Vertebrate Zoology Field Experience

Back Row, L to R: Dr. Clay Corbin, Tim Aikins, Cliff Jones, Taylor Stierle, Shannon Slesicki. Middle Row L to R: Morgan Murphy, Patricia Loughran, Jessica Paoletti. Front Row L to R: Kayla Davis, Brooke Kremer. Photo Credit: Morgan Murphy.

In late September, students from Vertebrate Zoology (BIOLOGY 212) class, led by Dr. Clay Corbin, went to the Virginia Shore to get some hands-on field experience. Included in the activities were trawling and seining for organisms in the creeks and bays of the Chincoteague Bay, bird and amphibian study at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, and longlining sharks in the Atlantic Ocean. It was an action packed two days; students witnessed behaviors and habitats of more than 100 different species of fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, tunicates, and non-vertebrates. The class was headquartered at the Chincoteague Bay Field Station in Wallops Island, VA. Bloomsburg University is a member institution of the field station – a priceless resource for gaining hands-on field experiences. The field station has classrooms, laboratories, as well as creek and ocean-going vessels to support learning and research activities. It offers courses during the summer for college credit and several classes involve the field station and its resources in field trips during the regular semester. Contact Drs. John Hranitz, Thom Klinger, Lauri Green, or Clay Corbin for more information.

Brook Kremer, Jess Paoletti, Patricia Loughren, and Shannon Slesicki (L to R) seine for fish in the tidal zone of Wallops Island, VA.  Photo Credit: Kayla Davis.

After measurements, Patricia Loughran releases an Atlantic Sharpnose Shark into the Atlantic Ocean. Captain Tom Hart looks on. Photo Credit: Morgan Murphy.

Sunset on Assateague Island, VA. Photo Credit: Patricia Loughran.