January-February 2007 Western Tanager Newsletter - Los Angeles Audubon
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July/August 2008 1
www.laaudubon.orga publication of Los Angeles Audubon
T e j o n R a n c h A g r e e m e n t
Volume 74, Number 6 July/August 2008
WESTERN
TANAGERby Garry George
Oak Grove at Tejon Ranch
Audubon California and other
conservation groups save up to
90% of Tejon Ranch Groupsagree not to oppose 10% that will
be developed
On Thursday, May 8, 2008
Audubon California, theSierra Club, the Natural
Resources Defense Council,Endangered Habitats League, thePlanning and Conservation Leagueand Resource Opportunities, LLC
announced that they had reached anagreement with Tejon RanchCompany to protect up to 240,000acres or 90% of the 270,000 acre TejonRanch after 20 months of negotiation.
Tejon Ranch is at theconvergence of four importantCalifornia habitat areas - the end of theSouthern Sierras, the Coastal Ranges,the San Joaquin Valley, and the
Antelope Valley. Two AudubonCalifornia Important Bird Areas are onthe property in the conservation zone,and the high mountain ridges are primeCondor critical habitat designated byU.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
This writer accompaniedBoard members from fourSouthern California Audubon
chapters including Los AngelesAudubon Board members Jenny
Jones and Kimball Garrett on aday-long tour of the ranch just before the announcement. We
witnessed a range of habitat as wedrove from the San Joaquin Valleyagricultural fields and grasslandsto foothills of oak woodlands there are 10 species of oaks on the
property! to slopes covered withBlue Oaks still brown beforeleafing, and covered in ice and
sleet two days before the tour, tofir and pine at the very top whereKimball heard Purple Martins
(over 10% of the Californiapopulation of Purple Martins areon this ranch). We drove down theother side to Joshua tree forest andfields of wild flowers in bloom inthe Antelope Valley where
Kimball found a Night Lizard,Scotts Oriole and other goodies.
It was the first time any of us had been on the property, which ishome to more than two dozen stateand federally listed plant and
animal species including Condorand up to 17 bird species on theAudubon Watch list includingGolden Eagle, Spotted Owl,Purple Martin, Willow Flycatcher,
and Tricolored Blackbird.
The agreement puts in place:
Permanent Conservation Safeguards 240,000 acres, including
178,000 acres through anenforceable conservation easementand dedicated open space donated by Tejon Ranch Company, publicly traded company, as well asthe option to purchase an additional
62,000 acres within three years.Governance and Funding -
Establishes an independent Tejon
Ranch Conservancy to manage andrestore landscape, monitor theconservation easements, and provide
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2 Western Tanager
Tejon Ranch stream
for public access. The agreementalso provides it with a permanentfunding source through a transfer taxon lots and homes sold and resold on
the ranch and initial funding.
Public Access
37 miles of the Pacific Crest Trailwill be realigned in order to allowhikers to cross the Tejon Ranch. The
agreement also commits all partiesto work together to establish a statepark on a portion of the ranch, andthe Tejon Ranch Conservancy willmanage a public access program.
AgreementAudubon California and its
partners agree not to oppose threedevelopment projects on 10percent of the Tejon Ranch. These
developments will still be subjectto public review and applicablefederal and state environmentalprotection laws.
The not to oppose
agreement is the bitter pill. TejonRanch Company plans threedevelopments, one in Los AngelesCounty called Centennial in theAntelope Valley, where 24,000 homeswill replace Antelope Valley open
space, create massive traffic on the 5,and massive water and energy needs toservice a new population. TejonMountain Village will follow; adevelopment of around 1,800
exclusive homes on huge lots on ridgetops in critical habitat for the CaliforniaCondor. The third development inKern County is an expansion of an
industrial park that already houses anIkea distribution center.
Audubon chapters, asindividual 501 (c) (3)s, are not partyto the agreement, and can oppose
these developments as can Centerfor Biological Diversity, whichpulled out of the negotiations, andother groups concerned about cleanair, water, traffic and habitatdestruction. A d d i t i o n a l l y ,
USF&Wildlife Service would haveto comment on critical habitat forthe Condor.
But the kinds of financia
and staff resources that it might taketo defeat these developments would
be more than daunting without large coalition willing to take onTejon Ranch Company.
Los Angeles Audubon isawaiting the impending EIRs forCentennial and Tejon MountainVillage, and celebrates theconservation of 240,000 acres of thisspectacular habitat.
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July/August 2008 3
WESTERNTANAGERPublished by
Los Angeles Audubon Society,
a chapter of
National Audubon Society.
EDITOR: Garry George
LAYOUT: Susan Castor
CONSERVATION: Garry George
FIELD TRIPS:Nick Freeman
PELAGIC TRIPS: Phil SayrePROGRAMS: Mary Freeman
ORNITHOLOGY CONSULTANT:
Kimball Garrett
PRINTING: G2 Graphics Services, Inc.
Opinions expressed in articles or letters
herein do not necessarily express the
position of this publication or of
Los Angeles Audubon Society.
PRESIDENT:
Mary Freeman
1st VICE PRESIDENT:
David De Lange
2nd VICE PRESIDENT:
Paul FoxEXECUTIVE SECRETARY:
Linda Oberholtzer
RECORDING SECRETARY:
Eleanor Osgood
TREASURER:
Lisa Fimiani
EXECUTIVE PAST PRESIDENT:
Dexter Kelly
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:
Postion Open
Membership in Los Angeles Audubon is $25
Individual, $35 Couple, $50 Family, $100
Donor or $250 Donor per year. Members
receive the Western Tanagernewsletter andother benefits. Donations and memberships
can be made online at www.laaudubon.org
Make check payable to Los Angeles Audubon.
Los Angeles Audubon Headquarters, Library
and Nature Store are open to the public
Monday Thursday
9:30 AM 4:00 PM
Plummer Park
7377 Santa Monica Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90046-6694
(323) 876-0202 office
(323) 876-7609 fax(323) 874-1318 bird tape
[email protected] e-mail
[email protected] e-mail
www.LAAudubon.org website
Printed on Recycled Paper
Los Angeles Audubon ispleased to announce thatdigital editions of our 74
year collection of Western Tanager
newsletters are now available in theAudubon House Library of our
headquarters in Plummer Park. Theprinted newsletters, first published inthe year 1934, have been convertedinto fully text searchable, PDF files.
This addition to our library will bea valuable asset to researchers and
historians, as well as to casual birderswho are interested in this tremendous body of work. These files are now
readily available and easily retrievable.The digital files are stored on CDs andour computer hard drives. Please
schedule library computer time withthe staff at Audubon House by calling(323) 876-0202.
