Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services PR&CS Administration, 1401 Recreation Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80905
Revised Agenda TOPS Working Committee Please silence your phone during the meeting.
______Wednesday, November 7, 2018 7:30 a.m. Open Space Room ______
Agenda Preview Committee and Staff
Announcements Staff
Approval of Minutes Committee ______
Citizen Discussion Citizens ______Action Item Red Rock Canyon Open Space Master Plan Amendment Scott Abbott/John Stark Friends of Red Rock Canyon
Presentations Corral Bluffs BioBlitz Sharon Milito White Acres Alternatives Britt Haley ______Citizen Discussion Citizens ______Adjournment
COLORADO SPRINGS PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD ______
Date: November 7, 2018
Item Number: Action Item - 1
Item Name: Minor Amendment to the Red Rock Canyon Master and Management Plan Trail System
SUMMARY:
Red Rock Canyon Master and Management Plan Trail (Red Rock Canyon Trail/ Red Rock Rim Trail) Connector.
Heavy rains and the subsequent flooding in 2013 and 2015 required action to close the location for the proposed trail due to severe erosion and rogue trail proliferation. Prior to the floods Park staff had installed a culvert at the intersection of Lion Trail and Red Rock Rim Trail. Many attempts at fortifying this intersection had failed so the installation of a culvert took place. After the installation, increased intensity of rainfall in 2013 caused severe damage to the rogue trail running east to west downhill into Red Rock Canyon. Use of this area continued through 2014 and 2015. The floods of 2015 increased damage further and led to the decision among city staff to plan a closure of the entire area in September 2016. The area has been physically closed since that time.
Requests from members of Friends of Red Rock Canyon (FoRRC) began in approximately November 2017 regarding construction of the trail per the master plan. City staff began researching the rehabilitation of the eroded area and feasibility of constructing the trail as requested.
PREVIOUS PARKS BOARD ACTION: The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board approved the Master Plan in 2013.
BACKGROUND: See above
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: N/A
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: The TOPS Working Committee approved the Master Plan in 2013.
STAKEHOLDER PROCESS: Conversations with Friends of Red Rock Canyon, Presentation to TOPS Advisory Committee
ALTERNATIVE: Construct 1500’ of trail on unsustainable soils, slopes and wildlife habitat per the approved Master Plan.
RECOMMENDATION: City Staff recommends removing this trail connection from the Master Plan.
PROPOSED MOTION: Recommend removal of the identified trail from the Red Rock Canyon Open Space Master and Management Plan
Attachments: Amendment Powerpoint Proposal to amend the Red Rock Canyon Master Plan
Recommendation to Remove Trail November 7, 2018 Scott Abbott RECENT PROJECTS • South Landfill Connector Trail • Upper Codell • Red Rock Overlook • Inteman reroute • Dog Park Fencing • Bike Ramping at Sand Canyon • East Fork Sand Canyon • Bock Trail
RED ROCK RIM CONNECTOR Google 2018
OBSERVED ISSUES 1. Trail runs through existing landfill area, which includes old infrastructure and monitoring wells. 2. Proposed trail would be over 1,500 linear feet on highly erosive slopes adjacent to drainage and sensitive wildlife habitat. 3. Proposed trail would lead to the ridge top where rogue use should be discouraged. Google 2005 TITLE TITLE
TITLE TITLE 2007 RED ROCK CANYON MAP UNSUSTAINABLE SEGMENTS WILDLIFE HABITAT RESOURCE MAP Questions ?
Friends of Red Rock Canyon’s Request for Reclamation and Trail at the North End of the Landfill in Red Rock Canyon
Following a flood a couple of years ago, the trail at the bottom of the landfill was closed temporarily for safety reasons. The trail is listed in the Master Plan as an unsustainable trail that must be re-routed. Contrary to the Master Plan, city staff has decided to permanently close the trail. Friends of Red Rock Canyon (FoRRC) appealed the decision to the parks department, but were denied.
The Master Plan should not be changed without a public process and permission of the TOPS Working Committee and the Parks Board. We ask the TOPS Working Committee to protect the Master Plan, which calls for a trail in the area. It was an important part of the Master Plan for FoRRC and the many citizens who participated in the Master Plan process. We also request your support is developing a reclamation plan for this area.
This trail connection is critical for walkers in Red Rock Canyon but it will also be used by cyclists who want to avoid the higher, dusty road across the landfill. This connector trail is important for tourists and visitors with limited time. People with limited hiking ability (out-of-condition, over- weight, elderly, and slightly handicapped) also need some attractive shorter walking loops. The loop this trail would create will be one of the best short loops in the park, that starts and ends at the parking lot. This trail connection is beautiful and shady and gives people an option to avoid walking across the landfill.
The connector trail that should be re-built will be one of the best routes for the historical and geological interpretive trails recommended in the 2013 Master Plan. The interpretive trails that go through the landfill are too long and focus on the damage from human activity on the beauty and geologic history of Red Rock Canyon Open Space.
Perhaps most importantly it is our belief that the water diversion management needs to be re- designed. Presently the water control features are unsightly and do not protect the trail from being destroyed. Work is needed to rehabilitate the land after it was damaged by the landfill and dirt quarry. Why wait years to fix the problem ?
FoRRC requests that City Parks Dept. develop a comprehensive plan for rehabilitation of the north end of the landfill, that includes water management, fixing the quarry area, eliminating the concrete structures, building a sustainable trail (called for in the Master Plan), and restoring the natural habitat. Let’s find out what it will cost to restore this beautiful close-in part of RRCOS. FoRRC would like to help.
FoRRC thanks you for considering this matter and finding a better solution.
Sincerely yours,
President of FoRRC
COLORADO SPRINGS PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
TOPS WORKING COMMITTEE ______
Date: November 7, 2018
Item Number: Presentation Item # 1
Item Name: 2018 BioBlitz Presentation
Summary: For the 20th Anniversary of the TOPS Program, BioBlitzes were completed on four (4) TOPS properties in 2017. For 2018, Sharon Milito and our wonderful scientists were willing to volunteer for another TOPS BioBlitz. The recently acquired 80 acre parcel located at the Corral Bluffs Open Space was chosen for the event which was on Saturday, September 8th and Sunday, September 9th. During this year’s BioBlitz, a total of 1250 species were observed by 18 scientists with 501 species documented on iNaturalist. A special “thank you” to Sharon Milito for volunteering her skills and talent to organize and run the event, to Christi Mehew for organizing the details to make it enjoyable and for the TOPS Ranger Team for providing public hikes and informative subject matter talks while the scientists searched for and documented species.
Background: A BioBlitz, is an intense period of biological surveying in an attempt to record all the living species within a designated area. Groups of scientists, naturalists and volunteers conduct an intensive field study over a continuous time period. In 2017, the first four BioBlitzes of TOPS properties were conducted to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of the TOPS Program and to gather data for future use. In 2018, we decided to conduct another BioBlitz because the science teams and Sharon Milito who leads the BioBlitz activities were willing to return and do this again for a TOPS property.
The Corral Bluffs Open Space was chosen for this year’s BioBlitz because of ongoing purchases of Corral Bluffs property by the City, and to collect explicit ecological data for use in future master planning. Our objectives are to use this information to help create a baseline of resource information with which to develop future natural and cultural resources and public use management strategies.
Science teams were led by and represented by specialists from several regional establishments according to their specialty. • Mammals Fort Carson- Roger Peyton; Bats: Colorado Parks & Wildlife- April Estep • Birds Aiken Audubon Society: Anna Joy Lehmicke • Botany Melissa McCormick • Mycology Ed Lebow and Ikuko Lebow; Colorado Mycological Society- Vera Evenson • Insects Mile High Bug Club- Eric Eaton, Heidi Eaton, Bell Mead • Reptiles and Amphibians Lauren Livo; US Fish & Wildlife Service- Max Canestorp • Education and General TOPS Stewardship Rangers.
