pine Siskens have come to an agreement and combine as a mixed flock for now – very often coming and going together as a group of around 40 or so birds, though at times they come separately. A White Breasted Nuthatch landed at the feeder the same time as the Evening Grosbeaks, and took one select nut and flew off, not to return during the morning breakfast crowd – as is often the case. My guess is that they prefer the feeder at the shop – the out of the way restaurant that the crowds avoid.
And on the observations go. MUCH more interesting, much more informative. Much more enjoyable to go back and read. The numbers are of value, but a limited value. They’re great for overall tendencies. eBird uses those numbers well to paint a good outline of a picture, but the color and life only comes from the details that may not be shared.
In the words of Joseph Grinnell:
“Put it all down. You may not think it’s important, but somebody may.”
