Dec. 13, 2008
Photo: Bert T, Bruce W, Phil J, Dave D, Linda S, George L, Cathy P, and Martha B. Photographer: Alice J.
Here is the intrepid stream team. Lack of sun and 40 degree temperatures didn’t stop them, but the promise of hot drinks and food later helped. The water temperature was 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Fortunately we didn’t have to venture deep into the water, but many did need to gets at least our hands wet. This was Linda’s first time and she volunteered to be the record keeper.
Highlights included some resourceful fishing. Many little fish were caught, including a catfish and a beautiful green and red striped minnow. Dressed for the season! Thoughts of lunch aside, we came for the bugs and we found many. This time there were more of the little sowbugs and scuds than usual. We also found freshwater shrimp, crayfish, mussels, worms, mayfly, dragonfly and damselfly larvae.
I’ve included a scanned image of another interesting insect we caught – the common Water Scorpion. They are clumsy and slow swimmers, moving so seldom that often algae grow on their back. Instead of chasing prey, water scorpions generally are found in the leaves and loose debris of streams and lakes where they hide in ambush or slowly stalk their prey. They catch prey with their front legs much like a praying mantis does on land. Their prey consists of insects but may get a large as tadpoles and small fish.
This long, stick-like bug is not poisonous. The scorpion name probably comes from the distinctive tail, which actually consists of two tubes held together for breathing. They hang down in the water with the tubes breaking the water surface, breathing air. When they need to venture deep in the water they transfer air down under their wings. Because they rely on the atmosphere for air they are tolerant of most pollution and are not a good indicator species of pollution. However their role as predators makes them an integral part of the ecosystem, well connected to changes in the rest of the food web.
Overall the Little Maumelle River continues to be a healthy stream with a diversity of stream invertebrates and healthy water chemistry. Thanks to everyone who came out. Once we got the supplies back we all headed up to the Christmas party for some well-deserved hot food and drink.
-George L
Note from Martha: This little catfish was rescued by Bert, Dave and Bruce from the inside of a coke can that Bruce found floating in the water. He had gotten in but grew and couldn’t get out. He is now free to swim the Little Maumelle River and grow up to be a big guy. Thanks guys! Cleaning up trash is an important part of Stream Team. See more pictures in Flickr.
