Wandering

March 2020

Tattler Volume 69 , 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 20th – Friday evening – 6 pm Dinner on Friday “Bald Eagles in the Wild” evening, March 20th presented by Jeffrey Rich

✽ Socialize with friends and new The majestic was adopted in acquaintances ✽ Bid for some 1782 as America’s nifty items at our Silent Auction official bird. It has historically been a ✽ See the presentation of this symbol of freedom and patriotism in the United year's Conservation Award States of America, and for good reason. The bird is associated with authority and ✽ Have fun browsing through our has a fierce beauty that speaks to those who look upon it. chapter displays ✽ Eat a delicious Once on the brink of extinction, it is currently enjoying a comeback. Today, the Bald Eagle is no longer an dinner ✽ Enjoy Jeff Rich’s endangered species. Wildlife and bird photonaturalist, Jeffrey Rich, will program on “Bald Eagles in the present this story with his glorious storytelling photography. Wild.” He will share insights into the birds’ habitat, feeding habits, mating patterns, the care of their young, and more. You will marvel over images of birds in flight, in nests with their young, at rest, preening, and capturing prey. Rich has Space is limited so get chronicled the daily lives, in detail, of America’s favorite bird. Jeffrey will share the story of many people who have your reservations in now! helped, and been inspired by nature and eagles. This presentation is definitely a wildlife-lover, good news, See page 3 for full feel good, state of things. You should leave knowing what is right with the world. information about Jeffrey Rich graduated from Humboldt State University in 1983 with a BS in Wildlife biology, in 1985 with a BS in Biology, and a life science teaching credential in 1986. In this 2012 Jeff completed his master’s degree in science teaching and education at the University of Texas. Jeff has special been teaching science and photography, while photographing nature, professionally since 1987. For more event. information about Jeff including his photo tours and books visit www.jeffrichphoto.com We hope you will join us at the Annual Dinner this year to hear Jeff’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. 3rd at 6:45 PM in the Learning Center. There is a ‘4th Tuesday’ Conservation Lecture on Feb. 25th at 7:30 PM in the Learning Center, but there will be no ‘4th Tues.’ lecture in March. Come to the Annual Dinner on March 20.

** Prior Award Recipients ** 2020 FERN ZIMMERMAN CONSERVATION 1967 – C.M. Featherly, Parklands in Orange County AWARD AND LETTER OF COMMENDATION 1968 – John W. Johnson, Student Interest in Conservation 1969 – Adaline Walker, Work with Garden Clubs Each year since 1967 the Conservation Committee 1970 – William Fitchen, Air Pollution Control has presented the Conservation Award and Letters of 1971 – Frank/Frances Robinson, Preserve Upper Newport Bay Commendation to individuals or organizations that 1972 – Donald Shipley, Parkland in Huntington Beach have made noteworthy contributions to the protection 1973 – Fern Zimmermann, Lifelong Conservation Work 1974 – Rod Sackett, Santa Ana Greenbelt of habitats, natural resources, birds and wildlife in 1975 – James Dilley, Laguna Greenbelt Orange County. At the Annual Dinner on Friday, 1976 – Dale Secord, Environmental Coalition of OC March 20, it is our honor to present: 1977 – Shirley Grindle, Land for Public Interest 1978 – Chuck Greening, Protect Hills for Everyone 1979 – Hal Thomas, Work with Environmental Coalition FERN ZIMMERMAN CONSERVATION AWARD: 1980 – Margaret Carlson, Protect Bolsa Chica ✽ Celia Kutcher for more than three decades of 1981 – Judy Rosener, Coastal Commissioner unwavering effort to protect and conserve Southern Dave Myers – Protect Chino Hills California’s native plants and natural habitats. A 1982 – Dave Bontrager, Irvine Park Tree Preservation 1983 – Ferne Cohen, Protect Weir Canyon founding member of the OC chapter of the California 1984 – Kenneth S. Coker, Sierra Club Conservation Leadership Native Plant Society, Celia shaped their Conservation 1985 – Amigos de Bolsa Chica , Preserve Bolsa Chica program. Celia could be counted on to be there at 1986 – Connie Spenger, Protect Tecate Cypress every major battle to protect natural resources and, 1987 – Gary Gorman, Established HB Conservancy through her newsletter articles, provide thorough and 1988 – Loren Hays, Conserving Birds in HB Central Park 1989 – Walton W. Wright, Protecting Habitat & Open Space concise description of the issues. Celia’s inspiration 1990 – Cameron Cosgrove, Conservation in City of Irvine and example will live on. Sadly, Celia passed away 1991 – Ray Chandos, Protecting Trabuco Canyon November 2019. 1992 – Pete DeSimone, Protect Las Flores 1993 – Jack/Nancy Skinner, Protect Upper Newport Bay LETTER OF COMMENDATION: Dan Silver – Endangered Habitats League: Open Spaces ✽ Frank and Joann Randall: for their support to 1994 – Kaaren Perry & SAS Education, Youth Education 1995 – Peter Bloom, Raptor Conservation save Banning Ranch and pledge of $50 million for its 1996 – Elisabeth Brown, Laguna Beach Open Space acquisition. 1997 – Sylvia Gallagher, Conservation thru Birding Workshops 1998 – John McCaull, Audubon CA, Conservation Legislation WHO IS FERN ZIMMERMAN? 1999 – Paul Carlton, Protect Foothills & SA Mountains 2000 – Susan Gallaugher & Scott Thomas, Raptor Research Fern Zimmerman was a true conservationist, grass 2001 –Claire Schlotterbeck, Coal Canyon Preservation roots organizer, 2002 – Bolsa Chica Land Trust & Amigos de Bolsa Chica, birdwatcher, and chapter Protection & Restoration of Bolsa Chica leader who contributed 2003 – Marilyn Gannahl, Theresa Sears, Shirley Grindle much to the development Protect Barham Ranch 2004 – Garry Brown, OC Coastkeeper, Protect Marine Habitat of Sea and Sage 2005 – Tim Miller, Native Plants in OC Parks Audubon Society. Fern 2006 – Rick Derevan, Defending Open Spaces in Trabuco Cyn. provided a constant 2007 – Peter Knapp, Snowy Plovers & Shorebird Habitat source of optimism about 2008 – Mark/Julie Bixby, Preserve Bolsa Chica Uplands our ability to effect 2009 – Richard Zembal, Clapper Rail, Santa Ana Watershed 2010 – Trish Smith, Coastal Cactus Wren Recovery change in our 2011 – David Pryor, Least Tern, Snowy Plover Protection environment and helped us find our voice in 2012 – Melanie Schlotterbeck, Open Space through Measure M advocacy. Fern received the SAS Conservation 2013 – Diane Bonanno & Angela Lindstrom, Hills Award in 1973. She continued as a conservation 2014 – Jean Watt, Commitment to Conservation, FHBP activist for 23 more years. After her death in 1996, 2015 – Susan Sheakley, Chapter Conservation Leadership 2016 – Sandy DeSimone, Conservation thru Educ. & Research Sea and Sage named its conservation award in her 2017 – HB Wetlands Conservancy, Acquisition & Restoration honor. 2018 – Banning Ranch Conservancy, Protect Banning Ranch 2019 – Penny Elia, Protect Wetlands & Coastal Resources

