The OBSERVER Sacramento Audubon Society

General Meeting SACRAMENTO AUDUBON-SPONSORED Thursday, November 17, 2011 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATES FOR 2011-2012 Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Assembly Room Saturday, December 17, Woodfords Christmas Count 7pm General Meeting Coordinator: Tim Fitzer, 870-5207, e-mail: [email protected] Anza-Borrego’s Sister Park in Mongolia Compiler: Andi Salmi, 691-7216, e-mail: [email protected] Mark Jorgensen Monday, December 26, Folsom Christmas Count California’s largest State Park, Anza-Borrego Desert State Compiler: Chris Conard, 203-1610, e-mail: [email protected] Park, has an international Sister Park in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. November’s speaker, retired Anza-Borrego Saturday, December 31, Sacramento Christmas Count Superintendent, Mark Jorgensen has travelled into the Compiler: Mark Cudney, 987-2422, e-mail: [email protected] Gobi six times to share his park and resource management experience with the rangers of the Mongolian Steppes. Other Christmas Bird Counts: Mark has helped organize a corps of six nomad rangers, Monday, December 19, Benecia-Napa Christmas Count helped outfit them with equipment to assist them in ful- Contact: Tim Fitzer (Grizzly Island), 870-5207, [email protected] or filling their jobs, and has generated funding for salaries, Compiler: Robin Leong, (707) 643-1287, [email protected] patrol motorcycles, laptop computers, and binoculars. The rangers of Ikh Nart Nature Reserve (see Ikhnart.com) have Saturday, December 17, Auburn Christmas Count curtailed the poaching of native wildlife, have helped put Compiler: Deren Ross, (530) 885-9740, [email protected] a halt to illegal mining within the reserve, and are vigor- Sunday, December 18, Putah Creek Christmas Count Compiler: Steve Hampton, [email protected] Sunday, December 18, Stockton Christmas Count Compiler: Jim Roworth, (209) 956-2648, [email protected] Wednesday, December 28, Lincoln Christmas Count Compiler: Ed Pandolfino, [email protected] Thursday, December 30, Sonoma Valley Christmas Count Compilers: Tom Rusert and Darren Peterie (707) 939-8007, www.SonomaBirding.org Saturday, January 1, Angwin Christmas Count Contact: Louise Vicencio, (707) 224-9386, [email protected] MarkMark Jorgensen with rangerrangerss in Mongolia Compiler: Murray Berner, (707) 224-5897, [email protected] For locations and dates of additional Christmas Bird Counts, ously protecting the precious resources of this Central visit http://natureali.org/cbcs.htm Asian park. Mark will share his photos of the Mongolian landscape, rare wildlife such as the Argali sheep, the Siberian ibex, Mongolian gazelle, cinereous vulture, dem- oiselle crane, lesser kestrel, and the long-eared hedgehog.

General Meeting continued on page 6 VOLUME 63 • NO. 9 NOVEMBER 2011 Field Trip Findings

Shadow Glen/Snowberry Creek(10/15) on the American River. Cathie reported, breaching Risso’s Dolphins. A sailfish Four birders joined leader, Lea Landry, “The weather was great and we man- gliding just under the surface was a first on a field trip along Lake Natoma, from aged to see 38 species. A large flock of for almost everyone. Because of the nice Shadow Glen toward Negro Bar and back. Cedar Waxwings were alternately feeding weather, land birding was fairly slow. Lea reported “There were fewer birds on wild grapes and hawking insects over Good looks at many birds but nothing than usual along the way, despite the the river. Muriel spotted a Black-crowned rare or unusual.” unusually sunny and warm October day. Night Heron hiding in vegetation on an Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (9/27) — A total of 32 species were seen or heard, island and everyone enjoyed the bril- Leader Marlene Ishihara reported: “Seven including a Belted Kingfisher in a Gray liant yellow of some Lesser Goldfinches. participants enjoyed a short morning Pine, Hermit Thrush in an Interior Live Bewick’s and House Wrens surprised tour of the Bypass. The highlight includ- Oak, and—at last—a Phainopepla survey- with the level of noise coming from “such ed a large flock of Greater Yellowlegs. ing his kingdom from the top of another a small bird!,” and egrets and cormo- About 50 birds were feeding and resting Interior Live Oak. Cathie LaZier added rants on the pond had before their continuing migration plant identification to our activities, and to compete for atten- south. SeveralSeveral NorthernNorthern Harriers,Harriers, we were kept busy reminding bicycle rid- tion with three active AmericanAmerican Kestrels,Kestrels, andand White-White- ers that they really shouldn’t be riding on river otters.” tailedtailed KitesKites werewere seenseen huntinghunting the horse/hiking trail.” Discovery Park (10- throughoutthroughout the morning. The early River Bend Park, American River 8) — Leader Andi winteringwintering ducks included NorthernNorthern Parkway (10/13) — Leader Cathie LaZier Salmi reported: “Our Pintails and NorthernNorthern Shovelers.Shovelers. A reported: “Six people joined me for this group of 5 enjoyed shortshort but satisfying trip.” morning walk. Wintering crowned spar- a pleasant morning Bodega BayBay (9/25) — Leaders Tim rows and kinglets, as well as Yellow- at Discovery Park. Fitzer and MarkMark MarMartuccitucci reporreported:ted: rumped Warblers were active, and after Some of the many 1414 participantsparticipants enjoenjoyedyed a cool dadayy much searching Tim Fitzer found a well common species at Bodega Bay.Bay. The birdingbirding waswas camouflaged Great Horned Owl. After observed were Oak slowslow without ananyy vvagrants.agrants. The high hearing many Red-shouldered Hawks, Titmouse, Bewick’s tide waswas 110:450:45 and no mud flats toto Margaret Martin spotted one perched for and House wrens, viewview s shorebirdshorebirds untiluntil afternoon.afternoon. a great view. We totaled 34 species, and Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Short-eared Owl We met at The Tides to a high tide Vinegar Weed, Goldenaster and buck- Northern Flicker, Stephen D’Amato so the trip began at The Head and wheat were in bloom.” Belted kingfisher, worked our way back around the American River between Howe and Anna’s Hummingbird, Western Bluebird bay and finished at Doran Beach. The Watt (10/9) — Leader Dan Kopp report- and White-throated Swift. A small flock best birds were Black Oystercatchers, ed: “It was a gorgeous, sunny day with no of Sandhill Crane overhead was a nice 3 species of cormorants, Yellow and wind for 18 participants. We walked from surprise.” MacGillivray’s Warblers, a chorus of call- Howe to Watt and back along the south Glenn Hall Park, Paradise Beach, ing Black Turnstones, Whimbrel, Elegant side of the river. We encountered 62 American River Parkway (10/5) — Don Terns, and Snowy Plovers at Doran. species, with a nice overlap of migrants Schmoldt, co-leader with Sally Walters, Frances and Carmen Oliver along with and winter residents and at least one reported: “The Glenn Hall Park trip was Liz West joined us from San Joaquin summer resident. Highlights included great, except that no one showed up. Audubon. All had a fun time and lots of several Black-throated Gray and Orange- Heavy rain was predicted, but the weath- laughs. crowned warblers, my first of fall juncos er being what it is, quite fickle, provided Point Reyes for Vagrants (9/24) — and Hermit Thrush and the first Fox us with a great crystal clear morning. Leader Mark Cudney reported: “Intense, Sparrow for this area. Approximately 15 Sally and I spent two hours birding in low fog transformed this trip into observ- Barn Swallows were a nice surprise, and the riparian woodlands and observed ing bird silhouettes rather than eastern of local (Parkway) interest only, there 29 species. Highlights were one Yellow vagrants. Twelve intrepid birders did man- were several calling fly-over meadow- Warbler and about 40 Cedar Waxwings. age ‘looks’ at Palm Warbler, Blackpoll larks, a coot in a backwater area, and a A quiet morning, but fun. Sorry folks Warbler, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and single Greater White-fronted Goose that missed a great morning birding.” Pacific Wren. After the fog lifted the I first noted on Oct. 2. Crowned sparrow Monterey Bay Coastal and Pelagic group spotted a Red-necked Grebe at numbers were noticeably higher than a Birding (10/1-2) — Leader Mark Cudney Drake’s Beach.” few days ago and we encountered a few reported: “Spectacular weather and Sonoma County Migrants (9/18) — Lincoln’s Sparrows as well. We also saw unusually calm sea conditions greeted the Leader Dan Williams reported: “We had all five expected woodpeckers (Nuttall’s, 24 participants. Nice sightings included a outstanding weather all day long, start- Downy, Flicker, Acorn, Sapsucker). A great pair of Xantus’s Murrelets next to the boat ing at Spring Lake Park in Santa Rosa, morning and group of birders.” (a life bird for many), over 15 South Polar where scattered groups of migrants put Beginning Birding Trip, William Pond Skuas, all three Jaegers, Sabine’s Gull, on a good show. Townsend’s, Wilson’s, Park (10/8)(10/8) — Beginning bir birdersders joined Flesh-footed Shearwater, and Common and Yellow Warblers, and Hutton’s and Cathie LaZier, Darrell Mohr and Muriel Tern. Marine Mammals included a sel- Warbling Vireos muddled with the resi- Parker for a morning at William Pond Park dom-seen Sperm Whale and numerous Findings continued on page 6

Page 2 NOVEMBER 2011 Field Trips Field Trip Information For questions regarding the trip or to check the status of the trip in case of unfavorable weather conditions, please call the trip leader first. If he or she cannot be reached, call the scheduler Cathie LaZier, 457-6882, [email protected] for trips through November 6th. For trips after that date call the scheduler Maureen Geiger, 444-0804, [email protected]. Due to insurance requirements, Sacramento Audubon leaders are not allowed to organize ridesharing/car- pools. Participants are, however, encouraged to voluntarily share rides. Any carpool arrangements are private agreements between the driver and the passengers. Drivers must carry adequate insurance coverage. Please be courteous and share gas expenses with the driver. FRS radios can be helpful on all trips. Starting times Pileated Woodpecker are the actual time the trip leaves the meeting place. Try to arrive early, especially if you want driving direc- Kirsten Munson tions or plan to carpool. Groups must make prior arrangements with the trip leader.

Tuesday, November 1, 7:45am quite a list of bird species. Join him to look entry fee is required for all vehicles. Colusa National Wildlife Refuge for a nice variety of resident and winter- Saturday, November 12 Leader: Dan Tankersley, 662-1290 ing birds. Possibilities include White-tailed Beginning Birder Field Trip Kites, Wild Turkey, Green Heron, Pied- [email protected] William Pond Park billed Grebe and Common Yellowthroat. The Colusa NWR is another great loca- These beginners’ field trips are designed to tion in the Central Valley to view large Meet Wayne in the parking lot of Mather Regional Park at the corner of Douglas introduce new birders to the fun of bird- waterfowl concentrations. There will be ing. Limited to 10 people per trip with 3 many duck species and plenty of Snow, Road and Eagle’s Nest Road for this morn- ing trip. A Sac County Parks Pass or $5 Audubon trip leaders, it’s a low-key intro- Ross’s, Greater White-fronted and pos- duction to finding and identifying birds. sibly a few Cackling Geese as well as other entry fee is required for all vehicles. This is a wonderful trip for beginning birders. Registration is required. Contact Cathie wetland birds. Eurasian Wigeon is often LaZier at [email protected], 457-6882. seen here as well, and we can expect many Sunday, November 6, 9am (Note: raptors with the possibility of Bald Eagle Daylight Savings Time begins today) Saturday, November 12, 6:30am and Peregrine Falcon. We will spend a good Bobelaine Sanctuary River Walk Bird Count amount of time on the main viewing plat- Leader: Carla Barbaro, 717-8808 Cosumnes River Preserve form, and then take an easy walk on a level Recorded Information, 684-2816 trail through riparian habitat next to the Join Carla for a morning autumn walk Meet at the Visitor Center on Franklin main viewing pond. We will then take the through this great riparian habitat. Herons, Blvd, south of Twin Cities Road, for this short auto tour and finish our outing with egrets, cormorants and grebes should be monthly birding census trip. It is a great a return visit to the platform. Be prepared on the water, and Yellow-rumped Warbler, birding area, always full of surprises, and for cold and damp weather. Weather per- Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and a variety of joining the group is a good way to find out mitting, there should be ample photo ops. sparrows will be settling in for the winter. what’s happening and to hone your birding Scopes and FRS radios will be helpful on The sycamore and wild grape should give skills. This walk covers about four miles at this trip. Meet Dan at the Mace Blvd Park us some fall color as well. Take Highway a leisurely pace and takes approximately five and Ride at 7:45am. From Sacramento, 99 north toward Yuba City; about 2 miles hours, so bring lunch and liquids. Be sure take I-80 west towards Davis to Mace Blvd north of the Feather River bridge turn right to check the recorded information a day or (Exit #75); turn right (north) and then on Laurel Ave. Follow Laurel to the dead two before for exact meeting time and pos- right again at the signal light to the Park end at the Bobelaine parking lot. You may sible updates. and Ride entrance a short distance beyond want to bring water and snacks. Ikeda’s Market. We will meet on the south Saturday, November 12, 8am Sunday, November 13 side of the parking lot in the row near- Sacramento Bar Beginning Birder Field Trip est the big round water tank. Rain, strong Cosumnes River Preserve wind, or thick fog cancels. Bring snacks and American River Parkway This trip is designed to improve your skills liquids as the trip will end in the very late Leader: Richard Barbieri, 761-1124 in identifying wintering wetland birds, morning to very early afternoon. We will [email protected] including ducks, geese and some shore- leave the meeting area at 8am SHARP. Join Richard for this morning walk along the American River. You will see a nice vari- birds. Several Audubon leaders will provide Saturday, November 5, 8am ety of resident birds and maybe some sur- spotting scopes for up-close looks at the Mather Lake prises. This is a great trip for beginning and waterfowl. Registration is required to ensure Leader: Wayne Blunk, 876-0457 more experienced birders. From Highway a good ratio of leaders to participants. [email protected] 50, drive north on Sunrise Blvd; turn left Contact Cathie LaZier at empid@earthlink. net, 457-6882. Mather Lake is one of Wayne’s favorite on Fair Oaks Blvd and take the first left on birding locations, and he usually turns up Pennsylvania. A Sac County Park Pass or $5 Field Trips continued on page 4

NOVEMBER 2011 Page 3 Field Trips continued from page 3 Sunday, November 13, 7am – noon Leader: Maureen Geiger, 281-6652 into the Park and Ride lot. Car pooling is Eastern Sacramento County Foothills [email protected] strongly encouraged, due to limited access Leader: Chris Conard, 203-1610 This is another of the family friendly bird- at stops and the distance traveled. [email protected] ing and nature outings for families with Saturday, November 26, 3:30pm We will visit portions of Latrobe, Michigan children. Maureen will spend a couple hours Sandhill Cranes and Other Wintering Bar, and Meiss Rds, though access will walking in William Pond Park finding birds Birds of the Sacramento Valley be partially dependent on road condi- and other items of interest. Reservations A Save Our Sandhill Cranes-sponsored tions related to recent weather. Vast areas are required, so contact Maureen for more of open grassland and blue oak woodland information. trip interspersed with rocky outcrops and the Coordinator: Mike Savino, 446-1392 Cosumnes River provide habitat for win- Sunday, November 20, 8am Sandhill Cranes are the focus of this trip ter raptors, resident and winter songbirds, Upper Sunrise Area, American River but ducks, swans and geese, as well as shore- Lewis’s Woodpeckers and, hopefully, a sur- Parkway birds, feed in the flooded fields and marshy prise or two. We’ll have a mix of car birding Leader: Wayne Blunk, 876-0457 areas of the delta, and hawks patrol over- and several short walks. Meet at the Park [email protected] head. Meet at the Cosumnes River Preserve and Ride on Hwy 16 (Jackson Hwy) just Wayne will lead you on a morning walk to Visitor Center parking lot at 3:30pm. to west of Sunrise Blvd and the Folsom South this great spot along the American River hear a brief presentation of Sandhill Crane Canal (7 miles east of Watt Ave). Steady Parkway. You will see a nice variety of resi- behavior, biology and status. Then we’ll rain cancels. dent and wintering birds and maybe some stroll the boardwalk in the Lost Slough surprises. Take South Bridge Road off of Wetlands, enjoying views of the cranes, win- Thursday-Monday, November 18-21 Sunrise just south of the Sunrise Bridge. tering waterfowl and shorebirds. Afterwards, Central Valley Birding Symposium Pass through the kiosk to stop sign at bot- we’ll drive along Desmond Road and pos- Contact: Frances Oliver tom of the hill. Turn right at stop sign and sibly to Woodbridge Road or Staten Island, (209) 369-2010 an immediate left. Park in the first park- to see flocks of cranes fly in to roost for [email protected] ing lot on the left. There is a $5 per car the night. Dress for changeable weather; Join others from near and far and enjoy entrance fee if you do not have a County bring binoculars, scopes and FRS radios if the company of great birders and natural- Parks Pass. This is a good trip for both you have them. From Sacramento, take I-5 ists such as Ed Harper, John Sterling, Ron beginners and more experienced birders. south to Twin Cities Road; go left (east) to LeValley, Joe Morlan and Jon Dunn in a the stop sign at Franklin Blvd; turn right variety of workshops to hone your skills. Saturday, November 26, 8am (south) on Franklin and, driving through Enjoy the ever popular “stump the experts” Pleasants Valley Rd./Putah Creek the Preserve, watch for the Visitor Center bird ID panel which is always fun and (Solano Co.) parking lot on your left. Further directions interesting. Field trips visit surrounding Leader: Gary Fregien, 708-0636 and maps are available at www.cosumnes. hot spots to celebrate the diversity of birds [email protected] org. This is a great trip for beginners. wintering in the Central Valley. Check the This outing entails driving to the Vacaville Sunday, November 27, 8am schedule of field trips and programs, and area to pick up Pleasants Valley Road, Lincoln Grasslands register at www.cvbs.org. and birding our way up to Hwy 128, Leaders: Tim Fitzer and Mark Martucci then Putah Creek, Solano Lake and the Tim: 870-5207, [email protected] Saturday, November 19, 6:30am Monticello Dam Overlook. We will make Mark: 833-6722, Tall Forest Bird Count several stops along Pleasants Valley Rd, Cosumnes River Preserve looking for migrating passerines, including [email protected] Recorded Information: 684-2816 Phainopepla, Western Bluebird and Say’s Tim and Mark will be checking this Placer Meet at the Farm Center Gate at the inter- Phoebe. Along Putah Creek and Solano County area for the many wintering hawks section of Desmond and Bruceville Roads, Lake we may see Barrow’s Goldeneye, and sparrows that call this area home dur- ON TIME, to join this monthly bird count. Hooded Merganser, American Dipper, and ing the winter months. They will also Usually led by John Trochet, this area is Osprey. At the Monticello Dam Overlook, be looking for winter rarities that flock normally closed to the public, so this is we’ll be watching and listening for Canyon with Horned Larks and sparrows in the your opportunity to bird there. John has an and Rock Wrens, and possibly Peregrine Brewer Road area. Birding and lunch at the appreciation of nature on many levels, and Falcon. Plan to spend 3-4 hours birding, Chamberlain Cemetery will be followed by a trip with him is always informative. You plus driving time getting there and back. more birding along the rural roads on the must check the recorded information a day There will be minimal hiking, but dress way to Camp Far West Reservoir. Meet Tim or two ahead to get the exact meeting time for seasonal conditions. Bring along hand and Mark at the Brookfield’s Restaurant and any other updated details. Arrive a little held radios, food and water. Our lunch spot parking lot, 1817 Taylor Road, in Roseville. early, as this trip always leaves promptly. will be at Solano Lake County Park, where From Sacramento on I-80, take the Eureka there is a day-use fee. We’ll also look for Road offramp (Exit 105A) and continue Family Friendly Trip!! Pileated Woodpecker and owls here. Meet straight through the signal light at Eureka Sunday, November 20, 9am Gary at the Park and Ride off I-80 in West Road and you’ll be on Taylor Road. Turn William Pond Park Sacramento. Take the West Capitol Ave left just past the Shell Station. Brookfield’s exit; turn left at the light and then left again is behind Shell. Bring lunch, scopes and FRS radios if you have them.

Page 4 NOVEMBER 2011 Sunday, November 27, 3:30pm Sharpen your identification skills as this off Highway 80 in West Sacramento. From Sandhill Cranes and Other Wintering is a gathering place for a variety of gulls. Sacramento take the West Capital Ave exit; Birds of the Sacramento Valley Herring, Thayer’s, Glaucous-winged, turn left at the stoplight and then left again A Save Our Sandhill Cranes-sponsored California, Ring-billed and Mew Gulls into the Park and Ride lot. trip are all possibilities. Spotting scopes will be Saturday, December 10, 7am Coordinator: Mike Savino, 446-1392 very useful, and be sure to bring your field guides for this intensive study. Meet Ed in River Walk Bird Count See description for Saturday, November 26, the Fish Hatchery parking lot off Hazel Cosumnes River Preserve above. Avenue north of Hwy 50. Recorded Information, 684-2816 Wednesday, November 30, Meet at the Visitor Center on Franklin Thursday, December 8, 7:45am Isenberg Crane Preserve/Cosumnes Blvd, south of Twin Cities Road, for this Colusa National Wildlife Refuge River Preserve Boardwalk monthly birding census trip. It is a great Leader: Dan Tankersley, 662-1290 Leader: Dan Tankersley, 662-1290 birding area, always full of surprises, and [email protected] [email protected] joining the group is a good way to find out The Colusa NWR is another great location what’s happening and to hone your birding Join Dan to look for wintering geese in the Central Valley to view large water- skills. This walk covers about four miles at and ducks, including Gadwall, Northern fowl concentrations. There will be many a leisurely pace and takes approximately five Shovelers, teal and wigeon. In shallow water duck species and plenty of Snow, Ross’s, hours, so bring lunch and liquids. Be sure there may be shorebirds, such as dowitchers, Greater White-fronted and possibly a few to check the recorded information a day or sandpipers, yellowlegs, Dunlin, and maybe Cackling Geese as well as other wetland two before for exact meeting time and pos- some surprises. Our wintering Sandhill birds. Eurasian Wigeon is often seen here as sible updates. Cranes will be back, and the usual herons well, and we can expect many raptors with and egrets will be around. The boardwalk is the possibility of Bald Eagle and Peregrine Sunday, December 11, 7:30am also a good place to look for the noisy but Falcon. We will spend a good amount of King Ranch/Lynch Canyon/American hard-to-see Marsh Wren, and the cryptic time on the main viewing platform, and Canyon Wetlands Wilson’s Snipe. Meet Dan at the Nugget then take an easy walk on a level trail Leaders: Maureen Geiger, 444-0804 Market at 8am. Going south on I-5, take through riparian habitat next to the main Ken Poerner, 707-580-6277 the Florin Road West exit; go west to the viewing pond. We will then follow the [email protected] first signal light (Greenhaven Drive), and short auto tour and finish our outing with [email protected] make a U-turn. The parking area for the a return visit to the platform. Be prepared market will be on the right. This trip will Solano County has wonderful birding in a for cold and damp weather. Weather per- end by noon. Bring FRS radios and spot- variety of habitats. Join Ken and Maureen mitting, there should be ample photo ops. ting scopes if you have them. This is a great while we drive through the King Ranch Scopes and FRS radios will be helpful on trip for both beginners and more experi- looking for eagles and other raptors and this trip. Meet Dan at the Mace Blvd Park enced birders. Rain, strong wind, or thick burrowing owls; Lynch Canyon for a short and Ride at 7:45am. From Sacramento, fog cancels. hike into the valley looking for species take I-80 west towards Davis to Mace Blvd similar to those at King but also including Saturday, December 3, (Exit #75); turn right (north) and then riparian species along the creek and ducks American River Natural History right again at the signal light to the Park and grebes at the reservoir pond; then west Association Annual Animal and Bird and Ride entrance a short distance beyond to the American Canyon Wetlands where Ikeda’s Market. We will meet on the south Count there will be myriad shorebirds, ducks side of the parking lot in the row near- Compiler: Lea Landry, 638-1411 and a few raptors as well which, depend- est the big round water tank. Rain, strong or [email protected] (preferred) ing on the tide, may be close enough for wind, or thick fog cancels. Bring snacks and very good looks. This trip will last to mid- Join Lea and other volunteers to assist with liquids as the trip will end in the very late afternoon, so bring lunch and liquids. FRS this annual count of birds and other crea- morning to very early afternoon. We will radios will be useful. Meet Maureen at the tures along the American River Parkway leave the meeting area at 8am SHARP. Park and Ride in West Sacramento. From sponsored by the American River Natural Sacramento, take the West Capitol Ave exit. History Association (ARNHA). Results of Saturday, December 10, 7am Turn left; the Park and Ride will be on your this count are important to future planning San Francisco Bay Birding immediate left. Secondary meeting place for the Parkway, and the goal is to have 11 Leader: Scott Hoppe, 835-8471 in front of the Safeway just west of the teams of two or more persons each. The [email protected] Waterman exit in Fairfield BY 8am. count differs from other Christmas Counts Join Scott for a full day of birding the in that teams count species rather than total San Francisco Bay area, looking for shore- Saturday, December 17 numbers of each species. This is a great birds, waterfowl and other wintering birds. Woodfords Christmas Count warm-up for the CBCs to follow. Contact Clapper Rails are always a possibility on Coordinator: Tim Fitzer, 870-5207 Lea for details, team assignments, and meet- this trip, as well as unexpected rarities. [email protected]; or ing and compilation locations. Possible stops include Arrowhead Marsh, Compiler: Andi Salmi, 691-7216 Sunday, December 4th, 9am till noon Hayward Shoreline, Palo Alto Baylands [email protected] and Lake Merritt. Bring lunch and wear Gulls at Nimbus Fish Hatchery layered clothing. Scopes and FRS radios Leader: Ed Harper, 971-3311 are a help. Meet Scott at the Park and Ride Field Trips continued on page 7 [email protected]

