November-December 2009 Western Tanager Newsletter - Los Angeles Audubon

8/8/2019 November-December 2009 Western Tanager Newsletter - Los Angeles Audubon

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Environmental global warming

campaigns and government

policies calling for more re-

newable energy have stimulated a

green rush of renewable energy in

California. The Governors steroidalExecutive order calls for 33% of en-

ergy to be renewable in California by

2020. The Presidents stimulus

package calls for shovel ready re-

newable energy projects by Decem-

ber 2010 to qualify for billions in

federal stimulus money. But, grass-

roots activists and conservation or-

ganizations are pushing back at the

green rush as projects come online

that will destroy the very thing theyare designed to protect, and they are

using sophisticated political advo-

cacy powered by conservation tech-

nology that goes beyond the NIMBY

(Not in My Back Yard) opposition of

the past. This new grassroots advo-

cacy might just bridge the current

Green vs. Green split in the environ-

mental community over renewable

U.S. Department of the Interior and

National Park Service.

But after passage of the 2005

Energy Policy Act, the Bush

administration said the land could beused for solar energy projects. The

Conservancy discovered that the

Bureau of Land Management was

taking applications for large scale

wind and solar projects on the land

to meet renewable energy goals. In

February 2009, Bruce Pavlik

reported in the LA TIMES, that there

were applications for large scale

wind and solar projects on 1.4

million acres of public lands inCalifornia, mainly in the pristine,

unrestorable desert, a green rush

fueled by federal stimulus and

federal and state tax breaks which

environmental organizations had

fought to achieve.

Alarmed, local activists pres-

sured their state organizations and

energy where organization leaders

call for more wind and solar, and

grassroots call for protection of pris-

tine habitat and threatened species.

Case in point: CaliforniasMojave, Sonora, Colorado, Joshua

Tree, Big Morongo Valley, and

Antelope Valley deserts, the

epicenter of solar energy.

The Wildlands Conservancys

acquisition of more than 587,000

acres of desert lands in Southern

California began in 1999, cost around

$40 million, and is the largest

nonprofit land acquisition donated tothe American people in U.S. history.

It includes over 85,000 acres in

Mohave National Preserve, over

20,000 acres in Joshua Tree National

Park, over 210,000 acres in 20 Bureau

of Land Management wilderness

areas, and hundreds of thousands of

acres of important habitat. The over

587,000 acres were donated to the

Volume 76, Number 2 November/December 2009

WESTERNTANAGER

a publication of Los Angeles Audubon www.laaudubon.org

Grassroots activists work to protect California desert

Conservation Conversation, by Garry George


2/12

level of protection as a monument

and put pristine lands off limits to

energy development.

BrightSource Energy Inc. had been

planning its 5,130-acre solar power

farm in a remote part of the Mojave

Desert, but the company, based in

Oakland, California and Jerusalem,Israel, announced in mid-September,

that it would look for another site due

to opposition from environmentalists

and Senator Feinstein.

LADWP is rumored to be

withdrawing their Green Path North

transmission line project through

Big in Morongo Canyon, an

Audubon California IBA, in favor

of existing lines along the I 10 fwy.due to opposition from local

residents, California Desert

Coalition, and local Audubon

chapters including Los Angeles and

San Bernardino Valley.

Newsweek reported in August,

2009, that large scale solar proj-

ects were getting vastly outpaced

by the decentralized rooftop solar

approach. According to the Inter-state Renewable Energy Council's

2006-08 count, consumers added

522 megawatts to the grid;

whereas utility generated sites

added just 96 megawatts.

AB920 from Assemblyman Jared

Huffman (D-San Rafael), is intended

to boost the Million Solar Roofs ini-

tiative. That package of rebates and

other incentives includes sellingelectricity back to the utility grid,

currently prohibited in California.

The bill aims to raise the number of

solar homes in California from

25,000 in 2006 to 1 million in 2016.

Power (pun intended!) from

the grassroots!

lawmakers to help protect California

desert lands habitat and wildlife.

The grassroots pushed the agenda.

In spring 2009, grassroots ac-

tivists and top policy leaders from

Wildlands Conservancy, Defenders

of Wildlife, Sierra Club, Center for

Biological Diversity, NRDC,Audubon California, California

Wilderness Coalition, California

Desert Coalition, National Parks

Conservation Association, and a host

of local desert conservation organi-

zations and land trusts, met in a sum-

mit to compare GIS layers of maps

and biological data as well as

ground truthing of personal testi-

mony on desert sites. In a few

weeks, the group developed a criteriafor siting of projects in the desert to

inform federal and state agencies and

energy developers of areas where

their projects might meet the fewest

environmental obstacles, and encour-

age developers toward industrialized

areas near already existing roads,

cities that need jobs, transmission

centers and lines, and away from

pristine areas and wildlife corridors.

The goal was to protect pristinelands while also closing the gap on

renewable energy portfolio standards

through solar and wind development

in the desert. This was a surprising

moment when local and state conser-

vationists and environmentalists

worked for habitat protection as well

as energy development.

This new balanced movement is

having results and shows the powerof a marriage of overarching policy

and local ground truth.

Some of the recent

developments:

As of late September, Senator

Dianne Feinstein is preparing to

introduce legislation in Congress

that could give the Mojave a higher

E2 Western Tanager Vol. 76, No.2

The mission of Los Angeles Audubon Society is to

promote the enjoyment and protection of birds and

other wildlife through recreation, education,

conservation and restoration.

