The rain has ended for now, March 29, 2011

After a long spell of frequent and sometimes heavy rain, the last couple of days have been warm and sunny. I think of March as the season to see mining bees (family Andrenidae.) I did see some burrows being excavated at the beginning of the month, but after that I didn't see much acitivity. Whenever I checked it was too cool, overcast or rainy for these bees to be active. Today oodles of them were out flying low to the ground over their nest sites. The highest concentration was in the soil at the edge of the parking lot where Public Works keeps the grass sparse. I found one of these bees on a wild radish plant in the clutches of a pale yellow crab spider. I also saw one of the small, shiny reddish-brown bees I believe may be nest parasites of Andrenidae. I think they might be in the genus Nomada.

Violet-green Swallows were flying over the field this morning, Western Bluebirds were perched on the fence, Yellow-rumped Warblers in breeding colors favored the Valley Oak that is just budding out, and Bewick's Wrens were singing. I heard Cooper's Hawks in the trees beyond the NE corner of the community garden. I'm thinking they might be nesting in this area. I found a feather on the trail along Stevens Creek. I'm pretty sure it's from a Western Screeech Owl . I didn't hear any when I was out listening for them in February. It's good to know that at least one is still around.

Clematis lasiantha climbing over the Holly-leafed Cherry along McClellan Roadis in full bloom now. The skinny "candles" of the California Buckeyes are growing longer everyday.

Posted on March 29, 2011 11:00 PM by barbarab