Albany Hill Field Guide

ALBANY HILL

FieldGuidetoNative Plants&Animals

Albany, Ca

Second Edition

Introduction

Purpose ...................................

Context ....................................

Cultural Significance ..........

Map of Albany Hill ..............

Resources ...............................

Grasses ....................

Blue Wild Rye ........................

Foothill Needle Grass ..........

Purple Needle Grass ............

Trees and Shrubs ..

Poison Oak ..............................

Coast Live Oak ......................

Toyon .......................................

California Hazelnut ............

California Sagebrush ...........

Herbaceous

Plants

.....

California Goldenrod ...................

California Mugwort .......................

Harvest Brodiaea .........................

Coyote Mint ....................................

Indian Lettuce ................................

Sticky Monkey Flower .................

Ear-Shaped Wild Buckwheat ....

Stinging Phacelia ...........................

Common Yarrow ...........................

Bolander‘s Goldenaster ...............

Hairy Gumplant .............................

Narrow Leaved Mule Ear ............

Wavy-Leaved Soap Plant ............

Coyote Brush ........................

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS GUIDE?

This field guide aims to serve as a helpful and educational resource which can accompany you as you explore the ecosystems of Albany Hill.

In it, you will find photographs, descriptions, identification tips, fun facts, and locations of some (although definitely not all) of the native plant and animal species found here. [

All photographs were taken by Margot Cunningham unless otherwise stated].

Beyond this, there are several resources to help you broaden your curiosity of native ecosystems, cultural connections to the hill, identify organisms, and perhaps even take steps to cultivate local biodiversity in your own home!

The Chochenyo names and Indigenous knowledge included in this guide are thanks to collaboration with members of the Sogorea Te' Land Trust and the Confederated Villages of the Lisjan Nation as well as written sources. We thank them for their help and for sharing this information with us.

We hope that you find this guide helpful as you visit, hike, or walk your pet on Albany Hill.

We also ask that visitors stay on designated trails and engage with the hill respectfully. Please do not pick or damage plants or get close to wildlife.

Albany Hill is a unique oasis within the East Bay. It is part of an ancient mountain range, including the previously dynamited peak, Fleming Point (now Golden Gate Fields), Brooks Island, and peaks farther northwest. The hill is composed of shale and sandstone, creating a different soil type from much of the surrounding area and making it suitable for many specialized native plants.

The diversity of plants and animals at the hill is also a result of climactic influence. It is situated to receive cool marine air from the West as well as a warmer, inland influence from the East. These conditions allow for a variety of plants to grow, in turn creating a wide range of habitats, which attract diverse wildlife. For example, Albany Hill attracts migratory birds and monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) who take refuge and make use of resources here before traveling on.

Before settler colonialism, Albany Hill was composed of native, coastal grasslands, with oak woodlands on the northern side, above Middle and Cerrito Creeks. You can see the topography of the hill in the photograph below, from the 1860s, before Eucalyptus trees were planted. On the left side of Albany Hill, you can just make out the native oak trees growing up the slope.

Photograph from the Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley

These ecosystems were maintained by the stewardship of the Ohlone people over many generations. Landscapes of the East Bay, including Albany Hill, changed drastically with the forced removal, enslavement, and genocide of Indigenous peoples. They could no longer engage in important management practices, like routine prescribed burning, tilling, pruning, and seeding. During the Rancho period and continuing through American settlement colonizers introduced grazing livestock and non-native species, which changed the perennial, native grasslands on Albany Hill to predominantly annual, non-native grasslands.

The later onset of dynamite manufacturing in the 1860s further changed the hill. In an attempt to reduce the impact of explosions from dynamite plants in the surrounding area, these manufacturing companies planted non-native Blue Gum Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) on the western sides of the Hill.

Now the Hill is mostly covered in tall eucalyptus, many of them in decline due to drought stress and susceptible to pathogens like Pseudosydowia eucalypti. The deteriorating trees contribute to wildfire risks, and the City of Albany has an ongoing Albany Hill Eucalyptus Project (CIP No. 41015) to mitigate this issue.

Photograph from "A Selective History of the Codornices-University Village, The City of Albany, & Environs" (2000) by Warren and Catherine Lee

Table of Contents

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

Albany Hill sits within Huchiun territory, which we today call the East Bay. The Chochenyo-speaking Ohlone people have lived in this region for generations and maintained reciprocity through cultural practices, like prescribed burning, to care for native ecosystems and cultivate cultural resources. Today many Ohlone and other Indigenous folks continue and strengthen their generational knowledge and practices. For example, in the East Bay the Indigenous women-led Sogorea Te' Land Trust works on rematriation, cultural revitalization, and land restoration.

Historical records note that some Ohlone people had a village on Albany Hill. Here they made mortars, which are deep indentations in the rock caused by the grinding and processing of plant materials, namely acorns, created and maintained by Ohlone people over generations. They would have encountered acorns from the Coast Live Oaks (Quercusagrifolia), or Tuhhe in Chochenyo, that grow on the slope of the hill. Traditionally, acorns would have been harvested during the fall season when they ripen. They would then need to be processed, often by drying and shelling, and stored in baskets or granaries for continued use throughout the year. Prior to processing, acorns contain tannic acid, which is harmful to humans. 4

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

To make these nuts into edible, delicious, soup or bread, Native Californians would have ground these stored acorns into a flour using a pestle against the grinding rock mortars. Water was then used to leach the tannic acid and bitterness out of the ground acorns so that they could finally be cooked and served.

Acorns were and still are a very significant cultural food for the Ohlone and other Native Californians today and continue to be processed and eaten in accordance with traditional methods as well as new ways.

Table of Contents

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

Throughout the Bay Area there were and still are hundreds of shellmound sites, many of which have been leveled off and covered by development projects.

Tribal Chair of the Confederated Villages of Lisjan, Corrina Gould, explains that shellmounds are, “sacred funerary monuments, burial grounds, for Ohlone people” (Sogorea Te’ Land Trust). They were and still are important loci of prayer and connection as these sacred places hold generations of Ohlone ancestors. As you can see on the historical map above, there were several shellmounds sites around Albany Hill documented at the time the map was made in the early 20th century.

Please respect culturally significant sites, including mortar rocks and areas of former shellmounds. They are important to past and current Ohlone people as well as to the broader community.

If you happen to see grinding mortar rocks anywhere, do not step on or touch them. Admire them from a distance so that we can preserveandrespecttheirculturalandhistoricalimportance.

Section of map from "Shellmounds of the San Francisco Bay Region," N.Nelson, 1909. Courtesy of University of California Berkeley Digital Assets.

Entrances

Bike Parking on each Entrance

Summit

Bayside Condominiums

Bridgewater Condominiums

Private Parcel

Gateview

Condomimiums

ADA pathway to summit

ADA parking located on Taft Ave

Turn around

City Open Space

Boundary

Cerrito Creek

Swallowtails are often spotted along the creek

between Oct-Mar, forming clusters on the eucalyptus trees situated around the summit of Albany Hill

Wider walking trails

Main Trails

Fire Road

Restrooms/water fountain located at Peggy Thomsen

Pierce Street Park

GATEVIEW AVE HILLSIDE AVE

City of Albany

Staircase located on the Hillside/ Taft up to the SE meadow (private open space parcel--not city property)

Eucalyptusoverstory

Resources

Calflora

Table of Contents

A tool for mapping plant species

CalFlora is a Berkeley-based non-profit that has created a free database of over 3.1 million plant species observations across California. This is an excellent tool that allows us to see the distribution of native and invasive plants at Albany Hill and how they change over time.

Over the past several years, volunteers and City of Albany employees have been mapping plants on the hill. We encourage the public to join in as well and contribute to our data set by making observations using the CalFlora app on IOS or Android.

Calscape

Learn about and grow native plants

iNaturalist

Calscape is a resource that aims to provide education and tools to help you incorporate native plants in to your garden. This website has descriptions for a multitude of native plants found in California as well as their seasonality, landscaping capabilities, and the wildlife they support.

Identify and make observations

iNaturalist is a species identification app that supports citizen science in observing and mapping species, native and invasive. The app will suggest potential species identifications from a picture you take and community members can confirm your identification or suggest another species based on their expertise. This app is available on Android and IOS and is an excellent way to learn to identify native plants and differentiate them from non- native ones.

Taponthephotototherighttovisitthe iNaturalistwebsite.

Taponthephototothelefttovisitthe Calscapesite.

