Giant garter snake (GGS) biologist Eric Hansen reported three days ago that in his regular monitoring of GGS on Conservancy preserves, he found a large female in the heart of the Conservancy’s Silva tract. The beauty was found in an area where Eric has introduced “drift fencing” in. That is, inside the watered portion of the marsh complex, he has run a special type of fence for a short distance. GGS follow the fence line, which concentrates their location and makes it easier to conduct monitoring. Eric indicates the snake he recently found had not been identified before, so this new find, especially so deep into the preserve, is exciting news for the Conservancy. Eric’s ingenuity has been key to the “biological effectiveness monitoring” effort. We MUST know if these large investments in restoration and enhancement construction of marsh complexes (and the ensuing intensive management that comes with them) are effective. Finds such as Eric’s recent one are extremely helpful in confirming that at least so far, this aspect of what we are doing on behalf of the NBHCP’s covered species appears to be working.
Big bird
Photo taken by Conservancy staff at a Conservancy preserve, 2025. With this article is a photo of a Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) in flight. It’s on one of the Conservancy’s marsh complexes. While the Conservancy has prepared the preserves mostly for the benefit of the Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni), …