december 2008 white tailed kite newsletter, altacal audubon society

8/8/2019 December 2008 White Tailed Kite Newsletter, Altacal Audubon Society

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Upcoming Bird Walks and Birding TripsAll of our field trips are open to beginning birders. Anyone with a sense of wonder is welcome to participate.

December 6 Saturday Raptor Run

Trip Leader: To Be Announced

Meet at the Chico Park n Ride on Rt. 32 (the lot nearest the freeway) at

8 a.m. We'll look for raptors in the Cottonwood Rd. and Nelson Ave.areas. Targets are Bald Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, Rough-leggedHawk, Prairie Falcon, Merlin, and Burrowing Owlas well as morecommonly seen species. Bring binoculars (and scope if you have one)water, and a lunch. We should be back around 1 p.m. For updatedinformation contact Phil Johnson at (530) 570-7139.

Ferruginous Hawk

December 13, Saturday Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (SNWF)

Trip Leader: Mike Fisher

The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge located in Willows is the headquarters for the SacramentoNational Wildlife Refuge Complex and is one of six refuges located in the Sacramento Valley of north-central California. The 10,783-acre refuge consists of about 7,600 acres of intensively managedwetlands, uplands, riparian habitat, and vernal pools. It typically supports wintering populations of morethan 600,000 ducks and 200,000 geese. This is a great time to see wintering waterfowl as well as manyother birds. Meet at the Park n Ride lot (the one closest to Rte 99) at 7:45 a.m. Bring a picnic lunch.Dress warm and wear shoes forwalking on the nature trail. Afterthe nature walk, well drive theauto-tour route, with a stop forlunch at the viewing platform. Thebirding trip will be over about 2p.m. There is a $3 entrance fee percar. Heavy rain cancels. For moreinformation call Mike at (530) 624-4777 or [email protected].

Viewing Platform and Geese at SNWR, Willows

The Audubon Christmas Bird Count

Well repeat some of what we said last issue - This year the Altacal Audubon Society will participate forthe 53rd time in the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) in Chico and in Oroville. Morethan 50,000 observers nation-wide participate each year in this all-day census of early-winter birdpopulations. The results of their efforts are compiled into the longest-running database in ornithology,representing over a century of unbroken data on trends of early-winter bird populations across theAmericas. Simply put, it is citizen science in action.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bald_Eagle.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Ferruginous_Hawk_dtl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Rough-legged_Hawk.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Rough-legged_Hawk.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Prairie_Falcon.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Merlin.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Burrowing_Owl.htmlmailto:[email protected]://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/index.htmlhttp://cbc.audubon.org/cbccurrent/current_table.htmlhttp://cbc.audubon.org/cbccurrent/current_table.htmlhttp://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/index.htmlmailto:[email protected]://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Burrowing_Owl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Merlin.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Prairie_Falcon.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Rough-legged_Hawk.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Rough-legged_Hawk.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Ferruginous_Hawk_dtl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bald_Eagle.html


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December 21, Sunday- Chico Christmas Bird Count

All levels of birders are welcome to join us on the Chico Christmas birdcount. Beginners will be paired up with experienced birders. Bring warmclothes, hiking shoes, lunch, bird books and binoculars. You will beassigned an area and spend the day counting all of the birds in this area. Ifanyone is interested in doing just a half day, please let the compiler, PhilJohnson, (530-570-7139) know ahead of time so arrangements can be madefor the days assignments. We will meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Chico CreekNature Center. At 5:00 p.m. we meet at Scott and Nina Campbell's place tocompile our results. Scott and Nina will, as usual, be cooking us a greatmeal. For possibly updated information, check the Altacal web site atwww.altacal.org

and a partridge in a pear tree

December 28, Sunday - Oroville Christmas Bird Count - All levels of birders are welcome to join uson the Oroville Christmas bird count. Beginners will be paired up with experienced birders. Bringwarm clothes, hiking shoes, lunch, bird books and binoculars. You will be assigned an area and spendthe day counting all of the birds in this area. If anyone is interested in doing just a half day, please letthe compiler, Scott Huber, (530-321-5579) know ahead of time so arrangements can be made for the

days assignments. We will meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Agricultural Commissioner's Office on Nelson Rd. just east of Highway 70. At 5:00 p.m. there will be an optional dinner and compilation at a localrestaurant. For possibly updated information, check the Altacal web site at www.altacal.org

January 11, Sunday Indian Fishery (Pine Creek)

Trip Leader: Mike Fisher

Indian Fishery is an ox bow lake surrounded by a beautiful oak woodland. This is a wonderful area forbirding, watching the wildlife that abounds in the ox bow lake and simply enjoying the grandeur ofmassive oaks. It is common to observe River Otters darting through the water, Western Pond Turtlesbasking on a fallen tree or herons stalking a meal. A variety of birds are busy in the grandeur ofmassive oaks. Well take a leisurely walk around the easily negotiated, -mile guided nature trail and

see a variety ofwoodpeckers, as well as other woodland and aquatic birds. Meet at the Park n Ride(the lot closest to Rte 99) at 8 a.m. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, bring water and snacks if youlike, and binoculars and a field guide if you have one. For more information contact Mike at (530) 624-4777.

January 18, Sunday Upper Bidwell Park

Trip Leader: Phil Johnson

We will start our walk along Big Chico Creek and circle back on one of the sidehill trails in search of the wintering birds of Bidwell Park. As always,beginners are most welcome. Bring binoculars, hiking boots, a snack, and layersof clothing. Meet at the Gun Club parking lot (across from the golf course) at8:00 a.m. The walk will go until 11:30 a.m. Call Phil at 570-7139 for details.

Yahi Trail Upper Bidwell Park
http://www.altacal.org/http://www.altacal.org/http://www.altacal.org/http://www.altacal.org/


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January 22-25 10th

Annual Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway

Backyard, novice, and veteran birders, as well aswildlife enthusiasts of all ages, can choose from over 60field trips, presentations, and workshops.

Local art can be viewed at the festivalsUptown/Downtown Wildlife Art Exhibit hosted byAvenue 9 and All Fired Up! Gallery and Ceramic Art

Center from Friday, January 16 to February 7, 2009.

In conjunction with the art exhibit, the festivals kick-offevent will be the Wildlife Art Reception at theUptown/Downtown art galleries on Friday, January 23.

A festival highlight is Saturday nights Gathering of Wings Banquet and Silent Auction, whichwill be held at the Bell MemorialUnion Auditorium, Chico StateUniversity with keynote speaker,Ed Harper, well-known birder,world traveler, and photographer.

His interest in birds goes back to hisearly childhood when he wasgrowing up in Montana. It was therehis interest and love of naturalhistory blossomed. Always a teacherat heart, Ed taught mathematics atAmerican River College from 1969until his retirement in 2003. With

his passion for birding, Ed has also taught a variety of classes in field ornithology for the ARCExtension. He designed and taught many popular classes including bird song, migration,introduction to the birds of the Sacramento area, and various classes on field identification for birds

of prey, shorebirds, and gulls. He is a popular and frequent speaker at many birding festivals andconferences.

An experienced world traveler, Ed has traveled to all the continents in search of birds. An avidphotographer, he has photographed over 2000 species of birds. Some of his photos are found inbooks and periodicals whereas other images highlight talks and slide lectures. In North Americaalone, he has photographed over 750 species of birds. Starting out as a tour leader for theMassachusetts Audubon Society in 1981, Ed now operates Sandpiper Journeys with his wife,Susan Scott. Together they have conducted many birding and natural history tours throughout theworld.

Through a series of beautiful images and enlightening discourse, Ed will share an evening of

insight and awe into the beauty and inspiring aspects of bird migration. Throughout recordedhistory the migration of birds has fascinated humankind. The outmoded myths and archaicspeculations that once dominated beliefs have been largely replaced by illuminating research andingenious scientific studies. We now know the feats of avian migration truly exceed our wildestimaginations. Just as birds fascinate and command our interest, understanding the greatphenomenon of bird migration further enhances the joy and wonder that birds bring into ourlives.

