malibu creek state park

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Published on June 27, 2026June 26, 2026 by HashiLeave a comment

At the State Park the other day, I amazed and delighted a group of toddlers by pointing out the cliff swallow nests under the eaves of the restrooms.

The cliff swallow is among North America’s most social landbirds. They often nest in large colonies, with a single site sometimes hosting several thousand active nests. Their nests are made from sticky clay, which can endure for years, and the birds’ tier-stacking building technique helps support them. Swallows from the same colony cooperate in nest building: they gather mud together in small areas and then return to their nests carrying clumps in their bills. They preen, feed, drink, and bathe in groups, and they continue sticking together in large flocks during migration and on their wintering grounds.

delicate

Published on May 17, 2026May 15, 2026 by Hashi1 Comment

It’s been a while since I hiked one of my favourite trails in MCSP, Piuma Ridge. There are lots of wildflowers hanging on.

mcsp

Published on April 22, 2026April 21, 2026 by HashiLeave a comment

View from the group campground.

field ecology weekend

Published on April 21, 2026April 20, 2026 by Hashi1 Comment

This was my fifth Field Ecology Weekend, and my fourth as an organiser. I dare to say it was the best one ever. Fifteen different presenters educated we docents on a wide range of topics over several days. A good time was had by all.

goat buttes

Published on March 18, 2026March 19, 2026 by Hashi1 Comment

Marley Peifer and I hung out at Malibu Creek State Park for the day, geeking out on plants, rocks, reptiles, bryophytes, fungi, birds, insects and water. We also talked a little eco-philosophy and discussed different definitions of biodiversity.

no diving

Published on March 2, 2026February 28, 2026 by Hashi1 Comment

The sign says no diving. It doesn’t say no jumping.

Actually, I’ve jumped off that rock into the pool below … but not in the last 25 years. And now I’m a responsible state park docent, I probably won’t ever do it again. I’ve witnessed too many rescues.

tapia spur trail

Published on February 15, 2026February 14, 2026 by HashiLeave a comment

I was intrigued by the differences in the plant communities on the north and south sides of the ridge, so decided to record the obvious species. I ended up hiking about twice as far as I planned, because I inadvertently left my art supply bag near the turnaround point and didn’t discover the fact till I was nearly all the way back to the start. Lucky it was lovely weather and I didn’t have to be anywhere else.

entrance

Published on February 6, 2026February 5, 2026 by HashiLeave a comment

This year at the State Park we’ve added a Citizen Science project for middle and high schoolers, to survey trees for evidence of the Invasive Shot Hole Borer. Today was the first outing, and it went pretty well! I lead a group of seven 7th graders and we did, in fact, find concerning evidence. We tagged our trees for follow-up by the scientists. Most of the kids felt like they were doing important work, and they also just loved being outside for the day. So all around, it was really worthwhile.