What's Growing On
Spring 2004

by Jason Lopez, Resources and Trails Manager

Keep Your Eye on Lake Hodges Wildlife

According to the Palomar Audubon Society checklist, Lake Hodges is home to 207 species of birds. This area is designated as a “Globally Important Bird Area” by the American Bird Conservancy; its high number of threatened California gnatcatchers may have been a determining factor. This high ranking is remarkable considering the proximity of Lake Hodges to urban areas.

A great spot to bird watch near Lake Hodges is to the east of the Mule Hill Trail Interpretive Stations near the start of the San Pasqual Valley Trail. You may see riparian and upland species. Historically the riparian vegetation here has either been under water or heavily grazed. Now, on one side of the trail are views of tall willows perches along the high-water mark of Lake Hodges with young trees below in the moist lake bottom. The perches provide clear views of resting birds. Across from the trail is recovering coastal sage scrub with dense patches of habitat and multiple rock outcroppings, some capped white from resting raptors.

In one 30-minute period recently, five different birds of prey species were observed: kestrel, black shouldered kite, turkey vulture, red shouldered hawk, and northern harrier. Deer, bobcat, and coyote are also often seen here. If you visit, stay on the trail so as not to disturb the healthy populations of western meadowlark and black phoebes that bounce around the sage scrub and old fences. Also, nesting season begins in March. Visit during morning hours for the most productive wildlife observation.

Work Heats Up as Temperatures Cool

The Lake Hodges and San Pasqual area trails are busy as usual this winter with hikers, bikers, and equestrians taking advantage of the cooler temperatures. Park field staff is busy working to manage the increased usage by maintaining trails so that people enjoy their experience, stay on the path and out of wildlife habitat, and to ensure that trail erosion does not affect the surrounding ecosystems. Winter brings more opportunities to do conservation projects. Soils are softer and compact better, and cooler temperatures allow for more productive fieldwork.

            Habitat restoration work also greatly increases in the winter. One restoration project involves a cleanup of an 800-cubic yard dumpsite in an isolated corner of a City of San Diego agricultural lease. The area is part of a major core resource area of the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP). The San Pasqual Valley Trail overlooks the dumpsite. Funding of the project is a component of a Riparian and Riverine grant program from State Parks awarded to the River Park and San Diego County Weed Management Area. The bulk of the grant is being used to remove perennial pepperweed in San Pasqual Valley. After the cleanup, Park staff will vegetate the area with native species that match the adjacent habitat.