All Categories

Time Out For Wildlife

12/19/2022

Cooler temperatures and even rain from time to time have reduced the amount of human activity along SLP. For wildlife, it's a time to rest up and get ready for winter and then the next breeding season. For those that take the time to bundle up and get out on the trails or along the river the chances are good for some quality wildlife viewing.

Recently the 38th annual ARNHA Wildlife Count took place along the American River Parkway and Team Otter was out there tallying observations again. Steady rain washed out most counting on Saturday but the next day was a better time to count many of the species seen this time of year.

A preliminary summary of the Team Otter count can be viewed in this spreadsheet. The data from all the teams is being summarized in eBird and will be used to contribute citizen science to better understand bird trends in the area.

An example of unusual sightings that can happen this time of year was a flock of 20 Tundra swans flew overhead today calling as they headed somewhere else inland. Cormorants, Goldeneyes, Mallards, Gulls, Canada Geese and other many species were out along the river. Nearby upland areas found Yellow-rumped warblers, Western Bluebirds, Western Meadowlarks, Brewers Blackbirds, Red-winged Blackbirds, Black Phoebes, Kestrel, Mourning doves and many more. A large flock of crows were even hanging out at the solar panel farm for reasons only known to them.

SLP remains much cleaner than previous years due to much cleanup effort by volunteers the past few years. Sign of earlier activities remain including compacted soil and erosion along the footpath following the river. Most of the former camp sites have cleaned but there are plenty of signs of where they were found.

Be aware that access along the bike trail is scheduled to be closed in January and February next year due to bridge construction. How much this will affect other actives at SLP remains to be seen. Meanwhile, cleanup crews were removing trash from the triangle mitigation site today and bridge work continues on both sides and in the river at the I-80 crossing. Habitat in the Triangle Mitigation site provide much value for wildlife but heavy occupation and dumping are greatly impacting the location now.

All in all, this is a great time to spend time along the river and SLP in general. Take time out for a visit and slow down to look, listen and enjoy the change in pace and chance to see wildlife enjoying the calmer, cleaner conditions. You won't regret it.

Crows checking out the solar panel farm

City cleanup underway at Triangle Mitigation site.

Camps and cleanup in the Triangle Mitigation site.

Note that closure in at I80 bridge site but adjacent areas will still be accessible

Earth moving underway under the I80 bridge on south side of river.

Painted rocks at a former camp site.

Seahorse marking a former long time camp site.

Lone Double-crested Cormorant resting on a snag in the middle of the river.

Gateway garden of native plants had Yellow-rumped warblers and Western Bluebirds visiting today.

0 Comments

Fall Wildlife Viewing & Giving Thanks on Lower Am River @SLP by Robert

11/14/2022

0 Comments

More than 1000 words in this photo from Robert

In all my thirty years of coming to this stretch of the lower American River, it has always been a special place of awe, wonder, renewal, peace, enjoyment, excitement and feelings there are no words for…… it’s home.

Let’s learn from ancient timeless Mother Nature.

"Sutters Landing" was used as the city’s trash dump for many years but was eventually designated as a Regional Park, it deserves to be healed and restored into the "Jewel" of the American River Parkway! In our short lifetime let’s do our best to leave it “Better than We Found it!” For example, let’s restore habitat so our state bird, the California Quail can again thrive there. It’s just one of many wildlife we seldom see here now. Quail were here to greet the First People. There are still good sized coveys of quail and many other wildlife seen in other parts of the Parkway. It might take generations to make this a reality again at "Sutters Landing" but is worth whatever it takes.

Special thanks to Betsy Weiland and the "beautification" team who are keeping the park healthy and welcoming. Thanks also to the Park Rangers who are invaluable! There are others who have been coming to this area of the river for a long time and worked together to create Friends of the River Banks as a local group that welcomed and provided information and friendship over the years to make this area special. Thanks to all who have and still care for this park and our world!

Friends of the River.
Lyvonné & Robert

Fall Wildlife Viewing along the lower American River @ SLP (short video of observations today)

Goldeneyes

Buffleheads
-------

Note from editor, Robert usually lets his camera do most of the talking...

