Deborah Finch
Rocky Mountain Research Station
“One of my favorite science experiences was collecting bird and small mammal data on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest in Oregon and Idaho. While I was there, I lived in a trailer in the middle of a wilderness, surrounded by beautiful landscapes, and woke up each morning to singing by songbirds.”
“Another of my favorite science experiences is monitoring bird nests. I especially enjoy watching the adult birds build nests in trees and shrubs. I also like observing the nestlings grow and finally pop out from the nests and flutter to the ground.”
“Another favorite experience is mist-netting and banding songbirds. A mist-net looks like a large volleyball net. The netting is very fine and almost invisible. Birds fly into the netting and get caught. Birds are not injured by mist-nets. After I carefully take each bird from the mist-net, I measure it and put a little numbered metal band around its ankle to keep track of it over time. Then I love to open up my hands and watch the bird fly away.”
“One of my most favorite science experiences was climbing with pack burros to the top of El Triunfo, a Biosphere Reserve in southern Mexico. I was searching for the resplendent quetzal. The resplendent quetzal is a tropical bird with bright green feathers and a long tail. We were setting up a sister forest program with Mexican protected areas. This reserve was famous for protecting this spectacular bird!”
Print my Collector Card!
Free by Mail Order a Free Pack of Scientist CardsFeatured from Natural Inquirer
-
The scientists in this study were interested in comparing the water use efficiency of trees. They wondered if the water use efficiency of trees growing away from intermittent and ephemeral...
Streaming Live: How Do Streams Affect How Well Trees Use Water?
The scientists in this study were interested in comparing the water use efficiency of trees. They wondered if the water use efficiency of trees growing away from intermittent and ephemeral... -
Many different types of birds live in riparian forests. In this study, the scientists were interested in black-chinned hummingbirds that live in riparian forests. The scientists wanted to know if...
That’s a Humdinger! Black-Chinned Hummingbird Nesting in Response to Forest Treatments
Many different types of birds live in riparian forests. In this study, the scientists were interested in black-chinned hummingbirds that live in riparian forests. The scientists wanted to know if... -
Identifying which species may be the most vulnerable to a changing climate is important. This information can help people make decisions about how to best manage the land. It can...
Wild Ways: Assessing How Climate Change May Affect Certain Wildlife
Identifying which species may be the most vulnerable to a changing climate is important. This information can help people make decisions about how to best manage the land. It can... -
After an area has been changed by human or natural disturbances, forest managers often engage in restoration activities. In the Bosque, fire is both a human and a natural disturbance....
Snake, Rattle, and Roll: Investigating the Snakes That Live in the Bosque Along the Middle Rio Grande
After an area has been changed by human or natural disturbances, forest managers often engage in restoration activities. In the Bosque, fire is both a human and a natural disturbance....
Additional Resources
-
USDA Forest Service: Deborah Finch
Learn more about Deborah Finch's research at her Forest Service profile page.Visit Profile