IBB: Part two

heidi08 Beavers January 5, 2010

I wrote earlier about “Inscrutable Beaver Behavior” where the beavers do something that either doesn’t make sense or something purposeful whose goal is not yet clear to us. A good recent example is the tree mass nibble at the primary dam, resulting in the taking of the largest willow that fell to the bank.

A savvy observer of beaver behavior (like any one of us) would expect that tree to be sliced and diced by all the family members at a castor-thanksgiving feast. That’s what happened the night they took down the big cottonwood by the corp yard last summer. That’s what happened to the big willow dad removed from the Annex the winter before that. Still, since this tree has found its way to the horizontal position, the beavers seem to have lost interest in it. No one has nibbled on it at all.

It fell onto the bank but obviously some human with a fuzzy understanding of the fact that beavers actually walk onto the bank, worked to push it in the water. That meant it fell on the flow device and was in danger of being removed by city staff and being a “wasted willow”. Jon went down on sunday and cut the heaviest part away, so that at least the top of the tree would likely remain in the water.

When will the feeding begin? Who knows. Will the beavers get to eat the willow before the leaves lose their luster? Who knows. Was the entire tree nibble triggered by the drop in temperature? Who knows.

IBB. Inscrutable beaver behavior. We’ll keep you posted. It might make sense later.

Photo: Heidi Perryman

Memories…

heidi08 Burrowing Owls January 4, 2010

Ahhh the familiar snap of shutters, and the honking of horns in support. This I remember from the beaver days. Yesterday’s owling was a good success, with about 40 supporters, great neighborhood interest, and a channel 5 news camera. Lisa Owens Viani brought lovely owl masks, and I came up with the idea of printing the eyes on stickers and putting them on everyone’s backs. There were children who came by who wanted to sign a petition and parents who had walked the neighborhood and always wondered about those little owls.

Two things I didn’t expect: to be greeted by strangers like animal-advocate rockstars for saving the Martinez Beavers, and to see actually little owls popping out of their burrows. They were every bit as adorable as you might have anticipated. I can’t think of anything that is more charismatically worth saving. (Shhh don’t tell the beavers.)

We were on channel 5 and channel 2, and there is a great article in the Contra Costa Times. All in all, it was an afternoon well spent and a great way to launch into 2010.

Give A Hoot: Not the Boot!

heidi08 Burrowing Owls, Creative Solutions January 3, 2010

Canada Valley Road & McFarlan Ranch Drive in Antioch, CA
2pm to 3pm
January 3, 2010 (Sunday)

protest_map

When we teach our children how to care for urban wildlife, they grow up to value and protect wild places all over: but also more able to tame their own ‘wildness’ and live peacefully with others. Come join us, remember the support our beavers had from antioch, and beyond.

Snipe-Hunt?

heidi08 New Species January 15, 2010

Our newest avian visitor. Cheryl took this photo on christmas eve at the third dam.

Photo: Cheryl Reynolds

This pretty fellow is a Wilson’s snipe. Both sexes are about 10-12 inches in size. That super long beak of theirs pokes in the mud for good things to eat, and is flexible so they can open the end without opening the base. (I’ll wait for a moment if any of you want to try that at home). The practical joke played for years of “going on a snipe hunt” is actually only a joke to people who don’t know about this fellow, turns out there really IS a snipe. And it really IS hunted.

Here’s what it sounds like.

The snipe strolls along the mud foraging for insects, molusks, larvae. He sometimes sticks his head all the way in the water, and he often swallows what he finds without lifting his head at all. This is a rare gift among our feathered friends, because most birds must tip their head back to swallow, relying on gravity for the motion rather than muscles.(I have long suspected that this is why there are very few birds in space.)

But this is hardly the most unique thing about this medium sized shorebird. When love strikes the male makes a classic hu-hu-hu sound with his feathers to lure the woman of his dreams. (Hu could resist?) They build a neat nest on the ground. So far, so familiar. Then guess what happens! The female almost always lays four eggs, and when the first two hatch Dad takes them off to raise on his own. He or the offspring never see mom again. Mom raises the others by herself.

It’s a classic case of avian joint custody!

Gosh this reminds me of something. Wait, don’t tell me. Don’t the fledglings raised by dad go to bird camp later and meet the fledgings raised by mom? And don’t they try to get their broken nest back together again? Oh wait, no. that’s the parent trap.

With our monogamous “Walton’s Family” beavers living just inches away, it just goes to show that there are as many ways to make a family as there are creatures in the world. Keep an eye out for this fellow, and let us know if you see anyone new at the dam!

Owl Debut

heidi08 Burrowing Owls, City Reports January 1, 2010

Scott and the plight of the burrowing owls made the big screen last night, click on the photo in case you missed the tale. If the new year has left you full of renewed good intentions, join us Sunday and show the world where you stand on the whole protecting-property-owner-interest-versus-preserving-rare-wildlife debate. (Given that you’re reading this blog I assume I already know…) I’ve already heard from a few beaver supporters who will be in attendance, and lots of others who “Give a Hoot”. I’m sure your neighbor will carpool with you. Let’s remind the powers that be that wildlife matters.