Volume 55, Number 3 November 2009 The Owl and the Woodpecker • Paul Bannick Encounters with North America’s Most Iconic Birds Award-winning photog- rapher Paul Bannick will  take you on a visual journey Great Gray Owl  through eleven key North Acorn Woodpecker American habitats exploring the diversity of specific owl Both photos: © Paul Bannick and woodpecker species and the ways in which they define and enrich the ecosystems that they inhabit. We will see how their life histories are intertwined. Woodpeckers change and improve their landscape by carving cavi- ties that other animals then nest in and by define. This stunning photographic study drilling wells of sap that others feed upon. will be accompanied by stories and rich Owls are among the creatures that benefit natural history derived from thousands of from the activities of woodpeckers and, as hours in the field. a high-order predator, their presence indi- Paul Bannick has coupled his love of cates a healthy ecosystem. Paul provides the out of doors with his skill as a photog- a close look at familiar birds such as the rapher to create images intended to foster Northern Flicker and the Great Horned intimacy between the viewer and the sub- Owl as well as more rare species like the ject in order to educate and inspire conser- Smithsonian Guide to North American Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Red-Cockaded vation efforts. After graduation from the Birds and many other books, magazines, and Woodpecker and North-American Spot- University of Washington, Paul worked for refuges in North America and Europe. His ted Owl and the habitat each helps to 15 years in the computer software industry first book, ‘The Owl and the Woodpecker’, with Aldus Corporation, Adobe Systems, published by The Mountaineers Books in and Microsoft. Wishing to combine his October of 2008, continues to be one of the Meeting Schedule passion for wilderness conservation with best selling bird books in North America. The next general meeting of his previous expertise, he focused his at- Mount Diablo Audubon Society tention on nonprofit work and currently BIRDING INFORMATION will be Thursday, November 5, in the Camellia Room of The Gar- serves as the Director of Development for Mary Scheele is a nature photographer dens at Heather Farm, Walnut Conservation Northwest (www.conser- and resident of Contra Costa County. She Creek. vationnw.org). Conservation Northwest spends June through September on Lopez 7:00 pm Birding Information is dedicated to protecting and connecting Island, one of the San Juan Islands in the 7:25 pm Announcements wild areas from the Pacific Coast to the State of Washington. Here she devotes 7:40 pm Refreshments,* door prize Canadian Rockies. 8:05 pm Speaker: Paul Bannick her time to photographing the birds and * Please remember to bring a cup. Paul’s work has appeared in Audu- wildlife of the islands. She is very pleased Thursday, December 3: bon Magazine, Sunset Magazine, Pacific to share her photographs, and love of John Muir Laws Northwest Magazine, the National Wildlife this magnificent area, with Mount Diablo Federation Guide to North American Birds, Audubon Society. DEDICATED TO HABITAT CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION the Quail —1— November 2009 President’s Corner Observations By Jimm Edgar By Maury Stern Welcome Our October general meeting took a Migration continues through the area and good part of the evening to honor two of many winter residents arrived. New Members our first and founding members, Harry and A raft of about a thousand Greater Scaup Kevin Barrett Mill Valley Betty Adamson. Diane Inman, who wrote was at Point Pinole, 10/12. LL Beth Branthaver Oakland the definitive work on Harry’s art, gave a At Briones RP in the evening of 9/28 KU wonderful talk about Harry and Betty’s life Analice Decker Walnut Creek probably saw a Common Poorwill. and Harry’s art work. It is such a privilege Louise Dutton Orinda that our chapter has this world-renowned On 10/4, JD saw Vaux’s Swifts over Til- Jane Matthewman Mill Valley den RP. artist among us. The chapter has given a John Stahler Antioch PS saw a at $2500 donation to Gray Lodge Wildlife Red-breasted Sapsucker John O. White Walnut Creek Area, which is in the Central Valley of Cali- Black Diamond Mines RP on 10/6. fornia, in Harry and Betty’s name. Two bird On 9/12, RL saw Western Wood-Pewee blinds were dedicated to Harry and Betty at Upper San Leandro Reservoir. FOS White-crowned Sparrows were seen by JC in Moraga, 9/15, PS in Antioch a few years ago at Gray Lodge. It was a fun PS saw Warbling Vireos in Antioch on 9/17, and HH in Walnut Creek on 9/19. evening and Harry is still painting at 93! 