CNDDB News Blog

Lanius ludovicianus – loggerhead shrike

Submitted by Ross Wilming

These juvenile loggerheads were observed looking quite regal atop this bare tree branch in Contra Costa County near Doolan Canyon. Young loggerhead shrikes have more brown coloring than adults with more prominent brown on the chest. When these birds are fully mature, they will have developed a thick hooked bill as well as whiter coloring. The loggerhead shrike is a California Bird Species of Special Concern and is present mostly year-round here. Its range spans throughout most of California, excluding the Sierra Nevada and the northwest portion of the state. Even though population numbers are large for this species, they are still declining. Large clutch sizes as well as natural habitat preservation will hopefully allow this species to rebound in California. Loggerhead shrikes snack on insects and smaller vertebrates such as reptiles, rodents, and birds. Though small and cute, loggerhead shrikes have a nickname of "butcherbird" and impale their prey on sharp thorns or barbed wires. Currently, the database has 110 loggerhead shrike occurrences mapped throughout its California range. Many thanks to Ross for capturing such a great photo!

Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta – robust spineflower

Submitted by Ryan Carle

This eye-catching California endemic was found by Ryan Carle in Santa Cruz County. Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta was originally listed in 1980 and was considered rare, but found in sufficient numbers and distributed widely. It is currently ranked as 1B.1 (rare or endangered in California and elsewhere; seriously endangered in California) in the California Rare Plant Ranking system. It is found in sandy or gravelly areas of maritime chaparral, openings of cismontane woodlands, coastal dunes, and coastal scrub. Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta ranges along the Central Coast into the San Francisco Bay Area. It blooms from April to September, perfect timing for those summer trips to the beach. Thank you, Ryan, for this great photo and all of the great work you do helping to conserve our rare plants!

Do you have some great photos of rare plants or wildlife detections? Submit them along with your findings through our Online Field Survey Form and see if your photos get showcased!

CNDDB recently caught up with Dr. Gage Dayton, UC Santa Cruz faculty and Administrative Director of the UCSC Natural Reserves. Dr. Dayton was a tremendous help when our staff updated CNDDB records for Santa Cruz kangaroo rat.

Could you describe your role at UCSC?
I oversee the UCSC Natural Reserves. My role is to support education and research on our natural reserves. This includes teaching, supporting and conducting research and monitoring, and stewarding the reserves to ensure flora and fauna are protected on our reserves.

What brought you to pursue a career in field biology?
I was exposed to the natural world at a young age through camping and exploring outside. I developed a curiosity about lizards when I was 5 and haven't stopped being intrigued about the natural world since!

Is there a project or study you’ve been a part of that you’re particularly proud of?
That is a hard question. I am most proud about helping provide students with an opportunity to learn about Natural History and how to become a scientist and conservationist. This involves exposing people to nature and teaching them to be critical thinkers.

Do you use CNDDB, if so, how?
Yes, we add data to it and use it to better understand the distribution of rare species in our region.

Any advice for aspiring biologists?
Get out there and observe! The world is an incredible place and understanding and appreciating the natural history of organisms is the first step in asking relevant questions, becoming a conservation biologist, and developing studies that can help us better understand and protect our natural resources. Plus, it is fun! Try to get involved in internships, studies, etc. so that you can gain skills and, importantly, figure out what you are passionate about.

Do you have a favorite plant/animal/natural community you’ve worked with?
Frogs and toads, especially ones that live in drier habitats.

Why should we care about biogeographic data?
Biogeographic data, along with collections, provide a glance at current and historic distributions. This information is important for understanding where species currently exist, where they occurred historically, and where we might be able to reintroduce them in the future.

Many thanks to Dr. Dayton for the interview! We concur, “get out there and observe,” and submit your observations of rare species on our Online Field Survey Form!

Photo credit: Rachel Powell 

May 22nd is the International Day for Biological Diversity, and the theme this year is “Our Solutions are in Nature.”

The California Floristic Province is one of 36 biodiversity hotspots in the world, due to its unique climate and geologic history, high numbers of native and endemic species, and severe loss of natural vegetation. There are over 5500 plant species native to California, and 40% of these are endemic—they are found nowhere else in the world. California is also home to almost 40 million people, and some of the most densely populated regions of the state are also centers of high biodiversity.

Biological diversity contributes to many important ecosystem services, such as pollination, water filtration, carbon sequestration, and recreation. Diverse ecosystems are also more resilient and will likely play important roles in our efforts to mitigate and adapt to a changing climate.

Here at the California Natural Diversity Database, we strive to provide the best available data on rare and sensitive species in order to help preserve California’s rich biodiversity. To learn more about the California Biodiversity Initiative and other ways that the department is working to promote biodiversity, visit the CDFW Biodiversity web page.