Category: Uncategorized

By Darlene Hecomovich

Friends of Boggs Mountain members have recently taken on the installation of
a Purple Martin nest box on Mac’s Trail. The Purple Martin (Progne subis), is
the largest member of the swallow family in the world. They are uncommon
spring and summer visitors to Lake County, and we have been fortunate to
have them nesting in Boggs Mountain State Forest. Their typical nesting sites
are natural tree cavities or abandoned woodpecker holes. However,
throughout the United States the Martins are more and more breeding in
human-made Martin houses. So, several members decided to see if they could
entice the Martins to do so in BMSF. Darlene Hecomovich donated a nest
house with four nesting compartments; Joe Fusek provided the expertise of
mounting the heavy box on PVC piping to bring it to the desired height of 12
feet above ground level; and Peg Landini and David Thiessen rendered the
yeoman’s work of helping Joe install it. This nest site was selected because the
Martins have used tree cavities in this area in previous years.

The Violet-green Swallows as well as other passerines such as the Western
Bluebird are also cavity nesters and may Tind the Purple Martin nest box
desirable. What we don’t want to see is an appropriation of the nest box by
either House Sparrows or European Starlings, both highly invasive species
that would take over the Martin’s sites, destroy eggs, and kill nestlings.

So, Friends of Boggs Mountain extends an invitation to all of you to take a hike
up Mac’s Trail and in approximately three-Tifths of a mile up the trail on the
left-hand (west) side you will have a view of the nest, and hopefully, some
Purple Martins!!!

Thank you to the enthusiastic crew that met on Saturday to groom and shape the in-slope turns on Mac’s / Scout trail. We moved a ton of dirt, raked rocks from the trail and improved sight lines on the beautiful sunny day. By noon, we had all worked up an appetite for the delicious deli sandwiches provided by Hardesters Market.

Beginning early next week work will re-commence on the bottom two turns on Macs/Scout trail near the Shaker intersection. The trail will remain open however please use caution when approaching the work area.

Many thanks to the Middletown Composite Mountain Biking Team for their help in bringing back Game trail in BMDSF! A group of nearly 35 young people and adults convened  in the forest on a beautiful Saturday morning to continue work on the trail. With such a large number of people we were able to split up in groups with some working on Game trail while others did clearing and rock raking on other trails. The Mountain Biking Team practices at Boggs and we are exceedingly grateful for their help in restoring and maintaining the trails.

March 1, 2025

Under a cerulean blue sky with white puffy clouds around twenty people met at BMDSF for a three mile hike guided by Rich Bucher of Cal Fire. We started up Mac’s Trail and within fifteen minutes people were shedding their outer layer in the late winter sun. There were frequent stops at various overlooks where Rich shared his extensive knowledge of the history and geography of  Boggs and the Cobb Mountain area as well as the reforestation plan for the forest after the Valley Fire. Rich explained the mission of the various Demonstration forests and the contrast between a Demonstration Forest and a State or National Park. A Demonstration Forest being a living laboratory for researching best practices for sustainable forestry to the benefit of both private and public lands, and is not taxpayer funded but self-sustaining through selective logging. One of the highlights of the hike was a stop at the top of one of the two Boggs Mountain summits where Rich pointed out major peaks in Mendocino National Forest and even a few notable peaks of the Sierra. At the summit the breeze picked up and people were adding back the layers they had removed on the way up while we started down the mountain and back toward the parking lot. Returning to our cars by around noon everyone thanked Rich and FOBM for sponsoring the event with the hope that they would soon return to BMDSF to explore further. Without exception everyone agreed it was a fun and informative morning. Watch our website and FB page for future hikes and other events.