East Bay East Bay NATURE 1270A Newell Avenue Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (925) 407-1333 NATURE NEWS www.eastbaynature.com Spring 2010 Why did the Taricha Tarosa cross the road? e’ll get to that later, but let genes. The female will then lay eggs miners. Let’s think for a minute on that me ask another question. in gelatinous clusters of seven to 30 one. Old Jeddadiah was bragging about What’s small,W brown, moves painfully attached to water plants. The larvae are his newly discovered gold nugget that slow, appears only in the rainy season yellowish brown with bushy external was approximately the size of a football. and makes no noise? gills and large tail fins. Late that night ol’ Jed mysteriously dies That’s right, the California of poisoning and---his gold is gone, too! Newt. Apparently, they are extremely Let’s see, oh yea, it must have been a Look Inside poisonous. They are among newt. Case closed. for Newts are really the most toxic salamanders cool little critters most in California. Their skin The California Newt feeds on a people don’t know much contains poisonous variety of small invertebrates. They eat Lots of New Stuff about if anything at all. glands that secrete various types of insects, earthworms, Taricha comes from the potent toxins, called snails, slugs and sow bugs. Adult newts Greek word tarichos tetrodotoxin and have been known to cannibalize their meaning mummy. Torosa tarichatoxin. Ingestion can cause own eggs and larvae. When eating comes from Latin meaning paralysis or even death to potential underwater, they protrude their tongue fleshy or full of muscle. The name is predators. When attacked, California and use a throat suction to swallow in reference to the newt’s appearance. Newts exhibit the threat reflex, arching their food whole. Kind of like me with a Newts are a relatively large salamander the head and tail up and over the body, Snicker’s bar. ranging between 5 to 8 inches in total extending the limbs, and closing the Gentle Spr ers... Seed Pr ... East Bay Nature length, tan to reddish brown on the eyes to reveal the bright belly. I’ve The California newt is not ing Remind ices 1270A Newell Avenue dorsal surface with a yellow to orange picked up lots of newts and have never a threatened species, but at risk in It’s time to get the bird houses cleaned Seed prices have been Walnut Creek, CA belly. They have large eyes with lightly seen them display this posture. Maybe some parts of its range. In southern and re-hung. Remove the old nest from last stable for a while now. The 94596-5204 colored lower eyelids. You’ve probably they didn’t feel threatened by me. I California, this newt is a species of year (or anything else that may have used the only problem seems to be - seen them roaming around during the also didn’t know they were toxic until special concern. Threats include loss of box). Hang the house 8-10 feet off the ground corn-on-the-cob. We’ve had Phone (925) 407-1333 breeding season, didn’t know what the recently. I don’t think I ever made it a breeding habitat, reduction in hatching or attach it to your own house under the inconsistent delivery due to Fax (925) 937-6291 heck they were, and hopefully didn’t run point to wash my hands after handling success due to increases in ultra- eaves. Poles also work if they are tall enough. corn crops being used for - over them. them. Yikes. violet-B radiation, and predation on Place the house so that the entrance hole is ethanol production. Store Hours eggs and larvae by introduced crayfish Newts live a dual life as either facing east. South and north work, but avoid 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM For much of their lives, and mosquito fish. In some places, a terrestrial, non-breeding eft or an west. (Mon. thru Sat.) California Newts live underground in road kill is a significant cause of adult on Bee .. aquatic newt. Wait, what’s an eft? I Now is the absolute worst time to as Cocoons. 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM the burrows of mortality. Important stretches of M didn’t know either so I looked it up. prune trees and shrubs. The birds and squirrels We’ve got mason bee cocoons in (Sunday) ground road sometimes are closed It’s the terrestrial juvenile phase of a are nesting and cutting down limbs may leave stock at $18.95 for a 10 pack. We also - to allow newts to migrate newt. During the late summer and fall you with a fallen nest with eggs or babies have mason bee houses, books Web safely to ponds and months, this species has a terrestrial inside. If you have any survivors and they and DVDs. My mason bees www.eastbaynature.com streams. I know there existence, hiding under logs and in rock cannot be returned to their original location, are starting to hatch already. - are “Caution Newt Crossing” crevices. After the first winter rains, the they should be taken to Lindsay Wildlife There are lots of