2018 Corral Bluffs Open Space Bioblitz Report
Presented to City of Colorado Springs TOPS Working Committee Parks Advisory Board
November 7 and 8, 2018
By Sharon Milito Science Education Consultant
Abstract
Due to the success of the 2017 TOPS 20th Anniversary Celebration series of bioblitzes, another bioblitz was conducted at a City of Colorado Springs property in 2018. This event was at Corral Bluffs Open Space on September 8-9. Most of the same biologists that formed last year’s science team continued in 2018.
A total of 1,250 observations were recorded on iNaturalist by 18 people yielding 501 different species.
Introduction
Corral Bluffs Open Space was chosen for this year’s bioblitz because of ongoing purchases of Corral Bluffs property by the City, and to collect explicit ecological data for use in future master planning.
Science teams were led by and represented by specialists from several regional establishments according to their specialty.
• Mammals Fort Carson- Roger Peyton; Bats: Colorado Parks and Wildlife- April Estep • Birds Aiken Audubon Society: Anna Joy Lehmicke • Botany Melissa McCormick • Insects Mile High Bug Club- Eric Eaton, Bell Mead • Reptiles and Amphibians Lauren Livo; US Fish & Wildlife Service- Max Canestorp • Education and General TOPS Stewardship Rangers
The bioblitz was scheduled for September 8-9, however some teams surveyed the area on earlier dates or on more than one occasion. Each team determined their field time and team members. Public hikes were held on Saturday and Sunday and several local organizations set up tables for the public on Saturday morning.
Environment
The environment of Corral Bluffs is unique in the region. Primarily shortgrass and mixed grass prairie ecosystems, the bluffs create a micro-climate semi-desert habitat due to erosion, slope, soil, and orientation. Temperatures at Corral Bluffs can be 10 degrees warmer than in the city of Colorado Springs, or can feel significantly colder due to winds. Because of this there may be species in our region, especially plants, exclusive to Corral Bluffs.
Limitations
Time is still the greatest limitation when it comes to documenting a complete list of species. The date for the bioblitz had to be changed from June to September due to the springtime discovery of a pair of nesting Golden Eagles in the proximity of the bioblitz base camp location.
Lack of winter, spring, and early summer precipitation also created low numbers of plant, insect, and bird diversity.
Also, by September many migratory birds had already left the area for the season.
Objectives • To create a baseline of resource information with which to develop future natural and cultural resources and public use management strategies • To discover and celebrate the resources in our parks and open spaces • To find out what we have, what we need to protect, and what we need to improve • To find out how Corral Bluffs changes over time: how our observations will be different in the future • To involve the public in local science and nature experiences • To use the information gathered for education
Methodology
Leaders of each team gathered their own expert team members. Team sizes ranged from 2-10 members and procedures varied according to specialty. Teams used several different methods for collecting observations, including paper/pencil, global positioning system (GPS) attributes, photographs, and iNaturalist. For consistency, all data were eventually recorded at iNaturalist.org, an online web and smart phone application that records observations, photos, locations and assists in the identification of unknown species.
Mammal live traps were placed onsite on Friday evening. At 8:00 AM each trap was checked, and captured animals were weighed, measured and recorded and released. A “mist net” was erected over a small spring-fed pool at Jimmy Camp, the nearest source of water on parks property, to capture bats. The team photographed, weighed, measured, and identified all bats and then released them.
Some teams visited Corral Bluffs multiple times during the summer. The herpetology team came out for a day prior to, as well as the days of, the bioblitz. The botany team was on the property early in the summer and again during the bioblitz, catching two plant growth periods. Bats were observed in August.
Additional species collected over time by the Corral Bluffs Alliance (CoBA) friends group were added to the bioblitz data to provide the most comprehensive species list possible. Tass Kelso, former professor from Colorado College worked with Jackie Hilaire in 2010- 2011 to document many plant species, samples of which have been added to the Colorado College Herbarium. Another member of Corral Bluffs Alliance (CoBA), Sharon Milito, has documented plant and animal species over multiple seasons.
Results
The following shows the bioblitz and grand total records as of October 25, 2018; the grand total and the bioblitz total are shown. For comparison purposes data from previous bioblitz locations is included. The “total” column includes all observations beyond the dates of the bioblitz.
2018 Corral Bluffs Total Bioblitz Birds 42 87 Mammals 11 14 Reptiles & 8 9 Amphibians Plants 92 171 Insects and 216 215 spiders Fungi 2 2 Misc. 3 invertebrates Total Species 501
2017 Blodgett Peak Jimmy Camp Bluestem Prairie Ute Valley Creek Birds 38 (ebird 91) 117 (ebird not 53 (ebird 244) 50 (ebird 140) available) Mammals 9 9 (+ 4 bats from 7 9 Corral Bluffs Bioblitz) Reptiles & 3 8 3 3 Amphibians Plants 52 109 55 107 Insects and 189 179 200 191 spiders Fungi 3 3 3 2 (incomplete) Total Species 293 432 322 365
Some of the more noteworthy results of the Corral Bluffs Bioblitz include:
• Mammal totals include four bat species caught in the mist nets at Jimmy Camp. The Eastern Red Bat was a surprise capture. Those species will also be added to species lists for Jimmy Camp Creek Park.
• The number of species observed at Corral Bluffs is higher than at any other city property where a bioblitz has been conducted.
• Approximately 100 people attended ranger led hikes during the bioblitz.
• Other surprising species include the first county records for the beetle Megacyllene angulifera, and El Paso County may be only the second county in Colorado, in which this species has been recorded.
• Multiple observations of Sagebrush Sheep Moth (aka Hera Buckmoth), Hemileuca hera, was also surprising.
• The botany team noticed few invasive species except for Russian Thistle, the amount of which varies from year to year.
Map of Observations
Note that some observations appear to be beyond Corral Bluffs Open Space property lines. This is due to incorrect posting by the iNaturalist app. Also notice that most observations are clustered near parking access points leaving much of the property unsurveyed. Informal observations do not contain exact location data, nor do they provide exact dates. Most of those observations were from lists provided by CoBA members and were posted to iNaturalist by the author.
For more information regarding the data from the bioblitz please see the Corral Bluffs Bioblitz webpage on iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/corral-bluffs- bioblitz-colorado-springs-trails-parks-and-recreation-bioblitz-2018
Conclusions
Despite drought conditions during the first half of the year, observations show Corral Bluffs contains a great diversity of plants and animals. Primarily based on important fossils, but also reflecting the great biological diversity, Corral Bluffs has been determined to be a Colorado Natural Area by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. This is an area that will need special consideration during the master planning process. This dry land ecosystem is fragile and requires protection.
Time was again a concern for our science team leaders. Observable species can change in a matter of weeks. Ongoing documentation of the habitat, even informally, needs to continue. Also, as the open space area grows due to future property purchases the new land will need to be inventoried.
Eric Eaton, one of the leaders of the Insect Team, made an interesting point that should be highly reflected upon. “We can't have little islands of parks and open spaces, we need *corridors* and in the case of prairies, vast undeveloped parcels around the protected spaces.” The 2014 Park System Master Plan does address this point. In the map on the following page Jimmy Camp, Corral Bluffs and Bluestem Prairie Open Spaces are connected. It is encouraging to see the foresight that has gone into this document, but it will take a great deal of cooperation, effort and money to make it happen. The Parks Department will get sizeable support from the science and conservation community in this endeavor.
From the number of participants, both on science teams and the public, it is evident there is enthusiasm regarding Corral Bluffs Open Space. Controlled hiking opportunities and other public events on the property should be encouraged. Future land purchases on the east side of town will require public support. The public cannot be supportive if they have no knowledge of the area and its rich diversity of resources.
