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Chestnut-backed Chickadee Chickadees, Titmice and Nuthatches Chestnut-backed Chickadee Poecile rufescens All Year Chickadees, Titmice and Nuthatches Daniel Fitzgerald Chickadees and Titmice are smaller small-billed acrobatic birds often found in mixed species flocks while feeding. This species has the chickadee characteristic cap, black bib and white cheeks and the its cap is black. Its back and rump are chestnut colored.

California Thrasher Thrushes and Thrashers California Thrasher Toxostoma redivivum All Year Thrushes and Thrashers Daniel Fitzgerald Found in chaparral and riparian woodland, usually with extensive dense understory shrubs. Bill is noticeably decurved. Note dark, brownish-gray upperparts; somewhat paler below. Whitish throat, dark moustache, and dark eye are diagnostic. Can be heard singing at almost any time of year. Cup-shaped, twig nest is placed in shrubs or trees. This species feeds on insects, fruits, and berries.

Golden-crowned Sparrow Towhees, Sparrows, Juncos, and Longspurs Golden-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia atricapilla Winter Towhees, Sparrows, Juncos, and Longspurs Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald Found in dense brushy areas, along woodland edge, in chaparral habitats, and in residential areas during the winter. Golden-yellow crown and dark upper bill dentify this sparrow in all plumages; golden-yellow crown is brightest in breeding plumage, duller in winter, and even duller in immature birds. Dark upper bill separates this sparrow from the White-crowned Sparrow. Omnivorous. Eats insects, flowers, buds, and fruits.

Hoplitis Mason Bee Hoplitis Megachilidae Hoplitis Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Description Hoplitis bees come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but Mount Diablo's Hoplitis bees tend to be sleek-looking and elongate (longer-bodied than Osmia ). Female bees carry pollen on abdominal scopa, and both sexes have an arolium pad between their front leg tarsal claws, unlike Megachile . Their forewings have 2 submarginal cells and a stigma at least twice as long as broad. These bees are black or metallic green. Nectar/ Pollen Plants Hoplitis are generalists. Habits Solitary, some nest in hollowed out stems, tubes, wall crevices, while others nest in the ground. Use chewed leaves, mud and pebbles in nest-building to create partitions, hence “mason.” Season April - early June.

Barn Swallow Swallows and Larks Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Summer Swallows and Larks Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald Often found in open areas, usually near water. Deeply forked tail, reddish orange throat, and buffy orange underparts separate this swallow from all others in our area. Breeds in colonies, but may sometimes be a solitary nester. Nests in a wide variety of situations, most commonly on sides of buildings or under bridges. Nest is a cup-shaped structure constructed of mud and grasses. Eats insects caught in flight.

Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher Wrens, Kinglets, and Gnatcatchers Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea Summer Wrens, Kinglets, and Gnatcatchers Daniel Fitzgerald This active insectivore is blue-gray above and whitish below with a narrow white eye ring. Its longish tail is mostly white underneath.

Margined White Pieris marginalis Pieridae Whites, Sulfurs Flies February to June Host Plant Milkmaids, Wintercress Nectar Plant Daniel Fitzgerald Male Daniel Fitzgerald Underwing

Violet-green Swallow Swallows and Larks Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina Summer Swallows and Larks Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald A bird of open spaces, open woodlands, and mountain canyons; often seen farther from water than Tree Swallow . Dark, purplish- or violet-green on upperparts. White on side of cheek extends above eye (compare with Tree Swallow). Also note that outer edges of rump are white (visible from above on flying birds). May breed in small colonies. Nests in natural or man-made cavities, including tree cavities, nest boxes, rock crevices, and abandoned woodpecker holes. Eats insects taken in flight.

Wildflower Mount Diablo Little White Flax Scientific Name: Hesperolinon micranthum Family: Linaceae Blooms: May-Jun Color: White Annual herb Native, and endemic to California Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Steven Beatty Steven Beatty Steven Beatty

Wildflower Mount Diablo Blue Witch, Nightshade Scientific Name: Solanum umbelliferum Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade Family) Blooms: Mar - Jun Color: Blue-Purple Shrub Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Kevin Hintsa

Western Brown Elfin Callophrys augustinus iroides Lycaenidae Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks Flies February to July Host Plant Dodder, Soap Plant, Manzanitas, Madrones, California Lilac, Yerba Santa Nectar Plant Oregon Sunshine, Diablo helianthella, Horehound Daniel Fitzgerald Underwing

Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow Towhees, Sparrows, Juncos, and Longspurs Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii Towhees, Sparrows, Juncos, and Longspurs Daniel Fitzgerald