October 2026
Monthly Update for October 2026
2026 Annual Party and Golf Classic Fundraiser Almost Here!
Our 39th Annual Party and Golf Classic Fundraiser is fast approaching and we hope you’ll join us, but it’s filling up! The Annual Party takes place Sunday, November 15th at Stone Eagle. Enjoy dinner under the stars, live and silent auctions, Frank DiSalvo singing and Patrick Evans emceeing the evening. The Golf Classic is Monday, November 16th at Stone Eagle and includes breakfast, a professional’s clinic by golf legend and putting guru, Dave Stockton, lunch on the course and awards following play. Unable to attend the party or participate in the golf tournament? You can be a sponsor or make a donation; no amount is too small to help. To sign up or for more information, visit our website: www.BighornInstitute.org/fundraisers
New Fall Lambs!
We are excited to share that throughout October, we have documented a number of new lambs in the northern Santa Rosa Mountains (NSRM)! This marks another double-lambing event that we’ve documented where a ewe gives birth twice in the same calendar year; an incredible anomaly and unknown to occur elsewhere. Lambing season for Peninsular bighorn sheep typically extends from January through June. This is the fifth double-lambing event in the NSRM that we have documented since 2005, most of which have coincided with above average rainfall (therefore above average forage). However, this year has been a drought until the October tropical storm so it was most unexpected. There are other ewes showing signs of pregnancy so we expect to see more fall lambs; stay tuned!
Sheep Moving North
This month, we observed some unique sheep movements in northern end of the San Jacinto Mountains (SJM) north of the Aerial Tramway area in Palm Springs. In late-October, we observed an unmarked ram in Blaisdell Canyon and a radio-collared ewe was in Blaisdell and Angel Canyons. This is incredibly unique because Blaisdell is historic sheep habitat that has been used by rams infrequently in recent years, but we haven’t seen ewes use it until now. This ewe is our fearless traveler that ranges farther than her counterparts in her herd and has crossed ranges multiple times several years. She was with her lamb in Angel Canyon early this year passing down this range knowledge, which is fantastic. We look forward to seeing how these movements progress in the months to come and will keep you informed!
Sheep Crossing Highway 74
Unfortunately, sheep have been coming down onto Highway 74 and crossing over more frequently, particularly across from the National Monument Visitor Center. We mentioned in June, following an auto-collision with a ram that the City of Palm Desert put up electronic signs warning motorists of the sheep but those signs were removed after a few weeks. This month, we are grateful that the City put the signs back up after the sheep started crossing the highway again. Please watch for sheep and tell others to do the same; it could save a motorist or a sheep’s life.
New Development by BI
We have received numerous questions regarding the parcel of land that lies adjacent to the Institute and the new fence lining our driveway. While we’re not open to the public, our property is certainly visible from the road, as has been the construction going on this month. Bighorn Golf Club has built an overflow parking lot for 150 cars and a construction staging area in the land between our office and Highway 74. While they have been permitted for “temporary use” (greater than 6 months), a parking lot is certainly better than a housing development and that’s all we know about the parcel at this point.
Rain, Rain and More Midges?
This month, we finally received over 2.2 inches of rain, bringing our annual total to almost 4 inches! With wetter conditions incredible things happen in the desert: lots of lush vegetation, flowers bloom unexpectedly, sphinx moth caterpillars are wandering around and more. However, with wetter conditions, disease can spread more easily among the bighorn sheep, predators can hide in overgrown vegetation and ambush other animals, there’s an increase in humidity and BUGS. Not just mosquitoes, which carry a host of diseases dangerous to humans, but now we’re dealing with pesky biting midges (in the fly family, Ceratopogonidae), more commonly known as no-see-ums. The past several years we’ve had an influx in no-see-ums and if you’re out walking or hiking and stop for a few minutes, you’re inundated with the biting buggers. Their bite leaves a painful, itchy welt and while they’re merely a nuisance to people, they can transmit viruses to bighorn sheep. So far, all is well with the sheep, but we’ll sure be glad when these gnats move on!
Member Hike
It’s that time of the year again! Get ready to grab your hiking boots and binoculars and come out hiking with us to look for sheep! Our first Member Hike this season will be Monday, November 9th and we would love for you to join us. Space is limited, no dogs, and you must RSVP for this first come first served hike. To sign up or for more information, please call us at 760-346-7334 or email us at bi@bighorninstitute.org.
Upcoming Fundraisers, Save the Dates:
January 9, 2027 – Wine Cellar Dinner at Thunderbird Country Club for 20
February 19, 2027 – Private Dinner for 16 at Stone Eagle Golf Club
March 20, 2027 – Private Dinner for 16 at Stone Eagle Golf Club
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