Master planning for Jimmy Camp/Corral Bluffs will require concentration on the biological, archaeological, geological and paleontological resources of the area. More so than at other city-owned properties, input from members of the scientific community will be essential for proper conservation as well as recreational planning for this property. The development of the Corral Bluffs Management Plan will need to be creative and perhaps quite different from other parks and open spaces.
Specific comments from science team leaders are included at the end of this report.
From 2014 Park System Master Plan: Candidate Open Space and Conceptual Open Space Network, page 8
Science Team Leader Comments
Eric Eaton I am frequently asked "how will the City use the information from the bioblitzes?" "Shouldn't this be done at regular intervals so that trends in data can be observed?" "Are they doing any more bioblitzes?"
I think the events themselves are executed pretty well. What still troubles me is whether these events are going to make any difference in City planning. We can't have little islands of parks and open spaces, we need *corridors* and in the case of prairies, vast undeveloped parcels around the protected spaces. Grazing has eroded a lot of Jimmy Camp, but diversity there is still high. Put in housing, and all of that goes away.
I am hoping to get back out to Corral Bluffs, and Jimmy Camp, much more frequently next year, if you'll have me. Most invertebrates live as adults for only 2-3 weeks, so the composition of the ecosystem is constantly changing. You cannot get a really clear picture from just one weekend of observing, but you know that.
Melissa McCormick
Nothing strikes me in particular, it was nice to find such a variety, and certainly there were some species in isolation that were a nice find. We did reach diminishing returns, but never completely plateaued, so to speak.
The open space is generally in good health - not too many "invaders", although I realize that the Russian thistle population can ebb and flow. Thinking about the future of the open space, I am concerned about the presence (and/or absence of trails). Due to the soil conditions, and steep, crumbling slopes, building a sustainable trail will be difficult, yet if more access is allowed without trails, there will be social trails everywhere. Trails are also conduits for seed transport, especially weed seeds. It seems to always be official policy to not design a trail to travel between weedy and pristine areas, but that is not the reality, so trails become corridors for weeds.
There was some confusion about parking/shuttling on the first day, but otherwise I believe that things went quite smoothly. The t-shirts were a good idea for identification purposes, even though they ended up frequently covered by jackets.
Science Team Leader Contact Information
Botany Melissa McCormick [email protected] Herpetology Max Kevin Canestorp [email protected] Lauren Livo [email protected] Mycology Ed Lubow [email protected] Ikuko Lubow [email protected] Vera Evenson [email protected] [email protected] Mammals April Estep [email protected] Roger Peyton [email protected] OR [email protected] Birds: Anna Joy Lehmicke [email protected] Insects: Eric Eaton [email protected] Bell Mead [email protected] Heidi Eaton [email protected]
Bioblitz Organizer: Sharon Milito [email protected] Organizational Support J.B. Boyle [email protected] Corral Bluffs Alliance Jackie Hilaire [email protected]
Resources
Bioblitz Organizational Guide, University of Connecticut https://web2.uconn.edu/mnh/bioblitz/BioBlitzGuide.pdf iNaturalist www.inaturalist.org
2017-1018 Tabling Organization Contact Information
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo: Frankie [email protected] PPLD Green Team: Deb Vitulli [email protected] Trails and Open Space Coalition: Susan Davies [email protected] Garden of the Gods: Bret Tennis [email protected] RMFI: Joe Lavorini [email protected] Colorado Springs Utilities: Jerry Cordova [email protected] Archaeology: Anna Cordova [email protected] Mile High Bugs: Bell Mead [email protected] Florissant Fossil Beds: Jeff Wolin [email protected] Fountain Creek Watershed: Allison Plute [email protected] Colorado Parks & Wildlife: April Estep [email protected] Fountain Creek Water Sentinels: Amy Brautigan (Sierra Club) [email protected] Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center: [email protected] Aiken Audubon Society Anna Joy Lehmicke [email protected] scientific_name common_name iconic_taxon_name taxon_class_name
Coprinopsis nivea Snowy Inkcap Fungi Agaricomycetes Spea bombifrons Plains Spadefoot Amphibia Amphibia Anaxyrus woodhousii Woodhouse's Toad Amphibia Amphibia Phidippus apacheanus Apache Jumping Spider Arachnida Arachnida Argiope trifasciata Banded Garden Spider Arachnida Arachnida Frontinella pyramitela Bowl and Doily Spider Arachnida Arachnida Schizocosa Brush-legged Spiders Arachnida Arachnida Geolycosa Burrowing Wolf Spiders Arachnida Arachnida Hogna carolinensis Carolina Wolf Spider Arachnida Arachnida Thomisidae Crab Spiders Arachnida Arachnida Agelenidae Funnel Weavers Arachnida Arachnida Gnaphosidae Ground Spiders Arachnida Arachnida Opiliones Harvestmen Arachnida Arachnida Acari Mites and Ticks Arachnida Arachnida Araneidae Orbweavers Arachnida Arachnida Linyphiidae Sheetweb and Dwarf WeaversArachnida Arachnida Balaustium Sidewalk Mites Arachnida Arachnida Araneae Spiders Arachnida Arachnida Eremobatidae Straight-faced WindscorpionsArachnida Arachnida Pardosa Thin-legged Wolf Spiders Arachnida Arachnida Latrodectus hesperus Western Black Widow Arachnida Arachnida Lycosidae Wolf Spiders Arachnida Arachnida Hogna Arachnida Arachnida Phidippus Arachnida Arachnida Mimetus Arachnida Arachnida Pellenes Arachnida Arachnida Euryopis Arachnida Arachnida Pellenes Arachnida Arachnida Corvus brachyrhynchos American Crow Aves Aves Falco sparverius American Kestrel Aves Aves Turdus migratorius American Robin Aves Aves Spizelloides arborea American Tree Sparrow Aves Aves Pelecanus erythrorhynchosAmerican White Pelican Aves Aves Myiarchus cinerascens Ash-throated Flycatcher Aves Aves Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald Eagle Aves Aves Tyto alba Barn Owl Aves Aves Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow Aves Aves Pica hudsonia Black-billed Magpie Aves Aves Pheucticus melanocephalusBlack-headed Grosbeak Aves Aves Passerina caerulea Blue Grosbeak Aves Aves Polioptila caerulea Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Aves Aves Polioptila caerulea Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Aves Aves Euphagus cyanocephalus Brewer's Blackbird Aves Aves Spizella breweri Brewer's Sparrow Aves Aves Toxostoma rufum Brown