February 2021 Free and Open to the Public THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11 7:30 PM Marin’S Booming Bird Populations by Roger Harris

SPEAKER SERIES Newsletter of the Marin Audubon Society. Vol. 63, No. 6 February 2021 Free and Open to the public THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11 7:30 PM Marin’s Booming Bird Populations By Roger Harris

The MARIN AUDUBONRail SOCIETY

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fails to List Two Qualified Species

Roger Harris Roger are also contributing. The most recent NSO Red-shouldered Hawk demographic study (Dugger et al 2016) found The February Speaker Series program that currently non-native Barred Owl are will be a Zoom meeting. Visit the having the largest negative impact on NSO Speaker Series page on the MAS through competition for resources. Originally website for information on joining the an east coast species, Barred Owl has expanded Zoom meeting electronically. its range, is a more aggressive species, and now Many of our common Marin County is competition with NSO for prey resources. birds, whose abundance we now take for granted, were rare or absent only Studies have found a significant rate of three-quarters of a century ago. Since decline in the NSO population. Since 2011, the the beginning of the Southern Marin rate of decline has noticeably increased. Several Christmas Bird Count in the 1970s, Elyse Omernick Elyse long-term monitoring studies have revealed for instance, Red-shouldered Hawk detections have increased tenfold. Northern Spotted Owl Denied Reclassification that NSOs have declined more than 70 percent Habitat restoration and maturation, since 1990, increasing the risk of extinction conservation efforts, and cultural he U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service risk, particularly in Washington and Oregon. changes in the behavior of individual (Service) has announced that reclas- Regulatory mechanisms on non-federal bird species have all contributed to sification of the Northern Spotted Owl lands, and habitat protection and restoration shifting — and, for Marin, generally T(NSO) from threatened to endangered species on federal lands, have not prevented the increasing — bird populations. Our speaker, Roger Harris, will is warranted but precluded by higher priority continued decline of NSO nesting, roosting unpack the evolving dynamics of proposals to determine status of other species. and foraging habitat. Cumulative effects avifaunal population change using NSO was listed as a threatened species in 1990. of climate change, severe wildfire, pest data from Christmas Bird Counts, The Environmental Protection Information the Marin County Breeding Bird management and past management practices Atlas, and a variety of other sources. Center petitioned for the NSO to be listed as are changing forest ecosystems, and the Roger is a Certified Wildlife Biologist endangered in 2012. Habitat conditions have expansion of the Barred Owl is further and a longtime member of the Marin worsened for the NSO and the population has reducing the capacity of suitable habitat to Audubon Society. Once the pandemic continued to decline in the last almost 10 years support NSO. resolves, he hopes to return to lead- NSO has been waiting for reclassification. After assessing the scientific and commercial ing international eco-tours for the The largest of the three subspecies of spot- Oceanic Society and field trips for us. continued on page 5 ted owl, NSO inhabits structurally complex NEXT MONTH’S SPEAKER: forests originally from southwestern British THURSDAY, MARCH 11 7:30 PM Columbia into Northern California. Relative to POINT REYES MANAGEMENT Birding by Kayak Along the other owl species, NSO is long-lived, has a long PLAN HEARING DELAYED Russian River reproductive life span, and invests significantly By Miles and Teresa Tuffli One week prior to the date of the scheduled in parental care. NSO are now extirpated or Consistency Determination hearing before uncommon through most of its historic range, the California Coastal Commission, the IN THIS ISSUE including southwestern Washington and British Commission and Seashore staff have President’s Message 2 Colombia. Marin County is their southernmost notified interested parties that the hearing boundary. will not occur on January 14th. A new Online Programs 3 Habitat loss from timber harvesting was hearing date will be announced once it is Conservation Report 4 the primary cause of the listing of NSO as scheduled. No additional information was provided. Commission staff requests that Habitat Stewardship 6 threatened. While habitat loss continues to be a major factor, now climate change and correspondence continue to be addressed Birdlog 7 wildfire are recognized as stressors and, to to the pointreyesmanagementplan@ a minor amount, insect and forest disease coastal.ca.gov.

LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON FEBRUARY 2021 1 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Phone numbers are in the 415 area code unless President’s Letter otherwise noted. Questions? Please contact the appropriate Board member. By Barbara Salzman President Barbara Salzman 924-6057 Happy New Year! It is with great relief and a Board position, contact Committee Chair Vice President Lowell Sykes 388-2821 hope that we can now move forward with the Doug Waterman, or Committee Members Jude Secretary Ann Thomas 924-9559 new administration and the new vaccines. I Stalker and Elyse Omernick. Specific needs we Treasurer Ann Thomas 924-9559 have great expectation that things will improve have include Secretary, and Field Trip Chairs. Conservation Phil Peterson 828-4780 Barbara Salzman 924-6057 in 2021. But we’re not out of the woods See page 3 for more information. Field Trips Jane Medley 559/760-1551 yet. There are still challenges to be met and A huge thank you to all of the generous Membership Chair Bob Hinz 383-8688 obstacles to be overcome before we get back contributors to our winter appeal. Donations Contact Bob for membership problems to our normal activities and lives. For Marin to this appeal are critical to our work as it is or questions. Audubon, we still need to be cautious and wait the major fund raiser to support our operations Outreach, Website Elyse Omernick 694-2320 for a time before we can return to having out- and basic programs, such as this newsletter, our Speaker Series Doug Waterman 506-4675 door field trips and indoor programs together. programs and Field Trips. If you haven’t given Special Projects Jude Stalker 680-6291 Nominating Doug Waterman 506-4675 In addition to a new year, we have new book- yet, it is not too late. Editor, The Rail Doug Waterman 506-4675 keeper. Sabra Drohan, the bookkeeper who has I’m looking forward to the return of a sane Property Management Ed Nute 669-7710 assisted our Treasurer for the last year, has taken and stable government, to the restoration of Volunteer Coordinator a permanent job. Our new treasurer is Laura our environmental regulations and laws to pro- Meghan Kehoe 209-769-8862 Peters. Our best to Sabra. Welcome to Laura. tect our environment, eliminate or significantly BAAC Reps Lowell Sykes 388-2821 Our Nominating Committee is beginning reduce further loss of habitats and begin to deal Barbara Salzman 924-6057 its work. If you’d like to know more about with climate change. And, I’m looking forward DIRECTORS MEETINGS our Board and supporting our work by taking to getting back to our outdoor activities. Meetings open to members. If you wish to attend please call 924-6057. 6:30 PM, First Tuesday of the month Richardson Bay Audubon Center THANK YOU, DONORS THANK YOU, DONORS 376 Greenwood Beach Road Tom Anderson, Joyce & David Applen, Holly Katherine Merriman, Regina and John Milavec, Tiburon, California 94920 Bacuzzi, Suzanne Badenhoop, Katherine Ballinger, Anne and Richard Miller, Gerard Mitchell, The MAS telephone: 721-4271 (for messages only) Timothy Behr, Robert Belichick, Charles Bennett, Monson Family, Lois and Bruce Moody, Marnie Rhonda Bennon, Mark & Beverly Birnbaum, Donald Moore, Emiko Moore, Kate Morgan, Marcia Marin Audubon Society is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) Bixby, Kimberly Blue, Andrew Bollen, Madeleine Morrissey, Eileen Murray, Patrick Murray, Michael organization. All memberships and contributions Boshart, DeWitt Bowman, Juliane Brand, James Muschell, Bonnie Nackley, Barbara Nathan, Myra are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Brogan, Amy and Mark Brokering, Deborah Brown, Natter, Benjamin Natter, Sharon Navaratil, Sonya The Rail is published ten times a year by the Geraldine Brown, Priscilla Bull, Steve Capper, Nelson, Linda Nicoletto, Ed and Marcia Nute, Marin Audubon Society on 100% recycled paper; Becky Carlucci, Paul and Christine Chasnoff, Barbara O’Toole, Anne Owen, Melville Owen, edited by Doug Waterman, [email protected], Beverly Cherner, William Clarke, Jill & Collin Wendy Palfrey, Eugene Palmer, Lois Patton, Carol 506-4675; assisted by other members of MAS; Cochrane, Glena Coleman, Dayton Coles, Richard Paz, Robert Peacock, Thomas Peacock, Phil and designed by Studio NaCl (www.studionacl. Colsky, Michael Concannon, Glenda Corning, Mary Peterson, Michael Phelps, Roderic & Jane Phibbs, com). Deadline is the first of each month. Anne Cowperthwaite, Frank Cox, Suzannah Robert Phillips, Patricia Pigman, Catherine Plevin, ©2021 Marin Audubon Society Dameron, Carol and Donald Davis, Gwen Davis, Melissa and Jeffrey Polick, Robert Portnoy, Allen Paula Dawson, Nona Dennis, Laura Disterhoft, Preger, Jeannette Price, Douglas H Pringle, Paul Website: www.marinaudubon.org David & Kristine Donadio, Deborah Dorosin, Carl and Christine Prusiner, Jeannene Przyblyski, Members can receive The Rail electronically Duisberg and Donna Lindskog, Jane Evans, Laurel Deborah Quinn, James Raives, Flinn Rauck, Patsy instead of a hard copy by emailing Feigenbaum, Deirdre Fessessy, Zachary Finley, Raven, Donald Reinberg, Walter Rentsch, Juanita [email protected]. James Foley, Mark & Beverly Forney, James Forsell, Reynolds, Jordan Rinker, Marianna Riser, Susan DONATIONS APPRECIATED! Dr. Gretchen Frantz, Richard Gale, Roberta and John Ristow, Richard Robbins, Lawrence Marin Audubon Society welcomes gifts of Geering, Nina Geneson, James Gibbons, Doreen Robbins, Mary Rodel, Judy and Dennis Rodoni, funds, stock, or property, and bequests in Gluckin, Fred Goff, Carl and Donna Gowan, Martin Robert Rosenberg, Georg Roth, Anne Roughton, general, or in honor or memory of someone. Griffin, Maureen Groper, Julia Haimowitz, Glenn Katherine Rousseau, Sallie Anne Rowe, Andrina Gifts may be directed to any MAS project. Harcourt, Erica Harris, Hope Lab Foundation, Ruzick, Cynthia Samson and Alan Cowan, Elizabeth Unspecified gifts of more than $500 will Daphne Hatch, Tom Hendricks, David Herrema and Schiff, Sonja Schmid, David Schnapf, Stuart be placed in the Endowment Fund for Victoria Van Meter, Sheila J Hershon, Sarah Evers, Schneider, Elizabeth Schriock, Carol Schwartz, conservation, the protection of wildlife species, Gretchen Hoskins, Douglas Howell, Suzanne Richard Scott, David Sexton, Harold Sherley, Emily and the preservation and enhancement of Huang, Kurt Huget, Beth Huning, Lynn Hunt, Shibata, Steven Sicher, Diane Sierra, Thomas Silk, wildlife habitats. Since MAS is an all-volunteer Victoria Jackson, Laura Jerrard, Pat Kaiser, Dan Donald & Madeleine Simbord, Edith Simonson, organization, 100% of your donation goes to its projects. All gifts are tax-deductible and will be Kalb, Laura Kaplanis, John Kay, Colin Kennedy, Amy Skewes-Cox, Inez V Skog, Sandra Slichter, acknowledged in The Rail, as well as personally Debbie Kern, David Kimball, Elizabeth King, Richard Smykowski, JoAnne Solberg, Barry Spitz, on behalf of the Society. Checks should be William Klenne, MD, Mark & Jane Knowles, Paul Jeanine L Starritt, Lila Steinle, Benjamin Stephens, made out and mailed to: Marin Audubon Kryloff, William Kuhr, Rama Kumar, Mary and Mark Court Stewart, James Struhsaker, Laurel Su, Society, P.O. Box 599, Mill Valley, CA 94942. Kyle, Lelia & Larry Lanctot, Suzanne Lang, Richard Jacqueline Sue, Christina Swanson, Suzanne and Dee Lawrence, Joanne Lee, Bill Lenarz, Linda Thornley, Shilpa Tilwalli and Anandev Gurjala, Arlin Levey, Allison Levin, Jeff Levin, Judy Lichterman, Timberlake, Lois M Tolles, Burnett Tregoning, Ann Linder, Peter Logan, David Long, Carolyn Valorie Van Dahl, Charlie & Chris Vogelheim, Debra MISSION STATEMENT Losee, Mary H Love, Frank Lowe, F.R. and Anita Wadford, Rose Wager, Margaret Wagner, Douglas To conserve and restore natural Lowe, Patricia Lowrie, David MacKenzie, John and Wallace, William Washauer, Marion Weeks, David Nancy MacPherson, Anne Maczulak, Sarah Martin, Werdegar, Martha Wickliffe, Chris and Terri Wills, ecosystems, focusing on birds Joseph Major, Daphne Markham, Vivian Mazur, Robert Wilson, David Wimpfheimer, Kristine and other wildlife and their habitats, Linda McCann, Sharon McCloskey, Morton Wiskes, Lynne Worth, Diane Wrona, John and for the benefit of humanity and McMichael Jr., Prem McMurdo, Jane Medley, Catherine Yee the earth’s biological diversity.

