M&O

Serials

A SOUTH BAY ALBUM

The May meeting of GGAS will feature photo- grapher Tom Rountree. Tom is, perhaps the most rapidly rising star of Bay Area wildlife photo- graphy. For our meeting Tom will present a show called “A South Bay Album” which includes waterbirds and shorebirds of our South Bay wet- lands and salt ponds. No one else captures the essence of these birds as Tom does. He has been specializing in their photography for years and the results are truly wonderful. We will see slides of these birds accompanied by a soundtrack com- bining music and narrative. It is a show not to be missed. And, of course, Tom will be there to answer questions.

As an added treat, Roy Lowe, naturalist for the San Francisco National Wildlife Refuge, will continue our journey through the SF Bay wetlands with his own slide presentation. We will learn of the great habitat values of these wetlands and of the present day threats to their existence.

Refreshments, as usual, will be served and we do hope you can come. The meeting will be on Thursday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda, Berkeley. See you there!

— LEON ABRAMS, Program Chairman

JUNE THE ANNUAL MEETING

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WINE, CHEESE AND COOKIES ON RICHARDSON BAY

Mark your calendar! Sunday, June 2, is the date of our annual meeting. Between the hours of 2 and 4 p.m. we will have a fantastic wine and cheese tasting at the Audubon Western Education Center on Richardson Bay. The lovely, recently restored Lyford House is an ideal setting for this very fecial occasion. We will honor fellow conserva- ^nists, raise funds for our sanctuary, and cele- l^ate the beginning of a new year for Golden Gate .^udubon Society.

Fine California wines will be selected and do- ■ ated by GGAS member and friend, George Pey- in. An array of fine cheeses from around the I orld, and cookies, brownies and truffles from around the Bay will help clear our palates. If you wish to make a donation for the cheese or con- tribute baked goods, please call the office and let us know.

(Continued on page 93) 81

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FIELD TRIPS CALENDAR

Saturday, May 4— Beginners’ Trip to Briones Regional Park. See April GULL.

Wednesday, May 8 — Mini-trip to Briones Regional Park. Meet at the park at 9:30 a.m. Take Hwy. 24 east to the Orinda turnoff. Turn left and fol- low the San Pablo Dam Rd. about two miles to Bear Creek turnoff. Turn right and drive about two miles to Briones Regional Park entrance on the right. Wildcat Canyon Dr. across Tilden Park from the top of Spruce St. in Berkeley will also take you to Bear Creek Rd. We should see North- ern Orioles, Lark Sparrows, Ashthroat- Flycatchers and Lazuli Buntings. Lea- ders: Delpha deTimofeev and Ruth Voss (525-8032).

Saturday, May 11— Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. Meet at 8 a.m. at Ar- lington Park at Arlington Ave. and Brewster Dr. in El Cerrito. From there we will drive to the starting point. Pack lunch and liquids for a six-mile hike. Boots are advisable. We will encounter some hills as we walk a transect of the canyon to bird in brushlands, oak woodlands, ripar- ian streamsides and grasslands. We anticipate seeing a good representa- tion of nesting and migrating birds of the East Bay. We will also identify common trees of the area. People with allergies should be aware that we will encounter grassy conditions. The trip will end at 2 p.m. Leader: Malcolm Sproul (841-3086). (V)

Sunday, May 12— Mt. St. Helena. Meet at 8 a.m. at the junction of Ida

Clayton Rd. and Hwy. 128, 6.3 miles north of Calistoga. Bring lunch and liquids. Carpool if at all possible be- cause parking is very limited and we must caravan to bird the road. Call Shirley Kelly (387-8290) and leave your name and phone number if you plan to go on this trip. Leader: Dick Johnson (530-7118). (\/)

Wednesday, May 15— Beginners’ Trip to Chain of Lakes, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Meet at 9 a.m. at the parking lot between South and Middle Lakes near 41st Ave. and Lincoln Way. We will identify the common water and land birds of the area. Bring bi- noculars and a field guide if you have them. The trip will end before noon. Leader: Janet Murphy (752-8611).

Saturday, May 18— Putah Creek. Meet at 9 a.m. at the top of Monticello Dam at the east end of Lake Berry- essa. From Napa, go north on Hwy. 121 to Hwy. 128 and east to the dam or take the Pleasant Valley Road from 1-80 (about 4 miles east of Fairfield) north to Hwy. 128 and west to the dam. Bring lunch. We will bird the dam and along Putah Creek. Canyon and Rock Wrens, Phainopeplas, North- ern Orioles and a wide variety of other resident species may be expect- ed. Rain cancels trip. There is an entrance fee at Lake Solano.

Leader: Bob O’Brien (526-8241). (a/)

Sunday, May 19— Five Brooks Trail- head and Inverness Ridge. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Larkspur Ferry Terminal, section H. From Hwy. 101 exit at Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and go east to the terminal. From the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge go south toward San Anselmo to the terminal. We will car- pool from here to Five Brooks (about

Published each month except August by the Golden Gate Audubon Society, office address 1550 Shattuck Avenue, #204, Berkeley, CA 94709. Second class postage paid in Berkeley, CA. ( the GULL-ISSN 0164-971X)

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5 miles south of Olema on Hwy. 1). We should arrive by 9 a.m. Pack a lunch and wear hiking boots for a five-mile walk up Inverness Ridge (a climb of about 1000 ft.). We should see a fine variety of spring migrants and, hopefully, Purple Martins. Leader: George Hugenberg (435-5642). (\/)

Friday-Sunday, May 31-June 2— Bird- ing by Ear in Yosemite. The lower elevations of Yosemite National Park are alive with sound in early June. A variety of habitats produce a rich di- versity of birdlife, typically including 7 flycatchers (including 4 Empidonax). 3 vireos, and 7 warblers and many other species in full song and breeding plumage.