Los Angeles Audubon is a non-profit volunteer

organization of people with a common interest in

birding and natural history. Los Angeles Audubonmaintains offices, a library, and bookstore, the

proceeds of which benefit all of its programs.

Los Angeles Audubon Society

Audubon House

7377 Santa Monica Blvd.,

W. Hollywood, CA 90046-6694

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 931057, Los Angeles, CA 90093-1057

(323) 876-0202 (voice/messages)

(323) 876-7609 (fax)

[email protected] (general email)

www.laaudubon.org

Board Officers

President David De Lange

1st Vice President Garry George

2nd Vice President Paul Fox

Executive Secretary Linda Oberholtzer

Recording Secretary Eleanor Osgood

Treasurer Lisa Fimiani

Executive Past President Dexter Kelly

Programs & Activities

Conservation Garry George

Field Trips Nick Freeman

Bird Walks Eleanor Osgood

Pelagic Trips Phil Sayre

Membership Meetings Mary Freeman

Ornithology Consultant Kimball Garrett

Rare Bird Alert Jon Fisher

Report Rare Birds (323) 874-1318

Volunteer Coordinator Eleanor Osgood

Library Dorothy Schwarz

Staff

Executive Director Mary Loquvam

Director of Interpretation Stacey Vigallon

Audubon House Administrator Martha Balkan

Membership Services Susan Castor

Audubon House Bookstore

Orders (888) 522-7428

Fax (323) 876-7609

Bookstore Manager (323) 876-0202

Hours Mon-Thurs 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

1st Sat. ea. month 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Online Nature Store

www.losangelesaudubon.org/store

WESTERNTANAGERPublished by

Los Angeles Audubon Society

Western Tanageris published bi-monthly. For address changes or

subscription problems call (323) 876-0202, or write to Member

Services, Los Angeles Audubon, PO Box 931057, Los Angeles, CA

90093-1057. Submissions are due the 1st of the month, two months

before the date of the issue. Please send submissions as Microsoft

Word or RTF documents, or plain text files, to Linda Oberholtzer at

[email protected].

Editor Linda Oberholtzer

Layout Susan Castor

Proofreaders Hanna Hayman, Kimball Garrett

Printed on Recycled Paper


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Western Tanager November/December 2009 E3

Interpreting Nature

Students complete Baldwin Hills

Boot Camp 2009

From August 24th through

September 3rd, 2009 students

accepted to the Baldwin Hills

Greenhouse Internship and

Restoration Leader programs

completed Baldwin Hills Boot

Camp, an intensive summer training

session designed to prepare them

for the challenges of conducting

scientific research, leading

community volunteers during

habitat restoration events, and

teaching elementary school

students. With temperatures in the

high 90s for most days, these

dedicated students nonetheless

showed up to spend long hours

outdoors at Kenneth Hahn State

Recreation Area and Baldwin Hills

Scenic Overlook State Park.

Orienteering with map and

compass, soil sampling, pollination

biology, and invasive plant removal

were just a few of the activities on

the schedule. In addition, Interns

and Restoration Leaders spent

several afternoons writing an

environmental curriculum for Leo

Politi Elementary School students,

with a plan to work together to

create an on-campus native plant

garden. We hope you enjoy these

photo highlights!

The Baldwin Hills Greenhouse

Program is the result of a

partnership between Los Angeles

Audubon and NewFields (formerly

EARTHWORKS Restoration), with

funding from the Baldwin Hills

Conservancy and TogetherGreen.

Participating students are from

Susan Miller Dorsey High School.

This is the programs second year.

By Stacey Vigallon

Director of Interpretation

During an introduction to pollination biology,

Interns dissected flowers to gain a better understanding of

how plants and their pollinators interact.

Restoration Leaders assessed

bird abundance and species diversity

along a stretch of theBallona Creek in Culver City.

Students worked hard at

Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area

to remove invasive fennel and pampas grass.

Interns and Restoration

Leaders built nest boxes for native bees

in addition to building soil sieves for use

during habitat restoration events.

Dr. Margot Griswold, restoration ecologist,

led students on a hike to identify invasive plant species

at Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area.


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The big story was the Station Fire

of late August and early Septem-

ber. There is no precedent in the

countys recorded history for the extent

of destruction that this event brought to

the western San Gabriels.

Years of drought and notoriously

rugged terrain made for an explosivecombination as this fire tore through

nearly 250 square miles of thick dry veg-

etation. Its difficult to grasp the fact that

this fire affected a full one fourth of the

Angeles National Forest.

A number of residents living near

the base of the mountains provided anec-

dotal information about increases of

birds in backyards and at feeders due to

displacement as a result of the fire. Un-usual though the scope of this fire was,

predictions are that more such major

fires will occur as long term drought

conditions persist

Though still the middle of summer,

July and August were months of change.

Shorebirds were steadily increasing in

number and some waterfowl had arrived

by the end of the period. Passerine

movement was evident in July and obvi-ous by mid-August. In addition to regu-

lar migrants, a number of minor vagrants

were recorded over the past two months.

Spring migrants have a critical drive

to reproduce and the pace is intense. In

fall, birds travel in a more leisurely fash-

ion and may linger for days or even

weeks before continuing their southward

journey. This is also the time when birds

on the move tend to go wildly off course.

Both of these things are good for birders,

as vagrants tend to be easier to re-find,

and the birds can be very good ones.

The lower LA River lived up to

its reputation as a premier birding lo-

cation in the county. To the uniniti-ated, the number of birds that

congregate here is amazing. Aes-

thetically, the river doesnt score

high marks and junk of almost any

kind can turn up. Dolls, tricycles,

shopping carts, suitcases, rubber

balls, plastic containers of every de-

scription and a myriad of plastic

bags can be found. Sadly, many

view the river as a garbage dump.

Though the trash and other pol-

lutants inevitably have effects, it

doesnt appear to bother the birds in

the short term; they come here in

droves. Most of our scarce but regu-

lar shorebirds including Solitary,

Bairds and Semipalmated Sand-

pipers had all appeared on the river

by the second week of August, but it

wasnt until the end of the month

though that two truly significant va-grants turned up.

As is typical in summer, few waterfowl

of note were to be found. One of these

was a Cackling Goose that appeared at

El Dorado Park in Long Beach on July

31 (Karen Gilbert). Also present was a

very worn Brant on the LA River in

Long Beach from July 30-August 9

(Richard Barth) and two American

Wigeon that summered at Bonelli Park

in San Dimas with sightings from June

30-August 3 (Andrew Lee).

A Brown Booby was photographed

in the Catalina Channel on August

15, a record which falls within the

expected window for post-breedingwanderers (Jess Morton). While this

species breeds commonly not far

south of us in the Gulf of California,

it is rarely recorded in the county.

Pelicans of interest included a Brown

Pelican well away from the coast along

the San Gabriel River in South El Monte

on July 31 (Rick Swarzentrover) and an

American White Pelican on the San

Gabriel River near the Pacific CoastHighway on August 30 (Ron Cyger).

The previously reported Little Blue

Heron was reported through August 1 at

Del Rey Lagoon and a Cattle Egret was

on LA River in Long Beach on August 6

(Karen Gilbert).

Small numbers ofWhite-faced Ibis

moved through the coastal slope during

the period with reports roughly split be-tween Malibu Lagoon and the San

Gabriel and LA Rivers.

An interesting report was a probable

Sharp-shinned Hawkin the San

Gabriel Mountains on August 15 (Lance

Benner). This is a time of year when mi-

grants are absent, and if correct this

record suggests that a few individuals


birds of the season by Jon Fisher


5/12


may regularly summer and perhaps even

breed locally. A very few historical

breeding records do exist for the San

Gabriels and other southern California

mountain ranges.

A juvenile Northern Harrier turned up

at Santa Fe Dam in Irwindale on July 25

and was seen through August 9 (AndrewLee), demonstrating that fall migrants

can show up quite early in the season.

ACommon Moorhen was observed

with young on the San Gabriel River in

South El Monte on August 2. Although

this species is scarce in summer, appro-

priate patches of habitat occasionally if

not regularly support breeding pairs

(Rick Swarzentrover).

The first Solitary Sandpiper of the

fall was on the lower LA River on

August 7 (Andrew Lee). A handful

of others were found along the river

through August 26 and a few were at

other locations on the coastal slope.

On the desert, two were at the Piute

Ponds on August 19 (Tom Miko).

The highlight of the fall thus far was

a Hudsonian Godwit seen onlybriefly on the lower LA River on

August 22 (Steve Sosensky, Bruce &

Greg Aird). Only the second county

record, this bird vanished after a few

minutes, never to be seen again. In

fall most of these godwits follow a

route that takes them over the

Atlantic Ocean. They are also rare

but expected vagrants in the northern

half of the state, but most seem to

correct course and only very rarelyappear in southern California.

This remarkable find was followed three

days later by another very rare shorebird.

ABuff-breasted Sandpiper was found

on the river near DeForest Park in Long

Beach from August 25-26 (Karen

Gilbert, Richard Barth, Jeff Boyd).

(Karen Gilbert, Jeff Boyd).

White-winged Doves are rare but regu-

lar late summer and fall visitors. The

first of the season was one at El Dorado

Park in Long Beach on September 7

(Karen Gilbert).

Chimney Swifts- the default Chaeturafrom June until mid August were along

the LA River in Long Beach on July 24

(Andrew Lee) with two or more being

reported in this general area at least

through August 22.

Empidonax flycatchers included a Gray

Flycatcherback for a third winter at

Bonelli Park in San Dimas by August 3

(Andrew Lee) and a probable Least

Flycatcherat Ballona FWM onSeptember 7 (Russell & Dorothy Stone).

An immature Vermilion Flycatcher

was at Kenneth Hahn Park in Baldwin

Hills on August 22 (Ann & Eric

Brooks). This was certainly a dispersing

bird that had hatched elsewhere, rather

than the result of local breeding.

An Eastern Kingbird was at El

Dorado Park in Long Beach on July14, a date that could pertain to either

a late spring bird or an early fall

migrant (Karen Gilbert).

Away from breeding areas were two

Bells Vireos along the LA River in

Long Beach on August 6. Another was

in Long Beach on August 13 (Karen

Gilbert) and a report came from Peck

Park in Arcadia on September 6

(Andrew Lee). Increasing local breedingpopulations are resulting in many more

reports of migrants and dispersing birds.

A juvenile Loggerhead Shrike, unlikely

to have fledged locally, was near Playa

Del Rey from July 14 - 20 (Jonathan

Coffin) and two adults were reported in

this area by August 28 (Loretta Selinger,

Jonathan Coffin).

TwoRed Knots scarce migrants in the

county were on the lower LA River on

August 13 (Karen Gilbert, Jeff Boyd)

and seven were observed there on Au-

gust 18 (Paul Weers).

The first Semipalmated Sandpiper of

the fall was on the LA River from

August 6-10 (Richard Barth). A fewothers turned up later in the month, all

along the LA River.

