vol. 96 no. 4 July–August 2011

the newsletter of the golden gate audubon society founded 1917

Annual Awards Honor Volunteers

t the May Birdathon dinner, two Elsie A Roemer Conservation Awards and two Paul Covel Conservation Education Awards were given to volunteers for their many contri- butions to Golden Gate Audubon. Elsie Roemer (1893–1991) was an educator and activist who successfully worked to protect wetlands in Alameda. A refuge on Alameda’s southern shore- line, the Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary, bears her name. Paul Covel (1909–1990), a recipient of an Elsie Roemer award in 1989, was a park natu-

Noreen Weeden Noreen ralist and educator who inspired many children GGAS instructors Bob Lewis (far left, seated) and Eddie Bartley (far right, kneeling) with their Birds of and adults through his pioneering interpretive the Sierra class. programs at Lake Merritt in Oakland. GGAS Classes— ELSIE ROEMER CONSERVATION AWARDEES Shorebirds to Songbirds Motivated by a passion for nature and a conser- vation vision, Pat Gannon joined Golden Gate Audubon three decades ago. As Leora Feeney of n early 2005, Golden Gate Audubon posed a question: If we’re involved in educa- Friends of the Alameda Wildlife Refuge notes, I tion through fi eld trips, conservation activism, and school programs, why don’t we “Since the beginning, Pat has served GGAS in teach classes for adults? Answering the question led to a partnership with Albany small and not so small ways.” She was on the Adult School in the East Bay—and over the next six years to sponsoring dozens of board of directors in the 1990s and early 2000s classes given on both sides of the bay and taken by hundreds of birders of all levels. and took on the jobs of corresponding and The collaboration between GGAS and the school launched in the spring of 2005 recording secretary. with two classes, fi eld identifi cation and spring migration, taught by Rusty Scalf and When Friends of the Alameda Wildlife Ref- Bob Lewis. The pair were hardly new to teaching. Rusty had been an instructor at uge (FAWR) was founded in 1997, Pat was right AAS since the late 1980s. Bob had joined him in 1993. Even before the GGAS-AAS there as a charter member. As well as volun- partnership, their classes had become so popular that many birders who showed up teering as recording secretary—a position she to register had to be turned away. continues to this day—she immersed herself in To satisfy the demand, Anne Hoff was asked to take over beginning birding from ANNUAL AWARDS continued on page 3 Bob. Eddie Bartley came on board in late 2005 to help teach birding basics. Soon thereafter, Denise Wight was recruited to offer instruction in birdsong. With Bob 7 Summer Pelagic Trips Lewis at the helm of the GGAS Education Committee by early 2006 and a talented 8 New SF Classes at pool of Bay Area instructors to draw from, new classes and venues were gradually Heron’s Head Park 8 added to the roster. Eddie Bartley brought his birding basics to ’s inside Trip to Belize for 2012 GGAS CLASSES continued on page 12 ROSTER I See Birds

board of directors Diane Ross-Leech President n 2005, my friends (and GGAS members) Susan Andres and Todd Jersey invited me on Rich Walkling Vice President I Mark Mushkat Treasurer a bird walk in Pt. Reyes, led by Rich Stallcup, one of the founders of PRBO Conserva- Linda Vallee Secretary tion Science. For a couple of hours, we strolled around the Bear Valley Visitor Center and Karim Al-Khafaji nearby sites. I had the startling experience of standing in familiar spots and observing, up David Anderson Whitney Dotson close, birds that had previously been invisible to me: Acorn Woodpeckers across the parking Alan Harper lot; Great Egrets clearly in view nesting in a treetop 50 yards away; a fl ock of Turkey Vultures Carey Knecht Michael Lozeau wobbling overhead; grebes mingling in a pond full of (to me) miscellaneous ducks; and, most Sarah Peterman amazing, a family of Barn Owls in the crook of a tree about 20 feet away, staring at us. This Jay Pierrepont Phil Price last experience was the one that really stayed with me. By the time I joined Golden Gate Audubon as executive director a little more than two executive director years ago, I was conscious of birds and understood their general importance to biodiversity. Mark Welther 510.843.9912 But I still couldn’t distinguish more than a few species and knew very little about bird migra- [email protected] tion, nesting, or behavior. That’s when my GGAS education began with a 90-minute bird conservation director Mike Lynes 510.843.6551 walk with Bob Lewis on the in the East Shore State Park. Starting [email protected] then, the key for me has been to get out in the fi eld as often as possible with experienced Eco-Education Program Director birders and to practice what I’ve learned. Anthony DeCicco 510.843.7293 [email protected] Now, thanks to my GGAS education, I see birds everywhere in the Bay Area and marvel

eco-education program coordinator at their resilience living in this urban environment. I am also passing this education on to Marissa Ortega-Welch 510.919.5873 others, as I did at a recent dinner party, when I explained to a dog owner the importance of [email protected] protecting threatened Western Snowy Plovers at San Francisco’s (see page 1 of office manager the May-June Gull). Stephanie Strait 510.843.2222 I believe that my former lack of awareness of birds is common among many Bay Area resi- volunteer coordinator Noreen Weeden 510.843.9374, 510.301.0570 dents. So, when Conservation Director Mike Lynes and our conservation committee chairs [email protected] Phil Price, Leora Feeney, Linda Vallee, and David Anderson speak to the general public and

gull managing editor elected offi cials, they spend a surprising amount of time explaining the most basic concepts: Judith Dunham [email protected] that the health of birds is a refl ection of environmental and human health; that when trees observations are cut down during nesting season, birds will be harmed; that increasing populations of Bruce Mast [email protected] feral cats in are connected to the decline of the park’s Quail. web editor In this issue, we feature an article about Golden Gate Audubon’s birding classes (taught [email protected] by Bob Lewis and many others). Classes and their associated fi eld trips are invaluable to GGAS and are among the primary ways that we attract new members. I especially like the northern california bird box 415.681.7422 story of Jacqueline Craig (see page 12), who believes in taking the same classes over and over. She knows that learning hatches with consciousness, grows wings with education, and The Golden Gate Audubon Society was founded January 25, 1917, and became a chapter of National soars with repetition and practice. Audubon in 1948. Golden Gate Audubon Supporting Membership is $35 per year. Renewals should be sent Since 1917, Golden Gate Audubon has been focused on birds, raising consciousness, edu- to the Golden Gate Audubon offi ce. The board of direc- cating, and practicing out in the fi eld. These activities form the foundation of our programs tors meets six times per year (schedule can be obtained from the main offi ce). and make us unique among conservation groups. This fall, as we undertake a planning

The Gull is published six times per year. Special third- process to set our course and goals for the next three years, we will strive to recognize, class postage paid in Oakland, CA. Send address strengthen, and build upon this foundation. changes to offi ce promptly. The post offi ce does not forward The Gull.

