Happy New Year! A new year means new attempts to conserve our native organisms . First, we'll talk about our pond that we were trying to make to attract wildlife. Then we'll talk about subtidal areas, animals that live there, and a very "boring" clam that is usually found there. Finally, we'll rap up talking about the latest film.
So first of all, the CCAG's Atlas pond Sanctuary is getting built. I read that having slow moving or stillwater will attract mosquito larva. I have a new plan for a tiny waterfall that will circulate the water, and also make the pond look nice. I also have a drainage plan for when it rains and the pond overflows. Yesterday, a significant amount of dead bamboo was removed from the area where the willows are planted. This way, we have more room to plant an annual reseeding native wildlflower "meadow."
An annual reseeding native wildflower meadow is basically a plot of land full of an annual wildflowers, meaning they die in the winter. However, when they die, they release seeds that will grow into plants the following year. These flowers will provide pollination for birds. Some of the plants include California Poppies, annual and perennial lupines, and the giant Matilija poppy. You've probably seen all of these plants before.
In addition, a native papyrus plant will be planted along with other aquatic grasses near the bank. Papyrus is a common reed found near ponds. The Ancient Egyptians used it to make paper. When a papyrus blade bends over too much, roots shoot from the head of the blade, forming new plants. It is fairly easy to grow and propagate.
More pond plants, such as cattail and duckweed will be grown inside of the pond to prevent mosquitos from noticing the pond. From above, duckweed can cover up a pond and make it look like grass. Besides, guppies living in the pond will feed off any mosquito larva, preventing mosquitos from biting us.
In Spring, when the temperatures warm up, many birds including the scrub jays might visit our pond. Migratory birds will be attracted to the flowersand birds of prey will be attracted to the rodents that live around the pond.
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