Volume 60, Number 1 September 2014 San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex From remnant sand dunes to tidal salt marsh, from rocky, offshore islands to verdant seasonal wetlands, the San Francisco Bay Na- tional Wildlife Refuge Complex is a collection of seven National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)—Antioch Dunes, San Pablo Bay, Marin Islands, and the Don Ed- wards NWRs in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Ellicott Slough and Salinas River NWRs in the Monterey Bay Area, and the Farallon Islands. These refuges are devoted to preserv- ing migratory birds, endangered species, and other fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats. The refuges also offer wildlife-dependent public uses including hunting, fishing, wildlife photography, nature observation, interpreta- tion, and environmental education. Despite booming industries and growing populations in one of the largest urban areas in the coun- try, these National Wildlife Refuges preserve incredibly diverse and healthy ecosystems. Our guest speaker, Anne Morkill, will provide Osprey with fish. Photographed at Lafayette Reservoir by Kai Mills. an overview of each of the ref- FWS first in 1990, she worked as a Refuge Bi- BIRDING INFORMATION uges’ unique ologist for the Alamosa‒Monte Vista NWR in Kai Mills from our Young Birders Club natural and south-central Colorado. In 1992, she moved will share photos and talk about some of cultural histo- to Alaska to work as a Wildlife Biologist for his recent sightings. ry and discuss the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) how today’s and later rejoined the USFWS as Assistant challenges of Refuge Manager for the Arctic NWR and Meeting Schedule urbanization, subsequently as Deputy Refuge Manager for The next general meeting of invasive spe- the Alaska Maritime NWR Complex based Mount Diablo Audubon Society cies, and cli- in Homer, Alaska. In 2006, Anne moved to will be Thursday, September 4, in mate change the Camellia Room of The Gardens her home state of Florida to work as Project at Heather Farm, Walnut Creek. are being met through habitat restoration and Leader for the Florida Keys NWR Complex. 7:00 pm Birding Information public engagement. In 2012, Anne returned west to manage the 7:25 pm Announcements Anne Morkill received a B.S. in Wildlife San Francisco Bay NWR Complex. Anne 7:40 pm Refreshments,* raffle Biology from Colorado State University currently resides in San Leandro with her 8:05 pm Speaker: Anne Morkill (1986) and a M.S. in Zoology from the Uni- partner Harry and dogs Molly and Daisy, * Please remember to bring a cup. versity of Wyoming (1990). She started her and they enjoy exploring the diverse natural, Thursday, October 2: Marie Read professional career with the Wyoming Game historical, and culinary venues that abound Birds of the Mono Lake Region and Fish Department in 1986. Joining the US- in the San Francisco Bay Area. DEDICATED TO HABITAT CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION the Quail —1— September 2014 President’s Corner By Jimm Edgar Welcome I love to read newspapers. I subscribe birds. I have decided to resign from the to four daily papers including the New York board. It has taken more time than I real- New Members Times. It is a daily ritual for me to get up, ized and there are other folks in the wings retrieve my papers and sit in my chair with to serve. I will submit a letter of resignation Thomas Flaherty Clayton our cat Frida on my lap and read the papers. soon. It has been a great experience to see Bob Hislop Concord I always look forward to Joan Morris’ column what Audubon California is doing in our The Reese Family Pleasanton as she often gets questions about birds. I state. Grace Mannell Danville send her questions from time to time also. We are back in business at Mount Dia- Joe Schellenberg Concord The New York Times had a great article a blo Audubon. Our first meeting is coming couple of weeks ago, July 27 to be exact, up and it proves to be a great season again. about the actress Jane Alexander and the Our program chair, Ariana Rickard, has fact that she is an avid bird watcher. (I am put together a lot of great programs. Lots not a big movie buff so I am not sure I have of field trips are scheduled and our board Please Note ever seen Jane Alexander in a film.) It was a of directors is working hard for the chapter. The General Meeting for January, well written article and talked about many of I hope you will get to the meetings and go 2015, will be on the second Thursday, the places to bird in and around New York on a field trip. January 8, and not on January 1, New City. Fun reading. Year's Day. Speaking of Joan Morris, she is seeking input on the issue of keeping your cat in- _ doors or not keeping it indoors. Our Mount Diablo Audubon chapter has taken a pretty One More for Your Life List By Steve Glover strong position and advises not letting your The annual Ameri- cat outside. As you know studies have been can Ornithologists’ Union done that probably over two billion birds Checklist Supplement, are killed a year by cats. Seventy percent are published online on July killed by feral cats, but people’s house cats 30th, includes a revision kill the other 30%. If you have an opinion let of the taxonomic status of Joan know your thoughts. the “large rails,” which we As most of you know I was asked a have traditionally called couple of years ago to serve on the Audubon the Clapper and King Rails. California board of directors. The board The King Rail has been meets four or five times a year for two to split into two species: The three days. We meet all around the state familiar King Rail of the east- to see what is happening with habitats and ern U.S. retains its English and scientific names (Rallus elegans), while populations in BY ELLIS MYERS PHOTO BAYLANDS, ALTO PALO This is a somewhat secretive Mexico’s interior and western coast are now Coast from Santa Barbara County south bird of the grasslands, and as known as “Aztec Rail” (Rallus tenuirostris). to extreme northern Mexico. The “Yuma Q grasslands become shopping Rail,” of the form yumanensis, is found centers and housing devel- Of greater interest to California birders in freshwater marshes in southeastern opments, it has become a species of is a three-way split of the Clapper Rails. The California, including at the Salton Sea and special concern in California. It is listed Clapper Rails on the east coast (including along the Colorado River. The “California as endangered in some other states. Texas) have retained the name Clapper Rail but the scientific name is now Rallus Rail,” of the form obsoletus, now occurs only Unscramble these letters, or turn to crepitans. Our local Clapper Rails are now around the shores of San Francisco, San Page 6 to learn more. known as Ridgway’s Rail and have been Pablo and Suisun Bays, though it formerly AAEGHOOPPPRRRRSSSW given the scientific name Rallus obsoletus. ranged at least as far south as Morro Bay So if you have seen a Clapper Rail back east and as far north as Humboldt Bay. This is and a Clapper Rail in California, pat yourself the subspecies one would see (with patience on the back (or clap!)—your life list grew by or a very high tide) at the Palo Alto Bay- The Quail is published monthly except one without leaving the house! The third lands or at Meeker Slough in Richmond. January and August by Mount Diablo species, the Mangrove Rail (Rallus longiro- For many, the new name Ridgway’s Audubon Society, P.O. Box 53, Walnut stris), is confined to coastal South America. Rail will take some getting used to. Creek, CA 94597-0053. The Quail is printed on 30% post-consumer waste recycled Ridgway’s Rail includes three known However, we might all take comfort in paper. The deadline for the October issue subspecies, each of which occurs in the fact that Robert Ridgway, one of is September 9. California: The “Light-footed Rail,” of the America’s greatest ornithologists, finally form levipes, is found along the Pacific has an English bird name to his credit! the Quail —2— September 2014 Buy a Duck Stamp! Observations By Maury Stern

The big event of the period was the finding On 7/22, LK and AL saw an adult Pecto- of Contra Costa’s first Red-necked Stint by ral Sandpiper. Usually the juveniles arrive Logan Kahle at the West County Waste- early, but this year a number of adults have water Ponds in Richmond on 7/20. Many appeared around the Bay Area. people saw the bird before it left in a few JA and LK found about 100 Wilson’s days. LK, BD, JS, RCu, TL, CS, GC, DM, Phalaropes and two Red-breasted MR, CD, LH, MP, DS, AL Phalaropes at the Waterbird Way ponds The Arctic and mountain migrants have just over the hill from McNabney Marsh started to return with some early shore- on 7/20. There were four Red-breasted birds and warblers arriving. Phalaropes there on 7/23. MP. The new 2014-2015 Federal Duck Stamp is now on sale. The 81st Federal Up to 7 Brant have been near the viewing About 150 Elegant Terns were roosting Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation platform along Meeker Slough in Rich- on Brooks Island on 7/30. KF. Stamp, as it is formally known, features a mond since 8/3. LK, MP, CD, CS, AL. MH saw 20 Purple Martins fly over the pair of Canvasbacks painted by wildlife art- A Cackling Goose was at Clifton Court Heather Farm pond on 7/5. ist Adam Grimm of Burbank, S.D. Last fall, Forebay 7/31. AL. JH, T&DB, and BL saw Phainopepla be- a panel of five judges chose Grimm’s art to A pair of Cinnamon Teal made a brief hind the Boundary Oaks driving range grace the stamp from among 202 paintings stop at Heather Farm pond 6/18. HH, FS. from 6/21 to 6/25. They have bred in that at the Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest. On 7/13, AL saw a Common Goldeneye area most years. Each year, beginning in 2007, Mount at MacNabney Marsh. This is an uncom- MM had a Western Tanager in her yard Diablo Audubon Society has encouraged all mon occurrence in July in Contra Costa 8/1 in Moraga and P&NS had one at their birders to purchase a Federal Duck Stamp County. birdbath in Antioch 8/4. and has made it easier for members by purchasing a quantity so that you can buy On 8/6, AL saw a Horned Grebe at Mal- Hermit Warblers were at the Orinda one at the regular meeting in September. lard Reservoir near Brentwood for a first Connector Trail 7/20, LK, and 2 females We appreciate the efforts of member Don August CoCoCo record. were at the Valle Vista Staging area 8/12. Lewis in expediting this sale. Or you can JC. Two Least Bitterns, 1 adult, one juvenile, buy one at the Post Office or at sporting were at Dow Wetland Preserve 7/14. AL. A Chipping Sparrow was at the Iron goods stores. The cost is $15, regardless of LK saw a juvenile Least Bittern there 7/20. House Sanitary district 7/20. where you buy. The stamps are also avail- HH, JR, FS saw nesting Green Herons at LK saw eight Blue Grosbeaks at the Iron able for purchase online and at National Heather Farm pond from 7/3 and beyond. House Sanitary District 7/20. Wildlife Refuges. Visit www.fws.gov/duck- There were three juveniles. MS saw two stamps/stamps.htm for more information. adult and two juvenile Green Herons at "A man who never sees a Waterfowl hunters age 16 and older the greenery on either side of the dam at bluebird only half lives. " are required to purchase and carry a cur- Lafayette Reservoir 7/6. rent Federal Duck Stamp. Conservation- —Edwin Way Teale SO saw two Golden Eagles over Inspira- ists, birders, stamp collectors, art lovers tion Point in Tilden RP 7/4. and many others also buy the stamp as an investment in wetlands conservation for Black Rails were seen or heard in several JA Jeff Acuff, T&DB Tom and Diane Ben- locations. AL saw one at Bay Point Region- nett, GC Graham Chisholm, PC Pamela future generations. Ninety-eight percent al Shoreline 6/29. and two at Iron House Clark, RC Robert Clark, RCu Rob Cullison, of the proceeds from the $15 duck stamp Sanitary District 7/10. LK had one there CD Cedric Duhalde, BD Bob Dunn, KF go to the Migratory Bird Conservation 7/20. On 6/30, C&TW had one at the Mar- Kathy Francone, JG Jeannine Gendar, MH Fund, which supports wetland acquisition tinez Regional Shoreline. Many others saw Mike Hall, HH Hugh Harvey, JH Joel Herr, for the National Wildlife Refuge System. or heard them at Martinez Shoreline until LH Lisa Hug, LK Logan Kahle, TL Tom Since 1934, Federal Duck Stamp sales 7/21. JG, PC, RC, JRo, CR, LR, AL, DW Liguori, AL Albert Linkowski, BL Betty have raised more than $850 million to ac- Lobos, DM Dominik Mosur, MM Mimi quire and protect more than 6 million acres MP saw a at Point Wandering Tattler Myers, SO Sue Oeser, MP Michael Park, of wetlands habitat on hundreds of National Molate 8/3. BP Bob Power, MR Mark Rauzon, JR Jean Wildlife Refuges across all 50 states and U.S. Q Richmond, CR Carol Rose, LR Larry Rose, territories. A current Federal Duck Stamp is Submit Contra Costa County sightings to JRo Jim Rowath, FS Fred Safier, P&NS Paul also good for free admission to any refuge [email protected] or (925) 284-5980 or and Nancy Schorr, DS Dan Singer, CS that charges an entry fee. More than 560 send to EBB [email protected]. If Catherine Spaulding, JS John Sterling, MS refuges offer unparalleled outdoor recre- you report sightings to eBird, please also Maury Stern, DW Dan Wenny, C&TW, ational opportunities, including bird watch- send to Maury Stern. Chris and Teri Wills. ing, photography, fishing, and hunting. the Quail —3— September 2014 Field Trip Schedule By Hugh Harvey September 4 Thursday ...... Jewel Lake Our Mount Diablo Audubon Chapter is a conservation 13 Saturday...... Antioch Dunes organization. As such, we encourage members to consider 20 Saturday...... Rio Lindo Academy, Healdsburg meeting at the carpool point to pick up or ride with others. 27 Saturday ...... Outer Point Reyes It is important that given the cost of gasoline, those who ride October with others offer to pay some of this cost. Don’t forget about 4 Saturday...... Hawk Hill any bridge tolls or park entry fees on some of our longer 7 Tuesday...... Hayward Shoreline/Winton Avenue trips. Carpool location: Sun Valley—Southwest corner of the 11-12 Saturday/Sunday...... Monterey Pelagic and Land Birds Sun Valley Mall parking lot at Willow Pass Road and Contra 22 Wednesday...... Berkeley–Emeryville Shoreline Costa Boulevard in Concord. 25 Saturday...... Abbott’s Lagoon November 18 Tuesday...... McNabney Marsh/Mountain View Sanitary ➊ Saturday, September 20 22 Saturday...... Charleston Slough/South Bay Rio Lindo Academy, Healdsburg 29 Saturday...... Limantour Leader: Hugh Harvey, (925) 935‒2979 We hope to see thousands of Vaux's Swifts enter a chim- ➋ Thursday, September 4 ney on the grounds of the Rio Lindo Academy. This has been Jewel Lake an annual occurrence since 1989, when use of the chimney Leader: Maury Stern, (925) 284‒5980. ceased. Be advised that we will be returning home after dark. Meet 7:30 am in Nature Center parking lot at north Carpool leaves Sun Valley at 4:30 pm. Take I-680 across the end of park. From Hwy. 24 in Orinda, go north on Camino Benicia Bridge (toll). Go west on I-780 to I-80 towards Sac- Pablo. Turn left on Wildcat Canyon Road. Stay right at ramento, exit to SR 37. Follow SR 37 to Lakeville Road, turn the Brazil Building. At the next main intersection, turn right. In Petaluma take US 101 north to Healdsburg, exit at Old right and pass Lake Anza and the Carousel. Or take Fish Redwood Highway/Healdsburg Avenue (Exit 502). Go north Ranch Road from the Caldecott Tunnel. Turn right at the to Bailhache Avenue, turn right on Bailhache, which becomes top onto Grizzly Peak Road. Turn right and downhill onto Rio Lindo Avenue. Follow it about 3 miles into the Academy’s South Park Drive and turn left at the bottom onto Wildcat main entrance. Turn left at the first stop sign and another left Canyon Road. Short morning walk to look for migrants. just before the dormitory. In half a block turn right toward the rear of the campus, park on the right past the chimney. Bring folding chairs, a picnic supper and join many others as we enjoy ➋ Saturday, September 13 the evening show. Please call leader if you want to carpool. Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge Leader: Hugh Harvey, (925) 935‒2979. 10:00‒11:00 am. Carpool from Sun Valley at 9:15 am. The ➋ Saturday, September 27 leader will not be attending this trip, but will organize only. Outer Point Reyes This is your chance to visit the only unit of the National Wild- Leader: David Hutton, (925) 938‒4485. life Refuge system in Contra Costa County. A 1-hour docent- Carpool leaves from Sun guided tour will introduce us to the history of the only place on Valley at 7:00 am. Meet 8:30 earth where we can see Lange’s Metalmark Butterfly. Though am at Bear Valley Visitor Cen- the butterfly requires Naked-stem Buckwheat, Star Thistle is ter in Olema. From I-80 in the predominant plant. Don’t be disappointed if you don’t see this butterfly. Don’t expect to see flowing sand dunes. After Vallejo, follow SR 37 19.1 hearing the history, you will understand. May be hot, there is miles to Atherton Avenue, no shade; may be dusty walk- exit and turn left, cross US ing along graded fire trails. 101 to San Marin Drive and continue about 3 miles. Turn Bring sun protection and wa- Great Horned Owl at Pt. Reyes. right on Novato Blvd. for 6 ter. From Hwy. 4 in Antioch, Beth Branthaver photo. exit north on A Street. After miles to stop sign, then turn about 1 mile, bend right left on Point Reyes‒Petaluma Road for 7 miles to another onto Wilbur Avenue. Turn stop sign. Turn right across the bridge, go 3 miles to SR 1. left onto Fulton Shipyard Turn left into Point Reyes Station. After a stop at the Bovine Road and cross the railroad Bakery for coffee and pastries, continue out of town to- tracks. The entry gate is wards Olema, then turn right onto Bear Valley Road. Visitor on the right. We will be Antioch Dunes Evening Primrose. Center is off Bear Valley. We are hoping for migrants and guided by a refuge volunteer. Beth Branthaver photo. vagrants. Weather is unpredictable. Bring lunch and liquids. the Quail —4— September 2014 The Faces of Rat Poison By Lisa Owens Viani Young Birders Club Watch for rats (Rap- The Mount Diablo Audubon Young tors Are The Solution) this Birders Club spent a little over two hours summer in bart stations studying a mile, or so, of the Orinda Con- in the East Bay—Lafay- nector Trail on Sunday, July 20. Although ette, Orinda, and Pleasant birding this time of year can be a bit slow, Hill—thanks to support this trail, always beautiful at any time, did from mdas and several yield 46 species. other funders. The “Faces We had the pleasure of finding a female of Rat Poison” campaign Wood Duck with six juveniles, numerous will also be visible in San Western Wood-Pewees, flocks of Violet- Francisco, in bart sta- green Swallows, all three nuthatches and tions and on the “tails” of an apparent early migrant Hermit Warbler. 