Improving Burrowing Owl Habitat in South San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE COMPLEX Tideline WINTER 17-18 Volume 40, Number 4

Antioch Dunes / Don Edwards / Ellicott Slough / Farallon Island / Marin Islands / Salinas River / San Pablo Bay Improving Burrowing Owl Habitat in South San Francisco Bay By Aidona Kakouros Once abundant in South San Francisco Bay, the burrowing owl currently breeds at only five known sites. In 2017, only 64 adults were reported during the breeding season in the entire South Bay. I take a deep breath, trying to digest and synthesize the information just reported at the South Bay Burrowing Owl Surveying Network meeting. It is evident the burrowing owl population in the South Bay is in peril. Is it too late? Can our efforts save it? What else can be done? Habitat loss due to development is the main factor of this dramatic decrease. Grasslands habitats were once common in the South Bay. Considering the current booming Bay Area housing market and Photo taken from a camera trap. Photo: San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory habitat degradation from factors associated with large scale urbanization, very little refuge to provide habitat for several endan- history, and management regime, Warm burrowing owl habitat remains. Unless gered and special status species, including Springs Unit has great potential for bur- habitat management and other conservation burrowing owls. rowing owl habitat enhancement. The goal activities take place, it is possible that the Warm Springs is home to the is to stabilize and increase the burrowing breeding population of burrowing owls will federally-endangered vernal pool tadpole owl breeding population on site and use the be extirpated from the South Bay. shrimp (Lepidurus packardi) and Contra acquired knowledge from this process to This realization prompted public agen- Costa goldfield (Lasthenia conjugens), and enhance other habitats in the South Bay. cies, nonprofit conservation organizations, the federally-threatened California tiger So what are the main elements for and burrowing owl experts to join forces salamander (Ambystoma californiense). The a high quality burrowing owl breeding and try to reverse the downward population site is grazed by cattle to keep vegetation habitat? While burrowing owls may nest in a variety of habitats there are three main trend in the South Bay. A collaboration below and to improve the habitat conditions requirements. tween the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay for the species listed above and for the National Wildlife Refuge, Santa Clara Valley burrowing owl. Open Landscape Habitat Agency, and San Francisco Bay Historically, burrowing owls have used The ideal habitat for burrowing owls is Bird Observatory was formed to enhance the Warm Springs unit and the surrounding associated with open landscape with no trees burrowing owl habitat at the refuge’s Warm areas as breeding and wintering habitat. and well drained areas. Other than that, the Springs Unit. Currently, the Unit is home to one of the species exhibits a remarkable tolerance for The Warm Springs Unit, located in five breeding burrowing owl populations in human alteration of natural habitats. South Fremont, is composed of 719 acres of the South Bay. vernal pool grasslands. It is managed by the Because of its relatively large acreage, continued next page from page 1 Presence of Underground Burrows As the name suggests, burrowing owls use burrows for nesting and for shelter from predators and weather. Conversely, unlike what the name suggests, the owls do not dig their own burrows. They rely on their neighbors like California ground squirrels and other ground-digging (fossorial) mammals to create the burrows. Many people may not realize how important ground squirrels are for grasslands ecosystems and particularly for burrowing owls. Not only do ground squirrels excavate extensive networks of burrows but they clean and maintain the old ones. Room service anyone? Ground squirrels also alert owls for the presence of predators through their alarm calls. In fact, at Warm Springs, California ground squirrel is considered a A family of burrowning owls at Warm Springs. Photo: San Francisco Bay Bird Observaotry. keystone species because it provides essential habitat to many species including the facilitate the proliferation of tall, nonnative weather to attract insects is very beneficial. California tiger salamander. plants on the disturbed areas. Tall mustard Other complex community dynam- For these reasons we try to maintain and nonnative thistles choke the entrance ics may affect the population status. For and increase the squirrel population. Short of the burrows and/or restrict predator example predation from mammalian and vegetation with some bare ground openings visibility. avian species affects nesting success and encourages ground squirrel burrowing activ- At Warm Springs a grazing program survivorship of the owls. ity. Overgrown vegetation or a thick layer of is used to keep the vegetation short which thatch hinders ground squirrel activity. This After three years of implementation of leads us into the third habitat requirement. benefits all of the unit’s rare species. a project focused on the enhancement of However, additional weed abatement burrowing owl habitat at Warm Springs, we methods are necessary to control weed inva- started seeing a small increase in the number sions on the burrow areas. Unfortunately, of breeding owls. We have a long way to go due to the large acreage of Warm Springs, and we wish to see more rapid population more manpower is needed. The refuge relies growth to bolster the South Bay population. on partners and volunteers to help keep the While we are adjusting our strategies on vegetation short on the burrows. Staff and what we have learned, we need your help on volunteers are engaged in weeding activities improving habitat for this charismatic spe- from spring through fall. cies and for all other vernal pool grassland Besides nesting habitat, high quality species. foraging habitat is necessary for successful As a volunteer, you will experience one burrowing owl conservation. High qual- of the last remaining vernal pool grassland ity foraging habitat is also correlated to habitats in the San Francisco Bay Area, a Photo: Tom Bennett higher breeding success. This translates to a place that is truly unique and special. Learn diverse matrix of microhabitats that support about its ecology and conservation activities Short, Low Density abundant prey. Vegetation for Nesting Habitat form staff. You may even spot a burrowing Prey food items, such as small rodents Short vegetation is also critical for owl! and lizards, are attracted to rock and debris burrowing owls. It allows quick detection of If interested, please contact me at piles and native perennial and annual predators and an unobstructed entrance into [email protected] or Ivette Loredo plants. In the summer at Warm Springs, we the burrows. Burrowing owls may abandon at [email protected]. regularly observe owls feeding on the bot- their nests when vegetation grows too thick tom of vernal pools where the short green Aidona Kakouros is the Botanist/Ecologist or high. vegetation hosts a plethora of insects. Insects for the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife While ground disturbance and squirrel comprise the highest percentage of owl diets Refuge Complex. Her work focuses primarily burrowing activity are highly desirable during the summer months. For this reason, at the Warm Springs Unit of the Don Edwards features of burrowing owl habitat, they planting native plants that thrive in warm San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Page 2 Refuge Dispatches

