Approximately the size of a robin, marbled murrelets are primarily seabirds, with webbed feet and short powerful wings to propel them through the water. But during their summer breeding months, pairs of birds head inland to the forests. There they take turns nurturing a single chick in a mossy nest 100 feet or higher on the large limbs of redwoods or other large trees.

These tiny torpedoes can fly at 60 miles or more per hour, which comes in handy since they fish in coastal waters for herring, smelt, anchovies and invertebrates, then zoom ashore to feed their young at dawn or dusk when they’re less likely to be seen. Even with their speed and natural secrecy, however, they’re facing challenges.

The first marbled murrelet nest in North America was only discovered in 1974, in Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz. Less than twenty years later the species was added to the federal threatened list and the state endangered list. Oil spills and gill-net fishing pose hazards in the water, while the shrinking of old-growth forests leaves them exposed to predators on land. POST’s acquisition of properties like CEMEX Redwoods is critical to  preserving habitat that helps these birds survive.

Jays, ravens and crows like to prey on marbled murrelet eggs and chicks when they can find them. They are also scavengers, happily feeding on food that humans leave unattended. As more and more forests become small and fragmented, these birds are easily able to scour smaller areas looking for scraps. And despite the camouflage effect of the marbled murrelet’s plumage, the more time the scavenger birds spend in these areas, the more likely it is they’ll discover a marbled murrelet nest.

There are simple things you can do to help. First and foremost is keep nature natural. When you’re enjoying the great outdoors hiking, cycling, riding or camping, remember to secure your food, clean up after yourself and don’t feed the wildlife.

You can also visit our Heart of the Redwoods page to learn more about the campaign to save our local redwood forests. Together we can conserve more areas like CEMEX Redwoods to help the marbled murrelet—and the rest of us—who depend on these protected lands.

The handsome Harris’s Sparrow appears to have come west to enjoy some bugs, which are, in turn, feasting on rotting Brussels sprouts. (Yummy!)

Since the big sparrows are rarely seen anywhere near California, birders have been coming from far and wide to add the species to their “seen” lists. Both Mr. Muzzi and the property owner (and former POST board member), Steve Blank, are being kind enough to let birders onto the property to check old “Harry” out!

Some interesting facts about the Harris’s Sparrow: It’s the only bird in the world that breeds exclusively in Canada. It does so along the edge of boreal forest and tundra in north-central Canada. Sadly, the boreal forest is being hit hard by climate change, so the bird may be attempting to adapt.

In winter, the sparrows observe a very clear hierarchy to determine who gets first access to food: The oldest males get the worm — or seed, or bug.  California is a very unusual place for them to end up, but since the birds often winter in agricultural fields and pastures, Cascade Ranch must have looked like the right spot to be.

If you do go ogle the Harris’s Sparrow, stop and take in the view at Whaler’s Cove or do the easy, beautiful coastal hike on Cowell-Purisima Trail!

You can also learn more about this and other birds on Cornell University’s incredible ornithology website.

Via Wikimedia Commons

A map of mountain lion sightings in residential areas in the San Jose Mercury News suggests that the cats are coming from the greenbelt of open spaces on the west side of Highway 280 — which includes several POST-protected parcels. One puma was spotted in Windy Hill. (POST Conservation Project Manager Abigail Adams also recently spotted a paw print on a POST easement near San Gregorio.)

That’s a good thing. More open spaces, along with a ban on hunting in California, are beginning to boost the predators’ numbers. Officials estimate there are 6,000 of them in the state.

Admittedly, it’s scary to spot a mountain lion on your block or to find one napping in your tree. But you are more likely to be killed by a deer than by a mountain lion, according to Zara McDonald of the Felidae Conservation Fund. The cats, by predilection, avoid humans whenever they can. In fact, some trackers have found evidence that humans have come within 50 feet of a mountain lion without ever knowing it was there.