Meet at the Hogdon Meadow Camp- ground group campsite Friday, May 31 at 3 p.m. and Saturday, June 1 at 6:30 a.m. (If you arrive later on Sat- urday, meet the group in Hogdon Meadow behind the group camp site.) To reach the camp, turn left (north- east) off Hwy. 120, 0.1 mile past the Big Oak Flat Entrance Station, and proceed to the back lower portion of the campground. Because last minute changes in campsite may have to be made, before you leave be sure to call the leader (prior to May 25) or the GGAS office (843-2222) after that date. Also, if you can come up early and help us occupy a group site start- ing Thursday, May 30, please call the leader. Check at the entrance gate for a possibile entry fee waiver.

The nearest motels are 20 miles or more from the meeting place. If you are approaching from Merced, try the small town of El Portal (AAA book). On the north side, try the Sugar Pine Ranch Motel near Groveland along Hwy. 120 (209-962-7823). Yosemite Val- ley is 30 miles from the meeting place.

Bring warm clothing, raingear, boots (for wet meadows), pack a lunch and

plan on walking about six miles. Lead- er: Dave Cornman (825-2106). (>y)

Saturday/ Sunday, June 15/16— Mono Basin. Meet at 8 a.m. at Mono County Park 5 miles north of Lee Vining and just east of Hwy. 395. To get to Mono Basin take Hwy. 120 over Tioga Pass to the town of Lee Vining and proceed north to the meeting place. An alter- nate route is around Lake Tahoe to Hwy. 395 and then south to Mono County Park. We will spend Saturday birding the north side of the lake looking for common residents r.i the cottonwoods around the park and the juniper/ sage habitat north and east of the lake as well as the lake edge itself.

On Sunday we will meet at South Tufa at 8 a.m. Take Hwy. 395 south from Lee Vining to Hwy. 120, turn east and proceed to the entrance of South Tufa State Reserve. We will meet in the parking lot. We will bird this area and the Jeffrey Pine forest south and east of here looking for Grey Flycatchers, Gnatcatchers and other Mono Basin specialties.

Be prepared for hot bright sun and/or cold wind and rain. The eleva- tion of the basin is 6400 ft. and the temperature may drop at night. Bring lunches for both days and be prepared to hike. It would be advisable to bring an extra pair of boots or tennis shoes for Saturday when we hike through the “Mono muck”.

Forest Service campgrounds are available southwest of Lee Vining in Lee Vining Canyon and north of town up Lundy Canyon. Motels in Lee Vin- ing include: Best Western Lake View Motel (714-647-6543), Gateway Motel (714-647-6467) and Murphey’s Motel (714-647-6316). Leaders: Helen and Paul Green (526-5943). (v/)

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Sunday, June 23 — Farallon Islands Boat trip to circle the Farallon Is- lands. Past trips have produced sight- ings of Tufted Puffins, Albatross, Whales and other marine mammals and sea birds. Reservations can be made by sending $26 per person with a self-addressed stamped envelope to GGAS, 1550 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94709. Checks should be made pay- able to GGAS. Space is limited and filled on a first come, first served bas- is. Be prepared for a 5 a.m. departure from Emeryville Marina. Please in- clude your telephone number with your reservation request. Leader: Peter White.

Summer Camping Trips. Details for these and additional summer trips will be in the June and July/ August GULLS.

Saturday & Sunday, June 22-23— Yuba Pass. Leader: Peter Allen (981- 7199).

Saturday & Sunday, July 13-14 — Mono Lake. Leader: Jon Zablackis.

Carpooling arrangements can be made for trips marked (\/). Call Kate Partridge at 724-2116 and leave a mes- sage. She will contact you. (Note: The last two GULL’S had an incorrect phone listing for Kate Partridge. The above is correct. )

Problems: If for any reason you have difficulty getting in touch with a field trip leader or need information regarding a trip, call Shirley Kelly (387-8290) or the GGAS office (843- 2222).

—FIELD TRIPS COMMITTEE

OBSERVATION REPORTS REQUESTED

The California Dept, of Fish and Game is gathering information on

the Black Swift, the Bank Swallow and the Purple Martin to document dis- tribution, abundance, habitat require- ments and reproductive success. It is also interested in documenting threats to these species’ habitats.

Please send reports of recent sight- ings (within the past decade) of breed- ing pairs of these species to Ronald Schlorff, Fish and Game, Nongame Wildlife Program, 1416 Ninth St., Sac- ramento, CA 95814. Include, please, your name, address and phone num- ber. Provide the following: location of sightings (if possible, legal description of nest territory - township, range, section - ideally a copy of the topo- graphical map should be included), date of observation, behavioral notes, and any other relevant information. This will help plan for protection of these species of special concern.

OBSERVATIONS: Through March 24

Although the spring northwest winds activated the upwelling and started the Farallon seabirds nesting early, the pelagic red crabs remained a maj- or gull food (PRBO). Millions of these crabs beached and died on Monterey beaches, providing a prolonged feast for huge concentrations of gulls (mob). The landbird migration on SE Faral- lon also began early (PRBO).

FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL

The concentration of Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels in and around Monterey Harbor after the storms continued into early March. This happened in many previous Marches, but this month’s “wreck” (beaching and mass die-off of seabirds) reached unpre- cedented proportions. Thirty were at Monterey Harbor March 2 (GW) On

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March 4 an incredible 1000 was esti- mated (SH). Live birds were last pre- sent March 7(AB) and many (most?) died; that day over 120 were found dead on one mile of Monterey Beach (RB). About half of these were picked up for preservation in museums (RB, SFB). All 59 prepared by California Academy of Sciences were emaciated (SFB).

Meanwhile, small numbers of Fork- tailed Storm-Petrels appeared at other coastal sites. On March 2 about four were inside Bodega Harbor (DS, MD) and one was picked up at San Pedro Valley Park, Pacifica (SS). The next day one was inside Princeton Harbor (CR, ME). Ten were seen off the Santa Cruz Wharf March 4 (RT). Three more were three miles off the southern Marin County coast March 3 (ES). Farther offshore from Mon- terey, where healthy individuals might be more expected, only one was seen March 9 (SFB, SJ).

We know essentially nothing about why only certain storms contribute to wrecks, or about the causes of many wrecks that occur in the absence of storms. The pelagic lives of seabirds remain largely mysterious.

OTHER WATERBIRDS

Twenty Black-vented Shearwaters were still off Monterey March 9 (SFB, AB, TC, SJ). A flock of 56 Cattle E- grets was about four miles west of Los Banos Refuge March 8 (TC). Else- where a scattering of Cattle Egrets lingered into March.

The Eurasian form of Green-winged Teal was spotted at Sacramento Na- tional Wildlife Refuge March 24 (GF, et al.) The male Harlequin Duck at Moss Landing stayed at least to March 23 (CS, et al.). Another male Harlequin Duck frequented both sides of the beach at Rodeo Lagoon from

March 16 (DK, CF). On March 20-21 a female was with him (CF).

Princeton Harbor,s Rock Sandpiper remained through March 23 (PG, et al.). Increased scrutiny of Merced National Wildlife Refuge proved that there were two different Ruffs March 2-3 (GF, et al.). One was still there March 9.

At Stockton Sewage Ponds it was not “news” that the adult Little Gull, adult Common Black-headed Gull, and first winter Franklin’s Gull were seen again March 5 (JMS, et al.). The Little Gull was also seen March 24, when the surprise was discovered ; a first winter Common Black-headed Gull (both JP). The Franklin’s Gull at Napa Valley College was reportedly present on March 5. Glaucous Gulls at Palo Alto Dump and Princeton Harbor were last reported March 3 (TC) and March 12 (DS), respectively. Another Glauc- ous Gull was seen across Tomales Bay from Inverness March 1 (MD), and one arrived on SE Farallon March 4 (PRBO). Three Black-legged Kitti- wakes were reported from the Bay shore at Burlingame March 1 (DS). Were these related to the wreck of storm-petrels? Monterey waters have held gradually increasing numbers of Kittiwakes this winter (mob), but it was a shock to find 2000 on March 9, mostly in a series of massive feeding aggregations off Moss Landing (SFB, AB, SJ). At SE Farallon, numbers grew to 400 on March 5 (PRBO).

LANDBIRDS

The Spotted Owl remained at Mer- ced National Wildlife Refuge through March 15 (mob, KH). The Greater Pewee lingered at least to March 7 (JL). A yellow-billed Magpie was at Coit Tower in San Francisco March 1 (RA). Especially in such a location one suspects a captive origin rather than a vagrancy for this species. The

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riprap of Candlestick Point was a strange place for a Rock Wren March 17-24 (AH, et al., JMu), but in this case the bird probably wandered there on its own. Without firm evidence our judgments on a bird’s origin are merely guesses as to relative proba- bilities. They are educated guesses, however, and knowledge of a species’ life histories and susceptibilites to captivity often determine our attitudes toward anomalous “strays”. Middle Lake’s “Baltimore” Northern Oriole was seen again March 2 (JM, et al.).

Observers: Ruth Anberg, Stephen F. Bailey, Alan Baldridge, Ron Bran- son, Ted Chandik, Maryann Danielson, Bruce E. Deuel, Mike Ezekiel, Carter Faust, Leora Feeney, George Finger, Phil Gordon, Helen Green, Keith Kan- sen, Syd Harrison, Alan Hopkins, Shearwater Journeys, Dick Kaufman, Damien Kazarowski (DK), John Lu- ther, many observers (mob), Joseph Morlan (JM), Dan Murphy, Janet Murphy (JMu), Point Reyes Bird Ob- servatory (Farallon report thanks to Jay F. Penniman), Benjamin D. Par- meter, John Parmeter, Bill Randolph, Cliff Richer, Erik Schultz, Scott Smith- son, Jean Marie Spoelman, David Sud- djian, Chris Swarth, Jean Thomas, Ron Thorn, Gil West.

- STEPHEN F. BAILEY, Observations Editor Dept, of Ornithology and Mammalogy California Academy of Sciences Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118 (report observations to Northern California Rare Bird Alert 843-2211.)

