Week #12 More Beaver Activity!
Enjoy this footage of beavers going about their nightly business on the Willits Bypass Mitigation Lands. The youngsters are more playful and like to wrestle each other.
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Grassland Habitat in Little Lake Valley
May 2, 2022 This time of the year many types of plants are flowering including trees, wildflowers, and grasses. For people with pollen sensitivity, it can be a difficult time especially since the spring winds are so efficient at carrying and spreading that pollen far and wide. Cattle grazing occurs on the grasslands throughout the…
Read moreThe Importance of Leaving Some Dead Trees
April 19, 2022 The oak woodlands and riparian corridors in the valley are full of a variety of trees and shrubs that provide food and shelter for many species of birds, mammals, insects, and other invertebrates. As these ecosystems grow and mature, the older trees begin to die off. Some fall over, literally coming right…
Read moreWeek #11 Little Lake Valley Wildlife
The variety of wildlife that thrive in and depend on wetland environments is remarkable. Songbirds can always rely on a source for drinking water well into the summer and the mammals are well-suited for navigating newly inundated areas during the spring.
Read moreWelcome Spring Rains
April 14, 2022 When Little Lake Valley gets significant rain in April or May (at least two or more inches), especially after having dry months of winter, I breathe a sigh of relief. The creeks fill up, the ground saturates, and we get some inundation in the north end of the valley. This is important…
Read moreWeek #10 Western Bluebird Hatchlings
These newly hatched baby bluebirds were discovered occupying one of the bird boxes in early April. Hopefully they make it out of the nest later this spring!
Read moreWeek #09 Bobcat Stalking at Night
Bobcats do the majority of their hunting at night. They have large corneas in their eyes that bring in more light, allowing for excellent vision in the dark. Once prey is located, bobcats stalk within range and then make a quick pounce!
Read moreThe Sounds of Spring
April 4, 2022 Having been out of town for the entire month of March it is very exciting to return to find spring is well on its way here. There are flowers blooming along the roadsides such as Lupines and Buttercups. The vibrant green of the Willits Valley is soothing to my eyes and psyche.…
Read moreWillits Mitigation Lands Public Tour May 21
On May 21, MCRCD will be having a free public tour of the Willits Mitigation Lands as part of our monthly tours. The focus will be on spring in the Little Lake Valley, we will go out to see the “sea of purple”: the wild camas blooms, and other wildflowers in the north end of…
Read moreWeek #08 Habitat Connectivity
Learn more about the restoration work being conducted on the Willits Bypass Mitigation Lands. Check out this video MCRCD produced in 2020.
Read moreA Misty Walk through the Wetlands
3/17/2022 During a rainy and foggy Thursday morning walk, I observed a wide variety of wildlife congregating on the wet meadows of the north end of the valley. As I looked through my binoculars to identify the groups of Mallards and Wigeons, I noticed several Greater Yellowlegs foraging at the edge of the inundated field.…
Read moreRed-shouldered Hawks in the Valley
2/19/2022 While enjoying a mid-day lunch break in an oak woodland on the south end of the Willits Mitigation Bypass Lands, I was fortunate to experience three Red-shouldered Hawks putting on an early spring display. The incessant shrieking of this forestland raptor sent alarms throughout the canopy. As the hawk’s calling grew louder, it appeared…
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