SPEAKER SERIES Newsletter of the Marin Audubon Society. Vol. 60, No. 06 February 2018 Free and Open to the public Richardson Bay Audubon Center 376 Greenwood Beach Road, Tiburon Information: 415/789-0703

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8 7:30 PM Addressing Scientific Uncertainty in Wetland Restoration of San Francisco Bay The MARIN AUDUBONRail SOCIETY With John Y. Takekawa Settlement Reached in Marin Audubon Lawsuit Against MCOSD e are pleased to announce that, after more than a year of negotiation, MAS has reached a settlement Len Blumin agreementW in our suit against the Marin County Marsh Wren Open Space District (OSD) brought to protect Restoration of salt ponds has been a the threatened Northern Spotted (NSO). major focus of wetland conservation Filing the suit was motivated by the OSD’s in San Francisco Bay over the past failure to consider the impact of expected two decades. In this review, we will increased trail use on nesting and its failure examine the changing estuary condi- to provide adequate public review under the tions, the history and challenges of salt pond restoration, efforts California Environmental Quality Act. The to monitor changing conditions, District claimed that trail construction was effects on waterbirds, and the threat covered under the Road and Trails Management of climate change. We will look at Plan (RTMP) and that post-project trail use predictions for waterbird numbers in would not increase, although there was no data managed ponds, at habitat elements to support this claim. that have been tested to benefit The settlement included measures to breeding and wintering shorebirds, determine and reduce user impacts on the and at the success of social attrac- nesting spotted owls, and ensure the public’s tion studies for nesting seabirds. ability to have input on projects: Finally, we will discuss the direction of wetland restoration in light of the 1. A pilot night closure program of ten trails Perensovich Kameron ecosystems that we now support in that are close to owl nests. Northern Spotted Owl San Francisco Bay. The closure covers all users and will be Dr. John Y. Takekawa is Operations in effect during the typical Spotted Owl prepared by a Marin Audubon Society Manager at the Suisun Resource breeding season, defined as February 1 biologist expert in Spotted Owls. Protocols Conservation District and a former through July 31. The trails will be marked also include manufacturer’s specifications USGS research scientist. His with a sign and will be listed on the Marin for installing the counters. The mechanical research has been on ecology of County Parks website www.marincounty. counters can detect whether passing bodies waterbirds with expertise in telemetry are people, bikes or horses. Reports on the to study movement ecology. He has org/depts/pk/divisions/open-space/main/ road-and-trail-conditions. Trails subject to surveys will be provided to MAS on an published more than 200 papers, annual basis. and his work has included examining night closures and where counters will be habitat preferences and effects of installed include: Fairway, Boulder Springs, 3. Future CEQA Action sea level rise on waterbirds. Piedmont, Willis Evans, Hunt Camp, Prior to approving any trail project after the Octopus, Warner Canyon, Porcupine, Haute date of this Settlement Agreement, the OSD Lagunitas and Blue Ridge Fire Road. will provide public notice and a 30-day IN THIS ISSUE 2. A program to count trail users. opportunity to review and comment on any President’s Message 2 The District will install devices to count assessment of whether the environmental effects of any trail project are covered in the Field Trips 3 trail users on the same ten trails for the purposes of collecting data on compliance RTMP Program EIR or whether an Initial Conservation Report 4 with night access restrictions in effect due Study, Negative Declaration or EIR must be prepared for a trail project, except for proj- Habitat Stewardship 6 to the night closures and for monitoring recreational use of the trails during all ects that qualify for Categorical Exemption. Birdlog 7 hours. Data will be collected for five years. We trust that this negotiated settlement will The OSD will follow protocols that were continued on page 5

LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON FEBRUARY 2018 1 BOARD OF DIRECTORS All phone numbers are in the 415 area code President’s Message unless otherwise noted. Questions? Please By Barbara Salzman contact the appropriate Board member. President Barbara Salzman 924-6057 Vice President Lowell Sykes 388-2821 More depressing news came this month from public input on projects. Secretary Everett Clark 789-9224 the Trump administration that has opened There is also new hope for San Rafael Treasurer Susan Winston 949/632-0908 most of the coastal federal waters to oil drilling with interest in sea level rise by the Marin Conservation Phil Peterson 828-4780 and ordered the Department of Interior to Community Foundation’s providing funding Barbara Salzman 924-6057 no longer enforce the Migratory Bird Treaty for our Nature-Based Adaptation grant and Field Trips Jane Medley 559/760-1551 Act. The purpose of this historic treaty among the Resilient by Design focus. We also have Membership William Legge 388-7883 many countries is to protect birds that cross had three successful bird counts thanks to the Fundraising Everett Clark 789-9224 international boundaries. Legal opinions vary compilers and many volunteer counters. Some Speaker Series/Programs about what Trump’s action will mean. Because results of the counts are on page 6. And, we are Susan Kelly 883-9505 it is not based on a legal determination, some Special Projects Jude Stalker 680-6291 actively working on acquiring additional habitat. feel that it will have little effect on court We received generous donations from many Nominating Bob Hinz, 383-8688 decisions, but that is unclear. Editor, The Rail Bob Hinz, 383-8688 members in response to our end-of year appeal. Opening up coastal waters to oil drilling As you may remember, we receive minimal Website Susan Kelly 883-9505 will put countless birds at risk, especially Property Management Ed Nute 669-7710 reimbursement for memberships in National seabirds. Under this plan, millions of acres of Publicity Barbara Freitas 924-7477 Audubon Society. It appears that donations offshore waters and sensitive ecosystems would BAAC Reps Lowell Sykes 388-2821 were substantial and we are most grateful. They be open to new drilling in the Arctic, Atlantic Barbara Salzman 924-6057 will enable us to continue and expand our and Pacific Oceans. Please write the Bureau of DIRECTORS MEETINGS programs to protect wildlife. Ocean Energy Management urging it to reject Meetings open to members. If you wish to We’re most pleased to welcome our new attend please call 924-6057. this plan and keep sensitive areas protected. Membership Secretary, Elyse Omernick, 6:30 PM, First Tuesday of the month One thing is clear though—these are more Richardson Bay Audubon Center insults to the environment and to humanity who will be assuming the important duty of 376 Greenwood Beach Road managing our membership list. Elyse is a wife Tiburon, California 94920 inflicted by the current administration. Other changes in environmental policy have included and mother of two, a California native, and lives MAS telephone: 721-4271 (for messages only) weakening of both wetland regulations and in Larkspur. She has a degree in illustration and Marin Audubon Society is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) EPA oversight. animation, enjoys photographing wildlife, and organization. All memberships and contributions is a new and avid birder. are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. There are, however, bright spots locally Our Nominating Committee will be The Rail is published ten times a year by the and regionally. There is more marsh with Marin Audubon Society on 100% recycled endangered species habitat thanks to our Corte beginning its work to fill vacant seats on our paper; edited by Bob Hinz [email protected], Madera Ecological Reserve Marsh Restoration Board. If you are interested please contact 383-8688; assisted by other members of MAS; Project, and to the many generous contributors Chair, Bob Hinz. We are looking for someone and designed by Studio NaCl (www.studionacl. who likes working with people to serve as our com). Deadline is the first of each month. who made the acquisition and restoration hap- pen. There is more hope for Northern Spotted Volunteer Coordinator. We also have an ongoing ©2018 Marin Audubon Society Owl and other species thanks to settlement need for volunteers, who would not be Board Website: www.marinaudubon.org of our lawsuit against the County that will members, interested in helping with our efforts, Members can receive The Rail electronically instead of a hard copy by emailing member- provide data on use impacts and better ensure particularly improving habitats. [email protected] DONATIONS APPRECIATED! eBIRD WORKSHOP Marin Audubon Society welcomes gifts of funds, stock, or property, and bequests in general, or in honor or memory of someone. Richardson Bay Audubon Center user and an eBird reviewer of checklists and Gifts may be directed to any MAS project. Tiburon records for San Francisco, Marin and Sonoma Unspecified gifts of more than $500 will be Saturday, February 10, 2018 Counties. Class size is limited to 15 people placed in the Endowment Fund for conserva- 8:30 AM to noon with advance registration required. Contact tion, the protection of wildlife species, and the With Dan Singer Jane Medley at [email protected] to preservation and enhancement of wildlife habi- Dan Singer has agreed once again to lead register. Please include your name and tats. Since MAS is an all-volunteer organization, phone number. 100% of your donation goes to its projects. All this informative workshop for both eBird The fee for this workshop will be $5 for gifts are tax-deductible and will be acknowl- newcomers as well long-time contributors edged in The Rail, as well as personally on wanting to learn more. The workshop will Marin Audubon members and $10 for non- behalf of the Society. Checks should be made offer hands-on instruction for entering data, members, payable at the door. If you are not out and mailed to: Marin Audubon Society, P.O. guidance on best practices, and suggestions already a MAS member, we invite you to join Box 599, Mill Valley, CA 94942. on how to make use of eBird data to at this event. We will meet in the Audubon enhance your own birding. The class will Center classroom where the Marin Audubon include a bird walk for collecting and entering monthly Speaker Series programs are held. data, both in the field and in the classroom. MISSION STATEMENT Much of the class will be devoted to a DIRECTIONS: The Richardson Bay Audubon To conserve and restore natural question and answer period where your Center is at 376 Greenwood Beach Rd. Take ecosystems, focusing on birds questions and concerns can be addressed. the Tiburon Blvd. exit from Hwy 101 and drive and other wildlife and their habitats, Be sure to bring your laptop and/or about 0.8 mile to Greenwood Cove Rd. Turn handheld device. right at the traffic light toward the Audubon for the benefit of humanity and Our instructor, Dan Singer, is an avid eBird Center, which is about 0.5 mile farther. the earth’s biological diversity.

2 THE RAIL LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON MAS FIELD TRIPS No need to sign up for one-day trips, just join us. Bring lunch, snacks, water, field guide, and binoculars. For information, Open to the public accessibility, and weather check: Jane Medley, 559/760-1551, [email protected]. CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR THE MOST RECENT UPDATES.