Thrasher Aves Aves Molothrus ater Brown-headed Cowbird Aves Aves Buteo Buteos Aves Aves Melozone fusca Canyon Towhee Aves Aves Haemorhous cassinii Cassin's Finch Aves Aves Tyrannus vociferans Cassin's Kingbird Aves Aves Peucaea cassinii Cassin's Sparrow Aves Aves Chordeiles minor Common Nighthawk Aves Aves Phalaenoptilus nuttallii Common Poorwill Aves Aves Corvus corax Common Raven Aves Aves Accipiter cooperii Cooper's Hawk Aves Aves Junco hyemalis Dark-eyed Junco Aves Aves Tyrannus tyrannus Eastern Kingbird Aves Aves Empidonax Empidonax Flycatchers Aves Aves Streptopelia decaocto Eurasian Collared Dove Aves Aves Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle Aves Aves Ammodramus savannarumGrasshopper Sparrow Aves Aves Dumetella carolinensis Gray Catbird Aves Aves Empidonax wrightii Gray Flycatcher Aves Aves Bubo virginianus Great Horned Owl Aves Aves Geococcyx californianus Greater Roadrunner Aves Aves Pipilo chlorurus Green-tailed Towhee Aves Aves Eremophila alpestris Horned Lark Aves Aves Haemorhous mexicanus House Finch Aves Aves Passer domesticus House Sparrow Aves Aves Troglodytes aedon House Wren Aves Aves Charadrius vociferus Killdeer Aves Aves Picoides scalaris Ladder-backed WoodpeckerAves Aves Calamospiza melanocorys Lark Bunting Aves Aves Chondestes grammacus Lark Sparrow Aves Aves Spinus psaltria Lesser Goldfinch Aves Aves Lanius ludovicianus Loggerhead Shrike Aves Aves Falco columbarius Merlin Aves Aves Sialia currucoides Mountain Bluebird Aves Aves Poecile gambeli Mountain Chickadee Aves Aves Zenaida macroura Mourning Dove Aves Aves Colaptes auratus Northern Flicker Aves Aves Circus hudsonius Northern Harrier Aves Aves Mimus polyglottos Northern Mockingbird Aves Aves Stelgidopteryx serripennis Northern Rough-winged SwallowAves Aves Lanius borealis Northern Shrike Aves Aves Falco mexicanus Prairie Falcon Aves Aves Colaptes auratus cafer Red-shafted Flicker Aves Aves Buteo jamaicensis Red-tailed Hawk Aves Aves Agelaius phoeniceus Red-winged Blackbird Aves Aves Columba livia Rock Dove Aves Aves Salpinctes obsoletus Rock Wren Aves Aves Salpinctes obsoletus Rock Wren Aves Aves Regulus calendula Ruby-crowned Kinglet Aves Aves Oreoscoptes montanus Sage Thrasher Aves Aves Antigone canadensis Sandhill Crane Aves Aves Passerculus sandwichensisSavannah Sparrow Aves Aves Sayornis saya Say's Phoebe Aves Aves Callipepla squamata Scaled Quail Aves Aves Pipilo maculatus Spotted Towhee Aves Aves Buteo swainsoni Swainson's Hawk Aves Aves Myadestes townsendi Townsend's Solitaire Aves Aves Cathartes aura Turkey Vulture Aves Aves Pooecetes gramineus Vesper Sparrow Aves Aves Tachycineta thalassina Violet-green Swallow Aves Aves Sialia mexicana Western Bluebird Aves Aves Tyrannus verticalis Western Kingbird Aves Aves Sturnella neglecta Western Meadowlark Aves Aves Contopus sordidulus Western Wood-Pewee Aves Aves Zonotrichia leucophrys White-crowned Sparrow Aves Aves Aeronautes saxatalis White-throated Swift Aves Aves Cardellina pusilla Wilson's Warbler Aves Aves Aphelocoma woodhouseii Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay Aves Aves Scolopendra polymorpha Common Desert Centipede Animalia Chilopoda Hirudinea Leeches Animalia Clitellata Gastropoda Gastropods Mollusca Gastropoda Acalyptratae Acalyptrates Insecta Insecta Loxostege cereralis Alfalfa Webworm Moth Insecta Insecta Myrmeleontidae Antlions Insecta Insecta Formicidae Ants Insecta Insecta Aculeata Ants, Bees, and Stinging WaspsInsecta Insecta Calopteron reticulatum Banded Net-winged Beetle Insecta Insecta Bombyliidae Bee Flies Insecta Insecta Anthophila Bees Insecta Insecta Coleoptera Beetles Insecta Insecta Philanthus Beewolves Insecta Insecta Papilio polyxenes Black Swallowtail Insecta Insecta Trimerotropis melanopteraBlack-winged Grasshopper Insecta Insecta Enallagma s Bluets Insecta Insecta Braconidae Braconid Wasps Insecta Insecta Trimerotropis latifasciata Broad-banded GrasshopperInsecta Insecta Euphoria inda Bumble Flower Beetle Insecta Insecta Euphoria inda Bumble Flower Beetle Insecta Insecta Epicauta Burning Blister Beetles Insecta Insecta Lepidoptera Butterflies and Moths Insecta Insecta Moneilema Cactus Longhorned Beetles Insecta Insecta Moneilema Cactus Longhorned Beetles Insecta Insecta Trichoptera Caddisflies Insecta Insecta Calyptratae Calyptrates Insecta Insecta Rhaphidophoridae Camel Crickets, Cave Crickets, and Cave WetaInsecta Insecta Dissosteira carolina Carolina Grasshopper Insecta Insecta Chalcidoidea Chalcidoid Wasps Insecta Insecta Melacoryphus lateralis Charcoal Seed Bug Insecta Insecta Colias philodice Clouded Sulphur Insecta Insecta Colias Clouded Yellows Insecta Insecta Chauliognathus basalis Colorado Soldier Beetle Insecta Insecta Junonia coenia Common Buckeye Insecta Insecta Pyrgus communis Common Checkered-SkipperInsecta Insecta Anax junius Common Green Darner Insecta Insecta Cercyonis pegala Common Wood-Nymph Insecta Insecta Hippodamia convergens Convergent Ladybeetle Insecta Insecta Helicoverpa zea Corn Earworm Moth Insecta Insecta Noctuidae Cutworm Moths and Allies Insecta Insecta Podalonia Cutworm Wasps Insecta Insecta Noctuinae Cutworms and Dart Moths Insecta Insecta Nathalis iole Dainty Sulphur Insecta Insecta Zygoptera Damselflies Insecta Insecta Empididae Dance Flies Insecta Insecta Sciaridae Dark-winged Fungus Gnats Insecta Insecta Tenebrionidae Darkling Beetles Insecta Insecta Tenebrionoidea Darkling Beetles and Allies Insecta Insecta Aeshnidae Darners Insecta Insecta Eleodes Desert Stink Beetles Insecta Insecta Melanoplus differentialis Differential Grasshopper Insecta Insecta Exoprosopa dorcadion Dorcadion Bee Fly Insecta Insecta Eristalinae Drone Flies Insecta Insecta Exochomus aethiops Ebony Shield Ladybeetle Insecta Insecta Calopteron terminale End Band Net-winged BeetleInsecta Insecta Mantis religiosa European Mantis Insecta Insecta Mantis religiosa European Mantis Insecta Insecta Hyphantria cunea Fall Webworm Moth Insecta Insecta Diptera Flies Insecta Insecta Scythrididae Flower Moths Insecta Insecta Caenurgina erechtea Forage Looper Moth Insecta Insecta Phlibostroma quadrimaculatumFour-spotted Grasshopper Insecta Insecta Oecanthus quadripunctatusFour-spotted Tree Cricket Insecta Insecta Achyra rantalis Garden Webworm Moth Insecta Insecta Geometridae Geometer Moths Insecta Insecta Hyalophora columbia gloveriGlover's Silk Moth Insecta Insecta Polistes aurifer Golden Paper Wasp Insecta Insecta Orthoptera Grasshoppers, Crickets, and KatydidsInsecta Insecta Strymon melinus Gray Hairstreak Insecta Insecta Chrysopidae Green Lacewings Insecta Insecta Lucilia Greenbottle Flies Insecta Insecta Carabidae Ground Beetles Insecta Insecta Basilodes chrysopis Guilded Seedcopper Insecta Insecta Pogonomyrmex Harvester Ants Insecta Insecta