ABairds Sandpiper was on the LA

River in Long Beach as early as July 23

(Karen Gilbert, Jeff Boyd) and a number

of Bairds appeared on there in the

following weeks. Sightings away from

that locale included two on the Rio

Hondo near El Monte on August 10

(John Garrett) and up to five were on theRio Hondo near Rosemead from August

21-26 (Andrew Lee, Peter Sharp). On

the desert, three were at the Piute Ponds

on August 19 (Tom Miko).

The first Pectoral Sandpiper reported

was on the LA River in Long Beach on

August 18 (Richard Barth), with a hand-

ful of others being encountered later in

the period. Others turned up on the Rio

Hondo north of Rush Street in South ElMonte on August 25 and on the San

Gabriel River in Cerritos on August 30

(Ron Cyger)

Quite unusual was a South Polar Skua

seen very close to shore near San Pedro

on September 6 (Graham Langley).

Though regular well offshore, birds this

close to the coast are unexpected.

Also expected well offshore, but veryrare inland, was an adult Long-tailed

Jaeger at the Lancaster Sewer Ponds on

August 22 (Mark & Janet Scheel).

Away from the deserts where they are

expected in spring and fall was a Black

Tern was on the lower LA River on

August 22 (obs?) with the same bird or

another seen there on September 8


6/12


AYellow-headed Blackbird was on the

LA River in Long Beach on August 18

(Karen Gilbert) and another was there on

August 22 (obs?).

While shorebird migration is

waning, the bulk of passerine mi-

grants are still moving through and

September, October and Novemberwill bring some good birds.

Experience tells us that long after

migration has ended, vagrant songbirds

will continue to be found well into

December. Mild weather and exotic

plantings offer the potential for unusual

birds to be found in parks, backyards and

along our river channels.

Northern Shovelers, Cinnamon Tealand Northern Pintails began arriving in

late August, but waterfowl numbers wont

peak until November. Any pond, lake or

river channel is worth checking and can

harbor a variety of waterfowl or a vagrant

or two. Recall last years late November

Barrows Goldeneye at Quail Lake?

In spite of the apparent devastation,

areas burned by the Station Fire should

not be neglected as birding dead zones.Once the burned areas are reopened to

public access which may not be for

some time- there will be a good opportu-

nity to observe the changes taking place.

A worthwhile project would be to

pick one or more locations in the burned

area and cover them regularly while tak-

ing good notes. eBird is a great place to

enter your data for this and of course for

any other birding trips.

Taking notes appears tedious at first,

but once incorporated into your birding

routine, it becomes habit. Entering trip

lists into eBird also makes them readily

available in a way that was never before

possible. Note taking tends to make us

better birders too its a good deal

all around.

ABank Swallow a scarce migrant any-

where on the coastal slope- was at Santa

Fe Dam on August 9 (Andrew Lee) and

many were at the Piute Ponds on August

19 where typically small numbers are

expected (Tom Miko).

Several sightings of White-breasted

Nuthatches on the coastal slope inJuly and early August seemed to in-

dicate a general movement of this

species into the lowlands, but no

subsequent reports surfaced.

The first report of a migrant Hermit

Thrush came from UCLA in Westwood

on September 9 (Linda Navroth).

The continuing pair ofNorthern

Parulas at the Village GreenCondominiums in Los Angeles were

confirmed nesting on July 29. Soon

thereafter the nest was predated and

no sign of the young birds could be

found. A presumed fall migrant

showed up at this locale on

September 8, but when a second bird

appeared there on September 10,

there was some suspicion that these

birds may have been associated with

the earlier nesting attempt (DonSterba). Another Northern Parula

was at Oak Park Cemetery in

Claremont from September 4-6

(Mike San Miguel Jr.)

Lucys Warblers were in Long Beach

on July 23 and on August 18 (Karen

Gilbert, Jeff Boyd) and one was at Peck

Park in Arcadia on September 6

(Andrew Lee).

Virginias Warblers were at Bosque del

Rio Hondo in South El Monte on August

30 (Steve Bernal), at Oak Park Cemetery

in Claremont from September 4-6 (Tom

Miko), and at DeForest Park in Long

Beach on September 8 (Karen Gilbert,

Jeff Boyd).

Very early was a Yellow-rumped

Warbler reported at Hahamongna

Watershed Park in Pasadena on August

15 (Sue Horton).

Wrapping up the warblers was a Black-

and-white Warbler at Madrona Marsh

in Torrance on August 5 (Dave Moody).

ABrewers Sparrow at Peck Park in Ar-

cadia on September 6 (Andrew Lee) was

the only report thus far from the coastal

slope, although this species is normally a

scarce but regular fall migrant away from

the deserts.

Black-throated Sparrows

typically juveniles- are rare but

regular coastally in fall and one in

Malibu on September 9 was the onlyone reported thus far (Scott King)

At the early end of the window for

fall migrants was an adult male

Lark Bunting found and pho-

tographed at the Long Beach Air-

port on August 13 (Matt Teutimez).

A Large-billed Savannah Sparrow

was at away from expected areas at

Malibu Lagoon on September 7 (JonFisher). A few post-breeding birds

move north from Baja each year and

are most commonly recorded on the

jetties at Marina del Rey.

An adult male Rose-breasted

Grosbeakwas at DeForest Park in

Long Beach on August 13 (Karen

Gilbert, Jeff Boyd) and another was

at Oak Park Cemetery in Claremont

on August 23 (Rick Clements).

An Indigo Bunting was on the

San Gabriel River in Pico Rivera

on August 1 (Larry Schmahl).