Susan Castor
Member Services
Audubon House Library
Baldwin Hills Conservancy hasawarded a $111,000 grant to LosAngeles Audubon to create andmanage an after school program at
the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlooksite at the new California State Park.The project will engage students
from Dorsey and Crenshaw Highs in
growing native plants from seed andrestoring the Baldwin Hills to create
habitat for wildlife.The symbolic mascot of the
project is the Cactus Wren, whichused to be present in the BaldwinHills. Project Director will beMargot Griswold, Project Director
for the Native Plant & WildlifeGarden. As a restoration ecologist,
Excerpt from theWestern Tanager,
Volume 1, Issue 1, October 1934
Conceived with the idea ofstimulating interest in our feathered
friends, THE WESTERN TANAGERwill be published by the Los AngelesAudubon Society for distribution toits members and to others interestedin the activities of Audubon. Inaddition to the news of the Society,
THE WESTERN TANAGER willcontain as many feature articles,curious facts, and other interestinginformation about the birds as can be
crowded into the available space. Wehope that you will welcome this new
venture of the Audubon Society, andthat you will help your editor to makeit a success by communicating withher whenever you feel you havesomething that will be of interest tothe others.
Editor, Mrs. Raymond Brennan
Margot has restored coastal sagescrub in Orange County to the extentthat California Gnatcatchers have
inhabited and bred in her restoration,and the Owens Lake bed dustmitigation in the Eastern Sierras,among many other projects. Project
Manager for the program will beStacey Vigallon, Los AngelesAudubon Director of InterpretivePrograms, who is also developingthe education program at the NativePlant & Wildlife Garden at KennethHahn Recreation Area with help
from Barbara Courtois and CindyHardin, Directors of the Ballonasaltwater marsh education program.
Los Angeles Audubon
receives $111,000 grant for after school program atBaldwin Hills
See Volunteer Corner page 8.
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4 Western Tanager
m y p a t c hHansen Dam
by Kimball L. Garrett
Willow Forest Lake, Photo by Kimball Garrett
In 2007, I made thecircuit of local AudubonChapters to present a
talk I called Birding on $4 aGallon a call for more intensive
local patch birding in the face ofincreasing gasoline prices and, moreurgently, the environmental andsocietal costs of burning fossil fuelsto undertake late 20th Centurystyle long-distance bird chasing.
Feeling some responsibility topractice what Ive been preaching, Ihave a patch of my own HansenDam in the northeastern SanFernando Valley. The Hansen Dambasin and surrounding habitats along
Big Tujunga Creek fit my criteria foran ideal patch in several ways. Itis close about a third of a gallon ofgas for the round trip from myhouse. It has a variety of habitats
(open water, marsh, riparian forest,alluvial sage scrub, and landscaped park land) and, consequently,harbors a satisfying diversity of birdspecies. Finally, its small enough tobe birded in a day albeit a long dayif all habitats are to be covered.
Hansen Dam is gritty, andnot especially user-friendly.Homeless encampments andweekend hordes of recreationists
and revelers make it distinctly off- putting at times to one seekingnature. But it increasingly typifiesthe urban-adjacent wildlifeexperience in our obscenely over- populated region. The Dam basinand upstream washes host several
key breeding riparian species (15+Bells Vireo territories, BlueGrosbeaks, Yellow-breasted Chats,
Swainsons Thrushes) as well as
alluvial scrub specialists (LesserNighthawk, Cactus Wren, and thisyear a single CaliforniaGnatcatcher). Nesting waterbirdshave included Least Bitterns,Western Grebes and Spotted
Sandpipers. The occasional rarityadds spice, such as Brown Pelican(April 2002), Little Blue Heron(May 2007 and May 2008), Broad-winged Hawk (October 2002,November 2003), Crested Caracara
(January-February 2007), Yellow-throated Warbler (May 2007), andPainted Redstart (September 2004).Most morning visits yield 70 to 90species, depending on the time
of year.Ive identified another
criterion for a good birding patch that the natural history datagenerated from coverage of thepatch can influence management ofthe area for habitat quality and bird
conservation. The Hansen Dam areaand Big Tujunga Wash are repletewith environmental challenges.
There are constant and growing pressures to add high-densirecreation and equestrian
development, and wildlife issuestake a back seat to flood controlhuman safety, and sometimes even
commercial needs. The bird data forthis patch that I and others havegenerated (my database now
includes over 17,000 entries) canprovide ammunition for arguing forthe protection of diverse wildlife inthe area. Covering the patch is thefun part putting the information to
work is the important challenge
Kimball Garrett is theOrnithology Collections Manager at
the Natural History Museum of Los
Angeles County and Scientific
Advisor to the Board of the Los
Angeles Audubon Society. His latest
book,Birds of the Los Angeles Region
(with Jon Dunn and Bob Morse) is
available at the Los Angeles Audubon
Nature Store.
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July/August 2008 5
T H A N k s !
Fred Alcantar Jr.
Elizabeth Jamie AlterJoseph AndrewsFrank ArentowiczC. M. ArmstrongJack L. BathBettina Bennewitz
Michele BigelowEric BrazelKatie BrennanBetty J. BrownThomas Chell
Barbara CourtoisGlen C. DakeZan Dubin-ScottLinda DunnJoi EdwardsLloyd ElyDiane Farag
William FarhoodDonna M. FernholzHarvey FischerBridget Fitzsimons
Jerry & Jeanette GadtAlbert GasserDonna GromanMarcia D. HanscomEric HansenMelissa HaylockNan Helgeland
Tommye HiteCynthia JacksonJoyce A. Kidd
Dr. Kathleen Komar
Richard KrafsurSuzanne LarkyDr. & Mrs. Emil M LichinaPeggy & Donn MillerMichael LyntonMr. L. R. Marks
John W. McCoyKaren Molleson & Lowell HillPaul & Irene OppenheimLinda PetersonRegina Phelps
Judith B. RaskinMary RenakerBernhard RohrbacherJoseph RuggeriKathleen M. SacchiBruce & Joyce Schoppe
David G. SeayArlyne W. SheproRoss ShidelerJohn SilvesterDr. Nellie Becker- Slaton
William SlatonScott & Laurie SzogasRobert ThomasAnthony TomicichDr. Joshua TrabulusAino VimbBob Walden
Sandra WolchokMrs. Susan WolinAmy Worell DVM
We thank the following people tha
made heartfelt donations in honor of
loved ones:
In Memory of Herb Clarke,
Larry AllenRichard Barth
Jack Bath
Fred & Jennifer Brantly
Elaine Green
Karen Johnson
John McCoy
Jean Pickus
Cynthia Schotte
Stephen Tabor
Laura J. Vance
The Membership Department also
wishes to extend a very special thank
you to the volunteers who hel
address, stuff, and stamp our
membership information and
invitation packets.
Hanna Hayman
Dorothy Schwarz
The Membership Department wishes to thank all of our members anddonors, both new and renewed! Your memberships help us to fulfillour mission...
The mission of Los Angeles Audubon is to promote the
enjoyment and protection of birds and other wildlife through
recreation, education, conservation and restoration.