The year 2017 was a year of prioritiza- summer was 67 butterflies. tion for the San Francisco Bay National The Stamm Unit also looks different Wildlife Refuge Complex. In addition to this year. Several 4,500-pound concrete staff reviewing and evaluating thousands blocks were placed along the western of species and hundreds of surveys that are boundary of the unit. The low wall will conducted on the seven refuges in the refuge prevent the sand from blowing onto our complex, our conservation work continued. neighbors’ properties during high winds, Here are just a few of the highlights. and retain the sand for dune habitat. Antioch Dunes Don Edwards The winter rains spurred large numbers San Francisco Bay of endangered Antioch Dunes evening The refuge welcomed new Refuge primrose to sprout in the new dunes Manager Jared Underwood in the spring. created at the Stamm unit. Several hundred Endangered Ridgway’s rail surveys received

Staff and volunteers seining for vernal pool creatures. Photo: FWS held water for much longer than average. The refuge, through a Coastal Conservancy grant awarded to the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society, hired interns to conduct outreach to new audiences. Nearly 5,500 youths and adults were reached through the interns’ efforts in three months! The refuge also held its first Black History Month event in February which included a showing of Through the Eyes of a Buffalo Soldier and video interview with renowned National Park Service Buffalo Soldier Interpreter Shelton Johnson. A discussion followed led by interns Trisha Refuge staff placing block on the Stamm Unit. Photo: FWS Thornton and Ennis Chauhan. Other new primroses self-propagated, indicating that a new bay-wide protocol with significant audiences the refuge reached out to were if the habitat is there, this species will take input from refuge complex biologists, and teens at nearby Alviso Youth Center. advantage. Unfortunately, the rains, and sandhill cranes were spotted at the Warm subsequent warm temperatures, also allowed Springs unit in the spring! invasive vetch to overwhelm many of the Heavy winter rains filled vernal pools native plants on the Sardis and Stamm to maximum levels and stimulated breeding units. Much of the time spent on the refuge activity of the threatened California tiger was trying to control vetch. Thanks to the salamander and the endangered vernal pool California Conservation Corps for helping tadpole shrimp. The 2017 season recorded with this effort. a record number of pools supporting the Other partners helping with restoration breeding of both these species and the ponds at Antioch Dunes Refuge included school and scout groups planting naked-stemmed Large California red-legged frog tadpole is on buckwheat, the host plant for the endan- the left. Photo: Julie Kitzenberger gered Lange’s metalmark butterfly, and other native nectar plants. The peak numbers of Ellicott Slough Lange’s metalmark butterflies counted this During summer of 2017, federally- threatened California red-legged frog meta- Refuge Reflections by Anne morphs (young frogs newly transformed Morkill will return in the from tadpoles) were spotted for the first spring issue. California Ridgway’s rail. Photo: Aric Crabb continued next page Page 3 Refuge Dispatches

of Castroville Elementary School to Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge. The program uses citizen science to monitor coastal ecosystems. Refuge staff developed activities to augment the monitoring program experience and teach the students about coastal dune habitat. Staff and volunteers conducted surveys for the federally-endangered Smith’s blue butterfly from June to August, counting butterflies in the backdune habitat. Results showed steady numbers throughout the survey period, but the overall peak count was lower than in previous years. After a rough start to the federally- threatened Western snowy plover breeding season with all early nesting attempts at the refuge wiped out by raven depredation, the season got back on track with mid-season Northern Fur Seal. Photo: Adam Brown plover chicks successfully fledging by sum- time in Ellicott Pond. The red-legged now Blue Conservation Science researchers mer’s end. joins the federally-endangered Santa Cruz installed 30 clay Cassin’s auklet ceramic nest long-toed salamander and the federally- boxes to replace wooden ones to determine San Pablo Bay threatened California tiger salamander in if the clay boxes help keeps the nests cooler. Restoration continues at the Cullinan successfully breeding at this location. The plan is to replace all 400 Cassin’s and Unit. Approximately 300,000 to 400,000 An Americorps crew on loan from the rhinoceros auklet nest boxes if all goes well. cubic yards of dredge material is being Bureau of Land Management worked at the deposited on the east side of the unit to refuge for two days helping to clear trees Marin Islands build up the marsh plain. In the Sonoma downed by the severe spring storms from This small island refuge utilized Baylands Unit which was opened to tidal roads and trails. volunteer groups to help with management. flow in 1995, 23 endangered Ridgway’s rails The local California Native Plant Society were detected in the restored marsh. Farallon Islands conducted a native plant survey on the Several public events took place with The name of Farallon National Wildlife islands and the Americorps crew on loan the help of partners. Our sister refuge, Refuge was changed to Farallon Islands from Bureau of Land Management assisted Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge National Wildlife Refuge. The more descrip- with weed management for a few days. from Alaska, presented in schools in the tive name will help reduce confusion as to The refuge was created for its North Bay and participated in the San what the refuge is actually called! heron and egret rookery on the west island. Francisco Bay Flyway Festival. Sonoma The refuge saw high numbers of seal Unfortunately, this year had a low number of Land Trust continues to hold docent-led and sea lion pups this past year. California breeding pairs, possibly due to trespassing. tours at the Dickson Ranch Unit, and Point sea lion set an island record count of 500 Blue Conservation Science’s Students and pups in July. Not to be outdone, Steller Salinas River Teachers Restoring a Watershed program sea lions pups reached a high count of 44 The refuge partnered with the brings kids to the refuge to plant native pups, which is among the highest in the last Monterey Bay LiMPETS program (Long- vegetation on the transition zone levee at 40 years. Northern fur seals also had good term Monitoring Program and Experiential Sonoma Creek. numbers of pups this year. Unfortunately, Program for Students) to bring the students Sonoma Land Trust also held its first elephant seals pups did not fare as well. Bay Camp for 7 to 12 year old kids at Sears Many of these pups were lost due to storm Point and Dickson Ranch Units. The kids surges. learned about the refuge system, conserva- Breeding seabirds fared well this year tion, and wildlife while enjoying bike rides despite nesting later than normal and and kayaking. breeding failures farther north. The Farallon The Tubbs fire in October 2017 burned Islands host the largest seabird breeding more than 200 acres at the Sear’s Point Unit, colony in the lower 48 states. but no lives were lost. A back burn most In response to increasing air tempera- likely helped save the refuge office and other tures that can cause birds to overheat, Point Smith’s blue butterfly. Photo: Jared Klein facilities at the site. Page 4 San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society Quarterly Message 30th Anniversary: San Francisco Bay Society. Learn how trash affects the short people. Anybody else out there who has Wildlife Society’s Nature Art Show and and long-term health of three habitat types learned something from a U.S. Fish & 30th Anniversary Celebration was great fun through disruption of soil deposition. This Wildlife Service program that you have and a resounding success. The artists’ works exhibit and continued clean up activities shared with friends, family, neighbors, or were beautiful. We had a lovely party, and will be integrated into the Watershed colleagues? We’d love to hear from you. many people came to appreciate the works Watchers Program at the Environmental Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers by Kathy Kleinsteiber, Donald Neff, Shirley Education Center. Contact Hope Presley at are vital to the nature stores at Fremont and Lin, Linda Patterson, Linda Knoll, Matthew 408-262-5513 ext. 104 or hope.presley@ Alviso, as well as various committees that Dodder, Julie Long, and Attila Cziglenyi. sfbws.com for more information. help the Society function and grow. Reach Watch our website, www.sfbws.com, for a Publications: We hope you enjoyed out to Mary Deschene at Mary.Deschene@ Nature Art Portfolio coming soon. We will and learned something new from the four- sfbws.com or 510-792-0222 ext. 364 for put the artists’ works on-line for continued page insert we published in the fall Tideline more information or dates! sales, with a portion of the proceeds donated (last quarter). Watch out for our new book, Your Feedback Desired! We wel- to the Society to support our on-going Sinking Underwater: A Ghost Town’s Amazing programs at the refuge. come your feedback on the hours at the Legacy by Anita Goldwasser and me! This Visitor Contact Station in Fremont and New Exhibit: A new Pollution updated book about Drawbridge will be in Environment Education Center in Alviso, Prevention Exhibit is available for viewing our nature stores very soon. and on nature store and San Francisco Bay at the Environmental Education Center. Out on the Trail: At one of my Wildlife Society goals and mission. Go to The exhibit was funded by a grant from Drawbridge programs in September, a www.surveymonkey.com/sfbws_survey to the Santa Clara Valley Water District, and participant shared that he leads walks provide your comments. generous donations from Clean Harbors on the Mallard Slough Trail Spur to the Check out www.sfbws.com. I also Environmental Services, Whole Foods Drawbridge viewpoint where he shares Market, and (us) San Francisco Bay Wildlife strongly recommend a visit to the National interesting facts and stories with young Wildlife Refuge Association website at refugeassociation.org to understand the challenges facing our refuges today. Save the Date! As always, we welcome your input. Send your thoughts to Ceal.Craig@sfbws. The 22nd annual com. Cecilia (Ceal) D. Craig, PhD San Francisco Bay President, SFBWS Board of Directors Flyway Festival February 9-11, 2018 in Vallejo Traffic Delays on Marshland Road in Guided wildlife walks, exhibitors, Fremont art show and more! A 0.4-mile stretch of Marshlands Road from Thornton Avenue to https://www.facebook.com/SanFranciscoBayFlywayFestival the first parking lot is undergoing construction. It is expected to end February 1, 2018. The bridge that Volunteer Training at the Don Edwards San crosses over the slough is to be replaced with one that meets earthquake safety Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge standards. Train to volunteer at the Fremont Visitor Center desk! Volunteers work To minimize disturbance to a minimum of two shifts a month for a minimum of four months. You endangered species habitat, a short sec- must be able to attend both training days to volunteer. tion of the road will be reduced to one Training dates: lane with traffic controls. Expect delays when leaving and entering the refuge. Sunday, December 3: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The Harrier Spur Trail and the Wednesday, December 6: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. LaRiviere Marsh Trailhead that con- To register, visit https://donedwards_infodesk.eventbrite.com. nects to Marshlands Rd. will be closed For more information, call 510-792-0222 ext. 361 for Paul Mueller, during this time. or ext. 476 for Carmen Minch. Page 5 Thank you San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society Donors!

