M&O Serials QL 671 G84
THE
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GOLDEN GATE AUDUBON SOCIETY NEWSLETTER VOL. 87 NO. 10 DECEMBER 2002
FOUNDED 1917
A National Award for Arthur Feinstein
by Nancy Smith
CALIFORNIA |
ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
NOV 2 7 2002
i
LIBRARY ;
rthur Feinstein, Golden Gate Audubon’s Ex- ecutive Director, has been named one of thirty “national heroes” by The Glean Water Network for his “significant contributions to protecting and restoring wetlands and coastal waters. ”
The Glean Water Network, an alliance of over 1 ,000 en- vironmental organizations nationwide, honored “Thirty Heroes for Thirty Years of the Glean Water Act” this fall to celebrate the 30*'’ anniversary' of the Act. Besides Arthur, the thirty include Senator Barbara Boxer, several U.S. con- gressmen (both Democrats and Republicans), Wendell Berry, Pete Seeger, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and other en- gaged citizens across the country.
Arthur has focused on wetlands, and the wildlife depen- dent on them, since he joined Golden Gate Audubon in the 1980s. His dedicated efforts have led to important vic- tories for San Francisco Bay wetlands and federal wetlands regulation. We cite just two examples:
• Over 70 acres of wetlands at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline Park in Oakland, and over 400 acres of wetlands at the Oakland Airport, were threat- ened with destruction until GGAS, under Arthur’s lead, sued and won protection for both. The lawsuit also resulted in restoration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Park wetlands. Of those wetlands, Arthur has said: “ 1 he bird life is just incredible — there
are thousands of shorebirds and waterlowl, and endangered species like the California Clapper Rail and the California Least Tern.”
• Arthur was a co-founder of the “Campaign to Save California Wetlands” to rally grassroots op- position to congressional efforts in the early 90s to weaken federal wetlands protection. Arthur notes that the Clean Water Act has helped slow the rate of wetlands loss nationwide, but he be- lieves that lax enforcement and renewed efforts to weaken the Act may undermine the gains.
“Arthur’s tenacity has resulted in many acres of wetlands being restored and protected in San Francisco Bay. He’s a true advocate for the program and he deserx'es this honor, said Loretta K. Barsamian, Executive Officer of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Arthur's knowledge of wetlands and wetlands regulations, as well as his te- nacity, hav'e led to his success and earned the respect of his peers. And his commitment to wetlands protection continues. As GGAS Executive Direc- tor, he is working with the \osemite Creek Watershed Restoration Group to involve San Francisco youth in w ildlife studies, reviewing wetlands actions of the BCDC and the Army Corps of En- gineers, and ad\'ocating protection of the Bay from impacts of dredging - among
Ardiiir Feinstein
continued on page 9
ROSTER
President: Miles McKey '04 Second Vice President: Carolyn Kolka 03 Recording Secretary: Pat Gannon ‘03 Corresponding Secretary: Carolyn Kolka '03 Treasurer:
West Bay Directors Nancy Smith '03. Allan Ridley '05 East Bay Directors
Kay Carney '03, Leora Feeney ‘04, John Luther ‘05 Director at Large Leslie Lethridge '03
COMMITTEE CHAIRS Conservation: Jacqui Smalley* 510.655,0998 Education: Allan Ridley FAWR: Leora Feeney 510.522.8525 Field Trips: Susan Groves* 5i 0.654.5954 Finance:
Hospitality
Latin America: Bob Risebrough* 510.549.2476 Major Gifts: Allan Ridley 415.566.3241 Membership:
Nominating: Nancy Smith Program: Anne McTavish* Publications: Marjorie Blackwell, acting* Publicity: Marjorie Blackwell*
'Board of Directors '03
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BIRD BOX 415.681.7422
OBSERVATIONS
JayWithgott 4 1 5.452.6763 wilhgott@pacbeil.net
GGAS WEBMASTER
Tomas Latham webmaster@goldengateaudubon.org
EDITOR
Eva Guralnick 415. 387. 8731 eva@egcommunications.com
COPY EDITOR Marjorie Blackwell
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Arthur Feinstein 51 0.843.6551
Published each month except July and August by the Golden Gate Audubon Society. Special third-class postage paid in Oakland. CA.
Send address changes to office promptly, Post Office does not for- ward The Gull. Monthly meeting; second Friday West Bay: third Thurs- day East Bay. 7:00 p.m. Golden Gate Audubon Society membership $20 per year. Renewals should be sent to Golden Gate Audubon office. Single issues of The Gull $2.00.
The Golden Gate Audubon Society was founded January 15, 1917, and became a chapter of National Audubon in 1 948. The Cull deadline is the first of the month for the following month’s issue.
The Gu//-ISSN0164-971X
Golden Gate Audubon Society, Inc.
2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite G Berkeley. CA 94702
Phone: 510.843.2222 • Fax; 510.843.5351
www.goidengateaudubon.org
ggas@goldengateaudubon.org
Office Hours; Tuesday - Friday 9-1 2. 1-4 (please call first)
DESIGN BY E.G. COMMUNICATIONS ^ PRINTED ON RECYCUED PAPER
FIELD TRIPS
Susan Groves
Strybing Arboretum,
San Francisco
Sundays, December 1 , January 5
Meet at 8 a.m. at the front gate of the Arboretum (9th Ave. and Lincoln Way) for this regular first Sunday of the month half-day trip. Strybing Arboretum is a delightful section of Golden Gate Park, with several “micro-habitats” attracting a varied array of resident, migrant and vagrant birds. Beginners and all others wel- come. GGAS co-leaders: Allan Ridley, Rick Ferrick. Strybing Arboretum Docents: Helen McKenna, Linda Lyons. 415.566.3241.
