The Cali Chapter NAFHA Event Fri 4-10-15 thru Sun 4-12-15

Dedicated exclusively to field herping.

Moderator: Scott Waters

Post Reply
User avatar
mattg
Posts: 284
Joined: December 7th, 2011, 9:14 pm
Location: Rancho Cucamonga, Ca

The Cali Chapter NAFHA Event Fri 4-10-15 thru Sun 4-12-15

Post by mattg »

please check the N.A.F.H.A. - Announcements/Inquiries board for more info.

http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/vie ... 12&t=20782

Thanks,
Matthew Gruen
California Chapter Secretary
User avatar
jonathan
Posts: 3689
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 8:39 am
Contact:

Re: The Cali Chapter NAFHA Event Fri 4-10-15 thru Sun 4-12-1

Post by jonathan »

As you can read in Matt's link, the California Chapter of NAFHA is hosting the NAFHA National Event at Sacred Oaks Campground in eastern San Diego County. Please be clear to read the rules that have been posted for the event, including that it is a no collecting (even overnight) or bagging event.

The number of habitat types in the area, not to mention the ones that can be reached a short drive away, are spectacular. I thought that herpers who aren't familiar with the area might appreciate knowing what species are lurking there. These are some of the things we might find.


First off, the direct area of the campground is in unique mid-elevation desert relatively close to the border with several species found nowhere else in the United States (invert lovers also like the area, and probably birders too). The timing should be perfect for diurnal and crepuscular activity favored by the main target species. Herps that can be found there include:

Coast Patchnose Snake, Baja Coachwhip, Lyre Snake, San Diego Night Snake, San Diego Gopher Snake, Longnose Snake, California Glossy Snake, California Kingsnake, Speckled Rattlesnake, Red Diamond Rattlesnake, Rosy Boa, Desert Banded Gecko, Coast Horned Lizard, Banded Rock Lizard, Cope's Leopard Lizard, Baja Collared Lizard, Side-blotched Lizard, Western Fence Lizard, Granite Spiny Lizard, Coastal Whiptail, Wiggin's Desert Night Lizard, Granite Night Lizard, Gilbert's Skink



Just to the west are the coastal hills, a higher-moisture habitat with a entirely different set of species. Right now projections are pointing towards an El Nino winter that will last until the spring, which means there's a good chance that flipping season will still be going strong in April. Species found in the hills (beyond the ones I've already named) include:

Western Blind Snake, Western Black-headed Snake, San Diego Ringneck Snake, Striped Whipsnake, Red Coachwhip, Western Yellow-bellied Racer, Two-striped Garter Snake, Southern Pacific Rattlesnake, Southern Alligator Lizard, California Legless Lizard, San Diego Banded Gecko, Western Skink, Orange-throated Whiptail, Western Spadefoot, Western Toad, Baja California Chorus Frog, California Chorus Frog, Garden Slender Salamander, Monterey Ensatina, Large-blotched Ensatina, California Newt



Just to the east is a spectacular and beautiful low desert with one of the greatest assemblages of snake and lizard diversity in the United States. Diurnal herps will be peaking and nocturnal activity should have started as well. This area is home to absolutely beautiful scenery including low desert, rocky canyon, palm oasis, sand dune, and sandstone canyon habitat. Besides the herps, several endangered species like Desert Bighorn and Desert Pupfish are regularly seen. Additional herps that can be found in the low desert include:

Desert Blind Snake, Colorado Desert Shovelnose Snake, Desert Night Snake, Leafnose Snake, Desert Patchnose Snake, Desert Glossy Snake, Colorado Desert Sidewinder, Switak's Banded Gecko, Leaf-toed Gecko, Sandstone Night Lizard, Desert Horned Lizard, Flattail Horned Lizard, Colorado Desert Fringe-toed Lizard, Long-tailed Brush Lizard, Baja California Brush Lizard, Desert Spiny Lizard, Longnose Leopard Lizard, Desert Iguana, Chuckwalla, Great Basin Whiptail, Red-spotted Toad



Going further east into Imperial County brings additional species leaking in from the Sonoran Desert. Species found in Imperial County include:

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, Checkered Garter Snake, Ground Snake, Sonoran Gopher Snake, Great Basin Collared Lizard, Colorado River Tree Lizard, Western Zebratail Lizard, Desert Tortoise, Rio Grande Leopard Frog, Couch's Spadefoot, Woodhouse's Toad, Great Plains Toad
User avatar
jonathan
Posts: 3689
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 8:39 am
Contact:

