2025 Bear Gulch Preserve, Herp Survey

Colestin Valley, SOLC property

Friday, May 2, 2025

Weather: mid 70s F and mostly sunny, with occasional cloud cover. No recent rain.

On May 2, 2025 Oregon State University students and wildlife enthusiasts Elliott Bury and Liam Hopkins were joined by Rebekah Bergkoetter of Southern Oregon Land Conservancy, and surveyed the new Colestin Valley Property, located in Bear Gulch and along Chocolate Creek in the Colestin Valley.

Our one-day survey of the Bear Gulch Property was focused on two large basalt outcrops on the property, both of which supported large northern Pacific rattlesnake populations, as well as a large number of western lizards, including some of the largest I have ever seen in Oregon.

The first outcrop was south-southeast oriented, and was situated within an oak woodland, with a small riparian corridor at the bottom of the slope. This outcrop was fairly large and had many complex rock formations, which allows ample habitat for many species. At this outcrop we detected three rattlesnakes, including a large, basking adult that was likely a female. This site was a typical rattlesnake-outcrop found in Jackson County, and likely supports many more species and a large number of rattlesnakes.

Rattlesnake burrowed in a rocky crag

The second outcrop was much more exposed, located along a small creek with dense woodland on the other side. It was dominated by buckbrush and small junipers, and had significantly fewer large, deep holes for potential snake brumation sites. This site was unique, and seemed much more similar to habitat found in the eastern Cascades and Great Basin, rather than the Siskiyou Mountains.

Regardless, this outcrop was quite productive, and supported five rattlesnakes, a southern alligator lizard, a western skink (found a few hundred yards off the property on BLM land), and most notably, a large desert striped whipsnake. This discovery was significant, as this species is only known from five or fewer locales in Jackson County, and this locale is almost certainly the highest elevation this species has been detected in Jackson and Josephine Counties, found at around 3,300 feet. Unfortunately, these snakes are notoriously quick and difficult to photograph, and the individual, about 4-5 feet long, escaped into a deep rock crack before any photos were gathered.

rocky outcrop at Bear Gulch Preserve

North Pacific Rattlesnake

The following species were confirmed on the property:

●       Pacific chorus frog

●       Southern alligator lizard

●       Western skink

●       Western fence lizard

●       Northern Pacific rattlesnake

●       Desert striped whipsnake

The following species are almost certainly present on the property, but were not detected:

●       Rough-skinned newt

●       Ensatina

●       Common sagebrush lizard

●       Pacific gopher snake

●       Western yellow-bellied racer

●       Mountain garter snake

●       Ringneck snake

●       Northern rubber boa

The following species are potentially on the property, with notes:

●       Long-toed salamander - This species is found at high elevations on the east side of Interstate-5 relatively commonly, but the lack of vernal pools may limit them at this site.

●       Klamath black salamander - This salamander is associated with outcrops usually also occupied by rattlesnakes, and is likely present on this property, as there are records less than 20 miles away in California. A survey during wetter weather in the winter would likely reveal this species at the first, more sheltered outcrop. 

●       Western toad - Similarly to the long-toed salamander, the absence of vernal pools may limit this species’ presence on this site.

●       Foothills yellow-legged frog - The large waterfall along Chocolate Creek may limit this species’ presence on this site, but the small creeks on the property appear to have great habitat for this heavily water-dependent species.

●       Northwestern garter snake - This species is a habitat generalist, and is likely present in the woodland habitat on the property. Cover board surveys may turn up this species as well as northern rubber boa in clearings near wooded areas.

●       Sharp-tailed snake - This species is likely present in the oak savannah habitat on the property, but would be virtually impossible to detect without the use of artificial cover objects such as plywood boards. This property is well within their known elevation range, and they could potentially be found in large numbers with cover board surveys.

●       California mountain kingsnake - The oak-outcrop we surveyed is ideal for this beautiful-yet-elusive snake. The only limiting factor for this species on this property is the lack of a large water source, but Chocolate Creek and Bear Gulch may be sufficient. This species is known from many locales in Jackson County at similar elevations far from water, so it is likely present at this property. Similarly to the sharp-tailed snake, detection may be difficult without the use of artificial cover.

The Bear Gulch property is an extremely valuable and unique property for herpetofauna, especially snakes, and supports an incredible, unique outcrop system that likely supports a large rattlesnake population. Returning a few weeks earlier in spring while rattlesnakes are still at den sites would reveal the true size of this population, as our survey was likely just after snakes began to leave overwintering dens/brumation sites.

The presence of whipsnakes on this property is significant but not surprising, and helps fill in a gap in their known range between Hilt, California and south of Cave Junction, Oregon.

Ravine at Bear Gulch Preserve

A Bunch of Champignons

A Recap of the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Party

In February, we celebrated all of our remarkable volunteers at our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Party. Inspired by the fun and diverse fungi in our region, our volunteers enjoyed a tasty dinner alongside the most beautiful cookies that resembled Amanita Muscarias and Agaricus Bisporus’. We also highlighted all of the great work that our volunteers have contributed throughout the year, in addition to honoring a handful of volunteer awards.

Golden Chanterelle Award: The recipient of the Golden Chanterelle Award is Kevin Talbert, a volunteer who has dedicated the most hours to our organization in 2024, for a total of 86.5 hours.

Funguy Award: The recipient of the Funguy Award is Jim LaVally, a site steward and docent volunteer who has always been consistent and reliable, as well as extremely fun to be around.

A Cluster of Champignons Award: The recipients of the A Cluster of Champignons Award are Bryan Nelson and Dale Shostrum, two volunteers who have dedicated their time and energy to plan and complete all of the barn painting at the Harry & Marilyn Fisher Preserve at Pompadour Bluff.

The Good Spore-t Award: The recipient of The Good Spore-t Award is Billy Crawford, a volunteer who has always been able to handle a quick task pivot or change of plans, and always with a positive attitude.

Thank you again to all of our incredible volunteers who have dedicated their generous time and enthusiastic energy to assist us in the office or in the field. We couldn't do what we do to conserve the land that we appreciate and enjoy without YOU.

Late Summer Flowers - Radiant Gentians

As the day length contracts, and the mountain flowers go to seed, gentian flowers bring a jolt of vibrancy and beauty to drying tawny meadows in late summer. In our region, the petals range from otherworldly azure to blue purple but can also be red and white in other regions of the world. The most common local mountain gentian in our region is explorer’s gentian (Gentiana calycosa) which has a beautiful green window in the floral tube below the five petal lobes. A great place to see it, is along the Pacific Crest Trail at Big Red Mountain on the Siskiyou Crest, where the flowers are nestled within tufts of green beargrass leaves.

Two other local gentians are globally rare and are only found in the Klamath-Siskiyous in Oregon and California. Near Oregon Caves and Grayback Mountain in Oregon, Klamath gentian (Gentiana plurisetosa) lives in a handful of mountain basins. The petals have gorgeous long purple threads or bristles, difficult for insects to navigate, but athletic bumble bees are regular visitors. And in the Illinois Valley and the Smith River Watershed, living with cobraliles and western toads, the spectacular Waldo gentian (Gentiana setigera) blooms under September skies in fens, including at Eight Dollar Mountain.

Worldwide, gentians are important in traditional medicine and for brewing bitters. These late season flowers are more than gorgeous farewells to summer, they also provide essential pollen and nectar for pollinators. Poets like Emily Dickison, Bryant, and Ralph Waldo Emerson incorporated gentians into their prose, but dare we say, none of their work compares to quietly sitting next to a patch of gentians in September. 

Controlled Burn at Rogue River Preserve to Reduce Fire Risk and Benefit Native Grassland Species – POSTPONED until Fall 2024 or Spring 2025

Southern Oregon Land Conservancy (SOLC) in consultation with expert fire managers from Grayback Forestry, Inc. and Oregon Department of Forestry have made the decision to call off the 35-acre prescribed fire planned to reduce fire risk and benefit native grassland species at the Rogue River Preserve, 646 Rogue River Dr., Eagle Point, OR.

The controlled burn was expected to take place between June 26 – July 2 with secured burn permits from state fire and smoke management agencies depending on weather, moisture levels, and wind conditions.

Grayback Forestry, Inc., planned to conduct the burn with their professional, experienced crew with resources on hand that would have far exceeded standards required for acceptable burn conditions and following National Wildfire Coordinating Group guidelines.

The fire was postponed for the season due to an increase in fire risk combined with resources being deployed to deal with early season regional wildfires in other locations.

Ecological burns like this one have proven successful in restoring and maintaining native vernal-pool mounded prairie grasslands. Controlled burns during safe weather conditions with experienced fire crews improve public safety by removing dried vegetation that poses a risk for unplanned wildfire ignition later in the summer.

In contrast to wildfires, controlled burns can be run during conditions which allow fire practitioners to meet Oregon air quality standards for ventilation, minimizing smoke impacts to neighbors and the Rogue Valley community and reducing future wildfire risk.

SOLC and Grayback Forestry plan to reschedule the controlled burn when weather conditions are safe, resources are available, and permits have been secured, likely in fall 2024 or spring/ early summer 2025.

Southern Oregon Land Conservancy Grayback Forestry, Inc

541.482.3069 541.830.3100
info@landconserve.org