vol. 96 no. 2 March–April 2011

the newsletter of the golden gate audubon society founded 1917

Don’t Miss Birdathon 2011

his year’s Birdathon takes place for the T whole month of April, from April 1 through 30, so Golden Gate Audubon members and friends will have plenty of time to compete for top prizes and enjoy a variety of birding adventures. Grand Prizes will be awarded to those who raise the most funds and will include won- derful birding getaways and vacations, and specialty birding equipment. Additional honors and prizes, including optics from our generous

Bob Lewis/www.wingbeats.org Bob sponsor Scope City, will be awarded in other Red-tailed Hawk, one of the species most impacted by the turbines at Altamont Pass. categories. All awards will take place at the Birdathon Awards and Celebration Dinner on Thursday, May 12, at the Brazilian Room in Til- Agreement Reached in den Regional Park, Berkeley. Last year’s Birdathon raised more than Altamont Pass to Save Birds $20,000. This year, with the help of our friends, we hope to top $30,000! All funds will benefi t Golden Gate Audubon’s vital work to protect Bay or more than 30 years, wind turbines in the Altamont Pass east of Livermore Area habitats for birds and other wildlife as well F have been killing thousands of birds annually. In December 2010, Golden as our award-winning Eco-Education Programs Gate Audubon signed an agreement with the largest turbine operator in the Altamont for children from underserved schools. Pass to facilitate the removal of more than 2,000 old-generation turbines and replace Taking part in Birdathon 2011 is easy. There them with fewer than 300 new-generation turbines that have less impact on most are many ways to participate. You can: bird species. • Sign up for one of our Birdathon expert- Golden Gate Audubon joined Santa Clara Valley Audubon, Marin Audubon, Mt. led walks. Simply make a donation to go Diablo Audubon, and Ohlone Audubon in the agreement with the California Attor- on one of our special Birdathon walks dedi- ney General’s Offi ce and NextEra Energy Inc. that requires NextEra to remove and cated to raise funds (see page 9). Even the replace its wind turbines in three phases over the next several years. All of NextEra’s busiest person can take part by joining one old turbines will be shut down before the end of 2015. BIRDATHON continued on page 12 NextEra will install new turbines only after completing a comprehensive study of bird use and density in the area and undertaking a verifi able effort to site the turbines in areas that pose fewer risks to birds. The settlement also provides $1.25 million for 3 Nestbox Workshop on-the-ground conservation of habitat to benefi t birds affected by turbine operations 5 Speaker Series

in the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area (APWRA) and $1.25 million for research 9 Birdathon 2011 Field Trips to better understand and protect species affected by turbine operations. inside ALTAMONT AGREEMENT continued on page 4 ROSTER Migrations at Golden Gate Audubon

board of directors Diane Ross-Leech President ot all migrations occur overhead. Here are the recent comings and goings at Golden Rich Walkling Vice President N Gate Audubon. Over our 94-year history, this great organization has thrived because Mark Mushkat Treasurer Linda Vallee Secretary of many wonderful people. Karim Al-Khafaji You probably know that GGA Volunteer Coordinator Jennifer Robinson Maddox went Whitney Dotson Alan Harper on maternity leave this past fall. On October 20, her fi rst child, daughter Adelaide, was Carey Knecht born. Now, not surprisingly, Jennifer and husband, Patrick, have decided that she should Michael Lozeau Sarah Peterman trade her GGA position for the new and challenging role of full-time mother. Jay Pierrepont Since Jenn began as VC in 2007, volunteers and staff have come to know her as talented, Phil Price dedicated, cheerful, and supportive. When hired, she knew little about birds, but said that “each volunteer was excited to teach me.” Jenn worked side-by-side with staff, interns, and executive director the more than 1,500 volunteers on habitat restoration work parties, at the Speaker Series, Mark Welther 510.843.9912 [email protected] on docent-led walks, on fi eld trips, and at festivals and events. To our volunteers, Jennifer’s

conservation director message is that “Golden Gate Audubon could not function without you. I hope every one of Mike Lynes 510.843.6551 you knows just how fantastic and important you are.” [email protected] We will miss Jenn and wish her and her family the best health and happiness. But we development director have not seen the last of her—when possible, Jenn will continue to show up for Golden Gate Marsha Mather-Thrift 510.843.7295 [email protected] Audubon activities. eco-education program manager Noreen Weeden fi lled in as Volunteer Coordinator during Jenn’s leave, and we are Anthony DeCicco 510.843.7293 thrilled that she has now accepted the position. [email protected] Marissa Ortega-Welch is Golden Gate Audubon’s new Eco-Education Program Coordi- eco-education program coordinator Marissa Welch 510.919.5873 nator. She joined GGA in November, returning to the Bay Area after living in Washington [email protected] state for four years. Marissa, a San Diego native, taught environmental education at the office manager Olympic Park Institute, as well as conducted bird surveys in Northwest national parks for Stephanie Strait 510.843.2222 the Institute for Bird Populations. She is fl uent in Spanish and has taught English as a sec- volunteer coordinator Noreen Weeden 510.843.9374, 510.301.0570 ond language. Prior to moving to Washington, Marissa taught bicycle-based environmental [email protected] education for Cycles of Change here in the East Bay. She loves to share her passion for the outdoors and is committed to empowering youth to work toward positive change. Marissa gull managing editor Judith Dunham [email protected] holds a BS in environmental science and management from UC Berkeley. We welcome her

observations and look forward to hearing about her work with the Eco-Education students. Bruce Mast [email protected] Marissa was preceded in this position by Rubén Guzmán, who has decided to concen- web editor trate on his masters of fi ne arts degree. We will miss Rubén’s passion for teaching kids about [email protected] the environment. We wish him success. northern california bird box Golden Gate Audubon is pleased to announce David Anderson’s election as chair of the 415.681.7422 San Francisco Conservation Committee. David, who recently returned to the Bay Area, The Golden Gate Audubon Society was founded brings an extensive background in conservation to this important volunteer position. For January 25, 1917, and became a chapter of National Audubon in 1948. Golden Gate Audubon Supporting more than fi ve years, he served as vice president and executive director of the Florida Audu- Membership is $35 per year. Renewals should be sent bon Society, where he worked on collaborative efforts to stem development and initiated to the Golden Gate Audubon offi ce. The board of direc- tors meets six times per year (schedule can be obtained the Urban Oasis Project, a program that monitors and enhances habitat for migrating birds. from the main offi ce). When he last lived in the Bay Area, David was director of the San Francisco Zoo for 14 years The Gull is published six times per year. Special third- and was responsible for shifting the zoo’s emphasis to conservation. “I’m delighted to be here class postage paid in Oakland, CA. Send address changes to offi ce promptly. The post offi ce does not working with such capable experts,” David says, “and hope that more GGA members will forward The Gull. join the critical and fascinating work on the committee.” Golden Gate Audubon Society 2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite G We thank Noreen Weeden for her dedicated leadership as chair of the committee since Berkeley, CA 94702 2006. She remains an active member of the committee. TEL 510.843.2222 FAX 510.843.5351 Next time you are with GGA out in the fi eld or in a classroom or at an event, take a second www.goldengateaudubon.org [email protected] and look away from the birds long enough to notice the terrifi c people who share with you For Nature Store hours, please call or check the website. the love of birds, other wildlife, and their habitat. We are an inspiring group.

Design and layout: e.g. communications — Mark Welther, Executive Director

2 THE GULL March–April 2011 conservation corner

DOG MANAGEMENT IN THE park managers’ mission to protect natural pants will have an opportunity to become GGNRA resources. The GGA Dogs in Parks Work- Golden Gate Audubon members. If you are The National Park Service released the ing Group’s model for managing dogs in interested in building a box, please contact Golden Gate National Recreation Area parks includes education and outreach, Amy Richey, [email protected]. (GGNRA) Draft Environmental Impact effective signage, evidence-based manage- Statement (DEIS) for its proposed Dog Man- ment, enforcement of rules, and, possibly, GGA AND SIERRA CLUB SETTLE agement Plan. The Dog Management Plan enclosing off-leash areas. The group needs YOSEMITE SLOUGH LAWSUIT will regulate on- and off-leash dog activities volunteers! To get involved, contact Pam On January 7, Golden Gate Audubon and in the GGNRA and is likely to set a prec- Young, [email protected]. Sierra Club signed a settlement with Len- edent for other national parks. While dogs nar Development Inc., the developer for the are not allowed on trails at other national BUILD A BOX FOR LOCAL NESTING Candlestick Point–Hunters Point redevel- parks, the GGNRA has operated under a BIRDS opment project, resolving our claims that special rule since 1979, which has allowed Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Western the Environmental Impact Report for the off-leash dogs to roam freely throughout the Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, and other cavity- project was inadequate. We were particu- GGNRA. Though some areas were sup- nesting birds depend on holes in decaying larly concerned that a bridge proposed by posed to be closed to dogs or require leashes, trees for their nests. In towns and cities, Lennar over Yosemite Slough would have noncompliance has been rampant and had however, decaying trees and wooden fence unnecessary impacts on the slough and signifi cant negative impacts on wildlife, posts often pose a hazard and are cleared adjacent wetlands, including the largest plants, and other park visitors. away. You can help cavity nesters by install- proposed wetland restoration project in San The Dog Management Plan strikes a bal- ing a nest box in your yard. And you can Francisco. ance between protecting the park’s natural build it yourself at Golden Gate Audubon’s Under the settlement, Lennar will imple- resources and allowing dog-related rec- nest box workshop on Saturday, March 26, ment measures to reduce impacts from the reation. We need our members to review 10 a.m.–1 p.m. The workshop will take bridge on adjacent wildlife and provide $2.5 the DEIS and provide comments to the place in the parking lot of the Berkeley REI, million for the creation of an entirely new GGNRA by April 14. More information is 1338 San Pablo Avenue. wetland on nearby property. Lennar also available at www.nps.gov/goga/parkmgmt/ Join us to assemble your own bird box agreed to make several improvements to dog-management.htm. If you would like from precut kits. No experience neces- native grasslands and perennial wetlands to get more involved in our effort to craft a sary! We will provide all the materials and that were already part of its project and to fair and useful dog policy for the GGNRA, instructions for assembling the box, as well monitor birds at the site for three years. The please contact Mike Lynes at mlynes@ as recommendations on where to place settlement will help enhance the natural goldengateaudubon.org. your new nest box. Members can take one environment of San Francisco’s southern of these beauties home for a $5 donation, waterfront, improve the community’s access REDUCING THE IMPACT OF DOGS nonmembers for $15. At the event, partici- CONSERVATION CORNER continued on page 4 IN EAST BAY PARKS Golden Gate Audubon’s Dogs in Parks Working Group is pursuing its goal to Are You Looking for These reduce the impacts of dogs on wildlife Features? in Berkeley’s Cesar Chavez and Aquatic • San Francisco and Oakland 2010 Parks, with the hope that an effective Christmas Bird Count reports. approach can be developed and applied to other areas, too. This effort coincides with • Trips to Big Bend National Park in proposed changes for managing dogs in the Texas in April, to the Cascade and Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Siskiyou mountains of Oregon in at the city of Albany’s shorefront. June, and to the Andean Mountains Common to all proposals are the concept of Ecuador in fall. of adaptive management and the restric- • Bruce Mast’s Observations. tion of off-leash dogs to designated areas. You’ll fi nd them on the Golden Gate Off-leash dogs have negative impacts on

Audubon website, www.goldengate- Rauzon/http://rauzon.zenfolio.com J. Mark wildlife and on the recreational experience audubon.org. Least Bittern at Martinez Regional Shoreline. of other park visitors, and confl ict with the

March–April 2011 THE GULL 3 CONSERVATION CORNER from page 3 ALTAMONT AGREEMENT from page 1 much power as 30 old-generation turbines. to thriving natural areas, and remove one of The new agreement implements rec- The agreement is a signifi cant step in the obstacles to the much-needed redevel- ommendations from the Alameda County the right direction in the APWRA. Stud- opment effort at Hunters Point. Scientifi c Review Committee, an inde- ies in other repowered turbine fi elds in the pendent body of scientists. The committee APWRA indicate a reduction in mortality RESTORE BIRD HABITAT AT has repeatedly stated that the only way to for most species of 60 to 80 percent. Yet, GOLDEN GATE AUDUBON SITES signifi cantly reduce avian mortality in the much work remains to be done. Golden We invite you to join us for our workdays Altamont Pass is to remove old turbines. Gate Audubon is working to persuade other at GGA restoration sites on both sides of The agreement also builds on the 2006 turbine operators to repower and other- the bay. During the spring, we work on site settlement that Golden Gate Audubon wise reduce environmental impacts from preparation. For site details and directions, and its partners signed after suing Alam- their operations. Also, where necessary, please go to www.goldengateaudubon.org/ eda County to prevent the reissuance of Golden Gate Audubon and its partners will volunteer. permits in the APWRA without environ- challenge projects that fail to adequately mental review. Golden Gate Audubon protect local wildlife. We are also greatly • Alameda Wildlife Refuge: March 13, settled that lawsuit after extracting prom- concerned about impacts to other wildlife 9 a.m. – noon. ises from the wind companies to reduce resulting from turbine operations, including • Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shore- avian mortality by 50 percent within three the endangered California Tiger Salaman- line, Oakland: March 19 and April 16, years. When the reduction in bird kills did der, the Red-legged Frog, and bats and are 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. not occur, Golden Gate Audubon prepared actively working with agencies such as the • Pier 94, San Francisco: April 2, 9 a.m. – to take further legal action to protect birds US Fish and Wildlife Service to address noon. in the APWRA. these impacts. Last summer, the California Attor- The progress we’ve made would not VOLUNTEER HOSTS NEEDED AT ney General’s Offi ce and NextEra Energy have been possible without the support of AUDUBON CANYON RANCH approached the Audubon chapters and the other Audubon chapters, particularly Every year, thousands of visitors come to proposed negotiations to explore new solu- Santa Clara Valley Audubon, and funders Audubon Canyon Ranch’s Martin Griffi n tions for the problem. NextEra put forward including the Weeden Foundation, Mary Preserve (formerly Bolinas Canyon Pre- an aggressive schedule for removing the A. Crocker Trust, Richard and Rhoda serve) in western Marin County, which old turbines and replacing them with new Goldman Fund, Firedoll Foundation, Gor- has one of the most studied Great Blue ones, a process called “repowering.” The don and Betty Moore Foundation, and Heron and Great Egret nesting sites on the new turbines are much more effi cient, with Resources Legacy Fund. West Coast. Golden Gate Audubon, which a single turbine capable of generating as —Mike Lynes, Conservation Director helped establish the ACR, is responsible for providing hosts during the public season. These volunteers greet visitors and answer questions about the heronry. All informa- Spring and Summer Classes tion that hosts need is provided in advance. GGA is seeking hosts for the following dates: Albany Adult School. The spring quarter begins April 4. Golden Gate Audubon will March 19 and 20; April 16 and 17; May 7, 8 sponsor two classes, Birding by Ear with Denise Wight and Beginning Birding with (Mother’s Day), 28, and 29; June 11 and Anne Hoff. Registration is through the AAS website: www.albanyadultschool.org. 12; and July 4. If you are interested or want More details on classes for the spring and summer quarters will be posted on the more information, contact Volunteer Coor- GGA website as they become available. dinator Noreen Weeden, 510.843.9374, Birds of the Sierra. Again this year, Golden Gate Audubon is holding two classes in [email protected]. the Sierra, a wonderful place for birds in June—Birds of the Sierra I, with Bob Lewis and Rusty Scalf, June 9–12, and Birds of the Sierra II, with Bob Lewis and Eddie LIGHTS OUT FOR BIRDS SAN Bartley, June 16–19. Both classes begin at the Yuba Pass parking lot on Highway 49 FRANCISCO AND EAST BAY between Sierraville and Bassetts. Each class is limited to 35 participants, so you’ll Spring migration continues through May. want to plan ahead. Information about fees and meeting times and places will be This is the time to encourage businesses posted on the GGA website. to participate in Lights Out for Birds. The Joe Morlan’s Spring Classes. The second sessions of Joe’s three ongoing classes, program not only can save birds—it can held Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings at the Marina Middle School in also save natural resources and cut energy San Francisco, begin the fi rst week of April. For details about each class, the text- bills. Sign up or learn more by visiting us at books used, and fees and registration, go to http://fog.ccsf.edu/jmorlan/spring11. www.goldengateaudubon.org/conservation htm. Preregistration is advised. or e-mail [email protected]

