Volume 63, Number 4 December 2017-January 2018 December Program : Population Trends from CBC Data ✦ Nicole Michel Birds face a variety of threats in University, New Orleans, LA, in 2012, North America, and identifying these where she investigated mechanisms threats in order to conserve bird and consequences of understory p opulations re quires detaile d insectivorous bird population decline knowledge of population trends over a in Central American rainforests, and long period of time. We studied c o m p l e t e d t w o p o s t d o c t o r a l advanced statistical models to analyze fellowships at the University of 52 years of Christmas Bird Saskatchewan. Count (CBC) data from the United Prior to earning her PhD, she States and Canada. spent several years as a traveling field Our results indicate that 60% of L: 2015 CBC; Top Center: Peregrine , biologist working with birds from the 497 species had increasing a recovering species; and Bottom Center: Florida to , and eight years with Nicole Michel, Nicole Michel photos populations within the study area the Institute for Bird Populations d u r i n g Nicole Michel, PhD, is a Senior working with the Monitoring Avian 1966–2017. Quantitative Ecologist with the Productivity and Sur vivorship A m o n g a National Audubon Society’s (NAS) program. s u b s e t o f Science Division, based in San Nicole loves travel, live music, 212 species Francisco, CA. Nicole joined NAS in Broadway shows, and out that have December 2015, where she is with her (indoor) cat. ≥25% range responsible for developing metrics to overlap with CBC circles and do not track bird response to Audubon’s Meeting Schedule fre quent fe e ders , the me dian conservation actions, and analyzing Te next meeting of the Mount population was 0.3% per year at the bird abundance, distribution, and Diablo Audubon Society will be continental level. Regional trends were habitat relationships. Tursday, December 7 in the variable at lower latitudes, whereas the She received her PhD in Ecology Camellia Room of Te Gardens at largest increases were at higher and Evolutionary Biology at Tulane Heather Farm in Walnut Creek. latitudes, consistent with range shifts due to climate change. 6:30 PM Doors open CBC trend estimates are similar to 7:00 PM Birding Information those from the North American 7:25 PM Announcements Breeding Bird Survey. Citizen Science 7:40 PM Refreshments* and raffle efforts such as the CBC will be needed *please bring your own coffee mug going forward to understand and 8:00 PM Program: Population predict how birds respond to climate Trends from CBC Data ✦ Nicole and land cover change, giving us the Michel information needed to take actions to conserve bird diversity for generations NEXT MONTH’S PROGRAM: to come. Tursday, January 4, 2018, DVD ✦ 7 PM Birding Information Magic of the Snowy (see page 3) LOOKING AHEAD: Tursday, Program Chair, Ariana Rickard, will share a couple of videos and an update from February 1, 2018, Bob Lewis ✦ the July 2017 National Audubon Convention in Park City, Utah this past summer. Bird’s Rainbow

DEDICATED TO HABITAT CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION President’s Corner Paul Schorr While in Fort Collins, CO, this past September, I read small portion returned to the local chapter to which the the Fort Collins Audubon Society newsletter, the Ptarmigan. member is assigned (in this case, MDAS), while dues for I really enjoyed the topic that President John Stenot MDAS stay largely within our chapter and community. Many presented in his President’s Corner: differences between local of us see good value in being a member of both NAS and chapters and the national organization. I have adapted his MDAS. message here for the Quail. According to Virginia Hamrick, People often ask how many our Membership Chair, in 2017, members we have in MDAS, and 241 households (out of 391 total the answer is a little tricky because MDAS members) held only an we represent and have contacts MDAS membership. An additional with people who are MDAS 1,150 households who held only an members, and people living in our NAS membership were assigned by area who are members of National NAS to our chapter; and 150 Audubon Society (NAS). households were members of both MDAS and NAS are separate MDAS and NAS. and independent organizations. As an organization, MDAS gets Many people are confused by this distinction. In the simplest most of its revenue and all of its energy from members. We terms, and ignoring some minor details, the difference is that would love to expand our ranks, and we’d especially like to NAS members get the NAS magazine, but not the beautiful invite NAS members to become MDAS members, too. We MDAS newsletter, the Quail. MDAS members get the hope NAS members will consider this and we hope all of you newsletter, but not the magazine. Dues for NAS membership will spread the word about MDAS to your friends, neighbors, go almost entirely to the national organization, with only a and colleagues. (Above: 2016 MDAS CBC, Maren Smith photo) observing real-time images of the Welcome Good News For from nesting to fledging 24/7. Mayo Peregrine Falcons Educational exhibits New Members I was recently in the Midwest a n d l i v e f a l c o n Gail Wolfson Walnut Creek accompanying my mother to Rochester, presentations further Sat De Hercules MN for her annual physical at the conservation efforts. James McEnerney Pleasanton Mayo Clinic. Near the cafeteria, there B ab y f a l co n s a re Leela McCullough Walnut Creek was a display case named from public w i t h p h o t o s , suggestions and are information, and a banded with a metal Which heron populates v i d e o s c r e e n tracker at a Mayo all but two of the world`s running a short Clinic event. continents? fi l m a b o u t Te world-class Q Peregrine Falcons care that the Mayo Unscramble the letters or who nest on the Clinic provides for humans is look at page 8 for the answer. Gonda Building at impressive, but the Mayo Clinic’s 30- the Mayo Clinic. year commitment to HLETHOCNRWBIRNNAGDKOEC Te Mayo Clinic has been hosting conservation is also commendable. falcons (many captive-bred) since 1987. Teir mission “to inspire hope, and Te Midwest Peregrine Society invited contribute to health and well-being” the Mayo Clinic to join a national effort applies to both humans and birds . MDAS on the Web to help the endangered birds, at risk And, that’s good news for the Mayo www.diabloaudubon.org due to the widespread use of DDT after Clinic Peregrine Falcons. ~Maren www.facebook/mtdiabloaudubon WW II. DDT has been banned in the Smith (Google Images photos) www.meetup.com/Mount-Diablo- Audubon-Society/ U.S. since 1972. Recovery efforts then 〰 really began for falcons and other For more information including threatened species. live-action nesting coverage visit Te Quail is published monthly At the Mayo Clinic, during nesting history.mayoclinic.org. To search the except in January and August by the season (mid-March to late June), online database for banded Mayo Mt. Diablo Audubon Society, P.O. Box patients and visitors can view the Clinic Peregrine Falcons, visit 53, Walnut Creek, CA 94597-0053. Te resident Peregrine Falcons on an in- midwestperegrine.umn.edu/ (click on deadline for the February Quail will house “Falcon cam” on Channel 99, “Search” and enter “Mayo Clinic”). be January 7.

