Category: Wildlife

Help Pollinators from Home During National Pollinator Week

6/18/2020

Costa's hummingbird

Did you know that about 75% of all flowering plant species need the help of animals to move pollen grains for fertilization? Pollination is an essential process in sustaining a functioning ecosystem. The work of pollination is shared by a variety of different pollinators including bees, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, bats, ants, wasps, and some small mammals.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy works consistently to protect and restore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. IRC grows more than 50 native plant species on the Native Seed Farm in Irvine, attracting a variety of local pollinators. We use the seed grown at the Native Seed Farm for restoration projects across the Landmarks, where pollinators play their role to help these native species thrive in the wild. Even with the hard work of IRC staff and volunteers, local pollinators can still use your help to keep our native wildlands thriving.

Wildlife Spotlight: Gray Fox

4/8/2020

A gray fox caught on an Irvine Ranch Conservancy wildlife camera

There is a little-seen but very special mammal living on the Landmarks. This animal comes out mostly at night, hunting for fauna and flora to eat, and is one of the few creatures of its kind with the ability to climb trees. During the day, it sleeps in a den it has made from a hollow tree, stump, burrow or cave. Some might be tempted to describe this animal as cute!

The gray fox was once the most common fox in the United States, widely spread through both eastern and western states. Thought the red fox is now more dominant in the East, gray foxes can still be found in large numbers in the West, particularly in Pacific states like California. Though they’re seldom seen, there are gray foxes living across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, hiding from the sun during the day and hunting at night. The gray fox is distinguishable from other foxes by its markings. Its underside is white, with a gray coat fading into red, and a distinctive black stripe down its tail.

Winter Bird Migration on the Landmarks

12/19/2019

Red-tailed hawks

It’s winter on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks! While many U.S. states are experiencing snow, Orange County residents get to enjoy comfortable temperatures year-round thanks to our Mediterranean climate. And we’re not the only ones who take advantage of our favorable winter weather.

During wintertime, the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks experience a substantial increase in bird activity due to seasonal migrations. These migrations are in response to changing weather and availability of food and nesting locations. Winter rains rejuvenate and bring life to the Landmarks, providing an abundance of food and shelter for local and migratory birds.

Wildlife Spotlight: Amazing Ants!

12/18/2019

Harvester Ants

Most of us know ants as tiny pests that we’d rather not have in our kitchens, but these amazing little insects have an outsize role to play in nature. The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are home to several native ant species that play an important role in the ecosystem. These tiny arthropods turn over and aerate soil, allowing oxygen and water to reach plant roots. Their movements aid in seed dispersal, contributing to the growth of new plants. Ants are also food for many larger animals on the Landmarks, such as beetles and spiders.

Landmark Focus: Mountain Lions

12/18/2019

Mountain Lion spotted in Fremont Canyon

Mountain lions are rarely seen by humans, but they loom large in the imagination of many outdoor enthusiasts. It’s not just their size – with healthy males weighing up to 220 pounds, they’re the second-largest big cat in the Americas. And it’s not just their incredible range – found from the Yukon to the very tip of South America, they are the widest-ranging terrestrial mammals in the Western Hemisphere. They are adaptive, making their home in a wide variety of habitats, from deserts to forests to wetlands. Their widespread presence means they are known by many names, such as puma, cougar, and catamount. Combine their size and range with their striking features and noted elusiveness and you’ve got a mysterious, majestic animal that inspires awe, despite the pains it takes to stay away from humans.

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Help Pollinators from Home During National Pollinator Week

Wildlife Spotlight: Gray Fox

Winter Bird Migration on the Landmarks

Wildlife Spotlight: Amazing Ants!

Landmark Focus: Mountain Lions

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