26 muni buses. The idea Logan Kahle's complete eBird behind the campaign is to checklist for our morning can be found show the faces of some of here: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/ the nontarget animals that checklist?subID=S19160650 are being harmed by rat poison. bulk. The epa argues that pest control op- Many families are busy during the Although the state removed some of the erators “apply the poisons more carefully,” summer months and our turnout—only worst “second generation” anticoagulant making them safer to use. However, they six participants, this time—was, no doubt, compounds from consumer shelves as of have admitted that they have no scientific a reflection of that fact. But we did have July 1, and the us epa plans to do the same evidence to show that most poisonings are the opportunity to welcome a guest, Danae starting in April 2015, the battle is not over. caused by homeowners. A bait box with a Daviess from Danville, and a new member, Plenty of other dangerous products, includ- poisoned rodent staggering out of it creates Forest Chapman from Lafayette. a toxic bomb, whether placed by a pest ing several under the d-con brand, remain Anticipating fall migration, the Young control company, a homeowner, restaurant, for sale to consumers. They include the Birders will soon formulate plans for their or business. poisons chlorophacinone and diphacinone, next field trip, most likely a shorebird out- “first generation” anticoagulants that have rats has posted a table of all of the ing. Date and location, when set, will be killed many birds of prey and other wildlife, poisons—and their brand names—that posted on the MDAS calendar. Please look as well as bromethalin, a nerve toxin for will still be allowed for over-the-counter for it and attend if you are able. which there is no antidote. sale at www.raptorsarethesolution.org/ In other news, the Mount Diablo Audu- dangerous-rat-poison-products-still- Our great challenge moving ahead is bon Young Birders Club has been invited being-sold-over-the-counter/ along with that the state and the epa continue to allow by Point Blue Conservation (formerly the their known impacts. the pest control industry to use the terrible Point Reyes Bird Observatory) to form a second generation anticoagulants, and Lisa Owens Viani is Co-founder and Direc- team and participate this fall in the 37th agricultural supply stores to sell them in tor of rats annual Rich Stallcup Bird-a-Thon. This event has been a vital fundraiser and, to Cheers for Our Volunteers date, 2.8 million dollars has been raised for Thanks are due to the volunteers who their very important conservation endeav- take the time to attend the several festivals ors. The entire event takes place between throughout the year where Mount Diablo September 1 and October 15. Each team Audubon reaches the public, explaining our will select a location (or locations), and a 24 mission of protecting birds and wildlife, and hour period within those dates, and basi- their habitats. cally do a "big day", finding and identifying In June, the following members worked as many species as they can. Each team will at Walnut Creek's Heritage Day Festival at also seek sponsorship, and donations will be Borges Ranch: Kathy Kellogg, Dave Kwinter, pegged to their respective species counts. Sandy Ritchie and Mike Robertson. Ours would be only the second youth team In August, these folks helped out at the to join the event since it was established. Beaver Festival in Martinez: Diane Malu- Anyone wishing to participate with the celli, Carol Pachl and Cevina Targum. Young Birders should contact Tracy Far- rington at [email protected] Also to be acknowledged with thanks or: 925-788-6223. is Volunteer Coordinator Brian Murphy. More details may be found at the Point Cevina Targum (left) and Diane Malucelli talk Blue Conservation page for the event: http:// with children at the Beaver Festival in Martinez www.pointblue.org/help-the-environment/ on August 2. support-us/birdathon/. the Quail —5— September 2014 William S. Vaux Continued from Page 8 his photography, par- Vaux's Swifts ticularly for his work in Vaux’s Swifts, Chaetura vauxi, are aerial birds, members Canada with scenes of of the Apodiformes order, birds that can’t perch or walk— glaciers. they can only cling or fly. They spend most of their lives in William S. Vaux be- the air, living on the insects they catch in their beaks and queathed his mineral even mating while in flight. They have sometimes been collection (valued at the referred to as "cigars with wings." time at over $50,000) to