March 2018 Free and Open to the Public Richardson Bay Audubon Center 376 Greenwood Beach Road, Tiburon Information: 415/789-0703

SPEAKER SERIES Newsletter of the Marin Audubon Society. Vol. 60, No. 07 March 2018 Free and Open to the public Richardson Bay Audubon Center 376 Greenwood Beach Road, Tiburon Information: 415/789-0703

THURSDAY, MARCH 8 7:30 PM Badgers in Marin County With Susan Kirks The MARIN AUDUBONRail SOCIETY Black Point Acquisition in the Works Ron Dudley Ron American Badger is a native mammal to California’s grassland ecosystems.

Marin County has a small sustaining badger population, but where are the badgers? The American Badger is rarely seen and usually misun- derstood. In California, badgers have a special status since 1987, Species of Concern. Many believe with fragmented habitat, destruction of habitat and frequent vehicular strikes killing badgers, the species deserves a higher level of protection. A Threatened status would mandate consideration of protecting the badger’s habitat. Badgers reside in Ann Thomas Ann our coastal and inland grassland The acquisition property is a mix of oak wooded hillsides and low-lying diked baylands on Bayview and ecosystems, the open spaces often Hemlock Avenues, near Norton Pond, Days Island and the mouth of the Petaluma River. With the lack utilized for agriculture and urban of rain, the baylands at the base of the hills are dry this year. Under normal rainfall years, water would development. be ponded in the baylands. Our speaker, Susan Kirks, is a Naturalist with 18 years of field e are pleased to announce that we’ve Marin Baylands Advocates, is contributing study and observations of American just signed the Purchase Agreement funding for the appraisal and MAS is providing Badger. She is recognized as to buy two undeveloped parcels, funds for the deposit. California’s leading naturalist expert Wtotaling 2.63 acres, at Hemlock and Bayview This purchase is part of the Campaign on the species and also currently Avenues which are paper streets in an area for Marin Baylands, the goal of which is to serves as President of Sonoma known locally as the gridiron of Black Point in permanently protect all of the existing and County’s Madrone Audubon Society. Novato. The property, located close to Norton diked baylands along San Francisco and San Susan will share information with us Pond, supports diked seasonal wetlands, Pablo Bays in Marin County. More than 100 about Marin County’s badger popula- grasslands and oak-wooded hillside habitats. years ago, the gridiron area of Black Point was tion and how we can best understand Historically, the area was a series of coves where divided into postage stamp-sized lots that were and support conservation of this the tides came up to meet oak-wooded hills. given away, reportedly to folks who subscribed special wild creature. We have successfully breached the dikes at to either to the Chronicle or Reader’s Digest. Bahia, restoring tidal flow to that habitat. A MAS and MBA have jointly protected nine IN THIS ISSUE vision is that the outer levees that now block properties in this area, so far. tidal waters from the Black Point baylands Over the next six months, our organizations President’s Message 2 could be lowered as well. will be raising the funds necessary to complete Field Trips 2 and 3 We are now in the contingency period, the purchase. In addition to asking for our during which a title search and an appraisal are members’ support, we will be applying to Conservation Report 4 being prepared. We have six months to remove the Marin County Open Space District for Habitat Stewardship 6 contingencies, and raise the $200,000 purchase Measure A funds and to other funding sources. price. If additional time is needed to complete To make a donation now, send to MAS, Box Birdlog 7 the fundraising, we have the option to extend 599, Mill Valley 94942. Note that the donation escrow for another six months. Our partner, is for the Black Point acquisition.

LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON MARCH 2018 1 BOARD OF DIRECTORS All phone numbers are in the 415 area code President’s Message unless otherwise noted. Questions? Please By Barbara Salzman contact the appropriate Board member. President Barbara Salzman 924-6057 As we finish the marsh restoration at the Corte owned by various public agencies: (1) habitat Vice President Lowell Sykes 388-2821 Madera Ecological Reserve, my thoughts go enhancement of the muted tidal marsh at Secretary Everett Clark 789-9224 back over our history of restoring baylands, Redwood High School funded by the Coastal Treasurer Susan Winston 949/632-0908 Conservation Phil Peterson 828-4780 and especially to one of our earlier efforts, Conservancy; (2) improvements on properties Barbara Salzman 924-6057 the project just a few yards north of our owned by the Marin County Open Space Field Trips Jane Medley 559/760-1551 current restoration. In 1989, we removed fill District by removing debris and also excavating Membership Elyse Omernick 694-2320 to create tidal marsh and isolate an area of fill a channel to open up an area to tidal action Fundraising Everett Clark 789-9224 to function as an island high tide refugia for at Bothin Marsh; (3) removing fill on State Speaker Series/Programs the endangered California Clapper Rail (now Lands property at the end of Mitchell Blvd. Susan Kelly 883-9505 Ridgway’s Rail). This followed on our hiring in San Rafael to restore tidal marsh along Special Projects Jude Stalker 680-6291 Gary Page and Jules Evens to survey Clapper Gallinas Creek; and (4) replacing a culvert Nominating Bob Hinz, 383-8688 Rail use in the adjacent Heerdt Marsh. This and enhancing Rush Creek Marsh owned by Editor, The Rail Bob Hinz, 383-8688 study was the first to identify the importance the Department of Fish and Game and the Website Susan Kelly 883-9505 of this marsh for this endangered species, and OSD. Most were funded by the Supplemental Property Management Ed Nute 669-7710 Publicity Barbara Freitas 924-7477 it launched the careers of Gary and Jules as Environmental Project program that was BAAC Reps Lowell Sykes 388-2821 experts on this species. administered by the Regional Water Board, but Barbara Salzman 924-6057 The event that led up to that project was no longer exists. We were one of the first, if not DIRECTORS MEETINGS a sewage spill by the City of Larkspur into the first, non-profit to receive funding from the Meetings open to members. If you wish to Corte Madera Creek. I was asked by the Coastal Conservancy. attend please call 924-6057. then Executive Officer of the Regional Water Without willingness of the Marin Audubon 6:30 PM, First Tuesday of the month Richardson Bay Audubon Center Quality Control Board, Steve Ritchie, to Board and my project management, none of 376 Greenwood Beach Road suggest a project to mitigate for the impacts of this would have happened. In all approximately Tiburon, California 94920 the spill, and when I did, we were encouraged 500 acres were restored or enhanced prior to MAS telephone: 721-4271 (for messages only) to take on the construction. The MAS Board 1999 when we began to purchase properties. Marin Audubon Society is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) was as enthusiastic as I was about taking it on, Since our first purchase, Triangle Marsh, organization. All memberships and contributions and the rest is history. The channel has silted we have confined our restoration work to are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. in over the years and is now a thriving marsh properties that we purchased. More on our The Rail is published ten times a year by the well-vegetated with native marsh species. It is history in future issues. Marin Audubon Society on 100% recycled paper; edited by Bob Hinz [email protected], an important part of Marin Audubon’s legacy We welcome Elyse Omernick who is taking 383-8688; assisted by other members of MAS; of marsh restorations. over as Membership Secretary and joining the and designed by Studio NaCl (www.studionacl. That Ecological Reserve project wasn’t Board. Elyse’s Board responsibility will be for com). Deadline is the first of each month. actually our first restoration. Our first was in Facebook and initiating us into Instagram. We ©2018 Marin Audubon Society the late 1970s when a group of our volunteers have been wanting for some time to increase Website: www.marinaudubon.org removed water hyacinth from Smith Ranch our social media presence. Elyse’s enthusiasm Members can receive The Rail electronically instead of a hard copy by emailing member- Road Pond at Deer Valley Road. Later we and willingness to help is welcome. [email protected] removed non-native plants from an artificial Do you love birds and want to be involved

DONATIONS APPRECIATED! pond at the Richardson Bay Sanitary District, in activities to protect them and improve their Marin Audubon Society welcomes gifts of and we dredged to deepen Remillard Pond habitat? Contact Bob Hinz, our Nominating funds, stock, or property, and bequests in in Larkspur to benefit the Western Pond Committee Chair, to find out more about a general, or in honor or memory of someone. Gifts may be directed to any MAS project. Turtle. Other projects followed on properties continued on page 7 Unspecified gifts of more than $500 will be placed in the Endowment Fund for conserva- PETALUMA RIVER BOAT TRIP ONLINE SIGNUPS BEGIN FEBRUARY 26 tion, the protection of wildlife species, and the preservation and enhancement of wildlife habitats. Since MAS is an all-volunteer organization, Departure/return at Petaluma numbers of shorebirds as well as the raptors 100% of your donation goes to its projects. All Monday, April 9, 2018 that feed on them. Last year’s participants gifts are tax-deductible and will be acknowl- 9 AM to 2 PM raved about this unexpectedly delightful trip! edged in The Rail, as well as personally on With Peter Colasanti Once again, we have scheduled the trip at low behalf of the Society. Checks should be made This unique excursion with Dolphin Charters tide to enhance our birding opportunities. out and mailed to: Marin Audubon Society, P.O. will take us through a small salt water estuary The trip is limited to 25 people and costs $95 Box 599, Mill Valley, CA 94942. off San Pablo Bay that runs about ten miles for MAS Chapter-Supporting members and $120 through some of the last mostly untouched for non-members. (Non-member price includes salt water marshes in the Bay Area. Cruising a 2018 MAS Chapter-Supporting membership.) MISSION STATEMENT down the Petaluma River, passengers enter a Registration and payment will begin on different world. We will meander past sloughs, Monday, February 26, 2018. Register at www. To conserve and restore natural oxbows, and marshes offering views not visible marinaudubon.org. Book your space ASAP as ecosystems, focusing on birds from adjacent lands. Our boat will continue our boat trips often sell out quickly. Include and other wildlife and their habitats, into San Pablo Bay where grebes, ducks, and the name, email address, and contact phone terns can be seen in the shallow water habitat. number of each participant. Those confirmed for the benefit of humanity and We will view the extensive mud flats along will receive directions to the Petaluma Turning the earth’s biological diversity. the edge of the bay, which often host large Basin and other instructions prior to the trip.

