David Wyatt • Bats of the Sutter Buttes What Is the Only Mammal That Flies? Yes, You Got It
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Volume 54, Number 6 March 2009 David Wyatt • Bats of the Sutter Buttes What is the only mammal that flies? Yes, you got it . they are our bats. Bats are also one of our most misunderstood creatures with many myths and misconceptions sur- rounding them. Whether you love them, hate them, or are simply indifferent to them, join us in discovering the fascinating, some- times bizarre, world of bats. On March 5, The Dusky Warbler, biologist David Wyatt will introduce us to found by Emilie many of the bat species we can find here in Strauss on October 9 California and beyond. Learn that most bats at Point Isabel, was, eat insects and are extremely important in by far, the best bird controlling insect pest numbers. Also dis- on Denise’s 2008 cover how bat biologists study these mam- Contra Costa Big mals and what that information is revealing Year list. about their behavior and life histories. Photo by Bob Lewis Dave Wyatt is currently co-chair of the Biology Department of Sacramento City College. He has taught in community colleges since 993 and has been full time at SCC since 998 teaching various courses in Field Ecology. His primary research interests have revolved around three areas: Ringtails, bats, Sutter Buttes, the world’s smallest mountain range, were known by the Maidu as Esto and insects (primarily beetles, since 987). Yamani–The Middle Mountains–and were regarded as a place for spiritual renewal . His research has been predominantly in Dave is a parent and is currently owned by up close and personal and found it a great California, but has extended to Baja Califor- four beagles that fill his life with howls of pleasure to see Dave with his students. Dave nia, Belize, and Arizona for bats; and Belize, laughter. is a wonderful teacher and his students are Guatemala, Arizona, and Texas for insects. In the spring, Dave leads Bat Research clearly enjoying their research with him. Outings to the Dean Ranch in the Sutter Dave is full of amazing information. So, Buttes. The Middle Mountain Foundation join us for his presentation and come away Meeting Schedule sponsors these events in association with with a greater appreciation of our nocturnal The next general meeting of winged neighbors. Mount Diablo Audubon Society the Sutter Buttes Land Trust. About a dozen will be Thursday, March 5, in the species of bats live in the Sutter Buttes, in- BIRDING INFORMATION Camellia Room of The Gardens at cluding the Mexican Free-tailed Bat, as well Last fall Cecil Williams, our MDAS Heather Farm, Walnut Creek. as the largest and smallest bat species found Education chair, and several MDAS vol- 7:00 pm Birding Information in North America. The largest is the Mastiff unteers, in conjunction with the Moraga 7:25 pm Announcements Bat with an 8-20 inch wing span, the only Library staff, provided unique bird watch- 7:40 pm Refreshments,* door prize bat that has a call deep enough to be heard 8:05 pm Speaker: ing experiences for children. The children David Wyatt by the human ear. On May 7, the hottest * Please remember to bring a cup. had experiences with binoculars, scopes, day of 2008, Bev Walker and Alice Holmes Thursday, April 2: bird lists, and bird feeding. The evenings participated in one of Dave’s Bat Research Bob Stewart, Breeding Strategies of were highly successful and great fun for all. Outings. Their experience was fascinating. Bay Area Birds Cecil will share pictures and stories, and They were able to meet seven bat species future plans for expanding the program. DEDICATED TO HABITAT CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION the Quail —— March 2009 Welcome Observations By Steve Glover A flock of 25 Cackling Geese flew over A Bald Eagle was at Lafayette Reservoir New Members McNabney Marsh on 2/28 (BB). on 2/26 (MM). Falcons at Upper San Mary Beth Alban Moraga Seven male Wood Ducks at Upper San Leandro Reservoir included a Merlin on Lisa Anich Concord Leandro Reservoir near Moraga on /7 (BL) /7 (BL) and a Peregrine on /8 (RS). Colleen Cassidy Lafayette was outshone by 29 there on /9 (RS). A female Phainopepla was at the parking Mary Lee Dodd Moraga Contra Costa County’s 3rd Eurasian lot at Black Diamond Mines Regional Park, Antioch on 2/27 (P&NS). This is been a Chrislyn Fosenburg Concord Green-winged Teal continued at McNabney Marsh near Martinez on very reliable winter spot over the years. Nathalie Oram Alamo 2/28 (BB). Single White-throated Sparrows were Karol Prinz Pleasant Hill Male Eurasians Wigeons were at at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline in Ronald Thompson Lafayette McNabney Marsh /24 (MS) and Miller/ Richmond on /7 (LL) and residential Knox Regional Shoreline, Richmond on Orinda /25 (LE). President’s Corner /26 (PB). Fourteen Great-tailed Grackles were at Jimm Edgar The maleHarlequin Duck continued to be McNabney Marsh on 2/28 (BB). This Mount Diablo Audubon is off to a busy seen by many observers at the Richmond colony now seems to have leveled off at start for 2009. I hope all of you will attend Marina /7-9. about this size. one of our monthly meetings and go on a The maleLong-tailed Duck continued at Bob Battagin, Martha Breed, Paul Brenner, field trip. As spring comes and migration the Richmond Marina /5-9 (BB). Lynne Ehlers, Steve Hutchcraft, Wyn begins, it is an exciting time to be out bird- Seven female Hooded Mergansers were at Krida, Bob Lewis, Laura Look, Mary ing. We participated in the Flyway Festival Oak Hill Park, Danville on /11 (SH). A male Malec, Rusty Scalf, Paul and Nancy Schorr, the first weekend of February at Mare Is- Hooded was at Upper San Leandro Reservoir Maury Stern land. It was our new volunteer coordinator, on /7 (BL). Two pair of Hoodeds were at Submit Contra Costa County sightings to Moses De Los Reyes’, first event to staff and Hidden Lakes Park, Martinez on /9 (MB) Steve Glover at [email protected] lots of folks stepped forward to help. It was and another pair was in downtown Walnut or (925) 997-1112. a great event and one we have been a part Creek on /23 (WK). of since it began many years ago. Speaking An American Bittern was at Contra Loma of new board members, Diane Malucelli Regional Park, Antioch /20-27 (P&NS). has stepped into the sales manager position of the chapter. Barbara Vaughn has stepped back from her long-time role in that job. Praise for Barbara; Barbara has served in many roles for the Welcome, Diane! chapter as well as being president. Thank Barbara Vaughn is the one who, for you Barbara for your service! nearly two decades, has greeted you as Our education committee will once you arrive at a meeting. She’s the one who again be involved in our “No child left encouraged you to buy raffle tickets, -En inside” program at Jack London School in tertainment books, Mount Diablo Audu- Red-shafted Flicker Antioch. Board member, Paul Schorr, will bon hats, birding checklists; and she’s the Colaptes cafer collaris head this up. We will have two classroom person who has arranged the raffle prizes, Birds of Golden Gate Park sessions with students; one with Native which add an extra bit of fun each month. Joseph Mailliard • 1930 Bird Connections where Diana Grana- dos will bring a number of live birds for But Barbara has turned the job over students to see and hear about their life to another volunteer, Diane Malucelli. cycles and another session to learn how to Diane is the one whom you could always count on to be there at the SF Bay Flyway This smartly patterned use binoculars and field guides. In May we bird is frequently seen will have two field trips for the students to Festival, the John Muir Open House, and any other of the environmental exhibits as it hovers—its long, go “birding.” This is a great way to expose pointed wings serving as kids to the outdoors. If you can help, we in which Mount Diablo Audubon Society takes part. helicopter rotors—above where it need volunteers for the field trips. They are hopes to find its prey. More often, Diane will be an active and important on May 26 and May 28 from 9 am to pm these birds are patiently perched on new member of the Board of Directors. So and will be at Contra Loma Regional Park. telephone wires ready to swoop down let’s all welcome Diane, and at the March Contact Paul at [email protected]. for a meal. We continue to be deeply involved meeting, let’s each of us buy one Mount Unscramble these letters, or turn to in the Acorn Woodpecker situation at Diablo hat, two birding checklists, and three raffle tickets. You’ll be glad you did; Page 6 to learn more. Rossmoor. I don’t at this writing have a lot AACEEEIKLMNRRST of new information, but we will keep you she’ll be glad you did! informed as developments take place. Welcome, Diane! Thanks, Barbara! the Quail —2— March 2009 Cheers for Our Coyote Hills Regional Park » Continued from Page 8 Along with the neighboring Don Volunteers Edwards San Francisco Bay National By Moses de los Reyes Wildlife Refuge to the south, and the State’s Eden Landing Ecological Preserve to the north, Coyote Hills’ wetlands are a major migratory bird use area along the Pacific Flyway. These wetlands and others on the Peninsula side of the bay constitute the “San Francisco Bay−South” Important Bird Area of California.