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Bear Divide Banding Station visit: April 18, 2026

April 24, 2026

[By Chuck Almdale; photos by Armando Martinez, Trish Oster & Chris Tosdevin]

North of the San Fernando Valley in the mountains above Olive View and San Fernando, a small group of very experienced bird banders are doing their work. Anyone can go and watch them. They do this at Bear Divide near the Fire Station just off Little Tujunga Canyon Rd., Tuesday through Saturday, from dawn to 10 am, from late March through early May.

Birders can also stand on the ridge road and try to identify birds as they fly by. Some zoom past, others land in the treetops and bushes, perhaps to rest a moment, then launch themselves down the the northern slope. There are also several roads and paths that you can walk or set off on a long hike.

Although we all arrived at different times, we all managed to watch the banders do their work. They had mist nets set up at two nearby locations. The banding station consisted of a couple of vehicles at the end of the large parking area and blocked off from the spectators by several tables, leaving the banding area within. From a “clothesline” hung several white cloth bags, each containing one bird. One by one the birds were weighed, removed from their bag, measured, banded on one leg, and brought over to the spectators for closeup viewing and photos.

Lazuli Bunting in hand, Bear Divide Banding Station
(Trish Oster 4-18-25)
Lazuli Bunting, Bear Divide Banding Station
(Trish Oster 4-18-25)
Lazuli Bunting, Bear Divide Banding Station
(Trish Oster 4-18-25)
Lazuli Bunting, Bear Divide Banding Station
(Trish Oster 4-18-25)

Then the bird would be released to continue its journey north.

Lazuli Bunting in flight, Bear Divide
(Armando Martinez 4-18-25)
Lesser Goldfinch, Bear Divide Banding Station (Armando Martinez 4-18-25)

Larger birds such as woodpeckers and thrushes can fly into a mist net and wind up getting banded, but most of the birds are the smaller passerines. As the banding season progresses, the mix of captures changes. Today it was mostly Lazuli Buntings, Lesser Goldfinches and several warblers.

The last bird we saw banded was a Rufous Hummingbird, a female with a completely green back and a bit of rufous on the flanks and tail. We got to see close up the famous notched tail feather which differentiates the Rufous from the very similar Allen’s. It’s the R2 feathers, second from the center on the 10-feather tail.

Among the warblers were the Nashville Warbler. Notable among their field marks are the gray head, yellow breast and belly, a non-gray throat – either yellow or pale – and a complete white eye ring.

Nashville Warbler, Bear Divide Banding Station
(Trish Oster 4-18-25)
Nashville Warbler, Bear Divide Banding Station
(Trish Oster 4-18-25)

They also have a rufous crown patch, rarely seen unless they’re displaying in aggression or in courting, or when the bander gently blows on their crown.

Nashville Warbler with rufous crown patch.
Bear Divide Banding Station (Trish Oster 4-18-25)

After we saw the crown, the bird was released and off it went, heading north.

Nashville Warbler in flight, Bear Divide
(Armando Martinez 4-18-25)

There were also MacGillivray’s Warbler, the least commonly-seen (by me) of the ten regularly-visiting warbler species in Southern California. They also have a yellow breast and belly, but the head is a darker gray than the Nashville, the throat is also gray, and the eye ring is broken front and rear. They’re a whopping 3/4th-inch larger than the 4.5″ Nashville.

MacGillivray’s Warbler, Bear Divide Banding Station
(Trish Oster 4-18-25)
MacGillivray’s Warbler, Bear Divide Banding Station (Chris Tosdevin 4-18-25)

After we watched the banding for a while, a class of students arrived to witness the procedure, and we moved aside to let them move to the front, although we returned later after the students left. Most of us wandered over to the ridge road to watch the birds arrive and leave. Identifying passerines in flight is not the easiest task. Most went unidentified and uncounted (by our group). Fortunately some landed, such as flycatchers, orioles and Black-headed Grosbeaks, and the resident birds were continually busy.

Golden-crowned Sparrow, Bear Divide
(Trish Oster 4-18-25)
Chipping Sparrow, Bear Divide (Chris Tosdevin 4-18-25)

Some of us drove up the “truck road” from the banding station to a pull-out spot about 1/2 mile from the banding site. Here we saw and heard various birds: a nesting Red-tailed Hawk, many Acorn Woodpeckers, Ravens and a Red-tailed Hawk overhead, several singing Canyon Wrens, House Finches and Lesser Goldfinches, and one hard-to-find Black-Chinned Sparrow that landed briefly in a tree. The sparrow was too briefly seen to photograph, but one of the Canyon Wrens approached us, singing all the while.

