Naturalist’s Notebook: Beaver Bingo
Bay Area beavers are making a comeback. Here's how to recognize they've been working in an area.
Category: Biodiversity
A Ramble Around Pacheco Marsh
Stepping onto the spanking new Pacheco Marsh trail near Martinez for the first time on May 1, I was struck by the contrast between nature and human industry all around.
Survival of the Flittest: Relocated Butterflies Are Spotted in San Francisco
At a recent release, volunteers help a new batch of silvery blues adjust to city life.
This Trump Change Could ‘Eviscerate’ the U.S. Endangered Species Act
A plan to redefine ‘harm’ could remove federal habitat protections from almost 100 Bay Area listed species. The proposal is now open for public comment until May 17.
Behold the Flamboyant Mating Rituals of Grebes
Western and Clark’s grebes strike rakish figures on Bay Area waters. But for all the attention they command, the secrets of their lives are well-guarded.
Spring 2025 Almanac: Madrones and Gophers
Life during spring can take your breath away.
Even Ground Squirrels Got In On the Vole Feast Last Summer
For the first time, scientists documented concerted carnivory by California ground squirrels. But why were there so many voles?
Naturalist’s Notebook: The Nuances of Yellow-Rumped Warblers
Yellow-rumped warblers are around in winter. But which variant are you seeing?
Winter 2025 Almanac: Salamanders and Sperm Whales
Life during winter is full of conversation.
A Mussel Bed is Full of Life, 80 Years Later
The invertebrates found in a mussel bed on Dillon Beach in western Marin County are just as abundant as they were in 1941. But the types of organisms have changed.
