STERN

The Los Angeles Chapter of TANAGEB^ The National Audubon Society Volume 56 Number 3 December 1989

IN THIS ISSUE SEASONS ON THE FARALLON ISLANDS Raptor Workshop in January 2 New Handy Guide Reviewed 3 Of Winds, Rockfish and Seabirds: BIRD QUEST '89 Continues 3 The Season's Great Finds 3 The Right Checklist for You 4 Life in the California Current Christmas Bird Count Details 8 Andean Adventure 10 California Condor Program 12 by Susan Claire Peaslee

t's December, and 25 miles west of The elephant seal cows begin arriving Common Murres fly round and round the Golden Gate the Farallon Is- in the colonies around Christmas, after the island checking out the rocky high- I lands are washed by rains and males have already begun bidding for lands, sites of their breeding colonies; draped in deep green Farallon weed. A status to favor their breeding chances perhaps they'll land to invest half a day perennial train of ocean swells rolls in later this winter. occupying potential territories. Cassin's from the west, and waves break over Winter on the Farallones. A num- Auklets have barely begun their night- the shoals with a pulsing roar. Ele- ber of Western Gulls stand about on time visits that soon will rock the island phant seal bulls are posturing and trum- their territories or gather in roosts on by dint of the birds' sheer numbers-a peting on the terraces of Southeast Far- the marine terrace and slopes of Light- breeding population of perhaps 50,000 allon and West End (sister islands sepa- house Hill. They vocalize at length. birds. Dirt flies as auklets dig out nest rated only by a narrow surge channel). Some days at dawn, several thousand burrows, and the night air resonates Lighthouse Hill (Photo Courtesy Point Reyes Bird Observatory) with their rhythmic three-note calls. Winter winds blow. Cold north- westerlies, that may prevail for weeks on end by spring, now vie for position in the atmosphere with storms from the west and southwest, loaded with rain. Point Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO) biologists notice and discuss the weather at length. Not only does it rule the bi-weekly boat trips that keep the is- land supplied with groceries, mail, and fresh personnel; the weather regime also sets up the pattern of ocean productiv- ity that will rule the seabirds' breeding success next spring. This correlation is one of the important ties between sea- birds and their marine environment revealed in two decades of PRBO's Ma- rine Research on Southeast Farallon Is- land. The Bird Observatory maintains a permanent station on the Farallones, a National Wildlife Refuge, in coopera- tion with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Continued on next page Western Tanager December 1989

spells the difference between poor or Farallon Islands average breeding success and good or Continued from previous page great years. For Pigeon Guillemots and Pelagic Cormorants, it makes or breaks Service (USFWS). Even in December, the year's breeding effort. while preoccupied with the battles and What causes perturbations in the births of elephant seals, we try to antici- ocean's productivity? Warm-water El pate what variation on the seabird Nifto events that disrupt weather and season this winter's weather will set in ocean patterns worldwide can stifle motion. upwelling. During the major El Nino of 1982 and 1983, most Farallon birds The Variable Marine Environment found little food and gave up their breeding efforts early-or never even These islands hold the largest concen- tried. This common strategy among trations of breeding seabirds and pin- long-lived seabirds places a premium nipeds in the United States except on the adults' survival to try again in Alaska. In spring, throngs of cormo- subsequent years. El Nifto, though, is rants, auklets, murres, gulls, guillemots, only the most drastic of ways that natu- and storm-petrels-eleven species in all ral ocean variability affects Farallon and some quarter-million individ- seabirds. uals-occupy every nest site niche in Western Gulls, chicks and adults Other fluctuations in the ocean's Courtesy PRBO Southeast Farallon's 100-odd acres. To bounty are also manifest in the seabird feed themselves and their growing northwesterly gales... small consolation colonies, their measure recorded in chicks, they need abundant food re- for sand-blasted beachgoers in April. PRBO's long-term biomonitoring re- sources from the ocean nearby. Pro- What happens in a good upwelling search. In cold-water years, Cassin's ductivity is so great in the marine food year? Infrared satellite photos of the Auklets begin breeding very early, in web here that the seabirds usually-but ocean show great swirling forms of early March, in time to fledge chicks by no means always-fill their energy surface water colder than surrounding and lay a second time (a unique adap- requirements easily. waters. Nutrients and oxygen are reach- tation among aldds). In a crowded city One reason for the great biological ing the sunlit zone, fertilizing the ocean of Common Murres below our blind, fertility in the Gulf of the Farallones is meadow. Standing at the Lighthouse one member of each pair arrives from the plume pulsing through the Golden on Southeast Farallon, we watch the the sea with a fish every seven minutes: Gate from the SanFrancisco Bay/Delta. ocean change from clear blue one day it's a feast year! In poor years, mid-way It can carry sediments and nutrients to cloudy green the next, a soup of through the season Pigeon Guillemots from great Central Valley rivers up to suddenly blooming diatoms. Swarms switch from rockfish to less preferred 12 miles out to sea. The mixing between of reddish euphausiid shrimp soon prey, such as octopi; in these condi- the ocean waters and this plume, dif- appear in the Gulf of the Farallones, tions they fledge fewer than 0.5 chicks ferent in temperature and salinity, pro- and gulls and Cassin's Auklets stain per pair, on average. Hungry Brandt's motes productivity. PRBO's long-term the island pink with their poop. Short- Cormorant chicks, three to a nest, surveys across the Gulf of the Faral- bellied rockfish, sand dabs and other compete with each other for feedings: lones show concentrated seabird feed- fish spawn; then juvenile short-bellied how many will survive to fledging? ing around the Bay/Delta plume, espe- rockfish, especially important prey, cially in winter. become abundant during the chick- Seabirds' Foraging Strategies In spring, upwelling is a critical rearing phase of seabirds' breeding factor, and the timing and strength of cycle. For Common Murres this factor Top-level predators such as seabirds this seasonal phenomenon are highly (and sensitive organisms such as birds variable. The California Current flow- in general) are excellent indicators of ing north-to-south through the Gulf of the well-being of this ecosystem. Re- the Farallones-enriched by plumes of "The Farallon seabird sponding to the environment with their cold, nutrient-rich water drawn up from varying degrees of breeding success, the depths as well as by rich water ad- community... gives us the murres, cormorants and others tell vected south from northern regions-is not only of natural variability but also one of the ocean's select regions. Known information about a humans' effects on the ocean. The Far- as Eastern Boundary Currents, such complete cross-section allon seabird community, because of regions occupy only one-sixth of the the different foraging strategies its oceans' area but produce about half of marine habitats." members employ, gives us informa- their fishery harvests. Upwelling in the tion about a complete cross-section of California Current is driven by spring marine habitats. Western Tanager December 1989

The Western Gull is a general op- If you have questions, such as how portunist that can scavenge in main- Raptor Workshop to tell Sharp-shinned from Cooper's land garbage dumps, prey on murres' by Nick Freeman Hawks in the field, how to tell Rough- eggs and young, or even eat adult legged from Ferruginous Hawks by auklets and storm-petrels. Even this While it is true that we don't have the flight pattern from impossible dis- resilient species shows the highest tremendous raptor migrations seen on tances, or how to tell dark-phase Buteos reproductive success on the Farallones the east coast, southern California does apart; if you enjoy the behavioral trivia in years when ocean food is abundant boast a number of raptor-rich winter- that make each raptor fascinating, such and the gulls can surface-feed on small ing grounds. As many as 18 species of as the East-West migration pattern of schooling fish or euphausiids. The Pe- diurnal raptors (depending on defini- Ferruginous Hawks and the predatory lagic Cormorant, on the other hand, is tion) are regularly reported wintering aggressiveness of merlins; or if you limited to a very particular condition in southern California. Winter special- would simply enjoy seeing a truly in the marine food web, the presence of ties include Rough-legged, Ferruginous impressive slidecollection demonstrat- small schooling fish within very close and Sharp-shinned Hawks, and Bald ing most of the age, sex, color morph range of its nest colony. If upwelling is Eagles. Continued on jMge 11 early, late, too weak or strong, then schooling fish can be too scarce or dis- tant for Pelagics. They're the first of Herb Clarke Produces a Handy Guide Farallon breeding birds to fail in a marginal food year. for the New Southern California Birder Feeding grounds for island sea- by Hank Brodkin birds range from the ocean surface to very deep in the water column; they A review of An Introduction to Southern The main body of the book consists extend from the coast to far west of the CaliforniaBirds by Herbert Clarke. 1989, of six chapters, five of which cover the continental shelf. Double-crested Missoula Montana, Mountain Press Pub- habitats of Southern California: the Cormorants breeding on West End fly lishing Company. 186 pp. 252 color photo- western slopes and coastal valleys, the all the way to the mainland to feed in graphs. ISBN 0-87842-233-1. Paper. $9.95 mountains, the desert, agricultural estuaries such as Tomales Bay (and are areas, grasslands and savannas, and relatively immune to the vagaries of Herb Clarke, a past president of LA AS, the Pacific coast and wetlands. Each of life in the California Current). PRBO is has been photographing birds for some these chapters starts out with a color monitoring this population as a basis thirty years. Those of you who have photograph of a habitat and a list of the for evaluating one that breeds on the seen one of his programs can testify to birds to be included in the chapter. The Richmond/San Rafael bridge in San the clarity and sensitivity of his photo- sixth chapter illustrates and discusses Francisco Bay and feeds in that urban- graphs. some of the vagrants that only occa- ized estuary, as well. In contrast to For the Southern Californian won- sionally visit this area as well as some Double-crested Cormorants, the Ashy dering what this birding mania is all of the specialty birds found only in and Leach's Storm-Petrels fly up to 80 about and how to get started, An Intro- very restricted areas. kilometers west of their island nest duction to Southern California Birds does The photographs are nicely laid sites to feed in pelagic waters. South- exactly what the author meant it to do. out, three to a page on the right hand east Farallon is home to the majority of The introduction lays out the parame- pages, with a paragraph for each spe- Ashy Storm-Petrels' limited world ters of the book, noting that it is not cies on the opposite page containing population (roughly 70 percent of the meant to be a comprehensive field information on its natural history with species' 4,000-5,000 members breed guide, but illustrates those species most occasional notes on vocalization and here). Does the Ashy suffer (as other likely to be encountered in the many identification. storm-petrels do) from ingesting plas- habitats of Southern California-here All in all, 215 species (most of the tics and petrochemical slicks at the defined as the "eight southernmost most-common of the approximately 500 ocean surface? Ashy Storm-Petrels cer- counties of California: Santa Barbara, species that have been seen in Southern tainly merit more scientific attention Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, River- California) are illustrated with Herb's and, possibly, official protection. side, San Diego, Imperial, and the south- beautiful photographs and discussed. ern half of San Bernardino County." The book is small enough (5.5 by This article, by the editor of PRBO'S Additional paragraphs give hints 8.5 inches) to fit easily into a glove Quarterly Journal, will continue in Janu- on attracting and identifying birds and compartment or backpack, and is the ary with the story of the Observatory's somegeneral information onintroduced perfect stocking stuffer for the wildlife conservation work. species, taxonomy, binoculars, etc. A generalist as well as the about-to-be PRBO Farallon Biologist Peter Pyle short list of suggested reference books birder. An Introduction to Southern Cali- will present the featured program at for those wishing to pursue this fasci- fornia Birds is available from the LAAS LAAS's chapter meeting on 11 January nating hobby further can be found on Bookstore-autographed by the author 1990. M page 180. if you so desire. • Western Tanager December 1989

