March 25, 2023
Sunny and cool
I was asked to lead an activity at the Preserve: “The Secrets of Pond Life – Aqua Bugs, Amphibians, and More.” This community event included a presentation with information about the sorts of things we might see, and then most of our time was spent hiking down to Turtle Pond to see what critters we could find. At the pond, we collected some invertebrates and brought them back to the nature center to look at them under dissecting scopes.
The highlight of my day? Several California Newts seen in the pond, along with egg sacs that were visible in the water. I also enjoyed seeing a few Western Pond Turtles, several Sierran Tree Frogs, and a bunch of adorable little Calanoid Copepods.
On the way to the pond:
Turtle Pond:
Under the microscope:
It was a great day, and I had a lot of fun with the folks who showed up. And how can anyone be disappointed about seeing multiple California Newts?
Species List
Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus abeiticola), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Darkling Beetle (Eleodes grandicollis), Ants (Formicidae), Sierran Tree Frog (Pseudacris sierra), Calanoid Copepods (Calanoida), Predaceous Diving Beetle (Agabus disintegratus), California Newt (Taricha torosa), Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura), California Scrub-Jay (Aphelcoma californica), Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus), Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata), Northern Raven (Corvus corax), California Towhee (Melozone crissalis), Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana), Snakefly (Raphidioptera), Convergent Lady Beetle (Hippodamia convergens), Marsh Ramshorn (Planorbella trivolvis), Wolf Spider (Lycosidae), Pacific Coast Tick (Dermacentor occidentalis), White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis), California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), Golden-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium californicum), Western Buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis), Common Cat’s Ear (Hypochaeris radicata), Rush (Juncaceae), Rosy Sandcrocus (Romulea rosea), Mediterranean Stork’s-Bill (Erodium botrys), Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis), Sun Cup (Taraxia ovata)
Let me know what you think!