Friends of West Pond

Family of Canada Geese

West Pond in April

The Friends of West Pond is an association of people who enjoy the wildlife habitat at the West Area Pond in Davis. The Friends welcome new members and there is no obligation of time or money. While you enjoy spending time there, just keep a watchful eye on wildlife and human activities in and around West Pond and share anything new or different going on.

Bird and butterfly sightings are welcome, while inappropriate activities should be reported to the Police Dept. For more information, please contact The Friends of West Pond at <grtrapp AT comcast DOT net>. There is a list of birds you may see at the pond.

The West Area Pond is made up of several stormwater retention ponds linked by channels in the wet months. The primary purpose of the Pond is to retain stormwater runoff and help prevent down-stream flooding, sedimentation and pollution. The Pond is enclosed by a security fence and is designated a Wildlife Preserve and "'Sensitive Habitat Area'" by the City of Davis. Native trees and shrubs grow on the slopes around the Pond. The Public Works Dept. manages the water levels and vegetation inside the fenced area, and The Greenbelt is maintained under the direction of the Parks Dept. You can take part in the annual CA Coastal Cleanup Day in September. On that day, volunteers go inside the security fence and remove trash that collects around the Pond.

You can get good views of the Pond from all three platforms. One is on the south end of the Pond on Arlington Blvd, and two are on the Greenbelt that runs north from Arlington Blvd. all the way to Covell Blvd. The best place to park is at the end of Isle Royale Ln. off Denali Dr. The platforms and paths along the '"Greenbelt'" are perfect for birdwatching all year around. You can request Checklist of Birds at West Pond 1990-2010, and Butterflies observed at West Pond, 2007 to date, from <grtrapp AT comcast DOT net>.
Wildlife Information Sign Birding from the Platform Green Heron

The Aspen Greenbelt has paved walkways, comfortable benches in the shade, and two picnic areas. The small Park at the end of Isle Royale Ln. has several picnic tables shaded by a trellis, a lawn for games, and a drinking fountain. At the north end, near the UCD Medical Facility, there is a second picnic area with a small garden, and a Bocce court for public use. There is a bus stop at the corner of Arlington and Shasta Blvd. The Friends of West Pond planted nearly 100 plants on the Greenbelt in March 2009. You can walk, pedal, or drive to the Greenbelt. There's plenty of room to park at the end of Isle Royale Ln.

The Friends of West Pond planted the Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden in 2007.Before After

This year, we're planting in new areas along the Greenbelt, adding new paths, and starting a California native plant garden. Your ideas and help are welcome!

The Garden and Greenbelt Spring Planting Party in March 2009.

Anna's Hummingbird in Western Redbud, photo by Toby Ross

Fremontia is a California Native Fremontia flower Rufous Hummingbirds love Salvias Painted Lady

Flame Skimmer, photo by Gary Zamzow

Honeybee in the Garden Jackrabbits live at the Pond Yellow-rumped Warbler, photo by Toby Ross Lupine and Iris in Early Spring

Comments:

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2010-02-15 13:51:49   JER, the checklist word doc you uploaded seems to be broken. —TomGarberson

2010-02-15 15:54:33   Just how to attach the checklist word documents is not clear. They are available on request from grtrapp@comcast.net —JER

• I think word docs generally aren't all that well supported on the wiki. Maybe make a sub-page on the wiki with the information? Something like http://daviswiki.org/Friends_of_West_Pond/Birds and http://daviswiki.org/Friends_of_West_Pond/Butterflies would do the trick. —Users/TomGarberson

2010-02-16 13:52:14   Thanks, Tom. We'll be updating the page soon and will try your suggestion. —JER

2010-03-05 14:32:58   While we appreciate help with the Bird Checklist, the second page of the list is missing. We'd also like to see the list in a checklist format so it can be printed, as before. The format got lost in the move from a PC to a Mac. Does anyone know how to make a 3-column checklist on a Mac that can be linked to this web site? Thanks! JER —JER

2010-03-05 14:40:31   I dropped a note over on the wiki gnome page asking for some help. Chances are someone with quite a bit more wiki-fu than I will drop by and check things out. —TomGarberson