Wandering
March 2019
Tattler Volume 68, Number 6
The Voice of SEA AND SAGE AUDUBON, an Orange County Chapter of the National Audubon Society
Come to our Annual Annual Dinner Program March 15th – Friday evening – 6 pm Dinner on Friday “California Raptors & Their Future” evening, March 15th presented by Dr. Peter Bloom
✽ Socialize with friends and new This year, we are proud to have as our guest speaker, acquaintances ✽ Bid for some renowned raptor specialist, nifty items at our Silent Auction Dr. Peter Bloom, who will present “California Raptors ✽ Rub elbows with the recipients and Their Future.” Pete has been studying and of this year’s Conservation Award attempting to conserve and Letters of Commendation California raptors and their habitats for more than 50 ✽ Have fun browsing through our years. He will discuss the ecology, recent history, and chapter displays ✽ Eat a delicious future of these raptors here in Southern California. dinner ✽ Enjoy Pete Bloom’s Pete grew up in California program on “California Raptors as a natural historian and Their Future.” focusing on the ecology and conservation of birds of prey and their habitats. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from California State University, Long Beach in zoology and Space is limited so get biology, respectively, and a Ph.D. in natural resources from the University of Idaho. your reservations in now! Pete has conducted long-term research on a wide variety of raptor species, centered in southern California, with See page 3 for full occasional forays to Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, India, and Kazakhstan, and has authored or coauthored over 45 peer- information about reviewed publications on raptors. He and colleagues have captured nearly 800 Golden Eagles and more than 35,000 this other raptors, mostly nestlings, in a quest to learn more about the importance of natal dispersal, philopatry, special movements, and unusual migration patterns as they relate to conservation biology.
event. We hope you will join us at the Annual Dinner this year to hear Pete’s program. See page 3 for details.
—Gail Richards, Programs Chair
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Conservation News Susan Sheakley, Conservation Chair
Our next Conservation Com. mtg. will be held on Mar. 5th, at 6:45 PM in the Learning Center. Our next ‘4th Tuesday’ Conservation Lecture will be in February on Feb. 26. at 7:30 PM in the Learning Center. There is no ‘4th Tues.’ lecture in March. Come to the Annual Dinner on March 15!
2019 FERN ZIMMERMAN CONSERVATION AWARD AND LETTERS OF COMMENDATION Feb. ‘4th Tues.’ Cons. Lecture Each year since 1967 the Conservation Tuesday, Feb. 26th – 7:30 pm Committee has presented Letters of Learning Center, SJWS Commendation and the Conservation Award to individuals or organizations that have made “Second Chance for Seabirds” noteworthy contributions to the protection of habitats, natural resources, birds and wildlife in presented by JD Bergeron, International Bird Rescue Orange County. At the Annual Dinner on Friday, March 15, it will be our pleasure to present: Executive Director, JD Bergeron, will introduce us FERN ZIMMERMAN CONSERVATION to water bird rescue and rehab., give a picture- AWARD: filled tour of the species with which International ✽ Penny Elia: unsung hero and dedicated Bird Rescue works, and talk about the role that advocate for protection of wetlands and coastal IBR has played for nearly 50 years! Doors open natural resources. Working with Sierra Club, at 7:00. Program begins at 7:30 PM. Join us! Penny has contributed to major victories, such as
the Save San Onofre Coalition and Banning rd th Ranch. In the last few years, Penny, Sea and March 23 & 24 - Orange County Sage, and others have been working to protect “Turkey Vulture Days” our local Western Snowy Plovers and California Contact Scott Thomas, Raptor Least Terns. Research, [email protected],
for information about this LETTERS OF COMMENDATION: weekend. Visit the webpage ✽ Lana Nguyen: protection of local coastal and/or Facebook page for resources, including threatened species. We details. commend Lana, as a California State Park Environmental Scientist, for balancing the duty to protect sensitive birds while respecting the rights WHO IS FERN ZIMMERMAN? of the beach goer. Her guidance to protect two Fern Zimmerman was Western Snowy Plover nests this summer a true conservationist, resulted in the first Snowy Plovers in decades to grass roots organizer, fledge from Huntington Sate Beach near the birdwatcher and Santa Ana River. chapter leader who contributed much to ✽ Audubon California: in appreciation of their the development of efforts and advances relating to: Sea and Sage - Federal environmental cutbacks; Audubon Society. Fern - Funding for Salton Sea; provided a constant source of optimism about our - Protection of marine fisheries; ability to effect change in our environment and - Promotion and assistance with chapter helped us find our voice in advocacy. In 1997, advocacy; after Fern’s death, Sea and Sage named our - Tri-colored Blackbird listing. conservation award in her honor.
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Sea & Sage Annual Dinner Friday, March 15th at Mile Square Park Banquet Center Our Guest Speaker is Dr. Peter Bloom. He will speak on “California Raptors and Their Future.”
This year, we are proud to have as our guest speaker, renowned raptor specialist, Dr. Peter Bloom, who will present “California Raptors and Their Future.” Pete has been studying and attempting to conserve California raptors and their habitats for more than 50 years, beginning with his research on very common raptors and over the course of his life, expanding efforts to include rare, declining, threatened and endangered species. Some once relatively common raptors now border on local extinction while once rare or endangered ones are now common. Pete will discuss the ecology, recent history, and future of these raptors here in Southern California.
The evening will also include a Silent Auction and the presentation of our chapter's Fern Zimmerman Conservation Award and Letters of Commendation. The Mile Square Park Banquet Center is located at the south end of Mile Square Park, at the intersection of Warner and Ward in Fountain Valley. Free parking is available. Below is the schedule for the evening:
No Host Bar: 6:00 p.m. Dinner: 7:00 p.m. Program: 8:00 p.m., sharp! Location: Mile Square Park Banquet Center
Tickets: $50 for all reservations received before March 1st $55 for reservations received on or after March 1st Entrees: Santa Fe Chicken, Seared Salmon Filet, or Vegetarian Lasagna
MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY. Seating will be assigned in the order the reservations are received. If you wish to sit with friends, make sure they send in their reservations on the same day you do. To reserve a seat, make your check payable to: Sea & Sage Audubon; include the name of each person for whom a reservation is made. If you wish group seating, please indicate that on the reservation form; each table will seat 10 people.
Make your check payable to: Sea & Sage Audubon. Mail your check and reservation form to: Annual Dinner, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln., Irvine CA 92612. An email message confirming your reservation will be sent back to you along with directions and information about the dinner and Silent Auction. Be sure to include your email address and phone number on the reservation form if you have not attended one of our annual dinners in the past. Please Note: ALL RESERVATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 12 NOON ON FRIDAY, MARCH 8. If you are late in sending in your reservation, please phone or email Nancy to let her know that you wish to come. (949-786-3160; [email protected])
Name ______Entree______Name______Entree______
With whom do you wish to sit? ______Email address for confirmation & map Phone (in case we need to contact you quickly) ______Entrees: [C] Chicken [S] Salmon [V] Vegetarian. All dinners will include a salad, fresh vegetables, freshly baked rolls, coffee, ice tea, or decaf, and dessert. (See webpage for details on menu.)
Mail your reservations to: Annual Dinner, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612
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Chapter News & Announcements
For more information about Sea & Sage activities, check out our CALENDAR of Chapter Activities on our webpage under under the heading of “Main Areas.” The Calendar lists all of our activities including meetings, field trips, special events and birding classes: http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/Chapter/ChapterCalendars18_19.pdf
Audubon House Volunteers Summer Bat Walk Registration We would like to thank the following people for helping to Opens April 1st staff Audubon House in February and March: Ann Summer Bat Walk is one of our most popular events. Barbour, Sherry Bass, Fresia Escalona, Greg Figge, Carol Participants enjoy listening to a knowledgeable bat Garrett, John Garrett, Barbara biologist, walking the marsh at night when it is normally Greenwald, John Hargrove, closed, and seeing bats flying right overhead. It’s a
Ann Harmer, Pat Heilig, Patti unique experience in Orange County! This year, we Henshaw, Sarah Jayne, Nancy offer 12 dates on Friday and Saturday nights and will Kenyon, Seema Khargonekar, continue on-line registration through Eventbrite. Talk David Kramer, Lauretta Kyle, with your friends and family now to find the date that Eva Lydick, Joan McCauley, works best for you, and then get ready to enroll when
SusanSheakley Bobbie Miller, Barbara Mitchell, registration opens April 1. Dates are: June 28, June 29, Eunice Morita, Dagmar July 19, July 20, August 9, August 10, August 23, August Muthamia, JoAnn Nothhelfer, Joan Plevin, Roberta Ray, 24, August 30, August 31, September 6, and September Barbara Reber, Dev Sellin, Susan Sheakley, Bev Spring, 7. We hope to see you at the marsh this summer! Marilyn Walter, Pat Wells, and Madonna Young.
Our Volunteers greet visitors, answer the phone, sell Oral History Spotlight: Chris Obaditch merchandise, answer questions about birds, check out Many chapter members will recognize Chris Obaditch, binoculars, etc. If you are interested in helping at Audubon who led the Second Sunday Monthly Bird Walks at San House, please call Barbara Mitchell at 949-646-4115 or Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary for more than 25 years! Susan Sheakley at 949-552-5974. British by background and a
chemical engineer by training, News from our Bookstore Chris originally joined the New books: Urban Raptors: Ecology and Conservation of chapter in 1990 because of a Birds of Prey by Boal and Dykstra (over two decades of health issue and a need to scientific research has gone into this book, it's a wealth of become more active. In short information on why some species of raptors survive in order he was elected chapter urban settings and why others don't, the effects of climate president, and served in that change and human/wildlife conflict on them...), Common office from 1994 to 1996, and and Spotted Sandpipers (their fascinating lives with again from 2002 to 2004. information on breeding behaviors, migration, etc.), and Chris has represented the Birds of a Feather (a heartwarming book on healing). chapter for many years on the Perfect for spring - Beautiful walking sticks and handled San Joaquin Wildlife sticks made with trees from Texas and New York, The Sanctuary board and in our Naked Bee Orange Blossom honey hand lotion and other relationship with the Irvine Ranch Water District. He products, spiral fruit spear bird feeders are a favorite for participated in an oral history interview in June 2017 and orioles and fun to watch hummingbird swings. continues as an active member of the chapter Board of Directors.
