Wandering Tattler

May 2012

Volume 61, Number 8

President’s Message by Bruce Aird

The discovery was prompted by a simple question: when about half the worldʼs population of Western Sandpipers congregates on the intertidal mudflats of the Fraser River estuary south of Vancouver, what attracts them there? Such species concentrations are usually associated with a food resource, as in the Delaware Bay where Red Knots gather in spring to feed on the seasonal bounty of horseshoe crab eggs. In this case, the answer was not what scientists were expecting. Instead of feeding on worms or other invertebrates, these small shorebirds were actually using their hairy tongues to lap up biofilm, a dense, energy-rich layer of mucopolysaccharides, (think of a polymer of table sugar with a little added nitrogen). This discovery was published in 2008 by a team of researchers from Japan, Great Britain and British Columbia

More recently, an article by Margaret Munro published on Canada.com in February, 2012 (http://www.canada.com/life/Magic+tidal+flats+shorebird+populations/6115696/story.html#ixzz1luM36Hw9) described more research by the same team exploring six intertidal sites in Japan and Canada, and studying the feeding ecology in 30 species of small shorebirds, mostly stints and sandpipers. They analyzed bird droppings, examined bird mouth parts, and filmed them as they ran across the intertidal mudflats feeding in typically hyperactive fashion. And they found that virtually all of them were feasting primarily on biofilm. Virtually all small shorebirds worldwide are now thought to be utilizing this previously unknown food source. To date, scientists have not even positively identified a source of the biofilm.

Whenever large percentages of a species gather at a single location, there is both opportunity and risk. The risk is that a single catastrophic event (think “Exxon Valdez” or “Deepwater Horizon”) could destroy the site and endanger if not obliterate the species. The opportunity is twofold: the phenomenon directs us to learn something seminal about the lives of these diminutive world travelers, and it presents us with a chance to safeguard them through preservation of these important sites and carefully manage the development of nearby marine resources. Biofilm is a common element of many beaches and estuaries, but only some feature the environmental conditions that concentrate this resource in large amounts. You can bet the birds know where every such site is, and we should be cognizant of them too. And once we know, it will be incumbent upon us to do the right thing. I hope Audubon will insist upon being part of that.

General Meeting Friday evening - May 18 - 7:30 pm

“Southeast Arizona’s Wonderful

Wildlife” presented by Bill Radke

Our speaker, Bill Radke, is manager of two national wildlife refuges near Douglas, in the SE corner of Arizona. The refuges, San Bernardino and Leslie Canyon, were acquired to provide habitat for endangered native fish and to protect a rare velvet ash-cottonwood-black willow gallery forest. The refuges have a wide variety of habitat from arid desert scrub and desert grassland to riparian forest and woodland, marshlands, and aquatic habitats.

Over 350 species of birds can be found there including Gray Hawk, Black-capped Gnatcatcher,

Vermillion Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bellʼs Vireo, Lucyʼs Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Black-throated and Rufous-crowned Sparrows, and Summer Tanagers. An interesting variety of mammals can also be seen there including a Desert Shrew, Lesser Long-nosed Bat, Banner-tailed Kangaroo Rat,

Gray Fox, Ringtail, Coatimundi, Mountain Lion, Javalina, Mule Deer, and Whitetail Deer, as well as native reptiles and amphibians.

Bill will tell us about the history of this interesting area and its wildlife. This interesting program will be presented at the Duck Club, at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine. The doors open at 7:00 for refreshments and fellowship, and the meeting and program will begin at 7:30 pm. We hope you will join us. (See page 11 for directions to the meeting.)

Remember that you must access Riparian View from Campus Drive, not from Michelson, and bring a flashlight to light your way to and from the parking lot.

Pat and Dick Cabe, Program Co-Chairs

Conservation News Other News & Announcements

4th Tuesday Conservation Lecture Tuesday, May 22nd at 7:30 pm Learning Center (Gray House), SJWS

“Important Bird Areas in California” presented by Andrea Jones, Director of the IBA program in California Audubon has identified 145 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) that provide more than 10 million acres of essential habitat for breeding, wintering, and migrating birds. Andrea will provide a regional overview of the IBA program, discuss how chapters can get involved in protection and monitoring efforts at their local IBAs, and how IBAs are used by Audubon in regional, statewide, and national conservation planning efforts. In addition, she will discuss an analysis of climate change models and how IBAs and sensitive bird species will prosper or decline in various climate change scenarios. She will describe how IBAs provide critical habitat and how habitats or bird species may adapt in the future. Andrea Jones joined Audubon California in May 2006 to lead the Important Bird Area Program. Before coming to California, Andrea worked at Massachusetts Audubon from 1993 to 2006. She received her M.S. in Wildlife Conservation /Ornithology and her B.S. in Wildlife Biology and Management from the University of Massachusetts. Her thesis work involved Grasshopper Sparrow metapopulation dynamics on small islands off the New England coast. For more infor about Andreaʼs program, see our chapter webpage at: http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/Conse rvation/4thTuesLectureSeries.html

Northern Sierra Nevada Field trip At press time there were a few spaces left in the June 27-July 1 section of the field trip to the Northern Sierra Nevada, to be led by Sylvia Gallagher and Donelda Warhurst. This trip is open to anyone who has ever done one of Sylvia's workshops on the Western Mountains, either visual or aural. See the Sea and Sage website: www.seaandsageaudubon.org for complete details and a registration form.