2 THE RAIL LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON MAS FIELD TRIPS No need to sign up for one-day trips, just join us. Bring lunch, snacks, water, field guide, and binoculars. For information, Open to the public accessibility, and weather check: Jane Medley, 559/760-1551, [email protected]. CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR THE MOST RECENT UPDATES.

THE PONDS AT THE LAS GALLINAS VALLEY (Surf Scoter, Brant, various grebes and loons TOLAY LAKE REGIONAL PARK SANITARY DISTRICT (LGVSD) all likely), and hike up towards Drake’s Estero Petaluma San Rafael Overlook (varied shorebirds, cormorants, Saturday, March 31, 2018 Thursday, March 1, 2018 ducks, gulls, and American White Pelican 8:45 AM to mid-afternoon 8:30 AM to noon probable). Last year we were lucky to come With Peter Colasanti With Sande and Bob Chilvers across a dozen Surfbirds feeding on a rock This 1,700-acre park, located between the Beginning birders are especially welcome close to shore. Petaluma River and Sonoma Valley, includes on the first Thursday of each month for a DIRECTIONS: We will meet near the pristine farm and grasslands, ridges, a leisurely walk around the Las Gallinas ponds. monument at the Drake’s Beach parking area seasonal freshwater lake, ponds, wetlands, Join us as we search for waterfowl, waders, at 9:30 AM, then carpool up the hill to our and many other natural resources. This area songbirds, raptors, and shorebirds. February starting point. Follow Sir Francis Drake Blvd is not open to the general public without trip participants witnessed an American through Inverness out to Point Reyes National permits, but we will be allowed access with Kestrel chasing a Merlin. Other recent Seashore. Keep going until you get to the our guide, Peter Colasanti. observers have reported a Eurasian Green- Drakes Beach Rd where you’ll bear left. Expect We will meet at 8:45 AM at the gate at the winged Teal in the area. This monthly Las about a 35-minute drive from Point Reyes top of Cannon Lane, which is off Lakeville Gallinas trip is consistently interesting! Station to Drakes Beach. Heavy rain cancels. Highway just south of and across from Papa’s We welcome bird enthusiasts of all levels. Taverna (restaurant now closed). WE WILL We all help each other to find and identify the BODEGA BAY DEPART FROM THE GATE PROMPTLY AT 9 AM. birds, so come assist in our search. You don’t Saturday, March 10, 2018 Peter’s permit requires our group to enter even have to arrive on time because we 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM and leave the park together, and anyone spend the first 30-60 minutes studying the With Gene Hunn arriving late will not be allowed to enter. birds around the first pond and the group is We will begin birding at Doran Spit ($7 There is a $7/day vehicle use fee at the easy to find. Heavy rain cancels. permit required for the day, or carpool with a Park. We will hike several miles to check all DIRECTIONS: From Hwy 101, exit at Smith permit holder). Our first stop will be the the available habitats at the park: grassland, Ranch Rd. Drive east on Smith Ranch Rd Cypress Picnic Area (public restrooms oak woodland, riparian corridors, ponds, toward McInnis Park. Turn left immediately after available) opposite the Rich Stallcup viewing ridgelines, and ranch buildings. For those who crossing the railroad tracks and drive about platform. The tide will be falling and about wish to continue birding after lunch, we can 0.5 mile through the LGVSD gates and into the halfway out, so we might hope for a variety of visit the Ellis Creek ponds a few miles north parking lot at the end of the road. Meet the shorebirds. We will then walk the outer beach at the south edge of Petaluma. Wear sturdy group by the bridge just past the parking lot. in search of Snowy Plovers and “whatnot” hiking shoes and be prepared to hike for There is an outhouse in the parking area for before checking the jetties. several miles. Bring water, lunch, sunscreen, public use or you can use the bathrooms at Next stop will be Diekmann’s parking lot hat and dress in layers. Heavy rain cancels. nearby McInnis Park. overlook (hummers, warblers) before heading DIRECTIONS: The address of Papa’s Taverna is around the west side of Bodega Harbor out to 5688 Lakeville Hwy, Petaluma. From Marin take STAFFORD LAKE Bodega Head for a sea watch via Coleman Hwy 101 north to CA-37 E toward Napa/Vallejo. Novato Cove. We’ll eat our picnic lunches at the Continue about 6 miles on Hwy 37 to Lakeville Saturday, March 3, 2018 Bodega Dunes Campground amongst the Hwy. Take a left on Lakeville and continue for 9 AM to noon pines (or pick up a chowder to go at Spud another 6 miles. Turn right onto Cannon Lane With Bob Atwood Point). Time permitting, we may continue as Papa’s comes into view on the left. Located west of Novato, Stafford Lake north up the coast to the lookouts at is a beautiful but less birded area that Duncan’s Landing, Goat Rock, and Jenner. RETURN OF THE TERNS is productive for waterfowl and raptors. DIRECTIONS: We will meet at Bodega Harbor Crab Cove Visitor Center, Alameda Approximately 172 species of birds have at the pullout on the west side of State Hwy 1 REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 27, 8:30 AM been spotted at Stafford Lake throughout between the Doran/Bird Walk parking lot and Saturday, June 9, 2018 the years, and our group is likely to see a Smith Brothers Rd. Pack warm clothing, hats, 11 AM, 12:15 PM, or 1:30 PM (1 hour) considerable variety of the resident as well as lunch and snacks. Also, bring scopes. Heavy With East Bay Regional Parks District wintering birds. The county park has facilities rain cancels. Join Marin Audubon members for this and plenty of parking. The mostly level terrain special visit sponsored by the East Bay and water views make for pleasant birding as MOUNT TAMALPAIS/CORTE MADERA MARSH Regional Parks District to a nesting colony we walk around a portion of the lake and the No. 3, Birding in Marin (BIM) Series of the endangered California Least Terns surrounding area. Heavy rain cancels. Saturday, March 17, 2018 in Alameda. We will meet at the Crab Cove DIRECTIONS: From Hwy 101 in Novato, take 8:30 AM to mid-afternoon Visitor Center for a slide show revealing the the exit for San Marin Dr. Drive west 2.9 miles. With Jim White and Bob Battagin tern’s long migration and fascinating behavior. Turn right onto Novato Blvd and follow for 2.6 Join us this date in celebration of spring Then we take a bus ride to the proposed miles. The park is on the left. Turn left after and Jim White’s 78th birthday! Mount Alameda National Wildlife Refuge to view a entering at the gatehouse and go to the Tamalpais is a good area for seeing Pileated nest site teeming with several hundred pairs parking lot. Our trip has been scheduled on a Woodpecker. We also hope to find Red of terns and their chicks. To avoid disturbing “Measure A” day of free entrance to Marin Crossbills, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and a the endangered terns, visitors must stay on County Parks, so no fees will be required. Nice couple of early spring migrants like Western the bus to view activity. The site is accessible scheduling, Bob! Tanager, Cassin’s Vireo, and Black-throated just once a year with limited space costing Gray or Hermit Warbler. $9 for Alameda County residents or $11 for HALL RANCH TO HORSESHOE BAY This year we will NOT be repeating the, non-residents. Experts aboard the bus will Point Reyes National Seashore might we say, “dicey” hike up the Simmons interpret bird behavior. Tuesday, March 6, 2018 Trail, which proved challenging to a number of RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED for the 9:30 AM to 3 PM last year’s participants. bus ride to the colony. Three bus tours will With David Wimpfheimer We will picnic on the mountain then visit be offered on this date – at 11 AM, 12:15 Join David for a hike through several rich the lowland marshes in Corte Madera. Last PM and 1:30 PM. Marin Audubon members coastal habitats in a quest for birds, year this was a particularly rewarding part of may wish to reserve spaces together on mammals, and some vigorous exercise. We the day with sightings of 6 Blue-winged Teal, the 11 AM tour but are free to reserve will be hiking approximately four miles on 3 Ridgway’s Rails, and numerous other avian space on any of the three tours. Arrive an relatively rough trails with a total elevation marsh denizens. hour before the bus ride to view the slide gain of some 500’, so come prepared with DIRECTIONS: We will meet at Rock Springs, show, then board the bus for the visit to comfortable hiking shoes, layered clothing, which is located on East Ridgecrest Blvd in the tern colony. Gather after the tour for a and plenty to eat and drink. Mount Tamalpais State Park. From Hwy 101 picnic lunch near the visitor center. Reserve We’ll start our hike at the Hall Ranch (Barn take Hwy 1 toward Stinson Beach and Muir your space on this unique tour at: https:// Owl, Say’s Phoebe, and American Kestrel Woods. Turn right on Panoramic Hwy. After apm.activecommunities.com/ebparks/ possible), walk towards Horseshoe Bay approximately 5 miles, turn right on Pan Toll Activity_Search/return-of-the-terns/20818 (Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Burrowing Owl Rd. Then, after 1.2 miles turn left on possible), bird at Horseshoe Bay and Beach Ridgecrest Blvd. Heavy rain cancels. MORE FIELD TRIPS ON PAGE 2

LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON MARCH 2018 3 Conservation

Marin Audubon Conservation Committee reviews critical issues related to wildlife habitats and comments to cities, agencies, and other jurisdictions. To attend, phone Barbara Salzman at 415/924-6057.

ANCHOR OUT UPDATE — WORKSHOP AHEAD WHAT YOU CAN DO The next step for the Richardson Bay Regional Attend the workshop on March 8 at the Agency (RBRA) is a workshop planned for Tiburon Town Hall and tell the RBRA they March 8 at which they will discuss their should protect Bay resources and by enforcing existing laws and ordinances recently approved Guiding Principles and limiting residential use on the Bay. Local current activities and invite public comment. ordinances and regional requirements limit The RBRA, under the direction of their new stays on the bay to 72 hours. The RBRA is Executive Director, Beth Pollard, has agreed on seeking input from community members a list of Principles that will guide their decisions. about changes in policies, ordinances, The Principles address: plans and/or actions. If you cannot attend, 1. Relationships with stakeholders send a letter or email to Beth Pollard, c/o 2. Regard for specialized expertise and Marin County Community Development knowledge Agency, Planning Division, 3501 Civic 3. Concern for impact on lives Center Drive, Room 308, San Rafael, CA 4. Concern for environmental conditions 94903-4157, [email protected]. 5. Communication between RBRA and the community REPORT ON COMMUNITY MEETING 13 6. Collaboration ABOUT SEA LEVEL RISE AND 7. Fiscal responsibility TISCORNIA MARSH 8. Deliberate speed in achieving results 14 In late January with arrangement by Shore Up 10 9. Implementation, enforcement and Marin, we held the first of two community maintenance 10. Meeting protocol. meetings as provided in our Nature-Based Adaptation to Sea level Rise grant from the See RBRA website, www.rbra.ca.gov/about- Coastal Conservancy and Marin Community rbra/guiding-principles, for the complete Foundation. Sixty members of the community Guiding Principles. filled the room to hear our consultants, Stuart Of most concern to MAS are Principles Siegel, Siegel Environmental, and Deane 4 and 9. The explanation for Principle 4 Behrens, ESA Associates, explain how climate recognizes that the RBRA are “stewards of the change is causing rising seas, what actions environment of the Bay and its water quality can be taken to help slow climate change and and natural resources” yet only promises to to adapt to sea level rise, and introduce the “bear in mind” the impacts of our decisions on community to our Tiscornia Marsh project. the environment of the Bay. “Bearing in mind” Moderator and former Supervisor of the is a first step, it is not stewardship. The RBRA District, Steve Kinsey, provided comments should ensure protective stewardship of the from his experience as a supervisor. Bay, its water, water quality, birds, eelgrass and MARIN AUDUBON PROPERTIES other natural resources. The audience learned that climate change is 1. Petaluma Marsh 180 acres Principle 9 states “We will not adopt rules the result of excess heat-trapping gasses being 2. Bahia 60 acres and regulations for which we will not establish released from human activities. The gasses act 3. Simmons Slough 144 acres credible and reliable means of operation, as a blanket keeping heat in the atmosphere, 4. Norton Avenue Pond 4 parcels enforcement and maintenance.” This sounds resulting in higher temperatures that cause 5. Black Point Parcels 2 parcels like a way out. All they have to do is claim glaciers to melt and sea levels to rise. 6. Arroyo San Jose 2 parcels they cannot establish a reliable means of Scientists are studying the rate of sea level 7. Tidelands at 34 acres enforcement. This does not sound like much of rise and the projections vary widely. The 2017 Murphy’s Rock California Ocean Protection Council prediction 8. Corte Madera Marsh 1.8 acres a solution or protection for the Bay. is that by 2030 a rise of 0.5 to 1 foot will 9. Triangle Marsh 31 acres RBRA members need to hear that they are occur, by 2050 between 1.1 foot and 2.7 feet is 10. San Clemente Creek 4.34 acres responsible for protecting the Bay, its waters, projected, and by 2100 at least 3 feet is expected. 11. Tiscornia Marsh 20 acres water quality, and eelgrass from ongoing The primary risk from the Bay is 12. Arroyo Corte Madera 2 acres degradation, and for ensuring that applicable del Presidio laws and ordinances governing permanent overtopping of levees. In addition to sea level 13. Cal Park <1 acre residences on the Bay are enforced. This means rise, wind and wave action contribute to storm 14. Corte Madera Ecological 5.2 acres that not only debris and derelict, unoccupied surges and overtopping of levees. Factors Reserve Expansion Site boasts should be removed, but all boats that are affecting local sea level rise include the amount permanent residences must be removed. of water in the ocean, temperature of the water,

