I created a spreadsheet, comparing videos from one camera during the same 13-day period in 2019 with those from the same dates in 2021. The data tells the story, and it is not good. It’s a tragedy to see the canyon trails, once a paradise vibrant with a diversity of wild animals, changed into a ghost town.

It probably isn’t a coincidence that at the same time there’s been a dramatic decrease in wild animals, there is a substantial increase of people, bicyclists and off-leash dogs that are racing through the sensitive habitats. People’s response to Covid19 is most likely behind this upsurge of activity. Comparing the footage from the 13 days in 2019 to the same period in 2021, it’s noted that in 2019 there was only one dog off leash, 18 walkers and one bicyclist filmed in the canyon. It’s a different story in 2021. During the same period, 62 dogs ran off-leash, 499 people walked the trail and there were 33 bicyclists. Most likely, the consequences from the increased usage, especially from the dogs who are allowed off-leash is significant enough that many animal residents have vacated. Unfortunately, Coyote 09M, his mate and pups have disappeared. The last puma was filmed in November and the last coyote was recorded in October 2020. And during the recent 13-day period only a couple of bobcats, one deer and a few skunks were filmed.

Comparison of number of people for same 13 day period in 2019 and 2021–18 people in 2019, compared to 499 in 2021. See spread sheet

Dogs and people

Many of the people who are accompanied by their four-footed companions are responsible dog people. Their dogs are leashed, and their excrement is bagged and removed. As a rule, they control their dogs and don’t let them run off the trail. Thank you for being mindful and doing your part in preserving the canyon and attempting to keep it safe for its wild inhabitants.

Unfortunately, most of the dogs are uncontrolled and race off the trails. All of these dogs have people trailing a distance behind them. During the 13-day study period in 2021, 62 dogs were filmed running off-leash while only 40 sported leashes. The off-leash dogs tore through the canyon, chasing deer and other wildlife and destroying dusky-footed woodrat homes.

Dogs running off leash comparison for same 13 day period in 2019 and 2021. 1 dog ran off leash in 2019, 62 in 2021. See spread sheet.

The dusky-footed woodrat has been designated a species of special concern. This special mammal lives in the canyon and is the main reason that the canyon is not allowed to be developed. Their homes can be 60 to 70 years old—and up to 6 feet high.

Dusky-footed woodrat home

Although it took years for dusky-footed woodrats to construct this home, it probably took less than a minute for it to be destroyed.

Destroyed Dusky Footed Wood Rat home

The wild animals have left

The increase of people and uncontrolled dogs may not be the whole story—there might be other factors that also contribute to the wild animals vacating the area. Although correlation does not imply causation, based on the comparison of videos from the same time periods for the two years as well as the reports from other nature preserves and parks, the upsurge of people, off-leash dogs and bicyclists are most likely the primary reason for the wild animals to now avoid the trail.

Wildlife sightings comparison for same 13 day period in 2019 and 2021. 46 Wild animals were filmed in 2019, 18 in 2021.See spread sheet

I realize that people want to see me post videos of the latest wildlife that uses the trails. I can’t post any for you simply because there aren’t any. Although the wild animals are conspicuously absent from around the canyon trail, every week we have hundreds of new videos that are populated only with people, dogs and bicyclists. The cams are purposely aimed at an angle to avoid recording faces—we do see legs, knees and shoes. And the cams regularly film people engaged in a range of mostly healthy activities including walking, running, exercising, singing and dancing. Sometimes unexplained events are also filmed such as these people carrying shovels. I hope they are using those shovels to fill in the areas on the trail that now have erosion issues and that they aren’t removing native plants. And why move the stick?

Thousands of videos filmed in the canyon since 2018 chronicle the usual seasonal cycles of the wildlife. Unfortunately, they’ve also recorded a huge decrease of wild animals on the trail. Based on the data comparisons from the two years, it appears that the consequence of increasing human activities, especially dogs running loose into the fragile habitats has driven the wild animals to abandon the areas around our canyon trails.

