This morning, we began the flood-up of the Cummings tract. It is a beautiful site. Today marks the final day of actual dirt moving on the site, as crews are embellishing and enhancing the steep-sloped banks adjacent to water. This enhancement is for GGS benefit. This work should be completed today. Interesting note: Burrowing owls, one of the NBHCP’s covered species, have been spending a lot of time on the newly constructed Cummings preserve, especially around the rocked water control structures at the upper end of the managed marsh complex. Maybe scoping out new digs? Maybe moving in from nearby construction sites (north and east)? Don’t know, but it is gratifying to see this response so soon after the preserve wasn’t even a day past initial construction completion, especially this time of year. Going forward, it will be essential to minimize disturbance on the site so that we maximize chances covered species will colonize the preserve.
Rodent exterminator, no charge
Photo taken by Conservancy staff on a Conservancy preserve, 2024. It’s often difficult to view, but part of the Conservancy’s job is to see that wildlife has access to sustenance on the preserves. Here, a Snowy egret (Egretta thula) manages to nab a quick lunch on a Conservancy owned and …