Golden Gate Audubon Society 2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite G Berkeley, CA 94702 —Mark Welther, Executive Director

TEL 510.843.2222 FAX 510.843.5351 www.goldengateaudubon.org [email protected] Marsha Mather-Thrift Leaves GGAS For Nature Store hours, please call or check the website. Following the May Birdathon dinner, Golden Gate Audubon bid a fond farewell to Development Director Marsha Mather-Thrift. Marsha has accepted the position of founding executive director of the Rosie the Riveter Trust in Richmond. Please join us in thanking Marsha for her excellent work to support Golden Gate Audubon’s programs and in wishing her luck. Design and layout: e.g. communications

2 THE GULL July–August 2011 Charles Denson Charles Denson Charles Denson Charles Pat Gannon (right) receiving an Elsie Roemer award Chris Bard (right), recipient of a Paul Covel award, Eddie Bartley (left), honored with a Paul Covel from FAWR’s Leora Feeney. with Diane Ross-Leech, GGAS board president. award, with Executive Director Mark Welther.

ANNUAL AWARDS from page 1 member, who urged her attend a meeting. nizing the committee’s Least Tern natural FAWR’s many activities. She attends work Noreen initially volunteered for a proj- history presentations, given each spring to parties at the refuge, tables at public events, ect about creating backyard habitats. She third graders. Every year for the past fi ve, goes to public meetings, and assists in class- enthusiastically took on other tasks, such she has visited hundreds of students in room presentations. Last year, she offered as regularly attending numerous city and local schools. “The students of today will to organize work party volunteers. Every county hearings about critical environmen- be keepers of the environment tomorrow,” December, she participates in Christmas tal issues and representing GGAS at events. Chris says. “Youngsters educated about Bird Counts by recording and tallying the In 2006, Noreen took over as chair, heading the plight of the Least Tern will take an sightings for her team. the SFCC until early this year. interest in protecting the terns and their “Pat is the kind of volunteer every orga- Thanks to her initiative, the committee environment.” nization dreams to have,” Leora says. “She strengthened its relationship with the Port Chris, with her husband, Gary, designed is always there doing the not so fl ashy, of San Francisco, which has led to protec- the computer program that maintains seven but absolutely necessary tasks—for tion of habitat along the southern waterfront. years of data from the twice-monthly bird decades. She is the steady support that “Noreen was highly effective in expanding surveys of the Alameda Wildlife Refuge. allows for big accomplishments. FAWR the presence of the committee,” says Dan She attends public meetings to represent would not be the committee it is without Murphy, a longtime SFCC member. “She FAWR and GGAS and participates in this remarkable woman working with us.” took over our advocacy on the bay side of work parties at the refuge, often with Gary. A fateful encounter in 2000 prompted the city. Her work with city agencies, par- Chris and Gary worked together to prepare Noreen Weeden to get involved with ticularly the Port of San Francisco, resulted a presentation about the refuge, which has GGAS’s San Francisco Conservation Com- in much of the progress we’ve made with been shown in Alameda and at U.S. Fish mittee (SFCC). While on a bird walk, she Heron’s Head Park, Pier 94, and Yosemite and Wildlife conferences in California and met Bob Bennett, then chair of the com- Slough. No matter what was going on over Nevada—to rave reviews. mittee, and Matt Zlatunich, an active there, Noreen was a presence.” “Chris has tremendous skill at everything Another hallmark of the SFCC’s projects she does,” says Leora Feeney. “Her chosen during Noreen’s tenure was the committee’s lifetime career as an educator of young peo- increasing collaboration with groups such as ple has allowed her to put her experience the Sierra Club, Nature in the City, and the into teaching natural history and ecology to California Native Plant Society. Among her those she knows so well. We are truly lucky other accomplishments, she actively pro- to have her on our team.” moted Lights Out for Birds, which resumes Eddie Bartley has been an invaluable for the fall migration (see page 4). contributor to Golden Gate Audubon’s edu- cation programs ever since he taught his PAUL COVEL CONSERVATION fi rst birding basics class in late 2005. He EDUCATION AWARDEES went on to offer many versions of begin- Chris Bard, a GGAS member since 1990, ning birding in both the East Bay and San joined Friends of the Alameda Wildlife Francisco, varying the classes and tailoring Charles Denson Charles Refuge in 2004. She immediately jumped them to the changing seasons. Year after Noreen Weeden accepting an Elsie Roemer award from Dan Murphy. in to help FAWR by digitizing and orga- ANNUAL AWARDS continued on page 4

July–August 2011 THE GULL 3 conservation corner ANNUAL AWARDS from page 3 year, he introduced new classes, including classes on birds of prey, which benefi ted BURROWING OWL DOCENT modeled after the successful program in from his expertise as a nest monitor and TRAINING New York. Collisions kill more than 1 bil- hawk-watcher for Golden Gate Raptor Every year, Western Burrowing Owls over- lion birds in North America each year, and Observatory. The Romance of Birds focused winter at Cesar Chavez Park in Berkeley, bird-safe building guidelines are a necessary on reproduction and nesting. arriving in fall and departing in spring. step toward reducing these unnecessary “There’s no more enthusiastic teacher GGAS docents point out the owls to park mortalities. The guidelines would apply to than Eddie. Students love him,” says Bob users and talk about the need to protect new buildings or buildings planning major Lewis, a recipient of one of last year’s edu- these locally endangered birds. Docents are rehabilitation in locations most dangerous cation awards. “He’s a great photographer encouraged to make a commitment for site to birds. and illustrates his talks with images he’s visits at least twice each month from Sep- What can you do? Please check our web- captured in the fi eld. And he is very aware tember through March. Dates and times site for the date of the planning commission of environmental issues in the city, so his are fl exible. Training for the new season hearing in July and attend to speak in sup- classes often emphasize a conservation will be held on Saturday, September 10, port of the standards. E-mail nweeden@ issue of concern to GGAS.” 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is open to anyone goldengateaudubon.org if you are interested Volunteering with his partner, Noreen interested in this exciting program. A $5 in this program. Weeden, as a monitor after the 2007 Cosco donation is suggested to cover the cost of Busan oil spill in San Francisco Bay made lunch and training materials. To register, LIGHTS OUT FOR BIRDS— Eddie realize that city agencies were often call 510.843.2222. SAN FRANCISCO AND EAST BAY unaware of local wildlife species and how August 15 through October 31 is fall migra- they evolved to live in the urban environ- SAY YES TO BIRD-SAFE BUILDINGS tion and the time to encourage businesses ment. To address this gap, in early 2008, The San Francisco Planning Commission to participate in Lights Out for Birds by he created Wild San Francisco, A Natural will decide in July whether to approve a turning off unnecessary lights from dusk to History, a presentation he has modifi ed for proposal from Golden Gate Audubon, the dawn. The program saves natural resources, youth groups, schools, and senior groups. American Bird Conservancy, and the San cuts energy bills, and, most importantly, can “It has been one of the most rewarding pre- Francisco Planning Department to publish save the lives of numerous birds. To sign sentations I’ve done,” Eddie says, “because city-wide Standards for Bird Safe Build- up or learn more about Lights Out, go to many folks are surprised at the beauty of ings. These would be the fi rst bird-friendly www.goldengateaudubon.org/conservation the wildlife around us, and you can tell they building guidelines in the Bay Area and are or e-mail [email protected]. are inspired to learn more.”

Donations Many thanks to our generous donors! Donations from March 24 to May 20, 2011.

golden eagle ($1,000 or more) Memorial Gifts Anonymous, Jean Connor In memory of Richard G. Allen: Mary Craig, Harvey and Patricia Sue Coates, Judith Dunham, Iris V. Read, Joyce Short Peregrine Falcon ($500 to $999) In memory of Miles T. McKey: Miles R. and Mel McKey (The Miles T. McKey Eleanor Briccetti, Ruth and Alan Tobey Memorial Fund)

Least Tern ($200 to $499) Gifts in Honor of David and Annie Armstrong, Linda Eby, Dennis and Lucy O’Connor, Jennifer Kristin Bunting, in honor of her many friends at Golden Gate Audubon Paquette, Ann and Mike Richter Curtis Hoesing, in honor of Joan Kotlyar Janet Mandelstam, Sally Matthews, in honor of Dave Quady’s Honey Lake trip Clapper Rail ($100 to $199) Dennis O’Connor, Rondal Snodgrass, in honor of Helen McKenna Ed and Mildred Bennett, Russell and Ellen Breslauer, Hazel Bright (HB Resources In-Kind Gifts Insurance Services, Inc.), David J. and Lanice L. Clark, Margaret Deane, Michelle Jennifer Daggy: one spotting scope and two tripods C. Douskey, Donald D. and Elaine Dvorak, Lois Enos, Shelly Horwitz, Dorothy REI San Francisco and Watershed Nursery for our 2011 Volunteer Appreciation Kakimoto, Charles N. and Carleen B. Keating, Marcia and Larry Kolb, Bethhellen Party Levitan and Raymond Trautman, Catherine S. Lyon, Sally Mathews, Valerie and Scientifi c Certifi cation Systems: offi ce chairs John Matzger, Toni Montez, Deborah O’Brien, Stephen Waldman, Steven Weissman and Laura Mahanes, Mitch Youngman Gift Memberships Thomas Holmes for Nora Holmes, Donald Sanford for David and Carla Gifts (to $99) Fujikawa Brenda J. Bailey, Lora Lee Baker, Shirley Baty, Olive L. Bavins, Robert S. Blumberg Employee Gift Matches and Marion A. Koerper Blumberg, Diana Bowen, Jeffrey Brown, Michael and Rita Carey, Jeffrey and Carolyn Edmunds, Judith N. Ellisen, Lois Enos, Jean C. The Clorox Company Foundation, Congregation Emanu-El, IBM Corporation, and Frederic C. Espey, Patricia J. Evans, William J. and Zettie Lee Giddens, Pacifi c Gas & Electric Foundation, The Schwab Fund For Charitable Giving George Griffeth, Victor and Lorraine Honig, Kristen Kohary, Jane Maxwell, Lynn Grants O’Connor, Terri O’Connor, Myron Pstrak, Charles H. Rammelkamp, Maggie Cal EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants Program, The David and Lucile Rufo, Mary Lynn Sasso, Paul Schwartz, Gretchen Snyder, Robert and Julianne Packard Foundation, East Bay Community Foundation, National Fish & Wildlife Stokstad, Elizabeth E. Strong, Flora Torres, Patricia and Mel Wong Foundation

4 THE GULL July–August 2011 speaker series

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at What Happens When Wildlife Meets an Oil Spill Return of the Western Becky Elias, Emily Whitmer, and Kyra Mills-Parker Snowy Plovers Berkeley: Thursday, July 21—7 p.m. refreshments, Golden Gate Audubon will partner 7:30 program (free for GGAS members, $5 nonmembers) with the National Park Service for a In the 2007 Cosco Busan oil spill that dumped 53,000 gallons of oil into San Francisco Bay, beach cleanup on Saturday, July 9, 31 species of oiled and traumatized birds were rescued and taken to the Oiled Wildlife Care 9 a.m. to noon, at Ocean Beach and Network’s 12,000-square-foot center in Fairfi eld, where veterinarians and trained volun- Crissy Field in San Francisco. Please teers cleaned and rehabilitated the birds, eventually saving come help us with the crucial tasks and releasing 38.5 percent of them back to the wild. Three of keeping natural areas natural for OWCN staff members will describe the entire process of sav- both birds and birders. It’s good ing oiled wildlife, from organizing and training volunteers, work, good exercise, and a good out- to collecting and transferring injured animals to care facili- door time. To sign up, please contact ties, to treating and rehabilitating them. The OWCN, a world [email protected]. leader in oiled wildlife response, comprises 29 member orga- Help Restore Bird Habitat nizations and 12 facilities in California and is administered We invite you to join workdays at our by the UC Davis Wildlife Health Center within the School of restoration sites. For site details and Veterinary Medicine. directions, go to www.goldengate Becky Elias, who received her graduate degree in wildlife audubon.org/volunteer. ecology from Washington State University, coordinates the Paul Murphy volunteer efforts by OWCN members. Emily Whitmer, a Surf Scoter being released after • Pier 94, San Francisco: July 2, treatment. registered veterinary technician who has worked with a wide August 6, 9 a.m. – noon. variety of marine wildlife, provides essential support of wildlife care and rehabilitation. Kyra • Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Mills-Parker, who holds a graduate degree from UC Irvine, organizes and leads fi eld teams Shoreline, Oak land: July 23, Aug us t to collect and transport oiled wildlife to care facilities. 20, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Berkeley Speaker Series: Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda (between Solano and Marin). Directions: www.northbrae.org/directions.htm. • Golden Gate Park Bison Paddock, San Francisco: July 16, August 20, From Parlor and Plate to Microscopes and Art 9 a.m. – noon (with SF Recreation Moe Flannery and Sharon Beals and Parks). San Francisco: Thursday, August 18—7 p.m. refreshments, • Lands End East Wash, SF Presidio: 7:30 program (free for GGAS members, $5 nonmembers) August 27, 1 – 4 p.m. (with Golden The California Academy of Sciences Ornithology and Mammalogy Collection houses more Gate National Parks Conservancy). than 11,000 egg and nest specimens. Moe Flannery, collections manager, will discuss the Mark your calendar for Coastal history of egg and nest collecting, from the era when eggs and nests graced the parlors of Cleanup Day on September 17. the fashionable hobbyist and the menus of restaurants, to their modern-day importance as repositories of DNA and information about changes in the Choose the Gull Online environment. Sharon Beals will present the photographs of Join other Golden Gate Audubon nests and eggs she made at the academy while working on the members who are downloading our book Nests: Fifty Nests and the Birds that Built Them. She will newsletter from our website rather also share what she learned about the habits of the nest build- than receiving it in the mail. You ers and the conservation issues facing these birds today. will help save paper and reduce our Moe Flannery received her master of sciences in ecology expenses for printing and mailing. and systematic biology from San Francisco State University. Best of all, the photographs in the Sharon Beals is an ardent environmentalist, photographer, online version of the Gull are in color. and author. For the book, she also photographed at the West- As each newsletter is published, we ern Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology in Camarillo and the

Sharon Beals Sharon will e-mail you a link. To choose the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at UC Berkeley. California Towhee nest. Gull online, e-mail ggas@goldengate San Francisco Speaker Series: First Unitarian Universalist Church and audubon.org or call 510.843.2222. Center, 1187 Franklin Street at Geary. Visit www.uusf.org/visitors_faq.html, and use the Map It! link on the left for directions. Public transit, street parking, and parking in a lot for a fee are available.

July–August 2011 THE GULL 5 fi eld trips $ Entrance fee

Biking trip

For questions about individual fi eld trips, contact the leaders. For updates to the fi eld We will ride on trails and streets to trailhead. Return trips and new trips offered before the publication of the next newsletter, go www.golden is on train #734 at 1:02 p.m. (next train is #736 at 2:32). Arrive at station well in advance to purchase ticket gateaudubon.org/fi eld-trips/fi eld-trips. and get on platform; senior fares at a 15% discount are available for those 62 and over. Contact leader if you want to participate in a 10-ride ticket from San Francisco Botanical Garden residents and migrants, as well as moni- Emeryville ($98 or about $20 per person per round- Sundays, July 3, August 7, 8 – 10:30 a.m. toring the hilltop scrub and south cliff. trip; single round-trip ticket is $32). Ginny Marshall, ginnybirder@sbcglobal. net; Dominik Mosur, polskata@yahoo. Alviso—Don Edwards SF Birds of the Bay com Bay National Wildlife Refuge San Francisco Santa Clara County Meet at front gate of garden in Golden Sundays, July 24, August 14, 10 a.m. Saturday, July 23 Gate Park, 9th Ave. at Lincoln Way. The Carol Kiser, 415.447.5000 Kathy Jarrett, 510.547.1233, garden has several micro-habitats that This walk for children and beginners [email protected] attract an array of resident, migrant, and starts with a brief orientation in the use of vagrant birds. This monthly trip is oriented Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Santa Clara/Great binoculars and guide books. Then we will toward helping beginners develop their America Capitol Corridor train station spend an hour or so looking for resident skills in spotting and identifying birds. or at 9 a.m. at Alviso County Park. From and migrating birds. Meet at entrance to The garden charges $7/person if you are Alviso, we will ride on streets to Disk Dr. Hyde Street Pier at Hyde and Jefferson on not an SF resident or garden member. to look for Burrowing Owls, then head the western border of Fisherman’s Wharf. Bring identifi cation for residency and to the NWR visitor center, make a circuit Bring books and binoculars if you have membership status. of the unpaved trail around the marsh, them. A hat and layers of clothing are rec- and return to the park. Distance is about ommended. Nearby parking is at the foot Corona Heights 15 miles. Bring lunch. Bicycle helmet of Van Ness Ave. (free for 4 hours), Ghi- San Francisco required. Trip ends about noon. Leader rardelli Square, and the Anchorage. Fridays, July 15, August 19, 8 – 10 a.m. usually arrives by transit, so delays are Dominik Mosur, [email protected]; possible. It is advisable to call or e-mail Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park Charlie Hibbard for cell phone number and indicate how Oakland you are arriving. Rain cancels. Meet in front of the , 199 Wednesdays, July 27, August 24, Car: Take I-880 south, then Hwy. 237 west. Go 2.2 9:30 a.m. – noon Museum Way, at end of Museum Way miles and take N. First St. exit. Turn right on N. First. off Roosevelt. On this monthly trip, we In about 1 mile, it becomes Taylor St. In one block, Hilary Powers, 510.834.1066, hilary@ will enjoy views of the city and bay as we turn right on Gold St., then left on Elizabeth St. and powersedit.com; Ruth Tobey, right on Hope St., and continue to Alviso County Park 510.528.2093, [email protected] circle Corona Heights, checking the east and trailhead parking for NWR. Transit: Capitol Cor- canyon woodland and north forest for ridor train #723 from Emeryville departs at 7:20 a.m. Meet at large spherical cage near the Nature Center at Perkins and Bellevue. Carpooling and Other Field Trip Resources We will bird around there, then go up the garden path toward Children’s Fairyland If you are going on a fi eld trip, would you welcome company? Do you have room in or walk down the lake toward Embar- your car to take other birders? To help fi nd a ride or offer a ride, sign up with GGA’s cadero, after which we will cover what we carpool group at http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/GGACarPool. When you sign missed. This is the summer lull, though up, you answer a few simple questions, then receive a confi rming e-mail. Once you the cormorants should still be nesting are a member, you post messages under “Need Ride” or “Offer Ride,” along with in the trees on the newly refurbished the destination and date. The more birders who sign up, the more useful the group islands. But there’s never a truly bad will be. Birders are encouraged to help the driver with expenses by contributing to month at the lake—always something to the cost of fuel and bridge tolls. see and talk about, if only the geese on East Bay Regional District: www.ebparks.org/parks molt-migration. SF Bay Trail: http://baytrail.abag.ca.gov Take 12, N, or NL bus to Grand and Perkins, and Bay Area transit: www.transitinfo.org walk into park on Perkins. Best parking is at boat- California state parks: www.parks.ca.gov house lot near spherical cage. Entry, via Bellevue near Children’s Fairyland, is probably free on week- National parks: www.nps.gov/fi ndapark/index.htm day mornings, but if the kiosk is occupied when you National wildlife refuges: www.fws.gov/refuges arrive, buy a $2 (two-hour) ticket and park in the boat- house lot, where no one checks how long cars sit.

6 THE GULL July–August 2011 Mono Lake and Eastern Sierra The boat departs at 7 a.m. and returns Saturday, August 20 Friday – Sunday, July 29 – 31 3:30–4:30 p.m. Fee is $150 (nonrefund- Kathy Jarrett, 510.547.1233, Rusty Scalf, [email protected]; Emilie able) for GGAS members and $175 for [email protected] Strauss, 510.540.8749 nonmembers; fuel surcharge is not Meet at 7:55 a.m. at El Cerrito Del Norte included. Please make your reservation We will meet in the Mono Lake area at BART Station or at 8:25 at end of S. 51st by sending a check to Debi Shearwater, 8 a.m., Friday, July 29. We will visit the St. in Richmond. There is a spur from the PO Box 190, Hollister, CA 95024. Your west and south shores of Mono Lake, SF Bay Trail to this point. We will bird East check confi rms your reservation. Include Lundy Canyon, and possibly Saddlebag Shore State Park along the SF Bay Trail the name, address, and phone/e-mail for Lake, depending on snow level. Species from Richmond to Berkeley, ending at Uni- each person in your party. You will receive observed will likely include Green-tailed versity Ave. and I-80. Bring bicycle lock. a confi rmation letter by snail mail. Towhee, Sage Thrasher, American Dipper, Bring lunch or purchase at Seabreeze Mar- ket. Bicycle helmet required. Reservations and Gray-crowned Rosy Finch. Wildfl ower Farallon Islands Pelagic Trip displays should be fabulous. Two of the not necessary but an e-mail or phone call Sunday, August 7 three days will require signifi cant hikes up would be appreciated. Rain cancels. Debi Shearwater, to 6 miles at high elevation, and the third Car: Take Bayview exit from I-580 north. Turn left [email protected], to cross west over freeway, go left on Seaport, and day may be at over 10,000 feet. Please be and guest leaders immediately turn left on S. 51st St. Go to end and in good physical condition. Limit 20 par- park on street. Entrance to short spur to SF Bay Trail ticipants. Please contact Rusty Scalf to On this pelagic trip to the unique breed- starts here. If you are concerned about security, park reserve your spot. ing seabird colonies of the Farallon at Point Isabel and ride north on trail about .75 mile Islands, our main target is Tufted Puffi n, to meet group. Transit: Meet at BART station at 7:55 The heavy snowpack of 2011 may require a.m. To ride to trail, take Ohlone Greenway Trail but we will also see many other seabirds, south to Potrero Ave., turn right toward bay, cross scheduling adjustments to be determined as well as whales. Dolphins are possible, San Pablo Ave., and go left onto S. 55th St. imme- in early July. Participants are responsible too. Last year’s sightings also included diately after crossing under I-80. Turn right onto Gately, left onto Ells, and right onto Bayview. Cross for their own transportation, food, and Black-footed Albatross; Northern Ful- lodging arrangements; information can Carlson, go over I-580, then turn left onto Seaport mar; Sooty, Pink-footed, and Buller’s and immediately left onto S. 51st St. and proceed to be found at www.leevining.com. Several Shearwaters; Ashy, Black, and Fork-tailed trail. It is also possible to go from El Cerrito Plaza Sta- stops will require modest fees, and on Storm-Petrels; Pomarine, Parasitic, and tion to the trailhead via Carlson. the last day there is a boat trip that costs Long-tailed Jaegers; Pigeon Guillemot; about $15. Passage through Yosemite Xantus’s Murrelet; and Cassin’s and Rhi- Snag Lake Backpack Trip National Park, if you choose this route, noceros Auklets. Whales included Blue, Lassen Volcanic National Park may be $20 or more per car. We are hop- Minke, Humpback, and Gray. Friday – Monday, August 26 – 29 ing Tioga Pass will be open by late July. Robin Pulich; David Rice, 510.527.7210, The boat departs from Emeryville at 7:30 [email protected] a.m. and returns 3–4 p.m. Fee is $129 Half Moon Bay Pelagic Trips (nonrefundable) for GGAS members and On this annual camping and birding July 30, 31; August 1; September 16, 17, $152 for nonmembers; fuel surcharge trip to Lassen, we will backpack 3 miles 18, 19; October 2, 10, 15; November 22 is not included. The trip sells out in to Snag Lake and spend three nights in Debi Shearwater, advance. Please make your reservation primitive camping by a stream near a [email protected], and by sending a check to Debi Shearwater, large meadow. We should see fl ocks of guest leaders (Joe Morlan on August 1) PO Box 190, Hollister, CA 95024. Your mixed warblers and other songbirds, plus The trips depart from the Huck Finn Cen- check confi rms your reservation. Include resident birds of the mountains, Bald ter at Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay, the name, address, and phone/e-mail for Eagles, and migrating shorebirds. We will which is easy to reach from San Francisco each person in your party. You will receive be above 6,000 feet. To avoid impact on and the East Bay. This may also allow us a confi rmation letter by snail mail. the fragile habitat, the trip is limited to 10 to reach seabirds such as storm-petrel people. Participants are responsible for fl ocks more easily than from other ports. Richmond to Berkeley on their own gear and food; some shared Excellent sightings in 2009 include a Short- the SF Bay Trail meals can be arranged. Contact David tailed Albatross and a White-chinned Alameda and Contra Costa Counties Rice to reserve a space. Petrel (second record for North America, fi rst live sighting). In 2010, our July 31 trip Observations Online recorded Cook’s Petrels in both San Fran- Bruce Mast’s most recent column on notable sightings may be cisco and San Mateo counties. The trips found on the GGAS website. It includes details about the rescue on July 30 and 31 and August 1 offer a of the injured Flammulated Owl pictured here, which was found chance to see Cook’s Petrels, which were in Hayward and taken to a wildlife care facility for rehabilitation. Rose Britton abundant last year.

