November 11 Observer.Indd
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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 rangersrangers 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 MartucciMartucci reported:reported: rumped Warblers were active, and after Some of the many 1414 participantsparticipants enjoyedenjoyed a cool dayday 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 anyany vagrants.vagrants. The high hearing many Red-shouldered Hawks, Titmouse, Bewick’s tide waswas 10:4510:45 and no mud flats toto Margaret Martin spotted one perched for and House wrens, viewview shorebirdsshorebirds 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 birbirdersders 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.