The Nature of Coyote Creek
- Lucy West
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
California is the most ecologically diverse state in the country, which boasts thousands of species of plants, animals, and fungi; hundreds are endemic (not found anywhere else). The best part of going out into nature is that you never know what you might see!
A Diversity of Birds
During a recent BioBlitz, at least twelve species of birds were spotted! This includes mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), a great blue heron (Ardea herodias), and a black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans), all of which call Coyote Creek home. They rely on the creek for food, so it’s important that we take care of it. Mallards dive into the water and feast on the aquatic plants and algae growing in the creek bed. They also eat small fish and bugs. The males of the species are recognized by their shiny green heads and bright yellow beaks. The females are less colorful, with dappled brown bodies. Great blue herons are hunters; they stand still near the water’s edge where they can be identified by their tall stature, long necks, and greyish blue bodies. Waiting for an unsuspecting fish to swim by, they then spear the fish with their sharp yellow beaks. Black phoebes are flycatchers; they are all black except for a bright white patch of feathers on their bellies. Phoebes are agile flyers that swoop and dive through the air to catch insects. Many insect species, such as mosquitos, flies, moths, bees, and wasps, live in or near the water. Phoebes help regulate insect populations by flying around and catching them midair.
Mallard duck, great blue heron, and black phoebe: birds along Coyote Creek
Photographed by Merav Vonshak
Riparian Plant Life
We also looked at many different plants, such as willows, cottonwoods (both in the family Salicaceae), coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia), blue elderberries (Sambucus cerulea), California buckeyes (Aesculus californica), and California black walnuts (Juglans californica). The willows and cottonwoods are what are known as riparian species, meaning that they grow along naturally occurring waterways in the riparian zone. They are very important to the overall health of the creek, as their roots hold the riverbanks in place, preventing erosion. They also filter the water as they absorb it, removing excess nutrients. Many of these plants are also used by Indigenous people. Willow bark contains salicylic acid, which can be used to treat pain. Blue elderberries, coast live oaks, and black walnuts are traditional food sources. All of these plants are hosts for insects, such as gall wasps, which incite an immune response from the plants they inhabit, causing the plant to develop a growth that becomes the perfect nursery for the wasp’s babies. This population of insects provide a food source for birds and the plants themselves provide a home to many animals that nest in the branches or cavities of the trees.
Coast live oak, blue elderberry, California buckeye, and California black walnut: trees growing along Coyote Creek
Photographed by Merav Vonshak
Spiders and Their Webs
Another commonly spotted organism is spiders! Particularly orb weaver spiders (of the genus Neoscona), since they are generally easy to find if you know what you are looking for. Their large webs hang vertically from large open spaces between branches so that big flying insects such as flies, moths, and mosquitoes will run into them. These webs can be easy to run into, as they are often at or below eye level. Orb weavers often make their webs in willow trees since they grow near the water, where insects are more abundant. The spider will either sit in the middle of the web, which is when they are easy to spot, or they will hide nearby, waiting for an insect to find their web. It is harder to find them when they are hiding, but can be a fun challenge for those with keen eyes.
An orb weaver spider awaiting its next meal
Photographed by Merav Vonshak
The Importance of Fungi
A highlight of the recent BioBlitz was this bird's nest fungus (Cyathus stercoreus). It was growing right beside the path, partially hidden in the blades of grass. It is a tiny organism, only about the size of a pea. Fungi like this are vital in keeping the nutrient cycle going since they break down decaying matter, turning it back into nutrients that other plants and animals can use.
Bird's nest fungus before and after maturity
Photographed by Merav Vonshak
These are all sightings from just one of our BioBlitz events. Each time we see different creatures interacting with the natural world. Coyote Creek attracts many different species, so it is vital that we continue to protect it. You can get involved by joining one of our BioBlitz events or a creek cleanup. We hope to see you out there!
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