Fishers of the Sierra Nevada Reg Barrett
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Volume 58, Number 6 March 2013 Fishers of the Sierra Nevada ✦ Reg Barrett Professor Barrett will discuss Toxicants may not only pose the findings his fisher study has a mortality risk to fishers but published regarding the impor- could also pose significant in- tance of rodenticides in the ecol- direct risks by depleting rodent ogy of this rare mesocarnivore in prey populations upon which the southern Sierra Nevada. The fishers depend. Dr. Barrett will effects of anticoagulant rodenti- discuss the implications of the cide on public and community findings, as well as those of forest lands have recently raised others, on the conservation of concern for fishers (Martes pen- wildlife in general. The roden- nanti), a candidate for listing ticide issue is much larger than under the federal Endangered most people realize. Species Act. Professor Barrett Professor Barrett grew up in and his colleagues autopsied 58 the East Bay and graduated from carcasses of the Pacific fisher Humboldt State College with from the two isolated California a bachelor’s degree in Game populations and found 79% of Management. He received his the fishers had been exposed to master’s degree in Wildlife Man- an anticoagulant rodenticide, agement from the University of with 96% of those individuals Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michi- having been exposed to one gan and a Ph.D. in Zoology from or more second-generation UC Berkeley. He is currently the anticoagulant rodenticide compounds. Ad- regulatory changes regarding their use. The Goertz Distinguished Professor of Wildlife ditionally, the study documented the first distribution of exposure suggests that antico- Management at UC Berkeley. neonatal or milk transfer of poison from agulant rodenticide contamination is wide- one female to her kit. spread within the fisher’s range in California, Q Illegal or irresponsible use of anticoagu- which encompasses mostly public forest and BIRDING INFORMATION lant rodenticides continues despite recent park lands. A likely source of anticoagulant rodenticide exposure to fishers is the emerg- Lisa Owens Viani of Raptors are the ing spread of illegal marijuana cultivation Solution (RATS) will update us on the Meeting Schedule within California public and private lands. In progress her group has made in raising The next general meeting of 2011, a three week eradication operation of awareness of how second generation ro- Mount Diablo Audubon Society marijuana cultivation removed over 630,000 denticides affect raptors and other wildlife will be Thursday, March 7, in the plants and 23,316 kg of trash including and how their efforts have helped to limit Camellia Room of The Gardens at 68 kg of pesticides within the Mendocino the availability and use of these poisons. Heather Farm, Walnut Creek. National Forest in the northern California Eagle Scout candidate Matt Borglin 7:00 pm Birding Information 7:25 pm Announcements fisher populations range. Anticoagulant will also talk about educational displays 7:40 pm Refreshments,* raffle rodenticides and pesticides are typically he made for Lindsay Museum, Native Bird 8:05 pm Speaker: Dr. Reg Barrett dispersed around young marijuana plants Connections, The Gardens at Heather * Please remember to bring a cup. to deter herbivory, but significant amounts Farm, and Raptors Are The Solution to use Thursday, April 4: Brent Plater of anticoagulant rodenticide compounds are to educate the public on Barn Owls. Three Antioch Dunes: Endangered species also placed along plastic irrigation lines in of the boxes were impacted by second gen- order to deter rodent chewing. eration rodenticides. DEDICATED TO HABITAT CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION the Quail —1— March 2013 President’s Corner By Jimm Edgar I hope all of you had a chance to see On a brighter note, we once again had Welcome and read the article in the SF Chronicle over a hundred folks at our general meet- written by Mike Lynes, executive director ing. It is encouraging to see such good New Members of Golden Gate Audubon. It was in the attendance. One of the reasons, of course, Charles Bennett San Ramon February 8 issue. The article was about the is the great programs that Ariana Rickard, Terry Duff Walnut Creek peer-reviewed study done by the Smithso- our program chair, has arranged. The other Eda Kung Walnut Creek nian Conservation Biological Institute and is our great hospitality. The hospitality crew Mary Morgan Walnut Creek U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service that indicated does a great job, but we need all of you to Marianne Polkowski-Burns that as many as 3.7 billion birds were killed bring those cookies and snacks, so don’t Walnut Creek each year by outdoor cats. 3.7 billion! This be bashful. David and Linda Shinn Pittsburg is way more than ever thought before and As you might remember, three of our should serve as a wake-up call to everyone members, Kent Fickett, Bill Chilson and I Linda Wehrmeister Concord who cares for cats and birds. 70% of those joined Hawaiian native Sonny Gamponia birds were killed by feral cats. The implica- to set a new species one day record for the tion is clear; we must begin to do something island of Maui last year. We are going to Gary Bogue Given about outdoor cats. I am well aware of what try the Big Island of Hawai'i this year on Al McNabney a huge problem this issue is and the forces February 27. I will let you know how we do. that would fight those who want this to I think I mentioned last month how Award happen, but I believe this is a disaster. Our pleased we are that Nancy Wenninger has board is going to discuss this issue and see stepped forward to chair the MDAS con- where we might go on it. There have been servation committee. Three others have some programs with limited success and agreed to serve with her. They had their first like a lot of issues you can’t solve the entire planning meeting a few weeks ago and are problem, but we must do something. If well on their way to taking on some issues any of you have ideas or wish to join us, in our county and further afield. let me know. What You Can Do Cats that are allowed to roam outdoors Don’t feed unknown cats without are more likely to catch a disease or to be making a commitment to finding them a hit by a car. Cats also are at risk of poison- permanent home. Feeding stray or feral ing from catching small rodents that have cats will only lead to rapid growth in their ingested anticoagulant rodenticides. Cats numbers and rapid decline in the numbers are natural hunters. of California Quail. Keep your cat indoors and encourage Support laws that prevent cats from others to do the same. If you are unwilling to roaming. Brian Murphy photo. keep your cat indoors, do not attract birds Keep feeders well away from bushes At the February meeting of MDAS, the to your yard by putting out bird feeders, and underbrush where cats can hide. If Al McNabney Environmental Distinction bird houses and bird baths. free-roaming cats remain a problem at Award was presented to Gary Bogue, "In Identify your cat. Use a collar and tag your feeders, please discontinue feeding the recognition of his lifetime achievements or microchip your cat in case it gets lost. birds. You are doing more harm by attract- as everyone's favorite nature columnist Spay or neuter your cat as early as eight ing birds into a yard where there are cats. and for his resolute efforts in promoting weeks of age. conservation of habitats for wildlife." The Never abandon cats. This is cruel to This bird's discovery in 1741 certificate also included this statement the animal and in Contra Costa County is is a remarkable story. It was from Al McNabney, quoted from his final punishable as a misdemeanor under Ar- Q found in Alaska by the first conservation column in the Quail: "As has ticle 416-4 of the Health and Safety Code. non-native to set foot on been said by those with more wisdom than Instead, take the cat to an animal shelter Alaskan soil during the naturalist's only I have, 'extinction is forever.' As I'm wont where it has a chance of being adopted. ten-hour stay on the mainland. The to say, birds don't vote, they don't lobby, bird is a native of the Pacific Coast, the they don't make campaign contributions. The Quail is published monthly except Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Madre Its OUR job to speak and work FOR them." January and August by Mount Diablo Occidental. Former Mount Diablo Audubon Presi- Audubon Society, P.O. Box 53, Walnut Creek, CA 94597-0053. The Quail is printed Unscramble these letters, or turn to dent Mike Williams made the presentation, on 30% post-consumer waste recycled Page 6 to learn more. after which Gary delighted the audience paper. The deadline for the April issue is AEEJLLRSSTY with tales of his encounters with mountain March 12. lions and other adventures with wildlife. the Quail —2— March 2013 California Thrashers are singing in the chaparral throughout the area. It’s Observations By Maury Stern Spring for them. Cedar Waxwings are now frequent as Submit Contra Costa County sightings to In conjunction with the Herring Run the berry crop has become abundant. [email protected] or (925) 284-5980 or at Ferry Point two rare gulls were seen and DW saw an Orange-crowned War- send to EBB [email protected]. If photographed: Slaty-backed Gull and bler at her peanut feeder 1/27.