Redwood Regional Park,
Oakland
Sunday, December 1
We will be seeking resident and win- tering landbirds in riparian, redwood and coastal scrub habitats. We will meet at 8 a.m. in the last parking lot. Take Hwy. 13 to Redwood Road exit. Go east (toward the hills) on Redwood Rd. for 3 miles to park entrance on left. Leader: Rusty Scalf 510.666.9936; rscalf@jps.net.
Upper San Leandro Reservoir,
Moraga
Friday, December 6
Meet at 9 a.m. in the Valle Vista Stag- ing Area for this half-day trip. Grassy hills, pines, oaks and open water pro- vide varied habitats for land birds (mainly woodpeckers) and waterfowl, hake Hwy. 24 to Orinda and exit on Moraga Hwy. Continue approximately 4 miles to Canyon Road. 'Furn right at
the traffic signal and continue 1 .2 miles to the Valle Vista Staging Area on the left. Beginners welcome. Rain cancels. Leader: Bob Lewis 510.845.5001; RLewis0727@aol.com.
Monterey Ray &
Coastal Areas Saturday, December 7
We will be looking for loons, grebes, gulls, alcids and rocky coastline spe- cies. Meet at 9 a.m. in Monterey at the foot of the Coast Guard Pier at the southeast end of Cannery Row. Bring quarters for parking. We will bird this area then drive north, stopping at vari- ous spots including Moss Landing. Beginners welcome. Bring lunch and a scope if you have one. Leader: Don Starks 408.266.2969 (eves) (^).
Arrowhead Marsh,
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Regional Shoreline Park Sunday, December 8 Meet at 9:30 a.m. for this 3-hour trip. Take 1-880 to Hegenberger Rd, e.xit. Drive west about a half mile. Just past Leet Drive, turn right into a small parking lot just after you cross over the estuary. Leader: Jeffrey Black 510.525.7068.
Aquatic Park,
San Francisco Sunday, December 8
Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the foot of the Hyde Street Pier (Hyde & Jefferson) for this beginners bird walk. Discover birds next door to the urban environment. San Francisco Maritime National His-
2. THE GULL DECEMBER 2002
torical Park Ranger Carol Kiser will lead this approximately 2-hour walk. Dress in layers, d rip is wheelehair aeeessihle. 4 1 5.56 1 .7 1 00 or 56 1 .7 1 04.
Biking and Birding the East Bay Shoreline Saturday, December 14
We ll hike from Berkeley to Richmond along the paved multi-use Bay derail, stopping to view wintering ducks and shorehirds along the way. Round trip is about 15 Flat miles. Helmets re- quired. Trip ends by 12:30 p.m. Meet at 9 a. m. at the former Albany Middle School at the corner of Buchanan and Jackson Streets, one block west of San Pablo Ave. Leader: Jeffrey Black 510.526.7068.
Long Billed Dowitcher at Lake Merced, San Francisco.
Gray Lodge & Sacramento Wildlife Refuges Saturday and Sunday,
December 1 4 & 1 5
We will be looking for wintering geese (four species), Tundra Swans, a variety of ducks, raptors and Sandhill Cranes. For this two-day trip, meet on Saturday at 9 a.m. in lot #14 at Gray Lodge. Drive east on 1-80 1 5 miles beyond Da^ds to
Route 99 exit. Co north 52 miles on Route 99 to the town ol Cridley. diirn left (west) on Colusa I Iwy. and continue 5 miles to Pennington Rd. Turn left and lollow signs to Cray Lodge Wildlife Reluge. Proceed through the checking station (entrance lee) and continue to l^arking lot #14. We will caravan through Cray Lodge Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, and then visit some other sites in Sutter County and Butte County, so make sure you have plenty of gasoline before arriving at Gray Lodge. On Sun- day, we will meet at 9 a.m. in the visitors’ parldng lot at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (entrance fee). To get there from 1-5 take the Princeton exit (the sign used to say Norman Road but now says something like Road 68) just north of the Glenn Co. line, and follow signs to the Refuge. Allow 2.5 hours driving time from the Bay Area. For ac- commodations, try the Blue Gum Willows Motel, the Best Western in Willows or Jean’s Riverside Bed & Breakfast in Oroville. There is no lodge in Gray Lodge. Bring lunch, snacks, liq- uids, scopes and clothes appropriate for the Sacramento Valley in December (cold, with wind and rain always pos- sible). Heavy rain cancels trip. You may join us for both days or just one day. Leaders: Steve and Renee Margolin 530.342.6476 ($).
Oakland Christmas Bird Count Sunday, December 15
Contact GCAS office at 5 10.843.2222; ggas@goldengateaudubon.org. See page 9 for details.
San Francisco Christmas Bird Count Friday, December 27
Contact GCAS office (see above). See page 9 for details.
Palo Alto Baylands & Mountain View Shoreline Saturday, January 1 1
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. I he wetlands, marshes and (jpen waters at IClo Alto and Mountain View are among the most easily accessible sites l(jr birders on San Francisco Bay. Levees and boardwalks overlooking the preserves make this an excellent spot to view 60 to 80 species which winter in the south bay. Ducks, shorebirds, waders, gulls, raptors and many more make this a most ideal birding experience. Meet at the duck pond near the Baylands Preserv'e. From Hv\y 101 in Palo Alto (just south of Dumbarton Bridge), exit at Embar- cadero Rd. East. Stay to the right and be careful not to end up on the Or- egon Expressway. Drive east over the freeway to the end of the street, turn left and continue to the duck pond on the left. We will meet in the parking lot immediately to the right of the gate (the gate itself is locked until 8 a.m.). Wear clothes appropriate for cold, wet weather. If it has been raining wear boots or waders since it can be quite muddy on the levees. Bring lunch and liquids. Restrooms may not be available before 1 p.m. Leader: Dan Murphy 415.564.0074. ^
Trips marked with [$] go to parks or other sites which require an entrance fee. Carpooling arrangements will be attempted by leader for trips marked with a [*}.
If you need a ride or can take a pas- senger (even if a trip is not marked with an [*]), if you need information and have difficulty reaching a field trip leader, if you have suggestions for trips, or if you are interested in leading a trip, call Susan Groves, Field Trips Committee Chair at 510.654.5954.
THE GULL DECEMBER 2002 3
BACKYARD BIRDER
Meg Pauletich
have long admired pho- tographers. My family snatches cameras from my hands in fear that I will once again waste film. For some reason I was able to record my children’s lives until they became adults and then lost the ability to “push here, stupid” as cameras became sim- pler. Any thoughts of becoming a wildlife photograher, specializing in birds, in my declining years was shouted down by family members, who destroyed my confidence in that arena. When we were in Africa with our two children and their spouses 13 years ago, I was so glad that I could just sit back and enjoy the spectacle without squinting into a camera. 1 began to accumulate my own kind of scrapbook from which 1 can retrieve memories whenever I like. Too bad I can’t share the sights — but I CAN describe some of them. These are from my scrapbook.
• Against the brightest blue Califor- nia sky, a large flock of White Pelicans slowly wheels and circles ever higher, disappearing and then reappearing as the sun reflects off their white feathers.
• One night I step out on my deck and hear Creat Horned Owls chatting. I am alone, so without embarrassment, I answer them. Soon 1 am “talking” to at least six owls in the hollow be- low me. Wonder what I was saying?
• On a crisp, Irosty morning with an- other bright blue sky overhead, a flock of bright white Snow Ceese
with black-tipped wings honks from their v-shaped pattern.
• A Ruby-crowned Kinglet scolds me from a low shrub as he flares his crown so that I can enjoy the rea- son for his name.
Western Screech Owl
• As I pull down an awning, a small object falls at my feet. A tiny bat had been rolled up inside and was some- what flattened but just dazed. I carefully held him so he could not bite me, then placed him on a deck railing to warm in the sun before he flew away.
• Flearing calls of distress, 1 find a Scrub Jay has pinned down a Nuttall’s Woodpecker on the patio. The jay flies away and I pick up the stunned woodpecker. Noticing a feather protruding from its hill, 1 tug and its tongue unfurls its full length, much to my amazement and sur- prise! After recovering its poise, it Hies away.
• A pair of cheetahs, brothers, lie atop a Hat rock above a grassy Kenyan
plain. It is nearing dusk and they slowly rise and stretch while perus- ing the herd of impala below. Which one will be dinner? Somehow a plan is formulated: one hides behind a large shrub while the other strolls in plain view toward the herd. With perfect timing, the hunter charges one impala and drives it past his brother, who leaps on it and the two work together to take it down. They must kill and eat fast because they are the smallest of the cats and ei- ther a lion or hyenas steal away their meals.
• There are many “pictures” of large flocks of birds during winter in our valleys: Sand Flill Cranes, Tundra Swans, shore birds in fields, masses of egrets. Bald Eagles and Roadru- nners all in the same day at Sacramento Wildlife Refuge. Near San Francisco Bay, a winter storm was gathering angry clouds with shafts of sunlight peeking through as the sky blackened with thousands of birds seeking safe refuge from the weather on the salt flats. 1 can imag- ine it was a sight the Ohlone Indians enjoyed years ago.
• A Western Screech Owl sought ref- uge in a hush in front of me, harrassed by an angr}' flock of jays and other birds who had joined the “mob.” Fie clicked his beak at me, surprised that I was so elose, and flew lurther from the gang of pur- suers, leaving me delighted by sueh a close encounter.
• Strolling along a Sonoma County coLintiy road, my birding pal and 1 spot a bobcat lying in the morning sun in a cow pasture. We enjoyed the thrill of spying on this shy crea- ture for 15 minutes or so before it became tired of us.
4 THE GULL DECEMBER 2002
Pier 94
Wetland Restoration
Snow Geese
• On our Af rican adventure, we spent a half hour or so in our vehicle, en- gine off, completely surrounded hy a herd of 50 or more elephants. We couldn’t hear their amazingly soft foot steps but could hear stomachs rum- bling, along with the veiy low sounds with which they seem to communi- cate with each other. The grass was green, the sky was blue and Mt. Kilimanjaro was RIGHT there!
• As we ate lunch at our hotel in Costa Rica, a huge troop of Capu- chin monkeys entertained us, sliding down poles, swinging from trees and bouncing up and down on the roof’s plastic surface. Then they were gone in an instant.
• The thrill of a good day at Hawk Hill overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge cannot be matched. How often can you see raptors from below AND from above?
• The African moon rose at dusk, an enormous blood orange red. Sud- denly, a giraffe glides into view and is silhouetted against that vivid orb.
Of course, I have many more men- tal photographs, hut you get the picture (no pun intended!). Perhaps many of you have similar photo albums. Get one out and have fun reminiscing. The picture is always in focus!
by Nancy Smith
ature - with the heljr of hard-work- ing GGAS volun- teers - is reclaim- ing a hidden wetland, consisting of several acres of isolated industrial land near Pier 94 on San Francisco’s south- ern waterfront. 'The wetland is evolving naturally as the fill material dumped there in the 1970s gradually subsides. Native salt marsh has formed along the shoreline and is attracting a variety of shorebirds. GGAS and the Port of San Francisco have joined in an effort to ex- pand the wetland area and improve tidal circulation and public access.
