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Birds A-Z 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 ... 5 Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus Allen's Hummingbird Selasphorus sasin American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos American Kestrel Falco sparverius American Pipit Anthus rubescens American Robin Turdus migratorius Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata Barn Owl Tyto alba Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Bell's Sparrow Artemisiospiza belli Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus Black-throated Gray Warbler Setophaga nigrescens Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus Brown Creeper Certhia americana Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater Bullok's Oriole Icterus bullockii Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus California Quail Callipepla californica California Scrub Jay Aphelocoma californica 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 ... 5

Sweat Bees Lasioglossum Lasioglossum Early Spring – Fall Read More Red-tailed Micro-Shortface Bee Micralictoides ruficaudus April and May Read More Tripartite Sweat Bee Halictus tripartitus March - November Read More

Bees A-Z Filter by Bee Type Select Bee Type Andrena Miner Bee Andrena January - Fall (but primarily January - April) Read More Ashmeadiella Ashmeadiella Summer Read More Bindweed Turret Bee Diadasia bituberculata April to June Read More Black-tailed Bumble Bee Bombus melanopygus January - July (rarely as early as December) Read More California Bumble Bee Bombus californicus February - September Read More California Digger Bee Anthophora californicus February - May; there may be a Fall generation too Read More California Digger-cuckoo Bee Brachymelecta californica June - August Read More California Fairy Bee Perdita californica April - June, timed to blooming of Mariposa Lily Read More California Mountain Digger Bee Habropoda depressa February - early June Read More California Poppy Fairy Bee Perdita interrupta April - June, timed to blooming of California Poppy Read More California Resin-Leafcutter Bee Trachusa perdita April - June Read More California Rotund-Resin Bee Anthidiellum notatum robertsonii May - August Read More Chelostoma californicum Scissor Bee Chelostoma californicum April - June Read More Colletes Cellophane Bees Colletes March - Fall Read More Dark Bees Stelis April - June Read More Dianthidium Dianthidium Late May - August Read More Edwards Digger Bee Anthophora edwardsii Earlier Spring (starting late-February/early March) Read More Edwards Melectum Melecta edwardsii March - early June Read More Eucera Longhorn Bee Eucera March to June Read More Foothill Carpenter Bee Xylocopa tabaniformis orpifex Later March - June Read More Hoplitis Mason Bee Hoplitis April - early June. Read More Hylaeus Masked Bees Hylaeus April - September Read More Lasioglossum Lasioglossum Early Spring – Fall Read More Lovely-tailed Mourning Bee Melecta separata callura March - May Read More Megachile Leafcutter Bee Megachile Summer Read More Melissodes Longhorn Bee Melissodes Late Summer to Fall Read More Nomad Bees Nomada February - June Read More Osmia Mason Bee Osmia Primarily April - June, but Osmia ribifloris biedermannii appears from January. Read More Pacific Digger Bee Anthophora pacifica February and March - not common. Read More Panurginus Miner Bee Panurginus Early Spring Read More Prong-faced Slender-Mason Bee Protosmia rubifloris April - August Read More Red-tailed Micro-Shortface Bee Micralictoides ruficaudus April and May Read More Small Carpenter Bee Ceratina March - July Read More Tripartite Sweat Bee Halictus tripartitus March - November Read More Urbane Digger Bee Anthophora urbana Late Spring - Early Fall Read More Valley Carpenter Bee Xylocopa sonorina March – September (Uncommon on Mount Diablo) Read More Yellow-faced Bumble Bee Bombus vosnesenskii January - September Read More

Fairy and Miner Bees California Fairy Bee Perdita californica April - June, timed to blooming of Mariposa Lily Read More California Poppy Fairy Bee Perdita interrupta April - June, timed to blooming of California Poppy Read More Andrena Miner Bee Andrena January - Fall (but primarily January - April) Read More Panurginus Miner Bee Panurginus Early Spring Read More

articles about plants wildlife spiders mammals insects Articles Filter by Category Select Category Pepsis Tarantula Hawk Has Found Its Prey While most of us “Mount Diablo-philes” have a great love for our local tarantulas, I am also enamored with Tarantula Hawks – those large, magnetic blue-black wasps with the orange wings! July 5, 2025 More Hoverflies Hoverflies are Flies in Disguise June 24, 2025 More Jeweled Spider Flies One of my favorite insects is quite uncommon ... June 20, 2025 More Pollen Wasp It isn’t a pest or a predator - this Pollen Wasp behaves more like a bee... June 20, 2025 More Crab Spider Crab Spiders Use Flower Power May 28, 2025 More Acorn Woodpecker A bird that's nut for acorns! May 21, 2025 More Coyote The barking dog May 21, 2025 More Dragonfly Oh my! What big eyes you have! May 21, 2025 More 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 ... 11

