April 2018 Tattler Volume 67, Number 7
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Wandering April 2018 Tattler Volume 67, Number 7 The Voice of SEA AND SAGE AUDUBON, an Orange County Chapter of the National Audubon Society The Year of the Bird GENERAL MEETING by Doug Lithgow, President Friday evening, April 20th - 7:30 pm The National Audubon Society is partnering with National Geographic, BirdLife International, and the Cornell Lab of “Tree Care for Ornithology to proclaim 2018 as the “Year of the Bird.” Sea and Birds and Sage Audubon celebrates birds every year, as it’s who we are, but this year also marks the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Other Wildlife” Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), one of the most important and effective pieces of legislation ever passed to protect birds. Audubon presented by strongly supported the MBTA back in 1918 when it passed. Unfortunately, the MBTA is currently being weakened by the Andrew Trotter Department of the Interior with their re-interpretation of this landmark law that blocks the Department from holding Sea and Sage Audubon is a industries accountable for bird deaths. Audubon has been partner of the Tree Care for Birds and Other Wildlife very vocal in expressing its view that this reinterpretation is project in California, which has developed best wrong. Along with celebrating birds, we are now engaged management practices to reduce harm to birds. In this in trying to protect the very law that protects our avian life. presentation by Andy Trotter, he will discuss: the qualifications of a good tree care company, industry With partnerships, we are able to greatly broaden our audience pruning standards, why arborists recommend removing for discussing birds and conservation. National Geographic will trees, and which practices are best for birds and be featuring twelve articles on birds throughout the year and wildlife. He will also discuss how trees can be managed releasing two new books focused on birds. BirdLife International with limited water and some of the big challenges from has a global audience for bird messaging, and Cornell Labs pests and disease that we are facing in southern brings in its unique strength in bird research. There are over a California. hundred other conservation organizations that are also participating in the Year of the Bird. Andy Trotter is Vice President of Field Operations at West Coast Arborists, Inc. He overseas tree pruning, removal So how do Sea and Sage Audubon members connect with the and planting crews as well as recycling and training Year of the Bird? Each month a specific activity or effort will be programs for the company. Active in the tree care highlighted for participants to engage with the Year of the Bird. industry, Andy is Certified by the ISA as an Arborist and January was the start up, where people clicked on “Count me in” Utility Specialist. He also is a Certified Tree Care Safety at: http://www.audubon.org/yearofthebird and agreed to help Professional with the Tree Care Industry Association. Andy birds by taking a simple but meaningful action each month. In is past president of Street Tree Seminar and the State February, we had the Great Backyard Bird Count, for which board of California Urban Forest Council. In his spare participants counted birds and submitted bird lists during a four time, Andy enjoys camping with his family and friends and day weekend. The month of March had volunteers exploring is co-chair for Conservation and Fire Safety at a 1,400- native plants for use in yards, gardens or balconies to help acre youth camp in Southern California. attract nesting birds and provide a sanctuary for migrating birds. Month by month, we will spread information about birds, engage Our program will be held in the Duck Club at the SJWS in in citizen science, and learn to appreciate the world we share Irvine. The doors open at 7:00 for refreshments and with birds. With nearly 3,000 members of Sea and Sage, we fellowship, and the meeting and program will begin at 7:30 need to spread the word about the Year of the Bird among pm. We hope you will join us. family and friends throughout the county. So . can we count you in? — Gail Richards Programs Chair 12 Conservation News Susan Sheakley, Conservation Chair Our next Conservation meeting will be on April 3rd, at 6:45 PM in the Learning Center. Our next 4th Tuesday Conservation Lecture will be on April 24th at 7:30 PM in the Learning Center. We hope to see you there! '4th Tuesday' Conservation Lecture The Perils of Plastic: Tues., April 24th - 7:30 PM Say “No” to Plastic Straws! Learning Center, SJWS Plastic straws are among the “Top 10” marine debris items. They don’t biodegrade -- they photodegrade into “Protecting Bird Habitat: Audubon California's smaller and smaller pellets that last 100’s of years. Some Conservation Work and Advocacy 