Los Angeles Audubon also thanksthe following Donors whoresponded with donations forother program needs:
Jack Bath
Mary Renaker & Eric Brazel
Harvey Fisher
Albert & Elizabeth Garrison
Susan Krebs
Peggy & Donn Miller
Margery Nicolson
Steve ShunkJohanna Dawes -Pats Big Year
Eleanor Osgood &
Rich Waters -Pats Big Year
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6 Western Tanager
CONSERVATION CONVERSATION
Protecting the San Fernando
Valley
Activists from Los Angeles and SanFernando Valley Audubon joinedforces in efforts to protect Hansen
Dam (an Audubon CaliforniaImportant Bird Area) from anequestrian facility and SepulvedaBasin Wildlife Area from anextension of the 405 and 101interchange. On April 19, Kimball
Garrett led a group of Board and stafffrom both chapters on a morning tourof Hansen Dam alluvial and coastalsage scrub and wetlands habitatfinding an extraordinary mix of bird
species including Least Bells Vireo,California Gnatcatcher, Cactus Wren,Yellow-breasted Chat and BlueGrosbeak among others. The group isplanning to strategize for protectionand more public awareness of thisvaluable and unique remaining piece
of habitat in Los Angeles. The groupalso toured an area proposed for anequestrian facility and found twoCactus Wren nests that could be
impacted from the development ofthe facility. Armed with thisknowledge, San Fernando ValleyAudubons Conservation Co-ChairsKris Ohlenkamp and Seth Shteiropposed the facility in Park AdvisoryBoard meetings and in meetings with
House of Representitive HowardBerman, and with Los Angeles CityParks. Meanwhile, San Fernando
Valley President Muriel Kotingathered a group of activists for theMay 14 hearing on developmentaround the 405-101 interchange, andopposed alternatives 2 and 3. TheEIR/EIS for the project
acknowledges that those alternativeswould impact Sepulveda BasinWildlife Area greatly.
County Birds of Special Concern
Los Angeles. Audubon membersLarry Allen, Eleanor Osgood, MaryFreeman and staff members GarryGeorge and Stacey Vigallon areworking with biologists Tom Ryan,
Dan Cooper, Kimball Garrett andMike San Miguel to create a list ofLos Angeles County SensitiveSpecies based on data fromChristmas Bird Counts, BreedingBird Atlas and historic data as far
back as Grinnell. Once the list isprepared, Los Angeles Audubon will be enlisting the support of otherchapters in Los Angeles County onconservation efforts identified by site
and priority.
Tree Trimming
Every spring Los Angeles Audubonreceives multiple calls from membersworried about the effects of tree
trimming on nesting birds. Recently,Board member Eleanor Osgood andmembers Eric and Ann Brooks,
noticed tree trimming in KennethHahn Recreation Area at BaldwinHills Park, and stepped in to advocatewith park superintendent and treetrimming staff on awareness of bird
nests. Eleanor, Eric and Ann tried to
identify trees that might have nests inthem before the trimmers got to themIn response, Los Angeles Audubon iswriting up a policy on tree trimmingthat will include a review of loca
laws and recommendations on timeperiods that are safest for differengroups of species of birds, and howto look for nests. This policy will bedistribured in meetings with LosAngeles County and City parks, Port
of Los Angeles, and other agenciesthat order tree trimming.
Pesticides and birds of UCLA
New Los Angeles Audubon member
Linda Navroth advocated with theMaintenance Department of UCLAto consider using different or nopesticides on the UCLA campus ouof her concern for species such as
Bewicks Wren that she observesthere. Linda researched the impactsof the pesticides used by UCLA on birds and provided her research toUCLA. Her request is underconsideration. Meanwhile, weve
asked Linda to join in the treetrimming policy effort as a result ofher fine efforts to protect birds on theUCLA campus.
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July/August 2008 7
News and Announcements
Executive Director, GarryGeorge leaves Los AngelesAudubon on June 30, 2008 to become Chapter NetworkDirector for Audubon California.
The Board is currentlyinterviewing new candidates forthe position.
Garry will continue to servewith Los Angeles Audubon as a
member of the organization, amember of the ExecutiveCommittee, and as Chair of theConservation Committee.
BOARD SLATE 2008-2009
Members voted at the May 14thmeeting for the following slate for LosAngeles Audubons Board of Directors
for the fiscal year 2008-2009.
President Mary Freeman1st VP - David DeLange2nd VP Paul FoxTreasurer Lisa FimianiExecutive Secretary Linda OberholtzerRecording Secretary Eleanor Osgood
Dexter Kelly will remain on theBoard as Executive Past President, a
non-elective, voting position.
LOS ANGELES AUDUBONwins
TOYOTA Together GreenVolunteer Days grant!
LOS ANGELES AUDUBONhas won one of the first round ofgrants in the TOYOTA/AUDUBON
Together Green partnership.
Los Angeles Audubon willreceive $7,000 to use for volunteerevents in the Baldwin Hills in
partnership with other organizationsin the community such as Friends ofBaldwin Hills.
The grant recipients wereannounced on Friday, May 30, 2008.Stacey Vigallon, Los Angeles
Audubon Director of InterpretivePrograms, will oversee the grant project and grant funding in theBaldwin Hills.
Stacey's recent project with the
Dorsey High Eco Warriors to removeinvasive non-native vegetation from theLeast Tern colony on Venice Beach isalso featured on thewww.togethergreen.org website, as
a feature community work.http://www.togethergreen.org/Projects/FeaturedCommunityWork.aspx
LIFETIME
MEMBERSHIPS
for Los Angeles Audubon
now available.
Due to popular demand, LosAngeles Audubon has recently begun issuing Lifetime, Chapteronly memberships for $1,000.00A chunk of money yes
but, somewhat mitigated if one ormore of the following might applyto you: you anticipate being agreater Los Angeles birder for twoor three decades (they really passquickly!); you itemize your tax
deduction (Los Angeles Audubon is a501 (c) (3) Non-Profit Organization)you really get tired of mailings torenew memberships (sorry!); or youreally believe in the many
recreation, conservation, educationrestoration and research projects thatmake up Los Angeles AudubonBy declaring your unquestionableaffiliation with our chapter, you canknow as you read the WesternTanager, that your level of
involvement, more than ever, makeshappen all of those facets of LosAngeles Audubon that most appeato you. You will also receive a note
expressing the eternal gratitude ofeveryone in the Los AngelesAudubon organization.
Call Audubon House at(323) 876-0202 to pay by telephoneusing your credit card, or mail yourcheck to:
Los Angeles Audubon-MembershipP.O. Box 931057, Los Angeles CA
90093-1057.
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8 Western Tanager
V o l u n t e e r C o r n e r
Pictured are Garry George, Exec. Director and Margot Griswold, Project Director at a
volunteer event at the Native Plant & Wildlife Garden with Crenshaw area Boy Scouts.
T
he Baldwin Hills area hasbecome a new focal point
for Los AngelesAudubon education and outreachactivities. Currently in developmentfor Fall 2008 are docent programs atboth Kenneth Hahn State Recreation
Area and the new Baldwin HillsOverlook Park.
