The New York Times
As a threat to wildlife, an amphibian fungus has become “the most deadly pathogen known to science.”
41 scientists published the first worldwide analysis of a fungal outbreak that’s been wiping out frogs for decades. The devastation turns out to be far worse than anyone had previously realized.
Read story at The Plague Killing Frogs Everywhere Is Far Worse Than Scientists Thought
Posted in Animals | Tags: Frog Plague
Today we were hiking and birding with friends at Coyote Hills Regional Park. The birds were a little slow as some of the waterbirds and shorebirds have left for the season. We identified 23 species and heard several others that we were unable to id. We went to the Nectar garden where there were Hummingbirds among the native and exotic flowers. Butterflies were fairly scarce with the only sightings being a Painted Lady and a few Cabbage Whites.
click read more to see today’s bird list
Coyote Hills Regional Park, Alameda, California, US
Apr 6, 2019 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
22 species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose X
Cinnamon Teal 2
Northern Shoveler 1 male
American Wigeon 2
Mallard X
Common Goldeneye 1 female
Wild Turkey 1 heard only
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Anna’s Hummingbird 1
American Coot 5
gull sp. X
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 2
Turkey Vulture 4
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Black Phoebe 2
California Scrub-Jay 1
Common Raven 2
Tree Swallow X
Marsh Wren X heard only
Song Sparrow 2
Great-tailed Grackle 1
Texas Wildflower Report has an update on Hill Country Wildflowers
Based on recent input from some users and one of our veteran wildflower reporters, the Mason Area has improved some, but not as much as we all might have hoped. I am writing up a 2019 Wildflower Season Update to help explain why some areas are not performing to the level we had expected. That said there are still some really nice areas out there. I am including a list of roads below that might still be good for next week.
Rain is in the forecast for this weekend. That should help extend the blooms some, but above normal temperatures are also in the forecast which will tend to shorten the bloom. I would suggest that you get out and visit the areas east of Texas 16 soon and Mason County by the end of next week. There will be some roadsides beyond peak and some fields at peak.
For the Mason area my report from 3/29/2019 should still be valid and the most recent reports and updates from the rest of the Hill County are still good too. You can find my Mason County report at: http://www.wildflowerhaven.com/…/…/threadid/1463/scope/posts
For the Hill Country east of Mason County: Best roads right now and easiest to travel at: RR 2323 south from Llano, Texas 71 south from Llano, Texas 29 east from Llano, Texas 16 south to RR 1323 and Texas 152 southwest from Llano. Roads not doing well include: RR 965. Texas 71 west of Llano, Texas 16 north of Llano. The rest of the Hill Country reports are at: http://www.wildflowerhaven.com/Comm…/forumid/…/scope/threads . Just look for the most recent ones marked Hill Country.
And there are several visitor reports posted on this page at: https://www.facebook.com/TexasWildflowerRepo…/posts_to_page/
See wildflower bloom reports with photos at Texas Wildflower Report
Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Texas Wildflowers
Posted in Garden | Tags: Native Plant Sale
Yosemite National Park announced
The Mariposa Grove Road and free shuttle will open for the season on Friday, April 12! Come prepared—up to two feet of snow remain on some sections of trails.
Check out Mariposa Grove information, trail descriptions, shuttle schedule, and more: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/mg.htm
Posted in Park | Tags: Mariposa Grove Road, Yosemite
Wildflower Update; April 5, 2019
Our big, showy blooms have come and gone, but if you’re willing to go for a walk outside the Borrego Valley there is still a LOT to see! Hint: CACTUS!
Here is the current Wildflower Update from ABDSP, Updated April 3
Anza-Borrego Foundation Wildflowers Page, Updated April 4
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Homepage (Includes Interpretive Activities Schedule, Wildflower Updates & Road Conditions)
Wildflower Hotline: 760-767-4684
ABF State Park Store: Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We have wildflower info, maps, guides, hats, and anything else you need for your adventure.
This weekend’s weather from NOAA: Know ahead and be prepared!
