Highland Sam J Racadio Library and Environmental Learning Center

7863 Central Ave

Highland CA 92346

(909) 425-4705

Created by: The Highland Environmental Learning Center

Bobcat: Lynx rufus- Mostly nocturnal but have been spotted on the trail and throughout East Highlands Ranch during the day. They are solitary animals and are carnivorous.

Coastal California Gnatcatcher: Polioptila californica californica- All along the trail and throughout Highland is critical habitat to this federally listed threatened bird.

San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat: Dipodo-mysmerriami parvus-Federally listed as an endangered species due to habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation.

Santa Ana Speckled Dace: Rhinich-thys osculus– Found in Plunge Creek this fish is state listed species of spe-cial concern since 1996. Member of the carp and minnow family.

California Kingsnake: Lampropeltis getulus californiae-The Kingsnake one of the few snakes that eat other snakes. Its most popular for eating Rattlesnakes. It is immune to their venom. This snake is not venomous and protected by Fish and Game.

Sensitive and Protected Wildlife You

May Observe Along the Trail Highland’s Predators

Barn Owl: Tyto alba- Owls are nocturnal so you may not be able to see this predator but you will be able to find owl pellets along the trail. Owls swallow their prey whole but cannot digest bones, or fur of their prey so they regurgitate these remains in a pellet.

California Coopers hawk: Accipiter cooperii– Species of special concern. This hawks diet consists of 70-80% small birds.

For maps of the Highland trails please visit the City of Highland website: www.cityofhighland.org

Gray Fox: Urocyon cinereoargenteus Gray foxes are nocturnal animals and live in their den during the day. What you will find is evidence of scat that looks like this image below.

Mountain yellow legged frog: Rana muscosa– Found in the vicinity of Plunge Creek. This frog is federally listed as sensitive. Hibernates in the winter.

Highland’s trails will offer a rare opportunity to observe

Plunge Creek at a magnificent natural platform. As your

journey begins, observe the natural chaparral and wildlife

you can find as you enter into the riparian habitat sur-

rounding Plunge Creek.

Highland’s Flora and Fauna

Bent-flowered Fiddleneck: Amsinckia lunaris– This plant is listed as a rare native species. Flowers April-May.

Painted Lady: Vanessa Curdui These butterflys enjoy open space. Notice an abundance during the spring. Adult lifespan is two weeks

Blue Dicks: Brodiaea pulchella-A member of the Lily family. The corms of this plant were used as a starch source in the diet of Native Americans. Today it is enjoyed by small mam-mals.

Yellow Penstemon /Chaparral Beardtongue: Keckiella antirrhinoides - Restricted to seasonally dry habitats such as chaparral and woodland scrub in the mountains and desert ranges of southern.

Common Sunflower: Helianthus annuus- Ranges throughout North America. Once important to the Native Americans for yel-low dye and basketry. Now used for cooking oil and livestock feed.

Downy Brome or Cheatgrass: Bromus tecto-rum - replaces native perennial grasses, the frequency of wildfires shortens from 60-100 years to 3-5 years.

Chaparral Yucca: Hesperoyucca Whippler-Also seen as dead Yucca, usu-ally solitary on a hill. Common for this plant to bloom once, let the wind spread seeds, and die.

California Bluebell: Phacelia minor;- Found below 5,000 ft. in dry open areas, often after fires in much of southern California.

Western Fence Lizard: Sceloporus occidentalis- These lizards are commonly called “Blue-bellies or “Swifts”.

Cucamonga manroot: Marah maro corpus-Once used as a medicinal plant by Native Americans to cure aching hands and kidney trouble.

Brown California towee: Pipilo crissalis– This bird has a distinct metallic sounding chink with a long repeating series ending with a trill. Likes to feed on the ground or in low scrub.

Mourning Doves: Zenaida macroura– Abundant bird whose wings whistle in flight. Good parents, mourning doves rarely leave their eggs unat-tended.

Heliotrope Phacelia: Phacelia crenu-lata– Blooms March-October. Found in arid grasslands.

Jimson Weed: Datura wrightii– all parts of this plant are toxic. Blooms in the sum-mer. Native Americans once used this plant as a narcotic.

California Ground Squirrel: Spermophilus beecheyi –Most active in the daytime (diurnal) can climb trees but prefers spend-ing most of its time on the ground.

Brittle Bush Incienso: Encelia farinose-Observe an abundance of Incienso covering the hillside. The stems were once used as a chew by Native Americans and used as incense by churches in Baja California.

Highland’s Wildlife Discover Highland’s Trails

Desert Cottontail: Sylvilagus auduboni - Named after its cotton ball tail, is most ac-tive early morning. Have been know to swim and climb trees to avoid pray.

Highland’s trails, come enjoy the view!