Wildlife conservation has become critical for all Arizona species groups such as amphibians, birds, bats, and turtles.  Each article posted in this blog introduces a group, comments on conservation needs, and provides references and a species checklist.  Emphasis is on the species found in Agua Fria River Basin of central Arizona, and the habitats near the Agua Fria River in the town of Dewey-Humboldt.  Send questions or comments to the Agua Fria Open Space Alliance, Inc. at info@aguafriaopenspace.org.

The chicks peering out of the nest in the photograph are Great Horned Owls.  The nest is in a Cottonwood tree near the Agua Fria River.

TOKEN:  JZ499KB3MBB5

Arizona Snakes

Humans, and many other species, are born with a ready-made instinctive fear of snakes.  All it takes to activate the instinct is seeing an adult being afraid of a snake.  Many people overcome their fear after learning which snakes are dangerous, and which ones are harmless.  This is a good thing for snakes, and it’s good for everybody else, because snakes are necessary for a balanced ecosystem.  Snakes help regulate populations of rodents, frogs, and other small animals, and snakes serve as food for many birds, mammals, and reptiles.  The references include field guides in print (Stebbins 1966) and online (Arizona Herpetological Association (AHA), Brennan, 2008).  AHA and HerpDigest provide news and information.

About half the snake species and recognized subspecies in the U. S. are present in Arizona.  Many of them are present in the Agua Fria River Basin, but the only ones I see around Coldwater Farm are garter snakes, gopher snakes, and king snakes.  It’s odd that over the past 50 years, no one has reported seeing a rattlesnake on the Farm.  They are probably present, but most rattlesnakes are shy and rarely advertise their presence.

The photograph shows a California King Snake, a common species of the Agua Fria River Basin and Coldwater Farm.  The photo is from the website of the Arizona Herpetological Association.

Arizona Lizards

Almost half the lizard species found in the U. S. are present in Arizona.  They are a colorful group with fascinating life histories.  Lizards help control ants, termites, and other insects, and with only one exception, the Gila Monster, they are unable to seriously harm humans.  Field guides are available online (Arizona Herpetological Association, Brennan, 2008), and in print (Jones and Lovich, 2009, and Stebbins, 1966).

The most common species seen around homes in the upper Agua Fria River Basin where I live are the Plateau Fence Lizard, the Ornate Tree Lizard, and several Whiptails and Horned Lizards (HLs–also called horny toads).  Here they are active from March to November.  In the Sonoran Desert at the south end of the Basin they are active all year.  Lizard body temperature is controlled by surroundings rather than by internal systems.  Without warm air, sunlight, or sun-warmed surfaces, they have to find shelter.

The photograph shows a Plateau Fence Lizard on a tree.  These lizards do like fence posts, but they will sit on any convenient object that gives them an elevated view.  

Barn Owl Near the Agua Fria River

A few days ago, I brushed by the spruce tree beside the house and a Barn Owl (Tyto alba) flapped out.  It perched in a nearby Cottonwood tree and watched nervously while I took photographs.  I have known for years that there was a Barn Owl living nearby.  Seven years ago I found a brown and white Barn Owl feather lying in the front yard.  Since then I’ve seen silhouettes in trees and sailing silently across the yard.  Two years ago a second feather turned up.

Barn Owl at Coldwater Farm near the Agua Fria River

The second Barn Owl feather

Wild Ducks

More than 200 ducks are present on my two stock ponds today. The number is typical for January, but not March.  Most have usually moved on by now.  More on Agua Fria birds.

Ducks on the Lilly Pond

Invasive Species:  Our Accidental Attack On Nature

The story of invasive species and their alteration of native habitats is one of the most disappointing tales to be told of human interaction with nature. It is full of surprises, unsolved mysteries, scientific research, and reactive management that too often exemplifies the adage, “too little too late.” This post summarizes the main elements of the plot and its conclusion. It begins about 500 years ago when people started crossing the oceans and taking boatloads of new species to North America and other parts of the world. Some of the new species invaded native habitats, replaced the natives, and became permanent residents. Of all the things people have done to the wildlife and wildlife habitat of the Agua Fria River Basin—road and building construction, ranching, logging, hunting, farming, fertilizing, recreation, burning, and water use—the most destructive has been the accidental introduction of invasive plants and animals.

The photo shows the dry seeds of Horehound (Marubium vulgare).  The seeds have small hooks that catch on clothing and animal fur. Horehound is a small perennial shrub that forms pure stands when native vegetation is removed by livestock. The seeds often create persistent mats in animal fur, and they are irritating when they get in your socks. Cattle will eat a little Horehound when the plants are young, but they don’t eat enough to prevent the plant’s spread.

Singing Insects:  Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids

Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Katydids are members of the Orthoptera, one of the most familiar insect orders.  Orthoptera includes two suborders: Caelifera (grasshoppers and relatives) and Ensifera (crickets, katydids, and gryllacridoids).  Cicadas (locusts) are also singing insects, and they are common in the Agua Fria River Basin.  Cicada distribution maps and sound recordings are being placed on the Internet.  I will post references to the information when it is available.

The katydid in the photo is probably Greater Angle-wing Katydid (Microcentrum Rhombifolium), or Gawk.  The California Angle-wing (Microcentrum californicum) also occurs in the Agua Fria River Basin, and according to the BugGuide website the two are distinguished chiefly by their songs.  The songs are quite distinctive.  Next time I see this Katydid I will try to catch a few notes to compare to the MusicOfNature recordings.