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www.rras.org

FIELD TRIPS

MAY 2009 Redwood Region Audubon Society

MAY PROGRAM

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Carpooling to and on RRAS field trips is stronglyencouraged. Its economical, its fun, and its theright thing to do! Impromptu carpools to trips meetin the following parking lots at the times indicatedin the trip announcements: Trinidad (Park & Ride,Main Street exit, west side of Hwy 101), HSU(northwest corner of Harpst and Rossow streets,opposite Student Services), Eureka (Park & Ride,Herrick Avenue exit), and Fortuna (Park & Ride,Kenmar Road exit). Be there a few minutes earlyand see if anyone else is there for ridesharing. Ifyou would like to prearrange a carpool, try usingthe RRAS listserv. Please offer your driver some

gas money.

Every Saturday: Arcata Marsh and WildlifeSanctuary. These are our famous rain-or-shine fieldtrips at the marsh; take your binocular(s) and havea great morning birding! Meet in the Klopp Lakeparking lot, south end of I Street, at 8:30 a.m. CallKerry Ross ([707] 839-4365) for more information.Carpools: Trinidad 8:10 a.m., Eureka 8:05 a.m.,Fortuna 7:45 a.m.

Saturday, May 9: Bald Hills. This trip will visitthe upland prairie and oak woodland habitats of theBald Hills. We will walk to the Lyons Ranch (about4 miles round trip). Golden Eagle, GrasshopperSparrow, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Sooty

Grouse are possibilities, in addition to manymigrants. Bring a lunch and sun protection. MeetLarry Maurin (626) 315-0610 at 7 a.m. in frontof Espresso 101 on Valley West Blvd. in Arcata.Driving time is about 1 hour each way.

What doesthe near

future hold forthe California

Condor, beyond thecontemporary recovery

efforts?Chris West, a postgraduate

student at Humboldt State,will give us a background of the

California Condor management,research, biology, and conservation.

History and Future of

California Condors

on the North Coast

We will learn the history of condors here on the North Coast, includingNative American cultural references, historical accounts, and collectionsmade by early settlers. Reintroduction efforts are taking new directions,including efforts and proposals for the Southern Sierra Nevada Rangeand the Pacific Northwest and a feasibility initiative being undertaken bythe Yurok Tribe. These efforts face daunting challenges but also excitingsuccesses.

This program will be held on Friday, May 8, 2009,starting at 7:30 p.m., at the Humboldt County Office of

Education near the Burre Center at Myrtle and West in Eureka.Bring a mug (or purchase one there) and enjoy shade-grown coffee.

Thank you for ensuring that our meetings are fragrance-free.

Gary Bloomfield

Sunday, May 10: Humboldt Bay NationalWildlife Refuge. This is a wonderful 2- to 3-hourtrip for people wanting to learn the birds of theHumboldt Bay area. It takes a leisurely pace withemphasis on enjoying the birds! Beginners aremore than welcome. Meet at the Refuge VisitorCenter at 9:00 a.m. Call Jude Power or David Fix([707] 822-3613) for more information. Carpools:Trinidad 8:10 a.m., HSU 8:25 a.m., Eureka 8:45a.m., Fortuna 8:45 a.m.

Sunday, May 17: Alderpoint. Enjoy the birds,plant life, and reptiles of the Eel River canyonon this half-day trip just south of Alderpoint. We

will walk the railroad tracks about 2 miles toCain Rock trestle and back (there are no trains).Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher,Ash-throated Flycatcher, and similar birds of dryhabitats in southeast Humboldt County can beexpected. A short side trip to Smith Point Bridge toenjoy White-throated Swifts may follow the trip.Diogenes lantern, interior live-oak, and birch-leaf mountain-mahogany will be seen as well.Take sun protection, layered clothing, and a smallpack for carrying lunch and water. Meet in RaysFood Place parking lot in Garberville at 8:30 a.m.We should return to the Humboldt Bay area bymidafternoon. Contact David Fix or Jude Power([707] 822-3613 or foglark@att/net) for moreinformation. Carpools: Trinidad 6:35 a.m., HSU6:50 a.m., Eureka 7:15 a.m., Fortuna 7:30 a.m.

Sunday, May 17: Mendocino Audubon SocietysPelagic Trip. Join leaders Ron LeValley and KerryRoss for MCASs annual pelagic birding trip. Both

of them have excellent knowledge of both seabirdsand sea mammals, and they will enthusiastically callout what species we will be seeing and help beginnerslearn field marks. The meeting time is 7:30 a.m. foran 8:00 a.m. departure. The charter boat Trek II willdepart from Noyo Harbor, Fort Bragg, for this 7-hour cruise above either Navarro or Noyo canyons orTolo Bank. We should see albatrosses, shearwaters,

jaegers, auklets, and murres. Sea mammals couldinclude whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions. Thecost is $95 per person.Note: Payment by check: Make check payableto MCAS. We must have full names and contactinformation of everyone in your party: e-mailaddresses, phone numbers, and a mailing address.