Tap on the picture above to explore data from Albany Hill on CalFlora

Table of Contents

You can explore the bird species observed at Albany Hill by searching for “Albany Hill Park,” “Creekside Park (ALA Co),” and “Creekside Park (El Cerrito)” in their hotspots search bar. Community members can participate in citizen science by contributing photos, sightings, and bird call recordings to this database, run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Even if you are not a birdwatcher, this is an excellent resource to learn and identify which birds inhabit and fly through Albany Hill.

Sogorea Te' Land Trust

Sogorea Te' Land Trust is an Indigenous, women-led organization focused on the rematriation of land back to Indigenous people in the Bay Area. Founded in 2015, the organization runs several cultural revitalization, climate adaptation, and habitat restoration programs. Their website provides many important educational materials and protocols for the public.

Tap the pictures on the right to learn more about their work in the Bay Area and the history of the territory of Huchiun.

TASH

Tending the Ancient Shoreline Hill

Tending the Ancient Shoreline Hill is a community group dedicated to education on and stewardship of Albany Hill. They host volunteer clean-up days, nature walks, and other activities on the hill. The TASH website provides lists of plants, birds, and other animals found in the past and present at Albany Hill. It also has a mini herbarium, a small collection of pressed cuttings of plants, which is an excellent resource for identification of native and nonnative plants found in the area.

Tap the photo on the left to visit the TASH website.

Friends of Albany Hill

Friends of Albany Hill is a decades-old community group dedicated to the preservation of nature at Albany Hill. Having historically fought to prevent further development on the hill, the group now focuses on community projects, such as their recent mural, events on the hill, and providing educational materials like plant and bird lists and historical materials.

TapthephotosbelowtogototheFOAHwebsite.

Tapthepictureabovetoseebird observations atAlbanyHillPark

Butterflies of San Francisco

A butterfly identification guide

Illustrated by San Francisco-based lepidopterist Liam O’Brien, this is a nice, straightforward guide that illustrates the different species found in the Bay Area. It also shows what month each species is the most abundant.

Although this identification guide is meant for butterflies in San Francisco, a lot of these butterflies can be found on Albany Hill. If you’d like to identify butterflies on the hill, pull out this guide (it’s best on a warm, sunny day) and get to identifying butterflies! For more information on butterflies on Albany Hill check out the Butterflies and Moths page on TASH

Tapthepictureontherighttoseetheidentificationguide

Wildlife of the San Francisco Bay Area

Data base of the wild animals in the Bay Area

SF Bay Wildlife is an extensive database that includes pictures, information, and resources for all the wild animals in the Bay Area, making it easier to wildlife-watch. The website is organized with a variety of classes, like “mammals” or “insects”. It also includes other resources for organizations, activities, and books.

Tapthepictureontherighttoexplorethedatabase.

GRASSES

NativeCaliforniagrasses,arefundamentaltothehealthandstabilityof thestate'sdiverseecosystems.Theseperennialgrasseshavedeep,fibrous rootsystemsthatplayacrucialroleinpreventingsoilerosion,maintaining soilstructure,enhancingwaterinfiltration,andstoringcarbon.By stabilizingthesoil,theyreducetheriskoflandslidesandhelpprotect watershedsfromsedimentation,contributingtocleanerwaterways.

NativegrassesarealsohighlyadaptedtoCalifornia'sMediterranean climate,thrivinginconditionsofseasonaldroughtandperiodicwildfires, whichtheyhelpmitigatebyreducingthespreadandintensityoffires throughtheirlow-growing,resilientnature.Ecologically,thesegrasses provideessentialhabitatandfoodforawidevarietyofwildlife,including insects,birds,andmammals.Theysupportpollinatorsbyhostingnative wildflowersandcreatearichenvironmentforseeddispersersand herbivores.

*Tap the pictures to see plant species distribution at Albany Hill on Calflora.

BLUE WILD RYE

Elymus glaucus

Blue Wild Rye is a perennial grass that grows in bunches and is native across North America. It can grow up to 5 feet tall and has long stems with seed tufts at the ends. Like many native plants, their roots can grow much deeper into the soil compared to many invasive annuals, and are excellent at fixing carbon into the soil. Their long roots also help stabilize hillsides and reduce erosion.

Where to find: At Albany Hill, you can find some beautiful blue wild rye at the crest, near the native pollinator restoration area.

FOOTHILL NEEDLE GRASS

Stipa lepida

Foothill Needle Grass is a perennial grass, native to California and likes sun or partly shaded areas with dry soils. It has fine leaf blades and small seeds, compared to a similar looking native grass, purple needle grass.

Where to find: You can find it on the southwestern side and the crest of Albany Hill.

PURPLE NEEDLE GRASS

Stipa pulchra

Purple Needle Grass is a native perennial grass that is found in several ecosystems throughout California and is the official California State Grass. It is known as purple needle grass because its seeds are slightly purple when they are young. It can look similar to foothill needle grass, but has more robust leaf blades and larger seeds.

This grass is very drought tolerant and likes sunny, dry conditions.

Where to find: You can find Purple Needle Grass on the crest and southern end of Albany Hill, in both the southeastern and southwestern grasslands.

TREES AND SHRUBS

The trees and shrubs of Albany Hill form the backbone of this this natural landmark's ecosystem, benefiting not only the surrounding urban areas of the Bay Area but also providing vital habitats. They support the ecosystem of the hill by providing food and shelter for the wildlife. Coast Live Oaks alone supports over 270 types of animals.

In the broader urban context, trees and shrubs play a vital role in combating the heat island effect, cooling the air, and providing shade that enhances the city's comfort, especially in hot summers. Trees improve air quality by purifying pollutants, absorbing carbon dioxide, and emitting oxygen.

Moreover, their deep roots assist in managing stormwater by encouraging infiltration and minimizing runoff, thereby reducing the risk of urban flooding. Shrubs, with their dense foliage, serve as natural windbreaks and sound barriers, improving the quality of city spaces. In a bustling and developed area like the bay, the presence of these plants is essential for maintaining ecological balance and promoting the well-being of residents.

Albany Hill Field Guide

TREES & SHRUBS

*Tap the pictures to see plant species distribution at Albany Hill on Calflora.

POISON OAK

Toxicodendron diversilobum

Poison oak is known generally as a plant to avoid at all costs. Its oils can cause many people to develop an itchy rash after contact. However, this native shrub isn't all bad. It provides habitat for many native animals --- deer eat its leaves, many birds nest within it, and its berries provide a food source in the summer. Native Californians have also made use of poison oak stems in basketry (Lightfoot and Parrish 2009). This plant can be easily confused with young coast live oak, and other oaks. A good rule of thumb is to remember that poison oak has curved leaves and oaks are sharper with spiny edges. In the fall, poison oak will turn red and orange, which is another good indicator.

Where to find: Poison oak grows throughout Albany Hill and still produces oils even after it loses its leaves in winter, so be wary of yourself and pets as you walk along the trails. When it is dormant, look for upright light brown branches with branchlets that curve out from main stems.

COAST LIVE OAK TUHHE (CHOCHENYO)

Quercus agrifolia

Coast live oak and other species of oaks are very important to many Native communities in the central coast and throughout California. This particular species of oak is especially valued for its high yield of acorns. Acorns are processed and eaten in various ways as a significant cultural food source for Indigenous people (Lightfoot and Parrish 2009).

Id: sturdy, glossy leaves with small prickles on the edges. Where to find: Check out the oak woodland forest on the north and east sides of the hill.

Albany Hill Field Guide

TREES & SHRUBS

*Tap the pictures to see plant species distribution at Albany Hill on Calflora.

TOYON

Heteromeles arbutifolia

Toyon, also known as California Holly due to its serrated leaves and red berries, is a perennial evergreen shrub or small tree that is native to western California and the Sierra foothills.

Native American tribes in California, traditionally used parts of the toyon plant for many purposes. Toyon berries were used to make jelly, tea, porridge, and pancakes, and for rituals, tools, and fuel. The bark and leaves were also used to make tea for stomach and other body ailments, as a seasonal tonic, and to wash infected wounds (Lightfoot and Parrish 2009).

Toyon has gray bark on older branches. Butterflies, moths, and other insects visit the clusters of white, scented flowers. The berries are eaten by birds, including western bluebirds, robins, mockingbirds, band-tailed pigeon, waxing and quail, which helps disperse the seeds. Where to find: Toyons can be seen on the crest and in the live oak woodland on the hill.

CALIFORNIA HAZELNUT

Corylus cornuta spp. californica

The California Hazelnut is a native deciduous shrub from the Betulaceae family most commonly found in northern and central California. This shrub can grow up to 18 feet and has soft, hairy leaves and multiple trunks.

Native Californians in the area traditionally used hazelnuts as a food source. California hazelnut was and still is an important part of basketry among Indigenous groups (Lightfoot and Parrish 2009).