Derotmema haydenii Hayden's Grasshopper Insecta Insecta Histeroidea Hister and False Clown BeetlesInsecta Insecta Ichneumonidae Ichneumonid Wasps Insecta Insecta Trachyrhachys kiowa Kiowa Grasshopper Insecta Insecta Melanoplus lakinus Lakin Grasshopper Insecta Insecta Oncopeltus fasciatus Large Milkweed Bug Insecta Insecta Phoetaliotes nebrascensis Large-headed Grasshopper Insecta Insecta Cicadellidae Leafhoppers Insecta Insecta Mermiria picta Lively Mermiria Insecta Insecta Svastra obliqua Long-horned Bee Insecta Insecta Dolichopodidae Long-legged Flies Insecta Insecta Nomophila nearctica Lucerne Moth Insecta Insecta Icaricia lupini Lupine Blue Insecta Insecta Toxomerus marginatus Margined Calligrapher Insecta Insecta Leptotes marina Marine Blue Insecta Insecta Ephemeroptera Mayflies Insecta Insecta Plebejus melissa Melissa Blue Insecta Insecta Dialictus Metallic Sweat Bees Insecta Insecta Melanoplus sanguinipes Migratory Grasshopper Insecta Insecta Danaus plexippus Monarch Insecta Insecta Anabrus simplex Mormon Cricket Insecta Insecta Muscoidea Muscoid Flies Insecta Insecta Nomada Nomad Bees Insecta Insecta Chironomidae Non-biting Midges Insecta Insecta Lestes disjunctus Northern Spreadwing Insecta Insecta Euxoa obeliscoides Obelisk Dart Moth Insecta Insecta Opeia obscura Obscure grasshopper Insecta Insecta Ophion Ophion Wasps Insecta Insecta Colias eurytheme Orange Sulphur Insecta Insecta Melanoplus packardii Packard's Grasshopper Insecta Insecta Vanessa cardui Painted Lady Insecta Insecta Trimerotropis pallidipennisPallid-winged Grasshopper Insecta Insecta Tremex columba Pigeon Tremex Insecta Insecta Lestes Pond Spreadwings Insecta Insecta Eumeninae Potter Wasps Insecta Insecta Oecanthus argentinus Prairie Tree Cricket Insecta Insecta Eupithecia Pug Moths Insecta Insecta Cicindela punctulata Punctured Tiger Beetle Insecta Insecta Schizocerella pilicornis Purslane sawfly Insecta Insecta Echinargus isola Reakirt's Blue Insecta Insecta Eleodes suturalis Red-backed Darkling Beetle Insecta Insecta Melanoplus femurrubrum Red-legged Grasshopper Insecta Insecta Arphia pseudonietana Red-winged Grasshopper Insecta Insecta Arphia pseudonietana Red-winged Grasshopper Insecta Insecta Enallagma anna River Bluet Insecta Insecta Anthomyiidae Root-maggot Flies Insecta Insecta Pogonomyrmex rugosus Rough Harvester Ant Insecta Insecta Hypochlora alba Sage Grasshopper Insecta Insecta Hemileuca hera Sagebrush Sheep Moth Insecta Insecta Bembicini Sand Wasps Insecta Insecta Miltogramminae Satellite Flies Insecta Insecta Lygaeidae Seed Bugs Insecta Insecta Coccinella septempunctataSeven-spotted Ladybird Insecta Insecta Hemileuca Sheepmoths Insecta Insecta Saldidae Shore bugs Insecta Insecta Parabacillus Short-horn Walkingsticks Insecta Insecta Acrididae Short-horned GrasshoppersInsecta Insecta Hesperiidae Skippers Insecta Insecta Spodoptera exigua Small Mottled Willow Insecta Insecta Hesperotettix viridis Snakeweed Grasshopper Insecta Insecta Diabrotica undecimpunctataSpotted Cucumber Beetle Insecta Insecta Diabrotica undecimpunctataSpotted Cucumber Beetle Insecta Insecta Melanoplus Spurthroat Grasshoppers Insecta Insecta Stomoxys calcitrans Stable Fly Insecta Insecta Gomphocerinae Stridulating Slant-faced GrasshoppersInsecta Insecta Melanoplus foedus Striped Sand Grasshopper Insecta Insecta Amphitornus coloradus Striped Slant-faced GrasshopperInsecta Insecta Agapostemon Striped Sweat Bees Insecta Insecta Reticulitermes subterranean termites Insecta Insecta Tachinidae Tachinid Flies Insecta Insecta Syritta pipiens Thick-legged Hoverfly Insecta Insecta Aeoloplides turnbulli Thistle Grasshopper Insecta Insecta Tortricidae Tortricid Leafroller Moths Insecta Insecta Hemiptera True Bugs, Hoppers, Aphids, and AlliesInsecta Insecta Mordellidae Tumbling Flower Beetles Insecta Insecta Melanoplus bivittatus Two-striped Grasshopper Insecta Insecta Papilio multicaudata Two-tailed Swallowtail Insecta Insecta Polistes Umbrella Paper Wasps Insecta Insecta Sympetrum corruptum Variegated Meadowhawk Insecta Insecta Mutillidae Velvet Ants Insecta Insecta Corixidae Water Boatmen Insecta Insecta Pogonomyrmex occidentalisWestern Harvester Ant Insecta Insecta Apis mellifera Western Honey Bee Insecta Insecta Hemileuca eglanterina Western Sheep Moth Insecta Insecta Formica obscuripes Western Thatching Ant Insecta Insecta Hyles lineata White-lined Sphinx Insecta Insecta Ageneotettix deorum White-whiskered grasshopperInsecta Insecta Pterygota Winged and Once-winged InsectsInsecta Insecta Formica Wood, Mound, and Field AntsInsecta Insecta Melanoplus flavidus Yellowish Spur-throat GrasshopperInsecta Insecta Yersiniops solitarius Yersin's Ground Mantis Insecta Insecta Halticotoma Yucca Plant Bugs Insecta Insecta Ophryastes tuberosus Insecta Insecta Tetraopes annulatus Insecta Insecta Cucullia dorsalis Insecta Insecta Eleodes carbonarius Insecta Insecta Stenomorpha opaca Insecta Insecta Asidini Insecta Insecta Pasimachus elongatus Insecta Insecta Caenurgina Insecta Insecta Megacyllene angulifera Insecta Insecta Harpalus Insecta Insecta Bruchomorpha dorsata Insecta Insecta Tiphiinae Insecta Insecta Trachyrhachys aspera Insecta Insecta Chelonus Insecta Insecta Orsillinae Insecta Insecta Stenomorpha opaca Insecta Insecta Cnemidandrena Insecta Insecta Stenomorpha convexa Insecta Insecta Gryllus Insecta Insecta Prionyx Insecta Insecta Perdita Insecta Insecta Loxostege Insecta Insecta Asilinae Insecta Insecta Moneilema annulatum Insecta Insecta Copestylum Insecta Insecta Megacyllene angulifera Insecta Insecta Chelonus Insecta Insecta Efferia Insecta Insecta Collops bipunctatus Insecta Insecta Ammophila Insecta Insecta Euxoa Insecta Insecta Feltia Insecta Insecta Cochylini Insecta Insecta Eleodes carbonarius Insecta Insecta Megalomus moestus Insecta Insecta Euxoa Insecta Insecta Camptoprosopella dolorosa Insecta Insecta Exitianus Insecta Insecta Leucania Insecta Insecta Pelochrista Insecta Insecta Prorella gypsata Insecta Insecta Orsillinae Insecta Insecta Poecilanthrax Insecta Insecta Bothrotes Insecta Insecta Isodontia elegans Insecta Insecta Scotoleon nigrilabris Insecta Insecta Bothrotes Insecta Insecta Harpalinae Insecta Insecta Collops bipunctatus Insecta Insecta Triepeolus concavus Insecta Insecta Cucullia dorsalis Insecta Insecta Melissodes Insecta Insecta Orsillinae Insecta Insecta Pseudanthoecia tumida Insecta Insecta Cryptini Insecta Insecta Melacoryphus nigrinervis Insecta Insecta Melissodes Insecta Insecta Orius Insecta Insecta Phytocoris Insecta Insecta Dasytinae Insecta Insecta Chelonus Insecta Insecta Orsillinae Insecta Insecta Pseudanthoecia tumida Insecta Insecta Lygaeospilus Insecta Insecta Dasytinae Insecta Insecta Agathidinae Insecta Insecta Dasytinae Insecta Insecta