Donors, continued from the Feb. issue Olympic Peninsula BirdFest Thank You So Much! Anonymous (5), Carolyn & Matt Biller, Earl Biven, Deborah ~ April 12-14, 2019 ~ Brin, Cahill-Chew Associates, Debbie Calvy, Martha The BirdFest is sponsored by the Olympic Peninsula Celestino Loera, Victoria Cessna, Helen Clark, Penelope Audubon Society of Sequim, WA. The festival will be Coates, John Davis, Robert Gershman, Ernst Ghermann, preceded by a San Juan Islands Cruise on April 9-11 Beverly Gillaspie, Doris Gylseth, William & Rebecca and followed by an excursion to the Neah Bay area of Halladay, Victoria Hernandez, Margaret Hyland, Hope coastal Washington on April 14-16. It will be held at the Kanaley, Nancy Kappelmann, Susan Kaska, Gregory Dungeness River Audubon Center at Railroad Bridge Kishel, Lane & Linda Koluvek, Barry & Diane Master, Park. There will be Guided Birding Trips, Bird Art Susan Mayo, Peggy McGlone, Marilyn Meyer, Eunice Classes, a Photography Workshop, the NAS Morita, Rosalind Munro, Antonino Pira, Lynne Riddle, Karl Photography Exhibit, an Auction & Raffle, and a Gala & Gloria Schlaepfer, Mark Singer, Kathy Stuart, Edward Banquet with John Marzluff, Speaker. For more Tarle, Joseph Valdez, Heide Vontilsit, Rebecca Walsh. information: http://www.olympicbirdfest
4 W 9 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]
In this month’s column we’ll discuss a few highlights The following are some of the new discoveries from the December 2018 Christmas Bird Counts (CBC) since mid-Dec.: A male Eurasian Wigeon was at in Orange County, then try to catch up on other rarities Pearson Park (where one wintered last year), Jan. 16- that occurred during January of the new year. As 21. A Red-necked Grebe was identified off Crystal Cove State Park, Jan. 11. An Ancient Murrelet off noticed throughout So Cal this winter, numbers and Dana Point, Dec. 24, was a nice find, as was a diversity of birds appeared to be unusually low, and this Laughing Gull at Irvine’s North Lake, Jan. 23+. also seemed evident during at least our Inland and San Additional observations of Red-footed Boobies Juan Capistrano CBCs. included one off Dana Point, Jan. 30, and 2 from the Huntington Pier, Jan. 1. A juvenile frigatebird (most There were a number of interesting birds around during likely a Magnificent Frigatebird) seen flying by the last few months, even if the 2018 CBCs didn’t turn up BCER, Jan. 20, was quite unexpected. A Swainson’s anything all that unexpected. One exception, however, Hawk over Arroyo Trabuco, Dec. 31, was possibly a was a Red-footed Booby that was seen off Newport very late fall migrant. A few new Zone-tailed Hawks Beach, during the Dec. 30 Coastal CBC. Other rarities appeared with adults in the n. Tustin-IRP area, another discovered for the first time during the CBCs conducted in along the upper SAR, and a juvenile in the Trabuco OC this past December included: two Palm Warblers Canyon area. Up to two Short-eared Owls were at the seen together, foraging around the edge of an isolated SBNWS, Dec. 18-Jan. 24, where other highlights pond at the east end of Irvine Lake, Dec. 16; up to three included a Prairie Falcon and three Pacific Golden- Purple Finches in Shipley Nature Center (SNC), Dec. 30 Plovers, Dec. 15, and a Vesper Sparrow, Jan. 24. A (remaining through at least Jan. 19), and a Swamp Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was found in Gillman Park, Sparrow found at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve Dec. 22. A Tropical Kingbird was at HWRP, Jan. 6- (BCER), Dec. 30. 10, while another continued along the lower SAR, Jan. 26. A Hammond’s Flycatcher at Acacia Park, Jan. 9, A number of rarities reported earlier this season and a Cassin’s Vireo at Riverdale Park, Jan. 6, were continued on into the winter. These included: a male and undoubtedly wintering at these sites. A Sage female Black Scoter along the coast in Sunset Thrasher at BCER, Dec. 10-25, may’ve been Beach/Huntington Beach area, with the female present wintering locally. Mountain Bluebirds were found at through at least Jan. 1. The Long-tailed Duck remained IRP and in Chino Hills State Park, Dec. 26. A at BCER through at least Jan. 20, where a Common Lawrence’s Goldfinch at IRP, Jan. 26-30, was a rare Goldeneye was seen Jan. 3. Other Common winter-period discovery. Goldeneyes were near the mouth of the Santa Ana River (SAR), in San Diego Creek, in Fountain Valley, and in A Green-tailed Towhee was at Talbert Regional Lincoln Basin (near Burris Basin). Several Yellow- Park, Dec. 30. A Rufous-crowned Sparrow at BCER, crowned Night-Herons that were found earlier last year Jan. 4, was an exceptional find for the location, being lingered on, with as many as five in the Sunset Aquatic well away from any resident populations. Clay- Park area, as many as four in the Dana Point Harbor colored Sparrows were at BCER, Dec. 14-22, and at area, and two in Anaheim Bay/Seal Beach Naval the Santa Ana Cemetery, Jan. 8-18, while White- Weapons Station (SBNWS). An adult Zone-tailed Hawk throated Sparrows were found in the Coyote Hills, continued in the Rancho Santa Margarita/Mission Viejo Dec. 15, and at Anaheim Coves Park, Jan. 29. area, through at least Dec. 30. Gray Flycatchers Wintering Scott’s Orioles were in a Trabuco Canyon continued at Irvine Regional Park (IRP) and Mile Square neighborhood, at the Starr Ranch Audubon Sanctuary, Regional Park through at least late January, while a and at Casper’s Wilderness Park in Dec. and Jan. An Pacific Wren and a White-throated Sparrow were still Ovenbird discovered at Golden West College, Dec. at SNC through at least Jan. 30 and Jan. 19, respectively. 15-Jan. 26+, was exceptional. Other rare winter-period A Green-tailed Towhee continuing at Harriett Weider warblers included single Black-and-white Warblers at Regional Park (HWRP) was last reported on Jan. 20. A Aurora Park, Laguna Niguel Regional Park and Northern Waterthrush and a Palm Warbler wintering at Modjeska Park; a Palm Warbler at the Los Alamitos Huntington Central Park (HCP) were last reported on Jan. Joint Training Base, with up to two at SJWS. Lastly, a 5, while a Black-and-white Warbler at HCP was last Hepatic Tanager in a Huntington Beach residential reported Jan. 23. A male American Redstart wintering at area, Dec. 16-Jan. 7, was the first record for Orange the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary (SJWS), was present County in 18 years. through at least Jan. 10.
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Western Snowy Plovers & CA Least Terns
SNOWY PLOVER SURVEY: http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/Conservation/SNPLsurvey/OCSNPLsurvey.html
LEAST TERN MONITORING : http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/Conservation/LeastTerns/LETE.htm
Orange County Snowy Plover and California Least Tern Watch
California Least Tern Survey Help the endangered California Least Terns by keeping
your eyes on their active nesting colony. Volunteers watch MARCH 17-23 for breeding behavior, eggs, chicks, fledglings, and If you have already attended a Snowy Plover Survey predators, and record training session, join us in looking for Snowy Plovers, observations as well as Least Terns, and their watch for Western Snowy habitats on our local Plovers. Location? The beaches, while helping to Natural Tern Preserve at contribute to endangered beautiful Huntington State BruceOdou species research. Beach at the Santa Ana River mouth.
This is the beginning of the New and returning volunteers are welcome to our Season Snowy Plover breeding Kick-off and Volunteer Training, featuring Peter Knapp’s season and it is important to see how many Snowy slide show of the Breeding Biology of the Least Tern and Snowy Plover. Plovers are using our beaches and where they are located. It is also close to the arrival time of the California Least Terns. Each beach segment takes approximately Season Kick-off & Volunteer Training 1-2 hrs. to survey, with one or two surveyors per segment. May 1st, 2019 Walk the beach of your choice and enjoy all the birds while helping threatened Western Snowy Plovers and Huntington State Beach Lifeguard Headquarters endangered California Least Terns. PCH and Magnolia Ave.
Field Orientation (mandatory for new volunteers) will be at
the Least Tern Natural Preserve, Huntington State Beach, 8:00-10:00 AM on Saturday, th May 4 . (Makeup field training dates will be scheduled as needed.)
Parking is free for both Holly Fuhrer events. Enter at Magnolia.
All new volunteers will Volunteer surveyors may choose their Orange County become members of the beach segment to survey by contacting our Volunteer Volunteers in Parks Coordinator, Cheryl Egger at [email protected] Program for State Parks. Paperwork and instructions will be emailed. All returning and new volunteers who have See our chapter webpage on the Snowy Plover Surveys. completed their paperwork and are actively volunteering This includes maps of the beach segments and other info. will receive a free beach parking pass for the State http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/Conservation/SNPLs Beaches in the Orange Coast District for 2019. Additional urvey/OCSNPLsurvey.html information about the program can be found on our chapter webpage: http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/Conservation/LeastTe rns/LETE.htm
If interested, please send an email to: [email protected]
Hoechlin Don
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Upcoming Field Trips Nancy Kenyon, Field Trip Chair For trip updates & additional trip information, check our chapter webpage at: http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org . Trips marked with an ® require advance reservations. Questions about field trips? Contact Nancy Kenyon, Field Trip Chair, at 949-786-3160 or [email protected]
Nature Walk at the SJWS Owl Prowls® This walk was formerly called the Wildlife Walk. th Fri, March 8 - 11 spots left nd Sat, March 2 - 9:00 to 10:30 am th Sat. March 9 – 1 spot left Explore the diverse life of the Marsh - its birds, plants, Sat, March 23rd – 9 spots left insects and other animals. Meet at the San Joaquin th Wildlife Sanctuary in front of Audubon House at 9:00 am Fri, March 29 - 5 spots left for a 1½ hour nature walk. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. (See page 11 for The Owl Prowl is a short nighttime excursion into Starr directions to the SJWS.) The trip is cancelled if It’s raining. Ranch Sanctuary in search of owls. Our evening will begin at 6:30 pm with an orientation by Pete DeSimone Leaders: Audubon Naturalists who has been manager of Starr Ranch since the mid 1980’s and knows all about the owls and hawks which Monthly Bird Walk at the SJWS inhabit Bell Canyon. He will talk with us about the local Sun, March 10th - 8:00 to 12:00 noon Barn Owls which nest at Starr Ranch and answer our questions regarding owl behavior. We will then board the Join us for a monthly bird walk around the ponds of the big open bed truck for a short ride down the canyon to San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine at 8:00 am. search for some owls. At each stop, Pete will play some The walk, which is open to birders of all ages, will meet recordings of owl calls while we listen carefully for owl by the front porch of Audubon House. Children under the responses and watch for any sight of them. Advance age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. reservations needed; trip space is limited. Trip fee: $25. (Directions to the SJWS on page 11) Make check payable to Sea & Sage Audubon and mail to: Leader: Jeff Bray Owl Prowl, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612. Include your email address & phone number, Bolsa Chica bird walk or a stamped self-addressed envelope & phone for Thurs, March 21st – 8:00 am to 12:00 