Volume 58, Number 5 February 2013 Plume Hunters in Oregon ✦ Renée Thompson In 1885, more than five Renée writes from million birds were killed in Northern California about the United States for the wildlife, her love of birds, millinery industry, prompt- and the people who inhabit ing the formation of the the American West. Her National Audubon Society. husband, Steve, worked Author Renée Thomp- as a wildlife biologist at son will present a slide Malheur National Wildlife presentation detailing the Refuge, and Renée and plume-hunting trade in the Steve have lived on or near marshes of southeast Ore- wildlife refuges nearly all gon. Renée will discuss how of their adult lives. Renée’s her research inspired her first novel, The Bridge At novel, The Plume Hunter, Valentine, was hailed as and will touch on the men “very original and very ap- who shot the birds, the spe- pealing” by Pulitzer Prize- cies of birds they killed, and winner Larry McMurtry, the hats worn by women author of Lonesome Dove. during the mid-to-late Her short stories have ap- 1800s. She will also discuss peared in Narrative, Literal Oregon naturalists Wil- Latte, Arcadia, 10,000 Tons liam Finley and Herman of Black Ink, and Chiron Bohlman, the men who Review. inspired her characters Renée will sell and sign Fin McFaddin and Aiden copies of The Plume Hunter ­Elliott, and explain why she Cover photograph from The Plume Hunter, by ($15) after the presentation. fictionalized Frank M. Chapman–the real-life Ren e Thompson.. Photo by Greg Downing. curator of birds at the American Museum of é BIRDING INFORMATION Natural History in New York City–and gave Presentation of the Al McNabney En- him a role in her novel. vironmental Distinction Award to Gary David Sibley, author of The Sibley Guide Meeting Schedule Bogue. The legendary Gary Bogue, every- to Birds, said Renée’s novel “offers a fascinat- The next general meeting of one's favorite (but retired) nature columnist, ing glimpse into the life of a bird hunter and Mount Diablo Audubon Society will entertain us with his memoirs of 42 years will be , in the complex social, economic and personal Thursday, February 7 with the Contra Costa Times, and before that the Camellia Room of The Gardens as curator of the Lindsay Wildlife Museum, issues swirling around the birth of the con- at Heather Farm, Walnut Creek. servation movement.” Bill Thompson III, 7:00 pm Birding Information and even before that as animal lover and editor of Bird Watcher’s Digest, said, “Renée’s 7:25 pm Announcements naturalist. gripping novel transports the reader to a time 7:40 pm Refreshments,* raffle Among Bogue's lifetime achievements, when our nation was trying its best to grow 8:05 pm Speaker: Renée Thompson he can be acclaimed for mobilizing his loyal up, yet seemed mired in its own awkward * Please remember to bring a cup. readership to give generously to Lindsay ‘teen’ years. I read this book in one sitting, Thursday, March 7: Dr. Reg Barrett Wildlife Museum, to Save Mount Diablo, finding it no easier to put down than Fin did Muir Heritage Land Trust, and other con- his hunting guns.” servation organizations. DEDICATED TO HABITAT CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION the Quail —1— February 2013 President’s Corner By Jimm Edgar Pinnacles National Park Our Mount Diablo Audubon chapter I did were fairly small counts with only WelcomeWith President Obama’s signature, Pin- has been without a Conservation Chair since 12 or 15 counters (Marysville, California nacles National Monument, designated as 2010. We have had a number of folks step count). Others were large such as the Santa a nationalNew monument Members in 1908 by President forward to tackle specific issues: the Concord Barbara count that had 250 volunteers in TheodoreValerie Colber Roosevelt, has becomeMoraga America’s Naval Weapons Station transfer, Mount Dia- the field on January 5 for their count! They 59thChuck National Deutschman Park. Walnut Creek blo land issues, development projects in the had 215 species of birds that day which will KathyRising Gilman out of the GabilanWalnut Mountains Creek east of central California's Salinas Valley, county, Burrowing Owl protection, etc., but put them at the top four or five counts in Linda Hughes Lafayette no one person to direct and coordinate any of North America. I was with one other birder Pinnacles is the result of millions of years of DeAnna Martin Walnut Creek these issues. We are very pleased that Nancy all day in the Santa Barbara cemetery and erosion, faulting and tectonic plate move- Wenninger, a long time member, has volun- the east beach area. We had the only Black ment.Dita Within Rasper the park's nearlyPleasant 27,000 Hill acres teered to take on the role of Conservation Skimmers seen on the count. Other great of Teddiverse Rubin wild lands, visitors Sandelight Ramon in the Chair for the chapter. This comes at a time sightings for their count were Northern beautyCarsten and Schroeder variety of its spring Walnut wildflowers Creek when we and the conservation community Waterthrush, Spotted Owl, Red Crossbill, andBram more Sonneck than 400 species ofPleasant native Hillbees. Vermilion Flycatcher and Brewer’s Sparrow. are struggling with the large issue of pesticide/ ReneeThe ThompsonPinnacles NationalGranite Park Act Bay rec- rodenticide use. The damage to much of our It was a fun time to be at their countdown ognizes the significance of park resources, Pamela Trees Concord wildlife, with birds of prey in particular, has dinner and hear the reports. Amazing. specifically the chaparral, grasslands, blue become hugely apparent. It is the “Silent I read a very good article in Birdwatching oakMelanie woodlands, Walas and majestic Lafayettevalley oak Spring” of the 21st century. There will be a lot magazine called “The true cost of coffee.” It is savannaPalma ecosystemsYou of the area,Alameda the area's more discussion of how you and our chapter about the terrible loss of habitat that accom- geomorphology, unique flora and fauna, might help on this issue. Stayed tuned. panies most coffee plantations. Mike Elliot’s and the ancestral and cultural history of I once again participated in a lot of column in this Quail talks about the problem. native Americans, settlers and explorers. Audubon Christmas Bird Counts this year; I hope all of us might consider using the bird seven to be exact. Two were our own Con- friendly coffee. tra Costa county counts. (Reports on these We have some great programs planned counts are in this issue of the Quail in the for this spring and of course our field trips. Trip Report section.) Some of the counts Hope to see you at one of them. Backyard Bird Count The 2013 Great Backyard Bird Count Count, Project FeederWatch, and eBird, to will take place Friday, February 15, through get the “big picture” about what is happen- Monday, February 18. This is an annual ing to bird populations. California 4-day event that engages bird watchers of all • How will changing weather patterns Condor ages in counting birds to create a real-time influence bird populations? NPS photo snapshot of where the birds are. Everyone is • Where are winter finches and other welcome—from beginning bird watchers to “irruptive” species that appear in large experts. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps numbers during some years but not others? Pinnacles National Park is also well the birds. Participants tally the number of • What kinds of differences in bird known as one of three California Condor individual birds of each species they see diversity are apparent in cities versus sub- release sites in the country. The park man- during their count period. They enter these urban, rural, and natural areas? ages 31 free-flying condors. Each bird is monitored after its release to increase its numbers on the GBBC website. If you do not wish to submit your ob- chances of survival. Park biologists and Each participant must set up a free servations on the Internet, take your tally volunteers monitor chicks hatched in the GBBC account to submit their checklists. sheets to Wild Birds Unlimited in Pleasant wild. They check blood and feather samples You’ll only need to do this once to partici- Hill, and they will relay the data to GBBC. for signs of poisoning from ingestion of pate in all future GBBC events. The Great Backyard Bird Count is led by the lead-contaminated food. Scientists and bird enthusiasts can learn Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National The rock formations of Pinnacles a lot by knowing where the birds are. Bird Audubon Society, with Canadian partner National Monument and the Gabilan populations are dynamic; they are con- Bird Studies Canada and sponsorship from Mountain Range divide the park into East stantly in flux. No single scientist or team Wild Birds Unlimited and West Districts which are connected of scientists could hope to document and is published monthly except by trails, but not by a vehicle road. More understand the complex distribution and The Quail January and August by Mount Diablo than 30 miles of trails access geological movements of so many species in such a Audubon Society, P.O. Box 53, Walnut formations, spectacular vistas and wildland short time. Creek, CA 94597-0053. The Quail is printed communities. Pinnacles National Park is a Scientists use the GBBC information, on 30% post-consumer waste recycled day-use park, with occasional full moon along with observations from other citizen- paper. The deadline for the March issue hikes and dark sky astronomical observa- science projects, such as the Christmas Bird is February 12. tions led by ranger-interpreters. the Quail —2— February 2013 Speaking of Conservation Wanted: Pied Piper By Nancy Wenninger Welcome During the next few weeks, the Conservation New Members Committee will work to Valerie Colber Moraga develop a multi-pronged Chuck Deutschman Walnut Creek strategy to deal with Kathy Gilman Walnut Creek this issue. We anticipate Linda Hughes Lafayette that we will be looking at what we can do with DeAnna Martin Walnut Creek regard to advocacy, pub- Dita Rasper Pleasant Hill lic education and special Ted Rubin San Ramon conservation projects. Carsten Schroeder Walnut Creek We hope to partner with Bram Sonneck Pleasant Hill Audubon California and Renée Thompson Granite Bay other organizations al- ready involved in the Pamela Trees Concord issue, such as WildCare, Melanie Walas Lafayette From my perspective, there’s no worse the Center for Biological Diversity, the Palma You Alameda feeling than lying in bed at 3 am and lis- American Bird Conservancy, California for tening to the pitter-patter of little feet in Pesticide Reform and Earthjustice. the attic. RATS!! I imagine the havoc they But it won’t be enough to say, “Don’t use are wreaking on my electrical wiring, the the rodenticides,” or even to outlaw their This bird was first dis- diseases they carry and the mess they are use. The rodents remain and multiply, so covered in 1877 in Marin making in the insulation as I toss and turn. reasonable alternatives must be offered as Q County. It was named by At moments like these, I feel desperate an important part of any public education enough to resort to almost anything to get Major Charles Bendire for program. If you have ideas or want to work the man who collected the first specimen. rid of the evil invaders. on this project, please contact me, Nancy The bird breeds only in California and In the past, I might have been tempted Wenninger, either by phone (925-938-7987) southern Oregon, but most spend the to use a poison like d-Con, a commonly or by e-mail at [email protected]. winter in Mexico. Some stay throughout available rodenticide which now requires Our general meeting in March will the year in Southern California and on only one feeding to be lethal. Unfortunately, bring Lisa Owens Viani of the organization the Channel Islands. the rats do not die immediately but con- Raptors Are the Solution to speak about Unscramble these letters, or turn to tinue to ingest the poison, thus becoming the problem, and Dr. Reg Barrett of the Page 9 to learn more. toxic “bombs.” Recent studies demonstrate University of California to tell us about his ABDEGHIILLMMNNRSU that these second generation poisons are so research with fishers and other important potent that they are lethal to raptors and wildlife of the Sierra Nevada and their risks other predators which feed on the poisoned of rodenticide exposure. rodents. If you haven’t already seen Ted Williams’ article “Building a Better Mouse- trap” in the January-February 2013 issue of Just for Ducks Audubon magazine, you can find a link to By Brian Murphy it on Mount Diablo Audubon’s website. I It’s really something to look would recommend reading it before you down into the creek and see Wood choose a weapon of mass destruction. Ducks beginning the pairing up The ideal approach is to contract with a process in downtown Walnut “green” exterminator who seals off all entry Creek, behind our library . points and then traps and removes the ro- Wood Ducks in the photo are dents which remain in the structure. How- easy to spot as the female has the ever, this method is not inexpensive, which white eye stripe while the colors of is a disincentive for many homeowners. the male are hard to miss. The MDAS Board of Directors has The female picks the cavity for decided to focus in 2013 on widespread ro- nesting while the male accompanies her in So we actually have ‘urban creek’ Wood denticide use and its devastating impacts on the search for what she considers a good Ducks downtown Walnut Creek returning non-target species, which include wildlife, cavity in which to nest. She was either born to our creeks to nest in Wood Duck boxes! pets and children. All have been victims of in one of the Walnut Creek Wood Duck You can recover a Wood Duck population secondary poisoning. boxes or nested in one last year. by just providing housing for them! the Quail —3— February 2013 Townsend’s Warblers made backyard appearances in several yards. JuC 