The Daily Bucket is a place to catch your casual observations of the natural world and turn them into a valuable resource. Whether it's the first flowers of spring or that odd bug in your basement, don't be afraid to toss your thoughts into the bucket. Check here for a more complete description.
Castro Valley, CA; 11/26/2011
So, beyond the Orange Btfsplk ....
I have reported before on the almost annual outbreak of botulism in waterfowl in parts of San Francisco Bay. I had thought that this was annual, but it turns out that there have been some years when it did not happen, at least in my immediate area.
With respect to the portion of the East Bay shoreline and tidal marshes and ponds in the Hayward area, the volume of affected ducks this year is over 4 times the number of birds in prior years. Clearly, something is going on, but nobody has yet presented any ideas on what.
Meanwhile, I just saw a large grasshopper in my front yard, and have noted an increased number of crows and red breasted nuthatches over the past few days.
(I don't know what's with that, either.)
So, what is going on in your vicinity. What have you seen and heard, and, where, at least in general terms.