Week of October 1st, 2023 Autumn has arrived and the shift in day length, nighttime temperatures, and even the quality of the light is a pleasant change from the intensity of summer. The days out on the Mitigation Project are lovely as the colors of the trees and shrubs are changing and the background is…
Read moreSeptember 26, 2023 Following up on last week’s blog, I have been researching and observing the praying mantis that occupies the large swaths of grasslands of Little Lake Valley. It is astounding to see the sheer number of these “deadly predators” we have flying and crawling about. They are called deadly predators because of their…
Read moreSeptember 13, 2023 The excitement of finding monarch butterfly caterpillars has been keeping my attention for the last couple of weeks. While looking closely at the showy milkweed, Asclepias speciosa, and the narrowleaf milkweed, Asclepias fascicularis, we discovered that there were caterpillars on the narrowleaf milkweed. Last year, the majority of caterpillars we observed were…
Read moreSeptember 5th, 2023 This is a fine late summer/pre-autumn day. The morning was cool enough for me to start the day wearing layers, including a down vest. As the sun rises higher the temperature is approaching hot, so I am down to my t-shirt layer! The sky is a clear, brilliant blue with not a…
Read moreEnjoy a day of birding at the Willits Wastewater Treatment Plant and along Outlet Creek. We hope to see some migratory birds and hear some Tule Elk bugles! Please wear appropriate shoes for walking and if significant rain has fallen rain shoes might be needed. Bring snacks, lunch, and water. This is a fieldtrip in…
Read moreEnjoy a day of birding and possibly catch a view of the local elk herd! Wear comfortable walking shoes, hat, bring water, snacks and some lunch. RSVP: text or email Marisela@mcrcd.org or 707-841-7172 Meet at Mendocino County Museum
Read moreAugust 23rd, 2023 Recently, there has been a huge number of large, beautiful moths observed in the gardens throughout our valley and in the surrounding mountains. I have seen this moth in previous years in my own garden at dusk when the Evening Primroses open up. This was a summer after-dinner activity, going out and…
Read moreAugust 15, 2023 In the middle of summer, the heat intensifies, especially out on the valley floor. My colleagues and I try to accomplish our field work early to avoid the heat but there are times such as this week when I was still walking along the riparian corridors observing wildlife as the temperature climbed.…
Read moreAugust 9th, 2023 This week a carcass was found that created a stir for a short time. Upon first look, it appeared to possibly be a California Badger. This would have been the first sighting of one on the Mitigation Project Lands but upon further research and looking carefully at the skull structure and paws,…
Read moreJuly 25, 2023 The long days of summer called the “dog days” are upon us and there are some unusual plants blooming and creatures hopping around. In some areas of Little Lake Valley, it is hard to walk without causing the ground to erupt with small iridescent Pacific Chorus Frogs, Pseudacris regilla, hopping everywhere. Residual,…
Read moreRSVP: text or email Marisela@mcrcd.org or 707-841-7172 Meet at Mendocino County Museum
Read moreThere is still a lot of bird activity happening in Little Lake Valley as we have entered summertime. Juvenile birds chase their parents around, begging loudly for food while the parents madly gather insects and other edible items for these hungry young. White-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis, is our largest nuthatch in Mendocino County. The Pygmy…
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