The Newsletter of the Santa Clara Audubon Society December 2001 Rare Bird Sightings:Documentation Required Accuracy is crucial for · 11 h • • ~ -:..:...·:.______a y s ow up m wmter ~ · CBC credibility such as Eurasian ~~ ~-:.. 'ri .------~ ~ -...~ ....., by Ann Verdi Wigeon, Ferruginous ,(: ~~~~ H k d h ( - .. ,,..--;?<~~~:>~~ San Jose CBC Compiler aw , an W ite- :::;;.,.-~. & ~;::.,_,~- throated Sparrow. ~ "'" <~-r;; While the censusing of our familiar wintering birds is the ~ ,.~,._- ,,~ (.,'< Other write-up candi- --....:.-11...':J:. '¼ c-'¼ ~"e--.,,,, core reason for Christmas Bird Counts (CBC's), the documen- 1-,,~4.,_,,,,_ >::i..,, tation of rare or unusual birds seen is also a very important dates might include , ~ ~~u~ aspect of these annual events. species common in · · -~ David McIntyre's sketch of the nearby areas, but not in Filling out a Rare Bird Form in full detail can be bothersome, Black-backed Wagtail had enough but a careful description of your observation has great rel your local CBC circle; detail for the committees who review the evance . I have often thought to myself"! hope I don't see a rare e.g. Common Loon, CBC reports. Be sure to answer all the questions on the form as well. bird, because then I'll have to do one of those write-ups and then Snow Goose, and Surf they're going to ask me questions about it" when I'm doing my Scoter are considered unusual for the San Jose CBC. Birds CBC. commonly found during breeding season but absent in winter, Well, maybe you will be lucky enough to spot an unusual like most warblers, vireos, gnatcatchers, orioles, et al also bird that needs to be written up and maybe they will ask you require documentation . - questions about it - and that's OK. First of all, there's the Our local CBC' s have rare bird committees made up of top special thrill of discovering a unique bird ; then your sighting local birders who review rare bird write-ups before they are needs to be backed up by careful description of the bird, its submitted to CBC Regional Editors. The original reports and behavior, its vocalization (if any), when and where it was seen, sketches are then sent to a national database for final review. your distance from the bird, the lighting, your optical equip Occasionally a rare bird sighting must be rejected due to poor ment, other observers, and, if possible, a sketch of the bird made documentation. This makes for a difficult decision, since the during the observation. You don 't need to be an artist (few of us observer (you) and compiler (us) may strongly believe the are!) but your sketch should show the particular marks and veracity of a sighting, but without a convincing write-up or features of the bird that differentiate it from a more common or sketch, the national editors are likely to reject the report. expected species. (See Bonnie Bedford -White's piece on sketch Because of the careful scrutiny of our local rare bird commit ing birds on Page 7.) tees, our local CBC's have consistently ranked among the top What is considered a "rare bird"? Well, certainly the Black in the state for accuracy of reporting. Our good documentation backed Wagtail found in Alviso last winter was a rara avis, but gives credibility not only to our rare bird reports but to our other birds requiring write-ups include species that occasion- CBC' s as a whole, and we can all be very proud of that.
Field Notes------Page 6 December is Christmas Bird Count Month! Sketch it!------Page 7 For information (maps, compilers, contact info) on all CBC circles------Page 9 four local CBC's-San Jose, Palo Alto, Mt. Hamilton Summary of and Calero/Morgan.Hill-see Pages 8 - 9. Experienced conse-rvationwork-----Page JO and novice birders alike are needed! Pollution patrol------Page 11
TheAvocet 1 December Field Trips
Please carpool if possible; bring binocu lars, field guides, Laye red clothing. Saturday Jan. 5, 8:00 AM Wednesday Jan. 9, 9:00 AM LO = Lunch optional Post CBC Rarities Chase Ed Levin County Park RC= Heavy rain cancels Full day. Leader: John Mariani (408) Half day . Leader: Harriet Gerson (408) 997-2066. Kick off the new year with 252-6244. Take Hwy 237 east to Saturday Dec. 1, 8:30 AM some coastal vagrant chasing . Bring a Calaveras Rd. in Milpitas, go approx . 