WESTERN Volume 71 Number 3 January/February 2005 Los Angeles Audubon Society

An Interview with Robert Ridgely by Garry George

entral American birding became some background and topics that won't be a very competent amateur birder. We less confusing with the publication covered in his talk which will focus on grew up with feeders around the C of of Panama in 1976. And the story of his discovery of the Jocotoco house and shrubs and so forth. One of my anyone who birded in South America Antpitta (Grallaria ridgelyi) and how that very earliest experiences with birds that I before the publication of Robert Ridgely discovery changed the face of conservation can remember, goes back to when I was and Guy Tudor's Birds of South America, of Neotropical birds. five years old. The New Jersey turnpike Volumes I (1989) and II (1994) remembers had just been opened in the late 1950s how overwhelmed they were by the GG: How did you first get into birds? and my father stopped because he wanted incredible numbers of species of birds and to look at a hawk and I was sitting in the new families of furnariids, antbirds, RR: Actually I've been interested in birds the back seat and peered out at the and . With the publication of virtually all my life. My very earliest hawk. It was in the wintertime. Behind those two volumes, we calmed down a memories are of birds and I think clearly us came this cop and he wanted to know little and were finally able to study the impetus for that came from my what in heavens name we were doing. before a trip, and copy, cut and paste father, Beverly Ridgely, who was a This was on the New Jersey meadowland plates and text from those unwieldy French professor and an amateur birder. back when it was still a pretty good volumes to take into the field. With the marsh. publication ofBirds of Ecuador (2001) we The very first bird I remember was had our field guide. Thanks to Bob when I was a boy looking out of the Ridgely, we finally got a handle on birds dining room window and there was a of the Neotropics. And when, in 1997, he flock of Cedar Waxwings. That's always discovered a new species of antpitta that been one of my favorite birds. I became was eventually named for him, he was a birder, just on the side, as a schoolboy rewarded for all his research, study, and back in 1954 when I was eight years old writing about Neotropical birds. and I pretty much kept a year list ever Dr. Ridgely is speaking in Los since then, although it's pretty complicated Angeles on March 19, 2005 to benefit now with all the traveling. I'm not listing five southern California Audubon very much anymore but I keep a pretty chapters (L.A., Palos Verdes/South Bay, careful northeastern list on my home Pasadena, San Fernando Valley, and turf. I've done that for years. Santa Monica Bay) and his Jocotoco Foundation in Ecuador. It promises to be GG: How has birding changed your life? an interesting evening with a reception afterwards. Tickets are $50 (tax deductible) RR: Well, not that it's changed my life and can be obtained by mailing a SASE but that it's really come to pretty well to "Ridgely in SoCal", LA AS, dominate my life. A more sane or more 7377 Santa Monica Blvd, L.A. 90046. rational person would make that This interview is meant to introduce observation. The seminal event that Dr. Ridgely to the readers, and to cover Robert Rulgelv-Grallaria nclgeh changed everything occurred in the sixties. GG: OK. Let's other and those that feel that there's a talk a little bit whole range and level of evidence that's , about . out there and therefore the interpretation •' What do you and experience needs and can have a . *.] really think is a higher level of confidence. So thai's what j. species? we're up against here, especially with the genetic approach to bird taxonomy. RR: This is a Everyone thought years ago Sibley fascinating & Monroe were going to revolutionize subject because everything and stabilize it. But now it's it influences a become clear and most everyone would lot of the way agree that even looking at the DNA and we handle the all the rest of it, that's also subject to natural world. interpretation. It's not really anywhere As human near as absolute a method as we thought S beings we like it was going to be. So it seems that even to have lists. We using this approach has ended up being like to keep just merely another line of evidence things organized towards how you interpret taxonomic in our minds. It's range and in addition it brings up the a complicated whole issue of a new meaning now of With Ntgcl Simpson, co-ftniiiiltT t>J Jocolaco and incredibly allopatry and all the rest of it. diverse world Basically, it strikes me that we're I was part of the Vietnam protest genera- out there and it seems like it's almost a coming up to the situation where it's just tion but I didn't really protest exactly. I natural tendency by those who have a going to get all more complicated and in ended up deciding I didn't want to stay curiosity of natural history to always flux and there's going to be additional in college. I was in Princeton and opted create a list and always try to figure ideas out there. I find it challenging and to be free. This was in 1966 in the midst out categories. And that's basically what stimulating and a good thing. How do of the Vietnam War and everything else. you're doing with taxonomy. we know that Golden-hooded Tanager is And of course T promptly got drafted and There's been an extraordinary upsurge a different species from a Masked Tanager? I thought anything's better than Vietnam. in interest in taxonomy in the last fifteen They are divided by the Andes and never I ended up going to Officer Candidate years. When I was in graduate school, going to make contact. Yeah, there are School. And then I got sent to Panama in taxonomy was the focus of hardly any differences in plumages and patterns. the middle of the Canal Zone and I was scientists, almost nobody doing it, and But they're not really that different. How surrounded by tropical birds. The forest certainly amateurs weren't interested in do we know they are different? The in the Canal Zone was fine so that's it at all on the bird level or anything else. reason they are different right now is where I was exposed to tropical birding Just the explosion of interest in taxonomy because we say they are different, that's and that was a turning event in my life. and how it's done really startles someone all. And when the DNA studies get No question. who's been around as long as I have and through, my guess is that they won't turn Since then, I came back to college; has as many white hairs growing on my out to be that different. In any case the I was all charged up and couldn't quite head as I do. It's fascinating to me that DNA expresses itself in many other ways figure out what to do as a student again. people are as interested in taxonomy as than difference of color. It's a complicated I ended up shifting careers, took a few they are because they certainly didn't use subject and it's one that engages us all false steps, then ended up getting a to be. Of course one of the reasons they because we all keep lists. degree in biology and making ornithology are is because it determines what they I just finished working on the a career, which would never have can list. A lot of what taxonomists do, no revision of the Birds of South America, happened other than the fact that the matter what they say, does involve a Volumes I and II that I did with Guy U.S. Army sent me to Panama. So that's certain level of subjectivity. Basically Tudor and I've actually created a list of how it's really changed my life. Beyond we've got a couple of different what I considered bird species that, 1 wouldn't know where to begin. I'd approaches and different fundamental of South America. An awful lot of them. say my life has ended up being pretty attitudes about how to handle it and But it's my list. I think I have a good much dominated by birds professionally several different concepts of what actually deal of experience at this sort of thing so and so forth and I've had an interesting makes for a species. And all that has led it's a list that everybody probably will career. I've been involved in the serious to the endlessly fascinating dialogue and want to take seriously, but will it satisfy scientific research side of things with the diatribes between partisans on one side everybody? No. Obviously not. Any more Academy of Natural Sciences in or the other that feel that things need to than what other groups, other individuals, Philadelphia and gradually evolved away be absolute and you absolutely have to will come out with will necessarily from that into the conservation field. prove that things are one way or the satisfy me.

