These mid-sized cats can be found in areas of broken, rough and rocky terrain. They are carnivores that eat rodents, birds, reptiles and young deer. They stalk their prey on the ground or from trees.
Brown Pelicans
Pelecanus occidentalis
These large birds nest on offshore islands in tree platforms or beach ground scrapes. The Brown Pelican was almost driven to extinction by DDT poisoning and are one of the largest flying birds in our area.
Sand Treader Cricket
Macrobaenetes spp.
This cricket can be found in open dune areas and dig burrows in sand with their hind leg digging baskets. They eat roots, fungi, foliage and dead insects.
Muskrat
Ondatra zibethicus
These aquatic mammals eat water plants such as cattails, bullrush and sedges either from the banks or underwater. They build their houses along the banks of aquatic plants or burrows in muddy areas. They have a main house and a feeding house.
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
These aquatic birds can be found near rivers, streams and ponds. They are very solitary and forage for food by stalking prey in shallow water. They eat fish and aquatic insects.
Ceanothus Moth
Hyalophora euryalus
This insect can be found in coastal areas up to 9,000 feet. Larvae feed on coffeeberry and willow. Adults do not feed and are short lived. Males have feathery antennae for detecting chemicals released by the females. This is one of the most commonly seen moths in California.
Brush Rabbit
Sylvilagus bachmani
These small bunnies live in the dense brush of dune scrub areas. They often build tunnels through the thick vegetation and rarely make burrows. They eat mostly grasses and some berries.
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
These birds live in marshes and grasslands and eat insects and seeds. Their nests are built near or over water and are made of woven sedges and lined with grass.
Ctenuchid Moth
Ctenucha brunnea
This moth can be found from Santa Maria to Southern California. Larvae eat sedges and grasses and adults get nectar from flowers. This moth flies mostly during the day.
Raccoon
Procyon lotor
These omnivorous mammals eat crayfish, fish, small mammals and eggs as well as acorns and fruit. They use cavities in trees or rocky areas for dens. They always live near permanent supplies of water.
Common Yellowthroat
Geothlypis trichas
These small passerines live in wooded wetlands, riparian areas and marshes. They forage for insects under the bark on the vertical surfaces of trees. These birds like to bathe more than other warblers.
Yellow and Black Agriope
Agriope aurantia
This spider can be found on shrubs and tall plants in sunny locations with little wind. They eat small flying insects. Most orb weaver spiders replace their entire web structure every day.