Address your envelope as follows: K. Havlena Pelagic Trip, PO Box 40, Fort Bragg, CA 95437-0040. Payment by credit card: Please e-mail(jkhavlena@yahoo.com) your telephone numberand a good time for me to call you and take yourcredit card information. Credit card approval mustbe obtained at least 2 days before the trip (May15). Confirmations will be sent to you with helpfulsuggestions regarding directions, food to bring(there is no galley on board), attire, and preventivemeasures for seasickness.

Sunday, June 14: Humboldt Bay NationalWildlife Refuge. See May 10.

Sunday, June 21: Southern Humboldt

Community Park. Jay Sooter ([707] 444-8001) andRobert Sutherland lead this monthly walk. All agesand experience levels are encouraged to participateand revel in the beauty of the park and its avianinhabitants on this easy 2- to 3-hour walk. Binocularsare not provided, and dogs are not allowed. Steadyrain cancels. Meet at 8:00 a.m. (note earlier time) inthe parking lot just off Kimtu Road in Garberville.Take Sprowel Creek Road west, and immediatelybefore the bridge over the south fork of the Eel,turn left onto Kimtu Road. Proceed down Kimtufor about 1/2 mile, and turn left into the parking lotby the lone oak. Carpools: Trinidad 6:30 a.m., HSU6:50 a.m., Eureka 7:05 a.m., Fortuna 7:25 a.m.

Friday-Saturday, June 26-27: Lassen Park. Ameeting of 3 Audubon Society groups, Altacal,

Wintu, and Redwood Region Audubon societies aregoing to camp and bird in and around Lassen Park.Call Kerry Ross ([707] 496-0764) for details.

Friday-Monday, July 3, 4, 5, & 6: MalheurRefuge/Steen Mountain. We will target the SteenMt. area specialties: Black Rosy-Finch, Chukar,and Sage Grouse. Malheur Refuge has nestingFranklins Gull, Eastern Kingbird, and Bobolink.Plan to carpool from Arcata to the Cedar Pass areabetween Alturas and Cedarville and camp at StoughReservoir Campground (fee) near Cedar Pass(Modoc county birds). There are grocery stores inAlturas and a motel in Cedarville. We can eithercontinue east on Hwy 299 into Nevada where wewill see wild horse herds and pronghorn antelope or

go north along Goose Lake, stopping to check fornesting birds. After we get onto Hwy 140, we willcontinue to Fields, Oregon, for lunch and a visit to theoasis (huge milkshakes and delicious hamburgers).We will drive the Steens Mt. loop from the west side(high-clearance vehicle required), stopping nearthe top to check snow fields for the rosy-finch. Wewill camp at Page Springs Campground (fee) for 2nights and will make a strong effort to see the rosy-finches, Thereafter, we will bird the refuge, and thegroup will decide on options for birding in the area.For most of this area, there is no food or servicesavailable. Check Malheur National Wildlife Refugewebsite, and contact Chet Ogan ([707] 442-9353)for further details.

6th Annual Childrens Issue

The Sandpiper

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Keep Up-to-DateThrough RRAS ListserveBe reminded about field trips and programs andlearn about upcoming meetings, public hearings,and symposia of interest to RRAS members andother concerned nature lovers. Subscribe in 1 of2 ways: through a Web page link at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rras or by e-mail to rras-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Postings should havecomplete information. This listserv is not for postingbird sightings.

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 Application

Yes, 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: C9ZC240ZPlease make checks to the National Audubon Society.

Send this application and your check to:

National Audubon SocietyP.O. Box 422250

Palm Coast, FL 32142-2250

--------------LOCAL CHAPTER-------------REDWOOD REGION AUDUBON SOCIETY

P.O. BOX 1054EUREKA, CA 95502

CHAPTER LEADERSOFFICERS

President Ken Burton.................................825-1124

President-Elect

SecretaryAdam Brown............abrown@prbo.org

TreasurerSusan Calla.................................465-6191

DIRECTORS

Sean McAllister ..............................................268-0592

Lew & Judie Norton.......................................445-1791

Kerry Ross ..........................................839-4365

C.J. Ralph ..........................................822-2015

COMMITTEE CHAIRSConservationChet Ogan ..........................442-9353

Education - - David Tompkins........................443-6959

Field TripsKerry Ross ..........................839-4365

HistorianJohn Hewston ..........................822-5288

MembershipLew & Judie Norton.............445-1791

NEC RepresentativeC.J. Ralph.................822-2015

Field NotesSean McAllister ......................268-0592

ProgramsC.J. Ralph...................................822-2015

PublicitySue Leskiw....................................442-5444

SandpiperJan Andersen ..........................444-3501

Gary Bloomfield........................822-0210

Volunteer Coordinator

-----------HELP!-------------------

Lake Earl BranchSue Calla.......................465-6191

RRAS Web Page......................................www.rras.org

Arcata Bird Alert .....................822-LOON (822-5666)

The Sandpiper is published ten times each year byRedwood Region Audubon SocietyP.O. Box 1054, Eureka, CA 95502.