Western Tanager GG: Is that list going to be published in in the tropics and nobody knew anything are that have not received the attention a revised edition? about any of the birds in the tropics. therefore they remain a single or a couple There's been an extraordinary upsurge in of species. The most blatant example has RR: The book is going to be out next tropical birds in the last four years, nothing to be the where on year, we hope. We're working with the short of phenomenal. the basis of really quite limited evidence, University of Texas Press. It's a full they split the genus from originally about revision of Volumes 1 and II with a GG: Taxonomy changes used to be ten or twelve species to now something substantial reduction of text. The book will published first with lots of peer review. like forty or forty five species, almost all be dealing with something like 2,200 Now they appear in field guides and once of them exceedingly similar morphologi- species and will have a number of new they are published they're sometimes not cally and by voice, extremely close, they images painted by Guy. So it's going to accepted by taxonomists, and birders are even respond to each other by song. It's be out late next year or early 2006. being confused by the different names; all been accepted in scientific literature, there really isn't an actual set-in-stone but was it really judged totally rigorously? GG: Is it going to be one volume? process for identifying species, is there? I question that. Another group that's been looked at very carefully and split RR: One volume. RR: There really isn't a set-in-stone quite widely is Slaty Antshrike. It was process when you come right down to it the subject of a couple of very good GG: And of course I have to ask the and actually on a world level there is no papers by the Islers. But again these birds standard question. Where are III and IV? body of individuals set out to do such a are really close. Some of them respond thing. It's a fairly audacious task to even to each other's voices. It's just a matter RR: That was the constant question at think about doing, especially on the of how you are defining differences. And the Bird Fair (in August in Rutland, UK) world level, much less on a more restric- there's the case of the brush-finches. as we started to talk about books. Well, tive level. There are only two areas in Again, very narrowly split and other the short answer is that it's not being the world that actually do have bodies of groups have not been. If we split the worked on now at all. But now that scientists who are charged with coming Atlapetes brush-finches at the level they finally I've got the songbirds book done up with a list for their respective geo- have been then surely, say, Ornate and finally I got the Birds of Ecuador graphic areas. One of them of course is Antwrens and Warbling Antbirds ought done a couple of years ago, it actually is North America and the other is Australia. to be split at the same level too and end something we are talking about trying to And Australia is pretty small and there up with three or four more antbirds, two put together. There's a limited number of they tend to be relatively conservative or three or four Ornate Antwrens and projects I can handle at once but now and some say rigorous. Every- that the songbirds have been put to bed, where else it is wide open in a Texas Press is keen to do a Volume III sense. There is a tremendous and we've talked about how we would amount of give and take amongst line up how we would handle the illus- the various individuals scientific trations and I'm actually toying with and otherwise who are working in bringing in additional authors. I would this kind of field. I happen to feel love to see it out. I would love for Guy it's more putting out information to paint some of the paintings. He can't one way or the other regardless of handle all of them but there are some whether there is "peer review" or groups that he adores like hummingbirds not. Personally, I've been out of and toucans. So Volume III probably will the scientific world enough now to start next year actually. With the planning recognize that the peer review stages for it and the mock-ups, I would process is not necessarily all it's cut guess it's going to be a number of years out to be. It doesn't always elucidate until we see Volume III appear. quite as well as you'd think it would. It certainly results in a Volume IV I just don't know. That one highly unbalanced taxonomy and excites me less and I still see a great need the results of that are clear in the for this sort of thing. I love Volumes 1 Neotropics with certain groups and II. I think they are handsome books that have received the attention of and they serve a great purpose in high- , scientific review. lighting the amount that we have learned about birds of that part of the Neotropics There are two or three groups in the last couple of decades. And it really that have been split like mad in the is extraordinary how much we know Neotropics because they've now compared to what we knew back in received a lot of attention and ' 1967. When I first showed up in Panama other groups that are actually far >- there was hardly anyone looking at birds more internally divergent than they Ecuador - the Andes

Januaiy/Februarv 2005 two or three more Scale-backed Inevitably since the English bird names loons but we are going to lose Common to Antbirds. Exactly where all of this is are attached to the species it sort of ended Great Northern Diver and so on down the going to end I don't know. As 1 say, I up that they were forced to consider what line. There were a series of compromises find it endlessly fascinating and it's a a species is and what it isn't upon the that we made back and forth. I was great subject of conversation amongst list. It became complicated and difficult charged with the Neotropics and I had birders and scientists alike. Will we ever and then the real complications where a number of people working with me, reach unanimity? I doivt think that's for instance, who thought it was going to happen. 1 really don't. But to ludicrous to call the Yellow Rail me this kind of dialogue is healthy; Yellow Rail". It's a crake. Every this process is engaging a lot of people. other rallid in the world that size with a short bill was called a crake, RR: On the subject of English names so we said it ought to be called 1 do feel that we have somewhat lost Yellow Crake because it was called our way. I 'm probably going to be that in Mexico. Steve Howell was pilloried among some groups for pushing for Yellow Crake. We all saying these things publicly, but I'm agreed that Yellow Crake is better going to say it anyway as far as but the Nearctic committee felt that English names are concerned. I think it was mainly a North American bird the English names in a sense are almost and had always been Yellow Rail as contentious as species concept and we lost. We lost that one. But on issues. People have lots of different the other hand we won some of the ideas and so forth. Some people are others. But where this is all going I very conservative and some people don't know because the list isn't out are always wanting to modify and yet. The Myioborus warbler genus always change. Certainly I would has one primary member in the States, not count myself amongst the very the Painted variety. There is a whole conservative group. There are certain series of others in the tropics, and the situations where obvious errors and big issue is whether they should be omissions need rectifying. I'm also Ecuador - Yellow-crowned Parrot called redstarts or whitestarts. We not anywhere near radical compared got into this discussion. I don't know where the word "whitestart" first to what's going on in other continents, T there are two or more names for what is think we've tried very hard to strike a started being used. It was about thirty judged to be the same species. Obviously, years ago when it started coming out in happy medium between those who would it happened a lot in South Africa but it advocate wholesale change in English some works. Guy and I were old enough also happened with equal opposites in or conservative enough we decided in bird names and staying absolutely rigid Europe and England, and so Frank Gill with the way it is. Volume I not to use it. But it started (retired Director of Science for National getting used everywhere like in the Latin Audubon) was charged with heading up American warbler book by John Curson GG: The english names are often con- this committee. I was working with and others so we were finally persuaded flicting with the South African ones. Frank at that point; I was charged with that whitestart is the way to go and the Neotropics. There was a whole series we've convinced the Nearctic committee. RR: Absolutely. There are conflicting of geographical committees that were Basically you can't have fourteen species names that are equally accepted. It set up - one was Neotropic, one was called whitestart and one species called happens all along. The name that develops Nearctic, and so forth, It went on and on redstart up here, so the Nearctic people in England and the name that develops around the world. Different groups of are coming around to calling the bird for the same bird in South Africa are not people got together and tried to thrash whitestart. I should emphasize that the necessarily the same. So you're going to out what would be the name in that Nearctic Committee of the IOC is not the have a conflict. particular area and when there was a same body as the AOU committee on With Africa there are huge differ- conflict you had to sort it out with Frank nomenclature and classification. The ences with the so called Kenya school as the ultimate arbiter between the two AOU is studiously resisting going over and the South African school. And how groups. When there was a contrast to this kind of thing. The AOU is pretty you resolve those is a matter of difficulty, between the Nearctic group and the conservative on this kind of thing. 1 but reasonable people can eventually Neotropical group you ended up having think too conservative personally. come to agree and compromise. That a compromise. Sometimes you won and was the rationale for the formation of the sometimes you lost. That's reasonable and that's what ended up happening and International Ornithological Conference GG: Let's talk a little about Neotropics that's why, with Frank as the arbiter about six or seven years ago. This and consen'ation. Why should Califomians between North America and England, it committee that was supposed to come up care about Neotropical species other than came to where we're not going to lose with the official lists of English bird names. their own migrants that spend time down