July–August 2011 THE GULL 7 classes

GGAS CLASSES IN SAN FRANCISCO shorebird species that reside here, pass through in migration, or The following classes meet at the EcoCenter at Heron’s Head overwinter in California. On Sunday’s fi eld trip, we’ll have more Park, located south of Islais Creek along the southern waterfront opportunities to view and focus on this order while not ignoring at the east end of Cargo Way off Third Street. Free parking is the myriad of other birds along the shoreline. Saturday’s class is in the lot at the east end of Cargo Way. Public transportation cosponsored by Literacy for Environmental Justice. Fee: $50. options include the T-Third line and MUNI bus routes. Each class is limited to 20 participants. To register, call 510.843.2222 or go to ALBANY ADULT SCHOOL FALL CLASS PREVIEW www.goldengateaudubon.org/education/classes. Fall classes held in the East Bay at the Albany Adult School may Inclement weather postpones fi eld trips. For the Sunday fi eld include a shorebird class with Bob Lewis and Rusty Scalf, birdsong trips, carpooling will be encouraged and coordinated at the Sat- adventures with Denise Wight, and one or two other classes. For urday presentations. details, check the GGAS website, or look for the listings in the September-October Gull. Wild Birds of San Francisco: An Introduction Eddie Bartley, [email protected], www.naturetrip.com BIRDING WITH JOE MORLAN Saturday, August 20, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., local walks and The fall semester of Joe Morlan’s classes on North American presentation; Sunday, August 21, 9 a.m. – noon, fi eld trip birds, endorsed by Golden Gate Audubon, starts in mid-Sep- Join a fun and enthusiastic group in an introduction to many of the tember. Field Ornithology II/part A, a continuing study of land amazing birds that inhabit San Francisco and discover the local birds including thrushes, thrashers, pipits, and warblers, meets habitats where they can be found. Presentations include colorful on Wednesdays, September 14 to October 26. Part B starts bird imagery, info on optics, ID techniques, physiology, guides, November 2 and ends December 14. Field Ornithology III/part A, and a little taxonomy. We’ll have an opportunity to see resident including hawks, falcons, rails, and plovers, meets on Thursdays, and summer breeding birds raising new families and meet birds September 15 to October 27. Part B starts November 3 and ends returning from their northerly breeding range. Fee: $40. December 15. Ornithology I is not offered this semester. Joe is the coordinator of the Northern California Birdbox spon- Peeps to Phalaropes: The Shorebirds of California sored by GGAS and the author of Birds of San Francisco and the Eddie Bartley, [email protected], www.naturetrip.com Bay Area and Birds of Northern California. All classes meet 7–9:15 Saturday, August 27, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., local walks and p.m. at Marina Middle School, 3500 Fillmore at Bay Street (free presentation; Sunday, August 28, 2 – 5 p.m., fi eld trip parking provided). Optional fi eld trips are arranged for weekends. By late August, hundreds of thousands of “wind birds” have For information on textbooks, fees, and registration (early sign- winged their way from their northern breeding grounds to San up is strongly advised), go to http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan Francisco Bay, one of the largest peep food suppliers in North or call 415.561.1860. To enroll online, go to www.evolveww.com/ America. In this new class, we will focus on the identifi cation, ce.ccsf. A 10 percent discount is offered for registering at least amazing evolutionary adaptations, and life histories of the 30-plus one week early.

Belize—Jewel of the Caribbean

Known for its largely undisturbed tropical Lodge—we’ll explore these habitats and Gate Audubon, among them tours of Oax- forests, abundance of rivers, tremendous their rich wildlife on this February 2012 trip aca, Mexico, in 2009 and 2010. Dates of the diversity of fl ora and fauna, outstanding with leader Mark Pretti. Belize trip are February 3–13, 2012. Cost is birding, and rich human history, Belize is Among the 570-plus species of birds $3,200 per person, double occupancy, from one of the world’s fi nest natural destinations. are toucans, woodcreepers, tanagers, ant- Belize City and includes all lodging, meals, Within the borders of this sparsely popu- birds, hummingbirds, trogons, manakins, guides, and ground transportation, as well lated Central American country lies a great raptors, and waders. We’ll likely encounter as a $150 tax-deductible donation to Golden variety of habitats, including mangroves and howler monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles, and Gate Audubon. The trip is limited to 10 par- beaches, rivers and lagoons, coastal savanna, other tropical creatures. The itinerary also ticipants. A second trip, February 13 to 23, pine forest, and broadleaf tropical forest. includes a visit to Mayan ruins at Lamanai 2012, will be added if the fi rst one fi lls. For a From the spoiled comfort of some of Belize’s and Caracol, and a night safari boat ride. detailed itinerary, contact Chris Bard, GGAS best nature lodges—Bird’s Eye View, Pook’s Naturalist and bird guide Mark Pretti Travel Coordinator, at chrisbard@earthlink. Hill, Five Sister’s, and Lamanai Outpost has led previous trips for Travel with Golden net or 510.522.5699.

8 THE GULL July–August 2011 Birdathoners Know How to Celebrate!

n May 12, Birdathon 2011 came to Individual Fundraiser (winning a four-day Bob Lewis. Dave presented the awards to O a festive close with a night of ter- stay in the mountains near the Stanislaus Eddie Bartley and Noreen Weeden, who rifi c food, well-deserved awards, and fun River at Dorrington), followed by Chris swept the Regional and National Best Bird prizes. More than a hundred Birdathon trip Bard in second and Louise Harm in third. Awards with their sightings of a Baltimore leaders, bird counters, sponsors, and guests The award for Most Species in 24 Hours Oriole in San Francisco and a Black-vented gathered at the Brazilian Room in Berkeley’s went to The Dippers (Glen Tepke, Patricia Oriole in Texas. Tilden Regional Park. Guests enjoyed an ele- Bacchetti, Carol Chetkovich, Mark Rau- Golden Gate Audubon also presented a gant dinner catered by 269 The Arlington, zon, and Martijn Verdoes) with 142 species. special award to Premiere Sponsors Sam special wines supplied by Alameda’s Rock The Most Species in Four Hours Award and Maria Sweiss of Scope City for their Wall Wine Company, and great local was taken by the Contra Costa Song Chas- two outstanding years of Birdathon support. courtesy of Lagunitas Company. ers (Denise Wight and Kitty O’Neill) with Other sponsors attending included represen- The program kicked off with Golden 107 species. tatives from the Port of Oakland/Oakland Gate Audubon’s two most prestigious Topping the evening was the Best Bird International Airport, iBird, Better World annual awards, the Paul Covel Conserva- Award, chosen by a panel of GGAS’s Telecom, and New Resource Bank, as well tion Education Award and the Elsie Roemer Christmas Bird Count compilers: Dave as the Law Offi ces of Andrew L. Packard Conservation Award (see page 1). Festivities Quady, Alan Hopkins, Dan Murphy, and BIRDATHONERS continued on page 10 continued with an exclusive screening of the nearly completed Eco-Education promo- tional fi lm, produced for GGAS by director Thank You to Our Generous Birdathon Sponsors Jordan Plotsky (of “Bay Area Backroads”) and made possible by funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and PG&E. The fi lm shows Eco-Education Program Director Anthony DeCicco, volunteers, and high school interns in the classroom teach- ing elementary school students from some of the Bay Area’s most underserved schools, as well as the students and their families on fi eld trips to Muir Beach and other Bay Area Corporate Sponsors Dinner Sponsors Lagunitas Brewing Company sites. Look for the video this summer on the Better World Telecom Rock Wall Wine Company GGAS website—you will be inspired! Derrick M. Chan, DDS 269 The Arlington The fi lm provided the perfect introduction Auction and Prize for the inaugural Miles T. McKey Memorial Emergency Management & Safety Sponsors Scholarships (for more on the scholarships, Solutions Alan Harper and Carol Baird see page 10). Anthony presented awards of Jackson & Tuerck Attorneys at Law Anchor Brewing Company $500 each to two outstanding high school Barska KTVU Fox 2 Captain’s Inn at Moss Landing seniors, Chan Saelee and Ezekiel Perez, Law Offi ces of Andrew L. Packard Chris and Gary Bard to support their college plans. Chan and Doubletree by Hilton Marina Bay Zeke have both excelled as Eco-Educa- Lozeau Drury LLP The Durant Hotel iBird tion interns, teaching and mentoring third, New Resource Bank Konus fourth, and fi fth graders and their families Port of Oakland/Oakland International LowePro in this award-winning program. Melissa Joy Manning Airport Next came the Birdathon awards. This Nikon REI, Inc. The Oakland A’s year, we presented two Outstanding Birda- OCSC Berkeley thon Fundraising Awards, to the top fi eld Scientifi c Certifi cation Systems Parks trip leader and top individual. Bob Lewis Patagonia Scope City San Francisco Pentax took Top Fundraising Trip Leader (winner Six Sigma Vineyards of a getaway to the historic Tallman Hotel Corporate Partners Spot ‘n’ Jot Field Logs in Clear Lake along with a tour of the Six Guise Marketing and PR Swarovski Optik Tallman Hotel Sigma Vineyards), with Eddie Bartley close Kyoko Togo Graphic Design Vixen Optics behind in second. Glen Tepke was the Top