the Quail —2 — December 2017-January 2018 January Program: PBS “Nature” DVD ✦ Magic of the Snowy Owl Troughout the long months of the Arctic’s frozen winter, the sun remains below the horizon. Te cold is intensified by the darkness, making life difficult, if not impossible, for all but the toughest and most experienced of animals. Snowy are built for the challenge, their every sense and skill honed to take on the eerie, bleak world. When the b r i e f A r c t i c s u m m e r approaches, bringing light back to the tundra, Snowy Owls embark on an even more daunting challenge than keeping themselves alive. Tey breed and attempt to raise young in one of the harshest environments on the planet. Once summer arrives, they will have just 82 days of sunlight to successfully raise a family of helpless owlets until they are ready and able to fly. Documenting the degree of difficulty involved in those efforts, a team of filmmakers must face some challenges of their own as they set out to record the rarely observed daily lives of a breeding pair of Snowy Owls. Tough "snowies" naturally stand out for their beauty, intelligence and charm, in their stark Arctic home, it is their determination and survival skills that are truly magical. (Tirteen/PBS photos) January Birding Information 7 PM Jan. Meeting Schedule Te Peregrine Team of Pine Canyon is a diverse group of volunteers who educate Te next meeting of the Mount Diablo park visitors about the annual nesting closure zone for Peregrine Falcons in Mount Audubon Society will be Tursday, Diablo State Park (Feb 1-July 31). One of the team members, Brian Richardson, will January 4, 2018 in the Camellia Room share information about local Peregrine Falcon history, a typical “patrol” experience, of Te Gardens at Heather Farm in and fun facts about Pine Canyon’s other natural wonders. Walnut Creek.

6:30 PM Doors open The Kestrel Campaign 7:00 PM Birding Information In response to long-term population declines of American Kestrels in North 7:25 PM Announcements America, members of the Peregrine Team of Pine Canyon (volunteers docents from 7:40 PM Refreshments* and raffle area conservation groups including MDAS) have expanded their efforts to help *please bring your own coffee mug another falcon, the American Kestrel. By building and establishing nest boxes in the 8:00 PM Program: DVD ✦ Magic of Mt. Diablo region, doing annual monitoring and data collection for nationwide the Snowy Owl analysis, and using public outreach and education about the effects of rodenticides on area wildlife, we hope to help local populations recover and increase. NEXT MONTH’S PROGR AM: To date, five kestrel boxes have been installed in Walnut Creek: one in Rudgear Tursday, February 1, 2018, Park, two in Arbolado Park, and two in the Pine Creek Detention Basin. Plans are Bob Lewis ✦ Te Bird’s Rainbow firming up to place more boxes on John Muir Land Trust and Save Mount Diablo lands as well as other area locations, once permission is granted. Historically, American Kestrel numbers are presumed to have declined due to Te Kestrel Campaign has DDT, pesticides, rodenticides and heavy metals usage; the loss of nesting cavities due received a grant from MDAS for $500 to urbanization and competition with European Starlings; climate change; and to build and install American Kestrel predation by Cooper’s and other birds of prey. However, researchers lack nest boxes. Tank you MDAS! sufficient data to understand why these long-term, widespread population declines are If you’d like to get involved, please occurring, so the citizen science community is vital for nest box programs, providing contact Kestrel Campaign Lead, Brian important data for research. For general information: [email protected] Richardson, at: [email protected].