4 THE GULL March–April 2011 speaker series

California’s Tricolored Blackbirds: Centennial Trends and Prospects for the Future Margaret Atwood Film at Dr. Robert Meese SF Green Film Festival A new documentary fi lm about Mar- Berkeley: Thursday, March 17—7 p.m. refreshments, garet Atwood, In the Wake of the 7:30 p.m. program A near-endemic California bird, the Tricolored Blackbird is Flood, follows the intertwined threads a species of special concern that forms the largest breeding of the acclaimed author’s literary and colonies of any songbird in North America. Through a mul- environmental journeys, including timedia presentation that includes still images, videos, and birding interests she shares with her digital sound fi les, Dr. Robert Meese will explore the tricolor’s husband, Graeme Gibson. The fi lm, natural history, fi eld identifi cation, history of research, and by Ron Mann, will be screened Friday, population trends. Drawing on his extensive work with the USFWS Isola, Jennifer March 4, at 4 p.m. at the Landmark Bob Meese banding a Tricolored species, Bob will illustrate the tricolor’s extraordinary breed- Theatres Embarcadero Center Cin- Blackbird at Delevan National ema in San Francisco as part of the ing habits and the relationship between landscape changes Wildlife Refuge. and impacts on the species’ populations in the Central Valley San Francisco Green Film Festival. and Southern California. After the screening, Atwood will take Bob Meese has worked at the Information Center for the Environment in the Depart- questions via Skype from Canada. ment of Environmental Science and Policy at UC Davis for nearly 20 years. He has been Golden Gate Audubon is proud to conducting research on Tricolored Blackbirds for six years and banding them for four years. partner with the Green Film Festival Through annual surveys, he helps to locate at-risk colonies in ephemeral habitats, principally as a presenting sponsor. grain fi elds, and then assists in efforts to conserve and monitor the productivity of these Atwood is the acclaimed author of colonies. Bob’s work has taken him from San Diego County to Butte County, with a focus more than 40 books of poetry, fi ction, on the Central Valley from Kern County to Glenn County. and prose. Among other avian- Berkeley: Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda (between Solano and Marin). related accomplishments, Atwood Directions: www.northbrae.org/directions.htm. and her husband were named hon- orary presidents of Bird Life’s Rare The Top and Bottom of Central America Bird Club. For tickets ($12.50 each) Bob Lewis and other festival information, go to San Francisco: Thursday, April 21—7 p.m. refreshments, to www.sfgreenfi lmfest.org. 7:30 p.m. program In 2009, Bob Lewis explored the wealth of birdlife in Central America on visits to Belize in the north and Panama in the south. As one would expect, some of the species in the north Changes to Speaker Series are similar to those found in the United States and Mexico. By The Speaker Series has always been contrast, bird families in the southern part of Central America free for all who attend. Now, in order seem strange and unusual to many US birders. Showing the to cover the costs of speaker hono- extraordinary photographs taken on his trips, Bob will look at raria and increasing expenses, we a number of bird families, both strange (puffbirds, antwrens, Lewis/www.wingbeats.org Bob will request that nonmembers make Stripe-throated Hermit. toucans) and familiar (kites, falcons, fl ycatchers), with a spe- a voluntary donation of $5. This will cial focus on hummingbirds. He will also examine other wildlife that can be seen in Central begin with the March 17 Speaker America. Series in Berkeley. Nonmembers can Bob is a long-time GGA birding instructor and fi eld trip leader. He is addicted to birding also attend the programs free if they travel and bird photography. He and his wife, Hanno, have explored parks and sewage ponds take advantage of our discounted in more than 35 countries and anticipate adding to the list. six-month membership of $15 for The GGA Latin America Committee is offering a trip to Panama, June 4–12. If you are joining that evening. Of course, GGA considering this trip, you will not want to miss Bob’s presentation. Steve Margolin, who has members are welcomed to attend led fi ve trips to Panama and will lead the upcoming trip, will be present on April 21 to talk presentations in Berkeley and San about the trip. Francisco free of charge. This is one San Francisco Speaker Series: First Unitarian Universalist Church and Center, 1187 Franklin Street at Geary. Visit of the many benefi ts of keeping your www.uusf.org/visitors_faq.html, and use the Map It! link on the left for directions. Public transit, street parking, GGA membership current! and parking in a lot for a fee are available.

March–April 2011 THE GULL 5 fi eld trips $ Entrance fee

Biking trip

For questions about individual fi eld trips, contact the leaders. For updates to the fi eld lot is on left just after bridge over Putah trips and new trips offered before the publication of the next newsletter, go www.gold- Creek. The preserve has free parking but engateaudubon.org/fi eld-trips/fi eld-trips. no bathrooms.

