Project:   Rail Study:

I'm still trying to perfect the sound system. Last year I tried solar panels to power the cd player. Could not get enough power from the type of panels I was using. This winter we have changed from a cd player, that draws a lot of amps, to a phone chip, which uses very little power. I have also increased the size of the solar panel. The system will be checked later this month to see if everything works OK.

Last season I captured 59 rails in the spring and another 20 in the
fall. 

The traps will be ready to go by the 1st of April and will run until June 1st. located at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (Ottawa County) in three different types of habitat: sedge meadow-uplands-wetlands. 

I hope to add a couple of traps at Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area in Sandusky County. Yellow rails were sited in the area last season and I'm going after them! 

My major focus is Virginia's and Sora's. I will also have at least two traps for King's at the refuge. I operate the traps myself.....there's a chance that OSU will send me a grad student this spring. If any OBBA member would like to spend a morning with me checking the traps, that would be great. If they would like to stay a couple of days, the cabin will be available.

Call me at 419-638-1027 for dates and times or e-mail gcws@nwonline.net