Insect and Bird Concerns at Wilder Ranch

Sent an email today to some specific folks. Just thought maybe other true Californian's would give a shit as well. Including a couple of the photos after the body of the document if you aren't interested in clicking the link to the photo album. 

Election Day Greetings.

My name is Larissa Dahroug. I am a Santa Cruz County-based Artist. At the following link you will find a shared Google Photo album with images I took while on a walk at Wilder Ranch yesterday afternoon: https://photos.app.goo.gl/JGNxaaXcjPH1CPzf9 . I noticed a few things that concerned me both as a person who cares deeply about our California landscape and environment as well as a local property owner in the Santa Cruz Mountains. My observations may or may not be of concern. I am seeking more information to help inform my own land care and preservation efforts on my own property. This is why I am reaching out and sharing with you today. My concerns are as follows:

Images 1-5 in the album -- I'm not sure what the plant in the first two images is called. I know it is an aromatic herb and based on it's aroma, shape and structure I suspect it is in the same family as thyme. My concern with this plant is that it seems to have a green/grey dusty mold covering the majority of the plant(s) that is not ash residue. The places where this substance is on the leaves the plant is dying away and the aromatics are destroyed. The mold seems to be sucking the essential oils directly from the plant. I believe this plant is not one that dies away seasonally, but continues to grow year round, so the dying parts concern and sadden me. The entire landscape actually smells different than it normally does. I'm used to seeing the tiny birds in this plant eating the seeds from the fluff. No birds were in these plants. In fact, I watched birds skip over the plants with the mold/dust seemingly searching for healthy plants. Around the base of these plants I also observed, in many places, water hemlock plants sprouting. I know this plant is native. However, it is totally out of season for new plants to be sprouting right now. I see this plant sprouting on my property normally in early spring.

Images 6-17 in the album -- Again, I'm not sure what this plant is called. I suspect it is in some way related to arugula, as it shares many aspects such as: shape and scent of the flower and shape of seed pods. However, it has a woody stem and a more succulent leaf that grows in bunches as opposed to the alternating leaf of true arugula. I'm accustomed to seeing the small birds and lizards eating the seeds of this plant as well. However, no birds were going anywhere near the abundant plant and I saw no lizards or evidence of lizards anywhere. Upon closer examination I noticed tiny holes bored into the seed pods, not all in the same place, but in differing locations. This is why I surmised it was not an inherent anatomical feature of the plant. Not every seed pod had this tiny hole, but every single plant I examined on the trail I was walking (along the bluffs) did have the issue. Some of the pods also had a larger irregular hole where it looked as if something had emerged. Pods with the entrance hole but without the exit hole were filled with some type of firm larva. Some seemed to be dead and dry. Normally the birds love this seed to eat this time of year. There was also some hemlock around some of these plants as well, but not all. The hemlock is mixed in with the new sprouts of the cow parsley that grows in abundance at the park.

Images 18-20 in the album -- These rocks normally are splattered with lots of bird poop this time of year. Currently, they look almost sterile. The flock of pelicans, cormorants, and gulls, in the short video seemed in distress, not wanting to actually land anywhere. I'm accustomed to seeing them on the beaches and outcroppings this time of year.

Images 21-23 in the album -- I know it's not exactly the time of year for the California Poppies, but the plants that I saw and have seen for the entire past season have largely seemed stunted in their growth. The flowers of the plant in the image are also significantly deformed and the seed pods I saw were quite short.

These things concern me because of the potential implications they have for all of our wildlife and communities. As owner and custodian of 12.5 acres (privately owned) of second growth redwood forest I am keen to watch out for insect issues. I first noticed the issues with the wood beetles at Wilder Ranch nearly 20 years ago when we first moved to California. I even made some Art about it at the time. Wilder Ranch State park has been and remains a treasure close to my heart for many reasons.

I am curious to know what the mold-like substance is on the plants as well as what the insect is that is boring that tiny hole. Since early Spring, even before the fires started, there was a very noticeable increase in the volume of birds on my property and I wondered why. It's not like I'm Cinderella or Snowwhite...the birds are seeking sanctuary on my property for a reason and I suspect it is the same on my neighbor's properties as well. Do I need to be concerned that these sweet tiny creatures are bringing with them vermin that will compromise the health and safety of my property as well? What should I be watching for? Is it already being addressed by the State and/or Counties? Is there human ailment that can come from inhaling the mold-like dust? Are there official recommendations to deal with these issues? So many questions!

I look forward to hearing back from someone about this matter. Dead brush makes for giant tinder boxes and I'm trying very hard to properly and safely maintain the highly neglected property my husband and I purchased just over two years ago now. Thank you.

Larissa

American Multi-disciplinary Conceptual Fine Artist

co-owner of The Kitty Pants Ranch

www.thekittypantsranch.com