New Members

By Chet OganChet Ogan wrote a letter to Assemblyman Wes Chesbrovoicing our opposition to late wet season breachingof Lake Earl. Gil Saliba reported on Trinity RiverRestoration. Gil has been appointed to a position onthe Trinity Adaptive Management Working Group(TAMWG). This winters drought has led to dry-yearflow restrictions on river water releases. A budget isbeing adopted favoring monitoring.

Sue Leskiw, Jim Clark, and Mel McKinneyare keeping us up-to-date on a proposal by Safewaybuying several parcels diagonally across the street fromtheir Harris and Harrison location to fill wetlands andriparian areas to build a larger store. Safeway is askingfor a special use permit to reduce the streamsidemanagement setback.

John LaBoyteaux from southern HumboldtCounty has been monitoring Southern HumboldtCommunity Park board actions. Many Garberville andRedcrest citizens are concerned about board actions tohold Reggae on the River-type concerts at the park orremove the grasslands that support a listed Californiastate species of concern, the Grasshopper Sparrowcolony.

As soon as Marian Perry learned that the City of Fortunahad been planning for nearly a year to build a 2-million-gallon water tank in her beloved Rohner Park, she wason the phone to anyone she thought could help opposethe project. She enlisted help from the Sierra Club,the California Native Plant Society, and HSU forestryprofessor Steve Sillett, and she and Neil Palmer werefeatured in a July 2008 cover story in the North CoastJournal .

The City of Fortuna proposed to cut down69 mature second-growth redwoods and grub out 16gigantic old-growth stumps to construct a 32-ft-high,110-ft-diameter water tank. The draft design showeda cyclone fence topped with razor wire around the tankwith a diameter of 170 ft (over a half acre). The park is55 acres, with only about 30 wooded. Similar to ArcatasCommunity Forest and Eurekas Sequoia Park, with a 15-

to 20-minute hiking loop, the park served for over 100years as a peaceful and serene place within the city limitsto get away from it all. It was purchased by the people ofFortuna in 1907, with Mary Rohner putting up half thefunding.

Dr. Sillett, one of the most knowledgeable expertson redwood forests in the world, visited the site anddescribed the stand of redwoods to be logged as amongthe finest mature second-growth redwood forests I haveseen Today, mature second-growth redwood forests arefar more scarce than even old growth, with only a fewhundred acres left in all of Humboldt County. Accordingto Dr. Sillett, the Rohner Park Forest was an outstandingexample of native redwood forest, with a well-developedunderstory dominated by native shrubs and herbs (suchas trillium, redwood sorrel, Clintonia, inside-out flower,redwood violet, smooth yellow violet, fairybells, Oxalis,red and evergreen huckleberry, 5-finger fern, sword fern,

wax myrtle, cascara, and hedge nettle). At a hearing

Join the Education CommitteeThe RRAS Education Committee has a few openings fornew members. If you are interested in helping educatethe public about birds and their habitat needs andawarding scholarships, please contact David Tompkinsat (707) 443-6959 or tompkins@telis.org.

By Jim Clark

At the request of Ken Burton, RRAS President, Ihave agreed to write a column that looks at what theconservation committee is doing in greater detail than canbe conveyed by the minutes. Our current committee chair,Chet Ogan, is doing his part in communicating with otherorganizations, Audubon California, and the directors, andI plan to complement his reports with additional detailabout what is going on conservation-wise.

Our most recent meeting was April 16, 2009. Webegan with one of our ongoing topics, the Trinity River

Restoration Program (TRP). Gil Saliba, who lives inSalyer, is on the TRP committee as a community memberand has been an effective liaison for RRAS. Typical ofnearly all things water in California, different groupsvie for their slice of the funding pie, depending on theirinterest. Gil has been advocating for the full amount ofthe original funding allocation for riparian restorationand biological monitoring. Gil also reported that the TRPis going to receive funding through economic recoverylegislation because it is an ongoing and shovel-readyproject that may be completed by 2012. Vigilance isneeded to ensure that administrative costs do not exceed25%; some agencies appear to be charging costs to theproject for work that would be done even if there was noproject.

Workshop for Humboldt CoastalNature Center Walk Leaders

This workshop will take place Saturday, May 9,9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 220 Stamps Lane in Manila.Designed for current training graduates andinterested community members, this fun, hands-onworkshop will provide further skills, techniques,tips, and inspiration to help participants feel moreconfident about leading quality interpretive walks

It is hosted by Friends of the Dunes andFriends of the Arcata Marsh and conducted by Dr.Robert Rasmussen and professional nature guideJenny Hanson. Please preregister by calling (707)444-1397 or e-mail: denise@friendsofthedunes.org.