the Quail —3 — December 2017-January 2018 Hill, October 14: Cancelled due planned. Yes, we had to stand under umbrellas (and still to North Bay fires. ~Fred Safier didn’t see the Bittern in its usual spot) and take refuge under Trip Berkeley-Emeryville Shoreline, eaves as we walked the slough, and, yes, we spent Reports October 25: Seventeen members and considerable time at the Shoreline Lake Boathouse cafe guests enjoyed nice weather along drinking hot chocolate, and had to make a beeline to the the Emeryville and Berkeley waterfronts and marinas. MacDonald's for lunch during a downpour. But, eventually, Shorebirds in the area included Dunlin, Surfbirds, Western, the rain subsided and we birded the Palo Alto Baylands and Least and Spotted Sandpipers, one Whimbrel, Black-bellied Foster City shell bars with success. Despite the weather, we Plover, Greater Yellowlegs, Sanderlings, and Willets. At had eight waterfowl species, 13 shorebird species, six lunch near the Berkeley Marina, we noted one Heermann’s and species, a four-heron day and seven sparrow Gull sitting on a lone rock along with other . Both species. Te best sightings came at the end of our day. We Elegant and saw hundreds F o r s t e r ’ s of shorebirds Ter ns were and 60 or so perched on B l a c k pilings along S k i m m e r s the Berkeley fly ing nor th w ate r f ro nt . a n d s o u t h Te best bird along the shell o f t h e 5 6 bars in Foster species seen C i t y , a n d a n d h e a r d m a y b e 8 0 were two male Whimbrel, Beth Branthaver photo Willets landed Mixed flock of Marbled Godwits and Black E u r a s i a n on the bay, Skimmers, Walt Duncan photo Wigeon behind the Sea Breeze Diner at the end of University well offshore, Avenue, in with many American Wigeon. ~Eugenia K. and were contentedly bobbing in the waves. Altogether we Larson had 62 species. ~Hugh Harvey Abbotts Lagoon in Pt. Reyes, October 28: Ten members McNabney Marsh, November 7: It was a beautiful day to be and guests spent the better part of a gray day leisurely hiking in Martinez, despite the cool temperature. Traffic snarls on out to the lagoon and back. Led by Juan-Carlos Solis, an I-680 kept our leader, Steve Taylor, from joining the group, outstanding birder and naturalist, we located and identified a but MDAS always seem to have skilled birders who take visible through a scope, a river otter swimming near charge (or write field trip reports—thanks, Hugh!). Some the trail, various small groups of deer, and 59 species of new field trip participants joined us, bringing our group to birds. Of special note was the flock of approximately 200 13. We birded from the Tricolored Blackbirds swirling above a field adjacent to the observation platform, parking lot and a flock of perhaps 70 Snowy Plover then walked the MVSD camouflaged in the sand as we finally approached the beach. entry road for good We watched a hassling a m e a s u re . We a l s o and found a feather pile left behind by a predator. A few of us birded the north end of saw Wilson’s Snipe as well as dowitchers and other various M c N a b n e y M a r s h sandpiper species. Additionally, it was a four-plover day: from Waterbird Park, Black-bellied, Snowy, Semi-Palmated, and Killdeer. making a stop at the Troughout the day, we identified five species of sparrow famous taco truck. We including Fox and Lincoln’s. During the last hour, a few of us ended the trip at the chased a rarity that had been spotted earlier by SF young Martinez shoreline, birder, Jonah, and his mom. After much searching, a couple and Teri Wills led us of Lapland Longspur rose up out of a grassy place, clearly around a large circle to separate from the many American Pipits in the area, and check out her favorite A winter visitor, the “Audubon’s” or Juan-Carlos felt that we got enough information to Yellow-rumped Warbler, b i r d i n g s p o t s . differentiate the species to include both in our total count. Isaac Aronow photo Highlights of our 60 Not all participants saw all species, of course, but we all had species include looks at a very satisfying day. ~Elizabeth Leite both Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs; a female Hooded Charleston Slough and South Bay, November 4: It was Merganser associating with Buffleheads and Common raining pretty hard at the carpool location. Huddled under Mergansers; six raptors/falcons including a pair of White- the car’s raised tailgate to escape the rain, the trip leader, tailed Kites and an American Kestrel; a Sora; Black and Say's Beth Branthaver, decided to officially cancel the field trip, but Phoebes; and four ictirids, including close-up views of four of us decided to brave the elements and continue as vocalizing Great-tailed Grackles. ~Hugh Harvey

