The Peregrine Falcons of Summit Rock

THE

Santa Clara Valley The Newsletter of the Santa ClaraAVOCET Valley Audubon Society March-April 2012 Audubon Society The Peregrine Falcons of Summit Rock by Shani Kleinhaus SCVAS Environmental Advocate The Spring Three pairs of Peregrine Falcons are known to nest in Santa Clara County. The most Birdathon Starts famous of our peregrines are Clara and Esteban Colbert of San Jose’s City Hall. A nest cam brought this nest close to the hearts of many in our County and beyond, and the efforts of March 24th - Sign- Clara and her consecutive mates in rearing young, their successes, and occasional tragedies, have been shared by a community of thousands of members. up For Your Favorite Less known are peregrines that nest in remote transmission towers in the south bay, Team(s) Today! and the peregrines of Sanborn County Park. In 2008, a peregrine falcon nest was discovered at Summit Rock: the only naturally occurring nest site in Santa Clara County. Park rangers have been monitoring the birds ever since. They found that the pair made a year-round -Pages 8 & 9 home on Summit Rock, and uses the eyrie (raptor nest built in a high inaccessible place) to (or go to www.scvas.org/birdathon) raise young, roost, eat their prey, and, well, …hang out. That year, 2008, the birds raised a late clutch of eggs and tended to the young at the nest well into September. Three months later, in December, the pair again started nest-establishment behaviors. Peregrines chose Summit Rock because of it unique morphology and the way it is situated in the landscape, providing protection, wide views and a bountiful territory. But the unique morphology of the rock also attracts climbers, who have been fond of climbing the rock for decades. Climbers, organized by the Access Fund, asked for permission to climb the rock during the period that the peregrines are not actually nesting. In 2009, after a thoughtful evaluation, the Santa Clara County Parks Department determined that climbing the rock is not compat- ible with protection of the peregrines at the site. The primary reasons provided for the year-round closure of the site to climbing are: • Summit Rock is the only known General Membership Meetings naturally occurring nest site in Santa Cubberley Community Center, Rm H1 Clara County Palo Alto - Middlefield & Montrose Rds • Summit Rock is a unique site with ideal Doors open 7:30; program 8:00 conditions • Occupation of the site is year round Wednesday, March 21st Wednesday, April 18th • The climbing routes are adjacent to the “Bird Response to a Changing “Bringing the Dino-bird to Life” eyrie, and even go through it. Landscape” with Uwe Bergmann, SLAC • Lack of buffering from public at with Stephanie Ellis, SFBBO 150 years ago, fossils of 150-million- a relatively small site may cause abandonment of the eyrie. How are birds being affected by year-old strange creatures – sharing climate change? How do grassland birds characteristics of both modern birds (continued on page 13) respond to fire? The San Francisco Bay and long-extinct dinosaurs were found Bird Observatory (SFBBO) has gathered in Europe. The debate about the early 30 years of data specific to bird populations evolution of birds is still in full swing. Do Winter Rarities a Treat for Birders! in the South Bay to answer these questions these fossils contain information about the — Field Notes, Page 6 original animals that cannot be seen by and more. Learn how Christmas Bird Count Results & bird banding data from eye? Can we learn something about the soft tissues? These questions (and more) were Summaries the Coyote Creek Field — Beginning on Page 10 Station has contributed to recently addressed with a series of studies  a recent ground-breaking carried out at SLAC, using a technique Wingding Family Fest: A Celebra- study providing evidence called x-ray fluorescence imaging. Join tion of Birds and Spring! Stephanie Ellis that birds on the west coast us as we explore how scientists have — Page 14 Outreach & attempted to bring the original dino-birds Communications are getting bigger due to 10th Annual “Going Native Tour” back to life! Photo Above: Director climate change. with CNPS SFBBO Detailed skull (Additional information and detailed directions available image of — Page 15 at www.scvas.org or by calling the SCVAS office) Archeopteryx The Avocet 1 Mar - Apr ‘12 Field Trips plane Park (street is unnamed). Follow the (Full details for all of our Field Trips are also available online at www.scvas.org) road for 1/4 mile and park in the gravel lot at the first bend in road (meet at the gate if Please carpool if possible; bring binoculars, field guides, layered clothing. the entrance is locked). RC LO = Lunch optional; RC = Heavy rain cancels; NF = No facilities available

Saturday Mar. 3, 8:00 AM of the road just past The Sequoias. Meet Saturday Mar. 31, 7:30 AM Blue Oaks Ranch Reserve in the parking lot at Sausal Pond edge of Gilroy Hot Springs Rd Half day. Leader: Bob Reiling (408) 253- the preserve. RC Half day. Leader: Bob Reiling (408) 253- 7527. We will meet at the Washburn trail 7527. Directions: Parking space is limited entrance to Joseph D. Grant County Park. Sunday Mar. 11, 8:00 AM in some places on this trip so we will meet at Directions: If coming from Alum Rock Almaden Lake Park and Alamitos Creek 7:30 AM behind McDonalds (near Kenneth Ave. take Hwy 130, Mt Hamilton Rd., drive Half day. Leader: Steve Tracey (408) Cole) on the right side of Leavesley Rd. approx. 6.7 miles and look for two gates on 966-3860. Directions: From Hwy 85 take (corner of Arroyo Circle) and will carpool your left, and an old decrepit barn off in a Almaden Expwy south. The park is on from there. Notes: FRS radios tuned to field nearby. Turn left into the second of the east (left) side of Almaden Expwy. channel 11 will be especially useful during the two gates, painted yellow with yellow Continue past the park to Coleman Rd. and the driving portion of this trip. Highlights: fence and fence posts. If coming up Quimby return northbound on Almaden Expwy to migrating and breeding birds of southern Rd. turn left on Mt Hamilton Rd and drive the park entrance on the right. Meet in the Santa Clara County. RC approx. 0.8 miles to the two gates on your west parking lot of Almaden Lake Park. right. Notes: This trip will be limited to 12 Difficulty Level: Expect about 3 miles of Sunday Apr. 1, 8:00 AM participants in three cars and carpooling easy walking. Highlights: We will bird Grant Ranch County Park is required. Please call leader to reserve a the lake and the trail upstream looking for Half day. Leader: Rich Page (408) 377- space. RC waterfowl, raptors, and a wide variety of 1092. Directions: From I-680 take Alum riparian birds. Notes: Spring forward, or Rock Ave. northeast, turn right on Hamil- Sunday Mar. 4, 9:00 AM be an hour late for this trip. LO, RC ton Rd. and go approximately 9 miles to Stanford Campus the park. Meet at Grant Lake (aka Hall’s Half day. Leader: Dick Stovel (650) 856- Wednesday Mar. 14, 8:30 AM Valley Lake) parking lot, which is the first 6105. Directions: From Hwy 101 in Palo Gilroy Water Treatment Facility parking lot on the left side of the road (do Alto take University Ave exit west through Half day. Leader: Dennis Porter, (408) 205- not enter the Main Park Entrance on the downtown and into Stanford campus (Uni- 0535. Directions: We will carpool from right). Highlights: Fresh water ducks, versity Ave. becomes Palm Dr.). Meet at McDonald’s on Cochrane Rd. in Morgan oak woodland birds and possible Golden the end of Palm Dr. at entrance to Main Hill. Take 101 south; exit Cochran Rd.; Eagle. Notes: A Park entrance fee will be Quad. Highlights: Local breeding birds and turn right. Turn left at the first stop light required for the last half of the trip. Dif- early returning migrants should be active. and park by McDonald’s. Highlights: We ficulty Level: Trip involves a moderately Difficulty Level: This field trip is highly will drive levees and make other interesting strenuous 2-mile walk. LO, RC recommended for beginning birders. RC stops to catch waterfowl, nesting Magpies, and search for Bald Eagles. RC Wednesday Apr. 4, 12:00 PM Wednesday Mar. 7, 12:00 PM City of Sunnyvale Landfill City of Sunnyvale Landfill Saturday Mar. 24, 8:00 AM One hour. Leaders: Freddy Howell, Al- One hour. Leaders: Freddy Howell, Al- Stevens Creek County Park len Royer and/or Elaine Gould. Contact len Royer and/or Elaine Gould. Contact Half day. Leader: Pat Kenny (408) 725- organizer Silviana Ruiz (408) 730-7545 to organizer Silviana Ruiz (408) 730-7545 0468. Directions: From I-280 in Cupertino attend. See details from Mar. 7th. to attend. Directions: Donald M. Somers take Foothill Expwy exit south 2.1 miles (it Water Pollution Control Plant, junction of becomes Stevens Canyon Rd) turn left into Saturday Apr. 7, 8:00 AM Borregas and Caribbean. Meet at Trailhead first park entrance and meet in first, Chest- Alum Rock Park at north end. Difficulty Level: Birding nut Picnic Area parking lot. Highlights: A Half day. Leader: Jim Johnson (408) 996- geared toward beginners. Notes: Bring top riparian birding spot in the South Bay for 3506. Directions: From Hwy 101 or I-680 binoculars; loaners also available. RC migrants and local breeding birds. Notes: take McKee Rd. northeast toward the hills Entrance fee required. LO, RC then left on Toyon Ave., right on Penitencia Saturday Mar. 10, 8:00 AM Creek Rd. and continue on into the park. Windy Hill OSP Sunday Mar. 25, 8:00 AM Pass under the bridge and meet at the far Half day. Leader: Kirsten Holmquist Ogier Ponds end of the upper parking lot. Difficulty (408) 747-0988. Directions: From I-280 Half day. Leader: Bob Reiling (408) Level: This is a moderately strenuous 3-4 in Portola Valley take Alpine Rd. south 253-7527. Directions: From Hwy 101 in mile walk. LO, RC (toward hills) about 2.9 miles to the first Morgan Hill take Cochrane Rd. west to stop sign, turn right on Portola Rd. and go Monterey Hwy, turn right, go north 2.6 0.8 miles to the parking lot on the left side miles, turn right towards the Model Air- The Avocet 2 Field Trips continued and meet in the parking lot about a half- Photo by Bob Power Sunday Apr. 8, 8:00 AM mile on the right. Difficulty Level: Trip Charleston Slough involves moderately strenuous hiking. RC Half day. Leader: Roxie Handler (408) Sunday Apr. 22, 8:00 AM 730-1745. Directions: From Hwy 101 in Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, Stan- Mt. View take San Antonio Rd. north to ford University Terminal Way parking area. Meet at the Leader entrance nearest San Antonio Rd. Diffi- Half day. : Sonny Mencher (650) culty Level: This trip is recommended for 366-3571 or e-mail soccerquiz@yahoo. Notes beginning birders but all are encouraged to com. : Trip is limited to 16 people; Canyon, working our way west to San attend. Notes: Bring your spotting scope contact Sonny to reserve a space. There is Antonio Valley. Directions: From I-580 and a friend. a fee of $5 per person for the Jasper Ridge Field Trip. Directions: Meet in the park- go east over Altamont Pass, to I-5, south on I-5, west at the Patterson exit (Dia- Wednesday Apr. 11, 8:30 AM ing lot on the right side of Sand Hill Rd as blo Grande Pkwy) and then right on Del Grant Ranch you head west toward the Preserve (near Puerto Canyon Rd. Meet at the first pullout. Half day. Leader: Alan Thomas, (408) the freeway at the intersection of Lawler Highlights: Hoped for highlights include 265-9286. Directions: From I-680 take Ranch Road and Sand Hill Rd.). Form a possible Costa’s Hummingbird, Phainope- Alum Rock Ave. northeast, turn right on carpool at the parking lot, as carpooling is pla, Lewis’s Woodpecker and Lawrence’s Mt. Hamilton Rd. and go approximately 9 now required to minimize the number of Goldfinch. Notes: Bring a full tank of gas, miles to park. Meet at Hall’s Valley Lake cars on the Preserve. Caravan with leader lunch and liquids. parking lot on left, past main park entrance. from the parking area between 7:50 AM

