CALIFORNIA WILDLIFE AUGUST 2025

 Allens hummingbird Oakley Early in Eastern CC County perhaps the cooler weather this year

   Hope all is well! Sharing some recent photographs and good news in regards to local Coyote populations. The last couple of years I have noticed a significant reduction of coyote numbers in the open plain’s areas of Contra Costa County and surrounding areas. I have traveled these areas consistently for many years, and I am impressed with recent observations.   

           There has been a change this year. Pups a plenty, I ‘d say. And confirmed also from a acquaintance I’ve known for years who works five days a week at a local watershed park. He starts early in the morning, and stays late in the afternoon or evening. In a recent conversation he elaborated on the many young coyote sightings he has witnessed. He has also spoke with local ranchers he deals with, who have reported a concerning loss of young calves’ during birth in recent times. This is likely to create a response, unfortunately in the rancher community. I’m concerned sometimes, not knowing the agreements property owners have with Cattle ranchers.            

     Coyotes are excellent rodent hunters, and make a living chasing ground squirrels, gophers, moles and voles, even rabbits and birds. They are not perfect though, I’ll admit. The song dog is survivor, and our landscape could not be the same without them. Sharing a couple coyote photos in this recent viewing of wildlife. More to come down the road…           

   Other good news out this way, as the Swainson hawks’ numbers continue to remain steady during the spring and summer. Red tails too’, as the two species have adapted well living in a shared territory. There are some serious scrimmages between the adversaries when they travel close to the others nesting site. Overall, they seem to respect one another. Including photographs of youngsters from both species in different Eastern CC County locations, as I was fortunate enough to view them in flight.

Click on the individual photos for a better look, all pictures of recent times and taken in the Bay Area.


Young dark morph red tailed hawk in Eastern CC County

White tailed kite adult looking to make nest adjustments Oakley CA

Young swainson hawk flying with parents Eastern CC County

Young adult female coyote traveling through recent burned area near Marsh Creek area.



Bullocks Oriole Delta area west of Knightsen

Tiger swallow tail butterfly Oakley CA 

From May, another Pipevine swallowtail West Contra Costa near SP Dam area

Young swainson hawk with parents in Eastern CC County. Many youngsters are out in this area prior to heading South in September or so...

This young red tail was the only youngster not a dark morph out of the three I phorographed Eastern CC County....

Another young song dog, this on property of Los Vaqueros reservoir

The two darkies red tail youngsters chasing one another in Eastern CC County 


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