9/15 and 9/28. On 10/8, BA saw Golden-crowned Spar- August 20, 2009 was the tenth anniver- On 10/10 at Lafayette Reservoir, a Rock rows in Moraga. sary of the Endangered Species Act delist- Wren was on the face of the dam. PS saw a Black-headed Grosbeak in An- ing the Peregrine Falcon. This is one of the A FOS Hermit Thrush was at MS’s house tioch on 9/22. most remarkable conservation stories to in Lafayette on 9/27. ever happen. By 1970 the effects of DDT HH saw a Western Meadowlark at FOS Yellow-rumped Warblers were had nearly made the Falcon extinct. There Heather Farm on 9/24. This was the first seen on 9/19 at Heather Farm by HH, and were no breeding pairs east of the Missis- in many years there. in Kensington on 9/22 by JDu. sippi River and just two remaining pairs Abbreviations: BA Blaine Anderson, JC DW and KO saw an American Redstart in California. Attempts to breed the birds Judy Cooper, JD Joseph Dodge, JDu Judith at the Richmond Bay View Trail near 51st in captivity had all failed, but a new group Dunham, HH Hugh (and Rosita) Harvey, Street on 9/13. of biologists set out to reverse the failure. AK Alan Krakauer, RL Rob Lewis, LL UC Santa Cruz led the way and to date over Western Tanagers were seen 9/12 by RL Laura Look, KO Kitty O’Neil, TR Ted 1000 Peregrine Falcons have been released at Upper San Leandro Reservoir and TR Robertson, JR Jennifer Rycenga, PS Paul into the wild. One could very likely see at Tilden RP. (and Nancy) Schorr, MS Maury Stern, KU them in downtown San Francisco where PS saw a new yard bird, Savannah Spar- Ken-ichi Ueda, DW Denise Wight. FOS they have bred successfully on the PG&E row, on 9/25 in Antioch. First of Season, RP Regional Park building since 2003. It is encouraging to A Fox Sparrow at Tilden RP on 9/23 was Submit Contra Costa County sightings to realize that environmental challenges that FOS for TR. Maury Stern at [email protected] or seem overwhelming can be solved and AK saw Lincoln’s Sparrow on 9/18 in (925) 284-5980 or send sightings to EBB gives us hope for the next challenge. Wildcat RP near Richmond. Sightings. I went to hear Lisa Jackson speak re- cently in San Francisco. She is the newly appointed Administrator of the Environ- Trip Reports mental Protection Agency. She was very Antioch Dunes NWR, September 12. was past its season and we saw no Lange’s impressive and I believe we will see a lot of Lightning and thunder woke many early in Metalmark Butterflies. Hugh Harvey good things happening with environmen- the morning, but eight members still met Healdsburg Vaux’s Swifts, September tal issues in our country. to walk the dunes. There are few dunes left, 19. The evening return of Vaux’s Swifts to due to their removal for brick making, but an unused chimney near Healdsburg was this site along the Sacramento River has an every bit as exciting as the more than 165 This bird was given its interesting history. We learned much of the viewers expected. Nineteen members of name by a nephew of history, as well as the natural history, as we our chapter joined this throng as we stood, Napoleon, in honor of walked around the 41 acres of the western sat, ate, joked and waited for the estimated one of his friends and colleagues. An Stamm Unit. The 26-acre Sardis Unit is not 5–6,000 birds to return and begin flying old colloquial name was Blue Darter. open to the public. The weather was cool, into the chimney.The Rio Lindo Academy birds and butterflies were sparse, though welcomes evening viewers to watch this Unscramble these letters, or turn to it was noted that White-crowned Spar- spectacle, which lasts for about a month. Page 4 to learn more. ACEHKOOPRSW rows were busy amongst the Star Thistle We were very lucky to visit on a good night, and Naked Stem Buckwheat. Of the three the numbers of birds varies with the time endangered species which live in the ref- of the season and the daily weather. uge, we saw some Antioch Dunes Evening Hugh Harvey Primrose; the Contra Costa Wallflower Continued on Page 4 » the Quail —2— November 2009 Field Trip Schedule By Hugh Harvey

