Wandering
Tattler Volume 62, Number 5
President’s Message General Meeting th by Bruce Aird February 15 - Friday evening - 7:30 pm
Iʼve never been a big fan of the New Yearʼs resolution concept. It seems to me a promise made to yourself is the easiest kind to break, so itʼs rarely going to work. Thus, the only thing weirder than me endorsing the idea of Photographers, Sue and Clair deBeauvoir will present resolutions is that Iʼm audaciously going to suggest one our February program North American birds they have for you! To make it even odder, Iʼm making this photographed during recent U.S. trips. Concentration on suggestion to you in February, though if it helps, California, Oregon, Texas, Florida and the Northeast will remember that Iʼm writing this early in January! provide the initial selections. Several unusual favorites, like the Harpy Eagle, will be added along with a few So without further ado, your resolution for 2013 should be mammals, including a black wolf seen in Yellowstone NP to get more involved with Sea & Sage Audubon. Why this fall. should you do that? Because itʼs a great organization, comprised of wonderful people doing incredibly Clair, a retired educator, and Susan, a retired court worthwhile things that need doing or are just plain fun or reporter, have made bird photography their retirement avocation. both. Remember, this is a 100% volunteer-run organization. Everything we do (with a few marvelous They have been long-time members of the Bolsa Chica exceptions, and you know who you are!) is powered by Land Trust and were instrumental in starting the now volunteers. We cannot run these programs without them, popular Bolsa Chica calendar. Their images and efforts and we never have enough of them. We need more have helped the effort to save the Bolsa Chica Mesa. naturalists and docents for our Education programs. We Their photographs have been published in books and need more volunteers to keep Audubon House open magazines and they are charter members in the North virtually every day of the year. We always need folks to American Nature Photography Association founded by help us census birds at the marsh, at Upper Newport Bay, Roger Tory Peterson. at PIF counts, CBCs and the Orange County Spring Count. If events are your thing, you could assist with the Much of their time now is spent traveling and Pancake Breakfast, the Summer BBQ or the Annual photographing birds across the United States and Dinner. We have an Exhibits program that takes us to a selected international countries. And whenever they are dozen different venues every year, and we would love to "in town," they attend Sylvia Gallagher's classes. have more people to manage that booth. We want more We hope you will join us for this special program which folks involved with the Conservation Committee and all its will be held in the Duck Club, at the San Joaquin Wildlife various programs. You could help run the chapter Sanctuary in Irvine. The doors open at 7:00 for Facebook page, work on the Science Committee or even refreshments and fellowship, and the meeting and hold a position on our Board of Directors. You may program will begin at 7:30 pm. (See page 11 for wonder whether or not youʼre qualified – itʼs a fair directions to our regular meeting place.) question. My guess is you already are, but if youʼre not confident, start small. Take one of Sylviaʼs classes, attend Remember, you must access Riparian View from Campus a few field trips, and when the moment is right, ask a few Drive, not from Michelson. Bring a flashlight to light your questions. We are your Audubon chapter, but we can way back to your car after the meeting since the parking represent you much better if you take a more active role lot is not well lit in the evenings. Audubon House will be with us. So go ahead, make this a resolution for 2013, a open from 6:30 to 7:15 for those who arrive early. little bit late. In case youʼre wondering, my resolution for this year is to help make it easy for you to keep yours. Pat & Dick Cabe, Program Co-chairs
Conservation News Susan Sheakley Our Conservation Committee meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM in the Blue House. Conservation th Lectures are at 7:30 PM on the 4 Tuesday in the Learning Center. Additional Conservation information is on our webpage.
4th Tues. Conservation Lecture Christine is a terrestrial wildlife biologist for Ecorp Consulting, an environmental consulting firm in Santa Ana. th Tuesday, February 26 – 7:30 pm Sheʼs been in the consulting industry for 15 years and regularly conducts habitat assessments, focused surveys for threatened and endangered wildlife species, biological monitoring, and environmental document preparation. In the spring and summer, Christine busies herself managing presented by Christine Tischer, the Nestbox Program, monitoring her own bluebird trail, SJWS Nestbox Program Manager and banding chicks as a Sea and Sage Audubon volunteer and as part of the California Bluebird Recovery Program. On any given week during the breeding season she can be Did you know that Orange County was down to less than a found in the Irvine area handful of breeding pairs of Tree Swallows just two banding Tree Swallows decades ago? and bluebirds, typically with her two kids in The Tree Swallow is a neotropical tow. Ms. Tischer holds migrant bird whose breeding range a B.S. in Animal includes the majority of North Science from California America. It migrates 100s of miles State Polytechnic to overwinter in the southern University, Pomona. United States, Mexico, and Central America and returns to the breeding grounds in late January, early February. Orange County is Please join us for this interesting presentation about Sea at the southernmost extent of the and Sage's Tree Swallow Nestbox Program. Who knows, you may be inspired to pitch in and lend a hand as the Tree Swallowʼs breeding range. th This species was on the decline in program enters its 14 season! OC due to a shortage of natural cavities and competition for nest sites by European Starlings and House Sparrows. Chapter News Thanks to Sea and Sageʼs Nestbox Program that began in 1999, the diligence of dedicated volunteers, and the Chapter Volunteers Party adaptability of this species, Orange County now supports a booming breeding population of Tree Swallows. Tree Every year, we have a special party in the form of an Swallows flying in and out of nestboxes along the trails of Open House to honor our wonderful Chapter the San Joaquin Wildlife Volunteers. This year, our party will be held on th Sanctuary are a common Saturday afternoon, February 16 . Those of you who sight from March to July volunteered to help with a chapter activity in 2012 will each year. Come join be receiving an invitation. We do hope you will be able to attend! Contact Nancy Kenyon for more info on this Nestbox Program Manager, event. Christine Tischer to learn about the Programʼs eBird Workshop meager beginnings, a summary of the Programʼs Our Annual Dinner speaker, Brian Sullivan, will be first 13 years in operation, and the uniqueness of the conducting an eBird Workshop on Saturday morning, Orange County breeding population of Tree Swallows. You March 16, after the Annual Dinner. We will information will also hear about the exciting direction towards on the workshop and how to sign up for it in the next international research that this program is getting ready to Tattler. Please mark that date on your calendar if you undertake and how you can become involved! want to learn more about eBird & how to enter or access data in it.
Sea & Sage Annual Dinner Friday, March 15th at Mile Square Park Banquet Center Our Guest Speaker – Brian Sullivan Program “What We Have Learned From eBird”
Our Annual Dinner this year will again be held at the Mile Square Park Banquet Center on Friday evening, March 15th. Our guest speaker, Brian Sullivan, is the eBird Project Leader at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Photo Editor for Birds of North America Online and ABAʼs North American Birds, and co-author of the forthcoming Crossley ID Guide on Raptors. His research interests include migration, conservation, and field identification, especially of seabirds and raptors.
The eveningʼs program will include the presentation of our chapterʼs Fern Zimmerman Conservation Award and Letters of Commendation and our ever popular Silent Auction. The Mile Square Park Banquet Center is located at the south end of Mile Square Park, at the intersection of Warner & Ward. Free parking is available. Below is the schedule for the evening:
No Host Bar: 6:00 p.m. Dinner: 7:00 p.m. Program: 8:00 p.m., sharp! Location: Mile Square Park Banquet Center Tickets: $45 for all reservations received before March 1st $50 for reservations received on or after March 1st Entrees: Chicken or Vegetarian
MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY. Seating will be assigned in the order the reservations are received. If you wish to sit with friends, make sure they send in their reservations on the same date you do. To reserve a seat, make your check payable to: Sea & Sage Audubon; include the name of each person for whom a reservation is made. If you wish group seating, please indicate that on the reservation form; each table will seat 10 people.
Mail your check and the reservation form to: Annual Dinner, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln., Irvine CA 92612. A message confirming your reservation will be sent back to you along with directions and a map. Be sure to include your email address and phone number on the reservation form. All reservations must be received by 6:00 p.m. on Monday, March 11th.
2013 Annual Dinner Reservation Form
Name ______Entree______Name______Entree______
With whom do you wish to sit? ______Email address for confirmation & map Phone (in case we need to contact you quickly) ______
Entrees: [C] Chicken [V] Vegetarian. Detailed information about the menu will be available later. All dinners will include a salad, fresh vegetables, freshly baked rolls, coffee, tea, or decaf, and dessert. Mail your reservations to: Annual Dinner, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln., Irvine CA 92612
Wandering Tattler 3 February 2013
Thank you so much! Sea and Sage depends on your financial contributions to support our conservation and education programs. Your donations help make us a strong chapter. The following is a list of Annual Direct Mail Appeal Donors whose donations were received prior to February 8, 2013.
*( " () (%"/$ " (! $ " ! $$ / "$ ()%$ /"" ) ! $)%$ "" & "" ! 3 $ ) * "" ( (( .%$ 3""/ () /3%%$* %# (/ $/! ( /$$ %#) ((%"" % ) " ( $ %%( "$3$$(%+( , %($ %$"3(%"/$ %$ ( (" $ %+"*%$ +)$((" %#)(%+ * (/ %+) " - *+(/ +)$(*+) $(+# ",/$ %-( $+ ( ((/)) , 3 ( $+$! $ )) +( $/ () $ *3"+#$$ " $%(+$$ $ ( , ()%$ * , "/ %( 3 +/ */ (/" ( $$ 3* , "$ ! % )+ $* ( $3(* !#$ $&)* $ ( % $)%$ ( )3 )" / * % (* $ #3 $ - $ +(* )3 /$$ % $)%$ * 3 **/"- $ "$ ""%* (* $3 $$ ) " %$ ) # ($ " ( +"3 ! $$ ** +"3$/ ($$ 0 % ) %$ ) ( $**) ( ( ( $ +)* $ + * 11 %( $) $ $$ ** && (13()1# ((/ (%" ") (/ %) & (%"'+ ** +)$ ""( , ("/ $"/2 $ !% %""/ %)" $ *( $ "*% * "%%# +( (#* " $/ ( "%$ %3 /$ ) ( %$ , ** 3 ( ( %" % (*( +0/3 """ * ( $/ $/%$ "" #3(%"$$ ( (/$(# ) %(# $" ! $ ( %+ ) # % (*3 "% + (1 " )(%-$ # ) $! $3$* %$/ $$ $ ( % (*%"! $ %($ ""3 $$ +"" $ *%$ %$$ %" / # )) $ ( -$3 $$ )%& 3(%"+) $%))+# (%" % "" "(%+ . (/+*" ( * & $($!" $ " % +* ! +)$+( "" ( )3%(#/( 3(%"( +$ $ 3 $ %"+, ! ($!$"" *( 3 ( +/( **) " % ($ # ) %( ",/ (%"+"" ( +!3 , "" % $ " $ $(/3 %( $$# )) (%$) %( / $$ / ) &* , #& "" %) #( * %+) (%" %$ (( %(%$3 * #& "" (" $ " $ $/3*$ , $ % ( $! ( ( *3, (" ( ($ ) %( ) , *$ ( ( * $*%$ ( $ (")%$ (/3 (" ) %( (( ,/ (/% (*) , (( % () #$ " 0 * - ) # )% $$/ )* ( %#3(%" *0 (* +( " ( /%!%) ! "/*%$ , ("/ "")& # ) %$ ((%) $%"" $) * /") %- % ) %+ ($ +" + % (%"%#&() " ( ")) $ +"%- %$* $ ) " * " $%#&*%$ #"%-)! , / ! (" "" ( ( %$$%() " &%" ((( / "%( " & ( (%"/$%%& ( + %(%$ %$$""%/ ( $ , ( "%%, ( * "/$( $)* $ /$ (* $ "3+)$ !" / % $%(%($ (" /( "" $(* $ ! ( ( $3 $ %+")%$ " ( (%0 $ ( (/(* $ + (( "*%$ (%"%+$* ( +0$$ "" #$* )! * & $ $$ %#3(%"/$(%%# +"3 * / $)%$ ((/3 $ )* ( * #%$*%$ (/+&&3%#! ( (( (" / + ( (!3(" $ $ ( # )+(($ ( /) %$+" / $3 $$" " $, ) %) & 3(/$$ 0 " ** ( * $+)"$ ($! # * -( $ ( % ) ,( $ /"%$ %#)$%- +/3 % $ + )* (/ ( $! $3""/ $0 " +(*& " % $ %$ % $3 +" +)) $)*## /3('+ * "" ( ,&( $ Wandering Tattler 4 February 2013
Chapter News & Donors For more information about Sea & Sage activities, check our Schedule of Chapter Activities on our chapter website (www.seaandsageaudubon.org). It lists the dates of meetings, field trips, special events such as the Annual Dinner, Summer BBQ, Pancake Breakfast, Summer Nature Day Camp, Spring Brunches, Summer Bat Walks, Natural History Walks, Owl Prowls, etc.
Donations continued — Bloom-Hays Ecological Research Grant (' ' , ,&&" # ,0% '"% ",%, Pete Bloom and Loren Hays are both well-known within the #&* ' ')"& "'%* chapter for their passion to protect birds and open spaces. The Weir Canyon Fund (championed by Pete Bloom in the % &')"&#" '%% " 1980s) and the Loren Hays Memorial Fund have been +0 %,' '& ) " "-( combined to create a funding for ecological research "'#) #!0 ' "(&& projects. The objective of the Bloom-Hays Ecological ( '#) $ 0%, # Research Grant is to advance ecological research, # "(" '%" % particularly research related to avian species and the % #% ( )" !0 (%"'- natural communities upon which they depend, by providing !0((''#" %& * - funds or supplies to support research activities benefitting *"&#" &' native species and habitats in Southern California. )/ % * #* 0 (,&' " Graduate students, undergraduates, and high schoolers are '',* ' (-"" ' invited to apply for research grants varying from $250 to ", %% &#" $2,500. The grant application and instructions can be found # &, #% "'# "'' "%& on the Sea and Sage website under Conservation. %,, #% %,0 "'#("!" Application packages must be received by email no later "". #(' ')%' than March 15, 2013.
Audubon House Volunteers Raptor ID Workshops We would like to thank the following people for helping to There are still a few spaces left in both of Bill Clarkʼs Raptor staff Audubon House in January and February: Pat & Dick ID workshops. If you want to learn how to distinguish Cabe, Barbara Chidester, Deana Collins, Carolyn Cooper, Merlins from Kestrels, Buteos from Accipiters, or are just Joanne Cull, Tom Drouet, Fresia Escalona, Judy Fritts, interested in learning more about our California raptors, this Lynne Hayes, Pat Heilig, Cindi Herrera, Sarah Jayne, Steve is your chance! The Intro Workshop will be March 1-3 while Jelnick, Lois Jones, Nancy Kenyon, Laurette Kyle, Donna the Advanced Workshop will be March 8-10. For more Malloy, Joan McCauley, Bobbie Miller, Eunice Morita, information or to pick up an enrollment form, we have Shirley Price, Betty Purdy, Roberta Ray, Barbara Reber, copies at Audubon House and on our website at Shirley Reynolds, Susan Sheakley, Bev Spring, Betty Swift, www.seaandsageaudubon.org . Diana Van Horn, Beryl Vogel, Pat Wells.
Audubon House is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Our Starr Ranch Adult Bird Research Camps Volunteers greet visitors, answer the phone, sell Sat., March 30th – Sun., March 31st merchandise, answer questions about birds, check out binoculars, etc. If you are interested in helping at Audubon Audubon Californiaʼs 4000-acre Starr Ranch Sanctuary House, please call Judy Fritts at 949-551-4513. invites you to attend our Spring Adult Bird Camp. Whether youʼre an amateur birder, or a professional trying to expand News from our Book Store your resume, this is an opportunity to learn new tips and techniques to enhance your birding skills and discover how Our bookstore inside Audubon House is open daily from you can contribute to current research as a citizen scientist. 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. It is also open 45 minutes before our On Sunday, participants will gain hands-on experience with monthly meetings. New arrivals this month include: $ ' various research technologies and survey techniques used birding guides (various states); # "( $ ' by biologists. The workshop will be led by current Starr ! ! "!! % (children's). Back in stock: ! ( Ranch ornithologist, Jennifer Wilcox. Sign up for one or both # "! !" ' !# % days; workshop limited to 15. Cost: $50/day (Extra $5 if tent- " ' $ ! '! $& $ camping) BYO lunch; morning coffee & bagels provided. (children's). Peterson woodpecker note cards. February See our chapter website for full information at: specials: ! ) ! ! (reg $20/sale $10); www.seaandsageaudubon.org/Classes/birdclasses.htm ! ! ( ! (reg $18/sale$10) Contact Jennifer Wilcox at 949-858-0309 or
by email at: [email protected] !! " %,*+-
Chapter News & Announcements For more information about Sea & Sage activities, check our Calendar of Chapter Activities on our website (www.seaandsageaudubon.org). It lists the dates of Meetings, Field Trips, Special Events such as the Annual Dinner, Summer BBQ, Pancake Breakfast, Summer Nature Day Camp, Summer Bat Walks, Christmas Bird Counts, Great Backyard Bird Count, Orange County Spring Count, etc. Silent Auction – You can Help! Don Thomas Longtime conservation advocate and naturalist, Don Thomas, passed away, January 16, 2013. He will be missed dearly as he was a passionate defender of wildlife and enthusiastically shared his knowledge and wisdom of nature with countless visitors to our parks and sanctuaries. He gave back to our community by volunteering with several organizations who work to protect and preserve Orange Countyʼs natural resources. He was a founding member of the Caspers Park Preservation Foundation Cheryl Thomas is coordinating this yearʼs Silent Auction at (serving for over 30 years including for a term as the Annual Dinner in March. She has put in a lot of time President); a Volunteer Park Ranger and Treasurer for and effort to make this event a success and she needs Orange County Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks; a your help by donating unique items that will appeal to a Volunteer Naturalist for Sea and Sage Audubon. OC Parks wide variety of people. She is looking for items such as: recognized him with an Excellent in Volunteerism Award in 6 Lessons (instrumental music or voice, basket weaving, 2008, stating, “His long-term commitment to Orange arts & crafts, sports oriented, yoga, ukulele, photography, County and OC Parks is greatly appreciated, and his computer instruction, how to use eBird, etc. 6 Sporting Opportunities (horseback riding, kayaking, outstanding volunteer endeavors on behalf of Caspers scuba diving, sailing, rock climbing, hiking, etc.) Wilderness Park are worthy of our highest recognition.” 6 Special Trips (an owling trip, a day of birding Orange We thank Don Thomas for all he has done to enrich our County with an expert, a guided trip to a natural history lives, especially his work to preserve those special places museum, a day trip to birding hotspots in Southern CA, etc.) where wildlife will flourish forever. Our thoughts and 6 Gently used or new items you cannot use (such as prayers go to his family, especially Scott and Cheryl the mountain bike your kids bought you, the GPS youʼve Thomas. never used, the brand new wheel barrow for which you # have no yard, quality wildlife photos or paintings, framed) 6 Activities (picnics, dinners, evenings out, theatre, Great Backyard Bird Count opera or symphony tickets, field trips, etc.) Friday, Feb. 15 to Monday, Feb. 18 6 Services (housekeeping, babysitting, dog walking, pet care while youʼre away, a massage session, etc.) The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is an annual 4 day 6 Something different (Do you make jewelry? Knit caps event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting or sweaters? Birding hats or vests? Doll Houses? Baskets? birds to create a real-time snapshot of winter bird Bird Houses or Bird Baths? Record music? Have a populations. Participants are asked to count birds for as vacation cottage? Create special planted pots of herbs, little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or native plants, flowers, succulents, or vegetables? more days of the event and report their sightings online
at www.birdcount.org . Anyone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from beginning bird watchers, to ,),"',)"''+* experts, and you can now participate from anywhere in the &(&($ ! world! Caspers Wilderness Park Needs Volunteers The 16th annual GBBC will be held Friday, February 15, through Monday, February 18, 2013. Please visit the Caspers Park Foundation is looking for friendly, nature- official website at www.birdcount.org for more information loving people to help them at the park. Opportunities to and be sure to check out the latest educational and experience wildlife are greater here than at any other promotional resources . Orange County Park. Meet with friendly, like-minded people and learn something new! Volunteer opportunities Itʼs free, fun, and easy. Each checklist submitted during the include: Staffing the Nature Center, Leading Interpretive GBBC helps researchers at the Cornell Lab of Walks, Scout and School Groups, Weed Warriors, Trail Ornithology and the National Audubon Society learn more Maintenance, and Wilderness Access. Contact: about how birds are doing, and how to protect them and [email protected] if you are interested. the environment we share. '%&(
Marsh Education News Trude Hurd, Project Director of Marsh Education For more information about our Education Program, please visit our chapter website at http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/Education/Education.html
Help! Important Dates to be Announced Soon
Yes, and HELP is exactly what we need to continue th th Dates for our Summer Bat Walks & Spring Brunches will bringing the 4 and 5 grade school children to our be announced soon. However, reservations for these Outdoor Adventures Science Discovery Programs here at events will not open until March 1st. Watch the Chapter the Marsh. Webpage and the March Tattler for full information. Both Gone are the days when the various school districts could of these activities are very popular and fill up quickly. To afford the bus to get their children to and from our school insure that you will be able to participate, make your programs here at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Now, reservations as soon as registration opens! itʼs up to all of us! The cost for each bus full of children is approximately $400. Southeast Arizona Trip Here’s how you can help: Sat, July 13 – Tues, July 23, 2013 John Dunn, Leader Please send us your check today, payable to “School Bus Fund”, for all $400.00 or any part thereof. Any amount is This trip is run by the highly reputable WINGS Birding acceptable; please mail your check to: School Bus Fund, Tour Company. Unlike other WINGS trips, this one is only Sea & Sage Audubon, 5 Riparian View, Irvine CA 92612. for Sea & Sage, not the general public. It will be coordinated through Sea & Sage and Jon Dunn will be our We will immediately use your gift to fund the next trip leader. Maximum group size 7; minimum 5. participating school that cannot come without bus monies. SE Arizona invariably ranks high among favorite North Our school children are depending on all of us to help! American bird watching destinations. Our birding trip takes Our San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary is depending upon this place in the SE Arizona highlands above 4,000 ft where next generation of Orange County citizens to learn about the days are cooler, the surroundings greener, and life in general is vibrant. and help protect our wetlands habitat in the future. We canʼt do it without you! Trip Itinerary: (full trip info on chapter webpage) Day 1: Meet in Tucson at 6 pm & spend the night there. With our sincere thanks! Day 2: Santa Catalina Mts in morning, Madera Canyon in afternoon, possible night birding. night in Tucson Day 3: Return to Madera Canyon, grasslands & scrub, hummingbirds gathering spots, Montosa Canyon. Night near Nogales. Day 4: California Gulch (wild & beautiful canyon with water) for Montezuma Quail & Varied Bunting & hopefuly Five-striped Sparrow., on to Patagonia, possible night birding. Night near Nogales. Save These 2013 Camp Dates! Day 5: flexible morning, possibly Lake Patagonia, on to " & Sonoita & grasslands. Night at Casa de San Pedro. " & Days 6-7: Huachuca Mts, Sawmill & Garden Canyons, & Huachuca Cyn, Miller Canyon, Ash & Ramsey Canyons for # ' Elegant Trogan, Spotted Owls, Greater Pewee, 12-14 sp, $ of hummingbirds! Day 8: Drive Geronimo Trail from Douglas to animas – ' ! remote area/spectacular scenery (*includes an overnight) Day 9: Chiricahuas & Cave Creek, Mexican Chickadee, Camp registration is now open. For more information, pick Crissal & Benire’s Thrasher, possibly Scaled Quail, night up a camp brochure at Audubon House or visit our chapter birding for owls. Night in Portal. webpage. Call Grace or Bev to answer questions about Day 10: Pinery Canyon, ponds at Wilcox for migrant the camp program, or to determine availability before shorebirds, perhaps St. David for Mississippi Kites. Night mailing in registration form. in Tucson. Grace McElhiney (714) 969-9617 Day 11: trip ends in Tucson Bev Spring (714) 505-9980 Full trip info on chapter webpage. Deadline for signups is May 1st. Questions? contact Nancy Kenyon
% !
Monthly & Bi-Monthly Trips Nancy Kenyon, Field Trip Chair
+ & " ' '))"""( ( ( " ® ! ! ( % $$& & 737*564*204/ $$,#( (6 + (01 ( (07*1/ ( Monthly Wildlife Walk at the SJWS Children under the age of 11 must be accompanied by an adult. (See directions to the SJWS on page 11.) 1st Sat: Feb. 2 - 9:00 to 10:30 am Leader: Chris Obaditch Weʼll be exploring the birds, plants, and creatures of the marsh on this wildlife walk at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Watch winter at the marsh. Meet in front of Bi-Monthly: Carbon Canyon Bird Walk Alternate 3rd Sun: Feb. 17 – 7:30 am to 11:30 Audubon House at 9:00 am for a 1½ hour nature walk. (See directions to the SJWS on page 11.) Discover the local birds of our canyons and foothills at Leaders: Audubon Naturalists Carbon Canyon Regional Park. Offering different habitats, this park provides a glimpse of some birds that Bi-Monthly: Santiago Oaks Bird Walk are uncommon throughout most of the county. Where? Alternate 1st Sun: Feb. 3 - 7:30 am to 11:00 Carbon Canyon Reg. Park, 4442 Carbon Canyon Road, Brea. Directions: From the 57 fwy, exit Lambert. Go Join Linette Lina for a winter bird walk at Santiago Oaks east on Lambert to Carbon Canyon; park will be on the Reg. Park at 7:30 am. The mix of oak riparian and coastal right. Upon entry to the park, turn left and park in the 1st sage scrub habitats make Santiago Oaks one of the best parking area on the right, in front of the pond and the places in Orange County to find a variety of songbirds. childrenʼs playground. Be prepared to pay the $5 Directions: Take the 55 Fwy to Katella Ave in Orange. entrance fee if you donʼt have a county parks pass. Exit and drive east on Katella 3.2 miles to Windes Dr. Turn left on Windes Dr. and follow the signs to the park. Leader: Garett Lepper Be prepared to pay the $5 entrance fee if you donʼt have a county parks pass. Meet in the upper end of parking lot. Monthly: Upper Newport Bay by pontoon boat rd Leader: Linette Lina 3 Wed: Feb. 20 & March 20 - 8:15 am to 11 ® Join us for the rare chance of birding the Upper Newport Bi-Monthly: Caspers Wilderness Park Bay from the deck of a pontoon boat. Spotting birds from Alternate 1st Wed: Feb. 6 - 8:00 am to 11 the water offers one a different perspective and the birds Join Mike Clayton on a bird walk at Caspers Wilderness seem to view us differently also. Trip duration is 2 1/2 hrs. Park. The park is home to an abundant number of native Trip is limited to 15 persons and there is a $10 trip fee species of birds and mammals. The walk may meander payable in cash on the morning of the outing. Advance through old grove Sycamores, Coast Live Oak, Riparian, reservations are necessary; contact Nancy Kenyon to or Coastal Sage Scrub habitats. Come prepared for a reserve a spot on the boat. ([email protected]; morning of exploring. Where? Caspers Wilderness Park, 949-786-3160) Directions will be provided to those with 33401 Ortega Hwy (#74), San Juan Capistrano. reservations. Leader: Nancy Kenyon Directions: Take the I-5 Fwy south to Ortega Hwy and turn left (toward the mts.). Drive 7.6 miles to Caspers Park Monthly: Upper Newport Bay Bird Walk which will be on your left. Be prepared to pay the $3 Last Sunday: Feb. 24 – 8:00 am to 11 entrance fee if you donʼt have a county parks pass. Meet Join Mark Kincheloe for a monthly bird walk in Upper in the Old Corral day use area. Newport Bay to check out the seasonal shorebirds, ducks, Leader: Mike Clayton grebes, herons & egrets, etc. that frequent the bay. Bring
binoculars, a field guide, and a scope if you have one. Directions: We will meet in the Big Canyon parking lot in
Monthly: Bird Walks at the SJWS Newport Beach. This is easily reached from Jamboree. nd 2 Sun: Feb. 10 - 8:00 am to 12 Take San Joaquin Hills Road west toward the bay where it Join Chris Obaditch for a monthly bird walk around the intersects with Back Bay Drive. Turn right on Back Bay ponds of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine at Drive & follow it to the Big Canyon parking lot on your left.
8:00 am. This is a good time to watch for unusual winter Leader: Mark Kincheloe vagrants. The walk, which is open to interested birders of all ages, will meet by the front porch of Audubon House.
February Field Trips Nancy Kenyon, Field Trip Chair
& ! ""$$ # ## ® # ! !1-1%/0.%,+.* ' # # in the area and birds Batiquitos frequently. Directions: From San Luis Obispo county north coast Orange County, drive south on the I-5 to Carlsbad and exit on & Carrizo Plain weekend trip ® Poinsettia Lane. Drive east and turn right (south) on Batiquitos Sat. & Sun., Feb. 2-3 - 7:00 am Drive (the 2nd stoplight past the freeway). Drive down the hill toward the lagoon and then right on Gabbiano Lane. Drive to the Our field trip will begin at 7:00 on Sat. in Morro Bay. We end and park; we will meet there. Steve says it is a great place will spend much of the day exploring areas along the to bird by ear. north coast of SLO county. On Sunday, we will drive from Morro Bay to the Carrizo Plain about 1 ½ hours drive. See Owl Prowls at Starr Ranch ® 6:30 - 8:30 pm Dec, Tattler and/or Chapter webpage for full trip info. Fri. evening, March 8 ® Fri. evening, March 22 ® Sat. evening, March 9® Sat. evening, March 23 ® Limit: 15 persons; the fee is $25. (2 spots left!) Make check payable to Sea & Sage Audubon and mail to: The Owl Prowl is a short nighttime excursion into Starr Carrizo Plain Trip, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ranch Sanctuary in search of owls. Our evening will Ln, Irvine CA 92612. Be sure to include your phone begin with an orientation by means of the live owl cam. number & e-mail address, or a stamped, legal sized Pete DeSimone who has been manager of Starr Ranch envelope for trip information. Rain before the trip cancels since the mid 1980ʼs and knows all about the owls and the trip; Carrizo Plain roads are dirt and impassible when hawks which inhabit Bell Canyon, will talk with us about muddy! Barn Owls and answer our questions regarding owl behavior. We will then board the big open bed truck for a San Jacinto Wildlife Area short ride down the canyon to search for some owls. At Saturday, Feb. 9th - 8:00 am each stop, Pete will play some recordings of owl calls while we listen carefully for owl responses and watch for Donʼt miss this field trip to the San Jacinto Wildlife Area any sight of them. Advance reservations needed; trip size (SJWA) in Riverside County! The SJWA consists of a limited. Trip fee: $20. Make check payable to Sea and series of ponds which support an abundance of waterfowl Sage Audubon and mail to: Owl Prowl, c/o Nancy and shorebirds. In addition to the ponds, there are Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612. Include grasslands which support foraging Golden Eagles and a your email address & phone number, or a stamped self- variety of other raptors and songbirds. Directions to the address envelope for trip confirmation & additional info. SJWA: (17050 Davis Road, Lakeview. Telephone: (951) Check webpage for space availability; trips fill quickly! 928-0580) From Orange County, take the #55 Fwy. to the Leader: Pete DeSimone #91 Fwy. towards Riverside; in Riverside, #91 turns eastbound into #215 south/#60 east. Take the #215 Heise Park & Anza Borrego weekend ® south/#60 east towards Moreno Valley. Immediately Sat/Sun, March 23/24 - 8:00 am before Moreno Valley, #215 SOUTH and #60 EAST The Heise Park day trip will highlight desert and mountain diverge. From #215, exit on Ramona Expressway and go birds as well as migrating vireos, warblers, flycatchers. east past Lake Perris to Lakeview, then north on Davis The Anza Borrego day trip will focus on desert species Rd. 2.3 miles to the SJWA. Bring: binocs, a scope if you only. You can sign up for one or both days. See webpage have one, warm layered clothes, water and your lunch. for additional trip information. Hikes are moderate to Restrooms are available. The trip may involve a lot of strenuous. Reservations are needed; trip size is limited. walking. Rain before the trip could make the dirt roads Trip fee is $10 per day payable to Sea & Sage Audubon: impassible. If in doubt, contact Nancy Kenyon. Heise Park FT, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Leader: John McKeever Irvine CA 92612. Include phone number & email address Batiquitos Lagoon Trip or stamped legal- sized envelope for trip info & confirmation. Leaders: Dick & Pat Cabe Saturday – Feb. 23 - 8:00 am Batiquitos Lagoon is located on the coast of northern San Diego Check chapter webpage for trip information on: county, just north of Encinitas. The lagoon is bordered by the • Eastern Sierra weekend trip – April 13 & 14 ocean on the west, steep hills on the south, gentle slopes to the • Southern Utah 3 day trip – May 3,4,5 north, and San Marcos Creek on the eastern end. There is a • Southern Sierra weekend trip – May 17 – 20 small nature center and an excellent trail system at the lagoon. • Mammoth Lakes weekend trip – June 29 & 30 165+ species have been reported there. Our field trip will be • Southeastern Arizona trip – July 13-23 (see page 7) led by Steve Brad, a former Sea & Sage member who now lives • Summer Pelagic Trip – Sat, July 13 San Juan Capistrano CBC Report – 12/15/12 The San Juan Capistrano CBC covers the southern end of Orange County. It is divided into the following sections: Laguna Niguel Regional Park, San Clemente, Starr Ranch Sanctuary & Caspers Wilderness Park, Pelagic Areas along the coast, Saddleback College & vicinity, Upper San Juan Creek, Aliso-Wood Canyons & Zigerot/Cosco area, Richard & Donna OʼNeill Land Conservancy, San Clemente hillsides, and Dana Point & Doheny State Park. The count was organized by Darrell Wilson and the data was compiled by Jennifer Wilcox. Full information on this count will be posted on our Sea & Sage website in the form of a spreadsheet showing count data for each area.
Total Total Total Total Red-throated Loon 4 Red-shouldered Hawk 24 Greater Roadrunner 7 Wrentit 125 Pied-billed Grebe 12 Red-tailed Hawk 76 Barn Owl 5 Northern Mockingbird 51 Horned Grebe 2 American Kestrel 29 Great Horned Owl 7 California Thrasher 59 Eared Grebe 8 Merlin 1 Burrowing Owl 1 American Pipit 104 Western Grebe 118 Peregrine Falcon 3 Common Poorwill 1 Cedar Waxwing 172 Clarkʼs Grebe 2 California Quail 107 White-throated Swift 9 Phainopepla 5 American White Pelican 14 Virginia Rail 2 Annaʼs Hummingbird 223 Loggerhead Shrike 3 Brown Pelican 83 Sora 3 Costaʼs Hummingbird 1 European Starling 378 Double-crested Cormorant 66 Common Gallinule 17 Allenʼs Hummingbird 78 Huttonʼs Vireo 6 Great Blue Heron 8 American Coot 946 Belted Kingfisher 8 Orange-crowned Warbler 37 Great Egret 6 Black-bellied Plover 10 Acorn Woodpecker 100 Nashville Warbler 2 Snowy Egret 17 Killdeer 69 Red-naped Sapsucker 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler 1291 Green Heron 5 Black Oystercatcher 2 Red-breasted Sapsucker 1 Townsendʼs Warbler 9 Black-crowned Night-Heron 19 Black-necked Stilt 15 Nuttallʼs Woodpecker 76 Common Yellowthroat 120 White-faced Ibis 6 Greater Yellowlegs 1 Downy Woodpecker 3 Wilsonʼs Warbler 3 Snow Goose 1 Willet 15 Northern Flicker 67 Spotted Towhee 61 Rossʼs Goose 5 Spotted Sandpiper 8 Pacific-slope Flycatcher 1 California Towhee 179 Canada Goose 78 Lesser Yellowlegs 2 Black Phoebe 158 Rufous-crowned Sparrow 11 Cackling Goose 1 Whimbrel 3 Say’s Phoebe 40 Chipping Sparrow 20 Mallard 85 Marbled Godwit 1 Cassinʼs Kingbird 47 Lark Sparrow 54 Northern Pintail 6 Sanderling 18 Western Scrub-Jay 86 Savannah Sparrow 12 Blue-winged Teal 3 Least Sandpiper 71 American Crow 8560 Fox Sparrow 1 Green-winged Teal 2 Bonaparteʼs Gull 15 Common Raven 102 Song Sparrow 171 Cinnamon Teal 15 Heermannʼs Gull 213 Mountain Chickadee 5 Lincolnʼs Sparrow 7 Northern Shoveler 4 Mew Gull 2 Oak Titmouse 61 Golden-crowned Sparrow 21 Gadwall 15 Ring-billed Gull 182 Bushtit 712 White-crowned Sparrow 583 American Wigeon 26 California Gull 2712 Red-breasted Nuthatch 11 White-throated Sparrow 1 Lesser Scaup 15 Herring Gull 35 White-breasted Nuthatch 4 Dark-eyed Junco 36 Surf Scoter 15 Western Gull 1822 Cactus Wren 3 Red-winged Blackbird 45 Bufflehead 4 Glaucous-winged Gull 5 Rock Wren 2 Western Meadowlark 88 Hooded Merganser 2 Caspian Tern 3 Bewick’s Wren 38 Brewerʼs Blackbird 70 Red-breasted Merganser 4 Royal Tern 8 House Wren 18 Great-tailed Grackle 17 Ruddy Ruck 221 Forster’s Tern 46 Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 House Finch 522 Turkey Vulture 99 Parasitic Jaeger 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 102 Lesser Goldfinch 177 Osprey 3 Common Murre 10 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 17 American Goldfinch 8 White-tailed Kite 7 Rhinocerous Auklet 9 California Gnatcatcher 11 House Sparrow 21 Northern Harrier 4 Rock Pigeon 227 Western Bluebird 26 Nutmeg Mannikin 96 Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 Eurasian-collared Dove 3 Hermit Thrush 18 Cooperʼs Hawk 14 Mourning Dove 153 American Robin 204
Special thanks to the following CBC participants who did such a great job helping us with the count : Bob Allen, Lisa Allen, Tammie Allen, Tom Benson, Nelli Bilinkis, Pat Bourgeois, Jim Bourgeois, Samuel Bressler, Tom Eastman, Lorie Caldwell, Paul Carlton, Jeff Caplan, Brad Dawson, Dan D’urso, Tom Eastman, Diane Etchison, John Fallon, Tom Ford-Hutchinson, Yuri Foreman, Sachiko Fukuman, Bob Gley, Debbie Gley, Sharow Harrow, Amber Heredia, Emily Igarashi, Lynne Jeffries, Holly Saki Joslin, Kim Kayano, Mark Kincheloe, Marie Kissel, Paul Klahr, Patty Knight, Ginny Kuhl, Roger Kuhl, Vic Leipzig, Carol Leone, Merri Levy, Kim Lopina, Louise Lopina, Robert Lopina, Eva Lydick, Tim Maas, Donna Malloy, Gary Meredith, Susan Merrill, Cyrus Moqtaderi, Dwight Mudrey, Gordon Owens, Cesar Paniamogan, Dan Polley, Tjie Poo, Charlie Robinson, Jenine Robinson, Stephanie Rubio, Sue Schaar, Rich Schilk, Melissa Schlothan, Robert Scrimger, Mark Silverstein, Steve Sosensky, Jim Stacy, Paul Strauss, Megan Taylor, Jill Tilton, John Tilton, Christina VanOosten, Jim Wantz, Laura Wantz, Phyllis Watson, Joel Weintraub, David Wilbur, Jennifer Wilcox, Darrell Wilson, Stan Woodward, Charlie Robinson, Jenine Robinson, Doug Willick
Directions and Membership
Directions to Audubon House, Chapter Meetings, and the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, Audubon Membership Form, Tattler subscriptions & delivery, and
Remember Us in Your Will or Trust
Tattler Subscriptions Directions Your Membership Payment Non-Audubon members or members to Audubon House, our Chapter from other Audubon chapters who Meetings & the San Joaquin If you are signing up as a new wish to subscribe to our chapter Wildlife Sanctuary Audubon member, be sure and use newsletter, may do so for $12.50 per the membership form below that has year. Make check payable to “Sea & the code C9ZC150Z in the lower right Sage Audubon” and mail to: Tattler Our entrance is now from hand corner. This tells National Subscriptions, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Campus Dr., not Michelson Audubon who to credit for your Irvine CA 92612 From the San Diego Fwy (405): Exit recruitment. Sea & Sage gets 100% on Jamboree, south toward Newport of a new memberʼs dues, even if you Go Paperless! Beach. At the 1st signal, Michelson, sign up for more than one year. If you are feeling generous at renewal time Sign up to receive your newsletter via turn left. Continue on Michelson and you want Sea & Sage to benefit, email — get your issues faster, help (past the old entrance to the SJWS) to you should send your renewal fee to save natural resources, reduce waste, the 5th signal which is Harvard and National Audubon and a separate and help our chapter save money! turn right. Drive to University & turn check to Sea & Sage for your You can read it online or print out the right. Drive to Campus Drive & turn donation to the chapter. If you have pages you need to refer to more right. Stay in the far right lane and any questions, please contact frequently. It is in pdf format and will immediately turn right onto Riparian Membership Chair, Chuck George, at look and print exactly like the original View which will enter the San Joaquin [email protected] ones. Photos will be in color. Send an Wildlife Sanctuary. The entrance road e-mail to [email protected] to is marked by a green sign. If you miss start your paper-free Tattler delivery the turn and reach Carlson, turn right Temporarily and go around the block again to Away or Moving? today! (offer good only for chapter members in good standing) Harvard. The sanctuary is open every Please notify Membership Chair, day from dawn until dusk. Chuck George, of your new address if Remember Us in Your you are temporarily, or permanently, Will or Trust Audubon House moving from your current address. If you do not want to continue receiving Please remember to include “Sea and Open daily: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm the Tattler at your new address, let Sage Audubon Society” by name (tax 949-261-7963 him know. This will save us from ID#23-7003681) in your will or trust. paying return postage fees.
Audubon Membership Application
Membership: we invite you to become a member of the National Audubon Society and the Sea & Sage Audubon chapter. To join: Please pay by check only; do not send cash. Make your check payable to: NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY, complete this form, and mail it along with your payment to: Sea & Sage Audubon, PO Box 5447, Irvine CA 92616.
National Audubon Society Membership: Check one [√] [ ] NEW MEMBERSHIP: $20 - Individual or Family members [ ] RENEWAL: $35 - Regular Membership [ ] NEW MEMBERSHIP: $15 - Senior (62+ yrs) or Student [ ] RENEWAL: $15 - Senior or Student
Members receive: AUDUBON magazine as well as the WANDERING TATTLER newsletter.
Name
Address City, State, Zip Phone C3ZC150Z E-mail Chapter Code
Wandering Tattler February 2013 Chapter Mission Statement: Sea and Sage Audubon is a leader in creating an understanding of nature in Orange County, through conservation, research and environmental education programs for children and adults. This is accomplished with classes, field activities, publications and volunteer opportunities.
Non-Profit Org Sea & Sage Audubon PO Box 5447, Irvine CA 92616 U.S. Postage Paid Santa Ana, CA Permit No. 164 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Osprey photo by Trude Hurd
BOARD MEMBERS STAFF Marsh Education Project Director Trude Hurd ...... 949-261-7964 Executive Committee: Education Assistant ...... Deborah Brin ...... 949-261-7964 Administrative Aide ...... Rebecca Craft ...... 949-261-7963 President ...... Bruce Aird ...... 949-458-1520 Sales Manager ...... Debby Thyssen ...... 949-261-7963 Vice President ...... Vic Leipzig ...... 714-848-5394 Audubon House ...... 949-261-7963 Secretary ...... Linda Davis ...... 949-643-3789 Treasurer ...... Bart Beckman ...... 714-633-3419 Director 2013 ...... Star Howard ...... 949-770-3177 CALENDAR OF CHAPTER ACTIVITIES Director 2013 ...... Amber Oneal Heredia . 714-812-2430 February 2013 Director 2014 ...... Cheryl Egger ...... 714-842-9232 02 Sat Wildlife Walk at the SJWS ...... 9:00 am Director 2014 ...... Bobbie Miller ...... 714-960-5724 2/3 S/S SLO North & Carrizo Plain weekend trip ...... 7:00 am Director 2015 ...... Steve Kaye ...... 714-528-1300 03 Sun Santiago Oaks bi-monthly bird walk ...... 7:30 am Director 2015 ...... Shirley Reynolds ...... 949-429-2161 05 Tues Conservation Com. Meeting ...... 6:30 pm Past President ...... Jay Miller ...... 949-707-1287 06 Wed Caspers Park bird walk ...... 8:00 am 09 Sat San Jacinto Wildlife Area field trip ...... 8:00 am Committee Chairpersons: 10 Sun SJWS monthly bird walk ...... 8:00 am 12 Tues Board Meeting ...... 7:30 pm Audubon House ...... Susan Sheakley ...... 949-552-5974 15 Fri GENERAL MEETING ...... 7:30 pm Audubon House Volunteers ...... Judy Fritts ...... 949-551-4513 16 Sat Open House for Chapter Volunteers ...... 3:00 pm Bird Information ...... Sylvia Gallagher ...... 714-962-8990 20 Wed UNB by pontoon boat ...... 8:15 am Christmas Bird Counts ...... Steve Alter ...... 714-669-9482 23 Sat Batiquitos Lagoon field trip ...... 8:00 am Conservation Co-Chair ..... Susan Sheakley ...... 949-552-5974 24 Sun UNB monthly bird walk ...... 8:00 am Conservation Co-Chair ..... Vic Leipzig ...... 714-848-5394 26 Tues 4th Tuesday Conservation Lecture ...... 7:30 pm Counsel ...... Rick Derevan ...... 714-427-7016 Development ...... Cheryl Thomas ...... 949-294-2275 March 2013 Education ...... Carolyn Noble ...... 714-731-9091 1-3 Fr-Su Bill Clark’s Introductory Raptor ID class ...... 7:15 pm Exhibits ...... Mary Joseph ...... 714-848-8362 02 Fri Wildlife Walk at the SJWS ...... 9:00 am Facebook ...... Chuck George ...... 714-319-6166 03 Sun Irvine Park bi-monthly bird walk ...... 7:30 am Field Trips ...... Nancy Kenyon ...... 949-786-3160 06 Wed Riley Park bi-monthly bird walk ...... 8:00 am Finance ...... Hal Sheakley ...... 949-552-5974 8-10 Fr-Su Bill Clark’s Advanced Raptor ID class ...... 7:15 pm Membership ...... Chuck George ...... 714-319-6166 8/9 Fr/Sa Owl Prowls at Starr Ranch ...... 6:30 pm Newsletter Editor ...... Nancy Kenyon ...... 949-786-3160 10 Sun SJWS monthly bird walk ...... 8:00 am Orange County Spring Count .... Al Baumann ...... 949-859-5081 15 Fri ANNUAL DINNER ...... 6:00 pm Partners in Flight ...... Janet Baumann ...... 949-859-5081 16 Sat eBird Workshop ...... time to be announced Programs ...... Pat & Dick Cabe ...... 949-960-1683 17 Sun Laguna Niguel RP bi-monthly bird walk ...... 8:00 am Science ...... Amber Oneal Heredia . 714-812-2430 20 Wed UNB by pontoon boat ...... 8:15 am SJWS Liaison ...... Chris Obaditch ...... 949-640-7234 22/23 Fr/Sa Owl Prowls at Starr Ranch ...... 6:30 pm Starr Ranch/Envir. Liaison Pete DeSimone ...... 949-858-0309 23 Sat Heise Park field trip ...... 8:00 am Webmaster ...... Nancy Kenyon ...... 949-786-3160 24 Sun Anza-Borrego field trip ...... 8:00 am Webpage: http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org 31 Sun UNB monthly bird walk ...... 8:00 am
Wandering Tattler 12 February 2013