Mole traps etc.
A few weeks ago I bought 3 “humane mole traps” from Fixman (UK) via buysend.com. They are basically pieces of pipe with free-hanging doors at both ends, and cost US$3.50 each, so I got them for $16 with delivery – not bad. They are about 4 cm in diameter, probably too small for Townsend’s mole, larger Mogera spp. and some golden moles, but should be OK for most moles, mole-voles and small mole-rats. I tested them in an area of very high density of broad-footed moles in Chico and got 1 in 9 trap-nights in mid-May. Later the moles switched to deeper tunnels and I haven’t caught anything since.
I spent 4 hours Saturday night spotlighting by car in Central Valley grasslands west of I-5 between Willows and Orland (Northern California). There is a population explosion of California kangaroo rats; I saw dozens, particularly along Co. Rd. 35 past the end of pavement. Just after the end of pavement there is a well-worn badger trail crossing the road; I saw a female badger with 3 cubs there. Also got a juvenile Central Valley red fox and a San Joaquin pocket mouse a few miles E of Fruto on Hwy 162.
10 Comments
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ameet
Many years back (2001), we saw several Ringtails along Mosquito Ridge Rd. We drove out from Foresthill till the end of the road. It seemed like the Ringtails came out late at night – around midnight. We did another drive just before daybreak and saw a few again. Nice views, we saw one catch a rodent of some kind.
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vnsankar
Thanks Ameet and Vladimir for your advice. It will be very helpful in planning my trip (which I now think will be sometime in July, take up a full weekend, and also include some other places in the Sierra too).
I actually found the name of a person in Davis researching the foxes (Sophie Quisquater) and emailed her. She was nice enough to tell me a spot where she sees them often near Colusa.
I’ll try to get somewhere this weekend and report back. On the topic of elusive mammals, Tassajara Hot Springs in Monterey County reportedly has tame Western Spotted Skunks. Something I’d like to check out soon but it’s a bit far for me…
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Ameet Zaveri
Hi Venkat, it would be good to connect over email. I am also based in the SF Bay area and have read all your local posts with interest. My gmail is ameetz.
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vnsankar
Vladimir,
Do you know if the Mountain PG’s and Broad-footed Moles are still seeable in Chico? I’m thinking of driving up there this weekend for the CA K-rats and Sac Valley Red Fox. I’ll probably also try to see Ringtail, Mountain Lion, and W Red Bat at a few spots up there too. Thanks!