TIPS & NOTES for Flower-Seekers
Theodore Payne posted its newest wildflower report.
The Hotline is meant to help people enjoy the unique and beautiful nature of Southern California, without diminishing that resource in years to come. We encourage people to treat these floral treasures with the respect due to all living organisms.
Flower viewing etiquette is simple:
This week’s update includes the following locations:
See report and photos at April 5, 201
NATIVE PLANT & WILDFLOWER EVENTS:
THEODORE PAYNE FOUNDATION
16th Annual Native Plant Garden Tour
Saturday & Sunday, April 6 & 7
10:00am – 5:00 pm
Tickets and more information at http://www.theodorepayne.org
Prisk Native Garden Open House(s)
TWO successive Sundays, April 7th and April 14th, from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Admission free. Donations accepted.
For further info: Mike Letteriello at letteriello@charter.net or 562-826-9266. No bathrooms. Palo Verde turnoff in Long Beach off the 405 Freeway.
Greg Vaughn reports
The lovely Oregon Fawn Lily is at peak bloom at Mount Pisgah Arboretum here in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Camas are coming on strong and I saw the season’s first Oregon Iris today.
See photos at (1) Greg Vaughn Photography – Home
Texas Wildflower Report has an update on Wildflower viewing in Texas
While it is not illegal to pick our state flower, there are laws safeguarding any resource within state public lands which include state parks, natural areas. wildlife management areas etc. And there are Texas laws protecting the rights-of-way along state maintained roads/highways . A good resource for how to enjoy our Texas wildflowers is from The Texas Department of Public Safety: www.dps.texas.gov/…/media_and_communicati…/2014/pr040414.htm
See wildflower bloom reports with photos at Texas Wildflower Report
Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Texas Wildflowers
As of April 4th, the blooming poppies are blanketing the reserve with their magnificent orange color. Every flower and other plants that exist at the Poppy Reserve are currently blooming. This is a great time to visit. We are expecting the bloom to last through April. If you are looking to find the exact location of a particular flower or plant, our staff can point you to the right trails when you arrive.
Please remember, visitors must stay on OFFICIAL TRAILS only; photos in the flowers are not allowed in the park. Walking in the poppies creates dirt patches and may result in a ticket. DO NOT walk where others have already damaged the habitat; it will compound the damage and leave a scar for years to come.
Commercial and student filming/photography requires a permit. No dogs, bikes on trails, drones, or picking flowers.
Poppies open up in mid morning, and curl up in the late afternoon/evening or if it’s cold, so check the weather forecast before arriving. The weather can change suddenly and it is frequently windy here during the spring. This is a DESERT grassland, so drink water often. Note that it can be very windy here in the spring.
Oregon Wildflowers reports on Camassia Natural Area
The bloom is in its early stages, but there are some things to see.
Blooming in the forest: Slender Toothwort (Cardamine pulcherrima), Oregon Fawn Lily (Erythronium oregonum), Western Trillium (Trillium ovatum), and shining Oregon-grape (Mahonia aquifolium).
Starting to bloom in the meadows are Rosy Plectritis (Plectritis congesta), Large-flowered Blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia grandiflora), and Western Saxifrage (Saxifraga occidentalis). The namesake wildflower (Camassia quamash) has not started to bloom yet, and only a few buds were visible today.
A variety of live music for all ages will play throughout the day and there will be an assortment of food vendors. Take a sailboat ride or paddle a Dragon Boat. Build with recycled materials in Adventure Playground.
All ages are welcome.
New this year will be a Bay wildlife-themed costume parade!
All Participating organizations will have fun hands-on activities, games or crafts!
Eat great food, listen to great music and acts!
Contact us: Phone: 510-981-6720
Email: naturecenter@cityofberkeley.info
Address: 160 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710
We encourage public transportation (AC Transit 81 bus) and carpooling. Bike parking available
Posted in Environment | Tags: Berkeley Bay Festival
The LA Times reports
California regulators voted Tuesday to strengthen state safeguards for thousands of wetlands and streams that are about to lose federal protections in a Trump administration rollback of the Clean Water Act.
