Other
Animal Groups
Flycatching insectivores are well-represented at San Marcos
Foothills, but, as in the other guilds, the species constituents
differ by season. In winter, Black Phoebe, Say’s Phoebe,
Cassin’s Kingbird, and American Kestrel are the principal
aerial insectivores. During spring migration, large numbers
of Barn Swallows, Northern Rough-winged Swallows, Cliff
Swallows, and Western Kingbirds make prolonged visits to
the Grasslands, fueling up here en route to breeding grounds.
In summer, Acorn Woodpeckers, American Kestrel, Cassin’s
Kingbird, Black Phoebe, and Ash-throated Flycatcher occupy
this niche. Bats are another aerial insectivore group that
have been observed but not yet inventoried on the Foothills.
[Policy Rim-4.2]
In conclusion, one of the primary values of San Marcos Foothills
is the variety of habitats found on the property. It is
remarkable that all the South Coast foothills habitats are
found here. More fully aware of the value of what we have,
we now have a chance of keeping it. But to keep it means
preserving, maintaining, and to a certain degree restoring.
This is the subject of the next part of this Plan: Stewardship.