the Quail —4 — December 2017-January 2018 by Maury Stern A Clay-colored Sparrow was at Observations (10/10-11/5/17) the West County Waste Disposal plant (WCWD) in Richmond 10/10. LK, MP Te and other winter near the horse pasture 10/30, JS; and On 10/23, LL saw a White- residents are returning while the 10/31 at the Lafayette Reservoir in the throated Sparrow in Tilden. MC and summer breeders have almost all gone. trees near the dam. BE WH saw one at Jewel Lake 10/23, and 〰 Lewis’s Woodpeckers continued: AKr had one in his Richmond yard LL at the Seaview Trail in Tilden 10/23; 10/29. A Greater White-fronted Goose RS and CM at Briones Reservoir 10/26; P&NS saw a Slate-colored Junco was at Heather Farm 10/9. HH, TF, FS and C&TW at Round Valley Regional 10/29 in their Antioch yard. Also, on 10/9 a Cackling Goose Park 10/26. A Tricolored Blackbird was at was with hundreds of Canada Geese ML saw a Red-naped Sapsucker the WCWD 10/10. LK, MP on the Heather Farm grassy areas. HH, 10/21 at the Bear Creek Staging Area A Western Meadowlark was at TF, FS for Briones Reservoir. Heather Farm 10/17. HH, FS Tis was Te long present Canvasback at A Yellow-shafted Northern the first in many years. Meeker Slough was joined by a Flicker was in Pinole 11/4. JE companion. ES, AKr, SS, RF KP saw a Pileated Woodpecker RS and his class saw about 3,500 at the Moraga Ridge Open Space area Ruddy Ducks in the water between 11/4. Shimada Park in Richmond and Pt. Te continuing Tropical Kingbird Isabel on 10/5. was seen by many during the month. A Hooded Merganser was at TF, HH, FS, JH, KB, DK, MS, LS, MR Ironhouse Sanitary District 10/19, AL; AF saw a Cassin’s Vireo in and another was at Meeker Slough Concord 10/13; and DW saw one at 11/5. KD Miller-Knox Regional Park in Pt. Tirty Band-tailed Pigeons were Richmond 10/24. at Valle Vista Staging Area 10/30, JS, A Warbling Vireo was at JM’s AK; and the First Friday group saw Kensington home 10/13. A Wilson’s Warbler was spotted at about 100 at Jewel Lake 11/3. PS saw several Golden-crowned Heather Farm Park on 9/28/17, A single Rufous Kinglets at Contra Loma Regional Cassie Tzur photo was at Sibley Volcanic Park 10/13. DY, Park in Antioch 10/12. RS, JL Sixteen Hermit Trushes were at � HH and FS saw two Wilson’s Pt. San Pablo 10/11. LK Snipe at Heather Farm pond 10/24. KB Keith Bailey, S&BB Sandra and A Cattle Egret was at Martinez Bruce Beyaert, MC Minder Cheng, Shoreline Park 10/22. It was probably WD Walt Duncan, KD Kathleen the same one seen 9/4. LL Durkin, JE Jack Edick, BE Bill Espey, S&BB saw four White-faced Ibis TF Tracy Farrington, RF Robert near the Wildcat Marsh Landfill Loop Firehock, AF Andrew Ford, HH Hugh in Richmond 11/2. Harvey, JH Jack Hayden, WH Wen An was fishing at Heather Hsu, SH Steve Hutchcraft, LK Logan Farm Pond 10/9, TF, HH, FS; and Kahle, AK Alan Kaplan, DK Dave Kent, 10/11. JCS AKr Alan Krakauer, JL Johan Two Bald were at Briones Langewis, AL Albert Linkowski, LL Varied Thrush, Megan Sandri sketch Reservoir 10/12, D< and others Laura Look, ML Marty Lycan, CM were at the Seaview Trail in Tilden SH saw a first-of-season (FOS) Colin Meusel, JM John Myles, MP Park 10/23, LL; Valle Vista Staging area Varied Trush at Oak Hill Park in Michael Park, KP Kir Pridatko, MR Danville 10/24. Mark Rauzon, FS Fred Safier, RS Rusty Please submit your Contra Costa A large flock of Cedar Waxwings Scauf, PS Paul Schorr, P&NS Paul and C o u n t y s i g h t i n g s t o were in El Cerrito 11/5. GS Nancy Schorr, JS Judi Sierra, JCS Juan- [email protected] or call Scattered flocks of Pine Siskins Carlos Solis, SS Sandy Steinman, LS Maury at (925) 284-5980. Or, were seen 10/13 in Sibley, RS; 10/29 in L u c a s S t e p h e n s o n , M S M a r k p l e a s e s e n d t h e m t o E B B Richmond near Wildcat Canyon Stephenson, GS George Suennen, ES [email protected]. Regional Park, AKr; and 11/3 in Tilden Elaine S., D< David and Linda If you report your sightings to Nature area. AK Tiffany, DW Denise Wight, C&TW eBird, please also send them to A single Lawrence’s Goldfinch Chris and Teri Wills, and DY David Maury Stern. was at Heather Farm 10/17. WD Yeamans the Quail —5 — December 2017-January 2018 Field Trip Schedule By Hugh Harvey December 2017 (Contact Leader for ?s or rain cancellations) Saturday, December 9 02 Saturday Sacramento/Colusa NWRs Solano County Raptors and More 09 Saturday Solano County Raptors and More Leader: Gary Fregien (916) 708-0636 16 Saturday Christmas Bird Count-Central Contra Costa Co. Carpool leaves Sun Valley Mall at 7:15 AM. OR, meet the 20 Wednesday Christmas Bird Count-East Contra Costa Co. leader at 8 AM at Suisun City McDonald’s, Hwy 12 and January 2018 Sunset Avenue. Take I-680 north, cross bridge to Benicia (toll) 06 Saturday Putah Creek and merge to I-80 east at Cordelia. Ten take Hwy 12 east 18 Tursday East Contra Costa County toward Rio Vista for 27 Saturday Las Gallinas/Rush Creek/S’berger Park/Ellis Ck. approximately four 31 Wednesday Lake Merritt/Arrowhead Marsh @ High Tide m i l e s t o S u n s e t February 2018 Avenue, and make a 08 Tursday Grizzly Island left turn at the signal 10 Saturday Tornton/Consumnes Preserve l i g h t i n t o t h e 17 Saturday Bodega Bay shopping center. Te 17 Saturday Great Backyard Bird Count @ John Muir House McDonald’s is on the 21 Wednesday Sunol Regional Park right. We will bird 24-25 Sat./Sun. Los Banos/Panoche Valley east on Hwy 12 and 28 Wednesday Walnut Creek Parks Creed Rd. to the Northern Harrier, Maren Smith photo vicinity of Hwy 113 Saturday, December 2 and Robinson Road, Sacramento and Colusa National Wildlife Refuges possibly including Jepson Prairie. We will make several stops, Leader: Beth Branthaver (510) 502-4869 looking for migrating waterfowl, passerines, and winter Carpool leaves Sun Valley Mall at 7 AM. OR meet the raptors, especially Flannery and McCormack Roads in search group at 8:15 AM at the I-5 North Dunnigan rest area. Take of the elusive Mountain Plover. From there, given time, we I-680 north, cross the Benicia may travel to the Bird’s Landing area, where we should see Bridge (toll), merge onto I-80E Tricolored Blackbirds among other passerines and to at Cordelia. At Vacaville, merge Montezuma Slough for waterfowl. Plan to spend 4-5 hours onto I-505N, follow for 34 miles birding, plus driving time getting there and back. Tere will be and merge onto I-5N just south minimal hiking, but dress for seasonal conditions. Bring hand- of Dunnigan. Continue past the held radios, food, and water. Carpooling is strongly advised town to the rest stop. Tis one- due to limited access at stops and the distance traveled. day field trip will include visits to scenic wildlife hotspots in the White-faced Ibis, Maren Smith photo Sacramento Valley including Saturday, December 16, Central Contra Costa County Sacramento and Colusa NWRs, home to tens of thousands of Wednesday, December 20, East Contra Costa County wintering ducks, geese, and , but the exact itinerary will be 118th Annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) announced the day of the trip. Bring lunch and liquids. CBC Coordinator: Elizabeth Leite [email protected] Field trips are open to members and non-members, Spaces are filling up quickly. If interested, please email beginners to advanced birders, but no dogs. Contact Leader for Elizabeth who will attempt to pair you with a leader. At the ?s or rain cancellations. MDAS is a conservation organization; end of each count day, a “count-down” dinner will be held as such, we encourage carpooling (riders help with gas, tolls, or where leaders will summarize the list of birds seen during the entry fees). Drivers who carpool for field trips should have day by all surveys. Tere is no cost to dinner participants— proof of liability insurance in their cars. this is MDAS’s thanks to all of the citizen scientist volunteers Easy, little walking, smooth paths who participate in this important effort. Our chapter circles extend into two distinct geographic Moderate, one mile+, possibly rough terrain areas on the two days. Overall, MDAS covers varied habitats Difficult, many miles, rough terrain ranging from oak woodlands, to montane, and riparian Sun Valley Mall parking lot carpool location: SW corner habitats. Over the years, we have viewed wintering songbirds of mall lot at Willow Pass Rd. and Contra Costa Blvd. in as well as migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. We are able to Concord. access some private, privately managed, and off-limits public El Nido Ranch Road carpool location: Exit SR 24 at St. lands due to the good will that our chapter leaders have Stephens Drive east of Orinda. El Nido Ranch Road is parallel to established over the years. and north of the freeway. Park just east of the intersection with Tanks in advance to all of our 24 dedicated leaders and St. Stephens Drive. to all participants who will be out counting, rain or shine! the Quail —6 — December 2017-January 2018 Saturday, January 6 Saturday, January 27 Putah Creek Las Gallinas/Rush Creek/Shollenberger Park/Ellis Creek Leader: Fred Safier (925) 937-2906 Leader: Eugenia K. Larson (925) 806-0644 Carpool leaves Sun Valley Mall at 8 AM. OR, meet at 8:45 Carpool leaves Sun Valley Mall parking lot at 7:30 AM. AM at the intersection of Cherry Glen and Pleasants Valley OR, meet at Las Gallinas at 8:30 AM. Take I-680 across the Roads, approximately one mile north of I-80, west of Vacaville. Benicia Bridge (toll). Go west Dress warmly, in layers, as this is often a cold, windy area. Bring on I-780 to I-80 towards lunch and liquids. Possible birds we may see include Osprey, Sacramento, exit to SR 37. Phainopepla, Barrow’s Goldeneye, and Hooded Merganser. Follow SR 37 22 miles to US 101 south and exit at Lucas Valley Road/Smith Ranch Road. Cross under the freeway to the east on Smith Ranch Road for 0.6 miles, cross the railroad tracks and , turn left. Follow the road Isaac Aronow photo around the hill 0.7 miles until arriving at the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District parking lot. Rush Creek Marsh is just north and east of the Atherton Avenue exit from US 101 in Barrow’s and , Beth Branthaver photo Novato. Immediately past the Park and Ride lot on Atherton, turn left onto Binford Road and go north to the marsh. Schollenberger Park is in Petaluma, east of US 101. After crossing the Petaluma River take Exit 472B East 116 Sonoma Napa, turn left at the light, then right on S. McDowell. Look Come birding with for a half-right onto Cypress Drive, then enter the PRBO parking lot at 3820 Cypress. Go to the back and park near the MDAS this winter! picnic tables. Ellis Creek is just south of the PRBO offices. All four sites are good for wintering waders, shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors. Bring lunch and liquids.