BIRD QUEST '89 resources, Brazil has a national debt of acres. (Ed.)] The ranch is near the Boliv- over $120 billion, and annual inflation ian border in Brazil's Matto Grosso do over 1000 percent. Sul. The ranch requires the nature re- Brazil Overview The debt is largely the price of huge serve to be financially supportive so it projects like the Itaipu and Tucurui is relatively expensive, especially by by James F. Clements, Ph.D. hydroelectric dams,ironminesand steel Brazilian standards. mills, oil exploration and refining, agri- Despite the allurement of storks, razil was my fourth and final visit cultural credit for soybeans and or- herons, seriemas and rheas (not to B to South America this year. This anges, and for sugar cane to replace mention a roosting Bare-faced Curas- continent-sized country boasts over gasoline. The subsidized alcohol that sow on the Pousada Caiman patio), the 1,530 species of birds-roughly half the fuels most new cars in Brazil is one of pantanal's main ornithological draw- total for all of South America. With the most ill-conceived, poorly executed ing card is the largest, most powerful over 40 percent of the land mass of the and financially devastating ecological and most spectacular of the world's 340 South American continent, Brazil en- disasters of the century and costs species of parrots-the Hyacinth Ma- compasses a vast array of Brazil's taxpayers an estimated $3 bil- caw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus). Pou- habitats-steaming Amazon jungles, cer- lion a year. sada Caiman had a flock of 15 raucous rado, rain forests, caatinga, capoeria, Brazil is destroying its forests to Hyacinth Macaws in attendance campos, savanna and the seasonally- service the interest on its debt. In 15 or throughout the day, and we were for- flooded pantanal. 20 years, when the Brazilian rainforest tunate in witnessing a spectacular (if My trip with Dr. Robert Ridgely, is gone, they will owe as much as they somewhat noisy) performance at two author of the new Birds of South Amer- did before they began to cut and burn different nesting sites. ica, encompassed the cerrado of Bra- theforests. President Sarney added fuel The population of Hyacinth Ma- zilia and Matto Grosso state, the rain- to the fire (pun intended) by refusing to caws has plummeted in recent years, forests of Iguazu Falls, and the moun- consider a debt-equity swap that has and scientists estimate the world popu- tains of Itatiaia National Park in coastal proven so successful to date in Costa lation at no more than 3,000 birds. In Rio de Janeiro state. Rica and Bolivia, because it would the past, habitat destruction, the inter- Brazil once had a continuous band "compromise our national integrity." national bird trade, and hunting for of forest from the northeast to the ex- [The success and wisdom of the Bolivia meat and feathers all contributed to the treme south near the Argentine border. swap has been seriously questioned. See, macaws' imperiled state. Until recently, The forest was flanked on the west by Potter, George Ann, "Debt-for-Nature: habitat destruction, mainly by ranch- the caatinga and on the south by the Swaps or Traps?" Earth Island Journal, ers cutting down certain trees impor- Brazilian plateaus. These forests gave Fall 1989,44-45. (Ed.)] tant to nesting, was the primary prob- Brazil its name when Amerigo Vespucci Mario Henrique Simonsen, former lem. World Wildlife Fund's Jorgen took quantities of a wood called braza minister of planning and a widely re- Thomson says, "It is now the system- back to Portugal in 1501. spected economist, described Brazil atic poaching of entire large Hyacinth The king of Portugal promptly gave succinctly as "a country going the populations from the wild that is al- Fernando de Noronha the exclusive wrong way on the road to history!" most single-handedly destroying the right to exploit this valuable timber entire species." (locally known as pau brasil). In the The Pantanal Since existing conservation laws in intervening 470 years these forests have Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay are basi- been reduced to a few relict patches. Conservation of the pantanal has be- cally unenforced, Pousada Caiman's Despite these centuries of encroach- come a center of public attention. The active conservation efforts are provid- ment, Brazil cut and burned over 30,000 pantanal's complex ecosystem includes ing a safe haven for a small population square miles of primary rainforest in one of the greatest and most varied of one of the world's most beautiful the past two years alone! In 1987, a collection of birds, fish, jaguars, wild and most endangered birds. satellite over the southern Amazon dogs, deer, anteaters, otters, armadil- basin picked up 6,803 fires, with smoke los and capybaras. This immense plain The Cerrado rising well into the upper atmosphere. which spreads over 90,000 square miles The total burn rose from 78,000 square is a vast grassy savanna from August After the pantanal we visited one of my miles in 1987 to more than 95,000 square through November. As the rains in- favorite places in Brazil, the remote miles (an area the size of Oregon) this crease in November, the rising rivers Das Emas (Rhea) National Park, a year! Despite all the attention focused transform the region into the world's 100,000 hectare section of undisturbed on this desecration, President Jose Sar- largest marsh. cerrado in Brazil's Matto Grosso. While ney refused to raise a hand. Our journey took us to Pousada it seems like a tremendous area to trav- Brazil is at a turning point, with a Caiman in the pantanal, an 8,000 hec- erse in a slow-moving jeep, from the air presidential electioninNovember 1989. tare nature reserve, similar to Hato it is dwarfed by mechanized farms that Along with its remaining forest and Pinero in the llanos of Venezuela, on a stretch to the horizon. There is much vast mineral, energy and agricultural 50,000 hectare ranch. [A hectare is 2.471 more land under cultivation (mostly in Western Tanager December 1989