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Sea & Sage Annual Dinner Friday, March 20th at Mile Square Park Banquet Center Our Guest Speaker is Jeffrey Rich. He will speak on “Bald Eagles in the Wild.”

Wildlife and bird photonaturalist, Jeffrey Rich, will present this story with his glorious storytelling photography. He will share insights into the birds’ habitat, feeding habits, mating patterns, the care of their young, and more. He will show you photos of the birds in flight, in nests with their young, at rest, preening, and capturing prey. Jeffrey will share the story of many people who have helped, and been inspired by nature and eagles. This presentation is definitely a wildlife-lover, good news, feel good, state of things.

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 2nd $55 for reservations received on or after March 2nd Entrees: Lemon Chicken, Seared Salmon Filet, Jeffrey Rich © or Vegetarian Lasagna (see webpage for entrée details)

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 8 people. (We are limiting the table seating to 8 to give us more room at each table.)

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 13. 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 or decaf, iced tea, and dessert.

Mail your reservations to: Annual Dinner, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612

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Chapter News & Announcements http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/Chapter/ScheduleChapterActivites.pdf

Audubon House Volunteers SUNRISE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP We would like to thank the following people for helping to staff Audubon House in February ~ Improve Your Wildlife Photography ~ with Jeffrey Rich and March: Sherry Bass, Ann Barbour, Fresia Escalona, Carol The morning will begin in the field at sunrise (6:30 am) with Garrett, John Garrett, Susan our cameras, tripods, and long lenses. We will spend Gibb, Ann Harmer, Pat Heilig, about two hours working on making great images at the Sarah Jayne, Nancy Kenyon, marsh. Jeff will be on hand to offer suggestions and tips David Kramer, Lauretta Kyle, during the morning session. After the morning shoot, Jeff Eva Lydick, Joan McCauley, will offer a one hour presentation class on improving your Bobbie Miller, Barbara Mitchell, wildlife photography. He will share techniques, biology, Paula Monroe, Eunice Morita, Dagmar Muthamia, Joann and the artistry that can be applied to your work. With time Nothhelfer, Roberta Ray, Barbara Reber, Brenda Sabin, to ask questions, there will be something for all levels of Dev Sellin, Susan Sheakley, Bev Spring, Monte Taylor, photographers. He will be available to sign his books also. Marilyn Walter, and Pat Wells. The workshop fee is $40 per person and will be limited to Our Volunteers greet visitors, answer the phone, sell 30 people. To make your reservation, mail your check merchandise, answer questions about birds, check out (payable to: Sea & Sage Audubon) to Photo Workshop, binoculars, etc. If you are interested in helping at Audubon c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612 House, please call Barbara Mitchell at Please include your email address so that Nancy can send 949-646-4115. you a confirmation and additional workshop information.

Bookstore News Greetings from the Sea & Sage Bookstore!

Sylvia Gallagher's Learning Mountain Bird Sounds Our Volunteers Party birding skills workshop will be starting in March and we are We had a good turnout for our Chapter’s Volunteer Appreciation Party. If you weren’t there, you missed a prepared with a good supply of the LMBS packets good one! It was fun to visit with friends we hadn’t seen containing the worksheets and flash drives, as well the for a while and to greet other volunteers we hadn’t met Peterson Western Bird Sounds CD and the Stokes before. Cheryl Thomas and her helpers set up the room Western Bird Songs CD. with plenty of chairs and tables for those who wanted to Continuing our dedication to conservation by lessening sit and talk, while those who wanted to stand or walk our reliance on plastic, we are now carrying a variety of around the room, visited with friends that way. There environmentally sound items such as stainless steel was a good variety of food and we piled our plates with straws, pouches for hot and cold beverages and stemless salads, vegan quinoa, beans, barbequed chicken with stainless steel wine glasses. These are all great for the mashed potatoes, sandwiches with pulled pork and beach, outdoor activities and parties. Please help us treat barbecue sauce, and cookies. After most people had our planet with the respect it deserves by eliminating one- eaten, Doug Lithgow presented a program with pictures use plastics.Thanks again and hope to see you soon at of our volunteers and information about all the many Audubon House. —Jan Hoidge, Bookstore Manager activities our chapter volunteers help with. It was fun to visit with other volunteers and to know we were Don’t Be L eft Out! appreciated! Thank you Cheryl for organizing such a There is a lot going on with Sea and Sage Audubon and great event for us! we want to keep you appraised, but due to financial restraints, Sea and Sage Audubon communicates mostly Essay Contest For High School Students by email. We just can’t afford to send out information such Western Field Ornithologists is holding an essay as invitations, surveys, renewal notices, and Action Alerts contest in 2020 for students in grades 9 through 12. by regular postal mail. Help us stay in touch with you; send The theme of the essay contest is the impact of us your email address. Just send an email to climate change on bird populations. The student who [email protected] and include your submits the winning essay will win a pair of either First Name, Last Name, and your Zip Code; this will help Zeiss 8X42 “Terra ED” binoculars or Nikon 8X42 us find your name on our membership list, especially if you “Monarch 7” binoculars. are a Smith or Jones. Rest assured, we do not give out Deadline is May 24, 2020. email addresses to anyone outside of Sea and Sage. For details and guidelines, go to Here’s to keeping in touch. www.westernfieldornithologists.org

4 W 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 will attempt to squeeze in Zone-tailed Hawks were responsible for several quite a few notable observations, since this will be sightings, with a continuing bird in the Rancho Santa covering the period from mid-December of last year Margarita-Mission Viejo-Lake Forest area, and another in (where last month’s column left off), to early February. the Irvine Lake area; possibly a third was photographed There’s lots to cover, so I’ll jump right in by first near Aliso & Wood Canyon Wilderness Park, Dec. 28. highlighting some of the most noteworthy sightings. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker continued at Irvine A first-year Lesser Black-backed Gull at Bolsa Chica Regional Park (IRP), through Dec. 19, while a new one Ecological Reserve (BCER), Dec. 21, unfortunately could was found at Mason Regional Park (MRP), Dec. 28-30. A not be refound after the 22nd. This is one of very few ever cooperative Lewis’s Woodpecker hung out at Casper’s recorded in Orange County, and the first since 2008. A Wilderness Park, through Feb. 2, while another was seen Buller’s Shearwater was encountered near Irvine Lake, Jan. 4-5. In addition to during the Sea & Sage’s Jan. 11 pelagic the Brown-crested Flycatcher, there trip; this was not only OC’s 5th or 6th were a number of other rare flycatchers record, but was nearly unprecedented being seen around the county, including for this time of year (most occurring in a Gray Flycatcher continuing at IRP, SoCal waters during the fall months). along with a new one at Quail Hill; an On Jan. 3, yet another Red-footed Eastern Phoebe at Irvine Lake; Booby turned up in the county, with the Vermilion Flycatchers at SBNWS, latest being photographed in the Dana Fairview Park and Greer Park; and Point Harbor. An immature Broad- Tropical Kingbirds at the Great Park winged Hawk was photographed near and Fairview Park. Unexpected in winter the Villa Park Flood Basin, Dec. 31; were Pacific-slope Flycatchers at there very few winter period records of MRP, Gilman Park, Carbon Canyon this hawk in California (only three in in Regional Park, and Serrano Community OC). A Brown-crested Flycatcher was Park. Single Plumbeous Vireos were at found in Mission Viejo, Dec. 27, where it the Good Shepherd Cemetery (GSC), continued through at least Jan. 22. This MRP and at Eucalyptus Park, while was only the county’s third record, Golden-crowned Kinglets continued at though oddly enough OC’s first record occurred 26 years GSC, Knollcrest Park and El Toro Memorial Park, with at ago at this same exact location! least five recorded in upper Silverado Canyon, Jan. 1. A male Black Scoter was a nice find at the Huntington Upper Silverado Canyon was also a good place to find Beach Pier, Jan. 13-23. Other notable ducks included Townsend’s Solitaires this winter, where up to six were male Eurasian Wigeons at Pearson Park (returning for its tallied on Jan 1. The Brown Thrasher wintering at Aurora 3rd winter), in Los Alamitos, and at the south end of BCER, Park was still being seen on Feb. 1, while the Sage and Common Goldeneyes, with up to three along the Thrasher at Richard Steed Memorial Park was last upper Santa Ana River (SAR), two on San Diego Creek, reported Jan. 29. and as many as four near the Santa Ana River mouth. Sparrow highlights included a newly discovered Roughly 25 Band-tailed Pigeons at U.C. Irvine, Dec. 29, White-throated Sparrow in the Dana Point area, and a was quite unexpected for this part of the county. Rare continuing bird in Laguna Niguel. The Bart Spendlove shorebirds included a continuing Mountain Plover at Park Swamp Sparrow continued to be seen through Feb. BCER through at least Feb. 4, and up to four Pacific 2, while another was found in Shipley Nature Center, Dec. Golden-Plovers at the Seal Beach Naval Weapons 29. A Vesper Sparrow was at IRP, Jan. 2-3. Four Station (SBNWS), through Jan. 25. Gull highlights different Green-tailed Towhees were noted, with singles included a Black-legged Kittiwake recorded on the Jan. at Harriett Weider Regional Park, in a Santa Ana 11 pelagic trip, and a Laughing Gull at North Lake neighborhood, at Riley Wilderness Park, and at SBNWS. (Irvine), Dec. 27-Feb. 4 (where one was present last A wintering Ovenbird, back for its second year at winter). Golden West College, was exceptional, while the Pine Rare herons included a continuing first-year Little Warbler wintering at GSC was also of special note; both Blue Heron that apparently commuted between the SAR birds were last reported on Jan. 29. Other warbler rarities mouth and the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve in the county included a continuing Black-and-white (UNBER; last reported at Talbert Marsh, Jan. 24); a Warbler at Aurora Park, and three new American continuing Tricolored Heron at UNBER, through Feb. 5; Redstarts, including birds at Gilman Park, TeWinkle Park and several Yellow-crowned Night-Herons (which and in Mission Viejo. included up to three continuing at Dana Point Harbor, and photo of Lewis’s Woodpecker by Don Hoechlin two at the Sunset Aquatic Park). Presumably at least two 5

