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valley oak and to a lesser degree blue oak provide perches and nesting sites for savanna species. Some cavity nesting species such as bluebirds, woodpeckers, and titmice also find suitable sites as branches break to form natural tree cavities. The debris field within the levee (the result of former timber removal and natural flood events) has provided an important niche for a variety of mammals,reptiles, and amphibians. Since cattle have greatly reduced available cover for small animals, the debris provides a critical cover component. Surveys under logs and downed wood reveals a complex invertebrate and small vertebrate fauna. Under these logs we located several deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) huddled in winter nests made of dried grasses. Western (Eumeces skiltonianus) and Gilbert's (Eumeces gilberti) skinks, western fence lizards (Sceloporus occidentalis), gopher snake (Pituophis melanoleucus), and Pacific tree frogs (Hyla regila) were all found. Later this spring, as snakes become more active,other serpents might be located. Larger downed trees provide cover for larger mammals such as California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyii). The grasslands also support larger mammals including coyote, deer and subterranean species such as Botta's pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae). Pocket gophers are generally absent or rare in bottom land woodlands and grasslands due to frequent flooding. Similar grassland habitat on the Cosumnes Preserve does not support pocket gophers. Invertebrates found under logs included several species of centipedes, millipedes, isopods, Jerusalem crickets, field crickets, and numerous species of ground beetles. Hymenoptera, including several varieties of ants and wasps also utilize the wood for winter hibernation. Valley Grassland Component of the Savanna Grassland plants dominate much of the site at Buckeye Ranch. The grassland habitat falls Buckeye Ranch Resource Plan (November, 1993) 38