0 Comments

River Otter Encounter in the American River Parkway by Dale

10/29/2022

0 Comments

Note: This is a re-posting from my Making Tracks blog. Be sure to share your otter sightings as suggested below.
-------
I spotted a river otter feeding in a stormwater outfall this week in the Woodlake area of the lower American River Parkway (directly across the river from SLP). The otter was diving under floating aquatic vegetation and other features under murky water conditions that didn't seem to bother it. I wasn't able to get a decent photo then but was able to relocate the animal on my way back about an hour later. These animals frequently travel considerable distances to locate areas like this that can temporarily provide enough the food required by their high levels of activity.

River Otter Sighting in the American River Parkway

The River Otter Ecology Project has been studying this fascinating member of the weasel family for years. Unfortunately, many otters are killed trying to cross busy roads, including mothers with young animals. I've seen this on the Yolo Causeway and Cosumnes Preserve areas previously. This is one of many reasons to be concerned about maintaining and improving wildlife connectivity. Habitat in places like the American River Parkway have a lot of value in providing areas to forage as well as roam between areas.

There are so many reasons to care about wildlife connectivity, and here’s some good news. Along with the help of the Center for Biological Diversity and fellow supporters, AB 2344, the Safe Roads and Wildlife Protection Act, passed with bipartisan support and was signed by Governor Newsom. We need to continue working to push California to improve wildlife connectivity, for river otters and all species. This new legislation helps but there is still a long way to go. One thing that helps is knowing where otters are seen.

The River Otter Ecology Project encourages everyone to record sightings of otters in their tracking application. Please record them on Otter Spotter (you can do it from your phone). The only requirement is to zoom in as far as you can when you pin the map location, or the sighting doesn’t register properly. The technology collects photos only, but emailing a video to them is always welcome. The project has literally changed the range map for river otters in California, which has very real effects. They've made a story map explaining to whom it matters and why.

0 Comments

Summer Long Gone

10/6/2022

2 Comments

And what a summer it was! Filled with much hard work by volunteer crews working long hours regularly to keep the now heavily used riverfront and trails at SLP clean. This effort has been noticed and appreciated by city and county staff who are also giving the area much needed attention to keep the area safe and clean. Fires, illegal camping and dumping and other problems continue but are more quickly dealt with now. These volunteer activities also have much educational value demonstrating how special and valuable SLP is for people to enjoy wildlife and nature.

This summer has also seen new efforts to protect and restore remaining habitat. There was even help from a very hungry work crew...

They did get a bit carried away at times rather than just focusing on invasive annuals and grasses... Photo by Chris Smith

Ugh! There were ongoing problems and dirty deeds like this intentional porta-potty fire below but they were rapidly dealt with.

Boat rain into a submerged tree and was patched before later removal. Photo by Mark Baker

A boat that wrecked at SLP later shipwrecked down by the North Sac bike trail bridge. It later left the area but boat traffic and on the water partying and speeding became more common unfortunately.

Other visitors and activities were much more appreciated and enjoyed! From Robert: "We are getting visits of Ospreys hunting for fish, from the trees on the North bank of the river at SLP!
I was fortunate to get these images on the morning of Aug. 2nd, when there were two birds hunting. I didn’t get a sighting yesterday, but this morning I saw three of them. They are solitary, patient hunters. The link above is helpful in getting to know about them and do “listen to their calls.” So next time you come to the river, bring your binoculars along with your trash picker! :-)"

Osprey perched on north shore across from SLP

Osprey hunting over the river at SLP

Sandhill cranes flying south over SLP

I’ve long wished they’d surprise us with a down town stopover at SLP but they are locked in on their destination further south at Consumnes Preserve and further south?

To get a closer look at Sandhill cranes this fall and winter one of the nearby places to visit is the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve near Lodi.

Here's a brief preview: "Sandhill cranes back 2022"

This Mornings Sun Rise at the River. by Robert

Photos by Robert unless otherwise noted.