*San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat, California red-legged frog, pallid, bat, potential nesting grounds for coopers hawk, white-tailed kite and yellow warbler from EIR Report, December 2008 Impact Science, Inc

Marilyn is a certified cat behavior consultant (The Cat Coach, LLC). Not surprisingly, she’s fascinated by feline behaviors. This started with household cats and then after witnessing a puma being killed a few blocks from her home in the suburbs, expanded to include local mountain lions and bobcats. A few years after the tragedy, she joined the Bay Area Puma Project/Felidae Conservation Fund, maintaining trail cameras, writing and helping wherever she can, while learning how urbanization is affecting the apex predators’ behaviors.

She is also an author and educator. Her book Naughty No More! focuses on solving cat behavior issues through clicker training, environmental changes as well as other positive reinforcement techniques. She gives presentations throughout the United States as well as writes columns and articles for a variety of venues. She is also frequently interviewed for print and online publications. Additionally, Marilyn is a frequent guest on television and radio and has appeared, along with her Bengals and Savannah Cat on Animal Planet, CBS, ABC, KGO and others.

Join Marilyn for lively discussions about all things feline on her Facebook page.

The post Where are the Wild Animals? appeared first on Urban Edge Wildlife.

Two mature males fighting–it’s rutting season

During the months of September, October and November, the cameras recorded enough wildlife activity to see the effects that natural and manmade events have on the canyon eco-system. Devastating wildfires, drought, dogs running through sensitive and vulnerable habitats, poisons, apex predator changes and the season greatly impacted all the canyon residents.

Mountain lion

Mountain lions aren’t new visitors to the canyon. The cameras have filmed puma activity here since they were set up three years ago. Until recently, pumas were recorded walking the trails and occasionally marking about every three months. The canyon has probably always attracted them because of the abundance of their favorite food—deer.

The first mountain lion I wrote about was “Slim”, she died after she ingested second-generation rodenticide. After her death, other lions occasionally ventured into the canyon. That changed in August when the devastating wildfires drove the animals to seek safety from the deadly smoke and flames. Many found sanctuary in the canyon and by necessity, had to share the 90 acres with the already established residents. Last August, one male puma found the canyon an ideal spot to hang out for a few months—there was an abundance of deer as well as places to shelter. Since 90 acres is too small of an area for a mountain lion, he’d travel outside the canyon into the neighborhood late nights and early mornings. On November 25th, his regular appearances stopped.

I received a text late on Thanksgiving evening. It was a short text, stating that there was a dead mountain lion on Interstate 280, not too far from the canyon. We searched the freeway for hours without finding the carcass.  At first light the next day, I continued the search, walking the area, looking in the underbrush, but with no luck. It’s possible that the body was picked up by CalTrans the day before. Sadly, since Thanksgiving, none of my trail cams or the neighborhood security cameras have filmed the canyon mountain lion on his usual patrols. Although, I’m holding out hope that I’ll see him again, the odds are that his life was prematurely cut short on Thanksgiving Eve. Tragically many of our beautiful mountain lions along with other extraordinary wild animals lose their lives on the highways.

Bobcats

The trail cameras are usually packed with videos featuring bobcats. I’ve learned to recognize individuals from the unique patterns of spots on their legs. Earlier this year, a young resident female, who was born in 2018, had three kittens. This may have been her first litter, only one kitten survived. The other two may have fallen victim to other predators, vehicles or second-generation rodenticides. Kittens are vulnerable.

Bobcats, like most felids, live alone, hobnobbing with other bobs in only a few circumstances. Not surprisingly, when females are in estrus they hang out with the future fathers of their kittens. Bobcat moms have difficult jobs. They must keep their kittens safe, provide food for them as well as teach them important survival skills necessary for living in a dangerous world. It’s hard work and the mums have to do it alone. The little families usually stay together about 9-12 months, then the adolescents disperse, leaving mum’s protection to look for their own territories. Often when kittens disperse, siblings stick together for awhile, than finally go their separate ways.

The resident bobcat in the following video knows she’s not alone. Check out how she is walking and glancing to the left. Look at her tail, especially when she starts to crouch down. At the end of the video there is a second bobcat that appears at the upper left of the screen. I’m fairly certain that this is an admirer.