Tursday, January 18 Wednesday, January 31 East Contra Costa County Lake Merritt and Arrowhead Marsh @ High Tide Leader: Paul Schorr (925) 998-0070 Leader: Sandy Ritchie (925) 685-8048 Carpool leaves Sun Valley Mall at 8:15 AM. OR, meet at Carpool leaves at 8 AM from El Nido Ranch Road. OR, Big Break Regional Shoreline meet at 8:30 AM in parking lot by Lake Merritt. Take SR 24 to Park at 9 AM. From Central Oakland and I-980, take Grand Avenue exit and turn left on Contra Costa, take Highway 4 Grand. Enter park at Children’s Fairyland (entry fee), and toward Stockton/Pittsburg. follow road around to parking lot entrance on right between After Antioch, take right Exit boathouse and aviary. We should find a good variety of 3 0 t o w a r d C A - 1 6 0 / wintering ducks Sacramento/Rio Vista (just past and gulls. We Hillcrest Avenue Exit; do NOT will then drive continue straight on Highway to Arrowhead 4). Take exit 1-A East 18th/Main Marsh for the Street, turn right at the bottom high tide around of the exit onto Main Street, 11:30 AM; the proceed east a little over one r i s i n g t i d e mile, then turn left onto Big American Kestrel, should flush out Paul Schorr photo Break Road. Turn right just past rails. Te area is the last houses on the right into also good for Big Break Regional Shoreline Park/Delta Science Center. We shorebirds and Male Northern Shoveler, Cassie Tzur photo will see wintering birds at Big Break, Iron House Sanitary, and more wintering several other spots in the eastern portion of our county. Bring ducks on the estuary. A visit to Garretson Point will finish our snacks, lunch, and liquids. trip. Bring lunch and liquids.