2 Comments

Hello Again and Happy Easter! by Robert

4/16/2022

1 Comment

Just in time for Easter egg hunting and these birds might already have eggs, but they’d be way hard to find.

A Nuttalls Woodpecker nest is deep inside this tree limb, so it’ll be a while before we see their chicks.

The Northern Rough-wing Swallow’s nest in deep inside bank holes they’ve dug out with their tiny beaks, so it’ll be a some weeks before we see their little ones. Meanwhile, here's a video clip of some bankside activity by these swallows.

It looks like there are a plenty of eggs hatched along the river this Easter!

Happy Easter,
Robert

Nuttall's woodpecker doing what it does best

Rough-winged swallows taking a well earned rest

1 Comment

Mystery Native Fish Species on the American River? by Dale

2/17/2022

0 Comments

What native fish species with an incredible evolutionary history predating dinosaurs or trees that has broad cultural and nutritional values to Native Americans is poorly understood and apparently in decline? Most guess Salmon or perhaps Sturgeon but there is another answer. First, another clue even though it is negative and misleading. Sightings of this species in the American River last year were played up in the media as the return of a rare "vampire fish". Neither are true.

Local biologist Chris Conard took this photo of a Pacific Lamprey being eaten in 2020. iNaturalist record also available.

The Pacific Lamprey is a native fish species that had great ecological and cultural values before colonialization. Don't confuse it with the sea lamprey that was introduced into all the Great Lakes when canals were built and now has a major impact on the fish populations there. Despite its native status, amazing evolutionary history and cultural values, the Pacific Lamprey is not well known, is sensationalized by the media, and considered by many as a pest or at best useful as bait for other fish.

Local media show up when someone sees an adult lamprey in the American River which is much less common now. Some local fishers used to claim they harvested considerable numbers for bait in northern California by dip net and a tapping technique that may attract adult spawners as well as collecting newly emerged lamprey around their "nests". It's been a while since those claims were made.

For much more information, including insight and stories from tribal biologists working to conserve the species, check out "Mystery Native Fish Species on Making Tracks!"

0 Comments

Leave Sleeping Sea Lions & Native Vegetation Alone by Dale

12/31/2021

0 Comments

I received a call this morning that a large Sea lion was on the south bank of the river between SLP and the RR trestle. It wasn’t known if the animal was hurt, dead, or just sleeping. Sea lion sightings have become common in the fall and winter months in recent years. They've learned to follow returning salmon upstream and enjoy many meals while paddling around the Sacramento and American rivers. We have not documented a Sea lion on the shore before and this could be a cause for alarm. These huge mammals are carnivores and the apex predator in our area when present. Frequent off-leash dog activities lead to wildlife encounters which endanger all involved. In the case of a Sea lion that threat could be much greater. If a Sea lion was injured it might be unable to feed or return downstream to its ocean home.

County rangers were alerted using the County Sheriff dispatch (916-875-7275). A ranger quickly responded and we were able to locate the neighbor who reported the Sea lion sighting. Fortunately, the animal appeared healthy and was back in the river. Apparently an off leash dog encountered it while it was entering the river and was quickly chased away when the Sea lion charged back towards shore. Maybe it was protecting a favorite fishing or sunning spot? Several other people wandered by and were able to get good looks at an adult Sea lion calmly swimming just off shore. It looked healthy and well fed.

Video clip of sleeping Sea lion on shore, near SLP by Anna

California Sea lion wikipedia link

“Who woke me up?”

Sea lion “Dog paddling”?

The end…?

Double-crested cormorants keeping look-out

Sea lion activity seems increased this year and a recent sighting upstream at Paradise Beach several weeks ago indicates they may be continuing to expand their territory here. As with all wildlife, the best way to enjoy them is from a safe distance and avoid altering their activities. Off-leash dogs and off-pavement bicyclists regularly encounter wildlife in sensitive habitats along the American River Parkway unfortunately. Illegal vehicle activity is an ongoing problem causing impacts to sensitive riparian habitat and soils as was painfully visible today. A 311 report was filed for the off-road damage discovered today.