July–August 2011 THE GULL 9 BIRDATHONERS from page 9 and Jackson & Tuerck Attorneys at Law. For a complete list of sponsors, see page 9. Although teams outdid themselves to come up with terrifi c names and interest- ing birding schemes, two creative efforts deserve special recognition. Ivan Samuels birded “Miwok style” to demonstrate how much one can see without outside aids. He birded for 24 hours minus clock, optics, or electronic gear, and covered West Marin by camping, hiking, and kayaking. In the end, Ivan spotted 102 species. Dominik Mosur and friends biked more than 50 miles to tally more than a hundred species during their four-hour effort.

In total, 20 teams registered for the Denson Charles Birdathon. They sported names like the Glen Tepke received the award for Most Species in 24 Hours from Diane Ross-Leech, GGAS board president, on behalf of his team, The Dippers. Rockin’ TVs, MammaBirds, Contra Costa Song Chasers, Wrentits, Murphy’s MOb, and Balding Eagles. Many thanks to the wonderful and inspiring people and companies who took part in and supported Birdathon 2011 this year! Please support our sponsors listed in this issue of the Gull as a thank-you for their pledges to our conservation and edu- cation programs. Birdathon 2011 was a rousing success, producing a fun event that raised nearly $30,000 to support Golden Gate Audubon’s important work. Please make your plans to join the fun for Birdathon 2012. —Mark Welther, Executive Director Charles Denson Charles Denson Charles Chan Saelee and Ezekiel Perez, recipients of Sam and Maria Sweiss of Scope City San Francisco, inaugural Miles T. McKey Memorial Scholarships. recognized as Premiere Sponsors. Miles T. McKey Memorial Fund The Miles T. McKey Memorial Fund, created by Miles and Mel McKey to honor the memory of their son, sup- ports the environmental education of underserved young people who might not otherwise learn about their local environment. We are currently working with the Eco-Education Program’s high school interns, spon- soring team-building outings and educational workshops. Golden Gate Audubon also seeks private donations to expand this year’s scholarships into an annual program for those interns advancing to environmental careers. For information, please contact Mark

Welther at 510.843.9912. Denson Charles Bob Lewis, fl anked by Diane Ross-Leech and Mark Welther, earned the award for Top Fundraising Trip Leader.