2 Coyote Point full tank of gas, lunch, and field guides as miles past 1-680 to just past golf course Half day. Leader : Bob Reiling (408) we attempt to track down some of the entrance; park is on right across from 253-7527. From Hwy 101 north in San unusual birds seen on Christmas Bird school. (Do not turn left on Downing Mateo take Peninsula Ave exit then im Counts from Monterey to Santa Cruz. Rd .) LO, RC mediate right onto frontage road . Take Meet at the ranger's kiosk on Jetty Rd ., first left into park, then second left after just north of Moss Landing harbor on Plan Ahead: entrance kiosk to lower parking lot of Hwy 1. We'll either travel south to Jan.12---Panoche Valley Coyote Point Junior Museum . RC Monterey or north to Santa Cruz depend ing on the location of the rarities . RC Saturday Dec. 8, 8:00 AM Sunnyvale Water Treatment Plant Beginning Birding Class in Sunday Jan. 6, 8:00 AM Palo Alto Half day. Leader : TBA Questions call Charleston Slough (408) 253-7527 . From Hwy 101 take Palo Alto Adult School's Beginning Half day. Leader: Bob Reiling (408)253- Birdwatching class with instructor Mat Hwy 237 east, exit North on Caribbean 7527 Meet at Terminal Way at the end of thew Dodder will begin again on January Dr., turn right on Borregas Ave then left San Antonio Rd . north off Hwy 101 in 7. Enrollment begins Monday, Novem to parking area. A great place to study Mountain View. Birding will be geared ber 26. Call the school for details at (650) ducks; scopes are highly recommended. toward the beginning birder but all are A fairly easy but long walk. RC encouraged to attend. Don't forget to 329-3752 or visit the the instructor's bring your spotting scope. website : www .birdguy .net. Sunday Dec. 9, 9:00 AM Charleston Slough Half day. Leader : Phyllis Browning (650) 494-6360. Meet at Terminal Way at end of San Antonio Rd . northoffHwy 101 in Mt. View. As always, all are invited but birding will be geared toward the begin ning birder . Bring a spotting scope if you "Birding on the Bay" have one. Young Audubon Boat Trip Wednesday Dec.12, 9:00 AM Sunday, January 20 Campbell Percolation Ponds & Los Tourist Wharf, Monterey Bay Gatos Creek 9:30-12:00 noon Half day. Leader: John Arnold (650) 948-4250 . From 1-280 (go south) or Hwy Join the Young Audubon group for a boat trip on Monterey Bay. The 85 (go north) on Winchester Blvd, then trip is scheduled during the peak of the Gray Whale's southern migration east on Hacienda, left on Dell, and right and may also yield views of sea otters, sea lions, porpoises, and of course, into park . Possible Hooded Merganser. sea birds! The cost for this 2-hour tour is only $15 per person. This trip is Entrance fee; easy 2-mile walk . LO, RC first and foremost for children and their parents. Adults without children will be placed on a waiting list and are welcome to join us, depending on availability. Space is limited, so contact the SCVAS office at (408) 252-3747 to reserve your space today! Once payment is received, SCVAS will send out detailed information packets for the trip. Dress for cold and rain. Rainy weather does NOT cancel this trip. Because the boat is pre-paid, no refunds are available .
TheAvocet 2 Calendar
Wednesday Dec. 5, 7 :30 PM Bay Area Bird Photographers pre sents professional photographer and zo ologist Roy Toft of El Granada with wildlife images of Madagascar. Lucy Evans Baylands Interpretive Center, E. Embarcadero Rd. Palo Alto.
Tuesday Dec. 11, 9:30 AM Eve Case Bird Discussion Group Saturday, December 8 will meet at the home of Pat and Jean Dubois, l 7150Buena VistaAve,LosGatos Holiday Open House 408-395-4264 Topic: Tundra Swan. SCVAS Nature Shop
Saturday Jan. 12, 9:00 AM McClellan Ranch Park, Cupertino Volunteer Social at McClellan Discounts!! Ranch Park See Jennifer's Volunteer Ventures col Holiday refreshments!! umn on Page 4 for details. Browse our Nature Shop for holiday gifts Lean1 more about local Audubon programs Wednesday Jan.17, 7:30 PM General meeting, Palo Alto and volunteer opportunities "Golden Eagles" with biologist Craig Himmelwright. - Many warm thanks to all those who helped SCVAS would like to express apprecia tion for donations received from the make Wildlife Education Day a huge success! following individuals in memory of their friends and relatives : Event Sponsors In memory of: Doris E. Brannan Ellend Wenk Deep Cliff Golf Course • Stevens Creek Software Marjorie A. Collins Pat O'Neill • Councilmember Richard Lowenthal • Jim and Gen Collins Nancy, Nancy Anne and Nicky Bayda Raffle and Poster Contest Prize Donors: In memory of: Richard L. Cox Wild Bird Center of Los Gatos • Naturals from the Earth Nancy and Robert Sorensen Sandra and Ron Fischer SCVAS Nature Shop • Hicklebee's Books Ron and Linda Edwards Klutz Books • Sakamoto Plants Robert and Lori Edwards CA Integrated Waste • Management Board In memory of: Neal Royer PatDeWhitt Special thanks to SCVAS volunteers In memory of: Margaret P"ryor for their invaluable support! Mary Louise Canfield
TheAvocet 3 Volunteer Ventures Techno-volunteers Come Through by Jennifer Peritz Programs Coordinator New Toys for Staff
This month's column must begin with a humongous THANK YOU to all SCVAS' technological capabilities of the fabulous volunteers who helped to make our 10th Annual Wildlife have improved greatly over the past year, Education Day such a success! With upward of 450 guests, 22 local environ and we'd like to thank the many -people mental organizations, two presentations, and numerous hands-on activities, who have helped. Our first gift came the logistics of "Ed Day" required a small army of volunteers. Luckily, that's from Matthew Bartlett, who donated the exactly what we had. Every time I turned around, there were friendly faces iMac computer (named "Ruby") now offering help and support, and we couldn't have done it without you. Thank used by Susan in the front office. Then you, thank you, thank you! - thanks to the many generous gifts we One wonderful thing that all of our volunteers have in common is their received in response to last year's interest and willingness to give a portion of their time to SCV AS. It is quite fundraising letter - we purchased likely, however, that our volunteers share many other similar qualities, as "Indy," another iMac now used by Jenni well. Now, at our upcoming Volunteer Social , you'll have the opportunity to fer, and a Powerbook (no name) for Craig. find out when you meet and mingle with other volunteers. This event is for This summer we received a grant from anyone who has volunteered for SCV AS in the past or anyone who is the Rose Foundation to continue our work interested in learning more about volunteering for us in the future. If you've inspecting construction sites for Clean ever been curious about what it's like to work in the Nature Shop, lead a field Water Act violations. With a portion of trip, participate in the Wetlands Discovery Program, work on a conservation those funds we purchased a digital cam campaign, sit on an SCV AS committee, monitor a bluebird box, or participate era and camcorder. And thanks to a in any of our other volunteer programs, don't take my word for it- come to Santa Clara Valley Water District grant the Volunteer Social and ask one of our current volunteers! More details will to map non-native, invasive plant species come in the January A v=,-but for now, please mark your calendars for in local creeks, we are purchasing two Saturday, January 12. Global Positioning System (GPS) units As many of you may know, SCV AS has an incredible collection of bird from the Trimble Corporation. SCV AS nests and skins. We take our collection to various fairs and schools, so Board member and Trimble employee people can get a close-up view of these otherwise "out-of-reach" pieces of Charles Preuss will help teach us how to nature. Our nest collection, however, has been growing very quickly over the use them. past few months, and we need help organizing it! Volunteers who can We've recently received some great identify or research the origin of the various nests are greatly needed. Once help from Apple employee Ken Peterson, these nests are identified, we will create an accompanying card with a picture who donated some parts and installation and description of the bird that made the nest. If you have a hidden interest in assistance for an "Airport," which allows or talent for nest identification, please let me know. all our computers to communicate with Please don't forget our ongoing projects, as well. As I mentioned last each other and get wireless Internet access. month, we are in the process of preparing our End of the Year Fundraiser . Finally, Jerry Kaminski has been vital On Saturday, December 1, from 1-4 you are invited to join SCV AS and in keeping our computer systems going, "Meeti ng for Good" volunteers for an envelope-stuffing party. If this transferring information from the old to message reaches you in time, please come lend a hand as we fold, address, the new computers, and troubleshooting stamp, and stuff the fundraising letter into envelopes. This party will include in general. Thanks to all these folks, snacks, a raffle, and a half-hour bird walk at the Ranch . things are working pretty smoothly For more information on these or other volunteer programs, please contact around here, and we are able to tackle Jennifer at (408) 252-3747 or
TheAvocet 4 Field trip report
Ogier Ponds head-forward fashion, to a more private Nov. 4 perch on a utility pole, where it pro Twenty-two birders showed up for a ceeded to dine for the next 45 minutes. lively morning of birding at the Ogier Just as we'd recovered from the thrill Avenue Ponds in Morgan Hill on Nov . 4. ing Osprey viewing, the two Ferruginous A low ground fog burned off quickly and Hawks emerged from the northwest at the group was treated to a good variety of about 9:30. They flew directly over us, raptors, waterbirds and songbirds at this then circled for a couple minutes, as if to reliable, productive birding spot with its give us better looks at their distinctive varied habitat and user-friendly trail sys field marks. tem. Both showed the rusty upperparts and Highlights of the mornin ° included an slaty-blue flight feathers characteristic of Osprey devouring a hefty fow, a pair of adult plumage, but were slightly different Sketch of American White Pelicans in adult Ferruginous Hawks and a soaring underneath . One bird was almost pure flight; from a distance it is hard to flock of American White Pelicans. After white below, with striking tawny legging believe their adult wing span is we had identified two distinct individual feathers, while the other displayed more approximately 9 feet. BB-W Ospreys, one male and one female, the dark flecking on the underparts and less east toward Coyote Ridge and more typi male returned to perch in a sycamore tree extensive, duller leg feathers . We were cal Ferruginous Hawk habitat over hilly with a large, slippery fish in its talons. able to focus on particular marks, like the grassland. Frank Vanslager' s Questar scope enabled light head, lack of patagial (leading edge Other raptors observed included two us to note every field mark in great detail of the wing) mark, whitish tail, pointy pairs of handsome White-tailed Kites, a and watch the bird continually re-grab its wings, and more slender wings and body female Northern Harrier, calling Red catch which kept slipping from its grasp . that separate this species from the more shouldered Hawks and an unidentified After five minutes on the sycamore, the common Red-tailed Hawk . After this accipiter _(~~- p-shinned or Cooper's bird took off, carrying the fish in classic gorgeous display, the two headed south- Hawk-toocFose to call) . Ring-necked Ducks were present in good numbers, while the predominant dabbling duck seemed to be Gadwall. A sharp-eyed MORRO BAY WINTER BIRD FESTIVAL birder pulled out two Common Moorhens among the coots. A solo female Wood JANUARY 18-21, 2002 Duck and a pair of Common Mergansers Migrate to one of the country's pre-eminent birding spots and join the Morro were seen briefly by a few participants. Coast Audubon Society (MCAS) for the 6th Annual Morro Bay Winter Bird A surprising sighting was the flock of Festival. Morro Bay, an important stop on the Pacific Flyway, is recognized 75 American White Pelicans, which were worldwide for its diversity of both resident and wintering birds, with over 200 first observed in the distance over the species identified during past Festivals . This event is sponsored by MCAS and western foothills. The huge, majestic gives you a chance to join local and national birding experts on a variety of field white-and-black birds soared over the trips and workshops. ponds, banking against the sparkling blue The Festival limits field trip group sizes to maximize spotting and identifica sky for a breathtaking view before mov tion opportunities. The Festival also offers workshops aimed at sharpening your ing on to parts unknown . birding skills, as well as outstanding evening programs. This year's evening On a scouting trip the previous day, programs will feature Sheri Williamson and Tom Wood from Bisbee, Arizona, both founders and directors of the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory. On Karen and I had a Green Heron, Belted Saturday night, Sheri will present "Everything You Always Wanted to Know Kingfisher, three dark-backed swallows About Hummingbirds (But Didn't Know Who to Ask)." On Sunday evening, (probably Tree), and the largest Bushtit Tom will turn his raptor expertise to the topic of the Veracruz River ofRaptors flock either of us had ever seen - 110 phenomenon . birds! When you're that small, it pays to For more information about the Festival, check our website at www.morro stay in a gang, but we couldn't recall bay.net/birds, which is updated on a regular basis, or call the Morro Bay Chamber seeing a group larger than 60 or 70 indi of Commerce at (800) 231-0592. Registration deadline is December 31, 2001; viduals in our many years of birding. sign up early, as the most popular events fill up quickly. -Grant Hoyt TheAvocet 5 Field Notes another along the San Jose-Santa Clara Flycatchers through Sparrows by Bill Bousman WPCP drying ponds on 20 Oct (MJM et The Willow Flycatcher passage al.). Eighteen Lesser Yellowlegs were sometime stretches into October. This Loons through Waterfowl found at State and Spreckles in Alviso on fall a bird was banded along Coyote Creek A flock of Pacific Loons over the 5 Oct (MMR) which is an unusual con above Hwy 237 on 2 Oct (SH, GB) and Renze! Wetlands in Palo Alto on 5 Oct centration for October, when passage one was calling at the Alviso Environ (MMR) was most unusual. This appears birds taper off. Two birds were seen there mental Education Center (EEC) on 5 Oct to have been a misoriented migrant flock, also on 14 Oct (AME) and 17 Oct (RWR, (MMR). A hatching year Hammond's found typically along the coast. In past FV). Of our rare calidrid sandpipers, Flycatcher was banded at CCFS on 14 years the earliest this locally rare loon has Pectoral Sandpipers are generally the Oct (LCh) for the latest fall record I have shown up has been late October. A basic latest to come through in the fall. This for the county. Vast numbers of Cliff plumaged Common Loon off the Palo year birds peaked on 5 Oct at Spreckles Swallows leave in August and are sel Alto estuary on 31 Oct (FV) was more and State in Alviso, with23 seen(MMR) . dom found later in the fall so one near the typical. A count of 55 Brown Pelicans Numbers dropped after that with 13 on 17 Palo Alto Baylands on 5 Oct and two on Salt Pond A2W on 4 Oct (WGB) more the same day over New Chi was the last large group reported. cago Marsh are unusual (both Numbers tapered off to the single Warm October days came MMR). Two American Dippers digits during the rest of October. were along Herbert Creek on 24 Single American Bitterns were with some nice rarities Oct (KPa), while a single bird was found along Adobe Creek in the Palo on Stevens Creek above Mt. Eden Alto Flood Control Basin (FCB) on including a Laughing Gull, Road on 29 Oct (LSp). Golden 14 Oct (MDo) and 15 Oct (R WR, FV crowned Kinglets were on the et al.) for the first records this fall. A a Magnolia Warbler, and move with two at the Alviso EEC White-faced Ibis over the Sunny on 14 Oct (AME) and a single bird vale Water Pollution Control Plant a Blackburnian Warbler at the Palo Alto Baylands on 15 (WPCP) on 14 Oct (M~K) was Oct (RWR, FV). Conventional quite late for this sporadic fall visitor. wisdom holds that this will be an Three Greater White-fronted Geese in Oct (RWR, FV) and a last bird on 19 Oct off year for this irruptive species. Single with the Canadas at Calero Reservoir on (RWR, FV) . Elsewhere, high counts late passage Nashville Warblers were 14Oct(JMa) and21 Oct(AV,MJM) was included five birds at the New Chicago found in a number of spots: the Pajaro fairly typical for recent years. Also at Marsh on 9 Oct and 8 in the Coyote Creek River below Hwy 101 on 2 Oct (DLSu), Calero Reservoir, the Eurasian Wigeon Field Station (CCFS) waterbird pond the the fennel patch at the Palo Alto Bay lands found last month was seen through at same day (both RWR, FV). The female on 13 Oct (LCh et al.), and Stevens Creek least 14 Oct (v.ob.). Blue-winged Teal Ruff was found once again at Spreckles above Crittenden Lane on 15 Oct(WGB). have apparently returned to the Palo Alto andStateon5 Oct(MMR). Red-necked It was a good month for vagrant warblers. FCB again, with a single male seen on 13 Phalaropes seldom linger into October An adult Magnolia Warbler was found Oct (LCh et al.) and four there on 14 Oct so one to two at the Sunnyvale WPCP in the cottonwoods at the Alviso EEC on (MDo, BC). Six Redheads found on the ponds 17-20Oct(v .ob.)areofinterest. A 19 Oct (MP). Three of the five county Sunnyvale WPCP ponds on 31 Oct (FV) good fall for rare gulls has continued with records have been in October . An imma represent a fairly typical arrival date. a basic-plumaged Laughing Gull seen ture female Blackburnian Warbler was This duck has been less common in re off the Palo Alto Baylands on 14 Oct found along the Pajaro River below Hwy cent autumns. One to two female Hooded (JR). This is the fifth county record. An 101 on2Oct(DLSu) and was seen in both Mergansers were seen in the Los Gatos immature Sabine's Gull was found at the counties. The three county records of this Creek CP percolation ponds in October Sunnyvale WPCP ponds on 14 Oct (AME) vagrant are from October and November. and a male was seen with the two females and was seen at least through 19 Oct Slightly more common, single Palm on 30 Oct (all LS). (m.ob.). This is probably a different Warblers were found near the Palo Alto immature than the one found in Alviso at Water Quality Control Plant on 14 Oct Raptors through Skimmers the end of September. The wintering (MDo, BC) and near Shoreline Lake the Prairie Falcons dispersing from their Black Skimmer flock at Charleston same day (DStfide MMR). Wrapping up Diablo Range nesting areas include one Slough reached a total of 20 birds in these delightful vagrants was a single at Calero Reservoir on 14 Oct (JMa) and October.
TheAvocet 6 Field Notes cont'd "It looks like it was a . . . .?" Blackpoll Warbler at the Alviso EEC by Bonnie Bedford-White on 10 Oct (MP). A Western Tanager Birding with a group of friends has its re UIUUi-N-v..et, found along the Guadalupe River be wards, but every so often I love to go afield ~ "md.At:.." tween Montague and Trimble on 18 Oct by myself. With friends, the extra eyes ~tw., (MMR) was an apparent late migrant. and ears are an asset, and we all know ~7 Two of the three rare spizella sparrows how hard it is (not to mention a little were found this month. A Clay-colored scary!) to drive and bird at the same Sparrow was seen along Llagas Creek time. But being on my own has its own aboveBloomfieldRoadon5 Oct(DLSu) . set of rewards. I can go at my own tow..ik~ A Brewer's Sparrow was banded along aft d-.lW:::.,(!ll,i', pace, taking my time to study ordinary ~ ·ct +w.fea.~ Coyote Creek, between Tasman and Hwy species and not worry about slowing ~F.ed"r;, 237, on 2 Oct (SH, GB). The first White down the group. There is something throated Sparrows of the season were magical that takes place as I become away from feeders. One bird was banded one with the landscape, absorbing at CCFS on 14 Oct (LCh). A second was everything . found at the Sunnyvale WPCP on 16 Oct So on a recent Saturday in late (LS)a ndseen the next day as well (v.ob.). October, I went by myself to the A third was at the Palo Alto Baylands on Panache Valley east of Hollister. This 17 Oct (JMa et al.). The first feeder bird is a trip I usually take in January or was in the Almaden Valley on 31 Oct February, but I wanted to see what was (BH). there in the fall, primarily wondering If I'd just made a sketch or written when the Mountain Bluebirds came . a few field notes, some of these questions would have been Observers: Gina Barton (GB) , Bill Would I find Mountain Plovers this early? answered. BB-W Bousman (WGB) , Les Chibana (LCh) , What else would be around? Brian Christman ( BC), Matthew Dodder It was too early for my curiosities. No Mountai ~ ds or Plovers, but (MDo), Al Eisner (AME), Barbara Western Bluebirds seemed to be everywhere. Lots of Red-tailed Hawks, some Harkleroad (BH), Sherry Hudson (SH), Ferruginous Hawks, and many American Kestrels. The parched land obviously Alma Kali (AK), MikeMammoser( MJM), had some tasty prey items. John Mariani ( JMa), Kathy Parker Suddenly, there on a telephone wire, I spied a curious bird. Was it a Logger (KPa), MarkPeterson(MP) , Bob Reiling head Shrike looking slightly yellow, illuminated by the late afternoon sun? No, it (RWR) , Mike Rogers (MMR) , Jennifer wasn't svelte enough, and the posture wasn't right. I turned around and drove by Rycenga (JR), Larry Spivak (LSp), Dick for another look, stopping the car. It was a kingbird . But wasn't it too late for Stovel ( DSt), David Suddjian (DLSu), kingbirds? They're only present in spring and summer. And it didn't look like a Linda Sullivan (LS), Frank Vans/ager Western Kingbird ... but why not? ( FV), and Ann Verdi (AV). Then I made a fatal error. Should I make a field sketch? I can draw. But no - I pulled out the new Sibley Bird Guide and checked the kingbirds. So far, the bird was cooperating, perched on the wire, facing me. Then, zing! It flipped around and now I saw only its back and part of the flank. The bib looked grey - an out of-place Cassin's Kingbird? Oh, wow; oh no! - no field notes, no sketch, and the bird was taking off! (This is where the other sets of eyes would have been most helpful.) I spent the next 45 minutes looking on fence lines, telephone lines, fence posts, treetops, and telephone poles. Nothing. The mysterious kingbird was gone. Let's hope I've learned a lesson. By sharing, maybe you can learn as well. If you don't know what a bird is, start sketching, emphasizing the field marks. Write down everything you see, being as accurate and descriptive as possible. Then RARITIES: Please drop me a note: grab the field guides. The identification can proceed from your notes, and you Bill Bousman, 321 Arlington Way, won't have to lament a missed opportunity like I did. Menlo Park, CA 94025, or: I still had a great day of birding, despite the kingbird that got away. And next [email protected] time, believe me, I will be sketching as fast as I can!
TheAvocet 7 Four Local Christmas Bird Counts To Brighten Your Holiday Season
It's that time again - the end of the If you participated in the San Jose Calero/Morgan Hill: Sunday Dec 29 year holidays, which for birdwatchers CBC last year, contact your Section Mark your calendars for the 3rd an means counting birds for the Audubon Leader to receive instructions for this nual CBC in the South County. Dec. 29 Society. Your local chapter, Santa Clara year's count. If you're interested in par is the date, and birders of all experience Valley Audubon, sponsors four different ticipating for the first time, or have other levels are invited to participate. We need CBC's, because that's how many count questions, contact Compiler Ann Verdi all the eyes and ears we can get! circles there are in Santa Clara County. at
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This is a scan of a huge U.S.G.S. map from 1970, the only fairly detailed map I could find with Santa Clara County boundary lines on one sheet. I didn't realize that the Palo Alto count spilled into San Mateo County, but you can get a fairly accurate view of the count circles and their relationship to each other. A=San Jose, B=Palo Alto, C=Mount Hamilto h, /)=Caleroli'vlorgan Hill. More information about the counts and who to contact is on page 8. BB-W Staff takes on habitat protection from Morgan Hill to Alviso by Craig Breon County Rural Lands- Water District's Environmental Advi and Kelly Crowley In late September the County Board sory Body- Each month we of Supervisors held a land-use workshop y ears ago SCV AS called on the Santa tend to focus on one to discuss the direction of the County Clara Valley Water District to create an or two conservation General Plan, and consider threats to the Environmental Advisory Committee,just issues that we are work County's rural areas. Along with Com as the District has citizen advisors for ing on. Behind the scenes, mittee for Green Foothills, we prepared a flooding and agricultural issues. Our however, SCV AS staff and letter (complete with digital photos!) out perseverance paid off, and recently the :-~ · volunteers are often involved lining what we consider to be the major District Board approved the concept of r"-·· with a dozen or more issues in threats to rural Santa Clara County: Con this new committee . We hope the new ·;..-> any given month. In fact, since struction along ridgelines and in committee will help guide the District in our conservation staff has grown, we "viewsheds," little protection of riparian funding creek and Bayside restoration are able to tackle more issues and often do areas, and urban land uses inappropri projects . more about them. So this month we ately placed in rural areas. As a result of thought we'd offer a glimpse of the vari this workshop and our efforts, the County Calpine Plant in Alviso- ety of our conservation work. Some is now examining what can be done to SCV AS worked on the politically projects require intense efforts for a short better protect its rural nature and beauti charged Metcalf Energy Center in south time; others take a lower level of effort ful vistas. We plan to specifically en San Jose by meeting with the project 's but may last months. courage the County to develop an en opponents to address impacts on endan forceable riparian ordinance that would, gered species, Fisher Creek, and the Bur Morgan Hill Burrowing Owl Man among other things, require development rowing Owl. Ultimately those issues agement Plan- to be set back from creekside habitats . were handled well, and we decided to As a result of our ~h~ at_to sue, the neither support nor oppose the project. City of Morgan Hill is ... :, steadily Water Quality Standards for New De Now the same company plans to build a on a management plan for its remaining velopment- smaller plant in Alviso . We have met burrowing owls . (The City was supposed You may have read in the San Jose recently with the developers and will be to have completed the plan last spring as Mercury News about the controversial commenting as the project passes through mitigation for development projects in its recently adopted water quality standards the city and California Energy Commis redevelopment area.) When it is com for new developments in the County . sion approval processes. Our concerns pleted and approved by the City Council, Audubon worked for months with the include open space on-site as well as Morgan Hill will be the first city in the Bay Keeper and other conservation orga impacts of light, noise, and pollution on County to have a comprehensive Bur nizations to help shape those new provi lower Coyote Creek. This is part of our rowing Owl management plan. Expect sions, and in mid-October the Regional ongoing efforts in Alviso, where we've some results of this effort in early 2002. Water Quality Control Board adopted worked for years to protect the important them unanimously . The new standards natural resources that help define this Burrowing Owl Census- - for the first time - address the in unique community. Three times in the last ten years crease in volume and pace of storm water SCVAS has conducted a Burrowing Owl runoff from areas we build upon and pave Capital Storage Proj ect- survey. The goal of these surveys is to over. Those increases have led to steady The area near Eastridge Mall and count the number of owls remaining in reshaping of our urban creeks, as their Lake Cunningham Park in east San Jose the Valley and to determine where they' re watersheds no longer absorb rainfall. contains the second-largest population of living. Currently, we are compiling the Those changes are almost inevitably Burrowing Owls remaining in the city. data from the 2001 survey . A big thanks harmful, leading eventually to We have commented on several small to all those who spent portions of their channelization and the near death of ur development projects in the region . The mornings and evenings counting owls. ban waterways . The newly adopted stan latest- a proposed storage site -would Results should be available soon. dards attempt to keep rainwater and pol be built on occupied owl habitat. In lutants on-site for a longer period. One of addition, it's quite possible that someone the best ways to accomplish this is to purposely killed at least one owl on the create man-made wetlands, so a side ben site. We have commented on the EIR for efit of the new standards may be an in continued next page crease in urban and suburban wetlands .
