The Conservancy’s preserves have now been infested by smutgrass (Sporobolus indicus). This is going to be very difficult to get rid of, and maybe impossible. According to Cal-IPS News (Winter 2010), one smutgrass plant can produce 45,000 seeds per year. Our concern is that if allowed to spread on Conservancy preserves, Swainson’s hawk won’t be able access prey in a tall stand of smutgrass. Moreover, our standard method of treatment, livestock grazing, won’t be effective because livestock won’t eat it according to a recent UC-Davis Cooperative Extension paper. We’ll have a tough one with this beast. Any ideas out there?
A New Team Member.
Pictured here are two photos, one of a goat about to give birth to a kid on a portion of the Conservancy’s preserves that benefit Swainson’s hawk. The hawks have migrated now, so the field’s vacant state was recently enlivened when this newborn made its introduction to life on Earth. …