May 12, 2011
Located off the Zzyzx exit from I-15; arrived at 16:35
88°/32° Clear, very warm

After a long drive on the first day of our Vertebrate Biology field trip, I took a short solo walk near Lake Tuendae, where I saw a family of American Coot (with four chicks!) and a Mourning Dove. I then headed out past the swimming pool, and along the Soda Lake salt flat. Here, I spotted Desert Cottontail, Say’s Phoebe, and Yellow Warbler. I also heard (but couldn’t spot) a Phainopepla. The excitement for this day was was one of the birds I’d most hoped to see on this trip: the relatively uncommon Lucy’s Warbler. Super cute! I saw the bird bopping around in some mesquite.

As darkness started to fall, I caught a glimpse of a Grey Fox near the swimming pool, and later, a few Desert Wood Rat, who apparently have a nest somewhere near the patio area.

Kelbaker Road Night Driving

(21:00 – 23:00) We drove after dark along Kelbaker Road, between Baker and Kelso Depot, looking primarily for Banded Geckos and nocturnal snakes. The technique is to drive relatively slowly (20 – 30 mph), while spotters watched for wildlife, especially animals crossing the road. We caught glimpses of several small mammals, including Desert Cottontail, Black-tailed Jackrabbit, and a Kangaroo Rat that I wasn’t able to identify. We also had success with herps. We found two Desert Horned Lizard, which was somewhat unusual since they aren’t often seen at night. I love their little grumpy faces! I also spotted a Banded Gecko with interesting coloring – all spots, and no bands of color. Probably my favorite of the night, however, was the Leaf-nosed Snake I spotted as it crossed the road. Such a cute, small snake!

Note: None of these photos are my own; they were taken by fellow students.

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Species List

Zzyzx: Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis), American Coot (Fulica americana), Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya), Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens), Lucy’s Warbler (Leiothlypis luciae), Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia), Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii), Desert Woodrat (Neotoma lepida), Grey Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), Common Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana)

Kelbaker Road: Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii), Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), Merriam’s Kangaroo Rat? (Dipodomys merriami), Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos), Western Banded Gecko (Coleonyx variegatus), Spotted Leaf-nosed Snake (Phyllorhynchus decurtatus)

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