Western Tanager there? Are you going to include our hundreds of millions of dollars to buy a can get our act together, 1 think we can migrants in your talk? few hundred acres around some lagoon do it. So therefore, I think it's important in southern California. That seems kind for all of us to get behind it. Obviously, RR: Yes, to some extent I will but I of crazy when you think what that kind some people might be more focused on think we have to be honest and realistic. of money could do elsewhere but we their home turf. 1 think that's wonderful. There really aren't very many. There have to recognize that most people in In that case then devote all your energies are a lot of shorebirds and so forth that California are going to only be interested to that. Do something anyway. I hope are supposed to be "our" species, that a significant number of people are California species, but for the most going to continue to divert resources part on the passerine front I'm sure toward efforts that are far away that almost everybody in the audience , (• they may never see, but they are going will be aware that virtually all the f to derive a huge satisfaction that it has western don't migrate all happened and a Pale-headed Brush- the way to South America. Very, 1 finch does still exist in Ecuador just as very few of them do. Western Wood- I derive satisfaction out of knowing that Pewee is one major exception to ,-r there has been a success in California that rule. There are a few others but habitat for desert tortoise. It's in better not many. My rationale for this is shape now. I'm never going to see this that really everything is important. desert tortoise. I'm probably never We need to be concerned about going to go to the Mojave Desert. But the world as a whole and the extra- i I like to know that has happened. , That's the way I feel anyway and what ordinary biodiversity levels that we 3*,- t see everywhere, not just in our own *' I'm trying to do is convince more and backyard. That it's all part of creation j,3" more people to feel that way. and that it's all pretty wonderful j and therefore we need to care about GG: What about global warming? it all. Now it's our very nature that RR: On one level I'm very pessimistic everyone always has an orientation Checking birds in India but I don't try to let that show. I try to and bias toward their home turf be as optimistic as possible because I wherever that might be. We care deeply in what's in California therefore those of think pessimism just kills everything and about what's around us because we see it us who have an interest in the world as a you'll never want to do anything, just go all the time. I care tremendously about whole have got to have an interest in • out and have a beer. what I am looking at out the window protecting what's out there in the world here, a beautiful marsh. It's freezing up as a whole. It's even important to do that GG: And that's easy. and it's going to snow tonight and it's a in my view, even if you're never going wonderful place. It's fabulous because to see it yourself. It's just important to RR: Yes, that's so easy. And that's part it's a New Hampshire Audubon Society know that it is being protected to the best of my response to "what about global sanctuary. That's why I decided to buy of our abilities. warming", a fundamentally important the house right across the street from it. Human beings have wrecked a lot of issue. And you out there in California are I'm deeply concerned given the levels of the world practically beyond recognition. dealing with it far better than the country biodiversity here that there's some threats I believe it's almost our duty to protect as a whole. Europe is trying to address it that they face and I am concerned about a decent portion of what is left. And I and so is most of the world. It's a problem protecting this rather small sanctuary of think what we're showing, what we've we don't quite know how to come to about 260 odd acres that we want to managed to do in Ecuador and what grips with, we don't know how to deal spend another couple hundred thousand we're starting to show elsewhere, we've with, but we recognize we need to. Quite dollars to expand it as a couple of managed to show that the most imperiled apart from Kyoto and all this energy parcels just came on the market. I know elements at risk can be protected. There is efficiency and carbon dioxide issues, I a couple of hundred thousand dollars a mechanism for doing it. The take home mean I'm obviously in favor of reordering could protect a lot more biodiversity message I try to put out everywhere is things such that the increase of CO; that's at greater risk in a country like that there is hope, that you can do this, declines to the point where it's not Ecuador or Mexico but because I live therefore we have the duty and obligation increasing any more and hopefully here inevitably I've got a bias for it. We to do this. There is not a heaving mass of declines to the point where the earth all have that. humanity out there that is eager to cut will be a far healthier and inhabitable At the same time as having it, I everything down and kill every last bird place and hopefully we'll pull that off. I therefore can't criticize and I don't, and kill everything larger than a rat. do think, again looking at it from my even though I will always use it as an There is a real opportunity to protect perspective being concerned about example, spending millions or tens or even everything that is alive now, and if we critically endangered species especially

Jamiaiy/Fehruarv 2005 GG: Are there still birds to be history of exploration of everywhere is discovered or have we pene- pretty well known now so you can pick trated every area? areas of isolation where it could result in something new and exciting. So I think RR: No, it's amazing. If that it's going to continue a while longer. question had been asked in the Maybe not here, but the Gunnison's sixties, people would have said Sage-Grouse had gone unrecognized no at the American Museum. until ten years ago. When I came back from Panama Just one quick comment. If you want that was one of the questions more controversy, here's another one on out there. People were still the taxonomic side. If I were managing finding one or two birds a year the entire world and all its entire progress, at the most. Things were being I would leave it to the scientists to do the found in the odd comer but taxonomy, the classification side of it. there wasn't much effort being Clearly they are the ones that have the put into finding them and the competency. But I would not leave it to perception and belief was that the AOL) to come up with the English no, there wasn't much left, names. Like common names. I would pretty much everything had say that should belong to groups like the already been found. When 1 ABA, to committees that would take this A good day in the field. first went to Ecuador (people role very seriously. They would be the thought) there's nothing new ones to decide English names. I don't birds, that global •warming is a bit of a to be found. After our twenty years of think the scientists tend to understand red herring in that to a large extent we work, we and our colleagues found English names. If I were running the can't be concerned about something something like 200 new bird species for world that's the way 1 would set that up. that's going to happen 50, 100, 200 years Ecuador, of which 10 or 11 were brand out. We've got to be concerned about the new undescribed species. In a little, tiny GG: We birders would love that. next few decades. That's our job. country like Ecuador. 's still got them. I think Ecuador probably doesn't The way I like to look at it is, what RR: When you think of it vernacular have much left. To be honest we combed we can do now to protect what we've got names are developed by the population it pretty carefully. But look what you just now, within the time horizon of a few as a whole. Not everybody, but by a told me about this Venezuelan Softtail. decades. We cannot have any idea what selective group of well respected people Not totally surprising. It's an area that things are going to be like a hundred in that community. Why should it be that has not been worked in a modem sense years from now. A hundred years ago a scientist in a museum in Chicago who very much and there they go off on a there were no cars in this country. Look at may not even go birding and may not cruise ship, for God's sake, and they find it now. Look at the impact cars have had. ever use the name, why should they have a new bird species. It's ludicrous, There is no way to predict what's going a say on the English name'? absolutely ludicrous. to happen; what this place is going to be like. You just cannot do it. Probably GG: I notice when the new antpitta was winters here in New Hampshire are not GG: From the deck! named, it seemed that you were trying to going to be as severe as they have been bring some attention to the region where in the last few centuries. We may lose a RR: From the deck, that's even worse. it was discovered rather than calling it lot of the arctic tundra zone on Mt. It's amazing. Look at what Bret Whitney's white dot headed or .... Washington and a couple of the butter- done. He's described yet another new- flies there might go extinct. Well, what bird species, a new antshrike from some RR: Exactly. That's a very interesting on earth are we supposed to do about it? remote range of mountains in western point because there has been a kind of a There's nothing we can do about that , very level mountains but they shift away from that. One of my mentors. short of trying to deal with global wann- have a distinctive soil profile and the Gene Eisenmann, was very much of a ing as a global phenomenon. We still can vegetation is distinctive and totally isolated believer and advocate for descriptive bird be concerned about that butterfly even if and so he's got a new species of antshrike. names - gray-crowned, gray-capped, its habitat gets reduced and the arclic Yeah, there are places like that left that gray-backed, gray-naped, gray-winged - tundra on Mt. Washington shifts upward haven't been explored too carefully. those sorts of names. He is the one who from 4500 ft. above sea level to 5500 ft. Obviously, we're hitting a point of ended up changing a lot of the names above sea level and reduces its habitat, diminishing returns and eventually we're that had been used previously to these there's still some habitat there and we may going to come up against it but I think descriptive names and there was a bit of lose it eventually, but that doesn't mean there were probably six or eight new bird a backlash against it that has occurred in we shouldn't still try and save what species this year from around the world the last decade. Gene died about twenty we've got. if not more. Two or three from Asia. The five years ago now but he was very