Others were at Madrona Marsh

in Torrance from August 1-4 and

and at Hahamongna Watershed

Park in Pasadena on August 15

(Sue Horton).


7/12


aCKNOWLEDGEMENTS

DONORS

Harvey Abrams

Sandra Ferrari Disner

Lisa Fimiani

Grace Evangelical

Lutheran Church

Margaret Maw

Myra PomerantzPaula Reynosa

Ted & Nancy J Rose

Heidi Schwindt

Tanis Sugden & Lisa Mark

Michael Swimmer

Gary Turner

James Walters

NEW LAAS SUPPORTERS

Stephen Dexter

Pamela King

Karen Pinkus & Robert Kaufman

RENEWED LAAS SUPPORTERS

Sandra Albers

Ed & Marnell Bruce

Dan D'Urso

Nancy Freeman

William & Bernhild Heckmann

Paul Nelson

Drew Pallette

Joan L. Roach

Margaret F. Sobel

Richard Sutton

Robert Whittaker

Irwin Woldman

IN MEMORY OFJane Dicker Jones

Virginia Shabaik

Jean M Shreve

Linda Michele

IN PASSING

Gerry Haigh has passed. Gerry was

our friend, a long time chapter mem-

ber of Los Angeles Audubon, and

leader of our Topanga State Park bird

walks. He lead this walk nearly

every month since 1972, stepping

down in November of 2002. Gerry

also contributed many articles to our

newsletter, the Western Tanager.

Bird Walk Report

adults. We were just about to give up on

the herons when an adult Black-crowned

Night-Heron flew into a tree directly

overhead; then as we were leaving we

spotted a first year bird in its juvenile

plumage perched in a different tree. To

top things off we observed a Cooper's

Hawk that was standing along side the

pathway, swoop up and land 3 feet from

the, now highly nervous (or inquisitive),

young Black-crowned Night-Heron.

Asmall group of novice bird

watchers spent Sunday morning,

September 19th walking about

Kenneth Hahn Park looking for those

elusive coastal scrub birds. For the first

time the sparrows failed to make an

appearance at our traditional starting

point above the parking area. Despite

their absence we spent an hour at this

location stalkingEpidinax flycatchers, a

wren and vireos flitting about in the

shrubs. We were finally able to get a

decent look at two of the birds, to

identify them as a Pacific-slope

Flycatcher and a Warbling Vireo, two

migrants on their way south. The wren

remained hidden despite its frequent

scolding and movement throughout the

area. Usually a House Wren inhabits the

slopes and it was assumed that that is

what we were hearing. Overhead were

resident Western Scrub-Jays; and

periodically we could hear a California

Towhee.

We then walked over to Gwen

Moore Lake looking for egrets and

herons. While waiting for their

appearance we had the opportunity to

study the plumage of a pair of young

American Coots compared with the

We definitely had to work for our

birds but the weather was great and

participants learned a lot along the way.

Other birds seen that day were: Says

Phoebe, Black Phoebe, Red-tailed

Hawk, Brewers Blackbird, Song

Sparrow, Allens Hummingbird,

Mallard, Barn Swallow, a swift,

Mourning Doves, Nutalls and Downy

Woodpeckers, Bushtits, Northern

Mockingbird, European Starlings,

House Finches and House Sparrows.

by Eleanor Osgood

Gwen Moore Lake, KHP photo by Eleanor Osgood


8/12


for those parking at the lagoon.

No sign-up for this trip.

Saturday, January 9

East Antelope Valley

Leader: Stan Gray. We will be

birding beyond 50th Street Eas

for much of the day, in areassometimes neglected by birders

However, Stan birds this area

regularly, and knows tha

Mountain Plover, raptors, Le

Contes Thrasher and other AV

specialties are sometimes easier

to find in the far eastern reaches

of the Valley. Take Hwy 14 N to

Avenue S (next to Lake

Palmdale). Drive into the Park

and-Ride just to the east of theofframp. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the

W end of the main lot. Bring

lunch and a full tank of gas for a

full day of splendor in the alfalfa

No fee, no reservation. Scope

and FRS radios helpful.

Saturday, January 16

Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Area

Leader:Kris Ohlenkamp. Freeway close

morning of birding. Kris has led this walkon-and-off for over 30 years, noting 240

species, and averaging 60-65 per walk

Take the 405 fwy N into the San Fernando

Valley, turn W on Burbank Blvd. and N

(Rt.) on Woodley Ave. to the second Rt.

which is marked Wildlife Reserve. Turn

here and park in the lot at the end. Meet a

8:00 a.m., and bird until about 11:30 a.m.

exit E at Ramona Expressway,

continue E just past Perris Blvd.,

and meet at the Farmer Boys

Restaurant on the S side of the

road. Leave from here at 8:00

a.m. Bring lunch, warm clothing

and footwear for possible mud.Possible entrance fee.

Saturday, November 28

West Antelope Valley Raptors

and Other Wintering Birds

Jean Brandtwill lead us from

Quail Lake east across the

Antelope Valley. Ferruginous

Hawk and Prairie Falcon likely.

Wear warm clothing, bring lunch,

and have a full tank of gas. Meetat Dennys at 6:45 a.m. to

carpool. Take 405 N to Roxford

in Sylmar. Turn right, then right

into the Dennys parking lot. Trip

leaves at 7:00 a.m. sharp. Rain

cancels. Scopes and FRS radios

helpful.