trees and wild Owner signs in Briones Park near the San terrestrial efts will migrate to the water Museum hospital for care. If you must prune mustard in bloom right now. Joanie Smith squirrels and other animals. Pablo Reservoir area to help the for breeding. Once in the water, they be sure to check for nests first. Hummingbird Also, salvia is still blooming. We [email protected] They emerge into the open little guys cross the roads during will transform into an aquatic newt. nests are very tiny and hard to find. need these - on rainy nights. In the spring, the breeding season. Unfortunately, the newts migrate to ponds and I’ve run over a few of them in my guys to Newsletter Design They undergo a lakes, where they can build up large driveway. The darn things look like dark Clip and Save pollinate Jim Gahl Designs number of changes during populations. In northern parts of the brown, wet leaves and move at the our gardens and fruit [email protected] the breeding season. Terrestrial, non- range, California Newts inhabit moist speed of a snail with a hangover making trees! breeding adults have warty skin and forests. In the south they live in drier them especially hard to spot. are not slimy. Aquatic, breeding males areas, including oak woodland and develop smooth skin, swellings around So, why did the Taricha Torosa grassland. their cloacal openings, and a fin-like cross the road? To get to the Taricha Torosa la feminae, of course. tail. California Newts have a mating There are stories about gold We will be closed ritual that is unique to this genus. miners who died mysteriously back Once mating is complete the male will Bless the newts~ Easter Sunday, April 4. in the California gold rush days. It’s - Joanie, Annie stand over the female guarding her thought that newts may have climbed from mating attempts by other males into their coffee pots and poisoned the and Molly thereby ensuring the continuation of his Lindsay Wildlife Museum Events aster and Moth .. 1931 First Avenue E er’s Day Gift Ideas. Walnut Creek, CA Local Honey Give Mom something sweet for Mother’s Day. If you haven’t tried Phil Rice’s honey from Evergreen Outdoor Figurines Alamo, you should! It’s still the best honey around and the price is reasonable… These are BRIGHTLY- Wonders of Wildlife Tour - Wow! colored ceramic mushrooms, Let the folks at Lindsay Wildlife museum WOW you and your best SPI House and Garden rabbits and bird houses friend, your mom, your brother, anyone who might be interested in what they The frog carrying a lantern is great. Really, how often do you see that? He’s actually (decorative only) for indoors or outdoors. If this do at Lindsay Wildlife Museum. Come experience firsthand the mission and quite large and goofy looking. He ain’t cheap either, but well-made. The lantern is meant to newsletter was in color you’d see what I mean. the passion of the staff that work to keep Lindsay Wildlife Museum a great hold a small candle. He’d look pretty cool by the front door. They would be brighten up a patio or bring museum, animal hospital and a safe place to experience nature. The Wonders some color underneath the trees and bushes. of Wildlife program and tour of the hospital (you must be 10 yrs. or older for the hospital part), animal encounters and museum will WOW you. You will not Bird Houses by Michael Massey be asked to make a financial contribution but the staff would like to hear what Our bird walk leader of several years has been building bird houses in his you have to say. spare time. They’re made of cedar, all the right proportions and skillfully crafted. And, Sign up today to be WOWed . The next Wonders of Wildlife program hey, they’re made in the USA! He’s made a chickadee/titmouse nest box and a Western Z Garden Party and tour is March 18 at 11:30 AM. If you can’t make that date, there will Bluebird nest box. The chickadee/titmouse nest boxes have already sold out. I hope he’s I carried these cool, be another tour March 20 at 10:00 AM. Contact Mary McAfee, Community busy building while he’s reading this newsletter! rusty garden figurines years ago. I don’t know why Development Manager at 925-627-2951 for a reservation. Check out www. I didn’t reorder so I have. There’s wildlife-museum.org to learn more. Ramona Lowe’s Cards/Bookmarks/Thank-You Notes a dog, cat, horny toad, quail with Ramona lives in Santa Cruz and creates cute, small cards of dogs, cats, 16th Annual Golf for the Wild babies, cat with kittens and flower wildlife, you-name-it. She is now doing the same critters on bookmarks and has Erva Economy Pole girl plant stand. All are lovely and Monday, May 24 boxed thank-you cards with bird nests, California Poppies and California Quail. I found a rusty. Join us for a great day of golf at the beautiful Diablo Country Club in You’ll like them. black metal pole from Diablo. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, opportunity to play golf on this exclusive Erva and the price course, attempting success on several holes-in-one, great food, one-of-a kind Penelope Krebs Prints Kristin Gregersen’s is great…$24.99… auction items, and supporting the programs and services offered by Lindsay You may have Cards Late Arrivals for a 91” tall single- Wildlife Museum. seen her bird stationery Kristin’s got hook pole! The hook and I’ve had a few of her Museum Hours – Wednesday through Friday noon-5pm some very cute cards doesn’t come off like prints. She has a new Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm for Easter. They’re a their more expensive print of a female Allen’s Closed Monday and Tuesday little different than her poles, but hey, Hummingbird flying to Wildlife Hospital hours – daily 9am-8pm (April – August) usual sparkly cards. If you can’t beat the her nest of babies. I think you collect her cards, price. You might Call 925-935-1978 or visit www.wildlife-museum.org for more information. it’s her best print yet. I you’ll want to add want to bring a have both the large and these to your collection. truck or SUV to haul Come Check Them Out small print. Come see… this one home. Who’s Arriving Th . Joanne’s Bracelets is Season?.. A friend of mine makes great beaded bracelets in -Hooded Oriole (nectar feeder) -Barn Swallow (insectivore) bright spring colors. They come in single or Rock Cairns Evergreen Plates, Thermal Mugs, -Bullock’s Oriole (nectar feeder) -Cliff Swallow (insectivore) double strands of glass beads with a If you’re a hiker you Water Bottles, Napkins -Black-headed Grosbeak (sunflower -Allen’s Hummingbird magnetic closure. No need to get out might be familiar with rock Evergreen has come out with some seeds, safflower) (nectar feeder) the reading glasses to put these on. cairns that are used as trail beautiful prints of bluebirds, Yellow -Western Tanager (nectar feeder) -Rufous Hummingbird They sell for $5.99 and $7.99. markers. We have small versions Warblers, chickadees, goldfinches, House of rock cairns. It’s a stack (nectar feeder) Wrens and Tufted Titmice. They’re printed on small of seven small river rocks ceramic plates, ceramic travel mugs, stainless held together with a metal an Fr w... steel water bottles and paper table napkins and S ancisco Flower an den Sho spike. They remind me of March 24-28 d Gar cocktail napkins. Oh, and small melamine plates, Re .. when I used to backpack San Mateo Event Center e’s ad ner. too! I’ve been looking forever for more of the ni ing Cor into Desolation Wilderness n Annie is boning up on her melamine plates. They’re handy and up by Lake Tahoe a few Garden for the Future... That’s the theme of this year’s show. See A knowledge of North American hard to break. years back. Okay, ten what’s new, get fresh ideas for spring and learn how to create a garden that Owls. She says the best part of the years back. Alright, 20 is both beautiful and healthy for the environment. Prices for early bird tickets book is the CD that comes with it. years ago. So I’m off a are the same as last year: $16 adult. You can buy your tickets and pick up a Ancient Graffiti It has 19 owl calls, two of which she few years. Sheesh. pamphlet at East Bay Nature… can already identify as our local Great Ancient Graffiti has some great new Horned and Western Screech Owls--- products. The huge lizard and dragonfly with blue capiz shells are cool wall art. y’s Pe ner... North American Owls Finally…a Six Gallon Seed Can ll t Cor o by Jim Burns Raven Stuff by Hatley Customers frequently ask for We’ve added two more types of timothy hay for rabbits, guinea The photographs in this book are not only People seem to like raven stuff. I do, a galvanized can that is smaller M pigs and hamsters. The yellow package is “first cut’ timothy hay stunning, but the poetry, symbolism and too. We’ve got t-shirts, boxer shorts (why not?), than the 10 gallon galvanized that has a lot more fiber than “second cut” hay in the blue package. narrative is great. The author shares his an apron that says “Ravenous”, and can we carry. I finally found My rabbits love more fiber, but other encounters with the owls, provides facts magnetic note pads titled “Raven a six gallon can that can go rabbits prefer the softer hay. They both about each species and his journey to Lunatic”. All have a silhouette of a raven, outside. It has a handle that fits come in 10 oz. packages for $4.99 and find them. Did you know that the Great of course. While we’re on the subject of over the lid to help keep out the $6.50. I don’t know why one is more Horned Owl is also called the Hoot Owl, note pads…there’s also Poultry in Motion, critters. It’s water-proof, rust- expensive than the other but, what Cat Owl or Winged Tiger? I can sure understand the Hopping List, Sheep Happens and Paw proof and should hold 20# of the hay, rabbits love it. (he he) Winged Tiger nickname. They are ferocious hunters. Prints. seed.