The Conservancy’s preserves have now been infested by smutgrass (Sporobolus indicus). This is going to be very difficult to get rid of, and maybe impossible. According to Cal-IPS News (Winter 2010), one smutgrass plant can produce 45,000 seeds per year. Our concern is that if allowed to spread on Conservancy preserves, Swainson’s hawk won’t be able access prey in a tall stand of smutgrass. Moreover, our standard method of treatment, livestock grazing, won’t be effective because livestock won’t eat it according to a recent UC-Davis Cooperative Extension paper. We’ll have a tough one with this beast. Any ideas out there?
Nail trim needed?
Conservancy field personnel captured this close-up of an osprey (Pandion haliaetus) flying overhead from a nearby perch. The photo was taken on Conservancy mitigation land associated with a managed marsh complex. In prior years, some called this species the “fish hawk.” Clearly, the claws would be useful in catching fish.… Continue Reading Nail trim needed?