What lives on Albany Hill/Cerrito Creek?
Many observations of black-tailed deer from our 7th-floor Gateview apartment.
Observed red-tailed hawks many times over the west side of Albany Hill from our 7th-floor apartment at Gateview. They often circle the hill and adjacent areas.
The resident mallard pair were well upstream, stirring up silt as they gorged on something in the mud under an overhang. Mallards are the ancestors of domestic ducks. This settled couple -- we think the same for years -- may show why.
Monarchs have used the hilltop eucalyptus in winter for many years. Trends, and whether this is good habitat all winter, are unclear. Dated observations, with photos of clusters and/or estimates of numbers, plus locations of trees used, might help. This could become a separate project. Anyone want to run it?
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Unidentified large blue dragonfly, resting on cow parsnip stem near willows, S. bank Cerrito Creek near Pierce St. It would be great to catalog the wonderful variety of dragonflies along the creek, and watch their behavior!
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This small spider, hidden under leaves, is named for its color. This and others ID'd by the wonderful Eddie Dunbar (www.bugpeople.org) on a bug hunt. It would be great to get a real catalog here!
Lacemaker beetles on willow, S. bank Cerrito Creek near Pierce
Actually, heard, not seen. We hear a few Pacific chorus frogs here, but nothing like the population just upstream next to El Cerrito Plaza. Why is this? Would more sun on the creeks, and thus more aquatic vegetation, help?
This young stag was along the service road, near the creek. Before the extensive fire-control clearing that followed the 2008 hilltop fire, we rarely saw deer near the creek. Since 2009, deer sign seems more common. Were they displaced, or is this population growth?
Old photo, but these are fairly common. Note small fennel (larval host plant). Since most fennel here removed as invasive, do they use the native cow parsnip and other flowers with white umbels?
This one was on N. bank of creek at Pacific East Mall. Date is approximate.
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In willows along creek, S. bank, near Pacific East Mall. Goldfinches and warblers seem fairly common along creek year-round.
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Warbler with gray back, slight rufous crown, yellow throat, patch at forewing, base of tail. Barred wings, slightly streaked breast, white eye ring. Two were foraging on ground, alternating with trips to low branches. These didn't seem to be moving with the mixed flocks. Thanks for ID's, inaturalist folks!
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Possum about 8' up in tree fork on S. bank of creek. Probably fairly common on creek -- saw young one last year upstream at El Cerrito Plaza restoration site. Possums have no fixed den. Do they use tree hollows? Or was this one just scared there?
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Flycatching from post on flood-control pond, El Cerrito's Creekside Park. These are common -- date is date of photo.
Patrolling sunny creek bank above ford, pausing on aquatic vegetation. ID uncertain -- several dragonfly species look similar.
These are common; date is date of photo.
Near creek on exposed flat, sunny bank.
On flood-plain terrace S. bank. Previously a little upstream basking on footing N. bank.
Western pond turtles are a federal species of concern, and Cerrito Creek would not be prime habitat. Is this someone's (illegal) pet, discarded here but surviving?
Hunting in shallow channel below ford.
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This project aims to learn how plants and animals use the "urban oasis" of Albany Hill and adjacent Cerrito Creek.
Please tell us what you see, with details like location, time of day, surroundings, condition of plants, or what the animal was doing. If you have photos, please share them.
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fivecreeks
created this project on January 10, 2012