Sunday, December 6

Malibu Lagoon

Leader: Irwin Woldman.Wintering shorebirds, seabirds

and gulls will predominate. Sora

and Virginia Rails possible. Take

PCH N over the bridge in

Malibu, and turn right on Cross

Creek Road for street parking

(and Starbucks). Cross PCH, and

meet in the lagoon parking lot at

8 a.m., and bird until lunch. Fee

Field trips often require more time

or effort than do bird walks. They

delve more deeply into

identification, natural histories and

interactions observed in the field.

No pets or small children, please.

Contact information will be

released for carpooling unlessrequested otherwise.

Before setting out on any event, please

call the LAAS bird tape at

(323) 874-1318, Option #4.

For a recorded message with special

instructions or possible cancellations

that may have occurred.

Same will be posted on our website.

www.laaudubon.org

Sunday, November 1

Oxnard PlainLeader: Mary & Nick Freeman.

Meet at the Hueneme sod fields at

8:00 a.m. to look over the

American Pipits for the Red-

throated variety, as well as

longspurs. Golden-Plovers are

also possible. There may be

eastern vagrants to chase. Mugu

estuary, Sycamore Canyon, and

local tamarisk stands are also

possibilities. From the 101 N,drive S on Rice Avenue to the

end, then turn Rt. on Hueneme

Rd. Meet on the N (Rt) side of

Hueneme Rd. a few blocks west

of this turn, and just before

Casper Rd. Scopes helpful. Bring

lunch and bird till we drop.

Nominal donation suggested,

envelope provided.

Saturday, November 7Lake Perris Area

Leader:Howard King. The Little

Gulls, Ruddy Ground-Dove, and

Least and Vermilion flycatchers

of past years may not be back, but

surely something will take their

places! Last year, TWO Lesser

Black-backed Gulls! Take the 10

or 60 Fwy E to the 215 Fwy S,

Field TripsChristmas Bird Counts

Saturday, December 19

Lancaster Christmas Bird Count

Contact compilerNick & Mary

Freemanat: (818) 247-6172 or

[email protected] beplaced on a team or be given an area.

Sunday, December 20

Malibu Christmas Bird Count

ContactcompilerLarry Allen at:

(626) 288-2701 or

[email protected] participate


9/12


FIELD TRIP FEES UPDATE:

After considerable feedback from the

Societys members and leaders, LA

Audubon has decided to change its

philosophy on trip fees, and roll back

fees to cover anticipated expenses only.

We do listen to our members! We still

plan to award Ralph M. Schreiber

Research Grants. Envelopes for

voluntary donations to support LA

Audubon and its field trips, will bedistributed on some non-fee trips.

Please consider supporting your field

trips with your donations.

TO RESERVE BY MAIL

Send SASE, fee (or donation) to:

Los Angeles Audubon

PO Box 931057

Los Angeles, CA 90093-1057

TO RESERVE BY PHONE

Call (323) 876-0202.

Saturday and Sunday,

January 23 & 24

Salton Sea

Leaders: Nick & Mary Freeman.

Fee: $15. No Limit, but sign up

with phone, e-mail, and SASE for

more details. Meet at 7:00 a.m.

Saturday at the Wister Unit

parking lot, 5 miles north ofNiland. Calipatria Inn (800) 830-

1113 and Brawley Inn (760)

344-1199 are recommended.

More details next issue.

Saturday, January 30

Newport Back Bay

Leader:Mary Freeman. Meet at

8:00 a.m. for the 6.8 high tide, and a

full day of birding. Hopefuls:

Nelsons Sparrow and Short-earedOwl (both rare), California

Gnatcatcher, three rails, and

American Bittern. Take the 405 Fwy

S to the 73 Toll Road (free this far)

to the Campus Dr. exit, which

becomes Bristol St. Turn right on

Irvine Ave., drive 1.4 miles, then

turn left on a small street called

University Drive, park at the end,

and walk down the trail and

boardwalk. No sign up or fee. Bringlunch. More details next issue.

Saturday and Sunday,

February 6 & 7

Carrizo Plain

Leaders:Mary & Nick Freeman. Meet

at 8 a.m. in Maricopa. Spectacular

scenery. We will see Ferruginous

Hawks, Golden Eagles, Le Contes

Thrasher, and pronghorn; with likely

Rough-legged Hawk. If possible, please

carpool or avail your vehicle to others

when you reserve. Your phone number

will be released for carpooling unless

you request otherwise. Send name,

phone #, e-mail, $15 per person, and

SASE to our P.O. Box to sign up.

Reserve a room in Buttonwillow for

Saturday night. Motel 6 is one optionhere. Limit: 14. More details next issue.

AUDUBON MORROW BAY

2010 BIRD FESTIVAL

The Morro Bay Winter Bird

Festival is set for January 15 - 18,

2010. To register and for more

information about the Festival,

check out the website at

www.morrobaybirdfestival.org, orcall (805) 772-4677.

Both the brochure and online

registration will be available

October 1, 2009. The registration

deadline is December 31, 2009 but

early signups are encouraged as the

most popular events fill up quickly.

aNNOUNCEMENT!

Los Angeles Audubon has

joined forces with Leo Politi

Elementary School and

through a U.S. Fish & Wildlife

Service grant will be installing

a Native Habitat on 6,000

square feet of underutilized

schoolyard! Please join us and

the Leo Politi School

Community and help install

the garden! Followinginstallation, we will have a

ceremony dedicating the

garden to Johnny Mercer

famous song-writer and angel

patron of Los Angele

Audubon!

Come celebrate!

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Leo Politi Elementary School

2481 West Eleventh StreetLos Angeles, CA 90006

9:00 a.m. noon

REFRESHMENTS SERVED!