THE PONDS AT THE LAS GALLINAS VALLEY DIRECTIONS: Meet in front of the Fort Mason SKAGGS ISLAND AND HUDEMAN SLOUGH SANITARY DISTRICT (LGVSD) Community Garden. Enter Fort Mason at Bay Sonoma County San Rafael and Franklin (it’s at the very end of Franklin Saturday, February 24, 2018 Thursday, February 1, 2018 St.). There should be ample free parking. Make 8:45 AM to 3 PM 8:30 AM to noon – NOTE EARLY START sure you do not park in reserved spots. Meet With Murray Berner With Sande and Bob Chilvers in front of the Community Garden (gate on the Murray Berner led trips for Napa-Solano Beginning birders are especially welcome east side of the garden). Heavy rain cancels. Audubon for many years and authored the on the first Thursday of each month for a Solano County Breeding Bird Atlas. With him leisurely walk around the Las Gallinas ponds. NICASIO RESERVOIR as our guide, we will be allowed access to Join our skilled leaders as we search for No. 2, Birding in Marin (BIM) Series Skaggs Island, generally closed to the public. waterfowl, waders, songbirds, raptors, and Saturday, February 17, 2018 The island, a former naval facility, is now part shorebirds. Wintering waterfowl provide 8:30 AM to mid-afternoon of San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, an interesting weekly sightings such as the With Jim White and Bob Battagin addition of more than 3000 acres. February continuing female Redhead and a pair of We will meet at the backstop to the baseball is peak season for raptors, including Golden Hooded Mergansers. field in the West Marin hamlet of Nicasio. , Rough-legged , Prairie We welcome bird enthusiasts of all levels. This is Bob’s home ‘patch’ where the riparian, and Burrowing Owl, plus dozens of kites and We all help each other to find and identify the open field and wooded habitats are good harriers, all of which were seen on last year’s birds, so come assist in our search. You don’t for a nice variety of sparrows, gleaners, and field trip. Black Rail is resident and was heard even have to arrive on time because we woodpeckers. Next, we’ll go to nearby Nicasio by our group last year. Songbirds flock in the spend the first 30-60 minutes studying the Reservoir and make several stops along the former residential area, harassed by birds around the first pond and the group is shoreline. Many water bird species hang and accipiters. Allen’s will be easy to find. Heavy rain cancels. out there while raptors grace the sky, and displaying among the eucalyptus. DIRECTIONS: From Hwy 101, exit at Smith who knows what will be flitting around in the We will meet at the south entrance to Ranch Rd. Drive east on Smith Ranch Rd. willows and shrubs that line the shore? In the Skaggs Island off of Hwy 37 and travel by car toward McInnis Park. Turn left immediately afternoon we are likely to explore along the across the island, stopping to bird along the after crossing the railroad tracks and drive northern shoreline of Tomales Bay. Heavy rain way. Some birders may wish to leave when about .5 mile through the LGVSD gates and cancels. we reach the island’s north gate. Interested into the parking lot at the end of the road. DIRECTIONS: From Hwy 101 take the Lucas birders may continue with the group to Meet the group by the bridge just past the Valley Rd exit. Turn left on Lucas Valley Rd and Hudeman Slough where we will bird on foot. parking lot. There is an outhouse in the continue approximately 10.3 miles. Keep right Dress in layers and sturdy shoes and bring parking area for public use or you can use the on Nicasio Valley Rd for 0.5 mile to the town of lunch and water. Heavy rain cancels. bathrooms at nearby McInnis Park. Nicasio. The baseball field is in the center of DIRECTIONS: Take Hwy 101 north to Hwy 37 town. For GPS, use 1 Old Rancheria Rd, East. At the intersection with SR 121 (Sonoma SACRAMENTO DELTA BOAT TRIP Nicasio.  Trip Full – Wait List Only Raceway), continue straight on Hwy 37 for 3.8 Departure/return at Antioch Marina miles and turn left at Skaggs Island Rd. No CORTE MADERA MARSHES restrooms available. Sunday, February 4, 2018 Marta’s Marsh to MAS’s Restoration Site (Super Bowl Sunday) Monday, February 19, 2018 PETALUMA RIVER BOAT TRIP 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM 11 AM to 2:30 PM With David Wimpfheimer Departure/return at Petaluma With Roger Harris ONLINE SIGNUPS BEGIN FEBRUARY 26 All available spaces on this boat trip have This trip is timed to capture the influx of Monday, April 9, 2018 been sold. However, there are often several wintering water birds as a high tide floods the 9 AM to 2 PM cancellations prior to the trip. If you wish San Francisco Bay, and the birds stream into With Peter Colasanti to be included on a waiting list for this trip, the refuges in Corte Madera Marsh. We will contact Jane Medley at janermedley@gmail. This unique excursion with Dolphin Charters take a short walk along San Clemente Creek com. Be sure to include the name, email will take us through a small salt water estuary as sandpipers and other waterbirds fly from address, and phone number for each possible off San Pablo Bay that runs about ten miles passenger. the bay mudflats to the high tide refuge at through some of the last mostly untouched For a complete description of this trip, Marta’s Marsh. After the tide has risen salt water marshes in the Bay Area. Cruising consult our January Rail, available at www. further, we will walk to a tidal channel to look down the Petaluma River, passengers enter marinaudubon.org. and listen for the endangered Ridgway’s Rail, a different world. We will meander past which is common in this marsh. We will then sloughs, oxbows, and marshes offering views FORT MASON/CRISSY FIELD carpool a short way to the overlook at Corte not visible from adjacent lands. Our boat will San Francisco Madera Shorebird Marsh, which can be quite continue into San Pablo Bay where , Sunday, February 11, 2018 spectacular in the winter with , more ducks, and can be seen in the shallow 8 AM to noon shorebirds, and interesting possibilities for water habitat. We will view the extensive mud With David Assman raptors. (There are no restrooms on this trip, flats along the edge of the bay, which often but you will be passing the mall which comes Bird two of San Francisco’s hot spots, Fort host large numbers of shorebirds as well as well equipped in that department.) In addition Mason and Crissy Field. Fort Mason has a the raptors that feed on them. Last year’s to observing the behavior of these species, we variety of habitats at the northeast corner of participants raved about this unexpectedly will also address marsh processes, wetland San Francisco and has an eBird list of 106 delightful trip! Once again, we have scheduled species for February. We’ll be looking for vegetation, and coastal ecology. We will end the trip at low tide to enhance our birding overwintering species including the White- with a visit to MAS’s newly restored site with opportunities. throated Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and Barbara Salzman. Heavy rain cancels. The trip is limited to 25 people and costs the Nashville Warbler. There could be four What to bring: Please wear layers, good $95 for MAS Chapter-Supporting Members species