2 THE RAIL LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON BIRDING PROGRAMS ON ZOOM

February Webinars Continue GIS IN CONSERVATION Wednesday, February 3, 2021 Focus on Breeding Bird Atlas 4 PM to 5:30 PM — NOTE EARLIER and Citizen Science STARTING TIME With William Wiskes Our Wednesday evening Webinar series continues with two programs this month – one Like every atlas project, the Marin County covering the amazing high-tech maps being Breeding Bird Atlas will feature, at its core, developed for use in our breeding bird atlas a series of maps that track the distribution project and the other focusing on the impor- of our nesting birds. Join us for a fascinat- tant work of citizen scientists to be shared ing exploration of high-tech map-making with by well-known Bay Area author, Mary Ellen William Wiskes. William will talk about the Hannibal. The first program on February 3 pleasures and pains of creating maps for with Will Wiskes will be an afternoon presen- a modern breeding bird atlas. He will focus tation from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM rather than especially on three classes of maps that he a customary evening event. Each Webinar will is developing for the Marin County BBA proj- Bill Keener Bill begin with a one-hour program to be followed ect: conventional paper (printable) maps, an Marin Bald Eagles by a time for questions and discussion. interactive web-map, and a phone-based app While extensive behind-the-scenes plan- that volunteers can use in the field. ning for the Marin County Breeding Bird Atlas William Wiskes, GIS Specialist, is the Bald Eagles Return to II sponsored by Marin Audubon has been staff cartographer of the new Marin County going on since April 2020, our upcoming Breeding Bird Atlas. He is currently a mas- the San Francisco Bay webinars described below help launch this ter’s degree candidate at San Francisco Not since the 1800s have Bald exciting and important project into full pub- State University. An excellent field orni- Eagles nested along the San lic view for the first time. These programs, thologist, William has worked on numerous Francisco Bay, according to Allen along with those presented in our January projects in conservation biology, includ- Fish, director of the Golden Gate Webinars, give Bay Area birders along with ing, among others, field studies of raptors, Raptor Observatory. So, it is a those more generally interested in conserva- Pacific Wren, and Black Rail. momentous occasion for eagles tion issues an opportunity to learn about the to nest along the shoreline: one in northern Marin, another in south- science underpinning our breeding bird atlas CAN CITIZEN SCIENCE SAVE US? ern Marin that successfully fledged work and the importance of citizen science in Wednesday, February 17, 2021 young last breeding season, and a our bird conservation efforts. Specific training 7 PM to 8:30 PM third in the South Bay. Reports of sessions for those who sign on as partici- With Mary Ellen Hannibal the eagles’ activities are circulating pants will be held on later dates. Citizen science is an old/new practice of in social media. Marin Audubon is Register now for these important pro- direct observation of nature by amateurs. monitoring the situation to ensure grams. We hope you will participate as a Today the practice is turbo-charged by smart- that protective measures for the citizen scientist in this worthwhile project phone technology and vast computing power. Marin birds may be implemented as and/or by making a donation to support this It is needed as never before, because plants needed. collaborative work in support of Marin birds. and animals are disappearing too fast, and Watch for more information on these topics in Earth is undergoing a mass extinction. The the weeks ahead. good news is that citizen science is a con- How to Register: A separate registration Interested in Joining cept, a format, and a tool for addressing is required for each program. Register on environmental problems at a local level, MAS Board? our new Marin Audubon website at www. including the urban environment. In this talk marinaudubon.org where these programs Marin Audubon Society’s accomplish- I'll go over some of the basics of citizen sci- are listed under the “Field Trips” section. At ments in preserving and restoring ence and focus on local projects that make a the top of each program listing, click on the precious natural habitats has been Zoom program link, which will take you to the difference. prominently displayed in this Webinar Registration Page. After registering Mary Ellen Hannibal is an award-winning Newsletter and other environmentally you will receive a confirmation as well as two author. Her book Citizen Scientist: Searching concerned publications. But there is reminders prior to the program. for Heroes and Hope in an Age of Extinction always more that needs to be done. Beginning with our January presentations, was named a best book of 2016 by the San For MAS, the impetus for creating new projects and confronting ongo- you will be able to view a recording of any Francisco Chronicle and won a Nautilus ing challenges starts with the Board Field Trips webinar you missed through a book award. She frequently contributes to of Directors. At this critical time link provided on the MAS website Field Trips Bay Nature, Nautilus, the New York Times, when climate change and destructive and Science magazines. Her Stanford TEDx page. We are happy to report that most development still threaten habitat, talk addresses citizen science in general: webinars will now be livestreamed on the the stronger the Board is the more Can Citizen Science Save Us? (https://tedx. Marin Audubon Facebook page (facebook. effective it can be. Our Board of com/marinaudubon). That means if you stanford.edu/lineup/mary-ellen-hannibal) Directors are totally staffed with forget to sign up in advance or decide Her most recent TED addresses How you volunteers and we invite anyone you’d like to consider joining the program can help save the monarch butterfly, and seeking to deepen their involvement once it has started, you can do that, no the planet (https://www.ted.com/talks/ with our efforts and concerns to con- problem. Additionally, if you miss the entire mary_ellen_hannibal_how_you_can_help_ sider joining us. If you are interested presentation, you can view it afterwards either save_the_monarch_butterfly_and_the_ in learning more, please contact: on the MAS website or on Facebook. planet?language=en). Doug Waterman at 415/506-4675.

LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON FEBRUARY 2021 3 Conservation

SONOMA FARALLON ISLANDS UPDATE So, bait stations would have to be COUNTY The consistency determination hearing before maintained forever. And even if all the craggy

PE TA the California Coastal Commission for the island terrain were accessible, which it is L U M A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s invasive not, regularly maintaining the over 1000

