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Bobcat on Westmoorland Drive
Conservancy member and nature photographer Alex Pierce came across this juvenile bobcat around 5 p.m. on April 8, 2023 while walking her Border Collie, Wagner. "We had just gotten to the end of Westmoorland Drive when we turned back up the road toward Norfolk. Initially, I thought I saw a gray cat about 20 feet ahead of us coming up the canyon from Buckingham/Bristol. On closer examination, I noted the short tail. A bobcat, possibly? Thankfully my dog did not bark and, as the creature walked in front of us, I pulled out my camera. I hoped the animal would turn around for me to verify whether it was indeed a bobcat. It did turn around ... a youngster, a bobkitten! It gave us a stare for a few moments and then casually walked up the hill and into the brush." This was the second bobcat Alex has seen recently. Both her neighbor Val Wayne on Drury Court and Alex (on Strathmoor) have photographed bobcats with their wildlife cameras.
Photo: Alex Pierce
Memorandum of Understanding
A Memorandum of Understanding to enable various local government agencies to work together for regional wildfire prevention is moving forward. Our attorney Shayna van Hoften at the Hanson Bridgett law firm met last month with attorneys representing the various member agencies of the MOU working group, addressed their concerns, and revised the draft agreement. The draft will then go to the agencies’ elected bodies (the city councils and boards of supervisors) to approve.
Thank You Group 36!
A big shout out to UC Berkeley's Engineering Club for helping make the Berkeley Project a very successful event. On Saturday, April 16th, 22 students showed up to pull invasive broom, finishing with a pile that must have been three to four feet high!
Join us on our next volunteer day on May 27th from 10 a.m.-Noon as we continue our broom removal at Signpost 29! You can contact us at info@claremontcanyon.org for more information. And, please let us know if you would like us to host a volunteer day for your organization.
Photo by Jon Kaufman
Dave Quady, Bird Walk Leader
A small group of birders met with Dave Quady on a cool Sunday morning last week to search for resident birds in Claremont Canyon and Neotropical migrant birds who have returned to our area to breed.
The fog thinned periodically, making for a rather beautiful morning.Dave shared his recommended field guides for local birds, including one he co-authored, and his Merlin app to identify songs and calls.
Kay Loughman, who runs a wildlife in the north hills website, commented that on spring walks we often hear more species than we see. "The birds are courting and defending a territory and don't necessarily want to show themselves, especially if they might be protecting a nest."
In all, 16 species were identified, including a wild turkey in mid-flight. Nancy Mueller, host of the event, said, "It was a big thrill for me to see a turkey flying down Claremont Avenue. I had no idea they could fly."
Photo of Dave Quady by Nancy Mueller
Bringing Back the Natives
The annual Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour is this Saturday and Sunday, May 6 and 7, 10 a.m.--5 p.m. Registration is free but you need to register to attend. There are 55 gardens to check out in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. You can get a preview of the gardens here.
All levels are welcome! Wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers and bring your favorite water bottle. Tools are provided.
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, May 27th 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. aswe work to restore and maintain pathways, remove invasive broom and collect litter. More information Here. Questions? Contact our team leader, John Brochu.
"Take to the Hills" Every Saturday 9 a.m.-Noon
Join the group Take To The Hills to restore native plants and maintain a popular trail in the small side canyon just north of Claremont Canyon called Derby Canyon—above the Clark Kerr campus. Help weed invasives, plant seeds, and—if it comes to it—water native seedlings. For questions contact Jim Rosenau.
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.
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).
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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.