of woodpeckers in the park. We’ll walking shoes, and bring rain gear and and $120 for non-members. (Non-member also be looking for early migrants; Allen’s binoculars. Bring water, snacks, and/or lunch. price includes a 2018 MAS Chapter- Hummingbird shows up by February. We will Optional items include: backpack, scope, Supporting Membership.) Registration and scan Aquatic Park for water birds including guidebooks, camera, sunscreen, and sunhat. payment for the trip will begin on Monday, , cormorants, ducks, and . The DIRECTIONS: Take the Tamalpais Exit from February 26, 2018. Register at www. morning high tide at 8:10 means we’ll have a Hwy 101 in Corte Madera and go east. Turn marinaudubon.org. Book your space ASAP as good chance of finding one of the Wandering right on San Clemente Dr., which merges into our boat trips often sell out quickly. Include Tattlers on the pier. Then we’ll travel to Crissy Paradise Dr.; take the first left onto Harbor Dr.; the name, email address, and contact phone Field to look for loons, ducks, and shorebirds. then turn right onto Yolo and left onto Channel number of each participant. Those confirmed Crissy Field Lagoon is a hotspot on the Dr. Meet at the north end of Channel Dr. in on the trip will receive directions to the northern shore of San Francisco. Snowy east Corte Madera, where the road dead-ends Petaluma Turning Basin and other instructions Plovers may be found in the protected area. with the marsh. prior to the trip.

LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON FEBRUARY 2018 3 Conservation

CORTE MADERA MARSH Ecological Reserve, a state designation that RESTORATION PROGRESS has the highest level of protection. To protect MAS’s marsh restoration in Corte Madera these important resources from people and proceeded quickly until the rains came. By dogs that have been roaming disturbing wildlife that time in early January, we had finished and damaging the adjacent marsh and the all but installation of the fences, completion unrestored habitat for many years, fencing is of the access trail, minor grading and clean an essential component of the project. In fact, up. The erosion control, hydroseeding of all one of the benefits of the project is that the bare ground and placing straw wattles at the fencing will block off access of people and dogs base of the mounds was completed the day to the marsh habitat, including the fully tidal before the first rainstorm. The project has marsh, the high marsh that is only inundated two components: restoring tidal marsh by at higher tides, and the adjacent uplands, excavating fill that was placed 40-50 years ago, which are nesting and foraging habitat for the and creating high tide transition zone habitat. special status sub-species of and Questions have been raised about the Common Yellowthroat. need for the large berm. The large berm that A chain link fence along the western extends from north to south along the western boundary of the will protect the restored boundary of the site, and the two smaller piles habitat from intrusion from the west. This is to the north of the CDFW parking lot, consist a particularly important location, where for a of soil and debris that was excavated to lower long time people have walked from the SMART the elevation of the other half of the site to levee trail across the filled land that MAS marsh. While both serve a habitat function, i.e., purchased, onto and through the Reserve’s high 13 to buffer the adjacent marshes from adjacent marsh. Unless folks knew their marsh plants uses, the large berm is specifically designed to or went at very high tides, they may not even provide high tide transition zone and habitat 14 have known they were walking through marsh 10 for other species such as Song Sparrow and habitat. But their access wore a path through Common Yellowthroat. Gradually subsidence the marsh plants destroying that habitat, and and compaction will cause the berm and piles to their presence prevented marsh species from become lower. using it as habitat. The hydroseed mix included four grass species: Access and viewing of the new marsh is Meadow Barley (Hordeum brachyantherum), provided on a path leading to an overlook Blue Wildrye (Elymus glaucous), Purple adjacent to the California Department of Fish Needlegrass (Nassella pulchra), and Creeping and Wildlife’s parking lot. A four-foot-high Wildrye (Elymus triticoides). We have not tried rustic fence between the path and the transition seeding with all of these species previously, and zone and marshes, will be a barrier and a we are looking forward to evaluating which ones have the best germination and survival rate. reminder to visitors that they are to remain Plants were grown specifically for the on the access path and overlook. The rustic transition zone establishment on this site. They fence will protect an area of the Ecological are being planted by Shelterbelt Builders in Reserve adjacent to the marsh that was restored late January. The following species were grown several years ago by PG&E as mitigation for for planting on this site: Yarrow (Achillea damage they caused to tidal marsh to service MARIN AUDUBON PROPERTIES the Greenbrae Boardwalk. We will have an 1. Petaluma Marsh 180 acres millefolium), Ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya), California Sagebrush (Artemisia californica), interpretive sign with illustrations as well as a 2. Bahia 60 acres sign recognizing the Conservancy and other 3. Simmons Slough 144 acres Bush (Baccharis pilularis), Western Goldenrod (Euthamia occidentalis), Gumplant major donors to the acquisition and restoration. 4. Norton Avenue Pond 4 parcels Because of the importance of the marsh 5. Black Point Parcels 2 parcels (Grindelia stricta), Sticky Monkeyflower Mimulus aurantiacus Juncus and species that depend on it, wildlife 6. Arroyo San Jose 2 parcels ( ), Common rush ( patens), and two grasses in plugs: Creeping Wild monitors were on-site for much of the project 7. Tidelands at 34 acres Murphy’s Rock Rye and Purple Needlegrass. The species were construction. No Salt Marsh Harvest Mice were 8. Corte Madera Marsh 1.8 acres specifically chosen to provide critical high tide found, but there were multiple observations of 9. Triangle Marsh 31 acres refugia habitat for Ridgway’s Rails. They will be Ridgway’s Rails and their calls were detected as 10. San Clemente Creek 4.34 acres planted in thickets that will provide cover where well. Other birds seen using the newly excavated 11. Tiscornia Marsh 20 acres the rails could hide from raptors which are areas were Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, 12. Arroyo Corte Madera 2 acres frequent visitors to the marsh. Least Sandpiper, Killdeer, White tailed Kite, del Presidio This is a project to restore marsh habitat Black Phoebe, Say’s Phoebe, , 13. Cal Park <1 acre to one of the most important marshes in the Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, 14. Corte Madera Ecological 5.2 acres Bay. It includes an ancient marsh, i.e., one that , Greater Yellowlegs, Black-bellied Reserve Expansion Site has never been diked, with a high population Plover, and Long-billed Curlew. Canada Geese of endangered Ridgway’s Rails, and it is an are eating our seeds.

4 THE RAIL LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON more than 50 folks. The audience was supportive THANKS FOR YOUR DONATIONS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: of our work, and contributed thoughtful Mary B. Abbott, Deborah S. Ablin, The upland transition zone will need regular questions and comments. Generally the message Ted Adams, Diane Aldrich, Diane tending, i.e., weeding out non-native plants from the presenters was that sea level rise is here, Amarillas, Thomas & Helen Anawalt, so that they do not overrun the natives, and it will adversely affect the Canal area and much Elizabeth P. Anderson, Thomas watering. More plants will be added next of San Rafael, and our Tiscornia project is a first Anderson, Joyce & David Applen, year to replace any that do not survive and Robert Arigi, Sara Arnaud, Katherine to increase the vegetative habitat. In con- step in helping San Rafael deal with the impacts & Philip Arnaudo, Janet Arrigotti, trast to tidal marsh habitats, in which seeds it will have on the community. We’ll provide Annelies Atchley, Bob Atwood, are deposited with sediments by the tides more information on the message next month. Suzanne Badenhoop & Guy Lampard, and grow naturally, it takes years of waiting Resilient by Design, a competitive urban Linda Bartera, Robert & Jessica and tending to grow an upland transition planning effort funded by a grant from the Batha, Bob Battagin, Anne Baxter, zone to provide protective cover for wildlife. Rockefeller Foundation for the Bay Area Robert L. Belichick, Donald & Renate We are looking for volunteers who can help communities, has chosen the San Rafael Bixby, LaVonne Blasche, Greg & us nurture the species we plant for habitat. Giselle Block, Dewitt Bowman, Janet Shoreline as a focus area, and assigned it to the Braff, Marion Brennan, Janet S. We are planning to hold a workday or two a BionicTeam. BionicTeam consists of many con- month to help us tend this important habitat. Brown, Stephen & Faith Brown, Gay sultants, many non-local: Bionic Landscape, To volunteer to join this important crew, email & Tim Cain, Robert A. Callahan, Lois Cannady, Terry Cantrell, Catherine Barbara Salzman ([email protected]) or WXY, PennDesign, Michael Yarne, Enterprise, Capper, Steve Capper, Samuel & Martha Jarocki ([email protected]). Moffat & Nichol, WRA, RMA, the Estuary and Oceans Science Center (formerly Romberg Ingrid Chase, Robert and Sandra Tiburon Center), SFSU, BAYCAT, Studio Chilvers, Richard S. Cimino & Janet Bodle, Everett Clark, Collin and Jill SEA LEVEL RISE AND MAS’S for Urban Projects, RAD Urban and Keyser Cochrane, Ann Cognato, Glena TISCORNIA MARSH Marston Associates. Coleman, Dayton Coles, Kate & Funded by MAS’s Nature-Based Sea Level We have met with members of BionicTeam Jeffrey Colin, A. Crawford Cooley, Geri Rise Adaptation grant, our engineers, ESA, and presented our views and our long history & Wayne Cooper, Mary Anne are working on draft conceptual designs for on the San Rafael Bayfront. They are currently Cowperthwaite, Jon R. Culbertson, stabilizing and restoring Tiscornia Marsh and in the process of organizing and interviewing Susan Cumming, Ken & Ann Davis, improving the levee to help protect the Canal stakeholders of which MAS is one. MAS’s Paula Dawson, Claudia De history goes back 40-50 years to when Domenico, Rudolph DeMay, David & community and provide refugia habitat. The Kristine Donadio, William Donahoe & grant was awarded by the Coastal Conservancy Canalways was owned by a pyramid company, Kristin Klein, Rama & Bernard with funding coming from the Marin Holiday Magic. We were involved when a Dunayevich, Rekha Dutt, Michelle Community Foundation. Two public meetings planning effort provided for protection of the Eaton, Jane W. Evans, Karen Evans, and a field trip are part of the responsibilities of tidal marsh and the MMWD marsh along the Lawrence Fahn, Richard Felton, project partners, ESA, Shore Up Marin, Siegel Bayfront and allowed all of the current office Deirdre Fennessy, Charles Fisher, Environmental and Marin Audubon. The buildings. Our history includes the acquisition James Fowler, Martha Frankel, Lewis purpose of this public meeting was to educate of Tiscornia Marsh and our long-time efforts to Fredrickson, Barbara Freitas, Dianne Fruin, Joann S. Gabel, Richard & the community about sea level rise, its potential acquire and protect the 85-acre Canalways site, Luisiana Gale, Charles C. Gardiner; impacts to the community, and ways to help the undeveloped property north of the Target Roberta & Robert Geering, Kay Gillis, reduce sea level rise as well as to introduce the store. We also discussed how our projects Scott Goldberg, Elizabeth & Jon community to us and to our project. will interact and how we will work together Goerke, Rosaline Gould, Carl & Our first public meeting took place at the in the future. We expressed our concern Donna Gowan, Pauline Grant, Albert Boro Community Center in the Canal about the urbanization of San Rafael and the Maureen Groper, Jeannette area on January 25. Presenters