R I V E Rush R house mouse removal plan is fast approaching stations required to cover the area would be Creek THER OSP A TO N its expected March date. Marin Audubon so disruptive to breeding birds and marine AV EN UE and many other conservation and scientific mammals that the cure would be worse than Novato organizations support this plan to restore the doing nothing. islands to a more natural state. Claim: The to-be-developed anti-fertility The restoration plan for the Farallones chemical would have a half-life of less than one has been carefully developed by scientists, minute in the animals that consume it. who have been working on it since 2004. Response: This is untrue. In fact, San Pablo Bay It involves a one-time use of rodenticide in because any anti-fertility chemical would be MARIN COUNTY two applications. Rodenticide has been used administered at bait stations where the dose successfully to remove invasive rodents and cannot be controlled, the chemical will likely restore native ecosystems on some 600 islands have toxic impacts on the mice according to throughout the world. In fact, it is a scientific veterinary doctors. consensus that this is the only effective method Claim: The rodenticide would have to be Fairfax and as well as being the environmentally least distributed for three months as the gulls would San Anselmo San Rafael impacting. return to their nesting territories; even if hazing However, certain opponents continue to Ross were successful up to 3,000 gulls could ingest the disseminate erroneous information about the poison and die. RI CHM OND -SA plan for the Farallones and promote infeasible N R AFA Response: The project would be conducted EL BRIDGE Larkspur alternatives. Here are responses to some of their in the fall, before spring nesting season, when claims (in italics). gulls are present in low numbers. Hazing is Claim: Capturing the six to eight owls that a term that covers multiple activities (noise Mill Valley arrive on the islands annually combined with making, detonating fire crackers, etc.) designed Bothin using a mouse anti-fertility product can solve the Marsh to frighten birds away. Extensive testing of problem. hazing methods has been conducted on the Response: Removing owls, which impact islands and the results have been positive. storm-petrels, would still leave the invasive Claim: The ingredients in the rodenticide mice present and impacting other resources. Sausalito proposed for use on the islands are the same as the In addition, owl removal is not a permanent Brodifacoum used on the mainland, though the solution but would have to be done in San preparation of the pellets is slightly different. Francisco perpetuity. Bay Response: The difference is not in the More problematical is the proposed use of a mouse anti-fertility chemical, which has not ingredients, but in the application. Use on the yet been developed. If such a product could mainland is indiscriminate, distributed to kill be developed – and there are major technical rodents in many backyards and farmlands, MARIN AUDUBON PROPERTIES reasons why it has not been – it still would take whereas application on the Farallons will 1. Petaluma Marsh 180 acres years for it to be field tested and approved by be carefully planned, executed, supervised, Expansion Site the environmental agencies. But the biggest monitored with mitigations implemented. 2. Bahia 60 acres obstacle is the one admitted by the drug In contrast, application on the Farallones 3. Simmons Slough 144 acres company entrepreneur with ContraPest, Loretta is one-time, carefully planned, executed, 4. Norton Avenue Pond 4 parcels Mayer. She notes that contraception only works supervised, and monitored with mitigations 5. Black Point Parcels 2 parcels for control and not for removal. implemented. The same recent state law, 6. Arroyo San Jose 2 parcels An anti-fertility chemical has been promised which banned the use of the rodenticide on 7. Tiscornia Marsh 20 acres for years. Even if there were one, it would not the mainland, specifically allows its use for 8. Tidelands and 34 acres be effective because there is no assurance all conservation purposes on islands. And the Murphy’s Rock the mice would eat the contraceptive bait. If EPA has specifically approved the conservation 9. San Clemente Creek 4.34 acres formulation for islands. In fact, some of the Tidelands even one female refuses the bait, the problem scientists who have been leading advocates of 10. End of Channel Drive ?? acres would continue. To be effective, a contraceptive banning the rodenticide on the mainland have 11. Triangle Marsh 31 acres chemical must be ingested at the proper dose, 12. Arroyo Corte Madera 2 acres which is easy to achieve in laboratory conditions also been advocates of the Farallones Plan. del Presidio but almost impossible to be done in a large-scale In summary, if there were an effective non- 13. Cal Park <1 acre field situation. If the mouse ingests too much, toxic alternative to remove the invasive mice 14. Corte Madera Ecological 5.2 acres it can be toxic; too little, it can be ineffective. that are endangering the Farallones, we would Reserve Expansion Site And as with any birth control drug, it must be certainly support it and we have no doubt the ingested regularly with no days skipped. continued on page 5