12/24 in Observations By Maury Stern Moraga. BP in Lafayette 1/8. A bright Palm Warbler was along the Submit Contra Costa County sightings to There were 7 to 18 American White Richmond Landfill Loop Trail from 11/15, [email protected] or (925) 284-5980 or Pelicans at the Lafayette Reservoir during DA, through 1/2, TF, MS. It was also seen send to EBB [email protected]. If the weeks around New Year. M&SS. by ErL, ES, GT, KF, and AL. you report sightings to eBird, please also An American Bittern was at Big Break JeB saw two Grasshopper Sparrows send to Maury Stern. Regional Shoreline 12/31. JA. There were 2 along the Black Diamond Trail out of Clay- Q Cattle Egrets there as well. ton on 12/8. There were two separate Swamp The irruption of Pine Siskins continued An adult Bald Eagle was seen from Sparrows seen. The one at the Richmond as well as a large influx of Red-breasted Briones Crest Trail in Briones RP 1/1 by Landfill Loop was found by JS, 12/3, and Nuthatches. There was big excitement KaH. A first year Bald Eagle was soaring seen until 12/9. JH, BD. The other was at when Swamp Sparrows were seen in West near the Bear Valley entrance to Briones Lafayette Reservoir discovered by GG on and Central Contra Costa County. RP 1/14. ZD. 12/15. It was present at least through 1/10. P&NS saw 1,500 Greater White- P&NS saw a Ferruginous Hawk at JR. Others viewing the bird were TF, BB, fronted Geese at Holland Tract 11/23. Holland Tract 11/23. BW saw one around PB, BM, JA, HH, DL, MS. They also saw 6Tundra Swan there 1/12. his Martinez neighborhood for a week. E&GL had their first White-throated 1/14. A Brant continued at Miller–Knox RP Sparrow after 18 years in their San Ramon shore from 11/17 to 12/9. BoP, KH, BD, JC, A Rough-legged Hawk was at Con- yard 11/28. JR had two in her Alamo yard BM, DH. cord Naval Weapon Station 11/29. TR. during the period. A Eurasian Wigeon was at Miller– BW saw a Golden Eagle over Hwy 680 Eighty Great-tailed Grackles were Knox from 11/15 to 12/13. KF, BoP, KH, and Willow Pass Road 11/13. MM saw one seen by AL on 12/11, between Waterbird BD, LL, JC, BM, DH. P&NS saw one at over his Martinez home 11/17. TR had one Preserve in Martinez and Dow Wetlands Holland Tract on 1/12. at the CNWS 11/29. JB saw one while hiking Preserve in Antioch. A Black Scoter was around the Rich- up the Black Diamond trail from Clayton. There was a small flock of Red Cross- mond Marina from 11/20 to 1/14. TB, BB, A Merlin was at Richmond Landfill bills at Inspiration Point on 12/12. MP. KH, KF, EL, JT, GT, BoP, BD, SD, JC, BM, Loop 12/8 GT, and 1/2 TF and MS, 12/15 Pine Siskins were omnipresent. JB, DH. at Heather Farm area HH, and two at La- TL, CF, MM, TF, LG, CS, IW, BH. PaB saw a Barrow’s Goldeneye off fayette Reservoir 1/3 JA. AL saw a single Evening Grosbeak at shore of Martinez Shoreline Park on 11/15, Three adultPeregrine Falcons were at Inspiration Point 12/10. It was well photo- and P&NS saw two in a neighborhood Richmond Landfill Loop 11/17. EL. There graphed. pond in Oakley 12/10. was one at Meeker Slough 1/9. KB. JA Jeff Acuff, DA David Anderson, PB Clapper Rails were at Meeker Slough Pat Bacchetti, KB Ken Berniker, JB John 12/13, LL, and 1/9 KB. Blakelock, TB Tony Brake, BB Bob Bran- driff, PaB Paul Brenner, JeB Jerry Brit- Sora was at Meeker Slough 12/13, LL and one heard at Heather Farm Pond 1/8. ten, JC Jim Chiropolos, JuC Judi Cooper, HH. ZD Zach Dautrich, SD Sheila Dickie, BD Bob Dunn, TF Tracy Farrington, CF Car- Over 100 were at Sandhill Cranes ol Fowler, KF Kathy Francone, LG Lisa Holland Tract 11/23. P&NS. Gorrell, GG George HH Hugh Harvey, TF saw four Thayer’s Gulls at Mallard DH Derek Heins, KH Kevin Hintsa, BH Reservoir 11/13 and 11/15. Bob Hislop, KaH Kate Hoffman, JH Jeff A Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker Hoppes, E&GL Eugenia and Gary Larson, and one hybrid Y/R-shafted Northern TL Tom Lee, EL Ed Leong, DL Don Lewis, Flicker were at Markham Nature Area in ErL Eric Lichtwardt, AL Albert Linkowski, Barrow's Goldeneye. Concord 11/26. AL. LL Laura Look, MM Mike Marchiano, BM Photo by Albert Linkowski. Eighty Horned Larks were near the Bruce Mast, MP Michael Park, BP Bernt Byron Airport 12/11. AL. Petterson, BoP Bob Power, JR Jean Rich- Hooded Mergansers were in small were wide- mond, TR Ted Robertson, JiR Jim Roethe, numbers scattered through the county: Red-breasted Nuthatches spread throughout the area including East P&NS Paul and Nancy Schorr, RS Richard Pinole Creek,EL; Jewel Lake, RS; Walnut County. P&NS, AL, MM. BP. Sinjac, CS Colin Smith, JuS Julie Starr, JS Creek near DeVito Equestrian Center, BH; John Sterling, MS Maury Stern, M&SS Moraga Country Club Pond, JuC, NW, JS; A Pacific Wren was at Big Break Re- Susan and Maury Stern, ES Emily Strauss, Heather Farm Pond, TF. gional Trail in Oakley 11/18. P&NS. GT Glen Tepke, JT Jerry Ting, BW Brian JA saw a Common Loon at Lafayette A Black-throated Gray Warbler was Walker, NW Nat Weber, IW Idell Wede- Reservoir on 1/3. near Heather Farm 12/15. HH. meyer. the Quail —4— February 2013 Field Trip Schedule By Hugh Harvey February 2 Saturday...... Thornton Area/Cosumnes Preserve ➊ Saturday/Sunday, February 16-17 14 Thursday...... Grizzly Island Wildlife Area Los Banos/Panoche Valley 16‒17 Saturday-Sunday...... Los Banos/Panoche Valley Leader: David Hutton, 938-4485. 20 Wednesday...... Sunol Regional Park On Saturday we will leave from Sycamore Valley Road Park 23 Saturday...... Tomales Bay State Park & Ride at 6:30 am to bird Santa Fe Grade Road, together with March the San Luis and Merced Wildlife Refuges; we should see a 6 Wednesday...... Walnut Creek City Parks full range of waterfowl and raptors. On Sunday we will bird 12 Tuesday...... McNabney Marsh/ Mountain View Sanitary Mercey Hot Springs and Panoche Valley. Target birds include 21 Thursday...... Valle Vista Mountain Bluebird, Mountain Plover and Long-eared Owl. 27 Wednesday...... Lake Lagunitas Motel options in Los Banos include Best Western Executive April Inn (209) 827-0954, Los Banos Days Inn (209) 826,9690, Vaga- 6 Saturday...... Garin Regional Park bond Inn Executive Los Banos (209) 827-4677; and in Santa 10 Wednesday...... Orinda Connector Trail Nella, Holiday Inn Express (209) 826-8282. Participants need 13 Saturday...... Pine Canyon to bring lunch for both days. A communal (optional) dinner 16 Tuesday...... North Briones Regional Park is being planned for Saturday evening. A fee is charged at 20 Saturday...... Mines Road Mercey Hot Springs. If you plan to go on the trip, please call 24 Wednesday...... Del Puerto Canyon the leader for details as soon as possible. 30 Tuesday...... Black Diamond Mines