Diggers, Bumbles, Longhorn, and Nomad Bees Black-tailed Bumble Bee Bombus melanopygus January - July (rarely as early as December) Read More California Bumble Bee Bombus californicus February - September Read More Yellow-faced Bumble Bee Bombus vosnesenskii January - September Read More Foothill Carpenter Bee Xylocopa tabaniformis orpifex Later March - June Read More Small Carpenter Bee Ceratina March - July Read More Valley Carpenter Bee Xylocopa sonorina March – September (Uncommon on Mount Diablo) Read More California Digger-cuckoo Bee Brachymelecta californica June - August Read More Edwards Melectum Melecta edwardsii March - early June Read More Lovely-tailed Mourning Bee Melecta separata callura March - May Read More Nomad Bees Nomada February - June Read More California Digger Bee Anthophora californicus February - May; there may be a Fall generation too Read More California Mountain Digger Bee Habropoda depressa February - early June Read More Edwards Digger Bee Anthophora edwardsii Earlier Spring (starting late-February/early March) Read More Pacific Digger Bee Anthophora pacifica February and March - not common. Read More Urbane Digger Bee Anthophora urbana Late Spring - Early Fall Read More Eucera Longhorn Bee Eucera March to June Read More Melissodes Longhorn Bee Melissodes Late Summer to Fall Read More Bindweed Turret Bee Diadasia bituberculata April to June Read More

Wildflower Mount Diablo Clasping Henbit, Henbit Invasive Scientific Name: Lamium amplexicaule Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family) Blooms: Mar - Apr Color: Red-Pink Annual herb Introduced Native to Europe Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Kevin Hintsa

Mourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa Nymphalidae Brushfoots Flies January to October Host Plant Willow, Elm Nectar Plant Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald Underwing

Wildflower Mount Diablo Sticky Mouse-eared Chickweed Scientific Name: Cerastium glomeratum Family: Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family) Blooms: Mar - Jun Color: White Annual herb Introduced Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

Wildflower Mount Diablo Mariposa Lily, Butterfly Tulip Scientific Name: Calochortus venustus Family: Liliaceae (Lily Family) Blooms: May - Jul Color: White Perennial herb Native Found on grassy hillsides, favoring rocky areas; tolerates all exposures; 750 feet to summit. Look for them in Mitchell Canyon and Donner Canyon. Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Kevin Hintsa