NOVEMBER 2011 Page 5 2011 ARNHA WILDLIFE COUNT General Meeting continued from page 1 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3 Ikh Nart is also a reserve protecting ancient The ARNHA Wildlife Count was originally organized as a fund- archeological features such as grave mounds, rock raising Bird-a-thon in 1985. Jack Hiehle provided the impetus and alignments, petroglyphs, and many sites of stone tool organization to get it going. He then maintained the momentum and preparation and habitation, covering at least 6,000 records through its transformation into a Wildlife Count in 1993. years. You’ll find out how you can help preserve this In 2010, Jack served as a mentor while Lea Landry took over the sister Park in the Gobi Desert through your contribu- coordination of the 26th Annual Count. The count is utilized by the tions of used camping equipment, binoculars, used Staff of Effie Yeaw and ARNHA to follow the population trends of GPS units, and even cast-off laptops. Enjoy a night various species of wildlife in the American River Parkway as well as in another world, the land of Chinggis Khan, Roy their effect on other aspects of the Parkway. Chapman Andrews, and the Rangers of Ikh Nartiin On the 2010 Wildlife Count on December 4, twelve teams (includ- Chuluu Nature Reserve. ing 1 team with 6 counters in canoes) competed tallying a record-set- Sacramento Audubon meetings are held the third ting 123 bird species, and 14 mammal species. There were no new Thursday of the month at the Effie Yeaw Nature species seen. Folks who are interested in participating in the 2011 Center Assembly Room in Carmichael. The public is Wildlife Count can email their name, email address and phone num- welcome. Visit our website www.sacramentoaudubon. ber to the Count Coordinator, Lea Landry, at llandry46@earthlink. org and click on Society Info/Meetings, for further net (preferred) or phone her at 916-638-1141. Unless you have a information, including a map and directions. specific area of the Parkway you’re interested in, your name will be Sally Walters, ProgramProgram Chair provided to the Team Leaders who need more participants on their teams. The Count starts about 7am, finishing by 3pm. Different leaders have different start times and specific meeting places. Lea Landry, 2011 ARNHA Count Coordinator

Findings continued from page 2 dent Chestnut-backed Chickadees in the oaks New Location for our and redwoods. A Red-shouldered Hawk started screaming and was promptly mocked by the General Meetings park’s Steller’s Jays. Our General Meetings are now in our new location at the Effie Yeaw “Next it was on to Riverfront Regional Park near Nature Center Assembly Room in Ancil Hoffman Park. If you have Healdsburg, where the migrants were fewer but a Sacramento County Parks Pass or an ARNHA membership card we were treated to the most impressive bounty remember to display it. If you do not, an Audubon member will be of woodpeckers any of us had seen in just a few in the parking lot with temporary permits for your dashboard. Passes short minutes. It began with a Hairy calling, and are available at the Dept of Regional Parks, 4040 Bradshaw Road, while searching for it a magnificent Pileated flew Sacramento or on-line at www.arpf.org in and was soon joined by a Flicker, a Downy, the The Center is nearer to Hwy 50 than to Hwy 80. Depending on Hairy, and a Nuttall’s! where you are coming from get onto Fair Oaks Blvd. From Watt Ave “We wrapped up our day at Bodega Bay where we you will go East onto Fair Oaks Blvd and from Sunrise Blvd you will enjoyed Black Oystercatchers, Black Turnstones, go West onto Fair Oaks Blvd. Red-necked Phalaropes, Murres and Guillemots Once on Fair Oaks Blvd, go east onto Van Alstine Ave (or Oak Ave); from the head. Then from Campbell Cove we spot- left onto California St; and right onto Tarshes, then left onto San ted a Heermann’s Gull, a couple of Common Loons Lorenzo, then right into the first parking lot. Walk the short trail to and a large flock of Elegant Terns which contained the center. (Please note that Palm Ave only allows vehicles to exit the one small trailing Common Tern. On the inner bay park onto Palm Ave.) just down from Owl Canyon we stopped to check through a robust flock of Marbled Godwits when a Peregrine zoomed through and put them all up for X a nice finale. We also had a previously reported male White-winged Scoter, two Brants, and a Effie Yeaw Nature Center Clark’s Grebe.” Marconi Ave Palm Ave Reichmuth Park (9/17)(9/17) — Leader Tim Manolis reported: “It was rather a slow day. Everyone had nice, close looks at Wood Ducks, always a Tarshes pleasure to see. Migrants were scarce, someone

California San Lorenzo Way reported seeing a Lincoln’s Sparrow, I saw a El Camino Ave Oaks Blvd Fair Van Alstine Ave Pacific-slope Flycatcher, there were modest num- Ancil Hoffman Park bers of Yellow, Wilson’s and Orange-crowned war- blers and Western Tanagers, and a few Western Wood-Pewees.” Pete Hayes Oak Ave

Page 6 NOVEMBER 2011 Field Trips continued from page 5 Join Mary Beth for a 2-3 hour slow-paced FIELD TRIPS FOR BEGINNING walk through East Lawn cemetery where Saturday, December 17, 6:30am BIRDERS 2011-12 one can spot many of the common winter- Tall Forest Bird Count ing species. Sometimes there will be less Loc ation: William Pond Park on the Cosumnes River Preserve common finds such as red-breasted sap- American River Recorded Information: 684-2816 suckers or golden-crowned kinglets, and Dat es, (all Saturdays): November 12 Meet at the Farm Center Gate at the inter- some years there have been red-breasted and January 14 section of Desmond and Bruceville Roads, nuthatches, as well. Meet Mary Beth at the Time: 8am, ending by noon ON TIME, to join this monthly bird entrance gate at 43rd Street and Folsom Eac h Trip Limited to 10 partici- count. Usually led by John Trochet, this Boulevard. There is street parking on 42nd pants: Registration required. area is normally closed to the public, so this and 43rd streets. is your opportunity to bird there. John has Location: Cosumnes River Preserve an appreciation of nature on many levels, Monday, December 26 Date: Sunday, November 13 and a trip with him is always informative. Folsom Christmas Count Registration required. You must check the recorded information Compiler: Chris Conard, 203-1610 These outings are geared toward peo- a day or two ahead to get the exact meet- [email protected] ple who aren’t entirely comfortable join- ing time and any other updated details. ing field trips as well as those who have Arrive a little early, as this trip always leaves Saturday, December 31 birded a bit but would like to be better promptly. Sacramento Christmas Count birders. A brief parking lot talk will Compiler: Mark Cudney, 987-2422 focus on choice and use of binoculars Sunday, December 18, 9am [email protected] and a brief overview of birding etiquette East Lawn Cemetery and ethics. A $5 donation is requested Leader: Mary Beth Metcalf, 456-7382 to cover the costs of hand-out materi- als. (If you’re a repeat participant and THE CENTRAL VALLEY SHOREBIRD SURVEY (CVSS) already have the materials no donation is requested.) You do not need to be a Help count shorebirds if shorebirds count to you! member of Audubon to participate. What is the CVSS? The field trips will focus on find- The CVSS represents one region within the Pacific Flyway Shorebird Survey (PFSS), a ing and identifying common birds in statewide shorebird monitoring program. These surveys are a coordinated, multi-partner a variety of habitats and will be led by monitoring program led by PRBO Conservation Science designed to guide the manage- two or more experienced Sacramento ment and conservation of wintering shorebirds in the Pacific Flyway. Audubon trip leaders. Register via email Why Count Shorebirds? to Cathie at [email protected], (put Many shorebird species are thought to be declining in North America; however, we still “Beginning Birder” in the subject line), have a lot to learn about species population trends, such as identifying the species at great- and give your name, phone number, est risk, and the habitats on which they most depend. Answering these questions requires a email address and the field trip date coordinated effort that includes biologists and volunteer Citizen Scientists in ongoing (e.g. of your choice, or by calling Cathie at at specific sites such as refuges or coastal estuaries) and newly established monitoring efforts (916) 457-6882 and leaving your name in the Pacific Flyway. and phone number. Following registra- tion you will receive additional informa- What you will need: tion regarding the field trip. • A passion for shorebird conservation • Shorebird identification skills • Binoculars and scope • Reliable transportation FAMILY FRIENDLY TRIPS • Computer and internet skills Sunday, November 20, William Pond Time commitment: Park, American River Parkway Survey Day: 1 day for the survey between December 1-15 and 1 day for scouting, 3-4 hours each day. These monthly birding and nature walks are specifically geared to and Training Day: Saturday, November 12th 9am-3pm at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife area HQ. appropriate for families and children. What about the Data? There is a trip limit to ensure a qual- Data will be collected by both professional biologists and citizen scientists and will be ity experience for all. Register for trips aggregated through an online data entry portal in the California Avian Data Center by contacting Maureen Geiger, at (CADC; http://data.prbo.org/cadc2/). CADC is hosted by PRBO and provides a secure, [email protected], or 444-0804. well-tested platform for storing, managing, analyzing, and visualizing ecological monitoring data. To learn more, get involved, or ask a question please contact: Khara Strum, PRBO Conservation Science, [email protected], 415-868-0371 x 308 Monica Iglecia, Audubon California, [email protected], 916-649-7600 x 115 For more information on this survey, please visit http://data.prbo.org/apps/pfss/

