This morning at the Natomas Farms marsh complex, Dominic Bruno and I saw a long march of river otters cross the all-weather interior service road and into the marsh itself. We were amazed at the size and number of the critters, but the sighting was ominous. Giant garter snake experts have warned that river otters kill giant garter snakes, and do so merely for exercise, as they do not eat them. Since we are trying very hard to establish a giant garter snake colony on the Natomas Farms tract (that is its primary purpose), the long march of marauders and ravagers (sorry, that is how we see them) had us quiet for awhile in solemn thought and contemplation. Lots of time, energy, emotion and money has gone into this project to encourage expanded habitat for giant garter snakes. What to do?
They’re back!
We are so pleased to see one of the NBHCP’s “Covered Species,” the Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), back on Conservancy property! Going back 15 years, the owl used to be seen frequently on Conservancy mitigation lands. At the time, we documented too-common depredation of them by dogs from nearby residential… Continue Reading They’re back!