THE NEWSLETTER OF THE GOLDEN GATE AUDUBON SOCIETY // VOL. 101 NO. 4 FALL 2017

PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PRESIDIO by ilana debare lan Hopkins remembers birding A at the Presidio of in the 1970s when it was still an active military base. “You had to sneak around, especially if you had binoculars,” he recalled. Today, as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Presidio is far more welcoming to birdwatchers and other nature lovers. But Golden Gate Audubon Society’s involvement with the Presidio began even before it became a national park.

CONTINUED on page 5

Red-shouldered Hawk at the Presidio David Assmann that empowers youth from the Bay Area’s most under-served schools to become eco- logical stewards of our watersheds and their own schoolyards. Our docent programs, focused on Birds of Lake Merritt, Birding the Bay Trail, and Burrowing Owls, are all fully powered by volunteers. Who leads our 165+ free field trips each year? Knowledgeable volunteers! Who conducts those extensive Christmas Bird Counts every December in Oakland and San Francisco? Yep, marvelous volunteers! And how best to focus the public’s attention on local bird life? Well, we need volunteer artists and photographers to show Ilana DeBareIlana Volunteer artists depicted Birds of the Presidio in chalk as part of our Centennial. people how and where to look! Volunteers inspire us. They’re the res- ervoir of energy that sustains our work. THE GIFTS OF VOLUNTEERS It’s such a privilege to collaborate with so by cindy margulis, executive director many smart and talented individuals, each of whom lends us their valuable skills pro ave you had a chance yet to see even being transported and installed by a bono. The multi-faceted work of Golden h how we’ve honored our 100 years cadre of these can-do folks! Gate Audubon enables us to leverage every- of protecting Bay Area birds? Golden Gate Our amazing array of volunteers is what body’s talents and expertise, whether they Audubon Society’s popular Centennial makes GGAS so special. Dedicated vol- are teachers, lawyers, gardeners, architects, Exhibit has been migrating around the unteers help us monitor and advocate for writers, photographers, scientists, artists, Bay, hosted already this year at four public wildlife and habitat protections. They also organizers, sparkling personalities…or all sites: the California State Building in San serve on our Board and our three active of the above. I believe adamantly that doing Francisco, Tilden Park’s Environmental conservation committees. wildlife conservation in an urban context Education Center in Berkeley, Oakland’s Who provides the hands for all of our challenges us to apply everyone’s gifts most City Hall complex, and the Tides Thoreau hands-on conservation—including the hab- purposefully. Center in the Presidio. itat enhancement and restoration projects Our mission is to connect people to the From October through December, our we initiated and manage at eight different wonder of birds and translate that won- Centennial will be featured at Lindsay public lands around the Bay? Hundreds of der into action that protects wildlife and Wildlife Experience in Walnut Creek. Not handy volunteers! habitats. So…if we can be as clever and only does the exhibit highlight the accom- Volunteers are also crucial to our signa- resourceful as a Common Raven, we’ll be plishments of our terrific volunteers, it is ture Eco-Education STEM science program worthy of such astounding volunteers!

NEWS BRIEFS

2017 Oakland Heron Rescues Osprey Nest Cam— Help Extend Our More Bird News Eighty-one young Black-crowned A Great First Year Centennial Celebration on Our Blog Night-Herons and Snowy Egrets Over 68,000 people have viewed Our traveling Centennial exhibit Subscribe to our blog for were rescued from downtown our live Osprey nest cam since has received such rave reviews weekly news about Bay Area Oakland streets during the 2017 its launch last March along the that we hope to extend it into 2018 birds and GGAS activities. See breeding season, thanks to the Richmond shoreline. The website— and 2019. Do you know of a venue goldengateaudubon.org/blog, then three-way partnership we organized sfbayospreys.org—drew 600,000 such as a community center or click the blue “follow” button to with Oakland Zoo and International page views, and educators from 11 office building lobby that might receive posts via email. Recent Bird Rescue. Fifty of those birds communities downloaded free lesson be a good site? Email us at ggas@ topics include a history of the were successfully rehabilitated and plans. Next year’s nesting season will goldengateaudubon.org. We want to Farallones and using a tiny digital released into safer habitat. start in early March. hear from you! camera to monitor nest boxes.

2 THE GULL FALL 2017 BAY AREA HOTSPOT

(From left) Elegant Terns at ; hiking the Batteries to Bluffs trail. Photos by Alan Hopkins.

Northern coastline. The Golden Gate Promenade offers spectacular views. Look for Pigeon Guillemots nesting in Fort Scott’s gun turrets in the summer. Murres and cormorants pass beneath the bridge, and wintering Western Grebes are just offshore. The beach east of the Gulf of the Farallones Visitor Center is protected for wintering Snowy Plovers. The lawn at Crissy Field can have swallows and goldfinches in the summer. Crissy Marsh is more a lagoon than a marsh, with egrets, ducks, and shorebirds. Western Bluffs and shore. Battery Godfrey, across from the Golden Gate Overlook, offers views of oyster- PRESIDIO OF SAN FRANCISCO: catchers, turnstones and Surfbirds on the rocks below. BIRDING HOTSPOT In hot weather it’s a great migration site where you can spot flocks of tanagers and kingbirds. Any migrating bird by alan hopkins is possible, but be quick with the optics because few birds actually stop. ith more than 200 bird species, the Presidio Mountain Lake. Years of extensive restoration have LOCATION is beloved by Bay Area birdwatchers. The area paid off with nesting Red-winged Blackbirds in the Presidio w has diverse habitats: ocean, bay, marsh, riparian, wood- tules, and Ruddy Ducks and Pied-billed Grebes along San Francisco land, and more. the edges. The new East Arm of the lake has had Blue- Founded in 1776 as a Spanish military installation, winged Teal. the 1,491-acre base became part of the Golden Gate Tennessee Hollow. The most exciting project in National Recreation Area in 1994. Like some other the park, Tennessee Hollow had tons of fill and conduit Enormous military bases, large tracts were left undeveloped and so removed to daylight its stream. I often hike from the top efforts have remnants of San Francisco’s original flora and fauna can to the bottom, passing El Polin Spring, and finding Nut- been made still be found. tall’s Woodpeckers, orioles, sapsuckers, and warblers. In Since the Presidio became a national park, enormous the future, the trail will continue to a new wetland at to restore efforts have been made to restore its natural habitat. Crissy Field. the natural Crissy Field—formerly an asphalt lot surrounded by a These mentions barely scratch the surface of birding cyclone fence—today offers a thriving lagoon. El Polin at the Presidio. For more detail, see goldengateaudubon. habitat. Spring—once a quaint picnic area on the edge of a org/blog-posts/presidio-birding-hotspot. As its restored landfill—now hosts native plants, butterflies, and birds. habitats mature, the Presidio will offer even more trea- Highlights include: sures for bird and nature lovers.

Have a favorite birding site you’d like to share? Contact [email protected].

FALL 2017 THE GULL 3 FEATURES

SEE THE BIRDS OF THE WORLD IN 2018!

olden Gate Audubon Society is offering an exciting array of Destinations in 2018 include Baja California (birding and a close g guided birding tours in 2018, from Willow Ptarmigans in encounter with grey whales), Denali and Glacier National Parks in Alaska to Black-eared Fairy Hummingbirds in Peru. Our trips are Alaska, Peru (from the rainforest to the Andes, including Machu carefully chosen to offer world-class birding destinations, expert Picchu), Costa Rica, Oaxaca, South Texas for spring migration, and birding guides, comfortable lodging, seamless logistics, and great Southern Oregon. Visit goldengateaudubon.org/travel for details. For companionship. Plus each trip helps support our conservation and a complete itinerary, contact our volunteer Travel Coordinators Pat environmental education programs! ([email protected]) or Rubi ([email protected]).

(From left) Alaska Range (courtesy Paxson Woelber); grey whale encounter in Baja (courtesy Juan-Carlos Solis); Scarlet Macaws in Peru (courtesy Pelin Karaca).

