Internationally-known birder, photographer and wildlife biologist Ron LeValley of Fort Bragg says a local group has initiated a “citizen science project” (not official, just something created by interested locals) to monitor three populations of nesting cormorants on the Mendocino Coast.
Why? By monitoring seabird populations you can measure the health of the ocean and determine whether there is sufficient food to sustain birds and marine life, says LeValley. He and others in the volunteer-staffed science project are counting and photographing cormorant nests and chicks weekly off Mendocino Headlands State Park (Brandt’s Cormorants), Point Cabrillo Light Station (Pelagic Cormorants) and Noyo Harbor off the jetty (Brand’s Cormorants).
In the past — for decades actually — scientists have measured the bird populations at the Farallon and Alcatraz Islands and then extrapoled about the ocean’s food supplies and health, according to LeValley
“If we took those traditional measures as our guide, we would arrive at the wrong conclusion because reproduction around San Francisco Bay is the worst in a long time,” says LeValley. “By contrast, our local colonies are thriving, indicating a healthy ocean.” A healthy population of sardines is reflected in the bumper crop of baby cormorants this year.
LeValley predicts that the Mendocino Coast will become an important place for gathering information about seabird success and state’s ocean health in the future. In fact, he plans to make a presentation of the local group’s study at the 2010 international meeting of the Pacific Seabird Group in Long Beach, California.
Docent Led Hikes at Jug Handle State Reserve
Join California State Parks for guided Ecological Staircase hikes every other Thursday this summer. Hikes are scheduled for June 18, July 2, July 16, July 30, August 13 and August 27. All hikes start at 10:00 a.m. and end at 2:00 p.m. Meet at the Jug Handle State Natural Reserve parking lot on the west side of Highway 1, about 3 miles south of Fort Bragg.
Summer Programs at MacKerricher State Park
California State Parks announces free, guided interpretive programs at MacKerricher State Park. These programs will be presented every week through September 6, 2009. All programs are led by park staff or volunteers.
A 21-gun salute, readings, a prayer and the playing of taps were part of a Memorial Day gathering at Rose Memorial Park in Fort Bragg. About 50 people attended the event. The cemetery was ablaze with small American flags on veteran’s graves.
During the first Big River Interpretive Walk season in 2008, over 200 people attended walks including local residents and visitors from as far as Europe and Japan. Many participants experienced Big River for the first time while others learned interesting facts about a place close to their hearts. On a recent drive down to the parking lot where walks begin, I saw a stately egret standing perfectly still just 20 yards off the road. There is definitely plenty to see. And, after you’ve walked the river, you can stroll to Big River Beach to watch the sunset.
Big River Interpretive Walks are free of charge and open to the public. The 2009 Interpretive Walks will occur on the following Saturdays at 10:00 a.m., weather permitting: May 2, May 16, June 6, June 20, July 4, July 18, August 1, August 15, September 5, September 19 and October 3. Read the rest of this entry »
We went out yesterday to the Headlands to check out the whales, and we ended up seeing a bunch — we saw at least 6 pods in 30 minutes. Since the weather has been so beautiful lately — not to mention that there are over 20,000 whales migrating — they are easy to see as they steam past on the way to Baja. You can see them anywhere from shore right now, and the whalewatching boats out of Noyo can get you quite close. The Mendocino Headlands make a great location, as well as Point Cabrillo Light Station. The southern leg of the migration will continue for a few more weeks, and then we’ll start seeing the returning whales by March (they come back by for the Whale Festival, conveniently enough).
I’ve also been seeing a lot of brown pelicans lately. The picture is of a juvenile, according to a bird expert friend, since the bill is still orange, and his colors aren’t developed yet. I love watching them fly in a column just above the water!
Mendocino Outdoors, the premier guidebook for outdoor fun and adventure on the Mendocino Coast, has been completely expanded and revised for the 3rd Edition.
Internationally-known birder, photographer and wildlife biologist Ron LeValley of Fort Bragg says a local group has initiated a “citizen science project” (not official, just something created by interested locals) to monitor three populations of nesting cormorants on the Mendocino Coast.