Singing Canyon Wren, Bear Divide area
(Armando Martinez 4-18-25)

As we had scattered into various frequently-moving groups, many of the birds reported were seen by only one or a few people. I did my best in putting together the list below from reports I received at the time, and later from eBird trip lists. A total of 56 identified species is pretty good, I think, for this chaparral location. Below this trip list is the list amassed for April by those doing a regular point count, which shows 49 species.

Angeles NF–Bear Divide, Los Angeles, California, US
Apr 18, 2026 7:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling, 0.5 mile(s)
56 species (+1 other taxa) 209 total birds
Checklist Comments: Field Trip of Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society. Visit to the banding station. Mostly standing on hill  edge watching migrating birds fly past. Many local resident birds present. Also drove .5 mile to small woods patch about 500 ft. higher. List includes birds seen by: Chuck Almdale (if not otherwise noted), Jean Garrett, Armando Martinez, Trish Oster, Lu Plauzoles, Chris Tosdevin & Kathleen Waldron.

Angeles NF–Bear Divide, Los Angeles, California, US
Mountain Quail 2Heard only, .5 miles from BDBS
California Quail1Fire Station helicopter pad
Band-tailed Pigeon 10Fly-bys
Eurasian Collared-Dove2Reported by:  Lu Plauzoles
Mourning Dove 4Fly-bys
Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 Reported by: Armando Martinez
Anna’s Hummingbird5
Rufous Hummingbird1In hand, banded
Allen’s Hummingbird5
Rufous/Allen’s Hummingbird 4
Turkey Vulture 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk1Fly-by
Red-tailed Hawk 2One flew to nest, settled down gently & slowly as if onto eggs or chicks
Acorn Woodpecker 8Granary tree, many holes .5 miles from BDBS
Northern Flicker3Heard calling; 2  by Lu Plauzoles
American Kestrel 1Reported by: Kathleen Waldron
Olive-sided Flycatcher1Reported by: Jean Garret
Western Wood-Pewee1Reported by: Jean Garrett
Hammond’s Flycatcher2 Reported by: Armando Martinez
Western Flycatcher 3
Ash-throated Flycatcher 1Reported by: Armando Martinez, Jean Garrett
Western Kingbird 2
Western Warbling Vireo2Reported by: Armando Martinez
California Scrub-Jay18
Common Raven9
Tree Swallow 2
No. Rough-winged Swallow 3
Wrentit 8All heard singing
White-breasted Nuthatch1Reported by: Armando Martinez
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1Reported by: Armando Martinez
Canyon Wren31 seen, 2 more heard
Northern House Wren41 seen, 3 more heard
Bewick’s Wren 21 seen, 1 more heard
Western Bluebird 5 3 flyby, 2 more Reported by: Armando Martinez
Hermit Thrush 1
Phainopepla 3
House Finch16
Lesser Goldfinch42 fly-by, 2 singing
Chipping Sparrow3Passing by, landed in bush
Black-chinned Sparrow 1Flying, landed in tree, not breeding male.
.5 mi. from BDBS, previously reported this area.
Dark-eyed Junco 2 Passing by, landed in bush
California Towhee 3
Spotted Towhee 2 Reported by: Lu Plauzoles
Hooded Oriole 21 reported by: Kathleen Waldron
Bullock’s Oriole2 Reported by: Kathleen Waldron
Orange-crowned Warbler21 in hand by banders
Nashville Warbler2In bander’s hands
MacGillivray’s Warbler4Some in bander’s hands
Northern Yellow Warbler 1Reported by: Armando Martinez
Yellow-rumped Warbler 31 landed in tree, 2 rpt by: Armando Martinez
Black-throated Gray Warbler 3
Townsend’s Warbler 1Reported by: Armando Martinez
Hermit Warbler2Reported by: Armando Martinez
Wilson’s Warbler1Heard only
Western Tanager2Passing by, landed in trees
Black-headed Grosbeak 2 Passing by, landed in tree
Lazuli Bunting 24 Fly-bys. 9 reported by: Armando Martinez

A group of birders, perhaps associated with the banders, is maintaining a point count at Bear Divide (link to list). Their count began on 15 March 2024 with a total of seven species. Below is the count so far for April 2026 for northbound birds, which includes 8 dates, beginning on the 8th and ending on the 21st, showing 4,230 birds in 49 species and 6 groups (e.g. passerine sp., warbler sp.).