November 7 Saturday ...... Charleston Slough/South Bay Come birding with us 14 Saturday ...... Davis Area/Vic Fazio in November! 21 Saturday ...... Limantour 23 Monday ...... Mt. View Sanitary/McNabney Marsh Field trips are open to members and non-members, begin- December ners and advanced birders. Weather or other contingencies may 5–6 Saturday/Sunday ...... Sacramento Refuges require changes. For updates, visit the MDAS website at www. diabloaudubon.com/index/php. 10 Thursday ...... Niles Area Because most trips do not return until late afternoon, bring 15 Tuesday ...... Christmas Count/East Contra Costa a lunch and drink and join us during our midday break. 19 Saturday . . . . . Christmas Count/Central Contra Costa Category ➊: Easy, little or no walking, smooth paths ➋ January Category : Moderate, one mile or more, possibly rough terrain ➌ 2 Saturday ...... Christmas Count/Rarity Chase Category : Difficult, extensive walking on rough terrain. 9 Saturday ...... Putah Creek Carpool locations: Sun Valley—Southwest corner of the Sun Valley Mall parking lot at Willow Pass Road and Contra 16 Saturday ...... Bodega Bay Costa Boulevard in Concord. Sycamore Valley Road Park 23 Saturday . . . Las Gallinas/Rush Creek/Shollenberger Park and Ride Lot—Just south of Danville, exit I-680 at Sycamore 29 Friday ...... Lake Merritt/Arrowhead Marsh Valley Road to the east; the Park and Ride lot is on the left. El Nido Ranch Road—Exit SR 24 at St. Stephens Drive east of Orinda. El Nido Ranch Road is parallel to and north of the free- ➋ Saturday, November 7 way. Park just east of the intersection with St. Stephens Drive. Charleston Slough/South Bay Leader: Bingham Gibbs, 838-9257. Carpool leaves at 7:30 am from Sycamore Valley Road ➋ Saturday, November 21 Park and Ride. Meet at Terminal Road in Mountain View at Limantour 8:30 am. Take I-680 south to SR 237, exit Calavaras Boulevard Leader: Maury Stern, 284-5980. to west. Pass Alviso, connect to US-101 north at Moffett Field. Carpool leaves at 7:00 am from El Nido Ranch Road. Meet Exit at San Antonio Road, turn right (north) to Terminal Road, at 8:30 am at the Bear Valley Visitor Center, Point Reyes turn right and park. Entrance is on left. Other areas of interest National Seashore. Take SR 24 to Oakland, then I-580 west in the South Bay are Palo Alto Baylands and Alviso. Shorebirds to Richmond and the San Rafael Bridge. From US 101 north, and waterfowl should be plentiful. Bring lunch and a beverage. take Central San Rafael exit. Go 2 blocks, turn left on 3rd Street and continue west to Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Turn right on Sir Francis Drake. At SR 1 at Olema, turn right for ➊ Saturday, November 14 0.25 miles, then turn left on Bear Valley Road. Visitor Center Davis Area/Vic Fazio is off Bear Valley. This trip includes forest birds on the ridge Leader: Terry Colborn, 916-705-8991 or [email protected] and ducks, shorebirds and often loons and grebes on the bay. Wintering Raptors and Waterfowl of Solano and Yolo Counties The open agricultural lands of southern Solano County pro- ➋ Monday, November 23 vide excellent foraging habitat for scores of wintering raptors, Mountain View Sanitary/McNabney Marsh while the wetlands of the nearby Yolo Basin Wildlife Area are Leader: Cheryl Abel, 335-0176. the winter home for thousands of waterfowl including ducks, geese, swans and many shorebirds. This all-day field trip will Meet at 9 am at the Mountain View Sanitary Visitor visit several local habitats in search of wintering Ferruginous Center. Exit from I-680 southbound at Arthur Road, turn and Rough-legged hawks; Merlin; Prairie Falcon; Burrowing, left and go under the freeway. Exit I-680 northbound at Pa- Barn and Great-horned Owls; Long-billed Curlew as well as checo Blvd, turn right onto Arthur Road and go under the the elusive and threatened Mountain Plover. We also expect freeway. Arthur Road will turn left. At 0.4 miles turn sharp to see a representative sampling of waterfowl and a variety of left onto Mt. View Sanitary’s private road. Follow the road shorebirds at the Yolo Basin Wildlife Area, aka the Vic Fazio through the entry gate, alongside the freeway and through refuge. Participants meet the leader at 8:00 am in Dixon in the the tunnel under I-680. Park and sign-in at the Visitor Cen- southwest corner of the Wal-Mart parking lot located on East ter. Trails may be muddy. Close-up looks at dabbling ducks; Dorset Drive at the Hwy 113 exit off I-80. Bring a lunch and possibly bitterns and herons. If you wish, bring a lunch and liquids; dress in layers. explore Martinez shoreline in the afternoon on your own. the Quail —3— November 2009 Cooper’s Hawk • Accipiter cooperii Looking Forward Endeavoring to fulfill the objectives of Stanley, 13th Earl of Derby, a member of Mount Diablo Audubon Society—namely Parliament and a naturalist who had a large habitat