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commonly observed in the forest. Much larger forests at the Cosumnes (150 acres) and <br /> Bobelaine Sanctuary 400+ acres are fully infested by these nest parasites. The cutting of <br /> the fairways would not result in a perceivable increase of cowbirds. Understory-obligate <br /> species such as wrentit and California thrashers may be restricted by the fairways because <br /> these two species do not readily cross wide gaps in forests. Other species common in the <br /> forest, including raptors may actually benefit by creating more edge habitat. <br /> Pilot Projects <br /> Two different types of pilot projects have been designed for the mixed oak forest. The first <br /> consists of the restoration of a portion of the forest that was removed in the past fifty years, <br /> the second of restoration within and on the edges of the existing forest. The first pilot <br /> project is already underway. <br /> Pilot project 1 :Restoration of the Former Oak Forest along the Mokelumne River. <br /> The field to the southeast, bordering the Mokelumne River, was the location for the first <br /> pilot project at Buckeye Ranch. This area has a high potential for restoration to a closed <br /> canopy forest. Based on both air photo and interview evidence, this forest was cleared in <br /> the past twenty years. Information about boundaries, species composition, and tree density <br /> was gathered from air photos. The restoration project extends the existing eastern oak <br /> forest along the river's edge. This project began with a pilot planting in fall of 1990 to <br /> determine the best methods of planting and protecting the young oaks. It will continue in <br /> increments over the next several years. <br /> Buckeye Ranch Resource Plan (November, 1993) <br /> 173 <br />