MendocinoFun.com
The Discriminating Guide to Adventure on the Mendocino Coast

By Kristina Van Wert

As spring returns to the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, so do the birds. It’s hard to miss them flitting around as you walk along the trails, but can you identify them? A glimpse of yellow, a streak of brown… it’s like they are playing hide and seek with you. But now six beautiful panels, each with several birds found in a particular habitat, are dispersed throughout the Gardens to give you an edge in the game. You’ll need them too, with the list of species identified at the Gardens now at 154.

The goal of these panels is to highlight some of the most commonly sighted birds in each habitat- the Perennial, Woodland, and Vegetable Gardens, and the Closed-cone Pine Forest, Coastal Prairie, and Coastal Bluffs. Each was lovingly created using pastels by local artist Erica Fielder.

Well known for her interpretive signage, Erica’s work can be found in several parks and preserves along the north coast, including MacKerricher, Van Damme, and Jug Handle state parks. Descriptions on each panel were co-written by Audubon members and Gardens’ staff.

Erica notes that “the collaborative nature of the project, with the Gardens, Mendocino Coast Audubon Society, and the A.D. Abramson Fund at the Community Foundation of Mendocino County funding, made a wonderful team to work with. I enjoyed calling in Gardens staff and Audubon members to look at the drawings throughout the process. “

“They made sure I got the correct shape of beak and subtle posture of head and shoulders that would speak to birders of a particular species. By conducting extensive research and drawing each bird several times, I have developed a deeply personal relationship with 36 species found on our coast.”

It’s rare to spot a red-throated loon or double-crested cormorant in spring, but in summer they are common, as are the black oystercatcher, which frequents the Gardens year-round. Vultures, hawks, sandpipers, plovers and Canada geese are also regulars at the 47-acre Gardens. If you’re vigilant and look carefully, on very rare occasions, you might even spot an ash-throated flycatcher. Birders can explore alone, or check www.gardenbythesea.org for a schedule of docent-led bird walks, or call 707.964.4352.

Posted: Friday, March 9th, 2007 at 8:49 pm    
Filed under: attractions, birding.
RSS for Responses: RSS 2.0 Both comments and pings are currently closed.