➊ Saturday, February 2 ➌ Wednesday, February 20 Thornton Area/Cosumnes Preserve Sunol Regional Park Leader: Ethan Chickering, 686-9231. Leader: Eugenia Larson, 806-0644. Carpool leaves Sun Valley at 8 am. Meet at 8:45 am in Carpool leaves at 7:30 am from Sycamore Valley Road park at end of Glascock Road. Take SR 4 to Antioch Bridge Park and Ride lot in Danville. Meet at 8:00 am in the first (toll), go north on SR 160 along river to Rio Vista bridge. Turn parking lot on the left, Sunol Regional Park. Go south on right on SR 12 for 11.5 miles. East of Terminous, turn left onto I-680 to Calaveras Road. Go left under I-680 and drive 4 miles Glascock Road and continue to the end at Westgate Landing south on Calaveras; turn left on Geary Road and go 2 miles Park. Tundra Swans, Sandhill Cranes, hawks and grassland to park. Possible entry fee. Watch and listen for Wild Turkey birds. Trip will go in light rain. Bring lunch and a beverage. If along Geary Road. Golden Eagles and other raptors, Rufous- questions, call the leader. crowned Sparrows, American Dipper, and Canyon and Rock Wrens are possible. Bring lunch and a beverage.

American Dipper. Drawing by Megan Sandri

➊ Thursday, February 14 Grizzly Island Wildlife Area Leader: Maury Stern, 284-5980. Carpool leaves at 7 am from Sun Valley. Meet at 8:30 am at Refuge headquarters. Take I-680 north, then I-80 east to ➋ Saturday, February 23 SR12. Follow SR12 through Fairfield, watch for sign to Griz- Tomales Bay State Park zly Island Refuge on right and follow road to headquarters. Leader: Leader: Maury Stern, 284-5980. Entry fee for refuge. Watch for raptors and Short-eared Owls along road. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Carpool leaves 7 am from El Nido Ranch Road. Meet at Grizzly Island Wildlife Area is in the heart of the 84,000-acre 8:30 am in the parking lot at Heart’s Desire Beach in Tomales Suisun Marsh, the largest contiguous estuarine marsh in the Bay State Park. After crossing the Richmond Bridge (toll), United States. Grizzly Island provides habitat for more than follow US 101 north and take the first San Rafael exit. Go 2 200 species of birds and is home to a variety of threatened or blocks, turn left onto 3rd Street. In San Anselmo turn right endangered wildlife and plants. We may see the herd of Tule onto Sir Francis Drake. Follow Sir Francis Drake Blvd through Elk. We may also bird at the Rush Ranch if time permits after Inverness. Just over the ridge, turn right onto Pierce Point finishing at Grizzly Island. Bring lunch and a beverage. Road . The park entrance is on the right. Entry fee required. the Quail —5— February 2013 meeting us at the trip site so I went down by myself and met two Trip Reports other people for the count. This often is a scouting trip for the Berkeley–Emeryville Shoreline, October 10. Nine members area I lead for the Hayward Christmas bird count. It gives an idea enjoyed a warm fall day along the Emeryville–Berkeley Water- of what we might expect. The trip only went until noon. We had front on Wednesday, October 10. Highlights included seeing 48 species on a fairly nice day. Highlights were the fairly reliable a Common Murre just off the Berkeley Shoreline, numerous Spotted Sandpiper along Alameda Creek. We also had a female Western and Clark’s Grebes in the Berkeley Marina with a Pe- Hooded Merganser in the creek which is a bird hard to find there. lagic Cormorant perched close by, several flocks of Red-breasted We had a Steller’s Jay in the EBRP staging area on Alameda Creek Nuthatches in the pines by the various restaurant/marina parking which is a bird usually seen at higher elevation. Acorn Woodpeck- lots and a beautiful Townsend’s Warbler on the ground near our ers were also there. They have now become a regular when only lunchspot. The tally for the day was 50 species. Eugenia Larson a few years ago they were rare. 85 Northern Shovelers in a pond Charleston Slough/South Bay, December 1. Four members at Niles Community Park was way more than we have ever seen braved the rainy forecast on Saturday, December 1st to bird there. This is a very nice area for a day or half day trip for those Charleston Slough and Redwood Shores across the Bay. Many who live in the East Bay. Jimm Edgar common ducks, gulls, waders, and a few shorebirds were seen at Contra Costa County Christmas Counts. The East CC Count, Charleston Slough, with two Black-bellied Plovers the most note- December 18 had 33 participants and 148 species seen during the worthy. In Redwood Shores, along the slough on the west side of day. 148 is the highest count we have ever had in our 10-year history Radio Road were 3 Hooded Mergansers close in (2 females and 1 of the count. Ted Robertson’s group on Holland tract had 115 species! sub-adult male) and 3 Blue-winged Teal (2 males and 1 female). We missed a few birds we almost always see such as Yellow-billed Just west of the slough were over 100 Long-billed Curlews with Magpie and Cattle Egret. We saw many difficult birds to see such as many Long-billed Dowitchers and some Least Sandpipers actively Steller’s Jay, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Wood Duck, Varied Thrush, Red- feeding. Eight Black Skimmers rested on the two small islands in head and Phainopepla. A Vesper Sparrow at Vasco Caves was only the large pond at the end of Radio Road and one male Eurasian the second ever seen on the count. New birds that have never been Wigeon was sleeping with other ducks close by. The rain held seen were Hooded Oriole, Red-throated Loon and Brown Creeper. off on this warm day; 62 species were seen. Eugenia Larson All three of these were seen by the group at Clifton Court Forebay. The , . had 54 participants and Niles Canyon/Quarry Lakes, December 13. What if we offered Central CC Count December 22 a field trip and no one came. That happened on our Niles trip. No 154 species seen that day. 150 is very good for us. We have had one showed up at the car-pool meeting site, but I knew folks were a high of 158 but that was probably 20 years ago. We have only broken 150 the last few years. Loss of habitat has taken its toll on birds we have seen. We missed Purple Finch again this year and also Hairy Woodpecker. We had a great raptor day with eleven Come birding with us! raptor species seen. A Rough-legged Hawk seen that day was Field trips are open to members and non-members, beginners last seen on the count probably seven or eight years ago. It was a and advanced birders, but not dogs. Weather or other contingen- good year all over Northern California for invasion of many finch cies may require changes. For updates, visit the MDAS website at type species. Red-breasted Nuthatch is almost never seen on our www.diabloaudubon.com/index.php. Phone area codes are 925 count and I think we had six. Pine Siskin has not been seen in unless specified otherwise. Because most trips do not return until years on the count and we had many. Two groups had Golden- late afternoon, bring a lunch and drink and join us during our crowned Kinglet, a tough bird to see. Another good bird this year midday break. all over California was Red-throated Loon. We had two that day. A Category ➊: Easy, little or no walking, smooth paths Yellow-headed Blackbird was photographed at the tidal area on the Category ➋: Moderate, one mile +, possibly rough terrain Concord Weapons Station. Blue-winged Teal and Semipalmated Category ➌: Difficult, extensive walking on rough terrain. Plover were seen by the group in the Tesoro refinery; both tough Our Mount Diablo Audubon Chapter is a conservation birds for us to see. Maury Stern and Jimm Edgar, co-compilers organization. As such, we encourage members to consider Lake Merritt/Arrowhead Marsh High Tide, January 13 The meeting at the carpool point to pick up or ride with others. winter ducks and other birds at Lake Merritt are a true winter It is important that given the cost of gasoline, those who ride spectacle. This trip is timed with an extreme high tide, which should with others offer to pay some of this cost. Don’t forget about flush rails from their hiding places at Arrowhead Marsh. This year any bridge tolls or park entry fees on some of our longer six chapter birders succeeded in spotting 22 waterfowl species, 5 trips. Carpool locations: El Nido Ranch Road—Exit SR 24 grebe species, 5 of the raptors, 3 of the rails and 14 other shore- at St. Stephens Drive east of Orinda. El Nido Ranch Road birds. Highlights include: the long-reported male Tufted Duck, a is parallel to and north of the freeway. Park just east of the female Redhead, both Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, intersection with St. Stephens Drive. Sun Valley—Southwest and Barrow’s Goldeneyes, all at Lake Merritt; a Merlin which flew corner of the Sun Valley Mall parking lot at Willow Pass Road off with prey at Garretson Point; Clapper and Virginia Rails plus a and Contra Costa Boulevard in Concord. Sycamore Valley hiding Sora; both a Short-eared and a Burrowing Owl at Arrowhead Road Park and Ride Lot—Just south of Danville, exit I-680 Marsh; and the ubiquitous Black Phoebe. Altogether the group at Sycamore Valley Road to the east; the Park and Ride lot had 91 species for the day. What a way to kick-off the New Year. is on the left. Hugh B. Harvey Continued on Page 7 » the Quail —6— February 2013 Trip Reports Chile Trip, November. It will be hard to describe a 12-day, 170+ species bird trip to Chile in one paragraph. So many things happened in such a short time that it is not possible to cover it all, so here are a few words—instant immersion into full Span- ish, the massiveness of urban Santiago, the cordillera of the Andes Mountains, Andean Condors, Yellow-winged Blackbirds in a marsh, the Giant Hummingbird at a Puya plant, the small town of Olmue and people in traditional costumes, Thorn-tailed Raya- Photos: Above, Bill Maddaus; Below, Eugenia Larson dito feeding young in a nest inside a cracked barn wall, a suc- cessful bird pelagic trip with five Albatross species, the street bouncing after we left the boat in Valparaiso, seeing the stranded freighter Ocean Breeze on one side of a beach while we watched Elegant Terns and Black Skimmers in the lagoon on the other side of the same beach, Diademed Sandpiper-Plovers and Gray- breasted Seedsnipe at 8000 feet in the Yeso Valley above Santiago, seeing the glacier Bill visited 37 years ago, both Flightless and Flying Steamer Ducks near Punta Arenas, the “parrot tree” with up to 50 Austral Parakeets, helping primary school students see the Magellanic Penguins at Otway Sound, crossing the Strait of Magellan by ferry, winnowing South American Snipes on Tierra del Fuego, King Penguins at their colony, the treeless, bushless Patagonia on our drive to Puerto Natales, Tawny-throated Dot- teral, Chocolate-vented Tyrant and Black-throated Finch along the way, Torres del Paine in all its glory, a female Magellanic Lago Grey, Torres del Paine National Park Woodpecker, Chilean Flamingos, Guanacos, gauchos and, oh, a little Chilean wine along the way. Hugh B. Harvey Traveling to a new, far-away country is always an amazing experi- ence! We had a fantastic Chilean guide, very compatible compan- ions, excellent food, lovely lodgings, well-planned logistics, and, of course, the birds did not disappoint! Torres del Paine National Park is as spectacular as its pictures with snow-capped peaks, huge glaciers and massive ice bergs. Our pelagic trip out of Valparaiso was fabulous: many species of Albatross, Cape Petrel, Southern Fulmar, Peruvian Diving-Petrel and four species of large Petrels. Birding along the coast out of Santiago gave us great views of Humboldt Penguins, Peruvian Boobies, Peruvian Pelicans, and the beautiful Inca Tern. Day trips were made into the Andes Mountains where we walked across the terrain searching for new species of Seedsnipe, Ground-Tyrants, and the unique Diademed Sandpiper- Plover. Who could forget walking around the preserves close to the The Towers, Torres del Paine National Park King and Magellanic Penguins as they waddled along their time- worn paths? Seeing the rare Huemul feeding in a quiet meadow, Putah Creek, January 12. Eighteen members enjoyed brilliant herds of Guanacos in the Patagonian steppe, Darwin’s Rheas, the sunshine and cool weather, though not so cold as had been ex- stark black female Magellanic Woodpecker, the over 8 inch Giant pected, at Putah Creek and Lake Solano. Most of the target birds Hummingbird zooming around us, Andean Condors soaring over- showed up in good numbers, including Barrow's Goldeneye, Com- head; all are visions that will stay with us for many years to come. mon and Hooded Merganser, Green Heron, Osprey (well, only one, It is hard to believe that we crossed the same Strait of Magellan by but that well seen as it lunched on a fish), Peregrine Falcon, Wilson's ferry where Charles Darwin had once been. I ended the trip with a Snipe (very cooperative and very close), Red-breasted Sapsucker, quiet three days staying at Rosita’s parents’ farm out of Parral, south Yellow-billed Magpie, and Phainopepla. The highlight bird among of Santiago. Here we roamed the fields, watched the sheep being the 72 species, though, was the Pileated Woodpecker that streaked sheared by hand, and walked in the mountains. Their warm hospi- across Pleasants Valley Road and posed several times as we drove tality and kindliness will never be forgotten. Eugenia Larson up, affording good views to just about everyone. Fred Safier the Quail —7— February 2013 Avian Health and Migration Twenty Years Ago By Diana Granados From The Quail, March 1993 To quote the USGS National Wildlife By Al McNabney Health Center: “Birds get sick.” Birds con- EUCALYPTUS, HERONS AND PEOPLE tract and carry diseases, which contribute Many years ago a pair of Great Blue biological factors for population control. In Herons set up housekeeping in an OLD the world of birds, just reaching adulthood eucalyptus tree near Montair Public School, is risky. Birds reach adulthood in from one Danville. Each year these birds returned to five years depending on the species. Pass- to the nest. Eggs were laid, chicks hatched ing on the genetic codes for continuing the and fledged, and eventually the family left species is a hard won fight. the nest. Enter people. An individual living Pine Siskin. Sketch by Megan Sandri I would like to address the perspective next to the school indicated he wanted to of the bird’s view of