Festival headquarters will be at the Chico Masonic Family Center where free events and activities forthe whole family are held on Saturday and Sunday. Numerous educational exhibits and displays along
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Snow_Goose_dtl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Snow_Goose_dtl.html


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with vendors selling everything from binoculars to bird feeders will be in attendance. In addition, therewill be Junior Naturalist activities, and live presentations about owls, hawks, and native reptiles, plusmore. Admission is free.

For more information contact us at;(530) 345-1865, [email protected], www.snowgoosefestival.org. Registration for field trips,

workshops, art reception, and banquet starts in December.

Altacal Contributions to the Community

Dawn Garcia, a Federally-licensed MasterBander and member of the Altacal AudubonSociety Board of Directors, and Steve King, adedicated banding assistant and Altacalmember, were invited to conduct a birdbanding demonstration as part of a field campcourse at the Big Chico Creek EcologicalReserve (BCCER). Led by Director Jeff Mott,two groups of fifteen 4th to 6th graders andtheir chaperones hiked down to the Toyon

Slope banding station. After a short talk

A Group of Excited Assistant BandersPhoto by Dawn Garcia

regarding station etiquette, all the children took the opportunity to go on a net run - checking nets forcaptured birds, then watching intently the banding and measuring of birds. Many enthusiastic outburstsensued as the kids searched through field guides, discussed beak and feet structure and plumagecharacteristics, shared bird experiences and asked amultitude of questions. We captured ten birds of threedifferent species: Hermit Thrushes, Spotted Towhees anda Golden-crowned Sparrow. Several were taught how togently handle and release the birds. The children were

absolutely enthused with the experience (as evidenced in thepictures)! With the assistance of Altacal and the BCCERstaff, Dawn's banding team plans to develop a curriculum forschool-aged kids to excite them about birds, science andconservation and have "no child left inside!"

Bird in a BagPhoto by Dawn Garcia

Conservation Corner

Audubon Society Has a Voice in High PlacesAudubon President and CEO John Flicker, following the election of President-elect Obama and the newCongress, said: "Voters in this historic election cast their ballots not only for change, but for a new eraof hope for our environment, and the people, birds, and other wildlife that depend on it. Washington hasbeen ignoring critical environmental issues for too long. President-elect Barack Obama and a moreenvironmentally aware Congress offer the promise of leadership and fundamental change that couldusher in new protections for America's great natural heritage, and a new lease on life for species indecline.
mailto:[email protected]://www.snowgoosefestival.org/http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Hermit_Thrush.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Spotted_Towhee.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Golden-crowned_Sparrow.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Golden-crowned_Sparrow.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Spotted_Towhee.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Hermit_Thrush.htmlhttp://www.snowgoosefestival.org/mailto:[email protected]


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Despite real reason for optimism, we cannot take conservation gains for granted. Audubon is committedto helping the new Administration and Congress to live up to their great promise; and to makeconservation, clean energy and green jobs part of America's path to a brighter tomorrow.

Through our local Chapters, state offices and national grass roots efforts, Audubon will join with othersin the environmental community to ensure that our newly elected leaders lead the way on issues vital toour environment, our economy and diversity of life on Earth."

On November 6th,

Garry George, Chapter Network Director,Audubon California, informed us that the Los Angeles Timesreported on the same day that Carol Browner, NationalAudubons Board Chair, was appointed on November 5th toPresident-Elect Obamas transition team. Ms. Browner headedformer President Clintons Environmental Protection Agency.In her current position she will have a voice in the selection ofObamas cabinet and other key positions including Secretary ofthe Interior and Administrator of the Environmental ProtectionAgency.

Carol Browner

House Passes No Child Left Inside Act

Most of you likely have heard of "nature deficit disorder" which affects children being raised in our hightechnology culture. Most kids don't get out in nature a lot these days. They spend much of their time infront of TV or a computer, or texting or chatting on their cell phones. Following is great news directlyfrom an Audubon CA Action Alert (notice the overwhelming yes votes)! Dawn Garcia

Environmental education received a major boost on September 19th, when the House approved the NoChild Left Inside Act of 2008 by a vote of 293-109. The legislation would authorize major new fundingfor states to provide high-quality, environmental instruction. Funds would support outdoor learningactivities both at school and in non-formal environmental education centers, teacher training, and thecreation of state environmental literacy plans.

Banding

Dawn Garcia reminds us that the owlbanding season is winding down with fewowls being detected or banded thisyear. She will present the final results inour next issue of the White-tailed Kite

newsletter.

Northern Saw-whet Owl Dawn and Alita Huber Check aPhoto by Dawn Garcia Northern Saw-whet Owl

Photo by Mike Fisher


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Did You Know?

The first American organization devoted to studying and watching birds wasestablished in 1873 in Cambridge, Massachusetts and was named the NuttallOrnithological Club. Its namesake was the Englishman, Thomas Nuttall, a naturalhistory teacher at Harvard who produced the first compact guide to North

American birds. He was an early explorer of the North American wilderness andis considered to be one of the greatest botanists who ever worked in the UnitedStates. In our neck of the woods, we are used to seeing and hearing NuttallsWoodpeckers.

Nuttalls Woodpecker

Pop Quiz!

Now, for all the marbles, what two other birds are honored with his name? Times up! This ones toohard, so heres the answer: Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii) and Yellow-billed Magpie

(Pica nuttalli).

Sister Society (Cape Cod Bird Club) News

Our Sister Society is fortunate, in a way, that Cape Cod Bay is aneffective trap for seabirds. This phenomenon occurs most frequentlyduring and immediately following northeasterly storms when largenumbers of shearwaters, storm-petrels, gannets, phalaropes,jaegers, and other pelagic species are blown shoreward and becometrapped by the bays confusing geography. However, The bay isalso a trap for marine mammals and more recently has receivedconsiderable attention as a trap for sea turtles in the late fall. The firststranded Kemps Ridley Sea Turtleof the season was picked up atSandy Neck in Barnstable, brought to Wellfleet Bay WildlifeSanctuary, and transferred to the New England Aquarium forevaluation and treatment. While the water is not quite cold enough forcold-stunning yet, this turtle had a boat propeller wound and could not use one of its flippers. If localfolks find a stranded turtle they are asked to move it above the high tide line, cover it with seaweed toprotect it from the cold, then mark the location and call the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.

Lots of other critters have been washing up on Cape beaches of late in addition to the expected Kemp'sRidley Sea Turtles, including at least 5 Torpedo Rays which are big fleshy oddities capable of
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Nuttalls_Woodpecker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Nuttalls_Woodpecker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Common_Poorwill.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Common_Poorwill.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Yellow-billed_Magpie.htmlhttp://www.seaturtleinc.com/turtles/kemps.htmlhttp://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Wellfleet/index.phphttp://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Wellfleet/index.phphttp://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/Atlantictorpedo/atlantictorpedo.htmlhttp://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/Atlantictorpedo/atlantictorpedo.htmlhttp://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Wellfleet/index.phphttp://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Wellfleet/index.phphttp://www.seaturtleinc.com/turtles/kemps.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Yellow-billed_Magpie.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Common_Poorwill.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Nuttalls_Woodpecker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Nuttalls_Woodpecker.html


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producing a 200-volt shock, and a few ocean sunfish, or Mola Molas, which are the largest bony fish inthe world. Thousands ofNorthern Gannets and gulls were feeding in Wellfleet Bay on Atlantic Saury,a 10" beaked bait-fish favored by tuna that have been washing up of late. Also, a pod ofPilot Whaleswas seen passing Race Point, and Fin Whaleshave been sighted off White Crest Beach in Wellfleet. AFisher was found road-killed in Eastham recently, and another was reported from Orleans last monthcrossing a road. Have these elusive wolverine relatives finally established themselves on the Cape?

The Broad-billed Hummingbird that first showed up on the Cape (a Massachusetts first record) inAugust was still being seen in November. Ill bet there isnt a single local member of the Cape CodBird Club who hasnt seen it by now.

A Black-tailed Gull, representing only the second state record for this Asian vagrant, was among theamazing 11 species of gulls seen in Provincetown during the first week of November. The gulls werefeeding on small planktonic crustaceans washed up en masse on Herring Cove and Race Point beaches.Other gulls seen included several Little Gulls, a Black-headed Gull, Iceland Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Black-legged Kittiwakesand Bonaparte's Gulls.