Western Snowy Plover Surveys

& Northern Sierra Nevada Field Trips

Orange County Snowy Plover and Northern Sierra Nevada Field Trips California Least Tern Survey June 2020 MARCH 15-21 Leaders: Many!

If you have already attended a Snowy Plover Survey Participants in Sylvia training session, join us in looking for Snowy Plovers, Gallagher’s WESTERN Least Terns, and their MOUNTAINS AND THEIR habitats on our local BIRDS workshop in 2019 beaches, while helping to and/or LEARNING (WESTERN) contribute to endangered MOUNTAIN BIRD SOUNDS species research. (LMBS) this year are invited to participate in one or four field trips in the Northern Sierra Nevada in June. People who did earlier versions of these workshops in 2001, This is the beginning of the 2004, or 2011-2012 may also come, space permitting. Snowy Plover breeding season and it is important to see how many Snowy Scenic Plumas and Sierra counties, an hour’s drive Plovers are using our beaches and where they are northwest of Reno, are our destination. All aspects of the located. It is also close to the arrival time of the California natural history of these areas, will be examined: biotic Least Terns. Each beach segment takes approximately zones and how to recognize them, trees and other plants, 1-2 hrs. to survey, with one or two surveyors per geology with emphasis on the effects of glaciation, and, of segment. Walk the beach of your choice and enjoy all the course, the birds-what they look like and sound like, and birds while helping threatened Western Snowy Plovers why they’re where they are. and endangered California Least Terns.

The same trip will be offered four times in order to keep

the parties as small as possible. Each runs from 7:00 am Wednesday through noon on Sunday, with a choice of

starting dates: June 3, 10, 17s, or 24. From our home base in the small village of Graeagle, it’s less than an

hour’s drive to a great variety of different habitats; each day we’ll head off in a different direction.

Holly Fuhrer Volunteer surveyors may choose their Orange County There will be no charge by Sea and Sage Audubon for beach segment to survey by contacting our Volunteer these trips, but you will be responsible for making your Coordinator, Cheryl Egger at [email protected] own arrangements for transportation, eating, and sleeping.