Difficulty Level: Moderate 2 mile walk. and 8:00 AM only, at which time the gate Sunday May 6, 8:30 AM Highlights: Fresh water ducks, oak wood- will then be open. (Do not leave earlier, as Rancho Canada del Oro OSP land birds, possible Golden Eagle. Notes: parking outside the gate is not allowed - it Half day. Leader: Janna Pauser (408) Possible fee. LO, RC poses an unacceptable traffic hazard!). 569-9264 or [email protected]. Direc- From the parking area, the main gate is on tions Saturday Apr. 14, 8:30 AM the left side of the road about 2 miles west : From Hwy 85 take Almaden Expwy Lake Cunningham Park (away from the freeway) on Sand Hill Rd. southeast to Harry Rd.; go right 1 block, Difficulty Level then left on McKean. Take McKean 6+ Half day. Leader: Phyllis Swanson (408) : Trip involves 2-3 miles miles, past Calero Reservoir, and turn right 274-2349. Directions: From Hwy 101 in of moderately strenuous walking, and goes on Casa Loma Rd. Meet at parking lot at San Jose go East on Tully to the entrance rain or shine. end of road, about 2 miles. Highlights: to Lake Cunningham Park, 0.3 miles past Saturday Apr. 28, 8:30 AM Hoped for species include Black-headed Capitol Expwy (Raging Waters). Turn left Ogier Ponds Grosbeak, Western Wood-Pewee, Purple into the park and left again at the entrance Leader Finch, possible Lazuli Bunting. Notes: booth. Meet in the Marina parking lot. Half day. : Rich Page (408) 377- Bring water. LO 1092. For directions see the write-up for Sunday Apr. 15, 8:00 AM Mar. 25th. Ed Levin County Park (North) Sunday Apr. 29, 8:00 AM Half day. Leader: Bob Reiling (408) 253- Hidden Villa 7527. Directions: Take Hwy. 237 east, Leader crossing I-880 and I-680 (237 becomes Half day. : Garth Harwood (650) Highlights Calaveras Rd.), turn left on Downing Rd. 949-8643. : Bird the farm, to the park entrance. Meet in parking lot gardens and wild land edges of this unique on the far, northeast side of Sandy Wool facility with Hidden Villa’s Environmental Lake (near the dog park). Highlights: We Education Director. There will be special Di- will look for migrants and local breeding emphasis on learning to bird by ear. rections birds in Milpitas’ prime birding hot spot. : From I-280 in Los Altos take El Difficulty Level: Be aware that the trail Monte Rd. past Foothill College, turn left is steep in places. Notes: Entrance fee. at Moody Rd. then after approx. 1.7 miles LO, RC left into Hidden Villa. Meet at the first parking lot beside the entrance. Notes: A Don’t Forget: The SCVAS Nature Shop has Saturday Apr. 21, 8:00 AM $5 per car parking fee is required. LO, RC Arastradero OSP books and birding guides Saturday May 5, 8:30 AM Half day. Leader: Kirsten Holmquist (408) for all levels, interests and Mines Rd., Del Puerto Cyn & vicinity 747-0988. Directions: From I-280 take locales. Come for a visit and Full day. Leader: Bob Reiling (408) 253- Page Mill Rd. west (toward the Santa Cruz check us out! mountains) turn right on Arastradero Rd. 7527. We’ll start this trip in Del Puerto The Avocet 3 Conservation Corner Volunteer Ventures By Shani Kleinhaus, Environmental Advocate by Toby Goldberg Programs Coordinator Panoche Valley Solar Farm pedestrian/bicycle bridge to connect the SCVAS’ appeal of the court’s decision Bayshore area to the company’s new If the 2012 National Volunteer Week to uphold the Environmental Review of campus development in Moffett Field. theme – “Celebrating People in Action” – the solar project in Panoche Valley is in The bridge proposed on Crittenden lane doesn’t capture our volunteers perfectly, I progress. We are actively raising funds, would encroach on sensitive wetlands. We don’t know what does! Anyone who has any and working closely with our attorney, are commenting on Environmental Docu- interaction with SCVAS volunteers knows Rose Zoia, to prepare documents and ments and advocating for fewer bridges that they are a very busy bunch - always briefs for the appeal. and for appropriate buffers to protect involved in their communities, and keeping Cuesta Annex in Mountain View endangered species and their habitat. themselves engaged in a myriad of projects Cuesta Park Annex is one of the last Mountain View: North Bayshore Pre- (including, of course, all of the many SCVAS un-developed, un-manicured landscapes cise Plan programs and projects). in the urban span of the valley. Two Mountain View’s vision for the area So, to all of our volunteers – THANK proposals for use of this 12-acre prop- adjacent to Shoreline Park calls for dense, YOU! Please stop in the office to say “hi” erty created controversy in the City of tall buildings in a mixed-use district, and let us show our appreciation, or join us Mountain View: aiming to include housing, small and for the special activities we have planned A Santa Clara Valley Water District large businesses, and a hotel. SCVAS has (more details to come shortly and/or avail- plan to use 7 acres for a flood detention been invited to participate in the North able online). basin as a part of the Permanente Creek Bayshore Working Group for the plan. Special Volunteer Appreciation Din- Flood Protection Project has recently To best protect the birds of Shoreline, we ner and Birdwalk at McClellan Ranch been approved by Mountain View City have been advocating for: Park - Wednesday, May 2nd. We’ll take Council. SCVAS did not oppose this plan. 1) Minimal or no housing develop- advantage of the lengthening spring days, We believe the basin will ensure that the ment (because homes bring cats), and the expertise of our Executive Director, site remains open space into the future, 2) Bird-safe design for all new to do some birding, some socializing, and and eliminate the proposed alternative structures and windows, and some sharing of what we all love about vol- that would construct a dam in the creek 3) Wide setbacks from Per- unteers. The birdwalk will begin at 4:30PM, channel. manente and Stevens Creeks. with dinner at 6:30PM. Please RSVP no later A Mountain View Historical Society For more information, and to than Friday, April 27th to (408) 252-3740 plan to build a museum at the Annex advocate for birds and creeks, please or [email protected]. We look forward was recently withdrawn. In October register and post a comment at http:// to seeing you! 2011, together with the Committee for www.northbayshorepreciseplan.org/ And, if you’ve been thinking about get- Green Foothills, we asked City Coun- Coyote Golf Drive Asphalt Stockpile ting involved, now is a great time to explore cil to encourage the Historical Society Sometimes our work is out of sight our many opportunities and see what might to build the museum elsewhere (see - or doesn’t engage the hearts and minds be a good fit for you. Here’s one that might http://mountainview.patch.com/articles/ of the general population. But the work whet your appetite (more available on our opinion-preserve-cuesta-park-annex-put- is still important. In late 2011, the inter- website under “Volunteer”): historical-museum-elsewhere) change that serves the Coyote Creek Golf Wetlands Discovery Program Docent: Stevens Creek Bridges Club became the dumping ground for a Share the wonder and importance of wet- Five new bridges are currently in huge stockpile of asphalt grinding. This land habitats with 3rd through 6th graders planning for Stevens Creek: underpass is a significant wildlife cor- throughout Santa Clara County. Volunteers Santa Clara County plans two mas- ridor connecting the Diablo Range with guide students in exploring wetland wildlife sive concrete bridges on Stevens Creek the Santa Cruz Mountains. Working with and habitat, both in the classroom and in Canyon road. These would be two-lane the Committee for Green Foothills, we the field. This program is rewarding for bridges with wide shoulders on a one-lane exposed the fact that stockpiling in the both volunteers and the hundreds of South road, less than a mile before the road dead cloverleaf did not undergo environmental Bay children who participate (over 1400 in ends… We commented on environmental review. Our tenacity in asking California 2010/2011)! No experience is necessary - we documents to point out that one-lane Department of Transportation to show the will provide training for both field and class bridges suffice for a one-lane road. We permits for the operations paid off: the sessions. All a potential docent needs is a advocate for narrower bridges that would stockpile and fences are gone, and the love of nature and a desire to share it. impose fewer adverse environmental site was cleaned up and restored. impacts on the creek and its ecosystem. For more information, or to Three additional bridges are planned volunteer for conservation and advocacy, downstream, where Google proposes Please contact Shani ([email protected]). to build two vehicle bridges and one

The Avocet 4 Adult Education Classes - Early Spring 2012 The following classes are sponsored by the SCVAS Education Committee. To register please call the office at (408) 252-3740. All cancellations require 72-hour prior notification for refunds. Information about our upcoming classes is also available on our website at www.scvas.org. Audubon Field Workshop May 11 – 20, 2012 Southeastern Arizona with Bob Power and David Wimpfheimer Fees (due upon sign-up): $1950/person, double-occupancy, $450 single supplement. 12 participant max. Only A Few Spaces Left!

Bird Songs & Calls of Stevens breeding season gets into full swing. Park, Cupertino (3/23). Rancho San An- Creek with Bob Power Bring any field guide where the author tonio Open Space Preserve (3/30). Stevens describes specific bird sounds in the species Creek County Park (4/6 & 4/13 - requires Start your Fridays off right by brushing accounts (Sibley, for example). Enrollment a $6/vehicle daily parking fee). Directions up on your bird song identification skills fee includes a copy of the Breeding Bird and details will be provided before first with Bob’s guidance. Class will be entirely Atlas of Santa Clara Co. class. Fee: $10/per class members; $15/ in the field, so dress warm and dry with class non-members. 4-class discount: $30 comfortable walking shoes. We’ll focus on Dates: Fri’s - 3/23, 3/30, 4/6 & 4/13; members; $45 non-members. Class size is bird calls and bird songs just as the local 8-10AM. Locations: McClellan Ranch limited to 11.

Spring is in the Air raising of the chicks and who leaves town? McClellan Ranch Park, Cupertino. with Lisa Myers Understanding the world behind avian Field: TBD. Fee: $70 members; $90 communication, procreation, copulation non-members. Min: 8 students; Max: 20 This is the perfect time and incubation can help you to become students. of year for this class. We’ll Anna’s a better birder. Don’t be shy; sign up and Hummingbirds Lisa (Let’s Go Birding) has been teaching cover topics many birders learn something new. This class includes are too shy to discuss. For © Tom Grey birding classes on her own and through two weekend field trips in order to observe SCVAS for over a decade, and enjoys example, exactly how do birds procreate? birds in the midst of the breeding season. What exactly is sexual dimorphism? Some focusing on the beginning to intermediate species pair up for life, while some males Dates: Classes: Thur’s - 3/29, 4/5 & birdwatcher. She also leads a guided team, breed with many females and some females 4/12; 7:30-9PM. Field: Sat’s - 3/31 & the Persistent Piciades for the SCVAS have many males. Who helps with the 4/7; 8:30AM-12PM. Location: Classes: annual birdathon.

