Journal archives for March 2011

March 29, 2011

Lower Arana Gulch, March 28, 2011

It was sunny and almost 70 degrees today. I walked to Lower Arana Gulch today with the intention of checking the dock patches along the creek to see if dock beetles were out, however all the recent rain has left standing water in that area. I noticed quite a few monarchs butterflies flying in the area and get the impression the eucalyptus trees on the other side of the creek are a winter roost for the monarchs. I ended up walking the upper area instead of the area by the creek. Saw the same species here that I saw yesterday at Fort Ord - yellow sun cups and golden brown Bombyllids, probably Bombylius major. Purple sanicle, Sanicula bipinnatifida, was blooming and an Orange-crowned Warbler was singing. As I waked the path up from the yacht harbor towards Arnana Gulch I saw lots of bumblebees, some Andrenidae and maybe some other bees were foraging on the ceanothus planted there. I will have to catch a few to determine what species are in this area.

Posted on March 29, 2011 05:39 AM by barbarab barbarab | 1 comment | Leave a comment

The rain has ended for now, March 29, 2011

After a long spell of frequent and sometimes heavy rain, the last couple of days have been warm and sunny. I think of March as the season to see mining bees (family Andrenidae.) I did see some burrows being excavated at the beginning of the month, but after that I didn't see much acitivity. Whenever I checked it was too cool, overcast or rainy for these bees to be active. Today oodles of them were out flying low to the ground over their nest sites. The highest concentration was in the soil at the edge of the parking lot where Public Works keeps the grass sparse. I found one of these bees on a wild radish plant in the clutches of a pale yellow crab spider. I also saw one of the small, shiny reddish-brown bees I believe may be nest parasites of Andrenidae. I think they might be in the genus Nomada.

Violet-green Swallows were flying over the field this morning, Western Bluebirds were perched on the fence, Yellow-rumped Warblers in breeding colors favored the Valley Oak that is just budding out, and Bewick's Wrens were singing. I heard Cooper's Hawks in the trees beyond the NE corner of the community garden. I'm thinking they might be nesting in this area. I found a feather on the trail along Stevens Creek. I'm pretty sure it's from a Western Screeech Owl . I didn't hear any when I was out listening for them in February. It's good to know that at least one is still around.

Clematis lasiantha climbing over the Holly-leafed Cherry along McClellan Roadis in full bloom now. The skinny "candles" of the California Buckeyes are growing longer everyday.

Posted on March 29, 2011 11:00 PM by barbarab barbarab | 0 comments | Leave a comment

March 30, 2011

First Hooded Oriole

I'm not sure whether this bird just arrived here or it has been here for a time ant I just noticed it today. It was in the fan palm at the north edge of the community garden.

Posted on March 30, 2011 07:56 PM by barbarab barbarab | 0 comments | Leave a comment

March 31, 2011

House Wren returns

Saw a House wren checking out a nest box along the nature trail just past the pump house. Last year was the first year I'd seen this species nest in the park, and we got two nesting pairs that moved into adjacent nest boxes.

Posted on March 31, 2011 07:37 AM by barbarab barbarab | 0 comments | Leave a comment

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