On the Banding Station website is a lot of interesting and useful information, including the following:

Photography Etiquette

Photography is generally allowed if it does not interfere with normal banding processes and as banding volume permits. We will provide as many up-close photo opportunities as possible while birds are safely held in the appropriate holds as time and safety allows. To minimize handling time, please be ready for photos when approached by a bander. The Bear Divide Banding Station follows the North American Banding Council’s Photographic Guidelines. Below is a summary.

  • Do not photograph or post publicly on social media or otherwise photos that depict birds in inappropriate holds or appear to be showing signs of stress including, but not limited to, closed eyes, gaping or open bills, fluffed or rumpled plumage, or flapping wings as it is important to us to avoid any instances of misrepresentation or misinterpretation of banding efforts. If you are unsure if your photo is appropriate to share, please check with the Bander-in-Charge.
  • Refrain from taking images of birds in mist nets, during net extraction, or during processing, unless permission is obtained from the Bander-in-Charge
  • Only take photographs or videos when approached by a trained bander with birds in the appropriate photographer’s grip intended for public display and engagement
  • Avoid ALL flash photography
  • We reserve the right to ask for the removal or deletion of inappropriate photos that do not meet our station’s or the NABC’s photographic standards.

Malibu Lagoon bird walks: 8:30am adults & 10am kids, Sunday, 26 April, 2026

April 23, 2026

[Posted by Chuck Almdale]

…there is a season! Tern, Tern, Tern.
(L. Loeher Malibu Lagoon 04-19-19)

Pacific Coast Highway (per Malibu): Expect delays on PCH from Temescal Cyn Rd to Carbon Beach Ter. Speeds reduced to 35 mph (Temescal Cyn Rd to Sunset Blvd) and 25 mph through active work zones (Sunset Blvd to Carbon Beach Ter.). Single-lane closures may occur weekdays, 9M – 3PM. I drove it last month 7:30 to 8 am and traffic was very light with no active workmen present.

Special Attractions: Like dinosaurs? Want to see a dinosaur? Then come. Birds are small dinosaurs, we now know, the last of their kind. Think about that the next time one approaches you, grinning, looking for a handout. At least they dumped their teeth somewhere alongside the path of evolution.

Some of the great birds we’ve had in April are:
Brant, Clark’s Grebe, Osprey, American Kestrel, Virginia Rail, Sora, Snowy Plover, Greater Yellowlegs, Black Turnstone, Surfbird, Dunlin, Bonaparte’s Gull, Royal, Elegant & Forster’s Terns, Eurasian Collared & White-winged Doves, Tree & Violet-Green Swallows, American Pipit, Cedar Waxwing, Orange-crowned & Wilson’s Warblers, Lazuli Bunting and Lesser Goldfinch.

Western Cattle-Egret & Snowy Egret
(Chris Tosdevin 4/27/25)

If you like low tides, see below.

Weather prediction as of 23 April
Temp: 52-63°F; Wind 10-14 mph from west; Clouds: 30% > 20%
Tide: Falling to low: High: +4.32 ft. @ 6:24am; Low: +0.00 ft. @ 1:06pm
Mar 22 trip report link

Adult Walk 8:30 a.m., 4th Sunday of every month. Adults, teens and children you deem mature enough to be with adults. Beginners and experienced, 2-3 hours, meeting at the metal-shaded viewing area between parking lot and channel.  Species range from 35 in June to 60-75 during migrations and winter.  We move slowly and check everything as we move along.  When lagoon outlet is closed we may continue east around the lagoon to Adamson House.  We put out special effort to make our monthly Malibu Lagoon walks attractive to first-time and beginning birdwatchers.  So please, if you are at all worried about coming on a trip and embarrassing yourself because of all the experts, we remember our first trips too.  Someone showed us the birds; now it’s our turn. Bring your birding questions.

Children and Parents Walk, 10:00 a.m., 4th Sunday of every month: One hour session, meeting at the metal-shaded viewing area between parking lot and channel. We start at 10:00 for a shorter walk and to allow time for families to get it together on a sleepy Sunday morning. Our leaders are experienced with kids so please bring them to the beach! We have an ample supply of binoculars that children can use without striking terror into their parents. We want to see families enjoying nature. (If you have a Scout Troop or other group of more than seven people, you must call Jean (213-522-0062) to make sure we have enough binoculars, docents and sand.)