soybeans and sorghum) than I remem- impenetrable bamboo thicket to reach ber as recently as my 1986 UCLA study the skulkingmouse-sized bird, and only trip with Arnold Small. due to my brother's insistence on carry- Agricultural production has been ing a pair of pruning shears was I ready expanded significantly in what used to for this exigency. be called the wasteland of Brazil, reach- We wound up our whirlwind BIRD ing 70 million tons of grains and oilseeds QUEST '89 excursion to Brazil with 453 in 1987. In the last decade, Brazil has species, of which 240 were new year become the world's largest exporter of birds, bringing our total to date to 3,198 frozen orange juice and has moved into species, just about on schedule. Heavy second place behind the United States laneiro rains curtailed our birding activity in soybean exports. Iguazu Falls severely during four of the final five While we did not record great days of the trip, or we would have been numbers of species from Das Emas, considerably ahead of my estimate. what we did find was "choice." Our Next week if s off to Kenya, where most unusual bird was a rare nocturnal of the extinct ten-foot tall "terror birds" a host of new and exciting birds await Nightjar known from only a handful of that ravaged South America for some me as we go into the final rounds of specimens. Bob's flashlight picked up 30 million years. BIRD QUEST '89. • the eyeshine of a perched bird one Our most extraordinary find in Das evening as we made the park rounds Emas was a pair of Campo Dogs (Speo- well after dark. After carefully instruct- thos venaticus) which we met face to ing me on how to handle the powerful face upon rounding a bend. Known as Socially beams, he was able to capture the Cachorro-do-matto-vinagre in the local mesmerized bird by hand from its perch patois, this fox-like carnivore is on the Responsible on top of a termite mound. verge of extinction; during his 15 years "I have now handled more of these of travel in Brazil, Bob had never heard Investment birds than there are specimens known of anyone seeing this rare mammal. "Towards an Economy of Profit and to science," Dr. Ridgely remarked as Peace" will be the theme of a confer- the rare White-winged Nightjar (Ca- Lowlands and Coastal Mountains ence December 4 on socially respon- primulgus candicans) disappeared into sible investing. The conference in Santa the gloom of the surrounding cerrado. A quick two days at Iguazu Falls added Monica will focus on profitable invest- The Das Emas National Park might some of the specialties of lowland south- ment directions in economic conver- constitute the entire present range of east Brazil/northeast Argentina, in- sion, the environment and affordable the bird. cluding the rare Temminck's Seedeater, housing. Keynote speakers are Larry Other little-known birds that we and a life bird for both Dr. Ridgely and Agran, Mayor of Irvine, and Kathleen had spectacular looks at during our me, the Russet-winged Spadebill, my Brown, candidate for State Treasurer. three days in Emas National Park were 202nd tyrantflycatcheroftheyear! Rain The conference is sponsored by South- Black-masked Finch, White-striped and fog put a damper on our birding at ern California Socially Responsible In- Warbler, Coal-crested Finch, and the Iguazu, and with great relief we headed vestment Professionals and the Social Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin, plus the for the final piece de resistance... Itati- Investment Forum. second Brazilian record for the Rufous- aia National Park in Rio de Janeiro For more information, please call rumped Seedeater. state. or write: On one 37-kilometer stretch of cer- This park is one of the birdiest spots Lois Arkin rado, Bob and I counted an incredible in all Brazil, and at the Hotel do Ipe P.O. Box 27731 13 Aplomado Falcons. We watched one feeders it is possible to watch seven Los Angeles, CA 90027 falcon land near a polygamous rhea different hummingbirds and five tana- (213) 738-1254 burdened with no fewer than 18 chicks. gers while having lunch! Because of its or At first it appeared that the falcon was vast size and varied habitats Brazil Robert Berend, Esq. going to make a pass at one of the boasts by far the largest number of Registered Investment Advisor chicks, but on closer inspection it turned endemic birds of any South American (213) 651-2375 out that the young ratite was consid- country, and the coastal mountains of erably larger than the raptor! Itatiaia are particularly rich in these Cost: $30 before November 28, or Despite the rhea's size, the track endemics. $40 at the door (lunch included) star of the cerrado was a Red-legged Our most exciting bird at Itatiaia Date: Monday, December 4,1989 Seriema that Bob clocked at a steady was yet another life bird for both Dr. Time: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 40kph (25mph) pace for over four min- Ridgely and me — the rare White- Place: Bayview Plaza Holiday Inn utes! This long-legged carnivore is breasted Tapaculo. We had to cut a 530 West Pico Boulevard thought to be the closest living relative swath almost 100 yards deep into an Santa Monica, CA 90405 • Western Tanager December 1989

seen eight miles east of Santa Catalina 22 October, per Bruce Broadbooks) to Birds Of Island on 15 October (Steve Meladnoff). at least Malibu Creek State Park. An Pelagic species seem to have been quite out-of-range Acorn Woodpecker was scarce in the Catalina Channel the past at Galileo Park, Kern County, on 2 Oc- The Season few years. tober (Bruce Daniels). The birder of the month has to be Both a Least Flycatcher and an by Hank Brodkin Shawneen Finnegan, who weeded out Eastern Phoebe were at Oasis, south- an eclipse-plumage male Garganey ern Mono county, on 21 October (Rich- from a number of ducks on a pond near ard Webster) and single Brown Thrash- Records of rare and unusual bird sightings Santa Maria. A Surf Scoter on 18 Octo- ers were at Scott/s Castle, Death Val- reported in this column should be consid- ber (Jon Dunn) and an even more ley (Richard Webster) and Panamint ered tentative, pending review by the unlikely White-winged Scoter on 17 Springs, west of Death Valley (Jon AMERICAN BIRDS regional editors or, October (Bruce Broadbooks) were both Dunn), both on 21 October. ifappropriate,bytheCAUFOBNlABmD found on that pond in Furnace Creek. Both a Philadelphia Vireo and a RECORDS COMMITTEE. The young Andean Condors used Red-eyed Vireo were in the same line in The California Condor Recovery of tamarisks on the Oxnard Plain on 3 Program arebeginning to show up some October (Mitch Heindel). Another s the madness of the Fall vagrant distance from their home area near Philadelphia was at Huntington Beach A season gradually comes to an end, Fillmore, with bird #1 being seen near Central Park on 15 October (Doug thoughts of the "responsible" birder Mt. Wilson on 3 October and bird #5 Willick). turn to the challenge of the upcoming seen on 8 October near Running Springs The following Wood Warblers National Audubon Society Christmas in the San Bernardinos. Lloyd Kiff, of were reported: a Blue-winged at Mo- Counts. On Pages 8 and 9 in this issue the Western Foundation of Vertebrate rongo Valley on 1 October (Mike Pat- you will find a list of the counts in our Zoology, says that these birds return ton), an Ovenbird and a Blackpoll at area. Members of our local Society have each evening to their home area to be California City on 1 October (Barry a direct hand in organizing the Ante- fed! Please report any sightings, with Lyon), a Northern Waterthrush at Mo- lope Valley (Lancaster), Malibu and, of the number on the wing tags, to Jean rongo Valley on 2 October (Brian course, Los Angeles counts. Please sign Brandt who will see that Lloyd gets the Daniels), a Blackpoll and a Magnolia up, whatever your expertise, and have message. fun while doing something worthwhile. Three Solitary Sandpipers were It really pays to scout your area in ad- seen on the Oxnard Plain on 8 October vance, so try to get your assignment as (Dan Cooper and Barry Lyon). An soon as possible. immature Franklin's Gull was at Mal- October was the height of the va- ibu Lagoon on 21 October (Hal Spear), grant season and the "chasers" were and an immature Sabine's Gull was again scouring the desert oases and the reported seen at the Lancaster Sewer coast while frequently checking their Ponds on 3 October (Ned Harris). telephone message machines to be sure Reports every fall of this usually pe- that they were not missing anything. lagic species have been coming from Speaking of phone answering Lancaster, the reservoirs of the Owens machines, both San Francisco and San Valley, and Mono Lake. Diego now have daily updates (using a A Common Ground Dove was at different phone and machine) to their Furnace Creek on 17 October (Lewis bird hotlines. If an exceptional bird is Bevier). A male Ruddy Ground Dove found or is no longer being found, the was at the same location on the same fact is put on the daily update. If noth- day (Jeff Kingery), and a female was ing unusual occurs that day, the update also at Furnace Creek on 22 October remains unchanged. If anyone is will- (Jon Dunn). According to Jon, a ground- ing to volunteer-this is a heavy dove seen on the northern deserts is responsibility-please contact Jean much more likely to be a Ruddy than a Brandt or me. That way, all interested Common. A most unusual Black-billed birders, not just a privileged few, can Cuckoo was found in Huntington have the latest information. Beach on 4 October (Jim Pike). Now for the excitement of October. Thus far, this winter has not pro- A Pacific Loon was found on the small duced any great invasions of northern pond at the Furnace Creek, Death Val- birds, with one exception. Lewis' ley, on 18 October (Jon Dunn) and a Woodpeckers can be seen from Death Flesh-footed Shearwater was reported Valley (at least 20 at Furnace Creek on Western Tanager December 1989