4 THE RAIL LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON Farallon Islands Update protected habitat for the NSO. The action generation making the return trip to their continued from page 4 grew out of settlement of a suit brought by wintering in Mexico and Coastal California. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would use a lumber association over lands the Service Unlike previous generations which complete it. We would prefer to not use rodenticides had deemed essential to the owl’s survival. their life cycles in four weeks, the “super but there is simply no other effective way to The companies claimed that removal of the generation” monarchs live for six to eight restore the ecosystem of the Islands. land from their use would result in calami- months and may travel thousands of miles tous economic losses for them. The final to return to their grounds. These monarchs rule admits that it is not based on scientific then make the multi generational migration WHAT YOU CAN DO: analysis but it says “the Secretary as exercised the following spring. Monarch’s feed on Sign up to speak at Open Time at his discretion to remove critical habitat based nectar from flowers and lay their eggs exclu- the Commision’s February meetings; sively on milkweed, which is the sole source speak at the scheduled hearing in on the best scientific and commercial data March (date not yet known) or send available.” Conservationists disagree and of food for the monarch caterpillars. your comments to the dedicated email point out that the rule is unsupported by the As with the NSO, the Service found that [email protected] or Service’s own evidence. listing of the monarch is warranted but pre- to the Commission’s new address: cluded because it does not have resources to MONARCH BUTTERFLY 455 Mission Street, San Francisco complete the listing process due to the need CA 94105. Use any of the points The Service reached a similar conclusion for to focus on higher priority listings. The above or from the Zoom presentation. second species of importance in Marin — the Service assigned Monarchs a rank number For more information see Point Blue Monarch Butterfly: that adding the Monarch of 8 indicating a magnitude of threats are Conservation Science’s website or Butterfly to the threatened and endangered moderate and those threats are imminent. MAS’s website under “Conservation.” species list is warranted but precluded by Currently 161 species are higher than work required for higher-priority listing Monarchs on the work plan list than actions. With this decision, the butterfly Monarchs. The status will be reviewed annually until the agency undertakes a U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE proposal or undertakes a non-warranted continued from page 1 finding. Conservation efforts to save the Monarch information, the Service found that these are ongoing across the U.S. Organized stressors, particularly the non-native barred actions include the Monarch Joint Venture, owl combined with wildfire, are of such Habitat Working Groups and work on agri- imminence, intensity, and magnitude cultural lands. that the NSO is now in danger of extinction throughout its range. Therefore, WHAT IS MAS DOING FOR THESE SPECIES reclassification of NSO as endangered is MAS is working to save both species. We warranted, but is precluded by other high have advocated for protection of NSO priority proposals, in particular statutory, habitat for many years, including two court-ordered, or court approved actions lawsuits against the county to protect and final listing determinations. The Service habitat on OSD preserves. We also have reports it does not have sufficient resources Cason Alice an outreach program underway to notify to complete the proposed relisting. residents living within a half-mile radius of a The size and costs of the workload has becomes a candidate species for endangered known NSO nest site of the presence of the far exceeded the available resources needed listing. Its status will be evaluated every year nest, without identifying the specific nest for listings for more than two decades. The until it is no longer a candidate. site. We provide residents with information Service cannot exceed the annual funding The Service received a petition to list the on NSO life cycles, habitats, status, as well cap, placed to ensure the Service does not species in 2014 and in 2016 began an in- as about Barred Owls, and who to contact if spend all of its funds on this category of depth status looking at the global population problems occur or a barred Owl is observed. actions, and so has been compelled to find as well as focusing on monarchs in North For Monarchs, we have planted narrow- that action on some species is precluded. America where 90% of the world’s popula- leaf milkweed on our Simmons property The Service has assigned a listing tion occurs. The Western Population, located to provide habitat for monarchs and we number of 3 to NSO, indicating that the in California, has shown a more precipitous are expanding this program. We are in the magnitude of threat is high and those decline than the Eastern Population: drop- process of planting additional milkweed on threats are imminent. The Service will con- ping from about 1.2 million to fewer than California Department of Fish and Wildlife tinue to accept additional information from 30,000 in 2019 and fewer than 2,000 in property at Bahia. A Monarch Working government agencies, scientists or any other 2020. Threats to monarchs identified by the Group has also been established to address interested parties and reevaluate the NSO Service are habitat loss, climate change, and Monarch lands in Marin. Email Ed Nute for conditions on an annual basis until the peti- exposure to pesticides. information. tion is either withdrawn or completed. Two-long distance monarch popula- We are investigating further action, To make matters worse for NSO, just tions exist in North America: the Eastern possibly legal, now that the administration before the end of its term, the Trump admin- Population, and Western Populations which has changed and conditions have worsened, istration removed 3.4 million acres across continue to occupy and breed in warmer cli- particularly for Northern Spotted Owls. Washington, Oregon and California from mates throughout the summer with the final continued on page 6

LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON FEBRUARY 2021 5 Habitat Stewardship HABITAT STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM The planting season is coming to an BAHIA Last year we also planted a section of the end, but the lack of rain has slowed Marin Audubon was pleasantly surprised. We’ve levee, and those plants have been tended by the work. There will probably be had lots of new plants installed in January. The OPLM during the summer and are doing some plants still to put in the ground On Point Land Management (OPLM) crew will quite well. Next year we plan to install many at Triangle on the first Saturday of be planting a total of 180 coyote bush (Baccha- more plants than we have so far. A significant February. Beyond that, for both the Ecological Reserve and Triangle we ris pilularis) and 180 California sage (Artemesia increase in the number of plants will be pos- will be removing Harding grass and californica) on a section of the levee along the sible through a major donation. some other non-native perennials. Eastern Peninsula. The purpose of this planting In addition, OPLM also planted 1,000 The annual weeds have germinated is to convert the habitat from invasive radish to Creeping Wildrye (Eleymus triticoides) and 100 but they will be too small for us to native species to improve habitat. Fortunately, (Juncus patens) in the seasonal wetlands in the be concerned with them in February. Our volunteer days remain on the as we go to press, it is raining.The upper sec- flat areas of the Central Peninsula. We have schedule. They are good opportuni- tions of the levee were too dry to plant in early planted Creeping wildrye over the last four ties for students who need commu- January, and so we delayed finishing the plant- years with the goal of eventually populating nity service hours. Staying a healthy ing until after there is more rain. We have no most of these seasonal wetlands with native distance apart from each other out- choice but to trust there will be more rain. plants. doors on our volunteer days is easy, so don’t let that concern keep you away! A little physical activity is good Conservation the EIR should, in addition, provide for for a person’s mood, and if it does continued from page 5 the city to initiate and undertake habitat good for the environment, it is doubly restoration projects on its own. And good. IT’S GENERAL PLAN UPDATE TIME rather than “Recognize the value of heritage Act locally and join us on a work- Novato certified its General Plan (GP) two trees” should read “Protect native heritage day. We all make a difference. months ago; Sausalito is in the final review trees.” Heritage trees should be described Volunteer Workdays phase for its GP; San Rafael has just released and how they would be protected should Triangle Marsh, East Corte Madera: the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on be stated. First Saturdays: February 6, March 6 its Draft GP (see below) and Larkspur is about • Policy ENV 1.5 “Endeavor to preserve Meet at 10 AM on Paradise to begin work on the EIR for its Draft GP. Drive directly across from the Ring Tiburon’s GP is just beginning and a draft is and enhance wildlife habitat, including Mountain Phyllis Ellman trailhead expected to be released in about a year. watercourses and riparian areas and control near the Montessori School. human use….” “Endeavor” should be The City of Larkspur Corte Madera Ecological Reserve: has distributed a Notice deleted, so that it reads “Preserve and Second Saturdays: February 13, of Preparation announcing that they are pre- enhance wildlife habitat”. March 13 paring a Program EIR on its Draft GP 2040 • Policy 2.1 “Develop Creek, Shoreline and Meet at the end of Industrial Way. and they are soliciting scoping comments, Wetland Master Plan For up-to-date information, contact ” There is no reason i.e. comments on the “scope and significant to put off protecting these resources for Martha Jarocki, marthajarocki@ environmental issues, mitigation measures gmail.com or phone 415/461-3592. a plan that might never be produced. (if needed) and reasonable alternatives to be Policies to protract these resources should Bahia, Novato: explored” in the EIR. If you’d like to help at Bahia, contact be included. The Creeks and wetlands in The Draft Larkspur GP contains policies Jude at [email protected]. Larkspur are known. designed to protect native habitats, particu- • Policy ENV 2.2 “Avoid, if feasible, or THANK YOU, STEWARDSHIP larly those providing habitat for federally listed mitigate impacts to shoreline wetlands/ VOLUNTEERS special status species. However, many imple- riparian areas…. Debbie Ablin, Rich Cimino, Bob menting programs are vague, qualified and ” The “if feasible” should Harlow, Bob Hinz, Martha and Gerry weak. Below are some of the policies (in bold) be deleted. Jarocki, Ed Nute, Denise Pepp, • Action Program ENV 2.2b “Preserve Lowell Sykes, Kallen Wank of concern identified in our early review and our comments: and/or enhance buffer or transition zones • Action program ENV 1.1a calls for identify- between shoreline and wetland areas and inland….” The purpose and characteris- ALERT ing state and federal special status species. tics of the buffer/transition zones should Report Barred Owl Information on state and federal species is available and their location in Larkspur be stated. They should be at minimum Spottings is generally known. The EIR should 20 feet wide in developed areas and Barred Owls have extended their identify endangered and special status in undeveloped areas should be wider. range to the west coast and have species and how their habitats would be Buffers should be vegetated with native been seen in Marin. There is increas- protected. plants that provide cover, foraging and ing concern about their impact on • Policy ENV-1.2 Protect and enhance native nesting habitat for native wildlife where Marin’s Northern Spotted Owl popu- appropriate. lation. Barred Owls are larger, more plant communities. The native plant com- • aggressive and occupy the same munities should be identified, including Action program, 2.5 “Limit construction habitat type as Spotted Owls. See Coast redwoods, Coast live oaks, other activity within shoreline, wetland and contact list at https://marinaudu- native oaks, wetlands and streams. riparian areas and any established setbacks.” bon.org/2020/09/01/alert-report- • Policy ENV 1.4 Instead of “support These activities should be “avoided” not barred-owl-spottings. restoration projects” initiated by others, continued on page 7

