R: Pygmy Nuthatch.
Today I got paid to go Naturing at Rancho. Well, I got paid to do a site walk in advance of an upcoming program at Rancho. And I can’t be out in nature and not be Naturing somehow!
Fortunately, it’s actually helpful as I’ll be talking about the local flora and fauna with our program participants. So, yeah! I got paid to go Naturing!!
It’s all about the Ocean View Loop for our programs right now, so we (myself and my co-worker) walked the loop to see what’s currently out there right now. And, it turns out there’s a lot out there right now!
After hearing a Red-shouldered Hawk crying (which is quite common on the South end), I spotted TWO Spotted Tussock Moths in the Willows along the Farallone Cutoff! Haven’t seen those since last year, I believe? Love them. Hope to someday see the actual moth form!
Pollinators were out, and I especially loved watching a Yellow-faced Bumble Bee buzzing about. Wish it was pollinating a native plant, instead of that Queen Anne’s Lace. But, ah well.
White-crowned Sparrows were out on the farm fence. It surprised me how close we got to them before they flew off.
My co-worker saw some Yerba Buena doing quite nicely under some Coyote Brush. Didn’t know it was there! Because it was HIDING. It was also hiding further along under some Coffeeberry. Always nice to find a native plant in an area you didn’t think it was in.
After noting a particularly pretty Garden Snail shell, I caught sight of my first Shamrock Orbweaver of the year. Wrapping up a Yellowjacket. And entirely on the trail. So I just used my camera phone for those photos!
We approached Old Pedro Mountain Road, and I turned to my right to catch sight of A BUNNY. This small Brush Rabbit (I’m guessing) was just chilling in the shadow of a Coyote Brush, chewing on something. Maybe breakfast? I think it did not initially see me because it just kept on doing its thing. I made the slightest move to raise my camera, AND IT HOPPED AWAY. But, FIRST BUNNY SIGHTING AT RANCHO!
We got to the eucs, and Woodland Skippers were zipping around us. Such a treat to see them anytime, and I don’t think I’ve seen them here before?
Common or California Ringlets were in the grasses on the way back. Miraculously captured one in somewhat focus while it was latched onto a blade of grass that moved constantly in the ocean breeze. MIRACULOUS, I SAY.
Got to a spot with dense Coyote Brush, and I started to hear bird sounds. Didn’t recognize it (as it wasn’t the typical sound I actually do know), but Wrentits were about. A pair were chasing around each other. Of course I wasn’t able to document one. It’s rare for me to even SEE one.
But I did manage to stop and see one deep in a Coyote Brush bush making this newtome bird sound! It did not initially see me, so it kept calling. Sounded like a stick being struck against a quick succession of wood fence pickets!
Really wish I’d gotten a photo. Especially of it making this hysterical call.
A Gray Buckeye flew into my view. It soon landed, and I am amazed that the ONE PHOTO I got of it came out in focus. Love when that happens!
Crossed the adorable small wood footbridge and arrived at a spot where MANY birds were out and about. Even though it was almost mid-day? A couple Townsend’s Warblers, Song Sparrows, and Pygmy Nuthatches, among others. Even got to see two of the Nuthatches on the ground. Looking intently below them most of the time. Super fun to see them out in the open, as I typically see them on the side of a tree trunk and not that close-up.
My co-worker, who took an alternate route, told me that he had seen Deer and had a close encounter with a Raptor! He wasn’t sure what it was, as the encounter was so quick that the bird was a blur. But it had to be a Raptor based on his description of its size.
Add one black and orange Butterfly (that didn’t land for me to ID or document), a California Scrub-Jay, and a dark-colored Dragonfly, and we saw a very large number of things today at Rancho! Even in a spot mostly dominated by invasive weeds, the site is clearly a much-used habitat for a variety of fauna. Can’t wait to see it develop further with continuing habitat restoration. And make EVEN MORE fauna ohsohappy.
