Birds and Butterflies of South Texas and Northeastern Mexico with Bob
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Volume 51, Number 7 April 2006 Birds and Butterflies of South Texas and Meeting Schedule Northeastern Mexico with Bob Stewart The next general meeting of Mount Diablo Audubon Society will be Thursday, April 6, in the Camellia Room of The Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek. (See map on page 7). 6:30 PM Doors open 7:00 PM Birding Information 7:25 PM Announcements 7:40 PM Social time, refreshments*, door prize 8:05 PM Program * Please remember to bring a cup. The male ZEBRA LONGWING will wait on a chrysalis and mate with a female as she emerges. He then deposits a pheromone on her abdomen that repels other males. These Join Bob Stewart on a late fall journey the Tropic of Cancer. People are rare, but butterflies range throughout Central from the Rio Grand River in Texas deep friendly. Gomez Farias is built on a ridge America and Mexico and into South Texas. into Tamaulipas, the northeastern state of in the foothills of the Sierra Occidental, a It is the state butterfly of Florida. Mexico. Begin the trip at Lana and Charlie massive limestone mountain range ex- Vieh’s Bed and Breakfast, 10 minutes from tending far south along eastern Mexico. the border. Enjoy the Santa Ana National The ridge is so steep that human devel- Wildlife Refuge with its extensive butter- opment is literally one or two properties fly gardens and excellent examples of na- deep on either side of the main road. Near tive Mexican vegetation. See the the center of town Wedge-tailed Chachalaca, Green Jay, Golden-fronted Saberwings, Camivets Emerald Hum- Woodpecker, Green Kingfisher, Kiskadee, mingbirds and Ruby-throated and Couch’s Kingbird. Hummingbirds frolic with Yellow- As we make our way into Tamaulipas we throated and Scrub Euphonias and Sum- will see late flying White-tailed, mer and Yellow-winged Tanagers. A boat Joel Summerhill Swainson’s and Harris’s Hawks with mi- trip on a nearby clear, slow-moving river Birding Information grating Turkey and Black Vultures. South can yield Ringed, Amazon, and Green Joel Summerhill, a long-time MDAS of Ciudad Victoria is the small village of Kingfishers, Tiger and Boat-billed Her- member, will share the visit that he and Gomez Farias nestled among native trees ons and Sun Grebes. Blue-crowned Mot- Gloria made to the North and South where Audubon’s and Altamira Orioles mots fly overhead. Islands of New Zealand. Joel’s photo- forage with Boat-billed and Social Fly- Two thousand feet higher in the Sierra graphs of birds have always been catchers as well as Lineated and Pale- Occidental, a six-mile-long cobbled road unique and a pleasure to see. On billed Woodpeckers. Here within the leads to Alta Cima (population 200). In April 6 Joel will focus on pelagic birds boundaries of the El Cielo Natural Re- the oak and pine forests we hear the wa- such as the Albatross, the Giant Petrel, theserve Quail is a vast tract of habitat typical of —1—Continued on page 2 and the Fairy Prion. April 2006 Bob Stewart Continued from page 1 vering whistles of Singing Quail and spot Birds in the Welcome Crimson-collared Grosbeak, and Fan- tailed, Rufous-capped, Golden-crowned Garden New Members and Crescent-chested Warblers. Spring is a propitious time to plan ahead Kathie Cheatham Alamo for fall and winter. Your garden likely Having been trained for a number of Carol Cantor Oakland has additional places where berrying years by North American birders, some David Eaglesham Livermore shrubs like the Toyon or Holly-leafed residents know the sounds and English Pamela Heaton Lafayette Cherry can provide food, evergreen names of resident birds and can uncan- Gene and Tomi Izuno Orinda shrubs such as Ceanothus can provide nily imitate local species. Favorites are Jean Matuska Concord cover, and a bird bath or flowing pond Blue Mockingbird, Azure-crowned Patricia McEveney Walnut Creek can provide water for birds. Hummingbird, Rufous-browed Wendy Murphy Concord Peppershrike, Brown-headed Solitaire, Plants native to the soils and climate of Gary Pilecki San Ramon and Tamaulipas Least Pygmy Owl. California provide the best overall food Betty Spencer Brentwood sources for wildlife; and they generally Catherine Spiro Walnut Creek Butterflies are hard to ignore here. Jim require less fertilizer, less water, and less Penny Walker Concord Brock, author of the Kaufman Guide to effort in controlling pests. Native plants North American Butterflies has seen 180 may support 10 or more times as many species in one day traveling from species of native wildlife as non-native Gomez Farias to Alta Cima. The beauti- plants. Since native plantings can reduce Election of Officers ful photographs in a new field guide by the need for water and chemical addi- Kim Garwood and Richard Lehman, In accordance with the Bylaws of Mount tives and can enhance biological diver- Butterflies of Northeastern Mexico, allow Diablo Audubon Society, officers for the sity, gardeners concerned about conser- easy identification. year 2006–2007 are elected at the May vation should turn toward using natives general meeting. The following mem- We complete our trip two hours east of as much as possible in their plantings. bers have been nominated, and any the El Cielo Reserve with a visit to Los Concerning pesticides in the garden, it member is welcome to have their name Ebanos Ranch, a 7000-acre private cattle would be good to remember that the in- added to the slate. If you are interested ranch located at the southern end of the sects many birds feed on become poi- in running for office, please contact Laguna Madre. Retired as head of trans- soned and poisonous to the birds. Do you Shirley Ellis at 938-3703. portation in Mexico, the owner of Los want to invite birds to a spot that may be President Jimm Edgar Ebanos Ranch has maintained the na- hazardous to them? Let them instead help tive habitat. His son, Arturo, is study- you to be an organic gardener. Vice President Mike Williams ing Ocelots at Texas A and M and will Treasurer Steve Buffi shortly receive his PhD. Arturo and the Oaks are among the finest of bird trees; they provide nest sites, insects, acorns. Secretary Open ranching staff transport visitors to the varied habitats, esteros, and beaches on Without them, Oak Titmice would surely The position of Secretary needs a vol- the Gulf of Mexico. have a different name! Pines and Red- unteer. Here is a place where you will wood attract forest birds such as find a grateful Board of Directors. The A trip with Bob Stewart is always a spe- Oregon Juncos and Chestnut-backed primary duties are to take minutes at cial treat. Join us for a fascinating Chickadees. Alders, California Bays, the bimonthly Board meetings. Call the evening. Buckeyes and Maples provide quality current Secretary, Pam Leggett, for a habitat and shelter. Fruits of the Madrone more complete description, 685-1959. Earth Day attract Song Sparrows, Flickers, Gros- Celebrate John Muir's Birthday and beaks, Cedar Waxwings and Robins. The provincial bird of Earth Day on April 22, 2006, 10 AM to Native shrubs include several varieties of Quebec is known by the 4 PM at the John Muir National Historic Manzanita, which offer fruits enjoyed by Inuit as the Ookpik. Site in Martinez. Mockingbirds, as well as low cover for These raptors hunt by Q The house and grounds will be alive Quail and Wrentits. Ceanothus, Califor- day as they sit and wait with music and exhibits about earth- nia Lilac, is beautiful in your garden, and for their favorite food, rabbits and other Bushtits, Quail, and Finches love the small mammals. While some birds stay friendly technologies and programs that sustain the environment. Learn about seeds. Huckleberries and Gooseberries clear, lest they become prey, Snow Geese give nectar for Hummingbirds. and some other birds nest nearby be- solar power, green building, wildlife cause the Ookpik will drive away foxes conservation, hybrid vehicles, organic It is a delight to watch birds as they find and other predators. gardening, recycling, and much more. native plants laden with ripe fruits of the Admission to the park is free; food and kinds they love to eat. Plant an Elderberry Unscramble these letters, or turn to beverages will be available. Rain or or an Oregon Grape now as springtime page 5 for the answer. shine, come and follow in the footsteps provides a full growing season leading LNOOSWWY of John Muir. to a fall harvest. the Quail —2— April 2006 MDAS Year of the Oak Field Trip Schedule By Elizabeth Dickey April May 1 Saturday Garin Regional Park 3 Wednesday Mitchell Canyon 15 Saturday Pine Canyon 17 Wednesday South side of 26 Wednesday Del Puerto Canyon Mount Diablo 29 Saturday Mines Road 20 Saturday East Contra Costa County 25 Thursday West Briones Field trips are open to members and non-members, beginners and masters. Weather or other contingencies may require changes. For updates, read the Quail, visit the MDAS website at www.diabloaudubon.com/index/php, or call the Audubon taped recording at (925) 283-8266. Customary carpool expense is 37½ cents per mile, plus tolls and entry fees, shared among driver and riders. Category 1: Easy, little or no walking, smooth paths; Category 2: Moderate, one mile or more, possibly rough terrain; Category 3: Difficult, extensive walking on rough terrain. Nancy Wenninger Carpool locations: Sun Valley—Southwest corner of the Sun Valley parking lot at Oak Woodland Hike, May 13 Willow Pass Road and Contra Costa Boulevard in Concord. La Gonda—From Morgan Territory Regional Preserve con- I-680 southbound, exit on El Pintado, turn right, and right again onto LaGonda.