See our chapter webpage on the Snowy Plover Surveys. This includes maps of the beach segments and other info. Complete information about the http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/Conservation/SNPLs field trips and a reservation form urvey/OCSNPLsurvey.html are on the Sea and Sage website www.seaandsageaudubon.org. Reservations may be postmarked no earlier than March 9. Students from 2019 and 2020 will have priority if postmarked no later than March 11. Confirmations will be mailed March 16. Reservations from present and’ former students of this workshop will be accepted based on postmarks after that date if there is still room. Don Hoechlin

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March 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]

age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. (Directions to the SJWS on page 11) Trip will be Prowls ® cancelled if it is raining. th Fri, March 6 Leader: Jeff Bray Sat, March 7th rd Fri, March 13 Upper Newport Bay by pontoon boat ® Sat, March 14th Since the March 18 trip is already full, it’s time th to sign up for the April or May trips. Fri, March 27 Sat, March 28th Wed, April 15 or May 20 – 8:15 to 11:00 am Join us for the rare chance of birding the Upper Newport The Owl Prowl is a short nighttime excursion into Starr Bay from the deck of a pontoon boat. Spotting birds from Ranch Sanctuary in search of . Our evening will the water offers one a different perspective and the birds begin at 6:30 with an orientation by Pete DeSimone who seem to view us differently also. Trip duration is 2½ hrs. has been manager of Starr Ranch since the mid 1980’s Trips are limited to 15 persons and there is a $10 trip fee and knows all about the owls and hawks which inhabit per person payable in cash on the morning of the outing. Bell Canyon. He will talk with us about the local Barn Advance reservations are necessary; contact Nancy Owls which nest at Starr Ranch and answer our Kenyon to reserve a seat on the boat. Directions will be questions regarding owl behavior. We will then board the provided to those with reservations. big open bed truck for a short ride down the canyon to Leader: Nancy Kenyon search for some owls. At each stop, Pete will play some 949-786-3160; [email protected] recordings of owl calls while we listen carefully for owl responses and watch for any sight of them. Bolsa Chica bird walk Advance reservations are needed; trip size is limited. th Trip fee: $25. Make check payable to Sea & Sage Thurs, March 19 – 8:00 am to 12:00 noon Audubon and mail to: Owl Prowl, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Join Vic Leipzig for a bird walk at the Bolsa Chica Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612. Include your email Ecological Reserve. Come prepared for a great morning address & phone number, or a stamped self-address of birding. Some of the wintering birds have already left envelope & phone for confirmation & directions. Check while the spring and summer migrants are arriving. webpage for space availability; trips fill quickly! Bring binoculars, a field guide and a scope if you have Rain cancels this outing. You will be notified if it is cancelled. one. Directions: We will meet at the playground in Harriet Wieder Park. From PCH, turn inland on Leader: Pete DeSimone Seapoint Street. Follow Seapoint 1 mile to Garfield Ave. Reservations: Nancy Kenyon and make a U-turn. The entrance to the playground 949-786-3160; [email protected] will be on the right in 0.25 miles.

714-848-5394 Nature Walk at the SJWS Leader: Vic Leipzig

Sat, March 7th - 9:00 to 10:30 am Upper Newport Bay bird walk Explore the diverse life of the Marsh - its birds, plants, Sun, March 29th – 8:00 am to 11:30 am insects and other animals. Meet at the San Joaquin Join Mark Kincheloe for a monthly bird walk in Upper Wildlife Sanctuary in front of Audubon House at 9:00 am Newport Bay to check out the seasonal shorebirds, for a 1½ hour nature walk. Children under the age of 18 ducks, grebes, herons & egrets. etc. that frequent the must be accompanied by an adult. (See page 11 for bay. Bring binoculars, a field guide, and a scope if you directions to the SJWS.) The trip is cancelled if It’s raining. have one. We will meet in the Big Canyon parking lot in Leaders: Audubon Naturalists Newport Beach. This is easily reached from Jamboree. Take San Joaquin Hills Road west toward the bay where Monthly Bird Walk at the SJWS it intersects with Back Bay Drive. Turn right on Back Bay Sun, March 8th - 8:00 to 11:00 am Drive & follow it to the Big Canyon parking lot on your left. Leader: Mark Kincheloe Join us for a monthly bird walk around the ponds of the

San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine at 8:00 am. The walk, which is open to birders of all ages, will meet by the front porch of Audubon House. Children under the 7 Northeastern (Inland) CBC Report – 12/15/19

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 154. Number of Participants was 123.

