Back in the Lakes Basin!!!

Sierra Buttes 5/21/25

The Gold Lake Road opened two weeks ago on May 7th! I was busy going over to Sierra Valley and didn't make it up there until two days ago, on May 21st! I went on a solo hike up to Long Lake and it was a gloriously beautiful day! Surprisingly the trail was 95% snow free! There were four large areas of packed snow that I walked on, up near the lake, but they were cinchy to walk on. I didn't see another person on the trail all day! However, I saw and heard lots of songbirds and came across several blooming wildflower species!  It was wonderful to be back in the Lakes Basin, surrounded by beauty and peace once again! 

Long Lake 5/21/25

Long Lake was still partially frozen, but mostly thawed out. The ridge to the west was still pretty snowy, but the temps are up into the 80's now, so it will probably be snow free in a few weeks. The water over the dam was only a few inches high, but REALLY cold, so I didn't cross it. Maybe next week we'll go back, cross the dam, and do the loop. It was fabulous to be up at Long Lake! It is so familiar to me, that it's like reuniting with an old friend! I lingered for quite a while before I headed back down the trail.   

(Hiking tip: There were LOTS of biting flies on the trail, so if you decide to venture up into the Basin, make sure too use bug repellent!)

American White Pelicans - Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Lakes Basin Birds!!!

The first birds I noticed as I drove up into the Lakes Basin was a large group of beautiful American White Pelicans circling in the sky near the road to Salmon Lake! WOW!!! Such beauty! There were about 60 pelicans in the group! These pelicans were probably migrating to Anaho Island in Pyramid Lake, Nevada, which is one of their primary inland breeding areas. Or they may be returning to nesting grounds in northern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Canada! Nesting colonies can be quite large, with up to 5,000 pairs of Pelicans! Wherever they're going, they may stop over in Sierra Valley along the way! I think I need to go over there again just in case.

American White Pelicans migrate through here in the Fall and Spring. They spend their winters on the California coast, in estuaries, marshes, and lagoons, or even as far south as Central and South America! 

American White Pelicans are one of the largest birds in North America. They are approximately 4 feet tall, weigh 16.4 lbs., and have a wingspan of 9 feet! They eat up to 4 lbs. of fish daily, which they scoop up in their bills as they swim along. They do not dive to catch fish. They work in groups and corral the fish to shore, where shallow water makes them easier to catch.

Wilson's Warbler (in the shade and in the sun) - Cardellina pusilla

As soon as started walking to the Long Lake Trailhead, I heard lots and lots of songbirds! The first one I saw was bright yellow, and perched on an alder along a wetland!  I was able to get one photo (above left) which iNaturalist identified for me as a Wilson's Warbler!!! I have only seen a few of these in my lifetime, so it was a thrill to see one again.

Wilson's Warblers migrate from their winter home in Central America, a distance of approximately 3,500 miles, to breed and raise their young here! Apparently, they are fairly common nesters from about 4,000' and up in the Sierra! 

Yellow-rumped Warbler (male - female) - Setophaga coronata

I saw several Yellow-rumped Warblers during the course of the day! The male on the left I had to photograph through my car windshield so it's a bit distorted, but it shows the yellow-rump quite well! In the Spring these beautiful warblers migrate up to coniferous forests to breed, from their winter range in the desert southwest, or even from as far south as Costa Rica! Their breeding range extends across the western states, up into Alaska, and across Canada. The Lakes Basin is one of the southern most areas in which they breed. 

They mainly feed on insects and other small invertebrates in the summer, and switch to insects and berries in the winter.

 

Brown Creeper - Spotted Sandpiper

Certhia americana - Actitis macularis

The Brown Creeper in the photo on the left is so camouflaged it's hard to see! If you look carefully you'll see it right in the middle of the photo. These tiny birds live year-round in the Lakes Basin. They are small in size, approximately 5" in length, with wingspans of approximately 8". The Brown Creeper spirals up (not down or sideways) on tree trunks and tree branches. The feed on a large variety of insects, insect eggs, and some seeds.

Spotted Sandpipers are the only shorebird found commonly in the Sierra, from the foothills to timberline. They migrate up from their winter grounds in Mexico, or from as far south as Central or South America, to breed and raise their young!

Western Spring Beauty - Claytonia lanceolata

Lakes Basin Wildflowers!!!

