Greetings Mt. Pisgah enthusiasts!

My wife and I took advantage of mild weather and climbed Mt. Pisgah up the main trail to the Oak Demo area near the summit during an overcast late afternoon, with occasional slight drizzle. I paid special attention to the ecology of the Oak Demo area, as I haven't been there during the spring since the thinning project.  It looks GREAT.

Right now is an excellent time to make the hike.  In particular, common sunny site plants such as Pacific Iris and Rosy Checkermallow are thriving.  Less common plants also are responding very well to the restoration of the savanna-woodland habitat.  Death Camas, Tolmie's Cat's Ear Lily, Nine-leaved Lomatium (L. triternatum), Oregon Geranium, Mule's Ears and Tall Western Groundsel also are quite showy now -- and apparently responding well to the increased availability of light  I don't think I have ever seen them in such numbers there.  (The spring rains may be helping, too.)

While lingering in the lower part of the woodland-savanna restoration area, we experienced a nice fallout of migrating birds: mostly Western Tanagers, but also some Black-headed Grosbeaks.  In one spot we counted at least a dozen tanagers simultaneously.  They were feeding in the oak canopies.

Topping off our trip, we spotted the longest Southern Alligator Lizard I have ever seen sunning on the trail, a Lazuli Bunting singing at eye level about 40' away, and a nice patch of Menzie's Larkspur lower down.

On the unfortunate side, Shining Geranium is entering the restoration area, and the patch of False Brome about a quarter mile up the main trail in the Arboretum seems to have greatly expanded.

The Oak Demonstration area project appears to have been a great success!  The "messy" restoration activity is only a memory, and the area appears to be a thriving oak woodland - savanna.  It will need our continued involvement to keep the invasives out, reduce the exotics, and increase the native prairie plants that are starting to respond.

Bruce Newhouse, Ecologist and Stewardship Technical Advisory committee chair

5/31/10