Sue Leskiw brought to our attention that Safewayis planning to build a new superstore next to Walgreenson Harris. The tentative county planning commissionhearing on the mitigated negative declaration (NegDec)is May 7. The riparian buffer is proposed to be as narrowas 5 feet. What is a NegDec, and why should RRAS care?The proposed project is at the headwaters of SecondSlough estuary that flows into Freshwater Slough about1-1/4 mile downstream. Storm-water quality has beenaddressed but without specifics, and storm-water quantitydata have not been documented. Increased storm-waterflows and low flows caused by decreased soil retention,regardless of quality, can have a detrimental effect onestuaries. Committee members are studying the planson the County Community Development Departmentwebsite and plan to comment at the May 7 meeting.

Jim Clark reported on a meeting with JoelGerwein of the Coastal Conservancy scheduled for April22 (moved to April 30) to discuss details of the Parcel4 open space easement. RRAS accepted an offer todedicate that has not been recorded. Discussions betweenJoel and Jim revealed that clarification is needed aboutwhat improvements can be made under the agreement.Ownership of Parcel 4 remains with the City of Eureka,and RRAS will hold the open space immediately aboveit. RRAS hopes to team with the city to enhance thescenic and biotic attributes of the site, located betweenthe Bayshore Mall and Humboldt Bay.

attended by many Fortuna residents opposing the project,Dr. Sillett urged the city to reconsider the site as simplytoo precious to sacrifice even half an acre.

Marian and Neil were indefatigable in theirefforts to prevent the destruction of the park. In additionto the actions mentioned earlier, they posted a sign andpetition in Rohner Park (plus a sign on Neils truck),wrote letters to the editor, staffed tables at communityevents, and attended many Fortuna City Council andPlanning Commission meetings. They collected over1,500 signatures on a petition opposing the water tankin the Park. Pretty remarkable, considering how muchharder it is to work on an environmental issue in Fortunathan in Arcata!

The persistence of the couple paid off in January2009, when the Fortuna City Council abandoned theRohner Park site in favor of Stewart Street. Marian is

quoted in the minutes as thanking the council for takingRohner Park out of consideration and asking them toconsider permanent protection for the forest in the park.

Marian Perry and Neil Palmer saw somethingworth saving and took action. They embody the spirit inwhich the award was established and first given to MelMcKinney: the great inspiration that arises from someonewho is not a bird stud, not a trained biologist, not actingin furtherance of his/her career, but a regular person likemost of our members. (Neil is the pharmacy manager atRedwood Memorial Hospital, and Marian is a retired CRphysical education professor.) The property they saved isin an urban area visited by many people, ensuring that thetale of their perseverance will be told and retold, perhapsencouraging others to step up and do what needs to bedone in their own community or neighborhood.

Thank you, Marian and Neil, both of you long-time RRAS members, for your efforts to conserve our

local environment. --- Sue Leskiw

2009 CONSERVATION AWARD PRESENTEDTO MARIAN PERRY AND NEIL PALMER AT RRASS ANNUAL BANQUET

Conservation Insights

Sue reminded the committee that the City ofEureka is having its 3rd Annual Mayday CommunityCleanup on Saturday, May 16, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Twoareas of particular interest to RRAS members are thePalco (aka Eureka) Marsh and the Elk River WildlifeSanctuary. Participants who register to help by May9 receive a T-shirt and sports bottle. After the event, aBBQ and live music will occur on the Boardwalk. Forinformation, go to http://www.maydaycleanup.com, orcall Miles at (707) 441-4184.

Notes of Conservation Committee MeetingApril 16, 2009

Redwood Region Audubon Society welcomesthe following new members and subscribers:

Arcata Rachael GreenCrescent City Diana Mead, Ed Miller,

Ken Sullens, Doris WhalenEureka Beverly Flanders, Jean Guthrie, Bill &

Helen Love, Jonathan WeberFerndale Patricia Blair, Joyce SinclairFortuna Frances KaufmannMcKinleyville Melvin Carr, Nancy Haley,

Sandra Hunt-Vonarb, Kae Piper,Carol Wilson

We look forward to seeing you on field tripsand at our monthly programs.

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Nearly 540 local K-12 students pulled out paints,pencils, pastels, or paste to enter the Sixth AnnualStudent Bird Art Contest held in association withGodwit Days. Friends of the Arcata Marsh (FOAM)cosponsored the competition with RRAS. All art wasdisplayed at the Arcata Community Center during theGodwit Days Festival (April 17-19). Copies of thewinners will be hung at the Arcata Marsh InterpretiveCenter during May.

Some 52 awards totaling $550 were given out,thanks to FOAM and RRAS. Thirty-five of those were

monetary prizes, plus 17 honorable mentions. Fiveawards for best depiction of a bird in its habitat, fundedby FOAM, were distributed.

The sponsors would like to thank the judgesfor accepting the daunting task of selecting the award-winning pieces: Leslie Anderson, Louise Bacon-Ogden, Art Barab, Gary Bloomfield, Denise Homer,Sue Leskiw, Marsha Mello, and Sara Starr. A bigacknowledgment of appreciation goes to the peoplewho spent 2 to 3 hours each push-pinning the artworkto the walls of the Community Center: Art Barab, DianeBeck, Dylan Diemer, Carol Lawrence, Sue Leskiw, andMel McKinney (plus those who helped take it down:Sue Calla, Stella Hawkins, Sue Leskiw, and David

Tompkins).

Grade 31st: Hazel Dey, Fuente Nueva Charter School, MarshWren1st: Donovan Lee Young, Fuente Nueva Charter School,White-tailed Kite2nd: Mina Mayer, Jacoby Creek School, AnnasHummingbirds2nd: Amaya Yoon, Arcata Elementary School, Red-breasted Nuthatch3rd: Reid Mather, Maple Creek School, Wood Duck3rd: Iain Fox, Cutten School, Chestnut-backedChickadee

Grade 41st: Marcos Carter, Fuente Nueva Charter School, Red-shouldered Hawk2nd: Olivia Kline, Fuente Nueva Charter School,

Marbled Godwit3rd: Kobi Jones, Fuente Nueva Charter School, MarshWren

Grade 51st: Olivia Hoffman, Fuente Nueva Charter School,Common Murre2nd: Cole Haselip, New Life Christian School, CommonRaven3rd: Cait Parker, Arcata Elementary School, Spotted Owl

RRAS Sponsors7th Annual Science

Fair AwardWave Energy by Rachael Green, a 7th grader atMcKinleyville Middle School, received a $50 firstprize as the best project related to birds or theirhabitat at the annual Humboldt County Science Fairheld in mid-March. She demonstrated that it waspossible for a 7th grader to invent, design, and builda device that can generate usable energy from oceanwaves. Rachael created a wave energy buoy from asurfboard, which she named The Duckie becauseits tipping motion reminded her of the feedingmotion of ducks. The rocking motion of the wavescaused the magnet in a shakable flashlight to slideback and forth, generating electricity. Rachel wasable to generate up to 90 minutes of usable light froma 1-hour test. I feel the most innovative contributionof my project was a buoy design with almost nomoving parts that can stand up to the harsh marineenvironment, Rachael concluded. RRAS received

a handmade bird card from Rachael thanking us forrecognizing her. She is excited to be competing atthe state level in May and will be using the moneyfor the next generation of her wave generator andnewest version of the Duckie buoy. I hope myidea can have a role in the future, where people usetheir science in a way that has less impact on wildlifeand the environment.

The runner-up prize of a 1-year local RRASmembership went to Tate Borges and Maddy Kinder,8th graders at Pacific Union School, for their projectFriend or Fowl? The two girls investigated whetherAleutian Geese droppings affected local pastures.They tested the growth of grass treated with (1) aliquid fertilizer made of goose droppings, (2) solidgoose droppings, and (3) plain water (control). Theyconcluded that the grass with the fertilizer mixturedid not grow as tall as the control but was a lush

green color from the nitrogen and phosphorus in thedroppings. Solid droppings tended to make the grasspatchy in places where they directly contacted theground, but grass in surrounding areas remainedgreen. The control grew taller grass than bothfertilized patches, but it turned brown.

Judges were Sue and Tom Leskiw andDavid Tompkins.

KUDOS TO GODWIT CAF VOLUNTEERSBy Chet Ogan

Thirty volunteers provided more than 100 hours of helpin the caf. We would like to thank everyone who helpedmake this years caf a success. I would especially liketo thank Jennifer Tompkins and family, who arrangeddonations from local businesses and volunteers to helpstaff the booth. Jennifer also put in a lot of hours onour RRAS annual banquet. We would like to thank theNorthcoast Co-op, Wildberries, Eureka Natural Foods,and Los Bagels for donations. Jeff Russell from RedwoodInterpretive Association arranged for a donation of SacredGrounds coffee. Zack Gray donated and set up the coffeebrewer. Pam Cahill bought sodas and provided a cooler.We grossed over $1,000 from the caf and merchandisesales.

I would like to thank the following for their help:Adam Brown, Pat Buckman, Susan Calla, Jim Clark,Jeanne Charles, Rob Fowler, Don McClure, Jay Sooter,George Ziminsky, Joan Watanabe, Bev Post, LarryWomack, Barbara Ogan, Dave Tompkins, RheannonOkey, Kate McClain, Jude Power, Cindy Moyer, and RickHiser. Lew and Judie Norton, Ken Burton, CJ Ralph,and Amber Carver, an intern at Humboldt Bay BirdObservatory and Arcata Endeavor, helped us clean up. Iapologize if I forgot anyone. Thank you all again for all

the help!