The A vocet 10 Adv ocate's Corner Keeping an eye on creek polluter s by Kelly Crowley SCVAS Environmental Advocate detrimental to the overall health of our ♦ Is there dirt or gravel spilling over As you drive around the Bay Area to riparian areas. Fisheries decline; insect the curb and into the gutter? work, to soccer practice, to an Audubon life in streams and creeks decreases. Both ♦ Do trucks entering and exiting the birding field trip, take notice of the con of these can negatively impact the bird property leave trails of dirt in the street? struction sites you pass. If not properly species that feed on them. If you answered "yes" to any of these managed, those sites could be contribut Construction sites have the potential questions, you may have found a con ing to one of the major threats to Santa to add tremendous amounts of sediment struction site that is contributing to the Clara County's creeks and streams: sedi to our creeks and streams. Any dirt and problem. ment. gravel that ends up in the roads or gutters As you may recall, our monitoring Yes, sediment is considered a pollut surrounding a construction site eventu efforts last year had a tremendous posi ant, much like nitrogen or motor oil. ally washes into the streams, propelled by tive impact. Many sites were cleaned up, Sediment loading ( the introduction of too the runoff from a rainstorm. As SCV AS and we started the Regional Water Qual much sediment into the ecosystem) can learned last year, many of the "best man ity Control Board thinking about how to have a wide range of impacts, on both agement practices" these sites are sup better enforce the provisions of the Clean stream health and the human environ posed to use to keep their dirt on their site Water Act. If you think you have found ment. Too much sediment in a stream can are either not used at all or not used a problem site, e-mail me. If it isn't one ultimately contribute to flooding and pre properly. already being monitored, we can add it to mature siltation of our reservoirs. Too When you drive by construction sites, the list, and work on getting it cleaned up! much can reduce water clarity, increase ask yourself a few simple questions: You can play a part in keeping our creeks temperatures (by making streams shal ♦ Are there large piles of dirt that are and streams pollution-free. lower), and effectively "pave" the bot uncovered? tom of a stream. These impacts can be
the project and will be bringing up poten and-along with other organizations - Volunteers Active as Always- tial vioiations of law with the San Jose to a group of philanthropists. We are also We'd like to recognize the Planning Commission and Council. tracking legislation authored by Senator following volunteers for providing Dianne Feinstein to appropriate money leadership and support on numerous Stevens Creek Trail- for the acquisition of 17,000 acres of salt issues: Craig has been a member of the citi ponds from Cargill Salt. zens' group helping to plan the Stevens • Dr. Lakshmana Rao works in our Creek Trail in Cupertino for months now. The Delta- offices every week researching and writ The trail will pass by our offices at Some potentially harmful pieces of ing comment letters on state and federal McClellan Ranch, Deep Cliff Golf Course federal legislation authored by Sen. legislation; and the city-owned Blackberry Farm. Feinstein and Representative Calvert are Some of the meetings have been difficult, being carefully watched. These bills • Jill Clay will represent SCV AS in as building a trail near homes often is, but would hijack the efforts (called CalFed) working with Acterra to organize Earth in the end many people should have good to balance restoration of the Sacramento/ Day2002 (theme: "CelebratingtheBay"); access near, but not too near, the creek, San Joaquin Delta with reliable water connecting Rancho San Antonio County supplies throughout California. As cur • Chris and Jeanne Salander put in Park and Fremont Older OSP. rently drafted, the bills make it tougher to restore natural areas while virtually ap countless hours organizing restoration The Baylands- proving numerous new dam projects be volunteers at the Ulistac Natural Area in Santa Clara; SCV AS works closely with National fore their environmental documents are Audubon staff on several projects relating even drafted. We have discussed these to our long-term program to restore wet issues with staff oflocal Congresswoman • John Beall can always be counted on lands and other habitat throughout the Zoe Lofgren and Anna Eshoo, and have to pursue his own concerns (such as pro Bay. Recently, for example, Craig has clashed with the Water District Board tecting serpentine grasslands) as well as given tours of Bair Island in Redwood and staff, who unfortunately support these attending hearings and doing background City to an aide to Senator Barbara Boxer bills. research for SCV AS projects.
The A vocet 11 Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society 22221 McClellan Road Non-Profit Organization Cupertino, CA 95014 U.S. Postage Paid San Jose, CA Phone: 408-252-3747 Permit No. 5869 Fax: 408-252-2850 E-mail : [email protected] *******AUT0**5-DIGIT 9R014 ROBERT-DEBORAH HIRT . -- 10325 DEMPSTER AVE CUPERTINO CA 95014-1222 ~ F sw11:.~sc Sf,V/J,Sat II,1111 I ii.II 111111ll I III I111 I I,, I ,I 1111 I II I" I ii,Iii, I I I111 I I ~ MtCLEUANRANC Anza < loge . McC RD. ::JJ ~
OFFICERS CHAIRPERSONS GENERAL MEETINGS are held on the President Avocet third Wednesday of each month except July, David Drake 831/336-1127 Editor: Grant Hoyt 650/969- 7892 August and December and are open to the Past President Graphics and Print Preparation public. David McIntyre 650/561-9356 Bonnie Bedford-White 408/261-8210 BOARD OF DIRECTORS meetings are 1st VP Education Charles Preuss 650/320-9930 open to all members. Call the office at (408) 2nd VP Bobbie Handen 408/356-4263 252-3747 for times and directions. Environmental Action Freddy Howell 408/358-9453 RARE BIRD ALERT: (415) 681-7422 Treasurer Leda Beth Gray 831/336-1127 Barbara Dalderis 408/399-6965 Field Trips: Weekend KEEPING CONNECTED: E-mail us at Secretary Bob Reiling 408/253- 7527
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