GGAS began the hardcore cleanup on Earth Day in April 2002 when more than 60 volunteers removed 300 old tires, invasive plants (for composting), and scrap metal (for recycling) from the area. A second group returned on a foggy morning in August and hauled away over a half-ton of scrap metal.
several pickup truckfuls of star thistle, and more than a dozen old tires.
“We’ve made a great start,” said Boh Bennett, GGAS volunteer leader, "hut there is much more to be done.” In ad- dition to the Port, Sunset Scavenger Gompany and Hanson Aggregates Marine have co-sponsored GGAS's work at the site.
The wetland is not currently open to the public; access lies through Port properties leased to private tenants, mainly hea\y industries. But on sched- uled workdays, GGAS volunteers can explore this hidden tidal marsh and obser\^e the returning bird life.
This fall we expect to plan further restoration efforts with the Port of San Francisco, including new plantings on site. If you would like to take part in the planning - or be added to the Pier 94 notice list - please call or email the GGAS office. Also watch the GGAS Web site for further developments.-^
THE GULL DECEMBER 2002 5
A Bridge Between Social Justice and Environmental Education
by Amiko Mayeno
s a child, I dreamed of becoming a naturalist, but by the time I was in high school, I had long given up that dream in order to pur- sue my passion for social justice. Yet I always knew that my basic physical and spiritual well-being depended on regu- larly escaping into wilderness.
When I took the job as the East Bay Education Director for GGAS, I saw it as a nice short-term break from my com- munity organizing and social justice related work. At my new job, I was re- sponsible for working with a group of dedicated volunteers to administer an existing project in Alameda and develop new programs in Alameda and East Oakland. One of my first projects was to complete a needs assessment of en- vironmental education programs in East Oakland. The findings demonstrated deep support and appreciation for wild- life, wilderness and environmental education among predominantly Latino and African American East Oakland community members.
The needs assessment also pointed out that local East Oakland schools faced many barriers to accessing envi- ronmental education. These harriers included lack of funding for transpor- tation and science materials, lack of time, and lack of access to knowledge about existing programs (the full text of the needs assessment is available at www.goldengateaudubon.org/ EnvironEduc/index.html).
In response, we developed a program that removed these harriers by provid-
ing free buses, offering field trips acces- sible by public transportation, actively recruiting teachers through person-to- person contact and developing a class- room curriculum that required virtually no equipment or supplies. We developed strong partnerships with the school dis- trict, community centers, the East Bay Regional Park District, and a joint col- laboration with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Ereedom Genter.
Amiko Mayeno (front) with volunteers at a community program day
This year we have added a new schoolyard ecology component to our wetlands program. This component makes use of the free science materi- als that nature provides, and tunes stu- dents in to the wildlife they encounter on a daily basis. Ghildren explore the cultural uses of plants, discover medici- nal and edible plants growing wild on their schoolyard, learn about the intel- ligence of ravens and crows, which manipulate and use tools, see how the
Hover Fly mimics a bee to avoid ha- rassment, and learn how they them- selves are an interdependent part of this schoolyard ecosystem.
This summer I went with Anna Martinez, a GGAS high school intern, to Arroyo Greek Recreation Genter in East Oakland to pilot-test one part of the new schoolyard curriculum. Upon arrival, we found a group of 6- to 11- year-old children huddled around a computer, deeply absorbed in a video game. Timothy Hughes, the Recreation Genter leader, told the children in no uncertain terms to turn off the game and give their attention to the “bird lady.” I could hear their loud cries of disappoint- ment and took a deep breath. Eventually they all came to the table, looking quite angry and uninterested.
After a brief presentation, we went outside to assess the viability of their yard as hummingbird habitat. They looked for materials a hummingbird might use to build a nest and food sources such as flowers and insects. Before long, they were excitedly point- ing out hummingbirds, one of which hovered right above us, looking territo- rial. Soon we were all down by the creek finding fish and other creatures. As we left, Anna told me she planned to re- turn to the center on her own to volunteer. A 9-year-old boy took my hand and told me he was soine to be a
O O
scientist when he grew up. As I left, I let the children know they could go back inside if they liked, but they were all too involved in discovering the mys- teries of the creek to he bothered with a computer game. At the end of the day I knew why I was still at GGAS years longer than I had ever imagined.
This job has given me an opportunity I did not expect, the opportunity to build a bridge between my passion for social justice and my intense love of nature.-^
0 THE GULL NOVEMBER 2002
Chapter Wish List: Volunteers Wanted
CiClAS volunteers make us one of the Bay Area’s leading conservation, envi- ronmental education and birding
O
organizations. Please consider joining our large and enthusiastic group of vol- unteers who do good things and feel great doing them.
Treasurer and Membership Chair
GGAS seeks to fill two important po- sitions on its Board of Directors that were recently vacated — Treasurer and Membership Ghair. The Treasurer helps prepare the annual budget and monthly financial statements for the Board, and makes sure our financial bookkeeping is in order. The Member- ship Ghair oversees a committee devoted to member services and re- cruitment. See tbe GGAS Web site for details, or call the office if you might be interested in volunteering and want additional information.
Help Us Recruit New Members
db he as effective as possible as an ad- vocate lor preserving our natural world, GGAS needs as many members as pos- sible. It’s time for us to go out and recruit new members and we need your help!
Intern Tim Aguon teaching elementary students about invertabrate life in the mud
Office volunteers
Office volunteers work a three-hour shift once per week during our office hours of Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. I he tasks are easy. You’ll help us answer the phone and field questions about birds (we have cheat sheets and hooks to help you answer tough questions so its a great learning opportunity, and if you can t find the answer no one gets upset). You also will greet people when they come to the office and help with mailings and other office activities in our congenial and uplifting atmosphere.
Please volunteer to staff a table for us — it’s an easy and enjoyable way to help bring in new members. GGAS provides a small table at a hot birding spot that is also a place where people walkjust to be outdoors. Possible sites in San Francisco include Golden Gate Park’s Stow Lake, and the Gliff House on Ocean Beach; other good locations include the perimeter trail on Alameda’s Harbor Bay Isle, Lake Merritt in Oakland, the Albany Bulb and Berkeley’s Tilden Park.
At the table we provide binoculars
and a scope with which to watch the birds along with membership and birding inlormation. Your job is to in- troduce pef)ple to the joys ol birding and encourage them to join GGAS.
You d(jn't have to be a great birder to do this — your visitors will know less than you do. J\vo or three hours on a weekend once a month or once ever\' two months is all we ask. Please join our membership recruitment team. Meet nice people, get a little sun (rain cancels) and have a great time bring- ing the joys of birding to our community.
If you are interested please call the Golden Gate Audubon Society office at 510.843.2222. Thanks!
Become an Environmental Education Volunteer
If you enjoy being wath kids and shar- ing their enthusiasm for the outdoors, then you are a candidate for the GGAS environmental education program. No previous experience is necessary.
Volunteers are trained by GGAS staff and work with a team of naturalists, park rangers and high school student mentors. Activities take place at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shore- line Park in Oakland and the Alameda Wildlife Refuge, as well as in elemen- tary' school classrooms and schoolyards in Oakland and Alameda. Classroom visits and field trips are held on week- days, pi'imarily in the morning hours. Volunteers are required to commit to a minimum of sLx hours per month.
Here’s a wonderful chance to pass on your love of the natural world to children w ho ai'e experiencing it for the first time. For more information, con- tact Audubon staff members Patti Garcia at 510.434.1898 or Tsahai Godner at 510.434.1927 or e-mail Tsahai at Tcodner@audubon.org. ^
THE GULL NOVEMBER 2002 ~7
Become a GGAS Supporting Member and Make a Difference Locally
Most people don’t realize that the Golden Gate Audubon Society (GGAS) and the National Audubon Society (NAS) are two separate orga- nizations. Although we share a name and have the same mission of conserv- ing our natural world, NAS looks at issues from a national level and leaves it to GGAS to address our local Bay Area issues.
When you join NAS you automati- cally become a member of GGAS but
almost all of your money goes to NAS. This year, out of your basic $35 NAS membership only $2.50 goes to GGAS. If you give NAS more money GGAS still only gets $2.50.
You do have a choice. You can join GGAS directly and become a GGAS Supporting Member. If you do so, all of your $20 membership dues go to GGAS, staying here in the Bay Area where it will be used to save our local wetlands, streams and other bird habi-
tats and to support our innovative en- vironmental education programs, our field trips and nature programs.
If you want your Audubon member- ship dollars to help solve our local Bay Area problems, please use the form below and become a GGAS Support- ing Member.
Remember, if you also want to sup- port NAS and its efforts at a national level you can always join both organiza- tions. We thank you for your support.-^
I I
Golden Gate Audubon Society Supporting Membership Application I
Name |
Address i
City State Zip
Phone Email I
A contribution to Golden Gate Audubon in addition to your membership will provide significant support to our ,
conservation, education and recreation programs. I
Membership (Family $35) (Individual $20) $ ,
Yes, I also want to donate $ i
Total Amount $ i
Please make your check payable to Golden Gate Audubon Society or join by using your credit card: \
□ VISA □ MasterCard |
Your credit card # - - - Credit Card Expiration Date / I
Mail with this form to: I
Golden Gate Audubon Society |
2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite G |
Berkeley, CA 94702 |
□ Please do not give my name to any other organization |
I 1
8 THE GULL NOVEMBER 2002
Christinas Bird Counts
Oakland: Sunday, December 15 San Francisco: Friday, December 27
Golden Gate Audubon s two counts, San Francisco and Oakland, are well along in preparation. Join us if you are looking for a healthy, social, environ- mentally friendly activity for the holiday season. Beginners are always welcome. If you are one of our long-time participants, we look forward to seeing you again.
The Oakland Count is on Sunday, December 1 5. The Oakland count circle contains a variety of habitats that always produce a good number of spe- cies. Bird for the day with a group or be a feeder watcher in the comfort of your own home.
The San Francisco Count is on Friday, December 27. Join a team in one of the San Francisco Peninsula areas for a full day of birding; help for a few hours by covering your neighborhood park or square; be a midday birder for a few hours in downtown San Francisco, or watch in your backyard for as little as 30 minutes.
Both of the counts finish the day with a group dinner which we encourage everyone to attend. Hot, nutritious food and drink at a reasonable price with other birders is reason enough to join us. You also get entertained with stories of the day’s birding adventures, some of which are quite amusing. The final countdown of the birds seen and missed is always fun.
Both counts would welcome more participants, so if you’re interested but haven’t signed up, phone the appropriate contacts listed below. Folks who let us know early are very much appreciated by the compilers! Neither count will be able to place counters at the last minute. If you have sent in a form but haven’t received an assignment yet, you can expect to hear from us soon. We look forward to seeing you in the field and at the count day dinner.
Oakland CBC Contacts: Joelle Buffa & Clyde Morris 510.494.1098 San Francisco CBC Contact: Alan Hopkins 415.664.0983
continued from page I
Other projects.
