This Naturalist Night lecture was presented by Frank Perry on August 18, 2015 at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History and explores the early beginnings of the Museum in 1905 to present day.
Tree Canopy Activity | 4-5 grade
Learn how to explore the habitats around you by measuring tree canopy cover. This activity is adapted from the Museum’s Nature Rangers school program.
Download and print this worksheet (PDF | HTML) to aid in your observations — or make your own!
Explore more resources about trees and plants in our Online Museum Store.
Post by: Natalie
Gettin’ Birdy: Where are the Birds?
Birds are, quite literally, all around us. They are a constant presence in our cities, parks, and open spaces. The previous post provided an introduction to the “why” of birdwatching, and some basic tools and tips to get started. This post will introduce a selection of species that are common across nearly all habitat types in Santa Cruz – “the regulars”. Following “Gettin’ Birdy” posts will take deeper dives into particular birding hotspots, as well as bird biology and behavior.
One of the great benefits of birdwatching is that birds are present in our cities and urban spaces. You don’t have to get far out into nature to see interesting species or witness unusual behavior. In fact, there are many interesting behaviors that are exhibited by birds that thrive alongside our city streets and buildings. Look for nests under the eaves of buildings or in brushy areas of backyards, and even in planters and garden boxes – certain ground-nesting birds often hide beneath ornamental shrubs and flowers! As you begin to explore your neighborhood and local area for birds, it can be nice to have an idea of what you might be seeing. The species list and images below can serve as a nice primer for “the regulars” that you may be able to see from your own window, front porch, or yard.
Mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) – The most common duck, this species is a great example of sexual dimorphism: when males and females of the same species look different! Can you tell which is the male and which is the female? 
Mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) – The most common duck, this species is a great example of sexual dimorphism: when males and females of the same species look different! Can you tell which is the male and which is the female? 
Black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) – often seen perched on wires, fences, or the ends of branches, these little songbirds catch insects in midair! Nicknamed the “tuxedo bird”. 
California scrub jay (Aphelocoma californica) –
“A blue jay!” someone will exclaim. Alas, no. Blue jays live in the eastern half of the United States. The scrub jay is a common (and loud) resident of parks and neighborhoods,.
American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) – If it’s a fairly large all-black bird, chances are you’re looking at a crow. Crows are found more often in urban settings compared to ravens, which prefer to stick to forests. 
House finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) – These little songbirds use their thick bills to crack open seeds and shells! Often found in parks and neighborhoods, they can even sing while in flight! 
House sparrow (Passer domesticus) – A nonnative bird from Eurasia, these little brown, black, and grey birds are now common in urban settings, often nesting on (or in) buildings. 
California towhee (Melozone crissalis) – Widely considered to be the little brown bird, their telltale marking is their “cinnamon pants”, a touch of orange underneath the tail. 
Rock dove (Columba livia) – the feral pigeon seen commonly in urban spaces, rock doves are often found on the ground or clustered together on telephone wires.
Post by: Spencer
Cultivating Nature Awareness
So much can be revealed to us when we immerse ourselves in our surroundings and give our undivided attention to nature! When we slow down and focus our senses, our awareness deepens and we begin to notice more. Noticing, in turn, leads to connection, familiarity, a desire for stewardship, a sense of place, and so much more. By familiarizing ourselves with nature in this way we can also learn to recognize patterns and relationships that exist all around us.
The intention for this guide is to help you build your sensory awareness skills through nature journaling, games, stories, and exercises in mindfulness. So grab a journal, head outside, and let’s begin!
Explore:
Nature Awareness Guide (PDF | HTML)
This Nature Awareness Guide (PDF | HTML) by our Education Assistant Ellen Stone was written as a capstone project for the California Naturalist Program, 2019.
Related Activities:
Exploring Neary Lagoon
Neary Lagoon Wildlife Refuge is a beloved park nestled at the heart of Santa Cruz. Once a true lagoon (with an open connection to the ocean), Neary Lagoon is now a freshwater marsh. It is an important part of an 850 acre watershed that drains into the lagoon via Laurel Creek and Bay Creek before draining into the ocean through a controlled flood gate.
This is a 44-acre park with roughly 14 acres of freshwater lagoon, and is an important habitat for many animals. Click here to download a guided hike for a 1-mile loop through this beautiful wildlife refuge (PDF | HTML). As you observe wildlife, refer to this guide of commonly-spotted animals (PDF | HTML).
Post by: Chris
Our Animal Neighbors: Western Gray Squirrel
Have you seen a western gray squirrel quickly climbing a tree or running fast to cross the street in between cars? What else have you seen it do? Is there one that you see daily? I see one every day, climbing up and down a tree outside of my home. It often sits close to the fence, flicking its tail back and forth. Sometimes I feel like it does this just to taunt my dog, who is captivated by the squirrel on the other side of the fence.
Western gray squirrels live in Santa Cruz all year long. They mostly eat seeds and are known to steal from people’s bird feeders. They nest up in trees in “dreys”, which are made out of twigs and lined with moss or fur. They hide their food in caches (secret food storages) and will return to them when food is scarce. Their alarm call sounds like a bird chirp and it is used to warn others of a predator or danger in the area.
Fun Facts:
- Their large tail helps them balance when climbing and jumping between trees.
- They can live up to 8 years old.
- Their teeth never stop growing – they can grow up to 6 inches per year. Their teeth are never that long though because they are constantly wearing them down when they eat hard seeds.