When a puma ends up on Alpine Road, it’s probably looking for a mountainous throughway of another sort: Wildlife corridors are a vital ingredient for keeping puma populations healthy. When they can’t find natural throughways, pumas sometimes revert to highways and suburban byways, neither of which are good news for people.

Take another look at the Mercury map: You’ll see that almost all of the sightings are on the boundary of an open space or in a stretch of developed land between large open spaces.

So treat the cats with some respect if you happen to see one — and be sure to follow the experts’ best recommendations for not having a conflict with it.

You can make your home less appealing to a wandering mountain lion by avoiding feeding any wildlife that it might prey on. Make your best effort to keep deer away by landscaping with plants they don’t like to eat. Keep pets indoors. Motion-activated lighting can also repel the cats.

To steer clear of mountain lions in wilderness areas, avoid hiking alone or wearing headphones. Keep children and dogs close to you. Never approach or run away from a mountain lion, if you see one. Instead, make an effort to appear bigger by raising your arms. If all else fails and you are attacked, fight back! One 60-year-old woman likely saved her husband’s life by repeatedly jabbing an attacking puma with a ballpoint pen!

The opening was heralded in nearly every local media outlet, including the San Jose Mercury News, the Half Moon Bay Review, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Bay Citizen, and Half Moon Bay’s Patch. It’s even found its way onto the national everything-but-the-kitchen-sink site About.com.

In many ways, the story of the trail — which is owned and managed by POST — is the story of the California Coastal Trail to which it adds three miles: It’s not easy to secure permanent public access to our coastline, but there’s a lot of pent-up demand for residents to get out there and appreciate California’s windswept western edge.

POST first acquired the land on which the coastal trail now sits 25 years ago. It’s taken that long to coordinate with all of the state agencies that help oversee the state’s shoreline (particularly during difficult economic times), to work with longtime farmers to ensure their operations aren’t disrupted and to secure enough funding to create a safe, visitor-friendly trail on the rugged terrain.

The million-dollar-per-mile price tag may sound like a lot, not least to the many generous POST donors who helped make this public trail possible, but it’s actually slightly under what the state budgeted on a per-mile basis to realize the dream of a public trail along the coast from Oregon to Mexico.

From the interest the trail has gotten, though, it seems that Californians believe the time and effort are well spent to appreciate the sweeping views — and seals! — the trail provides.

Check out POST’s photos of a recent walk-and-talk Paul Ringgold led on the trail, and don’t miss Patch’s virtual hike.

Photos by Kathryn Hargis

Little Basin is a great redwood retreat for families. Once the exclusive campground of Hewlett-Packard employees, POST and the Sempervirens Fund purchased the 534-acre property and transferred it earlier this year to California State Parks. Now part of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, it’s open to the public all year long for day hikes and overnight camping (with a four-person minimum per camping group).

On the day we arrived, we set up camp at site 20, and it couldn’t have been easier. Our site, equipped with a charcoal-burning barbecue grill, a table with benches, a food locker and wood-burning fire pit, was right next to a swing set—which is very handy when you’re putting up a tent with a toddler helping out.

During previous visits to Little Basin, we had the campground largely to ourselves. This time, the breeze was filled with the laughter of “big kids” (as my toddler calls them) playing on swings and running across the footbridges over the creek. Nearby, adults chatted while visiting each other at their spacious campsites. At one point someone broke out an acoustic guitar and started playing, much to our delight.

Once we set up camp, we took a walk around to explore. We easily found the bathrooms (spotless!). We spent the afternoon playing all-terrain bocce ball and riding our bikes along the paved loop road. Soon it was time to eat (veggie tinfoil dinners) and start our blueberry and peach Dutch-oven cobbler. (You can’t go wrong with this recipe!) And while it might be tricky to pack in ice cream, you can always bring whipped cream to top your treat.

We followed our meal with a leisurely walk to Little Basin’s big meadow, where we saw several deer. We gazed up at the moon and stars before returning to our tent for a campfire and some s’mores. As night fell, the campground became still and quiet. Mesmerized by the fire, we told stories before heading off to bed.