Western Tanager much in favor of this kind of thing and of supporting 300-400 species in an that is that people have not looked as against geographic names and so on. individual area we would have more carefully at the Oriental fauna or the And that's how we ended up losing species, but because we don't have African fauna as they have at the some pretty nice names here in North tropical forests we don't have those Neotropical fauna and that therefore there America and certainly a lot of the levels of alpha diversity, individual site are going to be quite a few splits left out Neotropical names. I'm much more in diversity. The other way to think about it there that have not been recognized, or favor of a variety' of names. If 1 had a is that tropical and montane forests are not been accepted, or even not been philosophy for it, to recognize names it structurally so much more diverse than suggested as possibilities for species almost doesn't have to mean anything, forests that are seen here. Not only are level. That's the case in those areas and but you have to be able to remember it, there more basic, core habitats in a that has been the case here. And there's therefore anything that is distinctive is country like Ecuador but beyond that, no question that in a country like probably better. If you want to call it each individual habitat is more complex, Ecuador one reason there's so many Tchaikovsky's longleg or something more structurally diverse, and therefore birds there is that now we are recognizing that's fine, it's fairly distinctive. That's is capable of supporting very specialized that there are for instance two barred why I think Jocotoco Antpitta. even bird species and behaviors than we've woodcreepers. Back when I was starting though it seems that no one knows how got here. So you end up with a whole out in the sixties there was one Barred to pronounce it, much less knows what host of different possibilities for bird Woodcreeper. They may actually be it means, everybody knows what it's evolution than in Canada. And that's three Barred Woodcreepers. That's referring to. It's referring to that very basically what we've seen. For instance, because there's been so much effort fancy antbird down in the southern in North America, if you are a fruit directed at trying to understand the Andes of Ecuador. And that's what a specialist, you have to get the hell out of Neotropical avifauna. I think quite a bit name is for. And it doesn't matter what here because there's no fruit. In other more than that's going on in Asia and the it is. That's my take on it. At first I was words you can never be a toucan in New same thing is going to be happening advocating White-cheeked Antpitta or Hampshire. It's easy to be a toucan in there as well. something, I think. That's probably what the tropics because there's fruit there and Gene Eisenmann would have pushed it's available year round. So those are GG: More eyeballs and brains. and that's what a lot of people without the two ways of looking at the number imagination would have pushed but I of species there. RR: Yep. think jocotoco is a far, far better name. And the other way is to split every- And I do like geographic names as well thing then you've got more species. Keeps GG: Thanks so much for your time. even if it's just one site of many or the the birdwatchers happy. Seriously, the first site or it's a distinctive name and splitting issue is an important one. There hasn't been used much. It's far better to is some evidence now accumulating, and This interview has been edited for length and use a name like El Oro rather I think everyone would agree, that it clarity. The original text is available upon than Ecuadorian Tapaculo. English really is the case that the Neotropics have request. — editor names are going to be continuously been the focus of argued about. It's happening now. I quite a lot of this don't see any real problem with that. kind of work over Who knows? People tend to go around the last three or calling Hudsonian Godwit HUGOs and four decades, more we may end up calling them just plain so than some other HUGOs. Everybody knows what you're tropical areas. The talking about when you say a HUGO. interesting com- There may be a day when we just say parison is not so HUGO and MAGO. much Ecuador back to the United GG: Back to the Neotropics. Why are States. The inter- there more species in Ecuador than in esting comparison North America? is Ecuador to Malaysia. Why are RR: One of the obvious reasons that there so many more species in there are so many species in Ecuador is Ecuador than there because the habitat diversity in countries are in Malaysia? like Ecuador is much greater than any- And there's no thing seen in North America and that question that most includes habitats that are just not seen in people find now an area the size of North America. If that one reason for North America had tropical forest capable A well deserved respite.

Jan uary/Febniaiy 2 005 WESTERN TANAGER Colorado Chicken Run, Tan Published by Los Angeies Audubon Society, a chapter of by Dexter Kelly National Audubon Society,

EDITOR: Jean Brandt ASSISTANT EDITOR: Tom Frillman High Mountains and Winter Finches butted out by the more numerous brown- CONSERVATION: Garry George After the Sharp-tailed Grouse spec- caps. We could study the difference FIELD TRIPS: Nick Freeman tacle, we faced the longest leg of our between the males and female brown- ORNITHOLOGY CONSULTANT: caps, and the gray-crowned, as they Kimball Garrett trip. We hoped to head south alongside PELAGIC TRIPS: Phil Sayre the highest ranges of the Rockies and jostled each other in the feeder and on PRINTING: Holden Color Inc. cross Guenella Pass, at over 11,000 feet, the ground. PROGRAMS: Mary Freeman in search of White-tailed Ptarmigan. A And there were other birds. Some visit to a ranger station in Steamboat Opinions expressed in articles or letters female Pine Grosbeaks showed up, one herein do not necessarily express the Springs quashed that plan; Mike found with especially bright lemon-yellow cap position of this publication or of LAAS. out that Guenella was snowed in, as it and cheeks. They were fat with long should be in a normally wet April. So the forked tails, faint wing bars, and white- PRESIDENT: ptarmigan was the one chicken we edged scapulars and wing feathers. Dexter Kelly 1st VICE PRESIDENT: missed on this trip. There were plenty of Cassin's Finches, Garry George But there were consolations. We Mountain Chickadees, Gray-headed 2nd VICE PRESIDENT: stopped for breakfast (finally!) at a cafe Juncos and a single White-throated Becky Schweibert Sparrow. A chickaree (squirrel) showed EXECUTIVE SECRETARY; in the small town of Kremmling. Some- position vacant one in the cafe noticed we were birders, up and scared all the birds away for a RECORDING SECRETARY: and told us about feeders in someone's minute, but the skiers walking by didn't Johanna Dawes front yard. Rosy-finches had been seen faze them. TREASURER: there. We found the feeders, loaded with Pat Heirs We were there for less than an hour. Cassin's Finches. There was also a rather If we had hung around a little longer, Annual membership in both societies is dingy Evening Grosbeak, and someone some Black Rosy-Finches may have $35 per year and $20 for new members spotted a redpoll, which no one else shown up, making three species of rosy- for their first year. Members receive the could find, unfortunately. And the rosy- Western Tanager newsletter and Audubon finches in the same feeder! (They had magazine, a national publication. finches had moved on. But our appetite been seen earlier that day.) We might LAAS Chapter Only memberships do not for these winter finches was whetted. have seen some male Pine Grosbeaks include Audubon magazine and are $25, On the way south, just outside Granby, too, which would have made me very S35, $50, $100, and $250. we stopped at an isolated reservoir that happy. The resort management was Western Tanager subscription rates for hosted Barrow's and Common goldeneye. happy to have us there, just sitting and non-members are $9 per year for third Ring-necked Duck, Redhead, Green- gawking, not even skiing. But we had to class delivery or $15 per year for first winged Teal, and Common Merganser. make it to Gunnison before nightfall, class delivery. LAAS members may There were White Pelicans, too. Mike said. With some difficulty, he herded receive first class delivery by paying an additional $5, Make check payable to Los But the biggest attraction of the day us back to the vans. Angeles Audubon Society. was at the Loveland Ski Resort. One of our That's one of the drawbacks to birding group had a daughter who was working tours; you have to adhere to a schedule, Los Angeles Audubon Society Headquarters, Library there as an instructor. She told her mom especially if you're trying to get a lot of and Bookstore are open to the public about a feeding station maintained by species in a limited period of time. But, if Tuesday - Saturday resort staff near lift #2, next to the trail you discover a good place on the tour, you 9:30 AM-4:00 PM leading to ski patrol headquarters. We sat can always plan to come back on your Plummer Park down in a row on a porch across from the own. The next time you're in Colorado 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard single pole feeder and enjoyed easy views in the wintertime, drop by the Loveland West Hollywood, CA 90046-6694 of most of Colorado's winter finches. Ski Resort, and look for the feeders. It's right off Interstate 80 just east of the (323) 876-0202 - office To begin, a big bright pink and gray (323) 876-7609 - fax finch sat on top of the feeder pole. It tunnel, an hour or so west of Denver. (323) 874-1318-bird tape seemed big enough to be a Pine Grosbeak, which I wanted very much to see. But it Gunnison Sage-Grouse [email protected] - e-mail [email protected] - e-mail soon became obvious that it was a female This is the bird everyone has to www.LAAudubon.org - website Brown-capped Rosy Finch. More females come to Colorado to see. Almost the showed up in the feeder bin, joined by entire population is confined to the upper males. Eventually, a Gray-crowned Gunnison river basin, and a severe multi- Rosy-Finch, darker with a gray wash on year drought has caused a drastic decline the head, hopped into the tray, only to be in breeding pairs. All leks save one are Printed on Recycled Paper