Student Bird Art Contest Results

The Lake Earl Branch of RRAS invites local bird loversto join wildlife biologist Ken Burton and author SusanCalla for a day of bird-watching in Del Norte County incelebration of International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD).This outing is designed for birders of all levels.

IMBDis held every year on the second Saturdayin May to celebrate the incredible journeys of migratorybirds between their wintering grounds in Mexico, Central,and South America and their breeding and nestinglocations in North America, Canada, and the ArcticCircle. This year, IMBD focuses on Celebrating Birds inCulture, with international educational fairs, field trips,and festivals taking place on several continents. Birds

have always been important to Native People and arefound in their storytelling, ceremonies, music and dance,art, spirituality, food, and conservation.

Meet on Saturday, May 9, at 8:30 a.m. in theCrescent City Harbor behind the Chartroom Restaurantat the end of Anchor Way. The group will carpool fromthere to Smith River, stopping at several locations forbird viewing throughout the Del Norte Coast ImportantBird Area. Walking will be minimal. Bring binoculars orspotting scopes if you have them, a sack lunch, water,and snacks. The trip will end about 2 p.m. For furtherinformation, please contact Susan Calla (707) 465-6191or (707) 951-9089 (cell phone).

International Migratory Bird Day,May 9, 2009

Reid Mather, Maple Creek School, Wood Duck

The Winners:Kindergarten1st: Ariana Burchill, Homeschooled, Spotted Owl2nd: Meadow Karrer, Maple Creek School, CaliforniaQuail3rd: Nick-nekich Hillman, Junction Elementary School,Northern Harrier

Grade 11st: Lauren House, Morris Elementary School,California Quail2nd: Lindsey Maher, Freshwater Elementary School,Belted Kingfisher3rd: Hope Adams, North Coast Learning Academy,Annas Hummingbird

Grade 21st: Amethyst Bush, Fuente Nueva Charter School,American Goldfinch1st: Angelica Meade, Trinidad Union School, TuftedPuffin2nd: Jeffrey McConnell, Redwood Christian School,Marbled Godwit2nd: Elijah Mirallegro, Aldergrove Charter School, Red-shouldered Hawk

3rd: Cecelia Ferreia, Morris Elementary School, AnnasHummingbird3rd: Liberty Hutchison, Fuente Nueva Charter School,Purple Finch

Iain Fox, Cutten School, Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Kobi Jones, Fuente Nueva Charter School, Marsh Wren

Grades 6 & 71st: Amber Star Gambrell, Big Lagoon School, GreatBlue Heron

2nd

: Morgan Tuel, North Coast Learning Academy,California Quail3rd: Margo LaClair, Jacoby Creek School, AmericanAvocet

Grades 8-121st: Zoe Rossman, McKinleyville Middle School,Northern Flicker2nd: Lela Phelps, North Coast Learning Academy, AnnasHummingbird3rd: Sheifa Punla-Green, Big Lagoon School, SnowyPlover

Best Depiction of a Bird in Its HabitatKindergarten, Farron Gabriel, Snowy PloverGrade 2, Tsewiniche Van Pelt, American GoldfinchGrade 7, Devin Bonilla, KilldeerGrade 8, Olea Stevens, Wood Duck

Grade 12, Anais Rodriguez, Annas Hummingbird

Amber Star Gambrell, Big Lagoon School, Great BlueHeron

Honorable MentionKindergarten, Sylvie BensonGrade 1, Jaron Mitchell and Ada BavinGrade 2, Lily Marina ThiesfeldGrade 3, Ryan Reed and Paolo ImmittiGrade 4, Brian Lopez, Kai Narum, and Kyle WoolleyGrade 5, Martina Scarfia, Azoline Gaudin-Dalton, andZia OaklandGrade 6, Hannah Mapatis and Rhea BurtramGrade 10, Serenity Douglass and Kayla LopezGrade 12, Rafika Ramli

Sheifa Punla-Green, Big Lagoon School, Snowy Plover

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And the winner is Tayler Leah Rutter, an8th grader who attends Redwood ChristianSchool in Eureka. The number and qualityof submissions made the judges decisiondifficult; we wish to thank all those whocontributed. Madeleine Easthouse, a 5thgrader who attends Arcata ElementarySchool, was the 2nd place winner. HannahGray, an 8th grader who attends RedwoodChristian School, was the 3rd place winner.In 2008, the theme was broadened fromWhat Birds Mean to Me to What Nature

Means to Me. The judges were impressedwith Taylers poem, What will catch myeye? for several reasons. Her evocativedescription of the seasonsspring flowers,dewy grass of summer, autumns changingleaves, biting winds of winteris at oncepersonal and universal. Her words remindus of days spent afield and of days yet tocome where we revel in the Earths changingrhythms. There is space enough betweenher wordsan openingthat conjuresmemories unique to each of us: a sunny picnicwith family, a day spent pursuing birds orbutterflies or enduring the biting winds of a

jetty seawatch. And regardless of the season,there is always something of interest to befound, always something to catch the eye ofthose who remain attentive. Without furtherado, here is Taylers poem.