We awoke to a cool and refreshing morning. We started a campfire and relaxed with breakfast and coffee. When we were done, we packed up camp (dowsing the fire thoroughly, of course) and took a hike on the Tanbark Loop Trail (PDF map). Redwoods, knob-cone pines and mixed hardwood forest shade the leisurely trail.

After our two-hour hike, we ate lunch at one of the many picnic tables and stopped at the playground before loading up the car and heading back home over the mountain. It felt as if Little Basin had woken up from a long slumber and was welcoming us with open arms. We’re already planning a return trip to this magical place.

Little Basin is open daily for hiking. Overnight campaign is available year-round for groups of four or more. There are 12 cabins, 38 tent spaces, several RV sites and a large group camping area. Amenities include a recreation hall, tennis court, basketball court, two sports fields, group BBQ area and playgrounds. Firewood available for purchase at the entrance.

Click here to get more information on how to make a reservation. Click here for a map.

Going for a weekend hike‚ we envision strolling along open meadows teeming with wildflowers and wildlife, or challenging our stamina on a steep trek through hills and redwoods. But enjoying the outdoors means sharing it with others. Hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, runners, small children, senior citizens, dog-walkers, photographers, people in wheelchairs, bird watchers, and other nature study groups are all out on the trails exploring open space. A little preparation for interactions on mixed-use trails ensures that everyone has a great time getting out on the land.

Right of Way

Most trail etiquette falls under the rules of common courtesy, but there are a few crucial details to consider. If you are on a mixed-use trail (hikers, cyclists, equestrians), the right of way is:

Cyclists yield to Hikers and Horses.
Hikers yield to Horses.

Cyclists generally move the fastest and can be potentially dangerous, so they must yield to slower traffic. Horses are large and can be easily frightened; therefore equestrians get precedence over other trail users.

Hikers and Runners

• 

  photo courtesy MROSD

  Hike quietly, and turn your cell phone down (or off).

• Stay on the trail. Do not cut switchbacks or take shortcuts.
• Stay to the right on wider paths.
• When overtaking other trail users, let them know you are approaching and will be passing on the left. You may hear a cyclist or runner call out, “On your Left!” as s/he comes up from behind. That means you should stay to your right.
• When you stop for a view, a rest or to yield, move just off the trail so it is free for others.
• Hikers and runners going uphill are working hard and should be given the right of way over those coming downhill.
• Greet others on the trail, especially if you are coming up from behind. No one wants to get startled. A smile, nod or brief “hello” is sufficient.
• When hiking in a group, hike single file or take no more than half of a wide trail.
• Be in control of your children! This is a great opportunity to teach them about trail courtesy as well!
• If you packed it in, pack it out. You know what we mean…
• Meeting horses: move off the trail on the downhill side (horses generally bolt uphill if frightened) and make sure the horses and riders can see you. Greet the riders and ask if you are ok where you are. Stand quietly while the horses pass.

Hikers with dogs

photo courtesy MROSD

• If you hike with your dog, have your pet under control at all times. Not all dogs are used to outdoor activities (horses, bikes, children, large groups), so make sure you have introduced Spot to all possible encounters. Bring plenty of poop bags to pack out any droppings. No, the side of the trail is not an option.
• Hikers with dogs must follow county/local leash laws. Most parks require that your dog be on a leash of no more than 6 feet, so watch those retractable flexi-leashes! They can be dangerous if your dog bolts out in front of others!

Cyclists

• 

  photo courtesy MROSD

  Be a positive representative of your local cycling community! Yes, it’s fun to go fast, but please be respectful of others. Speeding cyclists can scare horses, dogs AND people, and it’s entirely possible you won’t know what wreck you’ve left in your wake.