the Quail —7 — December 2017-January 2018 Black-crowned Night Heron ✦ Nycticorax nycticorax by Jean Halford Black-crowned Night-Herons are common in green eggs for 24-26 days, and after hatching, both parents A our local marshes, rivers, ponds and canals. feed the young by regurgitation. Tey are found in fresh and salt water habitats Te young leave the nest after 3-4 weeks, but they don`t on nearly every continent except for Australia go far, climbing around near the nest. By 6-7 weeks of age, and Antarctica. they can fly well enough to follow their Tey nest in colonies and the parents to foraging areas where they males start the breeding process with beg for food. An interesting fact is that displays to attract females. Males walk adults do not distinguish their chicks around in a crouched position, head from other chicks and will brood lowered, snapping their mandibles chicks that are not their own. Young together or grasping a twig, called the Black-crowned Night Herons will “Snap Display.” Next, comes the disgorge their stomach contents if they “Advertisement Display” also called the are disturbed which is convenient for “Song and Dance,” “Snap-hiss,” or biologists who study their diet. “Stretch Display.” Here, the male Black-crowned Night Herons, true stretches out his neck and bobs his to their name, are most active at night, head, and when his head is level with his feet, he gives a snap- especially at dawn and dusk, hunting by standing still and hiss vocalization. Preening and twig-shaking may occur waiting for their prey to appear. Tey may also hunt by between songs. vibrating their bills in the water luring prey by investigating Tese displays may provide a social stimulus to other the disturbance. Tey most often eat fish, but will ingest birds, prompting them to display. Tis stimulation in colony crustaceans, insects, frogs, snakes, birds, rodents, and species may be crucial for successful reproduction. Eventually, carrion. (Teir Latin name is derived from nyx, Greek for one female will be chosen to enter his territory, accepted by night, and the Latin corax for raven.) the male. At this time, the legs of both sexes turn pink. A stocky bird with a short neck and legs, the Black- Copulation occurs on or near the nest beginning the first or crowned Night Heron is 23-28 inches tall. It has a black second day after the pair is formed. crown and back, black and gray wings, and white underside. Black-crowned Night Herons usually nest in large trees, Te adults (photo above) have red and colonies can be found anywhere close to water. In fact, eyes and yellow legs and feet there is a colony in downtown Oakland that had a total of 41 (except in breeding season, see nests in 2016. Tis colony was in the news a few years ago above). Adults have two long when a tree pruning service pruned some of the trees with plumes on their heads. Females nests in them injuring some of the chicks. Te tree trimmer and males look alike, but the eventually paid for the care of the injured birds and was females are smaller. Immature ultimately cleared of any charges related to the Migratory night herons (photo R) have a Bird Treaty Act. grey-brown head, chest, and a Nesting begins with the male building a new nest or belly streaked with white. Te refurbishing an old one. Te male collects sticks and twigs young have yellow eyes and gray legs, and do not acquire and presents them to the female who works them into the adult plumage until they are about three years old. nest. So, the male`s twig ceremony contributes to the nest Northern populations move south for the winter, flying building process. to Mexico, the West Indies, and Central America. Some Te eggs are laid every two days, beginning 4-5 days after Pacific coast and southern U.S. populations are permanent the pair forms. Both adults incubate the 3-5 pale blue or residents. ~Jean Halford text and photos

Community Events ▶︎Mt. Diablo SP “Mountain Talks,” Tuesday, January 23, 2018, 7-9 PM The dynamic duo of Seth Adams, Save Mount Diablo, who kicked off the reintroduction of falcons in 1989, and Jenny Papka, Native Bird Connections, will present “At Home Among Us: Peregrine Falcons in Castle Rock Park.” Jenny will also bring an unreleasable male Peregrine Falcon to the talk. Ygnacio Valley Library, 2661 Oak Grove Road, WC. For info: [email protected] ▶︎15th Annual Olympic BirdFest, Sequim, Washington, April 13-15, 2018 Discover birds of the coastal Pacific Northwest and enjoy guided field trips, a boat cruise in the Strait of Jean de Fuca, and a gala banquet feathering nature guide and professional photographer, Claudio Vidal. To extend the adventure, there are pre- and post- cruises available, too. For information: olympicbirdfest.org

