October 13, 2012- Mainly Basin Trail

The morning was cool but it would turn into a very pleasant Fall day.  We got a call from our friend Linda giving us the heads up on a couple of small things on the Shadowbrook Trail near East Ridge and near Slippery Rock.

On Shadowbrook we came across Chum Chum the forest observer before getting to the first small tree across the trail.

Fairly easy even with hand saws and in 2 cuts it was cleared.

Firs at Slippery Rock

After taking care of the lower part of the park we headed out to Basin Trail to do brushing.  For a change we didn't picked August and the heat to work in this sunny area.  We worked on removing leaves and debris from the inside of the trail.

 Redwoods on Basin Trail

The rest of the day we spent brushing the trail.  We worked on this section a couple of years ago and the over growth wasn't that bad.

 After brushing

 Not a bad place to take a call

 

Moss covered Redwood

We put in 77 volunteer hours today and with a total of 780 for the year we will be close to breaking 1000 hours for 2012.  I would like to thank Tom, Dale P., Josh, Dale S., Peter, Michele, Gene, Fran, Janette, and new member Amanda.

On another note, the founder of the BBVTC, Bob Kirsch, is turning 90 on the 21st and a few people will be paying him a visit in Bend, Oregon.  For those of us who cannot make it here's a greeting for the crew.

See you on the trails

Jeff

Birds of the Day

1 Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)

1 Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)

1 Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)

4 Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)

1 Common Raven (Corvus corax)

4 Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens)

5 Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta Canadensis)

1 Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii)

2 Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata)

6 Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)

1 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronate)

1 Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)

4 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) (Junco hyemalis [oreganus Group])

2 Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)

1 Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria)

September 8, 2012 - Buzzards Roost

It was a beautiful morning and as the crew showed up we decided to work on the Pine Mt. Tail, which ends at a great view looking towards RDO called Buzzard's Roost.

A plan that worked for the East Ridge brushing last year was to hike to the top and work the way down.  So we headed off to the view.  On the way Tom and Janette were constantly have deja vu flash backs partly, ok mostly, because I was saying we weren't on this trail for years.  We made it to the top around 11:30 and we did get our views.

View to the ocean in the RDO direction.

View toward Boulder Creek (photo by Tom)

We took in the view and stayed out the sun in the shadows of the out cropping.

Lunch at the rocky switch back (no poison oak)

After some time at the top we head down and I realized that the trail was in very good shape and realized that the crew that was out in May did make it to the top and had brushed the trail (so they weren't going crazy: at least I think).  So I finally got my lazy day with a great hike in the park.

On the way down we took the fire road to check it out but also for a different way back.  Near the bottom we came upon a large snag that appeared to be an old Fir.  We saw a Woodpecker fly from it and assumed it was an Acorn since you could see the holes they use to stuff their acorns.  In this area we also found a mixed flock of Townsend Warblers, Chickadees, Pacific Wren, and Hutton Vireoes.  Great way to end the day.

Although it was an easier than normal day we did put in 7 hours for a total of 42 hours for the day.  We are a little behind last years record volunteer hours by about 40 but it is still possible to break last years record with 3 more trail days left.  I would like to thank Gene, Tom, Norm. Janette, and new member Kathy for giving their time for nature.

See you on the trails.

Jeff

Bird Count 

2 Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)

1 Red-tailed Hawk (Western) (Buteo jamaicensis calurus)

3 Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)

1 Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)

1 Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)

1 Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)

1 Hutton's Vireo (Vireo huttoni)

8 Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)

1 Common Raven (Corvus corax)

6 Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens)

1 Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)

5 Brown Creeper (Certhia americana)

3 Pacific Wren (Troglodytes pacificus)

2 Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata)

3 Townsend's Warbler (Setophaga townsendi)

6 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) (Junco hyemalis [oreganus])

 

August 11, 2012 - Lagomarsino Open Space Reserve

BBVTC friend, Linda of Sempervirens Fund, needed some help preparing old growth groves in the Lagomarsino Open Space Reserve area in San Mateo County off of Summit road.  We met at our regular 9am time but at Alice's Restaurant at the junctions of Hwy 84 and 35 (Summit Rd. or Skyline depending where you are).  There was a good turn out with 14 crew members and Ranger Loro.

 From Alice's we head north about 5 miles and turned left onto Swett Rd.  Then another 5 miles to the parking area on Native Sons Rd.  We hiked a short distance to the groves and it was already warm with the temperature at 88F as we arrived. 

These were very large trees but still not as big as the Mother and Father of the Forest in Big Basin.  There were also a few very large Douglas Fir.

Tom looking over the map of the groves with Linda

 The crew in front of a very large stump.

 One of the old growth redwoods with a smaller one with unusual flat top branching.

 One of the larger trees had a large Dusky-footed Woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes) nest inside.

It took a little bush whacking to get our bearing with the map but once we did it was fairly easy to locate the individual trees.

 It was one hot day getting up to 98F but luckily we were in the shade most of the time.  On the way out Linda shared some grapes, which were very sweet.

