Citizen Science
The Tejon Ranch Conservancy’s citizen science program accomplishes two important objectives. First and foremost citizen science allows the Conservancy to utilize the knowledge and passion of interested experts to document and better understand the natural resources of Tejon Ranch. Citizen science activities also provide a directed form of pubic access to the Ranch.
Christmas Bird Count
On December 17, 2010, The third Tejon Ranch Christmas Bird Count was a huge success! Under the threat of nasty weather, 22 folks showed up to make the 111th CBC perhaps our biggest success yet. While we were largely spared the predicted rain, conditions were cold and often very windy and road conditions challenging at times. However, it was a good day for ducks! Read More..
On December 18, 2009, the Tejon Ranch Conservancy, along with 31 volunteers, conducted our 2nd annual Christmas Bird Count on Tejon Ranch. We couldn’t have asked for more pleasant weather conditions for the middle of winter. A total of 104 different species were detected. Highlights included:
• Highest count of ferruginous hawks in the U.S. (21)
• Second highest count of golden eagles in the U.S. (43)
• Fifth highest count of rock wrens in the U.S. (44)
• Sixth highest count of acorn woodpeckers in the U.S. (570)
• Sixth highest count of lark sparrows in the U.S. (443)
• Unusual winter sighting of western tanager
On December 19, 2008, the Tejon Ranch Conservancy initiated the first ever Christmas Bird Count (CBC) on Tejon Ranch (CBC location code = CATJ). Despite cold and windy conditions, approximately 30 participants tallied 99 bird species. Notable findings included:
• Highest count of golden eagles in the U.S. (44)
• Highest count of lark sparrows in the U.S. (655)
• Second highest count of California Condors in the U.S. (4)
• Sixth highest count of rock wrens in the U.S. (51)
• Fourth highest count of ferruginous hawks in California (16)
• Ninth highest count of prairie falcons in California (7)
• Twentieth highest count of horned larks in California (1,207)
• Unusual wintering species such as rose-breasted grosbeak, Western tanager, and rough-legged hawk.
Breeding Bird Blitz
Year 2011May 28, 2011 - The Tejon Ranch Conservancy Citizen Science Program conducted the third annual Breeding Bird Blitz on May 28 with the help of 19 volunteers. A total of 106 species were recorded as groups braved freezing temperatures and fog on the
2011 Tejon Ranch Breeding Bird Blitz Results
Year 2010
On May 29, 2010, the Tejon Ranch Conservancy conducted their 2nd annual Breeding Bird Blitz on Tejon Ranch. Twenty-two volunteers joined us for a fun-filled day of birding. Divided into four groups, everyone headed out with binoculars in hand to document all bird species seen. General areas covered included Tejon Creek and Old Headquarters/El Paso Creek are in the San Joaquin Valley, and several canyons in the Antelope Valley. A total of 93 different species were detected on the ranch. While there was less of an influence from migrating birds than last year, an impressive number of birds were recorded for the following species: western wood-pewee (52), ash-throated flycatchers (35), black-headed grosbeak (29), tri-colored blackbird (43), Bullock’s oriole (40), and Lawrence’s goldfinch (69).
2010 Tejon Ranch Breeding Bird Blitz results
In May 2009, the Tejon Ranch Conservancy and Audubon California hosted the first annual Breeding Bird Blitz of Tejon Ranch. Three teams tallied 110 bird species, and witnessed an amazing flight of migratory birds into canyons on the Antelope Valley side of the Ranch.
Breed Bird Blitz 2009 Results
Purple Martin Survey on Tejon Ranch
July 7, 2011 - Purple martins, while common and widespread in the East, are relatively rare and sparsely distributed in California. A combination of historical declines and the small population size led the California Department of Fish and Game to designate the purple martin a Species of Special Concern. In contrast to eastern birds, which nest almost exclusively in man-made boxes, California purple martins nest mainly in natural cavities in trees (with the population using weep holes in highway overpasses in the Sacramento area a notable exception). Surveys in 2000 in the Tehachapi Mountains near Tejon Ranch by Brain Williams found over 50 pairs nesting in large Valley oaks (Williams 2002). The high abundance of naturally nesting purple martins in this region led Audubon California to designate an important bird area in the oak woodlands in the Tehachapi Mountains.
To develop a better understanding of the distribution, abundance, and habitat use of purple martins on Tejon Ranch, the Conservancy is sponsoring nest surveys in the conserved lands on the Ranch. These surveys rely on the contributions of numerous volunteer citizen scientists, whose efforts have been essential to their success. For more information see the links below.
North American Field Herping Association field trips.
The North American Field Herping Association (NAFHA) has participated in a number of field trips to the conserved areas of Tejon Ranch. They have provided the Conservancy valuable expertise in the ecology of reptiles and amphibians, and have assisted with inventories and deploying sampling arrays. This is a great example of how partnerships with citizen scientists, such as NAFHA, can benefit everyone by providing citizens access to an otherwise closed area and providing the Conservancy with valuable expertise.
For more information on NAFHA and their work at Tejon Ranch go to:
http://www.nafha.org/california-chapter/tejon-ranch-conservancy
California Native Plant Society field trips
The Kern Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) has
participated in several field trips to Tejon Ranch, including Comanche
Point,
Read More
Sacatara Canyon Migration Birding
On the Antelope Valley side of Tejon Ranch are several canyons running generally south to north up the slopes of the Tehachapi Mountains. We have recently noticed high numbers of birds moving through the lower reaches of these canyons during the spring migration period. Sacatara Canyon, approximately 4 miles from the eastern boundary of Tejon Ranch, appears to be particularly fruitful in terms of sheer numbers of birds observed. In 2009, during a morning birding trip, a total of 65 species of residents and migrants were observed, and warblers were seen literally dripping from the trees. This prompted us to return to Sacatara Canyon in 2010 for 3 days of birding with the intention of developing standardized annual migration surveys of Antelope Valley canyons on Tejon Ranch for the coming years. Sacatara Canyon migration results
