Date: 3/5/25 2:34 pm From: Samuel Bressler via groups.io <pacificgoldenplover...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] update on Gilman Park
Helen Higgins and I met with the head of landscaping for the City of Fullerton, and two of his deputies, at Gilman to discuss recent vegetation removal that has been happening there. We received some information that will be of interest to the broader birding community:
Vegetation removal and thinning is taking place in response to complaints from the neighbors about fire risks. They agreed with me that the actual risk comes from the eucalyptus trees (which are not a focus of the effort), but they are giving a show of responsiveness.
Their efforts are focused in three directions:
-Weedeating grasses on the hillside. This I view as not a high priority for us, as the grasses don't provide much habitat for our birds of interest, and regardless will grow back within a month or so.
-Removal of shamel ash and Mexican fan palms from the slopes and the creekbed. These are nonnative species that are high on the city's list for removal. The vegetation removed from the most affected hillside was shamel ash. I expressed that despite this being a nonnative species of generally limited habitat value, it provides valuable cover for migratory birds.
-Clearing of vegetation encroaching on the creek. I expressed that the overhanging vegetation provides valuable cover for birds to drink and bathe. Note that they mainly target the Brazilian pepper, and leave the willows alone.
-Establishing a 30 feet buffer zone between the vegetation on the slopes and the adjacent houses (due to fire complaints). The hillsides are much wider than 30 feet, so I also felt like this is lower priority for us.
Some good news is that according to them they are planning a much lighter touch to the remaining slopes on the north and east sides of the park, as they have much less ash and palms, and the north side of the park does not abut any houses. Per my request they will not be removing any Brazilian peppers from the slope, as they provide cover. I also inquired about their landscaping schedule. for the park, and they told me the last time they did this sort of veg removal was 8-9 years ago, and they will not be back again for a similar amount of time. This should give the vegetation in the park some time to recover, though it may take several years for the most affected areas to do so.
One major concern I had was the application of a "water-safe" roundup to areas along the creek, not only because of downstream effects but because it seems to have affected some of the native willows and toyons, with several plants appearing to be dead or dying.
Of note: interest and enthusiasm was expressed at my suggestion that affected areas of the park be replanted with native/migrant-friendly plants. While the city is short-staffed with a low-budget and doesn't have the resources to carry this out, they would be willing to contribute plants to the effort if there are birders willing to help with planting. I think both the creek (by the old bathing spot), as well as the hill south of the creek would be good options to carry out such an effort. The city has an Adopt-A-Park program, and I think this would be a good opportunity for those of us that frequently bird Gilman Park to restore it to maximize its value as a migrant trap. While it's too late in the season now to begin such a project, such an effort could be put together by next fall. I'm happy to contribute my expertise and manpower, though I'm not sure that I could lead such an effort.
Here is the contact info of David Bishop, head of landscaping for the city:
David.Bishop@cityoffullerton. com ( <David.Bishop...> ). I'd recommend that anyone who birds this park regularly to reach out with your experiences, and request that dense vegetation both in the creek and along the slopes be preserved wherever possible, and that pesticides not be used where they may affect native plants.Work there will resume sometime next month, so if you see them taking out anything other than shamel ash, mexican fan palm, or grass, let both him and myself know.
If you are interested in helping reestablish bird habitat at Gilman, reach out to me.
