Wildflower Mount Diablo Common Chickweed Invasive Scientific Name: Stellaria media Family: Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family) Blooms: Feb - Mar Color: White Annual herb Introduced Native to Europe Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

Wildflower Mount Diablo Blue Skullcap Scientific Name: Scutellaria tuberosa Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family) Blooms: Mar - Apr Color: Blue-Purple Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Kevin Hintsa

Rock Pigeon Pigeons and Doves Rock Pigeon Columba livia All Year Pigeons and Doves Daniel Fitzgerald Non-native found on natural cliff walls; usually close to human settlements. Field Marks: many different color variations exist, from all white to the typical grayish plumage. In flight, dark tail band and white rump are typical of birds from wild stock. Nests on cliff ledges, on the side of buildings, or under cover of bridges or barns. Nest is a loosely built, saucer-shaped structure of sticks, twigs, and grasses. Eats fruit and seeds.

Wildflower Mount Diablo Red Maids Scientific Name: Calandrinia menziesii Family: Montiaceae (Spring Beauty Family) Blooms: Jan - Apr Color: Red-Pink Annual herb Native Compared to Brewer's Calandrinia , Red Maids have larger flower petals, 4-15 mm, and smaller, narrower leaves. Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

Wildflower Mount Diablo Waltham Creek Clarkia Scientific Name: Clarkia modesta Family: Onagraceae (Evening Primrose Family) Blooms: April - May Color: Red-Pink Annual herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Stephen Smith

Wildflower Mount Diablo Western Marsh Cudweed, Lowland Cudweed Scientific Name: Gnaphalium palustre Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family) Blooms: May-Sep Color: White Annual herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald

California Red Legged Frog by Michael Marchiano April 1, 1998 Michael Marchiano The Calaveras Jumping Frog is a story written by Mark Twain in the 19th century. Contrary to popular belief, the frog in that story was NOT an American Bullfrog but rather California’s largest native, the California Red Legged Frog. The Bull frog (a non-native species) was not introduced to California until the turn of the 20th Century. The Red legged frog, is a species in decline at this time due to habitat destruction (75 % of its historical range altered), fragmentation of its environment, water pollution, pesticides, mining, fertilizers, and the introduction of the bullfrog which eats red legged frogs and tadpoles as well as its food sources. The Red legged frog can grow up to five plus inches (half the size of a bullfrog) and lives up to 8-10 years. The frogs are reddish brown, olive, or gray with black spots. The legs have a dark banding and a dark mask like steak runs from the shoulder to the front of the upper jaw. Normally found near water it will often sit on the bank blending in to its surroundings. It will use its powerful hind legs to leap into the water when threatened or attacked by a predator.It takes two to three years to reach breeding age. Breeding takes place from December to March in seasonal ponds, streams, stock pools, and reservoirs. The female can lay up to 2000 eggs but only about one percent will metamorphosis into frogs. Tadpoles mature into frogs in three to seven months, often depending on the availability of water. Water sources with shore line growth of willows or cattails are ideal breeding locations, providing hiding place. In drought years many ponds that start out with breeding populations will dry up before metamorphosis is completed. Although a riparian frog, it is capable of traveling several miles overland in rainy weather. During dry spells it often seeks refuge in leaf litter, animal burrows (especially ground squirrels and gophers) and under fallen trees. They must stay cool or wet enough so as not to dry out. Predators consist of the afore mention introduced American bullfrog, cats, garter snakes, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, egrets, bass, and introduced mosquito fish eat their eggs and newly hatched larva. Their food consists primarily of insects and other invertebrates but they have been known to eat tree frogs and small mice when available. This very attractive amphibian is now protected under both State and federal law as a threatened species. Several populations of red legged frogs breed in Mount Diablo State Park but with our current drought situation many of their breeding sites are drying up before the frogs reach maturity thus causing a decline in their population. by Michael Marchiano by Michael Marchiano BACK TO LIST

Barn Owl Owls and Nightjars Barn Owl Tyto alba All Year Owls and Nightjars Daniel Fitzgerald The white heart-shaped face and dark eyes are distinctive. It has no ear tufts and has an unstreaked light colored underparts.

Wildflower Mount Diablo California Loosestrife Scientific Name: Lythrum californicum Family: Lythraceae Blooms: May-Oct Color: Red-Pink Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald

Great Basin Wood-Nymph Cercyonis sthenele silvestris Nymphalidae Brushfoots Flies May to December Host Plant Grass Nectar Plant Daniel Fitzgerald Male Underwing

Bewick's Wren Wrens, Kinglets, and Gnatcatchers Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii All Year Wrens, Kinglets, and Gnatcatchers Daniel Fitzgerald Locate this species in brushy areas, dense thickets, and scrubby habitats; it also frequents riparian woodlands. Upperparts are brown or grayish-brown; note dull white underparts and distinctive eyebrow. Tail, long and edged with white spots, may be cocked upward (like a wren) but may also be swished and swayed back and forth in an elaborate non-wren-like fashion. Uses moss, twigs, and leaves to build its nest, which it places in natural cavities or other sheltered crevices. Feeds mostly on insects.

Wildflower Mount Diablo California Coffeeberry Scientific Name: Frangula californica Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckhorn Family) Blooms: Jun-Aug Color: Yellow-Orange Shrub Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald