aug-sep 2010 sandpiper newsletter - redwood region audubon society
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FIELD TRIPS
www.rras.org
andpiperS
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010
Redwood Region Audubon Society
The
WHAT: Audubon Meeting,Potluck, and Field Trip
WHEN: Potluck Social - Friday,September 10th - 6:00 p.m.to 7:00 p.m.Board Meeting - Friday,September 10th - 7:00 p.m.to 9:00 p.m.Field Trip - Saturday,
September 11th
- 8:30 a.m. to12:00 p.m.
WHERE:Meet at the Lake EarlWildlife Area InformationCenter2591 Old Mill Road,Crescent City, California
CONTACT: For more information:Sue Calla (707) 465-6191
August September 2010
Every Saturday: Arcata Marsh and WildlifeSanctuary. These are our famous, rain-or-shine,
docent-led field trips at the marsh; take your
binocular(s) and have a great morning birding!
Meet in the parking lot at the south end of I
Street in Arcata at 8:30 a.m.
Sunday, August 8: Humboldt Bay NationalWildlife Refuge. This is a wonderful, two-
to-three hour trip for people wanting to learn
the birds of the Humboldt Bay area. It takes
a leisurely pace with emphasis on enjoying
the birds! Beginners are more than welcome.
Meet at the Refuge Visitor Center at 9:00 a.m.
Call Jude Power or David Fix (707-822-3613)
for more information.
Saturday, August 14: King Salmon. On thistrip, well look for water-birds typical of the
bay in late summer, including Brown Pelican,
Parasitic Jaeger, Elegant Tern, and Marbled
Murrelet. Note that some of these birds may
be mere specks, even through a scope. Meet at8:30 a.m. at the hairpin curve at the gate. Dress
warmly. For more information call Matt Wachs
(707-476-9349).
Sunday, August 15: Southern HumboldtCommunity Park. Jay Sooter (707-444-8001),
Robert Sutherland, and/or John Gaffin will
be leading this monthly walk. All ages and
experience levels are encouraged to participate
and revel in the beauty of the park and its avian
inhabitants on this easy, two to three-hour walk.
Binoculars are not provided and dogs are not
allowed; field guides are usually available but
please provide your own if possible. Steady rain
cancels. Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the parking lot on
Kimtu Road in Garberville.\
Saturday, August 21: Pelagic Trip. DavidFix (707-822-3613) and Gary Lester (707-839-
3373) will lead a foray onto the open ocean to
Trinidad canyon aboard the Shenandoah in
search of tubenoses, jaegers, alcids, cetaceans,
and other pelagic specialties. Meet at 7:00 a.m.
at the Trinidad wharf to depart at 7:30. We will
return by 3:30 p.m. To claim 1 of 12 spaces
available, call or email Rob Fowler (707-839-
3493; [email protected]) to make a
reservation (cost $75).
Saturday, August 28: ebird site survey--ShayPark. Do you have only an hour or two to get
out over the weekend to peep some birds?
Come assist Rob Fowler on his weekly ebird
site-survey at this little gem-of-a-park in Arcata.
Meet at 0800 at the Shay Park parking lot thatis located at the eastern end of Foster Avenue.
Average trip time is about 1.5 hours. For more
info on the ebird site survey visit this link at
ebird.org: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/about/
eBird_Site_Survey.
Call or email Rob (707-822-5095;
[email protected]) for more
information and other future survey dates.
Saturday, September 11: Pelagic Trip. DavidFix (707-822-3613) and Rob Fowler (707-839-
3493) will lead a foray onto the open ocean
to Trinidad canyon aboard the Shenandoah in
search of tubenoses, jaegers, alcids, cetaceans,
and other pelagic specialties. Meet at 7:00
a.m. at the Trinidad wharf to depart at 7:30.
We will return by 3:30 p.m. To claim 1 of
12 spaces available, call or email Rob Fowler
([email protected]) to make a
reservation (cost $75).
Sunday, September 12: Humboldt BayNational Wildlife Refuge. See August 8.
Sunday, September 19: Southern HumboldtCommunity Park. See August 15.
Sunday, September 19: Mendocino CountyPelagic. Come join Mendocino Coast Audubon
Society on their annual fall pelagic boat trip.
The charter boat Trek II will depart from Noyo
harbor, Fort Bragg, for an eight hour cruise.
Meet at 7:00 a.m. for a 7:30 a.m. departure.
$110 per person. Rob Fowler, Robert Keiffer,
and John Sterling will lead. Pay by check or
credit card. For checks send to C. McAllister
Pelagic Trip PO Box 332 Little River, CA 95456.Contact Charlene by email charmac@mcn.
org to pay by credit card.
Saturday, September 25: ebird site survey--Shay Park. See August 28th.
SPECIAL INVITATION TO RRAS MEMBERS September Board Meeting and Field Trip
The following morning, on
Saturday, September 11th, from 8:30 a.m.
to 12:00 p.m., all levels of bird watchers
are encouraged to join biologist and
professional guide, Ken Burton, for a bird
excursion to scout out some ofDel Norte
Countys migratory and resident birds.
The outing meets first at the Lake Earl
Wildlife Area Information Center at 8:30
a.m. and then caravans to several locations
with some walking. Bring viewing optics,
binoculars, snacks, and drinking water.
As a wildlife biologist and professional
bird guide, Ken Burton has led birding and nature
study trips for Godwit Days, the Aleutian Goose
Festival and California Redwoods Bird & Nature
Festival, Audubon groups, international touring
companies, and private individuals. He has birded
in multiple states and on every continent and seen
3,100 bird species. Burton heralds originally from
Marin County, California, where he authored the
Marin Audubon Societys Checklist of Birds of
Marin County. He is a current Board member and
Project Manager for the Redwood Region Audubon
Society and makes his home in Arcata.
The Redwood Region Audubon Society(RRAS) is holding its once-a-year Board
meeting in Del Norte County on Friday evening,September 10th, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. atthe Lake Earl Wildlife Area Information Center,2591 Old Mill Road, Crescent City. All bird loverswho would enjoy learning about upcoming localand regional Audubon programs and projects arewelcome to attend. Preceding the meeting from6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., the Lake Earl Branch ofRRAS and the North Coast Redwood InterpretiveAssociation (NCRIA) will host a potluck supper.Those wishing to come early, meet other birders,and socialize are invited to bring a side dish,drinks, or a dessert to share. Please RSVP to SueCalla (707) 465-6191.
Lake Earl, Gary Bloomfield
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Keep Up-to-DateThrough RRAS Listserve
Be reminded about field trips and programs and learnabout upcoming meetings, public hearings, and symposiaof interest to RRAS members and other concerned naturelovers. Subscribe in 1 of 2 ways: through a Web page linkat http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rras or by e-mail [email protected]. Postings should havecomplete information. This listserv is not for posting birdsightings.
Thinking of Joining theNational Audubon Society?
If so, please use the coupon below. By sending in yourmembership on this form, rather than replying to solicita-tions from National Audubon, $20 is sent directly to RRAS.This is how NAS rewards local chapters for recruitingnational members. (Otherwise, the RRAS dues share pernew member is only a couple of dollars.) Thank you.
Chapter Membership ApplicationYes,Id like to join.Please enroll me as a member of the National AudubonSociety and of my local chapter. Please sendAUDUBON magazine and my membership card to theaddress below.
My check for $20 is enclosed. (Introductory offer)
NAME_______________________________ADDRESS___________________________CITY ______________________________STATE____________ZIP______________email ______________________________Local Chapter Code: C0ZC240ZPlease make checks to the National Audubon Society.
Send this application and your check to:National Audubon SocietyP.O. Box 422250Palm Coast, FL 32142-2250
--------------LOCAL CHAPTER-------------REDWOOD REGION AUDUBON SOCIETY
P.O. BOX 1054EUREKA, CA 95502
CHAPTER LEADERS
OFFICERS
President Kerry Ross ................ 839-4365
President-Elect Jim Clark ................ 445-8311
Immediate Past-President Ken Burton......825-1124
SecretaryAdam [email protected]
TreasurerSusan Calla..................................465-6191
DIRECTORS AT LARGE
Jan Andersen...................................................616-3888
Rob Fowler ................ 822-5095
Lew & Judie Norton.......................................445-1791
Chet Ogan .............. 442-9353C.J. Ralph .......................................................822-2015
Jay Sooter .......... 444-8001
OTHER CHAPTER LEADERS
ConservationChet Ogan ..........................442-9353
Education -- vacant
eBird Liason Rob Fowler .... 822-5095
Field TripsRob Fowler .......... 822-5095
HistorianJohn Hewston ..........................822-5288
MembershipLew & Judie Norton.............445-1791
NEC Representative.........Ken Burton......825-1124
Field NotesSean McAllister ......................268-0592
ProgramsC.J. Ralph...................................822-2015
PublicitySue Leskiw....................................442-5444
SandpiperDavid Schumaker...............530-227-5192
Gary Bloomfield........................822-0210
Volunteer CoordinatorKate Rowe.. (715) 554-0498
WebmasterSean McAllister ......................268-0592Lake Earl BranchSue Calla.......................465-6191
RRAS Web Page......................................www.rras.org
Arcata Bird Alert .....................822-LOON (822-5666)
The Sandpiper is published six times each year byRedwood Region Audubon SocietyP.O. Box 1054, Eureka, CA 95502.
New MembersRedwood Region Audubon Society welcomesthe following new members and subscribers:
Arcata Anna Moore, Frederick Moore, Leisyka Parrott,Mary Ashton, Minerva Williams, Wendy Branca
Crescent City Elizabeth Henetz, Monika McKinnon,William Ross
Eureka Ed Cook, Elsie Moore, Florence Burek,Harry Blumenthal, Kathleen Wall, Lyn Wandell,N. J. Frazier, Peggy Gervais, Thomas Preble
Ferndale Aln Cooley, Pam CooleyFortuna Rex PryerHydesville George GredassoffMcKinleyville Edith Robertson, Joyce Houston,
Karen Brown-Stockton, Nancy Jioras,Penelope Gurley
Redway Pat AustinSawyers Bar Michael J. KeinTrinidad Tyna MastersWhitethorn Stephanie LusakZenia Michelle Jewett
We look forward to seeing you on field tripsand at our monthly programs.
Conservation News
Chet Ogan Conservation Chair
Our regular Conservation Committee meeting
was July 15. In attendance were Chet Ogan, John
Hewston, Sue Leskiw, and Melvin McKinney. Some
topics discussed were: Klamath Dam removal, MLPA,
Humboldt Bay dredging, billboards around the bay,
NAWCA grants, and cordgrass removal.
Sue and Mel attended a public scoping meeting
July 14 probing the Klamath Dam removal. It will take
agencies many years to get all the pieces in place for
Klamath Dam removal. This public scoping is the first
step in trying to anticipate all environmental aspects,
effects, and implications of dam removal. A next step
will be writing an EIS/EIR.
Billboards obstruct views of the beautiful
scenery around Humboldt Bay and clutter the roadsides.
Sue reported that the North Coast Railroad Authority
is trying to get billboards removed from their right-
of-way around the bay. Several years ago Humboldt
Bay National Wildlife Refuge had several billboards
removed from their property. Sue also reminded us that
four years ago this month Humboldt County Supervisors
voted to have all vehicles, except emergency vehicles,
excluded from Clam Beach. Regulations were supposed
to be written by the fall of 2006. This still has not been
done.
The topic of MLPA Marine Life Protective
Act was brought up at both the Conservation
Committee meting and RRAS Board of Directors
meeting. The City of Arcata has registered opposition
to a proposal to extend protection provisions to
Arcata Bay as it may prevent discharges from
Arcatas wastewater treatment plant into the bay. At
our BOD meeting Adam Brown said he has written
a letter on behalf of RRAS supporting both MLPA
proposals on behalf of the seabird colonies that nest
and roost on the offshore rocks.
Mel attended a Harbor Commission
meeting where dredging three local marinas was
discussed. The Harbor Commission is planning to
place dredging spoils on diked sites adjacent to the
bay. We have had concerns in the past that some of
the dredging spoils may contain toxic wastes.
Chet reported that almost $1 million has
been awarded to various wetland related projects
benefiting wildlife in Humboldt and Del Norte
counties through NAWCA grants administered by
Ducks Unlimited. Some of this money will be used
to continue cordgrass removal, an invasive plant,
around Humboldt Baytidal wetlands
The next meeting will be moved back one week later
to Thursday August 26 at Arcata Golden Harvest
Restaurant at noon.
RRAS Tour
to Colombia
November 27-
December 9
RRAS is launching its tour program with an exciting,
educational, and green trip to the Colombian Andes.
This trip is being offered by Colombia Birdwatch (http://
www.colombiabirdwatch.com/about.html) and co-led by
Ken Burton, who will be spending several weeks there
ahead of the tour in preparation. The trip itinerary andlogistics are described on the Web site. Based on previous
trips, we can expect to see about 350 bird species as well
as many other animals. We also will experience the local
culture and cuisine.
RRAS is interested in promoting travel that
meets international standards for eco-tourism. CB fulfills
these standards in many ways, including support of
nature preserves, carbon offsets, partnerships with local
conservation and education organizations, employment
of native guides, and waste reduction. This is the kind of
organization with which we feel comfortable partnering.
The price of the trip is a very reasonable $3000
all-inclusive from Cali (double occupancy, plus mandatory
travel insurance). Single occupancy is an additional
$600. We are working on arranging an inexpensive flight
to Cali from Bogot (a cheaper destination from here) or
starting the tour in Bogot instead. With a minimum offive participants from RRAS, Colombia Birdwatch will
return 5% of the proceeds back to our chapter for our
projects. Thus, by participating in this trip you will help
support worthy Colombian organizations as well as our
own work here at home!
Colombia ranks first in the world in bird diversity
and is now much safer than previously, as well as the
cheapest place in South America to reach from the U.S.
It is on the cusp of becoming an extremely popular travel
destination, which is likely to result in higher prices and
bigger crowds at the prime birding locations. NOW is the
time to go! For further information, contact Ken (707-
825-1124/[email protected]) or Chris Calonje at CB
(541-891-9394/[email protected]). This trip will
be limited to eight people, so act soon!
Evolution of BirdBills: Birds Reduce
Their Heating Billsin Cold Climates
ScienceDaily (June 24, 2010)
The evolution of bird bills is related to climate according tolatest research by the University of Melbourne, Australia andBrock University, Canada.
By examining bill sizes of a diverse range of bird species
around the world, researchers have found that birds with largerbills tend to be found in hot environments, whilst birds in colderenvironments have evolved smaller bills.The study led by Dr Matt Symonds of the Department ofZoology at the University of Melbourne and Dr Glenn Tattersallof the Department of Biological Sciences at Brock Universityprovides evidence that maintaining body temperature in a birdsnatural environment may have shaped the evolution of birdbills.The size and shape of these distinctive structures are usuallyexplained by their role in feeding and mate attraction. However,previous research shows bird bills have a third, less appreciatedfunction, as organs of heat exchange.Dr Glenn Tattersall says we know, from our thermal imagingstudies that birds like toucans and geese can lose a large amountof their body heat through their bills.Unlike humans they dont sweat but can use their bills to helpreduce their body temperature if they overheat.We then wondered whether this function had evolutionaryconsequences, and sought to compare bill sizes across a whole
range of species, says Dr Tattersall.The 214 species examined comprised diverse groups includingtoucans, African barbets and tinkerbirds, Australian parrots,grass finches, Canadian gamebirds, penguins, gulls and terns.Across all species, there were strong links between bill lengthand both latitude, altitude and environmental temperature,Dr Matt Symonds says. Species that have to deal with coldertemperatures have smaller bills.This suggests that there is an evolutionary connection betweenthe size of the birds bills and their role in heat management,he says.Although its possible that large bills have evolved to help shedheat loads and prevent overheating in hot climates, we think itsmore likely that cold temperatures impose a constraint on thesize of bird beaks, Dr Tattersall says.It simply might be too much of a liability to carry around a bigradiator of heat energy in a cold environment.The research validates a 133-year-old ecological theory calledAllens rule, which predicts that animal appendages like limbs,ears, and tails are smaller in cold climates in order to minimize
heat loss.Dr Symonds says Allens rule has never been tested with thislarge a group of animals and was more anecdotal.This is the first rigorous study of its kind to test this theory andto show that bird bill s have evolved in this manner.The paper is published online this week in the journal AmericanNaturalist and will be in the journals August 2010 edition.
Please visit theRRAS/USFWS Booth
during the HumboldtCounty Fair,
August 12 - 22.
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By Sue Leskiw
On June 25-27, several RRAS members took the Wintu (Shasta County) Audubon
chapter up on its invitation to a camp-out at Lassen Volcanic National Park. This is
the third year that Wintu has invited neighboring chapters to join it for a weekend
of birding. Eureka residents Tom and Sue Leskiw, Jim and Donna Clark, and ChetOgan joined Garrett and Kerry Watty from Salyer on the outing organized by Bill
Oliver. Wintu chapter president George Horn and photographer Larry Jordan also
camped out at Lost Creek group camp (visit thebirdersreport.com for photos of birds
and other animals seen during the trip).
Several day trippers from the Redding area met up with the campers Saturday
morning to bird around Manzanita Lake. Ducklings were out in full force as we
observed baby Buffleheads, Wood Ducks, and Mallards cruising with their mothers.
Upland brush fields and forest produced species such as Dusky Flycatcher, three
kinds of Nuthatch, and a Yellow Warbler singing atop a white fir.
Walks from the campground yielded Pileated and White-headed Woodpeckers and
Mountain Bluebirds, but Black-backed Woodpecker was a no-show. At the former
Hat Lake (now a creek since the demise of a beaver dam), Clarks Nutcrackers,
American Dippers, and a large number of Spotted Sandpipers were noted. In betweenbirding forays, we relaxed, conversed, ate, and drank around the campfire.
On Sunday morning, we stopped by PG&Es Lake McCumber to look for birds
before returning home, with the highlight being a Common Loon. Bill Oliver
compiled a list of 59 species seen by group members during the weekend in Lassen,
plus 20 species viewed at Lake McCumber. RRAS should consider a similar outing,
inviting our sister inland chapters to join us for some coastal birding.
Rendezvous with Wintu at Lassen
Birding Manzanita Lake From left Jim Clark and Donna Clark, Chet Ogan, Bill Oliver, George Horn,
Sue and Tom Leskiw, Garrett Watty. Photo by Kerry Watty
Nothing is a waste of time if you use the
experience wisely.-- Auguste Rodin
June 16, 2010height of the vagrant SillySeasondawned with a high overcast. Despite thepaucity of rare birds this spring, I thought to myself:Theres gotta be a rare bird out there somewhere.As planned, I rendezvoused with Ken Irwin at theArcata Marsh. We covered the log pond, and later,Crannell Road, Scenic Drive, Elk Head, and PatricksPoint, but birds were scarce.
Ken mentioned to me that his spring birdingefforts have yielded just one Indigo Bunting andone American Redstart. I responded: I wish I couldclaim that much. What a strange spring: one of thewettest March-May periods ever. And when it wasntraining, the northwesterlies were blowing like abanshee. In May, I went for a hike at Patricks Pointwhere I saw red elderberry toasted from windburn:shriveled leaves and broken branches. Birdwise,how was I to know that the Arctic Tern I found June9 along the north shore of Lake Tahoe would be mylone noteworthy find?
Ken nodded in agreement. Its been soslow, that I find myself looking at bugs, just tostay entertained. I saw several new bugs today.When birding is slow, I like to feel like Ive learnedsomething. I know what you mean, I replied.
The introduction of Steven G. Mlodinowand Michael OBriensAmericas 100 Most Wanted
Birds contains the following passage: It is indeed arare birder who would remain placid on encounteringan Eared Trogon or Ross Gull in the United States.
Mining the Nuggets
Such is the spice of birding, such is the glory. Sage
thoughts, as the operative word here is spice,as in rare birds are not the main course. Althoughsometimes highly sought, they are unlikely to beencountered.