Dr. Bailey received a letter from Peter H. Gleick of UC Berkeley, dated Feb. 20, 1985, which we print because of its interest:

“I am sorry to have to send in the following observation. This afternoon, my wife and I were birding in Tilden Regional Park between 2 and 4 p.m. The day was warm and clear and we were approching the intersection of the Nimitz Way on the trail up from the Tilden Environmental Nature Cen- ter. We stopped and sat for a while and noticed three Red-tailed Hawks to the west toward the Bay. One, ap- parently a female, was perched on the tower of one of high-voltage power lines that run approximately north- south through that section of the park. The other two, apparently males were engaged in a classic courting battle, including full contact, the locking of their talons and “helicoptering” down nearly to the ground. They broke con- tact and regained altitude. One flew to the top of the tower and landed near the female. At this point, the other male dived from well above, hit the sitting male, and, clutched toget- her, they started to circle down to the ground. Then one hit the high-voltage line and (I guess) the other hit the tower itself. There was a tremendous flash, an extremely loud “bang”, and both birds plummeted to the ground, obviously instantly dead, both burning. There was smoke for several minutes from two small ground fires. The fe- male flew some distance and then re- turned to the top of the tower where she remained for as long as we watch- ed.

“Although I know that such deaths occur, my wife and I were both struck to the heart by witnessing this tra- gedy, particularly since we were im- mensely enjoying the courting display

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—itself rarely seen in such full splen- dor. Watching the courting display, which naturally ends in birth and life, only to see it end unnaturally in death, was a horrible experience. I guess that birders, by their very nature, are observers. We watch and we see— but I hope never to see this horrible event again.”

BERKELEY BAY FESTIVAL

Come and join us at the Festival, Sunday, May 5 at the Berkeley Mar- ina. The Recreation Dept, in Berkeley sponsors this event to introduce citi- zens to the myriads of recreation, con- servation and education resources a- vailable to them.

You swoop at me one more time,

Blackie,

I’ll put you in a poem where you cannot get out.

Edson Snow

with permission, from the WHEEL OF DHARMA, Bhuddist Churches in America.

CONTINUED CONDOR PERIL

The California Condor remains in grave peril. Against the advice of GGAS, the Friends of the Earth and the Sierra Club, the Condor Recovery Team has removed all eggs and fledg- lings from the wild during the past two breeding seasons. Two years ago GGAS proposed a balanced recovery plan to the Dept, of Fish and Game. It suggested assuring both captive and free flying populations by allowing some condors to raise their young in the wild. That proposal was ignored. Now it seems disaster struck last win- ter; four birds are unaccounted for. This brings the population of free- flying condors to eleven or twelve with as few as two breeding pairs. Sixteen birds are held in captivity. Had the wild population remained stable, the Recovery Team was expected to re- lease three captive reared birds this year. That plan is now in question, and the removal of all remaining wild con- dors is under serious consideration. It seems that the Condor Working Group, representing primarily the San Diego Zoo and the Los Angeles Zoo, is the proponent of this proposal. The Working Group is expected to bring it to the US Fish and Wildlife Service to try to alter the recovery plan to allow the capture of all California Condors. It has been suggested that Andean Condors should be released in southern California to act as re- search surrogates while .the entire California Condor population is held in “protective custody”.

As the condor population plummets, the US Forest Service, guardian of much essential habitat, is considering massive development plans which would doom the condor if brought to fulfillment. The 6000 acre Peppermint

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Mountain Resort Project in Sequoia National Forest would certainly im- pact our nation’s most endangered species. Plans call for an access road 1.2 miles from a known nesting site. The Draft Environmental Impact Re- port ignores any impact on condors Of other animals which do not use the actual development site. At the same time Los Padres National Forest is considering oil and gas leases in a number of critical habitats including the Sespe Condor Sanctuary, at least two nest sites, various roosts, foraging areas and flyover areas. GAS opposes these projects.

Meanwhile, the planned Hudson Ranch National Wildlife Refuge has been in limbo for the past several months. The ranch is considered the most vital condor habitat in private ownership. It appears US Fish and Wildlife is assuming a wait and see posture before committing funds for its purchase.

National Audubon seems, finally, to see the point GGAS has been making for several years. Glenn Olson, Dir- ector of National’s Sacramento Re- gional Office, assured me the Condor Recovery Team plans to oppose the Condor Working Group proposal to capture all free flying condors,, and that it is important to protect the wild population and its habitat. Glenn also said the Recovery Team plans the scheduled release of the three captive reared birds this year.

There is no doubt; the California Condor is America’s most threatened species. There seems little we can do to protect this most majestic master of the skies. However, if you are as concerned and frustrated as I am, please send me a letter or postcard and I will forward copies to appropri- ate agencies and National Audubon

President Russ Peterson. It is easy to forget, so jot a note right now saying you are concerned about the future of the condor and send it to: Califor- nia Condor, GGAS Office, 1550 Shat- tuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94709. There are 5800 members of GGAS and we can have an impact on this and other issues if we act. Voice your concern.

- DAN MURPHY, President

At the April 6 Bay Area Audubon Council meeting Dan Taylor, National Audubon representative, reported two more condors are unaccounted for at the present time, and one of these is a paired bird. It would appear that there is only one remaining pair of breeding California Condors. The pos- sibility of poaching or poisoning must be considered.

D. M.

CONSERVATION NOTES

Wetland Protection In Briones

The GGAS-Sindicich Lagoon fence is up! Last year the GGAS board voted $5000 from the Society’s Sanc- tuary Fund to provide for construction of a fence around the Sindicich Lagoon in Briones Park. Its purpose is to pre- vent cattle from trampling the shore- line vegetation. This will allow aquat- ic plants to be re-established, enhanc- ing this habitat for waterbirds, small mammals and the famous Briones newts. Visit Briones, hike to the ridge- tops and explore the grassy slopes a- round the logoons. The unobtrusive fense does not exclude humans, so be sure to search the shallows to see the newts.