noon confirmation & directions. Check webpage for space availability; trips fill quickly! Join Vic Leipzig for a bird walk at the Bolsa Chica Rain cancels this outing. You will be notified if it is cancelled. Ecological Reserve. Come prepared for a great morning of birding to check out all the birds that winter here. Leader: Pete DeSimone Bring binoculars, a field guide and a scope if you have Reservations: Nancy Kenyon one. Directions: We will meet at the playground in 949-786-3160; [email protected] Harriet Wieder Park. From PCH, turn inland on Seapoint Street. Follow Seapoint 1 mile to Garfield Ave. Upper Newport Bay bird walk and make a U-turn. The entrance to the playground st will be on the right in 0.25 miles. Sun, March 31 – 8:00 am to 11:30 am Join Mark Kincheloe for a monthly bird walk in Upper Leader: Vic Leipzig 714-848-5394 Newport Bay to check out the seasonal shorebirds, ducks, grebes, herons & egrets. etc. that frequent the Upper Newport Bay by pontoon boat ® bay. Bring binoculars, a field guide, and a scope if you Since the March 20 trip is already full, it’s time have one. We will meet in the Big Canyon parking lot in to sign up for the April or May trips. Newport Beach. This is easily reached from Jamboree. Take San Joaquin Hills Road west toward the bay where Wed, April 17 or May 15 – 8:15 to 11:00 am it intersects with Back Bay Drive. Turn right on Back Bay Join us for the rare chance of birding the Upper Newport Drive & follow it to the Big Canyon parking lot on your left. Bay from the deck of a pontoon boat. Spotting birds from Leader: Mark Kincheloe the water offers one a different perspective and the birds seem to view us differently also. Trip duration is 2½ hrs. Trips are limited to 15 persons and there is a $ 10 trip fee Planning ahead for April ® Trips: The Eastern Sierra Trip is already full; waiting list only. per person payable in cash on the morning of the outing. Advance reservations are necessary; contact Nancy The Big Morongo Preserve trip on April 27th has a lot to Kenyon to reserve a seat on the boat. Directions will be offer those who enjoy birding in the desert. See our provided to those with reservations. webpage for information and don’t wait until the last minute Leader: Nancy Kenyon to sign up! Trip is limited to 12 people. 949-786-3160; [email protected] https://tinyurl.com/zds4fej
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W Northeastern (Inland) CBC Report – 12/16/18
The Northeastern CBC covers the inland areas of Orange County and is divided into the following sections: Irvine Reg. Park, Irvine Lake & vicinity, Silverado Canyon, Upper & Lower Black Star Canyon, Mountain Areas, Modjeska & Harding Canyons, O’Neill Reg. Park & Plano Trabuco, Lion Country & Areas south of the 405 (The area between Lake Forest & El Toro from Trabuco Rd. to Glen Ranch Rd, excluding Oso Reservoir), Mission Viejo-Lake Forest-El Toro & foothills, former El Toro Marine Base & foothill areas, Rattlesnake & Siphon Reservoirs, Peters Canyon Reg. Park & Lemon Heights. The count was coordinated and compiled by Doug Lithgow. Full information on this count will soon be posted on our Sea & Sage webpage: http://tinyurl.com/d25g9p4
The Total Species for this count was 142. Number of Participants was 134.
SPECIES Total SPECIES Total SPECIES Total SPECIES Total G. White-fronted Goose 2 Killdeer 24 Merlin 6 Purple Finch 8 Canada Goose 226 Least Sandpiper 18 Peregrine Falcon 8 Lesser Goldfinch 625 Wood Duck 2 Long-billed Dowitcher 30 Red-crowned Parrott 69 American Goldfinch 50 Blue-winged Teal 13 Wilson’s Snipe 8 Cassin’s Kingbird 196 Spotted Towhee 100 Cinnamon Teal 17 Spotted Sandpiper 12 Black Phoebe 313 Rufous-crowned Sparrow 18 Northern Shoveler 259 Ring-billed Gull 277 Say’s Phoebe 113 California Towhee 320 Gadwall 55 Western Gull 1 Vermilion Flycatcher 4 Chipping Sparrow 21 American Wigeon 446 California Gull 68 Loggerhead Shrike 4 Lark Sparrow 11
Mallard 418 Herring Gull 1 Hutton’s Vireo 16 Savannah Sparrow 50
Green-winged Teal 34 Double-crested Cormorant 421 California Scrub-Jay 302 Fox Sparrow 12 Canvasback 12 American White Pelican 49 American Crow 1546 Song Sparrow 154 Redhead 4 Great Blue Heron 13 Common Raven 381 Lincoln’s Sparrow 25
Ring-necked Duck 31 Great Egret 17 Tree Swallow 32 Golden-crowned Sparrow 22
Lesser Scaup 36 Snowy Egret 36 Mountain Chickadee 38 White-crowned Sparrow 1219 Bufflehead 55 wesGreen Gull Heron 2 Oak Titmouse 115 Dark-eyed Junco 219 Hooded Merganser 3 Black-cr. Night-Heron 10 Bushtit 878 Western Meadowlark 197 Common Merganser 1 White-faced Ibis 62 White-breasted Nuthatch 35 Red-winged Blackbird 19 Ruddy Duck 273 Turkey Vulture 163 Canyon Wren 2 Brown-headed Cowbird 35 Mountain Quail 1 White-tailed Kite 1 House Wren 36 Brewer’s Blackbird 123 California Quail 126 Golden Eagle 2 Marsh Wren 2 Great-tailed Grackle 11 Pied-billed Grebe 18 Northern Harrier 3 Bewick’s Wren 84 Orange-crowned Warbler 64 Eared Grebe 15 Sharp-shinned Hawk 8 Cactus Wren 8 Common Yellowthroat 52 Western Grebe 57 Cooper’s Hawk 24 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 63 Yellow-rumped Warbler 3007 Clark’s Grebe 8 Bald Eagle 2 California Gnatcatcher 12 Black-thro. Gray Warbler 1 Rock Pigeon 70 Red-shouldered Hawk 37 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 278 Townsend’s Warbler 7 Band-tailed Pigeon 115 Red-tailed Hawk 172 Wrentit 181 Western