Where to find: In the late summer and fall, you can find ripening hazelnuts, which provide a food source for many animals along the oak woodland trail on the east and north sides of the hill.

Albany Hill Field Guide

TREES & SHRUBS

*Tap the pictures to see plant species distribution at Albany Hill on Calflora.

CALIFORNIA SAGEBRUSH

Artemisia californica

The California Sagebrush has adapted to the Californian summer drought by becoming dormant during dry times. During winter/spring when water is available its long, thin, and feathery leaves allow for higher rates of photosynthesis though they also increase water loss. In the dry summer months, these leaves wilt and a set of smaller, thicker leaves emerge to conserve water, though this also slows the growth of the plant. Under prolonged drought, the plant may shed its leaves entirely. The leaves of Sagebrush are highly aromatic; some

Indigenous tribes traditionally used this scent to mask their odor while hunting. Additionally, Native Americans traditionally used this plant as medicine for things like poison oak rashes, bug bites, measles, and general illnesses.

Where to find: You can see California Sagebrush in the native plant restoration area near the Taft entrance. A few bushes also grow on the west slope of the hill.

COYOTE BRUSH

Baccharis pilularis

Coyote brush plays a major role in supporting wildlife in its habitat. It provides cover and food for a variety of animals. Flowers bloom in late fall, when there are very few sources of food for pollinators, making them valuable to many insects during this time. Many bird species rely on this plant for foraging and nesting. It is also a host plant and food source for native moths and butterflies.

Coyote Brush is a dioecious plant, meaning the "male" and "female" flowers are on separate plants. The pollen produced from the male flowers is dispersed by pollinators and the wind to nearby female Coyote Brush flowers.

For most of the year, Coyote Brush is entirely bright green but in the fall female plants are filled with white fluffy flowers that carry the seeds. This fluff, called pappus, helps the seeds get released and carried by the wind like a parachute. This plant was traditionally used by Native Americans as a brush to sweep away things and possibly as a toothbrush. Coyote Brush was also used to treat health issues like rashes, swelling, and illnesses.

Where to find: You can see Coyote Brush on the east side of the hill and scattered in others areas of the hill.

Male Coyote Brush

HERBACEOUS PLANTS

Herbaceous plants, known for their non-woody stems,

play a crucial role in Albany Hill’s ecosystem. In contrast to trees or shrubs, these plants do not produce rigid, woody parts and some die back to the ground after their growing season.

Herbaceous plants serve a crucial ecological role by

offering ground cover, mitigating soil erosion, and enriching soil fertility through organic matter. Additionally, they play an important role in supporting pollinators such as bees and butterflies, along with other wildlife.

In the Mediterranean climate of Albany Hill, a variety of herbaceous plants thrive during the wet season and survive the dry, hot summer months, demonstrating their resilience and importance in promoting local biodiversity.

Albany Hill Field Guide

HERBACEOUS PLANTS

*Tap the pictures to see plant species distribution at Albany Hill on Calflora.

CALIFORNIA GOLDENROD

Solidago velutina ssp. californica

The California Goldenrod is a perennial herb from the Asteraceae family, with clustered, rod- shaped, bright yellow flowers in the late summer and fall. You can find this plant throughout California, particularly in open grassy spaces.

Id: Slightly hairy, lance-shaped leaves that point almost vertically from upright stalks. Yellow flowers in late summer/fall.

Where to find: At Albany Hill you can find them at the crest and in forest openings

CALIFORNIAMUGWORT,HIISEN (CHOCHENYO)

Artemisiadouglasiana

California Mugwort is a perennial herb from the Asteraceae family known for its aroma and healing properties--it is often used as a remedy for poison oak and stinging nettle. It thrives in moist, riparian environments throughout the state.

Id: California Mugwort has a distinct herbal smell, similar to sagebrush, and narrow, sometimes toothed leaves that are smooth and green with light and wooly undersides. Flowers range from white to yellow and can occur from late spring to fall. Mugwort tends to grow in stands, groups, or dense patches.

Where to find: You often see this shrub on the east side of the hill and along Cerrito Creek.

HARVEST BRODIAEA

Brodiaea elegans ssp. elegans

Harvest Brodiaea is a native perennial plant, also known as “elegant brodiaea” or “elegant cluster-lily” because of its elegant-looking purple blooms in the late spring to summer. It grows from a corm, a solid underground storage structure. The plant thrives in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, woodlands, and open forests, often favoring well-drained soils. Brodiaea holds ecological significance as a food source for pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Where to find: You can find Brodiaeas throughout the hill hidden within the tall grasses.

HERBACEOUS PLANTS

*Tap the pictures to see plant species distribution at Albany Hill on Calflora.

COYOTE MINT

Monardella villosa

Coyote Mint is a perennial herb from the Lamiaceae family; it has a pleasant minty smell and produces beautiful, round, purple flowers that support many native California pollinators. It can grow 2 -3 feet tall and is found in various environments-- woodlands, chaparral, shrublands and grasslands.

Id: This herb has fuzzy, greyish-green leaves, a minty scent, and in late summer, purple "puff-ball" flowers.

Where to find: At Albany Hill you can find Coyote Mint in the native plant restoration area just south of the Taft Ave. entrance on the crest.

INDIAN LETTUCE OR ROOREH

Claytonia perfoliata

Native to western North America, this annual herb is widespread throughout California. Called Rooreh by Ohlone people, this herb is abundant in spring time, high in vitamin C and can be used in cooking to make salads or pesto.

Rooreh is an annual plant, growing in winter and spring and then shriveling up. It will sprout from dropped seed the following year.

Id: Round leaves with small elevated white flowers in the middle on a stalk.

Where to find: On the east side of the hill near the Madison entrance and under trees along the crest.

STICKY MONKEY FLOWER

Diplacus aurantiacus

This interestingly named native perennial plant is in fact sticky. The undersides of its dark green leaves produce a tacky resin that works to ward off herbivores like Euphydryas chalcedona, a specialist butterfly whose larvae feed on Sticky Monkey Flower. Id: Its sticky leaves and bright orange flowers are great indicators for identifying this plant.

Where to find: In the summer you can see these beautiful flowers: along Jackson St on the eastern side of Albany Hill; the native pollinator restoration area just south of the Taft Ave. entrance on the crest; and along the oak woodland trail.

HERBACEOUS PLANTS

*Tap the pictures to see plant species distribution at Albany Hill on Calflora.

EAR-SHAPED WILD BUCKWHEAT

Eriogonum nudum var. auriculatum

Eriogonum nudum is an abundant native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in dry open places, at elevations from 200-5200 feet. The naked stem gives the plant one of its common names, Naked Buckwheat.

Each cluster of individual flowers are held in 1-5 bunches of vase-like bracts (modified leaves), called involucres, that are attached directly to its stem. The Naked Buckwheat's flowers appear white to pink, and when it begins to seed the flowers turn into a copper reddish color.

Where to find: This plant can be found on the crest and south meadows of Albany Hill.

STINGING PHACELIA

Phacelia malvifolia

Phacelia malvifolia is native to the coastal areas of California and Baja California, where it thrives in a variety of habitats including chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and open woodlands. This annual herb typically grows up to 60 centimeters tall and is noted for its hairy, glandular stems and leaves, which can sometimes cause skin irritation upon contact—hence the name "stinging phacelia."

The Stinging Phacelia is a great option as a pollinator plant because it attracts bees that are drawn to its flowers, hovering around to gather their sweet nectar.

Where to find: On Albany Hill stinging phacelia can be found on the north side near Cerrito Crk. and is one of the rare plants found in the east bay.

COMMON YARROW

Achillea millefolium

Achillea millefolium, or the Common Yarrow is a perennial herb. The plant is named after Achilles, the Greek hero who supposedly used it to stop bleeding in his soldiers' wounds at the siege of Troy.

The Common Yarrow is perfect for beginner gardeners since it is durable and easy to grow in a wide range of soil types and has low moisture requirements.

Yarrow plants can grow up to three feet tall and have miniature white flowers that bloom in rounded or flat heads.

Where to find: On the hill this plant can be found in grasslands on the crest and northeast side.

HERBACEOUS PLANTS

*Tap the pictures to see plant species distribution at Albany Hill on Calflora.

BOLANDER’S GOLDENASTER

Heterotheca sessiliflora ssp. bolanderi

Goldenaster is a perennial herb native to California. This plant features lanced-shaped leaves and a sprawling habit, forming low mats of greenery. It produces clusters of bright yellow daisy-like flowers from late spring to early autumn, adding vibrant colors to its habitat. Bolander’s Goldenaster thrives in various environments, including coastal scrub, chaparral, and open woodlands, often favoring sandy or rocky soils. It is a major factor in local ecosystems by providing nectar for pollinators such as bees and butterflies and contributing to the biodiversity of Albany Hill. Where to find: Crest and south meadows of the hill.

