s Wildlife in my pond

A LIST OF WILDLIFE FOUND IN/AT THE BIGGS SF BAY AREA WILDLIFE POND

This list of wildlife seen in our Sebastopol, CA pond was last updated March 2019
Our attempt to document all the wildlife, large and small, that uses our pond.


Shortcuts (# seen):
Mammals (13); Birds (63!!); Reptiles and Amphibians (6); Dragonflies and Damselflies (28!); Butterflies and Moths (28!); Beetles, Bees and Wasps (13);
Misc. Water and Flying Insects (24); Spiders (8); Microscopic and Others (12)


MAMMALS

(Most mammals that use the pond are nocturnal and therefore they are not often seen except for the footprints they leave behind
SPECIES (in order noted)
Click on text to see image(s)
Thumbnail Photo
USAGE
# of the MONTH SEEN




1. Humans
Homo sapiens
Cool off; care for pond; learn about pond 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




2. Raccoon
Procyon lotor
Hunt for and wash food in pond; (eat water hyacinth!),drink, rearrange plants 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




3. House Cat
Felidae
Drink from pond and frog spitter (Our and our neighbor's pets, not feral...
...and those we 'cat sit')
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




4. Virginia Opossum
Didelphis virginiana
Drink; dig for insects in bog; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




5. Gray Fox
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
A vixen and kits! Drink(?) 1, 2, 3, _, _, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, __, __, 12




6. Mole species
Talpidae
sorry - no photo(s) Grub for worms; mess up pond walkways! 1, _, _, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12




7. Gopher species
Geomyidae
sorry - no photo(s) Eat bog plants from roots up! _, _, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




8. California Vole
Microtus californicus
sorry - no photo(s) Cat brought it to pond to eat! _, _, _, _, 5, 6, _, _, 9, __, __, __




9. Bat species
Chiroptera
sorry - no photo(s) Forages above pond _, _, _, _, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, __, __, __




10. Western Gray Squirrel
Sciurus griseus
Drinks from pond! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




11. Striped Skunk
Mephitis mephitis
Drinks from pond at night 1, 2, _, _, _, _, _, 8, 9, 10, __, 12




12. Eastern Fox Squirrel
Sciurus niger
Picks off floating acorns and plants them in the lawn! Also eats Maple tree seeds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, __, __, 12




13. Black-tailed Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
Come to get a drink/eat pondside plants _, _, 3, 4, _, _, _, _,_, __, __, __






BIRDS


s
SPECIES (in order noted) Thumbnail Photo
USAGE
# of the MONTH SEEN




1. Black Phoebe
Sayornis nigricans
Flycatches surface/over pond; Perches 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




2. Pacific-slope Flycatcher
aka Western Flycatcher
Empidonax difficilis
sorry - no photo(s) Flycatches surface/over pond _, _, _, _, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, __, __, __




3. Belted Kingfisher
Megaceryle alcyon
Looks for fish to dive for (we USED to have fish in our pond
- we do not recommend mosquito fish in the west
1, 2, 3, _, _, _, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




4. Green-backed Heron
Butorides virescens
sorry - no photo(s) Would have stalked fish, I inadvertently scared him off! _, _, _, _, _, _, 7, 8, _, __, __, __




5. Great-blue Heron
Ardea herodias
Wades in, searching for fish, frogs, etc! _, 2, 3, 4, _, _, _, 8, 9, 10, __, __




6. California Towhee
(formerly Brown Towhee)
Pipilo fuscus
Bathes in; drinks from pond 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




7. Western Scrub Jay
Aphelocoma californica

aka A. coerulescens
Bathes on beach, in pond plantings and drinks;
catches insects on pond plants
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




8. Bullock's Oriole
Icterus galbula bullockii
Bathes in pond/waterfall _, _, _, _, 5, 6, _, _, _, __, __, __




9. Western Tanager
Piranga ludoviciana
Bathes in pond and waterfall _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 8, 9, __, __, __




10. Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Parus rufescens
Drinks from/bathes in waterfall _, 2, _, _, 5, 6, _, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




11. White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
Drinks from/bathes in pond/waterfall bowl 1, 2, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 10, 11, 12




12. Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis oregonus
Drinks from/bathes in pond 1, 2, 3, _, _, _, _, 8, _, 10, 11, 12




13. Lesser Goldfinch
Spinus psaltria
Bathes in/drinks from pond/waterfall 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




14. Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
Drinks from pond; bathes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, _, _, _, _, 10, 11, 12




15. Purple Finch
Carpodacus purpureus
sorry - no photo(s) Drinks from/bathes in pond _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, __, 11, 12




16. House Finch
Carpodacus mexicanus
Drinks from/bathes in pond; lands on boulders 1, _, 3, _, _, _, 6, _, _, 10, 11, 12




17.Yellow-rumped aka AudubonWarbler
Dendroica coronata auduboni
Drinks from/bathes in pond 1, 2s, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 10, 11, __




18. Wilson's Warbler
Wilsonia pusilla
Gleans insects from pond plants; bathes _, _, 3, _, 5, _, _, 8, 9, __, __, __




19. Golden-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia atricapilla
Drinks from/bathes in pond/waterfall 1, 2, 3, 4, _, _, _, _, _, __, 11, 12




20. Swainson's Thrush
Catharus ustulata
Drinks from/bathes in waterfall _, _, _, _, 5, 6, _, 8, 9, __, __, __




21. Cassin's Vireo
Vireo cassinii
sorry - no photo(s) Drinks from waterfall _, _, _, _, 5, _, _, _, 9, __, __, __




22. Anna's Hummingbird
Calypte anna
Bathes in and drinks from waterfall bowl; visits pond flowers _, _, _, 4, 5, 6, _, 8, 9, 10, 11, __




23. Oak Titmouse
Baeolophus inornatus
Bathes in, drinks from bowl above waterfall _, _, 3, _, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, __, __




24. Red-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta canadesis
Bathes in bowl above waterfall _, _, _, _, _, 6, _, 8, 9, __, __, __




25. Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
Sits in Oak tree above pond and watches for amphibians,
but once it came in for a bath!
_, _, _, _, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, __, __




26. Mourning Dove
Zenaidura macroura
Drinks from beach/waterfall area; bathes at beach _, _, _, _, _, _, 7, 8, _, __, __, __




27. Yellow Warbler
Dendroica petechia
Bathes in pond _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 9, __, __, __




28. Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
Gleans seeds floating on water surface/drinks _, _, 3, 4, 5, 6, _, 8, _, 10 __, 12




29. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Regulus calendula
Gleans insects from plants around pond edges;
drinks/bathes at waterfall
1-01, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _ , 10/31, 11, __




30. Allen's Hummingbird
Selasphorus sasin
Hawks insects over pond; tangles with Cardinal Meadowhawk _, _, _, 4, 5, _, _, _, _, __, __, __




31. Screech Owl
Otus asio
sorry - no photo(s) Eats beetles/crickets from pond beach at night! _, _, _, _, _, _, 7, _, _, __, __, __




32. Bewick's Wren
Thryomanes bewickii
Gleans insects from pond plants! _, 2, _, _, _, _, _, _, 9, __, __, 12




33. Hutton's Vireo
Vireo huttoni
Gleans insects from pondside plants! _, _, _, _, _, _, 7, _, 9, __, __, 12




34. Hermit Thrush
Catharus guttata
Bathes; drinks from front washing tub pond 1, 2, 3, _, _, _, _, 9, 10, 11, __




35. American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Bathes in beach area & in waterfall;
drinks; collects nesting material
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




36. European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Bathes in beach area _, _, 3,4, 5, _, _, _, _ , __, __, 12




37. California Quail
Callipepla californica
Scratches in bog areas _, 2, 3,_, _, _, _, _, _ , __, __, __




38. Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
Feed on aquatic plants
What a surprise their visits are!
They have appeared every year for 8 years now!
_, 2, 3, 4, 5, _, _, _, _ , __, __, __