Jewel Lake scopes. Come by and experience the Castle Rock Regional Recreation Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley thrill of observing and learning about the Area Fridays, March 4, April 1, waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds Walnut Creek 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. that call the park home during the winter. Friday, March 11, 9 a.m. – noon Phila Rogers, Coordinator, 510.848.9156, Heron’s Head is at Jennings St. and Cargo Steve and Carol Lombardi, hot-rock@ [email protected] Way, two blocks south of Pier 96. Parking sbcglobal.net, 925.785.0130 (cell) is available near the entrance. Sponsored Meet at the parking lot at the north end of This is a lovely park alongside a creek in by Golden Gate Audubon, SF Nature Central Park Dr. for a 1-mile stroll through the shadow of Mount Diablo. The picnic Education, Port of San Francisco, and Lit- this lush riparian area. Spring is coming, areas are very birdy on weekdays, when eracy for Environmental Justice. with budding willows and early-arriving visitors are scarce. We’ll bird these areas, breeding birds. The fi rst singer will most then walk out the Stage Road Trail looking San Francisco Botanical Garden likely be Orange-crowned Warbler. Heavy for woodland species and raptors on the Sundays, March 6, April 3, 8 –10:30 a.m. rain cancels. cliffs. There are many shallow creek cross- Alan Ridley, [email protected]; Helen ings on the trail, so be prepared for wet Redwood Shores McKenna, 415.566.3241; Ginny Marshall; feet. Meet in parking lot at end of Castle San Mateo County Dominik Mosur, [email protected] Rock Rd. The park has restrooms and Saturday, March 5, Meet at front gate of garden in Golden water. Directions are at www.ebparks.org, 9:15 a.m. – midafternoon Gate Park, 9th Ave. at Lincoln Way. This or contact leaders. Kathy Jarrett, 510.547.1233, monthly trip is oriented toward helping [email protected] beginning birders develop their skills in Cesar Chavez Park Berkeley Meet at 9:15 a.m. at the trailhead, Oracle spotting and identifying resident, migrant, Saturday, March 12, 8 a.m. – noon Parkway and Shoreway Rd., Belmont. This and vagrant birds. Fee is $7/person if you Rusty Scalf, [email protected] circuit is a fl at, 11-mile loop on the SF Bay are not an SF resident or garden member. Trail and other bike paths, mostly paved. A Bring ID for residency and membership Meet at the circular drive at the end of highlight is the sewer ponds at Radio Rd. status. Spinnaker Way on the Berkeley waterfront Dress for variable weather. Bicycle helmet immediately adjacent to the park. We will required. Bring lunch and liquids. Rain Putah Creek South Fork bird around the park. Dress warmly. Rain cancels. Call or e-mail for cell numbers. Preserve cancels. Leaders will drive; for transit directions, Yolo County go Field Trips at GGA website. If you can Mondays, March 7, April 4, 7 – 9 a.m. Honey Lake offer a ride or would like a ride, call well Aaron Haiman, [email protected] Lassen County in advance. The preserve is a wonderful riparian corri- Saturday–Sunday, March 12–13 From Hwy. 101, exit at Ralston/Marine Parkway and dor that runs from Lake Berryessa to Yolo Dave Quady, 510.704.9353, go east toward the bay .4 mile, then left at fi rst light Bypass Wildlife Area. It offers opportu- [email protected] east of the freeway (Oracle Parkway), and turn left at next intersection (stop sign) and immediately into nities to bird along the creek and into Spaces may still be available on this trip parking area. the nearby open grasslands. Possible to see Greater Sage-Grouse, Bald Eagles, highlights include unusual duck species, and other wintering birds of the Eastern Heron’s Head Park raptors, and early spring migrants. Par- Sierra. Contact the leader to sign up. San Francisco ticipants will be walking on uneven trails Saturday, March 5, 10 a.m. and through often coarse or prickly vege- Seal Rocks and Sutro Park Lowell and Lincoln High Interns, tation; sturdy hiking boots and long pants San Francisco 415.387.9160 are strongly suggested. Rain cancels. Saturday, March 12, 9 a.m. – noon Tours of the park leave every 30 minutes, Trip is limited to 10 participants. E-mail Martha Wessitsh, 415.681.8059, with the last tour at 11:30 a.m. They will leader to reserve space. Those signed 415.533.4470 (cell), [email protected] be led by interns from Lowell and Lincoln up should meet at the preserve, on Mace Meet at the parking lot above the old Sutro High Schools equipped with spotting Blvd. south of I-80. Entrance to parking Baths. We’ll scope birds on the offshore

6 THE GULL March–April 2011 rocks and in the catching pond formed of miles on the fl at part of the road and Butterfl y Walk by some of the ruins. Then we’ll scope return the same way. Hardier souls can UC Berkeley Botanical Garden seabirds from the Cliff House. Across the continue up the steeper portion looking Tuesday, March 22, 3 – 4 p.m. street at Sutro Park, we’ll look for land for California Thrasher and other scrub Sal Levinson, [email protected] birds. Restrooms are available, and little species. Meet in parking lot at end of Meet just inside the garden gate. We walking is involved. Heavy rain cancels. Mitchell Canyon Rd. Restrooms and water expect to see early-season butterfl ies such are available. There is a parking fee. For as Sara Orangetip and California Tortoise- Lower Klamath/Tule Lake directions, search for “Mitchell Canyon shell. There are entrance and parking fees. National Wildlife Refuges Rd., Clayton,” on Google maps, or con- Please register by calling 510.643.2755. E- Siskiyou County tact leaders. $ mail leader with questions. $ Sunday, March 13, 7:30 a.m. Eddie Bartley and Noreen Weeden, Richmond to Berkeley Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park [email protected], 415.355.0450 Alameda and Contra Costa Counties Oakland In mid-March, Lower Klamath is one of the Saturday, March 19 Wednesdays, March 23, April 27, premier staging grounds for waterfowl Leader: Kathy Jarrett, 510.547.1233, 9:30 a.m. – noon preparing for a last leap north to their [email protected] Hilary Powers, 510.834.1066, spring and summer breeding grounds. Meet leader at 8:50 a.m. at El Cerrito Del [email protected]; Ruth Tobey, Expect to see waterfowl in the tens of Norte BART Station for ride to trail or at 510.528.2093, [email protected] thousands, as well as cranes and rap- 9:20 at the end of S. 51st St. in Richmond. Meet at the large spherical cage near tors, especially Bald Eagle and perhaps We will bird south along the SF Bay Trail, Nature Center at Perkins and Bellevue. We Golden Eagle, and Rough-legged and looking for shorebirds and ducks, and will bird around there, then go up the gar- Ferruginous Hawks. Great Horned Owls ending at University Ave. and I-80 in den path toward Children’s Fairyland or are expected; Barn and Short-eared Owls Berkeley. Bring bicycle lock and liquids. walk down the lake toward Embarcadero. are fairly common. Meet at the refuge Bring lunch or purchase at the Seabreeze Take 12, N, or NL bus to Grand and Perkins, and walk Visitor Center. We’ll bird most of the day Market. Bicycle helmet required. Rain into park on Perkins. Best parking is at boathouse with a break for lunch. You can join us for lot near spherical cage. Entry (via Bellevue near cancels. Reservations are unnecessary, Children’s Fairyland) is probably free on weekday part or all of trip. but an e-mail or phone call would be mornings, but will be $3 if the kiosk is occupied. From I-5 at Weed, follow Hwy. 97 northeast for 45 appreciated. miles toward the Oregon border. Take Stateline Rd. Car: Take Bayview exit from I-580 north, turn left Claremont Canyon (Hwy. 161) east to Tulelake. Turn south on Hill Rd. and over freeway. Go left on Seaport and immediately go 4 miles. Drive from SF is about 7 hours. Oakland left on S. 51st, then go to end and park on street. Sunday, March 27, 9 – 11:30 a.m. Entrance to a short spur to SF Bay Trail starts here. Corona Heights If you are concerned about security, park at Point Erica Rutherford; Ande Bennett; John San Francisco Isabel and ride north on trail about .75 mile to meet Colbert, [email protected], group. Transit: Meet leader at the Del Norte BART Fridays, March 18, April 15, 8 – 10 a.m. 510.541.2100 station at 8:50 and ride to trail. If biking on your own, Brian Fitch; Dominik Mosur, take Ohlone Greenway Trail south to Potrero Ave., Learn to locate and identify, by sight and [email protected] turn right toward the bay, cross San Pablo Ave., and sound, some common birds of the hills immediately turn left onto S. 55th St., then right onto Meet in front of the Randall Museum, 199 Gately, left onto Ells, and right onto Bayview. Cross and canyons during this moderate walk Museum Way, at end of Museum Way Carlson, then go over I-580, left onto Seaport, and for beginners. We will start at the top of off Roosevelt. We will enjoy views of the left onto S. 51st St. and proceed to trail. Panoramic Way behind Memorial Stadium city and bay as we circle Corona Heights, and bird along Panoramic Ridge in both checking the east canyon woodland and Southern Waterfront Claremont and Strawberry Canyons. Sec- north forest for residents and migrants, as San Francisco tions of trail are somewhat steep and may well as monitoring the hilltop scrub and Sunday, March 20, 8 a.m. be slippery when muddy or dusty. Meet south cliff. Dominik Mosur, [email protected] at last intersection at top of Panoramic We’ll start at Candlestick Point State Way. E-mail for a map of meeting location Mitchell Canyon Recreation Area to look for shorebirds at and parking suggestions. Contra Costa County Yosemite Slough at high tide (a site under Saturday, March 19, 9 a.m. – noon threat of development). Then, we’ll head Bird Walk for Beginners and Steve and Carol Lombardi, hot-rock@ to Heron’s Head Park to seek out the Clap- Children at Aquatic Park sbcglobal.net, 925.785.0130 (cell) per Rail and Harlequin Duck seen there San Francisco Sundays, April 3, April 10, 10 a.m. This beautiful riparian area on the north recently, plus other species. Trip ends Carol Kiser, [email protected] fl ank of Mount Diablo should be very before noon. Please contact the leader if birdy, with many residents and migrants meeting the group at Candlestick Point. Park Ranger Carol Kiser will teach you in attendance. We’ll walk out a couple Parking must be arranged in advance. FIELD TRIPS continued on page 8