near Oxnard on 3 October (Mitch Hein- that half the juncos at Death Valley del), a Black-and-white at Avril Park, around that time were Slate-colored. Bookstore San Pedro on 7 October (Paul Johnson), Two Lapland Longspurs were seen a Palm in Peck Park, San Pedro on 14 at the Lancaster Sewer Ponds on 8 October (Steve Meladnoff), a Black- October (Jean Brandt and Jerry Fried- News burnian at Deep Springs, Inyo County, man) and two Chestnut-collared Long- on 21 October (Richard Webster), and a spurs were at Galileo on 17 October by Charles Harper female Black-throated Blue near the (Bruce Broadbooks). mouth of Big Sycamore Canyon on 23 The long-awaited Guide to the Birds October (Hank Brodkin). of Costa Rica by Gary Stiles and Alexan- ecember is the month to partici- An American Tree Sparrow wasat der Skutch, beautifully illustrated by D pate in the Christmas Bird Counts Galileo Park on 22 October (Matt Hein- Dana Gardner, is finally available. (for the results of your past efforts, see del), two Clay-colored Sparrows were Check it out at the LAAS Bookstore. Terry Root's comprehensive analysis at Big Sycamore Canyon on 8 October Good Birding! of Christmas Bird Count data, his Atlas (Daniel Cooper and Barry Lyon), and a of Wintering North American Birds), Grasshopper Sparrow was found at Send your bird observations with as many take a day off from birding to celebrate Furnace Creek on 17 October (Jon details as possible to: Christmas Day with your family, and Dunn). plot strategies for your 1990 year lists. An adult Le Conte's Sparrow was Hank Brodkin The Audubon Bookstore carries seen at Furnace Creek on 17 October 27-1/2 Mast Street well over 100 checklists, and the stock (Louis Bevier) and a juvenile was found Marina del Rey, CA 90292 is always growing. Most Californians in the same area on the next day (Jon (213) 827-0407 do their daily ticking on the Field List Dunn). or of Calif orniaBirds (WFO1987), which, Four races of Dark-eyed Junco Jean Brandt at (818) 788-5188 • for only 95 cents, provides a handy (Oregon, Slate-colored, Gray-headed pocket record of up to ten trips or run- and Pink-sided) could be seen together ning lists. Keeping consecutive annual at Galileo Park on 18 October (Bruce county lists or area lists, each in its ap- Broadbooks), and Bruce also reports propriate Field List, makes for easy Surf Scoters (Illustration by Jonathan Alderfer) comparison of your accumulating data over the years. Recently arrived, and with a lot to learn about California's birds, I have been able to watch my year list grow, noting which birds I saw this year but missed last, and compar- ing first-sighting dates from year to year. Other birders prefer using their county checklists, where published. We stock a number of California regional and county lists, including the brand new and authoritative Field List of the Birds of Los Angeles County prepared by Kimball Garrett and Jon Dunn. Pub- lished by LAAS this November, it is at present the only list available which reflects the 37th Supplement to the AOU Checklist of North American Birds and separates Canyon from California Towhee, California from Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, and Cordilleran from Pa- cific-slope Flycatcher. The American Ornithologists' Union Checklist of North American Birds itself ($48.00 including all three supplements) is of course the checklist from which all other N.A. checklists

Continued on -page 11 Western Tanager December 1989

Schedule of 1989 Christmas Bird Counts in Southern California December 16, Saturday Big Bear Lake (BB) 818 334-2528 Leo Best Bishop (BI) 619 938-2916 Earl Gann Claremont (CM) 714 621-4000 Daniel Guthrie Lancaster (LN) 805 527-0968 (H) Fred Heath 805 984-3752 (W) Mono Lake (ML) 619 647-6525 Tina Hargis of USFS Pasadena-San Gabriel Valley (PS) 818 794-1866 Michael Long Redlands (Mill Creek) (RM) 714 867-2391 Douglas Williams Santa Catalina Island 818 354-4112 Peter Tackney San Diego (SD) 619 281-7039 Jerry R. Oldenettel Springville (SP) 209 784-4477 Bob Barnes San Fernando Valley (SV) 818 764-8548 Kris Ohlenkamp December 17, Sunday China Lake (CH) 619 446-6137 Donald Moore Malibu (MU) 213 396-4160 (H) Roger Cobb 213 452-9282 (W) 213 828-2936 (H) Liga Auzins 213 825-0187 (W) Orange County (northeastern) (ON) 714 539-8040 Gerald Tolman Rancho Santa Fe (RS) 619 756-2082 (H) Luis Santaella 619 753-5588 (W) Santa Maria-Guadalupe (SG) 805 734-4008 Alex Abela Salton Sea (north) (SH) 714 781-3699 Chet McGaugh Thousand Oaks (TO) 805 482-0411 H. Elliott McClure 805 987-3928 Jan Wasserman December 19, Tuesday San Jacinto Lake (SL) 714 793-7897 Robert L McKernan December 21, Thursday Lone Pine (LP) 619 876-5807 Michael Prather December 23, Saturday Butterbredt Springs (BS) 213 390-6378 Keith Axelson Death Valley (DV) 619 876-5807 Michael Prather Granite-Woody (GW) 805 831-5904 (W) Rick Saval 805 763-6403 (H) Idyllwild (ID) 714 794-2251 Norwood & Gjon Hazard Kaweah 209 627-4328 (W) Rob Hansen La Purisima (LU) 805 734-4008 Alex Abela Morongo Valley (MV) 619 949-3567 Stephen Meyers Oceanside-Vista-Carlsbad (OV) 619 281-7039 Jerry R. Oldenettel, Palos Verdes Peninsula (PP) 213 863-9078 (H) Ross Landry 818 302-9159 (W) December 24, Sunday Anza Borrego Desert (AB) 619 767-4298 Art Morley December 28, Thursday Lost Lake-Fresno (LL) 209 431-8567 William C. Mertz December 30, Saturday Buena Vista Lake (BV) 805 763-4635 Allison Sheehey Carrizo Plains (CP) 805 466-6222 Roger Zachary Escondido (ES) 619 723-2448 Kenneth Weaver Kern River Valley (KR) 619 446-6137 Donald Moore Long Beach (LB) 818 354-4112 Peter Tackney Los Angeles (LA) (tentative date) 213 328-4417 Mike Tiffany Mammoth Lakes (MM) 619 934-3621 Margaret Gorski Santa Barbara (SB) 805 967-2450 PaulLehman 805 962-9916 Pat Kelly San Bernardino Valley (SO) 714 371-7001 Don Hoechlin Western Tanager December 1989