500,000,000 disposable plastic straws are used in the and How You Can Help" USA every single day and go to landfills, and the rest end presented by Natasha Khanna, Audubon California up in the ocean. It is estimated that 1 million sea birds, 100,000 marine mammals, and countless fish are killed With the ever growing pressure of human development by plastic pollution every year. Plastic straws create impacting our environment, Audubon is connecting human pollution at every stage of their existence: manufacture, quality of life and public health to protecting birds and our use and disposal. What you can do: environment. To address these issues Audubon is working • Take the pledge and “just say no” to plastic straws on five strategic priorities that include - protecting our • Suggest to the managers at restaurants you coasts, conserving working lands, water for birds and frequent that they offer straws only on request, or people, building bird-friendly communities and building that they provide paper straws climate resiliency. • If you need a straw, take your own alternative to Join us for a combined presentation and active plastic, such as paper, stainless steel or even discussion with Natasha Khanna about Audubon bamboo. California's conservation, advocacy, and policy work across the state, from saving our shores to conserving working lands. Find out how each of us can participate and make a Orange County Mosquito and Vector difference. Control District Receives Prestigious Natasha is a Field Organizer for Audubon California. State Award For Reducing Rodenticides She helps lead the Southern California Chapter Council and works on a climate change initiative with the In late 2017, the California Department of Pesticide National Audubon Society. Regulation (DPR) awarded Orange County Mosquito and Our April '4th Tuesday' is also part of Sea and Sage's Vector Control District (OCMVCD) the “2017 Integrated fledgling "Advocacy Workshops" and will help us Pest Management (IPM) Achievement Award”. The prepare for participation in Advocacy Day June 20 in award was given in large part to recognize the district’s Sacramento. We will learn about the various recent decisions to significantly reduce the use of conservation projects and policy issues that Audubon rodenticides for the control of problem rodents. In 2016, California is working on in the state and some current OCMVCD launched a robust public education-program legislative matters of importance.” that emphases non-poisonous methods to address unwanted rodents, such as reducing food sources and Doors open at 7:00 for snacks and social. Program sealing buildings. They are also successfully working to starts at 7:30. We hope to see you there. reduce the use of pesticides for mosquito control through education and awareness programs. The award was presented to OCMVCD at a ceremony on Monday, February 12, 2018 at the California Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters in Sacramento. Sea and Sage Audubon Society is very proud to have an excellent working relationship with OCMVCD and we extend our congratulations to the agency for receiving one of DPR’s highest honors. We also express our sincere appreciation for these innovative programs that will have direct benefits for raptors and other birds. Visit the OCMVCD website at www.ocvector.org to see the video highlighting the District’s use of IPM strategies and the CDPR IPM Achievement Award. Leo Tuchman, Program Coordinator showing students best practices for transplanting native plants to create bird habitats around farmland. Photo by Khara Strum Wandering Tattler 2 April 2018 12 Orange County Rarities by Doug Willick To report a RARE or UNUSUAL bird, or to receive reports from other birders about rare or unusual bird sightings here in Orange County, send an email to: [email protected] The biggest birding highlight of this past winter, in wintering in the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary (SJWS), Orange County (and quite possibly for the rest of 2018), and adjacent Rancho San Joaquin Golf Course, was last was the discovery of the Tropical Parula in Huntington reported Mar. 6. A White-breasted Nuthatch in Bommer Beach (Jan. 5), as highlighted in last month’s column. Canyon, Mar. 4, was unusual for this relatively coastal Unfortunately the bird was found on private property, so location. Spring migration has barely even begun as of birder access was quite limited. Nevertheless a number this writing, and it already has been a record one for Sage did get to see this bird, which was the first ever to be Thrashers in coastal So Cal.; a minimum of eight have documented in California. The last known date of the been recorded in OC as of early March. These included bird’s presence was February 10—this was the last date birds at BC, Harriett Weider Regional Park, Casper’s that limited access was granted to birders.