Page 36 — Welcome to Winters 2021
Wildlife of Putah Creek and Lake Solano Go for a walk in Putah Creek Nature Park and Lake Solano Park and see how many of these animals you can spot By Emma Johnson Special to the Express
Western pond turtles The western pond turtle and its dull, patternless shell might be dull in color, but these native turtles are entertaining swimmers to watch. While they might be slow on land, they are speedy and graceful once they get in the water. Look out for them resting on partially submerged logs in the shallows.
Riffle sculpin and prickly sculpin These two species are well-camouflaged bottom dwellers, so you will have to be sharp-eyed and patient to catch a glimpse of them. The riffle sculpin like cool, fast flowing water, but the prickly sculpin can also be
found in warmer, slower waters.
Chinook Salmon Once almost nonexistent in Putah Creek, the chinook salmon has returned to Putah Creek thanks to conservation efforts. These fish need year-round water flow to make it up the creek to good spawning areas. In the fall, the Railroad Bridge is one of the best places to catch a glimpse of a few spawning salmon. Stand at the midway point of the bridge and look down into the shallow water of Putah Creek. If you’re lucky you will catch a glimpse of a pair of salmon swimming in place. This is usually a mated pair protecting their clutch of eggs. Occasionally one might take a short break from the constant
Jeff Rawlinson/Winters Express
A river otter slinks over a low branch of a fallen tree. These top notch predators can also be caught playing on the banks of Putah Creek, often by zipping down slides of their own creation into the cool water. swimming and go along with the water flow for a few moments, but after a short break these protective parents will swim right back to their clutch. It is best to observe these fish from a distance and leave the family alone.
Pipevine swallowtail These butterflies lay their eggs on vine called Dutchman’s pipe, which grows along the banks of Putah Creek. The larvae eat the vine after they hatch. Adult pipevine swallowtails can be identified by their dark blue-green wings which have orange spots on their undersides. Jeff Rawlinson/Winters Express
There have been more than 200 species of birds reported along Putah Creek including Canada geese.
Valley elderberry longhorn beetle These small, brightly colored beetles might be hard
to spot, considering that they are on the threatened species list. The males are less than an inch long, and have green spots on their red body. The species spends its entire lifecycle in close proximity to the elderberry tree, which grows along Putah Creek.
Mexican free-tailed bat Look for these small mammals at dusk from summer to fall. In the evening light they look like small birds in flight, but take note to see if that “bird” is darting through the air at incredible speed. That’s the Mexican free-tailed bat, which is considered to have the fastest horizontal speed of any animal. Their fleshy tail serves as a rudder as they navigate the skies catching small in-
sects. Watch for them after sunset as they fly out of the vacant second stories of historic Winters buildings, and watch them hunting over Putah Creek.
River otters These members of the weasel swim along the bed of the creek catching frogs and crayfish. Otters will also leave to water to hunt for smaller mammals. These top notch predators can also be caught playing on the banks of the creek, often by zipping down slides of their own creation into the cool water below.
Beavers The beavers of Putah Creek build their homes in the creek’s soft banks. They
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