California Least Tern

Newsletter of the El Dorado Audubon Society

Founded 1969

vol. 50, no. 10 June 2018

Thoughts from the President - Mary Parsell

Celebrating Summer Field Trips and Events The mission of the El Dorado Audubon Society is the conservation of native birds "Never Give Up Listening to the until September, please check our and their habitats. The society Sounds of the Birds," -Audubon. website for classes, events, and provides leadership in conservation and educates its walks in July and August. members and the community, This summer we are looking forward so that they may appreciate to a variety of field trips and events not Thanks to all of you, our volun- birds and participate in the society’s conservation efforts. only in June but throughout the sum- teers, who contribute your time, mer. In June, we look forward to our energy, and passion to conservation

El Dorado Audubon Society is Members’ and Friends’ night, field trip of birds and other wildlife. We a California chapter of the to Yorba Regional Park on the Santa have a great group of officers, com- National Audubon Society Ana River, and El Dorado Park Clean- mittee chairs, committee members serving the communities of Artesia, Avalon, Bellflower, up. Our Los Cerritos Wetlands field and YOU, our members and contrib- Carson, Cerritos, Cypress, trips continue June, July, and August. utors! As we wrap up this year, we Hawaiian Gardens, La Palma, are going for another year of bird- Lakewood, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Paramount, We are planning a beginning birding ing! Rossmoor, San Pedro, Seal class to be held on a weekend in July or Beach and Sunset Beach. August (date to be determined). Since Thanks, and see you on the bird- this is the last edition of our newsletter ing trail! a Now you can support your Chapter 2 ways: Buy from AmazonSmile: June 21st, 5:30 p.m. bird walk, 6:30 p.m. dinner and sharing http://smile.amazon.com/ or Members and Friends Night Donate through PayPal on our website: Please join us on Thursday, June 21 for our last meeting until September. It's a www.eldoradoaudubon.org chance to experience El Dorado Nature Center at a wonderful time of the day, a time to relax and to enjoy each other's company. There will be a Bird Walk at 5:30 p.m. for those who can make it. Potluck be- Inside: gins at 6:30 p.m. Please bring a dish big enough to share with six to eight people

(appetizers, salad, main dish, dessert). Don't forget to bring your own plate and pg. 2 Chapter Happenings pg. 3 Our Environment utensils. The chapter will supply drinks. pg. 4 News & Views This is meant to be a sharing time. Bring photos on the computer (flash drive), pg. 5 Roster a poem to read, cartoons, jokes, or whatever you would like to share. Bring pg. 6 Calendar friends and family. We hope to see you there! a

www.eldoradoaudubon.org Chapter Happenings Field Trips, Jeff Moore, Field Trip Chair

