Orange County Herp BioBlitz on limited access lands

Dedicated exclusively to field herping.

Moderator: Scott Waters

Post Reply
User avatar
Nature Nate
Posts: 510
Joined: August 24th, 2010, 10:14 am
Location: San Diego

Orange County Herp BioBlitz on limited access lands

Post by Nature Nate »

Where: Orange County, CA Aliso and Wood Park, Crystal Cove State Park, Bomer and Shady
Canyons, Newport Bay, Loma Ridge, Santiago Canyon, and more

When: April 22, 23, 29, and 30 May 6 & 7 (second to last Saturday/Sunday in April and And first Sat/Sun in May 2017)

Who: NAFHA, USGS, and some local grad students

What: Surveying for rare herps in the area including (but not limited to) Arboreal Salamanders, Spadefoot Toads, Blackbelly Slender Salamanders (southern limit of their range), Horned Lizards, Coastal Whiptails, Skinks, Red-diamond Rattlesnakes, Rosy Boas, San Bernardino Ringneck Snakes,

Why:
Years ago USGS conducted pitfall surveys in Orange County at some of these locations. We would like to go back to survey some of these same sites to compare the efficiency of survey techniques (rapid BioBlitz vs. extended periods of trapping) and to monitor which species are still present in the sampled areas.

We also need to gather some tissues for ongoing genetic landscape projects of specific herp populations such as horned lizards.

This is survey is part of the regular sampling for covered species that USGS is contracted to conduct in southern California. This means that we have special access to some closed preserved lands that we need help surveying. This may be your only chance to be able to legally herp some of these parks and preserves. We will be conducting four days of surveys, two groups per day, two locations per group for a total of four locations surveyed per day. If you are interested in any of the dates above, please email me at [email protected]

Those of you who participated in last year’s Bioblitz at Crest canyon and beyond you know what the basic deal is, except this year we will hopefully have much more greenery and less dry conditions for our surveys. I have high hopes for the amount of biodiversity that we will have the privilege of experiencing this year in these unique environments.

Hope to see you all there!!
Nathan Smith
Education Specialist, California Chapter
North American Field Herping Association
User avatar
mattg
Posts: 284
Joined: December 7th, 2011, 9:14 pm
Location: Rancho Cucamonga, Ca

Re: Orange County Herp BioBlitz on limited access lands

Post by mattg »

this is awesome nate! i will try to make at least one of the dates !
RobertH
Posts: 1834
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:38 pm
Location: Los Angeles

Re: Orange County Herp BioBlitz on limited access lands

Post by RobertH »

So will Nick and I. Sounds great.

Robert
User avatar
Fundad
Posts: 5721
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:11 am
Location: Los Angeles County
Contact:

Re: Orange County Herp BioBlitz on limited access lands

Post by Fundad »

Julianne and I will be there at least 2 of the days.

Fundad
User avatar
SurfinHerp
Posts: 653
Joined: October 18th, 2010, 8:55 pm
Location: San Diego, CA
Contact:

Re: Orange County Herp BioBlitz on limited access lands

Post by SurfinHerp »

Thanks for posting this Nate!

I plan to participate on Saturday 4/29 at least. Hopefully I can help on Sundays as well. I've already committed to the Torrey Pines State Reserve Earth Day event on Sat. 4/22 though.

Jeff
User avatar
nightdriver
Posts: 427
Joined: August 24th, 2010, 9:34 pm
Location: Los Angeles County

Re: Orange County Herp BioBlitz on limited access lands

Post by nightdriver »

The last weekend is a possibility for me. I'll let you know when my schedule works itself out.

-nightdriver
User avatar
Nature Nate
Posts: 510
Joined: August 24th, 2010, 10:14 am
Location: San Diego

Re: Orange County Herp BioBlitz on limited access lands

Post by Nature Nate »

Hey Folks, We've had a change of plans. Due to permitting issues we have had to delay the second survey week to May 6th and 7th. My hope is that more people will be free this weekend. My apologies for the change up. I will keep you all posted on any more developments.
-NN
mark buck
Posts: 102
Joined: March 30th, 2015, 11:01 am
Location: Bakersfield, CA

Re: Orange County Herp BioBlitz on limited access lands

Post by mark buck »

This is cool.

I'll definitely try to make a few dates
User avatar
Nature Nate
Posts: 510
Joined: August 24th, 2010, 10:14 am
Location: San Diego

Re: Orange County Herp BioBlitz on limited access lands

Post by Nature Nate »

Hello BioRAP Volunteers,

This upcoming weekend (6th & 7th) will be the next installment of our Orange County Rapid herpetofauna Biological Assessment for the Natural Communities Coalition. We need RSVP's so that we can better match the food order to the expected number of participants. PLEASE RSVP ASAP.

Saturday morning, May 6th we will meet at 7:00am at the Crystal Cove Moro Canyon Campground parking lot which is east of the campground located 8471 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 (33.562612° -117.819301°). As you drive up the hill towards the visitor center turn right towards the kiosk. Let them know you are with the reptile survey/BioRAP team and they should let you through with no problem or fee.
We will rendezvous for lunch at at the same parking lot and break for the heat of the day.
Saturday afternoon, we will reconvene at 4:00pm at the Aliso Woods parking lot located 2829 Awma Rd, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 (33.551606° -117.719986°). From here we will consolidate cars and drive into the center of the canyon where we will disperse. to our individual team survey areas. It is imperative that we return to our drop off point with plenty of time to exit the park before dark.

Sunday morning, May 7th we will meet at 7:00am at the Irvine Regional Park located 1 Irvine Park Rd Orange, CA 92869 (33.796812° -117.755756°). Again, state that you are with the reptile survey team and they should let you into the park without having to pay. Park in the first parking lot on your right. From here we will consolidate cars and head out to Fremont Canyon. Lunch will be served at the meeting point.
Sunday afternoon, we will reconvene at 4:00pm at the same location as the morning rally point, consolidate vehicles, and carpool to Weir Canyon. Again, please make every endeavor to be out of the canyon before dark.

As always, feel free to email me with any questions, and PLEASE email me with your RSVP whether it be yes or no and which days/sessions you plan on attending.

Many thanks!
Post Reply