39. Spotted Towhee
aka Rufous-sided Towhee
Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Bathes in pond _, _, _, _, 5, 6, _, _, _ , __, __, __




40. Great Egret
Casmerodius albus
Goes fishing/frogging in the pond _, 2, _, _, 5, 6, _, _, _ , __, __, __




41. Ash-throated Flycatcher
Myiarchus cinerascens/
Bathes in pond _, _, _, _, _, 6, _, _, _ , __, __, __




42. Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
Bathes in pond at beach area; drinks 1, 2, 3, _, _, _, _, _, _ , __, 11, __




43. White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
Feeds in sunny bog; comes in for a drink 1, 2, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 10, 11, 12




44. Nuttal's Woodpecker
Picoides nuttallii
sorry - no photo(s) Drinks from/bathes in pond _, _, _, _, _, 6-00, _, _, _, __, __, __




45. Bushtit
Psaltriparus minimus
Drinks from/bathes in pond _, _, _, _, 5, 6, _, _, 9, __, 11, __




46. Black-crowned Night-Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
sorry - no photo(s) Probably ate the goldfish: they are missing! _, _, _, _, _, 6&7-00, _, _, __, __, __




47. White-tailed Kite
aka Black-shouldered Kite
Elanus caeruleus
Young one found on beach, starving!
Starving - took it to bird rescue
_, _, _, _, _, _, _, 8-00, _, __, __, __




48. American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
Bathes in pond at beach area 1, _, _, _, 5, 6, 7, _, _, 10, 11, __




49. Townsend's Warbler
Dendroica townendi
Bathe _, _, _, _, 5, _, _, _, _, 10, __, __




49 1/2. White Pelican
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Well, not IN the pond, but they did seem to look
down at it as they flew over!
_, _, _, _, _, _, _, 8, _, __, __, __




50. Pine Siskin
Carduekus pinus
Drink, bathe, fight! _, _, 3, _, _, _, _, _, _, 10 __, 12




51. Black-throated Gray Warbler
Dendroica nigrescens
Gleans tiny insects off pond plants; bathes _, _, _, _, _, _, 7, _, _, 10, __, __




52. Varied Thrush
Ixoreus naevius
Bathes in pond, drinks! 1, _, 3, _, _, _, _, _, _, __, __, 12




53. Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
Bathes; eats ants 1, 2, 3, _, _, _, _, _, _, 10, 11, 12




54. Common Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
Drink from pond/waterfall & bathe _, _, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, _, _, __, __, __,




55. Sharp-shinned Hawk
Accipiter striatus
Bathes & hunts 1, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, __, 11, __,




56. Band-tailed Pigeon
Columba fasciata
Bathe & drink 1, 2, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, __, __, 12




57. Western Bluebird
Sialia mexicana
Bathe 1, _, 3, _, _, _, _, _, _, 10, __, __




58. Fox Sparrow
Passerella iliaca
Bathe _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, S9, __, __, __




59. Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
Drink _, _, 3-'14, _, _, _, _, _, _, __, __, __




60. Acorn Woodpecker
Melanerpes formicivorus
Drink and bathe _, 2-'15, _, _, _, _, _, _, __, 10-'14, __, __




61. Stellar's Jay
Cyanocitta stelleri
Drink _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, __,11-'14, __




62. Nashville Warbler
Vermivora ruficapilla
Bathe _, _, 3-'15, _, _, _, _, _, _,__,__,__




63. Rufous Hummingbird
Selasphorus rufus
Bathe _, _, _, 4-'22, _, _, _, _,__,__,__





REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS


SPECIES Thumbnail Photo USAGE # of the MONTH SEEN
*=larval stage only seen




1. Pacific Tree Frog
(renamed Pacific Chorus Frog)
Hyla regilla
"Sing" and breed in pond; pollywogs/froglets live in pond 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, _, 10, __, __




