The California Quail is one of my favorite birds. One was spotted on the otherwise charmless sheetpile wall of the beaver dam this summer but unfortunately didn’t stick around. Their dingle-ball headpiece makes them easy to recognize, and I’m never happier than when I see a cluster of baby quail string along behind their parents in a line as if on wheels. It is discouraging how few we see now, I have certainly seen more turkeys this year than quail, and I bet you have too. Part of this has to do with loss of habitat and the ever encroaching human-footprint.
Brush piles provide important refuge for quail and other wildlife. Eco-friendly souls create these wildlife Oasis in gardens and around open space to encourage protected use. On Saturday beaver friend Brian Murphy from Walnut Creek Open Space, and Elaine Jackson from the Native Plant Society will be teaming up with volunteers to build brush piles at Strenzel Meadow, the restored habitat near the gravesite of John Muir. Members of Worth A Dam will be there and would love your help.The work party starts at 9 am at strenzel meadows and if you’re interested you should contact Elaine and let her know. Bring gloves, water, and good cheer.
Added bonus? After a morning of building brushpiles, I’ll bet you will have new insight into what it takes to build a lodge!
