Torrey Pinecone

A news bulletin for the Torrey Pines Docent Society

October 2012

Life at the Reserve Before the Docent General Meeting Docent Society Saturday, October 13th, 9 am by Joan R. Simon Location: St Peter’s Episcopal Rec Hall, Del Mar elba Kooyman charmed her Speaker: Stephen Shunk, fellow docents at the Oregon Naturalist, Author and Field Ornithologist. Steve recently completed the M th September 8 meeting with tales of Peterson Reference Guide to Woodpeckers of North America. He leads birding tours and workshops and delivers presentations across North America through his the early days at the Reserve when company, Paradise Birding. she was an enthusiastic volunteer well before 1975 when the Docent Program: Woodpeckers of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve Society was formed. Steve will give us a primer on the natural history of Torrey Pines woodpeckers. Two distinctive species, the Northern Flicker and the Nuttall’s Woodpecker, are found regularly in the Reserve and they live very different lives. Steve will discuss their identification, behaviors and ecological roles in the Torrey Pines woodlands and surrounding habitats. In addition, Steve will introduce other woodpecker species that occur regularly near the Reserve. We are fortunate to have scheduled Steve to speak to us during the week he is in town giving presentations to the San Diego and Buena Vista Audubon Societies and to San Diego Field Ornithologists.

Association, a group of people living Melba took us back through the early in Del Mar Terrace next to the days of the Reserve when the Torrey lagoon. They kept a watchful eye on Pines Association was incorporated what was going on, seeking to in 1950 with Guy Fleming as its first maintain the habitat as a wildlife president and prominent members of corridor and a sanctuary. They were also “shovel ready”, which is to Inside say they were ready at a moment’s Docent Doings 2

notice to dig out the sand that would TPDS Gen Meeting Notes 2 Photo by Herb Knufken periodically block the lagoon. Docent of the Month 3 “If someone had told me 42 years ago (Today the Los Peñasquitos Lagoon Children’s Program 4 [when she first became a volunteer] Foundation spends up to $100,000 a Ranger Update 4 that I would be speaking to a group of year dredging the mouth of the Diane Greening Leaving 5 this size with this much dynamism lagoon to keep it open; see “Opening Phototorreygraphs 6 and enthusiam for Torrey Pines,” she the Los Peñasquitos Lagoon, June Did You Know? 6 said, “I would not have believed it.” 2012 Pinecone, Boy Scout Bench Project 7 The first Docent Society roster was tinyurl.com/Pinecone1206). Those Annual Appreciation Dinner 7 one page long (as compared to our were the days when “Fat Man’s Poem by Rhea Bridy 8 current 18-page compendium!), with Misery” was one of the most popular Whacky Weeders Get Help 8 52 in the first docent training class. trails and picnicking was still allowed Ravens by Hank Nicol 9 Before there was a Docent Society, in the Reserve – the grove east of the Bird List 9 there was the Torrey Pines Wildlife Lodge was a favorite spot. Hosting Calendar 10

Torrey Pinecone October 2012 1 approved by the voters in l964. The his work continue to be popular items Docent Doings proposal was turned down by a State at the Museum Shop today. Oct 6, 10-12 pm, Basket Making committee with the shocking Oct 10, 4:30 pm, Appreciation conclusion that “sufficient Torrey September 2012 Dinner pines already exist at the Reserve.” A Docent Meeting Oct 27, Volcan Mtn Hike second proposal, based on money allocated by the State, sought a now Minutes

smaller area of 214 acres. This, too, Mondays, 8:30-10 am- Weeders Excerpted from notes of TPDS failed when the State ran into September 8, 2012 General Meeting, Tuesdays, 8:30-noon- Seabees financial problems and the money by Secretary Bill Eckles. Complete Send future event info to was withdrawn. minutes are in the docent library. [email protected]. In 1967, the Torrey Pines Association Ken King, President, called the launched a third and much larger meeting to order at 10:30 am campaign. Botanists, ornithologists, following an informative and the community were active members. geologists and many other nostalgic presentation by Melba During the 50’s first the beach, and professionals and laypeople joined Kooyman about the Reserve before later in 1959 the Reserve, became forces. The State agreed to give the Docent Society was organized. part of the California State Parks $900,000 if the money was matched Bill Sheehan introduced the system. from private sources. The reach was “Spotlight On” portion of the “When the State took over, the Lodge nation-wide, supported by strong meeting, featuring Hank Beck who was not open to the public,” Melba press coverage. Contributions has compiled a “timeline” displaying said. It was only used by the Park flowed in, ranging from $1 to events and activities at the TPSNR in Rangers. So a small group of $20,000. Coffees, wine tastings and comparison to other San Diego, volunteers went about setting up a other events garnered sums as large California and U.S. historical events weekend and holiday schedule for as $500 (a much more impressive (see: tinyurl.com/HB-timeline). This Lodge hosting and fashioning amount in those days). By 1974, the is a great reference to help put events displays. “We wanted it to be a place Extension Campaign was able to at the Reserve into historical of welcome,” she said. “We wanted match the $900,000 and 168 acres perspective. visitors to have an experience there with 1500 trees were finally secured that would make them want to come (see “The Story of the Extension” by President's Announcements: back.” In 1968, Jessie La Grange and Mary Ruth Cox). • Docent of the Month is Lynne Muriel Knight co-founded the Lodge Melba ended her talk with a very Truong for her contributions Volunteers, later affectionately affecting story. One day, she said, a hosting at the Lodge, assistance termed the “Lodge Sitters.” There man trudged up the hill and came into in developing the applications was one meeting a year in January the Lodge after having wandered the for the POS system and many when everyone was given a calendar trails at Torrey Pines. He told the activities behind the scenes. with their Lodge sitting dates (any host on duty, Jessie La Grange, that Thank you, Lynne, for your help changes were made by the volunteers he had misplaced his wallet and car and your positive attitude! themselves). That innovative keys. At the time there was a initiative has evolved into our current • The Parry Grove steps now discretionary fund available to number thirty-one, with work 3-shifts-a-day (2 after daylight volunteers. With the money, Jessie savings)/365-days-a-year program progressing well. This will be a called a taxi for the man who was on landmark when it is completed. (with much assistance from Irene and his way back to New York and she Jan). Work is roughly one third bought him a copy of the “Green completed and the project is Also before the Docent Society was Book” (Torrey Pines State Reserve), shaping up nicely. formed, the Torrey Pines Association which he had been admiring. It was a worked from 1964 – 74 to acquire the prescient act of kindness. The • Work on the road next to the land in the Extension. Under the gentleman was Tsuyoshi Matsumoto, Lodge is again active after a leadership of then-president Tom now known as Mat to everyone at the short hiatus. The goal is to have Whitaker (NB: Whitaker Garden at Reserve. Not long after his first trip a path on the west side of the the top of the Parry Grove trail), they to the Reserve, he returned and spent road from the hilltop near the first tried to secure an area containing the next ten years, before he died in lodge to the Guy Fleming 260 acres and 3000 trees, stretching 1982, drawing his famous pictures of trailhead. across Del Mar Heights Road. The Torrey pines. He bequeathed his plan was to use State bond money plates to the Reserve and the prints of 2 Torrey Pinecone October 2012 • The Trail Information Kiosk Museum Shop: Nancy Woodworth Seabees: Sheldon Krueger reported (TIK) continues to prove its reported a new delivery of assorted that the second group of Eagle Scouts worth, especially for weekend animal puppets which she would has completed their extension of the visitors. Frank Burham would appreciate your feedback on. The perimeter fence in the South Parking like to devote himself more fully busy holiday season is rapidly Lot. The entire project will be to this project and is looking for approaching and Nancy wants to wrapped up soon. a replacement to head the Trail reorder the most popular gift items. Nominating Committee: Lillian Patrol. If you are interested in Ken announced (for Bob Doolittle) Lachicotte reported that the nominee this job, or know of someone that a trip to Volcan Mtn. is planned selection for next year's Board of who might be, please contact for October 27th and a tour of Camp Directors is coming along. Only a Frank. [Ed: Sherry Doolittle has Pendleton's Rancho Santa Margarita couple of spots, including President, accepted this job, starting early is being organized, but not yet remain. November. Thanks, Sherry!] scheduled. The President adjourned the meeting • An interest survey was Children's Program: Sue Randerson at 11:05 am. distributed last month with only announced that the “Getting Ready Docent of the Month: a small number of responses. for the Kids” meeting will take place The idea of this survey was to on September 13th at 9:30 am outside Lynne Truong identify areas of activity which the Lodge. A short walk is also interest members, allowing for scheduled with this meeting. Thanks more focused requests for to everyone who came to help clean assistance. Please make others and repair the props for the aware of your major interests presentations and walks on Sept. 7th. and talents to help expedite the It was fun and, with everyone sharing of project and area working together, we finished in an responsibilities. hour and a half! • We will be developing a series Signups are going well with only ten of “QR” (quick response) code spots remaining. signs that can be scanned by The Video/DVD program has been smart phones featuring maps and approved and funded with proceeds information on features in the from Art in the Pines. The Reserve. A quick show of hands presentations and four stops on the Photo by Herb Knufken at the meeting revealed that trails for each of the five study topics Lynne Truong, Class of 2008, was (maybe?) half of the attendees will be recorded as training aids for selected as Docent of the Month for now have smart phones. the Children’s Program. The videos for her dedicated activity in many Treasurer's Report: Carolyn will also be made available for the programs. For the first eight months Butterfield reported that last month's Docent Society membership on an ad of the year, she logged over one income was primarily from the hoc basis. hundred hours serving as Lodge host, Museum Shop, recycling and Training: Janie Killermann Children's Program docent, Art in the charitable donations. Expenses announced that 44 people have Pines volunteer, recycling worker, incurred included a significant already signed up for training in the and recently as the treasurer's banking amount for janitorial services. We winter/spring. Janie expects the assistant. One of the more important had a net positive for the month and number to fluctuate as the start of the tasks she has accomplished is “back for the year. program approaches, but it remains a office” work with the POS system. “I very good beginning to next year's was one of the runners here,” Lynne Kristine Schindler reported that the class. said. “I used to run along the beach clean-up of No. Torrey Pines Rd., and up Broken Hill Trail and I always along the side of the Reserve, was a Communications: Lou Adamo enjoyed the Reserve so much. One success (although sadly trash is encouraged more members to join day I saw a big banner at the entrance already beginning to appear), with “Google Groups” to help aid in to the Reserve asking for volunteers, about a dozen docents participating. communications and the so I signed up for the docent training. Cleaning weeds from the bike lane dissemination of information and What has kept me here actively along Carmel Valley Road is also activities. Sign up; it's easy! Just involved are the other docents -- anticipated. email Lou. they're all so nice and fun to work with.”

Torrey Pinecone October 2012 3 meeting ended with a fun Children’s Program wrap-up session over e had a great turnout of new, refreshing juice and W prospective and returning cookies provided by Children’s Program docents at our Louis. two September workshops. Many Several docents expressed hands made quick work of cleaning, an interest in practical tips inventorying and organizing our on interpreting geology th props on Sept. 7 . We were finished concepts to kids. In in 1 ½ hours! There was plenty of response a workshop on time to talk and share ideas for interpretive techniques for geology is creating new materials. Many thanks scheduled for Thursday, September to everyone who helped and many 27th, at 9:30 am. Updates from Supervising thanks, also, to everyone who The following morning, September Ranger Dylan Hardenbrook participated in our “Getting Ready for th the Kids” workshop on Sept. 13th. 28 , our first school group will arrive ADA Trail roadwork: Work on the for the topic of Geology. portion near the Lodge was stalled for Ann Williamson will a while, but should be underway by present and six docents have press time. The contractor had to wait signed up to lead the walks. for the correct material (the State had rejected the initial material). The After that date the calendar is contractor has moved the dirt out of wide open with many empty the driveway to the Guy Fleming spaces for walk leaders and house and put it with the pile in the presenters. Many thanks to West Lot. This has freed the those of you who have driveway for the next delivery of rock already signed up! We look for Parry Grove (see below). Photos by Ken King forward to seeing all of those dates filled and seeing many of you Eagle Scout fencing in South Beach Louis Sands went over docent sign- on the coming Thursdays and parking lot: Two phases are up procedures, emergency Fridays. It promises to be another complete, with two more phases to procedures, and other basic exciting and fun year! come. information, which he had emailed to If you are interested in the Children’s Extension planning: The TPA has us in advance along with other useful recently met with State Parks staff in handouts. Program, even if you were unable to attend the workshops, we would love Sacramento concerning their “Master Four seasoned docents then gave to have you come to one of our Trails Plan” for the Extension which excellent brief presentations on presentations on a Thursday or Friday will include new trails, cultural successful trail techniques. Kay and join one of the groups for a walk. restorations and erosion control. Harry showed how she organizes the To find out the time and topic, go to Parks staff changes: Bill Mennell kids at the beginning of the walk. torreypine.org, then go to Docent (Supervisor for Specialists) has Ann Williamson illustrated ways in Login at the bottom of the page. Log retired. Darren Smith will be taking which she makes the concept of in, then go to Children’s Program his place as Acting Supervisor. Victor concretions understandable to kids Online Signup, log in again, and you Walsh (State Historian) also retired (for example she shows a concretion will see the schedule. If there is any and Alex Bevel of the Southern which she has cracked open so they difficulty with logging in, please Service Center will be filling in until can see the layers). Diane Stocklin contact Louis or me. There is no need further notice. showed how she discusses to sign up, just come. adaptations and Barbara Wallach Parry Grove: Thirty-one steps were shared how she organizes and Sue Randerson completed in early September. The structures her walk beforehand. trail crew is down to one regular Children’s Program Director member because of the end of the We then broke into three groups for a Louis Sands seasonal employees, but assistance walk to share interpretive techniques from the San Elijo staff is sometimes led by Barbara Justice and Marie Docent-Led Children’s Program available. The regular trail crew will Johnson, Louis Sands and Barbara Coordinator begin returning to work over the next Wallach, and Diane Greening. The few months.

4 Torrey Pinecone October 2012 Diane Greening It is with sadness and much appreciation that we say goodbye to Park Aide and Docent Diane Greening, who will be moving to Chicago at the end of October. Here is her account of the many productive years she has spent at TPSNR. Photos by Herb Knufken moved to San Diego in September I 2004 and signed up for docent training the day before it started in 2005. I had moved from Barrington, Illinois where I'd been working with a group called Citizens For Conservation (CFC) who bought land L-R TPA President Pat Masters, Society President Ken King, Diane Greening and and restored it to native prairie and Volunteer Coordinator Laura Lowenstein woodland. my garden. At the same time I was 2010 introduced Little Rangers for doing docent training, I also trained children ages 4-6 who attend with a as a Habitat Steward for the National parent or grandparent. The Camp Wildlife Federation. Habitat Callan kiosk was another early Stewards advise people how to make project, completed with the help of their yards more wildlife-friendly by Judy Schulman and Ranger Mike providing food, shelter, and water and Winterton. I've also created many of avoiding pesticides. (Native plants the stone interpretive signs around the provide great food and shelter.) Reserve; my favorite is the bluff Connections I made through the collapse with Herb Knufken's Stewards led to my freelance work as amazing photo of the falling cliff. an environmental educator at I've cleaned up the museum exhibits I knew many Illinois native plants by Crestridge Ecological Preserve in in the display cases (thanks to Frank common and Latin names, but when I Crest (near Alpine), the Chollas Burham for refurbishing those got here the only plants that were the Creek Earthlab in San Diego and cases), transformed the ratty poster of same were Blue-eyed Grass and Agua Hedionda Discovery Center in photos of the yucca flower growing Shooting Stars. The chaparral plants Carlsbad. into the vertical display of its rapid seemed impossible to learn at first: When, then-Supervising Ranger, Jody growth, and pushed for better lighting the Scrub Oaks looked like hollies; Kummer offered me part-time work in the museum. the California Holly (Toyon) did not much closer to home at Torrey Pines When State Parks rudely laid off look like a holly at all, until in May of 2007, I accepted Laura Lowenstein and me in December when the berries appeared; cautiously. I loved the volunteer November 2009-- a terse email that the Manzanita and Lemonadeberry all work I was doing at the Reserve, said, “Don't come in to work, there's seemed dark green and thick-leaved. weeding and leading Children's no money to pay you” -- I worked I was one of the founders of the Program talks, and I didn't want the with the TPA's Pat Masters to write Whacky Weeders and coined their Reserve to become “a grind.” I the San Diego Women's Foundation slogan: veni, weedi, vinci (I came, I needn't have worried; Jody and her grant proposal in three very long weeded, I conquered). Working with successors have given me the days, and the TPDS ultimately the weeders and going on hikes with freedom to work on a variety of received $33,900 to cover our salaries Barbara Wallach and Margaret interpretive projects that easily offset and expenses and keep the positions Fillius gave me my crash course in the more mundane parts of the job. of Interpretive Coordinator and California native plants. I also joined My first and favorite project was Volunteer Coordinator active at the California Native Plant Society so building 12 Junior Ranger programs TPSNR. I worked with the TPA to that I could learn more from their from scratch. Over the years, I have produce the 12 Webfilms, writing publications and buy native plants for added more program topics and in scripts, directing shots, organizing Torrey Pinecone October 2012 5 “talent,” and sometimes appearing Much of what I’ve accomplished has again. I'm sure I'll find some myself on film. I've helped with the been with the help of dedicated interesting volunteer or paid work in Children's Program and new docent docents -- I could not have done it environmental education in the training. Barbara Wallach and I without them. Chicago area. started “Family Discovery Days” on We are planning to live in Glencoe on weekends: once a month we set up a the North Shore of Lake Michigan Diane Greening table in the Reserve devoted to a this time, close to the Chicago Senior Park Aide/Interpretive theme (say, Bats and Owls in Botanic Garden and a couple of Coordinator October) and talk to the families that nature centers that I have yet to check Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve come through. (Park Aide Joy Inton out. I intend to go back to my friends will be taking my place.) I've also set at CFC at least once a week for the up the educational programs for the Thursday morning restoration work, Extension Celebration, Bioblitz and but it's a long drive from Glencoe, so Art in the Pines. I'm not sure I'll run for the board

PhoTORREYgraph Did You Know?* by Judy Schulman By Tom Polakiewicz Hi Everyone: The Hidden Paint Brush Given the wonderful presentation that Melba Kooyman Have you ever looked at the gave us at the last meeting, I thought this photo of her Coast Paintbrush (Castilleja would be fun to see. It comes from an article called affinis, ssp. affinis), when it “Good Neighbor Policy Works Well For Wildlife At blooms in the spring, and Torrey Pines Park” in the February 18, 1973 issue of the thought that its bright red San Diego Union. It tells the story of the Torrey Pines flowers would be perfect for Wildlife Association. your native plant garden, only to find out that you can’t buy it in any local nursery? There is a reason why the paintbrush isn’t sold commercially, but to find out why, you have to search Photo by Cynthia Parnell below the surface of the ground. Our coastal paintbrush is one of three subspecies found in California. The subspecies littoralis is commonly found in Northern California and Oregon. The rare subspecies neglecta or Tiburon paintbrush is limited to a few locations in the Bay Area. Even though all of the subspecies have green leaves, and therefore produce their own food by photosynthesis, they are also parasites. They have suckers on their roots that enable them to extract nutrients from their neighboring plants and shrubs. As a result, paintbrush plants are extremely difficult to grow from seed in nursery production. Paintbrush plants hold another secret. Their actual flowers are green and yellow, or green and red, and are hidden behind the bright red bracts that give the paintbrush its name. So, enjoy the paintbrush in its natural habitat, since you won’t be able to add it to the palette of your own garden. * This “Did You Know?” is one of an occasional series from Tom Polakiewicz.

6 Torrey Pinecone October 2012 Eagle Scout Builds Benches for the Reserve The Annual Volunteer Appreciation By Drew Dohn Dinner I am a Boy Scout in San Diego County. To achieve Boy by Ranger Lisa Urbach Scouts’ highest rank of Eagle Scout, I organized and led a When: Wednesday, October 10, 2012 from 4:30-9pm group of Scouts and school friends in a project to benefit the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Here is my story. RSVP by October 4th I enjoy camping and hiking, and when I was five years old Where: Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve at the my Dad and I joined the YMCA Adventure Guides where Torrey Circle we had many fun camping adventures. In the fifth grade, I What: Dinner by Bitchin Burgers with service joined the Rancho Santa Fe Boy Scout Troop 766, where I starting at 5 pm; come at 4:30 pm for appetizers and learned self-reliance, citizenship, and character socializing development while participating in camping, hiking, and What to bring: Your favorite beverage. A beverage educational and career-oriented programs. I learned to sharing table will be set up for those bringing extra. apply the Boy Scout motto “Be Prepared” to all aspects of Please bring your own chair to sit and eat & then my life. When it came time to decide on a service project watch the movie. A limited number of folding chairs for my Eagle Scout requirement, I wanted to do a project are available in our hospitality closet if someone can’t where I could build something for a local park where bring their own. walkers, runners, bicyclists and tourists visit and appreciate the vast beauty of Southern California. The Please join staff and your docent and volunteer friends scenic views, beautifully maintained hiking trails and the for a special evening at the Reserve with appetizers overall friendliness of the Reserve made it a perfect venue starting at 4:30 pm, followed by grilled to order beef, for an Eagle Scout project. vegetarian, or portabella mushroom burgers and all the fixings including sweet & regular potato fries, topped My Dad and I met with the Torrey Pines personnel and it off with a variety of yummy cakes for dessert. was decided that I would build benches for the Reserve’s visitors. The benches would be used on the trails and in an After some socializing and friendship, the area near the Visitor Center. We were given a schematic entertainment for the evening will start at diagram for the benches, and with the help of Frank approximately 7:15 pm with a unique evening under Burham, my Dad and I built a prototype one Sunday in the stars viewing The , a movie starring Jack July 2011. I then built one bench by myself to make sure I Black and . The party will end by 9 pm. knew how to do it before I started to direct Scouts and We appreciate that The California Parks Foundation school friends who would help me build the benches. has given a grant to fund most of our dinner and event. Over Christmas vacation and the first part of January This year we’re asking everyone to provide their own 2012, Boy Scouts and school friends helped me build, favorite beverage and extra if you want to share. Due sand, and paint nine benches for the Reserve. It was a to a fire that burned up the folding chairs we usually project where I learned budgeting, coordinating the effort borrow from Old Town State Park, we’re asking that and work of others, leadership skills and finally how to you bring your own folding or beach chair. For those deliver a product that met the expectations of the Park that aren’t able to bring a chair, there are about 60 Rangers. When my Dad and I delivered the nine finished folding chairs in the hospitality closet and the video benches to the Reserve, I felt upbeat as the benches would room to borrow. There are also benches, but they’re not so comfortable for watching a movie! be in an area to help the visitors enjoy the magnificent th views, watch the seals and dolphins play in the ocean, and Please RSVP by Friday, October 4 by signing up in general enjoy the Reserve’s spectacular and unique on the sheet at the Lodge Hosting desk or by beauty. The Reserve is a natural wilderness within an emailing Laura Lowenstein at urban setting, and I was happy that my project could help [email protected] others enjoy this beauty. Ed. Note: All of Drew Dohn’s benches have a small metal plaque identifying Scout Troop 766. Several are located Please look at the Hosting Calendar on page on the west side of the Lodge and a few are in the wedding area at the West Overlook. 10 and see where you can help out, especially as a host or an extra host on weekends.

Torrey Pinecone October 2012 7 The Kestrel and the Crow Whacky Weeders Find Unexpected Helpers By Rhea Bridy by Joan R. Simon A slight ripple across the sea The Whacky Weeders have been tackling the ice plant (Carpobrotus edulis), a highly invasive non-native plant, breezed by and lifted up the along the connecting trail between Yucca and Razor grasses and gray-greens along Points. “Removing any kind of ice plant is a two-part the warm cliffs and in its updrafts; problem,” notes a kestrel took advantage to focus and Whacky Weeder leader Lynne spread its soft feathery wings, Small. “First you suspending its being upon the breeze, get it out of the a picturesque grayish-whitish-bluish-roanish ground; then you have to get it out of flying-feathered machine the Reserve.” owning the air of princely might Below is a photo where traces of the cliff mouse of two visitors who could be spied in its trusty trek. helped the weeders several weeks ago Almost, almost, closer, closer, the kestrel carry bags of ice deftly drifted downward, focusing plant up the Beach focusing, full on, almost there, Trail. They are Mark and Susie Lindenmuth from Ohio till that fledgling little black bird appeared, who were in town for a trade show. According to BarbaraWallach who spoke with them, they come to purposely thwarting the princely concentration, Torrey Pines whenever they are on the west coast and are nearly brushing the kestrel's big fans of our Reserve. streamlined body in a bumping air-block, The following week, as an experiment, the Weeders left rushing the kestrel back and forth, two stacks of bags along the trail at 10:30 in the morning both ' wings wide and open when they finished their work. There were 6 bags at the Beach Trail/Yucca Point junction and 5 bags a the crow, smaller-leaner, but matching little further up. They put up signs asking park visitors if each maneuver and with what purpose, they could help by carrying a bag up to the parking lot. to taunt, to play, to take its prey? Lynne Small reports that late that afternoon Park Aide The kestrel seemed to ignore the crow, Jake Mumma and Supervising Ranger Dylan Hardenbrook went down the only charging the smaller-taunter once, trail to see then indeed losing its primal focus and its how many track upon the prey, retreated, retreated, were left. None! and with a full pump or two of its pointed wings Anonymous deftly flew east across the sandstoned visitors had caverns, and chutes, over the hollows of carried every sage-scrubbed and chaparraled hill; single one up. Encouraged above the torrey pines, windswept and by these waving adieu, the kestrel continued its retreat, results and but working even th that little taunting crow flew right behind him, harder, the weeders left 35 bags on September 24 . See photos on next page. Once again, park visitors brought almost, them all up to the west parking lot. undaunted, even energized by this new game of We thank the Lindenmuths and all the anonymous chase. Reserve visitors who help and support us in so many ways.

8 Torrey Pinecone October 2012 watched a pair of ravens cruise down Overlook of the Guy Fleming Trail. the canyon we called “Fatman's The local ravens came up, not to greet Misery.” They flew in a quiet version them, but to escort them on their way of the pair formation of F-14 Tomcats to Oregon. A few days later I noticed (now extinct I suspect). One of the that the three again had become two. birds carried a five or six inch stick in Hank Nicol is a former his beak. He (I say "he" because interpreter/naturalist at TPSNR and playing with toys, and golf clubs, in author of “Notes from the maturity is a male characteristic) Naturalist.” He now lives in Eureka, flipped the stick up, caught it, tossed CA. Sept 23rd: bags at Beach/Yucca Pt. it again-and-again-and-again until he Trail intersection missed and it dropped into the canyon. The ravens glided on down toward the cliffs. One day I heard the great grand- daddy of all bullfrogs croaking in the twisted trees near those cliffs. How could a bullfrog be that loud? How could one exist on that dry hill? It couldn't. It was a raven. Another time, in the same area, I heard the squeaking of a fan belt. A junker car on the Guy Fleming trail? No, a Sept 24th: 35 bags, all gone by the next raven. A different one? Don't know. day Seen one you've seen 'em all. Ravens The pair of ravens lived in the Reserve for years. Then there were by Hank Nicol three. The trio stayed together for two I still read the Torreyana and the years, maybe more (my memory of Pinecone. One of the few docents time is inexact). One sunny day a mentioned that I remember is Judy flight of a dozen or so migrating Photo by Herb Knufken, common raven, Schulman. In a recent story, Judy ravens flew north along the cliff face corvax mentioned ravens having toys. Once while I watched from the South upon a time, many summers past, I

Torrey Pines Docent Society Bird Survey: Sept 1, 2012 Total of 54 species

Gadwall 8 Cooper's Hawk 3 Eurasian Collared- Common Raven 43 Rufous-crowned Mallard 8 Red-shouldered Hawk Dove 2 Bushtit 40 Sparrow 1 California Quail 20 1 Mourning Dove 13 House Wren 8 California Towhee 46 Pied-billed Grebe 3 Red-tailed Hawk 2 Anna's Hummingbird Marsh Wren 1 Savannah Sparrow 2 Sooty Shearwater 4 Willet 1 24 Bewick's Wren 4 Song Sparrow 28 Brandt's 6 Whimbrel 36 Nuttall's Woodpecker California Gnatcatcher Red-winged Blackbird Double-crested Long-billed Curlew 8 3 10 3 Cormorant 23 Sanderling 32 American Kestrel 4 Wrentit 17 Brewer's Blackbird 4 Brown Pelican 42 Heermann's Gull 33 Peregrine Falcon 1 California Thrasher 1 Brown-headed Great Blue Heron 7 Western Gull 43 Black Phoebe 7 Common Yellowthroat Cowbird 1 Great Egret 6 California Gull 12 Cassin's Kingbird 3 11 House Finch 111 Snowy Egret 1 Royal Tern 19 Western Scrub-Jay 11 Spotted Towhee 6 Lesser Goldfinch 24 White-tailed Kite 1 tern sp. 36 American Crow 17 House Sparrow 2

Observers: Gary Grantham, Jack Friery, Herb Knufken, Kathy Dickey, Darby Lewis, Frank Wong, Blair Francis, Eva Armi, and Anonymous

Torrey Pinecone October 2012 9 Torrey Pines Docent Society PO Box 2414 Del Mar, CA 92014 (858) 755-2063 or 755-8219 torreypine.org

The Pinecone, a calendar of events, notes from business meetings, and other items of specific interest to the docent membership, is published bi-monthly (even months). For odd months we publish the Torreyana. Please submit items by the 20th of the month to the Editor [email protected] This newsletter is edited by Docent Joan R. Simon. Items for publication may also be left in the Torreyana mailbox in the docent library.

October 2012 TPDS Lodge Docent Hosting Calendar- Updated 9/30/12 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Maids 2 3 4 5 6 L-Sabella L-B Hornbeck L-Colwell L-Tarkington L-Schindler/ L-P&B Whitby McConnell W-Sanseverino L-A Paa L-Fiorentino L-J Smith L-Barnard L-Sabella L-J&L Adamo W-Sheehan L-Donnelly L- L-McCardle L- L-B&F Eckles L-Mussen/Davis 7 8 9 10 11 12 Meeting 13 L-Rowbottom L-Arnold L-Hrountas/ L-Griffiths/Malm L- Hrountas/ L-Burke L- W-Fillius Walker Walker W- L- L-F Doolittle/ L-Phillips L-Small L-Barnard L-Donnelly L- W- Buckley W-Sheehan L- L-Bogan L- L-J Smith L-Simon L-Martineau L- 14 15 Maids 16 17 18 19 20 L- L- Dewhurst L- Hrountas/ L-Blantz L-Yehushua L-Fiorentino L-McGee W-Fillius Walker W-Sanseverino L-Bar/Torres L-Woo L-Phillips L-Beck L-Barnard L-Humphrey L- W- W- L- L-Alper L-Bogan L-B&F Eckles L-Heinemann L-Martineau L-L&J Adamo 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 L-Lawley/Lewis L-Arnold L-Hrountas/ L-Colwell L-Griffith/Malm L-Burke L-McGee W-Schindler Walker W-Geist L- L-F Doolittle/ L-Phillips L-Walters L-A Howard L-Humphrey L-P&B Whitby W-Farness Buckley W-Kamen/Yehush L-Heinemann L- L-Ivany L-McCardle L-Barnard L- L-Hartung 28 29 Maids 30 31 Lodge hosting Walks: L-Schulman L-M Lewis L-Tarkington L-M Lewis hours: W Sat/Sun/Hol 9:30 W-Rowbottom L- 9-12 (Start 10:00) L-Bar/Torre L-Inton L-Beck L-Walters L- 12-3 W Sat/Sun/Hol 1:30 W-Geist L-Hartung L- L-Ivany L- L- 3-6 (Start 2:00) To sign up for an opening, call the hosting docent (858-755-8219) to confirm the time and write your name in the Logbook. If you cannot do your session, please try to find your own substitute by switching with another docent or using the short-notice list. Then call the hosting docent to make the change10 in Torrey the Logbook. Pinecone Coordinators: October 2009 Irene Larrimore & Jan Lombardi