were engineer BionicTeam’s early submittals which were heavy Gustafson, Mark A. Hansen, Nancy & Dean Hanson, Margaret Harrington, Dane Behrens from ESA and Stuart Siegel with on urban development along the canal. The Erika W. Harris, James Harrison, Siegel Environmental (SE). Former supervisor team will be setting up a steering committee Roger Hartman, Lisa Hauck-Loy, Alan Steve Kinsey served as moderator and made and we expressed our interest in working with Hayakawa, Joanne Heffelfinger, informed contributions. From all accounts, the the stakeholders group working on habitat Susan Helfrey, Tom Hendricks, meeting was a great success. It was attended by protection and restoration. Robert Hinz & Barbara Benson, Vivian Holley & Bryan Baker, Suzanne D. Huang, O.D., Elizabeth Huning, Settlement Reached comment. Unfortunately, we had no influence Richard Jenning, Mary & Steven continued from page 1 on constructing the trail improvements because Johnides, Duane Johnson, Robert the improvements were quickly completed Johnston, Reese & Margaret Jones, lead to better understanding of trail impacts Durrell Kapan, Laura Kaplanis, John on NSO as well as a more comprehensive while the negotiations were just beginning. Kay, Susan B. Kelly, Robert Kennis, environmental review process, and that A second suit against the OSD was brought Janet Kerby, David Kimball & Anne improved protection for the owls will result. by MAS with the Native Plant Society and Taylor, Jeffrey Kimball, Nancy Marin Audubon brought this suit in 2016 Marin Conservation League over a simi- Kirkpatrick, Judith Klein, Jeanne Kline, after the OSD approved improvements to lar CEQA action on the Hunt Camp Trail Josephine Kreider, Daniel & Sarah and adoption of the Contour/Candelero Complex. In this case, the District also hurried Kushner, Sondra & Ron Lanstein, Joe approval of the CEQA compliance document Lavigne, William Legge, Peggy & trail complex as part of its designated trail Mark Lehigh, Linda Levey & Mary system based on a Negative Declaration and without providing adequate public input, failed Hanley, Jeff Levin, Barbara & Warren immediately filed the Notice of Determination to adequately evaluate trail impacts on special Levinson, Michael H. Linvill, David & (NOD) with the state. Construction of the trail status plants, birds and endangered fish, and Carolyn Long, Carolyn Longstreth, improvements began four days after the NOD began work on the trail. This suit is still in Lawrence Lossing & Ann Elston, was filed effectively allowing no time for public negotiation. continued on page 7

LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON FEBRUARY 2018 5 HABITAT STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM Mixed Results for Marin’s Christmas Bird Counts Five hundred native grasses were transplanted at Bahia and five hundred more at Triangle Marsh. The National Audubon Society has sponsored the first of the three Marin County CBCs and That will probably finish the season’s Christmas Bird Counts (CBC) for 118 years the pizzas served by Ghiringhelli’s were great. planting at those locations. Now and they now cover most of the US as well as POINT REYES we will do our best to get them in many other countries. Each CBC covers a established by stopping the ‘weeds’ circle 15 miles in diameter. Three counts are More than 200 birders fanned out to scan the from outgrowing them. Italian thistle, beaches, waterways, ranches and parklands of an annual, might be large enough sponsored by the Marin Audubon Society. to remove, but there is a list of Count results are sent to the National Audubon the Point Reyes Peninsula and parts of Marin non-native perennials or somewhat Society and provide valuable information on County east of Tomales Bay on December 16. perennial species that are due for bird populations and trends. This is the longest The Point Reyes count circle is centered near digging out, such as mustard and running Citizen Science survey in the world. Shell Beach in Tomales Bay State Park. It extends bristly ox-tongue. A little mulching from North Beach on the west side to Nicasio would be good, too. Act locally and join us on a CHEEP THRILLS Reservoir on the east, and almost to Valley Ford workday. Witness restoration first- What a difference a little sunshine makes! After on the north. hand and be a part of it. courageously counting every bird the Cheep Clear skies and chilly weather were ideal for We have the tools, gloves and Thrills counters could find during a torrential, spotting raptors, including Bald and Golden snacks. We generally work until , three falcon species, and a single Rough- about 1 PM, but even an hour is all-day downpour last year, this year the sun valuable help. Everyone is welcome. rewarded the counters with over 43,000 birds, legged Hawk at Tom’s Point on Tomales Bay. Bring a friend. more than twice that of last year’s 21,426. Bill Burrowing Owls were seen on at least 7 areas. By early afternoon counters off the coast and on VOLUNTEER WORK DAYS Jones (Lucas Valley) was thrilled as the count in his area went from 18 species