Natural History Wanderings

Canada  Geese along Berkeley Bay Trail

As it is summer there is a lot less activity along the Bay Trail in Berkeley. It is a peaceful walk as there are usually only a few people on the trail. Twenty-one different species were seen with some small peeps unidentified that may have been Western Sandpipers.

Butterflies were active. There were Anise Swallowtails, Cabbage Whites, the tiny Western Pigmy Blue and a skipper that was probably a Fiery Skipper.

Surprisingly even with the drought many plants were in bloom both natives and aliens, especially ones that like disturbed places. We saw Yellow Lotus, Bristly Ox-tongue, Wild Radish, Wild Mustard, California Poppy, Zauschneria, Lizard Tail, Bush Monkeyflower, Evening Primrose, Buckwheat, Gumplant, Anise, Salt Bush, Yarrow, and Rosehips from roses that had gone to fruit. Shrubs seen included Coyote Bush,Willows, and Himalayan Blackberry.

See bird list at Eastshore SP-Berkeley Access 8/18/15