Photo taken in November 1996 near the top of Pico Basile in mid-morning. I saw many of these mouse shrews running around blindly in the grasslands along the road just below the peak at a density of approximately 1 animal/m2. Mouse shrews everywhere! Some sort of population explosion? To my knowledge they have not been seen since, although various biologists (who would recognize a mouse shrew) have been up that road in the intervening years. Since then, new roads have been built in the area and wildfires have damaged the grasslands.
Photo taken in November 1996 near the top of Pico Basile in mid-morning. I saw many of these mouse shrews running around blindly in the grasslands along the road just below the peak at a density of approximately 1 animal/m2. Mouse shrews everywhere! Some sort of population explosion? To my knowledge they have not been seen since, although various biologists (who would recognize a mouse shrew) have been up that road in the intervening years. Since then, new roads have been built in the area and wildfires have damaged the grasslands.
Possible first county record. Basically identical to the eastern population of Willow Flycatcher and only reliably identified by voice. Sadly though this bird was completely silent but apparently there were some characteristics that pointed the bird to being an Alder. Leaving the ID as Alder for now but I will change it if the record isn't accepted.
Hiked. 2nd slide is in situ