Tanager 3 Eurasian Collared-Dove 108 Ferruginous Hawk 1 Western Bluebird 239 Scott’s Oriole 2 Common Ground-Dove 2 Barn Owl 7 Townsend’s Solitaire 3 Palm Warbler 2 Mourning Dove 597 Western Screech-Owl 24 Hermit Thrush 113 Greater Roadrunner 6 Great Horned Owl 21 American Robin 138 Exotic Species: White-throated Swift 58 Belted Kingfisher 5 California Thrasher 69 Egyptian Goose 11 Anna’s Hummingbird 526 Acorn Woodpecker 495 Northern Mockingbird 194 Domestic Duck 12 Costa’s Hummingbird 2 Red-naped Sapsucker 2 European Starling 761 Indian Peafowl 36 Allen’s Hummingbird 232 Red-breasted Sapsucker 6 Cedar Waxwing 489 Japanese White-eye 8 Sora 2 Nuttall’s Woodpecker 146 Phainopepla 20 Pin-tailed Whydah 13 Common Gallinule 2 Downy Woodpecker 6 House Sparrow 83 Scaly-breasted Munia 131 American Coot 1015 Northern Flicker 144 American Pipit 282 Black-necked Stilt 22 American Kestrel 28 House Finch 1224
Special thanks to the 134 CBC birders who did such a great job helping us with this count. Total species count: 142. Unfortunately, there is not enough room on this page to list everyone’s name. Instead, the names of all this count’s participants will soon be posted on our chapter webpage along with the complete report of this count. 8
San Juan Capistrano CBC Report – 12/22/18 The San Juan Capistrano CBC covers the southern section of Orange County and is divided into the following areas: Laguna Niguel Regional Park & vicinity; San Clemente; Caspers Wilderness Park; Pelagic Areas along the coast, or a Sea Watch from land; Saddleback College & vicinity; Prima Deshecha Landfill & vicinity; Upper San Juan Creek & vicinity; Aliso-Woods Canyon & the Ziggurat/Cosco Area; San Clemente hillside area; Dana Point: doheny State Beach, Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point Headlands, Salt Cree Beach, local parks, golf course; Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park. The count was organized and compiled by Darrell Wilson. Full information on this count will soon be posted on our Sea & Sage webpage: https://tinyurl.com/yf7nxnn
The Total Species for this count was 135. The number of participants was 68 SPECIES Total SPECIES Total SPECIES Total SPECIES Total Canada Goose 298 Sanderling 48 Ferruginous Hawk cw Northern Mockingbird 44 Blue-winged Teal 1 Least Sandpiper 62 Barn Owl 5 European Starling 208 Cinnamon Teal 28 Wilson’s Snipe 3 Western Screech-Owl 2 American Pipit 106 Northern Shoveler 23 Spotted Sandpiper 11 Great Horned Owl 5 Cedar Waxwing 404 Gadwall 32 Willet 14 Belted Kingfisher 7 Phainopepla 2 American Wigeon 73 Greater Yellowlegs 3 Acorn Woodpecker 14 House Finch 431 Mallard 168 Heermann’s Gull 44 Downy Woodpecker 70 Lesser Goldfinch 190 Green-winged Teal 2 Ring-billed Gull 75 Nuttall’s Woodpecker 72 American Goldfinch 12 Ring-necked Duck 35 Western Gull 299 Northern Flicker 55 Chipping Sparrow 2 Lesser Scaup 13 California Gull 410 American Kestrel 14 Lark Sparrow 17 Bufflehead 3 Herring Gull 1 Merlin 4 Dark-eyed Junco 32
Common Goldeneye 1 Caspian Tern 3 Peregrine Falcon 1 White-crowned Sparrow 44 Hooded Merganser 14 Forster’s Tern 4 Black Phoebe 14 Golden-crowned Sparrow 14 4 Ruddy Duck 220 Royal Tern 97 Say’s Phoebe 538 Savannah Sparrow cw
California Quail 38 Black-vented Shearwater cw Cassin’s Kingbird 93 Fox Sparrow 83 Pied-billed Grebe 24 Brandt’s Cormorant 20 Loggerhead Shrike 1 Song Sparrow 107 Eared Grebe 4 Double-crested Cormorant 31 Hutton’s Vireo 4 Lincoln’s Sparrow 5 Western Grebe 30 Pelagic Cormorant 1 California Scrub-Jay 11 California Towhee 93 Clark’s Grebe 1 American White Pelican 6 American Crow 69138 Rufous-crowned Sparrow 2 Rock Pigeon 165 Brown Pelican 79 Common Raven 107 Spotted Towhee 45 Eurasian Collared Dove 16 Least Bittern 1 Mountain Chickadee 1 Western Meadowlark 16 Mourning Dove 259 Great Blue Heron 13 Oak Titmouse 35 Red-winged Blackbird 29 Greater Roadrunner 10 Great Egret 6 Bushtit 379 Brewer’s Blackbird 8 White-throated Swift 16 Snowy Egret 26 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Great-tailed Grackle 37 Anna’s Hummingbird 225 Black-crown. Night-Heron 11 Rock Wren 2 Orange-crowned Warbler 31 Costa’s Hummingbird 1 Yellow-crown. Night-Heron 1 House Wren 27 Common Yellowthroat 68 Allen’s Hummingbird 163 Green Heron 1 Bewick’s Wren 28 Yellow-rumped Warbler 1071 Sora 2 White-faced Ibis 24 Cactus Wren 2 Black-thro. Gray Warbler 1 Common Gallinule 7 Turkey Vulture 72 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 19 Townsend’s Warbler 7 American Coot 466 Osprey 6 California Gnatcatcher 18 Western Tanager 1 Black-necked Stilt 3 White-tailed Kite 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 97 House Sparrow 40 Black Oystercatcher 4 Northern Harrier cw Wrentit 66 Black-bellied Plover 32 Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 Western Bluebird 68 Exotic Species: Snowy Plover 35 Cooper’s Hawk 17 Hermit Thrush 43 Egyptian Goose 8 Whimbrel 11 Red-shouldered Hawk 18 American Robin 89 Japanese White-eye 9 Killdeer 61 Red-tailed Hawk 79 California Thrasher 48 Scaly-breasted Munia 84
Special thanks to the 68 CBC birders who did such a great job helping us with this count. Total species count: 135. Unfortunately, there is not enough room on this page to list everyone’s name. Instead, the names of all this count’s participants will be posted soon on our chapter webpage along with the complete report of this count.