Nearly 90% of California’s historic wetlands have been filled in or plowed under, and the state has said it is vital to preserve what remains.
Read full story at California adopts new wetlands rules to protect them from Trump rollbacks – Los Angeles Times
Posted in Environment | Tags: California Wetlands
KQED reports on this year’s snow fall
This is the time of year—April 1—when the snowpack is typically at its peak and on Tuesday, the monthly manual survey revealed a snowpack at 162 percent of the long-term average, thanks to more than 30 atmospheric river storms that swept across the state over the winter.
Read full article California’s Monster Snow Year … ‘It’s Been a Wild Ride’ | KQED Science
Posted in Environment
Charlie Russell’s Wildflower Hikes has a new post for Pierce Canyon in the Capay Valley. It includes a detailed trail description, map, plant list and photos at Pierce Canyon Wildflowers
Homestead Valley has a new wildflower update. See photos Homestead Valley April 2
NEW
– California buttercup, bright yellow and glossy is blooming in meadows.
– California goldfields blooms in colonies, carpeting meadows brilliant yellow.
– California plantain’s blooms with minute translucent petals.
– English plantain*, native of Eurasia, tall stalk is blooming with a white corolla.
– Fringe cups blooms in forests along streams on tall stalks with pale green flowers with distinctive fringe edges.
– Mule’s ear with its bright yellow sunflowers is blooming in the ridge meadow.
– Owl’s clover’s pink tufts have yellow and white details and is blooming on the knoll near the Panoramic gate.
– Poison hemlock*, native of Europe has a delicate white umbel and mottled red stems. Poisonous, use gloves when weeding.
– Red elderberry large shrub blooms with white clusters on the trail to Homestead Hill.
– Redwood sorrel has a bream bell flower and is blooming under the redwood near 435 Laverne.
– Silver lupine blooms purple on large silver leaved bushes up on the ridge.
– Wood rose, our native rose, is starting to bloom in the woods.
Anza Borrego State Park reports
While the “big show” is winding down, there are still places in the park to find wildflowers.
The Visitor Center and Hellhole Canyon areas are still in bloom, with very nice patches of desert dandelion, phacelia, and other annuals, as well as glorious brittlebush and chuparosa. Cacti in the Visitor Center Garden are exploding with different colors!
Start early if you want to hike in Borrego Palm Canyon, as the parking lot fills up very quickly! If you miss out in the morning, try later in the afternoon. The Alternate Trail starts from the trail up to the campfire center, and is loaded with amazing amounts of a wide variety of flowers. Feet will get wet on the Main Trail, due to high water at stream crossings. Keep your eyes and ears open for bighorn sheep on both trails!
A collection of metal statues lines Borrego Springs Road, which bends at its north end and becomes Henderson Canyon Road. Before heading east, this is a good place to get out and walk around a bit, enjoying the statues and the flowers.
Heading east on Henderson Canyon Road (site of 2017’s “SuperBloom”) will take you to a field yellow desert sunflowers, though they are starting to look dry. Lots of parking along the road.
The dirt road going into Lower Coyote Canyon is open to All-Wheel-Drive or 4WD vehicles only. The best flowers are located beyond Second Crossing, though ocotillos are blooming at Ocotillo Flats, across from Desert Gardens.
The “Ocotillo Forest” along Borrego Springs Road south of Christmas Circle is starting to bloom.
The Cactus Loop Trail, across the road from Tamarisk Grove campground, has hillsides coveredwith poppies, along with a variety of small “belly flowers” growing low. Try Yaqui Well Trail too, as well as the Narrows Earth Trail. The dirt road into Plum Canyon is lined with flowers. 2WD cars should stay to the right when the road forks. The entrance to Mine Wash has lots of yellow dandelions, and poppies on the hillside. 2WD vehicles should be OK as far as the vault toilet.