HAIRY GUMPLANT

Grindelia hirsutula var. hirsutula

Hairy Gumplant is late-blooming, with flowers appearing from May through September, making it perfect for late season pollinators. The plant produces a milky, sticky substance on its flower heads, giving them a gummy feel-hence the name. The milky-white gum may reduce predation and protect the plants from UV rays. Gumplant is believed to have medicinal abilities; many Native American tribes use this plant to treat health issues like poison oak rashes, wounds, colds, etc. Gumplants belong to the sunflower family. Id: Dark green, hairy stems, gummy/sticky leaves and flower buds. Yellow flowers in summer. Where to find: It can be found on the crest of the hill.

Photograph by Azucena Macias

Illustration by Azucena Macias

Illustration by Azucena Macias

Photograph by Azucena Macias

The flower heads are 2-3cm wide and have a center filled with small yellow disc florets surrounded by golden ray florets

Heterotheca sessiliflora ssp. bolanderi

Albany Hill Field Guide

HERBACEOUS PLANTS

*Tap the pictures to see plant species distribution at Albany Hill on Calflora.

NARROW LEAVED MULE EAR

Wyethia angustifolia

stemseed -

Narrowleaf Mule’s Ear is a perennial herb native to California. This plant is characterized by its long, narrow leaves that resemble those of a mule’s ear. It produces large, showy yellow flowers resembling sunflowers, which bloom from late spring to early summer. Mule’s Ear typically thrive in open woodlands, grasslands, and chaparral environments, often favoring well-drained soils. Its deep roots make it drought-tolerant, allowing it to survive in the dry Californian climate.

Where to find: Patches of this plant can be seen on the crest and south meadows of the hill.

WAVY-LEAVED SOAP PLANT RAWWEN (CHOCHENYO)

Chlorogalum pomeridianum

Soap Plant is a significant plant to Native Californians and can serve many purposes. Like the name suggests, this plant's root can be processed and used as soap to clean and bathe. It is a native perennial plant from the Agavaceae family with low- growing, wavy green leaves and robust, purplish stalks. Their white flowers with green and purple details open at dusk and through the night, supporting moths and other night pollinating insects.

Where to find: Crest, south side, and lower north and east sides of the hill.

It has large golden flowers that resemble the sun and a lemon- yellow dye can be made from the flowers

The leaves are lanced-shaped & can grow up to 5cm tall. The young leaves can be eaten raw

flowering -

This part of the flower is known as the involucre, which are the whorl of bracts attached to the base of the flower and has small fibers, making it soft to the touch

Wyethia angustifolia

Once the flower closes it begins to seed, twisting the flower

Each flower opens only once in the afternoon or evening

Photograph by Azucena Macias

Illustration by Azucena Macias

Illustration by Azucena Macias

Narrowleaf Mules Ear can grow up to 3ft tall, with flowers that are 5 to 8cm across

Soap plants have long leaves with a wavy form

INSECTS

BUMBLEBEES

GenusBombus

Although they can sting, Bumble Bees are quite docile and rarely feel the need to do so. They’re important pollinators; they visit flowers to collect pollen and nectar so they can feed themselves and the larval bees. One way Bumble Bees like to pollinate is by using "buzz pollination", where they vibrate their wings, making a buzzing sound, to shake out the pollen from the flowers. Because of their hairiness, Bumble Bees can withstand cool temperatures better than other non-hairy bees. There are 49 species of bumble bees in the United States.

Where to find: On the hill they’re typically seen wherever flowers are- either pollinating or peacefully sleeping in them. You can easily find a sleeping Bumble Bee on a flower at night or early morning.

VIVIDDANCER

Argiavivida

Vivid Dancers are a species of Damselflies, specifically in the Pond Damsels family. These insects tend to fly low, and hold their wings close when perched. They prefer to stay in warm habitats near water.

Id: It is difficult to tell apart each species of Pond Damsels as most look strikingly similar. However, by taking a super close look on their black markings we can identify them. In Vivid Dancers the thorax, which is the part below the head, has a top black stripe that is thicker compared to other similar species. The middle part of the stripes on the sides of the thorax are narrowed. The abdomen (the long, tail-like part of the body) has stripes on each segment. One key trait these Dancers have is the unique black triangle pattern on their abdomen. Male Vivid Dancers are a rich blue color while female Vivid Dancers could either appear male-like or tan/gray.

Where to find: You can find vivid dancers on the north and east sides of the hill near the Madison entrance and near Cerrito Creek.

Photograph by Azucena Macias

INSECTS

GROUNDYELLOWJACKETS

GenusVespula

Ground Yellowjackets are a genus of social wasps. They’re colonial and live in paper nests typically in the ground but at times on tree branches. To build these nests, they chew on wood and mix it with saliva to make paper, and slowly they spit out this pulp (paper) to make the nest.

The reproduction rate of Yellowjackets is associated with the weather; the population is reduced during cold months while there is an

upsurge of Yellowjackets during warm months. Due to this the colony starts to decline during the fall season and only the queen survives through the winter. Before the whole colony dies during winter, the queen mates with the males and then begins diapause- a period where the development of the eggs is paused. In spring, the queen emerges and searches for a nest site and builds a small nest. The queen continues to work until a couple of workers emerge from diapause and take over for the queen where she then solely focuses on laying eggs. The nest grows along with the

colony. Yellowjackets feed on almost anything they can find: nectar, other insects, dead animals, fallen fruit, and they often intrude picnics. Where to find: Yellowjackets can be seen anywhere on the hill, especially where flowers are.

STRIPEDSWEATBEES

GenusAgapostemon

These metallic-green bees belong to the Sweat Bee family, which are named after a unique behavior they show. Sweat Bees like to land on human skin; they're attracted to the salt and minerals in our sweat. Striped Sweat Bees are widespread throughout California. These bees tend to be active from March into October. Female Striped Sweat Bees are entirely metallic-green while males have a metallic-green head and thorax with a yellow-black striped abdomen.

Where to find: Striped Sweat Bees are mostly seen on the south side of the hill wherever flowers are.

Photograph by Sandra Hernandez

Photograph by Azucena Macias

A yellowjacket nest on the ground

Photograph by Azucena Macias

A yellowjacket nest on a Toyon plant

Photo credit: TASH

INSECTS

BEETLES

OrderColeoptera

Beetles are the most abundant type of insect; they’re known to have over 370,000 species with 166 families. Each beetle species varies in size, shape, habitat, behaviors, and the food they eat. Although this group is very diverse, there are some ways you can identify an insect as a beetle. One key trait beetles have is that they possess two pairs of wings. The top pair of wings, called “elytra”, is a brittle protective layer meant to shield the flying wings which are bigger, fragile, and folded underneath the elytra. These elytra are credited for the success of beetles as it allows them to survive in various habitats; for example, in aquatic beetles the space beneath the elytra makes a good storage for air.

Some other traits beetles have are mouths meant for chewing, unlike butterflies or mosquitoes for example. They also undergo “complete metamorphosis”, a cycle in which their bodies go through big changes from egg, larva, pupa, then adult.

Where to find: On Albany Hill you can find beetles roaming around on vegetation or in the dirt.

SOLDIERBEETLES

FamilyCantharidae

Most Soldier Beetles have elongate bodies and tend to be black with either orange, red, or yellow. Their heads are usually bent downward with threadlike antennae on the front. They have a square pronotum (the red/orange area behind the head on the pictured beetle) that's wider than the head.

When taking a close look, the elytra of soldier beetles look velvety or clothes-like, reminiscent of old soldier uniforms when paired with bright colors, thus their name.

Soldier Beetles are predacious, feeding on other insects like aphids. Some like to also feed on pollen and nectar. There are said to be around 4,500 species of Soldier Beetles around the globe and 160 in California.

CHECKEREDBEETLES

FamilyCleridae

Checkered Beetles have soft, elongate, flat bodies varying in many colors and are covered with little hairs. They often have clubbed antennae. Checkered Beetle larvae typically prey on the larvae of “wood boring beetles” beetles that feed on wood; some species from this family feed on bee and wasp larvae as well as grasshopper eggs. There are about 3,500 species of Checkered Beetles.

Photograph by Azucena Macias

Photograph by Sandra Hernandez

Genus Enoclerus

Genus Cultellunguis

INSECTS

LEAFBEETLES

FamilyChrysomelidae

Leaf Beetles are a large and diverse family of approximately 35,000 species. Many are brightly colored (like the picture on the right) or metallic-looking (like the ones below). As their name suggests, these beetles have an appetite for plant leaves, stems, and roots. Due to this, many species of Leaf Beetles are considered huge pests that can damage plants. Although some species like to eat a variety of plants, many are limited to one type of plant. The common name of a species may give a clue to their plant of choice.

