Elfin Forest -
2009 Columns
December, 2009 Elfin Forest Activities
Mild winter temperatures combine with the onset of winter rains to accelerate the pace of life in the Elfin Forest. Many of the earliest flowering species of each new winter season normally open in January, but they may jump start in December this year, fueled by the three inches of rain we received in that unusually generous early storm in October.
Among the very first to open each winter are our wild peonies, normally blooming from December through March. You have to look closely to find them growing barely a foot high under the edges of bushes in the dune scrub or maritime chaparral.
November, 2009 Elfin Forest Activities
The fall migration season is upon us again! This month watch from Bush Lupine Point
along the boardwalk as the Estuary fills with shore and water birds migrating through
or arriving for their winter vacation here. Dabbling ducks to look for include Mallards,
Northern Pintails, Gadwalls, American and Eurasian Wigeons, Northern Shovelers, Teal
(Blue-
October, 2009 Elfin Forest Activities
Fall bird migrants passing through, and winter residents settling in, more than make
up for any visual slowdown of the flowering sort. Bush Lupine Point and Siena's View
along the boardwalk are excellent vantage points to observe all five species of grebes,
all four species of geese, all ten species of dabbling ducks, and at least seven
of nine species of diving ducks known to occur in the waters near the Elfin Forest.
All will be reaching or near peak populations for the year by the end of October.
On land, the Elfin Forest itself plays host to brush or woodland birds either migrating
through or wintering here. These include several species of sparrows, ruby-