the Quail —8 — December 2017-January 2018 Legislative Action Committee News Congratulations to Ariana Rickard On October 24, Legislative Action Committee members, Our MDAS Program Chair, Ariana Rickard, has new job Ariana Rickard, Nancy Wenninger, Heather Rosmarin, responsibilities at Audubon . Te announcement Rebecca Schwartz Lesberg and Georgette Howington from her supervisor is as follows: “I am pleased to announce attended a meeting with District 14 Assemblymember Tim that Ariana Rickard Grayson in his Concord office. Tey discussed conservation has been promoted issues of importance to Mt. Diablo Audubon Society. t o A s s o c i a t e Director, Chapter Network, and will be leading Audubon California’s chapter program from this point forward. Since joining Audubon California a little less than three years ago as a Chapter Network Manager, Ariana has shown terrific leadership From L to R: Georgette Howington, Heather Rosmarin, Ariana Rickard gave her remarks at the a n d c r e a t i v i t y Assemblymember Tim Grayson, Rebecca Schwartz Lesberg, Nancy opening of the Golden Gate Audubon within our nascent Wenninger, and Ariana Rickard, Georgette Howington photo Society Centennial Art Exhibit at the chapter network Lindsay Wildlife Experience in October, program, frequently First, Ariana thanked Grayson for voting yes on SB5, the Paul Schorr photo Parks bond that will be on the June 5 primary ballot. Heather pushing it to new brought up the importance of AB1687, a rodenticide bill, that heights. Working with me, Ariana will oversee a program that did not pass, and asked for future support. SB100 recently completed its first three-year strategic plan—and will (Renewable Energy Goals for California) and AB890 (closing play a key role in finalizing our plans for the program moving the California Environmental Quality Act loophole) were two forward.” Congratulations, Ariana! MDAS thanks you for all other issues discussed. Assemblymember Grayson wants to that you do for our chapter, but also for Audubon in be better educated about bills MDAS is supporting and California and beyond. invited us to bring him information related to those subjects. GGAS Centennial Art Exhibit When asked how the committee can support him, Visit the Lindsay Wildlife Experience to view the Golden Grayson mentioned three projects: the proposed Flyway Gate Audubon Society’s (GGAS) traveling art exhibit Center in Fairfield, the preservation of Mare Island in Vallejo, celebrating the chapter’s Centennial. Te photo panels and the Concord Naval Weapons Station. He supports the depicting one hundred year’s of GGAS activities, master plan for the Concord project that includes over 3,500 conservation, and history are entitled “100 Years of acres of open space. Tis includes the creation of a 2,537-acre Protecting Bay Area Birds!” Te exhibit will run through Regional Park, designating 178 acres for the Mt. Diablo Creek January 2, 2018. corridor, and providing parks and greenbelts throughout the At the October opening reception for the exhibit, MDAS development. Ariana suggested he form a Conservation was represented by Paul and Nancy Schorr, Carol Pachl, Advisory Council and he agreed. ~Georgette Howington, Tracy Farrington, Beth Branthaver, and Ariana Rickard. Legislative Action Committee Quail Editor Position Open in 2018 For information: www.concordreuseproject.org After three years as Quail editor, I will be retiring in June. Two Easy Ways to Give If you are interested in becoming the next editor, let me know 1. Register at Wild Birds Unlimited in Pleasant Hill as so that I can train you, answer your questions, and show you an MDAS member and each time you make a purchase, 5% the ropes, working side by side. will be donated to MDAS and Native Bird Connections. To be honest, I was a very beginning birder, and had zero Since 2012, Mike has made over $3300 in donations to these experience creating a newsletter, although I had been a two groups. teacher and had writing and editing experience. My point? If 2. Te holidays are upon us. If you or your family shop you have an interest in birds, if you are creative, and if you online at Amazon, please register “MT Diablo Audubon like to write and edit, you are perfect for this job! Te Quail Society ” as your favorite non-profit charity at also has a reliable team of regular contributors making the smile.amazon.com. For every eligible purchase, MDAS job easier. Please contact me to see if this position is a good receives 0.5% of your purchase. You shop. Amazon gives. fit for you. ~Maren Smith, [email protected]

the Quail —9 — December 2017-January 2018 The Birds of “The Rock” As a National Park Service (NPS) volunteer, I have had many interactions with these birds. Some of my favorite When you think of Alcatraz what do you think of? A experiences include the Snowy Egrets (whose calls sound like ? Hardcore prisoners? , George “Machine a gurgling noise), Gun” Kelly, or Te “Birdman,” Robert Stroud (who ironically and the Western never kept birds when he was on the island)? Gull chicks. I have When I think of Alcatraz, I think of the inhabitants who gotten pretty close were on the island prior to humans taking over the island— to them and I have the birds. Prior to even seen Pigeon the U.S. Army’s Guillemots dive inhabitation of into the water to the island, the find a fish only to o n l y l i v i n g jump up near the creatures on the dock and waddle Above: A Snowy Egret colony; and Below L: island until 1853, a r o u n d l i k e adult and chicks, National Park Service photos were the large penguins with that populations of A birds-eye view of Alcatraz, little fish in their Western Gulls Google Images photo mouths. And, I have and other sea seen, on very rare birds. In fact, the old Spanish word alcatraces means “sea bird”. occasions, a Great Blue While the Army controlled the island from the 1850s Heron sitting at the until the 1930s, and then the Federal Bureau of from top of a Eucalyptus the 1930s until 1963, there were hardly any birds living on the tree. island. Once the prison closed in 1963, and all the humans NP left, the birds came back. Some of the human activity on the has a crew of bird island has created many homes for the birds, such as the cliffs volunteers and a staff bird ranger. Teir job is to take bird and tide pools created by the army blasting. Te various counts and to respond to any bird emergencies. ~Matt Hess gardens planted around the island also attract the birds who nest there. 〰 Some of the common bird species you now see include (Editors note: Matt is an MDAS member and has been a NPS Western Gull (the second largest population in California), volunteer at the John Muir NHS and Alcatraz Island NP since 2016. Double-crested Cormorant, Brandt's Cormorant, Pelagic He applied for the position at: volunteer.gov.) Cormorant, Black-crowned Night Heron, Snowy Egret, For more information, visit the NPS Alcatraz website: , and even some smaller birds such as www.nps.gov/alca/learn/nature/index.htm

