The predominant plant community,
coastal sage scrub, is host to a variety of
birds and
wildlife.
Mule deer,
roadrunners,
bobcats,
coyotes,
rabbits,
quail,
gopher snakes and
rattlesnakes may sometimes be seen by day, though they tend to shy away from people. More frequently seen are a wide variety of
lizards,
rodents,
water fowl, and
birds of prey. Beautiful displays of
wildflowers occur during the
rainy season, generally November through April. The coastal sage scrub community is predominant on the south-facing slopes of the Russell mountains and
Bernasconi hills and is characterized by
shrubby plants including
desert encelia,
brittlebush,
sagebrush,
Californian black sage,
Californian white sage,
buckwheat, and
cacti. Conditions are somewhat shadier on hillsides that face north or northwest so that
chaparral plants such as
chamise,
penstemon, and
poison oak are found. Remnants of the original
perennial grasses that once flourished in this region can still be found in the flat interior of the park surrounding the lake, but the majority of plants that now make up the valley grassland community (including
Russian thistle) were imported from
Europe by early
settlers.
Riparian areas near springs and seeps, and on east and south lakes include
willows,
cattails,
elderberry and
nettles. More than a hundred species of birds have been spotted at Lake Perris. Many are migratory, and stop at the park briefly during their travels, while others make their permanent residence here.
Meadowlarks,
loggerhead shrikes,
roadrunners,
California thrashers,
quail,
wrens,
sparrows,
hummingbirds,
golden eagles, several varieties of
hawks,
ospreys, and even
bald eagles may be seen. Many varieties of
waterfowl use the lake including
pintails,
American wigeons,
green-winged teals,
mallards,
shovelers, various
geese, and sometimes
tundra swans and
pelicans.
black-necked stilts,
avocets,
killdeer,
willets,
kingfishers,
egrets, and
herons are attracted to the water's edge. The lake has become a hotspot for freshwater game fishing.
Largemouth bass,
spotted bass,
bluegill,
rainbow trout,
channel catfish,
black crappie,
red ear sunfish and
carp are all present in the lake. As the climate is a warm one, the California Department of Fish and Game make regular
plants of
rainbow trout throughout the winter months. The lake records for each of the species are noted here: • Alabama
spotted bass – 9 pounds, 6 ounces • Florida
largemouth bass – 17 pounds, 6 ounces •
Bluegill – 3 pounds, 15 ounces •
Rainbow trout – 7 pounds •
Channel catfish – 30 pounds
Largemouth bass,
bluegill,
rainbow trout,
channel catfish,
black crappie,
redear sunfish tend to be the primary focus of anglers. The trout usually only bite in the cooler months after the DFG plants. Day and night,
hawks and
owls are frequently seen hunting for prey. The bike trail offers an easy and convenient way to see some of the birds and other wildlife of Lake Perris. Early morning or dusk are the best times.
Ranger-led
hikes are conducted during the spring and early summer months. Most plants and animals at Lake Perris are well adapted to the
hot,
dry environment.
Chamise leaves are tiny and waxy to minimize water loss due to
evaporation. Some grasses and wildflowers rush from bloom to seed in just a few short weeks and are able to complete their life cycle within the brief wet season.
Kangaroo rats are so well adapted to dry environments that they seldom drink water, and manage to extract the
moisture they need directly from their food. The plants and animals of Perris Valley have changed considerably over the last two hundred years due to human activity, but its natural history can be intriguing. == Recreation ==