2. Western Toad
Bufo boreas
sorry, no photo yet Seen hunting near pathways _, _, _, _, _, _, 7, 8, _, __, __, __




3. Bullfrog
Rana catesbeiana
Non-native in west; we had to displace it as it ate all our Pacific Treefrogs
and starting eating our Goldfinches!! - Yes, they even eat BIRDS!! :-(
We got rid of it!!
Read an article about them
_, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, __, __, __




4. Aquatic Garter Snake
Thamnophis couchi aquaticus
Mate/hunt in sunny bog and in pond _, _, _, 4, 5, 6, _, _, _, __, __, __




5. California Alligator Lizard
Gerrhonotus multicarinatus
sorry, no photo yet Hunts in the sunny bog _, _, _, 4, _, _, _, _, _, __, __, __




6. California Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps attenuatus
Live in bog areas _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, __, __, 12






INSECTS


DRAGONFLIES
You never know where building a pond may lead, now I'm the author of several dragonfly related websites and books. See below!
Click on any name/cover to learn more about my websites/book(s)!


DRAGONFLIES (ODONATA) OF THE SOUTHWEST

CALIFORNIA DRAGONFLIES & DAMSELFLIES
An article about dragonfly emergence

My 2009 WGI article about dragonflies

Another sequence of photos of a dragonfly's emergence


Dragonflies of the Greater Southwest - Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah


Also available as an eBook
by Kathy Biggs

June 2015

A coloring book -
Dragonflies of North America
A Color and Learn Book
with Activities


May 2007
by Kathy Biggs and Tim Manolis

For children, grandchildren & your inner child!
Also available as an interactive CD-ROM which contains the coloring book in PDF format, plus a bonus page
2009: Common Dragonflies and Dragonflies of California
This revised edition updates and expands our very first California dragonfly guide (2000):

by Kathy Biggs
2009




SPECIES (in ~ order seen) Thumbnail Photo
USAGE
# of the MONTH SEEN
* = only nymph stage seen




1. Green Darner
Anax junius
Breed in pond: males patrol; ; females oviposit;nymphs emerge 1* 2* 3* 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11* 12*




2. Pacific Forktail Damselfly
Ischnura cervula
Breed in pond; females become all dark; adults earliest emergence 2-18 1* 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11* 12*




3. Western Forktail damselfly
Ischnura perparva
Breed in pond; females turn pruinose 1* 2* 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11* 12*




4. Flame Skimmer
Libellula saturata
Breed in pond (more images of an egg laying female); 'hawks' insects 1* 2* 4* 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10* 11* 12*




5. Cardinal Meadowhawk
aka Streak-winged Red/Dusty Skimmer
Sympetrum illotum
Very fiesty at pond, try to fight off even larger dragonflies
Mate in the dragonfly's unique 'wheel' position near pond edge ,
then fly to pond in tandem.
The female scatters eggs on pond surface;
'hawks' insects from perch

emergence sequence
1* 2* 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12*




6. Blue-eyed Darner
Rionaeschna (formerly Aeshna) multicolor
Mate & breed by females solo oviposit into stems of pond plants or even saturated wood; eats flying insects 1* 2* 3* 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12*




7. Vivid Dancer Damselfly
Argia vivida
Visit pond & yard; breed 1* 2* 3* 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




8. Exclamation Damsel
aka Sierra Damsel!
Zoniagrion exclamationis
Breed in Pond 1* 2* 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8* 9* 10* 11* 12*




9. Eight-spotted Skimmer
Libellula forensis
'Hawks' insects, visits pond, breeds in pond! 1*2*3*4*, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9*10*11*12*




10. Blue Dasher
female
Pachydiplax longipennis
Breeds in pond; 'hawks' insects 1* 2* 3* 4* 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12*




11. Northern Bluet Damselfly
Enallagma annexum
(formerly E. cyathigerum)
Sorry, no photo yet Breeds by inserting eggs into Creeping Primrose 1* 2* 3* 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11* 12*