LADYBEETLES

FamilyCoccinellidae

Also known as Ladybirds or Ladybugs, these beetles have rounded or half-domed bodies with six short legs. Ladybugs can vary in color and presence of markings, though typically they’re brightly colored red, orange, yellow, or black with unique spots or stripes. The bright colors of Ladybugs warn predators to not eat them. Ladybugs are considered beneficial control agents as both adults and larvae like to eat pests such as aphids. When threatened, Ladybugs secrete a fluid called hemolymph (“blood” for insects) that smells and tastes bad and may cause numbness in the mouth. This defense mechanism is called reflex bleeding.

Photograph by Sandra Hernandez

Photograph by Sandra Hernandez

Photograph by Sandra Hernandez

The pupal stage of two Lady Beetle species

Spotted Cucumber Beetle

Bronze Beetle

Western Polished Lady Beetle

California Lady Beetle

Albany Hill Field Guide

INSECTS

COMMONBUCKEYE

Junoniacoenia

Common Buckeye butterflies are medium-sized butterflies with a unique "eye spots" pattern. Female Buckeyes tend to be bigger than males and lay their eggs on leaves. Buckeye caterpillars' favorite meal are plantain leaves, while adult Buckeye butterflies feed on nectar from flowers. These butterflies prefer to be in sunny, weedy fields that have patches of open ground. Where to find: On the hill you can often find male Buckeyes perched on the ground along the crest south of the Taft entrance, looking for female Buckeyes flying by.

ANISESWALLOWTAIL

Papiliozelicaon

Anise Swallowtails are widespread throughout the western United States. They live from high mountains to the Pacific Coast, as far north as British Columbia and as far south as Baja California. Males like to perch and fly in high areas (called “hill-topping”) like hilltops, mountain cliffs, or tall foliage to attract females for breeding. If another male tries to use the same area, they take part in competitive dances to claim territory. If a female Anise Swallowtail chooses a male partner but has yet to breed, the male guards the female by aggressively flying at incoming males. Where to find: Anise Swallowtails are commonly seen along the crest of the hill.

MYLITTACRESCENT

Phyciodesmylitta

Mylitta Crescents are widespread in the west of North America, specifically from southern California up to southern British Columbia. These butterflies are on the smaller side and they’re bright orange with black markings all over their wings. Females tend to look darker or have thicker black markings than males. The significant trait that gave these butterflies their name is the small crescent pattern around the margins of their wings. Crescents can be found in meadows, marshes, weedy areas, and urban habitats. Male Crescents like to perch low to observe passing butterflies, looking for a female partner.

They have a habit of flying into contact with other butterflies. Some naturalists say this is territorial behavior while others like to say it’s merely taking a closer look to check if it’s one of its kind. Where to find: Crescents are likely to be seen on the north side of the hill near Cerrito Creek and Madison.

Photograph by Sandra Hernandez

INSECTS

PAINTEDLADY

Vanessacardui

Painted Ladies are one of the most abundant species of butterfly; they’re very widespread and can be found in all continents of the world except for Antarctica and Australia. They’re very adaptable so they can live in various environments, like forests, mountains, swamps, suburbs, etc. Around spring Painted Ladies migrate north from the northern deserts of Mexico to the Pacific Northwest, crossing California.

Painted Ladies are one of the three species of Lady butterflies in California. All three species closely resemble each other.

Id: Painted Ladies are larger than their “Lady” relatives. They tend to have a darker and larger brown center than the other two. On the hindwing they have a row of four black spots. On the underside of the hindwings they have four small “eyespots”. Where to find: This species can be seen along the crest on Albany Hill.

AMERICANLADY

Vanessavirginiensis

American Ladies are part of the Lady Butterfly group. They have two seasonal forms: the winter form is smaller and paler in color, while the Summer form is larger and brighter. In the afternoon, males perch on hilltops or tall plants to seek female partners while defending their territory. Females tend to be larger than males. Although they prefer sunny and warm habitats, American Ladies are more tolerant to cold than their relatives so they can overwinter by hibernating. If they're in a very cold area, however, they will migrate to a warmer area for the winter.

Adults feed on nectar from flowers as well as tree sap and juices of decaying fruit. Larvae make silk nests or "tents" at the top of their host plant where they hide during the day and come out at night to feed. The host plants for caterpillars are plants from the Sunflower family, such as Cudweed, Pearly Everlasting, and Mugwort.

Id: American Ladies have a more concave margin on both sides of their forewings than the others. On its hindwings underside, it has two large "eyespots." The most prominent characteristic of an American Lady is its small white spot in an orange cell on the forewings. This white spot is not always present in American Ladies however. Where to find: American Ladies can be found at the crest of the hill.

Photograph by Azucena Macias

INSECTS

WESTCOASTLADY

Vanessaannabella

As the name suggests this butterfly species is only found on the west coast, from Washington to Baja California. West Coast Ladies like to fly low and are commonly seen sunbathing on the ground. The host plant for caterpillars are mallows and nettles. In the afternoon, males meet each other on hilltops or open areas to compete for female partners.

Id: They’re smaller than the other Lady butterflies. A key trait is near the tips of the forewings they have an orange rectangular spot, where the other lady butterflies have a white rectangular spot. The tips of their forewings are also more angular than the other two. On their hindwings, they have four bright blue spots. Where to find: On the hill West Coast Ladies are more often seen during cold seasons on the crest.

GRASSSKIPPERS

SubfamilyHesperiinae

Grass Skippers, also known as Branded Skippers or Folded-wing Skippers, are a subgroup of skippers with a unique perching position where their forewings are slightly closed forming a V-shape while their hindwings remain flat. They are primarily orange and brown and feed on grasses or grass-like plants as caterpillars. Skippers resemble a blend of butterflies and moths, being active during the day like butterflies but having thick bodies and flat wings like moths. A key characteristic of skippers is their hooked antennae, which distinguish them from butterflies. Male skippers have a dark patch of modified scales on their forewings, called a stigma, which releases pheromones to attract females. Males often flutter their wings rapidly near females to waft these pheromones. Skipper caterpillars build shelters by rolling grass blades around their bodies, where they spend the winter. Once considered their own superfamily, skippers are now classified as part of the butterfly superfamily. Where to find: Grass Skippers are commonly found in the Native Restoration area near the Taft Entrance.

Photo credit: Alan Liang

Albany Hill Field Guide

INSECTS

PIPEVINE SWALLOWTAIL

Battus philenor

Photographs by Isobel Readdie

As adults these native swallowtails are black with blue coloring on their lower wings. They get their name from being specially adapted to pipevine plants and rely on these plants to harbor and feed their offspring. In California Pipevine Swallowtails rely on an endemic host plant, the California pipevine, Aristolochia californica.

Life cycle: in late spring/early summer, light orange eggs are laid on the California pipevine, as noted on the first picture on the left. Then larvae hatch and grow into caterpillars, later forming chrysalis and emerging as butterflies. This whole process takes around a month, and during the summer you may observe one or several stages of the pipevine swallowtail's life cycle.

Where to find: At Albany Hill you can find this plant along the south bank of Cerrito Creek.

MONARCH BUTTERFLY SIWLUIUK (CHOCHENYO)

Danaus plexippus

Probably the most famous butterfly, Monarchs have a sensational migration story; they travel more than 2,000 miles from Mexico all the way to Canada. Every fall, as part of their migration, Monarch Butterflies from west of the Rocky Mountains make their way to California, a warmer place to spend the winter. It takes four generations of Monarchs to complete this journey.

Where to find: Monarchs overwinter at Albany Hill, clustering together to stay warm. They settle within eucalyptus trees near and along the crest. Generally, Monarchs will arrive in October and leave within the first week of March. For the 2023- 2024 season the count on Albany Hill was over 300 butterflies. The highest count was 3,000 in 1997.

Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillar

Female butterfly depositing eggs

Pipevine Swallowtail eggs

REPTILES

PACIFIC RINGNECK SNAKE

Diadophis punctatus amabilis

The shy and non-aggressive Ringneck Snake enjoys being in moist areas hiding under logs, rocks, and litter of leaves. They prefer to be in cool temperatures and are nocturnal so these snakes may not be seen much during the day or summer. Their diet consists of small reptiles, amphibians,

worms, and slugs. When they feel threatened, these snakes will coil their tail to show their bright red underside, telling predators that they are toxic to eat. When caught by a predator, they have one last defense mechanism where they release a smelly odor to try and deter predators from eating them. If you see one, picking up the snake to observe is safe, but do so respectfully and be aware that the snake may feel threatened and perform its defense mechanisms. Where to find: On the hill they’re mostly hidden in the grass, but at times they like to come out to soak up sun in the open. So keep a look out on sunny days!