Thanks to Neil Haulik, resource an- alyst, and EBRPDistrict for an excel- lent design and construction job. We

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will dedicate the fence to the Makower family for their generous donation to the GGAS Sanctuary Fund.

Mono Gull Study Threatened

Since 1983 Point Reyes Bird Ob- servatory biologists Dave Shuford and Gary Page have studied the breeding biology of California Gulls at Mono Lake. Their research is a continua- tion of David Winkler’s study (1976- 82 ) and is crucial for an understanding of how the declining lake level affects the survival of these gulls at Mono. This season, however, PRBO will be forced to drastically cut back their research plans because of a lack of funding.

This funding crunch exists in spite of the fact that May (12 months ago) Gov. Deukmejian signed into law a bill by Assemblyman Norman Waters (D-Plymouth) which provides $250,000 for the “scientific study of the effects of water diversions on the Mono Lake ecosystem”. The statute authorizes the California Department of Fish and Game to contract with institutions to carry out the necessary studies. Yet due to apparent slow moving official machinery the anticipated funds for PRBO have not materialized.

Anticipating this, in February the GGAS board of Directors voted $1000 to PRBO to purchase and place gull decoys on Negit Island last March. Negit Island held the main nesting colony until 1979 when the declining water level exposed a landbridge con- nection to the mainland. This forced the gulls to abandon the island.. The landbridge is now covered by six feet of water following several winters of heavy snowfall in the Sierra. With Negit Island gain cut off from the mainland hopes are high that the gulls will return and the decoys were to help lure them back.

Letters are needed. They should go to Assemblyman Norman Waters, State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814, and should point out that his bill (AB 1614) requiring funding of research at Mono Lake is being ignored by Fish and Game officials.

Edgewood Park - Last Chance?

San Mateo County’s Edgewood Park has the finest display of spring wild- flowers in the Bay Area and for many miles beyond. It also is the site of over 70 species of birds. This spring may be your last chance to see this spectacular display because San Mateo Co. is considering turning it into a golf course. Although the height of the season is mid-April there is still plenty to see in early May. Do your- self a good turn and see it. The park is undeveloped, though there are trails It is un-signed, but it is easy to find. Take Rte. 280 south to Edgewood Rd. exit and go west on Edgewood a very short distance and park under the freeway underpass. Across Edgewood Rd. on the south side will be a fenced path leading into the park. As you walk under another freeway structure on a dirt trail look for swallows There are trails wandering by a stream through fields of wildflowers and also a trail going up an oak cover- ed hill. Once you have seen it you will want to help save it. Call and we will help direct your efforts. You may call Arthur Feinstein at 282-5937 or the GGAS office 843-2222.

A Mission Creek Wildlife Park in San Francisco

Where can you observe grebes cor- morants, night herons, a nesting egret and a Great Blue Heron just one mile from the financial district? Mission Creek Channel, ebbing and flowing

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past the China Basin Building and un- der Blanche’s Restaurant, two draw- bridges, a houseboat neighborhood and 1-280, is home to numerous birds, fish, shellfish and other Bay species. This sheltered tidal inlet is the last remnant of historic Mission Creek which once flowed from just north of Twin Peaks past Mission Dolores. But water lots were granted to the railroads by the State, the Bay filled in, and Mission Creek Channel now lies within a 200- acre site proposed for development by Santa Fe Realty Corp.

Despite naming their project “Mis- sion Bay”, the developers’ current plans show no understanding of the importance of wetlands and no provi- sion for any wildlife habitat. Fortun- ately, something can be done.

The Mission Creek Conservancy, a non-profit corporation, formed two years ago to work for preservation and enhancement of the Channel’s tidal ecosystem has, with funding from Gerbode, Columbia and the San Fran- cisco Foundations, developed a Mis- sion Creek Park Master Plan. The proposal, prepared by Asian Neighbor- hood Design under the direction of architect Tom Jones, calls for enlarge- ment of the 24-acre waterway to 51 acres and the inclusion of 44 acres of land for a total 95 acres of park. Ac- cessable to the public and helping to meet the open space needs of the park-deprived South of Market area, the park would offer a variety of rec- reational opportunities (strolling, cas- ual play, birdwatching, fishing, boat- ing) as well as wildlife-only islands to shelter our resident fauna and pro- vide a resting place on the Pacific Flyway. Water edges would be planted with native species, re-creating the Bay marsh ecosystem once so preva- lent on San Francisco Bay’s shore.

Rather than oppose the Mission Bay development, the Mission Creek Con- servancy seeks to work with Santa Fe Pacific and the Department of City Planning, educating them to the importance of preserving the Bay ecology and showing them that a re- gional-scale natural shoreline park will benefit the whole development and the rest of the City.

If you would like to see the wildlife habitat at Mission Creek preserved and enhanced in a tidal park, please share your views with :

Jim Augustino, Project Director, Santa Fe Pacific Realty Corp.

201 Mission St.,

San Francisco, CA 94105 Dean Maoris, Director Dept, of City Planning 450 McAllister St.

San Francisco, CA 94102

To find out more about the Conser- vancy, phone 621-6774 or write to them at 300 Channel St. #21, San Francisco, Ca 94107.

