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Orange-crowned Warbler Warblers Orange-crowned Warbler Leiothlypis celata Summer Warblers Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald Found in open, brushy woodlands and second-growth habitats; also frequents dense chaparral and riparian tickets. A grayish-green or olive-green warbler with faint, dusky streaking on breast, dark eye line, no wing bars, and yellowish undertail coverts. Nests on the ground or sometimes in shrubs. Nest is a cup-shaped structure built from grasses, leaves, bark strips, and plant down. Feeds mostly on insects; however, berries and fruits may also be included in the diet.

Great Horned Owl Owls and Nightjars Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus All Year Owls and Nightjars Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald Frequents a wide variety of forest and habitats, usually with scattered openings. Large size, conspicuous ear tufts. This is the owl that most novice and non-birders are familiar with; its 5 to 8 note call is easily learned. Note chestnut facial disk, yellowish eyes, and barred underparts. Typically nests in a tree. Usually uses old tree nest of hawk, heron, or crow. Feeds mostly on rabbits, hares, mice, and even coots or other waterfowl; in fact, diet is considered to be the most diverse of all North American raptors.

Wildflower Mount Diablo Owl's Clover, Purple Owl's Clover Scientific Name: Castilleja exserta Family: Orobanchaceae (Broomrape Family) Blooms: Mar - May Color: Red-Pink Annual herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring Terese Dixon

Wildflower Mount Diablo Golden Aster, Sessileflower False Goldenaster Scientific Name: Heterotheca sessiliflora ssp. echioides Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family) Blooms: Mar - Oct Color: Yellow-Orange Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Ken-ichi Ueda, iNaturalist

Knobcone to Oyster Point Hike By Steve Smith Reprinted from MDIA Newsletter November 2023 November 1, 2023 Scott Hein Oyster Point is a special treat as it is a remote destination packed full of adventure and scenic beauty. With the opening of Knobcone Point Road (through Save Mount Diablo’s Curry Canyon Ranch property) the opportunity for a proper loop hike abounds, yet this is not for the faint of heart. This hike is about 11 miles with 2,200 feet of elevation gain and Fall is a good time to do it while the weather is cool and before heavy rains (and mud) come. Starting from Curry Point we meander along Knobcone Point Road eventually making our way to Balancing Rock, a seemingly gravity-defying bit of Domengine sandstone. Just beyond you will pass through the gate and onto SMD property. (Please use the boot cleaning station before continuing.) The next 1.25 miles takes you through a lovely knobcone pine forest, through deep-shaded, rock-lined canyons, and across open grasslands. Views of the Summit and North Peak abound. Find another park gate which deposits you at the top of Riggs Canyon Road. This is a very steep descent into Riggs Canyon with expansive views of the southeastern side of the park including neighboring Morgan Territory Regional Preserve. At the end of Riggs Canyon, you’ll head right along Old Finley Road until you find the single-track Oyster Point Trail on the right. Winding ups and downs take you through Jackass Canyon on a pleasantly shady 2-mile journey to the Oyster Point turnoff. A signpost marks a trail up the hillside to the actual point, however, once you enter the chapparal up top the path is less obvious and you must hunt for the signpost. It is hidden off to the right, tucked in an alcove of chamise and black sage . Be sure to investigate the rocks around it, you will see the fossilized oysters for which it gets its name. Retrace your steps back down to the main trail and continue, admiring the views of Cave Rocks and Cave Point in the foreground. After another 1.3 miles you will find Blackhawk Ridge Road heading to the right and then steeply down. Continue along the road until you pop back up onto Knobcone Point Road and on back to Curry Point. Knobcone to Oyster hike map.jpg balancing rock by Steve Smith.jpg Cave rocks by Steve Smith.jpg Oyster post by Steve Smith.png BACK TO LIST

Sachem Atalopedes campestris Hesperiidae Skippers Flies March to November Host Plant Grass Nectar Plant Bull thistle Kevin Hinsta Female Hank Fabian Underwing

Wildflower Mount Diablo Seep monkey flower Scientific Name: Erythranthe guttata Family: Phrymaceae Blooms: Apr-Jun Color: Yellow-Orange annual or perennial herb (rhizomatous) Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Steve Smith

Red-breasted Sapsucker Kingfishers and Woodpeckers Red-breasted Sapsucker Sphyrapicus ruber Winter Kingfishers and Woodpeckers Daniel Fitzgerald Sapsuckers drill orderly rows of small holes in trees for sap and insects it attracts. This sapsucker has the characteristic white wing patch but sports an entirely red head and breast. Often hybridizes with Red-naped Sapsucker where the ranges overlap.

Wildflower Mount Diablo Royal Larkspur Scientific Name: Delphinium variegatum ssp. variegatum Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family) Blooms: Mar - Jun Color: Blue-Purple Perennial herb Native, endemic to California Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Kevin Hintsa

Wildflower Mount Diablo Short Spurred Plectritis Scientific Name: Plectritis macrocera Family: Valerianaceae (Valerian Family) Blooms: Mar - May Color: Red-Pink Annual herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

Wildflower Mount Diablo Crimson Clover Scientific Name: Trifolium incarnatum Family: Fabaceae (Legume Family) Blooms: Apr - Jun Color: Red-Pink Annual herb Introduced Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

Wildflower Mount Diablo Shy Monkeyflower Scientific Name: Erythranthe nasuta Family: Phrymaceae Blooms: Apr-Jun Color: Yellow-Orange Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants