COVID-19 and the Rosy-Finch Project

Hello Team Rosy-Finch,

Can you spot the RFID-tagged Black Rosy-finch among the Gray-crowned Rosy-finches?

We're currently in the last week of our third survey window and have two survey windows remaining.

We will still be accepting data on the Black Rosy-finch Study, but because of COVID-19, we strongly discourage unnecessary travel to visit feeders, purchase bird seed, or meet with friends at feeders. Additionally, many of our RFID feeders are no longer accessible due to recent ski resort closures.

However, conducting surveys at home feeders may conform with the Center for Disease Control's Social Distancing recommendations, and you may wish to continue your Structured Surveys or begin Opportunistic Surveys at home feeders. We updated our Feeder Locations document to reflect changes to feeder accessibility.

Again, please use your discretion if you continue to conduct rosy-finch surveys. Wild Utah Project cares deeply about the health and safety of our staff and community scientists.

A biologist gently holds a Gray-crowned Rosy-finch and measures the length of its tarsus. Over 60 new rosy-finches were tagged and banded last week.

The training presentation remains online for new or existing volunteers who want to brush up on the methods or learn how to do Opportunistic Surveys. To get caught up, watch the online training and read the Guide Book.

Send your completed datasheets to Janice by text (just snap a photo of the datasheet with your smartphone) or email at:

Janice Gardner
(801) 821-8569
janice@wildutahproject.org

Thank you so much for all the work you do to conserve the Black Rosy-Finch. We're grateful for your inspiring dedication to local wildlife conservation.

Please stay safe in the coming weeks, and don't hesitate to reach out to Janice with any questions.

Thank you so much,

The Black Rosy-Finch Study Partners

A Black Rosy-finch that we tagged last year was seen again in Alta! Last year, birds captured in Little Cottonwood Canyon were fitted with black RFID-tags; this year, they were given blue tags.