April 2009 BIRDING in the LAND of the THUNDER DRAGON BHUTAN Monday, April 13, 2009 at 7:00 pm at Gualala Art Center Speakers: Richard Kuehn & Dean Schuler Due to the significant downturn in our economy, the Board has decided not to sponsor a program-themed dinner this year. Therefore the suggested donation is $5.00. Coffee and cookies will be available.
Rich and Dean, residents of The Sea Ranch, have traveled to relatively unknown Bhutan twice. They first visited in 2006 as part of an Around the World Adventure; the second trip was one year ago with Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris. On both trips, Hishey Tschering, the proud owner of Bhutan Birding and Heritage Travels - see www.bhutanheritage.com - arranged their tour and guided them on their travels.
The Kingdom of Bhutan nestles between Tibet and India high in the majestic eastern Himalayas. Never having been conquered by outsiders, it is renowned as one of the planet's last unspoiled spots, a magical place with Buddhism integrated into every aspect of daily life. The inhabitants themselves call their country "Druk Yul": the land of the thunder dragon. Upper: Satyr Tragopon Most of Bhutan's original forest remains in ‘old-growth’ Center: Golden Langur condition. The Buddhist philosophy of respect for all living things results in a healthy environment where wildlife flourishes. Ten Lower: Rich Kuehn, species of birds that are in danger of extinction reside in Bhutan, Hishey Tshering, and including the rare Black-necked Crane and the Imperial Heron, Dean Schuler which is one of the fifty rarest birds in the world. It is also home to All photos by Dean the endangered Golden Langur and other interesting mammals. Schuler Please share the adventure with Richard Kuehn and Dean Schuler. Page 2 The Whistling Swan April 2009
PRESIDENT’S CORNER: DAVID JENSEN
YES, CONSERVATION DOES HAVE A FUTURE
It’s spring time on the coast and the cold winds are blowing. But this year it seems that the usual threatening gales are accompanied by some subtle and quiet yet promising winds of change.
In mid March I was privileged to attend the 2009 California Audubon Assembly at Asilomar. The theme of this year’s gathering was “The Future of Conservation.” And yes, I am glad to report that conservation does have a future.
At the previous assembly in the fall of 1997, many of the meetings focused on the dire challenges posed by global warming. At that time, when policy makers were overruling scientists and denial trumped debate, many of us felt overwhelmed and confused. During the past eighteen months as the players and particulars have changed, so has the tone of the discussion. Although the rate of anthropogenic climate change continues to increase, there was a marked difference in the outlook at this year’s Audubon Assembly.
So what is the future of conservation? It starts with an honest and thorough assessment of what is wrong and what needs to be done. Session leaders identified the serious threats to vulnerable species such as Tricolored Blackbirds and Ashy Storm-Petrels, or the damage caused by wildfires, or the conflicts over water allocations – but rather than simply cataloging the problems, they pointed to the opportunities for change and ways in which we can use these challenges for political advantage.
The future of conservation relies on our ability to act wisely today in order to save the areas that will be viable tomorrow. Audubon staff presented the results of their study on California bird distribution changes in response to climate change (go to ca.audubon.org to read the report). They showed the rapid northward movement of distribution patterns and discussed the rate of habitat loss. As dire as the data appeared, the researchers were able to show how a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions will significantly lessen the extent of habitat loss for most state birds. The model’s mapping also identified habitat areas that will likely endure and those that will certainly be lost, thus providing a blueprint for effective conservation.
The future of conservation also involves working with private landowners to protect California’s landscape. Audubon is working closely with ranchers and even (continued) Page 3 The Whistling Swan April 2009
YES, CONSERVATION DOES HAVE A FUTURE (continued) vineyard owners to help preserve biological diversity through conservation easements and other strategies. Cooperation is a promising change from the confrontations of the past.
The future of conservation requires that we become actively involved in the development of alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, and wave energy to ensure that they are sited in appropriate locations and in an appropriate configuration so that they impose the least possible impact on the environment. We have learned hard lessons from past mistakes, but energy development will continue to occur in California. You and I need to be involved.
Most importantly, the future of conservation lies in our ability to engage the next generation. At previous meetings people asked, “How can we get our youth involved?” At this meeting young people from all over the state came and showed us what they were learning about nature and how it is changing their lives. The future spoke, and it finds pleasure in being a part of the natural world.
Two days after the Assembly, Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar publicly released the first “State of the Birds Report” (go to stateofthebirds.org to view the report). This remarkable study was the product of governmental agencies such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife working together with nongovernmental agencies such as National Audubon, the Nature Conservancy and Cornell Ornithology Lab. They analyzed over 40 years of data, much of it gathered by citizen scientist reports from breeding bird surveys and Christmas counts.
The report documents that many bird species are in decline in every region. Birds in the Hawaiian Islands, on the oceans, and in the grasslands and arid lands are most vulnerable. But the report also showed that when we decide to take action, the birds can respond quickly. We decided to save and restore wetlands, and the birds returned. The winds of change that restored the Bald Eagle, the Brown Pelican, and the Peregrine Falcon can be made to stir again. The future of conservation relies on our commitment for change.
It is Audubon’s goal to gather the data and forge the political alliances. It is our role to be their eyes, to raise our voices and ensure that task is completed. So yes, although the winds are cold, they hold a promise of Tricolor change. And yes, conservation does have a future, Blackbird photo especially along our coast. I thank you for your courtesy of support and involvement. USFWS The Whistling Swan April 2009 Page 4
PAM HUNTLEY ON KXYZ FM 88.3, 90.7, AND 91.5
Red Crossbills are one of my favorite birds. It was the first bird I ever saw in the pygmy forest. It was a young Red Crossbill hanging upside down from a pine branch. These birds look like Dr. Seuss created them. Juvenile Red Crossbills have yellow chests with red polka dots and all crossbills look like they have run into a wall, their beaks actually crossed. They use this unique beak to break the seal of pine cones. They open their bills slightly to form a point, then by closing their beak, they open the scale and extract the seed with their fat tongues. The tips of the mandible begin to slowly cross over a couple of weeks after the young crossbill has left the nest. Interestingly, some cross left while others cross right. Recent research has found that there are nine distinct types of Red Crossbills, possibly different species, with varying beak lengths. In Red Crossbill Photo courtesy of Steve the field these types are identified by their flight Messick and their songs, which are either a kip or a quip, a chip or a cheep. For most of us, however, we Pam broadcasts on KXYZ once Tuesday are satisfied to identify it as a Red Crossbill with evenings on Community News at 5:00 pm its one-of-a-kind bill. I’m Pam Huntley wishing with Christina Anastat. The segment is you happy birding. rebroadcast on Friday mornings at about 7:55
CHILDREN’S BIRD STORIES
Sue Coulter, a longtime North coast resident and educator, will tell bird stories that will touch your heart and your funny bone. Don't miss it. April 18th...9 to 10 AM on KMFB 92.7
April 19th...1 to 2 AM at Frankie's Pizza and Ice Cream Page 5 The Whistling Swan April 2009 SAVE OUR SHOREBIRDS PROGRAM WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR
When Nate Cooley finished his work with MCAS and headed off to Humboldt State University, the Save Our Shorebirds team didn’t look too far for a new director. Joleen Ossello served as an SOS field surveyor for two years and cheerfully accepted the contract to lead volunteers into their third year of citizen science. Joleen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Outdoor Recreation and Resource Management from Indiana University. Next month, she will receive an AS degree in Marine Science Technology from College of the
Redwoods. She conducted field research for two years on several projects with UC Berkeley Department of Integrative Biology at Angelo Reserve in Branscomb. She also has worked as an interpretive naturalist at Babcock State Park, Clifftop, West Virginia.