December 31, Sunday Creighton Ranch Preserve/Corcoran 209 627-4328 (W) Rob Hansen Lake Henshaw (LH) Claude G. Edwards 839 Jamacha Road El Cajon 92019 Orange County (coastal) (OC) 714 539-8040 Gerald Tolman Santa Ana River Valley (SA) 714 369-3508 Larry LaPre 714 684-708KW) January 1, Monday Joshua Tree National Monument (JT) 714 780-3146 Brian Prescott Ventura (VE) 805 642-3480 Virgil Ketner Unofficial Boat Trip out of San Diego 619 464-7342 Marjorie Hastings January 6, Saturday (unofficial) Cuyamaca '""619^59-8649^ Dave King January 12* Friday {unofficial) La Jolla 619 224-0374 Diana Herron (casual) Dates Not Fixed Salton Sea (south) (SS) 818 981-1841 Jon Dunn (probably Dec. 21,27 or 28. Call after Dec. 19) Sespe Wildlife Area (SW) 805 967-2450 Paul Lehman (date to be decided, count not certain)

MV -•; Western Tanager 10 December 1989

ncient Forest International (AFI), now cling to inaccessible reaches of the their slashed fingers. We decided to A in cooperation with CODEFF, rain-drenched southern Andes, a mere sheathe our machetes and to push on Chile's only environmental watchdog, is 20 miles from bustling Puerto Montt, at through. The underbrush was temper- trying topreserve the remnants of two awe- the end of the Pan-American Highway ate bamboo called "kila." Below 2,000 inspiring temperate rainforest ecosystems. and the "Gringo Trail" where South feet, it made the going grim. Once Two species of magnificent trees, the alerce America starts getting skinny and cold. through the low valleys and up the (Fitzroya cupressoides, a "southern se- Should we leave alone the un- overgrown, nearly vertical cliff to the quoia") and araucaria (monkey puzzle tree, known? Everyone dreams of being the Cordon Rauli ridge, we entered a fairy- an ancient archetypal species of conifer), first. The Valdivian Forest might be the land. This ridge and the land beyond are the focus of API's multi-faceted cam- last wondrous yet hospitable terra in- was a technicolor Oz to the kila's black- paign to establish the first non-governmen- cognita. The call of the original biome is and-white Kansas. tal, temperate forest preserve in the south- growing dim. Why did we come? We While exploring the area over 100 ern hemisphere. These trees were eradi- came for the adventure. We came to years ago, Charles Darwin wrote: "Each cated long ago from most of their range and help the Chileans fight a multinational ridge is an indescribable reward for were considered practically extinct. Yet menace intent on defrocking their for- those who would persevere through pristine stands have been discovered above ested frontier. Japanese pulp interests the dense forest." Volcanos rose around the unexplored coastal fiords us 270 degrees and valleys of the world's most precipitous continental divide. These forests are now Lost Forest of the Andes Hall of Ages. The the target of international snow-covered pulp milling and banking by Rick Klein queeri/ osorno, interests. national symbol Author Rick Klein served as Chile's and our own Bank of America are pres- at 10,000 feet, towered over her nine first and only park ranger during Allende's ently snatching up vast tracts of virgin luminescent sisters. presidency in the '70s. wilderness and clear-cutting it for chips. We walked for days in this classic Our presence will show this self-deter- landscape. At the end of an unnamed hat right did we have to intrude mining nation that there is income valley, we came to a jewel lake, a shim- W upon such solitude? How many, involved inpreservingtheoldest groves meringsilvermedallionhangingwithin of the billions who have ever lived, on earth. an emerald field of ancient, gigantic were the first to enter a valley and walk We came for the Spirit! Our act of alerce cedars. The forest was a cathe- among cathedral trees? How much of homage to the alerce, a primeval se- dral within a greenhouse. Jose, who original ancient forest remains? Not a quoia-like tree, was a pilgrimage to knew these mountains best, said that lot! Simply being in one of these rare, help stitch together the two hemi- perhaps no human had ever been here; temperate rainforests is a special treat. spheres; to see in both halves of our there was no game. Visiting the oldest cathedral grove in mother world the unifying spirit of the We spent a week wandering the the southern hemisphere was an awe- old ones. The California redwood is the valleys and their lakes, returning to our some privilege! standard for great trees. It is old. It is camp for sleep, food and music. We Most people, scientists included, one of the largest life forms ever to have climbed trees and swam. Around us do not know that there is an ancient, lived. On Pangaea, the ancestral south- always, water streamed from the gla- sequoia-like dryad beyond the Tropic ern continent, 350 million years ago cially marooned heights. Everywhere of Capricorn. Only in the Pacific north- earth's first trees, the cone bearers, grew incandescent silver chargers soared west above Cancer, they say, does such from the ferns to the sky. We came to down the mountain, nature's metro- a tree exist. Yet, in terms of beauty, see a direct descendent of the dawn nomes counting syncopated time. biomass, and age, the Chilean Valdiv- tree. Might this rare conifer, the alerce, We measured big trees, several ian forest is, with its northern counter- remember that dawn? about 14 feet in diameter and close to part, one of the two greatest growing We walked into the mountains to 4,000 years old. Alerce rival the Califor- ecosystems on earth. see for ourselves. We were 44 persons nia sequoia and the Bristlecone pine in We were the first to walk that forest's from six countries, amateurs and pro- size and age. Paul Alaback, a forest finer par ts, the last great grove of cathe- fessionals: foresters, cooks, paramed- service ecologist from southern dral alerce (pronounced ah-lair-say) ce- ics, musicians, horticulturalists, biolo- Alaska's Tongass rainforest, said the dar. This ancient conifer is an anomaly gists, photographers, a cinematogra- earth's oldest and largest trees live in in a hemisphere dominated by broad- pher, sound technician and video crews. the temperate, not the tropical, rain- leaf tree species. The alerce is a relic There was not a leader in the bunch. forest. These biomes, existing unvio- from the inconceivable past, possibly Carlos, the quiet Chilean ranger, was a lated by natural catastrophe for tens of the oldest form of life on earth. Totally good candidate, but he returned the 20 thousands of years, are our planet's exploited decades ago from their low- miles to Puerto Montt with Ignacio, a oldest genetic communities, the last res- land habitat, the trees, unappreciated, Santiago university student, to tend to ervoir of ancestral DNA. Western Tanager 11 December 1989