Directions: Malibu Lagoon is at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Cross Creek Road, west of Malibu Pier and the bridge, 15 miles west of Santa Monica via PCH. We gather in the metal-shaded area near the parking lot. Look around for people wearing binoculars. Neither Google Maps nor the State Park website supply a street address for the parking lot. The address they DO supply is for Adamson House which is just east of the Malibu Creek bridge, about a 5-minute walk away.

Parking: Parking machine in the lagoon lot: 1 hr $3; 2 hrs $6; 3 hrs $9, all day $12 ($11 seniors); credit cards accepted. Annual passes accepted. You may also park (read the signs carefully) either along PCH west of Cross Creek Road, on Cross Creek Road, or on Civic Center Way north (inland) of the shopping center.  Lagoon parking in shopping center lots is not permitted.

Canada Geese seem to be planning to nest in a frondless palm tree crown (Chris Tosdevin 4/27/25)

[Written & posted by Chuck Almdale]

Morongo Valley & Black Rock Field Trip: Sat. & Sun, 2-3 May, 2026

April 21, 2026

If you’re interested in this trip, we suggest you get your motel reservation (or Joshua Tree National Park campsite) as soon as possible. Rooms do fill up this time of year.

Male Summer Tanager at the seed feeder
(D. Erwin 5/3/15 Morongo Valley)

The leaders will be staying Saturday night at the Super 8 – Wyndham in Yucca Valley (57096 29 Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, California 92284-2932; reserve 800-454-3213)


Nearby Yucca Valley has several motels and Joshua Tree National Monument has several campgrounds. Campsites at Mission Creek Preserve, several miles south of Morongo Valley, must be reserved at least a week in advance. (60550 Mission Creek Road, Desert Hot Springs, CA. 760-369-7105)

Joshua Tree National Park Camping
Black Rock Campground:
LINK 877-444-6777, www.recreation.gov
— We bird at Black Rock on Sat. afternoon; 16 miles from Morongo Valley Reserve.
Indian Cove Campground: LINK 877-444-6777, www.recreation.gov
— Between Joshua Tree town and 29 Palms; 29 miles from Morongo Valley Reserve.


Our long-term go-to restaurant (La Casita) closed and we haven’t yet figured out where to eat dinner Saturday night. Someplace that serves beer (desert birding can be hot work!). Call Jean if you have a recommendation.


Map of motels in Yucca Valley, the nearest town to Morongo Valley: [prices are from this Google map. They may be wildly inaccurate but also may reflect typical price difference between motels.] From west to east: Field Station Joshua Tree ($160), Sands Motel ($?), Desert Sky Motel & RV Campground ($?), America’s Best Value Inn ($60), Yucca Valley Joshua Tree ($131), Super 8 Wyndham ($71), Desert View Motel ($). Map also shows motels for Desert Hot Springs,  Joshua Tree, 29 Palms.

Male Scott’s Orioles love the desert; sometimes they’re tough to find (D. Erwin 5/3/15 Black Rock)

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is one of the finest birding spots in southern California. It is best-known as a springtime migrant trap, frequently catching rare eastern migrants, hummers and orioles at the feeders, but also has regular local specialties such as Vermilion Flycatcher,  Brown-crested Flycatcher, Summer Tanager and Yellow-breasted Chat. On a busy day, the trees and bushes are filled with migrating birds, especially warblers. Many local desert species are also seen such as Gambel’s Quail, Costa’s Hummingbird and Verdin. Reserve hours are 7:30 a.m.-sunset.

Gambel's Quail (L. Johnson 5/3/08)
Gambel’s Quail (L. Johnson 5/3/08)

Saturday, 3pm – Black Rock Campground near Yucca Valley: For those staying overnight Saturday, we meet at the Campground Visitor Center and bird in and near the campground, looking for Gambel’s Quail, White-winged Dove, Roadrunner, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Pinyon Jay, Verdin, Scott’s Oriole and whatever else is around. If you’re late, just drive around until you spot some birders. The campground is nearly always fully occupied Saturday night. Know how to get there as local signs are not well marked. Allow at least 2.5 hours – better yet, three hours, for the 140-mile trip from Santa Monica.
Google Map to Black Rock Campground

Brief Directions: I-10 or I-10/I-60/I-10 for about 2 hours to Exit 117, Hwy 62 North. [Do NOT go south to Palm Springs on Hwy 111.] North on #62 (Twenty-Nine Palms Hwy) about 30 minutes through small Yucca Valley business area to intersection with Old Woman Springs Rd (#247) to left / Joshua Lane to right, and turn RIGHT (south) onto Joshua Lane. Follow signs about 5 miles to Black Rock Campground (unit of Joshua Tree Nat. Park). Meet at campground HQ. If you’re late, drive around the campground and South Park Rd. (to NW past the ranger buildings – see map closeup) until you find us.