THE NEXT CENTURY OF BAY AREA CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP

s we wrap up our 2017 Centennial Legacy gifts helped us achieve numer- Our Leaving a Legacy for Conservation a year, we hope you’ve had a chance ous conservation victories during our first brochure explains some of your planned to enjoy the traveling exhibit on 100 Years 100 years, from acquiring Point Pinole as giving options. You can download it at of Protecting Bay Area Birds. Now we’re parkland to reducing raptor mortality at goldengateaudubon.org/legacy or call us at turning our gaze to the next 100 years of Altamont Pass, and creating a permanent (510) 843-2222 to receive a copy by mail. inspiring people to protect the birds we all wildlife reserve at Alameda Point. Legacy Call us if you want more information. love. gifts are a way to make a difference for And please let us know if you do include There is a big, critically important way wildlife even after you’re gone. They ensure GGAS in your estate planning: We’d like to you can help—by including Golden Gate that future generations will be able to enjoy thank you at some of our special events for Audubon Society in your estate planning. the Bay Area birds and landscapes you love. legacy donors.

UPCOMING EVENTS

2017 Christmas Bird Counts Centennial Exhibit at Lindsay Wildlife Restore habitat for wildlife Oakland and San Francisco Experience Multiple locations December 17 and 27 1931 First Avenue, Walnut Creek Multiple dates Mark your calendar now for our Oakland CBC October, 3, 2017 through January 2, 2018 We mobilize 2,500 volunteers each year to on December 17 and our San Francisco CBC on Last chance to view our traveling Centennial restore habitat at sites in San Francisco, Oakland, December 27, each followed by the traditional exhibit in 2017! See stunning images of birds and Richmond, and Alameda. You could be one of festive count dinner. All skill levels welcome. We GGAS history at Lindsay Wildlife Experience, them! These are fun and fulfilling events for all warmly invite new Feeder Watchers to take part! open Wednesdays through Sundays. Join us for a ages, and we always include a little birding. No Registration will open in late October; see our members-only reception on Sunday, October 15. experience needed. See goldengateaudubon.org/ website then for details. For details, email [email protected]. volunteer for a restoration event near you.

4 THE GULL FALL 2017 FEATURES

From left: GGAS volunteers restore Presidio habitat in the early 2000s (courtesy Presidio Trust); this Snowy Plover was rescued and banded after the in 2008, then spotted at Crissy Field in 2015 (courtesy Bob Gunderson).

PRESIDIO CONTINUED from page 1 The Presidio’s profile as a birding site started rising when As part of GGAS’s year-long Centennial celebration, we’re highlighting our long con- GGAS revived its San Francisco Christmas Bird Count in nection to this treasured place. 1983 and included the Presidio.

First Western Snowy Plover To see the longstanding importance of the Presidio’s transfer in 1994 to the National dio realize that its natural resource mission Presidio area as wildlife habitat, look no Park Service. GGAS organized a multi- needed to attend to wildlife, not just native further than a 1.5-ounce threatened shore- year series of bird censuses to document vegetation. Two years ago, the Presidio bird. The type specimen for the Western and inform management of the Presidio’s Trust added a wildlife ecologist to its staff. Snowy Plover was collected at the Presidio avian inhabitants. GGAS weighed in with “Plants had been the focus of our natural in 1854 by Lt. Col. William Trowbridge, the thoughtful, well-documented comments resource program,” said Presidio Trust Pro- army engineer who built the Golden Gate on land management issues, including the gram Manager Damien Raffa. The quail Tidal Gauge. future of Crissy Field. partnership “brought us into the realm of In the 20th century, while the Presidio It’s partly due to advocacy by GGAS that wildlife in a way we hadn’t been before.” was still a military base, GGAS offered the Presidio created Crissy Lagoon—now a Since 2012, dedicated GGAS volunteers field trips there led by Mary Lousie Rose- thriving wetland hosting herons, waterfowl, led by Corny Foster have held monthly gay, one of the first women to graduate in and shorebirds—on land that was formerly beach clean-ups for Snowy Plovers and ornithology from Cornell. Living on the military buildings. other shorebirds at the Presidio’s Crissy base and then nearby, Rosegay developed a “There were lots of meetings, lots of Field. Matt Zlatunich led a study to inform bird list for the Presidio and advocated for people who thought it should be a place to our recommendations for dog management its wildlife. run dogs and not a wetland, and another policy. “I remember seeing my life Red Crossbill group that wanted to maintain the historic And this summer GGAS brought its on one of Mary Louise’s field trips to Moun- airfield,” said Hopkins. Centennial exhibit to the Presidio. With tain Lake,” said Hopkins, a longtime GGAS the Presidio Trust, we co-produced a brand- volunteer and former Board President. Promoting Management for new outdoor art event that featured 20 local Wildlife nature artists rendering Presidio bird spe- Becoming a National Park In the 2000s, GGAS partnered with the cies in vibrant sidewalk chalk around the The Presidio’s profile as a birding site Presidio Trust to restore habitat for quail, Presidio. started rising when GGAS revived its San whose numbers in the city were dwindling. “We are honored to have such a strong, Francisco Christmas Bird Count in 1983 Unfortunately, the work did not succeed enduring working relationship with the and included the Presidio. For more than a in stabilizing the quail population, but it Presidio,” said GGAS Executive Direc- dozen years, GGAS has partnered with the created several areas of healthy, native- tor Cindy Margulis. “This beautiful and Presidio Trust to hold the CBC tally dinner landscaped habitat where there used to be storied parkland reminds us of how well- at the Presidio Log Cabin. trash and ice plant. managed parklands are vital for wildlife, Our involvement accelerated with the GGAS’s insights also helped the Presi- and for people, too.”

FALL 2017 THE GULL 5 SPEAKER SERIES

RIDGWAY’S RAILS LOCATION / DATE Berkeley AND ADAPTIVE TIDAL Thursday, November 16 6:30 p.m. refreshments, MARSH RESTORATION 7 p.m. program julian wood

Ridgway’s Rail, an endangered species dependent on S.F. Bay tidal marshes, is making a comeback, due partly to large-scale tidal restoration projects happening throughout the Bay. Will these populations be resilient in the future as climate change leads to rising Rick LewisRick seas and storms? How can innovative restoration and habitat enhancement help them survive? Dan Roby Caspian Tern and chick. Julian Wood is S.F. Bay Program Leader at Point Blue Con- servation Science, where he promotes wetland-dependent bird conservation through innovative research that informs on-the- RESTORING SEABIRD LOCATION / DATE ground habitat restoration and management. He also helps agencies COLONIES THROUGH San Francisco prepare for the negative impacts of climate change on wildlife and Thursday, October 19 human communities. 6:30 p.m. refreshments, SOCIAL ATTRACTION 7 p.m. program dan roby San Francisco: First Unitarian Universalist Church and Center, 1187 Franklin Street (at Geary). Public transit, street parking, and parking in a In 1973, National Audubon successfully restored a breeding colony lot for a fee are available. Directions: Visit www.uusf.org/contact. of Atlantic Puffins on an island in the Gulf of Maine where they Berkeley: Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda (between had been extirpated in the early 20th century. They relied on social Solano and Marin). Directions: Visit www.northbrae.org/contact-- attraction—an innovative use of decoys and audio playback that find-us.html. in subsequent years has helped restore seabird colonies across the globe. In the Pacific Flyway, social attraction helped restore breeding colonies of Caspian Terns. It’s currently the centerpiece of a last- ditch attempt to prevent extinction of the Chinese Crested Tern. Dan Roby is the Unit Leader–Wildlife for the U.S. Geological Survey’s Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, and Professor of Wildlife Ecology at Oregon State University. His primary area of research interest is the physiological ecology and conservation biology of birds, with an emphasis on seabirds. Dan was awarded the Ralph W. Schreiber Conservation Award from the American Ornithological Society in 2017.

EARLY BIRD RENEWAL

Renew your Golden Gate Audubon Society membership now for 2018! If you renew now, we won’t need to mail you a year-end renewal letter, saving postage, time, and trees. And if you’re a member of National 2018 BAY AREA BIRDS PHOTO CALENDAR Audubon who has not yet joined Golden Gate Audubon, please do! Benefits include this quarterlyGull newsletter, free admission to our Make the beauty and wonder of Bay Area birds part of your daily monthly Speaker Series, and discounts on birding classes and boat life with our 2018 Birds of the Bay Area photo calendar. Enjoy trips. And of course…being part of a community that has worked to stunning photos of eagles, owls, warblers, shorebirds, humming- protect Bay Area birds for the past 100 years. Renew or join online at goldengateaudubon.org/join or call us at birds, and more by dozens of the Bay Area’s most talented wildlife (510) 843-2222. If you join now, your membership will cover the rest photographers. Just $20 plus tax, it makes a great holiday gift. It may of 2017 and all of 2018. even inspire your friends to start birding! View and order online at goldengateaudubon.org/calendar, or purchase at our office.

6 THE GULL FALL 2017 DONATIONS ROSTER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Thank you for your generous donations to support our Diane Bennett Clayton Anderson many conservation, education, and member activities! Carol Baird Donations from June 1, 2017 through August 31, 2017 Sharon Beals Linda Carloni Jack Dumbacher Bill Hudson GOLDEN EAGLE William Barnaby, Sandra Lavinia Oppenheim, & Rita Sklar, Randi Bruce Mast ($1000 and above) Barth, Victoria Behrman, PayPal Giving Fund, Slaughter-Broussal, Lucy Jill O’Brien March Conservation Fund, Diane & Tom Bennett, Wendy Parfrey, Victoria Snow, Vera Solovkov, Pam Young Jay & Lisa Pierrepont Edward Bennett, Linda Peirotes, Sharon Pretti, Richard Speiglman, Benson, Susan Billings, Eileen Protz, Patricia Beverley Spurgeon, STAFF PEREGRINE FALCON Bonnie Bishop, Judith Reese, Dan Richman, Joyce & James Stanek, Executive Director ($500 to $999) Bojorquez, Jennifer Cecilia Riddell, Lori Kathy Stiles, Herbert Cindy Margulis, 510.843.9912 Andrea Burhoe, Ann Brook, Bob & Melinda Rillera, Krehe Ritter, Strauss, Susan Swerdlow, [email protected] Richter, Caroline Booth, Buchanan, Deborah Mary Roberts, Victoria Nancy Szymanski, Lucile Jill Bryans, Marjorie Bullock, Janet Calhoun, Robinson, James Taber, Aryeh Talnir, Rita Volunteer Coordinator Noreen Weeden, 510.301.0570 Fletcher, Mary Betlach, Mary Carrigan, Andrea Rogers, Diane Rooney, Tidwell, Kenichi Ueda, [email protected] Viola Gonzales & Michael Cassidy, Anne Roughton, United Way California Toni Childress, Marie Cynthia Ruff, Grace Capital Region, Clarence Communications Director LEAST TERN Collins, Sheila Collins, Ruth, Marylee Sando, & Susan Veit, Trudy Ilana DeBare, 510.301.5573 ($250 to $499) Paulette Collins, Susan Suzanne Schmutz, Washburn, Rachel [email protected] Dianne Ayres, Jacqueline Cossins, Peter Crews, Christina Schneck, Watson-Clark, Janet Desoer, Harry Fuller, Donna Cummings, Elba Alice Schofield, Steve Watts, John Wharton, Office Manager James Hogg, Diane Dahlberg, Ned Dairiki, Scholl, Valerie Schutz, Susie White, Elise White, Monica Moore, 510.843.2222 [email protected] Luders, Joyce Schnobrich Gerald Daniel, Audel Valerie Schwimmer, Ann Kelly Wilkinson, Diane Davis Family, James Shackelford, Douglas Wilson, Josine Wood, VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP RIDGWAY’S RAIL De Armond, Robert Shamp, Judith Shattuck, Sylvie Woog, Linda ($100 to $249) DeCicco, Erin Diehm, Katrina Sherman, Wraxall, Robert Yates, Adult Education Chair Nicolas Abgrall, Carol Mary Donovan, Mike Joanne Sidwell, David Robert Young, Jr., Nancy Maureen Lahiff, [email protected] Baird & Alan Harper, Donovan, Mary Dumont, Silverstein, Joseph Zefo Field Trip Coordinator Geonni Banner, Robin Roy Egawa, Mark Estes, Steve Lombardi, [email protected] Barrett, Patricia Bowen, Ron Felzer, Evelyn Fisher, Robert & Barbara Leland Freidenburg, Travel with GGAS Coordinators Pat Kirkpatrick, [email protected] Brandriff, Virginia Carder, Dorthy Furseth, Richard GIFTS IN HONOR OF Rubi Abrams, [email protected] Charlie Cardillo, James Gale, William Giddens, Bonnie Bell, in honor of WWOC Clarke, Lawrence Crooks, Robin Gillies, James Ann & Eric Cross, in honor of George Peyton THE GULL AND WEBSITE Barbara Davis, Vera De Gollihur, Suzanne Good, Ilana DeBare, in honor of George Peyton Gull and Web Editor Martini, Betsy Dodd, Sharon & Tom Goodall, Mary Lou Kurtz, in honor of Cindy Margulis Ilana DeBare, [email protected] John Domzalski, Christa Kimberly Goodhope, Jeffrey Mendelssohn, in honor of Rivet and in memory Goldblatt, Barbara Haley, Nancy Gorrell, Maureen of Whirley Dolores Hansen, Karen Grabowski, Anne Susie Wallenstein, in honor of George Peyton NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BIRD BOX Harber, William Hein, Gregan-Ver, John Teri and Chris Wills, in honor of George Peyton Report your unusual bird sightings: 415.681.7422 Douglas Hendricks & Grossberg, Judith Ann Ellen Yamamoto, in honor of Emma Patricia Langenhahn, Gurbaxani, James Hall, ABOUT GOLDEN GATE AUDUBON Robert Hosemann, Madelon Halpern, The Golden Gate Audubon Society was founded Richard & Monica Hove, Timothy Hansen, GIFTS IN MEMORY OF January 25, 1917, and became a chapter of National Robert Kaplan, Karen Charlotte Harbeson, Robin Banks, in memory of Whirley Audubon in 1948. Golden Gate Audubon Supporting Membership is $35 per year. Renewals should be Kenney, Patricia Lamborn, Gail Harper, Scott & David Hansen, in memory of Nancy Hodgkinson sent to the Golden Gate Audubon office. The Board Sharon Lamparter, Sarah Harrison, Robyn Thora Harrison, in memory of Whirley and in memory of of Directors meets six times per year (schedule can Barbara Loomis, Saundra Hilles, Dan Hinton, Edith Hausmann be obtained from the office). Lormand, Darlene Carol Hochberg- Judy Hnilo, in memory of Whirley McNulty, Mary Anne Holker, Barbara Hoyler, Carolyn Larabell, in memory of Whirley The Gull is published four times per year. Special Miller, Ellen Moffatt, Katherine Hughes, Gail MacDonald, in memory of Whirley third-class postage paid in Oakland, CA. Send Stuart Moock, Thomas John Hules, George Philip Mertz, in memory of Karen Mary Mertz Matz address changes to the office promptly. The post Murray, Marita O’Reilly, Humphreys, Emily Hunt, Grace Morlock, in memory of Whirley office does not forward The Gull. Carol Raifsnider, in memory of Whirley Patrick Owens, Sharon Anne Ireland, Kevin Learn about upcoming Golden Gate Audubon Jerome Samelson, in memory of James Jeffrey Carter Pancio, Bess Petty, Jackson, Eileen Kelleher, events every month! Send your name and email Eleanor Segal, in memory of Whirley George Peyton, Juergen Corinne Kennedy, address to [email protected] to receive Pfaff, Laurel Przybylski, David Kessler, Elizabeth Don Stiver, in memory of Ruth Palmer Stiver our monthly e-newsletters with upcoming events and William Pursley, Linda Kimble, Gertrude Kin, Mary Wheeler, in memory of Bea Wheeler other news. Quan, Caroline Read, Dan Michael Korson, Lisa Golden Gate Audubon Society Roth, Nancy Schleiger, Krepela, Ade Kroll, BEQUESTS 2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite G Karen Streicher, Chris Carol Larsen, Constance Estate of Jill Bryans Berkeley, CA 94702 Tarp, Judith Tart, Cheryl Larsh, Claire Lash, Office hours: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday Thompson, Ursula Tocher, Naomi Lidicker, William IN-KIND GIFTS 9 a.m. – noon, and other hours by appointment Margarette Untawale, & Toni Link, Linda Maag, Jacqueline Craig, Nature’s Acre Nursery, Tel 510.843.2222 Mary MacCready & Andy Ward, Leslie Watts, Port of San Francisco, Recology www.goldengateaudubon.org Stephanie Woods, Emil Melvyn Wright, Cindy [email protected] Zollinger Margulis, Roberto Martinez, Paul Matzner, EMPLOYEE GIFT MATCHES Nature Store GIFTS Helen McKinley, Mardi Clorox (Rachel Watson-Clark) Visit our online store at goldengateaudubon.org/ (To $99) Mertens, Judy Meshko- store. Jen Aanestad, Susan Ottenweller, Jaime GRANTS This issue of The Gull was published October 2017. Allen, George Almeida, Michaels, Jennifer Miko, Flora Family Foundation Design by e.g. communications Rollin Anderson, Carl Sue Morgan, David PG&E Corporation Foundation Anderson, Edgar Antonio, Moyer, Cordelia Neal, Port of San Francisco