PLEASE NOTE: Highway 78 will be closed on Wednesday, April 3, between Highway S-2 and Borrego Springs Road, for road work.
For maps and directions, visit our website at http://www.parks.ca.gov/anzaborrego.For updates on blooming areas, call our Wildflower Hotline: 760-767-4684.
Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association reports
Flower Reports
For Borrego blooms in April, plan to take a walk or hike into the canyons or drive the dirt roads into these areas, mostly at higher elevations, as the wildflower bloom of annuals in the lower desert has mostly faded and is setting seed. April is a lovely month to visit, with still cool mornings and evenings, and not as busy as March.
I recently looked at the new Falcon Press Plants of Northern California: A field guide to the plants west of the Sierra Nevada by Eva Begley. It is an illustrated field guide to 528 easily accessible plant species (both native and alien). It covers the diversity of habitats in the area north of San Francisco and the Sacramento- San Joaquin river delta and west of the Sierra Nevada.
I was pleased to see that plants are organized by plant family. This system puts similar looking plants close to each other in the book. Also, for species that aren’t only one particular color, you don’t have to search several sections to find them. If you prefer to ID plants by color there is a listing of plants by color in the back of the book.
Included are clear descriptions with illustrations of basic plant life and structure.
The description for each species includes the common and scientific name; key plant ID characteristics of flowers, leaves and height; bloom period; elevation range; habitat and at least one and sometimes two or three good ID photos. There are also very interesting additional notes about plant history, ethnobotanical uses, similar species and other useful plant facts.
The Desert Sun reports
I-15 collision injures 7 near Lake Elsinore poppy super bloom
Two people were airlifted from the scene after suffering serious injuries. Five others were transported by paramedics, according to Cal Fire.
At least three collisions occurred last Sunday, March 24, according to Caltrans.
Read full story at I-15 collision injures 7 near Lake Elsinore poppy super bloom
Henry Coe State Park has a new wildflower bloom report for March 29, 2019 at the Pine Ridge Association website with photos and a list of flowers now in bloom at: Henry W. Coe – Wildflower Guide.
New Website Link: Henry Coe has updated its website and changed the wildflower link. The new link is https://coepark.net/blooming
Henry Coe State Park has a new wildflower bloom report for April 2, 2019 at the Pine Ridge Association website with photos and a list of flowers now in bloom at: Henry W. Coe – Wildflower Guide.
New Website Link: Henry Coe has updated its website and changed the wildflower link. The new link is https://coepark.net/blooming
Oregon Wildflowers reports on Catherine Creek
The typical early bloomers (various lomatium species, Sisyrinchium douglasii/grass widows, Fritillaria pudica/yellow bell, crocidium, some death camas, etc., especially in the lower and middle elevation areas. The bloom should really explode in a couple of weeks. Also lupines and larkspur plants are starting to emerge, but flowers are a long way off. There are thousands of healthy looking lewisia rediva plants in the rocky areas besides (and sometimes in the middle of) the trails — but no sign of any blossoms starting yet. I`ve seen them in bloom in mid-April in previous years, but we may have to wait another month or so this year. Several small mimulus species and a fair number of small prairie stars are blooming in the rock wall on the north side of the road just east of the parking area. And a few camas plants are in bloom there, too. Some early camas plants are starting to bloom in the warmer areas of the paved trail south of the road, too. A number of fritillaria affinis/chocolate lily are close to blooming along the east side of the trail just north of the collapsed barn. Also, lots of meadowlarks and Lewis` woodpeckers were flying and singing. And osprey have returned to the area. Saw no bluebirds yet, though.
Defenders of Wildlife News Release
WASHINGTON (March 29, 2019) – According to a recently obtained letter, the Department of Homeland Security has requested billions of dollars in military funds from the Department of Defense to build additional miles of border wall. The February 25th request includes 213 miles of new and replacement wall, floodlights and surveillance equipment to be placed along California, New Mexico and Arizona.
