Introduction
and Key to Attendance Sheets
An entry in
Ranger Wayne's Journal
|
During his canoe
roll calls each day, Ranger Wayne records his daily data in his research
journal. After that, he transfers that data to his daily Attendance Sheets.
A blank example of Ranger Wayne's Attendance Sheet is
provided below. In just a short time, you can learn about the key data
that is recorded in the Attendance sheets, and use the Attendance sheets
yourself to get a better understanding of Ranger Wayne's research. Start
by printing out, and then looking over the Blank
Attendance Sheet below.
Then,
read the short summary of the Run's Key features:
Key Features
of The Run
A) The Diagram of the Run:
To understand the Attendance Sheets, its helpful to first learn the
layout of the Run. The top of the diagram shows the mouth of the Run,
which is where the water from the Run flows into the St John's River.
The bottom of the diagram shows the "Boil", where the Run waters
originate. At the Boil, the waters flow up from underground, and flow
(or "run") toward the St. John's River.
B) Transects
The lines drawn across the Run are called "transects" .
They are imaginary lines, and they are used to divide the Run into sections.
Each transect has a number typed next to it to mark a location in the
run. The transect numbers begin with "0" at the St. John's River,
and continue in increasing numbers until you reach the number "19"
transect at the other end near the Boil.
C) Temperature
and Manatee Count Data:
In the upper right corner of the Attendance Sheets, Ranger Wayne records
the date and time of his roll call, but more importantly he also records
the following data:
- River
Water Temperature (in celsius)
- Run
Water Temperature (in celsius)
- Air
Temperature (low and high for the day) (in celsius)
- Total
Mantees Counted
D) Individual
Manatees Identified:
An actual, completed Attendance Sheet will have a check list of the
current individual manatee numbers and names, for manatees that are known
to come to Blue Spring. On a current Attendance Sheet, Ranger Wayne would
make a check mark on the list for each manatee that's in attendance when
he makes his count. (Note: Our Blank Attendance Sheet example below does
not list individual manatees, because that list changes each year).
On a current
Attendance Sheet, you may see listings for manatees identified with a
"U" and a number. These are for manatees that are not recognized
at Blue Spring: the "U" stands for "unknown", that
is until Ranger Wayne documents and gives a name to the unknowns.
E) Manatee
Locations in the Run:
To show the locations of the manatees in the run, Ranger Wayne will
make notations on the Attendance Sheets, both inside and outside the Run
diagram. For instance, between two transects, Ranger Wayne will often
write the identification numbers for specific manatees seen at that location.
F) Miscellaneous
Manatee Comments:
Ranger Wayne also records various comments on the Attendance Sheets,
to record behaviors that he witnesses such as nursing, playing, panic
among the manatees, or other conditions in the manatees or the Run.
G) River
Water Position in the Run
At the top of the Run diagram, Ranger Wayne will also draw in dark
lines or shading in the run in order to show how far the dark River water
extends up into the Run. If you look at the transect number nearest to
the dark shading position, you can see how far the dark River water extended.
|
Blank
Attendance Sheet
(Click on image to enlarge and print) |
Copyright 2002-2003 Journey North. All Rights Reserved.
Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form
|