Deer dramas

The canyon has always been full of deer –there is an abundance of vegetation to munch on as well as a creek to drink from. Although the deer attract coyotes and mountain lions, it’s worth the risk for food.

Fall is usually a dramatic time for deer, especially for mature males. It’s rutting season; bucks have an increase in testosterone and the does may come into estrus. Mature males are amorous and challenge other competing males for the affections of the does. One of the cameras was in the right place at the right moment and filmed a violent encounter between two bucks and boy did they get into a rumble. It’s rare to catch such extraordinary action.

Bucks don’t fool around—these are violent fights that often result in injuries that can end in death. One of the bucks sustained a serious injury to his side. I hope he survives.

Disappearance of Coyote 09M and his pack

The presence as well as the absence of apex predators influences all of the resident and transient wildlife. It’s not a coincidence that when the canyon cams repeatedly film mountain lions, they don’t film coyotes. Most likely, not wanting to confront a puma, the coyotes moved outside the 90 acres favoring a safer, open space. Soon after the male puma started favoring the canyon, Coyote 09M, his mate and puppies disappeared. I hope they are safe.

Although 09M has not been seen, we filmed a fascinating sequence of a coyote hunting an underground rodent not too far from the canyon. Coyotes are amazing. Their hearing is so acute they can hear rodents scampering and squeaking in their tunnels deep underground. The first video shows the coyote hearing the rodents—note how he turns his head to listen.

After the coyote is certain that there is a possible meal under his feet he starts digging. The whole sequence is about three minutes long. Hunts aren’t always successful—he didn’t catch a rodent this time.

More wildlife in the canyon

Since 09M and his pack have moved out of the canyon, other animals are either moving in or feeling bold and venturing out more. Foxes are now running up the trail almost every night. Check out that tail!

There is always an abundance of squirrels, but this poor squirrel is furless. He might be suffering with notoedric mange or inflicted with a genetic condition or perhaps he has a fungal infection. He seems to have fur only on his tail. We also have videos of a squirrel with fur on his body but not on his tail.

Thank the Dusky-footed Woodrat for the preservation of the canyon. Because of them, there can be no development here. These precious animals are listed as a California Subspecies of Special Concern. And, they really are special. After 09M claimed the canyon they were rarely seen. Although bobcats and foxes also dine on them, since the coyotes have vacated the canyon, the woodrats are frequently being filmed.

The cameras show how busy this little canyon is. Every day people walk and jog on the narrow trail that follows the creek through the center of the canyon. Although they enjoy spending time in this small natural space, most of the people are unaware of the rich drama that is continually unfolding around them—how can they know? The wildlife in the canyon instinctually adjusts schedules and routes in order to avoid humans. Because of the images from the cameras we can see some of the dramas and the impact of natural and human-made events on the sensitive eco-system.

Marilyn is a certified cat behavior consultant (The Cat Coach, LLC). Not surprisingly, she’s fascinated by feline behaviors. This started with household cats and then after witnessing a puma being killed a few blocks from her home in the suburbs, expanded to include local mountain lions and bobcats. A few years after the tragedy, she joined the Bay Area Puma Project/Felidae Conservation Fund, maintaining trail cameras, writing and helping wherever she can, while learning how urbanization is affecting the apex predators’ behaviors.

She is also an author and educator. Her book Naughty No More! focuses on solving cat behavior issues through clicker training, environmental changes as well as other positive reinforcement techniques. She gives presentations throughout the United States as well as writes columns and articles for a variety of venues. She is also frequently interviewed for print and on line publications. Additionally Marilyn is a frequent guest on television and radio and has appeared, along with her Bengals and Savannah Cat on Animal Planet, CBS, ABC, KGO and others.

Join Marilyn for lively discussions about all things feline on her Facebook page.

The post A Snapshot of Wildlife in the Canyon: Fall of 2020 appeared first on Urban Edge Wildlife.

Mountain lion

A male mountain lion visited the canyon late at night last week. Although he is programmed to avoid humans and he travels through the canyon when people aren’t around, be safe. Don’t hike the trails at night and in the early mornings.