to 50. Jim Tomales Bay were forced ashore by winds—but Triangle Marsh, East Corte Madera: White’s group at Rush Creek had a rainy best not before the Tomales Bay team led by John First Saturdays: February 3, March 3 of 75 species last year. His counters had 109 Kelly and Emiko Condeso of Audubon Canyon Meet at 10 AM on Paradise Drive Ranch recorded good numbers of Double- directly across from the main Ring species this year to just beat out Jules Evens crested Brandt’s Cormorants Mountain trailhead. team’s total of 108 species at Black Point. and and 6,735 , the highest number of any species Bahia, Novato: With around 70 participants, the Rich Monthly workdays are continuing but Stallcup Cheep Thrills CBC, centered on Mt on the entire count. on a more irregular schedule. If you Burdell, got back to normal with 160 spe- In general, numbers of individual birds would like to help, please contact cies and 43,922 birds. Bob Battagin (Nicasio) were lower than average on many areas, as was Jude at [email protected]. the total number of species, 190. The historic helped boost the final count with the solo average is about 195. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher THANK YOU TO OUR observations of Wood Ducks, Redhead, STEWARDSHIP VOLUNTEERS numbers were high this year. Other highlights Clarks’s , and Green Heron. Heather included Red Knots and a Nelson’s Sharp- Debbie Ablin, Laurie Gong, Bob Hinz, Cameron’s group (Bahia) provided the Martha Jarocki, Lowell Sykes, Stefan tailed Sparrow, seen by Josiah Clark’s team at views of Snow and Ross’s Goose, Lesser Williams Walker Creek, and a rare Red-naped Sapsucker Scaup, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Red-breasted seen by Heather Cameron and Jim White at Merganser, and Violet-green . Inverness Park, and a Black Vulture that Seth Jules Evens (Black Point) brought home VISIT THE 22ND ANNUAL Bunnell spotted on Mount Vision. FLYWAY FESTIVAL the rails with 4 Black and 7 Virginia Rails. Around sundown, birders repaired to Toby’s When: February 9-11 Peter Colasanti (Lakeville) provided the only Feed Barn to share stories, fill out their tally Bonaparte’s Gulls with 8, and Ed Nute’s group Where: Building 221, 880 Walnut Ave. sheets and enjoy a buffet dinner presented by Mare Island, Vallejo Rock Wren added a to the count. caterer Pam Ferrari. Thanks go to co-organizers What: Field trips, optics, outdoor While uncommon birds are fun, the real Todd Plummer; George, Dorcy and Sandy gear, art, more winners of the CBC were the common birds. Curth; Robin Blaney and Susan Ives; and to all For a complete schedule of events Every bird is important and counted. After the go to www.sfbayflywayfestival.com/ who volunteered for year’s count and dinner. drought years and then a record rainfall wash- Deep bows to Chris Giacomini for making the San_Francisco_Bay_Flyway_ out in 2017, it was a relief to see a good count Festival_2018/Schedule.html post-count gathering at Toby’s a warm success. of our common backyard birds. There were 167 California Quail, 1,316 Band-tailed Pigeons, SOUTHERN MARIN GET A SCHEDULE OF MAS 234 Anna’s , 505 Killdeer, 759 On Saturday, December 30th about 120 vol- EVENTS BY EMAIL Ring-billed Gulls, and 1,194 California Gulls. unteers and team leaders scoured the circle Subscribe to Marin Audubon’s online There were 127 Northern Flickers, 68 of them centered on Mill Valley and extending from the mailing list to receive one email per counted on Mt. Burdell. Peregrine Marin Headlands to Terra Linda and from the month on the first day of the month were double digits for the first time, with a total Tiburon Peninsula to Bolinas. The habitats are listing field trips, workshops, and the of 10 observed. The most plentiful bird was the speaker series presentation for the very diverse and include portions of the bay month. To subscribe, go to MAS’s European Starling with 4,170. and ocean outside the Gate, Bolinas Lagoon to home page, www.marinaudubon.org, The count dinner, organized by compiler the top of Mt. Tamalpais as well as urban and click the SUBSCRIBE button on the Susan Kelly, was happily attended by most of suburban areas of East Marin. Baykeepers right side. the counters. There was a lot of excitement for continued on page 7

6 THE RAIL LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON Marin Birdlog: December 2017 THANKS FOR YOUR DONATIONS continued from page 5 By Noah Arthur Charles Louderback, Theani Louskos, Kathy Lowrey, Melissa & December is Christmas Bird Count season, the Bruce Lyckberg, David MacKenzie, beginning of deep winter when birders across John & Nancy MacPherson, Marjorie Macris, Carol Maddison & Don Marin join forces to census our avifauna, and when Higgins, Ron & Amanda Mallory, many of our rarest birds are found. Marin Baylands Advocates, Helene The first rarity of the month was a Pacific B. Marsh, Jeffery R. Martin, Sandra Golden-plover at Limantour Beach on the 8th (DS). & Charles Massen, Robert & Sandra Mauceli, Dean & Julia Mayberry, On the Cheep Thrills CBC on the 14th, two Joseph McGuire, Laura McIntosh, Swamp Sparrows showed themselves at Atherton Stephen McKenna, Maura McLane, Ave. (JC). Morton McMichael, Prem McMurdo, The Pt. Reyes CBC on the 16th also turned up Jane R. Medley, Patricia Merrill, Regina & John Milavec, Teresa Miller,