6 THE RAIL LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON Marin Birdlog: December 2020 General Plan Update continued from page 6 By Noah Arthur just limited. “Established December is the peak of winter birding in Marin, usually producing an exotic array of vagrants, setbacks” should be defined. seasonal rarities, and uncommon winter visitors. This December looked a little different, with many of our Christmas Bird Counts canceled due to COVID-19, but there were still numerous WHAT YOU CAN DO: rare finds including some real “mega-rarities.” Access the Draft Program The first good find of the month was an out-of-seasonCaspian Tern at Pacheco Pond on the General Plan on the 1st (BB), one of an increasing number that have been wintering in our area in recent years. A Larkspur Website. Submit Townsend’s Solitaire at Alpine Lake on the 2nd (CC), especially unusual away from the species’ written comments by 5 usual Marin winter stronghold on Mount Tam. PM on February 4 to: Neal A 1st-fall male Black-and-white Warbler was Toft, Planning Director, City in Muir Beach on the 3rd, accompanied by an of Larkspur, 400 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur, CA 94939 or off-season Wilson’s Warbler (DS). Especially [email protected]. Feel rare in winter, two Lesser Yellow-legs were at free to use the information Rush Creek on the 3rd (CP, PD, SS, & WC). above. Also on the 3rd, a young female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was found at Scottsdale Pond in Novato (JM & RF). San Rafael Further along in An astounding rarity for California, a planning is the San Rafael GP. Chuck-will’s-widow was discovered roosting in The city has released a Notice of a Bolinas front yard on the 7th (MD). It was Availability of a Draft EIR on the not reported at the time due to COVID-19 Draft San Rafael General Plan concerns. This large, exotic-looking Eastern and also announcing a Planning nightjar is an exceedingly rare vagrant in Commission zoom hearing on Chuck-will’s Widow

