The Naturalist’s Journal

What's Happening "Fauna-wise" in the Garden

As the Gottlieb Native Garden’s naturalist, Scott Logan documents the ever-changing array of wildlife species as they vary with the garden’s blooms, seasons and migratory patterns. While bringing these observations to life for all to experience, he also coordinates scientific research projects, and monitors the overall health and biodiversity of the garden. The Naturalist’s Journal also highlights the work the Gottliebs and Scott are doing to educate and inspire people to start gardening for wildlife with native plants.

Wintering Robins have arrived

By slogan | November 25, 2019

American Robins can be found in and around the garden all year, but their numbers increase dramatically in late fall and winter months. They come for the Toyon berries, and the birds will be very happy this year as the bushes are overflowing with the […]

Western Harvest Mouse

By slogan | November 7, 2019

It’s always exciting to get a new mammal for our species list, even if it’s a mouse. This week we filmed a Western Harvest Mouse on the lower hillside. This find takes our mammal species to 23 – not bad for a garden in the […]

happy halloween!!

By slogan | October 31, 2019

October means it’s time for wolf spider babies!

Fall U.C. Davis Hummingbird Lab Visit

By slogan | October 24, 2019

Dr. Lisa Tell and her team were in the garden tagging hummingbirds for the past 3 days. This was their fall 2019 tagging session and we had a really cool recapture; a female Allen’s Hummingbird who is at least 4 years old. Already an adult […]

wildfire in north hills

By slogan | October 12, 2019

Wildfires are a natural part of Southern California’s chaparral plant community, but they are all heart-breaking never-the-less; we can only hope that wildlife can get out of their path. The Saddleridge Fire is no threat to the garden, but the air thick with smoke and […]

a formidable winged predator

By slogan | October 2, 2019

Now that fall has arrived, our Great Horned Owl couple has begun their courtship and territorial calls.  Both the male and female owls like to use this old stump to keep an eye on their territory during breeding season.  Play the video below to reveal why they […]

Fall warblers are beginning to arrive

By slogan | September 24, 2019

Yellow-rumped Warblers have arrived in the garden – right on time.