12. Common Whitetail
Libellula lydia
'Hawks' insects, breeds in pond _, _, _, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, _, 10-31 __ , __




13. Widow Skimmer
Libellula luctuosa
'Hawks' insects, claims a territory on pond _, _, _, _, _, 6, _, _, _, __, __, __




14. Twelve-spotted Skimmer
Libellula pulchella
Claims a territory on the pond _, _, _, _, _, _, 7, 8, _, __, __, __




15. Variegated Meadowhawk
aka Pastel Skimmer
Sympetrum corruptum
mates by and breeds in pond; 'hawks' insects
one emerged on Easter, 2012
*1, *2, *3, 4, _, _, _, 8, 9, 10, 11, *12




16. California Darner
Rionaeschna (aka Aeshna) californica
breeds; emerges from pond in March & April, leaving exuvia behind 1*2*3,4,5,6,7*8*9*10*11*12*




17. Black Spreadwing
Lestes stultus
Visits pond; oviposits into plants above waterline _, _, _, _, 5, 6, _, _, _, __, __, __




18. Striped Meadowhawk
Sympetrum pallipes
Visits pond-side plantings; 'hawks' insects _, _, _, _, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, __, 11, __




19. Shadow Darner
Aeshna umbrosa
Breeds by depositing eggs in saturated wood 1* 2* 3* 4* 5* 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12*




20. Desert Firetail
Telebasis salva
Claims a territory on pond _, _, _, 4, _, _, _, 8, _, __, __, __




21. Red-veined Meadowhawk
Sympetrum madidum
Females and males visit pond-side plantings _, _, _, _, 5, 6, _, 8, _, __, __, __




22. Tule Bluet Damselfly
Enallagma carunculatum
Sorry, no photo yet Breeds by inserting eggs into Creeping Primrose _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 8, 9, __,__, __




23. Western Pondhawk
Erythemis collocata
Breed in pond. Perch low, even on beach or floating vegetation
females & young males are a beautiful emerald green
_, _, _, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, _, __, __, __




24. California Spreadwing
Archilestes californicus
male waits for a mate to show up; female lays eggs in plantain stem _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 8, 9, __,__, __




25. Pacific Spiketail
Cordulegaster dorsalis
Catches yellowjackets and stays to eat them _, _, _, _, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, __,__, __




26. San Francisco Forktail
Ischnura gemina
Blown in by the wind? VERY RARE! Looks for mate _, _, _, _, _, 6-07, __,__, __ __,__, __




27. Beaverpond Baskettail
Epitheca canis
Looks for mate _, _, 4-9-2013, _, __, __,__, __ __,__, __




28. Familiar Bluet
Enallagma civile
Looks for mate _, _, _, _, 5-25-2013, __, __,__, __ __,__, __





MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES
Lepidoptera





SPECIES (in ~ order seen) Thumbnail Photo
USAGE
# of the MONTH SEEN
* = only nymph stage seen




1. Underwing Moth
Catocala
Sorry, no photo yet This is a small moth, its red hind wings form a triangle _, _, _, 4, _, _, _, _, _, __, __, __




2. Western Poplar Sphinx
Pachysphinx occidentalis
Sorry, no photo yet Unknown; DROWNS! _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 10, __, __




3. Mournful Duskywing
Erynnis tristis
Check out pond plants _, _, _, _, 5, _, _, 8, 9, __, __, __




4. Common-checkered Skipper
Pyrgus communis
Lay eggs on Checkerbloom at pond edges _, _, _, _, _,7, _, _, 10, __, __




5. Sandhill Skipper
Polites sabeti
Check for nectar; get minerals _, _, _, _, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, __




6. Common (Gray) Hairstreak butterfly
Strymon melinus
Sorry, no photo yet Get nectar from pondside plants _, _, _, _, 5, 6, _, _, _, __, __, __




7. Monarch
Danaus plexippus
Check out pond plants _, _, _, _, _, _, 7, 8, _, __, __, __




8. Satyr Comma
Polygonia satyrus sp.
Uses beach area as a mineral lick _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 10, __, __




9. Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
Check out pond plants _, _, _, _, _, 6, _, 8, 9, __, 11, __




10. West Coast Lady
Vanessa annabella
Get minerals from beach/lays eggs on bog plant 1, _, _, _, _, 6, _, _, 9, 10, __, 12




11. Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
Use sand/rock at edge of pond as a 'mineral lick' _, 2, _, _, 5, 6, 7, 8, _, 10, 11, __




12. California Sister
Apelpha bredowii
Checks out pond plants _, _, _, _, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, __




13. Lorquin's Admiral
Limenitis lorquini
Use sand/rocks at edge of pond as a 'mineral lick' _, _, _, _, 5, 6, 7, _, _, __, __, __




14. Buckeye
Junonia coenia
Larva feed on Mare's Tail; adults `puddle lick' _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 8, 9, 10, 11, __




15. Cabbage White
Pieris rapae
Gets nectar from flowering pond plants _, _, _, _, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, __




16. Anise Swallowtail
Papilio zelicaon
Feeds and breeds on wild fennelnear the pond
newly emerged adults
_, _, _, _, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, __




17. Western Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio rutulus
Get nectar from pond-side plants _, _, _, _, 5, 6, 7, _, _, __, __, __




18. Pale Swallowtail
Papilio eurymedon
Rest on pond plants; take nectar from pondside plants; drown _, _, _, _, _, 6, 7, 8, _, __, __, __




19. Acraea Moth
Estigmene acraea
Lays eggs on pond plants; caterpillars mature in pond on plants _, _, _, _, _, 6, 7, 8, _, __, __, __




20. Tomato Hornworm
Manduca sexta
Caterpillar found feeding on Male's Tail in middle of pond!
And another time on the sunny bog plants!
_, _, _, _,5, _, _, _, _, __, __, __




21. Acmon Blue
Plebejus acmon acmon
Sip minerals at pond's 'butterfly lick'! _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 10, __, __




22. Umber Skipper
Poanes melane
Seem to claim a territory on the pond! _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 9, 10, __, __




23. Mourning Cloak
Nymphalis antiopa
Visit pondside plants _, _, _, 4, _, 6, _, _, _, __, __, __




24. Yuba Skipper
Hesperia juba
Nectars at pondside plants _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 10, __, __




25. American Lady
Vanessa virginiensis
Nectars at pondside plants _, _, _, 4, 5, _, _, _, _, __, __, __




26. White-lined Sphinx moth
Hyles lineata
Caterpillar found feeding on Marestail IN the pond. _, _, _, _, _, 6-2013, _, _, _, __, __, __




27. Purplish Copper
Epidermia helloides
Nectar on pondside plants. _, _, _, _, 5-2014, _, _, _, _, __, __, __




28. Gulf Fritillary
Agraulis vanillae
Nectar on pondside plants. _, _, _, _, __, _, _, _, _,10, __, __





BEETLES, BEES and WASPS

1. Click Beetle Sorry, no photo yet Drown in pond _, _, 3, _, 5, 6, _, 8, _, __, __, __, __




2. Brown Leatherwing Beetle Sorry, no photo yet Drown in pond _, _, _, 4, 5, 6, _, _, _, __, __, __, __




3. Green Dock Beetle Sorry, no photo yet Found floating in pond _, _, 3, _, _, _, _, _, _, __, __, __, __




4. Honey Bee Drink from pond _, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, __, __




5. Bumble Bee Sorry, no photo yet Visit plants around pond _, _, _, 4, 5, 6, 7, _, 9, __, __, __




6. Mud Bee sp. Sorry, no photo yet Build mud nests on rocks around pond _, _, _, 4, 5, 6*_, _, _, __, __, __




7. Valley Carpenter Bee - looks like black bumble bee Sorry, no photo yet Visit plants around pond _, _, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, __, __