SPECIES Total SPECIES Total SPECIES Total SPECIES Total 293 Herring Gull 1 Vermilion Flycatcher 4 Purple Finch 3 Wood Duck 8 Double-crested Cormorant 222 Loggerhead Shrike 3 Pine Siskin 5 Cinnamon Teal 5 99 Hutton’s Vireo 23 Lesser Goldfinch 883 Northern Shoveler 98 Great Blue Heron 9 Plumbeous Vireo 1 American Goldfinch 40 49 Great Egret 29 California Scrub-Jay 301 Spotted Towhee 127 American Wigeon 134 Snowy Egret 26 American Crow 1816 Rufous-crowned Sparrow 8 556 Green Heron 1 Common Raven 75366 California Towhee 309 Green-winged Teal 6 Black-crowned Night-Heron 14 Horned Lark 161 Chipping Sparrow 5 Canvasback 2 White-faced Ibis 130 Tree Swallow 3 Vesper Sparrow 1 3 Turkey Vulture 180 N. Rough-winged Swallow 11 Lark Sparrow 2 Ring-necked Duck 82 Osprey 3 Barn Swallow 2 Savannah Sparrow 146 Lesser Scaup 7 White-tailed Kite 1 Mountain Chickadee 31 Fox Sparrow 26 Bufflehead 19 Northern Harrier 12 Oak Titmouse 110 Song Sparrow 199 Hooded Merganser 9 Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 Bushtit 1088 Swamp Sparrow 1 Ruddy Duck 470 Cooper’s Hawk 26 Red-breasted Nuthatch 8 Lincoln’s Sparrow 43 California Quail 134 Bald Eagle 4 White-breasted Nuthatch 39 White-crowned Sparrow 1276 Pied-billed Grebe 22 Red-shouldered Hawk 33 Brown Creeper 1 Golden-crowned Sparrow 16 Eared Grebe 45 Zone-tailed Hawk 6 Rock Wren 2 Dark-eyed Junco (Ore.) 57 Western Grebe 47 Red-tailed Hawk 169 Canyon Wren 2 Western Meadowlark 158 Clark’s Grebe 19 Ferruginous Hawk 93 House Wren 87 Bullock’s Oriole 7 Rock Pigeon 35 8 Marsh Wren 2 Red-winged Blackbird 5 Band-tailed Pigeon 121 Western Screech-Owl 9 Bewick’s Wren 118 Brown-headed Cowbird 43 Eurasian Collared-Dove 47 19 Cactus Wren 13 Great-tailed Grackle 10 641 N. Saw-whet Owl 3 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 94 Black-and-white Warbler 1 Greater Roadrunner 3 Belted Kingfisher 5 California Gnatcatcher 27 Orange-crowned Warbler 91 White-throated Swift 3 Acorn Woodpecker 459 Golden-crowned Kinglet 2 Common Yellowthroat 100 Anna’s Hummingbird 480 Red-naped Sapsucker 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 312 Yellow-rumped Warbler 2662 Allen’s Hummingbird 263 Red-breasted Sapsucker 5 Wrentit 169 Black-thro. Gray Warbler 2 Sora 1 Yellow-breasted Sapsucker 1 Western Bluebird 234 Townsend’s Warbler 17 Common Gallinule 2 Downy Woodpecker 5 Townsend’s Solitaire 4 Summer Tanager 1 1079 Nuttall’s Woodpecker 175 Hermit Thrush 52 Western Tanager 2 Black-necked Stilt 8 Hairy Woodpecker 1 American Robin 33 Killdeer 7 Northern Flicker 58 Brown Thrasher 1 EXOTIC SPECIES: Least Sandpiper 1 American Kestrel 26 California Thrasher 136 Egyptian Goose 18 Long-billed Dowitcher 60 Merlin 4 Northern Mockingbird 125 Domestic Duck 11 Wilson’s Snipe 4 Peregrine Falcon 4 European Starling 590 Indian Peafowl 33 Spotted Sandpiper 9 Red-crowned Parrot 58 Cedar Waxwing 406 Swinhoe’s White-eye 19 Greater Yellowlegs 2 Cassin’s Kingbird 174 Phainopepla 25 Pin-tailed Whydah 9 Mew Gull 1 Tropical Kingbird 1 House Sparrow 37 Scaly-breasted Munia 67 Ring-billed Gull 248 Black Phoebe 362 American Pipit 128 California Gull 101 Say’s Phoebe 93 House Finch 804

3 Special thanks for the 123 CBC birders who did such a great job helping us with this count. The names of all the participants will soon be posted on our chapter webpage along with a complete report of this count.

