Volume 60, Number 10 July/August 2015 Gates to Open for New Birding Location in County The John Muir Land Trust announced in late May it has agreed to buy the 600-acre Carr Ranch in rural Moraga from a family that has grazed cattle there for a century. The nearly square mile of hilly grazing land with sweeping views of the Bay Area is being bought to preserve it for open space and recreation. The land trust changed its name re- cently from Muir Heritage Land Trust to John Muir Land Trust to emphasize the inspiration it gets from John Muir.
John Muir Land Trust Executive Director Linus Eukel opens a gate on the Carr Ranch property in Moraga. Photo: Aric Crabb, Bay Area News Group. "The purchase is of south, and Orinda, Moraga, Lafayette and regional significance," Suisun Bay to the north. JMLT said Linus Eukel, the To the east is EBMUD's Rocky Ridge land trust's executive property famous for big rocks, and also Las director. "This is about Trampas Regional Park, which has a trail John Muir Land Trust manages eleven protecting water at its source." Buying the along Las Trampas Ridge between Moraga other properties in Contra Costa Coun- land prevents housing development that and Alamo and Danville. ty: Fernandez Ranch, Franklin Canyon, could lead to erosion and pesticide-laden Acalanes Ridge, Sky Ranch, Dutra Ranch, runoff flowing into the reservoir. Gustin Ranch, Mount Wanda, Contra The land trust bought the land to pro- Meeting Schedule Costa Goldfields, Pacheco Marsh, Bodfish tect open space, wildlife habitat, and the Te next general meeting of Mount Preserve, Stonehurst, and West Hills Farm. quality of water runoff. Some grazing on the Diablo Audubon Society will be The Carr Ranch is home to Golden land will continue. But the public will get Tursday, September 3, in the Eagle, mountain lion, Alameda whipsnake, access for birdwatching, hiking, horseback Camellia Room of Te Gardens at American badger, western pond turtle and riding and other low-key recreation some Heather Farm, Walnut Creek. many other species essential to our ecosys- time after the sale is completed around No general meetings are scheduled tem. Carr Ranch has oak and California bay June, 2016, the land trust said. for July or August. Please come to laurel tree forests, grasslands, three ponds, one or all of the birding field trips On a tour of the site, land trust em- as described on Page 4. and several perennial springs that flow to ployees showed off hilly land with views of Everyone is invited. Upper San Leandro Reservoir. the reservoir and San Francisco Bay to the DEDICATED TO HABITAT CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION the Quail —1— July/August 2015 President’s Corner By Jimm Edgar I read a couple of very good articles re- fascinating to read. Te boreal forest is 1.5 cently. One was on June 3 in the CC Times billion acres and the article pointed out that and the SF Chronicle. Te article was about between 1 and 3 billion birds spend their a California Condor that was being reha- summers breeding in these forests. Tere bilitated at the Oakland Zoo. Te condor's are also many wetlands and a lot of tundra. name is Miracle. It was the first condor Corporations have their eyes on this land’s chick to be born completely in the wild in plentiful resources and without adequate the Big Sur area. Ten she got lead poison- protection much could be lost. Tere has ing from feeding on carcasses that had been been a new campaign called Boreal Birds shot by hunters using lead shot. She is doing Need Half: Maintaining North America's well and they think she may be able to be Bird Nursery and Why It Matters that is returned to the wild in a few weeks if they providing direction on how to provide White-crowned Sparrow, Point Reyes can remove the lead from her system. Lead birds the best fighting chance of surviving Beth Branthaver photo shot will not be allowed in shells by 2019, the dual threats of habitat loss and climate the legislation that passed on that exclusion change. At least half of the boreal forest was championed by Audubon California. should be protected from industrial devel- There was a lot of fighting to not have opment. It is just one of those many things Z you don’t think about; but it is so critical. the bill pass, but it did. Te NRA was the All of these mis-named birds primary opponent. What a shame it would We completed our eighth year of the No in the UK are owned by the be to have saved the California Condor and Child Left Inside program in late May with Q Queen, and a Warden makes then lose them to lead poisoning. Again our again a large number of school children an annual census of all those Audubon California was what made this law getting a chance to see birds as many of us on the Tames. happen. Good for us. do. You can read all about it in this issue Unscramble these letters, or turn to Te other article I read was in the New of the Quail. Tis is one of the best things Page 7 to learn more. York Times on May 30. Te title of the ar- our Mount Diablo chapter has ever done. ticle was “Saving Canada’s Boreal Forest.” We will take some summer time off AEMNSTUW Scott Weidensaul, who has written many and be back in September with our general books on birds, was the author. It was just meetings. We will see you then. Good News for Flamingos In the early 1800s, people who visited track in north- coastal areas in southern Florida in winter ern Miami-Dade were met with an astounding sight: hun- County. Or it’s dreds of thousands of American Flamingos. possible they mi- Te majestic pink bird, endemic to Central grated up here and South America and the Caribbean, from the Baha- wintered in Florida’s tropical climes. By mas or Mexico. the end of the century, however, European To find out, settlers seemed to have eradicated the leggy scientists and waders through feather and egg harvesting, biologists from and ever since the birds have been scarce in the National Park the Sunshine State—until recently. Service and Mi- A few years ago, ornithologists and ami Zoo, with biologists spotted a number of these long- support from the American Flamingos. Photo: Curt Dalton, National Audubon necked birds in a portion of the Everglades Tropical Audubon Society and others, are year. It’s a win-win solution: People get to ecosystem in Central Florida. Te flamin- attaching satellite transmitters on flamingos see flamingos, and the birds can go about gos were hanging out in a water treatment to track their journeys. their business undisturbed. facility—Stormwater Treatment Area 2 When word got out that flamingos (STA2), a 9,000-acre constructed wetland were in STA2, a number of birders began The Quail is published monthly except built to remove excess nutrients from the sneaking into the restricted area to see January and August by Mount Diablo water supply. them. Realizing that the draw of flamingos Audubon Society, P.O. Box 53, Walnut Te big question is, are these escapees was likely irresistible, the water district Creek, CA 94597-0053. Te Quail is printed or are they wild birds? It’s possible that reached out to Audubon Society of the on 30% post-consumer waste recycled paper. Te deadline for the September they broke free from the captive population Everglades about leading weekly car tours issue is August 11. that’s spent the past 73 years at Hialea Race- to the area, which began in March of this the Quail —2— July/August 2015 Young Birders By Tracy Farrington Observations By Maury Stern Mid-May is an important time of year for birders as Spring migration for many Te past month has been one of breed- At Mount Diablo Blue Oak camp- species in our area is just about at its peak, ing, with many newborns about and suet ground KH and HF saw a Lesser Night- or somewhat beyond. Bearing this in mind, and seeds being consumed rapidly. Un- hawk 5/29. several members of the Mount Diablo usual birds, as usual, were to be seen in the Audubon Young Birders Club, including P&NS saw Black-chinned Hum- mountains and Great Basin area. several parents and adult supporters, mingbirds at the end of Bethel Island made their way to Mitchell Canyon on the Tere were still two Brant off Albany Road 5/12. DH had a visit 5/29 at his Wal- morning of Saturday, May 16, for a field Bulb 5/27. KM. nut Creek home and JR had one continu- trip to this significant location in northern KH saw breeding Gadwalls at Mar- ing through the period. California. Te weather conditions were icich Lagoon at Briones RP 5/26, with A Rufous Hummingbird visited the most favorable and bird song was rich and three adults and ten ducklings. Lafayette home of BP 5/21. abundant. Te trip produced 45 species, A Green Heron pair had two young A Pileated Woodpecker was at Lake and Erica Kawata generously volunteered in a nest at Heather Farm reported 5/20 by Anza in Tilden Park 5/17. CW. to record our tally on eBird as we traveled. HH, TF, RH, FS, and ACS. P&NS saw a Willow Flycatcher at In addition to myself, our trip was at- An Osprey was over the large pond at Contra Loma Park 5/21 and had a Pacific- tended by Dagny Bradford-Urban, Jennifer the Martinez Regional Shoreline on 5/21. IA. Slope Flycatcher in their yard in Antioch Xu, Grace Pang, Michael Pang, Max Pang, A Bald Eagle flew over the Contra 5/14. Kai Mills, Erica Kawata, Diana Cavanaugh, Loma RP 5/15. P&NS. A late Ruby-crowned Kinglet was at and my guest, Ryan Janke, a post-doctoral Point Pinole RP 5/17. KW. fellow at Cal and a fine birder, as well. Golden Eagles were at Sibley Vol- canic Regional Preserve 5/18, PY, 5/28, Swainson’s Trushes visited the Te Young Birders Club will visit Lind- PD, 5/31, WP. One was also seen near the Antioch yard of P&NS 5/12, and the Mar- say Wildlife Museum (now known as the junction of Old Briones Road and Briones tinez yard of JB 5/23. Lindsay Wildlife Experience), for a special Crest Road in Briones RP. 5/27, LF. Both and exclusive program on July 13 featur- A MacGillivray’s Warbler was at the are near known nesting areas. ing some close encounters with several 0.25 mile marker on the Inspiration Point fascinating creatures, and some behind the Two Black Oystercatchers at Iron Trail in Tilden RP 5/17. DW. Probably the scenes activities. House Sanitary District 5/14. BYW. same bird has been at that spot for several years now. Here are some remarks in the words A late Dunlin was at the SF Bay Trail of three of our very enthusiastic members: near 51st Street in Richmond 5/21. MB. A late Lincoln’s Sparrow was at Lake Four were in and around Anza 5/17. GC. “I was excited to attend another Mount Barn Owls the Barn Owl box near the Heather Farm were at two homes Diablo Audubon Society field trip to Mitch- Hooded Orioles Garden Center 6/7. HH, RH. in Lafayette. NL 5/26 and ER 5/31. ell Canyon. We talked about birds and spotting them. We stopped at one tree and JCS saw Burrowing Owls in Brent- IA Isaac Aronow, JB Jackie Bobrosky, saw many warblers. We also got good looks wood near Pioneer Elementary School 5/26. MB Mary Burmester, GC Graham Ch- at numerous Black-headed Grosbeaks and isholm, PD Pete Davis, HF Hank Fabian, a pair of Western Tanagers. A few Lazuli Hawk. I found an abandoned California TF Tracy Farrington, LF Lee Friedman, Buntings, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and Quail nest. As we walked, we decided to HH Hugh Harvey, RH Rosita Harvey, KH Yellow Warblers were also seen. I enjoyed take a detour. We were rewarded with a Kevin Hintsma, DH David Hutton, NL every Mount Diablo Audubon Young Bird- Black-chinned Hummingbird, a Lazuli Bun- Norm Lustig, KM Kai Mills, WP Wendy ers Club trip so far and wish to attend many ting, another Anna's, a Red-tailed Hawk, Parfrey, BP Bernt Pettersson, ER Ellen Re- more in the future.” Michael Pang, age 12 five Turkey Vultures, and a pair of Mourn- intjes, JR Jean Richmond, FS Fred Safer, "I met up with Tracy Farrington at ing Doves. We also saw a California Striped P&NS Paul and Nancy Schorr, JCS Juan- the parking lot. We waited for the other Racer snake! As we came down, I found a Carlos Solis, ACS Ann-Charlott Stenberg, birders to arrive, and then set off on our scorpion, too. After that I had to leave early, KW Kurt Wahl, BYW Betty Young Weber, hike. We saw many European Starlings, but still, it was an amazing experience!" DW Dave Weber, CW Christine Woo, PY Acorn Woodpeckers, Western Scrub-Jays, Dagny Bradford-Urban, age 11 Pam Young, Wild Turkeys, and California Quail. As we “I really enjoyed the birding trip to walked, we saw some male Anna's Hum- Mitchell Canyon. It was fun to be birding Q mingbirds displaying to a female. We came in a group and there's more people to help Submit Contra Costa County sightings to to a hill and saw a lot of migrants such as spot the birds. I really liked how we saw [email protected] or (925) 284-5980 or White-throated Swifts, a Yellow Warbler, so many different colors in the birds even send to EBB [email protected]. If a Black-headed Grosbeak, a Pacific-slope though none of them were particularly rare. you report sightings to eBird, please also Flycatcher, and a resident Red-shouldered Grace Pang, age 10 send to Maury Stern. the Quail —3— July/August 2015 Field Trip Schedule By Hugh Harvey July 11‒12 Saturday/Sunday ...... Lassen Volcanic National Park Saturday, August 22 18 Saturday ...... San Mateo Coast Bodega Bay August Leader: Fred Safier, (925) 937‒2906. 22 Saturday ...... Bodega Bay Carpool leaves Sun Valley at 7:30 AM. Meet at the Tides Restaurant on water side of Highway 1 in Bodega at 9:15 AM. Saturday/Sunday, July 11‒12 Take I-680 across the Benicia Bridge (toll). Go west on I-780 Lassen Volcanic National Park to I-80 towards Sacramento, exit to SR 37. Follow SR 37 to Leader: Eugenia Larson, (925) 806‒0644. Lakeville Road, turn right. In Petaluma turn left on E. Wash- ington Street and continue on Bodega Road, Valley Ford Road We are suggesting that participants camp at Manzanita and SR 1 to Bodega Bay. Walk through or around Te Tides Lake this year. Since the reservable campsites are already to find the group viewing the harbor birds from the outdoor taken, participants will have to camp in the two loops (B and seating. Possibilities at Bodega Bay include flocks of shorebirds D) that are non-reservable. Te earlier you arrive, the better including Black Oystercatcher, Wandering Tattler, Marbled chance you will have of getting a camp site. (Gary and I plan Godwit, as well as terns, gulls, cormorants and much more. on getting there on Monday ahead of time so I don’t think we’ll Bring lunch, liquids and sunscreen. have a problem, but if people wait until Friday afternoon, they may not get a site.) For those who wish to get a motel, type in “Motels in the Lassen Park area” and you will get a selection of places to stay, both north and south of the park. Since most of these establishments are fairly small, you should make your reservations ASAP. Te group will meet at the entrance to Manzanita Campground on Saturday, July 11th at 7:30 a.m. Please have your lunch and beverages in your vehicle with you. Eugenia Larson, [email protected]