10 THE GULL July–August 2011 Birdathon Donors Thank you for supporting Golden Gate Audubon’s successful Birdathon 2011. Joanne Adamkewicz and Pamela G. and Anne Hoff and Karen McDaniel Lee Rudin Scott Sisemore Robert L. Clark Herbert Byaruhanga Beverly McGuire Rick E. Saez Diane C. Ahlgren Patricia E. Coffey Georgiana Talusan Randi McKenzie Michael Salkind Barbara S. and Carlo G. Sue Combs Horwitz Miles R. and Mel McKey E. Sayre Alesandrini, Jr Jackie Corwin Donald H. and Carolyn McMillan Tracy Scheidtmann Karim Al-Khafaji Susan and Don Couch Ann V. Hughes Mardi and Jeff Mertens Susan B. Schermerhorn David E. Anderson Jacqueline Craig Ruth Hurvitz Lois Moore William E. and Virginia G. Kent Anderson Ann K. Cross Aviva Imhof Elizabeth Moseley Schultz Edward Aoyagi Amberly Culley David Jaber Nancy Mowry Margaret Shasky and David O. Assmann Kathy Culley Kimberly Jannarone Elizabeth Murdock and Willis Ray Mary K. Austin and Marinell Daniel Katherine W. and Paul R. Cort Joanne Sherrard Brewster Kahle Margaret Deane Blair Jarrett Daniel P. and Joan M. Alan B. Siegel Patricia Bacchetti Sheila Mary Dickie Bennett Johnston Murphy Wendy Simmons John Thomas Bacon Ted C. Duffi eld and Linda Kamby Donald and Claire Murphy Daniel S. Singer Ned Bagno Melissa Miller Lee and Margarete Karney Mark A. Mushkat Harjeet Singh Gary W. and Judith Dunham and Homer and Judy Keesler Cordelia A. Neal Evan Sklar Christine B. Bard Charles Denson Barbara J. Kelley and Henry Newhall Rita and Joseph Sklar Nancy Bartell William P. and Marcia C. Dwight Taylor Mary Nicoloini Karen Smith Patricia-Maria Baskerville Edelen Nancy B. Kenyon Karleen O’Connor Nancy E. Smith Jeanne Battagin Jeffrey and Carolyn Lucy Kihlstrom Christine Okon Kim Snyder Carol Baxter Edmunds Melani King Jennifer O’Neil Craig A. and Martha S. Nel D. Benningshof and Timothy Erdman Meredith Jane and Kitty O’Neil Spriggs Nick Despota Lisa W. Esherick Gerald Klein Kenneth Osborne Jenifer S. Steele and Cynthia M. Berg and Patricia J. Evans Nuria Klyce Jean Palmeter Arthur Ogus Erik W.A. Cords Philip Street Evans and Dave and Gloria Koch Angus MacDonald Parker Stephen R. Steinke and Nancy and Walter Berger Gabriella Evans Carolyn Kolka Ann Parris Mary S. Krentz Judith A. Bernhard and Leora R. and James D. Kramer Nilima Patel Douglas Stewart Byron Spooner Coleman Feeney Maureen Lahiff Ralph V. Pericoli Robert and Julianne Brent F. Blackwelder Allen McNeill Fish Juliet Lamont and Phil Josh Peterman Stokstad Elinor R. Blake and Bruce Flushman Price Sarah Peterman Peter Stonebraker Linda Adams Sarah Frazier Patricia E. Langenhahn Dianne Muller Petersen Stephanie L. Strait Kathryn Blake Jane Freeman and Douglas L. and Paul Petersen Emilie Strauss Polly Boissevain Linda Fulks Hendricks George Peyton Amber Sumrall Matthew Bostick Dorthy Furseth Joyce M. Larrick Jay and Lisa Pierrepont Janis L. Sutcher Bernard Braakman Richard and Yvonne Gabor Marilyn Lemmon Paul Pinsky Glen R. Tepke Anna-Marie Bratton Patricia M. Gannon Chrystal Leverenz Michael Pollack Dolores Thom Ronni Brega Karen Ray Gibson Shelly Levinthal Ellen B. and Michael John Thrift Xavier Brouard Laura Gobbi Robert A. and Hannelore Pompa Nancy Tivol Karen and Johnny Brown Michael Goodwin Lewis Deb Linda Clark Vallee Mary Cunningham Bryant Linda H. Grant Thomas Liston Elizabeth Post Musgrove Sara Van Loh and Ernest T. Bryant Pauline Grant Joseph Litvin and Janice Michael and Audrey Martijn Verdoes and Karen Buchinger Mary Greene Schooler Litvin Powers Kimberly Bonger Maryellen Buckley Patricia Greene William and Telie Long Mary and John Price Luis Villablanca Colleen Burke-Hill Donald M. Gregory, Jr Michael Lozeau David E. Quady and Calvin O. and Nancy G. Tracey Bushman Patricia Grice Tor Lund Nancy Boas Walters Dolores Rae Butkus Susan Stevens Groves Robert M. and Johanna Rory Quintana Neale Weaver Michael J. Butler and Eric Anderson Mandel Mark J. Rauzon Noreen Weeden and Carolyn M. Caine Robert N. Hall The March Foundation Robin Retherford Eddie Bartley Peter and Eugenia Elizabeth and Thomas Alexius Markwalder Ann M. and Harlan Mike Mark Welther Caldwell Hamel Jonathan V. Marshall and Richter Sherry and Bill Westernoff Mary Cantini and Louise Harm Lorraine Susan Goldin Elizabeth J. Rider Shelley White Richard Norkin Alan Harper and Carol Bruce Edward Mast Rebecca E. Robinson Denise Wight Robert and Linda Carloni Baird and Juliet Cox Jennifer Robinson-Maddox Ken Wilson and Debby Ruth Ann Castro Michele and Jerry Marsha Mather-Thrift Adrienne Rogers Feliciano Wilson Sally Cedarblade Harrison Valerie and John Matzger Phila Witherell Rogers Kenneth Winston Jana Liechty Chabre Rita Hays Karen Rosenbaum and Audrey Yee Carol Chetkovich Ron Hemphill Ben McClinton Kate Madden Yee Kathy Chetkovich Nif W. and Anthony Diane P. Ross-Leech and Tenise Young Hodgson Robert W. Leech

July–August 2011 THE GULL 11 golden gate audubon society NON-PROFIT ORG. 2530 san pablo avenue, suite g U.S. POSTAGE berkeley, ca 94702 PAID OAKLAND, CA Return service requested PERMIT NO.1702

GGAS CLASSES from page 1 birder now,” she says, “but being able to revisit provides essential information for the fi eld Randall Museum and taught Wild Birds of a well-laid-out plan of listening is valuable. trips that follow. San Francisco at the San Francisco Botani- Denise emphasized what you would hear in Marissa Ortega-Welch, GGAS Eco- cal Garden. Dave Quady started his class winter—contact calls, little chip notes. Once Education Program Coordinator, liked this on North American owls at the Oakland you know the basics, you can concentrate on approach when she took Dave Quady’s Owls Museum of California, then moved it to the subtle details like these. For this reason, the of North America. “Dave’s lectures, illus- Golden Gate Audubon Berkeley offi ce when classes are a great resource.” trated by great photos, made me realize that GGAS began sponsoring other classes on its Other birders, feeling that repetition owls are more abundant than I thought,” own. The newest venue, as of this August, enhances their experience, return to the Marissa says. “And the fi eld trips are a won- is the EcoCenter in Heron’s Head Park, one same classes. Jacqueline Craig has signed up derful part of the class. On one trip we were of San Francisco’s popular birding hotspots for Rusty and Bob’s Birds of the Bay Area treated to the territorial song of the Great (see page 8). many times. “I take the class over and over Horned Owl and the repetitive whistle of the Pick a sample year or two over the past because of reliability,” she says. “I am famil- Northern Saw-Whet. On the next, we saw six, and you could have immersed yourself iar with their skills, and I know where the Burrowing Owls in a fi eld and Barn Owls in natural history by enrolling in classes on fi eld trips go. That repetition has helped hunkered down on a nest. On the fi nal trip, birds of the Bay Area and birdsong in spring; me build my birding acumen over the years. a Spotted Owl hooted and then fl ew down birds of the Sierra in summer; shorebirds in Other people have also been consistent to a low branch and offered us an amazing fall; and owls in winter. If you still had time participants. You develop wonderful rela- view. This class introduced me to some great on your schedule, you could have squeezed in tionships and appreciate the camaraderie.” owling sites and has inspired me to sleep in a class on identifying wildfl owers, or creating Jacqueline has also taken Rusty and Eddie’s occasionally and bird at night instead.” a backyard habitat for birds and butterfl ies, session of Birds of the Sierra for several sum- Is there a class you wish Golden Gate or learning about mushrooms. mers. “I was unfamiliar with Sierra Valley Audubon would offer? Or would you like to Many birders like classes with a special- and Yuba Pass before I took the class. The teach a class or partner with someone who ized focus, whether shorebirds, raptors, or group goes to other locations, too. Rusty and could teach it with you? Or do you know birdsong. Patricia Bacchetti, who has birded Eddie know places that I would not have dis- someone who would be a superb instruc- in three continents outside North America covered without the classes.” tor? Please share your ideas and suggestions. and was on a winning Birdathon 2011 team, Most of the Golden Gate Audubon classes And keep your eye on upcoming issues of the took one of Denise Wight’s birding by ear adhere to a template proven to be both popu- Gull and the GGAS website for more classes classes this past winter. “I’m a profi cient lar and effective. Instruction in the classroom to come.

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