Clean Water Act

After failing to pass in Congress last term, the Clean Water Act is now up for reauthorization before the 99th Congress. The act expired in 1982 but has stayed effective through continu- ing resolutions. Audubon lobbyists are working for amendments to strengthen water Bills S53 and HR8 introduced this year by Senator Robert Stafford and Representative James Howard.

Letters are needed urging Senators Wilson and Cranston to endorse the stronger Clean Water Act with amend- ments providing more protection for groundwater, bays and estuaries, and better control of pollution from toxics and runoff. In particular, urge both

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Senators to strengthen Section 404 of the Act which would increase pro- tection of wetlands rapidly disappear- ing from the Bay Area.

Letters should be addressed to the two California Senators at the New Senate Office Bldg, Washington, D.C. 23510.

Birdseed Sale Report

The February seed sale was again a success. Nine hundred dollars was raised and the money was allocated to support conservation efforts. In this instance the funds will be used to help preserve Cullinan Ranch, a diked bay- land in the north Bay integral to the San Pablo National Wildlife Refuge and the Napa Marsh (rated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as a- mong the six most important wetland areas in the US). This area is now threatened by a residential develop- ment of 4500 upper-income units with devastating impacts on the surround- ing wildlife.

We would like to thank all who worked on the sale and all who bought seed. Thanks, also, to Merritt Ander- son, our supplier, who devotes much effort to our sales. In addition during the month of May, Merritt will give all GGAS members a discount of 10% on birdseed bought at his store (bring your GULL as identification). The store is Oh’s Fine Foods (Calif. Direct Imports) at 2651 Mission St. (between 22nd and 23rd Sts.) in San Francisco. And remember, we’ll have another seed sale in late October, just in time for our visiting winter migrants.

— ART FEINSTEIN

JOHN JAMES AUDUBON

A Tribute to Wildlife

The Richardson Bay Audubon Cen- ter will have an Audubon Festival on the weekend May 17-19. Friday and Saturday evenings there will be (6-8 p.m. admission $3 per person) show- ings of wildlife films from the Univer- sity of Montana’s International Wild- life Film Festival.

Saturday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. admis- sion $1 per person) the program will include wildlife and chapter exhibits, demonstrations, and GGAS president Dan Murphy will lead a morning bird walk. The chapter will have an exhib- it and the GGAS T-shirt will be on sale.

Sunday at 2 p.m. George Peyton, GGAS members, will host a gala wine- tasting ($25 per person). The Audubon Jazz Quintet will perform.

The Center is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Phone the Center at 388-2524 for in- formation. To reach the Center take the Tiburon-Belvedere exit from Hwy. 101 and drive east to the third stop light, turn right on Greenwood Beach Rd. and continue about one-half mile to #376.

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THE BACK YARD BIRDER

Have you ever wanted to soar like an eagle? I have. Lacking the courage to fling myself off a cliff and hang- glide or the nerve to leap from an airplane and free-fall before parachut- ing to a “soft” landing, I did the saf- est thing: I went on a glider flight. It was wonderful and quiet and quite wierd to look down on hawks and vul- tures! It also was a perfect illustra- tion of the method of thermal soaring used by buteos, eagles and vultures. Today I saw six Red-tailed Hawks soaring in a tight circle, climbing higher and higher on a thermal and was reminded of the glider flight.

Columns of warm air are generated here and there from the earth’s sur- face. As the column rises it expands toward the top and is finally set free by the surrounding cold air. It’s simi- lar to a bubble of air rising from the bottom of a pan of boiling water. A continual updraft of cold air is en- circled by warm air. Birds ride the ring of warm air until they reach the desired altitude when they soar off in the desired direction. When they get too low, they search for another ther- mal and repeat the whole procedure. Since little energy is expended, this is a very efficient method of flying for birds who must search for prey over a wide range or who migrate long dis- tances.

The three main requirements for soaring successfully are: large size light wing-loading (the weight of a bird in pounds borne by each square foot of its wing surface) and maneu- verability (the ability to make tight circles or to change direction sudden- ly).

Since thermals are not generated over water, migrating soaring birds

must skirt large bodies of water, mak- ing certain areas such as the Marin headlands great spots to watch ther- mal soaring in action. When a large group of birds enters a thermal, the group swirls up and when one bird leaves the spiral it is followed by the remainder in a line. Such whirlpools of birds are called “kettles” in North America.

Another type of soaring occurs where air currents are diverted upward after meeting a surface. Winds hitting a cliff face are deflected upward and birds can sail along the edge of a pre- cipace, effortlessly suspended by these updrafts. In the east. Hawk Mt. Sanc- tuary in Pennsylvania is a famous spot to watch migrating hawks use this method of soaring. Seabirds use a similar method of exploiting the up- drafts over sea waves. Also, gulls ride the slipstream created alongside the gunwales of large boats.

Assisting the Red-tailed Hawk and other buteos is a broad, fan shaped tail which is not only used as a rudder but which provides an extra lifting surface from soaring. In contrast, ac- cipiters such as the Cooper’s Hawk, have short, rounded wings and long tails, so their flight pattern is quite different. They fly with rapid wing- beats and use only small amounts of gliding.

On cold, damp, foggy days soaring birds are “grounded.” They can be easily observed on fence posts and power poles while waiting for the air to warm sufficiently to form thermals. Since they can’t spy their meal through the fog from above, they are content to hunt from a perch.

If I were a bird I’d like to be a member of the thermal soaring spe- cies, surveying the world from on high, racing with the wind on stormy days, or hanging lazily in the cooler

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air “above it all” on a hot summer’s day.

