Nature programs held at Deschutes Land Trust sites

Last weekend, the Deschutes Land Trust hosted a nature program at the organization's Metolius Preserve. Billed as an "ectotherm walk," naturalist and writer Jim Anderson and herpetologist Al St. John quickly turned the program into a multi-discipline nature walk. Together, the pair spent two very educational hours sharing the preserve's natural history with a group of Land Trust guests.

Ectotherms are what we refer to as cold-blooded animals: in short, any animal that is neither mammal nor bird (endotherms). Early on, St. John declared a goal of finding a pygmy short-horned lizard (colloquially referred to as a horned toad) but warned that borderline temperature conditions might preclude a sighting.

St. John's concern turned out to be justified, but not before participants turned over many rocks and logs. The afternoon search wasn't totally in vain, however, and did produce a multitude of sage brush lizards and a blue-tailed western skink.

Anderson also took the opportunity to check on nesting boxes he installed in the hope of attracting small owls. He since learned that a great horned owl has taken up residence in the area, rendering the area untenable for the great horned's smaller cousins. Other birds, however, had made homes in the nest boxes.

Prior to climbing up to check on the nest boxes, Anderson related a recent incident about being attacked by a kestrel (a small species of falcon) while he was inspecting its nesting site. The diving kestrel was captured on video striking him on the head. The footage will be shown on an upcoming episode of OPB's Oregon Field Guide.

This particular Land Trust walk was part of a program, sponsored by the Trust, to involve and educate the public in the natural world at Land Trust sites. Events include activities such as weed pulls, riparian site restoration, trail clean up, and walks featuring geology, natural history, plants, wildflowers, butterflies, birds and other wildlife.

For example, sign up now for bird walks at Camp Polk Preserve on May 23, or at Rimrock Ranch on June 6. For a complete listing of the organization's future events and for further information, contact the Land Trust at 330-0017 or at http://www.deschuteslandtrust.org.

The Deschutes Land Trust conserves and protects land in Central Oregon for wildlife, scenic views, and the use of local communities. Public participation in all Land Trust events is encouraged.