Other seabirds noted from Provincetown were 15 Red-throated Loons, 300 Red-breastedMergansers, 80 Corys Shearwaters, 900 Greater Shearwaters, a Sooty Shearwater, 3 ManxShearwaters, 700 Northern Gannets, 150 Black-legged Kittiwakes, 125 Bonapartes Gulls, 75Laughing Gulls, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, 30 Common Terns, and 3 Parasitic Jaegers.

Cave Swallows invaded coastal Massachusetts in mid-November, and were reported locally fromProvincetown, Mashpee, and Nantucket. These are birds of Mexico and Texas that have a tendency toend up far north and east of where they should be following southwest winds in early November. This isa relatively recent ornithological phenomenon, as cave swallows were not recorded in Massachusettsuntil 2002.

And finally, in the Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water department, an 11-footBlue Sharkwas found washed up on Lieutenant Island in Wellfleet. Blue sharks, not harmless but notamong the worlds more dangerous shark species either, are widespread in the worlds oceans.

Following in the Footsteps

Rex Burress

There is always a sense of loss when a renowned person dies and severs society not only from thelovable personality, but also from that valuable accumulated storehouse ofknowledge. Such was the sad news that a former California Fish and Gamemanager, John Cowan, died on October 15, 2008.

John was one of those old timers who, at 92, had contributed to theunderstanding of waterfowl management, mostly at Gray Lodge WildlifeRefuge, plus pioneering educational trail ways at Butte College. But mostlyhe was a man of the out-of-doors who interacted with that segment of mankindthat "In the love of nature holds communion with her visible forms." Those

environmentally kindred-spirits do indeed flock together, inspiring others asthey teach the wildlife stories and "entice others to look on natures lovelinesswith understanding."

John B. Cowan

We have the names and writings of a multitude of departed environmental contributors on whoseshoulders we interpreters/wildlife workers/writers stand. We benefit from their studies and discoveriesand accomplishments. The creative community does indeed borrow ideas from other environmentaldevotees to heighten nature interpretation and wildlife organizational advancement, each adding a littlebit to the storehouse of knowledge.
http://www.oceanlight.com/html/mola_mola.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Northern_Gannet.htmlhttp://www.fishbase.org/summary/speciessummary.php?id=1084http://www.acsonline.org/factpack/PilotWhale.htmhttp://www.acsonline.org/factpack/finwhl.htmhttp://www.acsonline.org/factpack/finwhl.htmhttp://lsb.syr.edu/projects/cyberzoo/fisher.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Broad-billed_Hummingbird_dtl.htmlhttp://identify.whatbird.com/obj/1031/overview/Black-tailed_Gull.aspxhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Little_Gull_dtl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black-headed_Gull_dtl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Iceland_Gull.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Lesser_Black-backed_Gull.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Lesser_Black-backed_Gull.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black-legged_Kittiwake.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black-legged_Kittiwake.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bonapartes_Gull.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-throated_Loon.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-breasted_Merganser.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-breasted_Merganser.htmlhttp://identify.whatbird.com/obj/1047/overview/Corys_Shearwater.aspxhttp://identify.whatbird.com/obj/616/overview/Greater_Shearwater.aspxhttp://identify.whatbird.com/obj/620/_/Sooty_Shearwater.aspxhttp://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=011066http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=011066http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Northern_Gannet.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black-legged_Kittiwake.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Laughing_Gull.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Common_Tern.htmlhttp://identify.whatbird.com/obj/491/overview/Parasitic_Jaeger.aspxhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Cave_Swallow.htmlhttp://www.newenglandsharks.com/blue.htmhttp://www.newenglandsharks.com/blue.htmhttp://www.newenglandsharks.com/blue.htmhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Cave_Swallow.htmlhttp://identify.whatbird.com/obj/491/overview/Parasitic_Jaeger.aspxhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Common_Tern.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Laughing_Gull.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black-legged_Kittiwake.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Northern_Gannet.htmlhttp://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=011066http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=011066http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/620/_/Sooty_Shearwater.aspxhttp://identify.whatbird.com/obj/616/overview/Greater_Shearwater.aspxhttp://identify.whatbird.com/obj/1047/overview/Corys_Shearwater.aspxhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-breasted_Merganser.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-breasted_Merganser.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-throated_Loon.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bonapartes_Gull.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black-legged_Kittiwake.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Lesser_Black-backed_Gull.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Lesser_Black-backed_Gull.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Iceland_Gull.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black-headed_Gull_dtl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Little_Gull_dtl.htmlhttp://identify.whatbird.com/obj/1031/overview/Black-tailed_Gull.aspxhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Broad-billed_Hummingbird_dtl.htmlhttp://lsb.syr.edu/projects/cyberzoo/fisher.htmlhttp://www.acsonline.org/factpack/finwhl.htmhttp://www.acsonline.org/factpack/PilotWhale.htmhttp://www.fishbase.org/summary/speciessummary.php?id=1084http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Northern_Gannet.htmlhttp://www.oceanlight.com/html/mola_mola.html


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I knew some great naturalists in the Bay Area in the Lake Merritt Wildlife Refuge 1960-90 days. PaulCovel, William Mott, Josh Barkin, Ron Russo - many listed in Covels book, "Beacons Along aNaturalists Trail." I know Naturalist Paul was a good friend of John Cowan at a time John was helpingsupply wing-injured Canada geese to Lake Merritt.

Those were the important names of yesteryear. When I retired and moved to Oroville, CA in 1993, Iencountered a new set of environmental enthusiasts in that sector, but now when I look at a list of namespresently active in the Bay Area, they are all new to me. I know, though, that they are new generationscarrying on the cause of conservation advancement.

Thus it is that individual efforts, small and large, keep the mainstream of nature interest going. I thinkof Dana Mortenson when I recall outstanding naturalist interpreters. Dana was an elderly nature hikeguide in Yosemite in the 1970's, and I was so impressed at his fine use of words as he talked to largeaudiences, pointing a wise finger to emphasize a point in a delightful way to engender enthusiasm.Although he wrote a book on Yosemite wildflowers, he had no national claim to fame but was justexpressing his inner delight at nature and sharing it with an audience. It is the multitude of such simpleinterpreters adding to the nature awareness of the world that keeps the cause flowing and generatesinspiration.

As Robert Frost said in his poem, "The Tuft of Flowers", "People work together whether they worktogether or apart." And the Chinese said: "A store of small strengths makes one strong," as it makes an

organization strong. Margaret Mead said: "Never underestimate what a small group of people, workingtogether, can achieve."

Thus we are grateful for John Cowan for his contribution to a segment of nature.

To John:

"To a Waterfowl" - William Cullen Bryant:"Whether, midst falling dew,/ While glow the heavens with the last steps of day,/ Far through their rosydepths, doest thou pursue/ Thy solitary way...Thourt gone! The abyss of heaven/Hath swallowed up thyform; yet on my heart/Deeply hath sunk the lessons thou has given,/And shall not soon depart."

Altacal Receives Raffle Gift for November Program Meeting

If you missed the November Program Meeting you also missed a chance at winning a special item in ourusual free raffle. Dawn Bremmer, owner of The Gifted Garden, generously donated a free raffle itemfor the meeting. It was a beautiful glass hummingbird feeder that Dawn described this way: Each ofits three feeding stations is made of an opaque white glass with red glass flower tube ports. The glass isall recycled. The metal frame holding the feeding stations has a perch in front of each port, so the little

guys have a place to sit still for a minute. Its retail value is $55. Additional info that might be ofinterest: the feeder is made in Mexico and the company sends part of all their proceeds to TheHummingbird Society. In addition to hummingbird feeders Dawn carries other feeders, bird baths andassorted bird-themed items.

Bird Walk and Birding Trip Reports

September 19-21 - Point Reyes National Seashore Trip Leader: Jennifer Patten

If you have never been to Point Reyes National Seashore you are missing one of the great birdingdestinations in our state. Point Reyes is a promontory on the Pacific Coast of Northern California.
http://www.nps.gov/porehttp://www.nps.gov/pore


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Located in Marin County, it is approximately 30 miles north of San Francisco. Because of the way it juts out into the Pacific it is a trap for migrating birds passing along the coast. Every year AltacalAudubon plans a trip here coinciding with the peak of fall migration. This year eleven members wentalong and spent from two to five days exploring the various birding hot-spots of the area. Point ReyesNational Seashore and its surrounding area proved again to be one of our most productive birding tripsof the year. The total number of bird species seen by at least one of the eleven Altacal Audubon birderson this trip was 141, with all of us getting at least one lifer (a bird never seen before).