the world in relation- to move, adapt or die. If we react by remov- purchase the property on which the trees ship to the issue of disease. Birds have ing feeders, cleaning with chlorine bleach, stood. Reason, to axe the trees so his view specific biological traits that influence stripping the ground of leaf cover, keeping of Mt. Diablo would not be restricted. The their lives. Some of these traits are also the birds dispersed so they won’t crowd, school, probably in need of the money, in- influenced by outside natural occurrences, still that will not keep the birds from dying. dicated the land would be sold. Of course, often are in constant flux, which include How many die because a few succumb no one contacted the heron family about weather and climate, habitat, food and to disease vs. how many die by being denied this proposed action. water, other living animals including their resources and natural patterns of behavior THEN, the mothers of the school chil- own kind. For years I have used the three while experiencing a mass exodus from dren found out what was being proposed. words Change, Choice and Challenge that all they have known. My guess would be a The moms concluded even if the herons birds face every day. What they inherit from greater number die because we pull feeders had NOT been notified, the moms were their species and their individual strengths or chase birds away not about to let such a thing take place. and weaknesses determines how they will Salmonella is out there; starving MDAS and Audubon Canyon Ranch be- handle the three “Cs” throughout their lives. stressed migratory birds are out there. Try came involved. Letters were written. Public The year brought an ‘irruptive’ migra- for some calm appraisal. We are providing meetings were held. PTA people became tion for Pine Siskins into our area. Last year a corridor for the population to survive. involved. The Lindsay Museum and the also saw an irruptive migration of Snowy There will be casualties; do not add to the California Department of Fish and Game Owls throughout the middle of the country. number. But do not panic that you have all had a say. The harried school officers So what is ‘irruptive migration’? It is a rule of not sanitized your feeders and yard only to listened and attempted to decide what to Nature: move, adapt or die. It occurs when chase away a bird that may well have sur- do. All the while, the herons were routinely the necessary resources for survival are gone vived if you had taken a flexible, common returning to the trees, using the nest, and or severely impaired and the population as sense response. Remember guidelines are producing young heron. a whole must migrate. Pine Siskins usually not laws and nature is fluid, often in little Finally, on February 11, a definitive have enough sustainable habitat and food need of our assistance. meeting was conducted by the school sources that only a small percentage would My conclusion would be what is the board president. There were indications migrate, teaming up with their migrating greater picture; unanswered questions that the real purpose of the proposed buyer cousins, American and Lesser Goldfinches, pass through my mind about Pine Siskins. involved hewing the trees, subdividing the and showing up at backyard feeders. Because they travel in large groups, would land, building a house, and selling the place. This year Pine Siskins arrived in large food competition from squirrels, wood- There was speculation such would produce numbers with weakened immune systems, peckers and other animals make them more a tidy profit. The heron family was blissfully hungry, stressed by intimidation from sea- compelled to migrate? The Pine Siskin is an unaware of all these machinations. soned travelers and existing resident birds insect eater and will forage on the ground; is So what's the outcome? It appears the competing for available resources, and new their immune system being eroded slowly by particular tree in which the birds nest and unknown habitat. New to the game and pesticide poisoning and other toxins, mak- is dead. The school board president as- low on the ‘totem pole’, some Pine Siskins ing this species more fragile in its biology, serted his first concern was the safety of the become very susceptible to predation, star- and, living in flocks, more susceptible to school children. Will the land be sold???‘? vation and disease. viral and bacterial infection? We should be What will become of the herons? Probably Birds get sick. People report sick birds very careful about attacking only one aspect nothing will happen right away, because and react in the same category as the birds: of a situation when overall in nature there the birds are legally protected, but when confused, scared and intimidated. Is the are population controls—some seeming they leave the nest tree this year they will Salmonella outbreak because of people and very harsh. I believe that, when combined undoubtably have to find a new home. Will their backyard feeding? Come on, take a with issues such as pesticides we persist in they be able to do that? Will they continue deep calming breath and take into consid- using for controls, this is the bigger picture to produce more young? Those are some eration irruptive migration. The reality is that should be addressed rather than ad- of the vexing problems facing those who the population hit a critical mass and had monishing people about their bird feeding. worry about the future of our wildlife. the Quail —8— February 2013 C h a p m a n ' s Frank Chapman » Continued from Page 8 Handbook of Birds wings, heads, tails, or entire bodies of 3 Bluebirds, 2 Red-headed of Eastern North Woodpeckers, 9 Baltimore Orioles, 5 Blue Jays, 21 Common America (1895) may Terns, a Saw-whet Owl, and a Prairie Hen. In two afternoon trips be considered the he counted 174 birds and 40 species in all. His campaign for laws first of the popular to protect birds and for ways to combat plume-hunting and to field guides. His edi- influence public sentiment were critical. In 1899 he launched the torials in Bird-Lore, journal Bird-Lore, and in 1900 created the Christmas Bird Census and his important as an alternative to the then popular Christmas bird shoot. It was books, such as Bird at Chapman’s urging that President Theodore Roosevelt declared Studies with a Cam- Pelican Island the nation’s first federal bird reservation in 1903. era (1900) and Color He was a creative museum-builder, presenting groups of birds in Key to North Amer- natural settings, rather than lifeless drawers with rows and rows of ican Birds (1903) bird skins. In developing these displays, he called on Louis ­Agassiz made him perhaps Fuertes, acclaimed young bird illustrator, and the two became fast the most articulate friends. They journeyed together on collecting trips to various ornithologist of countries. In Mexico, on one of these trips, Fuertes discovered a his generation. He new subspecies of Orchard Oriole, which Chapman named Icterus continued writing, spurius fuertesi, after his friend. Fuertes's Oriole is currently under including his Auto- consideration for promotion to full species recognition. On return- biography of a Bird- ing from a collecting trip to Abyssinia, Fuertes drove to Chapman's Bird-Lore, later to become Audubon Magazine, Lover (1933). Frank home to report on his findings, and it was on his return drive that was begun by Frank Chapman in 1899. This is Chapman died in Fuertes's car was hit by a train and he was killed. Volume 1, Number 1. 