WESTERN FENCE LIZARD

Sceloporus occidentalis

Western Fence Lizards are also known as Blue-belly Lizards because of the blue markings on the male’s underside. Males also have yellow on their lower arms and legs. Female Fence Lizards prefer male partners that have longer tails and brighter colors. During mating season males do a push-up behavior that displays their blue underside to any interested females. Fence Lizards can detach their tails to escape from danger and regrow their tail in a few weeks. The new tail is different than the initial tail; it’s usually shorter or has different scale patterns. Cool fact about Fence Lizards: they’re immune to Lyme disease, a common disease carried by ticks. They have a protein in their body that kills the disease-causing bacteria whenever a tick is feeding on the lizard’s blood. This protein also gets the bacteria inside the tick, making the tick no longer carry Lyme disease and preventing the spread of the disease. Where to find: Fence Lizards on the hill can often be found scurrying around in tall grass and near downed wood.

A small Fence Lizard hatchling

Photograph by Azucena Macias

MAMMALS

MULE DEER

Odocoileus hemionus

Mule Deer are known for their large mule-like ears and a unique running style called "stotting," a series of forward jumps where all four legs are lifted into the air. During mating season, bucks (male deer) compete for does (females) by locking antlers and trying to lower the opponent's head. The losing buck surrenders and runs off. Rarely, bucks can get stuck together and pass away from injuries or predation. Bucks drop and regrow their antlers yearly before mating season.

Around seven months after the mating season, does give birth to one to three fawns (baby deer) which are born with light spots that fade as they grow. Fawns hide until they're strong enough to follow their mothers. The diet of Mule Deer includes grasses and plants in summer, and woody plants in winter. Their coat changes color with the seasons, from tan in summer to gray in winter.

Deer communicate through scent glands located in various parts of their bodies. They rub their forehead gland on woody plants to leave a scent mark for other deer to smell, with bucks doing this more often than does. The preorbital gland, located in the corner of their eyes, leaves a scent when deer rub this gland against twigs. The purpose of this scent is unclear but deer have been observed to have a reaction to this scent on twigs. The interdigital gland between their toes leaves a scent trail for other deer to follow.

This is especially helpful for does and fawn to locate each other if separated. The tarsal gland on the hind leg identifies other deer and may convey health, reproductive status, and dominance. Deer have an interesting behavior associated with this gland called "rub urination" where they urinate on this gland to enhance its scent. This scent is influenced by bacteria in the gland that happily absorbs certain compounds in the deer's urine. The types and amount of bacteria are unique for each deer, allowing each deer to have their own unique scent.

Mule Deer are more tolerant of humans than other deer species. Here in the Bay Area, Mule Deer are comfortable being in residential areas. Of the six Mule Deer subspecies found in California, only the Colombian Black-tailed subspecies (ssp. columbianus) has been observed on Albany Hill. As the name suggests, the tail of this subspecies is almost entirely black, while other subspecies of Mule Deer have white on their tails.

Where to find: Columbian Black-tailed deer are commonly found roaming around the hill. Keep on the lookout while on the hill and listen for any rustling.

Columbian Black-tailed doe

Doe (right) and fawn (left) with light spots

Columbian Black-tailed buck

MAMMALS

BOTTA’S POCKET GOPHER Thomomys bottae

Botta's Pocket Gopher, also known as a Valley Pocket Gopher, is a species of pocket gopher. Pocket Gophers are characterized by their big cheeks that serve as a pocket to carry food and materials. Botta's Gopher is the most abundant species of pocket gophers in California. They spend most of their time underground in various habitats such as deserts and mountains as well as different types of soil such as sand and clay. Its underground den consists of a nest chamber, special waste tunnels, tunnels for food storage, and foraging tunnels. These foraging tunnels are very shallow so to go back gophers have to either walk backward or do a somersault to turn around.

The entrances of these tunnels typically get closed up when the tunnel system is complete. If an entrance is still open it might mean the gopher is still working on its tunnel system. Patiently wait and you might see a gopher come up to push soil out or to close the entrance. Pocket gophers play an important role in the ecosystem. These gophers move soil around, which helps aerate the ground, mix soil nutrients, and improve water absorption. Some plants may grow better in areas where gophers frequent.

The bodies of gophers are made for underground life. They have large claws on their front paws for digging, large front teeth for loosening soil and pulling down plants, and they can run backward as fast as running forward. For food, they may eat above ground, but typically they burrow underneath the plant and pull it into the burrow. They then put pieces of the plant into its cheek pouch and transport it to a storage area. They feed on all sorts of vegetation, especially roots, tubers, and shoots.

Botta's Gophers are solitary and territorial except during mating season. Botta's Gophers can have several litters in one season depending on the amount of vegetation around them. Their litters average six offspring with a gestation period (pregnancy) of 18 days. The young do not leave their mothers until 60 days. Males are larger than females, usually double the size. Botta’s Gophers are big targets of predation. Predatory birds prey on gophers above ground; other predators like badgers, coyotes, and foxes dig them out from their burrows. Where to find: You can see many gopher mounds on the crest of the hill.

Photograph by Azucena Macias

Albany Hill Field Guide

BIRDS

*Tap the photos to listen to audio or for more information on the species

ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD

Calypte anna

One of the most common hummingbirds in California, you will often see these hummingbirds flitting around at Albany Hill. The males have shiny, bright red throats and are easier to spot than the greenish-brown female and young birds.

They share an important reciprocal relationship with native plants-- relying on their nectar, while serving as pollinators to help plants reproduce.

Id: Males have red throats and heads. They have a random and squeaky song.

Where to find: Anna’s Hummingbird are most commonly seen on the east side near the Madison entrance.

GREAT HORNED OWL

Bubo virginianus

Like most owls, Great Horned Owls are nocturnal. They have specialized hearing, big eyes, and powerful talons that are useful for hunting a variety of prey.

Id: They have gray-brown coloring with reddish faces and white throats. Their calls are deep and soft, often with 4 to 5 "hoots."

Where to find: Great Horned Owls can be found in trees on Albany Hill-- although you aren't likely to see them during a day trip to the Hill. During the day, it's common to find evidence of them. Feathers are commonly seen right below trees.

WILD TURKEY

Meleagris gallopavo

Wild Turkeys are a common sighting in the East Bay, whether they are crossing Solano Avenue or walking the trails at Albany Hill. These birds are prominent on the landscape but, interestingly, they haven't always been.

Although not native to California, we include the Turkey in this guide because flocks of these large birds are frequently seen on the hill. While native to the Americas, wild turkeys were introduced to California in the 2oth century as a hunting bird. Now commonplace, these birds are part of the local ecosystem and as omnivores, feed on a variety of insects, plants, and sometimes small amphibians or reptiles.

Where to find: Turkeys can seen all over the hill. Keep on the lookout and listen for any rustling and their distinct gobbles.

Photograph by Doug Donaldson

Photograph by Doug Donaldson

Albany Hill Field Guide

BIRDS

*Tap the photos to listen to audio or for more information on the species

MOURNING DOVE

Zenaida macroura

The gentle, rhythmic, and mournful "hoo-HOO-hoo" of the Mourning Dove is a familiar sound to all around the United States. They live in varied habitats (woodlands, suburban, savannah, etc.) and are not at all picky when it comes to choosing an area to nest. These birds are quick and direct fliers; when they fly you can hear a distinct whistling coming from the tips of their wings touching.

Mourning Doves are commonly seen in pairs or flocks, especially during winter.

Id: Listen for their distinct "hoo-HOO-hoo" and the sound of their wings flapping. Look for a tan bird with a long, pointed tail; and black spots on its wings.

Where to find: Mourning Doves are often seen along the crest of the hill.

CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE

Poecile rufescens

These small and talkative birds are commonly found in the forests and woodlands of the Pacific Northwest, starting from southern Alaska down to southern California. Although these birds prefer forests and woodlands, some can be found in suburban areas, like San Francisco where they're now commonly seen. Chestnut-backed chickadees like to forage widely within their habitat. They also look for materials like

animal fur to construct their nests. Chickadees defend their nest from intruders by both parents flapping their wings and loudly hissing at the intruder.

Id: These Chickadees have various songs and calls with differing pitches and rates. Listen for their short and rapid chirping. A loud, high-pitched, "pi-pi-pi-pi". These birds are small with a black and white head, a brown "chestnut" back, and a white chest.

