PATCHY POPPIES POOR SEASON IS PREDICTED FOR A.V.'S SIGNATURE BLOOM.

Byline: Charles F. Bostwick Staff Writer

LANCASTER - A few poppies are blooming around the Antelope Valley but erratic weather - record thunderstorms in September and October, 70-degree weather in December and February, snow in March - may mean a mediocre wildflower season.

The state's Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve will open March 26, three weeks later than last year, but buckwheat stalks are more noticeable than poppy flowers.

``We've got a little patch of poppies out there now,'' local wildflower book author Milt Stark said. ``It looks like a poor season because there's so may weeds out there. What we need is a couple feet of snow.''

He added: ``We could have a lot of poppies if it rains good between now and April 1. With all the weeds out there, I don't predict this is going to be that good of a year.''

The reserve's Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily beginning March 26 and will stay open through the duration of the wildflower season, which could end in April or May.

While the wildflower display is not looking good right now, state parks officials note that poppies are hard to predict and conditions can change, especially with recent snow.

April or May will likely be the best times to visit, officials said.

``We are going to have a medium year, possibly poor. We are looking at possibly a later bloom. If it stays cold we could get more - you never can tell,'' said Patty Skinner, a senior park aide.

Dedicated in 1976 on what was judged to be California's most consistent poppy-bearing land, the state reserve covers some 1,745 acres around the Antelope Buttes 15 miles west of Lancaster.

Eight miles of trails, including a paved section for wheelchair access, wind through the fields.

Poppies and other wildflowers - including fiddlenecks and filaree, usually the earliest of the valley's native flowers - are blooming at spots along the roads leading to the reserve.

Reserve admission is $5 per car, or $4 for vehicles containing disabled persons or seniors age 62 or older.

State officials offer wildflower bloom information on a taped message at [phone].

In Lancaster, the city will host its 15th annual California Poppy Festival 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 22 and 23 at Lancaster City Park.

The park, 43011 10th St. W., has no native poppies of its own, but will feature Celtic rock band Young Dubliners, jazz saxophonist Michael Lington and guitarist Craig Chaquico, plus arts and crafts sales, flower and farmers markets and more than two dozen food vendors.

Festival admission will be $7 for adults, $3 for children ages 6 to 12 and seniors age 62 and older, and will be free for children under age 6. Parking is free. Concerts are included in the admission price.

CAPTION(S):

4 photos

Photo:

(1 -- 3 -- color) Poppies and filarees are shown top, while a trail, above, leads through the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve in Lancaster. At left, a few poppies grow by a sign at the reserve.

(4 -- color) (Fiddlenecks are in bloom Thursday at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. The reserve will open March 26, three weeks later than last year.)

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer