Entering New Waters at Pier 94 Leslie Weir

the newsletter of the golden gate audubon society // vol. 103 no. 4 fall 2019

EntEring nEw watErs at PiEr 94 leslie weir

ore than a million individual shore- M birds rely on the San Francisco Bay for at least some portion of their annual lifecycle. The Bay Area is classified as a site of hemispheric significance for migratory shorebirds by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands has designated San Francisco Bay as a site of international significance for migratory waterfowl. More than 1,000 species of birds, mammals, and fish rely on the San Francisco Bay Estuary—the centerpiece of our region.

CONTINUED on page 5

American Avocet at Pier 94. Bob Gunderson long enough to be restored for his aston- ishing journey. Ornithologists discovered that Blackpoll Warblers have the longest migratory route of any New World warbler. Every fall, these tiny 12-gram birds make a nonstop transatlantic flight from upper Canada to South America. Then, the fol- lowing spring, they reverse migrate to their breeding grounds. A few hours later, I checked on this exquisite feathered jewel. He was no longer quiet. I could hear him bouncing against the box top in a frenzied urge to leap up and fly south. I let him go and off he went—toward the Statue of Liberty, a fitting testament to his fortitude. I hoped that I had helped him a little.

Cindy Margulis Like this Blackpoll Warbler’s drive to Male Blackpoll Warbler. migrate during the fall season, this is our time of transition at GGAS. As we gather ourselves to move through this fall season, Our timE Of transitiOn I am humbled by the achievements of our great leaders, volunteers, members, sup- by pam young, executive director porters, and friends who steered GGAS through 102 years of extraordinary service all is a time when we birders scan Ocean toward New York, I discovered a for our Bay Area. I look forward to serving f the skies for visiting migrants as they frantic Blackpoll Warbler, Setophaga striata, in the grand tradition that is this great insti- wing their way to their wintering grounds. exhausted but valiantly struggling to pen- tution’s venerable heritage. For many species of birds, it is a time of etrate a raging 30-knot wind. I reached out As our mission statement attests, we transition from the energetic demands of and gently cupped the bird in my hands. He “engage people to experience the wonder breeding and molting to feeding ravenously immediately quieted, and I transferred him of birds, and translate that wonder into and experiencing a restless urge to leap to a small box—his own personal berth. actions.” Where habitats or wildlife are skyward. Migrating birds have an unrelent- This moment reminded me of an account I besieged by a range of assaults, we will ing craving to navigate to a very speciﬁc had read about migrant passerines “board- engage our community to translate the location—a drive that has been carved into ing” ships that apparently suit them just wonder of birds into action so that all living their ancient wisdom over millions of years. ﬁne as temporary transports to their land- beings that form our web of life will thrive. Many Septembers ago, while aboard a ward destinations. After offering the bird Together, we will continue the enduring ship that was plowing through the Atlantic a little water, I left him to rest, hopefully legacy of GGAS.

UPCOMING EVENTS

2019 Christmas Bird Counts Fall Birding Classes Eco-Sail on the Bay Lake Merritt Docent Training Oakland and San Francisco Improve your birding skills—or get October 26, 8:00–11:30 a.m. Tuesday October 22, 7 p.m. December 15 and 27 started in birdwatching with some Sausalito Yacht Harbor GGAS Office, Berkeley Mark your calendars now for our friendly, expert help! Fall classes This trip to benefit GGAS takes Help GGAS introduce Oakland’s Oakland CBC on December 15 and available for all levels of birding you under the Golden Gate Bridge residents and visitors to Lake San Francisco CBC on December 27. experience—from beginning to and out to Point Bonita Lighthouse Merritt’s wintering birds! We will Both counts will be followed by a advanced. For classes at the Marin with frequent bird and wildlife be serving on Saturday mornings traditional festive count dinner. All Headlands or Ed Roberts Campus sightings. Ticket price includes from 10 a.m. until noon. Available skill levels welcome. Feeder Watchers go to goldengateaudubon.org/ coffee and a mimosa! Register at docent shifts will run from November are invited to take part in the education/classes. For classes at goldengateaudubon.org/upcoming- through February. For more Oakland count. Registration opens the Rotary Nature Center, go to field-trips and scroll down to information, please contact Maureen late October. goldengateaudubon.org/classes-rnc. Fee-based Trips. Lahiff at [email protected].

2 THE GULL FALL 2019 BAY AREA HOTSPOT

(From left) Scenes from Lake Merritt: Lake Chalet, Tufted Duck and Greater Scaup, and birders. Photos courtesy of Rick Lewis.

LakE mErritt: Birding HOtsPOt by hilary powers

ake Merritt is Club Bird—a winter destination site for registration info. If you don’t have access to a for almost a dozen kinds of ducks and grebes, computer, phone our office at (510) 843-2222 and we’ll LOCATION l plus assorted warblers and sparrows. On the fourth return your call as soon as possible. Rotary Nature Wednesday walk, a GGAS feature since 2005, the How did the lake get to be the sanctuary we know Center December and January species count usually hits the today? I think of it as a “people refuge.” Originally a 600 Bellevue Ave. mid- to high 40s, sometimes reaching the mid-50s. But tidal slough, it was dammed in 1869 to create a 155-acre Oakland high summer isn’t empty; with a species count nearer pool that proved irresistibly attractive to passing birds... 30 there’s still plenty to see—and easier to keep track of and would-be bird hunters (both in far greater num- if you’re new to birding. So come on down to the lake! bers than Oakland sees today). The noise of gunfire There’s There’s never a truly bad day to be there; even if it’s and the danger of scattered shot proved so unpleasant never a raining sideways you’ll find something worth watching, around the new lake that within a year Dr. Samuel and most days rank among the best anywhere. Join us Merritt, the man who had donated the land for the truly bad at 9:30 at the dome cage for our monthly excursion, or project, arranged with the state of California to have it day to be come when you can. declared a “wildlife refuge”—the first in the US. Hunt- And GGAS has more to offer at the lake. Since the ing was forbidden and fishing limited to hook and line, at Lake Rotary Nature Center reopened, we’ve been offering primarily to protect humans from a nuisance rather Merritt classes there—check them out at goldengateaudubon. than non-humans from mortal peril. At the time, even org/classes-rnc. Upcoming: “Wintering Birds of Lake birders used shotguns rather than optics. After all, wild Merritt,” a classroom session on November 9 followed lives had few defenders—but the ploy set up a trea- by a guided walk on November 16, designed for new sure for our time, where people who do value the lives birders. Then in February, we will offer “Bird as Icon: of wild creatures can join them in the refuge and find Black-crowned Night-Heron”; keep an eye on the web- refreshment and restoration.

Read more about this and other birding hotspots at goldengateaudubon.org/hotspots.

FALL 2019 THE GULL 3 FEATURES

duBs sLam dunk Bird-friEndLy at CHasE arEna by noreen weeden

he Warriors achieved gold—LEED gold, that is—on their t new stadium. Golden Gate Audubon learned about the proposed new stadium along the San Francisco waterfront, an area of San Francisco not required to adhere to the Bird-Safe Building ordinance, in 2012. Since 2007, GGAS members, San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, and Bay Keeper had collaborated to monitor and document bird species along the waterfront including the Agua Vista, Pier 60, and Pier 64 sites opposite the proposed stadium. Based on these surveys, GGAS identified potentially impacted species, including shorebirds, terns, gulls, grebes, cormorants, hawks, and passerines. GGAS San Francisco Conservation Committee members attended community meetings, read proposed plans, and worked with staff on comments for the project. Early in the design process, GGAS encouraged everyone involved in the planning and design of the waterfront arena to ensure that environmental impacts, espe- Photo courtesy of Warriors Chase Stadium. cially impacts to birds, would be considered. The Warriors built relationships with the surrounding neighborhood and sought to have a stadium that reflected the beauty, ingenuity, and innovation Design (LEED) Gold certification. The bird-safe building design of the Bay Area. LEED features include UV-treated glazing, fritted glass (with ther- One of the selected architect firms, Gensler, had taken the Amer- mal regulating properties), and down lighting. The Warriors Chase ican Bird Conservancy bird-safe building design CEU course taught Stadium is part of the Green Sports Alliance, which promotes by GGAS. “The Northeast corner was of particular concern for bird healthy, sustainable communities. safety given its close proximity to the new waterfront park and the Yoyo Chan, Vice President Government and Public Affairs for San Francisco Bay,” said Barry Bourbon, Principal at Gensler. “The the Golden State Warriors, said, “Designing with birds in mind was goal was to design a seamless architectural solution for bird safety a very important aspect for us in building Chase Center. This effort considerations. A series of frit patterns of differing densities—based is part of our organization’s broader commitment to sustainability on the different flight path elevation data—were integrated into the and being environmentally friendly. We are very proud to be one of façade glazing. This creates an added play of light, shadow, and tex- the few bird-friendly arenas in the NBA.” ture on the façades, providing not only a layered design aesthetic but On September 6, 2019, the Chase Center Warriors Stadium also a practical and safe solution for bird safety.” opened to the public for the first time. We are thrilled that they The result is an 18,000-seat arena and event space that has a US considered people, birds, our environment, and the input of GGAS Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental at this new venue.

NEWS BRIEFS

Early Bird Renewal GGAS 2020 Photo Calendar Birds and Beans 2019 Summer Gull Correction Renew your Golden Gate The 2020 Birds of the Bay Area Help sustain bird habitat in Central In our Summer 2019 article titled Audubon Society membership calendar is now on sale. Don’t miss America and elsewhere by buying “Birdathon 2019: Expanding Our for 2020. Renew or join online at this chance to enjoy the stunning organic, shade-grown coffee certified Reach,” we mistakenly reported goldengateaudubon.org/join. If photos by some of the Bay Area’s best as bird-friendly by the Smithsonian that our top individual fundraiser, you join now, your membership photographers. Perfect for your home Migratory Bird Center. It’s easy. Dan Harris, had raised $4201. Our will cover the rest of 2019 and or office wall; also great as a holiday, Order once a month and pick up apologies to Dan for understating all of 2020. If you’re a member of birthday, or host thank-you gift. your coffee at the GGAS office. For his grand total. Dan Harris raised National Audubon who has not yet Order online at goldengateaudubon. details, go to goldengateaudubon/ a monumental $4376 during joined GGAS, please do! org/calendar. coffeeclub. Birdathon 2019!

4 THE GULL FALL 2019 FEATURES

PIER 94 CONTINUED from page 1 Despite the Bay Area’s importance for species survival, San Francisco has lost over 90% of its wetlands. The southeastern waterfront of the San Francisco Bay has been devastated by decades of industrial pollution, landfill, and habitat loss. Our birds and other wildlife are struggling to adapt to multiple threats under pressure from increasing urbanization and projected impacts of climate change. Since 2002, GGAS has supported the Port of San Francisco in restoring Pier 94 along San Francisco’s southeastern shore. Through the stewardship of Golden Gate Audubon, the site has evolved from a neglected landfill to a thriving 7-acre wetland, transition zone, and upland ecosystem. The project benefits a wide range of migratory and resident birds, including species listed as “of special concern” by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Pier 94 project site is ideally located to provide habitat refuge—a refuge that will Noreen Weeden become increasingly important under Cali- Checking the Pier 94 shoreline to collect baseline data on native oysters, drill, and seaweed. fornia’s changing climate. Golden Gate Audubon staff member Through the stewardship of Golden Gate Audubon, the site has Noreen Weeden has been responsible for implementing the Pier 94 wetland restora- evolved from a neglected landfill to a thriving, 7-acre wetland, tion since 2006. The restoration has ensured transition zone, and upland ecosystem. survival for the native plants, birds, and other wildlife beginning to establish at Pier 94. Noreen recruits volunteers and schedules tant foundational species for its wildlife. American Avocet, White-crowned Sparrow, work days at the restoration site. Volunteer The reintroduction of native oysters to Pier Red-winged Blackbird, Anna’s Humming- events engage community and corporate 94 will result in a better understanding of bird, House Finch, Bryant’s Savannah groups in outdoor learning. GGAS’s staff how the oysters can improve shoreline bio- Sparrow, and Northern Mockingbird. Addi- provide a brief history of the site, explanation diversity. Through this new phase at Pier tional likely breeders at this site include of the work intended, and why it is impor- 94, we will learn more about San Francisco Lesser Goldfinch, Barn Swallow, and Black tant. Volunteer groups participate to learn Bay shoreline species. This project offers Phoebe. Data collected suggests that both more about the urban environment. Sales- volunteers the opportunity to participate the variety of species and the number of force brings groups of volunteers from all in meaningful research on our west coast birds, insects, plants, and wildlife will con- over the world, and GGAS’s Eco-Education native oysters. This valuable, local commu- tinue to increase as the habitat improves. program is engaging students from federally nity science will provide data about oysters Through the protection of this coastal assisted (Title I) schools, their teachers, and and birds, like Black Oystercatchers and habitat and through the enhancement their families in science and conservation. Surf Scoters, that rely on them. of the ecosystem with the addition of the This fall, Golden Gate Audubon Pier 94’s biodiversity has already native oysters, GGAS will create an inte- embarked on an exciting expansion into increased for birds and butterflies, indicat- grated and inviting living shoreline in the the subtidal zone of Pier 94. GGAS is ing improved shoreline habitat as a result southeastern industrialized and urban area conducting a research pilot guided by the of GGAS’s restoration efforts. In 2018, of San Francisco. The results of this project Smithsonian Environmental Research Cen- there were 146 species of birds recorded will feed into the San Francisco Bay Sub- ter to determine the sustainability of native at the site, a 14% increase over the previ- tidal Habitat Goals Project and a long-term oysters at the pier. Historically, oysters lived ous year. Avian species that nest on-site vision for restoration of multiple, larger San in the San Francisco Bay and are an impor- include Canada Goose, Mallard, Killdeer, Francisco Bay sites.