Dick Daniels (CC BY-SA 3.0) (CC Dick Daniels BY-SA California, with the Bolinas bird being only a the EIR on Tuesday March 9 at 4th state record. This is probably the rarest find 7: 00 PM. of all of 2020 in Marin. We discussed environmental A Prairie Falcon lorded over Las Gallinas from atop a transmission tower on the 7th (DM). issues we found in the Draft GP Another Caspian Tern was at Lawson’s Landing in Tomales Bay on the 9th (LS & MS), and a in the January Rail. The NOP wintering Western Tanager was in DL’s yard in San Rafael on the 12th. advises that comments should One of only a few Marin records, a male Rusty Blackbird was along Pepper Rd. on the 12th focus on whether the EIR is suf- (LH). A classic December rarity for our area, a Nelson’s Sparrow was found along Tomales Bay ficient in its discussion of “possible Trail on the 14th (TB & ZM), subsequently enjoyed by many other birders. impacts to the environment, ways One of the best birds of the month came on the 17th, during one of the few Christmas Bird in which potential adverse impacts Counts that wasn’t canceled. Birders covering Redwood Landfill in Novato found an adultTaimyr can be avoided, or minimized Gull (NA, LH, & LSy) — a distinctive East Asian gull that eBird classifies as a subspecies of Lesser through mitigation measures.” We Black-backed. (Some authorities consider it part would add that you should pro- of a different species, Heuglin’s Gull.) Though a vide information that is missing or first for Marin, this is the same individual that incorrect in the Draft EIR. has been seen at Shollenberger Park in Sonoma The Plan focuses on devel- Co. for several winters (first found by yours truly opment allowing 2,260 new in December 2016). It is one of only four North residential units, most in the American records of the taxon. downtown area. The NOP identi- An American Dipper was first found at the fies significant effects in a number Leo T. Cronin Fish Viewing Area on the 18th of categories including air qual- (LN), and subsequently enjoyed by a great many ity, greenhouse gas emissions, Marin birders. Taimyr Gull transportation, and air qual- Yet another Caspian Tern was at Stafford 3.0) BY-SA (CC Shyamal ity. Biological Resources is on Lake on the 18th (SC), and an unseasonable their list of less than significant Pacific-slope Flycatcher was found in Bolinas on the 19th (LS & MS). A Townsend’s Solitaire impacts. Impacts on Biological was at their usual spot on Mt. Tam on the 20th (JP). A hybrid Red-naped x Red-breasted Resources are identified as less Sapsucker Myrtle x was in DK’s yard on the 22nd, and yet another subtle hybrid, this one a than significant. We disagree. Audubon’s Warbler, was in DL’s yard on the 23rd. Thick-billed Fox Sparrows An impressive total of 11 were counted at their winter haunts on WHAT YOU CAN DO: Mt. Tam on the 24th (CC). And a seasonally-rare Black-headed Grosbeak was in Inverness on the Written comments are also 30th (RP). due on March 9. Email Observers and Acronyms BB: Bob Battagin, CC: Connor Cochrane, DS: Dan Singer, CP: Carla Parkinson, comments to Barry.Miller@ PD: Patricia DiLuzzio, SS: Sylvie Silverstein, WC: Wayne Cooper, JM: Joe Morlan, RF: Robbie Fischer, cityofsanrafael.org. The MD: Mark Dettling, LS: Lucas Stephenson, MS: Mark Stephenson, DL: Derek Lecy, PP: Peter Pyle, DM: Draft EIR can be found at: Dominik Mosur, TB: Theadora Block, ZM: Zack Mikalonis, WW: William Wiskes, CM: Catherine Merritt, www.cityofsanrafael.org/ NA: Noah Arthur, LH: LISA HUG, LSy: Lowell Sykes, LN: Larry Nigro, SC: Scott Carey, JP: Jeff Perkins, DK: general-plan-ceqa. Durrell Kapan, RP: Richard Plant

LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON FEBRUARY 2021 7 Printed on 100% recycled paper

SUPPORT MARIN AUDUBON SOCIETY — BECOME A CHAPTER-SUPPORTING MEMBER Join or Donate to the Marin Audubon Society We invite you to become a Chapter-Supporting member of Marin Audubon Society (MAS) to support our Please fill in this form and mail to the address below. If you are paying by check, please make it payable important habitat protection and restoration work, to Marin Audubon Society. conservation advocacy, our full calendar of birding n field trips and speakers and our newsletter, The Rail. Enroll me as a Chapter- Supporting Member Marin Audubon is a chapter of National Audubon (NAS). name However, becoming a Chapter-Supporting Member of n Renewal MAS is separate and distinct from a membership in n New Member NAS. While MAS works with NAS on issues of mutual address concern, we are a separate non-profit Section 501(c)(3) n $25 Annual rate for students (18 years and under) and all-volunteer organization. Marin-based NAS members city state zip do receive this MAS newsletter, The Rail, however we seniors (65 and over) encourage all NAS members to also become Chapter- n $35 Basic Supporting members of MAS to support our local work. email telephone n Very little of our funding comes from NAS, and we rely $50 Sponsor on our MAS Chapter-Supporting members and donors n $500 Patron n This is a Gift Membership from: to help us fund our land acquisitions, restorations, n $100 Sustaining habitat protection, conservation advocacy, this n newsletter and our local programs. $1,000 Benefactor If you’re not already a Chapter-Supporting member, n Please accept my donation we urge you to join MAS and urge your friends, in the amount of n Please send me The Rail by email only. neighbors and relatives to join us, too. $ You can join MAS or make a donation on our website using your credit card or PayPal by going to n Master Card Payment by Credit Card: www.marinaudubon.org. Alternatively, you can join by filling out this form and sending us your payment by mail. n Visa

name on credit card IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO JOIN NATIONAL Fill out form and mail to: AUDUBON FOR THE FIRST TIME Membership Secretary MAS will receive 100% of your initial membership if you credit card no. expiration date enter MAS’s chapter code C04 on your application. To Marin Audubon Society join, go to www.audubon.org/join. P.O. Box 599 The best option for the birds: Join MAS and NAS. Mill Valley, CA 94942 signature

8 FEBRUARY 2021 LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON