The Skunk Corner
August 2023: End-of-Summer Updates
As we approach the end of summer, there's still plenty of time for camping, picnicking, and enjoying the outdoors in Santa Barbara. The...
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The Skunk Corner
- Apr 4
- 5 min
April 2023- Spring has sprung!
It's officially spring, and with the greenery and wildflowers out from the recent rainfall and the return of sunny weather, it certainly...
The Skunk Corner
- Jan 22
- 4 min
January 2023- Flowing Creeks, Green Grass, and Other Updates
It may still actually be winter, but spring has sprung this January! After the recent rains, there is water in our creeks and lots of...
The Skunk Corner
- Nov 14, 2022
- 3 min
November '22 Wildlife Happenings
This is the first installment of what will hopefully become a monthly or at least seasonal short newsletter attached to the Skunk Corner...
The Skunk Corner
- Aug 12, 2020
- 5 min
Building a Wildlife-Proof Chicken Coop
With people spending more time at home during COVID-19, 2020 has become a record year for backyard chicken raising. If you are planning...
The Skunk Corner
- Oct 29, 2019
- 4 min
The Wildlife Behind Halloween
Spiders, bats, and owls have long been common symbols of Halloween, but that doesn't mean you should only look for them in festive front...
The Skunk Corner
- Oct 6, 2019
- 3 min
To Live Trap or Not to Live Trap?
Live traps, also known as catch-and-release or Havahart traps, may seem like a good fix to a human-wildlife conflict at first glance. ...
The Skunk Corner
- Sep 1, 2019
- 5 min
A Closer Look at Backyard Nature
Look closely at the habitat in your backyard or a nearby open space and you will likely find plants, animals, and other features that...
The Skunk Corner
- Apr 8, 2019
- 4 min
5 Ways to Enjoy Nature This Spring
Baby animals, vibrant wildflower blooms, and flowing creeks are all in season right now, and it's a great time to get outside and enjoy...
The Skunk Corner
- Feb 15, 2019
- 5 min
What Happens to Creeks During the Rain?
During the recent rain, you may have noticed rushing water in some of Santa Barbara’s creeks.  Creeks are important features in any...
The Skunk Corner
- Jan 4, 2019
- 2 min
5 Ways to Enjoy Nature This Winter
Even though we don't get snow in Santa Barbara, the winter months still bring unique opportunities for wildlife observation. Below are...
The Skunk Corner
- Nov 22, 2018
- 3 min
What's Going On at the Arroyo Burro Open Space?
Lately, drivers along Las Positas may have noticed what looks like a construction project across the road from Elings Park. Â What they...
The Skunk Corner
- Sep 1, 2018
- 3 min
Bats: Fact and Fiction
If you look in the sky above your yard around dusk, you may catch a glimpse of a bat on its nightly insect hunt. The combined area of...
The Skunk Corner
- Jul 31, 2018
- 4 min
Which Animal Is Eating Fruit Off Your Trees?
It is often difficult to harvest fruit from a tree at the right time without letting animals get to it first. Birds, raccoons, opossums,...
The Skunk Corner
- Jul 7, 2018
- 5 min
Why Should We Protect Our Local Habitats?
Santa Barbara County includes multiple types of habitat, including riparian areas, chaparral, oak woodland, and others. Preserving these...
The Skunk Corner
- Mar 31, 2018
- 2 min
5 Wildlife-Friendly Yard Upgrades
If you are thinking of making changes to your yard this year, why not consider the local wildlife in your plans? Adding features such as...
The Skunk Corner
- Feb 5, 2018
- 2 min
Raccoon-Proof Your Trash
Don't let your trashcan end up like the one above, which is what happens when raccoons knock it over in search of food. Not only is this...
The Skunk Corner
- Jan 6, 2018
- 1 min
The Owls of Arroyo Burro Open Space
If you visit the Arroyo Burro Open Space around dusk, you may catch a glimpse of a great-horned owl or two. There are currently a pair...
The Skunk Corner
- Dec 30, 2017
- 2 min
5 Good Locations for Wildlife Water Sources
If you'd like to welcome animals to your yard, whether those animals are birds, pollinating insects, or mammals like skunks, it is...
The Skunk Corner
- Dec 2, 2017
- 2 min
Christmas Gifts for the Wildlife Enthusiast
The fall and winter are great times for observing wildlife. Different species of birds show up in backyards, rain may fill creeks with...
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