Starr Ranch

Map Satellite

Much of the Starr Ranch, which is adjacent to the Caspers Wilderness Park, is covered by foothill grassland and coastal sage scrub with some chaparral, oak woodland and, in the canyons, a riparian association.

In the foothill grasslands are Achnatherum sp. (= Stipa coronata), Nassella sp. (= Stipa lepida) and Nassella pulchra as well as various exotics.

Elements of the scrub include California sagebrush, Artemisia californica, white sage, Salvia apiana, black sage, Salvia mellifera, California buckwheat, Eriogonum fasciculatum, and laurel sumac, Malosma laurina. Chamise, Adenostoma fasciculatum, is the dominant in the chaparral; toyon, Heteromeles arbutifolia, mountain mahogany, Cercocarpus betuloides, and scrub oak, Quercus sp., are also present. In the oak woodland coast live oak, Quercus agrifolia, is the main cover, though there is some Engelmann oak, Quercus engelmannii.

Along the canyon bottoms, by the stream courses, there is a riparian association with sycamore, Platanus racemosa, white alder, Alnus rhombifolia, arroyo willow, Salix lasiolepis, red willow, Salix laevigata, black willow, Salix gooddingii, and Baccharis pilularis.

Over 35 species of mammals and 140 of birds have been recorded on the ranch. Gray fox, Urocyon cinereoargenteus, coyote, Canis latrans, ringtail, Bassariscus astutus, badger, Taxidea taxus, mountain lion, Felis concolor, roadrunner, Geococcyx californianus, long-eared owl, Asio otus, Cassin's kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis, cactus wren, Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus, and phainopepla, Phainopepla nitens, are among the animals that have been observed here.

Integrity: There are buildings and roads on the ranch and portions have been grazed or farmed as recently as 1953.

Use: Research, educational, observational. Laboratory facilities and accommodations are available.

April 1982