Category: Birds

December 2009

Posted on | by MMPC

As 2009 nears its close, MMPC celebrates, not only this happy season, but almost a decade of pursuing our vision … preserving all of More Mesa … forever. And, as has been our custom, we would like to share some highlights of what has been happening on More Mesa, and our work during the past year.

  • Bio Study
    MMPC has learned that field work for the Bio Study has definitely been completed.  However the report has been put on hold and no release date is available.

  • More Mesa For Sale
    As we reported last year More Mesa is still for sale, with the asking price remaining at $85 Million.  However, with current economic conditions as they are, it would not be unreasonable to assume that the price has, or may, drop below that figure.  We will keep you informed of any developments in this area.

  • More Mesa Handbook
    At the end of last year we reported the publication of the More Mesa Handbook, a comprehensive document describing the resources, history and constraints on More Mesa.  In early 2009, the Handbook was formally “launched” during an extremely successful event; one attended by almost 80 people – see this page.

    Since then, the Handbook has been gathering raves and praise from all sectors, both public and private!  Indeed, it has received two prestigious awards for being an “Outstanding Education Resource” from the American Planning Association – California, as well as being cited in a Santa Barbara County Resolution.  Most recently, the Handbook was nominated for an award from the Association of Environmental Professionals.  During 2009, dozens of hard copies and disks have been distributed to public officials, County and City staffs, educational institutions, scientists, funding organizations and interested private citizens.  The Handbook may be downloaded  here.

  • Fence at End of Mockingbird Lane
    In order to minimize the possibility of fire, neighbors on the northeast corner of More Mesa have constructed a perimeter fence, to prohibit illegal motorized vehicles.  There are also ongoing efforts to investigate the possibility of a similar construction on the west side of More Mesa.

  • And      …
    • MMPC is cooperating with County Parks in a process to remove an extremely harmful invasive known as “Russian Knapweed” from County owned sections of More Mesa.
    • Our data base is nearing 1000 supporters.
    • We have a new e-mail address.

Finally, our winter visitors are out on More Mesa!  Especially look for up to four Northern Harriers that have already been reported.

As always … thank you all for your wonderful support and for loving this very special place.
Our warmest holiday wishes.
Valerie Olson

grebes
Large number of grebes seen daily off More Mesa bluffs.
While thousands of grebes can normally be seen off northern Santa Barbara
County at this time of year, this is an unusually large number for southern
Santa Barbara County, and the grebes are more numerous off
More Mesa bluffs than other locations.
Photo by Yuji Kozaki

June 2009

Posted on | by MMPC

An update from the Board …

In October of last year, MMPC reported the formation of a committee tasked with the creation of an updated community plan for the unincorporated portion of the Second Supervisorial District (please see this page, October 2008)  At that time we urged all our supporters, as well as other members of the community, to offer comments to the committee on topics such as open space, wetlands, vernal pools, habitats, creeks, watersheds, environmental protection, parks, trails and visual and aesthetic resources.  Now the committee is getting ready to provide direction on what the updated community plan should look like.  Toward that end, the committee has made available two structured ways in which you may express your opinions:

  • Survey: Take the Goleta Valley Community Survey on line here.  This comprehensive survey needs to be submitted by June 19th, and is very important, since it will help frame the discussions at the Goleta Valley Planning Advisory Committee (GVPAC) Workshop described below.
  • Workshop: Come share your views with the GVPAC at the upcoming Community Workshop … to be held on July 11th at the Vieja Valley School.

For more information on either of these topics, visit this page. Or call, 805-568-3380. This is your chance to get your opinions heard and included in our long range plan.  For example:

  • What do you cherish about the Eastern Goleta Valley?
  • What do you want to see change?
  • What does the community need?

Voice your opinions by completing the survey, and/or attending the workshop.  We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you on July 11th! Valerie Olson More Mesa Preservation Coalition Chair, Goleta Valley Planning Advisory Committee (GVPAC)

A Western Screech-Owl was heard on the Vieja Drive side of More Mesa on June 2nd. To hear a recording of this owl, click on the start button below.

May 2009

Posted on | by MMPC

White-tailed Kites
We are delighted to report that the eastern kite nest has already fledged three chicks.  The appearance of the juveniles has been documented as early as the middle of April! This extremely early fledging of three chicks bodes very well for a large number of chicks being produced on More Mesa this year.  And, the parents appear to be extremely busy, not only feeding this brood, but building (and defending) a second nest as well!

We invite you to learn more about the kites of More Mesa, from two different sources on this web site. First, a kite feature, written by Lynn Watson, may be found at here.

And second, you may find additional information and a detailed history of kites on More Mesa on pages 29-33 of the recently published More Mesa Handbook.

Migrating Birds 
Many migrating birds stop over at More Mesa both in spring and fall. This year, birders found a Yellow-breasted Chat, and one of the birders was able to capture a photo. These birds migrate to Mexico and Central America.

chat
Yellow-breasted Chat on More Mesa, photo by Dianna Ricky, May 6, 2009. 

January 2009

Posted on | by MMPC

Peregrine Falcon
In past Monthly News updates, we have encouraged bird enthusiasts who visit More Mesa to submit reports on what they see, via this web site. (Click on the button at the bottom of the home page or go to Contact > Sightings Report.)

In the past few years, several of our supporters have used the web site to document regular bird sightings.  As a result, we are most happy to report that we recently received a marvelous sighting of a Peregrine Falcon near the coastal path of More Mesa … in the process of consuming a prey item!  This bird has been definitely identified as a juvenile Falco peregrinus anatum; a race that breeds in sub-arctic Alaska and Canada and throughout the western US.  This is very exciting news, since the last reported sighting of this species on More Mesa was in 2004.  We are indebted to Van Laurn, who is a frequent contributor to our sightings data base, for this report and the More Mesa photo below.  Initially there was also some concern about the nature of the prey item, until Van subsequently tracked down the carcass and positively identified the prey as a pigeon.

More Mesa Handbook
We will be launching the More Mesa Handbook at a morning get-together next month, and on this web site next month as well.  Watch for announcement of the time and place of the get-together; via e-mail and in the February News.

Thanks for caring about More Mesa, and a Happy New Year from all of us at the More Mesa Preservation Coalition!

mm
Juvenile Peregrine Falcon seen on More Mesa, January 7, 2009.

gs
Possibly same Peregrine Falcon seen at nearby Goleta Slough mouth, Dec 26, 2008. 

October 2007

Posted on | by MMPC

Birds
In addition to our permanent bird population, some fall migrants are stopping over on More Mesa, and many of our winter residents have already arrived.  In the past two weeks, the following birds have been observed on More Mesa:

  • Northern Harrier
  • Sharp-shinned Hawk
  • Cooper’s Hawk
  • Loggerhead Shrike
  • American Kestrel
  • Savannah Sparrow
  • Song Sparrow
  • White-crowned Sparrow
  • Common Yellowthroat
  • Yellow Warbler
  • Wilson’s Warbler
  • Blue Gray Gnatcatcher
  • Black-throated Gray Warbler
  • Cassin’s Kingbird
  • Say’s Phoebe
  • Wood Pewee
  • Western Meadowlark
  • Northern Flicker

And, of course look for our ever present, beautiful White-tailed Kites.

Fire
Also, while out on the East side of More Mesa, notice how the burn area is already recovering. Shoots of many native plants (coyote bush, willow and oak) are making their appearance from the fire blackened earth … and after only 0.3 inches of rain last month!

Say's Phoebe
Say’s Phoebe catching insects in the burned area, More Mesa, October 9, 2007.