Western Tanager now closed to public view. The exception four times, then turn and shake three or regaled us with an account of the many is the Hot Springs lek on RD87, east of four more times before scurrying behind birds that would show up in Elkhart Gunnison off Route 50. This location is a bush. Before I could make out an around migration time. It's close to some set up to give hordes of birders a view of entire sequence, a loud coyote shriek of the best birding spots on the Great the lek while keeping them concealed came out of the field to the left, and the Plains, and at least some of the locals are from the birds. There was a blind on the birds disappeared. proud of their avian attractions. lower slope of the viewing site, with It was ten minutes before sunrise, 1 Well before dawn we followed Mr. grandstand seats. This was usually had seen six birds; the local Smith's truck through a maze of dirt reserved in advanced for groups such as naturalist/guide had counted eight. He roads bordering barbed wire fences, past ours. Other birders could gather above, said that the coyote hadn't scared the an oil well, to a fencepost with a strand by the side of the road, behind a high birds; they always knocked off at that of red surveyor's tape wrapped around barrier, over and through which they time. We wouldn't have seen much more the top. It was still dark, but we weren't could peer to get a more obstructed view even if they kept dancing after dawn, allowed to get out of the van; just opened of the lek grounds, which were at least a since the sun would be shining right in the door. We heard gurgling sounds, like hundred yards off across a valley, behind our eyes. coffee perking in a Maxwell House com- a barbed wire fence which obscured the Emerging from the blind, we found mercial, along with some yellowlegs-like view further. more than a hundred birders milling chortling. The light grew slowly and we about on the road by the big sign. They saw the birds crouching and running on were being harangued by a disgruntled the other side of the fence, maybe local who was standing on the high bank twenty yards away. We could see the on the other side of the road. He was black barring and neck tufts, but the blaming the birders for disturbing the underlying colors were hard to make out, grouse, and making it difficult for them and the gular sac looked more orange to breed. But his rant seemed unfair. The than red in the sickly light of dawn. fact that so many birders and so few Some Burrowing Owls looked on at the birds were being drawn to this one spot dancing from their burrows; it was a indicated that other lek grounds remained prairie dog town. I envied the owls for that were inaccessible to birders, and their better viewpoints. They would therefore better for grouse. But the pro- eventually get a better look at those gular longed drought in the southern Rockies sacs and paler throat, and could clinch is probably a much worse threat to this : the ID visually. We had to rely on vocal- rarest of North American "chickens" izations and dance steps to distinguish than intrusive birdwatchers. these birds from their greater cousins. This was the largest publicly accessible gathering of Lesser Prairie-Chickens on Lesser Prairie-Chicken the planet, fewer than a dozen birds. >':* Second in rarity to Gunnison Sage- Grouse among North American gallifomis, We birded on the way back to these chickens are most easily found in Denver of course, but there was nothing southeast Kansas, on the Cimarron special. The Californians were glad to see Dexter Kelly National Grasslands northeast of the little a light-morph Swainson's Hawk, some town of Elkhart. We drove there over Franklin's Gulls on a small pond, and a Our turn came the next morning. endless flat short-grass prairie, most of Black-billed Magpie with a floppy feather. Without uttering a word, we filed into the which was cut or plowed. Nonetheless, The Midwesterners were excited by blind an hour before sunrise, conversing prairie-chickens could hide very well in Brewer's Blackbirds. Great-tailed Grackles only in whispers once inside. Through those barren, open flats; only a few sharp- have made it all the way out to western binoculars, we could get hints of shapes eyed birders in our car could spot them. Kansas too. I might come back to moving about, at first hard to distinguish The car would screech to a halt and the Elkhart during fall migration, but I don't from wishful hallucinations. But as the birds would fly off over the slightly expect to get as close to Lesser Prairie- cloudy dawn drew closer, we could see rolling horizon. A pair of Swainson's Chickens in broad daylight as I was that for sure that they were grouse, with Hawks and a Loggerhead Shrike were morning in the dark. I'll probably never see the red on the gular sac. I could try bright white chests. It took a 'scope to much more accommodating, but there to sneak back to the lek in spring, but make out the black plume on the males' wasn't much time to bird. We had a dinner the road was on private property (a lease heads, and to even spot the skulking date with the man who would guide us to the prairie-chickens the next morning. inholding in the National Grassland). And females. The dance was hard to follow I don't think that surveyor's tape will behind the fence and the bushes, but I At dinner in the town cafe, Lawrence still be there to mark the fencepost." could see the males shake their plumes Smith, a local rancher and expert birder,

January/February 2005 BIRDS OF THE SEASON by Jon Feenstra aybe we can say that it's only there November 13 [DB]. A female Sewage Ponds seemed to be where all been an okay fall for birding Black Scoter was at Westward Beach on the Antelope Valley's shorebirds ended M here in Los Angeles County, November 13 [KLG]. A Long-tailed Duck up. Two juvenile Red Knots were there but I think we can all agree that it's was seen feeding in the channel at Marina on September 21 [JiP]. Rare but regular shaping up to be a very interesting winter. del Rey for a few days after November 12 in the interior, Sanderlings were also Our summer heat ended with the month of [DB]. Hooded Mergansers were a strong observed at the sewage ponds for nearly a September and some heavy rains in mid- presence at the Soka University ponds in month - three juveniles on September 8 October cleared the air for us. Rains have Malibu with nine on November 5 and [DH], four on September 28 [MSM, been occasional since then and perhaps seven remaining a week later [BP]. Two MJSM], and a single there October 2 evidence of the El Nin5 projected for more were at the Los Encinos Historical [KLG, JF]. Baird's Sandpipers were the coming months. Coincidently, or not, Monument on November 8 [JB]. Common there as well with two on September 28 there has been a large push of montane Loons are a rather uncommon migrant [MSM, MJSM] and one on October 2 birds into the lowlands and deserts evi- through the interior so ten on Lake [KLG, JF]. Pectoral Sandpipers finished denced by the many reports of Mountain Palmdale on November 13 was quite a their run this fall with one at Ballona Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, surprise [JF]. Freshwater Marsh on September 17-18 and Pine Siskins from the L.A. Basin. I An American Bittern was at Ballona [RB, EG], four on the L.A. River probably shouldn't get into this but mul- Freshwater Marsh between October 23 September 17 [TM], and one at the Piute tiple Evening Grosbeaks and even a Pine and November 6 [RB, MR] and another Ponds on October 2 [KLG, JF]. The Grosbeak were seen at a Kern County one was seen at the El Dorado Nature immature Ruff present on the lower L.A. migrant trap this fall. But here in L.A. Center October 30 [KG]. The Little Blue River since early September was last seen we had some great birds, too. Heron present at Malibu Lagoon this on October 15 [RB, MB], just before the Greater White-fronted Geese were summer was last seen September 18 heavy rains blew everything out to the seen in multiple locations around the [LS]. Two Bald Eagles were seen along ocean. One of only a very few records county including: one on the L.A. River the LA. River this fall. One was a second- for the Antelope Valley, a second-year from September 21 to October 15 (when year immature seen from Hollydale Park immature Heermann's Gull was a nice the rains came) [JG, NM, MB, RB], four in South Gate on October 28 and 29 surprise at Apollo Park on September 25 at the Piute Ponds from September 25 to [GH, JoP] and the second was an adult [AB, MF. NF]. Juvenile Sabine's Gulls October 2 [AB, JF, KLG], and one at Del near Deforest Park on November 3 [RB]. were seen at the Lancaster Sewage Rey Lagoon on November 8 [DC], Two Both birds were tagged, more returned for another winter at Santa indicating likely participants Fe Dam, noted on September 25 [AL]. in the local reintroduction Also at Santa Fe Dam that day was the campaign. returning Cackling Goose, that in Quite unusual on the winters previous had been considered immediate coast (especially merely a small subspecies of Canada in L.A. County where we Goose [AL]. Two immature Tundra have such little habitat left) Swans were present on Lake Palmdale on was a Mountain Plover at November 13 [JF, RC]. A single Malibu Lagoon on October 16 Eurasian VVigeon was observed on [HW]. The last migrating November 6 at the Valencia Golf Course Solitary Sandpiper was [DoM]. A female or immature White- seen on the L.A. River on winged Scoter was seen with the Surf September 17 [TM]. Due to Scoter flock off Dockwieler State Beach the unfavorable conditions at November 9 [RB] and two were seen the Piute Ponds, the Lancaster Mmmtuin Plover

