Volume 55, Number 5 February 2010 Sea Turtle Nesting and the Birds of Angola • Alan Abel So many of our MDAS members are quietly involved in fascinating conservation projects! On February 4 we will hear from two of our members working on projects in very different parts of the world. During Birding In- formation, Georgette Howington will provide an update on the California Bluebird Recovery Program here in Contra Costa County, and our main speaker, Alan Abel, will tell us about Sea Turtle Nesting in Angola, halfway around the world. Endangered Olive Ridley tur- tles, Lepidochelys olivacea, nest on the coast of southern Africa between October and March. Alan will describe the sea turtle conser- Pin-tailed Whydah (Vidua macroura); Olive Ridley Turtle. Photos by Alan Abel vation activities in Angola and will include examples of bird and wildlife Alan has worked for Chevron in a va- Diablo Audubon bird walks and is also observed in the area. Daily monitoring riety of environmental positions for nearly a Park Ranger at the John Muir National throughout the season documents sea 25 years. Currently he is an Environmental Historic site in Martinez. Their vacation turtle nesting locations and frequency and Supervisor in Angola, southwest Africa, trips are usually birding trips. Their most tracks nest hatching success. Local fisher- where his schedule is four weeks at work, recent trip was to the Galapagos Islands. men are engaged in the monitoring activity alternating with four weeks at home, here to encourage increased public awareness in Martinez. The responsibilities of his team BIRDING INFORMATION and conservation outside of the protected include monitoring sea turtle habitat as part Georgette Howington will provide an habitat areas. of broader technical and regulatory support update of the California Bluebird Recov- for offshore oil production operations. ery Program and its activities monitoring In addition to the sandy beaches where secondary cavity nesters in Contra Costa Meeting Schedule sea turtles nest, local wildlife habitat in- County. Georgette has been County Co- The next general meeting of cludes savannah, small wooded areas, and ordinator for three years and is also State Mount Diablo Audubon Society mangrove swamps as well as developed Assistant Director for CBRP. She will will be Thursday, February 4, in the Camellia Room of The Gar- residential and industrial areas. So, Alan describe the monitoring activities of her dens at Heather Farm, Walnut has been able to observe more that 70 teams of volunteers as well as the Foster Creek. species of African birds, and local birders Parent and Adopt A Trail programs. 7:00 pm Birding Information have recorded more than 100 species in The California Bluebird Recovery 7:25 pm Announcements the immediate area. He will include, in his Program was founded about twenty years 7:40 pm Refreshments,* door prize presentation, many of the birds and other 8:05 pm Speaker: ago by the late Don Yoder “For the en- Alan Abel wildlife that he has been fortunate to see. * Please remember to bring a cup. couragement and preservation of cavity Thursday, March 4: Jay Holcomb Alan is an avid birder. When he is nesters–especially bluebirds–anywhere in Bird Rescue Techniques at home, he goes birding with his wife, the West.” Don was an active and respected Cheryl, who is a trip leader for Mount member of MDAS for many years. DEDICATED TO HABITAT CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION the Quail —1— February 2010 President’s Corner of counts that see 150 or more species. Flyway Festival By Jimm Edgar One count in Texas usually has 225‒230 species. Only about 60 or 70 counts out I thought I would take my spot this of about 1500 counts see 150 or more. month in the Quail to give the highlights What was disappointing particularly is of our two Christmas bird counts. Maury that we did not see three birds we have Stern and I are co-compilers of the counts. not missed seeing on 28 out of 28 years. The East Contra Costa county count was Th