In announcing the awards, The Clean 'Water Network wrote: ‘Wetlands - so crucial for habitat, flood control and pollution reduction - continue to be lost at an alarming rate. . . .Thirty years aftei its passage, we need the Clean W^atei Act more than ever. And it needs us.” We congratulate Arthur on his award, and wish him many more years of wetlands advocacy with GCAS. We need him."^ ^
'^See the GGAS Web site at ggas@goldengateaudubon.org for more information on Arthurs work and the awards.
Donations
Thank you all for your donations to sup- port the many activities of Golden Gate Audubon Society.
Golden Eagle ($1000 and more)
Anonymous
Peregrine Falcon ($500-$1000)
Miles and Mel McKey (stock)
Least Tern ($200 to $500)
David Young and Donald Bird 1 Dog/Park Issues), Susan Groves and Eric Anderson (yard sale proceeds for Education Programs)
Clapper Rail ($100 to $200)
Raymond Sukys and Amy J Powell (Dog/ Park Issues)
Gifts (to $100)
Barbara Armstrong, Bernice Biggs, Mary Brezner, Tom Condit, John Conley, Ernest A, Dernburg, MD, Judith Dunham, Michelle Enochson, Kathy Erickson, Satoru Fujii (in- cluding a gift subscription), Pat Gannon, Jim and Ruth Gravanis, Derek Heins, Roger James, Robert and Caroline Lichtenstein. Jamie Marantz, Barbara Maynard, Eileen C. Odegaard, Jo Ann Ogden, L. Oppenheim, Emilie Strauss, John Sudall, Mildred M. Twin- ing, Eleanor Visser, Edward F. Walsh, Jr., Marian Whitehead (2), Ellen F. Yamamoto
In-Kind
Richard Cooper (Birding CD-ROMs). Nancy Mennel (Color Printer)
Foundation Grants
East Bay Regional Park District. $15,000 for MLK Jr. Regional Shoreline Park Bird Census
National Fish & Wildlife Foundation. $5,000 for Alameda Education Project
A bequest to the Golden Gate Audubon Society helps make it possible for us to continue the good work we do in helping preserve our natural world for future generations. If you are interested in setting up a bequest, we have a team of experts who will be glad to help you. Please call Arthur Feinstein at our GGAS office for more information. Our phone number is 51 0.843.2222, Thanks.
THE GULL NOVEMBER 2002 9
OBSERVATIONS
October 1-31, 2002 Jay Withgott
utumn hireling contin- ued to be rewarding through the month of October, although relatively few mega-rarities were found. As the latter half of the fall passerine migration pushed through, many breed- ing birds bid us adieu, while early winterers trickled in. Migration was steady, with no particular fallout days. Numbers of eastern warblers were half what they were in September.
Loons to Ducks
Our region’s first Red-necked Grebe re- turned on 26 Oct. off Rodeo Lagoon, MRN (WL). Black-footed Albatrosses numbered 145 on a SJPT at Cordell Bank, MRN, 14 Oct. This trip also reported 2 Flesh-footed Shearwaters among its 5 shearwater species, and 380 Ashy, 1 Black, and 1 Wilson’s Storm-Petrel (DSh, TM). Seawatches from land in Oct. pro- duced high counts of 10 Pink-footed, 107 Buller’s, and 343 Black-vented Shearwa- ters from Pigeon Pt., SM, 27 Oct. (RT). As far as we know, no wayward Ashy Storm-Petrels put in PacBell Park appear- ances during the World Series, but this species was spotted over the Bay ( 1 on the 3'''*, and 2 on the 4'*’) from Coyote Pt., SM (RT).
Everyone’s favorite Cattle Egret re- turned to E. Merritt in downtown Oakland, AEA, for another winter,being first reported on the 20''’ (BM). And an even stranger sight than a Cattle Egret among skyscrapers was the leucistic Tur- key Vrdture seen several times from Hawk Hill and other spots in southern MRN. A photo of this light-beige vul- ture is online at www.ggro.org.
"Fhe Eake Co. Emperor Goose {Chen canagica) continued throughout the
month, as did the male Harlequin Duck at Coyote Pt., SM. Migrant White-fronted Goose flocks were noted on several occa- sions, and uncommon wintering waterfowl including Eurasian Wigeons, Wood Ducks, and Hooded Mergansers began to trickle in this month. The first Barrow’s Goldeneye was reported 29 Oet. at E. Merritt, AEA (BB), an apparent female Tufted Duck was reported from Eive Brooks, MRN, on the 26'*’ (BS, oob), and a Eong-tailed Duck was at Limantour, PRNS, 15-18 Oct. (EW;JC).
Raptors to Alcids
Hawk Hill, MRN, continued to post good flights this month, including all expected late fall raptors, and a late Broad-winged Hawk on the 29'*’ (TB). At other locales, 3 Broad-wings were reported (CC, P‘, SC; SF, 6'\ mob; MRN, 19'\ DMc). A Swainson’s Hawk flew over San Carlos, SM, on the 19'*’ (RT), and several Fer- ruginous and Rough-leggeds were seen in the final days of the month in MRN and SM. In San Mateo Co., a Crested Ca- racara {Caracara cheriway), possibly the same bird seen recently in Santa Cruz Co., was reported feeding on roadkill on Hwy 1 just S of Half Moon Bay (EB). That sighting, on 21 Oct., followed a handful of second-hand reports from the Pescadero area in previous weeks. The CBRC has not yet issued judgement on whether this year’s spate of Caracara sightings represent wild vagrants or es- capees from captivity.