The weather on this stretch of coast is notoriously variable. At different times we braved strong wind,thick fog and rain. But much of the time we had beautiful warm sunny weather in which to hunt forbirds. Our quest took us along beautiful beaches, coastal scrub grasslands, salt and freshwater marshes,into thick coniferous forests, and even through cow pastures. Yes, a lot of effort, but well worth it to seesuch unusual birds as Tennessee Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, American Redstart, Long-tailed

Duck, Pectoral Sandpiper and MarbledMurrelet. Other noteworthy sightingsincluded Lawrences Goldfinch, NashvilleWarbler, Magnolia Warbler, Red-throatedand Common Loons, Black Oystercatcher,Snowy Plover, Black Turnstone, PigeonGuillemot and Virginia Rail.

The Earthquake Trail at the Bear ValleyVisitors Center is always a favorite andproductive birding spot for us. This year wasno exception. We saw a mixed flock ofTownsends Warblers and Black-throatedGray Warblers palling around with Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Huttons Vireos andWarbling Vireos. All were foraging in thecreek-side willow and alders.

Rear: Warren Patten, Jennifer Patten, Mike Fisher, Gaylord Grams, Rick Wulbern

Front: Carolyn Short, Nancy Nelson, Ruth KennedyNot in Photo: J.T. Lewis, Mike SkramPhoto by Tim Ruckle

Next year, instead of just reading about it, think about joining us on this always exciting and productivePoint Reyes National Seashore Altacal Audubon field trip.

October 4, Saturday Packer and Sul Norte Units of the SRNWR Trip Leader: Mike Fisher

What looked like a not so pleasant morning for birding and hikingturned into a very nice day for exploring the Packer and Sul Norte unitsof the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge. Currently, theRefuge is composed of 27 units along a 77-mile stretch of theSacramento River between Red Bluff and Princeton.

Packer Unit, Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge

This riparian habitat along the Sacramento River is critically important for fish, migratory birds, plants,and river system health. It provides shelter for many songbirds and water-associated animals, includingRiver Otters, turtles, Beavers, AmericanWhitePelican,Ospreys and Bank Swallows.

This field trip, led by Altacal and co-sponsored by theSacramento River Preservation Trust, is one ofa series of trips intended to increase community awareness of these valuable public wildlife areas. Even
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Tennessee_Warbler.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Blackpoll_Warbler.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Redstart.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Long-tailed_Duck.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Long-tailed_Duck.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Pectoral_Sandpiper.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Marbled_Murrelet.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Marbled_Murrelet.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Lawrences_Goldfinch_dtl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Nashville_Warbler.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Nashville_Warbler.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Magnolia_Warbler.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-throated_Loon.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Common_Loon.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black_Oystercatcher.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Snowy_Plover.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black_Turnstone.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Pigeon_Guillemot.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Pigeon_Guillemot.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Virginia_Rail.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Townsends_Warbler.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Townsends_Warbler.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black-throated_Gray_Warbler.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black-throated_Gray_Warbler.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Chestnut-backed_Chickadee.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Chestnut-backed_Chickadee.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Huttons_Vireo.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Warbling_Vireo.htmlhttp://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lontra_canadensis.htmlhttp://www.nhptv.org/Natureworks/beaver.htmhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_White_Pelican.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_White_Pelican.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_White_Pelican.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Osprey.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bank_Swallow.htmlhttp://www.sacrivertrust.org/http://www.sacrivertrust.org/http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bank_Swallow.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Osprey.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_White_Pelican.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_White_Pelican.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_White_Pelican.htmlhttp://www.nhptv.org/Natureworks/beaver.htmhttp://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lontra_canadensis.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Warbling_Vireo.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Huttons_Vireo.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Chestnut-backed_Chickadee.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Chestnut-backed_Chickadee.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black-throated_Gray_Warbler.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black-throated_Gray_Warbler.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Townsends_Warbler.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Virginia_Rail.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Pigeon_Guillemot.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Pigeon_Guillemot.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black_Turnstone.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Snowy_Plover.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black_Oystercatcher.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Common_Loon.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-throated_Loon.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Magnolia_Warbler.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Nashville_Warbler.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Nashville_Warbler.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Lawrences_Goldfinch_dtl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Marbled_Murrelet.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Marbled_Murrelet.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Pectoral_Sandpiper.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Long-tailed_Duck.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Long-tailed_Duck.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Redstart.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Blackpoll_Warbler.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Tennessee_Warbler.html


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though the day started with rain, a group of seven met at the Park-n-Ride to carpool over to GlennCounty, near Butte City, where the units are located.

Beginning with the Packer Unit, we walked the 1.5-mile loop trail that explores the center of the refuge.Even before we hit the trail, still in the parking lot, we had flyovers of Red-tailed Hawk, NorthernFlicker, Great Egret, and Sandhill Crane. Someone spotted a tree full ofWestern Bluebirds andmixed in were a few American Robins. The walk along the trail was very pleasant, if not super birdy.We picked up most of the regulars including American and Lesser Goldfinch, Tree Swallow,Nuttalls Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, California Quail, Spotted Towhee, Bewicks and HouseWren and several flocks of Cedar Waxwing. A highlight was the flyover of a beautiful, adultFerruginous Hawk. It soared right over our heads for about a minute giving us beautiful looks.

Then it was back in the car for the short trip over to the Sul Norte Unit. Coming from Chico on Hwy162 you turn right on the only road between the river and Hwy 45. It is not marked, but the road turnsback and parallels Hwy 162. This leads to the parking lot for the unit. Leaving the cars, we proceededto hike the trail that circles this 590-acre unit. Our intention was to do only a portion of thisapproximately 3-mile trail but we missed our cutoff point and ended up hiking the whole trail. It turnedout to be a very nice hike. Some of the new birds we picked up in this unit included; DownyWoodpecker, Red-shouldered Hawk, Oak Titmouse, American Kestrel, White-breasted Nuthatch,

and Northern Mockingbird. Everyone got very excited when Jennifer Patten spotted a baby Northern

Pacific Rattlesnake hiding out in a drainage ditch. The trail fronts the Sacramento River for a whileand we spotted Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, andDouble-crested Cormorant along the watersedge. On our way back to the cars we had flyovers ofGreater White-fronted Geese and two LewissWoodpeckers. A total of 42 species was seen on this morning.

October 19, Sunday- Butte Basin Field Trip Trip Leader: Phil Johnson

Nine eager birders showed up for an early season samplingof the birds found in the Butte Basin. We started off the dayat the Park n Ride where we were treated to a great look at aRed-Shouldered Hawk that was coughing up someremnants of its last meal. When we arrived at the Llano Seco

unit parking area, we instantly saw groups of GreaterWhite-fronted Geese in the rice fields near by. The pond tothe south of the parking area was flooded and had manyNorthern Pintail, American Wigeon and Mallards. Onour walk out to the back platform, we strolled by a dry fieldwith Long-billed Curlewsfeeding in the grasses. As we

Butte Basin Habitat

watched them, a group ofWhite-faced Ibis flew in to join them. Once we got the back platform, wewere able to get good looks at Sandhill Cranes flying about and resting at marshy edges of the ponds.The back ponds were already flooded up, and had big numbers of waterfowl.

After getting back to the cars, we headed South down 7-mile Lane to a marshy spot. A large number ofBlack-crowned Night-Heronswere seen in the willows surrounding the ponds. Wood Ducks and aCommon Moorhen were also on the water. After searching the reedy edges, we eventually weretreated to a good look at a Sora, walking about in the open. Our drive further south was fruitless, due tolack of water in the rice fields, but we did have a nice stop at Nelson Rd. to get good looks at BeltedKingfisher, Yellow-rumped Warbler andLesser Goldfinch.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-tailed_Hawk.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Northern_Flicker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Northern_Flicker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Great_Egret.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Sandhill_Crane.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Western_Bluebird.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Robin.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Goldfinch.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Goldfinch.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Lesser_Goldfinch.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Tree_Swallow.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Nuttalls_Woodpecker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black_Phoebe.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/California_Quail.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Spotted_Towhee.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bewicks_Wren.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/House_Wren.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/House_Wren.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Cedar_Waxwing.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Ferruginous_Hawk_dtl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Downy_Woodpecker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Downy_Woodpecker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-shouldered_Hawk.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Oak_Titmouse.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Kestrel.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/White-breasted_Nuthatch.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Northern_Mockingbird.htmlhttp://www.californiaherps.com/snakes/pages/c.o.oreganus.htmlhttp://www.californiaherps.com/snakes/pages/c.o.oreganus.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Great_Blue_Heron.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Great_Egret.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Double-crested_Cormorant.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Greater_White-fronted_Goose.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Lewiss_Woodpecker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Lewiss_Woodpecker.htmlhttp://www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/wa/region2/upperbuttebasin.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-shouldered_Hawk.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Greater_White-fronted_Goose.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Greater_White-fronted_Goose.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Northern_Pintail.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Wigeon.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Mallard.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Long-billed_Curlew.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Long-billed_Curlew.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/White-faced_Ibis_dtl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Sandhill_Crane.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black-crowned_Night-Heron.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black-crowned_Night-Heron.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Wood_Duck.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Common_Moorhen_dtl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Common_Moorhen_dtl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Sora.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Belted_Kingfisher.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Belted_Kingfisher.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Yellow-rumped_Warbler.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Lesser_Goldfinch.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Lesser_Goldfinch.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Yellow-rumped_Warbler.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Belted_Kingfisher.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Belted_Kingfisher.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Sora.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Common_Moorhen_dtl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Wood_Duck.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black-crowned_Night-Heron.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Sandhill_Crane.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/White-faced_Ibis_dtl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Long-billed_Curlew.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Mallard.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Wigeon.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Northern_Pintail.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Greater_White-fronted_Goose.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Greater_White-fronted_Goose.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-shouldered_Hawk.htmlhttp://www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/wa/region2/upperbuttebasin.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Lewiss_Woodpecker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Lewiss_Woodpecker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Greater_White-fronted_Goose.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Double-crested_Cormorant.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Great_Egret.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Great_Blue_Heron.htmlhttp://www.californiaherps.com/snakes/pages/c.o.oreganus.htmlhttp://www.californiaherps.com/snakes/pages/c.o.oreganus.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Northern_Mockingbird.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/White-breasted_Nuthatch.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Kestrel.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Oak_Titmouse.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-shouldered_Hawk.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Downy_Woodpecker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Downy_Woodpecker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Ferruginous_Hawk_dtl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Cedar_Waxwing.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/House_Wren.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/House_Wren.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bewicks_Wren.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Spotted_Towhee.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/California_Quail.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black_Phoebe.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Nuttalls_Woodpecker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Tree_Swallow.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Lesser_Goldfinch.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Goldfinch.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Robin.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Western_Bluebird.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Sandhill_Crane.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Great_Egret.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Northern_Flicker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Northern_Flicker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-tailed_Hawk.html


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October 31, Friday - Owl-o-ween - Trip Leaders: Dawn Garcia and Scott Huber

Owl-o-ween Part One: Area Search

Despite the foreboding forecast, six lost souls (Judy, P, Cathy, Naomi, Doug,and Kris) met Scott at the Park-n-Ride for a trip to the dark side of birding(night time owling) at Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve. Just at dusk we

found a number of bird species settling in for the night:Western Bluebirdsflying overhead, Hermit Thrush, Bewick's Wren and Acorn Woodpeckerscalling, Golden-Crowned Sparrows singing and Wild Turkeys jostling forposition on the limbs of the black oaks just behind the caretakers residence. Asmall herd of deer crossed the meadow below us.

In between the sounds of rattling chains, creaking doors and wailing ghouls welistened for the deep hoots of Great Horned Owls, the toots of NorthernPygmy-Owls and the bouncing ball vocalization ofWestern Screech Owls.We were successful in at least one of the species as a Great Horned Owl gave us an abbreviated songfrom below the barn. At approximately 6:45 p.m. we ambled through the dark of a moonless night towhere even more frightening phenomena awaited us...Dawn's Little Banding Station of Horrors!

Owl-o-ween Part Two: Let the Games Begin

Met by Dawn and her ghoulish crew of two (Raina King and Nancy Nelson), Dawn shared the story ofthe decapitated head of the beautiful "Betty," who was later found wailing in the woods by participantswho hiked the trail to the nets. Several other goblins and creepy things were hung in the area to makethe most of the Halloween tradition. Candy was served in a skull bowl with a creepy motion detectorskeleton hand that grabbed at the guests when they reached for taffy.

The mist-nets, erected to capture Northern Saw-whet Owls,produced no captures other than a Rain Beetle (Pleocomaspp.). But we respect all creatures of the night and the RainBeetle is so cool, we brought him back to share with the group(released unharmed of course). For more information on rainbeetle natural history see:

http://www.sbnature.org/collections/invert/entom/s_p_pleoc_hirsu.php

Upside-down Rain Beetle Photo by Dawn Garcia

Through the night, we did hear bats and a few Saw-whet vocalizations and matched Scott's detection ofa Great Horned Owl (albeit ours was plastic and staged by the hostess!). Rain, wind, and the petite Gray

Fox predator gave us enough reason to close the nets after only two hours. All were invited back to see aSaw-whets in the hand.

November 8, Saturday - Butte Creek Ecological Preserve

Trip Leader: Liam Huber

Despite the forecast for rain, a dozen hardy birders took achance and were treated to a beautiful morning of birding atButte Creek Ecological Preserve.

A view of the Butte Creek Ecological Preserve
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Western_Bluebird.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Western_Bluebird.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Hermit_Thrush.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bewicks_Wren.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Acorn_Woodpecker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Acorn_Woodpecker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Golden-crowned_Sparrow.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Wild_Turkey.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Great_Horned_Owl.htmlhttp://identify.whatbird.com/obj/13/_/Northern_Pygmy-Owl.aspxhttp://identify.whatbird.com/obj/13/_/Northern_Pygmy-Owl.aspxhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Western_Screech-Owl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Northern_Saw-whet_Owl.htmlhttp://www.sdnhm.org/fieldguide/inverts/pleo.htmlhttp://www.sbnature.org/collections/invert/entom/s_p_pleoc_hirsu.phphttp://www.sbnature.org/collections/invert/entom/s_p_pleoc_hirsu.phphttp://astarte.csustan.edu/~tom/art/gray-fox.htmlhttp://astarte.csustan.edu/~tom/art/gray-fox.htmlhttp://astarte.csustan.edu/~tom/art/gray-fox.htmlhttp://astarte.csustan.edu/~tom/art/gray-fox.htmlhttp://www.sbnature.org/collections/invert/entom/s_p_pleoc_hirsu.phphttp://www.sbnature.org/collections/invert/entom/s_p_pleoc_hirsu.phphttp://www.sdnhm.org/fieldguide/inverts/pleo.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Northern_Saw-whet_Owl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Western_Screech-Owl.htmlhttp://identify.whatbird.com/obj/13/_/Northern_Pygmy-Owl.aspxhttp://identify.whatbird.com/obj/13/_/Northern_Pygmy-Owl.aspxhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Great_Horned_Owl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Wild_Turkey.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Golden-crowned_Sparrow.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Acorn_Woodpecker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bewicks_Wren.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Hermit_Thrush.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Western_Bluebird.html


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Altacal's very own junior naturalist, Liam Huber, guided the eager group which included a few seasonedAltacal members as well as a few first-timers from the community.

Liam reports: We took the banding route to the dry river bed and got some looks at Black Phoebes andGolden-crowned Sparrows. We then followed the dry river bed to the pond. On the way, we heard aVaried Thrushcalling, saw Evening Grosbeaksand got close-up views ofCedar Waxwings, whichwe heard and identified well in advance. At the pond, we had at least 25 Wood Ducks, 2 Canada Geeseand several Mallards and American Coots. We also saw at least 40 Steller's Jays, and that's notexaggerating! We were excited because that was extremely low elevation for this species. Ruby-crowned Kinglets were also numerous and we caught a look at some Downy Woodpeckers. Inaddition to the birds, I caught a Ring-Necked Snake for the group to examine and photograph.I think everyone enjoyed the trip and I enjoyed leading it.

Many thanks to my Uncle Steve who went along with us because my Dad was in Texas.

September Program - Birdwatching in Panama with Altacal Audubon

Presented by Mike Fisher

After Altacals two-month summer hiatus, it was wonderful to see a record attendance of members andguests reassembled for our September program, Birdwatching in Panama. For those of you whowerent able to attend, our program venue has upgraded to Chico Creek Nature Centers newlyconstructed facility - the interpretive center and nature lab building located just a few steps in back ofour old meeting place. Although Gruck the crow, one of the more vociferous unreleasable animalshoused in the original CCNC meeting room might feel deprived of stealing the entertainment spotlightwith his vocalized intonations during our presentations, the rest of us are very appreciative of theprogress which allows us to congregate in such an ideal setting, made possible in part by our long-

established working relationship with CCNC.

Mike Fisher, whose duties as co-vice president often include introducing ourmonthly program speakers, took on a full load as he carried the Septemberpresentation himself this time, holding a captivated, interactive audience

through his two-hour slide show on Altacals first international birdingexcursion, a trip to Panama. Mike is an exemplary model of a beginningbirder, having only seriously undertaken the hobby/obsession in the past threeyears. His inexhaustible energy serving on the Altacal Board and exceptionalability to enthuse and activate birders at all levels has elevated ourorganization beyond expectation.

White-tailed TrogonPhoto by Mike Fisher

The armchair version of birding Panama with Altacal included many impressive photographs of the

most extraordinarily decorated birds seen by the fortunate few who were able to make the trip in person.Resplendent Quetzal, Turquoise Cotinga, Speckled Tanager, Veraguan Mango, ScintillantHummingbird, Spot-crowned Barbet, Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrushand Emerald Toucanet

were among them. Altacal member and trip organizer Steve Margolin, who has led previous birdingexcursions to Panama, set up the venue and escorted our members on the three-week tour that coveredan extensive area of varied habitats from inside the western border with Costa Rica, to deep within theeastern border with Columbia.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black_Phoebe.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Golden-crowned_Sparrow.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Varied_Thrush.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Evening_Grosbeak.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Evening_Grosbeak.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Cedar_Waxwing.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Wood_Duck.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Wood_Duck.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Canada_Goose.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Mallard.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Coot.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Stellers_Jay.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet_dtl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet_dtl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Downy_Woodpecker.htmlhttp://www.californiaherps.com/snakes/pages/d.p.amabilis.htmlhttp://fireflyforest.net/firefly/2007/06/03/resplendent-quetzalshttp://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/resources/grzimek_birds/Cotingidae/Cotinga_ridgwayi_male.jpg/view.htmlhttp://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/resources/grzimek_birds/Cotingidae/Cotinga_ridgwayi_male.jpg/view.htmlhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/barloventomagico/2631259322http://www.mangoverde.com/wbg/picpages/pic86-61-1.htmlhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/lenblumin/2153558956http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenblumin/2153558956http://www.mangoverde.com/birdsound/picpages/pic101-71-1.htmlhttp://avesphoto.com/WEBSITE/NA/species/THUOBN-1.htmhttp://avesphoto.com/WEBSITE/NA/species/THUOBN-1.htmhttp://www.naturephoto-cz.com/emerald-toucanet:aulacorhynchus-prasinus-photo-7192.htmlhttp://www.naturephoto-cz.com/emerald-toucanet:aulacorhynchus-prasinus-photo-7192.htmlhttp://avesphoto.com/WEBSITE/NA/species/THUOBN-1.htmhttp://www.mangoverde.com/birdsound/picpages/pic101-71-1.htmlhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/lenblumin/2153558956http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenblumin/2153558956http://www.mangoverde.com/wbg/picpages/pic86-61-1.htmlhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/barloventomagico/2631259322http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/resources/grzimek_birds/Cotingidae/Cotinga_ridgwayi_male.jpg/view.htmlhttp://fireflyforest.net/firefly/2007/06/03/resplendent-quetzalshttp://www.californiaherps.com/snakes/pages/d.p.amabilis.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Downy_Woodpecker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet_dtl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet_dtl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Stellers_Jay.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Coot.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Mallard.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Canada_Goose.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Wood_Duck.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Cedar_Waxwing.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Evening_Grosbeak.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Varied_Thrush.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Golden-crowned_Sparrow.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Black_Phoebe.html


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It was equally touching to listen to Mikes wife, LauraRivero-Fisher - a self-described non-birder, revel inmemories of her interactions with the warm welcomeand hospitality from the native Embra children whogreeted them after a long, perilous journey by boat tothe secluded village where they camped over duringthe long trek to viewing the Harpy Eagles nest.

Embra Boy of the La Marea TribeWearing Mac McCormicks Hat

Photos by Mike Fisher Embr women looking atsome photographs brought

by Laura Rivero-Fisher

Altacals first international birding trip was a great success despite the absence of the highly sought-afterHarpy Eagle.

October Program - Nome Alaska: Birding the Last Frontier! - Scott Huber

At Altacals October Program Meeting, 45 attendees thoroughly enjoyedlistening to Scott Huber, Field Trip Director for Altacal Audubon and ownerof BigBirders Birding Tours, as he narrated a photographic account of thethree weeks that he spent in the Nome, Alaska area in May and June of 2008,a portion of which was spent with another Altacal member, Tim Ruckle, andthe remainder as a guide for several groups of birders from around thecountry.

American Golden-Plover - Photo by Scott Huber

Scott explained that because it was breeding season the birds were all in theirfreshest and most colorful plumage, and throughout the evening he showed photographs of many ofthem. Adding spice to the mix were sightings of Asian birds such as Bluethroat and Arctic Warbler .And birds were not the only attraction. A fringe benefit was the amazing mammal display Grizzly,Moose, Red Fox, Caribou, Musk Oxand others.

Finally, there was the tundra itself, a place that belongs to the animals but tolerates a few humansincluding birders who visit primarily during a few weeks in June.

Musk Ox Photo by Scott Huber

Scott remained for a while after the presentation to discusswith participants the upcoming Altacal Alaskan birding triphe is leading in June, 2009.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bluethroat.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Arctic_Warbler.htmlhttp://www.nhptv.org/NATUREWORKS/grizzly.htmhttp://www.nhptv.org/NatureWorks/moose.htmhttp://www.nhptv.org/NatureWorks/redfox.htmhttp://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/biggame/caribou.phphttp://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/biggame/muskoxen.phphttp://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/biggame/muskoxen.phphttp://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/biggame/caribou.phphttp://www.nhptv.org/NatureWorks/redfox.htmhttp://www.nhptv.org/NatureWorks/moose.htmhttp://www.nhptv.org/NATUREWORKS/grizzly.htmhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Arctic_Warbler.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bluethroat.html


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Opportunities and Events

Sacramento National Wildlife Complex

December, 08 through April, 09 Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Interpretive Programs

Witness the magnificence of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuges (SNWR) winteringwaterfowl as their refuge naturalists guide you through wetland habitats on the auto tour and walkingtrail. Whether youre a seasoned refuge veteran or a casual visitor, these tours are geared to variedinterest and skill levels. See the schedules at the links below. If you would like more information or tosign up for a tour, please call the Sacramento NWR at 530-934-2801 or e-mail them at:[email protected]. Here are the links to the information on their website: December,January, Febuary March & April . Check out their Hot Topics section. They list Altacals upcomingfield trips.

January 16 19, Friday-Monday - Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival

Every January on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend (January 16-19 in 2009), the Morro CoastAudubon Society in collaboration with California State Parks, Central Coast Natural HistoryAssociation, the city of Morro Bay, the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce, and Friends of the Estuary,host the Winter Bird Festival. All-day and half-day tours will take participants to a wide variety ofhabitats, including deep water pelagic, oak woodland and riparian, wetland and estuary, and the uniquegrassland habitat of the Carrizo Plain. Workshops will cover a vast array of topics ranging frombeginner birding classes to gull identification. Outstanding Evening Speakers will make presentations on

Saturday and Sunday. A variety of vendors will be present with nature related artwork, books, fieldequipment and attire, and local merchant wares.