Mammals of Mount Diablo State Park by John Pelonio This list describes the mammals found on Mount Diablo and its foothills. It was compiled using studies conducted in the park, specimens collected by the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology of UC Berkeley and park records and sightings. Species that may occur but have not been seen Spotted skunk Ringtail Trowbridge Shrew Bush Mouse American Badger (updated June 2022) Drawing by Nathan Crawford Species probably extinct on Mount Diablo Heerman's Kangaroo Rat San Joaquin Kit Fox Species Extinct on Mount Diablo Grizzly Bear Wolf Tule Elk Pronghorn Antelope Grey Squirrel Carnivores Mountain Lion or Cougar (rare) The cougar does occur on Mount Diablo, but is rarely seen. Cougars require such a large range that there may be only one or two cats in the area. Cougars eat mainly deer, but will occasionally take smaller prey or carrion. Bobcat (occasionally seen) This shy cat is widespread on Mount Diablo, but is rarely seen by park visitors. Residents of the park often see bobcats in the early morning or evening. Bobcats eat rodents, rabbits, birds, and an occasional deer. Grey Fox (occasionally seen) The grey fox is widespread and abundant on Mount Diablo. Foxes are often seen along park roads at night by park residents. Foxes eat rodents, insects and berries. Coyote (occasionally seen) Coyotes are abundant on Mount Diablo, but are rarely seen. Campers and park residents often hear them at night. The coyote eats mainly rodents and carrion. Despite its reputation, the coyote rarely kills livestock. It will feed on any dead animal it can find. Skunks Striped Skunk (occasionally seen); Spotted Skunk (unknown, may not occur in the park); Skunks have a unique and effective defense. When threatened, skunks spray an offensive-smelling oil at the attacker. They are easily recognized by their black and white patterns. The striped skunk is often seen along roads at night. The spotted skunk may occur on Mount Diablo but has not been sighted. Skunks eat mainly insects, but will also eat rodents, birds and berries. Badger (rarely seen) The badger, thought to be extinct, has been sighted more recently on Mount Diablo. Badgers eat gophers and ground squirrels which they catch by digging them up. Raccoon (seen regularly) Raccoons are found throughout the park, especially around water and developed areas. They often steal food from park visitors and get into garbage cans. Their natural diet includes frogs, berries, insects, reptiles, eggs and small mammals. Bobcat | Brian Murphy Mountain Lion Front Rear Bobcat Gray Fox Coyote | Illustrations by Mike Nelson | Long Tailed Weasel (rarely seen) The weasel is very secretive and, therefore, rarely seen. It can go into holes after rodents and rabbits it eats. Opossum (occasionally seen) The opossum is our only marsupial or pouched animal. It was introduced into California from the eastern states around the turn of the century. It has now become established all over the state. Opossums will eat anything edible, including carrion, fruits, nuts, rodents, even garbage. Hoofed Animals Blacktailed Deer (seen regularly) Deer are often seen in the morning or evening and when there are few park visitors. They are browsers, feeding on grass, shrubs, herbs and acorns. Deer are preyed upon by mountain lions, bobcats and occasionally coyotes and feral dogs. Back Rabbits and Hares Rabbits and hares feed on grasses, herbs and shrubs. They are are an important food source for bobcats, foxes, coyotes, and eagles. Hares have longer ears and legs than true rabbits, and have young that are born fully furred and able to move around on their own. Cottontail (seen regularly); Brush Rabbit (seen Regularly) We have two true rabbits on the mountain, the cottontail and brush rabbit; they are similar in appearance. Jackrabbit (seen regularly) The jackrabbit is actually a hare. It is most common in grassland areas, but also found in brushy areas. Rodents Rodents occur in large numbers and are a major source of food for such predators as hawks, owls, foxes, bobcats, weasels, coyotes, and snakes. Old World Rats and Mice Norway Rat (rarely seen), Roof Rat (rarely seen), House Mouse (rarely seen); these rodents were brought to the New World by ships from Europe. They have since spread to most developed areas of North America. Although they are common throughout most of Contra Costa County, they are not found at the higher elevations of Mount Diablo. Western Harvest Mouse (rarely seen) These tiny mice live in grassy areas where they feed mainly on grass seeds. White Footed Mice Deer Mouse (occasionally seen), Pinyon Mouse (rarely seen), California Mouse (rarely seen), Brush Mouse (unknown; may not occur in the park). These four mice are closely related. They feed on nuts, berries, seeds and herbs. The deer mouse and California mouse are widespread on Mount Diablo. The pinyon mouse is rare, but has been found on the mountain. The brush mouse may occur, but has not been found on the mountain. Woodrats Dusky Footed Woodrat (occasionally seen); Desert Woodrat (rarely seen). These rodents are sometimes called "packrats" because they tend to collect things and store them in their nests. The nest looks like a pile of sticks but contains many passages and rooms. The abandoned passages are used by a variety of other animals. Woodrats eat seeds, nuts, and berries. California Meadow Mouse (occasionally seen) The meadow mouse or vole is abundant in the grassland areas of Mount Diablo. Voles make runways through the grass. They feed on grass, seeds, roots, and bark. California Pocket Gopher (seen regularly) This gopher, seen throughout Mount Diablo, also digs up lawns and gardens. Gophers feed on roots, grasses, herbs, and seeds. Fox Squirrel (abundant; seen by most park visitors) This common red-brown colored squirrel is seen on power lines and trees throughout the bay area. The fox squirrel was introduced into California and has replaced the grey squirrel over much of its range. It was introduced into Mount Diablo State Park in 1960. Grey squirrels, which were abundant on the mountain have not been seen since shortly after the fox squirrels were released. California Ground Squirrel (abundant; seen by most park visitors) Ground squirrels are abundant in the developed areas of Mount Diablo. They are so abundant in some areas that they are creating erosion problems and damaging park roads and buildings. Ground squirrels are absent from many of the back country areas, possibly due to the extensive eradication program conducted by the county in the park up to 1974. Muskrat (unknown; may not occur in the park) The muskrat was introduced into the Sacramento / San Joaquin Delta and has spread into many of the creeks around Mount Diablo. Muskrats eat mainly cattails, and other plants, but will also eat clams and snails. Insectivores Bats (seen regularly) There are thirteen species of bat which may occur on Mount Diablo: California Myotis Big Brown Bat Small-Footed Myotis Western Pipistrelle Long-Eared Myotis Pallid Bat Yuma Myotis Lumpnosed Bat Hoary Bat Brazilian Bat Red Bat Western Mastif Bat Silverhaired Bat These bats eat insects caught in the air. Bats use echo-location to find their prey in the dark, which is similar to sonar. Contrary to popular myth, bats are not blind, do not get caught in hair and our local bats are not likely to carry rabies. However, they do have sharp teeth, so do not handle any you find roosting. Bats are sometimes eaten by owls and snakes. Shrews There are two species of shrew which may be found on Mount Diablo: Ornate Shrew (rarely seen), and Trowbridge Shrew (unknown, may not occur in the park). Shrews are our smallest mammals. Despite their size, they are aggressive predators. Shrews have such a high metabolism they must eat constantly. They eat insects, sowbugs and spiders. Broadfooted Mole (rarely seen) Moles are rarely seen, but you may find their feeding tunnels -- long ridges of dirt on the surface of the ground. Moles eat insects and worms. Feral Animals A feral animal is a domestic animal which has been released or allowed to go wild. On Mount Diablo we have feral dogs and cats. Other feral animals which are damaging some areas of California are goats, burros, pigs and horses. Feral Cats (abundant; seen by most park visitors) Feral Cat Feral cats are seen along all roads in the state park. Feral cats compete for food with native wildlife such as weasels, owls, hawks, and snakes. Feral Dogs (rarely seen) Feral dogs occur in the Wall Ridge and Mitchell Canyon areas. Pet dogs which are allowed to run loose at night will come up into the park to hunt and kill wildlife and livestock. Many of the livestock kills blamed on coyotes are actually killed by dogs, then scavenged by coyotes. Feral Dog Back Illustrations by Mike Nelson