J.J. Harrison some good birds, including a Nelson’s Sparrow at Sarah Millus, Paul Minault, Sally Pacific Golden-Plover Walker Creek (BT) and two Lapland Longspurs Moltzen, Lois and Bruce Moody, at Abbotts Lagoon (NA). Many teams found good Richard Morrison, Robert Morton, Red Crossbills Larry Mulryan, Eileen Murray, Michael numbers of , part of the continent- Muschell, Barbara E. Nathan, Myra J. wide winter finch invasion that seemed to peter Natter, Martha Nelson, David J. out early elsewhere but continue into midwinter Neuman, Jody Newman, Lisa & Colin on the West Coast. However, overall this was a very Nicholls, Linda Nicoletto, Warren & Marcia Nute, Lucienne O'Keefe, unproductive year for rarities on this and other Helena & Danny O'Shea, J. Morrow Christmas counts. I can’t help but wonder if we are Otis, Phil Peterson, PG&E finally seeing the effects of overall bird population Corporation Foundation (donor decline on the frequency of rarity occurrences. match), Nancy Philie, Joy Phoenix, Christine & Paul Prusiner, Alison Surely one of the oddest discoveries of the month Quoyeser, Henry & Barbara Randall, Dawn Beattie Dawn was a Swainson’s Thrush captured by the Palomarin Flinn & John Rauck, Donald Nelson’s Sparrow banding team at Pine Gulch near Bolinas on the Reinberg, Donald Reinberg, Bill 21st (DH). Winter Swainson’s Thrushes are often Remick, Paula M. Riley, Marianna Riser, Susan & John Ristow, Barbara tentatively reported but rarely confirmed, and this Roberts, Betsy & Martin Rosen, furnished only the 3rd December capture of the Dorothy Rosso, Blanche Rubin, species by the Palomarin banders. Thelma Rubin, Andrina Ruzick, A somewhat less unusual but still unseasonable Barbara & Jay Salzman, Marylee Sammis, Norman & Gladys find was a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at Las Gallinas Sanguinetti, Santa Venetia on the 24th (DM). Neighborhood Association, Charlotte Another Nelson’s Sparrow was found at the Scherman, Elizabeth Schiff, Stuart Schneider, Elizabeth Schriock, Carol Hamilton Bay Trail on the 24th (LC). Continuing B. Schwartz, Ann Sheldon & Niccolo this season’s parade of Harris’s Sparrows on the Caldararo, Suzanne Shelhart, Harold Cheep Shoot California coast was an immature found on Mt. Sherley, Sharon Sherrard, Dr. Jill Swainson’s Thrush Tamalpais on Christmas morning (RA). Sideman, Inez Skog, Sandra Slichter, Geoffrey Smith, Sharon Solomon, Susan Sonich, M. Virginia Soper, Observers and Acronyms BT: Brian Turner, DH: Diana Humple, DM: Dominik Mosur, DS: David Seton, JC: Bonnie & Louis Spiesberger, Jon & Josiah Clark, LC: Lucas Corneliussen, NA: Noah Arthur, RA: R.J. Adams Sandra Stern, Kandice K. Strake, Georgia & Jim Struhsaker, Norma Tewksbury-Ooghe, Margaret E. Thayer, Suzanne Thornley, Robert Marin Christmas Bird Counts recorded in only one area. Ruddy was the Timineri, Evelyn Topper, Tim Tribble, continued from page 6 most abundant species with 3891 individuals, Jeanne & Peter Tymstra, United its highest count since 1985. Only four Brown Healthcare Group (employee match), Marilyn & Rob Van De Loo, Bettina & generously provided a boat for counting birds were observed; that is the lowest since in San Francisco Bay. Eric Voelk, Rose & Christopher the mid-80s. Canvasbacks hit a historic low Wager, Margaret H. Wagner, The tentative totals of 177 observed species of only 25. Some interesting birds found were Kathleen Walsh, David Weckler, and approximately 53,575 individuals counted several flocks of Red Crossbills on Mt. Tam, a Oliver Weir & Elizabeth Bennett, Jim were below the 43-year averages of 182 species White, Donna Williams, Kathryn and about 91,000 birds. Some birds that we lone Cackling Goose in downtown Tiburon, Wilson, Dave Wimpfheimer, Susan normally see were not found. The herring runs and a Townsend’s Solitaire for Rock Springs. Winston, Christine Wood, M. The Bolinas area had several unusual birds: a Douglas Woodring, Janice Wright, in the bay were late so the masses of cormo- Diane Wrona, Thomas Yarish & rants and gulls were absent. Eurasian Green-winged Teal, three Rhinoceros Laure Campbell, Catherine & John Red-tailed and Common Ravens Auklets, Barn , a Violet-green Yee, Eric Yunker, Carolyn R. Zaroff, were seen in every area, but 22 species were Swallow and a Nashville Warbler. Lesley Zwillinger

LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON FEBRUARY 2018 7 SAVE THE DATE March 1 Field Trip: Las Gallinas With Sande & Bob Chilvers March 3 Field Trip: Stafford Lake With Bob Atwood March 6 Field Trip: Hall Ranch With David Wimpfheimer March 17 Field Trip: Mt. Tamalpais and Corte Madera With Jim White & Bob Battagin March 24 Workshop: Outsmarting Your Digital Camera With Dave Strauss March 31 Field Trip: Tolay Lake With Peter Colasanti Check website for updates and details

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