conservation and environmental collection of living animals: at his death education—the chapter maintains an there were 1,272 birds and 345 mammals. active outreach program that includes Fortunately, the friendships were later a presence at environmental events and repaired. presentations at local schools and librar- Cooper’s Hawks belong to the family ies. These events provide an opportunity of Accipiters. These hawks prey mostly for all members to help forward our goals. on other birds. Their long tails act as Here is a summary of upcoming events. rudders that allow them to be extremely Consider how you can help. maneuverable in wooded areas as they hunt February: San Francisco Flyway Festi- birds on the wing. Cooper’s Hawk is about val on Mare Island, Vallejo. We have a table the size of a crow. Other accipiters are the where children can study birds’ nests, and smaller Sharp-shinned Hawk and the larger where we provide information about our Northern Goshawk. Male Cooper’s Hawks activities. are of similar size to female Sharp-shinned French naturalist Charles Lucien Hawks, and distinguishing between the two March: Outreach Event at Moraga Bonaparte first described the Cooper’s is particularly difficult. Cooper’s Hawks Library. This program is hands-on, where Hawk in 1828. He named it for his friend have rounded tails, the outer tail feathers kids learn to use binoculars and actually William Cooper, one of the founders of the being as much as an inch shorter than identify birds. Emphasis is on care of the New York Lyceum of Natural History (later the central ones. Sharp-shinned Hawks environment while learning and having the New York Academy of Sciences). Both have square-tipped tails. In flight, Sharp- fun. Adults join, too, at an evening session. Bonaparte and William Cooper had been shinned Hawks tend to fly with their wrists April: Earth Day Festival at John Muir friends and colleagues of John J. Audubon, thrust forward and with their heads barely National Historic Site, Martinez. We join but that friendship dissolved in 1829 when protruding beyond the wrists. A Cooper’s many other organizations at a fun-filled Audubon claimed the name Falco stanleyi Hawk shows a straighter leading edge to its day of entertainment and information. for the species that Bonaparte had named outspread wings, and its head projects well May: Outreach Event at Wild Birds Falco cooperi, Cooper’s Hawk. Audubon beyond the leading edge so it seems larger Unlimited Store in Pleasant Hill. This is meant to honor Lord Edward Smith- than than that of a Sharp-shinned Hawk. a combination membership drive and exhibit of our activities. Trip Reports In every walk with nature June: Heritage Day at Borges Ranch in Walnut Creek. Like the event at John Muir » Continued from Page 2 one receives far more than NHS, this event is great for augmenting Hayward Shoreline/San Leandro he seeks. childrens’ interest in nature. Marina, September 17. Fourteen birders John Muir August: Martinez Beaver Festival. Not were very lucky to have gorgeous weather, just for beavers, this festival is about all but we still managed to find 65 species with an abundance of birds, and Bob Richmond wildlife and the wildlands and parks they the best being a Black-throated Gray adult to tell us not only what they were but many live in. Come have fun. other interesting facts about their habits male at the Berkeley Marina. Other birds September: California Coastal Clean- here in the fall. There were two first of of note were the Burrowing Owl at Cesar up. In cooperation with East Bay Regional the season—Merlin and Say’s Phoebe— Chavez, five species of grebes, many Black Park District, Mount Diablo Audubon and one quite rare bird, a male Downy Oystercatchers and Black Turnstones. takes part in removing old tires and other Woodpecker. A nice Wandering Tattler, New birders were made to feel especially debris from Martinez Shoreline Regional close and personal as we were leaving welcome by many of the participants. Park. was a nice addition to the list of 65 birds. Thanks to all of you. Bingham Gibbs Many Yellow Warblers mixed in with a few Hawk Hill, October 10. It was chilly and Orange-crowned’s and several Common overcast at Rodeo Lagoon and up on Hawk Yellowthroats made us work. Bob Dunn Hill, though we three birders had good had a couple of Lincoln Sparrows to add views of blue water, boats and ships, and to Song and Savannah Sparrows. Many sunshine where we weren’t. Among the Red Knots, Red-necked Phalaropes, 44 species seen, the highlights were the