March–April 2011 THE GULL 7 FIELD TRIPS from page 7 Great Blue Heron and Great Egret rooker- orioles, wrens, bluebirds, and warblers. how to locate and identify common ies. We’ll go on to the reservoir for terns, Habitats include riparian, grassy lawn and waterbirds and land birds during this easy kingfi shers, and eagles, which have fi g- hillside, freshwater pond, and tall euca- stroll. Bring binoculars and bird books if ured out this lake is stocked. Meet at Bear lyptus trees often hosting raptors. you have them. Wear sunblock and a hat, Creek Staging Area on west side of Bear Take I-880 to Tennyson Rd. exit in Hayward and go and dress in layers. There is free 4-hour Creek Rd., 300 feet north of Happy Valley east on W. Tennyson Rd. After 2 miles, turn right on Mission Blvd. and continue .8 mile to Garin Rd. Turn parking at foot of Van Ness Ave. Park- Rd. (west of Briones Regional Park). See left and continue .9 mile up hill to park. Meet in fi rst ing garages are in Ghirardelli Square www.BayAreaBirdWalks.com for direc- parking lot to your left after kiosk. Consult a map for on Beach St. and at Anchorage Mall on tions and rain plan. Prepare for muddy alternate routes from your point of departure. The park may or may not be collecting fees ($5). Heavy Beach near Leavenworth. conditions. rain cancels. $

Rodeo Lagoon Quarry Lakes, Alameda Bolsa Chica Marin County Creek and Coyote Hills Orange County Saturday, April 16, 9 a.m. to noon Fremont, Alameda County Saturday – Sunday, June 4 – 5 Martha Wessitsh, 415.681.8059, Saturday, April 30 Steve Lombardi, [email protected], 415.533.4470 (cell), [email protected] Kathy Jarrett, 510.547.1233, 925.785.0130 (cell); Rusty Scalf [email protected] Meet at the parking lot of the Marin Head- [email protected] lands Visitor Center. We will scope birds Meet at 8:20 a.m. on east side of Fremont Coastal Orange County has several on the lagoon and also fi nd land birds. BART Station in parking lot for this all- important breeding areas for rare and Restrooms are available, and not much day trip ending at BART at about 3 pm. endangered species. Bolsa Chica, during walking is involved. We will see birds from the time we step breeding season, is an almost unbeliev- After Golden Gate Bridge, take second exit to Alex- off the train and will experience various able experience. At Bolsa Chica Marsh ander Ave. Get in left lane, following signs for 101 habitats: riparian, marsh, and bayside. San Francisco. Turn left at stop sign and cross under (near Huntington Beach), Least Terns and Total distance is about 24 miles, mostly freeway. Turn right onto Conzelman Rd. and drive Snowy Plovers breed almost at your feet, about a mile. Turn right on McCullough Rd. and go on paved bike trails, with almost no uphill. and large colonies of Elegant Terns and over the hill until you come to a T at Bunker Rd. Turn Picnic lunch at Coyote Hills Visitor Center; left on Bunker and drive to Field Rd. (look for signs Black Skimmer nest nearby. The adjacent bring lunch and liquids. Dress for vari- saying “Visitor Center”). Turn left up hill and park in channels will be fi lled with feeding terns large lot adjacent to old church, now Visitor Center. If able weather. Bicycle helmet required. and skimmers, along with waterfowl and you cross the lagoon, you’ve gone too far. Rain cancels. Reservations are unneces- shorebirds. At Crystal Cove State Beach sary, but an e-mail or phone call would be (home of the famous Ruby’s Shake Shack San Pablo and Briones appreciated. and located between Newport Beach Reservoirs Transit: Fremont train passes through MacArthur at Orinda 7:34 a.m. Car: Take I-880 to Fremont, then Mowry and Laguna Beach), we’ll seek the endan- Ave. exit east toward Central Fremont and go 2.3 mi. Saturday, April 16, 9 a.m. – noon gered California Gnatcatcher and other on Mowry. Fremont BART parking lot is on east side coastal scrub species. San Joaquin Wild- Kitty O’Neil, 925.787.6666, of station past Civic Center Dr. [email protected] life Sanctuary, near Irvine, is where we will very likely see and hear Least Bell’s Vireo, Discover these hidden gems in our own Garin Regional Park Yellow-breasted Chat, and other riparian backyard. We’ll start at Briones (Bear Hayward, Alameda County breeders. Creek Staging Area) with its oaky hills and Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 8, look for warblers, woodpeckers, and rap- 8 – 11:30 a.m. Plan to stay near the Orange County air- tors. At the fi nger lagoons, we’ll seek out Anne Hoff, [email protected] port on Friday night. On Saturday, we’ll Wood Ducks and Green Herons. Then Garin hosts many very accessible birds in begin birding at 8 a.m. in the nearby San we’ll move down the road to San Pablo spring. We should fi nd nests of at least fi ve Joaquin marsh. That night, plan to stay at (Orinda Connector Trail). This rolling walk species and witness breeding behavior in Huntington. On Sunday, we’ll start early will take us along San Pablo Creek to several more. Among the highlights are at Crystal Cove, then proceed to Bolsa Chica. We’ll drop participants at the air- port late Sunday afternoon. Plan to share Help the Environment by Choosing The Gull Online the cost of a rented vehicle with the other Join other GGA members who are downloading The Gull from our website. You will attendees. Air and hotel reservations will help save paper and reduce our expenses for printing and mailing. Best of all, the be the responsibility of each participant. photographs in the online version of The Gull are in color. When the next newslet- We will provide a list of recommended ter is published, we will email you a link. To choose The Gull online, email ggas@ fl ights and lodgings. Trip will be limited. goldengateaudubon.org or call 510.843.2222. Contact Steve Lombardi to be placed on sign-up list.

8 THE GULL March–April 2011 Birdathon Field Trips

These trips are offered to help you reach your goals for Birdathon 2011. You can also participate through any of our regularly scheduled trips to accumulate species and make a pledge. For more suggestions on how to raise pledges or participate in the Birdathon, see page 1 or go to www.goldengateaudubon.org.

Biking and Biodiversity— they will need. Extra items can be carried A Quest for 100 Species in a small backpack, fanny pack, or sad- Southern Marin County dlebag. A good way to carry a spotting Saturday, April 2, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. scope is to have the tripod on a rear rack about 2 miles from the station. Access Josiah Clark and the scope in a backpack. A donation is easy through Old Sacramento to the of $25 is encouraged to support the Bird- Biking and birding go together, and there river and then on a connecting trail to the athon. To sign up for the trip (limited to 12 is no better place to combine the two park. The plan is to overnight at the Lark- participants), e-mail ggas@goldengate and cash in on a carbon-free count than spur Landing Hotel in Folsom and return audubon.org or call 510.843.2222. in southern Marin. This trip has only a few the following morning. Participants must short hills, but in terms of birds, it has City of Alameda make their own hotel reservations. On something for beginners and advanced Saturday, April 9, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sunday, we will start from Iron Point Light birders alike. We’ll meet at the base of Chris Bard, 510.301.2987, chrisbard@ Rail Station in Folsom at 8:30 a.m. and Tennessee Valley Rd. at the fruit stand. earthlink.net return via Amtrak from Sacramento at Starting in Richardson Bay and ending about 3:30 p.m. (train #743), arriving in Let’s see how many species we can fi nd at Tennessee Valley Beach, the route Emeryville about 5:15 p.m. contains tidal and freshwater wetlands, on the island of Alameda and in the Bay You can also make a one-day trip by various types of woodlands, grasslands, Farm area and raise funds for Golden driving to Folsom and using the Sacra- scrub, and ocean. In 2009, the combina- Gate Audubon. We will meet near South mento Light Rail system. Allow 2.5 hours tion of habitats on this transect produced Shore Beach and carpool to various loca- to drive from the East Bay. Recent rid- a record-setting “big hour,” with 88 spe- tions. Drive to the south end of Park St. ing experience is a must to ensure the cies observed by bike. in Alameda, turn right on Shoreline Dr., then immediately turn right on the next stamina necessary for such a long ride. On this trip, we’ll take our time to explore street toward the shopping center. Meet Trip is limited to 12 participants. Contact the watersheds that fl ow into Richardson on the left in the parking area across the the leader to reserve a space. Partici- Bay, study shorebirds at their roosts, scan street from the car wash. Please bring a pants are encouraged to donate to the for bobcats on remote hillsides, identify scope if you have one. Heavy rain cancels. Birdathon fundraiser and/or ask others to native plants, and indeed smell their fl ow- A donation of $25 is requested if you are sponsor them. ers. But make no mistake—we are in it not a registered Birdathon participant for every last bird species. We will check collecting donations on your own. Field Trips with the Rockin’ TVs dozens of birdy spots as we make our April 10: We take fl ight in Alameda way through the varied upland habitats American River Trail April 17: We lift off from San Francisco of Mill Valley, Tam Junction, Oakwood, Saturday – Sunday, April 9 – 10 Eddie Bartley and Noreen Weeden and Tennessee Valley in hopes of observ- Kathy Jarrett, 510.547.1233, Team up with the Rocking TVs for a por- ing 100 species by bike. [email protected] tion or all of two 24-hour GGA Benefi t Bird-a-ganzas. We’re going on a quest We will begin with some basic birding- This trip follows the fairly fl at 23-mile for the mostest and bestest birds we can cycling safety tips. The trip, covering 6 to American River Trail between Sacramento fi nd on two slightly insane, fun-fi lled trips. 10 miles, is geared for beginning cyclists, and Folsom. The route is rich in birdlife, The buzz begins in Alameda County on with only a few small hills (that we can and many birds also can be seen from the April 10 and rocks San Francisco and walk if we have to). Mountain-style bikes train, especially through Suisun Marsh. then some on April 17. with wide tires are best for this terrain. The trip starts Saturday at the Emeryville Participants must be familiar with how Amtrak Station, where we put our bikes You can contribute to our efforts to ben- to ride and operate a bicycle and have a on the train departing at 9:05 a.m. (train efi t Golden Gate Audubon in many ways: bike helmet and binoculars. They should #724 originates in San Jose). We start bik- join for the whole enchilada; meet up with dress in layers and be prepared for the ing upon arrival in Sacramento at about us at a specifi c location of the route for a day’s conditions, but bring only what 10:55. The trail begins at Discovery Park, BIRDATHON FIELD TRIPS continued on page 10

March–April 2011 THE GULL 9 BIRDATHON FIELD TRIPS from page 9 The trip is limited to 30 participants. Mt. Davidson 4-hour portion; or donate in our name to Please sign up in advance with the lead- San Francisco the organization that has done more than ers. The meeting place may change Sunday, April 24, 8 a.m. – noon any other for bird conservation in our because of public events that restrict Dominik Mosur, [email protected] birdy region of the world! For those who access, so we want to be able to get in In a 4-hour blitz, we’ll bird one of the participate in a fi eld trip, we are asking touch at the last minute. We will send city’s premier traps for migrants and a minimum donation of $25 each. If you more details to participants in April. vagrants—and help raise funds for would like to donate to the GGA cause Golden Gate Audubon. Meet at the end on behalf of the Rockin’ TVs’ efforts, no Birding the East Bay of Myra Way at Dalewood Way, loca- amount is too small (or too large) and is Saturday, April 16, 7 a.m. – dark tion of the #36 Muni bus shelter and greatly appreciated—and we will carry Mike Lynes and special guest expert turnaround. Call up the intersection on that inspiration with us throughout our birders Google maps, or contact the leader for adventure. Those who contribute a mini- We will start in Tilden Regional Park at specifi cs. A donation of $25 is required to mum of $50 receive a free TVs Rock! 100 the parking lot for the Wildcat Creek Trail support the Birdathon. percent cotton T-shirt designed by Eddie (near the Little Farm and the Environ- Bartley with the help of one Turkey Vul- mental Center on Canon Dr.) and hike on Sunol Regional Wilderness ture and printed locally. Even if we don’t nearby trails until 10 – 11 a.m. (depend- Alameda County see the most species or the best bird, we ing on birdiness). The rest of the day will Saturday, April 30, 8 a.m. aim to have the most fun trying! Contact be more free-form, as we drive and walk Bob Lewis Eddie Bartley, [email protected], to to different spots in the Berkeley-Oak- Meet at the fi rst parking lot after the park sign up. land area, including Eastshore State Park entrance kiosk. We’ll look for migrant and Lake Merritt. Participants can join us passerines and residents, including swal- Murphy’s MOb for just the morning or tag along for the lows, vireos, warblers, woodpeckers, Saturday, April, 16, 7:30 a.m. until we whole day. and raptors. The trip fi nishes a little after drop Suggested minimum pledge is 50 cents noon. A donation of $25 is required to Dan and Joan Murphy, murphsf@ per bird or $25 in pledges. First-timers are support the Birdathon. comcast.net, 415.564.0074 welcome, and we will provide scopes and During last year’s Birdathon, Murphy’s binoculars if necessary. We’ll take a brief Mines Road Mob (Many Observers) saw 103 species break for lunch, but it’s recommended Alameda County between San Francisco and Mountain that you bring it with you. The group is Saturday, April 30 View on the Peninsula. Our goal again limited to about 15 participants, so sign Dave Quady, 510.704.9353, davequady@ this year is to see more than 100 species up early! Contact Mike Lynes, mlynes@ att.net during an all-day outing. We will meet goldengateaudubon.org, 510.847.9393, The trip will begin in Livermore at 8 a.m. at the Vista Point Parking Lot in the San by April 9. and end there in the early evening, with Francisco Presidio about .25 mile inside opportunities to end earlier, or bird Arguello Gate. From there we will drive Eastshore State Park later, if you wish. We hope to see Lewis’s to different spots in the city and on the Alameda County Woodpecker, Phainopepla, and Bullock’s peninsula, perhaps as far as Palo Alto. Saturday, April 23, 7 a.m. Oriole. Wild Turkey, Greater Roadrunner, Carpooling is encouraged. Bob Lewis and Golden Eagle are among other pos- This trip is timed to catch the spring We’ll meet along Buchanan St. west of sibilities. The trip is limited to the fi rst migration and early nesting season. We I-80 and scan the Albany mudfl ats for 20 participants who sign up with the should miss some ducks and gulls, but shorebirds, then move on to the Berke- leader, beginning at noon on Monday, we should pick up many migrating land ley Meadow. If time allows, we’ll fi nish at March 21. Carpooling is encouraged to birds and shorebirds. You are welcome to the Emeryville mudfl ats. We’ll be looking and from Livermore and is essential dur- join us for all or part of the day. The sug- for migrating shorebirds as the tide goes ing the day because of limited parking gested minimum pledge for individuals out and anything else that shows up. This along our route. The leader will provide or families is 50 cents per bird. Needless will be a fi rst chance to see how the latest directions and carpooling information to say, we encourage higher pledges. meadow restoration is impacting spring to those confi rmed on the trip. Partici- You can add to that by signing up family, birds. The trip fi nishes before noon. A pants are encouraged to donate to the friends, and colleagues to increase your donation of $25 is required to support Birdathon fundraiser and/or ask others pledge. the Birdathon. to sponsor them.

10 THE GULL March–April 2011 Donations

Many thanks to our generous donors! Donations from November 20, 2010, through January 20, 2011. golden eagle ($1,000 or more) Sheila Mary Dickie, Mary Donovan, Lisa and John Doyen, Andrea Duncan, Wil Anonymous (3), Mary Bachman & William Downing, Carson Cox and Deborah Dvorak, J. Julian Elliot, Judith N. Ellisen, Walter Robert Ems, Robert G. Ewing, Haase, Katherine and Randall C. Erickson, Jeffrey A. Goodby and Jan L. Steven Fields, C. Peter Flessel, Monica J. Fletcher and Stephen Cope Evans, Deming, Harold C. Kirker, Michael Lozeau, Mara K. and Don Melandry, Jay and Lee and Janet Friedman, Dianne Fristrom, Tom Galante, Elaine Kijek Geffen and Lisa Pierrepont, Carol A. Sughrue, Dr. William F. Weeden Peter Geffen, Mary Gerber, William J. Giddens, Arnold Gilbert and Ellen Lurie Gilbert, Jim & Ruth Gravanis, Gary J. Grimm, Melvin Grumbach, Rupa Gupta, Peregrine Falcon ($500 to $999) Judith Ann and Suresh M. Gurbaxani, Linda Gustafson, Patricia L. Hagerty, Chris and Gary Bard, Michael Green, Mary E. Martin, Mark Mushkat Reuben Hale and Sarah Schafer, Robert N. Hall, Amanda M. Hamilton, Delores Least Tern ($200 to $499) Harkin, Katie Henry, Scarlett Hepworth, Lori Higa, Robert W. and Deborah T. Tom Ainsworth, Barbara Anderson, Eric P. Anderson, Ellen W. Barth, Richard and Hirt, Yary Hluchan, Catherine Ann Hoffman, Frederick J. and Lynn K. Hollander, Daphne Bertero, Jack R. Bertges, Mary C. Betlach, Marj and Bill Blackwell, Susan Hillary Hoppock,, Jeffrey W. House, Donald H. and Ann V. Hughes, John M. and and Ron Briggs, Anne Cahill Hansen, Courtney S. Clarkson and Roy Leggitt Joan C. Hulihan, George Humphreys, Deborah Hurst and Stephen Senter, Dale III, Terry and Zoe Coddington, Jane Dang, Rebecca Eisen, Leora and Coleman K. Ikeda, Judy Irving and Mark Bittner, Akiko Ishii, Nancy C. Issel-Mayes, Daniel Feeney, Helen M. Heller, Michael Ina, Cris Jones and Lee McEachern Jr., Anne R. Jacobs, Naomi Janowitz, M. Anne Jennings, Nancy E. and William Johnston, K. Kelley, Annis G. Kukulan, Nicholas J. Kukulan, Jon D. and Ina Lockwood, Susan and Andrew Jokelson, Diane Joy, Ann F. and John A. Kadyk, David Kallinger, Diane Marie Luders, Henry and Deada Mally, Larry and Sheila Malone, Robert Dorothy T. and Donald R. Kaplan, Dorothy M. Karvasales, Timothy S. Kask and M. and Johanna Mandel, Bruce Edward Mast and Juliet Cox, Dorothy Jo Anne Joan Poteet Kask, Richard A. Kaufmann, Richard J. and Judy Keene, Edward and Thomas Mayer, Roger B. Mendelson, Dan and Joan Murphy, John S. and and Kim Kent, John J. Klopacz, Victor Krawczyk and David W. Zylstra, Rosalind Hortensia Nelson, George Peyton, Regina Phelps (Emergency Management Kutler, Jennie Kwok, Stan Kwong, Corinne Lambden, Lori A. Lambertson and and Safety Solutions), Steven Rosenberg and Elizabeth A. Rost-Rosenberg, Ned Doherty, Beth Lamont, Patricia E. Langenhahn and Douglas L. Hendricks, Andrea Speraw, Raymond P. Suderman, John H. and Ellie Sutter, Inge Svoboda, Carmen M. Lasar, Diane G. Lavin, Richard Horowitz Lavinghouse and Randy Nancy Davis Szymanski, Glen R. Tepke and Carol Chetkovich, Ruth and Alan Berkowitz Lavinghouse, Nancy Leahy, Christopher Lee, Enid I. Leff, James E. Tobey, Edward F. Walsh Jr., Linda L. Watts Lennon, Jean Bruins Levin, Sara Shoemaker Lind, Randi and Herb Long, Katharine H. and William D. Loughman, James J. Ludwig, Pat Lusk, Mary MacCready and Clapper Rail ($100 to $199) Melvyn C. H. Wright, Linda Y. Maniwa, Jerri Mariott, Keith Marks, Rhona McLean, Aquarium of the Bay, Kay Andersen, Catherine L. Anderson, Laura Baker and Robert A. and Barbara Paula Mendle, Susan L. Merrill, Mark Monkman, Loranna Lewis Lubin, Marian and Hans Baldauf, Jan Beeler, Richard A. Bordow and Liz M, Moody and Robert A. Gilman, John and Marilyn Muenchow, Frank Mulligan, Kahlenberg Bordow, H. J. and June F. Browne, Dolores Rae Butkus, Andrea Brenda Navellier, Cordelia A. Neal, Allison Nelson, Monique Ninove, Elizabeth W. and Michael J. Cassidy, Alfred W. and Eunice M. Childs, George Chrisman, Ann O’Brien, Beatrice R. O’Keefe, Margot S. Parke, C. E. Paul, Sarah Joanne and Jim Clarke, Timothy J. Cleere, Bruce and Myra Cobbledick, Marian Colwell, Rodney Kenneth Paul, Joel T. Perlstein, Naje Phillips, Amelia T. Phipps, Janet A. John H. Conley, Robert Larkin and Carol E. Coon, Laura Cory, Lawrence E. S. Pigot, Cora and Donald L. Pitcock, Christina and Anthony Poggio, Eva Hecht Crooks, Susan Diridoni and Satoru Fujii, Kathy Down and Gregory Kelly, Frances Poinar, Gerri Popper, Elizabeth Preston, Jay J. Price, Holliday A. Reynolds, Daniel Dupont, Stephen Elston and Cymie Payne, Mary I. Foley and Arianna Comyns, J. Richman, Marguerite and H. T. Richter, Suzanne Riess, Mary L. Roberts, Dennis Jane Freeman, Mary E. and James B. French, Robert C. Friese, Pat Gannon, Romano, Marjorie Roth, Elizabeth Rubin, Louise C. Russell, Maryla K. Salt, Verena Gerald I. Ganz, Elaine Kijek Geffen and Peter Geffen, Angie Geiger, Christa and Schelling, Nelly Scherer, David M. Schwartz, Linda Scourtis, Sara Segal, Steven Andrew Goldblatt, Rima Goldman, George C. and Amy W. Gorman, Patricia M. Sherman, Betsy Sherratt, Peter & Bonnie Sherwood, Ellen L. Simms, Martha Greene, Donald M. Gregory Jr, Patricia Grice, Roberta Guise and John Rohosky, Ann Singer, Sylvia L. Spears and Neil Goldstein, Erica Stone, Stewart Stone, Lynn Bob Hallet, Earl S. and Bonnie Hamlin, Michele and Jerome Harrison, Leanne M. Strandberg, Marilyn S. Teplow, David J. Thomas, Janet Tompkins, Elizabeth Hinton and Gary Scott, Liz Hoadley, Wendy L. Howell, Patricia Kirkpatrick, Pat B. Tuck, Clem H. Underhill, G. Douglas Vaughan and Doris Kretschmer, Linda Kline, Marianne Laouri, Arlene V. H. Lee, Michele Liapes, Barbara Loomis and Vida, Dorothy Walker, George Wallace, Nicole Walthall and Charles Markley, Stephen A. Elspas, Bret Lyon and Sheila Rubin, Kent Lee McDonald, Diana Joyce Walton, Harold F. and Cecile T. Weaver, Alice Webber and Stephen F. McKennett, Elaine McKinley and Kit Durgin, Jill Moak, Dan and Joan Murphy, Tobias, Michelle Weinman and Richard Gamer, Rona Weintraub, Greg Welker, Roger Newman and Audre Wiksell Newman, Jennifer E. Ott, Jean Ovenden, Robert Wernick and Anne Ackerman, Ruth K. Wetherford, Sharon M. Wheeler, Wendy A. Pelton and Maryann Rainey, Lenie Perkins and Dexter Hodes, Jean Nettie M. Woodward, Edward and Judith Wright, Miriam Zamora Kantor Pfann, Richard William and Ellen K. Price, Russell M. Rector, Barbara J. and Joel Richmon, Audry C. Riddlebarger, Donald A. Riley and Carolyn Serrao, Phila Gifts In Honor of Witherell Rogers, Carla M. Ruff, Carla and Robert Rugeroni, Joyce A. Rybandt, Beau Bonneau Casting in honor of Michele Dennis, Susan Bogas in honor of Ivan Samuels, Rusty Scalf, Deborah Self and Amanda F. Wallace, Craig A. and Sharon Jacobs, Laurie Ludwig in honor of Mark Whisler, Mary Price in honor of Martha S. Spriggs, Malcolm J. Sproul, Anne E. Stenzel, George J. and Mary L. Phil Price and Juliette Lamont. Suter, Tracy Swartz, Christopher Tarp, Claudia E. Tierney, Mary L. Turner and In-Kind Gifts Norma Randig, Laurie Umeh, Elizabeth Varnhagen, Juliette and William R. Jon Harvey (spotting scope and case), Lee Karney (magazines). Wheeler, Elise G. White, Jane Whitley, Elizabeth Willey and Richard Mlynarik, Peter S. and Amelia Q. Wilson, Ann L. Winblad, Eleanor S. Woodbury, Mitchell Gift Memberships Youngman Melissa Vokey for Hayden Vokey, Teri Buchanan for Jane Zastro, Owen and Patricia Henery for Jack and Candace Van Der Meulen Gifts (to $99) Virginia Barrelier, Karen Ackerman, Marianne Adkins, George and Stephanie Employee Gift Matches Almeida, J. Garth Alton, Ralph A. Anavy, Constance & Gary Armitage, John Autodesk Matching Gifts Program – USA, BlackRock Matching Gift Program, Thomas Bacon, Brenda J. Bailey, Bob Battagin, Marcelle M. Baxter, Vikki V. Bay Chevron Humankind Matching Gifts Program, Flora Family Foundation, Harder and Ramon Del Rosario, Christine Begle, Bruce Bell, Scott Benson and Elana Company Community Research, Pacifi c Gas & Electric