FALL 2019 THE GULL 5 DONATIONS

Thank you for joining our donor community. Donations from June 1, 2019 through August 31, 2019 With gratitude to every individual, business, and organization who made a recent donation. Large or small, the gifts you send support our conservation, education, and member programs and beneﬁt the birds you love.

Donations F. Hein, Adrienne Lynda L. Bradford, Diana Kaftan, Eileen Barbara Pearl, Mary Tart, Leslie A. Taylor, Hillebrandt, Keelung Kurt Brombacher, M. Kelleher, Benilda T. Plessas, Carole Plum, Leslie L. Threatte, GOLDEN EAGLE Hong, Richard Barry C. Brooker, Kiewek, Gertrude Kin, Elizabeth Preston, S. J. Threlfall, ($1000 and above) Horrigan, Lisa Cheri Bryant, Deborah Patricia Kollias, Anna Sharon Pretti, Wally Stephan & Christine Alameda Fish Houghton, Robert Bullock, Deanne Korn, P. Kurzman, and Gayle Ransom, Volker, Kenneth and Game J. Jacobs, Carol Burke, Michael Bussell, Maureen Lahiff, Karen Judith Reichle, David Wahl, Helen Walsh, Commissioners, Keaough, Tobin Karen A. Butterﬁeld, Lawrence, Linda Rice, Dan J. Richman, Catherin Warner, Edward L. Bennett, Kendrick, Heinz Marianne Campbell, Lawrence, Edgar Ruth Roberts, Diana Rachel Watson-Clark, Bob Hallet, The Lankford, Jean Levin, Mary Carrigan, & Joyce Lehmann, J. Roger, Bradley Wildrose Gardens Kimball Foundation, Randi and Herb Long, Kathryn Carroll, Leigh Connie Levi, Robert Rose, Steven & Ponds, Christine Liz Kuo, March Bruce Mast, Miles Castellon, Libert K. Lewis, William & Toni Rosenberg, James Wildsoet, Stanley M. Conservation Fund, and Mel McKey, Chan, Aneta Chapman, Link, Annie Linton, Salerno, Harriet Winterman, Elaine Karen Rosenbaum, Jaime Michaels, Mike Chase, Toni Andrew Littke, Leon Saunders, Verena Wolfe-Blank, Lois The San Francisco Stuart Moock, Childress, Charles R. Lord, Dino Lucas, Schelling, Gretchen Wong, Stephen Foundation, Patricia Joseph Morlan, Anne Clark, Julie Clark, Barbara M. Lyons, Scholtz, L. M. Seiler, Wood, Kerry Weeden Morton, Thomas Soﬁa Close, Murray Carol Maddison, Kirby G. Settle, Ann Woodward, Jane W. Murray, Jennifer Cohen, Roberta L. Arlene E. Marinell, Shackelford, Irwin Wrench, Sara Wynne, PEREGRINE Navarrete, Kathleen Collier, Sheila Collins, Suzanne Marr, Sean & Annette Shapiro, Joyce Ycasas, Robert FALCON Disney Nilson, Wendy William Compton, P. Mcgowan, Helen Mary Lou L. Sharrar, A. Young Jr., Nancy ($500 to $999) Peterson, Jay & Lisa Susan Cossins, Michael McKinley, Helen Sally Sherman, Susan Zefo, Claudine Zuber Pauline L. Fong, Pierrepont, Madhav D’Aloisio, Martha McKinley, Philip Mertz, B. Sherman, Lynne Meghan Kelly, Patricia Puri, Reetta Raag, J. Davis, Linda A. Caterina Meyers, Showers Davis, Langenhahn, Diane Caroline J. Read, Deaktor, Adrienne Marie Mika, Monterey Judi Sierra, Robert 2019 Premium Luders Ann M. Richter, DeBisschop, Anne Peninsula Audubon, & Martha Sikora, Members Janice and Frank Devaney, Linda M. Sue Morgan, Beth Mary & Marshall LEAST TERN Roudebush, School Devigne, EarthShare Moseley, John and Small, Carol Sparks, RIDGWAY’S RAIL ($250 to $499) of the Arts, Eric and California, Dorothy Marilyn Muenchow, Joyce & James MEMBERSHIPS Robert & Barbara Susan Schroeder, Eastman, Roy T. Egawa, Morgan Muir, Julio Stanek, Barbi Stim, Russell and Ellen Brandriff, Mark Virginia Schultz, Lynne Eggers, Elise Mulero, Bernice Ng, Don & Ruth Stiver, Breslauer, Larry Cocalis, Sara Gabriel, Pamela L. Shandrick, Eichhorn, Patricia James O’Donnell, Amy Strassmeyer, Degrassi, Kenneth Viola Gonzales, Bob Peter Stonebraker, G. Elsaesser, Leslie Kristin Papania, Toby Suckow, Sara Hillan, Marjorie R. Hirt, Peg Janosch, Christopher Swarth, J. Enloe, Facebook, Benjamin D. Parmeter, Tanenhaus, Judith Siegel Sandra Laframboise, Alyce Bezman Dorothy H. Finger, Marjorie Randolph, Tarcher, Sandy Leah Forbes, Patricia Kathryn Taylor, Thacker, Mary L. M. Gannon, Janet Margarette Untawale, Turner, Leslie Ann Geiser, Vickie L. GIFTS IN HONOR OF Linda Vallee, Matt & Watts, Jan Wax, Germany, Barbara Anonymous, in honor of Eric Schroeder’s Big Year 2019 Joann Zlatunich Carolyn C. Webber, M. Gex, William J. Randy Fertel, in honor of Eric Schroeder’s Big Year 2019 Priscilla S. Winslow, Giddens, Loretta Nancy Klehr, in honor of Judy Lieberman RIDGWAY’S RAIL Stephanie Woods, Giorgi, James R. Bruce Mast, in honor of Eric Schroeder’s Big Year 2019 ($100 to $249) WWOC, Mary & Gollihur, Margaret Beth Moseley, in honor of Eric Schroeder’s Big Year 2019 Linda Agerter, Dianne Donald Yaholkovsky- Goodale, Eugene L. Ayres, Evelyn Baran, Bruschera, Sondra Gottfried, Maureen IN-KIND GIFTS Annette Billingsley, Zentner Grabowski, Frank Sharon Beals, Courtney Clarkson, Philip Delano, Jim DeRoque, Femi Jennifer Braun, Graetch, Helen Igbodipe, Pt. Cabrillo Lighthouse Foundation, Linda Valleetest, Scott Young Emma C. Brown, Alisa GIFTS A. Green, John Golden Budiansky, (To $99) Grossberg, Richard EMPLOYEE GIFT MATCHES: Paulette Collins, Marilyn Abers, Sue Grube, Mary C. AAA (Marianne Campbell) Cira M. Curri, Mario Adler, Kenneth Gutekanst, Lisa Hall, Clorox Company Foundation (Rachel Watson-Clark) & Barbara De Pinto, Alborn, Eleanor Kathleen Hallam, IBM (Joyce Mercado) Carole Deitrich, Bain, Terry Baransy, Susan Hampton, Bill IBM (Dan & Sharron Whitten Poff) Shirley Doell, Carolyn Marlene Jennifer Hart, Judith Helder, Dugger, Steve Eckert, Barneveld, Deborah Anne Hiller, Jan GRANTS Leora Feeney, Randy Barr, Sandra Barth, Hintermeister, Roz Clorox Company Foundation Fertel, Gordon Zoe Becker, Isabel Hinz-Bowser, Judy Flora Family Foundation Fulton, Angie Geiger, Berkelhammer, Nina Hnilo, Charles Hoehn, Salesforce Foundation Christa Goldblatt, Beutel, Ellis Bigelow, Carolyn Holm, Leonard Clare Gordon, Jeffrey Emily L. Blanck, Erik Horwitz, WIlliam Gray, Karen Hall, Blangsted, Jean Hudson, John Hules, John Harris, Thora Bogiages, Fran Claire Hunter, Gina Please know that we work hard to ensure the accuracy of this list. If your name has been Harrison, William Bolton, Charles Borg, Jacobs, Jean Johnsen, omitted or misspelled, let us know at 510.843.2222.