Leader: Jean Garrett (213-522-0062) Please call Jean if you are going. It helps to know whom to expect.


Male Vermilion Flycatcher at Covington Park (R. Seidner 5/3/15)

 Sunday, 8:00 am – Big Morongo Canyon Preserve: The gate opens at 7:30 am but we officially start at 8am in the Preserve’s parking lot. If you arrive early – such as at dawn – birding at Covington Park just south of the Preserve is excellent. Some neighbors put out feeders and water, especially the corner house across from Covington Park and the house just past that (walking south & away from the park), so a short stroll is a good idea. After the preserve opens, we’ll walk around the large reserve until we’re too hot, tired, thirsty, hungry or all of the above to continue, then have lunch. Allow a minimum of 2 1/4 hours for the 125-mile trip from Santa Monica. Special birds of the area are Brown-crested Flycatcher, Vermilion Flycatcher and Summer Tanager, plus Yellow-breasted Chat, MacGillivray’s Warbler and most of the local desert birds, plus whatever migrant passerines happen to be arriving or stayed overnight. It can be very birdy, but it’s the luck of the draw and the local winds.
Google Map to Morongo Reserve

Brief Directions: I-10 or I-10/I-60/I-10 for about 2 hours to Exit 117, Hwy 62 North. [Do NOT go south to Palm Springs on Hwy 111.] North on #62 (Twenty-Nine Palms Hwy) about 11.5 miles into Morongo Valley and passing partway through small Morongo Valley town.  Angle right onto Park Ave. Turn left on Vale St., passing Covington Park on your right, then bear right through several turns until you reach Covington Dr., the entrance to the preserve.  If the preserve is not yet open (7:30am), retrace your path back to Covington Park where the birding is great.  [Chuck Almdale]
Leaders:  Jean Garrett (213)-522-0062

Family Guide: Can get quite hot; not for younger children. 1-2 miles of boardwalk, cinder and hard dirt paths. Dress in layers & hat. Bring water. Lunch near the cars.
[Chuck Almdale]

Brown-crested Flycatcher
(D. Erwin 5/3/15 Morongo)

Fresh from The Guardian; a study of bird song and sex!

April 19, 2026
by

[Posted by Lucien Plauzoles]

The Guardian, which has become a universal English language daily via the internet, we read this interesting article from British researchers.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/19/hidden-world-of-female-birdsong-book

Rattlesnake Season

April 18, 2026
by

[by Chuck Almdale]

Cal Poly News (link)

I was birding with a friend in O’Melveny Park near Granada Hills in the San Fernando Valley back on March 30, and we met a trailside rattlesnake. It was not happy to see us.

A little more detail. We had stopped to check out a hillside bushtop singing bird, which turned out to be a Rufous-crowned Sparrow – a good bird – and our Merlin app confirmed the insect-like (to my ears) song ID. Meanwhile, down the brushy slope behind us, some park maintenance person had turned on a sprinkler. After 10-20 seconds and the sprinkler not changing its sound one whit, I decided to look around to see where this sprinkler was. The sound was unusually steady, a high ssssssssss, there was no sign or sound of water falling anywhere, and downslope there was only brush. What park sprinkles their untamed hillside bushes at 11 AM? And the sprinkler seemed close. But it didn’t sound like a rattlesnake. Well…maybe a little.

It turned out to be a rattlesnake all right, coiled up, in the shade of a bush about two feet the other side of the trail, and when I saw him in my binos, it was staring straight at me. That sssssss sound really didn’t sound like any rattle I’ve ever hear from a rattlesnake, as it was seamlessly constant – not rattley – and higher pitched than the typical rattle, but it didn’t look like it was hissing. We looked at it a bit, then continued down the trail, mentioning the snake to passersby and suggesting they keep their eyes open. Three other groups had also seen rattlesnakes that day, further up the trail. I’ve birded in O’Melveny dozens of times, and never seen a rattlesnake. In nearby Placerita Canyon, I’ve seen them several times.

