Friends of West Pond

08/07/2026

08/06/2026

Remember seeing the row of native black walnut trees across Covell Blvd. that were favorite nest sites for Swainson's Hawks? They were cut down by the Bretton Wood developers on a weekend without notice to the City. We watched the stumps sprout new life and cheered them on. The developers returned and chopped them to the ground. Why? Please sign this petition! It's the least we can do for our Threatened Species.

The California Building Industry Association has filed a petition with the California Fish and Game Commission to delist the Swainson's Hawk under the California Endangered Species Act. The Commission is expected to review the petition at its October 13 meeting.To find the petition and supporting do...

06/16/2026

Hawk watchers rejoice! This year's family of Cooper's Hawks are in the tall pine opposite the south end of West Pond. Their nest was inside the Pond for the last two years, and now they are back in the pine tree. This year, the nest is ridiculously high in the tree and can barely be seen. Try standing on the west side of the green PG&E box (graffiti reported), and look toward the top of the tall pine near the path into Village Homes. See the fuzzy face? We've spotted three!

05/07/2026

The highlight of this morning's monthly walk around the pond was all of the activity in the white mulberry tree near the former pergola. There were at least half a dozen Swainson's Thrushes stopping to enjoy mulberries as they migrate through, and multiple colorful Western Tanagers as well, along with Western Bluebirds, both Nuttall's and Downy Woodpeckers, Northern Mockingbirds, and a few others making stops at the tree.

04/11/2026

April 9: First family of Canada Geese spotted on West Pond with 7 goslings. Hope you can see them all in this cell phone photo.