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Our September 2nd Saturday FORB Nature Walk was quite special. by Robert

9/13/2018

Our September FORB's monthly 2nd Saturday Nature Walk was quite special and memorable because naturalist Greg Kareofelas was back to lead our annual "Dragonfly & Damselfly" event again at Sutter’s Landing Park. When Greg and these unique animals come together, there are always amazing new things to learn and discover!
As seen in the excellent images by Kathy Kayner, Greg showed us most of the species found in California on this chart. He also recommends the book "Dragonflies and Damselflies of California" by local well-known biologist Tim Manolis.
Greg caught a few specimens the day before to be released at our event. It was an exciting moment when he delicately removed one at a time from their cage, so each of us could get a very up close look at them, then he let a youngster carefully hold and release each one! Two of them took to the sky but the last one headed to the river!
Our county park rangers came by in support of the event and as you can see, one of them was as excited to see these creatures as were the rest of us. All who wanted to use our insect nets took one and we headed down to the river.
On the beach, we learned that when dragonflies and damselflies emerge from the water, they are most vulnerable to predation and disturbance by humans and dogs because their bodies are soft and they can’t yet fly. (This disturbance and damage has been seen at previous FORB dragonfly events and other times). Even after their wings are strong enough for first flights, they need to find shelter in nearby woods until their wings have hardened and they have enough strength to hunt.
These animals are among the more ancient creatures still thriving on planet earth. They must be doing something right!
Enjoy them where and whenever you are fortunate to see them! Many kudus and thanks to Greg for coming out to SLP today to lead this awesome event! We always learn something new every year!

A "neighbor" watched all the dragonfly activity from the distance. (photo by JoEllen)

2nd Saturday FORB Event (Useful Plant Walk) by Kathy

8/14/2018

Blue Elderberry tree. Some tribes used the wood for making bows, pipes, fire drills as well as a few musical instruments. The plant was used as a fever deterrent and a blood purifier. (I hear it makes some very fine wine as well. □)

We had a fascinating and very educational FORB event today at Sutter’s Landing Regional Park this morning. Our friend, Brian Collett, took about a dozen or so guests on an adventure near the banks of the American River showing us native and non native trees, shrubs and other plants that most of us do not pay much attention to when we walk down to the river. I can assure you after this event, everyone that attended will be paying attention to what we learned about today and sharing it with their friends and families.

Brian mentioned a very interesting fact before we began our walk. He said even though it is still the Summer season, the trees and plants are now at the beginning stages of the Fall season. This is evidenced by noticing some of the leaves turning and falling. The biggest growth and development began much earlier in the Summer.

Thank you so much Brian for taking the time to put this event together. Your knowledge of all the trees, shrubs, vines etc is endless and so very valuable.

We all appreciated Brian not only describing the different plants, shrubs and trees to us, but he also connected them to how these items were used, cultivated and treasured by our Native American tribes. Here are some examples:

Manzanita Shrub produces edible fruit/berries consumed by coastal and foothill Native groups. The wood is used for tools and fire wood which produces low smoke and high temperature fires

Curly Dock. This plant starts out as a green leafy growth which is used as a vegetable and medicinally for skin and internal ailments. It is also high in Vitamin C content. Its flowers and seeds are usually very small, growing in yellowish green to green to purplish plume-like clusters at the top of the plant.

Fennel/Anise is an introduced species accompanying the introduction of cattle in California. The entire plant and roots can be eaten without any ill effects.

Wild Rose, a deciduous shrub, produces edible fruit that can be harvested in the fall when sugar content is highest. The fruit was also used as adornment such as necklaces and earrings. The rose petals were dried, ground to a powder and used for skin rashes on babies.

Chicory is an herb used as a savory green to enhance salads. The roots can be baked or roasted and the plant can be substituted for oats as horse feed. It is also a delicious substitute for coffee.

Wild Grape can be seen all over the Parkway this time of year climbing up on trees. The berries were harvested for food. Some Native tribes used the vine as twine and as a support for foot drums. Other tribes used the vine stems for basketry.

Our walk ended with a stop at the Poison Oak shrub. (we made sure to keep our distance) Some Native tribes used it to remove warts and skin growths. Others used it as an antidote for rattlesnake bites and in charcoal form for tattoos.