Long-time member and supporter, Edith Elvis, passed away March 7, 2012, in Redding, California. Members wishing to contact the family may obtain further information from Nancy Kenyon.

North American Bluebird Society 35th Annual Conference in Newport Beach Oct. 4th-6th, 2012

The Southern California Bluebird Club is hosting this family-friendly event at The Radisson, directly across from the John Wayne Airport! Members have planned an exciting and entertaining conservation-focused agenda for participants. Laura Erickson from Cornell University will be the keynote speaker; her topic, “How Birds Learn,” and her workshop, “101 Ways to Help Birds.” Other highlights include a hero of conservation, Steve Simmons from Merced, CA. Steve will be talking about his many years of banding experience, his 800 nest boxes for cavity nesting species and showing his menagerie of ingenious tools to outwit and safely trap birds. From Colorado, Andrew Mackie, Executive Director of the Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas, will talk about the status of the Mountain Bluebird, and from Oregon, naturalist, Steve Shunk, will enlighten guests about how woodpeckers are keystone species for cavity nesting birds. Additional information on workshops and field trips with registration information are now available via Southern CA Bluebird Club www.socalbluebirds.org and NABS www.nabluebirdsociety.org websites. Check out their promo video on YouTube: http://youtu.be/CS2_jMQwqd0

Western Field Ornithologists Conference Petaluma, CA September 26-30

Late September in northern California is the peak of pelagic birding, ideal for finding rare songbirds, and a great time to see an excellent variety of shorebirds. The conference will have field trips focusing on all these and more including four pelagic trips at discounted rates for conference registrants. The conference offers a rich combination of science sessions, field trips, and workshops to improve your field skills. ID Workshops include: Shorebirds with Al Jaramillo, Pelagic birds with Jim Danzenbaker and Scott Terrill, and Raptors with Homer Hansen and Allen Fish. Peter Pyle will show how understanding molt can enhance your time in the field, Keith Hansen will teach new ways of looking birds as you learn to make field sketches, and Richard Vacha will help you identify tracks of birds and other wildlife. For full conference info & registration materials, go to the WFO website at: www.westernfieldornithologists.org

Orange County Rarities by Doug Willick March is often that transition period when many of the wintering birds are beginning to pull out, though itʼs still a bit too soon to expect any significant number of early spring migrants or summer visitors (with a few exceptions, such a swallows). This past month, however, there were plenty of wintering birds still lingering on to keep things interesting. Some of the more noteworthy of these are as follows:

Two different male Eurasian Green-winged (also known as “Common”) Teals continued in the county, with one at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary and another at Burris Basin. Exceptional numbers of seabirds were seen in county waters this past winter, on pelagic trips and from such coastal locations as Dana Point and Newport Pier. There were perhaps unprecedented numbers of Common Murres, and a few of these continued to be seen into March. Rhinoceros Auklets, Black-vented Shearwaters, two species of jaegers, and migrating loon species, were among the seabird species seen from shore this past month.

At least one of the Lewisʼs Woodpeckers in Black Star Canyon continued until at least Mar. 14. Two Eastern Phoebes wintering in the county lingered until at least Mar. 3 at Huntington Central Park (HCP), and Mar. 21 at Mason Regional Park. The carefully studied Dusky Flycatcher at HCPʼs Shipley Nature Center was still making appearances through Mar. 31. A Hammondʼs Flycatcher wintering in Gillman Park was refound on Mar. 16. A Tropical Kingbird on the “backside” of Bolsa Chica (BC), Mar. 29, was presumably the same bird that had been seen sporadically in the area during the previous late fall and early winter (last reported on Dec. 9). This is actually the third consecutive year that a Tropical Kingbird (quite likely the same bird each year), has been apparently wintering in the BC area; this bird seems to cover lots of ground, as it is rarely encountered more than a couple times per winter—and never twice at the same spot, it seems. Of up to two Varied Thrushes seen during the winter at Irvine Regional Park (IRP), one was last reported on Mar. 9; the much sought after Hooded Warbler also wintering at IRP remained through at least Mar. 19. The county hosted two other warblers known to be very rare winter visitors to California: these included the Magnolia Warbler in Laguna Niguel Regional Park (LNRP), which was refound on Apr. 7, and a Yellow-throated Warbler in Orange, last recorded on Mar. 24. Of two Clay-colored Sparrows known to be wintering in the Sana Ana Cemetery, one was still present on Apr. 3. The fairly cooperative Lark Bunting that has been frequenting the scrub vegetation and new plantings behind the BC visitor

center, since about mid January, was seen through at least Mar. 30. A White-throated Sparrow found at IRP way back in Nov. was observed sporadically through April 1. There were a few new rarities discovered this past month. An “Aleutian” type Cackling Goose turned up at LNRP, Mar. 10-11 (Robert McNab). A Magpie seen in flight during a BC monthly survey, Mar. 9 (Fiona Parker, Terry Hill), was quite a surprise. Although it wasnʼt seen well enough to conclusively determine if it was a Black-billed or Yellow-billed Magpie, Black-billeds occasionally turn up in coastal southern California counties. Interestingly enough, over the last ten to fifteen years, a Black-billed Magpie has been observed on more than one occasion in the Huntington Beach area. In general, though, any occurrence of either magpie species this far out of their expected range is generally considered to be an escapee from captivity.

During late March, large numbers of presumably migrant Surfbirds were seen at BC, with an impressive 200 present on Mar. 29 (Peter Knapp). A pair of Gull-billed Terns was seen flying by the Newport Pier, Mar. 11 (Brian Daniels), and at least one was seen a few days later flying by the same location (Irene Horiuchi). A young male American Redstart at Santiago Park (Santa Ana), Apr. 4-7 (Doug Willick), was apparently wintering in the area, as this is about a month before a migrant of this species would typically be expected in the state. Two different young male Summer Tanagers were observed at LNRP during the period of Mar. 31 to Apr. 3 (Andy Lazere, Trish Gussler, Sachiko Fukuman, Jim Roe), with one of these likely being a continuing bird from earlier in the winter. Two male Yellow-headed Blackbirds at BC, Mar. 29 (Richard Erickson), were most likely spring migrants. This appears to be an excellent spring so far for Lawrenceʼs Goldfinches, with reports from all over the So Cal area. In OC, up to a half dozen were at HCP, Mar. 11-13 (Mark Singer), where as many as ten were originally recorded on Feb. 26 (Brian Daniels).

With spring migration in full swing, May is a great time to be in the field. What better excuse does one need to grab those binoculars and get outdoors and enjoy.

Chapter News

Audubon House Volunteers We would like to thank the following people for helping to staff Audubon House in April and May: Sonia Appell, Pat & Dick Cabe, Deana Collins, Carolyn Cooper, Tom

Drouet, Fresia Escalona, Frank Feller, Judy Fritts, Lynne Hayes, Pat Heilig, Cindi Herrera, Sarah Jayne, Steve Jelnick, Lois Jones, Nancy Kenyon, Lauretta Kyle, Donna Malloy, Joan McCauley, Bobbie Miller, Eunice Morita,

Shirley Price, Betty Purdy, Roberta Ray, Barbara Reber, Susan Sheakley, Bev Spring, Betty Swift, Beryl Vogel, and Pat Wells. Audubon House is open daily from 8AM to 4PM. Our volunteers greet visitors, answer the phone, sell merchandise, answer questions about birds, check out binoculars, etc. If you are interested in helping at Audubon House, please call Judy Fritts at 949-551-4513.

News from our Bookstore Our bookstore inside Audubon House is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. It is also open 45 minutes before our General Meetings. New arrivals for adults include: Captivating Bluebirds; Princeton Field Guides (Birds of S Africa; Birds of Peru); Boreal Birds of NA; Top 100 Birding Sites of the World; FG to Marine Mammals of the Pacific Coast; Nevada Barr's Burn; Stories in Tracks & Signs; How to Be a Better Birder. Children's books: About Reptiles; Let's Read: Spinning Spiders; Let's Explore: Forest Animals Sticker Coloring Book. Also in: new notecards (boxed and singles); bird stickers; Glow in the Dark Space Stickers. CA Birds: Status and Distribution is back in stock. We accept credit cars (Mastercard & Visa) with a $10 minimum purchase.

Christmas Bird Count Reports In the April Tattler, I posted the count totals for both the Northeastern CBC and the San Juan Capistrano CBC. Unfortunately, I made some errors on the count data. The correct data can now be found on our chapter webpage, including our Coastal CBC report.

SAVE THIS DATE – Sat., August 25! August 25th marks our 20th anniversary for being at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine. This year, on August 25th, we are planning to have a celebration to mark our anniversary. It will be held at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary and everyone is invited! Look for information about this celebratory event in the next Tattler and on our chapter webpage.

Slate of Officers & Directors for 2012 The following slate of officers and directors was placed in nomination at the Annual Dinner on March 16h, 2012. There were no nominations from the floor.

President - Bruce Aird Vice President - Vic Leipzig Treasurer - Bart Beckman Secretary - Linda Davis Director 2015 - Steve Kaye Director 2015 - Shirley Reynolds

The voting will take place at our May 18th General Mtg. Science Fair Awards The 57th Annual Orange County Science and Engineering Fair was held at the Orange County Fair Grounds on Tuesday, April 10, 2012. As in

past years, Sea & Sage proudly presented two $50 Special Awards to projects which reflect environmental awareness and conservation efforts. The first was to Elsie Rio for her project titled “Eco Dive.” She posed the hypothesis “How does the type of material – wood, stainless steel, or concrete – affect how much marine growth develops on it?” The second award went to Rae Holcomb, who studied the “Response of American Coots and Mallards To Visual Stimuli.” (Rae Holcomb is one of our Junior Naturalists.) While the competition has a definite shift developing toward technology and applied sciences, Sea & Sage hopes that by continuing the tradition of presenting these special awards, the upcoming generation of college students will continue to pursue ecology and environmental studies.

— Cathy Glasgow

Taxidermy Birds Awaiting Sponsors In the April Tattler, information about how to sponsor a taxidermy specimen got left off the page. To sponsor a taxidermy specimen or contribute to the taxidermy general fund, pick up a sponsor form at the Audubon House, from our website, or contact Sea and Sage’s Taxidermy Coordinator Gretchen Mavrovouniotis at (949) 677-7842.

Orange County Spring Count

Saturday, May 12, 2012

International Migratory Bird Day by Al Baumann

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Monthly Field Trips for May Nancy Kenyon, Field Trip Chair

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Riley Wilderness Park Bird Walk Alternate 1st Wednesday: May 2nd – 8:00 am Join Mike Clayton, Naturalist, on a bird walk at Riley Wilderness Park. This park is home to an abundant number of native plants and old groves of Western Sycamores and Coast Live Oaks which border the parkʼs two seasonally flowing creeks. The remaining land features rolling hills and canyons of Coastal Sage Scrub and grasslands. Come prepare for a morning of exploring this delightful park and its abundant bird life. Wear shoes with good traction; some of the trails are quite steep. Directions: From the #5 Fwy, exit on Oso Pkwy, and drive inland towards the mountains. Watch for the park entrance on your right just before the road ends at Coto de Caza. Those without a wilderness park decal will need to purchase a $3 day-use permit from the park ticket machine. (The park closes when it rains.) Leader: Mike Clayton

Monthly Wildlife Walk at the SJWS 1st Saturday: May 5th - 9:00 am Weʼll be exploring the birds, plants, and creatures of the marsh on this wildlife walk at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Weʼll be ready to enjoy the spring migrants, see the baby Mallards learn to swim, watch the Tree Swallows feeding their young, observe the plants going quiet and dormant under the summerʼs heat, and watch the marsh come alive again as the fall rains appear and the waterfowl return to the ponds. Meet in front of Audubon House at 9:00 am for a 1½ hour nature walk in the marsh. (See directions to the SJWS on page 11.) Leaders: Audubon Naturalists Monthly Bird Walks at Santiago Oaks 1st Sunday: May 6th - 7:30 am Join Linette Lina for a monthly bird walk at Santiago Oaks Regional Park at 7:30 am. The mix of oak riparian and coastal sage scrub habitats make Santiago Oaks one of the best places in Orange County to find a variety of songbirds. This is a good time of year to watch for nesting birds. Directions: Take the 55 freeway to Katella Ave in Orange. Exit and drive east on Katella 3.2 miles to Windes Dr. Turn left on Windes Dr. and follow the signs to the park. Be prepared to pay the $5 entrance fee if you donʼt have a county parks pass. Meet in the upper end of the parking lot. Leader: Linette Lina

Monthly Bird Walks at the SJWS

2nd Sunday: May 13th - 8:00 am Join Chris Obaditch for a monthly bird walk around the ponds of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine at 8:00 am. This is a good time to keep an eye out for nesting species such as the Ospreys, Mallards, American Coots, Pied-billed Grebes, Black Phoebes, Marsh Wrens, Green Herons, House Wrens, House Finches, Bushtits, etc. The walk, which is open to interested birders of all ages, will meet by the front porch of Audubon House. Children under the age of 11 must be accompanied by an adult. (See directions to the SJWS on page 11.) Leader: Chris Obaditch

Upper Newport Bay by pontoon boat ® 3rd Wed: May 16th & June 20th - 8:15 am Join us for the rare chance of birding the Upper Newport Bay from the deck of a pontoon boat. Spotting birds from the water offers one a different perspective and the birds seem to view us differently also. Trip duration is 2 1/2 hrs. These trips are in a pontoon boat belonging to the Newport Sea Base; passenger limit is 15 persons and there is a $10 trip fee payable in cash on the morning of the trip. Directions to the boat dock will be provided to those with reservations. Leader & Trip Coordinator: Nancy Kenyon 949-786-3160; nancykenyon@cox.net Upper Newport Bay Monthly Bird Walk

Last Sunday: May 27th - 8:00 am Join Mark Kincheloe for a monthly bird walk in Upper Newport Bay to check out the seasonal shorebirds, ducks, grebes, herons & egrets, etc. that frequent the bay. Birding will start from a good vantage point at the edge of the parking lot where we will watch for Black Skimmers and terns flying over the water as well as herons & egrets stalking their prey in the shallows. The group will then move on to check out other areas along Back Bay Drive. Bring binoculars, a field guide, and a scope if you have one. Directions: We will meet in the Big Canyon parking lot in Newport Beach. This is easily reached from Jamboree. Take San Joaquin Hills Road west toward the bay where it intersects with Back Bay Drive. Turn right on Back Bay Drive and follow it to the Big Canyon parking lot on your left. Leader: Mark Kincheloe

May & June Field Trips Nancy Kenyon, Field Trip Chair

Big Morongo Preserve Sunday – May 6th – 7:00 am

Big Morongo Preserve is a mecca for migratory birds as well as resident desert species. This willow-cottonwood, riparian oasis, is surrounded by mesquite woodland and desert, and attracts a wide variety of birds including the nesting Vermilion Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Summer Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Lucyʼs Warbler,

Gambel's Quail, Verdin, Lawrenceʼs Goldfinch and often, many migrants. Least Bellʼs Vireos, Sora and Virginia Rail may be found in the marsh beneath the cottonwoods.

We will eat lunch in the picnic area at Covington

Park after finishing birding there. After lunch, we will drive 15-20 miles east to the nearby Black Rock unit of Joshua Tree National Park for desert birds such as Scottʼs Oriole, Black-throated Sparrow, Cactus Wren (interior subspecies) and Costaʼs Hummingbird to the mix. Occasionally, Pinyon Jays can be numerous here, as well as the pale desert form of the Great Horned Owl.

After finishing at Black Rock, those of you with enough time may wish to join us as we go up to Idyllwild and Humber Park on the way back. This segment has previously yielded Hairy Woodpecker, Violet-green Swallow, Pygmy Nuthatch and White-headed Woodpecker among other species.

An excellent source of information about the preserve can be found on the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve website at: www.bigmorongo.org A bird list showing species seen on the last 2 trips can be found on our webpage – see “Upcoming Trips”.

Directions: Take the Riverside Fwy. (#91) to the San Bernardino Fwy. (#10) towards Palm Springs. Drive past Banning and the Palm Springs exit to Route #62, the Yucca Valley/Joshua Tree exit where you should turn off. Drive approximately 7 miles to the center of Morongo Valley. Turn right on East Street across from Rocky's Pizza; then take the first driveway to the left, into the preserve parking lot where we will meet. Bring binoculars, a hat, water, snack, jacket & lunch. Scopes are optional but can be useful. For trip participants who arrive before 7:00, we will be birding in Covington Park, adjacent to the Big Morongo Preserve.

Leader: Bruce Aird

Cape May Trip – Sept. 15 to 21 ® There are still 4 spaces left on the Cape May Trip sponsored by Sea & Sage and run by WINGS, a highly reputed bird touring company. This is a great opportunity for those of you who haven’t done any birding on the east coast and/or want to bird new areas. The trip will be led by Jon Feenstra who grew up in the area and knows it intimately. Those of us who went on last year’s Cape May Trip with Jon highly recommend it. Trip info can be found on our chapter webpage or contact Nancy Kenyon. Deadline for sign-ups is May 5.

Nancy Kenyon 949-786-3160; nancykenyon@cox.net

Southern Sierra Spring Migrants and Vagrants Trip with Bob Barnes ® Friday-Monday, June 1 to 4 – 5:30 am start This is a trip designed for active people who want to see and hear A LOT of birds in varied habitats, who are willing to get up early to take in the “Dawn Chorus” (one of the trip highlights) and who will enjoy being out in the field most of the day birding. It will involve a fair amount of walking and is not a leisure trip. Trip size is limited to 12 people. This is a trip you need to plan ahead for since it can be difficult to obtain accommodations in this popular vacation area at the last minute. Full trip information including a bird list from previous trips is on our Sea & Sage webpage. We will see spring migrants, resident and montane species, and some vagrants. A wide variety of habitats will be covered: cliffs and rocky hillsides, chaparral, desert oases, desert scrub, dry and wet mountain meadows, Fremont cottonwood & red willow riparian forest, freshwater ponds and marshes, Giant Sequoia groves, grasslands and pastures, Joshua tree woodland, mixed conifer and fir forests, oak woodland, pinyon pine & juniper woodland, Lake Isabella, residential, and rivers and streams. Advance reservations are needed. Trip fee is $15 for each day you plan to attend ($60 for 4 days). Make check payable to Sea & Sage Audubon & mail to: Southern Sierra Trip, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612. Be sure to include your phone number and your e-mail address or a long self-addressed, stamped envelope for trip confirmation and info. Reservations must be received by May 5.

Leader: Bob Barnes Reservations: Nancy Kenyon 949-786-3160: nancykenyon@cox.net

Marsh Education News Trude Hurd, Project Director of Marsh Education

SUMMER BAT WALKS Registration Now Open! Summer will be here soon, and that means bats will become more active at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine. These flying mammals may be small but they are very important in keeping the pesky mosquito and midge fly populations under control. Bats have such interesting lives: they are active at night, hang upside down to rest, use high-pitched sonar to locate their prey, and can find their babies in a large colony by sight and smell. The San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary is normally closed to the public at night except for special events. So if you have always wanted to experience sunset and a night walk at the marsh in addition to the chance to see live bats, then our Summer Bat Walk programs are just right for you! Bring a friend or the whole family to meet Stephanie Remington, Orange County's expert bat biologist, to hear interesting stories about the 16 species of bats in Orange County (yes, sixteen!) and her research in the wild and urban areas of the county. We then take you on a walk around the ponds as bats fly over the trails and ponds searching for their meal of flying insects. We even use sonar detectors to help notify us when bats are near. You don't want to miss out on this special opportunity! These popular events fill quickly, so be sure to complete the Bat Walk registration form now from our chapter website listed under "Bat Information". We offer a variety of dates between May and September on Thursday or Friday nights. What else could you do that is more interesting to tell your friends about later?

—Ellen Mansour and Trude Hurd

BAT WALK SCHEDULE THURSDAYS FRIDAYS May 10 May 24 ——— June 7 June 8 June 21

August 3 August 30 ———

September 7 September 13 September 14

Time: 6:45 PM to 9:00 PM

Cost: $15 per adult & $7.50 for children ages 7-12

SPRING BRUNCHES There is still room in both of our May 12th and May 20th brunches. May I suggest that you surprise your significant other, a special neighbor, and or your mother by taking them to Brunch at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Not only will they be treated to a delicious four-course brunch served outside on the edge of the meadow, but they will experience a naturalist led walk through the Marsh during its most active season. This is a happening that shouldnʼt be missed. Download a registration form from our chapter website at www.seaandsageaudubon.org , complete it and send it to me, along with your check, to secure your reservation. I promise you a wonderfully memorable experience. —Helen Nicholas Nature Art on Display at Audubon House People visit the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary for a variety of reasons. Some watch birds, some jog, and some paint. I love to stop and watch the plein-air artists while they work around the historical buildings and the ponds. I am fascinated by their ability to observe nature and then create a personal impression on paper or canvas using watercolors, colored pencils or oil. These artists capture the gently drifting clouds, golden light filtering through willow leaves, ripples in the water left behind by wading shorebirds, and I swear I can smell the delicious aroma of sage wafting up from their paintings! Sea and Sage Audubon is fortunate that some of these artists share their creations with us. Four times a year, we exhibit paintings by different artists on three walls at Audubon House. Each painting has a unique perspective based on the artistʼs skill and heart. Some include the buildings while others concentrate on the birds. Each one, though, stirs me and makes me want to go take a walk around the marsh! I would like to thank our volunteer coordinator Carol Counter who helps coordinate with the artists and hangs their paintings in Audubon House. I am especially grateful to the following artists who were willing to loan us their art in 2011 and whose love of nature shines through their paintings: Jai Kim, Susan Hankey, Joyce Thimsen, and Jane Kim. On your next visit to the marsh, be sure to stop inside Audubon House to view these creative personal images of the marsh. If you know an artist who would like us to consider their paintings of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary for display, please have the artist contact me at 949-261-7964. –Trude Hurd

Audubon House & Fern Zimmerman Nature Library Update -by Susan Sheakley

The proceeds from the sale in Audubon House of pre-owned foreign field guides and special used books have built up our Library Fund nicely. Thank you for your support of this program! We have completed the inventory of books in the library and Audubon House volunteer resources. After consulting with several experts, including Trude Hurd and Sylvia Gallagher, we have made a list of what is needed. In August we will purchase several books for the library and volunteer resources. Guarding resources, as we do, we will wait until after the summer BBQ in July - to do our shopping, just in case some of the books we want are donated to us. As you check your shelves for books for the upcoming Used Book Sale, perhaps you'll come across some on our shopping list below that you are willing to donate to Sea and Sage Audubon. We appreciate all donations!

Books On Birds: Books On Birds:

Other Nature Books:

Chapter San JoaquinOperations Marsh(Excluding Education

Educ. Project) Project CombinedBALANCE SHEET

Assets CURRENT ASSETS Cash & Equivalents 78,945 38,758 117,703 Investments 356,554 70,000 426,554 Other Current Assets 36,261 36,261 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 471,760 108,758 580,518

FIXED ASSETS Furniture & Equipment, etc. 2,094 0 2,094

TOTAL ASSETS 473,854 108,758 582,612

Liabilities and Equity CURRENT LIABILITIES Restricted Funds and Payables 8,928 6,331 15,259 TOTAL LIABILITIES 8,928 6,331 15,259

EQUITY Endowment Fund 312,942 312,942 General Fund 133,946 133,946 Conservation Fund 26,822 26,822 San Joaquin Marsh Fund 93,643 93,643 TOTAL EQUITY 473,710 93,643 567,353

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 482,638 99,974 582,612

INCOME & EXPENSE STATEMENTIncome Chapter Transfer to Marsh Education Project 21,200 *see note Dues Split 8,180 8,180 Direct Mail Appeal 33,802 33,802 Other Donations 15,860 11,653 27,513 Grants 0 45,300 45,300 Birding Skills Workshops 31,524 31,524 Merchandise Sales - Bookstore 36,081 36,081 Other Income 44,566 40,943 85,509 TOTAL INCOME 170,013 119,096 267,909*

Expenses Chapter Transfer to Marsh Education Project 21,200 *see note Education Program Expenses 116,101 116,101 Newsletter Publication 16,566 16,566 Committee Expenses 25,732 25,732 Cost of Sales - Bookstore 33,306 33,306 Other Chapter Expenses 44,458 44,458 TOTAL EXPENSES 141,262 116,101 236,163

NET ORDINARY INCOME 28,751 2,995 31,746

INTEREST AND INVESTMENT INCOME (19,007) 161 (18,846)

NET SURPLUS (DEFICIT) 9,744 3,156 12,900

* Note: Internal transfer of $21,200 not shown in combined tootals.

Chapter Financial Report - 2011

10

Directions and Membership

Tattler Subscriptions Non-Audubon members or members from other Audubon chapters who wish to subscribe to our chapter newsletter, may do so for $12.50 per year. Make check payable to “Sea & Sage Audubon” and mail to: Tattler Subscriptions, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612

Go Paperless! Sign up to receive your newsletter via email — get your issues faster, help save natural resources, reduce waste, and help our chapter save money! You can read it online or print out the pages you need to refer to more frequently. It is in pdf format and will look and print exactly like the original ones. Photos will be in color. Send an e-mail to nancykenyon@cox.net to start your paper-free Tattler delivery today! (offer good only for chapter members in good standing)

Remember Us in Your

Will or Trust

Please remember to include “Sea and Sage Audubon Society” by name (tax ID#23-7003681) in your will or trust.

Directions

to Audubon House, our Chapter Meetings & the San Joaquin

Wildlife Sanctuary

Our entrance is now from Campus Dr., not Michelson

From the 405 Freeway south, exit on Jamboree. Turn right onto Jamboree. Turn left at Michelson Drive. Turn right at Harvard Avenue. Turn right at University Drive. Turn right at Campus Drive. Make an immediate right into the marked entrance to IRWD San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary and the Marsh Campus. From the 405 Freeway North, exit on Jamboree. Turn left onto Jamboree, then follow above directions. The San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary is open every day from dawn until dusk.

Audubon House Open daily: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

949-261-7963

Your Membership Payment

If you are signing up as a new Audubon member, be sure and use the membership form below that has the code C9ZC150Z in the lower right hand corner. This tells National Audubon who to credit for your recruitment. Sea & Sage gets 100% of a new memberʼs dues, even if you sign up for more than one year. If you are feeling generous at renewal time and you want Sea & Sage to benefit, you should send your renewal fee to National Audubon and a separate check to Sea & Sage for your donation to the chapter. If you have any questions, please contact Membership Chair, Chuck George, at cgeorge@george-sd.com Temporarily Away or Moving?

Please notify Membership Chair, Chuck George, of your new address if you are temporarily, or permanently, moving from your current address. If you do not want to continue receiving the Tattler at your new address, let him know. This will save us from paying return postage fees.

Audubon Membership Application Membership: we invite you to become a member of the National Audubon Society and the Sea & Sage Audubon chapter. To join: Make your check payable to: NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY, complete this form, and mail it along with your payment to: Sea & Sage Audubon, PO Box 5447, Irvine CA 92616. National Audubon Society Membership: Check one [√] [ ] NEW MEMBERSHIP: $20 - Individual or Family members [ ] RENEWAL: $35 - Regular Membership [ ] NEW MEMBERSHIP: $15 - Senior (62+ yrs) or Student [ ] RENEWAL: $15 - Senior or Student Members receive: AUDUBON magazine as well as the WANDERING TATTLER newsletter.

Chapter Code

Name Address City, State, Zip Phone E-mail

C9ZC150Z

Sea and Sage Audubon Society

BOARD MEMBERS

Executive Committee: President ........................... Bruce Aird ................... 949-458-1520 Vice President ................... Vic Leipzig .................. 714-848-5394 Secretary .......................... Linda Davis ................. 949-643-3789 Treasurer .......................... Hal Sheakley ............... 949-552-5974 Director 2012 .................... Carolyn Noble ............. 714-731-9091 Director 2012 .................... Steve Jelnick ............... 714-925-9128 Director 2013 .................... Amber Oneal ............... 714-812-2430 Director 2013 .................... Star Howard ................ 949-770-3177 Director 2014 .................... Cheryl Egger ............... 714-842-9232 Director 2014 .................... ........................................................... Past President .................. Jay Miller ..................... 949-707-1287 Committee Chairpersons: Audubon House Co-Chair ........ Susan Sheakley .......... 949-552-5974 Audubon House Co-Chair ........ Steve Jelnick ............... 714-925-9128 Audubon House Volunteers ........ Judy Fritts ................... 949-551-4513 Spring Migration Count ..... Al Baumann ................ 949-859-5081 Bird Information ................ Sylvia Gallagher ......... 714-962-8990 Christmas Bird Counts ...... Steve Alter .................. 714-669-9482 Conservation ..................... ........................................................... Counsel ............................. Rick Derevan .............. 714-427-7016 Development ..................... Cheryl Thomas ........... 949-294-2275 Education .......................... Carolyn Noble ............. 714-731-9091 Exhibits ............................. Mary Joseph ............... 714-848-8362 Facebook .......................... Chuck George ............. 714-319-6166 Field Trips ......................... Nancy Kenyon ............ 949-786-3160 Finance ............................. Hal Sheakley ............... 949-552-5974 Membership ...................... Chuck George ............. 714-319-6166 Newsletter Editor .............. Nancy Kenyon ............ 949-786-3160 Partners in Flight ............... Janet Baumann .......... 949-859-5081 Programs .......................... Pat & Dick Cabe ......... 714-960-1683 Science ............................. Amber Oneal ............... 714-812-2430 SJWS Liaison ................... Chris Obaditch ............ 949-640-7234 Starr Ranch/Envir. Liaison Pete DeSimone .......... 949-858-0309 Webmaster ....................... Nancy Kenyon ............ 949-786-3160 Chapter Website ............... www.seaandsageaudubon.org

STAFF

Marsh Education Project Director Trude Hurd ............... 949-261-7964 Marsh Educ. Project Director’s Assist .... Deborah Brin ............ 949-261-7964 Administrative Aide ............... Rebecca Craft .......... 949-261-7963 Sales Manager ..................... Debby Thyssen ........ 949-261-7963 Audubon House .......... .............................. 949-261-7963

OTHER CONTACTS Bluebird Nestbox Info ........ Dick Purvis .................. 714-776-8878 Slide Lending Library ......... Claudia Casey ............. 714-968-3463 Report ALL Banded Birds to: ................ www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/ Info on OC Bird Sightings (rare, unusual or just plain interesting): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrangeCountyBirding/

SCHEDULE OF CHAPTER ACTIVITIES May 2012 01 Tues Conservation Committee Meeting ................. 6:30 pm 02 Wed Riley Wilderness Park bird walk .................... 8:00 am 05 Sat Monthly Wildlife Walk at the SJWS ............... 9:00 am 06 Sun Big Morongo Preserve field trip ..................... 7:00 am 06 Sun Santiago Oaks Reg. Park monthly bird walk . 7:30 am 08 Tues Board Meeting . ............................................. 7:30 pm 10 Thurs Bat Walk at the SJWS ® ................................ 6:45 pm 11 Fri Bat Walk at the SJWS ® (full) ........................ 6:45 pm 12 Sat Orange County Spring Bird Count .............. times vary 12 Sat Spring Brunch at the SJWS ® ..................... 10:00 am 13 Sun SJWS monthly bird walk ................................ 8:00 am 16 Wed UNB by pontoon boat ® ................................. 8:15 am 18-20 Fri-Sun Southern Utah Trip ® (full) .......................... 7:00 am 18 Fri GENERAL MEETING .................................... 7:30 pm 20 Sun Spring Brunch at the SJWS ® ..................... 10:00 am 22 Tues 4th Tuesday Conservation Lecture ................. 7:30 pm 24 Thurs Bat Walk at the SJWS ® ................................ 6:45 pm 27 Sun UNB monthly bird walk .................................. 8:00 am June 2012 09 Sat Potluck Picnic at Starr Ranch ........................ 5:30 pm

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org

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