1945. Allen's Hummingbird ◆ Selasphorus sasin In 1852 on a beach on Cape Cod, an eleven- Light has a wave nature, which is what makes interference, and, year-old boy found a bird, which he gave to his in turn, iridescence possible. When two light waves reflect off of friend, a taxidermist, who identified it as Cory's something in such a way that the peaks of light waves (with the Shearwater, then mounted the specimen and re- same wavelength) fall on top of each other, the result is construc- turned it to the boy. Thus began the life-long interest tive interference, meaning that the two amplitudes add. If a peak in birds for Charles Andrew Allen. He became an ardent collector falls on a trough, however, the result is destructive interference, of birds and small animals, which he gave to scholars. After finish- and no wave is seen at all. Of course, the peaks do not necessarily ing school, Allen worked as a fisherman and at various jobs. One either fall on other peaks or on troughs. The amount that the peak of these was at a furniture factory. Dust from the planing mills of one light wave is shifted from another is called the phase shift. ultimately affected his health and he moved to California, ending Phase shifts can be caused by gratings, slits, and thin films. The up working as a ranch manager and living in a small cabin at the small structure present in hummingbird feathers in effect acts as forest's edge near Nicasio. He continued his collecting. a grating, which in turn causes the perceived color of the feathers Noting the tail feathers of a hummingbird he had collected, he to appear different depending on the angle from the light source thought the bird to differ from the ordinary Rufous Hummingbird (the sun), to the bird, and to your eye. and that it might be a separate species. He sent the specimen to William Brewster, co-founder of the American Ornithological Union. Many species of birds have feathers that exhibit iridescent colors. Most noteworthy, of course, are the hummingbirds, whose glowing gorgets place these tiny jewels at the top of everyone's list of favorites. The shimmeringiridescence of the gorget is termed struc- tural color: it is not the pigment color of the feathers. These two views of an Allen's Hummingbird were taken minutes apart. Photos courtesy of Glen Tepke. the Quail —9— February 2013 The Klamath Basin Audubon Society Birding Festivals welcomes you to the 34th Annual Winter Mount Diablo Audubon Society will Wings Festival in Klamath Falls, Oregon, be an exhibitor at the 17th Annual San February 14‒17. Francisco Bay Flyway Festival, February 8‒10, on Mare Island. Our volunteers will host a booth where we will show a selec- tion of bird nests to attract children and intrigue them into the enjoyment of nature and the outdoors. We will also point out the danger of rodenticides to wildlife, pets and children. The San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival Black Skimmers, San Diego Bay is based on the former Mare Island Naval San Diego Bird Festival, February Shipyard, the U.S. Navy's oldest installation 28‒March 3. The 17th annual festival takes in the Pacific and a National Historic Land- Experience the beauty of the Klamath wing on scenic Mission Bay with keynoter mark. Mare Island is flanked by the Mare Basin, where hundreds of eagles and other Dr. John Fitzpatrick, Cornell Lab of Orni- Island Strait to the east and San Pablo Bay raptors and thousands of ducks, geese, thology, and special guest Bill Thompson National Wildlife Refuge to the west. To the and swans take up residence in the winter. III. Festival HQ is steps from San Diego's north lies the wetlands of Napa Sonoma A huge assortment of birding and nature- famous "Mile of Birds" river estuary. Events Marshes. This setting in combination with related activities for all ages and skill levels include field trips, pelagic trips, workshops, its rich maritime and naval history makes will capture the interest of novice birder Birding & Optics Expo, a Big Sit, and Family it a unique attraction for birds as well as or lifelong birding enthusiast. In particu- Free Day, plus a post-festival Baja endemics people. lar, nature photographers of all skill levels trip. San Diego Audubon Society, www. With over 60 events on the schedule, will be impressed by the rich diversity of sandiegoaudubon.org. including an art show, you'll find lots to do wildlife present in the Klamath Basin, as and see! Try birdwatching along the San well as the depth, variety, and quality of Don't miss the 2013 Point Reyes Bird- Pablo Bay Walking Trail or the Shoreline photography-oriented workshops, field ing & Nature Festival! Save the dates of Heritage Preserve; join a guided trip to trips, and instruction. There are 60 field April 26‒28 for the Bay Area's best birding Skaggs Island for raptor viewing, or a boat trips and workshops, spread over four full and nature extravaganza! Enjoy birding at trip on the Napa River. Watch the raptor days to choose from! Featured talks will be the height of spring migration with some presentation by Native Bird Connections, given by photographer George Lepp, and by of the best naturalists around. For more and explore the birding and wildlife expo. naturalist Alvaro Jaramillo. Look over the information, visit: www.pointreyesbirding- All events are free. Check the website at visitor guide at http://winterwingsfest.org/ festival.org. Tickets go on sale in late Feb- www.sfbayflywayfestival.com for a sched- guide/ and you will be convinced that this ruary, and all proceeds benefit the habitat ule, and plan to enjoy a pleasant weekend. is one of the best-planned and managed of conservation work of the Environmental Be sure to stop by the MDAS table. all birding festivals. Action Committee of West Marin. 