Today’s bird highlight: a toucan! It didn’t stick around for long—just a quick flash of color as it flew off—but still exciting to catch a glimpse of one in the wild. My taxonomic group is birds, so I’m always keeping an eye (and ear) out for them. I’m really hoping to get more chances to go birdwatching soon and see a wider variety of species. Just catching that brief glimpse of the toucan made me want more—I’m especially curious to spot some hummingbirds or maybe a trogon next time.

We tackled two different projects today. The first one focused on how nitrogen availability might affect invertebrates living in the canopy compared to those on the forest floor. To test this, we set up tubes filled with either water or nitrogen (yes, our pee!) both in trees and in the soil, with each station spaced 50 feet apart. Hopefully, this will help us understand if nutrient availability plays a bigger role higher up in the forest.

The second project explored how Cecropia trees protect themselves. In their early stages, they don’t have ants living in them yet, so we’re curious to see how their defenses differ before and after they recruit their ant allies. It’s a fascinating example of mutualism in action.

Fieldwork is full of surprises—some feathered, some scientific. I’m looking forward to the next chance to get out early, binoculars in hand, and see what’s flying through the canopy.