The Kenneth Hahn program isgeared toward students in grades 3-12 who are attending inner-city Los
Angeles schools. Participatingclasses will spend time outdoorslearning about the ecology of theBaldwin Hills through scientificinquiry, field sketching, andorienteering. Hands-on activities
and a multidisciplinary approachwill be emphasized, and thecurriculum has been developed toalign with California StateEducation Standards. People
interested in volunteering shouldhave a great enthusiasm for thenatural world and for working withchildren. Educational outreachvolunteers will visit teachers andtheir students in the classroom inorder to introduce them to the
ecology of the Baldwin Hills.Classes will subsequently visitKenneth Hahn State RecreationArea for a two-hour field trip, during
which volunteers will lead them on arange of outdoor activities. Avolunteer training session will beprovided in late summer that covers plant and wildlife species of theBaldwin Hills, ecology of thecoastal sage scrub plant community
and interpretive techniques.Volunteers will receive acomprehensive training manual.
The new Baldwin HillsOverlook Park is tentatively
scheduled to open in Fall 2008, andwere still working closely withCalifornia State Parks on the details
of the new docent program at thislocation. However, what we doknow for certain is that well needmotivated birders and nature-loversinterested in spending time asdocents at this exciting new park.
The site has a stunning view of theLos Angeles Basin (mountains to
ocean!) and will have a native plantgarden and interpretive center. Inaddition, the surrounding hillsideswill gradually be restored to native
coastal sage scrub habitat throughhands-on projects conducted byinterns from local high schoolsworking with restoration ecologists.
We are extremely excited about
the tremendous interpretive and
outreach possibilities at this site, andwelcome any and all volunteers whowant to share their love for thenatural world with park visitorsPlease let us know if youre
interested and we will continue tokeep you informed as the programtakes shape.
To request more informationabout these programs and other
volunteer opportunities, contact:
Stacey Vigallon([email protected],(323) 481-4037)or Eleanor Osgood
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I n t e r p r e t i n g n a t u r e
Rosemary Virula is currently asenior at Dorsey High School and
will be graduating in June. She participated in both Least Ter
colony clean-ups during the schoolyear, helped collect data for theGreat Backyard Bird Count this pastspring, and has been an activemember of her campuss eco-cluband student leadership program
Rosemary will attendCSU Northridge in the fall.
July/August 2008 9
by Stacey Vigallon
Rosemary Virula, Intern
W
elcome to the new
Interpreting Nature
column. The goal ofthis new feature is to keep readersapprised of Los Angeles Audubonsnatural science interpretation projects.
But first an essential questionWhat exactly is natural scienceinterpretation? Essentially, naturalscience interpretation involvestranslating concepts and data fromhighly technical science-speak into
verbal and visual components easilyunderstood by people who arentscientists. Ideally, the finishedproject is engaging and leaves theparticipant feeling well informed. Ifyouve ever been to a museum or
nature center, thumbed through afield guide, or watched a naturalhistory documentary, then yourewell acquainted with scienceinterpretation.
Los Angeles Audubonsinterpretive projects include docentprograms, printed publications, andoutdoor signage. The long-runningBallona Wetlands education
program managed by Cindy Hardinand Barbara Courtois is an excellentexample of science interpretation inaction. Other docent and education programs are in development for
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Areaas well as the soon-to-open BaldwinHills Overlook Park (more on that inthis issues Volunteer Corner). Lastfall Los Angeles Audubon published aguide to the native plant garden atKenneth Hahn, and permanent signs
for a self-guided tour of the garden aresoon to follow.
We also have big ideas for ourSnowy Plover, Least Tern, and
Audubon At Home programs, andwell keep you posted as they
progress.
Not only do we have a newcolumn about interpretation, butwed also like to introduce you to
our new intern who will be workingon several of Los AngelesAudubons interpretation projects.
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10 Western Tanager
S panning a mix of habitatsfrom ocean to coast to
mountains to interiordeserts, Los Angeles Countyexperiences a rich and variedspring migration. Nearly everyspecies of bird that migratesthrough California this spring, is
heading north through thecounty at some point betweenJanuary and early June. Andthese migrants can be foundalmost anywhere.
While the Los Angeles basin ishyper-developed, it is still arelatively hospitable environmentfor migrating songbirds. Even thedowntown area has many parks
and patches of green, and insuburbia there are homes and parks with exotic trees, shrubs,water features and endless lawns.While not ideal, these areasmitigate at least to some extent thehabitat lost due to human
population growth.
Out on the desert, some humanactivity can actually be a good thing.
Any patch of green ranches,irrigation ditches, windbreaks, cityparks and golf courses offers anoasis for birds in need of food, waterand rest and a great place for birdersto look for them (assuming of coursethat the owner is amenable). Spring
on the desert is often windy andsome days may be slow, but otherscan produce plenty of birds.
For all its potential however,reports indicated that migration
through early May wasunderwhelming. Weatherconditions conspired with thecalendar to turn some of the bestApril weekends into hot, dry andrelatively birdless ones. Migrants
were certainly moving through,but for the most part impressivenumbers of birds were not beingencountered.
Even our ABC (Americas BirdiestCounty) competition reflected thetrend and scored markedly fewerbirds than last years knockout 272.Observers did find 256 differentspecies from April 26-28, which is
quite respectable by any measureand undoubtedly will match up withthe top few counties in the country.
Each spring similar numbers of birds follow the same migration
routes, but changing conditions onthe ground and in the air can produce noticeably differentresults from one year to the next,at least from the human observers
perspective. Weather fronts,winds, heat, the marine layer andthe concentrative effects ofdrought - or lack thereof - all havetheir effects on observed numbersof birds.
Nevertheless, a variety ofnorthbound migrants as well aslingering wintering birds combined
to paint the picture of Los Angeles
County avifauna from mid-Marchthrough mid-May
Aside from a Snow Goosecontinuing in Willowbrook throughearly April and few lingeringCackling Geese, the only other
noteworthy report was of twoBrant- common migrants along thecoast but scarce inland- at the PiutePonds on Edwards AFB on May 6(Mike San Miguel).
Aside from the usual Surf Scotersone White-winged Scoter was atthe Ballona Creek mouth fromMarch 21-30 (Barbara Johnson)and at least three remained at
Quail Lake near Gorman throughApril 4 (Jon Feenstra).
A single Black Scoter continuedat Dockweiler State Beach in ESegundo through April 2 when it
was joined by a second bird(Richard Barth). Another Blackwas at Point Dume on April 5(Mike San Miguel) and two morewere at the Ballona Creek mouth
on April 8 (Tori Collender).
Other sea ducks included a femaleLong-tailed Duck continuing atBallona Creek mouth throughMarch 30 and an immature male
off Dockweiler Beach on April 13-21 (Richard Barth).
bi rds of th e season by Jon Fisher
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July/August 2008 11
Back in May of 2007, an adult
Little Blue Heron appeared atHansen Dam. A year later almostto the day, what was probably thesame bird was there again on May10 (Kimball Garrett).
Swainsons Hawks continued tomove through in small numberswith a half dozen sightingstotaling three dozen individualsbeing tallied during the period. A
coordinated effort to find thesehawks would likely turn up manymore, as they can easily passthrough unnoticed.