Rattlesnakes gather in underground or rockpile dens for the winter. When they emerge in spring and you’re in the area, it might seem like they’re everywhere. So I’ve heard and read, and I suspect that is what was going on.

Because rattlesnakes are now out and about, people have been bitten, and two people in our area have died, I thought I’d assemble a few tips and comments.

Tips from California Fish & Wildlife (link)

  • Stay alert when outdoors.
  • Wear sturdy boots and loose-fitting long pants. DO NOT wear sandals or flip-flops in brushy areas.
  • Stay on well-used trails. Avoid tall grass, weeds, and heavy underbrush.
  • Check rocks, stumps or logs before sitting down.
  • Shake out sleeping bag and tent before use.
  • Let others know where you are going, when you plan to return, and carry a cell phone. Hike with a companion when possible.
  • DO NOT grab “sticks” in water. Rattlesnakes can swim.
  • DO NOT let dogs off leash. Dogs are at increased risk when sniffing the ground near brushy areas.
  • DO NOT try to touch or handle a snake, dead or alive. Dead rattlers may still inject venom shortly after death.

Tips from other sources

  • Don’t pick up or get close to snakes. A 10 ft. distance is minimum.
  • Make sure you can see where you plan to step or put your hands (e.g. when climbing rocks).
  • Step on, not over, large rocks or logs.
  • Avoid hiking alone so that you have help in case of an emergency.
  • Scan the ground ahead of you as you walk, jog, or ride.
  • Listen for the buzz of a rattlesnake’s rattle warning you it is there.
  • Most bites result from trying to catch, drive off or kill the rattlesnake. Avoid it and go on your way.

Project RattleCam has livestreaming and archived videos of rattlesnakes.

Comments

A California study found two-thirds of rattlesnake bites were on the hand or arm, and 80 percent of victims were young men. Most bites occur from handling or accidentally touching snakes. [Sonoma Co. Parks]


In the unlikely event that you are bitten by a rattlesnake, remain calm and have someone call 911 immediately. Keep the affected limb below your heart. Don’t use a tourniquet or try to remove the venom yourself. If you are alone, call 911 or walk calmly to the nearest phone. Avoid running, but seek medical care as soon as you are able is vital. [East Bay Regional Parks]


A startled rattlesnake may NOT rattle before striking defensively. They also may not deliver an envenomed bite – a ‘dry bite’ may be used as a warning because venom creation and use can be energetically expensive for the snake. However, all bites from a rattlesnake should be treated as a venomous bite until appropriate medical attention is provided.

  • Rattlesnakes are sensitive to ambient temperature and adjust their behavior accordingly. In warmer weather, you may see one basking in the sun to raise it’s body temperature.
  • In Spring and Summer – Most active at dawn, dusk, and night to avoid overheating.
  • In Fall and Winter – Inactive, and some may go into brumation (a state of dormancy with periods of activity), for several months in rock crevices, rodent burrows, or thick vegetation.
  • Often multiple rattlesnakes may gather and establish dens during the colder months. These are often in rocky crevices where heat is retained, but may be found underneath homes or man-made structures. [Calif. Fish & Wildlife]

Rattlesnakes are important mid-level predators. They help with population and disease control by eating rodents that carry diseases like Lyme disease and plague, and which would otherwise over-reproduce and eat down all of our crops and native plants. And by eating those small rodents, they also package that energy into a nice big snake-shaped sausage for top predators like mountain lions or owls to eat. And, rattlesnake venoms are currently being studied for drug development. There’s a drug that’s been on the market for decades now that is derived from rattlesnake venom. If you know someone who’s had a heart attack or gotten a stent in their heart or been treated for being at a high risk for blood clots, they might have been treated with this drug. We haven’t been able to synthetically develop anything in a lab that is nearly as good. [Cal Poly News]


If you see a rattlesnake out in the wild, like on a hiking trail, just give it space. Stay 10 feet away from it and let it move along its way because you’re in its house. If rattlesnakes are in someone’s yard or in their house or that sort of thing, the evidence-based best approach is to relocate that rattlesnake. Best thing to do is call a professional. There’s also a website called freesnakerelocation.org where people can find a relocation service in their area.