April Bird Walk Recap birding at Dominguez Gap on April shoes. Rain or shine. Rancho Los Cerritos 21st. It has been ten years since By Carolyn Vance the opening of this restored area. Bird Walk El Dorado Nature Ctr. Sun., June 10th, 8:00-10:00 a.m. Our last walk of the season wasn’t We observed 33 species of birds. Celebrate upcoming summer with as birdy as I expected it to be, but Highlights were Blue-winged Teal a morning of easy birding in the we still saw 20 species! We had up (8), Bullock's Oriole (7), Ash- shady Nature Center. No prior close looks at Bushtits and were throated Flycatcher, Cliff Swallow, birding experience is necessary: all able to distinguish male from fe- and Barn Swallow. Other wildlife: skill levels are welcome. Suggest male. I learned that, during breed- Western Fence Lizards, rabbits, binoculars, field guide, hat, sturdy ing season, males have black eyes squirrels, turtles, and a bullfrog shoes, water. Rain or shine. and females have pale yellow eyes. heard but not seen. Butterflies in- We also got a fairly good look at a cluded Monarch, Cabbage White, Los Cerritos Wetlands Hermit Thrush and a better look at and Mourning Cloak. Bush sunflow- Zedler Marsh Sun., June 24, July 22, August 26 a Pacific-slope Flycatcher. A small ers were in full bloom and stood 6 to 8 p.m. flock (17) of Cedar Waxwings were out against the shades of green of Celebrate an evening walk on seen flying over the Rancho. Other the native shrubs. See the eBird the wetlands! Meet at PCH and flyovers included nine Mallards, checklist (including photos) at First Street, border of Seal Beach/ some way-up-high gulls, and a few ebird.org/view/checklist/ Long Beach. Turn inland, park off Ravens. We heard several birds S44790138. a asphalt. This small tidal marsh off that we never saw including Red- the San Gabriel River is a good Bird Walk/Colorado Lagoon shouldered Hawk, House and Lesser place to look for herons, egrets, Sun., June 3rd 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Goldfinches, an Orange-crowned (In conjunction with FOCL, shorebirds, Belding's Savannah Warbler, and a robin. Friends of the Colorado Lagoon.) Sparrow, and Hooded Orioles. Enjoy native plants. It’lll be a This is the last walk put on by El See page six, contact Harriet Ben- beautiful walk; help us document Dorado Audubon, but the Rancho nish at 562.621.9734, or email: the birds! Binoculars, closed-toed has now started a family-and- [email protected] for info. shoes, water. Rain or shine. a beginner-friendly walk the fourth Los Cerritos Wetlands Saturday of every month. It runs Hellman Lowlands Volunteer to Salute: from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. If you didn’t Sat., June 9, July 14, Aug. 11 Special thanks to Cindy Crawford attend one of our walks and still 8:00 to 10 a.m. for spending countless hours up- Celebrate Year of the Bird with a want to bird the Rancho, this is your dating our website, getting it to walk on the wetlands! Meet at PCH chance. For more information, go function as it should and adding and First St, on the border of Seal to rancholoscerritos.org. Many her pictures and from Cindy Dun- Beach/LB. Turn inland, park off as- bar, Kim Moore, and Jerry Millett thanks to Merryl Edelstein and Jerry phalt. This is a locked gated area (all who should enter Audubon’s Millett for helping out again in April and one of two chances to enter annual photography contest!) and to Marie Barnidge-McIntyre, the property. We will be looking the Horticulturist for the Rancho, See eldoradoaudubon.org . for Rough-winged Swallow, Barn Cindy will work on glitches, up- for having us in and helping. a Swallow, Hooded Oriole, Common date existing pages, plus add new Yellowthroat, herons, and egrets. Dominguez Gap Field Trip Report and interesting content to provide Document avian species for this By Mary Parsell you with another source of what El Audubon IBA. Bring binoculars, hat, a We had an amazing morning water, sunscreen, and closed-toed Dorado Audubon is doing.

2 www.eldoradoaudubon.org California Least Tern, June 2018 Our Environment Please send individual letters in oughly document and identify avian Conservation News predators that are taking Least By Mary Parsell, Conservation Chair support of restoration of Los Cer- ritos Wetlands to the California Terns before requesting their re- Los Cerritos Wetlands Coastal Commission at loscerr- moval. So, the Refuge needs more Your comments are needed on [email protected]. help observing avian predators at two separate CEQA processes: the times when they are active. Conceptual Restoration Plan for Background information the entire LC complex and on a The project was approved by the If you can commit to a minimum plan for 154 acre property owned Long Beach City Council on Janu- of four hours a week to EOTC, or by Synergy (formerly Bixby Ranch ary 16. We have provided com- just want more information, please Company) known at LC Wetlands ments and suggestions through- contact Refuge Manager Rick Nye Oil Consolidation and Restoration out the CRP process. From our via email at: [email protected]. Project (BOMP). letter to the city: "In general, per Historically, we watched in four- our mission, we are in support of hour shifts from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 LC Wetlands Conceptual Restora- good restoration efforts not only p.m. You must obtain a badge from tion Plan (CRP) the preserve but to restore habi- the Navy to access the Refuge by The LCW Conceptual Restora- tat whenever possible. We have filling out some background paper- tion Plan (CRP) has been in the prepared a list of concerns. It is work and must be a U.S. Citizen. works since 2011. As part of the important to note many of our Training and equipment is provided. EIR process, the first public work- concerns have been addressed, shop took place on Mar. 28th. and some are topics of ongoing Speaking of our Terns, we had To learn about information con- communications. In conclusion, mushrooms growing on the site in veyed in the public workshop, go we believe that with careful plan- mid-May, a first in the 20+ years to: intoloscerritoswetlands.org/ ning and some modifications, the that Patti Smith has been “Walking past-eir-public-workshops/ . To restoration of LCW would be of the Colony.” We have no idea how comment online, go to intoloscer- great benefit to the birds, wildlife they got to our Tern Colony, which ritoswetlands.org/eir-public- and the public." (see complete list is made up of sand and seashells, comments/. on our website). a with a few beach plants.