Where to find: Chickadees are most likely to be seen in the Oak Woodland

AMERICAN ROBIN

Turdus migratorius

The distinct bright-red chest of the American Robin can be seen all over the United States. They live in suburban areas and forests. You can typically find these birds foraging on the ground for worms and berries. Since their eyes are on the sides of their heads, they have to tilt their heads to the side to look for their next meal.

Id: Their calls are evenly spaced and not rapid compared to Chesnut Chickadees. The tone goes up and down with each call, as if it lacks a stable voice. American Robins have a dark gray back and head with a bright red chest. Female Robins tend to be a paler color than males.

Where to find: Robins are all over the hill, but you’ll most likely find one on the crest.

BIRDS

*Tap the photos to listen to audio or for more information on the species

SNOWYEGRET

Egrettathula

This elegant-looking heron can be found in shallow, slowmoving water where they like to hunt small aquatic animals. To attract a mate, male Snowy Egrets give a performance where they pump their body up and down, make a loud call, and tumble on the ground. Males fight for a breeding area and choose nest sites, usually in shrubs, marshes, or stands of trees. Males tend to work on nests before they even find a mate. A female then takes over and finishes the job, the male supplying the materials. Their nest is typically made of loosely woven twigs, grass, and plants like sedges and rushes. Both partners take turns incubating their eggs as well as caring for their young. Where to find: You may see these birds along Cerrito Creek.

BUSHTIT

Psaltriparusminimus

Bushtits are some really social and friendly birds who like to live in flocks of 10 to 40 birds and even tolerate other species. Bushtits can be described as tiny and feathered balls full of energy that can be seen bouncing from one shrub to another looking for food. They often hang upside down to search for insects on the underside of leaves.

Bushtits weave a unique hanging nest that's shaped like a pouch. The nest hangs about a foot low and has an entry hole at the top of the nest making the nest deep. They use materials such as feathers and fur to insulate the nest; they also use plant material on the outside to camouflage the nest. To stretch out the nest, bushtits sit on the nest while under construction. It can take up to 50 days to build a nest. The nest typically gets reused by the same Bushtit partners for their second batch of nestlings.

Two Bushtit partners stay together for several years. Bushtits have an uncommon behavior of having helpers that aid parents in building the nest and raising their nestlings. Typically these helpers are males which makes it an even more unusual behavior among birds. Where to find: Bushtits are found in the oak woodland, though it can be hard to see them as they’re very small. Keep an eye for a tiny gray blur hopping from shrub to shrub.

Photo credit: TASH

REFERENCES

Context: Albany Hill Field Guide

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Save Albany Hill Fact Sheet. (Albany Hill File). Albany Library, Albany Ca, United States.

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CulturalSignificance:

Confederated Villages of Lisjan. (n.d.). Shellmounds of the Bay Area – Confederated Villages of Lisjan. Confederated Villages of Lisjan. https://villagesoflisjan.org/home/shellmounds-of-the-bay-area/ Lightfoot, K. G., & Parrish, O. (2009). California Indians and Their Environment: An Introduction. University of California Press.

mak-'amham. (n.d.). Ohlone Gastronomy — mak-'amham/Cafe Ohlone. mak-'amham/Cafe Ohlone. https://www.makamham.com/valuesandvision

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Nelson, N. (1909, December). Shellmounds of the San Francisco Bay Region. American Archaeology and Ethnology, 7(4), 309-356. University of California Berkeley Digital Assets. https://digitalassets.lib.berkeley.edu/anthpubs/ucb/text/ucp007-006-007.pdf

Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology. (n.d.). Protected: Exploring California Indigenous Food & Practices Through Traditional Acorn Mush. Exhibits Archive. https://hearstmuseum.berkeley.edu/exhibit/

Sogorea Te' Land Trust. (n.d.). Lisjan (Ohlone) History & Territory . The Sogorea Te Land Trust. https://sogoreatelandtrust.org/lisjan-history-and-territory/

Sogorea Te' Land Trust. (n.d.). Mak Noono Tiirinikma . The Sogorea Te Land Trust. https://sogoreatelandtrust.org/mak-noono-tiirinikma/

Sogorea Te' Land Trust. (n.d.). Purpose and Vision . The Sogorea Te Land Trust. https://sogoreatelandtrust.org/purposeand-vision/

Albany Hill Field Guide

REFERENCES

Calflora. (n.d.). About Calflora. Calflora. https://www.calflora.org/about-cf.html#about-text Calscape. (n.d.). About Us. Calscape. https://calscape.org/about.php

eBird. (n.d.). About eBird. eBird. https://ebird.org/about

Friends of Albany Hill. (n.d.). Home. Friends of Albany Hill –https://friendsofalbanyhill.org/ iNaturalist. (2023, July 11). About · iNaturalist. iNaturalist. Liam O’Brien. (2009). Butterflies of San Francisco. San Francis sfbaywildlife.info. (n.d.). About this website. Wildlife of the https://www.sfbaywildlife.info/misc/about.htm

Sogorea Te' Land Trust. (n.d.). Purpose and Vision. The Sogorea and-vision/

TASH. (n.d.). Tending the Ancient Shoreline Hill (TASH) – Alban environmental education. https://tendancienthill.org/ Resources:

Grasses:

Calscape. (n.d.). Blue Wildrye, Elymus glaucus . Calscape. https://calscape.org/Elymus-glaucus-(Blue-Wildrye)

Calscape. (n.d.). Purple Needlegrass, Stipa pulchra . Calscape. https://calscape.org/Stipa-pulchra-(Purple-Needlegrass)? srchcr=sc64f7d02265349

Calscape. (n.d.). Small Flowered Needlegrass, Stipa lepida. Calscape. https://calscape.org/Stipa-lepida-(Small-FloweredNeedlegrass)?srchcr=sc64f7d063503b7

Trees/Shrubs:

Baccharis pillularis. Nature Collective. (2020a, January 29). California sagebrush. Nature Collective. (2020b, January 29). sagebrush/

Calscape. (n.d.). California Hazel, Corylus cornuta ssp. californica. Calscape. https://calscape.org/Corylus-cornuta-ssp.californica-(California-Hazel)?srchcr=sc64f7d0c0c3b97

Calscape. (n.d.). Coast Live Oak, Quercus agrifolia. Calscape. https://calscape.org/Quercus-agrifolia-(Coast-Live-Oak)? srchcr=sc64f7d13d6acb0

Calscape. (n.d.). Poisonoak, Toxicodendron diversilobum. Calscape. https://calscape.org/Toxicodendron-diversilobum(Poisonoak)?srchcr=sc64f7d182302b0

Lightfoot, K. G., & Parrish, O. (2009). California Indians and Their Environment: An Introduction. University of California Press.

Lisin, C. (2022, November 15). Coyote brush. Trees Foundation. https://treesfoundation.org/2022/11/coyote-brush/ Toyon. onceuponawatershed. (n.d.). https://www.onceuponawatershed.org/toyon

REFERENCES

Herbaceousplants:

California Flora Nursery. (n.d.). https://www.calfloranursery.com/plants/heterotheca-villosa-sanCalscape. (n.d.). California Goldenrod, Solidago velutina ssp. ssp.-californica-(California-Goldenrod)?srchcr=sc64f7d267da7e2

Calscape. (n.d.). Mugwort, Artemisia douglasiana. Calscape. srchcr=sc64f7d2a261f42

Calscape. (n.d.). Coyote Mint, Monardella villosa. Calscape. srchcr=sc64f7d30365877

Calscape. (n.d.). Gumweed, Grindelia hirsutula. Calscape srchcr=sc64f7d358b93c1

Calscape. (n.d.). Rooreh, Claytonia perfoliata. Calscape. srchcr=sc64f7d38e5c4e7

Calscape. (n.d.). Bush Monkey Flower, Diplacus aurantiacus. Calscape. Monkey-Flower)?srchcr=sc64f7d3c5dbedc

Calscape. (n.d.). Soap Plant, Chlorogalum pomeridianum. Calscape. (Soap-Plant)?srchcr=sc64f7d43ddd52f

Garden for the Environment. (2020, April 6). Native Plant Fun Facts: Edible, Elegant Claytonia perfoliata — Environment. Garden for the Environment. https://www.gardenfortheenvironment.org/growing-gardenersarchive/2020/4/6/ihhverch1vxiqeujhwqxhg0p3wrb3i

Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. (2022, October 2). Sticky Monkey Fl Conservancy. http://parksconservancy.org/conservation/sticky-monkey-flower

Lightfoot, K. G., & Parrish, O. (2009). California Indians and Press.