4 THE RAIL LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON climate patterns, slopes of shorelines, land further south along Shoreline Park are also low. january 27 field trip subsidence and uplift, atmospheric pressure Our engineers are developing conceptual and wind and storms. designs for the restoration of Tiscornia Marsh Yolo County What do the projections mean for San and improvement of our levee so that it can Rafael’s Canal area? FEMA flood zone better protect the community and provide Winter Birding maps show all of the Canal area subject to better habitat for wildlife that depend on the By John Klobas flooding with a 100-year flood event, with the marsh. We will be holding another community Community Center, Bahia Vista School and meeting on Thursday April 21 during which Twenty-eight birders met on neighborhoods being especially vulnerable we will present the conceptual alternatives a cool, clear and dry winter because they are at a lower elevation. developed by our engineers at ESA. This time morning in Winters. We spent While climate change is too far along we will have a bigger room. to stop, we can help control or reduce it by the morning hours birding Putah lowering our carbon dioxide emissions and ELECTRIC BIKES (eBIKES) ON Creek and the Lake Solano removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. MCOSD TRAILS diversion dam looking for our We can reduce emissions by reducing our Marin Audubon has registered its opposition target birds and found Bald consumption of fossil fuels by changing our to the use of ebikes on Marin County Open Eagle, Hooded Merganser, traveling modes (walking, riding bikes, driving Space District (MCOSD) trails. Ebikes, or Wood Duck, Osprey, Common hybrid vehicles instead of driving gas-powered electric bicycles, are motorized two- or three- Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Ring- cars), using less water (water treatment uses wheeled bicycles. Currently ebikes are not necked Duck, American Wigeon, power) and increasing recycling (using less permitted on Open Space District MCOSD Red-tailed and Red-shouldered packaging). Carbon can be taken out of the trails, but when the MCOSD attempted to Hawks, and Greater Yellowlegs, atmosphere and stored (sequestered) in plants. clarify this to the public by adding electric among others. So, plant more plants, preferably natives that bikes to an existing ordinance as prohibited Once inside the park, the create habitat for native wildlife. MAS does this uses, a crowd of opponents showed up at a day warmed and the sun’s angle at our habitat restoration projects. Wetlands are supervisor’s meeting to speak in support of improved our viewing light among the most efficient natural systems for allowing ebikes on OSD trails. even more as we picked up sequestering carbon. Reasons for our opposition are that ebikes Phainopepla, Cedar Waxwings, Eventually we will have to adapt to sea would be yet another vehicle on natural trails Acorn Woodpecker, Ruby- level rise and we should be planning ahead. and would contribute to changing the nature crowned Kinglets, Yellow- Ways to adapt include: 1) harden in place, of open space preserves from quiet natural rumped Warblers, Brown build gigantic concrete structures that serve as places to busy high-use areas with more Creepers, White-breasted walls holding back the tides, 2) retreat from activity, disturbances, noise, etc. Ebikes would Nuthatch, Oak Titmouse, and floodable areas, i.e., do not build any more contribute to making trails and open space finally, close views in perfect structures in flood risk areas and remove/ habitats busier, increase dangers for wildlife, light of a pair of Pileated relocate structures where possible, and/or 3) and increase instances of off-trail use which Woodpeckers. use nature-based adaptations such as protecting would damage vegetation adjacent to the trails. After a convivial lunch at the and restoring wetlands and creating living Risks for others would also increase as people picnic area, we headed to east shorelines which include a range of methods would have to be more alert to increased traffic Davis for roadside Burrowing that use natural methods such as vegetation. so they could move safely off trails. Owls. To my mind, these Shorelines that are fronted by marshes can have Shouldn’t the concept that MCOSD trails marginalized owls are among the lower levees that can be built at lower cost. should be passive, quiet places bringing people state’s most threatened species, Tidal marshes slow or dampen the movement closer to nature be upheld? Do all people need bearing the brunt of suburban of water, reducing wave height, storm surges to be able to move through all places more development, predation, and and wave action, all of which could cause easily and quickly? The nature of open space, reduced habitat from agricultural overtopping and weakening of levees. Other its peace and quiet, needs to be respected and development throughout most of nature-based adaptations are beaches and preserved. Last year the MCOSD developed California. They are not on the gradual sloping transition zones. MAS has used an Inclusive Access Plan which identified and special concern list because of a gradually sloping transitions on our Bahia, evaluated a mix of trails that represent the population in the Imperial Valley Petaluma, and Corte Madera projects. different kinds of habitat that the MCOSD that is considered stable. We saw Tiscornia Marsh is eroding at a rate of one manages and that are suitable for access by as many as seven owls at the site to two feet a year. We are looking to restore folks with limitations. that we have been monitoring the marsh and stabilize the banks so that it can closely for several years. continue to provide habitat and help protect WHAT YOU CAN DO We finished up the day in West the people who live and work in the Canal area. Tell your Supervisor and the MCOSD that Sacramento at Bridgeway Pond Raising the already low section of levee will trails through natural habitats are not the where we found Blue-winged, set the stage for future improvements to the place for motorized vehicles. They should Cinnamon, and Green-winged rest of the shoreline levee. Ours is not the only continue the practice of not allowing ebikes Teal, American Avocet, Sora, low section of levee. The adjacent city-owned on MCOSD trails. Board of Supervisors, Green Heron, Pacific Turtle, and section that surrounds the diked marsh, the 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA Killdeer. Albert J. Boro Community Center, Pickleweed 94903 or email address. Thanks to all who participated Park, and the levee beside the Canalways parcel in our trip.

LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON MARCH 2018 5 Habitat Stewardship HABITAT STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM CORTE MADERA ECOLOGICAL TRIANGLE MARSH Even the non-natives are going to be RESERVE On the first Saturday of February volunteers smaller than usual after this winter of low rainfall. Some of the non- This month all of the plants that have been removed Harding grass, fennel and thistles native annuals, particularly radish grown for us have been planted and the last bits from the area with newly planted purple and Italian thistle, are large enough of clean up and repair have been completed. All needlegrass. It is doing well but here, too, there to be removed now before there are that remains is to produce and install the signs. is a problem with animals, voles in this loca- flowers and seeds to spread. We We are, however, having a problem with tion, that are eating some of the new plants. could dig out the perennial Harding our newly-planted grasses being grazed. Some grass, but we have nothing to put BAHIA in its place now that planting is critter(s) are munching on them. Both jackrab- finished. Those gaps seem to favor bits and Canada geese are in the area. We’ve On the January work day volunteers pulled more thistles. It might be better installed stakes and string to deter the geese old, unneeded pin flags from the central and to control the Harding grass and but the munching has continued. That factor eastern peninsula planting areas. They also its seed production by repeatedly combined with the cleanness of the nibbles encountered members of the public walking cutting it off close to the ground. We could cover a wider area. Water and indicates that jackrabbits are probably the in off-limits areas and explained to them why mulch for the new plantings would, culprits. We’ve yet to come up with a way to access was always required to be limited to of course, be a good thing. There is control them. certain other areas. something for everyone to do!. Act locally and join us on a workday. Witness restoration first- hand and be a part of it. Workshop: Outsmarting Your Digital Camera We have the tools, gloves and snacks. We generally work until Mill Valley Library school in 1966. Four years later, he graduated about 1 PM, but even an hour is Saturday, March 24, 2018 from U.C. Berkeley College of Environmental valuable help. Everyone is welcome. SIGNUPS OPEN NOW – SEE BELOW Design with a degree in Design and began a Bring a friend. 1 to 5 PM 43-year career in computer systems, industrial With Dave Strauss automation, and electronics, first as a computer VOLUNTEER WORK DAYS programmer and later as an executive, Want to be smarter than your camera? This Triangle Marsh, East Corte Madera: working for high-tech startups as well as large workshop will provide an exploration of the 4 First Saturdays: March 3, April 7 corporations including Bank of America, Lucent fundamental variables in photography Meet at 10 AM on Paradise Drive Technologies, and Motorola. (aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and focus/depth- directly across from the main Ring Dave has been an enthusiastic photographer of-field) with workshop exercises that Mountain trailhead. since his childhood. His first camera was a demonstrate the creative opportunities that Kodak Brownie, which he received as a gift at Bahia, Novato: arise from switching your smart digital camera age 7. While he has made tens of thousands of Monthly workdays are continuing but into MANUAL mode. photographs throughout his life, he re-engaged on a more irregular schedule. If you The current generation of smart digital seriously and professionally with photography would like to help, please contact cameras has amazing capabilities, but they when he retired from the electronics industry Jude at [email protected]. make many decisions for you about focus, in early 2013. In recent years his photos have aperture, shutter speed, and ISO based on THANK YOU TO OUR won awards, been shown in galleries and algorithms that may or may not comport with STEWARDSHIP VOLUNTEERS museums and have been published in many your creative intentions. This workshop is Debbie Ablin, Bob Hinz, Sharon media, including magazines, books, websites, intended for photographers who want to McCloskey, Jude Stalker and scientific journals. venture beyond the GREEN BOX and automatic Today Dave operates from his studio in scene modes and learn how MANUAL mode Oakland, specializing in wildlife, studio portraits, expands creative opportunities and improves editorial and advertising photography for GET A SCHEDULE OF MAS your photographs in challenging situations. periodicals, biological/paleontological research EVENTS BY EMAIL Participants should have a digital camera specimen imaging, and fine art capture. Dave’s (DSLR or mirrorless) that provides for manual Subscribe to Marin Audubon’s online website: www.dscomposition.com. mailing list to receive one email per control of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. month on the first day of the month Participants should know how to switch their SIGNUPS: This workshop is a collaborative listing field trips, workshops, and the cameras into manual mode and how to make offering of the Marin Audubon Society and the speaker series presentation for the changes to aperture, shutter speed, and ISO on Mill Valley Library. While there is technically month. To subscribe, go to MAS’s their respective cameras prior to the workshop. no charge for the workshop, we strongly home page, www.marinaudubon.org, THIS IS NOT A BEGINNING PHOTOGRAPHY encourage all participants to become chapter- click the SUBSCRIBE button on the CLASS. Participants should be familiar with supporting members of Marin Audubon if right side. their cameras and have some experience they have not already done so. Membership taking pictures with them. THINGS TO BRING: a information will be available at the workshop. digital camera that has a manual mode, plenty Signups have already opened on the Mill of room on its memory card, and a fully Valley Library website (www.millvalleylibrary.org). Volunteer With MAS charged battery. If you have alternate lenses, Click on the Library Event Calendar for detailed consider bringing one or two of them. We information and registration. Marin Audubon Help with: strongly recommend bringing a second charged members interested in attending BE SURE TO • membership mailings battery and a notebook. SIGN UP RIGHT AWAY as registration is open to Dave Strauss was born and raised in Marin the general public, and the workshop is likely to • habitat stewardship County where he lived until graduation from high fill quickly. activities

6 THE RAIL LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON Marin Birdlog: January 2018 Point Reyes Birding By Noah Arthur and Nature Festival, April 27–29 While much of the continent endures snow, ice, and frozen bodies of water in January, Marin Grab your brood and the California coast in general get some of and flock to the ninth annual spring its best birding. Deep winter is the time for our festival celebrating rare waterfowl, gulls, loons, and other waterbirds the Year of the from up north. This January kicked off with Bird, the 100th a nice male Barrow’s Goldeneye at Bahia in Anniversary of the Novato on the 6th (DE) and a Long-tailed Duck Migratory Bird Act, at the Pt. Reyes Lighthouse on the 7th (ES). spring migration, and West Marin's One of the most interesting occurrences unique biodiversity. The festival of January was a spectacular region-wide is a project of the West Marin

Mike Prince Mike incursion of Central Valley geese into the Bay Environmental Action Committee. Barrow’s Goldeneye Area, including Marin, on the 13th and 14th, Proceeds help the ongoing work to protect nesting birds in Marin associated with a major tule fog event in the and the unique biodiversity of West 200 Cackling Valley. Specific sightings included Marin. Headquartered in Point Reyes Geese in flight over Bahia (GH);28 Cackling Station, the festival features over 50 Geese and one each of Snow and Greater field events and indoor workshops White-fronted Geese at Rodeo Lagoon (WL); led by top Bay Area bird guides and and one each of Snow, Ross’s, and Greater naturalists, plus two early evening White-fronted at Abbotts Lagoon (MD). Later keynote speaker events and youth arrivals that were probably part of the same programming. event were single Ross’s Geese at Rodeo With over 54% of all North American birds sighted and recorded Lagoon (WL) and Nicasio Reservoir (BB) on the in the area, participants will have the

Len Blumin 17th. It apparently isn’t fully understood why opportunity to view migrating Greater White-fronted Goose tule fog causes geese to leave their usual swampy seabirds, waterfowl, resident and winter quarters in the Valley, but it likely has to migrant land birds. In addition to the do with the fog causing them to become disoriented. According to a Central Valley birder I queried unique birding opportunities, there about this, they don’t like to descend through fog to land, and will fly until they reach openings are stunning wildflower displays, in the fog to descend through (AD). Observations of tule fog as far west as the Marin Headlands tidepools, butterflies, and during this event may indicate that many geese had to fly all the way to the coast before they found dragonflies, migrating whales, any gaps in the fog. elephant seals, sea lions, and tule At Bahia on the 21st a Lesser Yellowlegs and a new Barrow’s Goldeneye were nice finds, and elk waiting to be discovered. two Ross’s Geese seen in flight may or may not have been related to the earlier tule fog goose event (LC). WELCOME NEW MEMBERS The waterfowl theme this month continued with aRedhead on the 27th (RS, JB). Several herring spawns were reported around the Marin Bayshore during the month, but no Kathleen Agustin, Patricia Ahlbrandt, rare gulls were reported. Rare gull records at herring runs have seemingly diminished in recent Miles Bradley, Kim Caffrey, Catherine Capper, Lisa Cassidy, Sidney Dowell, years; I’m not sure whether this is due to an actual lack of gulls or simply a lack of “gullers” looking Ashley Dumbra, Ann Elston & at the gulls. Lawrence Lossing, Daphne Hatch, The last rare bird of the month was also the greatest. On the 30th, after many photographs were Vivian & Bryan Baker Holley, Durrell taken and discussed, an Arctic Loon was identified on Abbotts Lagoon (MD, RD). It was first seen Kapan, Guy Lampard & Suzanne on the 26th, but the observers were commendably cautious with such a subtle ID and it was not Badenhoop, Susan Landwirth, Elizabeth Leite, Richard McCombs, identified with certainty until the 30th. The elegant northern waterbird continued at least through Laura McIntosh, Mary Menninger, Feb. 3rd. Robert Morton, Mary Olund, Kristi Perani, Mary Pipersky, Jeanne Rowe, Observers and Acronyms AD: Alan Duerson, BB: Bob Battagin, DE: Daniel Edelstein, ES: Emilie Strauss, Alison Russell & George Brewster, GH: Gene Hunn, JB: Janet Bodle, LC: Lucas Corneliussen, MD: Mark Dettling, RD: Ryan DiGaudio, WL: William Legge Velma Schnoll, Donald & Genevieve Sullivan, Teresa & Miles Tuffli, Jacqueline Tulsky, Kristine Handwerk Wiskes, Pauline Yeckley President’s Message in response to Representative Liz Cheney’s continued from page 2 (R-WY) amendment to HR 4239 and the Department of Interior announcement that it THANKS FOR YOUR DONATIONS Board position. would no longer enforce the MBTA in cases Anonymous, Andrew Bollen, Burkhard This month Marin Audubon joined more of incidental bird deaths. This effectively is Braun, George Brewster & Alison than 300 Audubon Chapters and 500 groups a blank check to industry to no longer avoid Russell, John Crawford, Madelon & nationwide in signing onto a letter calling on preventable bird deaths. There has been no Gerald Halpern, William Kuhr, Carla Congress to defend and uphold the Migratory final vote on HR 4239. It’s a sad state of affairs Ruff, Maggie Rufo, Donald & Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). The letter was in this 100th Anniversary Year of the MBTA. Genevieve Sullivan

LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON MARCH 2018 7 SAVE THE DATE April 5 Field Trip: Las Gallinas With Sande & Bob Chilvers April 7 Field Trip: Olompali State Park With Rich Cimino & Janet Bodle April 9 Field Trip: Petaluma River With Peter Colasanti April 11 Field Trip: Piper Park With Rich Cimino & Janet Bodle April 14 Field Trip: Pinnacles National Park With Rusty Scalf April 18 – 24 Godwit Days, Arcata https://godwitdays.org April 27 – 29 Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival www.pointreyesbirdingfestival.org Check website for updates and details

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8 MARCH 2018 LIKE US ON WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MARINAUDUBON