Wed. 3/7 & 4/4; 7:30-9PM Topic 3/13: Belted Kingfisher SCVAS Events Bay Area Bird Photographers Topic 4/10: Sparrows Lucy Evans Nature Center, Palo Alto Calendar: 3/7: “Pelagic Birding” by Martijn Verdoes. Sat. 3/17; 10AM-3PM 4/4: Topic TBA “Wingding Family Fest” A celebration of spring and all things bird-y, Sat. 3/3, 3/10 & 3/17 See www.scvas.org/babp for details. in partnership with the Midpeninsula Regional (Times & locations vary by date) Wed. 3/7; 6:30PM Open Space District. CNRP Nest Box Training Sessions Birdathon Kick-Off Party See page 14 for more details, or go to website Come join us for hands-on experience on what McClellan Ranch Park, Cupertino - www.scvas.org and click on “Kids’ Corner” it means to be a nest box monitor. We’ll practice For anyone involved in a Birdathon Team - as taking down hanging boxes, learn proper tech- a participant or a sponsor. Join us for laughs, Sun. 4/22 niques for opening and examining the boxes, food, friends, and tips to make your birdathon EARTH DAY! and practice identifying the different species by experience a great one! An entertaining slide Go out and celebrate the beautiful planet we their nests. We may also learn how to clean out show from last year’s photography birdathon live on! There are lots of events happening and repair nest boxes. Heavy rain will postpone will be playing in our conference room around the area to do just that - go to www. to the next sunny weekend. throughout the evening. Please RSVP to 408- scvas.org and click on “Calendar” for more Full details, including times and locations 252-3747. information. and how to register, available on the SCVAS website - www.scvas.org, click on “Calendar” Tues. 3/13 & 4/10; 10AM Wed. 5/2, 4:30PM (Dinner at 6:30PM) Eve Case Bird Discussion Group - meets at the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner & Birdwalk home of Pat Dubois, 17150 Buena Vista Ave., McClellan Ranch Park. Los Gatos (408) 395-4264 See page 4 for details