MUSIC PROVIDED!

RSVP TO:

[email protected]

Sunday, February 28

Seal Beach National Wildlife

Refuge (in SBNWS)

Refuge staff, volunteer Jo

Nieto, and Nick Freeman wil

lead. Excellent wintering birds

often Nelson's (Sharp-tailed)

Sparrow. U.S. citizens send SASE

to Audubon House with e-maiand phone number (phone #

required) by February 18. Meet a

the main public lot at 800 Seal

Beach Blvd. and Forrestal Lane at

7:30 a.m., and bird until noon. 24

participants. No fee. Read nex

issue for necessary information

and directions.

LeContes Thrasher, Photo by Mary Freeman


10/12


Bird Walks are appropriate for young

bird watchers age 6 years and older.

Carpooling is encouraged.

Binoculars are provided on some

walks as noted below. NO sign-up,

NO fees, just show up!

Topanga State Park Birdwalk

1st Sunday of every month

Leaders:Ken Wheelandand

Chris Tosdevin

Sunday, November 1 2009

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Ken and Chris will lead participants

through this beautiful and diverse

coastal mountain/riparian area. Anideal trip for a beginning birder or

someone new to the area.

Directions from Ventura Blvd: Take

Topanga Canyon Blvd 7 miles S.

Turn E uphill on Entrada Rd. Follow

the signs and turn left into Trippet

Ranch parking lot.

Directions from Pacific Coast Hwy:

Take Topanga Canyon Blvd. 5 miles

to Entrada Rd. Parking fee.

Contacts: Ken: (310) 455-1401

[email protected];

Chris: (310) 455-1270

Upper Franklin Canyon

(Sooky Goldman Nature Center)

2nd Sunday of every month

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Leader:Eleanor Osgood

Join us as we take a casual walk

around the ponds and trails of this

urban oak woodland nature preserve.

The wintering birds have mostly

arrived. We are likely to see White-

Crowned and Fox Sparrows,

Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Western

Meadowlarks and if real lucky a

Sharp-shinned Hawk. Wintering

water birds we might encounter

include Pied-billed Grebe, Ruddy

Duck and Ring-necked Duck. We

will look for our resident birds

California Quail, Spotted and

California Towhees, California

Thrashers and Western Scrub-Jays

among others. This canyon is ahidden treasure where the surrouding

urban residences of Sherman Oaks

and Beverly Hills disappear from

view. Meet in the main parking lot of

the Sooky Goldman Nature Center.

Binoculars provided.

Directions from the 101 Freeway:

Take Coldwater Canyon Blvd. south

to the intersection of Coldwater

Canyon and Mulholland Drive. Make

a 90 degree right turn onto FranklinCanyon Drive. There is no sign

indicating the entrance to the park;

the turn at Franklin Canyon Road

reads Road Closed 800 Feet and

Sunrise to Sunset; this is the park

entrance. Do not make a U-turn as

this will take you onto Mulholland

Drive instead of Franklin Canyon.

Stay on paved road to reach the

Sooky Goldman Nature Center

parking lot.

Directions from Sunset: Take

Coldwater Canyon to Mulholland Dr.

Turn left on Mulholland. Make left

turn at the signal onto Franklin

Canyon Dr. (refer to directions from

101 Freeway).

If you wish to carpool, or for more

information, contact Eleanor Osgood

at [email protected] call

(310) 839-5420.

Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area

3rd Saturday of the month

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Ann andEric Brooks (Nov);

Eleanor Osgood(Dec.)

This trip covers landscaped parkland,

lake and native coastal scrub habitats

and is paced for beginning birders.

Most of the wintering birds will have

arrived. We are likely to see White-

Crowned, Golden-crowned and Fox

Sparrows, Ruby-crowned Kinglets

and if real lucky a Sharp-shinned

Hawk Some possible wintering ducksare American Wigeon, Ring-necked

Duck. We should also see the coastal

scrub residents as well as water birds

such as Black-crowned Night-Heron,

Osprey, Great Egret which are

attracted to the lake.

Directions: The park entrance is off

of La Cienega Blvd. between Rodeo

Rd. and Stocker St. After passing the

entrance kiosk ($6.00 parking fee),

make a left at the first turn whichleads to the Olympic Forest. Park

in the frrst available spaces. We will

meet there. Binoculars provided.

If you wish to carpool, or for more

information, contact Eleanor Osgood

at [email protected]

(310)-839-5420.

Ballona Wetlands Bird Walk

3rd Sunday of the month

(No walk in December)

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Leaders: Bob Shanman and Friends

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Join us for a walk through L.A.s

only remaining saltwater marsh and

the adjacent rocky jetty. Wintering

shorebirds and terns should be

present, plus the resident Black

Oystercatchers frequent the rocky

shores of Ballona Creek. Meet at the

Del Rey Lagoon parking lot.

Directions: take the Marina Fwy (90)

to Culver Blvd and turn left for a

mile. Turn right on Pacific Ave. The

lot is on the right. Lot or street

parking is usually not a problem.

Three hour walk. scopes helpful.

Contact: Bob (310) 326-2473

[email protected]

Bird Walks


11/12

near the Panama border

Corcovado N.P. and Drake Bay inthe south Pacific with miles of

pristine beaches and tropic

rainforest; Excursion to Cano

Island.

You may wish to extend your

visit with an Extension to Panama

or you can do Panama separately.