Within the alerce forest, we were like children playing at the feet of Bookstore News WESTERN TANAGER Continued from page 7 Published 10 times a year by demigods. We sat on their massiveburls Los Angeles Audubon Society and nestled in the hammocks of humus spring, being the authority on taxon- 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard that skirted their trunks. Above us their omy and geographical distribution for (Plummer Park) awesome columns formed a vaulted the continent's avifauna, the official West Hollywod, CA 90046 and chambered ceiling. A fragile carpet reference in any serious lister's library, EDITOR: Jesse Moorman ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Hank Brodkin of moss and liverworts asked that each and the final referee in any argument. CONSERVATION EDITOR: step be a careful one. There were no And then, whereveryouare headed Sandy Wohlgemuth insects or snakes in these sylvan halls. in the United States or overseas for ORNITHOLOGY CONSULTANT: Time and scale lost all proportion. your next birding adventure, we try to Kimball Garrett We North and South Americans carry the checklist for you, from Ver- DESKTOP PUBLISHING: WP Plus PRINTING: Marcotte Printing formed Ancient Forest International, a mont to Paraguay. All are reasonably non-profit charitable foundation. We priced and highly portable and an ex- Los Angeles Audubon Society is a chap- wanted to draw attention, to help pre- cellent way of keeping track of what ter of National Audubon Society. LAAS serve our remaining temperate rain- you see... and it saves marking up that meets 10 times per year on the second forest wildernesses. Such revered and nice field guide. So, get ticking! • Tuesday of the month. Board meetings, 7:30 p.m. on the first Thursday, are open sacred biomes have given us the groves to all Audubon members. Opinions ex- of the Druids, the inspirational sequoia Raptor Workshop pressed in articles or letters herein do of John Muir, the mystical forests of Continued from page 3 not necessarily express the position of Old World lore. Within these vanish- LAAS. ing apparitions of once-vast and an- and subspecific variations of the diur- PRESIDENT: Robert Van Meter cient New World forest, we might come nal raptors that you will likely encoun- 1st VICE PRESIDENT: Jean Brandt at last to know peace as it was at first! ter in southern California, don't miss 2nd VICE PRESIDENT: the lecture and slide presentation on Richard Webster January 19, to be given by Ned EXECUTIVE SECRETARY: Harris-one of our foremost raptor pho- Mildred Newton tographers and a true enthusiast. Annual membership in both societies is Furthermore, if you'd like to actu- $35 per year, $21 for seniors, and presently ally see these birds with Ned and to put $30 for new members for their first year. some of your new-found appreciation Members receive the Western Tanager and acumen to the test, you can also newsletter and Audubon magazine, a national publication. sign up for the bus-trip portion of the Renewals of membership are computer- workshop scheduled from 7:00 a.m. to ized by National Audubon and should not 4'ish the next day (Saturday, January normally be sent to LAAS. New member- 20). Ned will give the play-by-play as ships and renewal of lapsed memberships we tour nearby raptoring grounds. See may be sent to Los Angeles Audubon House the Field Trip Calendar for more de- at the above address. Make checks payable to the order of National Audubon Society. tails. • Non-members may suscribe to the Western Tanager for $12 per year. The newsletter is RESERVATION TRIPS sent by first class mail to subscribers and (Limited Participation) members who pay an additional $5. Make Policy and Procedures checks payable to Los Angeles Audubon Reservations for LAAS trips will be accepted Society. ONLY if ALL the following information has AFI is leading its second (non-profit) been supplied: (1) Trip desired expedition to the area in January-February (2) Names of people in your party National Headquarters, New York - 1990 as a means to gather wider support for (3) Phone numbers: (a) usual and (212) 832-3200 its work. The expedition will be composed of (b) evening before event, in case of Los Angeles Audubon Headquarters, scientists, naturalists, explorers, photog- emergency cancellation or changes (4) Separate check (no cash please) to LAAS Library and Bookstore are open raphers, writers and other interested per- for exact amount for each trip Tuesday - Saturday sons. (For more information on the Chilean (5) SASE for confirmation and associated 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. forests and AFI's project, see Rick Klein, trip information. (213) 876-0202 - office Send to: Reservations, LAAS, 7377 Santa "TheAlerceOdyssey/'EarthlslandJour- Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046 (213) 874-1318-bird tape nal, Fall 1989, pp. 25-27.) If there is insufficient response, the trip (updated Thursdays) To report bird sightings, Anyone interested in participating in, will be cancelled two Wednesdays prior to the scheduled date and you will be so notified and before 9:00 p.m. or contributing to, this effort should con- your fee refunded. Your cancellation within (818) 788-5188 - Jean Brandt tact AFI at P.O. Box 1850, Redway, CA that time will bring a refund only if there is a paid replacement available. (213) 827-0407 - Hank Brodkin 95560, (707) 923-3015. • Western Tanager 12 December 1989 ANNOUNCEMENTS

