I'm heading out to the preserve shortly to help with the planting of 700 new lupine plants from Bok Tower.
This is in a new location, but close enough for the two populations to crosspollinate, I've been told.
The other strategy is to move the plantings farther from the residential areas to reduce the likelihood of vandalism, which plagued the first planting.
The big issue is managing the watering. This is going to be a shared task and will be coordinated with rainfall, so we don't overwater or leave the plants susceptible to stress by underwatering.
Spring is a cruel season sometimes for plants because the temperatures (and evapostranspiration) increases, but the rainfall can be sparse. This was supposed to be a wet El Nino winter, but it hasn't turned out that way so far and we can't count on long-term weather predictions.
The big hope is perhaps we'll see some blooms this spring from the first planting.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
McFarlin ex Beckner call
I got a call the other day from John Beckner, author of the Lupinus aridorum description. He was looking for information on blooming lupine. He said it's possible some of the Lake Blue lupine might bloom this year, which would be wonderful.
He's working with a woman who is assembling a photo collection of scrub plants and others.
I hope to be able to meet him. I gather he's rather old, so there may not be a lot of time.
He's working with a woman who is assembling a photo collection of scrub plants and others.
I hope to be able to meet him. I gather he's rather old, so there may not be a lot of time.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
The windrows again
It looks like it's archeology time again.
The windrows that were pushed up last year when the fire lane was widened, which was badly needed, have weathered enough to expose more trash. As I have time, I'll be going down the line and moving the debris to get at the trash and leveling the mounds.
In a perfect world, I suppose, that debris could be assembled in a burn pile somewhere, but fire-safe locations are tricky on that side, so the bugs will feast instead.
The windrows that were pushed up last year when the fire lane was widened, which was badly needed, have weathered enough to expose more trash. As I have time, I'll be going down the line and moving the debris to get at the trash and leveling the mounds.
In a perfect world, I suppose, that debris could be assembled in a burn pile somewhere, but fire-safe locations are tricky on that side, so the bugs will feast instead.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Clearing land for the lupines
A group of volunteers cleared the ground for the next lupine planting, but ran into some big-rooted trees that will require more than strong backs to remove.
The problem is that we could have gone into a little more open area, but would have run into one of Archbold's study plots and beyond that is a burn pile site that may have altered soil.
The highlights today was the discovery of a Blue-tailed Mole Skink, only the second one I've seen on this site since I started working here in 2002. We also found a Worm Lizard, which many people had not seen. I've run into a few out here, but they're hardly common.
In addition, the large Narceus gordanus millipedes were everywhere.
We got a lot done and the rain held off, which helped.
The problem is that we could have gone into a little more open area, but would have run into one of Archbold's study plots and beyond that is a burn pile site that may have altered soil.
The highlights today was the discovery of a Blue-tailed Mole Skink, only the second one I've seen on this site since I started working here in 2002. We also found a Worm Lizard, which many people had not seen. I've run into a few out here, but they're hardly common.
In addition, the large Narceus gordanus millipedes were everywhere.
We got a lot done and the rain held off, which helped.
Lupine patch clearing today; hope rain holds off
We have a work day scheduled this morning to clear a patch of scrub to prepare for next month's planting of Scrub Lupine.
Shortly after I got up this morning, the rain began. It has been on and off, but not too bad for a determined work crew. I'm taking rain gear just in case it gets heavy.
The upside is that the rain makes it easier to dig in sandy soil. Always look on the bright side, even if the sun isn't shining.
Shortly after I got up this morning, the rain began. It has been on and off, but not too bad for a determined work crew. I'm taking rain gear just in case it gets heavy.
The upside is that the rain makes it easier to dig in sandy soil. Always look on the bright side, even if the sun isn't shining.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Fence fixed, entrance altered
When I stopped by this afternoon after the Ridge Ranger gathering, I found that the fence contractors had been working today.
The fence cuts had been fixed.
The old walk-through entrances had been closed and a new ones created diagonally across from each other at the southeast and northwest corners of the tracts, though the northwest gate on the south tract is still dummy locked. Not really a problem, there's nowhere to go there except the fire lane anyway.
I did notice the walk-through entrance was rather inviting to dirt bikes, though, being in an area where they regularly ride. I brought the no vehicle sign down from the main gate and sunk another post in the middle to discourage them. We'll see what happens.
The fence cuts had been fixed.
The old walk-through entrances had been closed and a new ones created diagonally across from each other at the southeast and northwest corners of the tracts, though the northwest gate on the south tract is still dummy locked. Not really a problem, there's nowhere to go there except the fire lane anyway.
I did notice the walk-through entrance was rather inviting to dirt bikes, though, being in an area where they regularly ride. I brought the no vehicle sign down from the main gate and sunk another post in the middle to discourage them. We'll see what happens.
Fence problems chronic
I stopped by Friday afternoon and noticed the neighbors had torn through the fence behind the vacant house again.
This is the third time since the holidays this has occurred. I'd define that as chronic.
I also found a somewhat concealed fence cut, which was new, a couple of houses to the east by a cherry laurel tree.
FWC is talking about improving the fence line and possibly even posting the property for public access because of the problems. It may come to that.
This is the third time since the holidays this has occurred. I'd define that as chronic.
I also found a somewhat concealed fence cut, which was new, a couple of houses to the east by a cherry laurel tree.
FWC is talking about improving the fence line and possibly even posting the property for public access because of the problems. It may come to that.
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