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Calling all nature enthusiasts!
Are you curious about the world around you and want to become a more engaged naturalist? Look no further than the Naturalist Training program by BioBlitz Club and Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful!
Launched in July 2023, this online presentation series welcomes everyone, regardless of experience, to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the environment. Learn from experts about the fascinating organisms in your backyard and their interconnected ecosystems.
We kicked off the series with an exploration of community science and iNaturalist, and how to get the most out of this handy app and website.
But don't stop there! Our next exciting session features Michael Hawk (@naturesarchive) from Jumpstart Nature, presenting "Nature Interpretation for the Rest of Us" on February 7th, 2024, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM PST. Join us live or watch the recording later! Sign up here: http://tinyurl.com/ca4bstrn
Plus, catch up on past recordings: http://tinyurl.com/kj68mta4
We want to hear from you! What topics pique your interest for future presentations? Share your thoughts on the series so far and suggest themes you'd love to explore next.
Together, let's embark on a journey of discovery and become stewards of our amazing natural world!
Merav

Friday, 8:50-11:10 am. 34 dead newts, no live ones
Weather: very cold, but dry for a change.
Coverage: from ABR and Eldercroft Heights intersection to the first stop sign. I walked with Robin
We documented 34 dead newts. I documented 20 dead newts, at least 1 of them was a juvenile. Robin documented 14 newts.
Other roadkill: an earthworm
Traffic - 12 cars, 9 trucks (county roads), 0 motorcycles, 5 bikes, 4 pedestrians, 10 parked cars. County Roads trucks were back, removing vegetation from the reservoir side of the road this time, and scraping the road. We spoke with one of the regular guys, and since he showed interest in the newts, we gave him a sticker. Apparently he told the other guys on the radio we've got stickers, and then everyone wanted one :)
Robin's observations - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat=37.28846542128399&nelng=-121.83923534021862&on=2024-02-09&place_id=any&swlat=37.07182299879744&swlng=-122.08368114099987&user_id=anudibranchmom&verifiable=any
My observations of the day - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat=37.28846542128399&nelng=-121.83923534021862&on=2024-02-09&place_id=any&swlat=37.07182299879744&swlng=-122.08368114099987&user_id=merav&verifiable=any

Thursday, 9:05-11:30 am. 83 dead newts, no live ones
Weather: cold, but it rained last night.
Coverage: from ABR and Eldercroft Heights intersection to the first stop sign. I walked with Mia.
We documented 83 dead newts - about twice as many newts we had in recent weeks. I documented 58 dead newts, at least 3 of them were juveniles. Mia documented 25 newts, at least 3 of them were juveniles.
Other roadkill: earthworms, tree frogs, a bullfrog, millipedes, centipedes.
Traffic - 22 cars, 6 trucks (county roads, midpen), 0 motorcycles, 6 bikes, 1 pedestrian, 0 parked cars.
Mia's observations - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?on=2024-02-15&place_id=any&user_id=mialom&verifiable=any
My observations of the day - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?on=2024-02-15&place_id=any&user_id=merav&verifiable=any

Thanks everyone for joining our annual BioBlitz event at Hellyer Park! We were able to explore the park between the two flooded sections of the Coyote Creek trail. It was very different than our experience during the summer, when the creek was mostly dry, with some muddy pools. It was interesting to see the creek flooding its path, swallowing the creek banks and some large trees. The water was cloudy, and running fast. In the moist habitat along the creek, our groups documented many little mushrooms, partly hidden in the leaf litter. Those mushrooms included the Oak-loving Elfin Saddle, growing under a Coast Live Oak, at the same location we see them year after year. As its name might imply, it is associated with oaks, usually with Coast Live Oaks.
The birds in the park are pretty used to people by now, allowing us to watch them from a close distance. A couple of us noticed Pied-billed Grebes swimming in Cottonwood Lake, hunting Catfish. The grebe tried to swallow the catfish, unsuccessfully. It tried swallowing it over and over again, and even though it was too big, it didn't give up, even when coots and mallards started showing some interest. We also documented the usual suspects in the lake - many Canada Geese, Mallards, and American Coots, as well as a few other ducks - Canvasback, Ruddy Ducks, and one Bufflehead male.
We hope to see you at future events -
Merav
BioBlitz Club

Friday, 11:30-1:42 pm. 102 dead newts, no live ones
Weather: nice.
Coverage: Jones trailhead to the second stop sign. I walked with about 15 students up to Limekiln trailhead, then continued alone.
I documented 102 dead newts, some of them were fresh, a few were juveniles.
Other roadkill: frog, glowworm beetle.
Traffic - 57 cars, 13 trucks (including County Roads, SJJJ, Midpen), 2 motorcycles, 15 bikes, 25 pedestrians, 18 parked cars (1 car at the farther parking lot).
My observations of the day - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?on=2024-02-23&place_id=any&user_id=merav&verifiable=any
I met with a group of students today - a graduate design studio from Harvard University called Wild Ways: California Connectivity, led by Nina-Marie E. Lister and Chris Reed. They came to hear about our newt study, and later joined part of the survey. It was great to have them!

Thursday, 9:55-11:55 am. 45 dead newts, no live ones
Weather: drizzling most of the time, then pouring :)
Coverage: from ABR and Eldercroft Heights intersection to the first stop sign. I walked with Keith.
We documented 45 dead newts, possibly a few were juveniles. !8 of the newts were documented on the reservoir side, 27 on the hill side.
Other roadkill: tree frog.
Traffic - 14 cars, 10 trucks (county roads, SJJJ), 0 motorcycles, 0 bikes, 1 pedestrian, 10 parked cars.
county roads had about 10 trucks by the Eldercroft Heights intersection. Another crew (SJJJ?) was cutting trees in Soda Spring Creek.
My observations of the day - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?on=2024-02-29&place_id=any&user_id=merav&verifiable=any