Vaux’s Swifts (rhymes with "foxes") are found flying or the Philadelphia Acad- clinging to vertical surfaces such as trees or chimneys. They emy of Sciences, along usually nest in natural cavities with vertical entranceways, with a $10,000 endow- such as hollow trees, and they roost communally, by the ment to maintain and hundreds or sometimes thousands, presumably to conserve expand the collection. heat. However, with the loss of natural habitats, Vaux’s Fluorite specimen from the Vaux Collection, The Academy is now Swifts have been increasingly observed roosting during Academy of Natural Sciences known as the Academy migration in man-made structures such as large industrial of Natural Sciences of chimneys. A number of locations are particularly noted as Drexel University, and the Vaux Collection remains there but is observation sites during the fall migration of these multi- not on public display. The minerals collected by George Vaux tudes as they travel along the Pacific Flyway toward their were donated to Bryn Mawr University. winter destination between Central Mexico and Venezuela. Among these are the Old Northern State Hospital in Sedro Woolley, Washington; Chapman Elementary School in Portland, Oregon (likely the largest concentration of birds is here); the Rio Lindo Academy in Healdsburg, California; the McNear Brickyard in San Rafael; and the Chester Wil- liams Building in downtown Los Angeles. At the Rio Lindo Academy, Vaux's Swifts began using the chimney in 1989, and they have returned every fall since that time. Small groups arrive in mid-August; peak populations are there in mid to late September; most have continued their journey south by early October. As many as 20,000 birds may roost inside the chimney on any night. One study counted an average of more than 360 birds per minute For a four-minute video of the spectacle at Rio Vista Academy, go to www. entering the chimney over a period of 20 minutes or so.. youtube.com/watch?v=FXtFPHiKtAI. Film clip by Gérard Angé,

Grasshopper Sparrow ✦ Ammodramus savannarum Ralph Hoffmann, in are so much harder to detect in the fall Birds of the Pacific States, than singing summer birds that it seems 1927, describes the Grass- that the species just disappears, when in hopper Sparrow as fol- fact thousands are passing southward to lows: "Only a sharp ear winter in Mexico. Spring migration in catches from some dry weedy field a shrill March, April and May brings these birds insect-like trill, almost a buzz. The singer suddenly back to their breeding areas. In crouches on a weed stalk or fence post or Contra Costa County, these birds have even on the ground, throwing up his head been reported on Mount Diablo, at Black at intervals and uttering his fine dry trill. Diamond Mines, and in the grasslands When the Grasshopper Sparrow flies from south of Mount Diablo. TheBreeding Bird his perch, he flutters off with curiously Atlas of Contra Costa County shows that feeble flight. The unstreaked under parts most breeding birds were found in the distinguish the Grasshopper Sparrow Berkeley Hills, including Briones and Las from a Savannah Sparrow. Its song might Trampas Regional Parks. Grasshopper Sparrow. Photo by Beth Branthaver easily be mistaken for a Savannah's but is Of seven subspecies of Grasshopper composed of one long dry trill without a period when males are singing—March Sparrow in North America, only the western change of pitch at the end." and April—is when these birds are most subspecies A. s. perpallidus is seen in Califor- As a secretive grassland species, the readily discovered. Grasshopper Sparrows nia. It is paler and more drab than the others. the Quail —6— September 2014 Wouldn't It Be Nice? Mount Diablo Audubon Society By Mike Eliot Mount Diablo Audubon Society, a Chapter of National Audubon, is committed to the Wouldn’t it be nice if all cats and birds sustainable balance of our community’s people, birds, other wildlife, and habitat through got along? conservation, education, and advocacy. MDAS Board of Directors (Area code 925 unless specified) President: Jimm Edgar...... 510‒658‒2330 Vice President: Paul Schorr...... [email protected] . . .757‒5107 Treasurer: Steve Buffi...... 938‒0929 Board Secretary: Diana Granados...... [email protected] Programs: Ariana Rickard...... [email protected] 347‒754‒0143 Field Trips: Hugh Harvey...... 935‒2979 Conservation Nancy Wenninger. [email protected] . . .938‒7987 Corresponding Secretary Barbara Vaughn...... 376‒8732 Sales Manager: Diane Malucelli...... 674‒0920 Membership: Pat Schneider...... [email protected] . . .935‒5683 Volunteer Coordinator Brian Murphy...... 937‒8835 Hospitality: Nina Wong...... [email protected] . . 