NOVEMBER 2011 Page 7 FIRST ANNUAL SAS KIDS’ Birding and Nature Events CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT!!! Sometime in the 1940’s, Sacramento SANDHILL CRANE FESTIVAL Audubon sponsored its first Christmas The 15th annual Sandhill Crane Festival will be held November 4th through 6th, Bird Count, and this effort has been going at Hutchins Street Square, 125 S. Hutchins Street, Lodi, CA. Admission is free strong ever since. Currently, SAS spon- and there will be wildlife tours, workshops and presentations, an art show, live sors three CBC’s for adults: Sacramento, animal displays, family activities, and an exhibit hall with vendors and displays. Woodfords and Folsom. Information gath- (Stop by the Sacramento Audubon table.) Learn more about the event and sign ered at these counts is used by scientists and up for tours at www.cranefestival.com. others who study birds all over the world. This Christmas bird count season, SAS is planning its first count for children and youth on January 7, 2012 at Cosumnes CENTRAL VALLEY BIRDING SYMPOSIUM River Preserve. Sacramento area kids ages The Central Valley Bird Club will be hosting the Fifteenth Annual Central Valley 6 to 16 can join the first group of chil- Birding Symposium November 17-20, at the Stockton Hilton Hotel in Stockton. dren to participate in this exciting event. Keynote speakers include Ed Harper and John Sterling presenting a program on Volunteers are needed to help this event be “Appreciating the Birds of the Central Valley”; Ron LeValley on “The Writings of a success, and reservations are a must for all William Leon Dawson—a California Bird Pioneer”; and Jeff Gordon on “10 Birds children. To reserve space or to volunteer, that Changed Birding.” Other events include workshops on Swallow and Warbler contact Maureen Geiger at 444-0804 or identification. There are also programs on topics of Bird Migration and Wetlands [email protected]. Icons. The field trips always turn up exciting birds. Add in the always entertaining and educational Bird ID Panel, the wonderful display of art and gifts for yourself or others at the Birder’s Market and the camaraderie of hundreds of like-minded folks, and you know you’ll have a good time! The schedule, brochure, registration form, etc. are on the website at: cvbs.org.

16TH ANNUAL MORRO BAY WINTER BIRD FESTIVAL Morro Bay’s 16th Annual Winter Bird Festival will be held January 13-16, 2012. East Africa in Located on California’s scenic Central Coast, Morro Bay is an area recognized worldwide for its diversity of both resident and wintering birds, and at last year’s 2012 festival, over 200 species of birds were identified! To register and for more infor- Responding to requests, Ed Harper and mation about the Festival, check their website at www.morrobaybirdfestival.org. Susan Scott will offer another safari to Uganda. Tentative dates will center around 17 days in July. Special highlights include Mountain Gorilla tracking as well as 5TH ANNUAL WINTER BIRD FESTIVAL Chimpanzees and other primates. In addi- The City of Galt in Collaboration with the Cosumnes River Preserve and Galt Joint tion, there will be elephants, hippos, cats, Union Elementary School District are pleased to bring you the 5th Annual Winter and many other mammals. The birding is Bird Festival, Saturday, January 28, 2012. Many migratory and resident birds spectacular with Shoebill and other Uganda call Galt their winter home. Guided tours offer an exciting opportunity to see bird specialties being of high priority. the winter birds that call the Central Valley home! Wetlands, songbird and sand- Following Uganda, an option exists for hill crane tours are included so hop on a bus and have your binoculars ready! a week of wildlife viewing in Kenya with Questions! Call 209-366-7115 or google Galt Birding Festival for more detailed emphasis being on the migration that information. moves into the Masai Mara in early August. It will be your own Big Cat Diary! Camps and lodges have been carefully chosen to maximize the wildlife viewing experience. SNOW GOOSE FESTIVAL OF THE PACIFIC FLYWAY Ed and Susan have just returned from The 13th Annual Snow Goose Festival will be held in Chico on January 26-29, Kenya where they checked all locations and 2012. This year’s festival offers over 65 fieldtrips and workshops including fun, accommodations and report the wildlife FREE kids activities. It also hosts a Pacific Flyway Art Exhibit and Saturday night’s viewing was spectacular. banquet keynote speaker will be Greg Miller, famed birder portrayed by Jack Black If you would like to be placed on the in the newly released movie, The Big Year. RRegistrationegistration and furfurtherther infinformationormation can be found at snowgoosefestival.org or by email at [email protected] planning list or would like more informa- and phone (530) 345-1865 tion regarding prices and itineraries, contact Ed at [email protected] or call him at (916) 704-7954 or (916) 971-3311.