This was one of the best walks we had at SLP. Brian is an absolute wealth of knowledge and he thoroughly prepared for this well in advance.

7-14-18 FORB Bug Event! by Kathy

7/24/2018

Today at Sutter’s Landing Park, our very own Entomologist, Nita Davidson, gave us a “Bugs Eye View” into the world of insects that live, fly and breed at our own Regional Park and along the American River.

We learned about true bugs Stink bugs, boxelder bugs, and bed bugs are true bugs (Suborder Heteroptera) and have mouth parts that are modified for piercing and sucking.

The highlight as always is passing out nets to the children so they could catch and release whatever insects they could find. On one small sandbar willow bush right near the river, one of the children found hundreds of beautiful blue willow leaf beetles (Plagiodera sp., Family Chrysomelidae) It was a source of fascination for all in attendance as most of us had never seen these beetles before. We also learned that caterpillars of Western tiger swallowtail butterflies life cycle actually begins in the cottonwood and sycamore trees at Sutter's Landing Park and thrive on sycamore and ash trees throughout the older parts of Sacramento.

Nita, thank you for taking the time to share your vast knowledge of the insect world. I am sure you have inspired a few kids to become fascinated with the insects that inhabit our amazing Park!

A father and his sons were intrigued to find that some lady beetles are black or gray

They also netted a large group of blue willow leaf beetles from sandbar willow

Close-up of blue willow leaf beetles

Here are a few of the other insects that were seen at the Park today. Thanks to Kathy for this summary and Nita for leading this great FORB outing and sharing her insect knowledge with all who attended!

cabbage butterfly (on yellow star thistle--ouch!)

Grasshopper

Dragonfly

Bat Event Report

5/24/2018

JoEllen shared stories and photos of several fascinating species of bats. Photo by Kathy Kayner

JoEllen Arnold led another batty gathering on May 12. After an informal presentation about bats in the Sutter’s Landing parking lot & new gateway to the Parkway, we went down to the river to meet the bat ambassadors she brought and listen for bats with fancy echolocating equipment. The high point of the evening was when JoEllen released a recovered Mexican free-tailed bat to the wild. Thank you, JoEllen!!!

Photo by Kathy Kayner

Making good use of the new Sutter's Landing Park gateway to the American River Parkway at the start of the event. Photo by Dale

This little guy was not happy to be shown off—we could hear his objections through the echolocating device. Photo by Laurie

Hanging out on the beach to learn about our local bats. Photo by Laurie

Another great FORB event enjoyed by all! Photo by Dale

2018 FORB Welcome Back Swainson's Hawks Event by Kathy

4/18/2018

Approximately 30 people enjoyed the presentation and came away with a better understanding of our local Swainson's hawks

Another excellent and well attended event enjoyed by all who were able to be there. That included at least one pair of wild Swainson's hawks soaring overhead while we learned about these great raptors from our friends and the UC Davis Raptor Center again this year. A northern harrier, one or more Red-tailed hawks, Turkey vultures and other wild neighbors were also in the area.

Thank you to the UC Davis Raptor Center and Julie Cotton, Diana Munoz, and Joleen Maiden for coming to Sutter’s Landing and bringing Whistler and Grasshopper. We all enjoyed your most informative presentation about Raptors and how Whistler and Grasshopper came to be wonderful ambassadors from the Raptor Center.

You can see Grasshopper’s cataract that prevents him from being released

Grasshopper enjoyed being in the sun after the presentation

Whistler’s gaze

Whistler was getting hungry and had just poked at Joleen’s glove for food.

Thank you Diana and Grasshopper, Julie, and Joleen and Whistler!

It was a real treat to see Swainson’s Hawks flying above us during the presentation again too!

My first sighting of Swainsons Hawks at Sutters Landing Park this year, April 3, 2018 by Robert

4/9/2018

Spring has returned to the Sacramento Valley and that means Swainson's hawks are returning from their long migration south to find mates and nests for another season. FORB will welcome them back again this year on April 14th with what promises to be another great event you won't want to miss. Meanwhile, here are some sneak previews.

Best Wishes!