10 Western Tanager Ponds on September 25 [TM] and was at Malibu Lagoon on October 24 May Warbler found at El Dorado Park October 2 [KLG, JF] and at the Piute and 25 [IW, JH. JA], Western Kingbirds, October 24 [KG] that hung around for a Ponds on October 2 [KLG, JF]. Those rarely seen in this area after mid-Sep- few days and frustrated many birders try- two sites produce Sabine's Gulls nearly tember, were detected on the lower L.A. ing to connect with it. The only close as reliably as a pelagic trip in late Sep- River on October 9 [KL] and at Hansen contender to this award may have been tember and early October. Of near-shore Dam on October 30 [KLG]. A juvenile the Painted Redstart present at Hansen pelagic nature, a Marbled Murrelet was Scissor-tailed Flycatcher popped up at Dam on September 18 and 19 [KLG]. seen flying up the coast off Malibu Malibu Lagoon on October 25 [JA, JH]. Transient Yellow-breasted Chats were Lagoon on November 13 [KLG]. Plumbeous Vireos made a fairly typical noted at Hansen Dam on September 18 The latest of many invasive species showing with several birds reported in [JF] and at Ballona Freshwater Marsh on bearing down on us, five Eurasian the month of October from Harbor Park October 9 [DB]. A male Summer Tanager Collared-Doves at Point Dume were [MB], El Dorado Park [KG], and Ladera made an appearance at Whittier Narrows grudgingly recorded on October 2 [KLG, Park [RB]. The coast furnished one on October 22 [RG, LO, CA]. JF] and again on November 13 [KLG]. transient Sage Thrasher at the Ballona Only one Clay-colored Sparrow These birds likely dispersed from a Freshwater Marsh on September 22 [RB]. was reported this season - from Madrona population either in Ventura or interior On to warblers! Palm Warblers Marsh on September 24-25 [DaM]. California. On October 2 they were in came through in October and were found Brewer's Sparrows, common in the the company of two White-winged at Peck Rd. Park on October 10 [AL], at deserts, but uncommon transients along Doves which definitely came from the Ballona Freshwater Marsh from the coastal plain were seen at Eaton inland [KLG, JF]. Rarely seen in fall October 13 to November 6 [DS, RB, Canyon on September 22 [JF] and at migration, a Black Swift over the L.A. KL], and at Malibu Lagoon on October 30 Madrona Marsh on September 24 [DaM]. River with Vaux's Swifts on October 3 [KLG]. A Blackpoll Warbler was seen Also fairly common in the desert but was a good find [DB]. Huge numbers of at Banning Park on September 24 [KL]. uncommon this side of the mountains, a Vaux's Swifts, estimated to reach into A Black-and-white Warbler at Village migrant Vesper Sparrow was at the the tens of thousands, were this year Green on October 20 [RB] and one at Ballona Freshwater Marsh on October 9 again roosting in downtown Long Beach Bonelli Park on November 14 [AL] [DB]. The first Swamp Sparrow of the in October [NK]. were the only ones reported this fall. fall was at the Ballona Freshwater Marsh Although widespread last winter, the Only one American Redstart made it on October 20 [KL] and another was at only report of Lewis's Woodpeckers this into birder radar, an immature male at veiy high elevation at Jackson Lake on season was of three at Soka University in Recreation Park in El Segundo on November 13 [JF]. A White-throated Malibu from November 5 to 12 [BP]. October 27 [RB]. Perhaps the "bird of Sparrow returned to a yard in La Canada Three Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were the season" was a drab immature Cape • on October 14 for another winter [MH]. found in the lowlands this fall: an adult Two Indigo Buntings were seen this fall - one at DeForest Park on September 18 male at Harbor Park on October 15 ecords of rare and unusual birds [MB], an adult female along the L.A. reported in this column should [DB] and one that lingered from October River at Atwater Village on October 24 Rbe considered tentative pending 12 to 18 at Apollo Park in the Antelope review by the regional editors of North Valley [RC, KLG]. A presumably winter- [RB], and an adult male on November 13 American Birds or, if appropriate, by the in Valyermo [JF]. Flycatchers were well California Birds Records Committee. ing male Scott's Oriole was seen in represented this season with mulitple Valyermo on November 13 [JF]. Reports reports of unusual species. A Least To report birds, send observations with of Pine Siskins from the lowlands and as many details as possible to; Flycatcher was seen on September 25 at Antelope Valley were too numerous to Madrona Marsh [KL]. The Eastern Birds of the Season, list them all. Two Evening Grosbeaks Phoebe that has spent several winters in Jon Feenstra at [email protected] were seen in the San Gabriels with one at Jackson Lake and another at Chilao, Sepulveda Basin returned again this year North American Birds, L.A. Count}' and was first noted on October 30 [LS]. Kimball L. Garrett both on October 16 [SC, MR]. Similarly, a male Vermilion Flycatcher Ornithology Collections Manager Natural History Museum of L.A. County Reports from San Clemente Island for that wintered at the Piute Ponds last year 900 Exposition Blvd. September through November included made it back on October 12 [RC]. Three Los Angeles, CA 90007 an expected mix of unexpected birds e-mail: kgarrettfi8nhm.org more Vermilion Flycatchers, one adult including ANOTHER Snow Bunting on male, one adult female, and an immature California Biixl Records Committee November 3. Great birds were recorded male, were seen at El Dorado Park on Guy MeCaskie there on a daily basis, many of which P.O. Box 275 October 16 [RB]. Like most years, a few were not seen at all here on the mainland Tropical Kingbirds were reported along Imperial Beach. CA 91933-0275 e-mail: guyinccWipacbelLnet this season, like: Bobolinks, Dickcissels, the coast. One was along the lower L.A. White-winged Doves, Lark Buntings, River on October 9 [KL], another was at To report birds for the tape, call: Lapland Longspurs, Chestnut-collared DeForest Park on October 19 [RB], and a Jon Fisher: (818) 544-5009 (work) Longspurs, Red-throated Pipit, and Palm third (likely the returned wintering bird) e-mail: JonF60(a!hotmail.com continued next page

Januan'/February 2005 11 continued from preview, pagr Warblers [BS. JM]. My plan for a birder- NEW AT THE BOOKSTORE access suspension bridge from San Pedro was shot down by the military administrators of the island .... We are excited to announce the addition of Leica to enhance our outstanding line of So. here we are at the end of the hireling optics including Brunton, Bushnell, Kowa, Sheltered Wings, and Swarovski. year. Migration has wound down and many of our birds have moved out. If buying new binoculars or a spotting scope is in your future, However, some interesting things have please consider the bookstore for your optic needs. moved in. We're all hoping that this Call the Bookstore at (888) 522-7428 for prices. fall's invasion of finches and mountain species continues through the winter All bookstore profits go to the support season. In addition, there is the possibility LAAS education and conservations projects. of bumping into some of our lesser-seen Happy New Year! friends like Red Crossbills and Evening Grosbeaks. We'll know soon. Keep your eyes and ears open. ^9*~