Tarantulas: The Gentle Giants of Mount Diablo by Michael Marchiano October 1, 1998 Michael Marchiano Each year in late summer, male tarantulas born between four and seven years ago find a secluded place and lay down a sheet of silk webbing. Resting on top of the silk, they split their outer skin covering the thorax and, over several hours, slowly extract their legs and slough off their old skin. This is their final molting. This new adult male tarantula is an exact replica of the prior one except he now possesses “nuptial” hooks on his fore legs to use in mating over the next couple of months. From mid August to late October, the East Bay area male tarantulas (Aphonopelma iodius ) will be on the prowl. Their counterparts, the females, will be staying at home in burrows where they have lived for as long as twenty-five years. The females also reach maturity after between four and seven years, and it is unknown whether they mate every year. In fall, those that wish to mate will clean out the entrances to their burrows and cover them with a thin silk cover. The amorous males, who may wander as much as a mile while searching for a female's burrow, are probably attracted by some form of pheromone. When located, the males tap out a message on the silk explaining their mating intentions, assuring the female they are not a threat nor should she consider them a meal. As the female comes out of the burrow, the male will back up and allow her to approach, touching legs. The male then cautiously bends the female backwards using the hooks on his front legs to hold onto her fangs while mating. Mating may last from thirty seconds to three minutes and before the male releases the female, wandering off while she returns to her burrow. For the next two months, the male will continue looking for other females to mate with, growing weaker and finally dying as winter approaches. The female will overwinter in her burrow, occasionally coming out at night to capture a meal. In late winter to early spring, the female will weave a silk pillowcase in which she will lay 100 to 150 tiny eggs. She will care for the eggs for approximately 30 days, at which time she tears a small slit in the egg case and the tiny white pinhead-sized spiderlings hatch out. Within a few days, the spiderlings will molt, shedding their exoskeleton for the first time. They disperse immediately since they are susceptible to many predators, including each other. Over the next four to seven years, the survivors living in their separate burrows will molt and grow, feeding at night and hiding during the day. North American tarantulas have a very mild venom that can easily paralyze a small arthropod but it is totally harmless to humans. They do possess tiny barbed hairs on their abdomen that can be sluffed off into an attacker’s face, causing itching and watery eyes. Hollywood and the media have made tarantulas seem monstrous, so to many people these slow-moving spiders appear ominous and threatening. Nothing is farther from the truth; they are truly one of the gentle giants of the animal world. BACK TO LIST