Paul Hagey

Paul Hagey is a freelance science reporter based in the East Bay.

A tale of two species, and a lagoon

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Sharp Park is at the center of a controversy over whether golfing can coexist with endangered species. The Pacifica course, which overlooks the ocean, is a unique coastal freshwater ecosystem with a lagoon that’s great for the California red-legged frog and San Francisco garter snake. But if you want to keep the fairways open to business, much of that water has to be pumped away.

Supes to decide on Sharp Park today; then to Mayor’s office

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The San Francisco garter snake and its food of choice, the California red-legged frog, may get new landlords at their wetland home, the San Francisco-owned Sharp Park in Pacifica, if the board of supervisors passes legislation today that would clear the way for a transfer of its management to the National Park Service.

Humpbacks Make Rare Near-Shore Visit in Santa Cruz

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A pod of humpback whales, about two or three families, adults with a few calves, have been dazzling whale-watchers since about October 18, as they feed in Monterrey Bay about a quarter of a mile from Santa Cruz Harbor. Calm waters, warm weather and an abundance of food like sardines, anchovies and other baitfish have produced the ideal whale visit.

Got Quakes on the Mind?

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With a handful of very noticeable earthquakes jolting the East Bay, we’re getting a lot of questions about quakes — do small ones release strain? Or foretell the Big One? We get the word from one of UC Berkeley’s top seismologists.