Dasytinae Insecta Insecta Embaphion contusum Insecta Insecta Blapstinus Insecta Insecta Calopteron Insecta Insecta Anthophora curta Insecta Insecta Sarcophaga s Insecta Insecta Haematobia irritans Insecta Insecta Cyclotrachelus Insecta Insecta Syrphini Insecta Insecta Dasytinae Insecta Insecta Poecilognathus Insecta Insecta Steniolia elegans Insecta Insecta Moneilema annulatum Insecta Insecta Agathidinae Insecta Insecta Dasytinae Insecta Insecta Anomaloninae Insecta Insecta Altica foliaceae Insecta Insecta Cuerna alpina Insecta Insecta Dasymutilla vestita Insecta Insecta Prionyx Insecta Insecta Melacoryphus admirabilis Insecta Insecta Phasia Insecta Insecta Orsillinae Insecta Insecta Orsillinae Insecta Insecta Camptoprosopella dolorosa Insecta Insecta Scotoleon nigrilabris Insecta Insecta Gelastocoris Insecta Insecta Gelastocoris Insecta Insecta Cnemidandrena Insecta Insecta Eleodes carbonarius Insecta Insecta Dasytinae Insecta Insecta Stenomorpha convexa Insecta Insecta Eleodes longicollis Insecta Insecta Phasia Insecta Insecta Syrphini Insecta Insecta Sarcophaga s Insecta Insecta Villini Insecta Insecta Sphaerophoria Insecta Insecta Stenopogonini Insecta Insecta Peleteria Insecta Insecta Leptogastrinae Insecta Insecta Trachyrhachys aspera Insecta Insecta Trimerotropis fratercula Insecta Insecta Trachyrhachys aspera Insecta Insecta Gryllus Insecta Insecta Trachyrhachys aspera Insecta Insecta Lispe Insecta Insecta Eleodes hispilabris Insecta Insecta Melanoplus foedus fluviatilis Insecta Insecta Paravilla Insecta Insecta Anastoechus Insecta Insecta Poecilanthrax willistonii Insecta Insecta Heliothinae Insecta Insecta Heliothinae Insecta Insecta Prorella gypsata Insecta Insecta Agrotina Insecta Insecta Caenurgina Insecta Insecta Pseudanthoecia tumida Insecta Insecta Peoria tetradella Insecta Insecta Perdita Insecta Insecta Prionyx Insecta Insecta Ammophila Insecta Insecta Timulla Insecta Insecta Prionyx Insecta Insecta Chelonus Insecta Insecta Megacyllene angulifera Insecta Insecta Lordotus Insecta Insecta Syrphini Insecta Insecta Anastoechus Insecta Insecta Philanthinae Insecta Insecta Paragus Insecta Insecta Trox Insecta Insecta Anthophora curta Insecta Insecta Villa Insecta Insecta Villini Insecta Insecta Scotoleon nigrilabris Insecta Insecta Pterocheilus Insecta Insecta Exoprosopa dodrina Insecta Insecta Thanatophilus Insecta Insecta Notonecta Insecta Insecta Helophilus Insecta Insecta Mesamia nigridorsum Insecta Insecta Tiphiinae Insecta Insecta Euxesta Insecta Insecta Anomalon Insecta Insecta Ephydrinae Insecta Insecta Hydrophorus Insecta Insecta Dasymutilla vestita Insecta Insecta Stenomorpha opaca Insecta Insecta Ammophila Insecta Insecta Pseudanthoecia tumida Insecta Insecta Pseudanthoecia tumida Insecta Insecta Hyles Insecta Insecta Eleodes longicollis Insecta Insecta Agathidinae Insecta Insecta Isodontia elegans Insecta Insecta Perdita Insecta Insecta Compsocryptus Insecta Insecta Dasytinae Insecta Insecta Cucullia Insecta Insecta Orsillinae Insecta Insecta Eleodes carbonarius Insecta Insecta Bothrotes Insecta Insecta Pasimachus Insecta Insecta Eleodes longicollis Insecta Insecta Stenomorpha opaca Insecta Insecta Stenomorpha opaca Insecta Insecta Allium onion Plantae Liliopsida Juncus arcticus Arctic rush Plantae Liliopsida Echinochloa Barnyard Grasses Plantae Liliopsida Andropogon gerardii big bluestem Plantae Liliopsida Bouteloua gracilis blue grama Plantae Liliopsida Pseudoroegneria spicata Bluebunch Wheatgrass Plantae Liliopsida Andropogon bluestems Plantae Liliopsida Elymus elymoides elymoidesbottlebrush squirreltail Plantae Liliopsida Bouteloua dactyloides Buffalo Grass Plantae Liliopsida Elymus canadensis Canada wild rye Plantae Liliopsida Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass Plantae Liliopsida Poaceae grasses Plantae Liliopsida Poales grasses and allies Plantae Liliopsida Setaria viridis Green Bristle Grass Plantae Liliopsida Nassella viridula green needlegrass Plantae Liliopsida Achnatherum hymenoides Indian ricegrass Plantae Liliopsida Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem Plantae Liliopsida Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem Plantae Liliopsida Muhlenbergia muhly Plantae Liliopsida Hesperostipa comata Needle-and-Thread Plantae Liliopsida Sporobolus rigidus rigidus prairie sandreed Plantae Liliopsida Eragrostis spectabilis Purple Lovegrass Plantae Liliopsida Aristida purpurea purple three-awn Plantae Liliopsida Sporobolus cryptandrus sand dropseed Plantae Liliopsida Sporobolus rigidus Sand Reedgrass Plantae Liliopsida Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama Plantae Liliopsida Bromus inermis smooth brome Plantae Liliopsida Yucca glauca soapweed yucca Plantae Liliopsida Elymus elymoides squirreltail Plantae Liliopsida Carex true sedges Plantae Liliopsida Schedonnardus paniculatusTumble Grass Plantae Liliopsida Tradescantia occidentalis western spiderwort Plantae Liliopsida Pascopyrum smithii Western Wheatgrass Plantae Liliopsida Mentzelia multiflora Adonis blazingstar Plantae Magnoliopsida Cercocarpus montanus alder-leaved mountain-mahoganyPlantae Magnoliopsida Vicia americana American vetch Plantae Magnoliopsida Astereae asters and allies Plantae Magnoliopsida Asterales asters, bellflowers, fanflowers, and alliesPlantae Magnoliopsida Comandra umbellata bastard toadflax Plantae Magnoliopsida Penstemon beardtongues Plantae Magnoliopsida Dieteria bigelovii Bigelow's Tansyaster Plantae Magnoliopsida Solanum nigrum black nightshade Plantae Magnoliopsida Fallopia convolvulus Black-bindweed Plantae Magnoliopsida Mentzelia Blazingstars Plantae Magnoliopsida Mentzelia nuda Bractless Blazingstar Plantae Magnoliopsida Opuntia fragilis brittle prickly-pear Plantae Magnoliopsida Penstemon angustifolius broadbeard beardtongue Plantae Magnoliopsida Asclepias latifolia broadleaf milkweed Plantae Magnoliopsida Gutierrezia sarothrae broom snakeweed Plantae Magnoliopsida Senecio spartioides broom-like ragwort Plantae Magnoliopsida Orobanche Broomrapes Plantae Magnoliopsida Cactaceae cacti Plantae Magnoliopsida Quincula lobata Chinese-lantern Plantae Magnoliopsida Prunus virginiana chokecherry Plantae Magnoliopsida Potentilla cinquefoils Plantae Magnoliopsida Mirabilis multiflora Colorado four o'clock Plantae Magnoliopsida Lepidium densiflorum Common Peppergrass Plantae Magnoliopsida Portulaca oleracea Common purslane Plantae Magnoliopsida Helianthus annuus common sunflower Plantae Magnoliopsida Verbesina encelioides cowpen daisy Plantae Magnoliopsida Cirsium arvense creeping thistle Plantae Magnoliopsida Cirsium arvense creeping thistle Plantae Magnoliopsida Verbesina crownbeard Plantae Magnoliopsida Oenothera coronopifolia crownleaf evening primrosePlantae Magnoliopsida