Joleen’s work as a field naturalist includes curriculum, field studies and planning of cultural and natural history activities for 5th graders for Field Guides, Inc. In 1997 and 1998, she conducted environmental education programs for grade school classes in Tiburon at Richardson Bay Audubon where she was responsible for migratory
Joleen Ossello studies shorebirds at Virgin flyway boat patrols. At Hammond, Indiana, Creek Beach with College Of The Redwoods Gibson Woods Nature Preserve she worked students in Prof. Greg Grantham’s Birds of on native plant restoration and monitoring the North Coast class. and mapping of endangered flora and fauna, a project associated with The Nature Conservancy. When she and her daughter, Autumn, moved to the coast a few years ago, Joleen worked several jobs, attended school full time and volunteered for Big River snorkel surveys of salmonid populations with the Mendocino Land Trust. She also served as a marine docent at the Smithy Salt Water Aquarium during Point Cabrillo Lighthouse Whale Festivals. She is completing an internship with Campbell Timber Management in the Fisheries Department.
Save Our Shorebirds is an MCAS project in partnership with State Parks and College of the Redwoods that studies shorebirds on three MacKerricher State Park beaches. It is supervised by State Parks Environmental Scientist, Angela M. Liebenberg, and sponsored by TogetherGreen, an Audubon program with funding by Toyota. BECKY BOWEN The Whistling Swan April 2009 Page 6
BIRD WALKS AND FIELD TRIPS
In April, the Mendocino Coast Audubon Society will again host two bird walks at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. The monthly beginners' bird walk will be held on Saturday April 4 at 9:00 a.m. The midweek early bird walk will be held on Wednesday April 15 at 8:00 a.m. This month special attention will be paid to birds that are building nests or singing to attract mates. We will also look for those birds who are preparing to leave for their breeding grounds in the north. Although this walk is designed to help beginning birders identify local species, birders with all levels of experience are invited. Binoculars will be available for those who need them. Admission is free for Botanical Garden members.
On Saturday, April 11, the Audubon Society will hold its annual field trip to view the birds of Sea Ranch. Participants will meet at the Knipp-Stengle Barn in Sea Ranch (mileage marker 53.71- in Sonoma county, just south of the Gualala River) at 9:00 a.m. Binoculars will be available for those who need them. Carpooling is encouraged, not only to save fuel and expenses, but also to share the experience and to learn from one another. For more information on this and other activities, please call 964-8163 or visit our website at mendocinocoastaudubon.org.
BIRD IDENTIFICATION AND CENSUS TRAINING
Mendocino Coast Audubon Society and the Mendocino Land Trust will present a free two-day bird survey training workshop. The classroom portion of the workshop will be held at the Stanford Inn on Saturday May 2nd from noon until 4 p.m. Power point presentations and audio recordings will help attendees hone their bird identification skills. The workshop will be led by local expert birder and photographer, Mr. Ron LeValley. Ron will train participants to identify birds by visual and audio cues and will give an introduction to bird surveying methodology.
On May 3rd, participants will meet at 7a.m. at Big River Beach to further practice field identification skills on a guided hike up the haul road with the training leader and other experienced birders. Violet-green Swallow photo The training will conclude around 11a.m. by Ron LeValley www.LeValleyPhoto.com After completing the training, participants will have the opportunity to put their new skills to work by signing up for the annual Big River Spring Bird Survey. An ambitious project begun in 2003, this annual event is cosponsored by California State Parks, the Mendocino Coast Audubon Society and the Mendocino Land Trust. The survey seeks to document bird species present at the Big River property and track changes in their populations over time. For more information, please call Matt Coleman at 962-0470. The Whistling Swan April 2009 Page 7
MARK YOUR CLENDAR MCAS will present a program by the well-known naturalist, John (Jack) Muir Laws on Monday, May 11th at 7:00 pm in room 300 at College of the Redwoods in Fort Bragg. This special event, coordinated with Peregrine Audubon in Ukiah and Redbud Audubon in Lake County, sponsors Mr. Laws, who will also visit schools in the Point Arena area on behalf of the California Native Plant Society. Jack Laws is a naturalist, educator and artist, who delights in sharing his love for exploring nature with others. For six years he backpacked the Sierra Nevada to research and illustrate, “The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada”, a richly illustrated pocket sized field guide to over 1,700 species found in the Sierra Nevada. He has worked as an environmental educator for over 25 years in California, Wyoming and Alaska. Jack Laws teaches classes on natural history, conservation biology, scientific illustration and field sketching. He is trained as a wildlife biologist and is an associate of the California Academy of Sciences. DATES TO REMEMBER April 4 Bird Walk: 9:00 am, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Page 6. April 11 Field Trip: 9:00 am, Sea Ranch. Meet at Knipp-Stengle Barn, west side of Hwy 1, Mile Post 53.76. Page 6. April 13 Chapter Meeting: 6:00 pm, Gualala Art Center, Gualala. 'Birding Bhutan', Speakers: Richard Kuehn & Dean Schuler. The annual South Coast meeting. Page 1. April 15 Bird Walk: 8:00 am, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Page 6. April 18 9:00 Sue Coulter Children's Bird Stories KMFB 92.7 Page 4. April 19 1:00 Sue Coulter Children’s Bird Stories Frankie’s Pizza and Ice Cream, Mendo. Page 4 April 16-22 Godwit Days, Arcata. Page 12. April 25-26 Heron Festival, Clear Lake. Page 11. May 2 Bird Walk: 9:00 am, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Page 6. May 2 & 3 Bird Identification and Census Training Stanford Inn and Big River. Page 6. May 9 Field Trip: Saturday 8:00 am, Navarro River and Beach. Meet at south end of Navarro River bridge. May 11 Jack Laws program: 7:00 Room 300 College of the Redwoods. Page 7 above. May 17 Pelagic Trip. Page 13.
Black Brant photo by Ron LeValley www.LeValleyPhoto.com Page 8 The Whistling Swan April 2009
AT POINT CABRILLO LIGHT STATION: PIGEON GUILLEMOT Donald Shephard Lately my wife and I have taken our daily walk from the farmhouse at the top of Point Cabrillo Light Station to the lighthouse. There is a narrow gulley cut into the cliffs to the north of the lighthouse that threatens to enisle the building. The sight of Pigeon Guillemots in that gulley provides one of the harbingers of spring.
The first time I sailed on our pelagic trip, the monotone black, white and gray colors of the sea birds struck me. What a contrast Pigeon Guillemots display. True, in winter, the head and upperparts Pigeon Guillemot photos courtesy of Tom Grey lighten slightly, giving them a dusky, mottled effect; their white under parts barred with buff on the flanks and dusky wing linings. As adults, the sexes look alike and immature guillemots have a mottled wing patch. True too, in breeding plumage, a large white wing patch interrupts two black stripes and the body turns a dull black . But, every time I see Pigeon Guillemots the brilliant red, I would say crimson, of their legs, feet and beak lining, takes my breath away . This flash of color probably plays a role in courtship when their displays include mutual circling, bill touching, and rapid zigzagging chases on the water, while calling and diving after each other. The Pigeon Guillemot often scales vertical rock faces by vigorous flapping of its wings combined with the use of the sharp claws on its webbed feet. Unlike most alcids, Pigeon Guillemots use their feet for steering as well as their wings for propulsion underwater, where they forage by searching the bottom, diving up to 150 feet. They will also swim on the surface with their heads submerged. You may see them sit on rocks with fish held crosswise between their bills until they swallow them. They predominantly eat small fish and other aquatic animals, including crabs, shrimp, marine worms, and mollusks. The nesting practices of Pigeon Guillemots vary from those of other alcids. They regularly lay two eggs, rather than one, and, while they will nest in loose colonies, they also nest singly. Birds do not breed until age 3-5 years. The male chooses the site in a crevice or cave, among boulders, under driftwood, or in a man-made structure such as a wharf or pipe. The pair may excavate their own nest, or use the abandoned burrow of another animal, which they reuse from year to year. These nests are hard to detect and once the young ones fledge Pigeon Guillemots leave the area. (continued) The Whistling Swan April 2009 Page 9
At Point Cabrillo Light Station: Pigeon Guillemot (continued)
They scrape a shallow nest in a pile of soil,
pebbles, or shell scraps. Both parents
incubate the eggs for about four weeks and
they both feed the young until they leave
the nest at about 4-6 weeks old. Because they feed their chicks constantly throughout the day, the chicks fledge faster than equivalent sized auks who only feed at night. After 30 to 54 days, under cover of darkness, the young scramble or flutter down to the water, now able to dive and swim. It takes them another few weeks to achieve full flight capacity. Juvenile Pigeon Guillemot. In winter, many California birds move north as far as British Columbia, but northernmost Alaska breeding birds head south to the edge of Note the red mouth and the black wedge the pack ice. Guillemots in the central range area of British Columbia and Oregon may be permanent within the white wing patch. residents. Take a walk down to the cliff face north of the lighthouse and you may see a small group of Pigeon Guillemots with their startlingly red feet, legs and mouths. You may not see enough to warrant the use of their collective noun, but if you do, you should know you have seen a loomery of guillemots. A Correction Toby Tobkin sent me a charming note explaining that the Red-necked Phalarope described in my last month’s Whistling Swan article as “the smallest of our pelagic birds” should be described as “one of the smallest of our pelagic birds”. The least Auklet is shorter and has less wingspan. She cites Sibley’s Guide to Birds. Least Auklet L 6.25” WS 12” WT 85g Red-necked Phalarope L 7.75” WS 15” WT 35g Thanks Toby Page 10 The Whistling Swan April 2009
BIRD LIST FROM VAN DAMME STATE PARK FIELD TRIP
Surf Scoter Acorn Woodpecker California Quail Downy Woodpecker The Gray Jay is localized in Mendocino Red-throated Loon Hairy Woodpecker County from about Big River to just south of Elk and not easily found except Common Loon Gray Jay where residents feed it. We saw two, Horned Grebe Steller’s Jay one of them posed beautifully. Eared Grebe Common Raven See Page 6 for our next bird walk and Brandt’s Cormorant Chestnut-backed Chickadee field trip. Pelagic Cormorant Winter Wren Toby Tobkin Great Blue Heron Golden-crowned Kinglet Turkey Vulture Ruby-crowned Kinglet Grey Jays and nestlings photo by Dan Strickland. Osprey American Robin Red-shouldered Hawk Varied Thrush Killdeer Wrentit Black Oystercatcher Yellow-rumped Warbler Western Gull Song Sparrow Glaucous-winged Gull White-crowned Sparrow Pigeon Gullemot Dark-eyed Junco Mourning Dove Brewer’s Blackbird Anna’s Hummingbird Pine Siskin 38 species.
BOARD NEWS The slate of MCAS Board members remains unchanged: President David Jensen; Vice President Tony Eppstein; Secretary Tanya Smart; Treasurer Judy Steele; SOS Program Becky Bowen; Membership Ginny Wade; Field Trips Art Morley; Programs Charlene McAllister; Education Jeanne Coleman; Conservation Warren Wade; Newsletter Donald Shephard. Perhaps you cannot spend as much time in the field as the volunteers in the Save Our Shorebirds program. Perhaps you have organizational skills developed from membership in other volunteer organizations or your career. Are you newly retired and looking to develop your interest in this beautiful area? Whatever your talents and level of birding skills, we need new board members. Charlene McAllister wants to pass on her task of Program Chair to an enthusiastic person. Ginny Wade wants to show someone else how she develops membership. We meet once a month. Ours is a lively, talented group full of joy in the world around us. Join us by calling any of the present board members listed on page 14. The Whistling Swan April 2009 Page 11
SWALLOW NEST
A celebration of birds, wildlife, and springtime Ridge beam, crossbeam and ceiling joist on beautiful Clear lake. Come and see the Western Grebe’s joyous, almost comical a porch corner geometry, triangular, snug. courting display. April 25-26, 2009 Swallows make high speed reconnaissance: Clear Lake State Park, Kelseyville, CA. in on the south side, up to the corner, out, Presented by the Redbud Audubon Society and Clear Lake Sate Park Interpretive as if checking the work of the carpenters Association. Phone (800) 525-3743 who sang the house into shape. http://www.heronfestival.org/
Visit their website to view the Western Grebe Satisfied, the swallows come courting display. with feathers and dry grass.