Solitary Sandpipers put on a
decent show with the first reportcoming from Madrona Marsh inTorrance on April 2 (DaveMoody). This was followed byfive other individuals at variouslocations and a group of three- an
unusual number for spring- at theSepulveda Basin on April 27.Another Solitary at the PiutePonds on May 3 was the only onereported away from the coastal
plain (Mike San Miguel).
Red Knots arent all that rarealong the southern Californiacoast, but in Los Angeles Countythere are precious few places onehas a hope of finding them. Thus
one at Del Rey Lagoon in Playadel Rey on March 26-30 was ofinterest (Michael Zarky). Thereare but a handful of documented
records for this locality.
The only report of a springSemipalmated Sandpiper wasone at the Piute Ponds on May 3(Mike San Miguel).
An cooperative adult Franklins
Gull found at Malibu Lagoon onApril 1 hung around for a week
offering birders great views(Muriel Kotin). This bird wasfollowed a month later by fourFranklins at the lagoon on May 1(Richard Barth, Jim Hardesty, JimMoore). Another Franklins was
at Del Rey Lagoon in Playa del
Rey from April 26-29 (Bob Pann)and three more were at theLancaster Sewer Ponds on May 7(Mike San Miguel).
Rare in the Antelope Valley were aGlaucous-winged Gull and aHerring Gull at the Lancaster SewerPonds on April 4 (Jon Feenstra).
Two Black-legged Kittiwakes- rare
inshore in recent years- turned up onthe beach at Malibu Lagoon on April20 (Nick & Mary Freeman).
Good numbers ofBlack Terns can
move through the deserts in springas evidenced by the forty-seven atthe Lancaster Sewer Ponds andanother forty at the Piute Ponds onMay 3 (Mike San Miguel).
A very nice find was a Gull-billedTern- only the second countyrecord- seen flying by Point Dumeon April 5 (Mike San Miguel).Amazingly, this bird was followed by the brief appearance of three
Gull-billed Terns almost a monthlater at Malibu Lagoon on May 3(Jon Fisher). Interestingly, severalwere at Bolsa Chica in OrangeCounty on May 1 and the Malibu
area birds may have originatedfrom there. Certainly thesesightings raise the possibility ofadditional records in the countythis spring and summer.
Lesser Nighthawks had returned
to Big Tujunga Wash by April 2(Kimball Garrett). The SanGabriel River drainage below
Azusa Canyon is also a reliablespot to look for them in the earlyevening. Breeding still occurs inthe vicinity of these broad canyonwashes in spite of extensive
development.
A Burrowing Owl, a scarcetransient, was in South Pasadenaon April 10 (David Whitman)Meanwhile, the San Gabriel
Mountains were a productive areafor owls for those willing to gosearching for them. NorthernPygmy, Saw-Whet, Spotted andWestern Screech-Owls can all befound with a little effort. These
mountains are relatively pristine
and habitat alteration has beenminimal by comparison, thusmuch of the avifauna that wasthere historically remains intact.
A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker thatspent the winter at the VillageGreen condos in Los Angeleslingered quite late, being last seenon March 27 (Don Sterba).
A Hairy Woodpecker was atHansen Dam on March 29(Kimball Garrett). These birds arescarce anywhere in the lowlandsbut breeding takes place along the
Santa Clara River and is suspectedat Hansen. A White-headedWoodpecker at St. AndrewsPriory near Valyermo on April 6(Mark Scheel) was away fromnormal areas of occurrence.
Scattered reports of single birds and pairsofEurasian Collared-Doves seemed toindicate the slow but inevitable spread ofthis species in the county. Away from thedeserts where they are already more
widely established, reports are slowlybecoming more frequent from the LosAngeles Basin and surrounding areas.
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12 Western Tanager
After having presumably spent
the winter, a Dusky-cappedFlycatcher remained throughApril 3 at Creek Park in LaMirada. A Gray Flycatchercontinued at the Arboretum
through April 9 and a migrant
Gray was at Sycamore Canyon inWhittier on April 27 (LarrySchmahl). An immature maleVermilion Flycatcher wasdiscovered at Palos Verdes Nature
Park on April 12 (Carla Sedlacek,Paul Irving).
A Plumbeous Vireo was atHansen Dam on March 29(Kimball Garrett) and a singing
bird at the Sepulveda Basin onApril 11-19 (Jon Fisher, BobPann, Alan Dunn) was almostcertainly a migrant as none wereknown to have wintered here.
A singing Bells Vireo at ElDorado Park in Long Beach onMarch 31 (Kevin Alcaino) was atthe same spot where one wasfound last spring. Further
evidence of breeding should bewatched for at this locale. Thisspecies, once on the brink ofbeing extirpated from coastal LosAngeles County, has reboundedsurprisingly well in the last two
decades. Illustrative of that factwere the 15 Bells Vireoterritories at Hansen Dam byearly May (Kimball Garrett).This is one of the Brown-headed
Cowbirds favorite host speciesand trapping efforts and otherfactors have had a very positiveeffect on vireo populations. Thisin spite of the fact that littlehistorical breeding habitat remains.
A first record for Hansen Damwas a male CaliforniaGnatcatcher found there on
March 29 (Kimball Garrett) and present through April 19. Therehave been several unconfirmedreports from the Tujunga drainageover the years and this speciesshould be looked for as possibly
breeding in the area, particularly at
the east end of the basin where lessdisturbed habitat still exists.Undoubtedly a few pairs still breedin as yet undiscovered locations.
Though its still early in theseason a couple of easternvagrant warblers were found. Asinging male Northern Parulawas found at Banning Park in
Wilmington on May 11 (Mike San
Miguel) and a NorthernWaterthrush was nearby atHarbor Park on the same day(Martin Byhower).
A Summer Tanager, l ikely thesame bird found on January 21,was at Los Angeles NationalCemetery on April 21 (RichardBarth) and another SummerTanager was in Claremont on
April 27-May 11 (Paul Clarke).
Sparrows of interest included arather late Vesper Sparrow atPeck Pit in Monrovia on May 11(Jon Fisher), a wintering White-
throated Sparrow continuing atEaton Canyon through April 1,and a very rare Pink-sidedJunco found at St. AndrewsPriory near Valyermo on April 25
(Jon Feenstra).
Small numbers ofYellow-headedBlackbirds regularly occur astransients on the coastal plain inspring, but remarkable was aflock of over 150 at the Ballona
Freshwater Marsh on April 27(Jonathan Coffin).
There were reports of a fewsmall groups ofRed Crossbillsscattered through the AntelopeValley with at least one pairbuilding an nest at Apollo Park
in Lancaster as of April 4 (JonFeenstra). Such activity in
lowland areas is noteworthy butnot unprecedented. Extensivenon-native plantings haveallowed this species to breed
coastally on the Palos VerdesPeninsula and at Point Loma inpast decades.
With spring migration havinglargely ended by the end of May
there will be a very short
window before fall migration begins in earnest. Easouthbound shorebirds wilappear soon, with WilsonsPhalaropes showing up as early
as the first week of June whilelate passerines are still headingnorth.