There weren't lots of flowers in bloom in the Lakes Basin, but there were a few early bloomers! Here are the ones I enjoyed seeing! The Spring Beauties weren't numerous, but they are bound to be in the near future.

Snow Plant - Fawn Lilies - Applegate's Paintbrush

Sarcodes sanguinea - Erythronium purpurascens - Castilleja applegatei

I only saw two different groups of Snow Plants this year! And, the Fawn lilies were really tiny, only a few inches tall!

California Waterleaf - Greenleaf Manzanita - Spreading Phlox

Hydrophyllum occidentale - Arctostaphylos patula - Phlox diffusa

The fragrance of Spreading Phlox is just lovely, well worth kneeling down to smell! The manzanita flowers smell like honey, and the waterleaf flowers have amazingly long stamens!

Sierra Buttes 5/21/25

I'll be back up in the Lakes Basin again this coming week! Can't wait to see what other birds and flowers will show up!

Finally here's some local natural history news!  Canyon Creek Trail is about 8 miles from my neighborhood, but only a little bit lower in elevation. It parallels the North Yuba River for 3.8 miles and ends where it joins Canyon Creek. After the first, sunny, half mile, it is a mostly shady, flat walk through a Madrone, Tan Oak, Black Oak, Douglas Fir, and Ponderosa Pine forest. My husband and I like to walk the first half mile and picnic where there's a great view of the North Yuba River. It is quite lovely there! 

American Dipper (nestlings and adult) - Cinclus mexicanus

Near the beginning of the Canyon Creek Trail, there is an American Dipper Nest on a bridge pillar. I've seen one there every year at this time. One time I observed the Dippers building their nest from start to finish. Amazingly it only took them 7 days to build it!  

I first noticed the nest pictured above on 2/21/25. No babies were visible at that time. Typically 6-15 days pass after the completion of the nest and the laying of eggs. I'm don't know when they started building this nest. The first time I noticed the nestlings was on 4/17. The parents were flying into the nest with insects for the young, and then quickly departing to find more for them. Typically the nestlings fledge after 25 days in the nest. 

American Dipper (1st and 2nd nest with adult) - Cinclus mexicanus

On 4/28/25 I was surprised to see that the Dippers had built a second nest right next to the first one, and that no babies were present!!!  Perhaps the nestlings had fledged and the parents were starting a second clutch? 

American Dipper (3rd nest with adult) - Cinclus mexicanus

On 5/14/25 the Dippers had gotten rid of most of the second nest, and were re-building the first nest in the same spot (see photo above)! Wow!!!  I have no idea why all these changes have occurred. I should have kept a closer watch!!! I'll have to watch this new nest and see what happens!

White Brodiaea - Triteleia hyacinthina

Because of its southern exposure, the first half mile of the Canyon Creek Trailis usually in bloom at this time of year. Every week several new species bloom, while older ones dry up and fade away. This week the most notable wildflowers were lots and lots of White Brodiaea!  These clusters of white flowers are perched on the ends of long thin stalks. Each petal has a striking green midvein. They are so lovely!

White Brodiaea with two Common Checkered Clerids and unknown beetle.

Triteleia hyacinthina with Trichodes ornatus and an unknown species

To my delight, many of the blossoms had tiny beetles sleeping in them! Beetles are one of the most important pollinators in the insect world.

The following information is from http://ucanr.edu/sites/PollenNation/.

"Beetles make up the largest group of pollinating animals because there are so many of them! They are responsible for pollinating 88% of the 240,000 flowering plants around the world! Research has shown that beetles are capable of seeing color, but they mainly rely on their sense of smell for feeding and finding a place to lay their eggs. Many beetle species eat pollen, so the plants they visit must produce a lot of pollen to make sure that there is enough left to pollinate the flower after the beetles are done eating!"

Roundtooth Ookow - Dichelostemma multiflorum

The Roundtooth Ookows are also plentiful in the dry grassy slopes!

Bridge's Triteleia - Triteleia bridgesii

There is only one patch of Bridge's Triteleia on the trail, and it's right in the parking lot. These are stunningly beautiful, especially when you look at them up close!

Showy Phlox - Phlox speciosa

About a half-mile from Canyon Creek Trail, on a steep, north-facing, rocky slope there are several small patches of these lovely Showy Phlox! This is the only location that I've ever seen them. They are not fragrant, but are a lovely peppermint pink! So pretty!