• When approaching from behind, announce yourself well in advance and reduce your speed to pass safely.
• Approach blind curves with caution — assume someone is coming in the opposite direction.
• Pass horses as far to the left as possible to avoid unintentional contact, or stop if the rider asks. If you approach horse that is spooking or appears frightened, be considerate and stop. Wait for the rider to tell you that it is OK to pass. Most trail horses are used to cyclists, but you might be meeting one that is just learning about bikes and other trail expectations.

Equestrians

• 

  photo courtesy MROSD

  Be an ambassador for the equestrian world! Horses are intimidating to many of the people you’ll meet on trails, so it’s best to be friendly to all and have your beastie on his best behavior. Since horse reactions are the wild card in public settings, you are responsible for knowing your limitations and ensuring that everyone stays safe.

• Desensitize your horse to the many strange-and-scary things typically on a mixed-use trail before you go out. Have a friend ride a mountain bike next to your horse and occasionally stop to feed treats. Do the same routine with backpacks.
• Make sure that your horse is comfortable around leashed dogs and children. Dogs can lunge and children may run and shriek. It’s your responsibility to manage your horse’s reactions and take necessary precautions.
• If at all possible, stay off muddy trails! Horse hooves make a big mess out of a small one quickly. Wet trails are generally closed to horse traffic with good reason.

Common sense and courtesy should be the general rule. See you on the trail!

San Francisco Garter Snake

The San Francisco Garter Snake has been listed as federally endangered since 1967, and we here at POST are proud to be part of regional efforts to safeguard this brightly-colored snake. In fact, our Cloverdale Coastal Ranches property is home to one of their largest populations, thanks in part to habitat restoration efforts on the property.

Using state and federal grants, POST has improved pond and wetland habitat at Cloverdale, and there are signs these efforts are succeeding. “One pond was so crowded with rushes, a person could walk across it,” says Dave Kelly, recovery program coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department in Sacramento. “Now there is open water and improved vegetation on the banks. Both are important for wildlife. Cloverdale is an excellent model for how habitat restoration should be done.”

Limited permits are available to visit Cloverdale. If you’re interested, please contact Catherine Waterston at cwaterston at openspacetrust.org.

You can also visit POST donor Renate Kempf’s blog to see her beautiful photographs and read her firsthand account of the outing! Thanks, Renate!

Buttercups © Renate Kempf

POST’s Walks & Talks are a benefit to our donors who give $500 or more annually. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Katie Morris at kmorris at openspacetrust.org.

As we reported in the fall, on October 20, 2010 CalFire completed a prescribed fire on 400 acres in the central part of POST’s Cloverdale Coastal Ranches. For the past seven years I have been working with the CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire), the CA Department of Fish and Game (CFG) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to implement a prescribed fire program. This was the fifth prescribed fire in the last eight years at Cloverdale.

The following link from POST volunteer Curt Rowe shows how quickly the prescribed fire areas really “green up” and rejuvenate. In just a matter of weeks following the on-set of winter rains the seasonal ponds are filling in and the hillsides are covered in a carpet of new, green vegetation. Another POST volunteer, trained botanist Neal Kramer, also provided assistance in establishing the photo points that have been set up at Cloverdale. Both Curt and Neal plan to provide updated photos to the link every few months or so to record the changes in vegetation over the next several years. POST is very appreciative of their efforts and will be sure to share their results with you!

Here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll see at the link:

And if you’re interested in helping POST by becoming a volunteer, check out this link to learn more!

Trillium at Windy Hill

The Giant Trillium is one of the early spring flowers growing under the oak trees in the hills. A member of the lily family, it has the characteristic three petals and three leaves. Another name for it is Wake Robin, implying that it “wakes the robins,” who are traditionally considered the harbingers of spring. It can be seen on many shady trails through March.

Dirca Bush

Dirca Blossom

Western Leatherwood–commonly called Dirca because of its scientific name, Dirca occidentalis–grows only in the San Francisco Bay Area. Although it is no longer common in our area, you can see it in bloom right now at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve in Portola Valley. I took these photos about a third of the way up the Hamm’s Gulch Trail.