With a short flight from Costa

Rica to Panama, we will visit manyof the world-famous birding areas

such as Soberania N.P.; Pipeline

Road and Achiote Road; Chagres

N.P. Rainforest and a brief visit to

the Embera native tribe; Enjoy a

partial transit to experience th

historic passage through the

Panama Canal; ending with birding

in the Metropolitan N.P.


BEST OF COSTA RICA

March 5 to 15, 2010

(Featuring an optional

extension to Panama) or

PANAMA

March 15 to 22, 2010

Two of the world's premiernatural history destinations.

Well known by birders

throughout the world for their

natural riches, offering numerous

species of colorful birds and other

wildlife. This action packed

itinerary for incredible neotropical

birding will excite the novice and

enthrall the expert.

We'll be birding new areas onthis Costa Rica trip. Spectacular

scenery from the Caribbean slopes

of the Talamanca Mountains at

Rancho Naturalista for both

Atlantic and Pacific birds; Piedras

Blancas N.P., in humid tropical

primary rainforest; Las Cruces

Biological Station and Wilson

Botanical Gardens in the

southwestern pre-montane range

ECUADOR: BEST OF

THE ANDES

Dec. 26, 2009 - Jan. 9, 2010

Galapagos ExtensionJan. 8 - 13, 2010

Ecuador may be one of South

America's smallest countries,

but for phenomenal birding

and spectacular scenery, its extreme

biodiversity cannot be imagined.

You must see for yourself the

constant parade of unusual species

of birds in these renowned highland

birding areas, the Northwestern and

Eastern slopes of the Andes. Visit

seven zones of different regions onthis serious but friendly excursion,

accompanied by a local expert

guide. Based at the famous San

Jorge De Quito Eco-Lodge, only a

20 minute drive from the airport in

Quito, we'll be birding the

Yanacocha Reserve, Mindo,

Tandayapa Valley, Milpe, Papallacta

Pass, Yanayuca, the slopes of the

Antisana Volcano, and more.

Dozens of species of hummingbirdsand fruit eaters coming to feeders.

For information and itinerary on

International Birding Tours, contact:

Olga Clarke [email protected]

Los Angeles Audubon, Travel Director

2027 El Arbolita Dr.

Glendale, CA 91208-1805

Ph/Fax: (818) 249-9511

International Birding Tours

Turquoise-browed Motmot, Photo by Ann Brooks

Golden-hooded Tanager, Photo by Ann Brooks

On the Galapagos

Extension, you'll walk

some of the same trails

that Charles Darwin did

as a naturalist in 1831.

With expert guides, see

Galapagos Tortoise,Green Turtles,

Galapagos Sea Lions,

Chatham Lava Lizard,

several types of

reptiles, including the

colorful Marine Iguana and the

oversized Lava Lizard. Close views

of Waved Albatross, Magnificent

Frigatebirds, Galapagos Penguins, Blue-

footed and Nazca Boobies, Brown

Noddies, Galapagos Hawk and severalspecies of finches. Great photographic

opportunities throughout.


12/12

AUDUBON HOUSE

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Saturday, November 7 December 5

December 12 December 19

10 a.m.-3p.m.

Holidays Closed:

Thanksgiving, November 26th- 29th, Thurs. - Sun.

Christmas, December 24th- 27th, Thurs. - Sun.

New Years, December 31st- January 3rd, Thurs. - Sun.

NO Saturday openings in January 2010

AUDUBON HOUSE HOURS

Regular Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9:30 a.m. until 4:00p.m.

Regularly Closed: Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

Extended Hours Program Evening:

2ndWednesday of each month

9:30 a.m until 9:45p.m.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009Tom Kaminski presents: "Hooked on Galapagos Birds"

It is cast in the same mold as its predecessor, "Hooked on

Hummingbirds", that is, it is both educational and entertaining.

And like its predecessor, it uses slow motion, stop motion, extreme

close-up videography and other techniques to help the viewer see

very clearly, some of the fascinating behaviors that they otherwise

may miss. Among other things, viewers get to:

Swim with Galapagos Penguins as they slice through their prey...

See a frigatebird literally drag a Blue-footed Booby through the air...

Join a Lava Heron unique to the Galapagos Islands -- as it sneaks up on

a Sally Lightfoot Crab... Observe Storm Petrels walking on water...

Watch a Galapagos Hawk devour its prey, then sneeze...

Be introduced to the Flightless Cormorant, Darwin's Finches, and many,

many other bird species.

Maps help to orient the viewer. Tom of course couldn't resist throwing in one

of Ecuador's fabulously beautiful hummers during brief mention of places to

visit in the Quito area.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009Larry Allen presents:

What Gull is That ? Speciation among the

Larids

When the next edition of your favorite North American

field guide is published, you will note that the scientific

names of many Gull (and other) species will have changed:

Bonaparte's Gull will be Chroicocephalus philadelphia and

Laughing Gull will beLeucophaeus atricilla for example.

And, if your field guide follows AOU order, Swallow-tailed

Gull will be the first picture in the gull section. Larry will

discuss the reasons for these changes and touch on the

history of gull systematics. We will explore some of the

problems imposed by hybridization and the comparatively

recent evolutionary radiation of many gull species. Larry

will also provide identification tips to help in

discriminating among the many members of this interesting

and complex group.

mONTHLY pROGRAMSMeet at 7:30 PM in the Community Building in Plummer Park

7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046

Swallow-tailed Gull,Photo by Larry W. Allen.Blue-footed Boobie, by Christopher Taylor, www.kiwifoto.com

November-December 2009 Western Tanager Newsletter - Los Angeles Audubon

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Transcript of November-December 2009 Western Tanager Newsletter - Los Angeles Audubon