Category: Uncategorized

California is in a state of “Extreme Drought”, with 2014 being the driest year since 1895, 119 years ago! But, in spite of this disastrous condition, one can still observe some native wildflowers in bloom on More Mesa. For example, Deerweed, which normally blooms from March to October, has been in flower constantly for more than a year. Heavily populating the east-west coastal trail, it most likely prospers in this severe drought because it is a plant that is able to survive on the moisture left behind from the many fogs that visit us in spring and summer.

Deerweed, also known as California Broom, is not only resourceful, but has a fascinating adaptation. This dainty, native Chaparral plant has a clever way of attracting pollinators to the correct flowers. Beginning yellow, the flowers turn red after pollination.  Bees cannot see the color red, so it keeps them from wasting time on flowers that have already been visited.

In addition to the non-native honeybee, Deerweed flowers are pollinated by native bees in the Bombus, Hoplitus, Osmia, Agapostemon, Anthophora, Habropoda, and Anthidium  genera. [1] Deerweed is pollinated by butterflies (nectar source), and also serves as a host plant to many species of butterfly larvae. Once the flowers have been pollinated, the resulting seeds provide food for birds and rodents. Lastly, per its name, deer feed on the plant, where they are found together.

  

Reptiles and Amphibians: In the past we have highlighted many of the biological resources found on More Mesa: birds, plants, mammals and, in last month’s update, our colorful insects, the butterflies. So it seems timely that the recent finding of a very long Gopher Snake shed should prompt this month’s discussion of the reptiles and amphibians of More Mesa.

More Mesa is thought to support at least 22 species of reptiles and amphibians. Reptiles occur throughout all the habitats and include common species such as the Western Fence Lizard, Western King Snake, Gopher Snake and Slender Salamander, as well as sensitive species such as the Southwestern Pond Turtle. (Gopher Snakes as long as 8 feet have been observed on More Mesa.) On the other hand, amphibian species are concentrated within wetland and riparian areas and include the Western Toad, Arboreal Salamander and Pacific Tree Frog.

Gopher Snakes as long as 8 feet have been seen on More Mesa.

Summer Butterflies: If you have not already discovered it, we encourage you to check out one of our web site’s many slide shows of photographs of Butterflies seen on More Mesa. Furthermore, there is a downloadable pdf Guide.  And, happily, at this time of year you can see more and more of these local beauties in the open. For example, when you visit More Mesa you are likely to see Anise Swallowtails: butterflies that lay their eggs on our ubiquitous fennel. And a second species regularly observed, flying low and sitting on bare ground, all over More Mesa, is the Common Buckeye.

AmazonSmile: On another note, a financial one at that, we are pleased to announce the More Mesa Preservation Coalition has been registered to receive 0.5% of the purchase price of all eligible products selected by Amazon customers.  This program conceived by Amazon, and known as AmazonSmile, can be accessed by entering Amazon at a slightly different web address. This web address can also be found at the lower right side of our Monthly News (this) page, below the Sitemap button. Shopping with AmazonSmile is identical to shopping with Amazon in the conventional way, with a very few products being exempted from the program.

We urge all of you who love More Mesa and want to help, to bookmark this new page and use it instead of the Amazon URL you are currently using. Thanks so much!

Bobcats On More Mesa
Some of you may have seen the marvelous photos of Bobcats taken recently on the Douglas Preserve.  And, we are most pleased to report both evidence and a sighting a Bobcat on More Mesa as well; scat was reported on the west side and an animal was seen near Atascadero Creek on the east side.

Although sightings are relatively rare, we have had several Bobcat visitors in the past, and even multiple reports of a breeding pair with young.  Thus far, we have no images for the 2014 reports.  However, we can share an earlier photo of a bobcat on More Mesa in June of 2008.

Spring Has finally Sprung: The “Ghost of Spring” we have been experiencing as a result of the current drought is gone. It has been replaced by a solid body of delightful vistas and colorful flowers. The very short grasses are now two or three times taller and the brownish appearance of the whole Mesa has changed into vibrant greens. And, most unexpectedly, there are many very large fields of Blue-eyed Grass: prominently displayed, and in close proximity to major trails. There are even Redmaids, a native we rarely find! In spite of virtually no rain More Mesa is still putting on a spring show!