 And another treat was watermelon back at the cars.  We put in 98 hours on one of the hottest days of the year and I would like to thank Gene for giving me water since I ran out of my 2 quarts about 2 hours before we finished.  I would like to thank Ranger Loro, Linda, Mike, Gene, Dale S., Dale P., Herman, Tom, Janie, Bill, Fran, Peter, Michelle,and Francis.  Hope to see you next month.

See you on the trails.

Jeff

Bird Count

4 Band-tailed Pigeons

1 Raven

4 Chestnut-backed Chickadees

1 Brown Creeper

1 Hutton Vireo

2 Pygmy Nuthatch

1 Stellar's Jay 

1 Acorn Woodpecker

July 14, 2012 - Berry Creek Falls

The day started out foggy but turned into a blue sky day and very pleasant.  We were going to work on the trails around HQ but Janie mentioned the falls and off we went to the 3 falls that run along Berry Creek Falls trail. 

To get there we drove out Gazos Creek road and it would turned out we cleared more things off the roads than the trails.  This was on Gazos and it took all of 2 minutes to clear.

 

After years of watching the property with the caboose we met the man who owns the property and he has started an new project.  I don't know if I would want to be in this tree house during a winter storm.

We parked at the Sunset campground and headed down the falls starting on the Berry Creek Falls Trail.  There was more water flowing than I would have expected since BB only got 34" of rain this year.  Golden was first and then Silver,

 Along the way we took our time or at least I did to take numerous photos. 

White-veined Wintergreen (Pyrola picta)

Berry Creek Falls

We had lunch at Berry Creek Falls deck and then headed along STS towards Timm's Creek Trail.  There was some light brushing with most being along the upper send of Sunset Trail.

 I came across this very large fallen tree and I had to count the rings: 250 years old.

 I was carrying the crosscut saw all day and near the end of the hike we were able to use it.

The loop was about 4.5 miles but it took all day to do it.  We worked from 9 to 6 for 81 hours and I think we all had a great day.  I would like to thank Tom, Dale P., Jennie, Loren, Bill, Janie, Fran, and Gene.

See you on the trails.

Jeff

Bird Count:

2 Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
1 Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
7 Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis)
4 Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)
4 Common Raven (Corvus corax)
17 Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens)
6 Brown Creeper (Certhia americana)
7 Pacific Wren (Troglodytes pacificus)
1 Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata)
5 Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)
2 Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla)
1 Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)

June 8, 2012 - East Ridge and Beyond

It was a very nice morning and 7 crew members started out with 2 others being behind their time and they never caught up to us.  We decided to clean up after last months work on the East Ridge Trail.  The first tree to finish up looked a little strange in that the saw dust looked a little large for a hand saw and this would be confirmed a little farther down the trail.  We stopped by a grove and noticed that a Tan Oak was obstructing the dedication sign.

It didn't take long to clean up the area and we were off.  This section of the park was very birdy with the Hermit Thrushes and Pacific Wrens singing their heart out.

Farther down the trail we came across an area we left a 20" oak across the trail.  This and all the other clean up work was done and with a chain saw.  So much for the Marbled Murlets.

We came across a small patch of Wintergreen along the trail.  Along with other great sights of a charred grove and an old cut Redwood mostly likely cut after the 1900 San Fran earthquake.

Along Shadowbrook we came across this monster blockage that took about 2 minutes to clear.

We head toward the Redwood loop to take care of a Tan Oak that was partially on the trail and then headed back where we found another Tan Oak on the STS/Hihn Hammond Connector trail.

I was carrying the crosscut saw all day and we finally were able to use it.  Three cuts, 2 with the crosscut, and the trail was cleared.  The larger section was moved behind the old Redwood (see below) by pivoting it while balancing on the Redwood.  Monkeys use tools and there was much rejoicing and chest bounding.

I would like to thank Dale S., Micheal, Norm, Dale P., Gene, and Mike with a tip of the hat to Fran and Francis for showing up although not being able to connect the the rest of the crew.  We put in 63 hours but it was a great day for a walk in the woods since must of our work was taken care of over the last month.

Mother of the Forest on the Redwood Loop.

See you on the trail.

Jeff

Birds of the Day

1 Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna

10 Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus

3 Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus

    Nest hole in a dead fir next to the Redwood Loop and Hwy 236

2 Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus

9 Pacific-slope Flycatcher Empidonax difficilis

    One fledgling calling peep

1 Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus

8 Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri

2 Common Raven Corvus corax

8 Chestnut-backed Chickadee Poecile rufescens

2 Pygmy Nuthatch Sitta pygmaea

8 Brown Creeper Certhia americana

9 Pacific Wren Troglodytes pacificus

1 Wrentit Chamaea fasciata

10 Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus

1 American Robin Turdus migratorius

7 Wilson's Warbler Cardellina pusilla

2 Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus

5 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) Junco hyemalis [oreganus Group]

1 Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus

1 Purple Finch Carpodacus purpureus