The Avocet 5 that we’ve found this rare coastal duck. A male (m.ob.). A juvenile was nearby on Felter Road Field Notes Barrow’s Goldeneye remained on Shoreline on 31 Dec (DWe). On the Mt. Hamilton CBC (December 2011-January 2012) Lake throughout the period (m.ob.). A female on 2 Jan, two birds were seen in San Antonio was found on a closed refuge pond on 19 Dec Valley (WGB, RP et al.) and one adult in Isabel by Bill Bousman (DMcI, DaS, MJM). It was a good winter for Valley (MMR, MJM, RGJ). Valley records of seeing loons locally. The juvenile Red-throated Prairie Falcons included one near Hellyer and Geese through Loons Loon at Shoreline Lake in November remained Piercy roads on 16 Dec (BM), an exceptional Greater White-fronted Geese were found there until 1 Dec (MJM). Another juvenile was three birds on 30 Dec (RPh et al) in the Coyote widely during the period, from the South County seen on the Los Gatos Creek CP percolation Valley, and a single bird there on 22 Jan (LMy et WasteWater Authority (SCRWA) Gilroy treat- ponds 3-10 Dec (JPa et al., m.ob.). A juvenile al.). The Snowy Plover roost in Chicago Marsh ment ponds to the South Bay edge. The high was on a closed refuge pond on 6 Dec (MMR, was last seen in October, no birds were reported count was 48 birds flying north over Morgan MJM) and another was on Pond A2E on 1 Jan in November. In a few winters we find snowies Hill on 27 Jan (SCR). An adult Snow Goose (DPe, MMR). The juvenile Pacific Loon seen locally in single digits, but this year has been continued in Shoreline Park through 8 Dec in November continued at Shoreline Lake to different . Birds were seen in the Alviso ponds (m.ob.) and an immature bird showed up there on 1 Dec (DWe, MJM), but was found dead the 6 Dec-31 Jan (MMR, MJM, v.ob.), mostly on 28 Jan (PDu) and remained through the period. Pond A13. The high count was of 66 birds on 18 Two adults were found in Coyote Valley and at Dec (MMR, SCR). The next day, 11 more were the Calero Reservoir 30 Dec through at least 21 Winter rarities seen in Crittenden Marsh (MJM) and these have Jan (MJM, m.ob.). Two immatures were at the continued to at least 18 Jan (v.ob.) with a high SCRWA treatment ponds 12-17 Jan (RWR, FV, included a Long- count of 22 on 3 Jan (WGB). Eleven Lesser JPa et al.). One-day observations elsewhere Yellowlegs were found on the Alviso ponds included up to nine birds (v.ob.). An adult tailed Duck, two Stilt on 6 Dec (MMR, MJM) and these numbers and two immature Ross’s Geese were seen in dwindled through the period with the last bird Coyote Valley and nearby Calero Reservoir Sandpipers, a Wilson’s seen on 17 Jan (v.ob.). Elsewhere, singles were from 30 Dec to at least 21 Jan (MJM, JAC, found on the SCRWA ponds in Gilroy on 9 Dec v.ob.). Eight birds were at the SCRWA treat- Phalarope, and a (MJM) and in the Sunnyvale WPCP on 11 Dec ment ponds 12-17 Jan (RWR, FV, JPa et al.). (MA). Sanderlings in the Alviso ponds were An immature Ross’s photographed at Vasona Harris’s Sparrow found from 6 Dec (MMR, MJM) to the end CP on 16 Jan and the Oka percolation ponds on of the period. The high count was of 27 birds 18 Jan (JPa, LSp et al.) was probably the same next day (RW). Single juveniles were at the seen on 15 Jan (MMR, MJM) with all but one bird. Cackling Geese were found widely during Los Gatos Creek percolation ponds 3-5 Dec on Pond A13. A major surprise on the San Jose the period, but three birds of the ‘Richardson’s’ (LSu, JAC) and along the Guadalupe River on CBC was the discovery of two Stilt Sandpipers subspecies identified at Cottonwood Lake 10-11 Dec (AV et al.). The continuing Com- in Pond A12 on 18 Dec (MMR, SCR). Both 27-29 Jan (MJM) may be the first records for mon Loon found at the Ogier Avenue ponds in birds were seen again on 15 Jan (MMR, MJM). Northern California (they normally winter east November was only seen once more, on 10 Dec These are our first winter records. The Palo Alto of the Rocky Mountains). Pond A14 in Alviso (RFu, DK). Another bird was on the Los Gatos CBC responded by finding a basic Ruff on 19 was the place to be for Eurasian Wigeons 18 Creek percolation ponds on 3 Dec (JPa et al.). Dec (MJM, MMR) that has remained through Dec-15 Jan (v.ob.) with a high count of 6 males the period and pleased many. The last time we on 18 Dec (MMR, SCR). One to two birds Cormorants through Shorebirds had a wintering bird was in 2006-07. Nearly were at the Sunnyvale WPCP 19 Dec and 6 Jan Very rare in the South Bay, a Brandt’s as exciting as the Stilt Sandpipers was a single (MJM, DWe). Another male was at the Palo Cormorant was seen on Pond A16 in Alviso on Wilson’s Phalarope Pond A13 on both 18 Dec Alto Baylands 19 Dec and 20 Jan (MMR, WvD). 2 Dec (JTh) and another bird, perhaps, was on and 15 Jan (MMR, SCR, MJM). This adult is One to two birds were seen in Pond A2W 19 a closed refuge pond on 6 Dec (MMR, MJM). our second winter record. Dec-1 Jan (WGB, v.ob.). Single males were at The peak count of Brown Pelicans was 39 Crittenden Marsh on 3 Jan (WGB) and at the on the Alviso ponds on 18 Dec (MMR, SCR). Gulls through Phainopepla SCRWA ponds in Gilroy on 17 Jan (JPa et al.). Few birds linger into late January, so one over Lesser Black-backed Gull was seen on As in recent winters the largest number of Blue- Pond A1 on 28 Jan (MMR, MJM) is of interest. closed refuge ponds on 18 Dec (DMcI, DaS), the winged Teal were found at the SCRWA ponds Wintering American Bitterns included one at first since the winter of 2007-08. First-winter in Gilroy 6 Dec-17 Jan (v.ob.), seven males and the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) Glaucous Gulls have shown up, the first was five females were seen there on 6 Dec (MJM). ponds between 5 and 10 Dec (JPa, AV), two along a bird seen on Pond A16 on 18 Dec (MMR, A male was in Pond A1 on 7 Dec (GZ). One to the Alviso Slough Trail on 3 Jan (PDu), one at SCR) and again on 15 Jan (MMR, MJM). The four or more blue-wings were in Artesian (Mal- the Ogier Avenue ponds on 12 Jan (AV), and second was near the Coyote Creek Field Sta- lard) Slough in Alviso 18 Dec-31 Jan (SCT fide one in the entrance channel in Mountain View tion (CCFS) waterbird pond on 19 and 27 Jan KHo, m.ob.). One male was in Stevens Creek 24-28 Jan (FV, v.ob.). A 1st-winter White-faced (JC). The third was on the Ogier Avenue ponds below Crittenden Lane on 19 Dec (WGB) and Ibis was found along Thompson Creek above 28-29 Jan (SCR, DWe). Absent since August, a pair was in the Mountain View Forebay on Tully Road on 4 Dec (JPa, PSw) and remained four Black Skimmers showed up on 1 Jan in 25 Jan (RWR, FV). Remarkable numbers of through the period (m.ob.) By 14 Jan it was both Charleston Slough (GZ) and Pond A1 Redheads were found on ponds along the Bay starting to show some pink on its facial skin (MMR). A peak count was of 8-10 birds on 17 this winter. A count of 1085 on 18 Dec (MMR, (MMR). An adult and a juvenile Ferruginous Jan (JDeB). A Greater Roadrunner was found SCR) set a new one-day record for the county. Hawk were seen in Coyote Valley throughout northeast of Hellyer Avenue on 29 Dec (RFu) A male found inland on the SCRWA treatment the period (m.ob.). At least two more adults and seen again on 30 Dec (RFu, DK) and 28 ponds in Gilroy on 6 Dec (MJM) was unusual. were over nearby Tulare Hill on 30 Dec (RPh Jan (MMR, MJM). A Short-eared Owl was A Long-tailed Duck seen on Pond A2W on 28 et al.). An adult along Marsh Road on 9 Dec seen along Laguna Avenue in Coyote Valley Dec (PKe, RKe) marks the third winter in a row (MO’B) was seen there at least through 18 Dec after sunset on 28 Dec (RFu) and another was The Avocet 6 cont’d Marsh Road on 9 Dec (MO’B) Creek Trail on 14 Dec (JPa), Field Notes and remained there through one along Los Gatos Creek flushed along Coyote Slough near Pond A9 the period (m.ob.). Singles in San Jose on 18 Dec (RGJ), on 9 Jan (PDu). Presumably the same female were also found near Bass two near Stevens Creek and Costa’s Hummingbird that showed up at a Lake in Joseph Grant CP on 22 El Camino on 19 Dec (SP, DJ Morgan Hill feeder in mid-September was seen Dec (PDu) and a female was et al.), one in downtown Los again on 24 and 26 Dec, and 2 and 28 Jan after at the north end of the park on Altos on 21 Dec (GHa), one being absent for about five weeks (SCR). Mt. 16 Jan (MO’B, DRo). on Fulton Street in Palo Alto on 22 Dec (PJM), one along Hamilton CBC tallies of Lewis’s Woodpecker Warblers through on 2 Jan included 34 from the Isabel Valley Los Gatos Creek in Los Gatos Goldfinches (MMR, MJM, RGJ) and 23 from the San on 13 Jan (PEL et al.), and Northern Water- Antonio Valley (WGB, RP). An adult female two at Vasona CP on 16 Jan thrushes continued to be Yellow-bellied Sapsucker that is wintering in (JPa). Up to 17 Great-tailed found in the Charleston Road Menlo Park flew across to Santa Clara County Grackles have roosted at Lake marsh with at least two birds on 2 Dec (WGB) and 11 Jan (RSTh, LB). A Cunningham 3 Dec-20 Jan recorded on 1 Jan (MMR), Wilson’s Phalarope juvenile Yellow-bellied graced a persimmon (PDu, MJM). One or more 21 Jan (MDo et al.), and 26 by Tom Grey tree in the Picchetti Ranch OSP on New Year’s birds were near the Alviso ponds Jan (DWe). A Black-and-White Day (TGr) and remained there to 8 Jan (v.ob.). on 13 Dec (PDu). One to six birds Warbler was seen in Rancho San Antonio OSP A male Red-naped Sapsucker was at the have visited their old haunts at the Coyote Creek on 5 Dec (MA) and was re-found the next day Charleston Road marsh 18 Jan (WGB). It has GC 30 Dec-21 Jan (MJM, MMR, v.ob.). There (PDu). A wintering Nashville Warbler was been a good winter for flycatchers. A Pacific- have been reports of Pine Siskins at a couple of found creekside at Lake Cunningham on 26 slope Flycatcher was found along Alamitos feeders and one at least was over Stevens Creek Jan (WGB, JRy). A female-type American Creek near Mt. Forest Drive on 14 Dec and Canyon on 8 Jan (RFu). But the bigger news Redstart was found at Lake Cunnigham on 20 was seen there at least through the end of the was of a sizeable flock attracted by alder seeds Jan (PDu) and seen there through 24 Jan (m.ob.). month (JPa). An Eastern Phoebe was found in lower Sanborn-Skyline CP. About 24 were We have about three prior winter records. The along the Guadalupe River at Hedding Street counted on 7 Jan (JE, PaB) and good numbers female Blackburnian Warbler continued on 18 Dec (LCu, GK). Another bird was seen were there at least through 18 Jan (m.ob.). A along Fulton Street in Palo Alto through 9 Dec at Lake Cunningham on 20 Jan (PDu) and has male Lawrence’s Goldfinch at Monte Bello (m.ob.). Wintering Black-throated Gray remained there through at least 24 Jan (v.ob.). OSP on 29 Dec (CL) was the only one from the Warblers included two along Stevens Creek A Warbling Vireo at the Los Capitancillos Santa Cruz Mountains. But in the Diablo Range, below Homestead Road on 19 Dec (SP, JD et percolation ponds on 6 Jan (JPa) is the third there was a record count of 386 Lawrence’s on al.), one at Stanford on 4 Jan (RFu), and one at winter record for the county. A Red-breasted the Mt. Hamilton CBC on 2 Jan. the Coyote Reservoir CP on 11 Jan (JPa et al.). Nuthatch was heard in Cupertino on 24 Dec Hermit Warblers included one along the Skid (DJ) for the third winter. There is no irruptive Observers: MaryAnn Allan (MA), Leonie Batkin Road Trail at Monte Bello OSP on 19 Dec and a movement this year, so perhaps it is a local (LB), Laurie Bechtler (LBe), Bill Bousman (WGB), different bird at Monte Bello’s Gate 5 the next Patty Brown (PaB), John Cant (JC), Jack Cole (JAC), bird. House Wrens attempting to overwinter day (both GHa). A few Wilson’s Warblers Lori Cuesta (LCu), John DeBell (JDeB), Matthew included singles along Thompson Creek on 18 manage to survive into December, but one found Dodder (MDo), Pete Dunten (PDu), Judy Enos (JE), Dec (PDu, BTh), near Tulare Hill on 30 Dec at the Ulistac Natural Area on 17 Jan (LBe) was Rob Furrow (RFu), Tom Grey (TGr), Garth Harwood (RPh et al.), and on Casa Loma Road on 25 Jan (GHa), Kirsten Holmquist (KHo), Debi Jamison (DJ), less expected. Wintering Chipping Sparrows (JPa). Similarly, a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in Richard Jeffers (RGJ), Kent Johnson (KJ), Danny showed up once more in Jeffrey Fontana Park Santa Teresa CP on 16 Jan (GHa) was likely Karp (DK), Roland Kenner (RKe), Pat Kenny (PKe), on 2 Dec, when six were tallied (JPa). Some trying to overwinter. One to two American Greg Kerekes (GK), Caroline Lambert (CL), Paul E. have remained to at least 4 Jan (v.ob.). Win- Dippers were found along Stevens Creek Lehman (PEL), Mike Mammoser (MJM), Breanna tering Grasshopper Sparrows may be more Martinico (BM), Steve McHenry (SMcH), David Mc- above Mt. Eden Road 1-26 Jan (RFu, m.ob.). common than the numbers suggest, considering Intyre (DMcI), Peter Metropulos (PJM), Lisa Myers At least one other bird was seen farther up the how secretive they are. A bird was found in Ed (LMy), Matt O’Brien (MO’B), Richard Page (RPa), creek beyond Redwood Gulch Road 10-14 Jan Levin CP on 18 Dec (RCP, SMcH fide KHo) and Janna Pauser (JPa), Steve Patt (SP), Don Pendleton (RCP, JTa). Two birds were found along Los (DPe), Ryan Phillips (RPh), Bob Power (RCP), Bob another was seen in Santa Teresa CP on 30 Jan Gatos Creek above Main Street in Los Gatos on Reiling (RWR), Dave Rocha (DRo), Mike Rogers (JPa). The wintering Swamp Sparrow along 18 Jan (KJ). A single bird was along Saratoga (MMR), Steve Rottenborn (SCR), Jennifer Rycenga the outfall channel at the Palo Alto Baylands Creek above Toll Gate Road on 23 Jan (KJ). (JRy), Larry Spivak (LSp), Dale Stahlecker (DaS), was seen again on 19 Dec (MMR) and 21 Jan Golden-crowned Kinglets included two along Linda Sullivan (LSu), Phyllis Swanson (PSw), Jane (WGB). One nearby in the Baylands on 23 Dec Tatchell (JTa), Jim Thomas (JTh), Brent Thordarson the Skid Road Trail in Monte Bello OSP on 19 (RWR) may well be the same as the outfall chan- (BTh), Ron Thorn (RSTh), Steve Tracey (SCT), Win Dec (GHa), one or more along the John Nicholas nel bird. Another Swamp Sparrow was found van Dam (WvD), Frank Vanslager (FV), Ann Verdi Trail in Sanborn-Skyline CP on 5 and 29 Jan creekside at Lake Cunningham 14 and 18 Jan (AV), Dave Weber (DWe), Ron Wolf (RW), and Gena (JPa, AV), and one in Upper Stevens Creek CP Zolotar (GZ). (MMR, MJM). It has been a very good winter on 17 Jan (WGB). An immature male Moun- for White-throated Sparrows with about 21 tain Bluebird was a brief visitor to the Sierra records, only two of which were feeder birds. Road summit on 18 Dec (MJM). This is our The Calero-Morgan Hill CBC found six birds, a first record since the winter of 1999-2000. The RARITIES: Please drop me a note: new count record. An adult Harris’s Sparrow Red-throated Pipit found in the San Jose-Santa Bill Bousman, 321 Arlington Way, came to a feeder in Cambell on 4 Dec (LMy) Clara WPCP drying ponds in late November was and has remained through the period. This is the Menlo Park, CA 94025, found again on 6 Dec (SCR), which is very late. first we’ve had since 2004. Wintering Western or: [email protected] A male Phainopepla was found at the end of Tanagers included one along the Los Alamitos The Avocet 7 The 2012 SCVAS Spring Birdathon Wants YOU! Everyone, from beginner to expert birder, can participate in the on your patio counting species at your feeders; 2012 SCVAS Spring Birdathon, a major fundraising event for - Or, design a route with multiple stops and habitats in SCVAS Conservation efforts and youth environmental educa- four hours, competing against Bob Power to break that tion. Your participation makes Audubon bird education and “100 species in 4 hours” barrier; conservation in the south bay possible. - Or, compete for the “most species” glory by racing around • Anyone can join a team by self-donating or raising at least Santa Clara County from before dawn until after dark, $50. birding in as many habitats and locations as humanly • Anyone can be a sponsor. Check www.scvas.org/birdathon possible in a 24-hour period. to pick a Birdathon team or individual to sponsor. Donate Your birdathon is only limited by your imagination. Kayak- on-line at SCVAS.org/Birdathon, click on “Sponsor a team ers, where are you?! or member” in the left hand menu and follow the easy direc- 4. Raise money - at least $50 per team member. It’s so much tions. Or, go old-school and Call the office at 408-252-3747 easier than you think. Most people you know will be delighted or send a check to SCVAS, 22221 McClellan Rd., Cupertino, to support your efforts for a good environmental education CA. Be sure to specify the team or the team member you’d program with a small or large tax-deductible donation. Call, like to sponsor e-mail, or write all your friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, • Anyone can win fabulous prizes, from optics and birding and acquaintances, to ask for pledges or donations. Sound trips to entertainment tickets, exotic resort getaways, excel- too hard? It’s not! Last year, 39 participants raised $300 or lent wines, and much more, by raising money and being a top more! You can, too! We have a whole page of fundraising fundraiser! Top fundraisers get their choice of prizes. This is tips on our web-site. a fun event folks. 5. Bird with your team on your Birdathon Day and have fun! 6. Collect your pledges, or have your sponsors send in their Here are the basics of how to join in the Birdathon fun, raise donations and be sure to turn in the money you’ve raised, money and compete for a prize: pledge sheets, and results form to the SCVAS office by 1. Check www.scvas.org/birdathon for Birdathon rules, in- Monday, May 14th 5:00 p.m., to be eligible for prizes. formation, and prize list. Check back, as the prize list will 7. Attend the free Birdathon Awards Dinner on Wednes- be updated often. day, June 6th. Prizes are awarded to the top fundraisers 2. Join a Guided Team led by one of our many experienced and everyone can participate in bird contests and games and birders (see below or page 9) by registering on-line at www. maybe win another prize. Share Birdathon stories with other scvas.org/birdathon (check www.scvas.org for a complete participants over a relaxed, informal dinner. Feel great that list of leaders and teams) or by calling Susan or Jessie at the you have helped fund SCVAS conservation efforts and youth SCVAS Office, (408) 252-3747 environmental education, and had such a good time doing it. 3. Talk to your birding friends and organize your own team. Pick your day from March 24th to April 22nd, inclusive, and Can’t participate? Anyone can be a sponsor. Check www.scvas. Register yourself and your team. Plan your birding day with org/birdathon to pick a Birdathon team or individual to sponsor. your teammates, Creating a 4-Hour or 24-hour Birdathon that fits your team. For example: The SCVAS Birdathon Committee hopes this is the year YOU - Spend four hours on a Saturday snacking in lounge chairs will decide to join in the fun!

