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

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We thank you for your interest - Kathy Biggs

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