March 2005

So far, we are aware of at least eight fledged chicks from the first broods of More Mesa’s kites. Since kites often have two clutches a year, this early count is an extremely heartening number. Last year, the total count, for the whole breeding period, for all four mated pairs, was ten. This early news…

“Soft” Solution Offered to Solve Goleta Beach Erosion Problems Since 2003, the County of Santa Barbara has been investigating ways to mitigate the loss of beach area at Goleta Beach.  These losses are attributed to natural erosion that occurs during winter storms, and especially, severe ones.  Both “hard” solutions, which employ structures and/or rockwork, and…

Highlighting a Special Friend of More Mesa One of the delightful aspects of our Monthly News Reports are the wonderful photos of More Mesa that accompany each report. These photos, like almost all the photos on our More Mesa web site, have been created by Lynn Watson; our web manager and photographer extraordinaire. This month’s…

Lots of Special Birds A wide area of More Mesa has been surveyed within the last few days. We are most happy to report that 34 different species were identified during this one survey. Among them were two raptors, a Peregrine Falcon and a Cooper’s Hawk. Also of very special interest were eight singing Grasshopper…

Since the Gap Fire has greatly heightened our awareness of fire, we are taking this opportunity to present a final update of plant recovery from the fire that broke out on More Mesa almost exactly a year ago.  That fire was described in our August 2007 News. Also, we previously presented an interim update concerning…

Spring has come to More Mesa.  Kites on the east side are nesting and we are expecting chicks soon.  Many hawks are also nesting on, and around, More Mesa. And although the Northern Harrier was seen on More Mesa on April 10, it should be leaving in the near future for its breeding territory. While…