- A group of squirrels is called a scurry.
CLICK HERE for a coloring sheet of a grey squirrel!
Here’s a video of Squirrel Sounds! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVRJsCsqFB0-
Post by: Elise
Exploring the Equinox
Today, March 19, 2020, is the Vernal Equinox in Santa Cruz and we’re celebrating by exploring the constellations of the night sky at this time of year. Follow along with our Public Programs Manager Marisa as she shares the myths of Orion, Gemini, and Cancer.
For more on the Vernal Equinox, explore the following resources:
- EarthSky’s explanation of the Equinox
- More on our March constellations
- “Online Planetariums” that let you choose date, time, and location
- A poem from Mary Oliver about Winter
- A poem from Mary Oliver about Spring
Post by: Marisa
Gettin’ Birdy: Why Birdwatch?
The Central Coast of California is a biodiversity hotspot, and a perfect place to learn more about wildlife. Santa Cruz is fortunate to have a number of city parks and open spaces that attract many different species of birds – all told, 450 different species have been recorded in the county. That’s over a third of all species seen in the entire country! So, if you are interested in getting outside and exploring over the coming days, weeks, and beyond, try birdwatching! It can be fun for all ages, birds are widespread and common across urban and open spaces, and there are a number of effective resources to help those unfamiliar with identifying birds. Birdwatching is a window into lives quite different from our own, but the world of birds, and even their interactions with humans are fascinating and clearly visible once you know how to look for them. All it takes is practice!
Getting Started
So, you want to see birds. One of the first decisions to make when it comes to birdwatching is where to go. There are certainly places that are more “birdy” than others, but have no fear – you will see birds almost anywhere you go! Bird hot-spots can be found at your local park, creek, or beach, and especially places with water such as wetlands, ponds, and rivers.
Go outside. Do you see birds? You are now a birdwatcher! Armed with nothing but your senses and curiosity, you are now primed to look more closely at the world around you. And if going outside is challenging, you can always birdwatch right from your window. As you begin to identify species and witness interesting behavior, try to record what you’re seeing. Creating a record of your observations is an invaluable skill for naturalists and scientists, and as you continue to birdwatch, you may notice interesting patterns begin to emerge. Below is a list of optional tools to aid with observation, ID, and data recording to get you started. Following posts will explore particular hotspots more in depth and provide tips and tricks to aid with ID, as well as further resources for those interested in flying into the world of birds.
Tools & Resources
- Binoculars can be very helpful, but aren’t always necessary. Many birds are large enough or have distinct enough markings and colors that they can be identified without the use of tools.
- Field guides. These come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, and popular ones include the Sibley, Peterson, and National Geographic guides to birds. There are even app-based guides!
- A journal or notebook to write down observations, sketch what you see, or otherwise record your experiences.
- eBird – a great resource for exploring regions, hotspots, and individual species. You can also upload the species you saw to a database, the largest of its kind on the planet.
- Merlin is an app for smartphones that aids with ID in the field. Just select the date, location, size, colors, and behavior (in trees, swimming, soaring) of the bird you’re looking at to generate a list of possible species.
- Visit the Bird Section of the Museum Store to find guides and gifts for birders of all ages.
Now get out there and start birding!
They’re not gonna watch themselves.
Post by: Spencer
Create Your Own Field Guide
Creating a field guide is a great way to become an expert on a location. It is also a great way to share information with others. Choose a location to become an expert on! It can be your backyard, neighborhood, or any other outdoor spot that interests you. Once you have chosen your spot you may choose to focus on plants, animals, or both! Depending on how much time you have and what makes you most excited about learning.
Step 1: Bioblitz!
- Before you can make a field guide, you have to know what lives in your spot–start with a bioblitz! A bioblitz is when you try to find and identify all the species in a certain area over a short period of time. Bring with you a camera or journal to record what you find. You may also bring along field guides, or a smartphone to look up things on the go. Another option is to take pictures or sketch organisms you find outside to look up later.
- On your bioblitz it is important to pay close attention to everything. Taking pictures or drawing what you find will be a helpful resource to look back on.
- After the bioblitz you can do research using the online resources listed below to identify species that you don’t know. Once you have identified all the species you can start creating your field guide!
Making your field guide
- Choose your materials. Your field guide can be handmade with pen and paper or it can be typed on the computer. If you make it on the computer, it will be easier to share with others via email or posting on social media.
- Organize your field guide to make it user friendly.
- Make a table of contents and include page numbers
- If you chose to include both plants and animals you should group those accordingly (plants in one section and animals in the other)
- Having images or a detailed description of what the species looks like
- Information or facts about the species such as where it is found, what it does, and what seasons it is around.
- When you finish your field guide, share it with your community! Then others can use your field guide to learn about creatures and plants in Santa Cruz. “In the end we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught”- Baba Dioum
Post by: Elise
Geology of West Cliff Drive
Use this handout as a guide for your walk along West Cliff Drive. (PDF | HTML)
Stop at a few geologically significant locations and see if you can notice where Purisima Formation sandstone meets the Santa Cruz Mudstone, learn to identify concretions, and ponder how erosion might impact the future of the Santa Cruz Lighthouse.
Learn more about local geology with our Rockin' Pop Up video series.
Explore all things geology and fossils in our Online Museum Store.
Post by: Marisa