—MEG PAULETICH

WINE AND CHEESE Cont.

Reservations are necessary so we can plan adequately. The tax-deducti- ble donation for this event is $15 per person. Checks should be made pay- able to GGAS and sent to our office at 1550 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94709. If you are unable to make res- ervations by May 24 please follow up by phone.

Once again the proceeds from this fund-raiser will go to support Audubon Canyon Ranch, the sanctuary spon- sored by Golden Gate, Marin, Sequoia, and Madrone Audubon Societies. If you haven’t already done so, pack your best picnic lunch and visit the Ranch soon. It is three miles north of Stinson Beach on Hwy. 1.

This is our time to honor conserva- tion leaders. This Year’s GGAS mem- ber to receive the award is Mary Jeff- erds. She is an elected member of the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors and a representative to the Greenbelt Congress. She has long fought to preserve open space in the Bay Area and is an outstanding ex- ample of the good a committed con- servationist can accomplish.

Harold Gilliam, San Francisco Chronicle environmental columnist and noted author, will receive the award for conservationists is not involved in the Audubon Society. His reports have made the public aware of many threats to the environment from the days of the “Save the Bay” to the California Condor. He is the most re- soected and widely read environment- al writer in our area and certainly de- serves the acclaim of GGAS.

Last year we raised over a thous- and dollars for Audubon Canyon Ranch. Help make this an even great- er success. Join us on June 2.

— DAN MURPHY

SUMMER BIRDS IN THE BAY AREA

This summer’s introductory bird study class (Biol. 210) at Diablo Valley College includes field trips to Bolinas Lagoon, Coyote Hills, Mt. Diablo, Sun- ol Wilderness and Briones Park. The course is taught by DVC instructor Chris Swarth and concentrates on e- cology, behavior and identification. Classes will meet every Saturday from June 13 to July 15. For information and to enroll call 685-1230.

TUNING IN TO BIRD SOUNDS

Michael Perrone, a member of GGAS and one of our sponsored teach- ers, will give a workshop, “Tuning in to Bird Sounds” June 1 & 2 at the Oakland Museum. It is designed to introduce participants to the songs of our area birds and the methods to identify them by song. For informa- tion and registration call 273-3884, the Natural Science Office.

NATURE SOUNDS

The Nature Sounds Society and the Oakland Museum Natural Sciences Dept, are sponsoring the presentation “Sounds of the Bottlenose Dolphin”. Dr. Diana Reiss of SF State University will discuss what we do know and would like to know about dolphin com- munication. She will present new find- ings from her current research into dolphin communication and cognition at Marine World/ Africa USA.

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The meeting will be on Saturday, May 11 at 2 p.m. at the Oakland Mu- seum, 10th and Oak Sts., Oakland, in the lecture hall. A business meeting will precede the presentation. Meet- ings are open to anyone with an in- terest in natural sounds. For further information call Paul Matzner at 273- 3884.

NEWS FROM THE RANCH

The May Memorial Day has many poignant memories at Audubon Can- yon Ranch. The list of friends who have supported the Ranch with their talents and resources is long and var- ied. At Bolinas Preserve we remem- ber our wonderful founder, Stan Pich- er, in the name of the canyon and the drinking fountain. The Dorothy and Herbert Schwartz Redwood Heron Grave, the Clem Miller Overlook, the Phylis and Paul Wattis restored Head- quarters Bldg., the Claerin Zumwalt Gallery, the Alma Walker Indian Ex- hibit and restored house, the Faith Crocker Bird Hide, the Garden Club of America Canyon, the Mary Menzies Beach, the Steve and Mary Chase Swing, the Wellington Henderson Overlook, the George Sheerin Bridge, all honor contributors important in the history of the Audubon Canyon Ranch.

At Muir Beach Elizabeth Terwilliger is honored with the Monarch Butterfly Grove; at Inverness there is the Wil- liam Page Shields Study Marsh; at Cypress Grove we remember Caroline Livermore; and at Bouveriee Audubon Preserve a beautiful knoll is named in honor of Chris Gilman.

Don’t forget the Mother’s Day Bar- beque at Audubon Canyon Ranch. Phone 383-1644 for information.

Ray Peterson reminds us of activit- ies for June:

June 1/2 Moths and Butterflies June 15/16 Family Father’s Day

June 21-23 Learning from the Old Ways.

DR. THOMAS EISNER TO SPEAK

The Friends of the Earth, the Sierra Club Bay Chapter, and the Cornell Club of Northern California are joint- ly sponsoring an evening presentation by Dr. Thomas Eisner, a biologist from Cornell University. He is well known for his recent work on a seg- ment of the BBC’s natural history series NATURE. Dr. Eisner’s lecture, slide presentation; “The Chemical Treasury of Nature” will be at Wheel- er Auditorium, UC Berkeley, May 15 at 8 p.m. Admission is free.

SIERRA BIRDING

Audubon members and friends who would like a a comfortable camp base for Sierran birding, with studies of other creatures from does to dragon- flies and much botanizing, should con- sider Nature Week, July 1-7, at Oak- land’s Feather River Vacation Camp near Quincy. Paul Covel, Oakland naturalist emeritus will again lead walks, car-pooling trips to higher ele- vations and evening reviews. Comfort- able tents, three good meals daily, dancing and other programs are offer- ed. For information or reservations write the Oakland Office of Parks and Recreation, 1520 Lakeside Dr., Oakland, Ca 94612, or telephone 273- 3791.