Much of the proposed new wall will be constructed on national monuments, national wildlife refuges and other federal public lands essential for wildlife and their movement. One section of proposed new wall would be constructed across the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, which has been the cornerstone for recovery of the endangered Sonoran pronghorn. Another section of new wall will cut off a rare corridor for jaguar movement between the U.S. and Mexico.
Defenders of Wildlife has mapped out the project areas identified in the request. You can view them here.
Jamie Rappaport Clark, president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife, issued this statement:
“This funding request is an egregious example of this administration’s attempts to divert military resources towards a manufactured crisis. The situation along our southern border does not constitute a national emergency. Our borderlands are full of thriving communities and abundant wildlife that will be irreversibly damaged by further border construction. We will keep fighting against President Trump’s abuse of his executive power.”
Posted in Animals, Environment | Tags: Border Wall, wildlife corridors
April Fools
Posted in Animals | Tags: Elephant Seals, Grizzly Bears, Pt. Reyes
Borrego Wildflowers reports
When will the low desert bloom peak? End of March and we are now past peak bloom.
Easy access flower sites:
WARNING, bloom below 2000 feet is certainly winding down and will not last for weeks.
The Coyote Canyon is now open for 4×4 and most cars can probably get to Desert Garden.
Between the citrus stand and the end of the asphalt: a nice field of Malacothrix glabrata | Desert dandelion.
At the end of the asphalt to the right Geraea canescens | Desert sunflower fields.
Along the dirt road fields of Malacothrix glabrata | Desert dandelion, Lupinus arizonicus | Arizona lupine, Geraea canescens | Desert sunflower and a great variety of other flowers.
Better fields are just beyond first crossing (water).
Close to the creek is disappointing this season, the rain and flash flood removed most of the wildflowers.
Marin CNPS Facebook has this posting for Marin Headlands
It is going OFF in the Headlands right now; entire hillsides covered in wildflowers big and small. The larger showier blooms are obvious, and gorgeous, of course, but if you pause on the trail and look closer you’ll discover a multitude (hundreds of thousands? millions?) of teeny-weeny flowers tucked into the low grasses: minute, almost microscopic little bursts of white, yellow, orange, red, blue, violet.He’s a few new arrivals in the 2019 Marin Headlands wildflower bloom (three of my faves), snapped on today’s trek around Hill 88—Narrow Leaf Mule’s Ear (I think?), Crimson Columbine, and oodles and oodles of Goldfields—plus some CA poppies and Forget-Me-Nots thrown in for good measure.
See photos at (7) Marin Native Plants
CornellLab of Ornithology reports
Raptors—especially Cooper’s Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks—have become a familiar presence at urban and suburban feeders around North America. But it wasn’t always this way.
In a 2017 retrospective of Project FeederWatch results, we noted that Cooper’s Hawks increased their presence fourfold at FeederWatch sites over the past two decades.
Posted in Birds | Tags: Urban Raptor Increase
Chico Hiking Association reports
Go Now, North Table Mountain is the place to be. Get your map, and flower guide, and hit the trails. http://www.chicohiking.org/ValleyFoothi…/Many-Waterfalls.htm
http://www.chicohiking.org/…/P…/Phantom%20Flower%20Guide.pdf
See photos at Chico Hiking Association
See other hiking guides at http://www.chicohiking.org
Oregon Wildflowers reports on Tryon Creek State Park
Western Trillium (Trillium ovatum) are starting to bloom. They should look good for the next several weeks. Try to visit on a weekday if at all possible to avoid the crowds.
Homestead Valley has a new wildflower update. See photos at Homestead Valley March 30
NEW
– Fairy bells’ cream flowers bloom under their ladder of leaves so you have to look under to see the bells.
– Field madder*, native of the Mediterranean, is blooming in meadows with little pink star flowers.
– Pacific sanicle’s dark, glossy, lobed leaves line the forest trails and their tall flower spikes are blooming now with mustard clusters.
– Poison oak blooms with small white star flowers. One of the most common plants in the forest understory, its oil causes itchy allergic reactions in many people.
Natural History Wanderings 