Morro Bay California is one of the few remaining estuaries on the Pacific flyway. Christmas BirdCounts on the bay have numbered above the 200 species mark, and the festival bird lists have totaledover 220 species for the weekend, making this area on the central California coast a prime birdingdestination.

For more specific information, go to: http://www.morrobaybirdfestival.org/
http://www.fws.gov/sacramentovalleyrefugesmailto:[email protected]://www.fws.gov/sacramentovalleyrefuges/pdf/Interp/2008-09%20Weekend%20Program%20Descriptions%20-%20Dec.pdfhttp://www.fws.gov/sacramentovalleyrefuges/pdf/Interp/2008-09%20Weekend%20Program%20Descriptions%20-%20Jan.pdfhttp://www.fws.gov/sacramentovalleyrefuges/pdf/Interp/2008-09%20Weekend%20Program%20Descriptions%20-%20Feb.pdfhttp://www.fws.gov/sacramentovalleyrefuges/pdf/Interp/2008-09%20Weekend%20Program%20Descriptions%20-%20March%20and%20April.pdfhttp://www.morrobaybirdfestival.org/http://www.morrobaybirdfestival.org/http://www.fws.gov/sacramentovalleyrefuges/pdf/Interp/2008-09%20Weekend%20Program%20Descriptions%20-%20March%20and%20April.pdfhttp://www.fws.gov/sacramentovalleyrefuges/pdf/Interp/2008-09%20Weekend%20Program%20Descriptions%20-%20Feb.pdfhttp://www.fws.gov/sacramentovalleyrefuges/pdf/Interp/2008-09%20Weekend%20Program%20Descriptions%20-%20Jan.pdfhttp://www.fws.gov/sacramentovalleyrefuges/pdf/Interp/2008-09%20Weekend%20Program%20Descriptions%20-%20Dec.pdfmailto:[email protected]://www.fws.gov/sacramentovalleyrefuges


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February 6-8, Friday-Sunday 13th

Annual San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival

Spend time with thousands of other people enthusiastic about the wild and wide-open spaces of SanFrancisco Bay and its mysterious north shore. Many of the nearly 70 outings are free and dont requirepre-registration, making it an outstanding option for beginning birders. Informational slide presentationsare inspirational and educational. Plus, the festival was chosen as the site for two days of AmericanVolkssport Association-sanctioned walks.

For more specific information go to: http://www.sfbayflywayfestival.com/

February 13-16, Friday-Monday The Great Backyard Bird Count

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages incounting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone canparticipate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or youcan count for as long as you like each day of the event. Its free, fun, and easyand it helps the birds.For more information, go to: http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/

Sightings

(If you have any interesting sightings in your yard, on the way to work, or in the Butte, Glenn or Tehama counties area in general in lateNovember, in December or in early January you can send them to the Newsletter Editor [email protected] by November 7 for possible

inclusion in the next newsletter.)

September 28

Patricia Puterbaugh heard a California Spotted Owl right outside her foresthome in Cohasset and then heard another calling back. They hooted for a goodten minutes. It was extremely exciting for me as right at that time I waspreparing for a very important meeting with the Almanor Ranger District USFSstaff regarding a logging project we have been following near Yellow Creek.We also see and hear Pileated Woodpeckersregularly in our woods.

California Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis)Photo Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service

October 22 Jennifer Patten saw aBurrowing Owland a Prairie Falconoff Lassen/Meridian Roadsin Tehama County.
http://www.sfbayflywayfestival.com/http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Spotted_Owl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Spotted_Owl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Pileated_Woodpecker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Burrowing_Owl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Burrowing_Owl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Prairie_Falcon.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Prairie_Falcon.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Burrowing_Owl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Pileated_Woodpecker.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Spotted_Owl.htmlmailto:[email protected]://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/http://www.sfbayflywayfestival.com/


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October 26/27

A first Butte County record BOBOLINK was spotted by Jim Snowden onSunday October 26th at the CSU, Chico Farm and seen later that day by BruceDeuel. On the next day, Monday, J.T. Lewis, Mike Skram, Tim Ruckle, andScott and Liam Huber also found it.

CSUC, University Farm - BobolinkPhoto by J.T. Lewis

October 31

John Oswald reported that a Wild Turkey flock of about 25-30 birds hasresurfaced at Keefer and Cohasset Roads, Chico.

November 2 - Phil Johnson saw a Rufous-crowned Sparrow in Upper Park.

November 9-12 Bill Haas, of Doe Mill Ridge in the Sierra Foothills, had the following sightings:

I today had my first yard Golden Eagle (Ive had Bald Eagle overhead on several occasions), an adult,perched atop a tall pine, apparently drawn to a Turkey Vulture-feeding-frenzy at the edge of thevineyard. One of the Gray Foxes that frequents our front porch, and perfectly healthy otherwise, hadbeen shot. The carcass had been rendered to half its original size within a few hours.

Oddly enough, it seems also to have attracted a Stellers Jay, which never got too close to the kill whileI was watching. Stellers is not new, but it certainly is rare at this elevation; I usually record no morethan two or three observations each year.

Much to my surprise but due in no part to any lack of looking on my part I was yesterday rewardedby another yard first: one individual of the Rocky Mountain race of the (slate-colored) Dark-eyedJunco. My numbers are now running approximately 1000 1 in favor of the Oregon race of the junco.

I had several Saw-whet Owls pass thorough the yard, including one that spent the night in and called

from a nest box in the small grove of gray pines. October 20 was the first night I recorded the species a good night indeed for neighborhood owls: A saw-whet owl visited the vicinity of a nest box south ofthe house. Two adult Great Horned Owls(male and female) called from the Wilder Drive area west-northwest of the house and two Western Screech-Owls were observed, one at the top of Wilder [byBill] near SR-32 and a second at the top of Wilder near the vineyard [by Dr. Lariann Baretta].

Peregrinations

[Peregrinations reports on birds seen on trips outside the Butte/Glenn/Tehama counties area except for those sponsored bythe Altacal Audubon Society or other local birding groups - Ed]

October 17

J.T. Lewis and I went rarity-chasing for Asian birds (a DUSKY WARBLER at Antonelli's Pond inSanta Cruz and a RED-THROATED PIPIT at Crissy Field in San Francisco) on Friday, October 17and managed to see both. It was a long but successful day (5 a.m. - 9 p.m.) - about 13 hours driving andthree hours out-of-the-car birding - beautiful weather. The warbler was a skulker, preferring the darkundergrowth beneath a willow just a couple of feet above the water. The Santa Cruz Sentinel publishedan article about the warbler and the birders in attendance:http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_10814091 .

The Red-throated Pipit at Crissy Field favored the edge of a gravel pathway right next to the grass. Wealso saw aLapland Longspurworking the grassy area. Tim Ruckle
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bobolink.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bobolink.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Wild_Turkey.htmlhttp://identify.whatbird.com/obj/605/_/Rufous-crowned_Sparrow_Breeding_Male.aspxhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Golden_Eagle_dtl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bald_Eagle.htmlhttp://www.wildwnc.org/education/animals/gray-fox-urocyon-cinereogentushttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Stellers_Jay.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Dark-eyed_Junco.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Dark-eyed_Junco.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Dark-eyed_Junco.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Northern_Saw-whet_Owl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Great_Horned_Owl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Western_Screech-Owl.htmlhttp://identify.whatbird.com/obj/372/overview/Dusky_Warbler.aspxhttp://identify.whatbird.com/obj/372/overview/Dusky_Warbler.aspxhttp://identify.whatbird.com/obj/374/_/Red-throated_Pipit.aspxhttp://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_10814091http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Lapland_Longspur.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Lapland_Longspur.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Lapland_Longspur.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Lapland_Longspur.htmlhttp://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_10814091http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/374/_/Red-throated_Pipit.aspxhttp://identify.whatbird.com/obj/372/overview/Dusky_Warbler.aspxhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Western_Screech-Owl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Great_Horned_Owl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Northern_Saw-whet_Owl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Dark-eyed_Junco.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Dark-eyed_Junco.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Stellers_Jay.htmlhttp://www.wildwnc.org/education/animals/gray-fox-urocyon-cinereogentushttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bald_Eagle.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Golden_Eagle_dtl.htmlhttp://identify.whatbird.com/obj/605/_/Rufous-crowned_Sparrow_Breeding_Male.aspxhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Wild_Turkey.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bobolink.html


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Dusky Warbler Antonellis Pond, Santa Cruz Red-throated Pipit Crissy Field, San FranciscoFrom a Joe Morlan Post Unknown Photographer

Lapland Longspur Crissy FieldPhoto by Calvin Lou

October 25

Swallow Storm Prequel-Birders Unite!