We gratefully acknowledge the following Supporter Donations donors who have made gifts to the San Sherlyn Brubaker, Loring G Dales, AmazonSmile Foundation, Bright Funds Francisco Bay Wildlife Society between July 1 David Epps Foundation, Beatrice Campione, PayPal and September 30, 2017. These gifts will be Giving Fund, Joyce Fong Wright used for publishing Tideline, environmental Family education, habitat restoration, and interpretive John & Becky Bradley, Darlene Ceremello, Special thanks to Newark Parks programs at the Don Edwards San Francisco Cynthia Denny, P L & Helen E Fan, John Foundation for the Native Plant Nursery Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Lukas, John & Melanie McKenna, William Leader & Pamela Rapp, Sally Smyth Linda Vetter & Terry Blanchard Individual Sponsor Jeffrey M Dickemann, Art Garibaldi, Susan Kozdon, Joyce Lewis, Julie Paccioretti, Helen E Conway Marge E Wood Participant Senior/Student Paul Babwin, Terry Blanchard, Cheryl Burt Anderson, Patrica Carelli, Erna B Davis, Steve Ferguson, Renee Fitzsimons, Coker, Pat Gordon, Herman Konrad, Barb Francis, Annie Henzel, Kirsten Nancy Milligan, Joan M Nolen, Ali Shan, Holmquist, Marge Kolar, Igor & Shirley Haven Thompson May Skaredoff, Terry Smith, Gerald Watanabe

Help Us Protect Your San Francisco Bay Wetlands! Mail your membership donation to: San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society, The San Francisco Bay Wildlife P.O. Box 234, Newark, CA 94560. You may also become a member Society has: at www.sfbws.com/donate. • Introduced tens of thousands of students of all ages to the Don For a gift membership, call 510-792-0222 ext. 364. Edwards San Francisco Bay National San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that raises Wildlife Refuge money and awareness for the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex. • Provided weekend staffing at Visitor Centers YES! I want to support San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society and its programs. Enclosed is my donation of: • Provided funding for restoration projects, a new boardwalk, trails, a o o $20 Student/Senior $200 Corporation greenhouse and native plant nursery o $35 Individual o $250 Sponsor o $50 Family o $500 Sustainer And much more ... o $75 Supporter o $1,000 Leader Become a Supporting Member of the o $100 Participant Society. Benefits include: o Check enclosed • Free subscription to Tideline o For credit card payment, please use PayPal at www.sfbws.com/donate newsletter Name______• Tax deduction to the extent permitted by law Address______• 15% off at our nature stores City______State_____ Zip ______• Free book – Exploring Our Baylands Phone______Email______• The joy of helping protect this Thank you for your support! important environment

Page 6 affected by the two types of habitat, and why it is puzzles, playing games and even making your important to control the rate of conversion from own bird nest! All ages are welcome. Register at salt ponds back to the salt marshes. Binoculars https://eecmarshhomes.eventbrite.com and/or a camera are recommended. Register at Winter http://marshwalk.eventbrite.com or call 510- *Family Bird Walk 792-0222 ext. 363. Visitor Center, Fremont Volunteer Orientation – Alviso 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Let family walks become a shared time of na- Activity Environmental Education Center, Alviso ture learning. We’ll begin by helping kids cre- 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ate their personal bird watching field guides, If you have an interest in wildlife and their con- and then head out onto the trails to find those Schedule servation, enjoy working with people, and are birds. A limited number of binoculars are avail- Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. enthusiastic and dependable, the refuge’s able to borrow. Recommended for children volunteer program is for you! As a volunteer, ages 5-10. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Go to Trails are generally level. you’ll receive on-the-job training from staff and https://donedwardsfamilybird.eventbrite.com or Surface* and trail conditions vary. other volunteers in the project area you choose. call 510-792-0222 ext. 363. Please call for accessibility information. Project areas are restoration projects, information desk on weekends, interpretive programs, Holiday Crafts! school field trips, and citizen science/community Environmental Education Center, Alviso service. 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Tiny Drifters Spread the holiday cheer by creating fun hand- December made crafts. These nature-based project ideas Environmental Education Center, Alviso make great gifts and decorations. Appropriate Saturday, December 2 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. for children 6 and older. Register at http://eecho- There’s plankton in our Bay! Learn about the lidaycraft.eventbrite.com. or call 408-262-5513 Stewardship Saturday different characteristics of plankton and how ext. 102. Visitor Center, Fremont they have adapted to survive. We will become 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. planktologists for a day, collect water samples Twilight Marsh Walk and identify these incredible organisms under a Visitor Center, Fremont If you are interested in improving the refuge for microscope! Best suited for ages 7 and up. Reg- visitors and for wildlife alike, join us at the Visitor 4:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. ister at http://eectinydrift.eventbrite.com or call Center for a stewardship project. We will do ei- Cap off the day by experiencing the salt 408-262-5513 ext. 102 for reservations. ther a trash cleanup or a planting/weeding proj- marsh at twilight on an easy stroll along Tide- ect. Dress appropriately for the task and for the lands (1.3 miles) Trail. At the setting of the weather. We will have gloves to lend and will pro- Sunday, December 3 sun we will observe the beginning of na- vide the tools. Bring your own water bottle. Meet ture’s night shift. Come discover the sights, in the parking lot at the Visitor Center. Driving an Visitor Center Desk Training sounds, and smells of the refuge as night de- additional 2.5 miles may be required since the Visitor Center, Fremont scends. Not suitable for young children. Go to project may be at a different location. For more 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. https://donedwardstwilight.eventbrite.com or call information, or to make reservations, call 510- 510-792-0222 ext. 363. Led by Mary and Gene The refuge is seeking volunteers to staff the Visi- 792-0222 ext. 361. Bobik. tor Center information desk. Once trained, volun- Hike the Mallard Slough teers work a minimum of two shifts a month for a minimum of four months. This training is six hours Saturday, December 16 Environmental Education Center, Alviso and broken up into two days. On Day 1, we will 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. walk the trails, discuss the history of the refuge *Marshlands of Dreams Look for birds, mammals, and animal tracks as and its mission, learn about the wildlife that lives Visitor Center, Fremont we explore along the water’s edge on this 3.7- here, and hear about the benefits of becoming a 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. mile nature walk. Bring binoculars and your fa- volunteer. To volunteer at the information desk, Join Paul Mueller on a 1-mile walk of the LaRiv- vorite field guide to help enjoy the views. Have at you must be able attend both training days. iere Marsh Trail to find traces of the past. Prior to least one liter of water, snacks, and appropriate Day 2 training is held on Wednesday, Decem- marsh restoration, learn how Californians utilized clothing. Rain will cancel this hike due to muddy ber 6 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. To register, visit the area for farming, quarrying, salt production, trail. Led by Steve Stolper, certified California https://donedwards_infodesk.eventbrite.com. and transportation. Naturalist. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Go to For more information, contact Paul Mueller or https://hikeeectrail.eventbrite.com Questions? Carmen Minch at 510-792-0222, ext. 361 or 476, Restoration Work Day Call 408-262-5513 ext.104. respectively. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Nature Walk for Health Environmental Education Center, Alviso Visitor Center, Fremont Saturday, December 9 Interested in volunteering at the refuge? Come 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. out for a restoration work day in preparation for *Restoring Inner Bair Island the spring season! We will be working in the But- Take a break from your busy schedule Bair Island Trail, Redwood City terfly Garden and surrounding trails. Work will and refresh your spirit with nature at the 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m include weeding, mulching, and planting native refuge. Take a guided nature walk on the Tide- plants. This is a great opportunity for middle, lands Trail and hear what makes this National On this 1.5-mile walk, witness wetland res- high, and college students to gain volunteer Wildlife Refuge unique. The 1.3-mile walk tra- toration in progress. Hear the story of Bair Is- hours. Great for scout groups and families as verses through endangered species habitat and land and see how we are turning the former well! All ages and skill levels are welcome to join. offers great views of south San Francisco Bay. salt pond back into a healthy tidal marsh. Gloves and tools are provided. Bring a lunch Meet in front of the Visitor Center. Led by Matt RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED. Go to to enjoy after. Reservations required. Go to: Keehner. http://innerbairtour.eventbrite.com. https://restorationeec.eventbrite.com. Ques- King Tides Salt Marsh Walk Marshland Homes tions? Call Hope at 408-262-5513 ext. 104. Visitor Center, Fremont Environmental Education Center, Alviso 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Take a walk with docent Gregg Aronson around Have you ever wondered where an animal lives? the wetlands during the King Tides. See exam- Or what it might live in? Come explore some dif- ples of salt collection ponds and learn what is ferent types of animal homes and shelters with being done to convert them back to their origi- Colter Cook. Find out why so many creatures call nal, natural salt marsh state. Hear how wildlife is the Don Edwards SF Bay Refuge home by solving continued next page Page 7 *Nature Walk for Health Saturday, January 27 Visitor Center, Fremont 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Outfall Tour Winter See December 2 for program description Environmental Education Center, Alviso *Duck Walk 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Visitor Center, Fremont Have you ever wondered where your indoor Activity water ends up? If you live in the south bay, it 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. probably goes to the San Jose- Santa Clara Hundreds of thousands of ducks winter in the Regional Wastewater Facility to be cleaned. San Francisco Bay every year. Hear a short talk Join us on a tour of the facility’s outfall and Schedule on duck identification. Then we’ll head out on Children under the age of 16 must be see firsthand how it helps keep the San Fran- accompanied by an adult. the trail to try your new skills. A limited number of cisco bay and our refuge clean. Register at: binoculars are available to borrow. Dress warmly. https://eecoutfall.eventbrite.com or call 408- Trails are generally level. Heavy rain cancels. Led by Carmen Minch. 262-5513 ext. 102 for reservations. Surface* and trail conditions vary. Please call for accessibility information. Saturday, January 13 Indicators that Fox are in Your Area Visitor Center, Fremont Hike the Mallard Slough 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Environmental Education Center, Alviso See December 30 for program description and Saturday, December 23 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. registration information. *Bird Watching for Beginners See December 2 for program and registration Visitor Center, Fremont information. 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Webelos Adventure Into the Wild February In this beginner’s program, we will go over the Visitor Center, Fremont use of binoculars, how to use a bird guide, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Thursday, February 1 and identify the birds we see on the trail. Rec- ommended for ages 10 and up. Dress for the Attention Webelos! Earn your naturalist badge A Walk Amongst Kings: weather and wear comfortable shoes. Led by in just 2.5 hours. During this hike, learn about Carmen Minch. birds, flyways, food chains, and the -impor King Tides Walk tance of wetlands. Bring your binoculars, or Visitor Center, Fremont borrow one of ours. The Refuge Headquar- 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Saturday, December 30 ters offer Webelos programs for up to 15 See January 2 for program description. Webelos. Registration required. Register at Indicators that Fox are in Your Area https://donedwardswebelos.eventbrite.com. Visitor Center, Fremont Program led by June Smith. Saturday, February 3 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. *Salt Marsh Walk Do you sometimes see paw prints in mud or Stewardship Saturday scat (poop) on the trails and assume that a Visitor Center, Fremont Visitor Center, Fremont dog left it? It could be from something else. 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Come along with me and I will show you how Take a walk with docent Gregg Aronson around See December 2 for program description and to distinguish and identify the markings of a the wetlands of the wildlife refuge and learn registration information. gray fox. Gain some insights into the fox’s about their history. See examples of salt col- nature and their behavior during the walk. lection ponds and learn what is being done to Hike the Mallard Slough By the time we are through, you will have a convert them back to their original, natural salt Environmental Education Center, Alviso set of “tools” you can use to identify the pres- marsh state. Hear how wildlife is affected by the 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ence of foxes in any area that you are in. Bring two types of habitat, and why it is important to See December 2 for program and registration a hat, binoculars, and good walking shoes. control the rate of conversion from salt ponds information. Led by Bill Leikam, the Fox Guy. Register at back to the salt marshes. Binoculars and/or a http://donedwardsfox.eventbrite.com. camera are recommended. Register at http:// *Nature Walk for Health marshwalk.eventbrite.com or call 510-792-0222 Visitor Center, Fremont ext. 363. 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. January Volunteer Orientation – Alviso See December 2 for program and regis- Environmental Education Center, Alviso tration. Tuesday, January 2 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Volunteer Orientation – Alviso See December 2 for program information and Environmental Education Center, Alviso A Walk Amongst Kings: registration information. King Tides Walk 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Twilight Marsh Walk See December 2 for program and registration Visitor Center, Fremont Visitor Center, Fremont information. 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Take time out on your lunch break and view the Junior Refuge Ranger See December 9 for program description and highest tide of the season. Stroll the Tidelands Environmental Education Center, Alviso registration information. Trail with Carmen Minch and view how tidal 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. marshes help prevent flooding of manmade in- Become a Jr. Refuge Ranger! Our Jr. Refuge frastructure and help to reduce the impacts of Saturday, January 20 Ranger program is an introduction to the Don sea level rise. *Family Bird Walk Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge from its wildlife to its plants. You’ll taste Saturday, January 6 Visitor Center, Fremont pickleweed while you learn about endangered 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. species. Jr. Refuge Rangers will participate in Stewardship Saturday See December 9 for program description and several fun hands-on activities in order to earn Visitor Center, Fremont registration information. their badge at the end of the program. Best suit- 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ed for ages 8-11. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Go to: http://jrrefugeranger.eventbrite.com. See December 2 for program description. Page 8 Saturday, February 10 Volunteer Orientation - Fremont Visitor Center, Fremont Ohlone in the Marsh 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Environmental Education Center, Alviso Increase your quality of life with a resolution to Winter 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. volunteer for a good cause. Come to this presentation to see if volunteering at the Don Edwards Did people live here 10,000 years ago? How did San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is they survive without stores? Come learn about right for you. Begin by learning the mission and Activity the Ohlone Native Americans and how they lived goals of the San Francisco Bay National Wild- off of the land. Take a walk through the marsh, life Refuge Complex, its parent agency U.S. Fish and go shopping in the Ohlone grocery store. and Wildlife Service, and volunteer positions Schedule Taste an Ohlone pickle and learn how to make currently open at the Fremont location. Present- Children under the age of 16 must be rope. Best suited for ages 8 and up. Register at: ed by Paul Mueller. accompanied by an adult. http://eecohlonerope.eventbrite.com or call 408- 262-5513 ext. 102. Trails are generally level. Saturday, February 24 Surface* and trail conditions vary. *Twilight Marsh Walk Please call for accessibility information. Visitor Center, Fremont Webelos Adventure Into the Wild 4:30 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. Visitor Center, Fremont 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ture so it works even if you are out of range of See December 9 for program and registration mobile phone service. Meet at the Visitor Center information. See January 13 for program and registration in- to see a slideshow and find out how to obtain a formation. copy of a Geo PDF map of the Don Edwards SF Saturday, February 17 Intro to Geo PDF Maps Bay National Wildlife Refuge. A live demonstra- tion will follow. Led by docent Gregg Aronson. *Salt Marsh Walk Visitor Center, Fremont Register at https://geopdf.eventbrite.com. 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Visitor Center, Fremont Indicators that Fox are in Your Area 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. What’s a Geo PDF map? How do you use it? A Geo PDF map is a map that you download and Visitor Center, Fremont See January 13 for program and registration in- store on your smart phone. Use the free app 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. formation. called PDFMaps to view and navigate from the See December 30 for program and registration *Family Bird Walk stored map in your phone. Use it on hikes or information. bike rides to log your distance, start time, and Visitor Center, Fremont duration, as well as perform other functions. You 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. don’t need wi-fi or a data connection once the See December 9 for program and registration app is installed. It uses your phone’s GPS fea- information.

Black ...Cyber Friday... Monday

November 28, 2017 #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving when people around the world contribute to and promote the causes they care about. Supporting the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society on Giving Tuesday is as easy as 1-2-3: 1) Donate to support the environmental and educational mission of the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society at: www.sfbws.com/donate

2) Apply for your employer matching gift (if available)

3) Share your support on your social networks using #GivingTuesday Thank you!

Page 9 Field Trips to the Refuge ties and demonstrations. There is a limit of General Education Field Trips at the 60 students per field trip, and a 1:10 chaper- Environmental Education one to student ratio is required. Program Information Center in Alviso We offer FREE field trip programs at two 5th-12th grades: Classroom Presentations sites at the Don Edwards San Francisco Wetland Round-Up Field Trips Presentations include an in-depth look at Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Wetland We anticipate offering the field trip program the habitats of the south bay along with the Round-Up field trip programs are offered at March – May 2018. Please note that due pathways of indoor and outdoor water use. our headquarters in Fremont, and Wetland to staffing and budget we may reduce the Students will have a better understanding Round-Up and Living Wetlands are offered number of available field trip dates. of the role they play in the health of their watershed and what personal actions they at the Environmental Education Center Instructions about scheduling a spring 2018 can take to help. The presentation takes in Alviso. These programs actively involve field trip will be posted on our website on approximately one hour. Please contact us teachers, adult volunteers, and students Wednesday, November 15, 2017. You will for specific classroom presentation needs. in investigating the diverse habitats and be notified about your status the week of wildlife at the refuge. The hands-on, small- December 4, 2017. Due to funding restrictions, first priority will group activities are designed to teach basic be given to Title 1 schools in San Jose. Second https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Don_Edwards_ ecological concepts and to introduce endan- priority will be given to schools in Milpitas, San_Francisco_Bay/WetlandRoundUp_ gered species, migratory birds, and wetland Santa Clara, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, Los Alviso.html habitats to the students. All programs have Gatos, Campbell, and Cupertino. been correlated to the appropriate State of Wetland Round-Up Field California Education Standards. For more information, or to make a reserva- Trip Workshops tion, call Colter Cook, Living Wetlands Educators and adult leaders conduct their The workshop dates will be announced Program Coordinator, at 408-262-5513 ext. own field trips after attending a Field Trip on-line with the Field Trip Registration 102 or at [email protected]. Workshop. The workshops allow you to information. design and conduct your own field trip. In Contact the Environmental Education Staff Programs for Colleges addition, adult volunteers must be recruited at Alviso: to lead the activities at the different learning and Universities at the stations and to chaperone the rotation Office: 408-262-5513 ext. 100 Environmental Education groups of students. We provide easy to fol- Cell: 510-377-5250 Center in Alviso email: [email protected] low scripts for each station, but both leaders Staff-led Field Trips and chaperones are strongly encouraged to Guided field trips by staff generally last 1 ½ attend a Field Trip Workshop. New teachers Living Wetlands Program to 2 hours. Reservations must be made at must attend a Field Trip Workshop. The Living Wetlands program provides least eight weeks in advance of the desired a learning environment for students and field trip date. Please contact Hope Presley Field Trips at the Learning educators to explore the topics of watershed at 408-262-5513 ext. 104 or at Center in Fremont health, wetlands, and habitat preservation. [email protected]. Activities and presentations focus on the Wetland Round-Up Field Trip relationship between personal habits and College Instructor-led Excursions We anticipate offering the field trip program their effects on their local wetlands. Living Instructors from area colleges can lead their March – May 2018. Please note that due Wetlands is an environmental education own field excursions at the Environmental to staffing and budget we may reduce the program offered at no cost through the Education Center in Alviso. All college number of available field trip dates. cooperative efforts of the City of San Jose, instructors planning this type of excursion Instructions about scheduling a spring 2018 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the San must make a reservation at least eight weeks field trip will be posted on our website on Francisco Bay Wildlife Society. in advance of a desired date. If your group Wednesday, November 15, 2017. You will size is over 25 you will need to acquire a Program Offerings be notified about your status the week of : (See below for infor- special use permit from our headquarters December 4, 2017. mation about priority schools) office in Fremont. Please contact Hope 5th-12th grades: Integrated Presley, at 408-262-5513 ext. 104 or at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Don_Edwards_ Field Trip Program [email protected]. San_Francisco_Bay/WetlandRoundUp_ Fremont.html This program incorporates multiple activities related to wetlands and watershed Contact the Environmental Education Staff health. Participating classes will receive one at Fremont: pre-classroom presentation from Living Office: 510-792-0222 ext. 475 Wetlands educators, a field trip to the Don Cell: 510-377-7269 Edwards Refuge, and one post-classroom email: [email protected] presentation, all including hands-on activi- Page 10 Application for 2017-2018 New Maps on Blue Goose Bus Funds The Blue Goose Transportation Fund was started with fund- Don Edwards San ing from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Connecting People with Nature Program. The San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society has Francisco Bay provided additional funding for the 2017-2018 school year through a generous grant from the City of San Jose and the California Refuge Website Coastal Conservancy’s Explore the Coast program. The program is By Gregg Aronson, Refuge Docent administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and San Francisco Did you know you can track hiking distances on maps that you Bay Wildlife Society staff. can download to your smart phone? They are PDF maps that have The fund was created to help Title 1 schools and schools with geospatial data embedded in them (GeoPDF maps). proven hardships to access the Wetland Round-Up and Living The Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Wetlands Field Trip programs at the Don Edwards San Francisco website currently has three such maps available on its website. Bay National Wildlife Refuge Environmental Education Center in These maps allow you to view your current location (within Alviso and the Newark Slough Learning Center in Fremont. the map boundaries), track your hiking or biking distance, record Please refer to our website for more information at your start time and duration, and place markers with precise GPS https://go.usa.gov/xRVMJ. You may also contact Genie Moore at locations, just to name a few features. GeoPDF maps work without 408-262-5513 ext. 100 or at [email protected]. wi-fi or data connections, which means you can use them without incurring data charges. You don’t even need to be within range of a cell tower. The maps are stored on your smart phone. To use the maps, you need an app such as Avenza Maps. Avenza Maps is available free of charge. The free version of the app allows you to import up to three GeoPDF maps at a time. Install Avenza Maps from your phone’s app store. The easiest way to get the maps is to download them ahead of time to your own computer. To get maps from the refuge, connect to the following web address: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/don_ edwards_san_francisco_bay/map.html After the map page loads, scroll to the bottom of the page where the links to the refuge TIDELINE GeoPDF maps are located. After you download the maps to the Published quarterly by San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge computer, connect your smart phone to the computer to copy the Complex, with funding from San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society. maps to your phone. Volume 40, Number 4 Come to the Intro to Geo PDF Maps program on Saturday, Editor:...... Carmen Minch February 24 at 10:30 a.m. for a slide show with on how to use the To receive Tideline, email [email protected], or write to: maps. Information on finding maps at other sites and creating your Tideline, San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 1 Marshlands Rd, Fremont, CA 94555 own GeoPDF maps will be included. San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex Administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex exists to preserve wildlife habitat, protect threatened and endangered species, protect migratory birds, and provide opportunities for nature study. Seven refuges are managed from the headquarters in Fremont: Antioch Dunes NWR, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR, Ellicott Slough NWR, Farallon Is- lands NWR, Marin Islands NWR, Salinas River NWR, and San Pablo Bay NWR.

Tideline is On-Line Visit our web sites at http://www.fws.gov/refuge/antioch_dunes http://www.fws.gov/refuge/don_edwards_san_francisco_bay http://www.fws.gov/refuge/ellicott_slough http://www.fws.gov/refuge/farallon http://www.fws.gov/refuge/marin_islands http://www.fws.gov/refuge/salinas_river http://www.fws.gov/refuge/ san_pablo_bay Follow us on Facebook: San Francisco Bay NWR Complex

Page 11 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FIRST-CLASS MAIL FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE DON EDWARDS SAN FRANCISCO BAY POSTAGE & FEES PAID NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 1 Marshlands Road U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Fremont, CA 94555

OFFICIAL BUSINESS Permit No. G-77 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300

WINTER 17-18 Inside This Issue Volume 40, Number 4 1-2 Burrowing Owls 3-4 Refuge Dispatches 5 SFBWS Message 6 Wildlife Society Thanks 7-9 Winter Activities 10-11 Field Trips to the Refuge

Visitor Center, Fremont Learning Center (510) 792-0222 ext. 363 Directions: From Highway 84 (at the east end of the Dumbarton Bridge), exit at Thornton Avenue. Travel south on Thornton Avenue for 0.8 miles to the Refuge entrance on the right. Turn right into the Refuge and follow the signs to the Visitor Center. Environmental Education Center, Alviso (408) 262-5513 Directions: From I-880 or US-101, exit on CA-237 toward It is the policy of Mountain View/ the Fish and Wildlife Alviso. Turn north Service to accommodate onto Zanker Road. individuals with disabilities. Continue on Zanker If you have questions Road for 2.1 miles to concerning programs, or if you need the Environmental accommodation to enable you to participate, Education Center please contact a visitor services staff person, either at the entrance road (a sharp Visitor Center or at the Environmental Education Center. turn at Grand Blvd.).