North Yuba River 5/24/25

Large patches of Sky Lupine still border the trail, and enhance the view of the North Yuba River! Such beauty!

Can you see three Canada Geese in this photo?

What's happening on the River?

What's happening in Carman Valley?

Check back in two weeks for the answers to these questions and more!

After 8 years of posting my blog, I've decided that I'm only going to post my blog every TWO weeks from now on. Check back in two weeks, on June 7th for my next natural history blog.

Also, check out my latest post on my newly re-opened Damp Earth Blog at dampearthart.blogspot.com

Sierra Valley Again!

View of Sierra Valley from the Steel Bridge - 4/30/25

For my birthday last month, we went back to Sierra Valley twice! What a gift it was to be there again! We lucked out and had gorgeous clouds one day, as well as an abundance of birds, and even a few flowers! I was able to finally get several photos, and even videos, of two of my favorite birds, Marsh Wrens and Soras! We enjoyed it so much we're going back again this week to see if more wildflowers have blossomed and what new birds have arrived! Can't wait!

The Sierra Valley floor is a grassland/sagebrush ecosystem, and the site of extensive freshwater wetlands. These wetlands provide migratory and breeding habitat for more than 17 rare or threatened species of birds. It is also a critical migratory stop for 230 species.

Black-necked Stilts - Himantopus mexicanus

We saw several Black-necked Stilts on Harriet Lane. It's one of the best areas in Sierra Valley to see shorebirds. The following information about Stilts is from the Cornell website at https://birdsoftheworld.org

"Stilts hold the avian record for the longest legs relative to body size. From on high, the Black-necked Stilt uses its excellent vision to scan mudflats for small invertebrate prey. Stilts also feel for prey by sweeping their sensitive bills through the water. In the presence of predators, stilts quickly flock together as one intimidating black-and-white mass. This defense strategy is so effective that birds of other species often try to join the flock."

American Avocet - Recurvirostra americana

American Avocets spend their winters in California's Central Valley, Baja California, or Mexico. In Spring most migrate to north-central United States and Canada to breed, but some will nest in Sierra Valley. When breeding, the feathers on the head and neck, of both the male and female, turn a rich rusty color, and the legs turn blue! Beautiful! I love their sky-blue legs, and their long, curved bills. They are SO elegant! They are ground-nesters and build a nest scrape in the soft substrate of wetlands, dikes/levees, or islands. Nests are often near the water's edge, and usually on unvegetated ground or in areas with short, sparse vegetation. Avocets nest on islands when available, which provides partial protection from predators.

Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus

Killdeers forage for earthworms, insect larvae, snails, crayfish, minnows, tree frogs, grasshoppers, beetles and small seeds in damp or wet soil. They nest on the ground in shallow "scrapes" or depressions out in the open, which they often "decorate" with white objects (bones, pebbles, feathers...) which may help to camouflage their eggs! To avoid predation of eggs and nestlings they have evolved several unique techniques. "False brooding" is when an adult acts like they are sitting on a nest, but are actually just sitting on the ground. "Broken wing display" is when an uninjured bird acts injured and runs away from the nest area dragging its wing and crying piteously. Both of these techniques are intended to lure predators away from the nest site! 

Sora - Porzana carolina

We saw this Sora two days in a row in the exact same area! Usually secretive, this one stayed out in the open while we watched it for 10 minutes!  We also saw another one briefly emerge from the tules briefly and then quickly disappear in them, which is more typical of their behavior!

Rather than probe in the mud for invertebrates, Soras prefer to peck insects and seeds off the surface of the water. In the winter, they primarily eat seeds. They are secretive and more commonly heard than seen. They live in shallow fresh water wetlands with emergent vegetation, such as cattails. The also prefer to run rather than fly! They migrate down to Mexico, or even as far as the north end of South America, for the winter. 

Video of Sora feeding on the marsh mud

Soras build their open bowl-like nests using dried tules and other marsh vegetation. The following information about their nests is from the Cornell website at https://birdsoftheworld.org.

"Nest-building begins with crude pile of vegetation onto which first egg is laid. Male gathers pieces of surrounding vegetation and gives them to mate, which works them into nest as egg-laying proceeds.