Photographer’s Birdathon! Youth In its 2nd year, the Photographer’s Birdathon invites and Birdathon Adventure encourages camera-toting birders to join in the Birdathon fun. The Fledglings with Pati Rouzer Using the same time period, March 24th to April 22nd, Sat, March 31st; 7:30am to 12:00pm photographers can form their own teams, team up with a birder friend, or join a 4-hour or 24- hour big day team to maximize their chances at photographing the most species. Photographers Past President of SFBBO’s Board of will compete with other birders for the fundraising prizes but will have their own recognition for Directors, Pati is an avid birder and best bird photograph, rarest bird, and most identifiable bird species. Photographers winning in international trip leader. Team Fledglings each category will be memorialized on a plaque in the SCVAS office. Additionally, the winner of will blitz Santa Clara County from the the best bird photograph (judged contest) and the rarest bird photograph, will have their photos Palo Alto Baylands to Alviso to Ed Levin featured on our web-site and framed and featured in our offices for one year. At the end of the year, Park. Maximum team size is 10, ages 6 the photo will be given to the photographer or donated to the following year’s birdathon prizes. to 16 welcomed. The Team will be fun and yet focused on finding Dust off your lenses and clear your calendars. Photographers, time to join in the fun! cool birds. Participants must be accompanied New for 2012: Going after rarest bird? Bob Hirt ([email protected]) or Bob Power (bob@scvas. by a parent or guardian. org) will make themselves available to you as your personal bird guide and teammate. Pick the bird, pick your time, let’s go!

The Avocet 8 “Go Guided” – Join one of our Prearranged Spring Birdathon Teams We are looking for all levels of birders to join one of our prearranged Big-Sit, Biking, Boating, 4-hour, or 24-hour (any team going out longer than 4 hours and up to 24 hours) Guided Birdathon teams. All you have to do is raise the minimum requirement of $50, grab your binoculars and go birding! Beginners can out-compete experts for great prizes by gathering more donations. Space on guided teams is limited. Register for and see complete descriptions of these teams at www.scvas.org/birdathon. Except where noted, teams are for adults over 17. The registration deadline is one week before the trip date. Each leader will contact you with complete details prior to your Birdathon adventure! Persistent Picidaes with Varied Twitchers with Mike Lisa Myers (Let’s Go Birding) 24-hour Birdathon Teams Rogers - Sat, April 21st - Sun, April 15th This is a high intensity day with ing on his San Antonio Valley to experience a fast-paced big-day This is the perfect team regardless one of the Bay Area’s premier Transect for many years on South with a leader who can find all the of your birding skill level - every- birders. Start your big-day early Bay Birds and now you get to live birds! Wee hours of the AM to one is welcome, you’ll bird all with owling and continue until it for a day. An extraordinary op- dusk. 140+ species. around the county, you’ll have a sunset. This team holds the re- portunity to learn about the birds great time, and team members are cord for winning all the 24-hour and habitats of the Diablo Range. DeDucktions with Matthew gracious and helpful for all who Most Species awards since 2003. Trip starts in San Antonio Valley wish to participate. If you need Dodder - Sat, April 21st 160+ species. and ends along the bay. Carpool- a pair of binoculars, let us know Matthew is a superb birder, very ing will be essential. Group size when you sign up and they will popular Birdathon team leader and Rock Wrens with Bob Hirt limited to 8. Two vehicles max. be provided. Group size up to 20. accomplished birding instructor at - Sun, April 22nd Dawn to dusk. 90+ species. 7:30 AM until dusk. 100+ species. Palo Alto Adult School. All levels Join this long-time birder and SCVAS Board Member for an of birders are encouraged to join Bob-O-Links with Bob Power active day in the field. Start early SAVvy Migrants with Bill this team and experience the thrill - Sat, April 21st for owls in the western foothills, Bousman - Sun, April 15th Join SCVAS’s Executive Direc- of a professionally led team that zigzag to the Bay for shorebirds, An all-day birding adventure tor whose leadership style will “gets the birds.” Join this fast and then climb up the eastern slope, with Bill Bousman, author of the complement all birding levels. This paced pre-dawn-to-dusk tour of ending after dusk. Bob is ready Breeding Bird Atlas of Santa Clara is a perfect team if you haven’t the county. 140+ species. to help beginning birders join the County, CA. Bill has been report- done a Birdathon before, but want excitement! 140+ species.

Mean Green Birding survey, including the Stocklmeir Machines with Rob Furrow - 4-hour Birdathon Teams property (next in line for creek restoration). You can participate in Sun, April 1st Dowitchers. Carpool from San Includes tour of historic south This whirlwind bayside biking the Birdathon part only or the entire Antonio Rd. to Stevens Canyon bay yacht club. Refreshments are adventure starts at Sunnyvale survey. This will be the 3rd year and back again to visit a hefty mix included. Limit 6 team members. Baylands, heads to Alviso and back of surveying the newly restored of habitats. Expect a fast-pace 30+ species. again and finishes at Charleston and renovated Blackberry Farm while birding 8 AM to noon. 80+ Slough, time permitting. The and the 10th consecutive year of species. Cupertino Creek Cruisers the survey in conjunction with the adventure will be roughly 20 with Debi Jamison - Sun, miles, at a moderate pace. High- Birdathon! Surf Scoters with Susan Bell April 15 (rain date April 22). performance road bikes are not - Sat, April 14th Help with this annual survey of Rushing Thrushes recommended for these trails, with Bob Bird the marshes of Alviso Slough birds along the reaches of Stevens but personal discretion is wel- Power - Sun, April 15th from a unique vantage point – Creek from McClellan Raod to come. 80+ species expected. Bob’s east-side blitz will start east aboard the historic 44-foot tugboat Stevens Creek Blvd. in Cupertino. of Milpitas and end in Alviso, Sea Dive Hi-Speed Rails with Bob the . Join firstmate Susan The first part of the survey will be exploring the unique habitats of Bell and Captain Charles Bell to Power - Sun, April 8th conducted as a 4-hour Birdathon. the Diablo Foothills and the bay. cruise the slough for a few hours Then we will continue on for about Join Bob on his Stevens Creek Join this fast-pace chase 8 AM to then finish counting on shore. three hours more to complete the blitz, searching for Dippers to noon. 80+ species.

Continuing a great tradition Yellow-rumped Squatters Big-sit Challenge Birdathon Teams: of SFBBO-SCVAS support and with Lori Cuesta - Sat, April Multiple teams in multiple locations competing against each collaboration, the DataSets will 14th other on the same day! migrate over to Charleston Slough Join Lori’s team at our headquar- in Mountain View for a morning ters in McClellan Ranch Park in Eagle Eyes with Bob Power - those who don’t want to spend a of shorebirds (and maybe even Cupertino (location TBC) from Sat, April 14th lot of time chasing around town. some owl-y surprises) perfectly 8am-12pm to see how many spe- Bob’s Big-sit Challenge team will 40+ species. situated between multiple habitats. cies you can identify from a single be counting from the north face 40+ species. spot using scopes. 40+ species. of Coyote Lake at the dam. The DataSets with Stephanie Ellis Big-sit Birdathon is perfect for (SFBBO) - Sat, April 14th The Avocet 9 2011 SANTA CLARA COUNTY CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS Species SJ PA MtH Cal-MH Species SJ PA MtH Cal-MH 12/18/11 12/19/11 1/02/12 12/30/11 12/18/11 12/19/11 1/02/12 12/30/11 Greater White-fronted Goose 2 15 - - Ferruginous Hawk 1 - 6 5 Snow Goose - - - 2 Golden Eagle 21 1 5 18 Ross’s Goose - - - 4 American Kestrel 65 28 14 76 Cackling Goose 12 9 - 1 Merlin 8 10 3 7 Canada Goose 1492 1142 1 908 Peregrine Falcon 14 7 - 6 Wood Duck 14 10 65 127 Prairie Falcon 3 - 2 3 Gadwall 276 407 18 101 falco, sp 2 - - 1 Eurasian Wigeon 6 4 - - Clapper Rail - 5 - - Eurasian x American Wigeon 1 - - - Virginia Rail 48 14 1 3 American Wigeon 1776 2853 202 9 Sora 68 10 4 3 Mallard 1695 1177 132 597 Common Gallinule 9 6 - 12 Blue-winged Teal 2 1 - - American Coot 8626 8670 383 2582 Cinnamon Teal 49 13 - 1 Black-bellied Plover 158 8 - - Northern Shoveler 12662 5089 - 29 Snowy Plover 48 11 - - Northern Pintail 1694 1389 - 1 Semipalmated Plover 32 173 - - Green-winged Teal 1667 618 4 29 Killdeer 488 102 13 219 Canvasback 2550 3063 - 6 Black-necked Stilt 1279 167 - 8 Redhead 1292 16 - - American Avocet 1287 2385 - - Ring-necked Duck 16 72 52 93 Spotted Sandpiper 4 2 - 11 Greater Scaup 801 29 - 4 Greater Yellowlegs 90 61 9 5 Lesser Scaup 404 108 - 20 Willet 40 2152 - - aythya, sp 479 11509 - - Lesser Yellowlegs 8 2 - - Surf Scoter 26 129 - - Yellowleg sp 1 - - - Bufflehead 725 151 109 152 Long-billed Curlew 145 231 - 1 Common Goldeneye 206 141 - 39 Marbled Godwit 21 2150 - - Barrow’s Goldeneye 1 1 - - Ruddy Turnstone - 1 - - Hooded Merganser 14 63 - 35 Sanderling 12 - - - Common Merganser 41 18 7 337 Western Sandpiper 2983 2464 - - Red-breasted Merganser 53 1 - - Least Sandpiper 2011 555 1 38 Ruddy Duck 4656 9574 78 114 Dunlin 1412 2850 - - duck, sp 400 4 - 3 Stilt Sandpiper 2 - - - California Quail 90 220 706 525 peep sp 1880 39400 - - Ring-necked Pheasant 4 3 - - sandpiper sp 104 - - - Wild Turkey 191 9 83 560 Ruff - 1 - - Pied-billed Grebe 202 145 23 175 Short-billed Dowitcher 6 228 - - Horned Grebe 6 4 - 1 Long-billed Dowitcher 139 112 - 1 Eared Grebe 3390 85 3 103 dowitcher, sp 2650 1615 - Western Grebe 230 35 - 60 Wilson’s Snipe 50 6 9 14 Clark’s Grebe 68 21 - 8 Wilson’s Phalarope 1 - - - aechmophorus, sp 129 84 - - Bonaparte’s Gull 409 401 - - Double-crested Cormorant 439 264 - 489 Mew Gull 450 10 - 3 American White Pelican 212 27 - 2 Ring-billed Gull 527 880 - 81 Brown Pelican 47 50 - - Western Gull 44 36 - 2 American Bittern 1 - - - California Gull 1938 1080 - 3124 Great Blue Heron 43 32 8 21 Herring Gull 4212 676 - 681 Great Egret 87 69 - 69 Thayer’s Gull 95 5 - 21 Snowy Egret 110 89 - 31 Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 - - - Green Heron 4 2 - 7 Glaucous-winged Gull 263 18 - 14 Black-crowned Night-Heron 377 153 4 12 Western x Glaucous-w Gull 5 3 - - White-faced Ibis 1 - - - Glaucous Gull 1 - - - Turkey Vulture 327 76 5 221 Glaucous Gull x Gllaucous-w Gull 1 - - - Osprey 1 1 - 4 gull sp 1091 891 - 3617 White-tailed Kite 47 38 - 52 Forster’s Tern 164 13 - - Bald Eagle 2 - 5 4 Rock Pigeon 1410 493 15 1418 Northern Harrier 45 24 2 28 Band-tailed Pigeon 90 56 136 285 Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 4 7 11 Eurasian Collared-Dove 39 8 - 116 Cooper’s Hawk 15 13 13 26 Mourning Dove 421 429 112 485 accipiter, sp 2 3 2 4 Greater Roadrunner - - - 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 36 65 3 80 Barn Owl - 4 1 10 Red-tailed Hawk 206 134 63 169 Western Screech-Owl 1 9 13 9 Red-tailed (Harlan’s) Hawk 1 - - - Great Horned Owl 5 6 4 8

The Avocet 10 Species SJ PA MtH Cal-MH Species SJ PA MtH Cal-MH 12/18/11 12/19/11 1/02/12 12/30/11 12/18/11 12/19/11 1/02/12 12/30/11 Northern Pygmy-Owl - 1 1 2 Phainopepla 1 - 1 - Burrowing Owl 18 4 - 3 Orange-crowned Warbler 8 11 - 1 Short-eared Owl - - - CW Common Yellowthroat 61 35 1 11 Northern Saw-whet Owl - 1 - - Yellow-rumped Warbler (form ?) 1170 458 12 779 White-throated Swift 20 10 5 9 (Audubon’s) 419 593 - 110 Anna’s Hummingbird 337 441 29 180 (Myrtle) 34 12 1 28 Belted Kingfisher 16 5 6 36 Black-throated Gray Warbler - 2 - - Lewis’s Woodpecker - - 87 - Townsend’s Warbler 45 168 1 48 Acorn Woodpecker 107 318 347 398 Hermit Warbler - 1 - - Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 1 - - Spotted Towhee 46 192 100 234 Red-breasted Sapsucker 10 4 28 9 Rufous-crowned Sparrow 7 - - 49 Nuttall’s Woodpecker 92 112 44 140 California Towhee 263 358 154 502 Downy Woodpecker 16 17 2 21 Chipping Sparrow - - - 7 Hairy Woodpecker 21 13 16 Lark Sparrow 69 - 33 88 Northern (Red-Shafted) Flicker 140 158 126 237 Sage Sparrow - - 18 - Northern (RedxYellow) Flicker 1 - - 1 Savannah Sparrow 319 43 39 138 Northern (Yellow-Shafted) Flicker 1 - - 1 Grasshopper Sparrow 1 - - - (intergrade) - 1 - - Fox Sparrow 49 40 - 50 Unidentified form - - 2 - Fox Sparrow (Sooty) - - 101 - Pileated Woodpecker - 2 - - Fox Sparrow (Slate Colored) - - 9 - woodpecker sp 2 - - - Fox Sparrow (unidentified) - - 24 - Pacific-slope Flycatcher - - - 1 Song Sparrow 254 146 15 165 Empidonax, sp 1 1 - - Lincoln’s Sparrow 49 42 1 61 Black Phoebe 386 252 36 268 Swamp Sparrow - 1 - - Eastern Phoebe 1 - - - White-throated Sparrow 1 5 1 6 Say’s Phoebe 39 11 7 47 White-crowned Sparrow 1797 1080 834 1486 Loggerhead Shrike 16 5 2 8 Golden-crowned Sparrow 632 763 773 821 Hutton’s Vireo 3 60 2 16 sparrow sp 66 129 42 170 Steller’s Jay 145 292 47 234 Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 425 930 1517 1311 Western Scrub-Jay 358 687 438 883 Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco - 1 - - Yellow-billed Magpie 75 - 203 208 Unidentified form - - 71 - American Crow 1450 994 57 902 Western Tanager 1 2 - - Common Raven 102 126 54 86 Red-winged Blackbird 701 501 165 1644 Horned Lark 67 - - 63 Tricolored Blackbird - - 868 545 Tree Swallow 91 5 2 - Western Meadowlark 261 241 177 573 Violet-green Swallow 19 - - - Brewer’s Blackbird 848 249 223 1698 Swallow sp 22 - - - Great-tailed Grackle 17 - - 3 Chestnut-backed Chickadee 210 781 4 418 Brown-headed Cowbird 14 23 1 3 Oak Titmouse 79 314 309 423 blackbird sp 239 1 269 412 Bushtit 832 1059 113 1042 Purple Finch 1 38 11 71 White-breasted Nuthatch 43 42 119 122 House Finch 1196 701 38 1482 Pygmy Nuthatch - 8 - - Lesser Goldfinch 335 318 123 404 Brown Creeper - 43 4 12 Lawrence’s Goldfinch - - 394 - Rock Wren 6 - 1 11 American Goldfinch 142 63 2 101 Bewick’s Wren 71 205 55 302 goldfinch sp - 15 - - House Wren 1 1 - 3 House Sparrow 125 56 33 72 Pacific (Winter) Wren - 5 - - Nutmeg Mannikin - - - 10 Marsh Wren 75 20 4 2 Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2 3 - Total Species 173 168 107 148 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 203 280 65 329 Total 92,704 124,690 11,464 43,237 Wrentit 19 93 55 86 Western Bluebird 245 174 298 242 Key: sp = species undetermined Mountain Bluebird 1 - - - CW = Count Week Hermit Thrush 91 173 58 193 American Robin 657 1351 189 1806 SJ = San Jose: compiled by Kirsten Holmquist Varied Thrush 7 43 18 81 PA = Palo Alto: compiled by Al Eisner Northern Mockingbird 95 46 1 86 MtH = Mount Hamilton: compiled by Bob Hirt California Thrasher 4 29 33 29 Cal-MH = Calero-Morgan Hill: compiled by Ann Verdi European Starling 2241 1304 218 2465 American Pipit 209 70 1 189 Data entry and chart format by Bonnie Bedford-White. Cedar Waxwing 268 199 - 391

The Avocet 11 2011 Christmas Bird Count Summaries Palo Alto CBC birds matching the previous high. The 11 3 on A-14) and (Steve Tracey; 1 on A-16). by Al Eisner, Compiler Orange-crowned Warblers represented an Also reported along the shoreline area of The Palo Alto CBC was held December impressive total. Raptor numbers were the count were: Blue-Winged Teal (Steve 19 in good weather; chilly early on (par- typical, with a good count of Red-tailed Tracey, 2 in Mallard Slough in the vicinity ticularly at higher elevations) but warming Hawks, and Red-shouldered Hawks hitting of the EEC) and a perplexing Empidonax sp. up nicely. The total number of species was another new high; but the total for American (Pat Kenny and Roland Kenner, Sunnyvale 168, one fewer than the previous year’s. We Crow at least temporarily leveled off. For Baylands Park). missed six species which have been found some really large numbers, check out the The eastern side of the count came on most recent counts, most surprisingly peeps in the accompanying tally! At the through with a major rarity of its own, an Black Skimmer. The other misses were other extreme (a near miss): just a single immature male Mountain Bluebird (Mike Whimbrel and Sanderling (never numer- Blue-winged Teal was found. Mammoser, Sierra Road summit). Rob Col- ous), Red-breasted Thanks to Jack Cole for organizing the well et al located the stakeout Phainopela Nuthatch and Pine count, and to all the regional coordinators hanging out along Marsh Road. Not to be Siskin (irruptive and the 121 participants for a great day. outdone, Bob Power and Steve McHenry species) and Tricol- managed to flush a Grasshopper Sparrow ored Blackbird (also in Ed Levin. A couple raptors rounded out missed from 2004 San Jose CBC the haul: an Osprey (Bob Power, Ed Levin) through 2008). by Kirsten Holmquist, and Ferruginous Hawk (Rob Colwell et al, The one new Coordinator and Compiler end of Marsh Road). Another Tree Swal- species for the count The San Jose Christmas Bird Count low also reported in at the south end of was the Ruff spotted went forward under clear and cool condi- Calaveras Reservoir (Rob Colwell et al). by Mike Mammoser tions. The season was extremely dry this Two species new to the count were in the distance at year leading up to count day. By some found in the more urban areas of the count: Pacific-slope Flycatcher by Tom Grey Crittenden Marsh, accounts, this winter was the driest on Great-tailed Grackle (Mike Mammoser, 17 and confirmed by record since the early 1900’s. Likely as a at Lake Cunningham Park) and White-faced Mike Rogers, who was able to approach result, the individual count was down from Ibis (Pete Dunten et al, 1 along Thompson from the Moffett side. Many have since recent years. The final species count was Creek). An Eastern Phoebe also made an enjoyed this bird at closer range. Nearly an all time high for this count due to a large appearance in the Lake Cunningham area as rare for the count was an Empidonax number of vagrants reported. We had a (Greg Kerekes et al). Cackling Geese were Flycatcher (most likely Pacific-slope); we species total of 175. Participation was also found in two locations: 6 in Central Park have just one previous empid, a 1969 bird at a high. 120 volunteers contributed their (Melanie O’Brien et al) and 6 at Penitencia identified as what was then called Western time to conduct the count. Thanks to all. Creek Park (Ann Verdi and Rich Page). Flycatcher. The female Yellow-bellied This year, we had several species new A Western Tanager was heard by Richard Sapsucker returned to Creek Drive in Menlo to the count. The first of these were two Stilt Jeffers along Los Gatos Creek. Finally, a Park for its third winter (with only one Sandpipers found in the northwest corner White-Throated Sparrow was found at the count record prior to its visits). A House of A-12 (Mike Rogers, Steve Rottenborn). old KTEH facility on Schollenberger (Ann Wren found at a private area near Skyline This same team located a number of other Verdi and Rich Page). Blvd. was only the seventh appearance of rarities: a) Eurasian Wigeons (6 on A-14), this species on the count, but the fourth b) Wilson’s Phalarope (1 on A-13), c) Lesser in the past six years. Two Black-throated Yellowlegs (2 on A-12, 6 on A-15), and Mt. Hamilton CBC Gray Warblers along Stevens Creek near d) Glaucous Gull (1 juvenile on A-16). A by Bob Hirt, Homestead were also excellent finds. Lesser Black-backed Gull was found on A-7 Coordinator and Compiler Additional unusual species included an (David McIntyre, Dale Stahlecker). This On January 2, 2012 we held the Mount Osprey (Bedwell-Bayfront Park), Snowy team also encountered a Greater White- Hamilton CBC (CODE: CAMH). Note- Plovers (surprisingly, at Crittenden Marsh, Fronted Goose and a Barrow’s Goldeneye. worthy is the amazing record high count the first on the count since 2004), Lesser Tree Swallows were reported by all parties of Lawrence’s Goldfinches. Lawrence’s Yellowlegs (2 at separate San Mateo Co. around the bay representing a minimum Goldfinches were all over with five teams locations), Tree Swallow (5 at Felt Lake), 88 individuals. Also reported by a few reporting and the total was 394 (Isabel’s a Hermit Warbler (Montebello OSP), bay-side parties were Violet-Green Swal- team saw 101, 30 were seen at Arnold Western Tanager (2 along El Camino near lows (Bill Bousman and Jim Thomas, 15 Ranch (first time), Mines Road had 85, San Stevens Creek), and a Swamp Sparrow (at along Coyote Creek) and (Charles Coston Antonio Valley Eco-Reserve had 6, and the the Palo Alto Baylands). and Patty Ten Boom Burns, 4 west of the Mule Trail saw an incredible 172 feeding Numbers of many species were good, San Jose dump). Horned Grebes made a on the chemise berries). This could be in with high counts of Bewick’s Wren and couple of appearances (Mike Rogers and contention for a National High. Weather Townsend’s Warbler, and Western Blue- Steve Rottenborn; 1 on A-11, 1 on A-12, was the best ever but conditions were dry