What will catch my eye?

As I walk out and watch my life go by,A sparkling sight would catch my eye.

The dew resting with such ease,Waving so slowly in the summer breeze.

The painted sky, so vivid above my head,The brilliant sun, so dazzling red.

The lovely birds sing sweet songs to me;The skittering animals with a place to be.

The changing seasons, so different in everyway.

The colorful leaves on brown branches theysway,

The biting cold that nips at my face,The lovely flowers that gladly take their

place,The warm, fun filled, yet blissful days,

That we wish forever to stay.

So delicately planned,So widely spanned.

The mysteries forming in the shadows thatquietly fall.

The lullaby of the Brooke, so sweetly itcalls.

The twitter of birds, are slowly put to rest.The baby animals who know that mother

knows best,Curl up in their beds,

And gently lay down their heads.

And as the sun shyly hides away,Telling all that it the end of another day.

The stars come out to blanket the sky,And to dazzle a younglings eye.

The moon in all her grace,Never to set ones pace,

Sits and watches the night go by,Knowing that when dawn comes she must

fly,To another expecting town at night.But what a luminous sight.

And as I look at all that my master hasmade,

I shall regretfully bade,One more lovely day goodbye,

But I wonder... what more could catch myeye.

Childrens 4th Annual

Nature Writing Contest

Note: the Sandpiper staff regretthat the following was notincluded in the May Childrens

Issue.Tom Leskiw, Guest Editor:

What nature means to me

What nature means to me is the soft crowingof the Blue Jays. I can feel the soft breeze, asI walk through the giant Redwoods. The big

buck walks through a field of wild flowers,grazing. Then he pricks his ears and sees histrue love at first sight.

The soft blowing of the trees scares a littlebunny rabbit; he hops as fast as he can.Then I feel the soft trickle of the cold, bonechilling rain, slowly making its way throughthe clouds. I hear the crackling noises, as thethunder scares a big flock of snow geese.Later I hear the soft slither of the greengarden snake, making its way to shelter. I seethe flowing little river, rising up quickly, asthe rain fills it up, like a small bucket.

Then a small doe and its fawn slowly walkdown from a muddy trail, sipping up the coolrain water. A bear comes, and the deer aregone in a flash, already up to the top of themountain.

The written word can only give a tiny glimpseinto natures existence; you must go to liveit, to understand the power of its creator andthe glory of its being. The air alone is worthgoing for, so crisp and clean, untouched,it fills your lungs with the feeling of beingalive. Flowing water, so pure, that you relishevery mouthful. The scent of

the forest green brings peaceto the most troubled soul.Thats what nature means tome.

Hannah Gray, Grade 8,Redwood Christian School,3rd Place

What nature means to meThere is power in nature in the beat of hawks

wings as they swoop in to make the kill.There is power in every movement of nature,great or small. Nature means a lot to me, inthe smell of a cherry blossom to the fierceststorm and the delicate marine ecosystems tothe powerful redwood.

All animals are crucial to an environment,like the great mountain lion that preys on thesmallest rodents. But I am fascinated by themarsh land. When I go there I see everything,from frogs and beetles to sea otter and greatsnowy egrets. The marsh land is comprisedof many very delicate and complicated

ecosystems. There are hundreds of birdsthere, such as the mallards and hawks.

I also like the sea shore. The tide pools areamazing from barnacles to starfish. Thereare many things humans have lost, such asthe ability to track a scent, but many animalsstill have these abilities, and they are allaround us. Many animals can blend in withtheir surroundings, such as snow leopardsor chameleons. Some animals fur thickensduring winter. People canlearn a lot about nature by

just watching.

Madeleine Easthouse,Grade 5,Arcata Elementary School,2nd Place

rras annual banquet

Dr. Stan (Doc) Harrisreceived Redwood

Region Audubon

Societys LifetimeAchievement Award

at this years Annual

Banquet on April 4th.

2009

Conservation

Award Presented

To Marian Perry

And Neil Palmer

At RRASs

Annual Banquet

TAKE A BOW!A huge round of applause to all who helped make thisyears Audubon Banquet and Auction a success! Notonly did we make a profit, but we were able to honorseveral RRAS members.