Rumex crispus curled dock Plantae Magnoliopsida Grindelia squarrosa curlycup gumweed Plantae Magnoliopsida Ribes currants Plantae Magnoliopsida Centaurea diffusa diffuse knapweed Plantae Magnoliopsida Dyssodia papposa Dogweed Plantae Magnoliopsida Liatris punctata dotted gayfeather Plantae Magnoliopsida Astragalus drummondii Drummond's Milkvetch Plantae Magnoliopsida Astragalus shortianus Early Purple Milkvetch Plantae Magnoliopsida Townsendia exscapa Easter daisy Plantae Magnoliopsida Populus deltoides eastern cottonwood Plantae Magnoliopsida Brickellia eupatorioides false boneset Plantae Magnoliopsida Convolvulus arvensis field bindweed Plantae Magnoliopsida Astragalus agrestis field milkvetch Plantae Magnoliopsida Artemisia campestris field wormwood Plantae Magnoliopsida Hymenopappus filifolius fineleaf woollywhite Plantae Magnoliopsida Lappula redowskii Flatspine Stickseed Plantae Magnoliopsida Erigeron fleabanes Plantae Magnoliopsida Nyctaginaceae four o'clocks Plantae Magnoliopsida Atriplex canescens fourwing saltbush Plantae Magnoliopsida Rhus aromatica fragrant sumac Plantae Magnoliopsida Rhus aromatica fragrant sumac Plantae Magnoliopsida Chenopodium fremontii fremontiiFremont's Goosefoot Plantae Magnoliopsida Lithospermum incisum fringed puccoon Plantae Magnoliopsida Artemisia frigida fringed sagebrush Plantae Magnoliopsida Sphaeralcea globemallows Plantae Magnoliopsida Ericameria goldenbushes Plantae Magnoliopsida Solidago goldenrods Plantae Magnoliopsida Chenopodium Goosefoots Plantae Magnoliopsida Verbascum thapsus great mullein Plantae Magnoliopsida Thelesperma filifolium Greenthread Plantae Magnoliopsida Physalis ground cherries Plantae Magnoliopsida Senecio groundsels Plantae Magnoliopsida Mirabilis hirsuta Hairy Four-o'clock Plantae Magnoliopsida Heterotheca villosa hairy goldenaster Plantae Magnoliopsida Solanum physalifolium Hairy Nightshade Plantae Magnoliopsida Dieteria canescens hoary aster Plantae Magnoliopsida Erigeron canadensis horseweed Plantae Magnoliopsida Ipomopsis laxiflora Iron Ipomopsis Plantae Magnoliopsida Eriogonum jamesii James' buckwheat Plantae Magnoliopsida Polygonaceae knotweed family Plantae Magnoliopsida Polygonum knotweeds Plantae Magnoliopsida Ladeania lanceolata Lance-leaved scurf-pea Plantae Magnoliopsida Astragalus laxmannii Laxmann's Milkvetch Plantae Magnoliopsida Oreocarya thyrsiflora Limestone Cat's-Eye Plantae Magnoliopsida Oenothera curtiflora lizard-tail Plantae Magnoliopsida Orobanche ludoviciana Louisiana broomrape Plantae Magnoliopsida Lupinus lupines Plantae Magnoliopsida Gutierrezia matchweeds and snakeweedsPlantae Magnoliopsida Astragalus milkvetches Plantae Magnoliopsida Lamiaceae mint family Plantae Magnoliopsida Salvia reflexa Mintweed Plantae Magnoliopsida Escobaria missouriensis Missouri Foxtail Cactus Plantae Magnoliopsida Mirabilis linearis narrowleaf four o'clock Plantae Magnoliopsida Echinocereus viridiflorus Nylon Hedgehog Cactus Plantae Magnoliopsida Picradeniopsis oppositifoliaOppositeleaf False Bahia Plantae Magnoliopsida Castilleja Paintbrushes Plantae Magnoliopsida Potentilla pensylvanica pensylvanicaPennsylvania Cinquefoil Plantae Magnoliopsida Caryophyllales pinks, cacti, and allies Plantae Magnoliopsida Mertensia lanceolata Prairie Bluebells Plantae Magnoliopsida Euphorbia missurica Prairie Sandmat Plantae Magnoliopsida Helianthus petiolaris prairie sunflower Plantae Magnoliopsida Cirsium canescens prairie thistle Plantae Magnoliopsida Erysimum asperum Prairie-rocket Wallflower Plantae Magnoliopsida Lactuca serriola prickly lettuce Plantae Magnoliopsida Opuntia Prickly pears Plantae Magnoliopsida Verbena bracteata prostrate vervain Plantae Magnoliopsida Astragalus racemosus Racemose Milkvetch Plantae Magnoliopsida Thelesperma megapotamicumrayless greenthread Plantae Magnoliopsida Peritoma serrulata Rocky Mountain bee plant Plantae Magnoliopsida Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush Plantae Magnoliopsida Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush Plantae Magnoliopsida Lygodesmia juncea rush skeletonplant Plantae Magnoliopsida Lupinus pusillus Rusty lupine Plantae Magnoliopsida Salvia Sages Plantae Magnoliopsida Asclepias arenaria sand milkweed Plantae Magnoliopsida Oenothera suffrutescens scarlet beeblossom Plantae Magnoliopsida Sphaeralcea coccinea scarlet globemallow Plantae Magnoliopsida Erigeron pumilus Shaggy Fleabane Plantae Magnoliopsida Asclepias speciosa showy milkweed Plantae Magnoliopsida Ulmus pumila Siberian elm Plantae Magnoliopsida Artemisia ludoviciana silver wormwood Plantae Magnoliopsida Lupinus argenteus silvery lupine Plantae Magnoliopsida Salsola collina Slender Russian-thistle Plantae Magnoliopsida Pediomelum tenuiflorum slimflower scurfpea Plantae Magnoliopsida Tripterocalyx micranthus small-flowered sand-verbenaPlantae Magnoliopsida Abronia fragrans snowball sand verbena Plantae Magnoliopsida Xanthisma spinulosum spiny goldenweed Plantae Magnoliopsida Eriogonum effusum Spreading Buckwheat Plantae Magnoliopsida Eriogonum effusum Spreading Buckwheat Plantae Magnoliopsida Erigeron divergens spreading fleabane Plantae Magnoliopsida Euphorbia spurges Plantae Magnoliopsida Opuntia polyacantha starvation prickly-pear Plantae Magnoliopsida Oxytropis lambertii stemless point-vetch Plantae Magnoliopsida Bassia scoparia Summer-cypress Plantae Magnoliopsida Heliantheae sunflowers and allies Plantae Magnoliopsida Asteraceae sunflowers, daisies, asters, and alliesPlantae Magnoliopsida Lathyrus sweet peas and vetchlings Plantae Magnoliopsida Artemisia dracunculus Tarragon Plantae Magnoliopsida Brickellia grandiflora tasselflower brickellia Plantae Magnoliopsida Mentzelia decapetala Ten-petal Stickleaf Plantae Magnoliopsida Argemone polyanthemos thistle poppy Plantae Magnoliopsida Cirsium thistles Plantae Magnoliopsida Packera tridenticulata Three-tooth Groundsel Plantae Magnoliopsida Salsola tragus tumbleweed Plantae Magnoliopsida Opuntia macrorhiza twist spine prickly pear Plantae Magnoliopsida Mirabilis umbrellaworts Plantae Magnoliopsida Ratibida columnifera upright prairie coneflower Plantae Magnoliopsida Vicia Vetches Plantae Magnoliopsida Ribes cereum wax currant Plantae Magnoliopsida Ambrosia psilostachya western ragweed Plantae Magnoliopsida Erysimum capitatum western wallflower Plantae Magnoliopsida Oxytropis sericea White Point-vetch Plantae Magnoliopsida Dalea candida white prairie clover Plantae Magnoliopsida Castilleja integra wholeleaf Indian paintbrushPlantae Magnoliopsida Eriogonum wild buckwheats Plantae Magnoliopsida Mirabilis nyctaginea wild four o'clock Plantae Magnoliopsida Glycyrrhiza lepidota wild licorice Plantae Magnoliopsida Eriogonum alatum Winged buckwheat Plantae Magnoliopsida Eriogonum alatum