One of the cameras filmed him strolling further up the trail, stopping briefly to check out the vegetation.

Three of the wildlife cameras filmed him on the trail two nights last week. Most likely he caught a deer and cached it in the canyon, returning to dine on it for a couple of nights. Note his tummy—it looks like he recently had a good meal.

Bobcats

Excellent day-time video of one of the resident bobcats being cautious and alert.

This is the first time the cameras have recorded this bobcat. Look at the color of his coat.

Bobcat walking the trail early in the morning.

Coyotes

This pair of coyotes are recent additions to the trail–anyway, the trail cameras have filmed them only for a couple of weeks.

Good video of 09M, alert on the trail.

I love this video of 09M. Check out his story, we’ve been filming him for a few months. Sometimes after we switch the camera’s memory cards he shows up, checks out the cameras and marks.

Deer, skunk and quail

Check out this boy’s points. He’s frequently filmed chasing after does.

I am happy to see this covey of quail. When I was child living nearby, we’d look out the front window and see what seemed like hundreds of quail on the lawn and in the driveway. Sadly, through the years, their numbers plummeted and we rarely saw them. Perhaps they are making a comeback. I hope so.

I love this tail. What a display!

Humans

Something about the trail inspires people to dance.

and to shave.

We all share the trail. In addition to wild animals using the trail, people hike, bike, jog, dance and even shave while traipsing the trail. Although they seldom see wildlife, the animals are aware of the people. They are masters at avoiding humans. The cameras catch people walking past and then later, film wild animals passing by.

The post Featured Videos of the Month: June, a Visual Essay appeared first on Urban Edge Wildlife.

Bobcats on the trail. Photo by Marilyn Krieger/FelidaeFund

Like all felids, bobcats and feral cats are territorial. Patrolling and marking their home ranges ups the odds of surviving in harsh environments. Although there are similarities in how the two species choose and live in them, there are also differences.

Ideal neighborhoods

Felids don’t randomly choose where to live. They’re very picky—selecting areas that have an abundance of prey or other sources of food. They also look for habitats with lots of vegetation and other natural features that help up the odds of fruitful hunts and temporary cover. The proximity of other predators, roads and people also restrains the location and the size of ranges.

Safe spaces

Bobcats and feral cats have special spots in their ranges that they use consistently. They’re the safe, inner sanctums and include well hidden shelters for birthing and raising kittens, secure places for napping, as well as reliable sources for food and water. They’re not in permanent places—often felids relocate and have a number of these safe areas. Predators, a reduction in food, weather changes, people as well as soiled dens are a few of the motivations behind moving operations.

Although bobcat moms have more than one den, they don’t move kittens until they’re about 6 weeks old—unless predators or other threats are knocking on the door.  The surrounding home ranges are buffer zones—they include good hunting spots as well as other resources. Felids, including bobcats and ferals, make the rounds, patrolling and marking their ranges on a regular basis. Marking reduces conflicts with other felids—in theory, less energy is spent defending their home ranges.

Feral cat patrolling and marking. Photo from Shutterstock

Bobcat perspective

The size of home ranges aren’t fixed in stone. They may be less than a square mile to more than 35 square miles. When prey is scarce, then the areas the bobcats patrol are larger. Hungry bobs have to travel further to eat. When there is an abundance of prey nearby, range sizes shrink. Bobcats are natural prey regulators—when an area has been over-hunted, bobs focus their hunting on other spots in their ranges that are rich in food. This gives prey a chance to rebound. We’ve observed this with our cameras—they recorded a large fluctuation in the population of dusky-footed woodrats after the bobcat kittens were born and a bonded pair of coyotes began patrolling the trail. For a few months last year the cameras filmed an abundance of woodrats. After the bobs and coyotes increased, their numbers plummeted.

Male bobcats usually have much larger ranges than the girls—two-five times larger. For obvious reasons, their ranges overlap the girls’. Bobcat boys being bobcat boys, their ranges include those of more than one female—the 3 cameras on the trail have recorded two adult females and one male.