Bank failure due to off-trail activities causing native tree loss and erosion

Four wheel vehicle damage in native plant restoration area

Riparian habitat and bank erosion from 4 wheel vehicle damage

American River Flood Control District activity near 4 wheel vehicle damage site

0 Comments

Team Otter Back For 37th Annual ARNHA Wildlife Count

12/28/2021

1 Comment

Team Otter included aquatic and terrestrial coverage again this year!

A wildlife count along the American River has been going on for many years now. 37 in fact! For a fair number of those years, local wildlife lovers have represented the SLP area as "Team Otter" for this count. That includes these most recent and challenging years. Once again we were out for a great day of watching and counting wildlife. Our actual count is posted below. This citizen science effort collected data that is stored in eBird and helps look at trends in wildlife along the American River. This year it was hard to get enough people in the field at some locations but counts were still important. Team Otter will be back in 2022 so plan on joining us or one of the other teams in the area. Effie Yeaw and the American River Natural History Association sponsor these counts and will send out reminders to those interested.

Sutter's Landing Park, Sacramento US-CA 38.58791, -121.46104
Dec 5, 2021
8:00 AM
Traveling
1.50 miles
210 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Team Otter Sutter’s Landing Park Participants: Kathleen Ave, Dale Steele, Robert Sewell; in canoe: Tom Biglione, JoEllen Arnold. 3 subunits.
1 Western Grey Squirrel
2 Fox Squirrel
Numerous recent beaver sign: Chewed tree bark, stripped willow wands in the river.
Several otter slides.

Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 2.8.0 Build 2.8.12

40 Snow Goose -- In flight overhead
32 Canada Goose
1 American Wigeon -- One male, keeping company with a Canada goose
19 Mallard
1 Mallard (Domestic type) -- White, with yellow bill
12 Bufflehead
14 Common Goldeneye
4 Common Merganser
30 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
4 Mourning Dove
1 Anna's Hummingbird
7 Killdeer
35 California Gull
51 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Great Blue Heron
1 Turkey Vulture
1 White-tailed Kite
2 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
3 Belted Kingfisher
4 Northern Flicker
1 American Kestrel
3 Black Phoebe
2 Say's Phoebe
7 California Scrub-Jay
6 Yellow-billed Magpie
20 American Crow
10 Bushtit
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
20 European Starling
1 Northern Mockingbird
5 Lesser Goldfinch
3 Fox Sparrow
21 White-crowned Sparrow
22 Golden-crowned Sparrow
1 Savannah Sparrow
2 Song Sparrow
2 California Towhee
16 Brewer's Blackbird
4 Yellow-rumped Warbler

Number of Taxa: 41

American wigeon in non-breeding plumage. Photo by JoEllen

Not participating in the count but someone has caused significant damage to this mature cottonwood, now likely to fall into the river before its time... Photo by JoEllen

This "mountain" of geese passed by too late to be counted this time but many others were seen

1 Comment

International Bat Night Included Arden's Story, A Local Tale by Kathy

8/29/2021

0 Comments

More than 60 bat experts from 40 countries were showcased on Facebook Live for International Bat Night hosted by Nils Bouillard, a Bat Conservationist from Europe, from 8-27-21 at 10 pm PDT to 8-28-21 at 2 pm. We are very proud and honored that our very own JoEllen Arnold of Sacramento, California, was one of the participants who gave a fascinating illustrated talk about a Hoary Bat named Arden.

JoEllen has had a passion for bats for many years. She loves to travel around the world to see and photograph some of the more than 1400 species of bats and to share what she learns. About 10 years ago, she started helping with the rescue and rehabilitation of our local native bats with NorCal Bats.

For the International Bat Night event, she told the story of "Arden", a Hoary Bat who came into care with NorCal Bats in February. Arden was found on a gravel driveway in a residential neighborhood off Arden Way. She looked fine but could not fly. Her right wrist was swollen, and over time, Arden’s wing membranes deteriorated horribly. It is thought that she was suffering from Wing Wasting Syndrome which is caused by a bacteria in the soil. After being treated with antibiotics, the deterioration was stopped, but Arden will probably never be able to fly well enough to be released. Toward the end of April however, it became clear that she was pregnant!