930‒7024 Education: Cecil Williams...... [email protected] . . .376‒1631 The simple fact is, in general, they don’t. Webmaster: Betts Sanderson. . [email protected] House cats, being instinctual bird predators, Christmas Count: Jimm Edgar...... 510‒658‒2330 were estimated in a 2012 study to kill over EBB Sightings Monitor Bill Chilson...... [email protected] 510‒619‒6692 1.5 billion birds a year in the U.S. alone. Out- Young Birder Club Liaison Tracy Farrington. . . . [email protected] . . . 788-6223 Member‒at‒Large: Jean Richmond...... 837‒2843 door and feral domestic cats can go where Mike Williams...... [email protected] . . .376‒1631 they please, causing untold damage to birds, Mike Eliot...... [email protected] . . .798‒0303 small animals, and other cats. The numbers Quail Editor Ellis Myers...... [email protected] . . .284‒4103 of abandoned and feral cats are increasing as well. So what can we do? Mount Diablo Audubon Society The most obvious answer is to keep cats meets at 7:00 pm on the first Thursday of indoors. In addition to their being unable to each month, except July and August, in the catch birds, indoor cats are much less likely Camellia Room of The Gardens at Heather to become ill, get in fights, get abscesses, be Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut hit by vehicles or injured by dogs. Creek. Everyone is invited. [Note: Second For those whose cats run free, a modi- Thursday, January 8, 2015.] cum of responsibility for eliminating cat- Mount Diablo Audubon Society related problems seems appropriate. thanks our Business Partners for their If your cats go outdoors, you could have generous support: them wear bells to alarm birds and other animals. You can also provide them with Wild Birds Unlimited adequate attractions and toys in your yard to Steven Joseph Photography keep them at home and occupied. A recent Galaxy Press news column suggests that cats become too Native Bird Connections lazy to chase birds when they have catnip plants to enjoy. In addition, you could also let MDAS MEMBERSHIP/RENEWAL APPLICATION cats out only in the evening or night, when c birds are not out feeding. Or you could spend Please enroll my family and me as a member of Mount Diablo Audubon Society for $25 for one year. Membership dues are tax deductible. time with them playing outdoors. Some cat c owners build outdoor play areas for them I’m enclosing an additional tax-deductible donation of $______. c that are covered so they cannot escape. For an additional $20 (new NAS members only), please enroll me in the National Moreover, some people have been able to Audubon Society. NAS dues are separate from Mount Diablo Audubon dues. c c train their cats not to chase or catch birds. Please send The Quail by: US mail E-mail______I, for example, have two indoor cats and a Name______parrot that get along just fine. If you feed birds, there are some ad- Address______ditional things you can do. First, make sure City, State______Zip______that feeders are high enough and far enough Phone ( ____ )______E-mail______from buildings, fences, or trees so that cats cannot jump on them. Also make sure there Please make your check payable to: is no brush growing under or near feeders or MOUNT DIABLO AUDUBON SOCIETY and mail with this application to: bird baths where cats could hide. Membership Chair, 282 Firestone Court, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 the Quail —7— September 2014 Mount Diablo Audubon Society, Non-Profit Org. P.O. Box 53 U.S. Postage Walnut Creek, CA 94597-0053 PAID Return Service Requested Permit No. 66 Concord, CA

Vaux's Swift. Glen Tepke photo..

William Sansom Vaux Mineralogist ✦ Philanthropist

William Sansom Vaux was born in Academy’s library and museum, especially Philadelphia on May 19, 1811. His father, in the branches of mineralogy and ethnol- George Vaux, was a member of the Phila- ogy. He was one of the curators from 1838, delphia Bar. Both parents were members treasurer from 1840, and a vice-president of the Society of Friends. William’s grand- continuously from 1860. father was William Sansom, a prominent Also a member of the Philadelphia Philadelphia builder and merchant in the Academy of Sciences at the time was John East India trade. Kirk Townsend (See the Quail, October, As a boy, William acquired a strong 2012) and he and William Vaux became taste for mineralogy, and he devoted much good friends. One of the birds Townsend time and energy to collecting the finest discovered on his travels in the west he specimens and to the study of geology and named for Vaux—Vaux’s Swift. archaeology throughout his life. His uncle, Vaux began collecting minerals when Joseph Sansom, had assembled one of the he was about nine or ten, and he built the William Sansom Vaux first mineral