8. Yellow and Black Mud Dabber Wasp Visit plants around pond _, _, _, _, _, 6, 7, 8, 9, __, __, __




9. Western Orussus Sorry, no photo yet A black and red wasp; visits pond _, _, _, _, _, 6, 7, _, _, __, __, __




10. Velvet Ant Sorry, no photo yet Check out pond path plants really a female wasp _, _, _, _, _, 6, 7, _, _, __, __, __




11. Yellow Jacket Sorry, no photo yet Drink from pond _, _, _, _, _, _, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, __




12. European Paper Wasp
Pollistes dominula
Lands on pond's surface tension. Drinks from pond? _, _, _, _, 5, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _,




13. Bald-faced Hornet
Dolichovespula maculata
Drink from pond _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 9, _, _, _, _,





MISC. WATER and FLYING INSECTS

1. Pacific Spotted Mayfly Sorry, no photo yet Naiad first found in February; adult in March _, 2* 3, 4, _, _, _, _, _, __, __, __




2. Common Water Strider
Gerris remigis
Breeds in pond; 'skates' on water surface film catching insects that fall in; may prey on LIVE insects 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




3. Large Backswimmer
Notonecta
Swims upside down; breeds; eats bugs, polywogs, etc. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




4. California Creeping Water Bug
Ambrysus californica
Sorry, no photo yet Breeds in pond 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




5. Water Boatman
Corixidae
Sorry, no photo yet Breeds in pond; EATS ALGAE! _, _, _, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




6. Large Diving Beetle
Lethocerus americanus
Large sized (40 mm); breeds, larva in pond; perch on submerged objects to wait for prey _, 2, 3, 4, 5, _, 7, 8, _, __, 11, 12




7. River Beetle
Agabus
Swim about pond looking for prey; breed in pond; larva live in pond 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




8. Common Whirligig Beetle
Gyrinus
Sorry, no photo yet Whirl about on surface; prey on other insects _, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, _, __, __, __




9. Water Mite
Hydrachnellae
Sorry, no photo yet Found on just emerged damselfly! _, _, _, 4, 5, _, _, _, _, __, __, __




10. Log Cabin Caddis Worm/Fly
Oecetis
Sorry, no photo yet Makes home of twigs in pond _, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, _, _, __, __, __




11. California Alderfly
aka Hellgrammite (larva)
Sialis californica
Sorry, no photo yet nymph/larva live in pond _, 2* 3, 4, 5, 6, _, _, _, __, __, __




12. Common Crane Fly Sorry, no photo yet Breed in pond _, _, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, _, __, __, __




13. Giant Crane Fly Sorry, no photo yet Breed in pond _, _, 3, _, _, _, _, _, _, __, __, __




14. Aphid Sorry, no photo yet Sucks juices from plant leaves 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




15. Gnat Sorry, no photo yet Larva live in soil &/or water 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




16. Mosquito Sorry, no photo yet Breed in pond! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




17. Midge Sorry, no photo yet Breed in pond 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




18. Big Black Horse Fly Sorry, no photo yet Breed in pond margins _, _, _, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, __, __




19. various Fly species Sorry, no photo yet Some breed in pond 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




20. Pacific Dampwood Termite
Zootermopis angusticollis
Sorry, no photo yet Breed in damp wood at pond side; drown in pond _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 10, 11, 12




21. Potato Bug aka Jerusalem Cricket
Stenopelmatus
Sorry, no photo yet Live in rocks around pond, one drowned in pond _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 8, _, __, 11 , __




22. Field Cricket
Gryllus
Sorry, no photo yet Live in rocks around pond 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




23. California Camel Cricket
Ceuthophilus californianus
Sorry, no photo yet Live in rocks around pond _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 10, __, __




24. European Earwig
Polyphyllia sp.
Sorry, no photo yet Live in rocks around pond 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




25. June Bug
Forficula auricularia
Perched on plant stem for hours _, _, _, _, _, 6, _, _, _,__, __, __




26. Water Stick-Insect
Ranata sp.
Hunt for other insects to eat _,2 _, _, 4, _, _, _, _, _,__, __, __










SPIDERS
Click on the word Spiders above to read an article I wrote about spiders!