Page 8 NOVEMBER 2011 SAS NEW MEMBERS JOIN THE SACRAMENTO AUDUBON SOCIETY Welcome to these Your membership supports the SAS mission of conservation, environmental educa- new members: tion and protection of the region’s natural ecosystems and diverse wildlife popula- tions. Please include your email address if you would like to be added to our Action Karen & Roy Michel Alert List for letter/email writing on conservation issues. Sue & John Vroman Sacramento Audubon Society Membership Application Lea Landry, Membership Chair THANK YOU FOR YOUR 11054 Autumnwind Lane, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670-4224 GENEROUS DONATIONS! [email protected] (916) 638-1141 Thanks to the following for their generous donations: Date ______The Observer Newsletter $25 per address $ ______Tom Adams, Delberta Bass, Monte Ikemire, Laurie Isbell, Ken Mateik, Dixie Robinson, Donation for Conservation/Education $ ______Connie Schwartz, Richard Soehren, Sue Vroman, Keith Wagner, Jon Wato and Total Enclosed $ ______Patricia Wells to the General Fund. Terry Campbell, Irene Devon, Joseph Make checks payable to Sacramento Audubon Society Easley, Michael Eaton, Stanley Ford, Cary Hart, Christine Homstrom, Monte Ikemire, Marlene Ishihara, Nancy Joye, Barbara Name ______Telephone ______Klocek, Thomas Manning, Ken Mateik, K.A. McCord, M.A. Nunes, Carmen Pereira, Address ______Joyce Reitz, Dixie Robinson, Richard Soehren, Christie Vallance, Joanne Vinton City ______State _____ZIP + 4 ______and Frank Wallace to the Conservation and Education Fund. Email ______Celeste Deardorff and Greg Hentz made a donation to Sacramento Audubon in Send address changes to our Membership Chair to help keep down our costs. memory of Greg’s friend David Roe.

Observations continued from page 10 Sacramento Audubon Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserve. Visit cvbirds.org and click “Listserve” for details. With nearly 100 reports, it is impossible to Chapter Board Meetings list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species Board Meetings of the Sacramento and for providing additional information: Audubon Society are held the last Dan Airola, Kathy Blankenship, Brent Campos, Dennis Cavallo, Todd Easterla, Cory Gregory, Steve Hampton, Michael Perrone, Linda Pittman, Mary Schiedt, Dan Skalos, John Sterling, Tuesday of the month. The next meeting John Trochet, Magill Weber, and Dan Williams. will be held on November 29, at 7pm Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible. at the SMUD Building, 6301 S Street, Chris Conard Sacramento.

Mission Statement Sacramento Audubon Society SACRAMENTO AUDUBON The mission of the Sacramento Audubon Society is to: 2012 PROGRAMS Promote the protection and scientific study of wild birds; January 19 Josh Hull Promote the enjoyment and appreciation of wild birds through community outreach; Great Grey Owls Provide, encourage and support environmental educational opportunities; and February 16 TBD March 15 David Carle Provide proactive leadership in the conservation of open space in the Sacramento Around the World Starting at Mono Lake region. April 19 TBD May 17 TBD

NOVEMBER 2011 Page 9 Seasonal Sacramento Audubon Society Nonprofi t Org. 11054 Autumnwind Lane US Postage Observations PAID Rancho Cordova, CA 95670-4224 September 1 to September 30 Permit #1297 Sacramento, CA Rare and Unusual Bird Reports www.cvbirds.org/ListServ.htm Address Correction Requested After three months of unprecedented shorebird finds (June, July, and August Dated Material: Please Expedite Delivery each had first records for the Central Valley, and the Common Ringed Plover at the Davis Wetlands (8/19-26) was a first for the state), things were bound to get back to normal. This was a fairly typi- cal September, with reports of expected shorebird and songbird migrants, as well as an influx of returning waterfowl. The one major anomaly was Brown Pelicans seen through most of the month, with the bird first found at the Bridgeway Island Pond in West Sacramento on 8/24 continuing through 9/11. Possibly the same bird was seen flying at the Port of Sacramento (W. Sacramento) on 9/6. Two Brown Pelicans continued from last month in Contra Costa County waters near the Antioch Bridge on 9/20. Another indi- vidual was seen at the pond along Rd 102 near the Woodland WTP on 9/3-11 and at the Woodland WTP on 9/21. Probably the most unexpected bird of the month was a juvenile Sabine’s Gull at the Woodland WTP from 9/8-15. A Pacific Golden-Plover was found at the Davis WTP on 9/9-10. The Woodland WTP produced a Semipalmated Sandpiper (9/8-15), up to four Baird’s Sandpipers (9/8-15), and two Pectoral Sandpipers on 9/8, with five on 9/11 at the nearby pond on Rd 102. Pectoral Sandpipers were and Salas Rds near Wilton (9/29), Staten found at the Lincoln WTP on 9/6-9, and a widely reported from other sites, includ- Island (six on 9/17), and Sherman Island long-staying bird was at the Sacramento ing the Lincoln WTP (8/30-9/9), Riley (two on 9/20). A Solitary Sandpiper was Reg. WTP from 9/14-23. A Sanderling was found at the Davis Landfill pond vis- ible from Rd 28H on 9/12-16. A Stilt Sandpiper was at the Davis Wetlands on Sacramento Audubon Society Information 9/16 and, perhaps a different bird, was at Correspondence: P.O. Box 160694, Sacramento, CA 95816-0694 the Davis WTP on 9/29-30. Internet Address: www.sacramentoaudubon.org The Eastern Kingbird found at the Yolo Membership/Subscriptions: Lea Landry, 11054 Autumnwind Lane Wildlife Area on 8/30 continued through Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 9/1. The sole “eastern” warbler of the month was a Blackpoll Warbler on 9/15 638-1141, e-mail preferred: [email protected] along Putah Creek near Pedrick Rd. A Seasonal Observations: Chris Conard, 2405 Rio Bravo Circle, White-throated Sparrow was in the same Sacramento, CA 95826 area on 9/26. And finally, a singing male 203 1610, e-mail preferred: [email protected] Indigo Bunting on 8/2 at the Sac Reg. Editor: Sharon Wisecarver, e-mail, [email protected] WTP Bufferlands was inadvertently left off of last month’s tally. Copy deadline is the 15th of the month. Send all copy to the Editor. Observations must reach the Seasonal Observations Editor by the 8th of the month. We feature photos of some of the highlight birds on the Sacramento Audubon Web The Observer is published monthly JJanuaryanuary thrthroughough DDecember,ecember, exexceptcept JJuneune and site (sacramentoaudubon.org/activities/ August, by the Sacramento Audubon Society. recentsightings.html).

Observations continued on page 9 Page 10 NOVEMBER 2011