The Avocet 12 Count Summaries cont’d Participants: Calvin Lou, Lotus and row, Song Spar- Keith Baker, Mike Mammoser, Richard row, Lincoln’s and many small ponds had dried up. Jeffers, Rich Page, Jennifer Rycenga, Mary Sparrow, and New birds to the count were Common Wisnewski and Bill Walker, Rob Furrow, a surprising 6 Yellowthroat (Isabel Ranch), and Eurasian Bruce Mast, Hazel Donaldson, Robert White-throated Collared Dove (Hurner/Stoddard - Bill Shields, Jeff Smith, Jimm Edgar, Jon Hirt, Sparrows. Oth- Bousman). Other unusual birds were White- Peter and Diane Hart, Dan Burmester, er birds counted throated Swift (5 over Arnold Ranch - Jeff Doris Williams, and Sandy Gant. Thanks in high num- Smith, Robert Shields, Calvin Lou, and me), especially to our Hostess, Elinor Gates. bers included Townsend’s Warbler, White-throated Spar- 560 Wild Tur- row (Mines Road - Jimm Edgar), and Least Short-eared Owl keys, 175 Pied- Sandpiper (Del Puerto Canyon pond - Rob by Tom Grey Calero-Morgan Hill CBC billed Grebes, 12 Furrow, Bill Ann Verdi Brown Creepers, 193 Hermit Thrush, 48 Walker, Mary Coordinator and Compiler Townsend’s Warblers, and 545 Tricol- Wisnewski and The Calero-Morgan Hill CBC on Dec ored Blackbirds. Special birds of note Mike Azeve- 30, 2011 came up with 148 species for the include the following: 2 Snow Geese, 3 do). Over 80 day. In spite of dry conditions in this count Ross’s Geese, and one Cackling Goose Wild Turkeys circle we had 17 duck species, including 337 seen by several parties along the Coyote all in one flock Common Mergansers (an all-time high). Creek riparian strip, eventually landing at and 550 Tri- Fourteen raptor species were seen, includ- Parkway Lakes to be counted - one other colored Black- ing 4 Bald Eagles, 5 Ferruginous Hawks, 6 stake-out Ross’s Goose seen at Anderson birds on the A to Peregrine Falcons, and 3 Prairie Falcons. Reservoir - one Greater Roadrunner along Z Ranch were Lawrence’s Goldfinch Eight shorebird species was good for this Hellyer Ave in the Diablo foothills - one by Tom Grey record highs for inland count, and included Long-billed Cur- N. (Yellow-shafted) Flicker at Santa Teresa this count. Lewis’ lew, a relatively new species for this count County Park - one stake-out Pacific-slope Woodpeckers, Sage Sparrows and “Slate- circle seen in the fields of Coyote Valley. Flycatcher along Los Alamitos Creek colored” Fox Sparrows are all treats up Thanks to five owling parties we tallied five Trail - seven Chipping Sparrows at Jeffrey on the mountain but the 394 Lawrence’s owl species, including Burrowing Owls in Fontana Park in suburban Almaden - and Goldfinches stole the show this year. Coyote Valley and Coyote Ridge, plus 10 three Great-tailed Grackles; one at Coyote The Mount Hamilton team leaders Barn Owls (high number for this count). We Creek Golf Course and two at Ogier Ponds. were Kirsten Holmquist, Elinor Gates also had one count week Short-eared Owl Many thanks to the 100 participants who (also our compilation dinner hostess), Mike seen along Laguna Ave in Coyote Valley on made this day a success - hope you can Rogers, Bill Bousman, Bob Power, Charles Dec 29. As for passerines, we had several join us on the next count. Until then - good Coston, Mike Azevedo, Sarah Estrella and all-time high numbers especially spar- birding in 2012. Bob Hirt (also Compiler). rows, including both towhees, Fox Spar-

Peregrine Falcons (cont’d from page 1) support and applaud County Parks’ decision to implement a year-round closure Rock climbers, organized by the Access Fund, have been of Summit Rock and of any trails in its protesting the closure since 2009 and advocating for partial clo- immediate vicinity. We researched avail- sure, quoting examples from other peregrine nesting sites in the able information, visited the site, talked country such as Pinnacles National Monument, Yosemite National to rangers, commissioners, Department Park and more. Unlike nesting sites in the Pinnacles, Yosemite of Fish and Game biologists, and US Fish and other cliffs favored by both peregrines and climbers, Summit and Wildlife experts. Our conclusions Rock’s climbing routes are all within feet of the eyrie or above support the assessment by County Parks it – and there are no alternative cliffs in the territory for the per- that encroachment on the eyrie of Summit egrines to relocate to if disturbed. If disturbance due to climbing Rock may cause the falcons to abandon causes the birds to abandon the site, there is no alternative natural Peregrine Falcon the site. We strongly believe that we must and undisturbed place for them to move to in the area. There are, by Tom Grey protect naturally occurring nest sites in Santa on the other hand, alternative sites for climbers to practice their Clara County. sport: climbing options are readily available in both Sanborn Park Please visit the conservation page on our website for sug- (Indian Rock) and Castle Rock State Park. gestions of how you can support our efforts to protect the per- With a unique role in local conservation advocacy, we can egrine falcons of Summit Rock: http://www.scvas.org/index. sometimes find ourselves disagreeing with policies and deci- php?page=text&id=conservation. sions made by local land-use agencies. We are very happy to The Avocet 13 Go on a bird Fa “chase” - for birders Learn to ing mily of all levels (including ngd Fe i tion of birds an st beginners)! geocache and explore W bra d sp : ele ri the trails in search of bird- c ng themed “treasures”! A !

Explore the hands-on Make bird feeders for science stations and your own backyard discover what makes birds feathered friends! so fascinating!

Join SCVAS and the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District for a FREE event for all ages at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve* Saturday, March 17th, 2012 10:00am-3:00pm Play all day or just stay for awhile! No advance registration required (though some activities have limited space - available on a first-come-first-served basis)

*Directions, contact information & schedule of events available online at www.scvas.org - click on “Kids’ Corner” (or just call the SCVAS office at 408-252-3740)

April 19th-25th SCVAS is pleased to once again support Outside Events: 17th Annual Godwit Days Spring this fun event. Migration Bird Festival See flyer at right. March 30th-April 1st Arcata, CA (San Juan Cruise April 1st-3rd) Experience extraordinary birding April 27th-30th Olympic BirdFest 2012 opportunities and beautiful scenery! 3rd Annual Point Reyes Birding & Sequim, WA Register online at www.godwitdays. Nature Festival. Visit the rain shadow of the Olympic com. Go online to the festival website - Peninsula to discover the birds of the www.pointreyesbirdingfestival.org - coastal Pacific Northwest. Guided Sun & Sat, April 21 & 22 for details and information on how to field trips, a boat cruise in the Strait of 10AM-4PM register. Juan de Fuca, silent auction, and a gala Going Native Garden Tour banquet. Go to www.olympicbirdfest. Various locations throughout Santa org for more details and to register. Clara County

William Hadley Clark Board of Directors Elections 1918-2011 The Nominating Committee of the SCVAS Board of Directors The Audubon community is greatly saddened is calling for member petitions for new members of the Board over the passing of William (“Bill”) Hadley of Directors pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Bylaws. Petitions Clark on July 20th, 2011. Bill and his wife, must be delivered to the SCVAS office by March 31, 2012. Jean, have been active members in SCVAS for many years. Voice vote elections will be held during our Annual Meeting and potluck on June 20, 2012 at our office in McClellan Ranch Birder, naturalist, teacher, friend - he will be missed. Park, Cupertino.