Clark’s Grebe on nest, courtesy Redbud Maureen Eppstein Audubon. Note the white surrounding the eye (first published in Quickening) and the bright yellow bill to distinguish it from the Western Grebe with dark around the eye and a dusky yellow bill. One day old chicks of the Violet-green Swallow. Photo by Zell Lundberg. Page 12 The Whistling Swan April 2009
Dear Festival Goers,
Registration has begun for Godwit Days Spring Migration Bird Festival 2009 in Arcata, California. Visit our website at www.godwitdays.com to view the event schedule and to register on-line. The key- note speaker will be Pete Dunne, Director of the Cape May Bird Observatory in New Jersey. New field trips are available as well as many of the popular ones we have offered year after year. We hope to see you Next April 16 – 22. Marbled Godwit, Happy Birding, photo by Ron LeValley The Godwit Days Board of Directors www.LeValleyPhoto.com
BIRD SIGHTINGS
Bird Sightings for February taken from Mendobirds. You can register for Mendobirds at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Mendobirds/
Sun, 8 March 2009 -- This morning was very windy, but having a little time, I saw a 1st cycle GLAUCOUS GULL and a COMMON GOLDENEYE at the mouth of Ten Mile R. A possible hybrid GLAUCOUS x HERRING GULL was also there. It looked much like a hybrid seen in San Luis Obispo County by Brad Schram at Pt. Piedras Blancas on 5 March. This bird had a smudgy, bi-colored bill, and primaries that were partly white with creamy centers. A 1st cycle Glaucous- winged Gull looked a little larger with an all dark bill. 23 March 2009 - Large numbers of hummingbirds are once again congregating at my feeders. Among the new arrivals are a few Rufous Hummingbirds. 23 March 2009 - Monday - "AL" the Point Arena Cove wintering Laysan Albatross was at the cove... and has been for several days of the last week. The bird will assuredly be leaving soon until, hopefully, next winter. Three LONG-TAILED DUCKS were seen off the north end of Ward Ave, Cleone on Saturday, by Toby Tobkin and Karen Havlena, within 15 minutes of each other. The Whistling Swan April 2009 Page 13
MCAS SPRING PELAGIC TRIP – SUNDAY, MAY 17 , 2009 Please send your check now to take part in the MCAS pelagic boat trip on Sunday, May 17, 2009. Ron LeValley and Kerry Ross will lead. Each has excellent knowledge of both seabirds and sea mammals. The meeting time is 7:30-am for an 8:00-am departure. The charter boat Trek II will depart from Noyo harbor, Fort Bragg, for this seven hour cruise. We should see albatrosses, shearwaters, jaegers, auklets and murres. Sea mammals could include whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions. Cost will again be $95 per person – a great deal. Pay by check or credit card.
Payment by CHECK: Make check payable to MCAS for $95 per person. We must have full names and contact information of your party: email addresses, phone numbers, and a mailing address. Mail your envelope addressed as follows: K. Havlena – Pelagic Trip PO Box 40 Fort Bragg, CA 95437-0040
Payment by CREDIT CARD: Please contact me by email with your telephone number and a good time for me to call you and take your credit card information. NOTE: Credit card approval must be made at least 2 days before the trip (May 15).
Confirmations will be sent to you with helpful suggestions for directions, food to bring (there is no galley on board), attire, and preventive measures for seasickness. Thanks.
Karen Havlena [email protected]
MARQUETRY BY JACK SCHOOLEY Geese The Whistling Swan April 2009 Page 14
MCAS BOARD MEMBERS 2007-2008
President David Jensen 964-8163 [email protected] Vice President Tony Eppstein 937-1715 [email protected] Secretary Tanya Smart 964-4235 [email protected] Treasurer Judy Steele 937-2216 [email protected] SOS Program Becky Bowen 962-1602 [email protected]
Membership Ginny Wade 964-6362 [email protected] Field Trips Art Morley 964-2541 [email protected] Programs Charlene McAllister 937-4463 [email protected] Education Jeanne Coleman 937-1838 [email protected] Conservation Warren Wade 964-6362 [email protected]
Newsletter Donald Shephard 962-0223 [email protected]
MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Mendocino Coast Audubon Society is to help people appreciate and enjoy native birds, and to conserve and restore local ecosystems for the benefit of native birds and other wildlife.
MENDOCINO COAST AUDUBON SOCIETY P.O. BOX 2297 FORT BRAGG, CA, 95437