March 2011

Although March is “coming in like a lion”, there are already many signs of spring out on More Mesa.  Grasses are green (and high), wildflowers are starting to make appearances and our special raptors are courting and nest building.  The east kite pair is especially busy.

Kite watchers may be interested in a story from 2004, when Lynn Watson was fortunate enough to observe a White-tailed Kite pair on Vieja Drive – from nest-building, chick fledging to eventual foraging by the family on More Mesa. This photo-illustrated, most special of kite tales, is now available on this web site at Vieja Drive White-tailed Kites, 2004 or click on the image below.

vieja kites
Story Summary

Similar Posts

  • August 2013

    The Good Work Continues Last month we called on Citizen Scientists to help us document any evidence of kite nesting on More Mesa. That call has been answered … and with some very good news!  We now have documented evidence that there are almost certainly two nesting pairs of kites on More Mesa this year. First, not…

  • | | |

    December 2011

    As another fairly quiet year on More Mesa draws to a close, and as has been our custom, we offer highlights of 2011. Updated Biological Resources Study More than eighteen months after field work for the Updated Biological Resources Study was completed, a draft report was issued by Santa Barbara County. The 429 page report, prepared by…

  • November 2011

    Plant List An online plant list for More Mesa has now been compiled and loaded onto the web site. The entries on the list are derived from the 1982 and 2010 Biological Resources Studies, a list from the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens, and a few other observations. Please click here for the list. Native Plants Blooming…

  • May 2011

    Vernal Pools With all the emphasis on water in last month’s news, it seemed most appropriate that our web site should include a section devoted entirely to a very special water feature of More Mesa; its vernal pool.  As described in the More Mesa Handbook, as well as in the Draft Updated Biological Resources Study,…

  • March 2009

    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…