The Avocet 14 2011-2012 Friends of SCVAS Gifts received between December 1st, 2011 and January 31st, 2012*

$1,000-$5,000 Lundgren, Alice Martineau and Olivia Inman Gallogly and Gloria Linder, Moore, Joseph Morlan, Leslie Neft, Dorsey and Katherine Bass, Sarah and Bartlett, Joseph and Dorian Martinka, Steve Gerow, Mary Gill, Len and Terri Harold Newman, Anne and Samuel Noel Fenton, Vivek and Leena Khan- Richard McMurtry, Eve Meier, Lisa Goldberg, Nicola and Gary Gordon, Ng, Mr. and Mrs. Niemeyer, Thomas zode, Wayne Krill, Barry and Ginger Miller, T. Charles Moore, Douglas William and Marlene Gordon, Green Nishikawa, Michael and Bonnie Langdon-Lassagne, George and Lilo Moran, Whitney Mortimer, Mary Thumb Garden Club, Herbert Grench, O’Halloran, Katy Obringer, Thomas Miller, Elizabeth Rizzi, Joy Robinson, Louise Moses, Julio Mulero and Renee Richard Grindeland, David and Denise Olson, Carlin Otto, Henry Pastorelli David Speer and Tiffany Choy, Bob and Polizotto, Lisa Myers, Melanie and Hamilton, Conlyn Hancock, Mary and Carla Dorow, Joyce Payeur, Robin Carol Taggart, J. Holley Taylor Tom O’Brien, Hans and Pam Peeters, Ann Hannon, Barbara Harkleroad, Penn, Margo Pizzo, Jeff Poklen, Ruth Michael and Alison Pollack, Don Rein- Joann Harrington, Eve Harris, Garth Power, Sandya Prabala, Mark Rauzon, $500-$999 berg, Kathleen Robertson, Michael and Harwood, Walter and Nancy Hay, Ray Tom Reeves, Ruth Satterthwaite, Rus- Felix and Helen Charpentier, Robert and Alma Rogers, Diana Root, James and and Elsa Heald, Lucia Heldt and David sell Scalf, Kandis Scott, Paul Seaver, Deborah Hirt, HP Company Founda- Deborah Runyeon, Jana Sokale, David Gordon, Pete Heller, Kathleen Hendig, Mark Shaw and Michele Caplette, Ellen tion, John and Freddy Howell, James Steuer, Jane Tatchell, James Thomas, Annette Herz, Brandon Hill, Barbara Shay, Daniel Sneider and Elisabeth Craig Hunter and Kyung Namkoong, Vivek Tiwari, Jack Tomlin, Mary Ann Holden, Caroline Houston, Donald Rubinfien, John Sorci, Joan Sparks, David McIntyre and Antoinette Konski, Trombadore, Shripad and Shubha Hughes, Kathryn Ingram, Dawn Isis, Sharon Steele, Misa Sugiura, Mark and Jean McNamara, Jean Myers, Leighton Tuljapurkar, United Way Silicon Valley, Kimberly Jannarone, Richard Jeffers, Leila Sutherland, Andrew and Kathy Nakata, Kent and Rita Norton, Pasadena Rita Vrhel, Mildred Wang, Mary Ellen Michael Jennings, Juniper Networks’ Switky, Monica Sylvanus, Michael Tan, Audubon Society, Steve and Debbie White, William and Linda Wilson, Da- Company Matching Gifts Program, Just Dennis Taylor, Tania Tengan, Vincent Thompson, Lynne Trulio, The Van den vid Wimpfheimer, Betty Wyatt, Joanne Give, Fred and Wendy Kahn, Virginia Teofilo, Larry and Dolores Thompson, Berg-Fonderie Family Yablonsky, Nick and KC Yatsko, Lilly Kearns, David Kellert, Mary Kelly, Leslie Train, Gerald and Virginia Tuft, Yoshida, Jeff and Gena Zolotar Roland Kenner and Patricia Kenny, Mike and Ellen Turbow, J.G. and Su- $250-$499 Melani King, Tim Kirby, Peter Knoot, zanne Van Stee, Fred Vasquez, Laurie Emily Allen, William and Karen Barrett, $60-$99 Carrie Knopf, Barbara Koplos, Susan Weatherford, Mary Weisheit, Joseph Ann Bender, Dick and Sharon Blaine, Scott and Alison Akin, Gary and Chris- Kruse, Martha Kudlacik, Shirley Lar- and Erika Wells, Winfield Whitney, Dinesh and Joy Desai, Daniel and Janet tine Bard, Keith and Atsuko Bennett, son, Earl Lebow, David Lewis, Cathy Sarah Williamson, Gail Winterbourne, Farmer, Rodney Forseth, Lindy Fung, Patty Brown, Constance Crawford, Loewen, Donald and Nancy Lorenzen, Curt Wohlgemuth and Cindy Lee, Doug Marilynn Gallaway, Waldo Griffin, Denise Doetsch, David Drake and Andy Lott, Susan Luttner, Melanie and Pam Wong, Bernard and Nancy Jim and Rebecca Heckenbach, Jim Leda Beth Gray, Howard Friedman, Lutz, Chris MacIntosh, Richard and Wood, Rose Wyman, Nancy Yeend, and Kathy Johnson, Kristine Karnos, Nicola and Gary Gordon, Rose Green, Karen Mandel, Carlos Marquez, Ann Steven Zamek Jeffrey and Marcia Keimer, Enrique Ann Hepenstal and Ronnie Tey Fam- Mason, Victor Masterson, Deborah and Judy Klein, Roxanne Laine, Bruce ily, David Hinson, James and Margaret Matlack, Joanne and Doug McFarlin, *gifts represent donations to our year- Mast, Daniel McCranie, John and Hohenshelt, Simone and Thorsen Kril, Shannon McMahon, Prem McMurdo, end appeal, our Save Panoche Valley Clysta McLemore, Richard Mlynarik Rosalie Lefkowitz, Andy Lott, Ronald Shirley McPheeters, Marilee Mifflin Legal Fund and our Environmental & Elizabeth Willey, Mary Murphy and Barbara McDow, Eileen Mclaugh- and Richard Smart, Theodore and Janice Advocate Fund. and George Schuttinger, Network for lin, Joann Milburn, Lawrence Miller, Mill, Steven and Kathi Minden, Victoria Good, Gary and Elisabeth Nielsen, Coralie Nueller, Don and Dee Price, Brian O’Connor and Jennifer Dungan, David Sacarelos, Charles and Eleanor Thomas and Kristi Patterson, Doug and Segal Six, Ashutosh and Sapna Shroff, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society supports the Sarah Rivers, Elizabeth Salzer, Michael Elinor Spellman, Madeleine Stovel, and Leslie Schroeder, Ruth Troetschler Elizabeth Taft, Delia and John Taylor, Annette Teng, Yuri Tsuchitani, Marilyn Tenth Annual $100-$249 Waterman, Robert & Helene Weil, Mary Abbott, Patricia Albright, Sylvia David Weissman, Mary Yates Going Native Alderman, Bonnie Bedford-White, Penelope Bowen, Connie Bowencamp, Up to $59 Arthur Bryson, Boyce Burge and Ed Aiken, Lois Allen, Joe Altimus Garden Tour Linda Lotspeich, Kathleen Cahill, Allen and Molly Molloy, Patricia Anderson, Saturday, April 21 & Carkner and Patricia Tind, Brian Carr, Nancy Anderson, Emmy Arcolino, James and Beth Carr, Pamela Clark, Charmon Ashby, Dimitri Avaloff, Cyn- Sunday, April 22, 2012 Jennifer Couperous, Mike Danzenbaker thia Bauman, Patti Beck, Douglas Bell 10 am-4 pm and Lee Hung, Jim Dehnert and Patricia and Jaqueline Bogard, Ellen Bevier, Locations throughout Worthington, Mark Delaurentis and Roger and Millicent Bishop, Abigail Jackie Turner, Scott and Jill Demers, Blair, Peter Boffey, Martha Bond, Santa Clara Valley & Peninsula

Marianne Dieckmann, Matthew and Penelope Bowen, Mark Boyce, Charles Kehoe Agi Photo: Kelly Dodder, Paul and Maureen Drap- Bratton, Maryellen Buckley, John Bun- A free, self-guided tour of bird-friendly, er, Alan Eisner, Judy Enos, Suzanne nell, June Cancell, Louis Caputo, Lleni habitat-rich gardens landscaped with Fellenz, Rick Fournier, Barbara Francis, Carr, Louise Casey, John and Agnes California native plants • Many Eric Goodill, Stanley and Elaine Gould, Caulfield, Corey Clatterbuck, Robert private home gardens, some Ross and Karen Heitkamp, Robnett Hill, Clement, George Clifford, Joanna Jan Hintermeister, Kirsten Holmquist, Cohen, Barbara Coleman and Joseph public • Visit as many as Harriett Huls, Sue Hunt, Lawrence Cernac, John Cone, Suzanne Conens, you like — for ideas, for and Joan Johnston, Michael Karpinko Ann Coombs, Judi Cooper, Douglas photos, for inspiration. and Lois Moore , Munir Kureshi, Jeff Cox, Lea Crisp, Elna Cunningham, LaTourrette, Ann Latta, Karen and John Lynne Cutler, James and Marilyn Do- Free admission Lemes, Elizabeth and Robert Lennie nahue, Belinda Espino, Margaret Falk, Registration required at Family, Tom Lipkis, James Little, Ben Farnum and Elizabeth Wolfe, Andy www.GoingNativeGardenTour.org Steven Longcor and Pat Showalter, Bill and Betsy Finfrock, Barbara Francis,

The Avocet 15 Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society Non-Profit Organization 22221 McClellan Road U.S. Postage Paid Cupertino, CA 95014 San Jose, CA Phone: 408-252-3747 Permit No. 5869 Fax: 408-252-2850 E-mail: [email protected] www.scvas.org

Save the Dates: Go Paperless! 2012 Summer Nature Days Sign up to receive your (with SCVAS and the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District) newsletter via email - get your issues faster, help save natural Day Camps for Grades 2-5: July 24th-27th, 2012 resources and reduce waste! McClellan Ranch Park, Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve, and Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve Contact the SCVAS office at Full details and registration information available online (go to www.scvas.org - [email protected] to start your click on “Kids’ Corner”) and in the May/June 2012 issue of the Avocet. paper-free membership today! Summer will be here sooner than you think!

OFFICERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS meetings are open OFFICE HOURS President Treasurer to all members. Call the office at (408) 252- Monday - Friday 10 AM - 5 PM Ashok Khosla Peter LaTourrette 3747 for times and directions. Saturday 10 AM - 2 PM Vice President Secretary STAFF Bob Hirt Joan Leighton GENERAL MEETINGS are held on the third Executive Director 408/252-3748 Wednesday of each month except July, August Bob Power [email protected] DIRECTORS and December and are open to the public. Office Manager 408/252-3747 Debbie Thompson ‘11-‘14 RARE BIRD ALERT: (415) 681-7422 Susan Bell [email protected] Diane Hart ‘11-’14 Programs Coordinator 408/252-3740 Dotty Calabrese ‘11-‘14 SCVAS ia a private, non-profit corporation Toby Goldberg [email protected] Julio Mulero ‘11-‘14 affiliated with the National Audubon Society Environmental Advocate 650/868-2114 Melanie O’Brien ‘10-’13 Shani Kleinhaus [email protected] Peter Hart ‘11-’14 Avocet Editor: Toby Goldberg Tom Grey ‘09-‘12 Avocet Line Drawings: Bonnie Bedford- Office Fax 408/252-2850 Vivek Khanzode ‘11-’14 White Office E-mail [email protected] Website www.scvas.org 2012 Volume 59, Number 2 Chapter Members in the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (SCVAS) receive the SCVAS newsletter, The Avocet.

 $25 Song Sparrow (Student)  $35 American Avocet (Individual)  $60 California Quail (Family)  $100 Burrowing Owl  $250 White-tailed Kite  $500 Peregrine Falcon  $1000 Golden Eagle  Other______Membership $ ______+ Donation $ ______= Total Enclosed $ ______Name______Address______City State & Zip______Phone______Email______C1ZC140Z Come by the office to pick up your free copy of Birding at the Bottom of the Bay, and our Breeding Bird Atlas (if joining at the Burrowing Owl level or above). Send this information, and make all checks payable, to: SCVAS, 22221 McClellan Rd, Cupertino, CA 95014 Please note: As an organizational policy, SCVAS does not share member information with other organizations. The Avocet 16