Trip report for the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve Night Hike on Saturday, November 16, 2013. 


 
Number of participants: 9 + 3 leaders
Start time 6:30pm Temp. 64�
Finish time 10:30pm Temp 54�
Partly Cloudy and Calm
Moon phase Full
Distance covered: 3 miles (1.5 miles each way on the same trail)


The highlight of the evening walk was a male/female Western Screech-owl duet.  The female was in a large Valley Oak calling to its mate about 50' away in a Coastal Live Oak. As the group approached, the female flushed, joining the close-by male.  We were successful in calling back one of the owls (not sure if it was the male or female), with most of the group getting very good looks as it sat in the open for a few minutes.  A few Great Horned Owls were heard calling in the distance, with one seen in flight near the end of the walk.  Common Poorwills were missed for the most part, most likely because of the cool overcast conditions.  California Toads have finally come out of their burrows, making their first appearance in months.
 

Species encountered:

Birds:
Common Poorwill - 1 (eye shine only)
Western Screech Owl - 3
Great Horned Owl - 3
Red-tailed Hawk - 2 (flushed from roost tree)

Mammals:
Mexican Free-tailed Bat - the couple seen were most likely this species.
Coyote - heard small group yelping.
Brush Rabbit
Dusky-footed Woodrat (located by tail-drumming)

Amphibians:
California Toad
 
Arthropods:
Stripe-tailed Scorpion
Wolf Spider
Pinacate Beetle

These Great Horned Owl pellets were found under a Valley Oak tree, and once
dissected, it was obvious this owl has a preference for Dusky-footed Woodrats!

 
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