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The Birds of Mill Bend: Pacific Wren

Pacific Wren (Troglodytes pacificus), formerly Winter Wren, is a delightful little species that inhabits the understory of our mixed woodland forests. More often heard than seen, they have one of the loudest and longest songs of all North American birds (here’s a great example!). Considering its diminutive size (only 3.5” long and weighing under 12 grams), Pacific Wrens probably win the award for greatest song volume to body size ratio.

Pacific Wrens are most often observed in the dense understory of coniferous and mixed woodlands. They tend to move stealthily within the darker areas but often like to sing from exposed perches. They also have a distinctive “chip” note for their calls that, once learned, greatly helps in catching a look at them (you can check out examples of their calls here too). 

Mill Bend Preserve’s River Rail Trail is a good location to look (and listen) for Pacific Wrens. To enjoy the River Rail Trail, park at the Gualala Arts Center and take the trail that leads down to the river along the west side of the building.

Collecting Seed for the

Upland Mill Site Restoration

Seeds of the Coastal Bluff Morning Glory (Calystegia purpurata ssp. saxicola), one of the rare plants at Mill Bend Preserve (CRPR 1B.2).

Progress continues on the design plan for the restoration for the upland mill site at Mill Bend Preserve. The restoration of this area will transform the compacted field of invasive grasses and asphalt into a thriving native pine forest and coastal scrub habitat. The area is being designed specifically to encourage and support the presence of birds and other wildlife. 

In preparation for this restoration project, we began collecting native plant seed in the summer and fall of 2024. These seeds will be used to produce the thousands of native trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals that will be planted. The seeds are being collected on-site so that the plants will be well-suited to the environmental conditions of Mill Bend Preserve. This is especially important for plants that have a large native range. For example, consider how a Yarrow plant (Achillea millefolium) growing near Bakersfield would be adapted to a drastically different climate than the Yarrow plants that evolved on the cool Mendocino coast.

Another important consideration when collecting seed for a restoration project is maintaining genetic diversity. For each species, seed is collected from a large number of individual plants so that the seeds are genetically diverse, and are thus more resilient in the face of stresses, including climate change. 

At RCLC, we are also practicing rigorous sanitary measures in order to prevent inadvertently spreading serious plant diseases, such as Sudden Oak Death, to the restoration site. Awareness of this important issue has increased over the last decade, and is transforming the way plants are grown for restoration projects. These sanitation measures, or best management practices (BMPs), begin during seed collection, and continue through every step of the growing process to the final planting. A few examples of seed collection BMPs are sanitizing hands before and during collecting seed, collecting seed only in dry weather, and using new envelopes for seed storage. These small measures are part of an extensive system of BMPs that will help prevent the introduction of pathogens into restoration sites. 

While seed collecting is just the first step in the reestablishment of native vegetation, the care taken at this step will ensure the plantings are healthy, resilient, and well-suited for the area, giving them the best possible chance of success.

Meet our Volunteers: Chris Braley

Meet Chris Braley, who has been volunteering with RCLC for almost five years. You’ll often see Chris out and about at a community event, sharing information about our programs and mission. Next time you see her, stop by and say hello! 

How long have you lived on the Mendonoma Coast?

I moved to Gualala in January 2020, just before everything shut down for COVID. I have a friend I worked with for years who lived up here and decided to check this area out when I made the decision to leave the Bay Area. I love it here!

What inspired you to start volunteering with RCLC?

I previously volunteered in the Bay Area, and was interested in getting involved in Gualala. I completed the volunteer info on RCLC’s website, and received a call from Cheryl (who is on the board of directors) about ways I could help. I’ve been an outreach volunteer ever since and I often table at community events. I really enjoy getting out there and speaking with folks—it’s a good experience meeting new people and telling them about what we do at RCLC.

How do you describe RCLC to someone who is interested in learning more about what we do? 

I usually start the conversation by asking folks if they are familiar with RCLC and if they are visiting or residents. I tell people that RCLC restores and stewards habitats along the coast. Then, I usually follow up by sharing our volunteer opportunities and providing information about the places the organization protects. If people have limited time, I normally steer them to check out the historic cemetery at Mill Bend Preserve and use images to show the restoration work that volunteers have accomplished there.

What do you wish the community knew about volunteering with RCLC?

That volunteering is more than just pulling invasive vegetation! We have so many more projects that people can assist with.

When you're not volunteering, what do you like to do for fun?

Photography and bird watching. We live in such a fabulous area and I like exploring.

Where's your go-to place to enjoy nature around here?

I love walking the Gualala Bluff Trail, especially in winter, as the river changes daily.  

Thank you, Chris—we appreciate all that you do for RCLC!

Upcoming Event:

Gardening at Hearn Gulch

You're invited to spend the morning with us at Hearn Gulch, Redwood Coast Land Conservancy's northernmost property, on Saturday, May 17, from 10:00 AM - noon. 

This hands-on experience offers a relaxed opportunity for gardeners to get to know the coastal plant life of Hearn Gulch, including low-growing natives and the invasive species they compete against. With trowels in hand, we'll tackle some of the easier-to-pull invasives to give the native plants more room to grow.  

Space is limited, so contact Mark Escajeda (mescajeda@rclc.org) if you'd like more information.

Learning Together: California Council of Land Trusts

Weather we don't typically experience during our work day!

In March, RCLC outreach director Rachel Gagnon and stewardship director Sophia Pisciotta attended the annual California Land & Water Conservation Conference organized by the California Council of Land Trusts.

Over 400 participants from around the state convened in Yosemite for two days of informative and inspiring presentations and networking. The conference covered case studies in conservation, restoration, and community engagement, as well topics of funding, acquisitions, and policy. For more information on the conference, including winners of the film festival, check out the CCLT website. 

Photo credits: Bill Oxford, Sophia Pisciotta, Querido Galdo, Karen Wilkinson, Mark Escajeda