March 11, 2022
9:00 to 10:30
Vertebrate Biology “field trip” on campus, to practice our birding skills. We had a surprisingly successful day, seeing and hearing lots of birds, and also finding a turtle shell (a slider, I think), by one of the lakes.
Highlights: Our first Canada Goose of the day was seen on top of the Environmental Technology Center. Later, we saw others near the lakes, including one who appeared to be nesting near the gazebo. Lesser Goldfinch were abundant today, along the creek and also near the Holocaust Memorial. Several Western Pond Turtles and Red-eared Sliders were seen in the water, and basking on the edges of the Commencement Lake. My favorite sighting of the day by far, however, was possibly the smallest amphibian I’ve ever seen. One of my students found this teeny tiny California Slender Salamander – the smallest I’ve ever seen. Super interesting as it brought home the point that this is a species with direct development – not a larval stage. So tiny and adorable, we named this little friend Alyx.
Species List
Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura), Canada goose (Branta canadensis), Black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans), Audubon’s warbler (Setophaga coronata), California towhee (Melozone crissalis),
Western grey squirrel (Sciurus griseus), Dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis), Lesser goldfinch (Spinus psaltria), California Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps attenuatus), Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), Western pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata), Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), House finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)
Let me know what you think!