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Sea and Sage Audubon presents SUMMER CAMP 2019
Sea and Sage Audubon day camps provide children with first-hand experience with nature through fun outdoor activities in the beautiful setting of the freshwater ponds and trails of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine.
Fledgling Camp Coastal Bird Camp 7-8 years old Marsh Camp experience required Week: June 24-28 Monday through Friday 11 YEARS AND OLDER 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Week: July 10-14 Fee: $190/205* per camper Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Beginning birders will sharpen their observational Fee: $200/215* per camper skills on daily nature walks. Campers will learn how to keep a birding journal. They will also have fun This camp will cover all aspects of coastal playing games, learning songs and doing crafts. shorebirds and their habitats. Coastal Camp includes 2 off-site days on Wednesday and Thursday; it will be the parent’s responsibility to provide transportation. This week will Marsh Bird Camp include bird walks, nature journaling, crafts 9 to 12 years old and other coastal-related activities. Session 1: June 24-28 Session 2: July 8-1 Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m Advanced Bird Camp Fee: $200/215* per camper Marsh Camp experience required 11 years and older Campers will explore all aspects of marsh bird life. Week I: July 15-19 They will enjoy daily nature walks, see live hawks & Week II: July 22-26 owls from a rehabilitator, paint a birdbath, keep a Monday through Friday nature journal, do crafts, and much more. 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Fee: $200/215* per camper for Week I Fee: $200/215* per camper for Week II For more information, Week One. Campers will focus on Coastal please visit our website at Sage Scrub and the birds, plants and animals www.seaandsageaudubon.org. of this important California biome. This camp includes one off-site; it will be the parent’s responsibility to provide transportation. To sign up, please phone: Bev Spring (714-505-9980) Week Two. Campers will learn about birds of Oak Woodlands. This camp includes one off- site; it will be the parent’s responsibility to provide transportation. We will paint a hand- carved wooden bird that ties together both weeks of Advanced Camp.
Both weeks will include daily nature walks,
keeping a daily nature journal, sketching, and
art projects. * The lower price is for Audubon members
Directions and Membership Sea and Sage Audubon Society's mission is to protect birds, other wildlife,
and their habitats through education, citizen science, research, and public policy advocacy.
Tattler Subscriptions Your Membership Directions Non-Audubon members or members Payment to Audubon House, our Chapter from other Audubon chapters who Do you want to join National Audubon Meetings & the San Joaquin wish to subscribe to our chapter and Sea and Sage? Use the Wildlife Sanctuary newsletter, may do so for $14.00 per membership form at the bottom of this year. Make check payable to “Sea page. An Individual Membership or a and Sage Audubon” and mail to: Our entrance is now from Family Membership is only $20. Sea Tattler Subscriptions, 32 Almond Tree Campus Dr., not Michelson & Sage receives 100% of a chapter generated new member’s dues for the Ln, Irvine CA 92612 From the San Diego Fwy (405): Exit first year. Mail the form and your on Jamboree, south toward Newport check - payable to National Audubon Beach. At the 1st signal, Michelson, Go Paperless! Society - to Sea and Sage Audubon, turn left. Continue on Michelson Sign up to receive your newsletter via PO Box 5447, Irvine CA 92616. If you (past the old entrance to the SJWS) email — get your issues faster, help want to use a credit card for your to the 5th signal which is Harvard and save natural resources, reduce waste, membership payment, go online to: turn right. Drive to University & turn and help our chapter save money! http://www.audubon.org/membership right. Drive to Campus Drive & turn You can read it online or print out the If you have questions, please contact right. Stay in the far right lane and pages you need to refer to more Membership Chair, Jim Kissinger, at immediately turn right onto Riparian frequently. It is in pdf format and will [email protected] View which will enter the San Joaquin look and print exactly like the original Wildlife Sanctuary. The entrance road ones. Photos will be in color. Send an is marked by a green sign. If you miss Temporarily Away or e-mail to [email protected] to the turn and reach Carlson, turn right Moving? start your paper-free Tattler delivery and go around the block again to today! (offer good only for chapter Harvard. The sanctuary is open every Please notify Jim Kissinger of your members in good standing) new address if you are temporarily, or day from dawn until dusk. permanently, moving from your C9ZC150Z Remember Us in Your current address; or, let him know if Will or Trust Audubon House you do not want to continue to receive Open daily: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm the Tattler. This will save us postage. Please remember to include “Sea and Jim Kissinger, Membership Chair Sage Audubon Society” by name (tax 949-261-7963 [email protected] ID#23-7003681) in your will or trust.