Girl bobs don’t tolerate boys in their core zones when they’re giving birth and raising young ones. Most of the time females avoid the boys except when they’re advertising for male company.

Girl bobs have less tolerance for their own sex then they do for the opposite sex. But, depending on the abundance of prey, their ranges often butt up against female relatives. They’re masters of time sharing—they patrol and hunt overlapping areas, but never at the same time. Mothers, grandmothers, sisters and daughters recognize each other’s familial scent. Other unknown females who aren’t recognized are driven off.

No one, not even close relatives, are allowed in the inner-sanctums, the core use areas where kittens are born, raised and taught important life skills.

Habitat fragmentation

Avoiding run-ins with people is at the top of the list. Busy roads on two sides and homes on the rim of this 93 acre canyon hem in and fragment their habitat, making it difficult and stressful for bobs and other wildlife to access the nearby wild areas. Bobs cross the roads and slip through neighborhood yards late at night and early morning when there is less chance of encountering people. One of our cameras, located next to the road filmed the mom bobcat at 6:00 AM, carrying prey in her mouth as she crossed the street to the canyon.

Feral cat perspective

Whole feral males, like male bobcats, claim ranges that are much larger than the queens. Feral boys being feral boys, their ranges overlap the girls’ ranges. Queens actively avoid toms except when they’re loudly soliciting for flirtatious encounters.

Unlike female bobs who don’t tolerate members of their own sex, feral queens’ share their core territories with other girls. These include colonies populated with other adult females and their kittens. No toms are allowed. Residents are related—they’re sisters, aunts, mothers, daughters and granddaughters. Girls recognize each other through the familial scent that is shared through mutual grooming. Communal living with relatives has many benefits. Queens look after each other’s kittens and there is safety in numbers. They successfully defend the colony from predators and toms.

Feral queens’ share their core territories with other girls. Photo by Jerry Wang

There’s a higher density of feral cats living on the urban edge than there are bobcats. Because of their high numbers and limited areas to live, ferals share and overlap ranges more than bobs do. By necessity, ferals have evolved to be more tolerant of each other and they’ve perfected the art of avoidance. They mark key spots in their ranges with excrement and they deposit pheromones by scratching and rubbing objects. The system works most of the time. Through marking they usually can avoid confrontations with each other—unless there are females looking for boyfriends. Then, all bets are off.

Feral cats have a different relationship with urban life than bobcats do. Although, they usually keep their distance from people, they benefit from living near us. Often the best food choices are found around homes, restaurants and other peopled areas. In addition to having a choice of rats and mice who feast on garbage, cat lovers often serve the cats meals on a regular basis.

Most people can live their whole lives without seeing a bobcat in its natural environment, whereas feral cats are frequently seen by everyone.

Feral cats enjoying a feast. Photo by Bonnie Kittle

Life isn’t easy for wild cats. Felids, including bobcats and ferals need reliable sources of food, water and safe places to shelter and birth kittens. It’s a competitive world—in addition to challenges from conspecifics, other predators compete for the same resources. In order to survive, wild felids, defend and patrol ranges that are rich in the resources so essential to survival. Although there are similarities, there are also differences in how each species lives and defends them.

Please check out my Facebook page The Cat Coach.  It’s about all things cat—wild and domestic…

The post Bobcats and Feral Cats on Patrol appeared first on Urban Edge Wildlife.

These little guys are also called pack rats and trader rats. They live up to the labels because they will drop whatever they’re carrying in order to pick up objects that are more appealing. They’re especially attracted to things that shine. Although, at first glance, it’s easy to confuse these busy little dusky-footed woodrats with the common rat (Rattus rattus), they’re not closely related.

They’re officially named dusky-footed woodrats because of the sooty gray colored fur that’s on their feet, chests and sometimes adorns their little faces. They sport tails that are roughly the length of their bodies. Unlike rattus, who have naked tails, theirs are slightly furred.