Something I learned long ago is thatneeding to come home with a noteworthy bird inorder to feel the day was a success is setting oneup for failure. When birding is slow, I ask myself:What nugget will I take home today? What did Ilearnsome aspect of bird behavior, evidence ofnesting, a puzzling alternate song or call unfamiliarto me, etc? If one remains observant, theres alwayssomething to be discovered.
Sometimes, the nugget comes in the formof a temporal-phenologic montage, which isanother way of saying passage of the seasons.To illustrate: on April 24th of this year, I found aSolitary Sandpiper with three Least Sandpipers in anondescript wetland puddle about 60 feet long inthe Ferndale Bottoms. Several weeks later, nearly allthe water had evaporated and the mudflat was beingvisited by Cliff and BarnSwallows, gathering mudfor their nests. A common practice for swallowsgathering mudyet my experience was heightenedby its time-lapse nature and the memory of howthe site changed throughout the year.
Last Monday, July 12, I drove my regularbirding loop through the Loleta and FerndaleBottoms. I stopped, as I nearly always do, at a rowof eucalyptus trees. The lighting was poor, but inthe distance, foraging among a family group ofBullocks Orioles, were several Cedar Waxwingsapparently feeding on the eucalyptus flower nectar.
Or were they merely feeding on bugs attracted to the
flowers? I checked several references. Waxwingsbring insects to their young at first, but switch tofeeding them berries within a few days. Theyre alsoknown to sip tree sap and munch on flowers such asapple, much to the consternation of orchardists.
The waxwings were too far away for me tobe sure what they were eating, but I consideredthe fact that they eat tree sapor possibly flowernectarto be my nugget for the day. Plus, later thatafternoon, I confirmed nesting by White-throatedSwifts at a bridge at milepost 13.48 of Highway 36over the Van Duzen River. The colonization of theVan Duzen watershed fits nicely with the speciesnorthward march, as swifts were also detectednesting in a bridge over the Mad River in Blue Lakethis summer.
Gardeners, like everyone else, livesecond by second and minute by minute.What we see at one particular momentis then and there before us. But thereis a second way of seeing. Seeing withthe eye of memory, not the eye of ouranatomy, calls up days and seasons pastand years gone by.
--- Allen Lacy The Gardeners Eye, 1992
Tom LeskiwJuly 15, 2010
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By Sue Leskiw
On June 28, RRAS joined with Friends
of the Arcata Marsh (FOAM) to host a day-long
camp for children age 9-12 at the Arcata Marsh.
The session was part of the Wildlife Biology
week of the Arcata Recreation Departments
Natural Resources Science Camp.
Thirteen kids arrived at the Interpretive
Center to start with a low-tide critter collection
RRAS Cosponsors Arcata Camp
Mud Walk. Leaders were FOAM vice-
president Elliott Dabill and HSU graduate
student Julie Koeppel. After lunch, FOAM Board
member Bob Rasmussen joined Eliott and Julie
to help the students operate the microscopes
and identify what they had collected. FOAM
volunteer Jean Santi helped set up and clean up
the viewing stations, while FOAM president
Sue Leskiw was responsible for pulling togetherphotos by Sue Leskiw
the schedule and volunteers.
The day was capped off by a bird walk led by
RRAS volunteers Tom Leskiw and David Fix.
Highlights were two Peregrines, a Coopers
Hawk, and an obliging Band-tailed Pigeon.
juv. Yellow-breasted Chat, Gary Bloomfield
Janes Creek, Arcata, 20100709
Barn Swallow nest, Gary Bloomfield
College of the Redwoods, Eureka, 20100610
Black Phoebe, Gary Bloomfield
Janes Creek, Arcata, 20100610
Due to the writers schedule we were unable to
publish Field Notesfor this edition of theSandpiper, but it will return next issue (October/
November)
Reports may be submitted to the Redwood RegionAudubon Society bird alert (707-822-LOON), the onlinenorthwestern California birdwatching and informationexchange ([email protected]), the MendocinoCounty birders listserve ([email protected]), eBird (http://ebird.org/content/klamath-siskiyou),or to Sean McAllister: [email protected]; 417 2ndSt., Suite 201 Eureka, CA 95501; (707) 268-0592.
Pelagic Cormorant, Ron LeValley
Point Cabrillo, Mendocino County, 20100708