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Wildlife Spotlight: Tarantulas

10/26/2022

Tarantula on the Landmarks.

With the fall season upon us and Halloween just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to talk about a creepy, crawly critter that might be spotted on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. With fangs, big, hairy bodies and eight, long legs, tarantulas often get thrown into the category of things you hope to never bump into while exploring the outdoors.

Though tarantulas are often seen as dangerous, these spiders are actually harmless to humans aside from a slightly painful bite. Venom from a tarantula’s bite is inflammatory but has less of an effect than a bee’s sting. Their bite may not be lethal, but it’s still best to admire these critters from a safe distance and not aggravate them.

Wildlife Spotlight: Canyon Bat

10/20/2022

The Canyon Bat. Photo by J. Scott Altenbach.

Fall is in full swing in Orange County, bringing cooler weather, crisp air and early sunsets to the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. With the sun setting earlier, you may notice more sightings of nocturnal animals roaming the Landmarks. Species of animals like bats often get a bad reputation thanks to spooky tall tales, but these flying mammals play a critical role in the local ecosystem.

The Canyon Bat is one of the many bat species that can be found on the Landmarks, as they establish their homes in deserts, woodland, and shrubland habitats. Canyon Bats are not known to migrate far distances and often stay in the same area throughout the year, roosting in burrows, among boulders or cracks and crevices of rocks. This bat species is identified by their dark face, ears and wings, with light-colored fur that can range from a pale yellow to orange-yellow and gray-brown.

Invasive Plant Profile: Black Mustard

10/13/2022

Black Mustard (Brassica nigra). Photo courtesy of Keir Morse.

A variety of lush greenery and brightly colored flowers can be found while hiking through the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, but not all of the blooms we see are native to the land. Brassica nigra, or the black mustard, is an invasive plant that can reach up to six feet tall in a single growing season. Its bright yellow, four-petaled flowers bloom from April to July.

This winter annual plant is native to tropical regions of North Africa, temperate regions of Europe, and parts of Asia. In California, this invasive weed is common in coastal areas at lower elevations. In disturbed areas such as roadsides, fields, and grasslands this plant forms single-species stands.

Activities Resume at the Native Seed Farm Starting October 14

10/6/2022

Volunteers at IRC's Native Seed Farm.

Dust off your gardening gear because activities at Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Native Seed Farm will return on October 14! After the area was impacted by the 2020 Silverado Fire, the IRC team halted public activities in order to repair the Farm’s damaged irrigation system and replant perennial native plants used for seed harvesting.

Beginning October 14, nature enthusiasts can help support Orange County’s native wildlands by helping IRC staff behind the scenes at the one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine. Depending on the needs of the Farm, participants will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of tasks such as harvesting seeds from beautiful native plants, tending to younger seedlings in the nursery, or working in the native plant demonstration garden – a new feature on the Farm. The demonstration garden will educate visitors about native plants found in Orange County, as well as how these plants can be used in a variety of ways.

Wildlife Spotlight: Tarantulas

Wildlife Spotlight: Canyon Bat

Invasive Plant Profile: Black Mustard

Activities Resume at the Native Seed Farm Starting October 14

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