On 2 Oct., a Sandhill Crane flew over Ano Nuevo SR, SM (GS). Fhe month’s several Golden Plover sightings included 1 American at Bodega Harhor, SON, 19 Oct. (MP); 2 Americans at PRNS, 13, 14, 19 Oct. (moh); a Pacific at PRNS,
MRN, 12 Oct. (DvN), and a Pacific at
Ano Nuevo SR, SM, 19 Oct (PM). Golden Plovers unidentified to species were at Bolinas Eagoon, MRN, 22 Oct. (KFl, DL), and the Gazos Cr. mouth, SM, 26 Oct. (AE). Beyond our region, a Com- mon Greenshank [Tringa nehiilaria), a yellowlegs relative from Asia, was found at Klopp E., Areata, HUM, on 18 Oct. and seen again the 23''‘‘-24‘'’ (PL; mob). Amazingly, this was determined to be a different individual than last year’s Green- shank, which occurred only 6 miles away — and that bird was the first record for the Lower 48 states. A Solitary Sandpiper was seen 1 Oct. at Castro Reg. RA, ALA (KHi; DB, PB). Single Baird’s Sandpip- ers stayed late at Abbott’s Lagoon, PRNS (RS), and Shollenberger Park, SON (JT, oob), both seen on the 24'*’. Live Pectoral Sandpipers were reported from MRN and SCL (mob). A Stilt Sandpiper was last reported at Alviso on 1 Oct. (ADM).
Two South Polar Skuas, all 3 Jaeger species, 41 Sabine’s Gulls, and a Black- legged Kittiwake were on the 14 Oct. SJPT to Cordell Bank, MRN. Reported from shore were all 3 species, including 2 Long-tailed, 4 Pomarine, and numer- ous Parasitics. A Franklin’s Gull at the Farallons was a 3"^-ever record for that site, on II Oct. (PP). From Pigeon Pt., SM, 6 Common Terns were seen on the 5'*’, (PC), 2 on the 27*'’ (RT), and a late Caspian on the 19''’ (PM). Three Xantus’s Murrelets and 3 Tufted Puffins were at Cordell Bank on the 14''’ (SJPT).
Doves to Thrashers
A Chimney Swift was at the Farallon Is., SF, b/w 7-1 1 Oct. (PP). A phenomenal report was of a Black-hacked Woodpecker in Sonoma Co., on 4 Oct. in Jack Lon- don SP (MMo) — a very long way from the Sierras, where this species is uncom- mon and local at best! Only 3 historical records exist for the Coast Ranges, at least 1 of which may have been mistaken (SC). No further sightings of the SON bird were reported, unfortunately. Other woodpeck- ers sightings included 2 Lewis’s at Tilden Park, CC, 3 Oct. (SC), and 1 of each of
1 O THE GULL DECEMBER 2002
the 3 unusual Hay-area Sapsuekc-rs: a Williamson’s at OPR, MHN, 6()cl. (PC:); a Red-napetl in Portola Valley SM, 9 Oel. (PM); and a Yellow-bellied al San Bruno Ml. Park, SM, 8-19 Oei. (RT; AP, |)A).
A Least Idyeateher was al OPIR MRN, on the 8‘'’ (RS), and I lammond’s Plyeatehers were at the same site on the 6''’ (LI I), and at Past Wash, SP, on the 2"^^ (I ICA. Pour Tropieal Kingbirds were reported, along with 2 Kingbird sp. likely Tropieals, during the month, from MRN, SF, SM, & SON.
A Plumbeous Vireo was at OPR, MRN, on 8 Oct. (RS); a Philadelphia was reported from Coyote Hills RP, ALA, 4 Oct. (PC); and single Red-eyed Vireos were at Ano Nuevo SR 30 Sept. (GS) and SR Farallon Is. 7-1 1 Oct. (PP). ATovATisend’s Solitaire wandered coastward to Mt. Davidson, SF, on 2 Oct. (PS, SR), and another contin- ued to the Farallons, 7-11 Oct. (PP). A Phainopepla was in SF on the 7'-'^ (BF), and a japonic us-subspecies American Pipit on the Farallons on the 1 1‘*' (PP).
Wood Warblers to Finches
Birders in our region reported 2 1 warbler species during October, half of them va- grants from eastern North America (see chart). Numbers of individuals of rare warblers were half of September’s total.
A Summer Tanager was at Sutro Hts Park, SF, 13 Oct. (FIC), a Blue Grosbeak continued at Stevens Creek, SCL, on the 1 (VT), and a Lazuli Bunting was late on the at Pilarcitos Cr., SM (DS, RT).
Sparrows always pour in from the north in October, with the occasional White- throat among the thousands of White-crowns and Golden-crowns. Re- ports of an American Tree Sparrow came from two locations at OPR, MRN, 8-9 Oct. (RS; PS) and 26-27 Oct. (CL; MI I); no word on whether these were confirmed to be different birds. Bight Clay-colored Sparrows were found in the region this month, from ALA, MRN, SF, & SM. A Brewer’s Sparrow was at Half Moon Bay, SM, on the 13‘'^ (RT), while a Swamp Sparrow was at SP Farallon Is. 7- 1 1 Oct.
Wood Warbler Sightings
Golden-winged Warbler
1 bird, Nunes Ranch,
1-3 Oct. OPR, MRN
Tennessee Warbler
1 bird, Muir Beach, MRN
1 9 Oct.
Nashville Warbler
3 birds SCL. SF
Chestnut-sided Warbler
10 birds MRN, SCL, SF, SM
Magnolia Warbler
4 birds SF
Black-throated Green Warbler
1 bird, Lobos Dunes, SF
1 9 Oct.
Blackburnian Warbler
1 bird, Farallon Is., SF
7-11 Oct.
Prairie Warbler
2 birds, MRN, SON
19-21, 26 Oct.
Palm Warbler
20 birds f\VA, MRN, SF,
SM, SON
Blackpoll Warbler
9 birds MRN, SCL, SF, SM
Black-and-white Warbler
2 birds, SCL
7,12 Oct.