Audubon Membership Application We invite you to become a member of the National Audubon Society and the Sea and Sage Audubon chapter. Members receive the AUDUBON magazine as well as the WANDERING TATTLER newsletter. NEW MEMBERSHIP is $20 for an individual or for a family. (The membership is good for one year.) Use To join: Complete the form below & mail it along with your payment to: Sea and Sage Audubon, PO Box 5447, Irvine CA 92616 Make your check payable to: NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY. Please pay by check only; do not send cash. Or, go online to: http://tinyurl.com/hyeaw67 (Our chapter code is C15) Mem To renew membership: renew directly with National Audubon by direct mail or online: (Renewals are $20 per year.) http://tinyurl.com/zjbs5tt bers Name ______Address ______} City, State, Zip ______hip Phone ______E-mail ______C15For C F 11 F 6 e W m on b a Z r n C u d page
Sea and Sage Audubon Non-Profit Org PO Box 5447, Irvine CA 92616 U.S. Postage Paid Santa Ana, CA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Permit No. 164
AUDUBON HOUSE ...... 949-261-7963 BOARD MEMBERS Executivep Committee: STAFF President ...... Doug Lithgow ...... 714-962-4145 Marsh Education Project Director Trude Hurd ...... 949-261-7964 Vice President ...... Gail Richards ...... 714-267-2420 Education Assistant ...... Deborah Brin ...... 949-261-7964 Secretary ...... Sandy Smith ...... 949-706-9396 Sales Manager ...... Debby Thyssen ...... 949-261-7963 Administrative Aide ...... Rebecca Craft ...... 949-261-7963 Treasurer ...... Tom Van Huss ...... 714-417-9940 Director 2019 ...... Star Howard ...... 949-770-3177 OTHER CONTACTS Director 2019 ...... Joan McCauley ...... 949-642-1938 Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center – for injured or sick birds and Director 2020 ...... Ann Harmer ...... 949-631-3322 other native wild animals in need of help (corner of Newland & Director 2020 ...... Debbie Hays ...... 714-356-6302 PCH in HB) 714-374-5587. http://www.wwccoc.org/ Director 2021 ...... Jenny Golden ...... 949-916-1839 Director 2021 ...... Bruce Aird ...... 949-458-1520 Call Songbird Care & Education Center for injured or sick native Past President ...... Vic Leipzig ...... 714-848-5394 songbirds. 714-964-0666. www.songbirdcareandeducation.org
SCHEDULE OF CHAPTER ACTIVITIES Committee Chairpersons: Archives & Records ...... Chris Byrd ...... 714-639-0967 March 2019: Audubon House ...... Susan Sheakley ...... 949-552-5974 1-3 Fr-Su Intermed/Adv Raptor ID Workshop ® ...... 7:00 pm Audubon House Volunteers Barbara Mitchell ...... 949-646-4115 02 Sat Nature Walk (aka Wildlife Walk) ...... 9:00 am Bird Information ...... Sylvia Gallagher ...... 714-962-8990 05 Tues Conservation Com. Meeting ...... 6:45 pm Conservation ...... Susan Sheakley ...... 949-552-5974 8/9 Fr/Sa Owl Prowls ...... 6:30 pm Counsel ...... Sean Sherlock ...... 10 Sun Monthly Bird Walk at the SJWS ...... 8:00 am Development ...... Cheryl Thomas ...... 949-294-2275 12 Tues Board Meeting ...... 7:00 pm Education ...... Carolyn Noble ...... 714-731-9091 15 Fri ANNUAL DINNER ® ...... 6:00 pm Events ...... Mary Joseph ...... 714-848-8362 20 Wed UNB by pontoon boat ® Full ...... 8:15 am Exhibits ...... Mary Joseph ...... 714-848-8362 21 Thurs Bolsa Chica bird walk ...... 8:00 am Field Trips ...... Nancy Kenyon ...... 949-786-3160 23-24 S-S Turkey Vulture Days ...... tba Finance ...... Hal Sheakley ...... 949-552-5974 23 Sat Owl Prowl ...... 6:30 pm Membership ...... Jim Kissinger ...... 949-713-1148 29 Fri Owl Prowl ...... 6:30 pm Newsletter Editor ...... Nancy Kenyon ...... 949-786-3160 31 Sun Monthly Bird Walk at UNB ...... 8:00 am Orange County Spring Count .... Darrell Wilson ...... 949-559-4542 Partners in Flight ...... Janet & Al Baumann ...... April 2019: Programs ...... Gail Richards ...... 714-267-2420 02 Tues Conservation Com. Meeting ...... 6:45 pm Publicity ...... 06 Sat Nature Walk (aka Wildlife Walk) ...... 9:00 am Raptor Research ...... Scott Thomas ...... 949-293-2915 13-14 Sa-Su Eastern Sierra weekend trip ® Full ...... 7:00 am Science ...... Amber Heredia ...... 714-812-2430 14 Sun Monthly Bird Walk at the SJWS ...... 8:00 am SJWS Liaison ...... Chris Obaditch ...... 949-640-7234 17 Wed UNB by pontoon boat ® ...... 8:15 am Social Media ...... Sandrine Biziaux-Scherson.949-413-0297 19 Fri GENERAL MEETING ...... 7:30 pm th Starr Ranch/Envir. Liaison. Pete DeSimone ...... 949-858-0309 23 Tues ‘4 Tues’ Conservation Lecture ...... 7:30 pm Webmaster ...... Nancy Kenyon ...... 949-786-3160 27 Sat Big Morongo Preserve ® ...... 7:00 am Webpage: http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org 28 Sun Monthly Bird Walk at UNB ...... 8:00 am 12 W