6 THE GULL FALL 2019 SPEAKER SERIES ROSTER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President status and COnsErvatiOn LOCATION / DATE Linda Carloni San Francisco Vice President Carol Baird Of watErBirds Of tHE Thursday, October 17 6:30 p.m. refreshments, Treasurer nOrtH Bay Bruce Mast 7 p.m. program Secretary nils warnock Eric Schroeder

Diane Bennett Learn about the work at Audubon Canyon Ranch (ACR) Laura Cremin by their scientists, colleagues, students and volunteers William Hudson Dan Roth who study the local status and ecology of wintering and Alex Smolyanskaya migrant shorebirds and waterbirds in the Bay Area. Nils Pam Young will present results of 30 years of waterbird monitoring STAFF by ACR in Tomales Bay and discuss results of ACR’s 50 Executive Director years of work on herons and egrets throughout the Bay Pam Young, 510.843.2222 ext. 1002 Area. This will include presenting data on movements of [email protected] the first ever satellite telemetry–tracked Great Egrets on Nils Warnock Director of Volunteer Programs Noreen Weeden, 510.301.0570 the West Coast of North America. [email protected] Nils Warnock is Director of Conservation Science at ACR. He is an elected Fellow of the Youth Programs Manager American Ornithological Society with 35 years’ experience on ecology and conservation of Clayton Anderson, 510.843.2222 ext. 1005 [email protected] Pacific Flyway birds, especially shorebirds. Nils has a PhD in Ecology. Previously he worked Office Manager as Co-Director of the Wetlands Division of Pt. Reyes Bird Observatory (now Pt. Blue, 1998– 510.843.2222 ext. 1001 2008), and then as the Executive Director of Audubon Alaska and a Vice President of the [email protected] National Audubon Society (2010–2018). VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP Adult Education Chair Maureen Lahiff, [email protected]

