By Rae Schindler Photo by Cheryl Reynolds People in Martinez go wild for local wildlife. In fact, this enthusiastic city held its inaugural "Beaverfest" earlier this summer, a celebration of a local beaver population that has grown over the past few years. Now there is more cause to celebrate. A new cute and cuddly critter has joined the Martinez community: minks. Minks are native to the Bay Area, but are quite rare. Their presence is a sign of a healthy creek and is an exciting addition to the watershed. Physical Appearance In the 1950's and 60's a mink stole was a must-have fashion …
What’s in Your Watershed? | The Lovely Long-billed Curlew
By Dan Grannan The long-billed curlew is an epic bird. Not only is it the largest shorebird in North America, it also displays one the greatest aerial shows of any avian flier. During breeding season, the curlew flies in fast loops as part of a courtship dance. This ostentatious display attracts both feathered mates and human bird-watchers alike. Named for its long, slender bill and "cur-loo" call, curlews are also called "candlestick birds" and are the namesake for San Francisco's Candlestick Point. Physical Appearance Adult curlews have an elongated bill that curves downwards, a …
What’s in Your Watershed? | The Endangered Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse
By Dan Grannan An adorable local watershed resident, the salt marsh harvest mouse, recently made national headlines when it became the center of a political controversy over the federal stimulus bill that included a thirty million dollar earmark for San Francisco Bay restoration. In fact, the mouse wasn't in the stimulus bill at all, but the shaky status of this creature makes a strong case for the necessity of watershed restoration in the Bay Area. Physical Appearance The salt marsh harvest mouse is tiny. At approximately eight centimeters long, it weighs between eight to twelve …
What’s in Your Watershed? | The Beneficial Ground Beetle
By Adam Hale Most gardeners know that ladybugs are master defenders. They protect plants from menacing aphids right before your eyes in the light of day. But cute ladybugs are not the only garden guards. There are other beneficial creatures living in your garden, working the night shift to control pest populations. Predatory ground beetles (Family Carabidae) are a good example of night guards. They are abundant in many Bay Area gardens and feed on soil-inhabiting pests such as cutworms, slugs, and root maggots. These fast-moving creatures have powerful mandibles and terrific eyesight, …
What’s in Your Watershed? | The Tidewater Goby
By Jan Steffe Get out your calendars. May marks the beginning of the tidewater goby breeding season! As you read this article, the mating drama of this small fish is unfolding in the brackish water of lagoons, estuaries, and marshes near you. It all starts when the male tidewater gobies construct breeding burrows in the sand and mud, shutting off access with a plug of sand and mucus. Sometimes the gobies even use empty oyster shells for their spawning ceremony. Next, the feisty females ferociously fight over the burrowed males, the prize being the opportunity to entice the male to …
What’s in Your Watershed? | The Roguish River Otter
By Elizabeth Collins Fast, furry and fearless, the North American River Otter has come back from the brink of extinction. Once hunted relentlessly for their jacket-worthy fur, these playful creatures managed to survive in the Russian River watershed. Recently, they have also been spotted in nearby Bolinas Lagoon. The river otter is a member of the weasel family and has a dark brown coat on its backside and light brown or gray coat on its underside. Highly adaptable and an avid swimmer, the river otter has the ability to open and close its nose and ears when going deep into the water. …
What’s in Your Watershed | Wild Turkeys Strutting Their Stuff
By Diana Dunn As spring spreads throughout the Bay Area, male turkeys are starting to show off their coppery tail feathers. The males, also known as gobblers, show off their iridescent feathers from February to April to catch the eyes of their less metallic female counterparts. Most of the time, with the help of their 5,000 to 6,000 feathers, they succeed. If a breeding male has put on a good enough performance, this gobbler can usually convince two to three hens he's a good mate. But, by late March male turkeys make a hasty exit from the bird scene and hens take center stage. March marks …
What’s in Your Watershed? | The Mighty Red Knot
By Christopher Lim What weighs less than half a pound and travels over 9,000 miles each year? The Mighty Red Knot, Calidris canutus, is a truly remarkable bird. It makes one of the longest yearly migrations of any bird, traveling over 15,000 km from its Arctic breeding grounds to Tierra del Fuego at the tip of South America, flashing its colorful body and wings the entire way. Physical Appearance One of the most colorful birds in North America, Red Knots change color depending on their motives. During breeding season, it has an attractive cinnamon colored face, chest and undersides …