FALL 2017 THE GULL 7 Golden Gate Audubon Society 2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite G Non-Profit Org. Berkeley, CA 94702 U.S. Postage PAID Return service requested Oakland, CA Permit No.1702

www.goldengateaudubon.org The Gull is printed with soy-based inks on chlorine-free paper, 30% postconsumer waste content.

3 Bay Area Hotspot: 4 Birding Travel in 2018 6 Speaker Series Presidio of San Francisco Join us to discover the birds and cultures of October: Restoring Seabird Colonies through Ongoing restoration is turning the onetime Peru, Oaxaca, Costa Rica, Baja California, Social Attraction. November: Ridgway’s Rails military base into a birder’s treasure trove. Southern Arizona, Southern Oregon, and Alaska. and Adaptive Marsh Restoration.

BACKYARD BIRDER

spring to boreal forest breeding grounds. In the fall, these insectivo- rous songbirds head south in greater numbers, bound for wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. Describing the fall warbler migration in “Invisible Visitors,” poet David Budbill marvels at the “myriad species, all looking sort of like each other, yellow, brown, gray, all muted versions of their summer selves.” After foraging by daylight to refuel on insects, berries, and some- times sap, warblers travel mainly by night. They cover vast distances; in one study, a banded Yellow-rumped Warbler clocked in a flight speed of 362 kilometers or 225 miles per day during migration. Named for its most distinctive field mark, the Yellow-rumped Warbler is a common winter resident of lowland California. Both the western (Audubon’s) and eastern (Myrtle) American subspecies

Bob GundersonBob can be seen here during fall or winter, when Myrtles may stray west- Townsend’s Warbler. ward. Throat color (white in Myrtle, yellow in Audubon’s) easily distinguishes adults. WANDERING WARBLERS Another seasonal visitor, Townsend’s Warbler arrives from conif- erous forests of the Pacific Northwest, flying south in a narrow band by blake edgar along the coast. Many overwinter in our oak woodlands or coastal conifers, conspicuous with their contrasting black-and-yellow faces. oth a pleasure to observe and a pain to identify, warblers Townsend’s Warblers depart by April, but the cycle continues b require the backyard birder’s keen attention. No more so than as spring brings the return for breeding of other species, such as in the fall, when adult warblers amplify the identification challenge Orange-crowned Warbler and Wilson’s Warbler. Although it’s rare by swapping vibrant breeding plumage for more cryptic coloration. to catch a glimpse of the former’s orange head feathers, the Wilson’s Drab juveniles add a further confounding factor. male sports an obvious black cap atop its olive and yellow body. Wood-warblers comprise 115 species in the New World fam- Spring is the season when warblers more readily live up to that ily Parulidae. About half of the species occur in North America. name, with males singing to claim a territory or a mate. At any time As a general rule, North American warblers migrate northward in of year, it’s worth paying some attention to the warblers around us.

8 THE GULL FALL 2017