Field Trip Coordinator Steve Lombardi, [email protected] LOCATION / DATE gOLdEn EagLEs in a Travel with GGAS Coordinators Berkeley Dawn Lemoine, Daryl Goldman, and Eric Schroeder [email protected] CHanging wOrLd Thursday, November 21 6:30 p.m. refreshments, ben dudek MISSION STATEMENT 7 p.m. program Golden Gate Audubon engages people to experience the wonder of birds and to translate that wonder into actions which protect native bird Golden Eagles are a well-studied, widely distributed populations and their habitats. raptor species. Long-term monitoring of Golden Eagle ABOUT GOLDEN GATE AUDUBON populations have revealed several current and emerging The Golden Gate Audubon Society was founded threats, including landscape-mediated diet shifts that January 25, 1917. Golden Gate Audubon Supporting Membership is $35 per year. You can join or renew on may increase the potential for disease infection, and the website or through our Berkeley office. warming temperatures that may increase the distribu- The Gull is published four times per year. Special tion and abundance of eagle ectoparasites. Management third-class postage paid in Oakland, CA. Send address changes to the office promptly. The post to mitigate these threats requires first identifying and office does not forward The Gull. Ben Dudek understanding factors that influence individual suscepti- Learn about upcoming Golden Gate Audubon bility within populations. Given the projections of current climate trends and the increasing events every month! Send your name and email address to [email protected] to receive human ecological footprint, monitoring threats to raptor populations and the ability of birds our monthly e-newsletters with upcoming events and to respond to these threats is important in a changing world. other news. Ben Dudek is a wildlife biologist in the San Francisco Bay Area with a M.S. in Raptor Biol- Golden Gate Audubon Society 2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite G ogy. Ben has worked with birds for organizations across the western United States, including Berkeley, CA 94702 the Institute for Bird Populations, Hawkwatch International, and Yosemite National Park. He Office hours: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 9 a.m.–noon, and other hours by appointment is a volunteer at Golden Gate Raptor Observatory. Telephone 510.843.2222 goldengateaudubon.org [email protected]

Nature Store San Francisco: New venue! Sports Basement, 1590 Bryant Street, San Francisco. Visit our online store at goldengateaudubon.org/ store. Berkeley: Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda (between Solano and Marin). Directions: Visit northbrae.org/contact--ﬁnd-us.html. This issue of The Gull was published September 2019. Design by e.g. communications

FALL 2019 THE GULL 7 Golden Gate Audubon Society 2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite G Non-Proﬁt Org. Berkeley, CA 94702 U.S. Postage PAID Return service requested Oakland, CA Permit No.1702

www.goldengateaudubon.org The Gull is printed with soy-based inks on chlorine-free paper, 30% postconsumer waste content.

3 Bay Area Hotspot: Lake Merritt 4 Slam Dunk at Bird-Friendly Chase Arena 7 Speaker Series Fall migration is a great time to see waterfowl The Golden State Warriors Stadium bird-safe This fall learn about research projects at at Lake Merritt, the ﬁrst designated wildlife building design includes UV-treated glazing, Audubon Canyon Ranch in October and refuge in the US. fritted glass, and down lighting. threats to Golden Eagles in a changing world.

BACKYARD BIRDER

in mixed woodlands past conifers and oak trees, you may see a slight movement on a tree trunk. This could be the Brown Creeper search- ing for food, spiraling upward on the tree trunk, then flying to the base of a nearby tree to start the spiraling process over again. They move upward around the trunk, as opposed to nuthatches, who climb up, down, and around tree trunks. The Brown Creeper is often heard before being seen. It has a high song that sounds like it is saying “tree, beautiful tree.” The song is a high frequency (3750Hz–8000Hz). People (normal range 1000Hz– 8000Hz) who are losing some of their hearing may find that this is one of the first birds they no longer hear. The Brown Creeper’s high- pitched song may remind you of another bird with a high frequency song, the Cedar Waxwing (6000Hz–8000Hz). Lee Friedman Brown Creeper. Brown Creepers are common across the US, although their num- bers are declining due to deforestation, especially the removal of dead and dying trees used for nesting. The loss of California riparian BrOwn CrEEPEr habitat is also a danger to these birds. by madeline brane Locally, Brown Creepers are seen throughout the year at mixed woodland areas, such as Lafayette Community Park and Valle Vista. he Brown Creeper is a small songbird (4.6"–5.3" long). They We recently observed parents and young hopping up oak trees look- t prefer living in mixed woodlands near riparian corridors. ing for insects. One parent landed behind a juvenile and handed off These areas provide the key elements needed for survival: food, some food to the younger bird. Then they both continued climbing shelter, nesting habitat, and water. They are frequently seen in the around the tree trunk. We were entranced by this family interaction! SF Bay Area alongside birds including Oak Titmice, nuthatches, I encourage you to listen (“tree, beautiful tree”) and look for the and Bewick’s Wrens. Brown Creeper the next time you are in their habitat. Come on our Brown Creepers are camouflaged by their streaked brown feath- monthly hikes at either Lafayette Community Center or Valle Vista, ers, making it easy for them to blend into tree bark. When walking and you just might see this bird creeping up a tree.

8 THE GULL FALL 2019