Winged buckwheat Plantae Magnoliopsida Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat Plantae Magnoliopsida Plantago patagonica woolly plantain Plantae Magnoliopsida Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify Plantae Magnoliopsida Melilotus officinalis yellow sweetclover Plantae Magnoliopsida Cirsium ochrocentrum yellowspine thistle Plantae Magnoliopsida Cacteae Plantae Magnoliopsida Chenopodioideae Plantae Magnoliopsida Conyza Plantae Magnoliopsida Erigeron canus Plantae Magnoliopsida Faboideae Plantae Magnoliopsida Faboideae Plantae Magnoliopsida Lygodesmia Plantae Magnoliopsida Mirabilis viscosa Plantae Magnoliopsida Opuntioideae Plantae Magnoliopsida Physalis hispida Plantae Magnoliopsida Physaria Plantae Magnoliopsida Psoralidium Plantae Magnoliopsida Juniperus horizontalis creeping juniper Plantae Pinopsida Juniperus monosperma one-seed juniper Plantae Pinopsida Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper Plantae Pinopsida Eptesicus fuscus Big Brown Bat Mammalia Mammalia Lepus californicus Black-tailed Jackrabbit Mammalia Mammalia Cynomys ludovicianus Black-tailed Prairie Dog Mammalia Mammalia Lynx rufus Bobcat Mammalia Mammalia Sylvilagus Cottontail Rabbits Mammalia Mammalia Canis latrans Coyote Mammalia Mammalia Peromyscus Deer Mice Mammalia Mammalia Lasiurus borealis Eastern Red Bat Mammalia Mammalia Lasiurus cinereus Hoary Bat Mammalia Mammalia Odocoileus hemionus Mule Deer Mammalia Mammalia Erethizon dorsatum North American Porcupine Mammalia Mammalia Antilocapra americana Pronghorn Mammalia Mammalia Antilocapridae Pronghorns Mammalia Mammalia Lasionycteris noctivagans Silver-haired Bat Mammalia Mammalia Peromyscus leucopus White-footed Mouse Mammalia Mammalia Pituophis catenifer sayi Bullsnake Reptilia Reptilia Coluber constrictor North American Racer Reptilia Reptilia Thamnophis radix Plains Garter Snake Reptilia Reptilia Sceloporus consobrinus Prairie Lizard Reptilia Reptilia Crotalus viridis Prairie Rattlesnake Reptilia Reptilia Phrynosoma cornutum Texas Horned Lizard Reptilia Reptilia Thamnophis elegans Western Terrestrial Garter SnakeReptilia Reptilia Fungi Fungi Including Lichens Fungi September 7-9, 2018 A BioBlitz is an intense period of biological surveying in an attempt to record all the living species within a designated area. Groups of scientists, naturalists and volunteers conduct an intensive field study over a continuous time period (usually 24 hours). Wikipedia
All photos by S Milito unless otherwise noted. Purpose • To create a baseline of resource information with which to develop future natural and cultural resources and public use management strategies • To discover and celebrate the resources in our parks and open spaces • To find out what we have, what we need to protect, what we need to improve • To find out how Corral Bluffs changes over time- How will our observations be different in the future? • To involve the public in local science and nature experiences • To use the information gathered for education
Science brought to you by:
Science Team Leaders Fort Carson Colorado Parks and Wildlife Aiken Audubon Society Mile High Bugs US Fish & Wildlife TOPS Stewardship Rangers Private Sector Biologists Corral Bluffs Alliance
Public Displays Garden of the Gods Rangers Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Colorado Parks and Wildlife Pikes Peak Library District Green Team Florissant Fossil Beds Fountain Creek Water Sentinels Mile High Bugs Corral Bluffs Alliance
Technology and Data
All species are documented online at iNaturalist.com iNaturalist
Locations of each observation 7:00 AM Saturday
The Rangers • Rangers arrived at 6:00 AM each day to set up • Led hikes every hour on Saturday and Sunday • Approximately 100 hikers attended
The Rangers Mammal Team
Photo by Cody Bear Sutton Roger with white-footed mouse
Billy sharing porcupine needles Mammal Team: Bats
Photos by Rose DiCenso
Mist nets were strung across water to catch bats as they dipped in for a drink Mammals 15 Species
• Big Brown Bat • Hoary Bat • Eastern Red Bat • Silver Haired Bat • Bobcat • Porcupine • Jackrabbit • Cottontail Rabbit • Raccoon • Pronghorn • Mule Deer • Coyote • Deer Mouse • White-footed Mouse • Black-tailed Prairie Dog Star of the day: Porcupine Mammals
Black-tailed Prairie Dog (on neighboring property)
Mule Deer
Coyote Pronghorns Birds Scaled Quail in early morning fog Birds 87 Species
• Golden Eagle • Common Poorwill • Red-tailed Hawk • Ferruginous Hawk • Lark Bunting Rock Wren • Rock Wren • Sage Thrasher • Canyon Towhee • Green-tailed Towhee • Blue Grosbeak • Turkey Vulture Female Lark Bunting • Cooper’s Hawk (Colorado State Bird) • Northern Harrier
Say’s Phoebe Birds
Juvenile Golden Eagle
Golden Eagle nest Plant Team
Photo by Cody Bear Sutton Plants 169 Species
Colorado Four O’clocks • Prairie Coneflowers • Indian Paintbrush • Colorado Four O’clock • Blazingstar • Crownleaf Evening Primrose • Showy Milkweek • Beardtongue • Lupine Evening blooming flowers • Jame’s Buckwheat • Soapweek Yucca • Prickly Pear Cactus
Blazingstar
Evening Primrose Arthropod Team
Photo by Cody Bear Sutton Arthropods (Insects, spiders) 216 Species • Megacyllene angulifera- Longhorn Beetle • Sagebrush Sheep Moth • Monarch Butterfly • 2 species Thread-waisted Wasps • 2 species Beewolf wasps • Wolf Spider • Wind Scorpion • 23 species of grasshoppers
Megacyllene angulifera • First time recorded in iNaturalist • First record in El Paso County • Second record in Colorado • Four were found during bioblitz Sagebrush Sheep Moth Arthropods
Photo by Tim Leppek
Arthropods
Photo by Tim Leppek Herpetology Team
Lauren looking for spadefoot toad tadpoles
Max photographing a rattlesnake in the hole Reptiles & Amphibians 9 Species
• Prairie Lizard • Prairie Rattlesnake • Bullsnake • North American Racer • Plains Garter Snake • Terrestrial Garter Snake Prairie Rattlesnake • Woodhouse’s Toad • Texas Short-horned Lizard • Plains Spadefoot Toad North American Racer Photos by Lauren Livo Prairie Lizard
Juvenile Bullsnake Conclusions
• Corral Bluffs has a great diversity of plants and animals requiring protection • Wildlife corridors between open spaces need to be considered to avoid isolated “islands” of habitat • Biological inventory should be ongoing especially upon future purchases of land. The bioblitz provides data from a snapshot in time • Master planning of Corral Bluffs will require input from the science community • There is a great deal of public interest in Corral Bluffs and controlled hikes and other public events should be continued and encouraged
From 2014 Park System Master Plan: Candidate Open Space and Jimmy Camp Conceptual Open Space Corral Bluffs Network
Wildlife corridors
Bluestem Prairie Photo by Cody Bear Sutton