Robert

This hawk was perched when I first saw her. This tree is on the North bank and just to the right of a tall power line tower

He soon flew in and it looks like they are preparing to start a family

If they are successful this will be the first time Swainsons have nested in this location since 2014, when the Great Horned Owls took over their old nest

The 2018 Hail & Snow Day at Sutter's Landing Park! by Robert

3/2/2018

What an unforgettable day it was for the few of us who ventured out to Sutters Landing Park and for the wildlife who live there, to see the river freshly transformed into a Winter Wonderland of hail and snow!

It all started in the afternoon last Monday Feb. 26. 2018, when dark clouds formed over the green grassy mound, which made a dramatic backdrop for streaks of lightening bolts! Shortly after that, hail began to fall and increase in intensity! This was followed by a few snow flakes and a lot of memories...

Of course I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to see our stretch of the American River, freshly decked out in a blanket of hail and snow, so I slipped and slid down the trail and below are sights I’ve never seen along the river before!

Surely the elder Beavers, Coyotes, Otters and other critters will be telling stories about this day for a long time to come!

Enjoy,
Robert

Very unusual driving conditions!

The new gateway project had a whole new look with snow!

Not much action on the new bike trail today

No one braved the weather to spend time on the river

A very unusual day that won't be forgotten

Report from the Mushroom Hunt

2/27/2018

On February 11, an enthusiastic crowd followed mycologist Ryan LaPorte around various habitats at Sutter’s Landing to seek mushrooms and other fungi. While Sutter’s Landing is not the very best place for observing fungi, Ryan knew where to look and we founds lots of interesting specimens in interesting places and heard fascinating stories about the lives of fungi. Many thanks to Ryan (and his family), who came all the way from Ukiah to share his expertise and passion for these very intriguing lifeforms.

Grand Opening of Sutter's Landing Regional Park Bike Trail

1/19/2018

After much delay and under clear blue skies today we gathered to acknowledge completion of the bike trail and other features of the state grant project Friends of Sutter's Landing Park played a large role in helping the City of Sacramento be awarded.

The project came together around 2011 but delays and conflicts slowed the start of construction by 1-2 years. Meant to better establish Sutter's Landing Park as the city's gateway to the American River Parkway the project included less than a mile of paved bike trail, removal of invasive plants, establishment of native vegetation, creation of a defined staging area, plaques and more. The city still needs to construct a much needed restroom as grant match but landfill constraints, safety and maintenance concerns, and cost overruns have delayed it. Maybe next year.

The project is a compromise, at best, of the design and goals suggested by neighborhood groups and organizations but does meet the need for a basic gateway. Most of the people who attended the two community design workshops strongly objected to the idea of gabions, which now disappointingly fill the area. We hope that features that are missing or inadequate can be improved over time. Future phases should extend the bike trail eastward to Sac State, expand the size of Sutter's Landing Park and further improve adjacent areas of the American River Parkway. The recent establishment of a Lower American River Conservancy creates a means to continue and expand this type of work. Future phases will hopefully include acquisition of additional lands to the west of Sutter's Landing Park, relocation of buildings and other infrastructure away from the river and ultimately restoration and creation of more riparian/upland habitats and recreation opportunities to enjoy this unique resource.

Swallows, kestrels and other raptors were present to welcome us as always and to take in the scene today. The bright blue skies and wispy clouds welcomed all visitors. The numbers of visitors and impacts on the area have increased greatly since back when this project was envisioned. Today's visitors included a young man with a cat in a carrier on a skateboard, a drone flier, cyclocross participants and a number of other bike riders on gear able to travel in many areas not paved, dogs of all shapes, sizes, ages, health and level of restraint. A young crew of Sacramento Regional Conservation Corps was on hand to maintain the area which is in good shape now. One nearby bike rider pushed a cart with camping gear while his partner had a stroller carrying a 5 gallon water bottle back to camp. Many joggers, walkers, birdwatchers, nature lovers, thrill seekers and other types of enthusiasts are seen regularly.

One thing is for sure. Sutter's Landing Park and the project site will receive much more use and wear by all in the months ahead this year and beyond. That includes many new and recent visitors and all they bring as they come out to enjoy this very special area.