Los Cerritos Wetlands Oil Consoli- Birds of Note: For the third year dation and Restoration Project: Refuge Update in a row, we have a Killdeer on a By Carolyn Vance Next Stop California Coastal Com- nest inside our Tern Colony. She’s Tern season is in full swing, as is mission (CCC) been sitting on two eggs since May This project will be going to the Eyes on the Colony (EOTC) and we nd still need your help! Last year was 2 , the first date we checked the CCC next probably in August 2018 Colony. She is a very brave and when a meeting will be held in the not successful with no more than good mama, not budging from her Los Angeles/Orange County area. 16 fledglings ever seen at one nest when we walk past her. Our You can make a difference for time out of 120+ chicks. This was nesting Red-tailed Hawk mama the resident and migratory birds primarily due to all the predation and wildlife of Pacific Flyway. The by Peregrine Falcons and Red- does have three chicks again this bird species checklist is extensive, tailed Hawks. After battling Great- year. Birds are on the nest and/or at least 120 species. It is an Audu- horned Owls and Kestrels the last going back and forth with food for bon CA Important Bird Area couple of years, and having a nestlings. Don’t you just love spring (ACIBA). It is part of the "string of great 2016 year, we are dismayed and summer? a pearls" along our coast: SBNWR, with last year’s results. Bolsa Chica, Huntington Wetlands, Website to visit: Banning Ranch and Upper New- We need to document any pre- From Cornell, and although 2016, port Back Bay. dation to the terns. Permitting still interesting. State of the Birds: standards require that we thor- stateofthebirds.org. a