For the moment, theres a little
time to pay attention to breeding
birds, which hopefully we weredoing all along anyway. Manyof our foothill canyons are alivewith activity in May and Junewhile the higher mountains offer
a different mix of breeding birdswith breeding activity shiftedslightly later. In these higherand still largely unbirded SanGabriels, there are stilldiscoveries to be made.
Various streams and springsalong the Angeles CrestHighway should have sufficientwater this year to make checkingthem worthwhile.
Old standbys such as CharltonFlat, Chilao Flat, BuckhornVincent Gap and Mt. Baden-
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July/August 2008 13
Powell can all be great places tobird from May through July. Inaddition, there are many lesserknown and little explored partsof the mountains that have
potential.
Occasionally a rarity turns up inthe San Gabriels Pain tedRedstarts, Graces Warblers(with one spending a cold winter
at Chilao), Northern Parula andothers have been found here.Its been three decades since aRed-faced Warbler was turnedup in the San Gabriels, so maybewere due
The deserts will mostly beblistering hot, but neverthelesswill host numbers of southboundshorebirds by July. The PiutePonds will be well covered by
those with the appropriate permissions, but other spotssuch as the Lancaster SewerPonds and the puddle of water atG Street and the 14 Freeway
may be productive as well.
The lower Los Angeles Rivershould prove to be the hot spotfor shorebirds once again fromJuly through September. Somany good birds have been
found here in the past few yearsthat its nearly certain it will beproductive for vagrants again.
Coastally there are few spots inthe county suitable forshorebirds, but Malibu Lagoon,the Ballona area and even tinyZuma Creek mouth are all worthchecking. While some birdslinger for hours or even days,
others may come and go in mereminutes or even seconds.Timing can be everything
N12466 $24.00
The Life of the Skies
Jonathan Rosen
In a spirit of celebration and curiosity,
Jonathan Rosen has written a fresh and
utterly fascinating new exploration of birdsand beyond. A mixture of memoir, nature
writing, history, and philosophy, The Life of
the Skies is an illuminating look at the
complex relationship humans have with
their flying counterparst and a history of
America viewed on the wing.
N10047 $26.95
Guide to the Birds of Alaska,
5th Edition
Robert H. Armstrong
New Expanded and Updated EditionobertArmstrongs Guide to the Bird of Alaska has
been a must-have for Alaska birders for
more than twenty-five years. Now in its
fifth edition, Armstrong provides
completely updated information plus
hundreds of new photos. Every bird is now
illustrated in this classic guide, including all
casuals and accidentals.This comprehensive
guide offers the most up-to-date knowledge
about the birds in Alaska, including the 480
species on the current list.
N12372 $29.95
A Bird-Finding Guide to Panama
George R. Angehr, Dodge Engleman, and
Lorna Engleman
A Bird-Finding Guide to Panama is an
essential tool for anyone traveling in search o
Panamas spectacular birds and natura
attractions. With more than 970 species and a
growing infrastructure of good roads, eco
lodges, and restaurants, Panama is a premier
birding and nature tourism destination in theneotropics. The countrys unique geography
small size, and varied habitats make it possible
to see a vast diversity of birds within a shor
time. The isthmus is a crossroads for the
hemispheres birdlife Panamas varied
avifauna includes such Central American
specialties as the Resplendent Quetzal in its
western highlands, while in the east, in San
Blas and the Darien, species more
characteristic of South America, such as the
Blue-and-yellow Macaw, are found.
N12457 $15.99
Guas Visuales Pjaro Escrito
porDavid Burnie
S testigo del momento en emocionante en
que nace una cra y de su crecimiento en e
nido, y cmo los pjaros se escondenvuelan, cazan y comen.
N a t u r e S t o r e
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14 Western Tanager
$ Saturday, June 28
Night Owling Field Trip
Leader: Raymond Schep
Target birds include NorthernPygmy-Owl, Flammulated Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, WesternScreech (easier), and CommonPoorwill. It will be much easier to
hear these birds a than see them.Until dark we will bird formounatain specialties such asCassins finch and White-headedWoodpecker. We will take a gentlehike into a canyon looking forSpotted Owl. Theyre all up there,
but no promises! Leave promptly at5:30 PM from where the 210 Fwyand Angeles Crest Highwayintersect in La Canada. Exit the 210
at Angeles Crest Hwy N. About oneblock up is a frontage road on the
right, where we will park andcarpool. Finish around midnight.Bring a warm jacket, a full stomach,snacks, and a Forest ServiceAdventure Pass. Send $15, phone
number, e-mail address (if you haveit) and a SASE to L.A. AudubonsP.O Box to sign up. Limit 16.
$ Thursday through Sunday, July 3-6
Quaking Aspen
Camping Trip for Owls
Leaders: Mary & Nick FreemanCampground is aboveSpringville, and Camp Nelson
near Ponderosa in the
southwest Sierras. Owling bynight, bird walks by day! Wemay also look at somebutterflies! Hopeful birds:Flammulated, Northern Saw-
whet, Spotted owls and others;Pileated Woodpecker, WinterWren, Hammonds Flycatcher,Hermit Warbler and more.Some meals will be potluck,others provided or eat out.
Tentatively meet Thursday3:00PM at Quaking AspenCampground Group Site G(already reserved). More detailsin flyer. Send SASE, phone, e-mail and $70 to L. A.
Audubons P.O. Box to reserve.10 sign-ups max., no childrenor pets, please.
f i e l d t r i p s
$ Fee Event SASEField Trips & Pelagic Trips,
Reservation Policy and Procedure
for limited participation/fee events.
Reservations will be accepted only if all the
following information is supplied:
1) Separate checks payable to LAAS
for exact amount for each trip. (no cash
please, Credit Cards not accepted at this
time.)
2) SASE (Self-addressed stamped
envelope), for booking confirmation
and associated trip flyer.
3) Date & Name of Field Trip or
Pelagic Trip desired.
4) Name of each person in your party.
5) Phone numbers:
(a) usual and(b) evening before event, (in case
of cancellation)
(c) email addresses (if used).
Our Mailing Address:
Los Angeles Audubon - Reservations
P.O. Box 931057
Los Angeles, CA 90093-1057
If there is insufficient response, the trip
will be cancelled two Wednesdays prior
to the scheduled date (four weeks for
pelagics). You will be so notified and
your fee returned. Your cancellation
after that time will bring a refund onlyif there is a paid replacement. Our
office staff is available Monday
through Thursday for most reservation
services.
(323) 876-0202.
REFUND POLICY FOR
PELAGIC TRIPS
If a participant cancels 31 days or moreprior to departure, a $4 service charge willbe deducted from the refund. There is noparticipant refund if requested fewer than30 days before departure, unless there is a
paid replacement available. Call LAASfor a possible replacement. Please do not
offer the trip to a friend as it would beunfair to those on the waiting list.
All pelagic trips
must be filled 35 days prior to sailing.
Please reserve early.
NOTE: Destinations may be changed in
order to maximize bird sightings, or
minimize rough seas. In order to meet
unexpected increases in fuel costs, there can
be a $5 to $10 energy surcharge per person.