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San Juan Capistrano CBC Report – 12/21/19 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 140. The number of participants was 61. SPECIES Total SPECIES Total SPECIES Total SPECIES Total 1 Sanderling 67 Great Horned Owl 7 European Starling 305 Ross’s Goose 1 Least Sandpiper 7 Belted Kingfisher 3 Cedar Waxwing 541 Canada Goose 480 Wilson’s Snipe 1 Acorn Woodpecker 94 Phainopepla 8 Cinnamon Teal 21 Spotted Sandpiper 9 Lewis’s Woodpecker 1 House Sparrow 28 Northern Shoveler 19 Willet 9 Downy Woodpecker 2 American Pipit 73 Gadwall 21 Greater Yellowlegs 1 Nuttall’s Woodpecker 65 House Finch 658 American Wigeon 18 Pomarine Jaeger 1 Northern Flicker 17 Lesser Goldfinch 385 Mallard 263 Heermann’s Gull 44 American Kestrel 21 American Goldfinch 36 Northern Pintail 5 Ring-billed Gull 53 Merlin 2 Green-tailed Towhee 1 Green-winged Teal 2 Western Gull 602 Peregrine Falcon 2 Spotted Towhee 59 Ring-necked Duck 28 California Gull 420 Cassin’s Kingbird 128 California Towhee 165 Lesser Scaup 9 Herring Gull 1 Black Phoebe 202 Chipping Sparrow 4 Surf Scoter 3 Glaucous-winged Gull 4 Say’s Phoebe 68 Lark Sparrow 52 Bufflehead 6 Caspian Tern 2 Hutton’s Vireo 3 Savannah Sparrow 3 Hooded Merganser 8 Forster’s Tern 3 California Scrub-Jay 74 Fox Sparrow 3 Ruddy Duck 143 Royal Tern 5 American Crow 6104 Song Sparrow 176 California Quail 48 Black-vented Shearwater 164 Common Raven 79 Lincoln Sparrow 11 Pied-billed Grebe 27 Brandt’s Cormorant 107 Horned Lark 10 White-crowned Sparrow 691 Eared Grebe 2 Double-crested Cormorant 52 Mountain Chickadee 6 6 Golden-crowned Sparrow 28 Western Grebe 45 Pelagic Cormorant 1 Oak Titmouse 23 Dark-eyed Junco (Ore) 11 Rock Pigeon 318 American White Pelican 17 Bushtit 505 Western Meadowlark 20 Eurasian Collared-Dove 70 Brown Pelican 116 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Red-winged Blackbird 83 Mourning Dove 194 Great Blue Heron 15 White-breasted Nuthatch 12 Brown-headed Cowbird 3 Greater Roadrunner 10 Great Egret 13 Rock Wren 1 Brewer’s Blackbird 20 White-throated Swift 33 Snowy Egret 29 House Wren 43 Great-tailed Grackle 31 Anna’s Hummingbird 171 Green Heron 3 Bewick’s Wren 34 Orange-crowned Warbler 64 Allen’s Hummingbird 158 Black-crowned Night-Heron 21 Cactus Wren 3 Common Yellowthroat 108 Common Gallinule 3 Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 23 Yellow-rumped Warbler 1081 American Coot 454 White-faced Ibis 35 California Gnatcatcher 17 Townsend’s Warbler 10 Black-necked Stilt 1 Turkey Vulture 39 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 126 Wilson’s Warbler y 2 10 Black Oystercatcher 2 Osprey 2 Wrentit 68 Black-bellied Plover 86 Northern Harrier 2 Western Bluebird 130 Exotic Species: Snowy Plover 20 Cooper’s Hawk 26 Hermit Thrush 52 Egyptian Goose 21 Killdeer 104 Red-shouldered Hawk 28 American Robin 26 Swinhoe’s White-eye 26 Whimbrel 4 21 Red-tailed Hawk 49 California Thrasher 57 Pin-tailed Whydah 13 Marbled Godwit 3 Barn Owl 5 Northern Mockingbird 55 Scaly-breasted Munia 110

Special thanks to the 61 CBC birders who did such a great job helping us with this count. Total species count: 140. 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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NATURE DAY CAMPS 2020

Sea and Sage Audubon summer 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: July 13-17 11 YEARS AND OLDER Monday through Friday Week: July 13-17 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday Fee: $220/205* per camper 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Fee: $230/215* per camper Beginning birders will sharpen their observational skills on daily nature walks. Campers will learn how This camp will cover all aspects of coastal birds to keep a birding journal. They will have fun playing and their habitat. Coastal Camp includes 2 off- games, singing nature songs and making crafts. site days to Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach and to Crystal Cove State Beach in Laguna Beach; it will be the parent’s Marsh Bird Camp responsibility to provide transportation. The week will include daily bird walks, nature journaling, art 9 to 12 years old projects and coastal-related activities. Session 1: June 22-26 Session 2: July 6-10 Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Advanced Bird Camp Fee: $230/215* per camper Marsh Camp experience required 11 years and older Campers will explore all aspects of marsh bird life. Week I: July 20-24 They will enjoy daily nature walks, see live hawks & Week II: July 27-31 owls from a rehabilitator, keep a nature journal, do Monday through Friday crafts, and much more. NEW this year is an off-site 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. day to Mason Regional Park in Irvine; it will be the Fee: $230/215* per camper for Week I parent’s responsibility to provide transportation. Fee: $230/215* per camper for Week II

Week One. Campers will focus on Forest

habitat and the birds, plants and animals of this

important California biome. We will paint a

hand-carved wooden bird that ties together both

weeks of Advanced Camp.

Week Two. Campers will learn about Pelagic * The lower habitat and birds of the ocean. This camp price is for includes one off-site to Dana Point Harbor and Audubon will include a boat trip; it will be the parent’s members. responsibility to provide transportation.

Both weeks will include daily nature walks, For enrollment form, visit our website nature journaling, sketching, and art projects. at www.seaandsageaudubon.org. First-time campers: phone camp coordinator Bev Spring at 714-505-9980. 10

