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Benefits to Wildlife <br /> The senescence of trees in the oak savanna has led to benefits for four guilds of birds: bark <br /> feeders, aerial flycatchers, cavity nesters, and raptors. Woodpeckers and nuthatches are <br /> common in the savanna, exploiting insect- infested and decaying trees. Cavities, both <br /> natural and made by woodpeckers are common in valley oaks and provide nesting holes for <br /> numerous bird species. Larger cavities might provide niches for barn owl, opossum, and <br /> raccoons. <br /> Maintaining the open spaces between trees, through cluster plantings, will provide foraging <br /> opportunities for kestrel,kites, and red-tailed hawks. Flycatching species such as western <br /> bluebirds, western kingbirds (Tyrannus verticalis), and yellow-rumped warblers are <br /> common in this ecotone and require open woodlands to nest and forage. Yellow-billed <br /> magpie depend on the large oaks in open spaces for their bulky nests. The savanna <br /> between fairways will still support these species. By ensuring differing age classes of <br /> trees, long-term protection of the savanna can be guaranteed. <br /> Acorn woodpeckers are most adapted for the open savanna habitat and depend on two <br /> i <br /> types of trees to support their small, loose colonies. Nest trees are usually valley oaks,in <br /> terminal branches that have died or are rotting. More important is the acorn storage tree <br /> (granary). One such tree is located near the proposed grassland-vernal pool restoration <br /> site. This tree should be protected and maintained during and after construction. <br /> Pilot project: Oak-buckeye Savanna <br /> The pilot project conducted along the Mokelumne River which contains numerous <br /> buckeyes, also serves as a trial for the savanna planting. However, since no blue oak were <br /> Buckeye Ranch Resource Plan (November, 1993) <br /> 165 <br /> 1 <br />