Nature Collective. (n.d.). Gumplant, Grindelia camporum. Nature Collective. https://naturecollective.org/plantguide/details/gumplant/

U.S. Forest Service. Forest Service Shield. (n.d.). https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-theweek/achillea_millefolium.shtml

Common yarrow. (n.d.). https://calscape.org/Achillea-millefolium-(Common-Yarrow)

Phacelia malvifolia var. Malvifolia. (n.d.). https://rareplants.ebcnps.org/Phacelia-malvifolia-varmalvifolia.html#populations

Stinging Phacelia, Phacelia malvifolia - Calscape. (n.d.). https://calscape.org/Phacelia-malvifolia-()

Albany Hill Field Guide

Insects:

Acorn, J. H., & Sheldon, I. (2006). Bugs of Northern California

American lady. Missouri Department of Conservation. (2024, Marc guide/american-lady

Anise swallowtail Papilio zelicaon Lucas, 1852. Butterflies and https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Papilio-zelicaon

Biggs, K. (2004). Dragonflies of California and Common Dragonfl

Brenner, K. (2011, June 22). Urban species profile:: Mylitta Cr https://www.metrofieldguide.com/urban-species-profile-mylitta-c

Bryant, P. J. (Ed.). (n.d.). Butterflies of Orange County, Cali https://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/lepidopt/index.htm

Butterflies of the Adirondacks: American lady (Vanessa Virginie https://wildadirondacks.org/adirondack-butterflies-american-lad

Common buckeye Junonia Coenia Hübner, [1822]. Butterflies and M https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Junonia-coenia

Conservation Commission of Missouri. (n.d.). Leaf beetles (chry https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/leaf-beetles-chr

Daniels, J. C. (2008, January). common buckeye - Junonia coenia https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/common_buckeye.htm

Green Connections. (n.d.). GREEN CONNECTIONS ECOLOGY GUIDES. Sa

Hall, D. W. (2009). American Lady - Vanessa virginiensis (Drury https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/american_lady.htm

Hodge, M. (2023). Papilio zelicaon. Animal Diversity Web.

Inouye, D. (n.d.). Bumblebees (Bombus spp.). U.S Forest Service https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/bumblebees.shtml

Kane, P. (2020, June 2). Ladybird facts for kids. National Geographic Kids. https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/animals/insects/ladybird-facts/

Kreiger, R., & Noblitt, C. (2014). Vanessa Cardui. Animal Diversity Web. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Vanessa_cardui/ McGavin, G. (2002). Insects, spiders, and other terrestrial arthropods (2nd ed.). Dorling Kindersley Inc.

Murray, S. (2016, May 18). Bug of the day: Ladybug. UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department. https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/entnemdept/2016/05/23/bug-dayladybug/#:~:text=Many%20species%20employ%20a%20defense,stain%20some%20fabrics%20and%20surfaces.

Rolih, K. (2019, August). California Pipevine Swallowtail (U.S. National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/articles/california-pipevine-swallowtail.htm

Albany Hill Field Guide

REFERENCES

Insects:

Rutter, B. (2024, May 7). Sweat bees: 7 quick facts and more. The Best Bees Company. https://bestbees.com/2024/05/07/sweat-bees-7-quick-facts-and-more/

San, Y. (2016, August 30). Life Cycle of a Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly. Science Connected Magazine. https://magazine.scienceconnected.org/2016/08/life-cycle-pipevine-swallowtail-butterfly/ SFbaywildlife.info. (n.d.). Monarch Butterfly. Wildlife of the San Francisco Bay Area. https://sfbaywildlife.info/species/monarch_butterfly.htm

Skippers. Missouri Department of Conservation. (n.d.). https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/skippers Smithsonian Institution. (n.d.). Beetles (coleoptera). https://www.si.edu/spotlight/buginfo/beetle

Stewart, B. (1998). Common butterflies of California. West Coast Lady Press.

UC ANR. (2014, April 22). A bee that’s a delight to see. https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=13682

UC Davis. (n.d.). Art Shapiro’s Butterfly Site. Hesperiidae | Art Shapiro’s Butterfly Site. https://butterfly.ucdavis.edu/family/hesperiidae?page=0

UC Davis. (n.d.). Glossary of butterfly terms. Art Shapiro’s Butterfly Site. https://butterfly.ucdavis.edu/resources/glossary

UC Davis. (n.d.). Phyciodes mylitta. Art Shapiro’s Butterfly Site. https://butterfly.ucdavis.edu/butterfly/phyciodes/mylitta Ultra-green Sweat Bee. Explore the coast to Cactus Region. (n.d.). https://coasttocactus.sdnhm.org/animals/ultra-greensweat-bee

USDA. (n.d.). Monarch Butterfly Migration and Overwintering. USDA Forest Service. https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/Monarch_Butterfly/migration/index.shtml

University of California. (n.d.). Soldier beetles. UC Statewide IPM Program (UC IPM). https://ipm.ucanr.edu/naturalenemies/soldier-beetles/#HOSTS

West Coast lady Vanessa Annabella (field, 1971). Butterflies and Moths of North America. (n.d.). https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Vanessa-annabella

What are beetles?. Insects in the City. (2015, December 29). https://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/household/beetleshouse/what-are-beetles/

Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, January 28). Vespula pensylvanica. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespula_pensylvanica

Albany Hill Field Guide

REFERENCES

Chen, M. (2023, August 23). WIYW: Peculiar friends: Ringneck snakes. The Watershed Project. https://thewatershedproject.org/wiyw-peculiar-friends-ringneck-snakes/

James, M. (2014). Western Fence Lizard. Friends of Edgewood. https://friendsofedgewood.org/western-fence-lizard

Little, D. (n.d.). Western Fence Lizard. Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. https://www.openspace.org/where-togo/nature/western-fence-lizard

Pacific ring-necked snake. Things That Creep. (n.d.). https://www.thingsthatcreep.org/ringneck

U.S. Department of the Interior. (2024). Ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus). National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/jeca/learn/nature/ring-necked-snake.htm Reptiles

Mammals

Adams, K. (2012, March 21). Tarsal glands: What we know. National Deer Association. https://deerassociation.com/tarsalglands-know/#:~:text=The%20tarsal%20gland%2C%20arguably%20the,in%20both%20bucks%20and%20does.

Columbian Black-tailed Deer. Solano County Office of Education. (n.d.). https://www.solanocoe.net/Families/SolanoOutdoor-Explorer-Quest/Columbian-Black-tailed-Deer/

Greene, N. (1999). Thomomys Bottae (Botta’s pocket gopher). Animal Diversity Web. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Thomomys_bottae/

Mule Deer. National Wildlife Federation. (n.d.). https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/WildlifeGuide/Mammals/Mule-Deer

Strange, C. J. (n.d.). Botta’s pocket gopher or Valley Pocket Gopher. Friends of Edgewood. https://friendsofedgewood.org/gopher

U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). Mule Deer (odocoileus hemoinus). National Parks Service. https://www.nps.gov/jeca/learn/nature/mule-deer-odocoileushemoinus.htm#:~:text=Instead%20of%20running%20in%20a,the%20ground%20at%20a%20time.

Wildlife Leadership Academy. (n.d.). 3.-Skin-Glands-WTD-Wildlife-Series.pdf.

Albany Hill Field Guide

REFERENCES

Birds:

Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (n.d.-a). American Robin. All About Birds. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin

Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (n.d.). Bushtit life history. All About Birds. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bushtit/lifehistory

Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (n.d.-b). Chestnut-backed chickadee. All About Birds. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Chestnut-backed_Chickadee

Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (n.d.-c). Mourning Dove. All About Birds. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mourning_Dove

Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (n.d.-d). Snowy egret . All About Birds. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Snowy_Egret

Dolkas, M. (2019, November 4). Where Did California's Wild Turkeys Come From? Peninsula Open Space Trust. https://openspacetrust.org/blog/wild-turkeys/ eBird. (n.d.). Anna's Hummingbird. eBird. https://ebird.org/species/annhum eBird. (n.d.). Great Horned Owl. eBird.https://ebird.org/species/grhowl/ Fix, D., & Bezener, A. (2020). Birds of Northern California. Lone Pine Publishing International.

Second Edition https://www.albanyca.org/albany-hill

ThefirsteditionofthisFieldGuidewascreatedbyIsobelReaddie. Secondeditionupdateswerecreatedby AzucenaMaciasandSandraHernandez. EditedbyMargotCunningham. AprojectoftheHabitatRestorationInternProgram attheCityofAlbany FundedbyaWildfireResilienceGrant fromtheStateCoastalConservancy. Entriesofmoreplantsandanimalswillbeaddedbyfutureinterns.

540 Cleveland Ave Albany CA 94710 apworks@albanyca.org