Swartzman, Monica Berson, May Blaisdell, Claire Boddy, Jonathan R. Bond, Ann Grants Boren, Richard Bradus, Cathryn J. Brash and James Mashy, Karen and Johnny Flora Family Foundation, JiJi Foundation, NorthFace—The Outdoor Foundation, Brown, Henry W. Bruck, Cheri Bryant, Dolores Rae Butkus, Muriel Cahn, Robert The Naiades Fund, Orange County Community Fund, Rose Foundation For E. and Geraldine L. Campbell, Gretchen and Charles Carlson, Al Chase, Min Communities & The Environment Chen, Catherine Cocard, Darcy Cohn, Noel Commins, Susan and Don Couch, Patricia Z. and Richard W. Covert, Robert Craft, Mary Cranley, Sylvia C. Darr, Bequests Adrienne De Bisschop, Pieter J. De Jong, Cornelia De Schepper, Barbara Dean, From the estate of Richard Bachenheimer

March–April 2011 THE GULL 11 golden gate audubon society NON-PROFIT ORG. 2530 san pablo avenue, suite g U.S. POSTAGE berkeley, ca 94702 PAID OAKLAND, CA Return service requested PERMIT NO.1702

welcome The Gull is the newsletter of the Golden Gate Audubon Society. As a Supporting Member of Golden Gate new Audubon, you receive a subscription to The Gull, a 10 percent discount on items purchased at our Nature Store, members! and the satisfaction of supporting local conservation efforts. Local members of the National Audubon Society are encouraged to join Golden Gate Audubon directly. Contact our offi ce at 510.843.2222 for details.

BIRDATHON from page 1 specifi ed length of time to count the a donation just because you are doing some- of our fi eld trips. If you want to help birds that fl y by. thing worthwhile. If they donate at least more, you can ask friends to sponsor $25, they receive an introductory member- • Introduce someone to birds and your outing by pledging a fl at amount ship and can enjoy our free fi eld trips and nature. Go out with your child and ($5, $10, etc.) or a certain amount per events—so you are also doing them a favor. compete for Youngest Birder. Or set up species sighted (such as 50 cents). a team at your child’s school and com- HOW TO SIGN UP • Put together your own birding day pete for Most Species Seen by a School Go to www.goldengateaudubon.org and or trip. Check out the prize categories Team. click on Birdathon 2011. You can download listed on our website and think about There are many enjoyable ways to partic- and print all the needed information. This what you might like to do. Perhaps it’s ipate, and we hope you look at what we have year, you can set up your own individual or a simple four-hour bird walk alone in to offer and join in, or get creative, think team page on our Birdathon site. Your page your favorite local spot. Or it might be about how you can help, and make up your allows you to e-mail friends, keep track of taking a long-distance trip during April own Birdathon fun! your pledges, put up amusing photos and that allows you to compete for Best Don’t be shy: it’s not hard to ask friends postings, and generate momentum for your Bird US or Best Bird International. and colleagues to help out. Golden Gate Birdathon efforts. • Form a team and choose a special Audubon is doing important work to protect If you prefer print, call our offi ce at spot within the GGA region or else- Bay Area open spaces and wildlife, and our 510.843.2222 and ask that a packet be sent where. Hike a terrifi c trail or shoreline work benefi ts everyone in our region. We to you. It has all the forms, deadlines for with a team of friends. Choose a great also enable kids (who would otherwise not competition, checklists, and instructions to owl spot and go out at night to count. have the opportunity) to get out and learn make your Birdathon a great success. We Or join any of our local fi eld trips or about nature through our Eco-Education will also be at REI Berkeley on March 26 long-distance trips and simply ask Programs. and 27 and at REI San Francisco on April 2 friends to sponsor your bird sightings. To support these efforts, you can send an if you would like to sign up in person. • Have a good time. You can sponsor a e-mail or printed letter to your friends, tell- Even if you can’t go birding, you can buy Big Sit and make it a picnic party with ing them what you are doing and why. We a ticket and come to the Birdathon dinner. friends. For a Big Sit, birders select a have sample letters on our website. You’ll be Last year’s dinner was fabulous. You won’t productive spot and remain there for a surprised at how many people will commit want to miss this year’s!

The Gull is printed with soy-based inks on chlorine-free paper, 30% postconsumer waste content.