Wildwestbirds: Man shot dead!

Introduction

This is a true story that happened back in California back in 2015

On arriving in Mont Clair staying in guest house just below the Huckleberry trail. After some research for this post orginally discovering in the local press, the murder of David Ruenze had taken place just days before, on the my intended route, having already hiked the trail, but had not noticed the police posters pinned to trees. The incident did make me nervous and jumpy, however, as the man was in fact robed and murdered. Making the experience quite tence especially when a startled deer would jump around in the undergrowth. Nevertheless to whole area was a dynamic stytem of natural pathways

Killed in the wild west and robbed by bandits whilst

hiking his favourite trail

$25,000 reward

On November 26th - yes the year was 2014 not 1814, a well-known local journalist and teacher David Ruenzel was tragically shot dead whilst hiking his favourite trail on the Huckleberry Botanical Preserve in Oakland California. The Huckleberry trail, a place of extraordinary natural beauty, has many restrictions in place and no horses, dogs or bicycles are allowed on the path.

As a conservationist, I began to speculate and even dream that this sad event could lead to avoidance of the trail for fear of being robbed and killed. Could this lead to removing the final disturbance for the plants and animals - the most destructive element – humankind? Could the pathway now become overgrown thus becoming a wilderness area and natural paradise? Will Huckleberry Botanical Preserve become a fitting tribute to David and a grand memorial to the solitude he found there?

Unfortunately, whilst recently braving the trail, I discovered an amazing viewing station on the elevated area near botanical marker 6. There amongst the low Manzanita bushes is a magnificent panorama and open view of the surrounding hills and mountains with Mount Diablo as a distant backdrop. This observation place has, in a short time, provided sightings of Peregrine Falcon, White-tailed Kite, and Golden Eagle, in addition to many flocks of passerines starting their spring migration north.

This discovery could lead to streams of European birders, heading along this Californian trail to witness the spectacular migration and twitch off a number of American species on their life lists. Should masses of birdwatchers begin to tramp their way along through these magic oak woodlands with wheelbarrows full of optical equipment to experience the exceptional birdwatching within -- Huckleberry Botanical Preserve will never be anything less than it is today. What was I thinking? Even if the birders don’t show the East Bay Regional Park District trail maintenance crew will and everyone can continue to enjoy the trail just as David Ruenzel once did.

Below: Birds encountered on the Huckleberry pathway