American Redstart
4 birds MRN, SF, SM
Canada Warbler
1 bird, Pescadero, SM
27 Oct.
JR, DnN, AW
DMc
mob
mob
GM, PP, PS, RF; oob
PS
PP
WL, DW; oob
mob
mob
BA, BR
ES, LC, PP, DSi RT
Abbreviations for Observers: BA.
Brian Acord; DA, David Armstrong; BB, Bob Brandriff; DB, Dennis Braddy; LB. Lucas Brug; PB. Patricia Braddy: TB. Tim Behr; JC, Josiah Clark; HC. Hugh Cotter; LC. Les Chibana; ADM, Al DeMartini; AE. Al Eisner; BF, Brian Fitch; RF. Rich Ferrick; PG, Phil Gordon; SG. Steve Glover; KH. Keith Hansen; KHi, Kevin Hintsa: LH, Lisa Hug; MH, Merry Haveman; AJ, Alvaro Jaramillo; DK, Dan Keller; CL, Cindy Lieurance; DL. David Lukas; PL, Paul Lohse; RL, Randy Little; WL, William Legg; BM, Bruce Mast; DMc, Dave McKenzie; GM, Glona Markowitz; MMa, Michael Mammoser; MMo, Mark Morrissette; PM, Peter Metropulos: TM. Todd McGrath; DnN, Dan Nelson; DvN, David Nelson; ER Eric Preston; MR Mike Parmeter; PP, Peter Pyle; BR. Bob Reiling; JR, Jean Richmond; SR, Siobhan Ruck: BS, Byron Stone; DSi, Dan Singer; DSh, Debi Shearwater; ES. Emilie Strauss; GS, Gary Strachan; PS, Paul Saraceni; RS, Rich Stallcup; JT, Judy Toober; RT. Ronald S. Thom; VT, Vivek Tiwari; AW. Alan Wight; DW, Denise Wight; LW, Leigh Woodson.
Semicolons separate original observeKs) from subsequent observerts). Abbrevia- tion "mob" = many observers; "oob" = other observers. Information is compiled from BirdBox transcripts and regional listsen/s; the author apologizes for any errors or omissions.
Abbreviations for Counties and Others: ALA. Alameda; CBRC,
California Bird Records Committee; CC, Contra Costa; Co., County; Cr, Creek: HUM. Humboldt; L.. Lake; MRN, Marin; OPR, Outer Pt. Reyes; PRNS, Pt. Reyes National Seashore; RP. Regional Park; SCL. Santa Clara; SF. San Francisco; SJPT, Shearwater Journeys pelagic trip: SM, San Mateo; SON, Sonoma; SP. State Park; SR. State Reserve.
(PP). Of Dark-eyed Juncos, I “Pink- sided” and 4 “Slate-colored ” individuals were reported (RS, PP, RT, BR, CL).
A handful of Longspurs, those winter denizens of barren fields, also showed up this month. Two Lapland Longspurs were at North Beach turnoff, PRNS, MRN, 6-13 Oct. (RS; ooh); 1 flew over Wavecrest Rd., SM, 1 1 Oct. (AJ); 1 was at Pillar Pt., SM, 27 Oct. (EP); and 1 provided good looks from the 26'*' on at Bayfront Park, SM (DK; moh). With the Laplands at PRNS was a Chestnut-col- lared Longspur (RS, ooh).
Pt. Reyes’ North Beach turnoff was also the sole spot for Bobolink this month, with
2 birds there on the 6*- 7*'’ (LC, D\ N). A \ellow-headed Blackbird at Calero Res., SCL, 27-29 Oct., was the county’s latest fall record (MMa, mob). An Orchard Ori- ole lingered at OPR, MRN on the 3'^'* (DnN), and another was at Montara, SM. on the 6''’ (AJ). Exceptionally late were 2 Hooded Orioles Hsiting RL’s Milpitas, SCL, feeder, 17-18 Oct.
Scattered Lawrence’s Goldfinches returned to SCL locales, and a Cassin's Finch stopped briefly at Mt. Davidson, SF, on the 2P‘ (PS). Evening Grosbeaks,
3 each, were seen at Hawk Hill, MRN, on the 25'’' (JC), and at Phipps Ranch, SM, on the 27^'^ (RT).
THE GULL NOVEMBER 2002 1 1
GGAS 2003 Election
The GGAS annual election will be held by mail ballot due April 17, 2003.
The GGAS Board of Directors includes (1) the elected Officers. (2) up to six Directors elected for staggered 3-year terms (our East and West Bay Direc- tors), (3) one “at-large" Director (if designated by the Board), and (4) the Chairs of Standing Committees (appointed by the President each year with the ap- proval of a majority of the elected Officers and Directors). The GGAS President serves for two years and other Officers for one year. The current President, Miles McKey, is in the first year of his term.
The following positions may be filled in the 2003 election: President-Elect and First Vice President [combined position]. Second Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, East Bay Director (2003-2006), West Bay Director (2003-2004) [one year remaining of a 3-year term], and West Bay Director (2003-2006).
Members may nominate candidates to be included on the ballot by comply- ing with the following rules: ( 1 ) The nominee must agree to serve and his or her candidacy must be supported by the signatures of at least 1 0 GGAS members in good standing; and (2) the nomination, with the required signatures, must be received by the Chair of the GGAS Board of Directors Nominating Committee by January 23, 2003.
The Nominating Committee members are: Nancy Smith — Chair, Arthur Feinstein, Dana Kokubun and Leslie Lethridge. Correspondence to any of them should be sent in care of the GGAS office in Berkeley.
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