3 www.eldoradoaudubon.org California Least Tern, June 2018 News & Views

Cleanup at El Dorado East El Dorado is joining numerous funding by the conservancies are: Regional Park Area II organizations in supporting Propo- the Rivers and Mountains Conserv- Sat., June 23rd 8:00 to noon sition 68 on the June 5th CA bal- ancy (RMC) has funded restoration Join El Dorado Audubon and El lot. These groups have cited nu- areas on three local rivers: Dorado Nature Center for a morn- merous potential benefits to CA Dominguez Gap (LA River), Whittier ing of trash cleanup in the park. birds as well as other natural Narrows (San Gabriel River) and Bags and supplies will be provided treasures and the state’s resi- Yorba Regional Park (Santa Ana Riv- by the Nature Center (7550 E. dents. er.) The Coastal Conservancy funds Spring St., LB). Along the way projects on the entire CA coast. we’ll watch and identify numerous Called the California Clean Wa- birds common in this area. ter & Safe Parks Act, Prop 68 is a “Audubon California has long Note: Parking fee on weekends $4B bond measure that will fund a fought to protect CA’s birds and is $7 cash or annual pass. Pedes- number of important priorities for natural landscapes, to make it pos- trian and bicycle entry is free. Californians, including local, re- sible for more people to experience Enter at the main entrance on the gional/state parks, clean drinking these treasures, which is why our north side of Spring Street. Just water projects, flood protection, organization emphatically supports past the entrance fee booth, turn and habitat projects that are vital Prop 68,” said Sarah Rose, executive right and follow the signs. We’ll to the state’s diverse wildlife. director of Audubon CA. “This is a meet at the corner of Snake Road once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to by Horseshoe Lake. Look for our Audubon CA was part of a broad invest in safe parks, clean water, signs and check-in table. Park coalition working closely with law- and the vibrant wildlife that are so along the road. makers during 2017 to put Prop important for our quality of life.” Return to our table at 11:30 a.m. 68 on the ballot. This critical op- with your filled trash bags and portunity comes at a time when For the birds of the Pacific Flyway, automatically be entered in the millions of Californians don’t have and the one million people living prize drawing. Must be present to access to safe parks, trails, or rec- near the Salton Sea, Prop 68 has win. reation areas. Moreover, the cy- profound importance. The measure Sadly, litter such as plastics, cle of drought and extreme includes $200M for vitally import- Styrofoam, fishing line, and ribbon weather is already taking a toll on ant dust mitigation and habitat res- not only detract from the park but CA’s natural treasures and threat- toration at the Salton Sea, where pose deadly risks to birds and ens our communities with flood- water diversions create a public wildlife. Every year numerous ing and ecological degradation. health disaster and destroy habitat. birds are injured at the park, be- coming tangled in fishing line and These same forces have also ex- Prop 68 includes funding for a hooks. Long ribbon in the park is posed our state’s antiquated wa- broad array of conservation priori- often used by the birds in nest ter infrastructure, bringing into ties: $2.83B for parks and natural building, posing a hazard should doubt our ability to provide clean, resources funding; investments in the birds become entangled. Plas- safe, and reliable drinking water park-poor neighborhoods; much- tics and Styrofoam are often mis- to our residents. Lastly, with most needed maintenance for state taken for food and ingested by of the bond funding for vital con- parks; trails and creek restoration; birds, fish, and other wildlife. servation programs running out in funding for critical restoration at The good news, there is some- the last few years, it is time for the Salton Sea; $1.27B for water thing we can do to help: every Californians to make the next in- reliability; clean drinking water pro- piece of trash picked up can save a vestment in the protection of the jects; groundwater clean-up and life! a natural resources that make Cali- sustainability; flood protection, including multi-benefit flood pro- Proposition 68 will fund nu- fornia’s parks and open spaces jects; $767M for state conservan- merous local and statewide con- destinations for millions of visitors cies; and much more. a servation priorities. every year. Local example of www.eldoradoaudubon.org California Least Tern, June 2018 4 El Dorado Audubon Society Website: www.eldoradoaudubon.org Bird Rescue Centers: E-Mail: [email protected] Follow us on Twitter @edaudubon For sick or injured wildlife, call: or go to: www.twitter.com/edaudubon Find us on Facebook, search "El Dorado Audubon" or go to: www.facebook.com/eldorado.audubon Long Beach Animal Hospital 562-434-9966 To receive this Newsletter electronically only, send email to [email protected], subject as “Opt Out”, and your name and South Bay Wildlife Rehab full address in the body. 310-378-9921

Help support the Chapter by buying at AmazonSmile. Go to: http://smile.amazon.com/ and International Bird Rescue Center search for El Dorado Audubon. A portion of your purchase comes directly to us! (San Pedro) Donate directly on our website through PayPal! 310-514-2573

El Dorado Nature Center: 562-570-1745 Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center Seal Beach NWR: 562-598-1024 (Huntington Beach) To sign up for Rare Bird Alerts for L.A. or Orange County, go to www.yahoo.com, scroll to the bottom to “Groups” and follow instructions. 714-374-5587 a

Officers President Mary Parsell 562.252.5825 1st Vice President Elaine Layne 562.431.7448 Join El Dorado Audubon Society! 2nd Vice President Leah Young 562.715.8084 Secretary Carol Furutani El Dorado Audubon Society Chapter Treasurer Larry Lee 562.597.7491 -Only Membership: you will become