EVENING MEETING Saturday, December 9; Sunday, December 10 - Saturday, January 20 - Whittier Narrows Re- Meet at 8:00 p.m. in Phimmer Park Carrizo Plains (two trips). Leader Rob Hanson. gional Park. See December 9 for details. Even with two dates available, these trips are Tuesday, December 12 - Dr. Michael Wallace, expected to sell out, based on last year's re- Saturday, January 27 - Point Mugu. Leader Director of The Captive Breeding and Release sponse, the ensuing success of that trip, and Rob Daniel Cooper and the base biologist should find Program for the California Condor as well as the Hansen's impressive familiarity with the birds plenty of waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, scoters Curator of Birds at our own L. A. Zoo, will pres- and the area. This is an excellent opportunity to and other wintering birds to remark upon in this ent a program on The California Condor. This is see raptors, including dark- and light-phase limited-access area. Exit PCH onto Wood Rd., a topic of national interest. His talk will include Ferruginous Hawks, Rough-legged Hawks, head west, then south on the frontage road to the details about the current use of Andean Condors Golden Eagles, Prairie Falcons and others seen main (#1) gate lot. The attendance list must be as experimental surrogates (female Andean last year. Most would probably agree that the submitted to the base beforehand, so sign up Condors were released in the Los Padres Na- high point was the sight of hundreds of Sandhill early! Must be minimum 16 years old, and no tional Forest this year). The Captive Breeding Cranes gliding over the ridge to roost on Soda cameras please. Include in your reservation re- Program is moving ahead successfully and Dr. Lake. Bring lunch and scopes, and meet at 8.30 quest an SASE, citizenship status, phone number Wallace will give us a behind-the-scenes look at a.m. near Wheeler Ridge (map and info will be and a $5.00 deposit to be refunded at the gate. howit works. Please join us and get reacquainted sent upon registration). In an effort to accommo- with the magnificent California Condor and the date all comers while meeting expenses and Sunday, February 4 - Salton Sea. Marge Pamias struggle to bring it back from extinction. limiting the carpool to a manageable 7 cars per will beleading this jointLosAngeles/LongBeach day, the trip rate will be a flat $40 per car. So call Audubon trip. Aside from the huge flocks of IDENTIFICATION WORKSHOP up some friends and make it a social event. Sign Canada Geese, Snow Geese and other waterfowl Precedes the regular evening meetings up at Audubon House with SASE per field trip wintering in the area, we should see lots of White 730 p.m.-8:00 p.m. policy. Pelicans, numerous Sandhill Cranes and-we hope-Stilt Sandpipers and Common Goldeneyes. Sunday, December 24 - Malibu Lagoon. Fourth Call Audubon House to reserve. No fee. Stay FIELD TRIPS Sunday of each month. Meet at 8.30 a.m. in the tuned for details. • CALL THE TAPE! lagoon parking lot (daily fee) on the ocean side of Before setting out on any field trip, call the PCH, just north of the lagoon bridge. You can Audubon bird tape, (213) 874-1318 for special also turn into town for street parking. Parking instructions or possible cancellations that may along the highway is not recommended, as there have occurred by the Thursday before the trip. have been several automobile break-ins in recent months. This walk is under the leadership of a ,£. Saturday, December 2 - Prado Basin. Basin member of the Santa Monica Audubon Society. ecologjst Tom Keeney will take our group duck- club-hopping through the riparian woodlands Sunday, January 7 - Topanga State Park. See I behind Prado dam. We should see a good selec- December 3 for details. tion of waterfowl, riparian passerines, shore- birds and other wintering species. Sign up by Saturday, January 13 - Ballona Wetlands. See phone at Audubon House to learn 8 a.m. meeting December 9 for details. location in Corona. 20 participants maximum. Bring a lunch, warm clothing and mud-resistant Saturday, January 13 - Lakeview/Lake Perris footwear. Area. Leader Monte Taylor will show us around this excellent winter birding area in search of Sunday, December 3 - Topanga State Park. Buteos, Prairie Falcons, Golden Eagles, Long- Leader Gerry Haigh will guide participants spurs and myriad waterfowl. Take Fwy 60 east through this beautiful nearby area. The group past Fwy 215, exit south on Gilman Springs Rd., will look at wintering and resident species in the and meet at the Bridge St. intersection at 8.30 a.m. sycamores, grassland, scrub oak and chaparral. at the side of the road. Bring lunch, scopes, warm This is an ideal trip for a beginning birder or for clothing and durable footwear. someone new to the area. Meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot of Trippet Ranch. From Topanga Friday & Saturday, January 19 & 20 - Raptor Canyon Blvd. heading south, take a very sharp Workshop. Our instructor Ned Harris will be turn east (left) uphill onto Entrada Drive (7 miles drawing on his extensive collection of raptor south of Ventura Blvd. and 1 mile north of To- slides and raptor lore for this Friday slide show panga Village). Follow the signs to the state park. and Saturday bus trip. The raptor I.D. workshop $3 parking fee. will cover the 22 species of diurnal birds of prey which can be observed in southern California, Saturday, December 9 - Ballona Wetlands. Bob concentrating on the field identification of these Shanman will conduct this monthly walk at our raptors in their various age, sex and color morph nearest wetlands. Wintering waterfowl and shore- variations. The recommended text is Hawks, by birds will be well established. Black Oystercatch- W. Clark & B. Wheeler (Peterson Field Guide ers are usually seen. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Pacific Series #35). The most likely species to be seen on Ave. footbridge. Take the Marina Fwy (90 West) Saturday's field trip are Red-tailed and Ferrugi- to Culver Blvd., turn left to Pacific Ave., then nous Hawks, American Kestrels, Prairie Falcons right to the bridge at the end. Street parking is and Northern Harriers. Possible additional spe- | 5 usually available. cies include Rough-legged and Cooper's Hawks, 3 Golden Eagles and Merlins. Lecturemeets at 7:30 Saturday, December 9 - Whittier Narrows Re- p.m. at Union Federal Savings at 8485 La Cienega gional Park David White will lead a morning near Wilshire. Free locked parking lot for dura- 111 walk to check in on their resident birds and tion of meeting. Field trip meets 7:00 a.m. at •sit renowned waterfowl. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Na- FederalBuildingparkinglotin Westwood, 11000 ture Center, 1000 N. Durfee Avenue in South El Wilshire Blvd. Fee is $12 for lecture and bus, $6 Monte, off Fwy 60 between the Santa Anita and for lecture only. Peck Dr. exits, west of Fwy 605. ill