BIRD WALKS are geared for the
beginner / intermediate looking for
an introduction or less strenuous
excursion. FIELD TRIPS often
require more time or effort, and
delve more deeply into
identification, natural histories and
interactions observed in the field.
All are welcome on either type of
trip. Reserveper directions in the
gray box on this page.
No pets or small children, please.
INCREASE IN PRICES: LosAngeles Audubon is increasing
prices on longer trips to build up
funds including the Schreiber
Grant Fund, which is given out
to deserving non-professiona
avian researchers who have
limited access to funding
Envelopes for voluntary
contributions will be distributed
on some other trips.
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f i e l d t r i p s
16 Western Tanager
Sunday, August 31
Huntington Central Park andBolsa Chica Wetlands Field Trip
Leader: Irwin WoldmanStart at the park, then on to thewetlands. Huntington Central Parkis excellent for migrating songbirds.The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
wetlands were recently opened toincreased tidal flow, dredged in the back channel for more wetlandhabitat, and the walkways were
elevated for improved wildlifeviewing. Flocks of shorebirds
should be heading south, withleftover terns, early gulls, herons,and resident Beldings SavannahSparrow. Bring a lunch for a fullday of birds. Meet at 7:30 AM inthe park parking lot on the south
side of Slater Ave. just east ofGolden West St. in HuntingtonBeach. No sign up.
$ September 13 & 14 Weekend
Galileo Hills and Beyond
Field Trip
Leaders: Nick& Mary FreemanGalileo is arguably the best fallmigrant trap in the state. Westernwarblers and flycatchers should
headline. Reptiles may beencountered! For those who stickaround for Sunday, we may return toGalileo Hill, visit Piute Ponds, orventure farther afield, as dictated by
our rambling hearts and bird reports.Take Hwy 14 about 4 miles pastMojave, then turn right onCalifornia City Blvd. Drive through
town about a mile past the shops,
turn left past the golf course onRandsburg-Mojave Rd., and veerright on 20 Mule Team Rd. Turn lefton Rutgers Rd. at the Silver Saddlesign before the hill, take your firstpaved right, your first right again,into the Silver Saddle Country Club,
followed by two paved lefts into thelot. Park by the first pond. About 2hrs driving time from Los AngelesSend $25 fee and SASE to Audubon
House to reserve. 12 max. Bringlunches, sun block. Reserve rooms
for both nights in Mojave. Meet at7:00 AM Saturday, finish up perhaps3-4ish Sunday.
$ Saturday, September 20
Piute Ponds
Leader: Todd BatteyA good mix of shorebirds, waterfowl
and songbirds, with a chance atLeContes Thrasher, and Bairds andPectoral sandpipers at this limited
access military facility. Possibleextension to Apollo Park, sewage ponds or elsewhere afterwards.Carpool at Golden Valley Road Park& Ride on Fwy 14, meeting atAvenue S Park & Ride in Palmdale
at 7:45AM. Bring lunch, water andsunblock for a full day of birding.Typically hot weather, and oftenafternoon wind. To reserve withLAAS, send SASE by September15 with name, phone number, checkfor $15, and e-mail address(optional) to Audubon House.
Limited sign-up of 15, so you are
not registered without confirmation No drop-ins. High clearanvehicles, scopes and FRS radios aplus. No cameras on base!
$ Saturday, September 27San Diego Area Field Trip
Leaders: Nick& Mary Freeman
A good portion of the morning wilcertainly be spent at Pt. Loma. Someodd birds have been known to pop
up here during late migration. Otherpossible areas include the Tijuana
River marsh and nearby farm fieldsTake the 5 Fwy S about three miles past Route 52 to the ClairemonDrive offramp and head W into thesmall lot adjacent to the MissionBay Information Center. Meet E of
the kiosk at 8:00 AM. Bring a lunchSend $25 fee to Audubon House.
Saturday, October 4
Malibu to McGrath Field Trip
Leader: Dexter Kelly
Late passerines and shorebirdsshould be moving through coastalmigration spots, mixed with earlywintering birds. Possibly 100species. Take PCH N over the bridgein Malibu, and turn right on Cross
Creek Road for street parking (andStarbucks). Cross PCH, and meet inthe lagoon parking lot at 7:30 AMfor a full day of birding (bringlunch). There may be one or twoaccess fees at McGrath, elsewhere
Fee for those parking at the lagoonNo sign-up for the trip. Nominadonation suggested.
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B i r d W a l k s
July/August 2008 17
First Sunday of every month
Sunday, July 6Sunday, August 3Sunday, September 7Topanga State Park Bird Walk
Leaders: Ken Wheeland and
Chris TosdevinKen & Chris will leadparticipants through this beautifuland diverse coastal mountainarea. This is an ideal trip for a
beginning birder or someone newin the area. From Ventura Blvd.,take Topanga Canyon Blvd. 7miles S, turn E uphill on EntradaRd. Follow the signs and turn
left into Trippet Ranch parkinglot. From PCH, take TopangaCyn. Blvd. 5 miles to Entrada Rd.Parking $2. Time: 8:00a.m.Contacts:Ken: [email protected](310)455-1401,Chris: (310)455-1270
Third Sunday, all year
Sunday, July 20Sunday, August 17
Sunday, September 21Ballona Wetlands Bird Walk
Leader: Bob Shanman andFriends
Come enjoy our nearest wetlandand adjacent rocky jetty.
Migrating shorebirds and ternsshould be coming through. Meetat the Del Rey Lagoon parkinglot. Take the Marina Fwy (90 W)to Culver Blvd. and turn left for a
mile, turn right on Pacific Ave.
The lot is on the right. Lot orstreet parking is usually not a problem. Three-hour walk.Scopes helpful. Time: 8:00a.m.Contact: Bob Shanman
(310)326-2473
Fourth Saturday every month
Saturday, July 26Saturday, August 23
Saturday, September 27Whittier Narrows Bird Walk
Leader: Park Ranger RayJillson
View colorful resident birds,possibly including the introduced
Northern Cardinal. Take Peck Dr.off the 60 Fwy in South El Monte(just west of the 605 Fwy). Takethe off ramp onto Durfee Ave.heading W (right) and turn left
into the Nature Center, 1000Durfee Ave. Time: 8:15a.m.Contact: Ray Jillson:
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Echo Park Lake Birdwalk
Leader: Judy RaskinMeet at 9:00 a.m. at theBoathouse, 751 Park Ave., Los
Angeles, near Laguna Ave.
Plenty of street parking. Take aleisurely walk around Echo ParkLake, one of the oldest in LosAngeles. More than 70 speciescall Echo Park their home for all
or part of the year. They includeMallards, great-tailed grackles,American coots, great blueherons, great egrets, hawks andvarious gulls and doves. This is
an excellent walk for beginners.Parents are encouraged to taketheir children. Binocularsrecommended, and a bird guide,if you have one.Directions: From N/B 101
(Hollywood) Freeway, exit EchoPark Ave. and continue northabout mile. From S/B 101Freeway, exit GlendaleBlvd./Union Ave., go left onTemple St., left on Glendale
Blvd., right on Bellevue Ave.,then left on Echo Park Ave. to theboathouse.For more information:(323) 663-6767 or [email protected]
Bird Walks are geared for the beginner/intermediate nature lover who wants to learn more about local birds.These walks will also be an introduction to our local urban parks and wildlife magnets. Appropriate for
families with children 8 years and older. Binoculars are provided.