On October 16, 2008 a Canadian wildlife Biologist and Purple Martin expert posted an avian SOS tohis friend and fellow martin expert Dan Airola (he studies the Sacramento population of martins thatnest in weepholes in underpasses) to the location of the probable huge roost of swallows. BruceCousens studies bird migration with the assistance of radar images, and originally found this roost byradar (see picture below). He has only ever seen two larger roost signatures; one near Dayton, OR andone on the lower Colorado River in SE CA. As Bruce is living in Canada, he was hoping that local CAbirders would follow up as to the species and number of swallows (he had predicted around 100,000Barn Swallows and Tree Swallows). Dan, also the chief editor of the Central Valley Bird Club (CVBC)Bulletin, posted to the (CVBC) list. Bruce was rewarded with confirmation of a giant roost of TreeSwallows - some estimates were 500,000 to 1,000,000 birds! They remained in great numbers forapproximately two weeks, departing by October 29, 2009 (as posted on CVB). This is a great story, notonly of swallows but of the unity of birders, from Canada to California!

Despite the 300-mile-plus round trip, three of us (Dawn Garcia,Nancy Nelson and Raina King) went to see the Tracy Tree Swallowphenomenon and were not disappointed. We pulled up at about 6:05p.m. to 15 other cars and many observers including families.Swallows were flying and chattering overhead and over the fields butreally began to thicken as sunset got closer.

Tree SwallowPhoto by Marie Read
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Purple_Martin.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Barn_Swallow.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Tree_Swallow.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Tree_Swallow.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Tree_Swallow.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Tree_Swallow.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Tree_Swallow.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Barn_Swallow.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Purple_Martin.html


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Forming huge swirls of birds, like plague numbers of insects, one "group" would circle in whirlpoolformation and begin to dive, spiraling into the corn fields. It absolutely looked like a distant rainstorm.Another would form and dive, and another, until all was quiet and the sun had set. On our way out

(6:45) Killdeer became active and we had a hootingGreat Horned Owl calling from a distant field. -Dawn

Radar loop from the morning of October 16 with the typicalexpanding Swallow roost dispersal "halo" signature in the lower centre.

Swallows Located by Bruce Cousens, Wildlife Conservation Biologist,Nanaimo, BC, Canada

Submission of Articles

(Notices or articles submitted for publication consideration should be sent by e-mail message to the newsletter editor asMicrosoft Word (if possible) attachments by the 7th of the month prior to the next issue of the newsletter (i.e., Jan, Mar, May,

Jul, Sep and Nov 7th) - [email protected] Thanks, Ed.)

Altacal Board of Directors

President Phil Johnson 570-7139/[email protected] Jennifer Patten 345-9356/[email protected]

Mike Fisher 624-4777/[email protected] Kathryn Hood 342-9112/[email protected] John Oswald 342-1651/[email protected] Carolyn Short 345-4224/[email protected] Mike Fisher 624-4777/[email protected]/ Tim Ruckle 566-9693/[email protected]/Web Site Wayland Augur 893-9222/[email protected] Trips Scott Huber 321-5579/Scott@[email protected], Lands Ruth Kennedy 899-9631/[email protected] RefugeConservation Dawn Garcia 872-2165/[email protected] vacantDirectors-at-Large John Merz 345-4050/[email protected]

Jackson Shedd 342-5144/[email protected] Gamette 343-3154/[email protected] Tinker 824-0253/[email protected] Nelson 345-0580/[email protected]

Board meetings are held at 5:15 p.m. on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. The usual meeting place is the Altacal AudubonSociety/Snow Goose Festival office at 635 Flume St., Chico. The public is welcome to attend.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Killdeer.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Great_Horned_Owl.htmlmailto:345-4224/[email protected]:[email protected]:899-9631/[email protected]:[email protected]:342-5144/[email protected]:343-3154/[email protected]:824-0253/[email protected]:824-0253/[email protected]:343-3154/[email protected]:342-5144/[email protected]:[email protected]:899-9631/[email protected]:[email protected]:345-4224/[email protected]://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Great_Horned_Owl.htmlhttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Killdeer.html


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Local Chapter Membership Application

Please join us! Your membership will help Altacal Audubon Society (AAS) continue its important work.Altacal is a chapter of the National Audubon Society. In addition, it is a separately incorporated non-profit organization. With a local chapter membership, 100% of your membership dues goes to supportlocal projects and activities. AAS is an all-volunteer organization that conducts all of its programs withno paid staff. We offer regularly scheduled field trips focused on birds and bird habitats, our own

website, www.altacal.org/, a bi-monthly newsletter (White-tailed Kite), monthly membership meetingswhich include lectures and media presentations on birds and other natural history-related topics, andadvocacy to protect and conserve local habitats as well as special projects and programs. Other AASactivities include:

sponsoring and participating in the annual Snow Goose Festival sponsoring and participating in the annual Endangered Species Faire founding and providing continued support to the Chico Creek Nature Center owning and managing the Arneberg Sanctuary as a wildlife habitat and research area helping to monitor the bird populations at the Del Rio Wildland Preservenear the Sacramento

River

paying to maintain public access and a wildlife viewing blind at the Chico Oxidation Ponds leading annual Christmas Bird Counts in Chico and Oroville for the past 51 years

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Welcome to the Altacal Audubon Society! Please indicate your choice of membership options:

$20 Basic Membership $10 Low Income/Student/Retired $35 Family

$50 Sponsor $100 Sustaining $500 Patron $1000 Benefactor

Payment method: Cash Check Date: ______________

Important: Membership in Altacal Audubon does not include membership in the National AudubonSociety. We encourage you to also support National Audubon in their important education and lobbyingefforts. To join the National Audubon Society contact them at their website www.audubon.org/

Name: Phone: (_____) _______________

Address: _________________________________ E-mail Address: ____________________________

City: ________________State: ____ Zip Code: _______

Save paper! Send me an e-mail version only

E-mail me Altacal Action Alerts I would be interested in volunteering to help

Please make checks payable to Altacal Audubon Society, and mail to: AAS, P.O. Box 3671, Chico,CA 95927
http://www.snowgoosefestival.org/http://www.endangeredspeciesfaire.org/http://www.bidwellpark.org/http://www.fws.gov/sacramento/ea/news_releases/2006%20News%20Releases/RiverPartners--finalSHA_NR.htmhttp://www.fws.gov/sacramento/ea/news_releases/2006%20News%20Releases/RiverPartners--finalSHA_NR.htmhttp://www.bidwellpark.org/http://www.endangeredspeciesfaire.org/http://www.snowgoosefestival.org/


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Dates to Remember

December, 08 through April, 09 Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Interpretive Programs

December 6, Saturday - Raptor Run - Trip Leader: Phil JohnsonDecember 13, Saturday Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (SNWF) -Trip Leader: Mike FisherDecember 19, Monday - Altacal Program - Members Slide Show

December 21, Sunday - Chico Christmas Bird CountDecember 28, Sunday - Oroville Christmas Bird CountJanuary 11, Sunday Indian Fishery (Pine Creek) Trip Leader: Mike FisherJanuary 19, Monday - Altacal Program Florida Birding Tim Ruckle

January 16-19, Monday Friday, Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival

January 18, Sunday Upper Bidwell Park Trip Leader: Phil JohnsonJanuary 22-25 Thursday Sunday, Snow GooseFestival of the Pacific FlywayFebruary 6-8, Friday-Sunday 13

thAnnual San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival

February 13-6, Friday-Monday The Great Backyard Bird Count

december 2008 white tailed kite newsletter, altacal audubon society

Documents