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 newsletter, may do so for $14.00 per Wildlife Sanctuary membership form at the bottom of this year. Make check payable to “Sea (5 Riparian View, Irvine) page. An Individual Membership or a and Sage Audubon” and mail to: Our entrance is now from Family Membership is only $20. Sea & Sage receives 100% of a chapter Tattler Subscriptions, 32 Almond Tree Campus Dr., not Michelson Ln, Irvine CA 92612 generated new member’s dues for the first year. Mail the form and your From the San Diego Fwy (405): Exit on Jamboree, south toward Newport check - payable to National Audubon Go Paperless! Beach. At the 1st signal, Michelson, Society - to Sea and Sage Audubon, Sign up to receive your newsletter via turn left. Continue on Michelson PO Box 5447, Irvine CA 92616. If you email — get your issues faster, help (past the old entrance to the SJWS) want to use a credit card for your save natural resources, reduce waste, to the 5th signal which is Harvard and membership payment, go online to: and help our chapter save money! turn right. Drive to University & turn http://www.audubon.org/membership You can read it online or print out the right. Drive to Campus Drive & turn If you have questions, please contact pages you need to refer to more right. Stay in the far right lane and Membership Chair, Jim Kissinger, at frequently. It is in pdf format and will [email protected] immediately turn right onto Riparian look and print exactly like the original View which will enter the San Joaquin ones. Photos will be in color. Send an Wildlife Sanctuary. The entrance road Temporarily Away or e-mail to [email protected] to is marked by a green sign. If you miss Moving? start your paper-free Tattler delivery the turn and reach Carlson, turn right today! (offer good only for chapter and go around the block again to Please notify Jim Kissinger of your members in good standing) Harvard. The sanctuary is open every 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 the Tattler. This will save us postage. Please remember to include “Sea and Open daily: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm 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

BOARD MEMBERS AUDUBON HOUSE ...... 949-261-7963 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 ...... Jan Hoidge ...... 949-261-7963 Treasurer ...... Tom Van Huss ...... 714-417-9940 Administrative Aide ...... Rebecca Craft ...... 949-261-7963

Director 2020 ...... Ann Harmer ...... 949-631-3322 Director 2020 ...... Debbie Hays ...... 714-356-6302 OTHER CONTACTS Director 2021 ...... Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center – for injured or sick birds and Director 2021 ...... Bruce Aird ...... 949-458-1520 other native wild animals in need of help (corner of Newland & Director 2022 ...... Jonathan Aguayo ...... 805-204-6986 PCH in HB) 714-374-5587. http://www.wwccoc.org/ Director 2022 ...... Samuel Bressler ...... 657-376-5367 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: March 2020: Archives & Records ...... Chris Byrd ...... 714-639-0967 03 Tues Conservation Committee Meeting ...... 6:45 pm Audubon House ...... Susan Sheakley ...... 949-552-5974 06 Fri Owl Prowl at Starr Ranch ...... 6:30 pm Audubon House Volunteers Barbara Mitchell ...... 949-646-4115 07 Sat Monthly Nature Walk at the SJWS ...... 9:00 am Bird Information ...... Sylvia Gallagher ...... 714-962-8990 07 Sat Owl Prowl at Starr Ranch ...... 6:30 pm Conservation ...... Susan Sheakley ...... 949-552-5974 08 Sun Monthly Bird Walk at the SJWS ...... 8:00 am Counsel ...... Sean Sherlock ...... 10 Tues Board Meeting ...... 7:00 pm 13 Fri Owl Prowl at Starr Ranch ...... 6:30 pm Development ...... Cheryl Thomas ...... 949-294-2275 14 Sat Owl Prowl at Starr Ranch ...... 6:30 pm Education ...... Carolyn Noble ...... 714-731-9091 17 Learning Mountain Bird Sounds classes begin this week ® .. Events ...... Mary Joseph ...... 714-848-8362 18 Wed UNB by pontoon boat ® - FULL ...... 8:15 am Exhibits ...... Mary Joseph ...... 714-848-8362 19 Thurs Bolsa Chica bird walk ...... 8:00 am Field Trips ...... Nancy Kenyon ...... 949-786-3160 20 Fri ANNUAL DINNER ® ...... 6:00 pm Finance ...... Hal Sheakley ...... 949-552-5974 21 Sat Sunrise Photography Workshop ® ...... 6:30 am 27 Fri Owl Prowl at Starr Ranch ...... 6:30 pm Membership ...... Jim Kissinger ...... 949-713-1148 28 Sat Owl Prowl at Starr Ranch ...... 6:30 pm Newsletter Editor ...... Nancy Kenyon ...... 949-786-3160 29 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 2020: Programs ...... Gail Richards ...... 714-267-2420 all month Orange County Spring Count ...... Publicity ...... 4-5 S/S Eastern Sierra weekend trip ...... 7:00 am Raptor Research ...... Scott Thomas ...... 949-293-2915 04 Sat Monthly Nature Walk at the SJWS ...... 9:00 am Science ...... Amber Heredia ...... 714-812-2430 07 Tues Conservation Committee Meeting ...... 6:45 pm 12 Sun Monthly Bird Walk at the SJWS ...... 8:00 am SJWS Liaison ...... Chris Obaditch ...... 949-640-7234 14 Tues Board Meeting ...... 7:00 pm Social Media ...... Sandrine Biziaux-Scherson.949-413-0297 15 Wed UNB by pontoon boat ® ...... 8:15 am Starr Ranch/Envir. Liaison. Pete DeSimone ...... 949-858-0309 17 Fri GENERAL MEETING ...... 7:30 pm Webmaster ...... Nancy Kenyon ...... 949-786-3160 26 Sun Big Morongo Preserve ® - FULL ...... 7:00 am Webpage: http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org 26 Sun Monthly Bird Walk at UNB ...... 8:00 am 28 Tues 4th Tues. Conservation Lecture ...... 7:30 pm 12 W