Sanderlings, and all the normal shorebirds Fox Sparrow posing at eye level happily were in abundance. Bingham Gibbs munching on seeds along our morning Berkeley Shoreline, October 8. Thirteen trail, and a Peregrine Falcon putting on birders welcomed in winter this gray, cold, a display to rival the Blue Angels close to windy morning. No sun shone until 12:30, our hilltop. Fred Safier the Quail —4— November 2009 Burrowing Owls Struggle with Habitat Lost and Found By Scott Artis For time immemorial an eastern rising sun has illuminated a giant standing within the confines of San Francisco’s East Bay. I can see its shadow falling on an ever dynamic landscape as swaying grasses are increas- ingly adorned with the byproducts of a 19th century notion that has been carried into the modern day. From the future site of 127 or so Antioch homes, I can clearly see Mount Diablo and a fresh adaptation of Manifest Destiny specifically designed to spread expansionism from city line to city line. But just because development finds itself in purgatory does not mean wildlife stalls with their quest to discover suitable habitat. In a story best described as habitat lost and habitat found, a group of Burrowing Owls have capitalized on our housing bubble collapse. Not long after the earth- Yet throughout the broken glass, aban- pass and springtime development draws movers ceased, asphalt was laid, cement doned water heaters, beer cans, refrigera- near, an official biological survey is yet to was poured, and blocks were stacked, a tors, loud music, and questionable traffic, commence. According to a contact in the Burrowing Owl population began to re- the breeding owls managed to find success City Planning Department, the property’s establish a slightly less familiar habitat. with some of the pairs rearing as many initial Environmental Impact Statement Sidewalks served as impenetrable burrow as eight owlets each. But as the breeding completed years back indicated owls had roofs, sparsely vegetated lots provided per- season came to an end and the owlets not been observed on site and hence zero fect hunting grounds, roads, fire hydrants, ventured out on their own, this striking mitigation is currently in place for this and streetlights were nothing less than population of resident Burrowing Owls California Species of Special Concern. avian observatories, and their territory was was thinning. Perhaps an urge for migra- And as the sun moves towards a west- completely protected by chain link fencing. tion, perhaps continued disturbance, and ern setting there is no doubt that these And for about two years this unlikely urban most definitely a combination of both, the Burrowing Owls are on the cusp of habitat owl refuge flourished. emigration was driven by instinct and who lost, but the question is whether or not But with occasional economic sparks could blame them for leaving. However, they will have another opportunity for of life and developers trying to cut their as fall crept up on a quickly passing year habitat found. losses, this particular plot of land found it- the population found itself numbering Scott Artis is a resident of Antioch and self in the throes of a transfer of ownership. around 10. describes himself as a Wildlife Advocate. And as the previous owner faded so too It was five months to the day after the He maintains a wildlife commentary at did that very important layer of protection. first of many conversations with the City www.journowl.com. His campaign to save Little did I realize that the chain link fence of Antioch, the Police Department, and the Burrowing Owls and stop the blight at I once criticized for contributing to habitat the developer that I was able to breathe the Kiper Homes property near Brentwood fragmentation was vital to Burrowing Owl an initial sigh of relief. The graffiti was is admirable. Mount Diablo Audubon has success and our neighborhood’s integrity. painted over, the unwanted piles of debris officially registered our concern in a letter The once quiet, semi-developed land were hauled away, and the clanking of posts to the Antioch City Council. had suddenly been exposed to all the ac- being driven into the ground reverberated tivities one typically finds filling a police throughout the neighborhood as an owl blotter. Drug deals, substance abuse, illegal stood watch on a distant street sign. Within dumping, graffiti, alcohol, sex, fireworks, a week and a half the newly installed gates street racing, and off-roading infiltrated were officially locked and the first measure my