July Happenings 2023 - Nature and Stewardship

What's your spark bird? | Oaks | Goats!

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online. If you ever hear a "low chup call" or a "rising churreep and a harsher chak", know that there is a California thrasher nearby. Watch and listen here. Have you found your 'spark bird'? John Colbert, birder and nature photographer, spotted and photographed a California thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum) perching on french broom in Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve. "In 2009, Erica and I noticed a California Thrasher singing atop a tree at the intersection of Panoramic Way and Claremont Canyon. We learned later that was our 'spark bird', the initial bird experience that very often inspires birders to become birders. We've since revisited Claremont Canyon over 550 times and recorded another 119 other bird species across all of the seasons.     A few years later, we encountered an unusual scene near the initial sighting. A California Thrasher, singing, held the attention of a circle of four other California Thrashers - leading us to believe that this was a family unit in the process of learning their species' song. Quite a thrill." Both John Colbert and Erica Rutherford continue sharing their findings! You can visit Kay Loughman's wildlife website to see what they and other birders are spotting in the canyon. Volunteer to water oak trees The nine baby oaks planted behind the fence at Signpost 29 continue to thrive! We are looking for volunteers to help water the young oaks. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact our Conservancy member Martha Griswold who is coordinating the ongoing watering to keep the young oaks healthy. Email: amphoram1@aol.com Claremont Canyon visitors Goats have returned to Claremont Canyon to do the job of reducing weedy vegetation, seen here at the Stonewall trailhead on Park District land. Everyone loves to see the goats. At the Conservancy we prefer the work of people who can be more discriminating about which plants to take out and which to save. Nevertheless, the goats are an important, second choice option for year-to-year wildfire safety. All levels are welcome! Wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers and bring your favorite water bottle. Tools are provided.  Garber Park Stewards Saturday, July 15th  9 a.m.-Noon  Visit this 13-acre park and help restore its native wild habitat (we meet year-round). Meet at the Fireplace below the Evergreen Lane entrance. For more information or questions contact Wyllie. Signpost 29 Saturday, July 22nd 10 a.m.-Noon  Join us at Signpost 29 for a day of restoration (1.5 miles up Claremont from the intersection of Ashby/Tunnel Rd.) as we work to restore and maintain pathways, remove invasive broom and collect litter. More information Here. Questions? Contact us at info@claremontcanyon.org. Hiking the Canyon We would love to hear from our members and others who are out hiking or otherwise observing nature in the canyon. Send us your pictures and we will feature one each month. Wildflower field planted and nurtured by Take to the Hills in Derby Canyon. (Photo: Melina Linder) Share this newsletter with your friends: Do you have a friend who would appreciate receiving our monthly email newsletter? You can easily add new recipients to our mailing list by going here. Board members Josh Borkowski and Jon Kaufman on a hike a while back at the steep section of the Stonewall-Panoramic Ridge Trail in the Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve (Photo: Marilyn Goldhaber).  Trails are open All trails are open and accessible throughout Claremont Canyon. For maps and complete information on trails click here.  Please stay safe and take all items and pet waste out with you.  For the long-term stewardship of Claremont Canyon Copyright © 2023 Claremont Canyon Conservancy, All rights reserved. This email was sent to {{Recipient Email}}. Click here to unsubscribe.