Volume 56, Number 2 October 2010 Video Records of the Birds of Texas ◆ Larry Arbanas Join Larry Arbanas as he shares his enthusiasm for the many diverse bird spe- cies and the friendly people he met as he filmed Texas birds for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. From Big Thicket National Preserve, ‘out east’, to the southernmost point near Brownsville, up the Rio Grande to Big Bend National Park, Texas birds are spectacular. We will see video footage of Least Grebes, Green Jays, Harris’s Hawks, Crested Caracaras, Plain Chachalacas, Groove-billed Anis, Green Kingfishers, Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, Great Kiska- dees, Red-cockaded and Golden-fronted Woodpeckers, the rare and fabulous Black- capped Vireos, Tamaulipas Crows, Brown Thrashers, Golden-cheecked and Colima Warblers, Painted Buntings, Bachman’s and Botteri’s Sparrows, Scott’s Orioles, and even the Mexican Free-tailed Bats! See these winged specialties on the silver screen this  Eastern Meadowlark Mexican Jay  October 7. Photos by Larry Arbanas Larry, MDAS member and bird and the ‘River of Raptors’. Most recently, for nature photographer, continues his quest to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, he spent collect high-definition video footage of the 6½ weeks on barrier islands in Louisiana behavior of all North American bird species filming the effects of the British Petroleum for the media collection of the Macaulay oil spill on the birds inhabiting those island Library of Natural Sounds and Images colonies. in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. His career, creating nature and environmental Join us on October 7. No matter where documentaries, began in 1989 when the Larry lands, his films are spectacular. There Exxon Valdez crashed into the rocks of will be many species, so bringing a field Meeting Schedule Prince William Sound. He was deeply guide is not a bad idea. The next general meeting of moved by this event and discovered his BIRDING INFORMATION Mount Diablo Audubon Society real love, nature video photography. Do you wonder why the birds’ names will be Thursday, October 7, in the Camellia Room of The Gardens Today, he produces films for the Cornell keep changing? Why isn’t a Spotted Towhee at Heather Farm, Walnut Creek. Lab of Ornithology, PBS, the US Fish and a Rufous-sided Towhee anymore, or a North- 7:00 pm Birding Information Wildlife Service, the US Forest Service and, ern Harrier a Marsh Hawk? Maury Stern will 7:25 pm Announcements hopefully, for the Audubon California. In talk about the Committee on Classification 7:40 pm Refreshments,* door prize the Fall of 2009, Larry was sent to Veracruz, and Nomenclature of the American Orni- 8:05 pm Speaker: Larry Arbanas Mexico by Maya Lin, creator of the thologists’ Union, which makes the decisions * Please remember to bring a cup. Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, about names. He will also update us of name Thursday, November 4: Jay Holcomb DC, to film the amazing migration called changes of the last few years. DEDICATED TO HABITAT CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION the Quail —1— October 2010 President’s Corner Observations By Maury Stern By Jimm Edgar Submit Contra Costa County sightings to Maury Stern at [email protected] or (925) At our August board meeting the 284-5980 or send to EBB [email protected]. MDAS board voted to send Golden Gate August and early September marked On 9/6, BP saw a male Phainopepla at Audubon a check for $5000. They had sent the return and passing through of many Round Valley RP. us a letter requesting help with deferring the migrants. A Solitary Sandpiper at Tilden legal fees they have incurred trying to get HH saw two Red-breasted Nuthatches RP Jewel Lake on 9/6 was seen by many the Altamont Pass wind farm companies to in Redwood Trees near his home near JDa, BL, HN, DQ, RS. There was a very comply with the lawsuit filed against them Heather Farm on 9/3. These are unusual early juvenile Ferruginous Hawk in East for the killing of birds—mostly raptors—by birds this far east in the county. County on 8/27 JD. the turbines. A quick background: Al- Yellow Warblers were wide-spread in tamont Pass wind farms are the oldest in the The most unusual bird of all though was a groups of 1‒13 HH, TR, FS, DW from 8/16 nation. When they were put in during the Greater Roadrunner in the back yard of to 9/12. early 1980s no one knew what damage they JC on 8/30. There had been no documented PR saw a Black-throated Gray Warbler would cause to birds. No EIR was required sightings since 1986, when Seth Adams of in Tilden RP on 9/3. Save Mount Diablo photographed one in and in 2005 a number of Audubon chapters Townsend’s Warblers returned in good Brentwood this Spring. in the East Bay, including our chapter, sued numbers JD, BF, BP, PR. A Harlequin Duck and three Brant were Alameda County to require an EIR be done. Hermit Warblers continued in unusually at Brooks Island 9/11 and 9/12 BP, PB. large numbers BF, BP, FS. Large flocks of American White Pelicans Two Western Tanagers were at Knox- were flying over San Pablo Reservoir 8/13 Miller RP on 9/5. PB, JD, AM. BP found BF; Miller Knox RP in Point Richmond one at Mitchell Canyon 9/6. PB, JD, AM; Valle Vista Staging Area in Moraga 9/6 S&ST. BP also saw a Rufous-crowned Sparrow along Marsh Creek Road near a rock pile PB saw 60-70 Swainson’s Hawks over an on 9/6. Nancy Wenninger photo. open field in East Contra Costa County on Four were at Heather We won the case and it stipulated that by 8/31. Lark Sparrows Farm 8/23 HH. November 2009 a majority of the older tur- A Spotted Sandpiper was at Heather bines must be removed and a 50% reduction Farm Park on 9/6 HH, and 9/12 TR. PB, JD, and AM saw two Black-headed Grosbeaks at Miller-Knox RP on 9/5. in bird mortality must happen. Mind you it Sanderlings were at the Big Break area in is estimated that 5000‒10,000 birds are be- Oakley on 9/6 BP. PB Pat Bacchetti, JC Jane Chinn, JDa Jane ing killed each year. They did not meet any Dang, JD Judith Dunham, BF Bob Fitch and HH and PS saw thirty Red-necked of these goals. Golden Gate has had legal crew, HH Hugh Harvey, BL Bob Lewis, CM Phalaropes along a trail near the Iron Cindy Margulies, AM Amy McDonald, expenses of nearly $30,000 this year. We House Sanitary District in Oakley 8/13. felt we had to help. This is too big a deal to HN Harold Newman, BP Bob Power, DQ On 9/6 there were at just let slide by. Fortunately because of our Caspian Terns Dave Quady, TR Ted Robertson, PR Phila Upper San Leandro Reservoir S&ST, and generous contributions, we had funds to do Rogers, FS Fred Safier, PS Paul Schorr, HS the Big Break area in Oakley BP. this donation. We may need to sue again, Harjeet Singh, M&SS Maury and Susan but we just felt the stakes were too high A male Allen’s Hummingbird was well Stern, ES Emilie Strauss, S&ST Susan and we must help. We will keep you posted. seen at Tilden RP on 9/2 HH, FS, M&SS. and Steve Taylor, JT Jerry Ting, KW Ken Not too early to think about our two Two Selasphorus Hummingbirds were Walters, DW Denise Wight. Contra Costa County Christmas Bird Counts. seen 8/9 in Tilden BF. I hope you can help on one or both. They CM and KW saw and photographed an are a lot of fun. Eastern CCC is on Tuesday, Olive-sided Flycatcher in Kennedy This species was brought December 14. And the Central CCC is on Grove RP on 8/30, during an EBRPD hike to the point of near ex- Saturday, December 18. Mark your calendars. led by Bethany Facendini. tinction because of the Lastly, just to say how lucky we are to PR found a Western Wood-Pewee 9/3 in agricultural use of DDT, but it has have Native Bird Connections as a part of Tilden RP. now recovered and three years ago our chapter. Diana Granados and her team Willow Flycatchers were seen in two was removed from the endangered have 17 different species of birds under areas: 9/1 Heather Farm HH, DW; 9/6 by species list. These birds breed in for- their care; quite a huge job in itself. They ES along the Bay View Trail in Richmond; ested areas near large bodies of water brought five owl species to our September and 9/12 by PB near the Bay View Trail. and prey mostly on fish. meeting and did the program. Many of you Hundreds of Tree Swallows were at Bethel Unscramble these letters, or turn to came up to me after the program and said Island on 8/31 PB. There are usually large Page 6 to learn more. it was one of the best programs we have flocks of wintering Tree Swallows in the AABDEEGLL ever had. And what they do with children Delta, but these could have been migrating is amazing! We are very lucky indeed. south. the Quail —2— October 2010 A Legacy for California State Parks An Eagle Named tion and for increased and Freedom equitable access to those re- Have you ever sources for all Californians. walked through • The parks budget will a book store and no longer be subject to cuts seen all the books by the legislature or the on the sale table? Governor, the Trust Fund Have you ever Did you know that 52 Audubon cannot be borrowed from or raided, and asked yourself California Important Bird Areas are our State Parks can begin work on acquisi- who wrote them at least partially owned by California tions and deferred maintenance once the and why? There is State Parks, totaling 156,000 acres? funds become available. probably a book Audubon California, The Nature Con- The passage of this proposition is a out there waiting servancy, Save the Redwoods League and conservation legacy that all of us Audubon for you to read, California State Parks Foundation are members in California can leave to future maybe An Eagle sponsors of The State Parks & Wildlife generations! Named Freedom by Jeff Guidry is it. Conservation Trust Fund Act (“State Parks The opposition calls this a “return of One of my jobs for the chapter is to Initiative”) appearing on the November 2, the car tax” and avers “We should rely on collect our mail, which I do twice a week. 2010 statewide ballot as Proposition 21. the free market as the most efficient and A little over a month ago, we received a Proposition 21 works like this— the most just system for funding . . . We complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, William Morrow. • Vehicles registered in California will must stop pouring funds into black holes get free, year-round day-use admission to that don’t benefit any of us. We can’t force This is the story of a man who volun- all California State Parks in exchange for a poor Californians to fund projects they will teers at a wildlife rehabilitation center in new annual $18 vehicle license fee, a con- never see.”* But shouldn’t every Californian Washington and his relationship with a siderable savings if you go to more than two be responsible in a small way to maintain female Bald Eagle that cannot be released State Parks in a year. our state’s natural heritage? to the wild. Throughout my reading, I had a question in the back of my mind—is this • The funding will provide a stable, Our State Parks are shining stars, not the way it is done by Diana Granados at reliable and adequate source of funding for black holes, and they benefit all of us. Native Bird Connections? Or maybe, do the state park system, for wildlife conserva- * Michelle Steele, Pasadena Star-News. they do this at the Lindsay Museum? One of the many ways we connect with the animal world is through anthropomor- In its continuing efforts to support Cali- phism, to attribute human traits to some- Welcome fornia State Parks, Audubon California thing not human. We all watch parent birds recently issued grants to two local Audu- feed their chicks and think in our human New Members bon chapters to work with State Parks parent-child terms. We all watch raccoon on park land. Funded by an endowment Richard and Nina Devoe babies, or bear cubs or fawns, and look at set up by Audubon California, the grants them as we look at our children. Walnut Creek provide long-term financial assistance Jeff Guidry describes an even closer Barbara Hakala Walnut Creek for important conservation, restoration relationship with a Bald Eagle named Free- and public outreach projects. George Istvan Concord dom. Jeff uses this bird to help him over- Redwood Region Audubon received come his personal difficulties with cancer. $7,500 to create three acres of restored It was hard for me to read this story and I habitat for the Western Snowy Plover at am not sure why. It could be my own ex- Humboldt Lagoons State Park, and to perience with heart disease and Rosita’s conduct outreach to park visitors on the fight with breast cancer. Or it could be the need to protect this endangered spe- stretch my imagination had to make to see cies. Morro Coast Audubon received this man’s relationship with an eagle from $2,500 to monitor bird populations a perspective of reality. at Morro Bay State Park and educate Still, I am sure that many readers will the public about birds and habitat in enjoy this book. It is available for $21.99, the area. wherever books are sold. ISBN 978-0-06- 182674-0. By Hugh Harvey The Quail is published monthly except January and August by Mount Diablo Audubon Society, P.O. Box 53, Walnut Creek, CA 94597-0053. The Quail is printed on 30% post- consumer waste recycled paper. The deadline for the November issue is October 12. h the Quail —3— October 2010 Field Trip Schedule ➋ By Hugh Harvey Saturday, October 2 Outer Point Reyes October Leader: David Hutton, 938-4485. 2 Saturday...... Outer Point Reyes Carpool leaves Sun Valley at 7:00 am. Meet 8:30 am at 9 Saturday...... Tennessee Valley Bear Valley Visitor Center in Olema. From I-80 in Vallejo, 16 Saturday...... Abbott’s Lagoon follow SR 37 19.1 miles to Atherton Avenue, exit and turn left, November cross US 101 to San Marin Drive and continue for 3 miles. 11 Thursday...... Berkeley Shoreline Turn right on Novato Blvd. for 6 miles to stop sign, then turn left on Point Reyes-Petaluma Road for 7 miles to another 13 Saturday...... Charleston Slough/South Bay stop sign. Go straight on Platform Bridge Road to Sir Francis 20 Saturday...... Limantour Drake Boulevard. Turn 22 Monday...... Mt. View Sanitary/McNabney Marsh right to Olema. Turn December right at stop sign and 4-5 Saturday/Sunday...... Sacramento Refuges take SR 1 north for 0.25 9 Thursday...... Niles Area miles, then turn left on Bear Valley Road. 14 Tuesday...... Christmas Count/East County Visitor Center is off 18 Saturday...... Christmas Count/Central County Bear Valley. We are hoping for migrants and vagrants. Weather Come Birding with Us is unpredictable. in October! View north from near Point Reyes Light Station. Field trips are open to members and non-members, beginners and advanced birders. Weather or other contingencies may require changes. For updates, visit the MDAS website at www.diabloaudubon. ➌ Saturday, October 9 com/index/php. Tennessee Valley The full schedule through August 2011 was published in the Leader: Fred Safier, 937-2906. September Quail, http://www.diabloaudubon.com/newsletter/ Carpool leaves El Nido Ranch Road at 7:30 am. Meet 8:30 Quail_Sep_10.pdf am at Tennessee Valley Road parking lot. We have not done Because most trips do not return until late afternoon, bring a this trip for many years and are offering it in lieu of Hawk Hill, lunch and drink and join us during our midday break. which is closed to the public this fall. This is an easy 2-mile Category ➊: Easy, little or no walking, smooth paths walk to Tennessee Beach through meadow, along creeks, a Category ➋: Moderate, one mile or more, possibly rough terrain lagoon, and some chaparral, with a variety of birds of several Category ➌: Difficult, extensive walking on rough terrain. habitats, possibly a vagrant or two. From US-101 north of Sausalito take the Stinson Beach exit (SR-1) west ½ mile, turn Carpool locations: Sun Valley—Southwest corner of left on Tennessee Valley Road, drive to the parking lot at the the Sun Valley Mall parking lot at Willow Pass Road and end of the road. Carry lunch, wear layered clothing. Contra Costa Boulevard in Concord. El Nido Ranch Road—Exit SR 24 at St. Stephens Drive east of Orinda. El Nido Ranch Road is parallel to and north of the freeway. Park just east of the intersection with St. Stephens Drive. ➌ Saturday, October 16 Abbott’s Lagoon Leader: David Hutton, 938-4485. American White Pelican . McNabney Marsh Carpool leaves Sun Valley at 7:00 am. Meet at 8:30 am at Bear Valley Visitor Center, Point Reyes National Seashore. From I-80 in Vallejo, follow SR 37 19.1 miles to Atherton Avenue, exit and turn left, cross US 101 to San Marin Drive and continue for 3 miles. Turn right on Novato Blvd for 6 miles to stop sign, then turn left on Point Reyes-Petaluma Road for 7 miles to another stop sign. Go straight on Platform Bridge Road to Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Turn right to Olema. Turn right at stop sign and take SR 1 north for 0.25 miles, then turn left on Bear Val- ley Road. Visitor Center is off Bear Valley. Be prepared to carry lunch and liquids. Lots of walking in sand. the Quail —4— October 2010 Annual Treasurer’s Report – 2010 By Steve Buffi NEWS Mount Diablo Audubon Society remains in an excellent position to serve our com- FROM munity. We had another successful year. The annual year-end fundraising drive continues WILD BIRDS to be strong and our total chapter membership is strong, too. UNLIMITED The financial health of MDAS, due to the generosity of our members, allows us to actively pursue our mission. During the year, we funded important habitat preservation Suet and Seed Sale projects and continued our community education outreach efforts for young people such October 6–October 24 as the “No Child Left Inside Program.” Your generosity supports our monthly presentation Stock up and get ready for fall and winter program, this newsletter, the annual Christmas Count, the EBB Bird Sightings list, and birdfeeding! Check out the Stackables–the much more. You have read about these important community efforts in this and prior is- great way to combine seed and suet into one sues of the Quail. Each dollar you give is put to good use for the benefit of our community. type of birdfood. And they are not messy,! The General Fund balance covers operations and reserves, the Conservation and Saturday, October 9 Education balance is used towards these efforts, and the Breeding Bird Atlas reflects the 19th Anniversary Party books held for sale and the results of book sales. The Board voted to merge the McNab- Please come and help us celebrate! ney Marsh Fund with the Conservation and Education Fund during the fiscal year after • Many FREE gifts and prize drawings. • See a Bald Eagle. consulting the membership. • Discounts on every transaction. July 2009 — June 2010 • Plants for attracting birds and butterflies to your garden. Funds Revenue Expenses Net Fund Balance 7/1/2010 General $27,409.72 $27,542.79 –$133.07 $94,767.71 Conservation & Education $232.07 $0.00 $232.07 $16,724.51 Breeding Bird Atlas $75.19 $223.48 –$148.29 $20,549.15 Total All Funds $27,716.98 $27,766.27 –$49.29 $132,041.37

the plants and butterflies. We did not see any Trip Reports Lange’s metalmark butterflies, but we did see Bodega Bay, August 21. A day that was plenty of naked-stem buckwheat, Antioch gray, but not too windy, brought out 12 Dunes evening primrose and some buckeye birders. We were disappointed to miss butterflies. The Contra Costa wallflower is a September is always a lull time for back- Wandering Tattler, Virginia Rail, and Elegant spring bloomer and has long since gone to yard feeding. The grosbeaks and orioles Tern, which we often see on this trip. We seed. The eight chapter members and others have left. Year-round residents no longer were pleased to see Black Oystercatcher, from the public also came up with about 18 have young to feed and may have dispersed. Black and Ruddy Turnstones, and Osprey. bird species. Highlights were a White-tailed In October, White and Golden-crowned We were particularly pleased with good Kite, a Loggerhead Shrike and a distant Sparrows will begin to return along with Juncos and Northern Flickers. Also, views of Marbled Murrelet, one swimming empid species. Thanks to Michael Klein, peacefully next to a Common Murre to chickadees and titmice will begin flocking Ron Dawson and Carol Coan. Hugh Harvey together looking for food and they are often offer us a comparison. The final total was joined by Bushtits and kinglets. As fall gets 57 species. Fred Safier into full swing, we should see feeder activ- Jewel Lake, September 2. Four members ity increase. There will be less natural food and guests beat the day’s heat with an early available. Some species will be eating more morning bird walk around Jewel Lake, on seeds, suet, or peanuts, and fewer insects. the boardwalk and the lower Packrat Trail. Try our exclusive Bark Butter. It is com- The expected birds were there including posed of peanut butter and other highly nutritious ingredients. Apply it to special many small songbirds, and Mallards on feeders or just spread it on a tree trunk! the pond. We had excellent looks at a male We have been using it in our yard and have Allen’s Hummingbird and a Pacific-slope found all the suet-eating birds like it often Flycatcher. Many Swainson’s Thrushes better than suet. Warblers, wrens, sparrows, were calling from the brush and going after towhees, kinglets and other birds are also berries. We also saw Wrentits very close, readily attracted to it. some feeding on the trail. Maury Stern Notecards featuring the art of Dana Q Antioch Dunes, September 11. The do- Gardner, drawn specifically for Mount Mike and Cecil Williams cents of Antioch Dunes NWR gave us a won- Diablo Audubon Society, are on sale at the Wild Birds Unlimited derful 1½ hour walk around the Stamm Unit general meetings for $3 each, all proceeds 692 Contra Costa Blvd. of the refuge. We heard much of the check- going to the education and conservation Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, 925-798-0303 ered history of the property as well as about programs. Visit us at www.wbupleasanthill.com the Quail —5— October 2010 State Park, or to decrease Tolowa Dunes the desirability of the State » Continued from Page 8 Park as a destination for nature viewers and for wildlife? There are at most 70,000 waterfowl hunters in the state—that’s the av- erage number of California Duck Stamps sold annual- ly—while the US Fish and Wildlife Service states that 6,000,000 Californians are birders or birdwatchers. This is the area of Tolowa Dunes State Park proposed for Tolowa Dunes State Park. The village site at Yon- waterfowl hunting, specifically the forested ponds in the dunes Photo courtesy of Fran Gatti tocket and the cemetery, www.FransBlog.com and some of the sloughs down below. Photo in late March 2003, which holds the remains an exceptionally wet spring, by F. L. Hiser Jr. Audubon California has defined the of all who perished in the coastline of California from Point St. massacre, are sacred to the Tolowa people. Plant Society, and others in strong opposition. George north to the mouth of the Smith For them, Yontocket is the “Center of the Another letter was sent by the Smith River River—essentially Tolowa Dunes State Universe.” In their history, it is the source Rancheria of the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Indians. You Park—as an “Important Bird Area” (IBA). of all creation, the place where the first may wish to state your opinion with letters It is “one of the most ornithologically sig- redwood grew. For State Parks to even to the following: North Coast District Acting nificant coastal areas in the state.” The Del consider allowing hunting and gunfire Superintendent Michelle Gardner, mgard@ Norte Coast IBA is host to 18 sensitive bird near Yontocket disrespects the Tolowa and parks.ca.gov; California State Parks Direc- species, some present in few if any other their history. tor Ruth Coleman, [email protected]; and locations in California. On September 10, a letter was sent to Cal- Chair Caryl Hart and Commissioners, Cali- The IBA does have conservation issues. ifornia State Parks Commissioners signed by fornia State Park & Recreation Commission, There is a problem with OHV riders; and 28 groups including Mount Diablo Audubon [email protected]. Please do so before there are conflicts between dairy ranch- Society and four other Audubon chapters, October 4, as the reclassification action is ers and other farmers concerning the vast Sierra Club California, the California Native scheduled for October 8. numbers of geese in the area. Audubon California reported in 2004 that the entire Haliaeetus leucocephalus global population of Aleutian Cackling Bald Eagle ◆ Geese stops here to rest and refuel on their white head and neck and the shining annual migration. People would gather yellow bill can be seen from far off. An before dawn on the shore near Castle Rock immature bird, though, has a plumage to watch them take off, thousands and entirely dark brown and cannot be thousands heading for the feeding grounds. distinguished from a Golden Eagle. Ranchers often did not want them grazing In Contra Costa County, Bald on their pastures and used many methods Eagles are frequently seen around to disturb them. Now it can no longer be large bodies of water, such as Los said in truth that they all come here. Many Vaqueros Reservoir. They had never go further south to Humboldt County, but been known to nest here, however. it is still a very impressive show. Then in June of 2006 an adult Bald Currently a critical situation has arisen Eagle was seen carrying nesting ma- when some factions are advocating the terial over San Pablo Reservoir. Later reclassification of 500 acres of Tolowa that month a nest and a young bird State Park lands (about 10%) to the status were found, the first confirmation of a State Recreation Area in order to allow of Bald Eagles nesting in the county. waterfowl hunting. This plot is immediately Bald Eagle photographed near the Indian cem- The figure of this noble bird is well known next to the Yontocket Indian Village site etery at Tolowa Dunes State Park. throughout the civilized world, emblazoned and the cemetery, places on the National Photo courtesy of Alan Justice. as it is on our national standard, which Register of Historic Places. California Fish The Bald Eagle is not without feathers, waves in the breeze of every clime, bearing and Game’s Lake Earl Wildlife Area has rather, its name comes from the Celtic word to distant lands the remembrance of a great 6000 acres available to hunters; is there bal or ballede, meaning ‘shining white’. And people living in a state of peaceful freedom. any credible reason to diminish protection when an adult bird is wheeling high over May that peaceful freedom last for ever! of the bird species who use Tolowa Dunes the mouth of a river in search of lunch the — John J. Audubon the Quail —6— October 2010 Ornithology The 14th Annual Central Valley Birding Symposium is to be held at the “Who will deny that birds are Opportunities Hilton in Stockton, November 18‒21. Dynamic photographer and author Paul a conspicuous manifestation Birding classes at Albany Adult School. Bannick, who was our MDAS speaker last of beauty in nature. Bay Area Birds, with Rusty Scalf and Bob November, will give a program based on Lewis, is a six-session Wednesday night his research on “Owls and Woodpeckers of Ralph Hoffmann, 1927 class, from October 6 through Novem- the West”. Author of dozens of books and ber 14, with seven field trips on Saturday articles and award-winning photographer or Sunday. The cost is $100. A course in Moose Petersen will give a presentation on Mount Diablo Audubon Society Beginning Birding, with Anne Hoff, will “California’s Threatened and Endangered meets on the first Thursday of each month, begin October 27 for four Wednesdays Birds”. Workshops include Jon Dunn on except July and August, in the Camellia and four Saturday field trips; $75. Further sparrows and Joe Morlan’s shorebird iden- Room of The Gardens at Heather Farms, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek. information and registration is at www. tification workshop focusing on loons and Everyone is invited. albanyadultschool.org/birding.html. grebes. There are many others, ranging Sandhill Crane Festival, Lodi, Novem- from Central Valley Raptors to Beginning ber 5‒7. Long before Lodi existed, Sandhill Birding and digiscoping to bird sketching. cranes descended into the rich delta wet- For more information or registration go to lands at the end of a long migratory journey, www.cvbs.org or contact Frances Oliver at some from nesting grounds as far away as [email protected]. Siberia. As they greeted California’s earliest explorers, these magnificent birds darkened the skies over winter marshes. In awe- inspiring numbers, and with a prehistoric call, stately gait, and elegant choreography, the Sandhill Crane continues to attract and inspire visitors. Each year thousands of visitors make their way to Lodi area wildlife refuges and farmlands to experi- ence first-hand one of nature’s spectacles. For 13 years, Lodi’s Sandhill Crane Festival MDAS Board of Directors has celebrated the return of the cranes. President: Jimm Edgar, 510-658-2330 Workshops include bird carving, and bird Vice President: Mike Williams, 798-0303 photography with Paul Bannick; tours by [email protected] boat for Bald Eagles on Pardee Reservoir Treasurer: Steve Buffi, 938-0929 Board Secretary: Diana Granados and a Tule Wilderness trip with Delta Eco- [email protected] tours. www.cranefestival.com. Corresponding Secretary Barbara Vaughn 376-8732 Sales Manager: Diane Malucelli, 674-0920 Programs: Alice Holmes, 938-1581 MDAS MEMBERSHIP/RENEWAL APPLICATION [email protected] Field Trips: Hugh Harvey, 935-2979 c Please enroll my family and me as a member of Mount Diablo Audubon Society Membership: Beverley Walker, 952-9925 for $25 for one year. Your membership dues are tax deductible. Volunteer Coordinator: c I’m enclosing an additional tax-deductible donation of $______. Moses de los Reyes, 755-3734 Hospitality: Gerry Argenal, 768-6325 c For an additional $20 (new NAS members only), please enroll me in the National Education: Cecil Williams, 796-0303 Audubon Society. [email protected] Please send The Quail by: c US mail c E-mail______Webmaster: Betts Sanderson [email protected] Name______Chapter Development: Paul Schorr, 757-5107 [email protected] Address______Christmas Count: Jimm Edgar, 510-658-2330 City, State______Zip______Breeding Bird Atlas Marketing: Ann McGregor, 968-1677 Phone ( ____ )______E-mail______Member-at-Large: Brian Murphy, 937-8835 Please make your check payable to: Jean Richmond, 837-2843 MT. DIABLO AUDUBON SOCIETY and mail with this application to: Quail Editor: Ellis Myers, 284-4103 [email protected] Membership Chair 1932 Golden Rain Road #4 Walnut Creek, CA 94595 [email protected] 215 Calle La Mesa Moraga, CA 94556-1603 the Quail —7— October 2010 Mount Diablo Audubon Society, Non-Profit Org. P.O. Box 53 U.S. Postage Walnut Creek, CA 94597-0053 PAID Return Service Requested Permit No. 66 Concord, CA

Tolowa Dunes State Park, Del Norte County. Photo courtesy of Fran Gatti, www.FransBlog.com

explorations of Jedediah Smith. In 1853, as Common Murres and for three species of Tolowa Dunes retaliation for the deaths of several early cormorants, Pigeon Guillemots, Cassin’s State Park prospectors, the settlers ambushed the and Rhinoceros Auklets, Leach’s and Fork- members of the Yontocket village during tailed Storm-Petrels, and Tufted Puffins. By Ellis Myers a religious ceremony and celebration. The The State Park has a good trail system village was set on fire and people were that visits the lakes and dunes. Spring, One of the California coast’s finest shot and stabbed as they fled the burning when the ponds are full and the wildflow- wetlands is located just south of the Oregon houses. ers are in bloom, and autumn, with crisp, border. Together with ancient sand dunes, a clear days, are good seasons for hiking the dramatic, driftwood-strewn beach, wooded Adjacent to the east, Lake Tolowa and trails. In summer, look for the Federally ridges and a Native American heritage, this Lake Earl comprise the largest coastal la- threatened Oregon silverspot butterfly and is Tolowa Dunes State Park. In 2001 it was goon complex on the Pacific Coast south for mosquitoes! named for the Tolowa, Native Americans of Alaska. This area is managed by the who lived in the Del Norte County area for California Department of Fish and Game as Look for Bald Eagles and Peregrine thousands of years. The Tolowa probably the Lake Earl Wildlife Area, where hunting Falcons in winter. Wading birds, ducks, and numbered between 1,000 and 2,400 with of waterfowl is allowed from mid-October marine mammals are present year-round. villages located in coastal areas near the through January. Over 80 species of songbirds sing from the mouth of the Smith River. They hunted The lakes host as many as 315 species groves of Sitka spruce and red alder. Har- seals and sea-lions using redwood dugouts, of birds and are a crucial stopover for birds bor seals and sea lions are visible offshore. going out as far as Seal Rocks, about 6 miles traveling the Pacific Flyway. Sometimes Endangered California gray whales pass by offshore. They caught salmon and eel in as many as 100,000 birds can be sighted from October through June. nets in the Smith River. From the beach here. Surrounding the lakes are saltwater The wetlands, riparian corridors, and the Tolowa fished for perch and cod and marshland and freshwater wetlands, as well forests of Lake Earl Wildlife Area attract gathered shellfish. They also hunted deer as far-reaching sand dunes. many species: Aleutian Cackling Geese and and elk but relied primarily on the supply Just to the south of the State Park, a half Canvasbacks, Tundra Swans, Black-bellied of food that the rivers and sea provided. mile off the Pacific shore, is Castle Rock, Plovers, and Peregrine Falcons. Lakes and Their first contact with Euro-American a National Wildlife Refuge. Castle Rock’s creeks sustain river otters, muskrats, bea- settlers occurred in 1828 with the overland cliffs provide nesting habitat for 100,000 vers, salmon, steelhead, and cutthroat trout. the Quail —8— ContinuedOctober on Page 2010 6 »