Pigeon Guillemots, National Park Service photo

White-crowned Sparrow, Anna’s Hummingbird, , and Black Phoebe. Te best time to see these birds is “Jail Birds” from Bay Nature Magazine, John Muir Laws from February to September during the nesting season. sketches, Google Images photo the Quail —10 — December 2017-January 2018 Irruptive Winter Mt. Diablo Audubon Society (MDAS) Winter is a great time to attract Mt. Diablo Audubon Society, a Chapter of National Audubon, is committed to the sustainable balance of our visiting bird species. Many of them community’s people, birds, other wildlife, and habitat through conservation, education, and advocacy. return to the exact same location each MDAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS year. Juncos, White and Golden- President: Paul Schorr .…..…….…[email protected]..(925) 757-5107 crowned Sparrows, and wrens may be Vice President: Kent Fickett ..…………….k.fi[email protected]..(415) 269-4277 making a repeat appearance in your Secretary: Carol Pachl .…..………[email protected]..(925) 253-0675 yard this winter. You can attract them Treasurer: Steve Buffi ..….…….…………………………………(925) 938-0929 with tray feeders or just put seed on the Programs: Ariana Rickard .…..……[email protected]..(347) 754-0143 Field Trips: Hugh Harvey ..…..………………………………………(925) 935-2979 ground. Millet and safflower are their Conservation: Nancy Wenninger .….….………[email protected]..(925) 938-7987 favorites. Education: Beth Branthaver …..……[email protected]..(925) 944-1856 When natural food supplies Sales Manager: Diane Malucelli …………………[email protected]..(925) 674-0920 become scarcer in the northern states Membership: Virginia Hamrick .……………[email protected]..(925)-945-7761 and Canada, numerous bird species Young Birders Liaison: Tracy Farrington …..…[email protected]..(925) 788-6223 Volunteer Coordinator: Brian Murphy …..……[email protected]..(925) 937-8835 “irrupt”, migrating in large numbers to Publicity & Social Media: Rosalie Howarth ..……….………………………[email protected] more southern areas in search of food. Member-at-Large: Mike Eliot ..….………[email protected]..(925) 798-0303 Now is the time to keep feeders full and Member-at-Large: Chick Chickering ……..……[email protected]..(925) 686-9231 look for birds associated with Quail Editor: Maren Smith ..……[email protected]..(925) 322-9477 irruptions. ADVISORY COMMITTEES Webmaster: Dal Leite ….………………………[email protected] In our area, the Pine Siskins are the Observations Editor: Maury Stern ..…..………[email protected]..(925) 284-5980 most irruptive winter finches. Tey are Hospitality: Kathy Kellogg ……..…[email protected]..(925) 228-2690 attracted to finch feeders filled with EBB Sightings Monitor: Bill Chilson ….…..….……[email protected]..(510) 619-6692 nyjer and can also be attracted to seed Scheduling Coordinator: Chick Chickering ….…..……[email protected]..(925) 686-9231 b l e n d s Citizen Science & CBC: Elizabeth Leite ……………………………..,[email protected] ------containing Legislative Action: Ariana Rickard ….…..…[email protected]..(347) 754-0143 s u n fl o w e r Email Meeting Reminder: Barbara Vaughan ……………………………………………(925) 376-8732 chips. Large Honorary Advisor: Jean Richmond ……………………………………………(925) 837-2843 flocks may descend on The MDAS Board meets at 645 PM at WBU on the second Thursday except for July and August. a b i r d feeder, creating quite a sight as they Mt. Diablo Audubon Society compete for perches and seed. thanks our Business Partners: Increased numbers of American and AlphaGraphics, Walnut Creek Lesser Goldfinches are also seen. Galaxy Press, Concord Red-breasted Nuthatches, unlike Native Bird Connections their White-breasted cousins, are Rakestraw Books, Danville partial migrants prone to irruptive Wild Birds Unlimited, Pleasant Hill m o v e m e n t s . To u g h y o u may never see The Mount Diablo Audubon Society meets at 7 PM the first Thursday of each month except in July and August in the Camellia more than a few Room of The Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, at a feeder at Walnut Creek, CA 94598. once, they are fun to watch MDAS MEMBERSHIP/RENEWAL APPLICATION because of their tendency to climb up ☐Please enroll me/my family in the Mt. Diablo Audubon Society for $25 for one and down tree trunks, feeder poles, and year. (MDAS dues are tax-deductible) certain types of feeders. Tey are ☐For an additional $20 please enroll me as a first-time member in the National typically the earliest to head south for Audubon Society (NAS). (includes 6 bi-monthly issues of Audubon Magazine) winter, showing up as early as ☐Please enroll me as a lifetime member for $500. (or 2 annual $250 payments) September and are particularly fond of ☐I am enclosing an additional tax-deductible donation of $______. suets, Bark Butter, nuts, and seed Please send the Quail by ☐ “Go Green” email ☐ US Mail blends. Name:______Attracting these and other winter Address:______guests can be lots of fun. Be ready, Phone: ( ) ______email:______because before you know it, these out- Send check payable to Mt. Diablo Audubon Society with this application to: of-towners will be just that–-headed out Membership Chair, P.O.B. 2094, Walnut Creek, CA 94595 of town. ~Mike Eliot, WBU the Quail —11 — December 2017-January 2018 Mount Diablo Audubon Society Non-Profit Org. P.O. Box 53 U.S. Postage Walnut Creek, CA 94597-0053 PAID Address Service Requested Permit No. 66 Concord, CA

A Raven and a Northern Red-shafted Flicker appear to be having a staring contest at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, Isaac Aronow photo

In case you missed it, November’s monthly meeting featured: ● John King (photo L), who talked about his Wood box Scout project on Grayson Creek for Birding Information, and •Gordon Beebe (photo bottom L) who presented “Kaua’i, the 5.1 Million Year Experiment” for the monthly program (Rosalie Howarth photos).

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

the Quail —12 — December 2017-January 2018