Follow a school of salmon down to the river

Rock gabions and native, but not local, vegetation

What a day to be outside, Sutter's Landing Park has some of the best sky views in the area

A large group came out to see the new gateway to the American River Parkway

Rock gabions put to an art/barrier use

New bike trail heads off down into remaining riparian vegetation instead of top of levee

A better look at the new gateway on a less busy visit

Several Red-shouldered hawks are commonly seen foraging along the trees and mound where perches are available

Kestrel keeping its back to all the activity below

Canada geese and many other species forage on the former landfill mound now

At least 5 homeless camps are along the bike trail which increases access to river

Increased illegal camping activity all along the bike trail and further upstream.

Walking his drone. Do leash laws apply?

A number of well hidden homeless camps remain in native habitat close to river

Team Otter & Sutter's Landing Park Contribute Again on Annual Wildlife Count

12/4/2017

UPDATE 12/30/17: The final count results have been posted for all 12 teams that participate in this annual wildlife count which identified 14,326 birds in 119 species and other animal species. Details can be found on the ARNHA blog site.
>>>>>>>

The 33rd Annual Wildlife Count took place on the American River Parkway on Saturday December 2nd. 2017. In recent years, Sutter's Landing Park was included in the count effort as "Team Otter" has come out early there under all sorts of weather conditions to count wildlife and enjoy another great day outdoors. This year was no different! We even had an on the water presence with Tom paddling near the group while counting wildlife, removing invasive plants, and noting illegal camp sites in sensitive habitats. It was a good year for bird and other wildlife observations as the numbers below show. There is even an outstanding question about the identify of one raptor species which might be the Black merlin seen across the river by another team or not...

Thanks to Rachel and American River Natural History Association for again coordinating teams and communication this year including making sure all the data gets into eBird where it is available to help all better understand the health and distribution of wildlife in our area. See you out there for the count next year and hopefully sooner to enjoy all the great wildlife to be observed now.

Team Otter took to the water this year with Tom paddling for a closer and better look.

Team members Robert, Brian, Jane, JoEllen, Kevin and Dale (Asli took the photo and Tom was still paddling...)

American River Parkway--Sutter's Landing Park, Sacramento, California, US
Dec 2, 2017 9:11 AM - 11:11 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments:
7 ground squirrels
3 Gray Squirrels
1 Fox Squirrels
3 Beavers
8 Red-eared Slider Turtles
1 salmon
2 feral cats
3 camp dogs on the north side
We had one observer in a canoe and 7 on foot.
46 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose 41
Wood Duck 3
Mallard 20
Bufflehead 30
Common Goldeneye 36
Common Merganser 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
White-tailed Kite 2
Cooper's Hawk 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 4
Killdeer 1
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Ring-billed Gull 1
California Gull 6
gull sp. 4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 60
Mourning Dove 12
Anna's Hummingbird 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Nuttall's Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 9
American Kestrel 5
Black Phoebe 6
Say's Phoebe 2
California Scrub-Jay 12
American Crow 11
Oak Titmouse 3
Bushtit 42
House Wren 2
Bewick's Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 9
Northern Mockingbird 7
European Starling 25
American Pipit 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) 5
White-crowned Sparrow 3
Golden-crowned Sparrow 21
Song Sparrow 2
Spotted Towhee 13
Western Meadowlark 3
Brewer's Blackbird 6
House Finch 29
Lesser Goldfinch 2
American Goldfinch 24
House Sparrow 1

Cooper's hawk or black merlin? The discussion on this bird continues and was a great sighting either way!

A Spotted towhee well camouflaged even in an elderberry without leaves

Large sleepy beaver soaking up some sun

A turkey vulture and a salmon carcass were counted (separately). The TV was hanging out with a flock of geese unlike these who have a meal...

Robert, Brian, Jane, Asli, Kevin, and Dale with Tom seen above in his beautiful canoe and JoEllen behind the camera!

What an important cause and wonderful way to spend one special day at the river each year, with the best wildlife neighbors!

Special thanks to newest team members Brian & Tom, who saw two Beavers down river where I hadn’t known them to be before, as he paddled his sleek canoe up and down the river.

Thanks to our longtime team member Jane and her “see all spotting scope!"

Thanks to our Salmon finder and group photographer Asli (missing in the top group photo but seen above) Ya!

And lastly, thanks to our eBird team of JoEllen, Dale, Tom who wrapped things up at a local coffee shop afterwards. Thanks especially to JoEllen who did another great job entering our data into eBird.

I agree with Siri who recently told me; “what would you do without me?” :)

Ya, Team Otter!
Robert