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2 0 0 8 p e l a g i c s c h e d u l e
Field Trips & Pelagic Trips,
Reservation Policy and Procedure
for limited participation/fee events.
Reservations will be accepted only if all the
following information is supplied:
1) Separate checks payable to LAAS
for exact amount for each trip. (no cash
please, Credit Cards not accepted at this
time.)
2) SASE (Self-addressed stamped
envelope), for booking confirmation
and associated trip flyer.
3) Date & Name of Field Trip or
Pelagic Trip desired.
4) Name of each person in your party.
5) Phone numbers:
(a) usual and
(b) evening before event, (in case
of cancellation)
(c) email addresses (if used).
Our Mailing Address:
Los Angeles Audubon - Reservations
P.O. Box 931057
Los Angeles, CA 90093-1057
If there is insufficient response, the trip
will be cancelled two Wednesdays prior
to the scheduled date (four weeks for
pelagics). You will be so notified and
your fee returned. Your cancellation
after that time will bring a refund only if
there is a paid replacement. Our office
staff is available Monday through
Thursday for most reservation services.
(323) 876-0202.
REFUND POLICY FOR
PELAGIC TRIPS
If a participant cancels 31 days or moreprior to departure, a $4 service charge willbe deducted from the refund. There is noparticipant refund if requested fewer than30 days before departure, unless there is a
paid replacement available. Call LAASfor a possible replacement. Please do notoffer the trip to a friend as it would beunfair to those on the waiting list.
All pelagic trips
must be filled 35 days prior to sailing.
Please reserve early.
NOTE: Destinations may be changed in
order to maximize bird sightings, or
minimize rough seas. In order to meet
unexpected increases in fuel costs, there can
be a $5 to $10 energy surcharge per person.
18 Western Tanager
Saturday, September 6
A deep water trip to Cherry,Tanner and Cortez Banks.
This trip departs from the SantaBarbara Harbor at 7:00 a.m. on the
fast catamaran Condor Express andreturns approximately at 8:00 p.m.We are far offshore in 3 countiesSanta Barbara, Ventura and LosAngeles. Birds expected: NorthernFulmar; One Cooks Petrel was
seen in 2005; Ashy and Leachs
storm-petrels; South Polar Skua;Parasitic, Pomarine and Long-tailedjaegers; Sabines Gull; Arctic Tern.Red-billed Tropicbirds are usually
seen on this trip. Rarities seen:Black-footed Albatross; BullersShearwater; Least Storm-Petrel andCraveris Murrelet. Blue, Fin andMinke whales as well as severalspecies of dolphins can be seen.
Leaders: Todd McGrath, Jon
Feenstra, Dave Compton, andDavid Pereksta. $198. The trip willbe cancelled if there is insufficientresponse 35 days prior to departure.There is a complete galley that
serves breakfast lunch and dinner.
Save $5.00 with an early sign-up
60 days prior
to the trip departure.
Saturday, October 18
Northern Channel Islands
Monument Trip
This 8 hour trip departs from theIsland Packers dock in the Ventura
Harbor at 8:00 a.m. on the fastcatamaran Islander. After dropping
off campers on Santa Cruz Island,we will have the boat to ourselvesand cruise around Santa Cruz Islandto the Santa Cruz Passage by Santa
Rosa Island, and along the SantaRosa Flats to the deeper water nearSan Nicholas Island. Then, we willreturn by Arch Rock at AnacapaIsland. Birds seen on prior trips:
Northern Fulmar; Pink-footed Sootyand Black-vented Shearwaters;
Black Storm-Petrel; comorants (3);Pomarine and Parasitic Jaegers;Sabines Gull; rocky shorebirds ( upto 5); Common Murre; Craveris and
Xantuss Murrelets; Cassins Auklet.Rarities: Bullers and Flesh-footedShearwaters; South Polar Skua;Long-tailed Jaeger. Blue, Finbackand Humpback whales have beenseen on this trip. In 2002, a Streaked
Shearwater, and in 2003 a Brown
Booby and 2 Manx Shearwaterswere seen.Leaders: Todd McGrath, JonFeenstra, David Pereksta.$130 There is a snack-type galley
with beverages, bring your lunch.
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July/August 2008 19
PhotobyHerbClarke
Mountain Village Lodge, located on the shores of Lake Duluti, a perfect place to relax before embarking on your safari
experience. Magnificent views of snowcapped Mount Kilimanjaro or the rugged peaks of Mount Meru.
Northern Tanzania
Birding & Wildlife Safari
October 8-22, 2008 - Extension- Saadani N.P. & Zanzibar
Anyone with just a slight interestin birds will be astonished by thebeauty and diversity of birds one caneasily observe on a TANZANIAwildlife safari. Within Tanzania's
borders, over 1,000 species of birdshave been recorded. From thebeautifully-striking Hoopoe, to theyelping cry of the Fish Eagle, thecolorful bee-eaters, the struttingSecretary Bird, and the long-legged
grace of the Crowned Crane - all andmore make this country of classicsavannahs, craters, lakes and rivers amust for the serious birder, as well as
the first-timer to Africa. The massiveherds of wildebeest, zebras,Thompson's Gazelles, the gatheringof Lions, Spotted Hyenas, leopards,cheetahs, along with jackals and
vultures are possible.From the world-renowned
Ngorongoro Crater, the largestunbroken volcanic caldera in theworld, and the Olduvai Gorge,famous for the Leakeys discovery of
remains dating back over 2 millionyears, to lush forests - photograpicopportunities are endless. Join us foryour dream of a lifetime adventure. Red Colobus Monkey, Photo by Herb Clarke
For information anditinerary, contact:
Olga Clarke,Los Angeles Audubon,
Travel Director
2027 El Arbolita Dr.,Glendale, CA91208-1805
Ph/Fax: [email protected]
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Los Angeles Audubon Society
P.O. Box 931057
Los Angeles, CA 90093-1057
DATED MATERIAL
Please Expedite
www . l a a u d u b o n . o r g
Membership MEETINGS
There are No Evening Meetings in July and August - Go Birding!
Coming in September...
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Jordan Karubianpresents Ground-cuckoos, Umbrellabirds and other rain
forest delights: highlights from five years of research and conservation
work in the Ecuadorian Choco.
A u d u b o n H o u s e
L o s A ng e l e s A ud u b on
Headquarters, Nature Store, and Library
7377 Santa Mo nica Blvd. (at M artel Ave.)
West Hollyw ood, CA 90046
OPEN:Monday - Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m
Saturday, July 5, 2008 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m
Saturday, August 2, 2008 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m
CLOSED
Monday, September 1, 2008 - Labor Day