Loosely woven basket of available emergent vegetation; suspended above water from stems of emergent vegetation, or in clumps of vegetation with base of nest at or slightly below surface of water. Constructed of surrounding plants, usually coarser emergents on exterior, with lining of finer sedges or grasses. Usually built with ramp or runway leading up to lip of nest. Often built with overhead canopy made by bending over surrounding vegetation and tucking it into rim on opposite side."

Marsh Wren (adult) - Cistothorus palustris

I have seen and heard Marsh Wrens many times in the past, but was never able to get a photo of one, as they flit about so erratically. One of the days in Sierra Valley, they were out in the open singing and calling, and I finally got several photos! Yay!  We even saw one with a blade of grass in its beak, that it used in its nest building!  Wow! Their nests are initially made by lashing upright tules together with sedges and grasses, and then constructing a basket shaped nest "hanging" between them, with a short tunnel-like entrance on top.

Video of Marsh Wren singing/calling

Their calls and songs are quite loud for such little birds (5" long including the tail)! The following information about their vocalizations and mating behavior is from the Cornell website at https://birdsoftheworld.org. 

"Although the Marsh Wren's harsh, broad-band songs contain few pure musical tones that resonate with our ears, careful analysis of this wren's vocal behavior has now shown a rich array of behaviors that rank it among the most impressive of all North American songsters. During their early sensitive phase, for example, males learn 50–200 song types. As adults, neighboring males engage in complex countersinging duels and seemingly sing almost continuously, day and night, in their bid for success.

The Marsh Wren's abundant singing and complex vocal behaviors are undoubtedly an evolutionary consequence of its polygynous mating system. About 50% of the males in some populations mate simultaneously with 2 or more females, and study of these populations was pivotal in understanding the evolution of polygyny—i.e., why a female might choose to pair with an already-mated male rather than with a bachelor. A great disparity occurs in breeding success among males, and sexual selection appears to have escalated the complexity of vocal behaviors used to acquire resources, both territories and females. In their zeal, the males also build multiple nests, typically at least a half dozen dummy nests for every breeding nest used by a female.

Perhaps another consequence of intense competition for resources in these marsh environments is this species' habit of destroying eggs, not only of other species but also of other Marsh Wrens."

Marsh Wren (adult) - Cistothorus palustris

"If female approaches male's territory, he flies toward her and, with tail cocked over his head, delivers rapid volley of songs. If she enters his territory, he flies toward his courting center (where his nests are under construction; see Breeding: nest, below), and she sometimes follows. Escorted by male, female then visits and often enters several nests in succession. During this courtship, male does little singing but much displaying, often leading females from one nest to another, “nervously” bowing with tail held high, commonly touching back of his head. By destroying nearby nests, wrens undoubtedly reduce competition for food, both intra- and interspecifically, in immediate area around their own nests."

Horned Lark - Eremophila alpestris

Horned Larks probably overwinter in California at lower elevations. They will breed and raise their young in Sierra Valley. The female alone makes the nest. She starts by digging out a cavity in the ground, which may take 2-4 days! She then weaves a nest of fine plant material gathered nearby, such as grass, small roots, and shredded plant stocks. The inner part of the nest is lined with finer material such as down, fur, feathers, fine rootlets; even lint and string are sometimes used!

Sand Lily - Leucocrinum montanum

There were only a handful of wildflower species in bloom when we were last in Sierra Valley. Most of them were ground hugging plants, probably because of the frequent winds that sweep across the valley. One of the showiest were the Sandy Lilies that grew in the middle of a bare track! These lovely low-to-the-ground clusters of small white lilies were a treat to see!

Hooker's Balsam Root - Balsamhoriza hookeri

This large low-to-the-ground composite smells exactly like chocolate! You have to get down on your hands and knees to smell them, but the fragrance is amazing!

California Hesperochiron - Hesperochiron nanus

There were LOTS of these ground-hugging California Hesperochirons in bloom!

Tansyleaf Evening Primrose - Taraxia tanacetifolia

These bright yellow primroses were commonly seen along the sides of the roads! We're going back to Sierra Valley again this week and I'll report on what other wildflowers we encounter in my next blog!

American Dipper babies and flying adult - Cinclus mexicanus

I apologize but I have run out of time. I promise to report on my local neighborhood happenings next time!

After 8 years of posting my blog, I've decided that I'm only going to post my blog every TWO weeks from now on. Check back in two weeks, on May, 24th for my next natural history blog.

Also, check out my latest post on my newly re-opened Damp Earth Blog at dampearthart.blogspot.com