world; infiltrated the world of these of protection for the owls had been put in Burrowing Owls. And as the calendar place. And with the discovery of the re- continued to shed its months, the traffic mains of a Burrowing Owl and numerous increased , the piles of garbage grew, and blocked den entrances, the timing could the Burrowing Owls found themselves not be more appropriate. Burrowing Owl in a breeding season with active burrows But ensuring their ultimate protec- Speotyto cunicularia hypogœa surrounded by tire tread marks and trash tion is going to require more than a mere Birds of the Pacific States covering burrow entrances. chain link fence. As time continues to Ralph Hoffmann • 1927 the Quail —5— November 2009 Cibola NWR Buy a Duck Stamp! ›› Continued from Page 8 It has been Mount Diablo Audubon’s lands Wildlife Management Area, Merced custom to purchase a number of Federal County, acquired a permanent easement Duck Stamps (Migratory Bird Hunting and of 1,077 acres protecting that major Conservation Stamps) so that members could wintering area for migratory waterfowl. have the convenience of buying them at our The other IBA-related acquisitions were general meetings. There are still several re- at Blackwater NWR, Maryland; Bombay maining , and you are encouraged to contrib- Hook NWR , Delaware; Silvio O. Conte ute $15 in support of wetlands and wildlife. NWR, New Hampshire; Bear River NWR, The Migratory Bird Utah, and Lake Umbagog Conservation Commission NWR, New Hampshire and is authorized to oversee Maine. the expenditure of Federal The MBCC, which has Duck Stamp funds for the been in operation since the tion deck is designed to allow the wildlife purchase and lease of mi- late 1920s, is a model of to feed and loaf without being disturbed. gratory bird habitat for the thoughtful and bipartisan There is a photography hide nearby. National Wildlife Refuge bird conservation that op- The population of Sandhill Cranes System. In early Septem- erates virtually under the that you will see here nest in northeast- ber the Commission approved the expen- radar, and is largely underappreciated or ern Nevada, and the birds begin arriving diture of nearly $8 million in stamp funds simply misunderstood.The Federal Duck in Arizona in October, staying until late to add more than 4,000 acres to seven units Stamp program has raised over $700 mil- February. Flying from roosting areas to of the Refuge System. Six of the seven were lion over the years for acquisition of land for feeding areas just before dawn, they feed part of, or adjacent to, recognized Impor- the National Wildlife Refuges. That’s why for about three hours, then assemble at tant Bird Areas (IBAs). The largest of these we should be buying duck stamps. Many loafing areas. They usually feed again for an acquisitions was at Tulare Basin Wildlife birders never spend a dollar supporting the hour or two before sunset, before heading Management Area, Kern and Tulare Coun- refuge system that has protected the birds off to their roost. ties, where 1,042 acres of easements will and other wildlife we enjoy watching. Drive about twelve miles to the south- protect wetlands and uplands in order to For news of the National Wildlife Ref- ern end of the refuge and visit the Cibola stop the gradual erosion of habitat that uges, you may want to visit The Birding Lake overlook to view grebes, ducks, peli- supports migrating waterfowl. Earlier this Community E-bulletin at www.refugeas- cans, geese, cormorants, terns, and more year, also with Duck Stamp funds, Grass- sociation.org/birding/NewestSBC.html. from an elevated cliff overlooking the southern end of the lake. Cibola Lake is closed from Labor Day to March 15 in Help Project FeederWatch order to provide the wintering waterfowl a safe and undisturbed place to roost, but Track Backyard Birds you can enjoy watching the birds from a What happens in the backyard should “To get the most complete picture of distance from the overlook. not stay in the backyard—at least when it bird movements, we always need new sets Many of the aquatic birds nest in the comes to bird feeders. By sharing informa- of eyes to tell us what species are show- backwaters of the river. In the spring at tion about which birds visit their feeders ing up at backyard feeders,” says David Cibola Lake look for Western and Clark’s between November and April, backyard Bonter, leader of Project FeederWatch. Grebes with the young riding on their bird watchers can help scientists track “Participants always tell us how much fun parents’ back. changes in bird numbers and movements it is and how good it feels to contribute to From Blythe, California, drive approxi- from year to year, through Project Feed- our understanding of birds by submitting mately 3 miles west on I-10 to Neighbours erWatch, a citizen-science program from their sightings.” Boulevard/SR 78 exit. Travel south on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Project FeederWatch is for people of all Neighbours for 12 miles to the Cibola Studies Canada. ages and skill levels. To learn more and to Bridge. After crossing the bridge over the Project FeederWatch begins on No- sign up, visit www.feederwatch.org or call Colorado River into Arizona, continue vember 14 and runs through early April. the Cornell Lab toll-free at 866-982-2473. south for 3.5 miles to headquarters. Taking part is easy. Anyone can count the In return for the $15 fee ($12 for Cornell The Visitor Center at Cibola NWR is numbers and kinds of birds at their feeders Lab members) participants receive the open year round. Hours vary. The Center and enter their information on the Feeder­ FeederWatcher’s Handbook, an identifi- is staffed by friendly and knowledgeable Watch website. Participants submitted cation poster of the most common feeder docents, and there are interesting displays nearly 117,000 checklists last season. Since birds, a calendar, complete instructions, to acquaint you with the refuge and what 1987, more than 40,000 people from the and Winter Bird Highlights, and an annual it has to offer. United States and Canada have taken part summary of FeederWatch findings. in the project. Cornell Lab of Ornithology the Quail —6— November 2009 Flyway and one of the country’s preeminent the Quail Ornithology birding spots. At last year’s festival, over 200 is published by the Opportunities species of birds were identified! Field trip Mount Diablo Audubon Society Sandhill Crane Festival, Lodi, No- group sizes are limited to maximize spotting P.O. Box 53 • Walnut Creek, CA 94597-0053 and identification opportunities. To register vember 7–8. General admission to the MDAS Board of Directors Sandhill Crane Festival is free. Nature and for more information about the Festival, President: Jimm Edgar, 510-658-2330 tours costs vary. For information, cost, and see www.morrobaybirdfestival.org, or call Vice President: Mike Williams, 376-1631 times, please visit www.cranefestival.com. toll free 866-464-5105. The registration Treasurer: Steve Buffi, 938-0929 Photographer Paul Bannick, our MDAS deadline is December 31, but early signups Board Secretary: Diana Granados, 963-9753 November meeting speaker, will be the are encouraged as the most popular events Sales Manager: Diane Malucelli, 674-0920 Festival’s Featured Speaker on Saturday, fill up quickly. Programs: Alice Holmes, 938-1581 and he will lead a Sunday field trip as part San Diego Audubon Society’s Bird Field Trips: Hugh Harvey, 935-2979 of a Bird Photography Workshop. You must Festival, March 4–7. Among the 56 field Membership: Beverley Walker, 952-9925 Volunteer Coordinator: register for the field trip to participate in trips and workshops are three trips into Moses de los Reyes, 755-3734 the classroom portion of the workshop. Baja California (passports required); an Hospitality: Gerry Argenal, 768-6325 Limited to 15 participants. 8-hour pelagic trip to the Islas Coronados Education: Cecil Williams, 376-1631 The 13th AnnualCentral Valley Bird- and a 6½-hour pelagic trip for whales as Corresponding Secretary: ing Symposium will be held November well as birds; two trips for birds of the Beverly Hawley, 947-0479 19–22 in Stockton. Attend workshops Anza-Borrego Desert. Other special venues Webmaster: Patrick King, 510-642-6522 with raptor expert Bill Clark, birding pros are Marine Corps Camp Pendleton, and Chapter Development: Paul Schorr, 757-5107 Jon Dunn and Joe Morlan, as well as other behind-the-scenes tours at San Diego Zoo’s Hands-On Conservation: informative folks. Evening programs in- Wild Animal Park and the avian collection Nancy Wenninger, 938-7987 Christmas Count: Jimm Edgar, 510-658-2330 clude Murrelet Halterman on Yellow-billed at the San Diego Natural History Museum. Plan your trip now as reservations for ac- Breeding Bird Atlas Marketing: Cuckoos and Stephen Shunk on “The Mag- Ann McGregor, 968-1677 tivities fill quickly. A brochure and registra- ic of Birding”. There will be drawing and Member-at-Large: Brian Murphy, 937-8835 digiscoping workshops, the always popular tion form can be ordered at 619-682-7200 Jean Richmond, 837-2843 