SPECIES (in ~ order seen)Thumbnail photo
USAGE
# of month seen




1. Wolf Spider Hunt on pond plants/rocks bordering pond & walk aways on pond surface 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




2. Long-jawed Orb Weaver Makes web on pond plants; catches damselflies _, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, __, __




3. Cellar Spider Sorry, no photo yet Lives amongst rocks and plants _, _, _, 4, 5, 6, _, _, _, __, __, __




4. Tarantula Real name is Carolina Wolf Spider - very large, body (not counting legs) 1 1/2" _, _, _, 4, _, 6, _, _, _, __, __, __




5. Nursery Web spider Sorry, no photo yet Carries eggs sac about _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 8, _, __, __, __




6. Black Widow Sorry, no photo yet Makes web in between rocks bordering pond _, _, 3, _, _, _, _, _, _, 10, 11, __




7. Black and Yellow Argiope Makes orb web, mates, & builds egg-sac near pond _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 8, 9, 10, 11, __




8. Areneus sp. Makes orb web _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 10, __, __




9. Crab Spider Hunts on plant leaves and blossoms _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 10, __, __






OTHER CRITTERS

SPECIESThumbnail Photo
USAGE
# OF THE MONTH SEEN




1. Great Pond Snail Sorry, no photo yet Breed in pond, eat plant life 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




2. Wandering Pond Snail Breed in pond, eat plant life 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




3. Common Garden Snail Sorry, no photo yet Eat plant life 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




4. Fresh Water Shrimp Sorry, no photo yet Breed in pond 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




5. Sow bug Sorry, no photo yet Live in rocks around pond _, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, _, _, __, __, __




6. Earthworm Sorry, no photo yet Live in soil in pond's bogs _, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, __




7. Tubliflex worm Sorry, no photo yet Live in pond _, _, _, _, 5, 6, 7, _, _, __, __, __






Microscopic or close to it
Click on title above to read an article I wrote on microscopic pond dwellers.


SPECIES
Thumbnail Photo
USAGE
# of MONTH SEEN




1. Protozoa Sorry no photo possible Live in pond; tailed _, _, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, _, __, __, __




2. Hydra Sorry no photo possible Live in pond _, _, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, _, __, __, __




3. leech species Sorry no photo possible Live in pond this type not harmful to humans _, _, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, _, __, __, __




4. Water Flea (Daphnia) Sorry no photo possible Live in pond _, _, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 10, 11, __




5. Planaria Sorry no photo possible Lives in pond 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, _, __, __, __






FISH


SPECIES
Thumbnail Photo
USAGE
# of MONTH SEEN




1. Mosquito Fish
gambusia
Control the mosquitoes; provide interest - but eat the frog eggs, polliwogs & dragonfly nymph!
I NO LONGER RECOMMEND THEM - CLICK HERE!
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




2. Pond Comet (goldfish) There were 2! Perhaps the 1st came in as egg on a plant
WE DO NOT RECOMMEND GOLDFISH OR KOI IN A WILDLIFE POND: THEY ARE NOT NATIVE TO USA
Ours got eaten by a heron, and we didn't replace them!!
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12




3. Catfish More than three! To read their amazing but true story click here! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12






Read about the pleasures of having a wildlife pond here.

If you have a pond, would like to make one, &/or are interested in California native wildlife/plants, please send us a note: bigsnest at sonic.net
We'd love to hear from you and find out what you are seeing in your pond!
Click Pond Pictures to see a few pictures of the initial development of our pond.

Back to the Bigsnest Pond's `Front' Page



Thanks for paying us a virtual visit----the Biggs family


This site was visited ~36,300 times between when the counter was put on it at its first web-host site (August 29, 1998) and when it was moved to PowWeb on March 26, 2002. Since it's move, this site has had Site Meter visits by folks interested in ponds.
We thank you for your interest - Kathy Biggs

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