Arden gave birth to a male and a female pup in early May, right on schedule for a Hoary Bat. Sadly, the female pup did not survive her first night, but the male has grown up to be a beautiful Hoary Bat. He will be going to a flight cage for flight practice and it is hoped that he will be released shortly thereafter.

Thank you JoEllen for all you do in rescuing and caring for our local bat population! Go to NorCalBats.org to learn more about how you can help our local bats. Donations and volunteers are always needed!

If you would like to see the video about the Hoary Bats, it is the first 20 minutes of this segment from International Bat Night. Click on this link:
https://www.facebook.com/NilsBouillard/videos/168692255346876/

Note from webmaster: Many thanks to Kathy and JoEllen for collaborating on this important story. Many of you will remember the inspiring and very popular evening bat conservation programs JoEllen has hosted for FORB over the years. We can't wait until that becomes possible again. Meanwhile, you can listen to an interview, "Getting Batty With JoEllen" she did during this local radio show episode (starts at min 6:28).

International Bat Night - JoEllen Arnold, NorCal Bats

1995 Photo of JoEllen holding a Hoary Bat

Arden The Hoary Bat with a Swollen Right Wrist

Arden Giving Birth to the First Pup

Male Pup on the Right - Female on the Left

Arden Cleaning her Male Pup

4 Day Old Male Pup

10 Day Old Male Pup

Male Pup After Eating Meal Worms

0 Comments

Tide Study (and tidy work) at SLP by Mark

8/13/2021

1 Comment

Jax might be measuring tidal movement...

(Check out the updated video at the bottom showing ongoing cleanup work along the river 8/29/21)

After many years of visiting Sutter’s Landing, I could never figure out why the river was always at different levels. I always wished I could figure out when they were releasing water so I could better pickup trash. Then one day a couple months ago, while paddling with my friend Tom, I became aware that there was a tide. I was shocked how simple it was. I couldn’t believe I never realized it before. Then I found out that many of us didn't know about our river tides, so I wanted to share.

My study is located on the large pipe, just past the downstream fence at SLP. Past the rope swing.

This month’s high tide, which happens twice a day, varies between 1.9’ and 3.3’. Low tide varies from -0.1’ to 1’. The Sacramento tide chart is measured at the Sacramento River in Old Town. SLP’s tide is different.

According to the Sacramento tide chart, on Aug. 6 at 2:58pm there was a 0’ low tide. At 2:58pm I set my yardstick at 1”. By 4:20, the water had dropped 2 more inches. Hoping that was low tide, I readjusted my yardstick down to 0. The next day the chart said there was a 3.2’ high tide at 5:57am. . I was there at 6:40am and measured a 28” tide, the stick was dry above telling me we were at high tide. On Aug. 11, I took a picture that showed watermarks on the yardstick that showed several tide levels.

I don’t know how scientific this is but hopefully you find it interesting. I have been obsessed with the river recently and have learned so much about it’s ecology and politics from some masters of the river. Thank you.
.
This year I decided to take my vacation at Sutter’s Landing. It has been a fantastic trip. I have explored much of the lower river and spent half the days, with my dog (Jax), cleaning between miles 3 and 4 across from SLP. It is beautiful over there, much cleaner than I expected.

In the last 2 months, I have cleaned dozens of abandoned camps and thousands of pounds of trash from right next to or in the river. FOSL and county maintenance crews have been very supportive.

It has been wonderful meeting so many dedicated people in love with the Parkway.

Mark Baker

My new motto:
“Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but footprints”

webmaster note:
Mark has raised the bar greatly this year with frequent nautical outings to float trash back into containers. Who says a person can't make a difference!
A great place to check on the latest river flows and temperatures for the lower American River is the Water Forum website.

"How Mark Spent His Summer Vacation"

Link to video clip of Mark and Jax towing a load after cleaning up the island across from SLP

💥UPDATE: Chris Smith, another amazing volunteer, put this video together of the ongoing cleanup work: American River Cleanup at Sutter's Landing