649 and Counting The record of the widely-seen Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) at Watsonville, Go Green! Santa Cruz County from September 28 through October 2, 2012 has been ac- ❧ Save a tree. Sign up to cepted by the California Bird Records receive your Quail by e-mail. Committee. The species is added to the Just send a request to the official state list at the beginning of the Editor at cuckoos (family Cuculidae), after Ruddy [email protected] Ground-Dove and before Yellow-billed Cuckoo on the species list. It is anno- Plant a tree. tated with an asterisk (on the CBRC re- ❧ view list) and a "P" code (photographed). Keep a green tree in This brings the California state list to ❧ your heart and perhaps a 649. Stay tuned: the CBRC, at its annual singing bird will come. meeting in late January, was expected to re- solve issues surrounding the Taiga/Tundra Chinese proverb Bean-Goose and the Common Crane. Per- haps the state list will cross the 650 mark. Photo courtesy of Dinuk Magammana the Quail —10— February 2013 Your Choice of Mount Diablo Audubon Society Mount Diablo Audubon Society, a Chapter of National Audubon, is committed to the Coffee Can Help sustainable balance of our community’s people, birds, other wildlife, and habitat through By Mike Eliot conservation, education, and advocacy. Birds MDAS Board of Directors Did you know that the type of coffee (Area code 925 unless specified) you drink can have a positive or negative President: Jimm Edgar...... 510‒658‒2330 effect on wild birds? Vice President: Paul Schorr...... [email protected] . . . . 757‒5107 In the time it takes for you to drink one Treasurer: Steve Buffi...... 938‒0929 Board Secretary: Diana Granados...... [email protected] cup of coffee, several acres of tropical rain Programs: Ariana Rickard. . . . [email protected] . . 347‒754‒0143 forests are plowed under for coffee produc- Field Trips: Hugh Harvey...... 935‒2979 tion, reducing bird habitats and resting Conservation Nancy Wenninger...... [email protected] . . . . 938‒7987 places for migratory birds. Corresponding Secretary Barbara Vaughn...... 376‒8732 Sales Manager: Diane Malucelli...... 674‒0920 Membership: Pat Schneider...... [email protected] . . . . 935-5683 Volunteer Coordinator Moses de los Reyes...... 755‒3734 Hospitality: Nina Wong...... [email protected] . . . . 930‒7024 Julie Starr...... [email protected] Education: Cecil Williams...... [email protected] . . . . 376‒1631 Webmaster: Betts Sanderson...... [email protected] . . . . 830‒4074 Christmas Count: Jimm Edgar...... 510‒658‒2330 EBB Sightings Monitor Ethan Chickering. . [email protected] Member‒at‒Large: Brian Murphy...... 937‒8835 Jean Richmond...... 837‒2843 The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center Mike Williams. . . . . [email protected] . . . . 376‒1631 promotes the production of “Shade Grown Quail Editor Ellis Myers. . . . . [email protected] . . . . 284‒4103 Coffee” and has developed a certification program that assures many shade grown Mount Diablo Audubon Society coffees to be “Bird Friendly”. These coffees meets at 7:00 pm on the first Thursday of each month, except July and August, in the are not only grown in shade, but share other Camellia Room of The Gardens at Heather great qualities for the birds and environ- Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut ment as well. All of these coffees have also Creek. Everyone is invited. been inspected and certified to meet USDA standards. Coffees that have the Bird Friendly® Seal Mount Diablo Audubon Society of Approval are organic, using no fertilizers thanks our Business Partners for their and pesticides, because they are not needed generous support: in maintained forests. They are better tast- Wild Birds Unlimited ing because, in the shade, the beans take Steven Joseph Photography longer to ripen, resulting in more flavor. Galaxy Press They are also fair trade products, meaning Native Bird Connections that growers get stable pricing that allows them to maintain higher standards of living for themselves and their workers. MDAS MEMBERSHIP/RENEWAL APPLICATION Birds benefit because trees and veg- c Please enroll my family and me as a member of Mount Diablo Audubon Society etation are retained, providing shelter for $25 for one year. Membership dues are tax deductible. and habitats for birds and other wildlife, c I’m enclosing an additional tax-deductible donation of $______. maintaining biodiversity. In addition, water c For an additional $20 (new NAS members only), please enroll me in the National resources are protected because erosion Audubon Society. is stopped on hillsides, resulting in better Please send The Quail by: c US mail c E-mail______water quality for all life. Name______There are several resources for where you can find coffees that have earned the Address______Bird Friendly® seal. Here is the Smithson- City, State______Zip______ian website that can help you locate bird Phone ( ____ )______E-mail______friendly coffee on line or in your area: If you want a recommendation, I have tried Please make your check payable to: and like Birds and Beans at: http://bird- MOUNT DIABLO AUDUBON SOCIETY and mail with this application to: sandbeans.com/ Membership Chair, 282 Firestone Court, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 the Quail —11— February 2013 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

Diorama of South American birds, 1930. American Museum of Natural History Photo.

Frank M. Chapman Apostle of the Birds

Frank M. Chapman, though not widely As a boy, Chapman attended the Engle- known as one of the important orni- wood Academy, graduating in 1880 at the thologists of the late 19th and early 20th age of 16. Rather than attending college,he centuries, was highly influential to the worked for the American Exchange Na- birding world. He is best known for two tional Bank of New York, where his father accomplishments: he was the originator had been counsel until his death four years of the journal Bird-Lore, which later be- earlier. Chapman's keen interest in birds, came Audubon Magazine; and he was the however, could not be satisfied on week- originator of the Christmas Bird Count. In ends and holidays, and in 1886 he resigned addition, he initiated the diorama concept from the bank, lured by the prospect of for display of museum specimens. doing field work in Florida. Chapman was born in 1864 in a country Returning to New York with a fine col- home in what is now West Englewood, New lection of birds, he obtained permission of Jersey, about 20 miles north of New York the American Museum of Natural History Chairman. He remained at the helm until City and across the Hudson River. His father to compare them with the museum's speci- he retired in 1942, after 54 years of service was a member of a New York law firm; his mens. This opportunity led to his being to the museum. mother a musician with a love of nature. appointed assistant to Dr. J. A. Allen in the In the 1880s and 1890s, fashionable Chapman's musical appreciation remained museum's Department of Mammals and women adorned their hats with feathers. throughout the years. His son was a gifted Birds. In 1901, Chapman was promoted In 1886 Frank Chapman walked from singer, and his daughter-in-law, Gladys to the rank of Associate Curator of Birds, his Manhattan office to the heart of the Swarthout, became a star of the Metropoli- and in 1908 he became Curator of Birds. women's fashion district, counting the tan Opera Company. The two considered In 1920, a separate Department of Birds stuffed birds on the hats of passing women. Chapman their critic and mentor. was established, of which he was named ­Chapman, a talented birder, identified the the Quail February 2013 —12— Continued on Page 8 »