[JA] = Jim Abernathy [CA] = Chris Akiyoshi [RB] = Richard Barth Volunteer Opportunities [DB] = David Bell [JB] = Jean Brandt Bird Walks for Kids. Leading bird walks for schoolchildren at Debs Park and Baldwin [AB] = Alan Brown Hills this spring. There might also be a need for classroom visits, to supplement [MB] = Martin Byhower [SC] = Sheridan Coffey science classes. In the summer, we might be working at day camps. Nothing definite [DC] = Dan Cooper is scheduled at this writing, but more details will be in the next Western Tanager, and [RC] = Ron Cyger will be posted on the website. [JF] = Jon Feenstra Contact Dexter Kelly - [email protected], if you are interested. [MF] = Mary Freeman [NF] = Nick Freeman Hospitality. Olga Clarke has been working hard these many years to prepare snacks [KLG] = Kimball Garrett and drinks that are served in the Bookstore on meeting nights. But she shouldn't have [RG] = Ron Garrett to do this every month! Maybe some of us can take turns providing meeting refresh- [KG] = Karen Gilbert [JG] = John Green ments, at least one month at a time. It would free up Martha to sell more books, too. [EG] = Ed Griffin Contact Martha at Audubon House; [email protected] [JH] = Jim Hardesty [GH] = Gjon Hazard Executive Secretary. At this writing (mid November), no one has responded to our [DH] = Denise Hamilton plea of last month to fill this vacant Board position. Did we imply that you needed an [MH] = Mark Hunter MBA for this job? Hardly; just some routine managerial skills and a few hours a [NK] = Nancy Kenyon month, to review operations at Audubon House, including bookstore, membership, [KL] = Kevin Larson pelagic trips, and other such functions. Contact Martha - [email protected] [AL] = Andrew Lee [DoM] = Doug Martin Please call Audubon House is (323) 876-0202 about these opportunities. [JM] = Jimmy McMorran [TM] = Tom Miko [DaM] = Dave Moody [NM] = Nathan Moorhatch [LO] = Lou Or [BP] = Bob Pann [JiP] = Jim Pike [JoP] = Joan Powell BmDATHON - FOR LAAS! [MaR] = Martin Reid [Mill] = Michael Rosen [MSM] = Mike San Miguel May is Birdathon month! All Los Angeles Audubon Society field trips during May, [MJSM] = Michael J. San Miguel including Dexter Kelly's Morongo Valley trip, will be Birdathons. We hope each [LS] = Larry Schmahl participant will donate a chosen amount (may we suggest a dollar per species?). [DS] = Don Sterba Proceeds will go to the programs of the Los Angeles Audubon Society. More details [BS] = Brian Sullivan about this in the next Western Tanager, watch the website too. [HW] = Hartmut Walter [1W] = Irwin Woldman

12 Western Tanager Dr. Robert Ridgely To Speak in Southern California

Saturday, March 19, 2005, 7 PM Following Dr. Ridgely's presentation there will be Los Angeles County a reception (included in the cost of the ticket) catered Museum of Natural History Auditorium by Wolfgang Puck in the Museum's Grand Foyer. Fruit, 900 Exposition Boulevard. Los Angeles cheese, cookies, and coffee will be served with a cash bar serving wine, beer, and soft drinks (S7). Dr. Ridgely received his Ph.D. from Yale University Dr. Ridgely will sign books at this event. In and is a leading ornithologist in the study of endemic advance of the presentation, his books will be available and endangered species of birds in the Americas. He is for sale at the Natural History Museum bookstore and the author of Birds Of Panama (first edition 1976, Los Angeles Audubon bookstore (323) 876-0202. revised 1989), Birds Of South America Vols I (1989) & Tickets are $50, partly tax-deductible for most //(1994), and Birds Of Ecuador (2001). He discovered donors, and benefits participating southern California Jocotoco Antpitta {GraUaria ridgelyi) in 1997 which Chapters of Audubon and the Jocotoco Foundation. was named after him. In 1998, Dr. Ridgely founded the Garry George - [email protected] and Jocotoco Foundation that has created and sustained six Cat Waters - [email protected], are volunteering habitat reserves in Ecuador. Dr. Ridgely serves on many their time to produce this event. conservation boards and is currently International Vice- For more information visit www.laaudubon.org or President of the American Bird Conservancy. contact the producers.

LAAS INTERNATIONAL TOURS

THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS January 28 - February 7, 2005 If the Galapagos is on your list of places that you long to visit, you will not be disappointed in this trip. The desert islands harbor birds, other , and plants not found anywhere else in the world. Walk near nesting boobies, storm-petrels, frigatebirds, and albatrosses. See Darwin finches and mockingbirds so tame they may land at your feet. Your 20 passenger motor yacht is equipped with all the modem amenities. Space will be limited to 10 participants.

THE BEST OF COSTA RICA February 24 - March 8, 2005 This is a repeat of our highly successful 2004 trip to Costa Rica where we enjoyed spectacular scenery and recorded over 400 species of birds at a reasonable pace. Accommodations are first class with good food, while being accompanied by excellent, experienced guides and leaders. Join us for this unforgettable adventure in a remarkably diverse, small country.

For information and itinerary, contact: Olga Clarke, Travel Director, Los Angeles Audubon Society Ph/Fax: (818) 249-9511 e-mail: [email protected]

January/February 2005 13 FIELD TRIPS

Before setting out on any field trip, Saturday, January 15 — kiosk (S3 parking fee), turn left (leading please call the LAAS bird tape at Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area. to the '"Olympic Forest") and park in the (323) 874-13IS for special instructions Leader: Karen Johnson. This trip covers first available spaees.Meet at 8:00 AM. or possible cancellations that may have landscaped parkland and natural coastal occurred bv the Thursday before the trip. scrub habitats, and is paced for beginning Sunday, January 15 — birders and members of the Baldwin Hills Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Area. Leader: Sunday, January 2 — community. The park entrance is off of Kris Ohlenkamp. "Freeway close" Topanga State Park. Ken Wheeland La Cienega Blvd. between Rodeo Rd. morning of birding. Kris has led this and Chris Tosdevin will lead participants and Stocker St. After passing the entrance walk on-and-off for 20 years, noting 200 through this beautiful and diverse coastal species, and averaging 60-65 per walk. mountain area. An ideal trip for a begin- American Bittern sometimes seen. Take ning birder or someone new in the area. RESERVATION the 405 fwy N into the San Fernando From Ventura Blvd.. take Topanga .AND Valley, turn W on Burbank Blvd. and N Canyon Blvd. 7 miles S, turn E uphill on FEE EVENTS (Rt.) on Woodley Ave. to the second Rt, (Limited Participation) which is marked "Wildlife Area". Turn Entrada Rd. Follow the signs and turn Policy and Procedure left into Trippet Ranch parking lot. From here and park in the lot at the end. Meet at PCH, take Topanga Cyn. Blvd. 5 miles to Reservations will be accepted ONLY if ALL 8:00 AM, and bird until about 11:30 AM. the following information is supplied: Entrada Rd. Parking $2. Meet at 8:00 AM. 1) Trip desired Sunday, January 16 — Sunday, January 2 — 2) Names of people in your party Ballona Wetlands. Bob Shanman will 3) Phone numbers: Los Angeles Christmas Bird Count. (a) usual and be leading this trip to our nearest wet- Contact compiler to participate. (b) evening before event, in land and adjacent rocky jetty. Good spot Ray Schep at [email protected]. case of cancellation for Surfbird, Black Oystercatcher, gulls, 4) Separate check (no cash please) to LAAS for exact amount for each trip and possible Large-billed Savannah Saturday, January 8 — 5) Self-addressed stamped envelope for Sparrow. Meet at the Del Rey Lagoon East Antelope Valley. Leaders: Jerry confirmation and associated trip information parking lot. Take the Marina Fwy (90 W) Send to: Dunn and Scott Harris. Beyond 50th LAAS Reservations to Culver Blvd. and turn left for a mile, Street East is uncharted territory for all 7377 Santa Monica Blvd. turn right on Pacific Ave. The lot is on but a few birders. However, Scott has DFG West Hollywood, CA 90046-6694 the right. Lot or street parking is usually oversight of the area, and Jerry calls it If there is insufficient response, the trip will not a problem. Three-hour walk. 'Scopes home; so they know that Mountain be cancelled two Wednesdays prior to the helpful. Meet at 8:00 AM. Plover, raptors, LeConte's Thrasher, and scheduled date (four weeks for pelagics). You other AV specialties are often easier to find will be so notified and your fee returned. Your cancellation after that time will bring a refund Saturday-Sunday, January 29-30 — in the far eastern reaches of the Valley. only if there is a paid replacement. Millie Salton Sea. Leader: Nick Freeman. Take Hwy 14 N to Avenue S (next to Lake Newton is available at Audubon House on Yellow-footed Gull, Ruddy Ground- Palmdale). Drive into the Park-and-Ride Wednesdays from noon to 4:00 P.M. to answer Dove, Snow and Ross' geese, Sandhill just to the east. Meet at 8:00 AM at the W questions about field trips. Our office staff is also available Tuesday through Saturday for Cranes, Stilt Sandpiper, and Gila Wood- end of the lot. Bring lunch for a full day most reservation services. pecker all hoped for to certain. Send $5, of fun in the field. No fee, no reservation. name, phone number, and a SASE to 'Scopes and FRS radios helpful. REFUND POLICY FOR LAAS for info including the meeting PELAGIC TRIPS place at the Sea. No limit. Meet there at Sunday, January 9 — If a participant cancels 31 days or more prior to 9:30 AM Saturday. Calipatria Inn Whittier Narrows. Leader: Ray Jillson. departure, a $4 service charge will be deducted (800) 830-1113 and Brawley Inn View colorful resident and migrating from the refund. There is no participant refund (760) 344-1199 are recommended. birds, including the introduced Northern if requested fewer than 30 days before departure, unless there is a paid replacement available. FRS radios and 'scopes helpful. Cardinal. Take Peck Dr. off the 60 Fwy Call LAAS for a possible replacement. Please in South El Monte (just west of the 605 do not offer the trip to a friend as it would be Sunday, February 6 — Fwy), Take the off ramp onto Durfee unfair to those on the waiting list. Topanga State Park. Leaders: Ken Ave. heading W (right) and turn left into All pelagic trips Wheeland and Chris Tosdevin. the Nature Center, 1000 Durfee Ave. must be filled 35 days prior to sailing. Meet at 8:00 AM. See January 2 listing $2 suggested donation. Meet at 8:15 AM. Please reserve early. for details.