Re: The Cali Chapter NAFHA Event Fri 4-10-15 thru Sun 4-12-1

Post by jonathan »

I know that some NW members used to make a trip to the Mojave...this would be a pretty cool trip that would involve an entirely new set of species from those found in the Mojave Desert. You could probably see more reptile species in one week than the total # of species that exist in the NW!
User avatar
Fundad
Posts: 5721
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:11 am
Location: Los Angeles County
Contact:

Re: The Cali Chapter NAFHA Event Fri 4-10-15 thru Sun 4-12-1

Post by Fundad »

Hi Everyone,

If you have not made reservations at the campground for a trailer or cabin now would be the time to do it. Please say that you are with the NAFHA group and you should receive as discount.

This is one month away and I hope we post a bit of our schedule soon.

I am getting pumped how bout everyone else?

Brian Hinds
California Chapter President
User avatar
TravisK
Posts: 774
Joined: July 8th, 2010, 11:14 am
Location: Eastern Washington

Re: The Cali Chapter NAFHA Event Fri 4-10-15 thru Sun 4-12-1

Post by TravisK »

I wish this trip was a few weeks later. I will be heading down but not early enough to make it to this trip.
User avatar
Fundad
Posts: 5721
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:11 am
Location: Los Angeles County
Contact:

Re: The Cali Chapter NAFHA Event Fri 4-10-15 thru Sun 4-12-1

Post by Fundad »

Here is the updated Schedule, with a huge thanks to the CA Board Members and Jeff Nordland for putting this together for us. Please note, some times and details may change due to weather or guest schedules.

Schedule of Events for the 2015 NAFHA National Meeting – Updated March 26th
April 10-12 San Diego County, California

Thurs. April 9th
12 noon – 4 PM Pre-Meeting hike at near coast with Jeff N. and his boys Trevor (age 9) and Brady (age 7). The herping isn’t great, but TPSR has lots of shorebirds and some marine mammals. This is for anyone who’s in town early and wants to spend some time in a unique habitat type with great scenery.

Board Members arrive in San Diego

Friday April 10th
11 AM - 4 PM Participants to check-in to The Oaks at Sacred Rocks campground;
*after checking-in at the entrance with the The Oaks staff, please go straight to site 81 to check-in with NAFHA and get your Welcome Package
4 - 6 PM Meet & Greet Barbecue hosted by CA Chapter at The Oaks
Hosts to list their guided Herp Trips on whiteboard; interested participants should sign-up
6 PM Welcome, Board Member and Member Introductions, and Review of Rules, Safety, and Herping Ethics by Brian Hinds
6:30 – 8:30 PM Guest Speakers 1 & 2
9 - 10 PM NAFHA Acoustic Jam Session 1 & Campfire
10 - 11 PM campfire and Fireside Chats


Saturday April 11th
8-11 AM “GPS for Field Herpers” presented by Lawrence Erickson. Begins with a review of how to use handheld GPS units; then followed by practice in the field.
8 AM Meet at The Oaks for morning guided Herp Trips:
Example: Jeff N. will lead a group to a local area at 10 am and return around 1:30
8:30 AM Kid’s Lizard Noosing Contest hosted by John Lauermann. ?Meet at the Bunkhouse next to the tent camping area? Kids will be given a small noose and try to catch the largest lizard.
2 PM Meet at The Oaks for afternoon guided Herp Trips:
Example: Jeff N. will lead a group to l eave camp at 2:30 PM, return around 6:30 PM.
9-10 PM - NAFHA Acoustic Jam Session 2
9-11 PM – campfire and Fireside Chats
Participants are encouraged to add their finds to the Species Count board

Sunday April 12th
7AM – meet at The Oaks for guided herp trips:
Example: Jeff N. may lead a group into the southern part of ABDSP for in-situ photography of desert lizards. This will be a kid-friendly adventure. Off-road vehicle required. Leave camp at 8:15 AM, return around 2:30 PM.
Also: Brian Hinds may organize a BioBlitz-type large group herping trip. Current plan is to go to the windblown sand area to search for lizards.
All participants should add their finds to the Species Count board
4-5 PM – Meeting Culmination
- Highlights reviewed
- Slideshow?
- ‘Thank You and Farewell Speech’ by Brian Hinds

Monday April 13th
?Post-Meeting herping trips?
(Jeff N. will possibly lead a group to)

Tuesday April 14th
?Post-Meeting herping trips?
(Jeff N. will possibly lead a group to check boardlines near his home in SD.
Post Reply