COOPER SOCIETY

At the last monthly meeting of the spring semester, Monday, May 6, Wayne Trivelpiece will give a talk en- titled: ‘Breeding Biology of the Ade- lie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap Penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula.” Dr. Tri- velpiece has worked at the Polish Ant- arctic Station for over 5 years and has studied these birds for the past 10 years.

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NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT

The nominating committee has reported it’s slate of nominees for officers and directors for GGAS for 1985. The slate is shown below in the ballot. Those elected will begin their terms of office on June 1, 1985.

To vote you must use the ballot with the mailing label affixed to the back.

Jon Zablackis, Chairman

BALLOT

(The president is elected for a two-year term)

President.

. Art Feinstein	□
br a one year term)
. . Chris Swarth	□
. Shirley Kelly	□
. Nicola Selph	□
. Ruth Dement	□
. Jon Zablackis	□
for three years)
. . Tom White	□
. Leora Feeney	□

This ballot must be returned to the GGAS office no later than May 21 to be counted. You may vote for any or all of the candidates by placing an “x” in the box following the candidate’s name.

The seminar will be held in Room 2503 Life Sciences Building, UC Berke- ley, at 8 p.m. and will be preceded at 7:45 p.m. by a brief business meeting of the Northern California Chapter of the Cooper Ornithological Society. Everyone interested in birds is wel- come.

The next meeting will take place at the beginning of the fall semester. Walter Koenig of U.C. Berkeley, Hast- ings Reservation is the new president for 1985-1986.

GIFTS AND BEQUESTS

For GGAS Gift of

In Memory of

Mrs. Florence Alexander

Ruth Omatsu Peggy Lucchesi Marion Ross

For the Computer

Nikki and Tom Spillane For Audubon Canyon Ranch In memory of David A. Straus

Mrs. Robert A. Mendle

In a recent issue of The GULL the name of a donor of a memorial gift was incorrectly given. It should have read: Laventhol & Horwath, CPA’s

The Society welcomes gifts in general or gifts in honor or in memory of relatives and friends. Such gifts will be used as specified by the don- or or, if unspecified, at the discretion of the GGAS Board of directors. This includes their use for general GGAS activities or for special pro- grams of the SocieW including Audubon Canyon Ranch of which GGAS is a sponsor. Please send your gift in the form of a check made out to the Golden Gate Audubon Society, 1550 Shattuck Ave., #204, Berkeley, CA 94709. AU gifts are tax deductible. The Society is also an- preciative of any bequests. Such bequests should specify as recipient the Golden Gate Audubon Socie^, Inc. All gifts donations and bequests will be acknowledged in The Gull as well as personaUy on behaU of the Society by the Sec- retTiy.

SECOND CLASS MATTER

Golden Gate Audubon Society, Inc. Office; 843-2222 1550 Shattuck Avenue #204 Berkeley, California 94709

Return Postage Guaranteed

MAILED APRIL 30

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OFFICERS

President, Dan Murphy (564-0074)*

First Vice President, Arthur Feinstein (282-5937* Second Vice President, Shirley Kelly (387-8290)* Recording Secretary, Nicola Selph (526-6631)* Corresponding Secretary, Ruth Dement (527-7923)* Treasurer, Ross Jennings (235-4986)*

DIRECTORS

West Bay: Woody Kuehn (239-7914)*

East Bay: Hazel Houston (635-7347)*

John Nutt (654-3336)*

Chris Swarth (849-2053)*

At Large: Nancy Conzett (527-2593)*

Jon Zablackis (642-9121, days)*

STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN: Conservation, Art Feinstein (282-5937)* Education, GGAS Office (843-2222)

Field Trips, Shirley Kelly (387-8290)*

Extended Field Trips, GGAS Office (843-2222) Finance, Woody Kuehn (239-7914)* Hospitality, Hazel Houston (635-7347)* Membership, Helen Green (526-5943)* Program, Leon Abrams (843-4107)*

Publicity,

GULL Editor, Don Sanford (527-6017)* Observations; Stephen F. Bailey (751-3313) and Joseph Morlan (524-7421) Librarian, Christine Jones (929-0327)

Extended Field Trips Coordinator

Chris Carpenter (376-4630)

Office Manager, Barbara Rivenes (843-2222)

*Members of the Board of Directors

GOLDEN GATE AUDUBON SOCIETY REPRESENTATIVES ON THE AUDUBON CANYON RANCH BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dan Murphv, ex officio Bruce Howard

Bob Conratk Jon Zablackis

Nicki Spillane

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA RARE BIRD ALERT (recorded) 843-2211

Mail for all individuals listed above should be sent to GGAS office.

Send address changes to office promptly: Post office does not forward THE GULL. Monthly meetings: second Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Joint membership — local and national $30 per yeai (mdividual); $38 (family)- includes AUDUBON Magazine and THE GULL; to join, make checks payable to National Audubon Society and send to GGAS office to avoid delay in receiving THE GULL. Membership renewals should be sent directly to the National Audubon office Subscriptions to THE GULL separately $8 per year; single issues $1. High school and college student membership $18 per year. Senior citizen individual $21, senior citizen family $23. Associate Membership in Golden Gate Audubon Society, $10 per year.

The Golden Gate Audubon Society, Inc. was established January 25, 1917, and became a chapter of National Audubon in 1948.

The Gull deadline is the first of the month for the following month.