collections in America (later finest collection of minerals ever assem- given to Haverford College). bled up to that time in the United States. ence, and treasurer from 1871 until his Financially well off, he listed his- oc He also influenced his nephew, George death in 1882. cupation as “Gentleman,” and never en- Vaux, Jr., to collect minerals. He was one His wife and only son had predeceased gaged in any trade or profession. Vaux of the founders of the Numismatic and him so that William Vaux was left without was elected to Philadelphia’s Academy Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia. Vaux any direct descendants. His nephew car- of Natural Sciences in March 1834. Dur- was a founding member of the American ried on his name as William S. Vaux, Jr. ing his lifetime he gave generously to the Association for the Advancement of Sci- William Vaux, Jr. became well known for the Quail —8— ContinuedSeptember on Page 2014 6 » Mount Diablo Audubon Society 2014−2015 Field Trip Schedule By Hugh Harvey September March 4 Thursday ...... Jewel Lake MS 4 Wednesday...... Walnut Creek Parks. HH 13 Saturday...... Antioch Dunes HH 11 Wednesday...... Contra Loma Reservoir. . PS 20 Saturday...... Rio Lindo Academy, Healdsburg HH 17 Tuesday.Mountain View Sanitary/McNabney Marsh. . ST 27 Saturday ...... Outer Point Reyes DH 19 Thursday...... Valle Vista. . DL October 21 Saturday...... Tomales Bay State Park. . MS 4 Saturday...... Hawk Hill FS 25 Wednesday...... Lake Lagunitas. HH 7 Tuesday...... Hayward Shoreline/Winton Avenue BR April 11–12 Saturday/Sunday . . Monterey Pelagic and Land Birds TC 4 Saturday...... Garin Regional Park. . FS 22 Wednesday...... Berkeley-Emeryville Shoreline EL 8 Wednesday...... Orinda Connector Trail. . DL 25 Saturday...... Abbott’s Lagoon DH 11 Saturday...... Pine Canyon. NW 16 Thursday...... North Briones. . MS November 18 Saturday...... Mines Road. HH 18 Tuesday. McNabney Marsh/Mountain View Sanitary ST 23 Thursday...... Black Diamond Mines. . PS 22 Saturday...... Charleston Slough/South Bay EL 28 Tuesday...... Del Puerto Canyon. DH 29 Saturday...... Limantour MS 30 Thursday...... Mitchell Canyon. . MS December 6-7 Saturday/Sunday ...... Sacramento Refuges TC May 11 Thursday...... Niles Area JE 2 Saturday...... East Contra Costa County. . GF 17 Wednesday. Christmas Count/East Contra Costa JE/MS 6 Wednesday...... Mount Diablo State Park. . . JE 20 Saturday. . Christmas Count/Central Contra Costa JE/MS 14 Thursday...... West Briones Regional Park. . BB 27 Saturday...... Solano County Raptors GF 19 Tuesday...... No Child Left Inside. . PS January 21 Thursday...... No Child Left Inside. . PS 3 Saturday...... Putah Creek FS June 10 Saturday...... Panoche Valley DH 6 Saturday...... Outer Point Reyes. DH 20 Tuesday . Lake Merritt/Arrowhead Marsh—High Tide SR TBD Sat/Sun...... Yuba Pass/Sierra Valley. HH 31 Saturday. Las Gallinas/Rush Creek/Shollenberger Park EL July February TBD Sat/Sun...... Mount Lassen. . EL 7 Saturday...... Thornton Area/Cosumnes Preserve EC 18 Saturday...... San Mateo Coast. . BB 12 Thursday...... Grizzly Island MS August 14–15 Saturday/Sunday ...... Los Banos/Panoche Valley DH 15 Saturday...... Bodega Bay. . FS 25 Wednesday...... Sunol Regional Park EL

Come Birding With Us! Field Trip Leaders (Area code 925 unless specified) Hugh B. Harvey, Chair...... 935‒2979 Beth Branthaver...... 944‒1856 Field trips are open to members and non-members, beginners and advanced birders, but not dogs. Weather or other contingen- Ethan (Chick) Chickering...... 686‒9231 cies may require changes. For updates, visit the MDAS website Terry Colborn...... 503‒312‒9947 at www.diabloaudubon.com/index.php. Phone area codes are Jimm Edgar...... 510‒658‒2330 925 unless specified otherwise. Because most trips do not return Gary Fregien...... 916‒708‒0636 until late afternoon, bring a lunch and drink and join us during our midday break. David Hutton...... 938‒4485 Category ➊: Easy, little or no walking, smooth paths Don Lewis...... 284‒5480 Category ➋: Moderate, one mile +, possibly rough terrain Eugenia Larson...... 806‒0644 Bob Richmond...... 510–427–9843 Category ➌: Difficult, extensive walking on rough terrain. Sandy Ritchie...... 685‒8048 Our Mount Diablo Audubon Chapter is a conservation organization. As such, we encourage members to consider Fred Safier...... 937‒2906 meeting at the carpool point to pick up or ride with others. Paul Schorr...... 757‒5107 It is important that given the cost of gasoline, those who ride Maury Stern...... 284‒5980 with others offer to pay some of this cost. Don’t forget about Steve Taylor...... 828‒8810 any bridge tolls or park entry fees on some of our longer trips. Nancy Wenninger...... 938‒7987 the Quail —9— September 2014