and informative ID Panel with guest ex- or contact sandiegoaudubon.org. Quail Editor: Ellis Myers, 284-4103 perts, programs for beginning birders, and Point Reyes Birding Festival. Plan 215 Calle La Mesa more. The many field trips frequently turn now to attend the first annual Point Reyes Moraga, CA 94556-1603 up chasable goodies. The Birder’s Market is Birding Festival, April 23-25. The event is [email protected] full of artists and vendors with a wonderful sponsored by the Environmental Action The Quail is printed on 30% post-consumer selection of bird and nature related items. Committee of West Marin. Go to http:// waste recycled paper. The deadline for the For more info, check the website at www. www.eacmarin.org to learn more about December issue is November 10. cvbs.org , or contact Frances Oliver at hum- this exciting event. Make a reservation [email protected] or (209) 369-2010. to stay at one of the dozens of charming Come Celebrate the 14th Annual Morro bed and breakfast or other lodging estab- Bay Winter Bird Festival, January 15–18. lishments in West Marin from Friday at ( Located on California’s scenic Central Coast, noon to late Sunday afternoon, since ac- The Garden Center Morro Bay is an important stop on the Pacific commodations fill up early for weekends. Mount Diablo Audubon Society meets on the first Thursday of each month, except July and August, in the Camellia Room of The Gardens MDAS MEMBERSHIP/RENEWAL APPLICATION at Heather Farms, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, c Please enroll my family and me as a member of Mount Diablo Audubon Society Walnut Creek. Everyone is invited. for $25 for one year. c I’m enclosing an additional tax-deductible donation of $______. c For an additional $20 (new NAS members only), please enroll me in the National Audubon Society. Please send The Quail by: c E-mail c US mail

Name______Address______City, State______Zip______Phone ( ____ )______E-mail______Please make your check payable to: MT. DIABLO AUDUBON SOCIETY and mail with this application to: Membership Chair, 1932 Golden Rain Road #4, Walnut Creek, CA 94595 the Quail —7— November 2009 Mount Diablo Audubon Society Non-Profit Org. P.O. Box 53 U.S. Postage Walnut Creek, CA 94597-0053 PAID Return Service Requested Permit No. 66 Concord, CA

Canada Geese fly over Danner Lake at Cibola NWR

see thousands of ducks of many species, You will want to drive the three-mile Cibola NWR American Bitterns, Yellowlegs, American auto loop to view the Sandhill Cranes as Avocet, Black-necked Stilts, sandpipers, they forage in the fields or among the rows Cattle, Snowy and Great Egrets, Great Blue of corn. This drive is open from one-half Cibola—one of the fabled seven cities Herons and Black-crowned Night-Herons. hour before sunrise to one-half hour after of gold? No. It’s one of the hidden National Common Snipe, White-faced Ibis and sunset. Wildlife Refuges that you have likely never Black Terns are possible. About a half-mile along on the tour is heard of. And it’s not too far away. But Among 240 species of birds that come the parking lot and trailhead for the Corn- you wouldn’t want to plan on a summer to Cibola NWR during a normal year, field Nature Trail. The Nature Trail is a vacation there. species that are uncommon in Northern one-mile loop passing through three differ- Located in the Sonoran Desert along California include Gambel’s Quail, Greater ent native habitats; cottonwood, mesquite, the lower stretches of the Colorado River, Roadrunner, White-winged Dove, and and willow. Halfway around the trail, there south of Blythe, this is an oasis that may Vermilion Flycatcher. Harris’s Hawk, the is a 40-acre pond which in winter draws reach 120 degrees at times and gathers Yuma Clapper Rail, and Southwestern thousands of Canada Geese, Snow Geese hardly more than two inches of rain in a Willow Flycatcher are endangered birds and Sandhill Cranes. An elevated observa- year. The best time to visit is from Decem- that use Cibola NWR. Continued on Page 6 ›› ber through February when cranes, geese and ducks cover the skies, the water, and the fields. This can make a worth-while stop as you drive to the winter birding bonanza of southeast Arizona. When they come in to the shores of Danner Lake or elsewhere, Sandhill Cranes, Canada and Snow Geese, as well as Ross’s and Greater White-fronted Geese, can remind you that you should have brought along your ear plugs. You’ll also Coyote and Gambel’s Quail in Visitor Center diorama. Sandhill Cranes in alfalfa. the Quail —8— November 2009