Category: White-tailed Kite

March 2009

Posted on | by MMPC

More Mesa Handbook Launch Party
The rain on Sunday, 22 February 2009 did not seem to dampen the spirits of the 80 folks who attended MMPC’s party to launch the new More Mesa Handbook.  All judged the event a great success … despite having to move the venue indoors, and into much smaller quarters.

Guests perused a hard copy of the More Mesa Handbook, enjoyed some refreshments, and listened to a detailed and very informative talk by Dan Gira, the AMEC and Earth Environmental Program Manager, who was responsible for creating the Handbook.

To view photos of the party can be seen Events > Handbook 2009.

Electronic copies of the More Mesa Handbook may be downloaded from Publications > Handbook.

White-tailed Kites
MMPC is most happy to report that there is confirmation of nesting behavior for three pairs of kites on More Mesa this year.  Indeed, it is further believed that one pair is already incubating!  This means also, that there is a good chance at least one pair of kites will double clutch this season.  The news of three nesting pairs is especially important, since there have not been many other kites sighted in the Goleta Valley of late.  With this news we have, yet another, demonstration of More Mesa’s importance to the regional kite population.

young kites
A number of photos of four pre-fledged kites, central area More Mesa, June 2003.
Click on the image to see a larger image.

May 2008

Posted on | by MMPC

More Mesa Biological Resource Study – Status Update
As reported in last month’s news, the County of Santa Barbara has selected Rincon Consultants to prepare the Updated Biological Resources study of More Mesa.  The Board of Supervisors approved the selection on April 15th , and the one-year study is now officially underway.

White-tailed Kites
We are happy to report nesting activity on both the east and west ancestral sites of More Mesa. In addition, the eastern kite pair provided the most definitive evidence of  breeding seen at any kite territory in the Goleta area. The presence of kites on More Mesa is especially gratifying, since this does not appear to be a good year for reproduction in any of the other large open spaces in the Goleta Valley.  Once again, More Mesa is proving itself an excellent habitat for these very special and beautiful birds.

cassins
Cassin’s Kingbird in burned area, More Mesa, April 14, 2008

October 2004

Posted on | by MMPC

Third Update on Hacienda Vieja Project

Project approved by the Planning Commission: Several modifications to the Hacienda Vieja Project were offered by the developer at the 6 October meeting of the Planning Commission. These included redesigning two of the houses to one story, and reducing elevations and size. Two other issues were introduced as well. The first would insure that the wetland is maintained and monitored permanently. In addition, a covenant is being prepared that will ensure that a single, one story house is all that will be allowed on a second parcel that is part of this application. While many positive steps were taken, the approval of this application increases the number of two story houses allowed on the edge of More Mesa to a total of six … double the number we had six months ago! MMPC remains firmly committed to the position that there should be no additional two-story structures abutting More Mesa and that the size of one story houses should be consistent with other developments in the neighborhood of More Mesa.

Kites
Baby Kites: We are extremely happy to report that the four pairs of kites that nested on More Mesa, or on the periphery, have fledged a total of ten chicks this season – seven in the spring and three in the summer. The last of the fledglings are now out on More Mesa, hunting and roosting. The picture to the right was taken of one of the chicks just before it flew for the first time on August 25th. A couple of days later, it was flying quite well in the image below.

Usage Survey
Usage Survey Launched: As reported last month, a usage survey has been hosted on this site. We have received several completed surveys, and encourage all users of More Mesa to help us collect the data we need to have credible statistics on the ways in which our community enjoys this lovely place. [The survey can be found here.]