Special status

There are 11 subspecies of woodrats. One, the riparian is endangered; another is listed as a California Subspecies of Special Concern (annectens).  The annectens calls the canyon home. Their special status is partially responsible for saving the canyon from becoming a subdivision. Developers were eager to build homes on this prime land, but thankfully, county planners and conservationists ruled that the canyon has to be left as a conservation easement. In return, 11 parcels of land on the canyon rim are allowed to be developed into homes. I’m thankful that the majority of the 93 acres will remain untouched and wild.

The canyon can’t be developed because of the dusky-footed woodrat’s endangered status. Photo by Marilyn Krieger, CCBC

Dusky-footed woodrat homes

Dusky-footed woodrats are industrious, smart and clean. They build elaborate stick homes that are the human equivalent of mansions. These structures are built to last—some have been around for 70 years and are up to 7 feet tall. They’re constructed out of twigs and branches and are usually built around the trunks of bay laurel trees. Sometimes they’re also located high up in the trees—penthouse suites with commanding, expansive views.

Dusky-footed woodrats build homes at the base of trees as well as high in the branches. Photo by Marilyn Krieger, CCBC

Smart homes

To the untrained eye, it looks as if sticks were haphazardly thrown together to form chaotic piles. They weren’t. The structures are elaborate with multiple stories and an abundance of rooms that include resting chambers, nurseries and pantries. There are a number of larders in the homes, each used for storing different types of food and treasures—separate ones for fungi, others for acorns and bark and some are delegated for leaves. Storage rooms are also designated for stashing shiny objects, such as keys, pens and foil. These stick houses also have back entrances as well as separate structures that function as latrines.

The stick mansions are weather proof. The walls and floors of the rooms are covered with bark which keeps them warm and dry in winter. Additionally, many of the chambers are lined with gnawed bay leaves which act as a natural fumigant, helping to reduce parasites. The leaves have a pungent, almost medicinal smell—apparent after rubbing a couple of leaves between my fingers. It’s not surprising that woodrats construct most of their homes around the bases of bay trees.

Woodrat homes are elaborate with multiple stories and an abundance of rooms that include resting chambers, nurseries and pantries. Photo by Marilyn Krieger, CCBC

Some woodrats also have satellite homes. They aren’t quite as large as the primary dwellings and may function as safe havens to retreat to when there are predators nearby. One of my cameras is strapped to a bay laurel tree that supports a secondary home.

No vacancies

Only females and their pups live in the stick castles. Adult males aren’t permanent residents. The largest stick dwellings are typically the homes of the community’s senior females. After they die, they’re usually taken over by other females.

These little guys have to be busy. It takes a lot of time and effort to build and repair their homes. Sticks, twigs, leaves and large branches are gathered, dragged and carefully put into place. I’m amazed at the size and weight of some of the branches that are incorporated into these amazing structures.

Loners yet social butterflies

Woodrats are matriarchal. The females choose who to mate with, usually favoring the same male companion every year. Although adult females live alone in their mansions, they’re social with the neighbors. Homes are built near each other, forming woodrat neighborhoods.

Important part of the ecosystem

There’s plenty to eat in the canyon. Dusky-footed woodrats are vegetarians, feasting on fungi, leaves and other vegetation that is readily available throughout the year. Poison oak is especially tasty—the trail has an abundance of poison oak that is kept in check by hungry woodrats. They, in turn provide nourishment for predators which helps keep their population in control. Bobcats, coyotes and raptors rely heavily on them for sustenance. Mountain lions will sometimes supplement their diets with woodrats as well.  It’s a delicate balance.

I never thought I’d become fascinated with rodents, especially those who resemble rattus rattus. Although they look like rats, dusky-footed woodrats differ in a number of ways. These include: being habitually clean, building elaborate, multi-chamber homes, collecting objects, living in matriarchies and some sub-species are endangered. These industrious rodents are also an important part of the canyon’s ecosystem and need to be continually protected.

Here are my sources. Unfortunately, some of my sources didn’t list their sources:

Friends of Edgewood: Dusky-footed Woodrat

Woodrats: A Home for the Holidays by Matt Dolkas

National Wildlife Federation Dusky-Footed Woodrat

Biological Assessment for the Green Valley Trail Alignment San Mateo County

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