Chairpersons an important part of our dynamic Audubon Adventures/Education Anne Maben [email protected] chapter and receive a one-year sub- Bluebird Boxes Jerry Millett 562.860.7880 scription (10 issues) to our news- Christmas Bird Count Cindy Dunbar 562.331.1163 Conservation Mary Parsell 562.252.5825 letter. All funds stay with El Dorado Digital Communications Cindy Crawford 562.508.1369 Audubon. Your information is Field Trips Jeff Moore 562.397.2667 Mary Parsell 562.252.5825 private. $20 (self/family), $15 Elias Zuniga (student/senior). Name, address, Greeter s Jane Smith Patty Benoit 562.438.3183 phone or email below: Hospitality Open ______Labeling Volunteers Eleanor Palmer 562.596.0832 ______Members-at-Large Erin Kellogg Membership Grace Earl 562.598.5345 ______Newsletter Editor Lyn Kraatz 562.433.8280 ______Outreach Elaine Layne 562.431.7448 Patty Benoit 562.438.3183 Make check payable to: El Dorado Cindy Crawford 562.508.1369 Audubon Society, P.O. Box 90713, Programs Leah Young, Cindy Crawford Publicity Debbie Ketcham 562.598.8400 LB, 90809 or join through chapter Seal Beach NWR Carolyn Vance 562.594.7589 web site. or NAS New Member/Gift Member- El Dorado Audubon Society holds its monthly meetings in the El Dorado Nature Center 7550 E. Spring Street, Long Beach. The public is welcome to attend meetings and field trips. El ship $20 (renewal is $35; includes Dorado Audubon Society, Inc. assumes no responsibility for injuries, personal or otherwise, one year of Audubon magazine, one incurred while attending meetings or on field trips sponsored by the society. year Chapter membership, one year California Least Tern, the newsletter of the El Dorado Audubon Society, is produced monthly, of California Least Tern newsletter) September through June. The deadline for all submissions is the second Thursday of each month. The editor reserves the right to edit all contributions to meet space or deadline require- Name, address/email below: ments. ______Persons who are not members of the National Audubon Society, or who are from chapters other than El Dorado, may receive this newsletter. Simply submit your name, address, and a ______yearly fee of $10.00 to the treasurer at the chapter address. ______

If you need to check your membership status or request changes to your name or address Please make check payable to: with the National Audubon Society, please call 800.876.0994 or email: Audu- National Audubon Society, 225 [email protected]. Varick St, 7th Flr., NY, NY 10014; Printed by MARS Printing Attn: Chance Muehleck, or join 17426 Studebaker Rd. through the NAS website: Cerritos, CA 90703 562.924.2535 Audubon.com

www.eldoradoaudubon.org California Least Tern, June 2018 Printed with soy ink on recycled paper 5 Dated Material Non-Profit El Dorado Audubon Society Organization Post Office Box 90713 U.S. Postage PAID Long Beach, CA 90809-0713 Long Beach, California Permit No. 341

Or Current Resident

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June Calendar of Events

3 Bird Walk: Colorado Lagoon 17 Father’s Day Sun. , 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet at the Science Sunday Center located near the bridge on Appian Way: 5119 E. Colorado St. 21 Summer solstice, longest day of the year. Will there be sunshine? 4 Board Meeting: Monday. @ 7:00 p.m. 3:07 a.m. Pacific Time. (no sunshine at that time!)

6 Refuge Volunteer Work Day 21 Program Meeting: Wednesday, 8:00 a.m to noon. To sign up, El Dorado Nature Center, call 562.598.1024. Members and Friends Night For more info, go to: sealbeachnwrf- 5:30 p.m. bird walk, or come for 6:30 potluck and riends.org (or see page three for details) sharing. Until 9:00 p.m.

(See page one for details) 9 Field Trip: Hellman Lowlands Los Cerritos Wetlands. 23 El Dorado Clean-up Saturday, 8:00-10:00 a.m.. Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to noon Rain or shine. (See page four for details.) (See page two for details.) 24 Field trip: Zedler Marsh/Los Cerritos Wetlands Sunday, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m 10 Bird Walk: Sunday 8:00 a.m. at El Dorado Nature Center. Meet in the parking lot. (See page two for details. ) Parking fee: $7 Five or more? Contact Jeff Refuge Tour: Sat., 8:30 a.m. at Seal Beach National at 562.397.2667. (See page two for details.) 30 Wildlife Refuge. Reservations required at least four days in advance: 14 Flag Day, Thursday. 562.598.1024. Photo ID (adults only) is required.

All ages welcome.

www.eldoradoaudubon.org