The prolonged drought in California had at least one silver lining for researchers studying wildlife in the Santa Monica Mountains. Native western toads were found to be breeding in September, the latest ever known observation for the species, which has a breeding season that typically begins in late January. Western toads need pools of water to breed, and without winter rains, it wasn’t until an unusual summer rain event, caused by Eastern Pacific Hurricane Linda, that the toads in this particular spot bred.

So poor is the genetic diversity of mountain lions in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and surrounding areas in California that a single new cat to the area could have a great impact, according to wildlife biologists.

While this winter's rains alleviated drought conditions in California, they also nourished a new crop of invasive species in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, where officials hope volunteers will turn out to help rangers pull the unwelcome plants.

National Park Service researchers surveying a stream in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area last week spotted signs of California red-legged frog reproduction. The nine egg masses found are the first known evidence in recent times of the species sustaining a population in the Santa Monica Mountains without the help of humans.