14 Western Tanager Friday, February 4 — Sunday, February 20 — the 10/57 interchange (at the bottom of Gull Study Workshop Lecture. Speaker Ballona Wetlands, Kellogg Hill). If coming from the N, turn Larry Allen will discuss most gulls that Leader: Bob Shanman. left onto Via Verde, and left into the have appeared in North America - most Meet at 8:00 AM. See January 16 listing "Park and Ride" lot. If coming from the S, of which have made it to California. for details. be alert that the offramp comes up fast. Larry will specifically address general Proceed Rt, off the ramp onto Via Verde aspects of gull topography, the confusing Saturday-Sunday, February 26-27 — to the "Park and Ride" lot. We will meet logic of molt sequences, and the finer Carrizo Plain. Leaders: Larry Allen here at 7:30 AM to carpool since there is aspects of identification to age and species. and Mary Freeman. Meet at 8:00 AM in a $7.00/car park entrance fee. Rod will Slides, study skins, and handouts will be Maricopa. Great scenery. We will see continue after lunch if there is interest. used. Meet at Audubon House, 7-10 PM, Ferruginous Hawks, Prairie Falcons, There are picnic tables and facilities. with one break. 20 maximum. $10 fee Golden Eagles. LeConte's Thrasher, Bring lunch, if you plan to bird into the and phone number mailed to LAAS Merlin, and pronghorn; with Rough- afternoon. No limit, but please call your covers lecture and field trip. Park in the legged Hawk, Mountain Plover and name and phone number in to LAAS if south lot, so you don't get locked in. Sandhill Crane likely. To spice up the possible. trip, we will meet in Maricopa, access Sunday, February 6 — the Plain via Crocker Springs Road, and Saturday-Sunday, March 12-13 — Gull Study Workshop Field Trip. stay in Buttonwillow Saturday night; Anza Borrego with Fred Heath. The Leader: Larry Allen. Put your new then Sunday leave the Plain north via spring explosion of desert flora and knowledge to use in the field, perhaps Bitterwater Road, spending a few hours fauna should be well under way in the even identifying California and Ring- at Kem NWR before we return to L.A. If Colorado Desert, including butterflies, billed gulls as they fly overhead! Meet at possible, please caipool or avail your Desert Bighorn, herps, and early birds in the Malibu Lagoon kiosk at 8:00 AM vehicle to others when you reserve. Your the throes of breeding activity. Swain- Driving north to Malibu on PCH, either phone number will be released for car- son's Hawk, Black-throated Sparrow, turn right on Cross Creek Road after the pooling unless you request otherwise. Scott's and Hooded orioles, chuckwalla bridge over the creek and park here; or Send name, phone number, $5 per person, all likely. Suggested accommodations: park on PCH, preferably on the north and SASE to sign-up with Audubon House Tamarisk Grove Campground [reserve (right) side. Walk across PCH at the signal, for exact directions and information. through Destinet (800) 444-7275], or and meet at the kiosk by the lagoon. If Reserve your own room in Buttonwillow Stanlund Motel in Borrego Springs not attending the lecture, call Audubon for Saturday night (Motel 6). FRS radios (619) 767-5501. Anticipate a busy week- House or call the tape (323) 874-1318 to and 'scopes helpful. Limit: 14. end, and reserve camping January 12, or confirm the meeting site, which could motels earlier. Limit 20 people. Send change. 20 maximum. $10 fee and phone Saturday, March 5 — SASE with phone number and $5 fee to number mailed to LAAS covers lecture Bonelli Regional Park. LAAS to learn. 7:00 AM meeting place and field trip. Possible parking fee. Leader Rod Higbie. Bonelli Regional and more details. Pleasant to warm days, Bring a lunch. Park is a remarkable island of habitat. It cool to cold nights. has lake, coastal sage, mixed woodland, Sunday, February 13 — and riparian habitats. Birds regularly seen Saturday-Sunday, April 16-17 — Whittier Narrows. Leader: Ray Jillson. include California Gnatcatcher, Cactus Owens Valley Grouse Trip. Meet at 8:15 AM. See January 9 listing. Wren, Golden Eagle, and Rufous- Mary Freeman leads. Sage Grouse on crowned Sparrow, 200 other species the lek, breathtaking scenery, raptor-rich Saturday, February 19 — throughout the year. From L.A., take the valleys. Meet early in Big Pine Saturday. Kenneth Halm State Recreation Area. 10 or 210 Fwy east towards San Dimas Limited to 20. To sign up, send $20 and a Leader: Eleanor Osgood. to the top stretch of the 57 Fwy. Proceed SASE to LAAS. More details in mailer. Meet at 8:00 AM. $3 entry fee. N from the 10, or S from the 210 on the Reserve rooms early. See January 15 listing for details. 57 Fwy to the Via Verde exit just N of

Saturday, February 26 — Palos Verdes Escarpment and Redondo Canyon. Eight-hour trip departs from Marina del Rey at 7:30 AM on the R/V UCLA Seaworld. Birds seen on prior trips: Northern Fulmar, Short-tailed, Black-vented, Sooty, and Pink-footed shearwaters; Pomarine and Parasitic jaegers; rocky shorebirds (up to 5); Xantus's MuiTelet; Cassin's and Rhinoceros auklets. Rarity: Ancient Murrelet. Gray Whales and dolphins are often seen. PELAGIC "TR I P Leaders: Kimball Garrett and Todd McGrath. $50 - No galley; coffee and hot water available.

January/February 2005 15 EVEN I N6 MEETI NG$

Meet at 7:30 PM in Plummer Park 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard West Hollywood, CA 90046-6694

Tuesday. January 11 Dr. Stephen Rothstein Cowbirds: Why they are so maligned and yet are so interesting to biologists.

Parasitic birds, such as cowbirds and cuckoos, and their hosts have long been subjects of great interest to biologists, especially those concerned with behavior, physiology and evolution. In recent years, cowbirds have also attracted a great deal of attention from the consei-vation community because of potential effects on endangered host species. Dr. Rothstein will cover some parasitic bird research involving their co-evolution with hosts, the extent to which cowbirds threaten the survival of host species, and whether cowbirds should be killed off to aid impacted host species. Dr. Rothstein is Professor of Biological Science at U.C. Santa Barbara.

Tuesday, February 8 Garry George Kill Your Lawn

Come hear how Garry has transformed the front and backyard of his urban Los Angeles residence into a habitat built for birds. He has an astounding yard list of over 70 species of birds thanks to his water feature and plantings of native vegetation, which literally draw nearby birds out of the sky. Garry was awarded a certification by the National Wildlife Federation for his efforts. In his talk he will discuss converting your yard or garden space to native habitat for the benefit of resident and migrant species, even in an urban environment,

>•«•*•! Los Angeles Audubon Society 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard DATED MATERIAL Non-Profit Organization West Hollywood. CA 90046-6694 Please Expedite U.S. Postage PAID Glendale, CA SPECIAL PERMIT NO. 276 EVENT SEE PAGE 13

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16 Western Tanager