Thank you to the loyal banquet committee, donorsolicitors, and incredible helpers: Jan Andersen, AdamBrown, C.J. Ralph, Lew and Judie Norton, Kerry Ross,Jay Sooter, Sean McAllister, Susan Calla, Jim Clark,Gary Lester, Joyce Christian, Lauren Tompkins, andNancy Spruance.

Businesses and individuals who donated wonderfulitems for the auction also deserve our thanks. Fundsraised are used in conservation efforts, education, fieldtrips, and community outreach.

A standing ovation to donors: Bubbles, Carter HouseInns, Folie Douce, Found It/Disk Golf Eureka, BedBath and Beyond, DelArte International, EurekaNatural Foods, Figueiredos, the Toy Box, FreshwaterFarms, Chalet House, Golden Harvest, Adels, Kokatat,

Godwit Days, Margy Emerson Tai Chi, NorthtownBooks, Pierson Building Center, Plaza Design, TinCan Mailman, Violet-Green Winery, Gary Bloomfield,Carol Anderson, Ron LeValley, Sara Starr, CatherineWalling, Carl Meyers, Sara Turner, Carol Andersen,Jeannette Carroll, Coleen Kelley Marks, MichaelAmiel, Allen Fish, and Ken Burton.

Last but not least, thank you to all who attended andhelped make this such a memorable event.

8/8/2019 May 2009 Sandpiper Newsletter - Redwood Region Audubon Society

5/5

Field Notes By Sean McAllisterSpring Migration (21 Mar 24 Apr, 2009)

Field Notes is a compilation of bird-sightingreports for Humboldt, Del Norte, western Trinity,and northern Mendocino counties. Sourcesinclude the RRAS bird box (707-822-LOON), theonline northwestern California birdwatching andinformation exchange (nwcalbird@yahoogroups.com), the Mendocino County birders listserv(mendobirds@yahoogroups.com), and reportssubmitted directly to the compiler. Future reportsmay be submitted to any of the sources mentionedabove, or to Sean McAllister: sean@madriverbio.com; 417 2nd St., Suite 201, Eureka, CA 95501;(707) 268-0592.

Migration is well under way, with most waterfowldeparting and many land birds returning. The chorusof Springs song becomes richer with each newmorning. Immense flocks of migrating shorebirdsstop over to feast in the mudflats of Humboldt Bay,refueling for their journey north. In celebration ofthis event, hoards of enthusiastic birders enjoyedGodwit Days, one of two local bird festivals. Duringthe festival, 2 boat trips made it 15 to 20 miles outof Humboldt Bay to the offshore Eel River Canyon,providing uncommon reports of pelagic birds. In

the interest of saving space, only the earliest/latestseasonal sightings are reported for some of thefrequently reported, common migrants, but theyare still kept for the records. Please keep the reportscoming!

Abbreviations: AB Arcata Bottoms;AM ArcataMarsh;BHR Bald Hills Road;BLC Blue LakeCottonwoods; HBE Humboldt Bay Entrance;

HBNWR - Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge,Salmon Creek Unit; KS King Salmon; MRFHMad River Fish Hatchery;RCM Redwood CreekMouth; and SRB Smith River Bottoms.

Greater White-fronted Goose: 3, AB, 5 Apr (DF,JP); 7,Alexandre Dairy, 12 Mar (TK) Snow Goose:1,HBNWR, 22 Mar (SC, DSh) and 12 Apr (JP et al.) Rosss Goose: 1, V St loop, 31 Mar (TK, JS); 1,

HBNWR, 12 Apr (JP et al.) Pale-bellied Brant:1, KS, 4 Apr (MW) Tundra Swan:18, Ferndale

Bottoms, 22 Mar (SC, DSh) Eurasian Wigeon: 1-3,HBNWR, 23 Mar (SC, DSh), 12 Apr (JP et al.),19-20 Apr (SC et al., RF, MW); 1, V St loop, 30 Mar(SC); 2,AM, 3 Apr (JW); 1, Sunny Brae scrapes, 7Apr (DF) Blue-winged Teal: 2-4,AM, many dates(many obs.) Redhead: 1, Loleta Bottoms, 24 Mar(TK, DSp); 1 injured, KS, 30 Mar-19 Apr (SC, MW,DF et al.)

Rock Sandpiper: 1-3, North Jetty, 24 Mar (SC,DSh), 31 Mar (TK, JS), 13 Apr (RS, KR), 20 Apr(SC) Glaucous Gull: 1, Fernbridge, 22 Mar (SCa,DSh); 31 Mar (TKz, JSa); 1, KS, 28 Mar (MWa) Black-legged Kittiwake: 1, RCM, 13 Apr (HB,TH); 3, offshore, 18 Apr (RF) Caspian Tern: 2,Crab Park, 22 Mar (SC, DSh); 9, KS, 4 Apr (MW);1,Eureka Waterfront, 5 Apr (SC); 6,AM, 5 Apr (LT,DCo, CH); 80,North Jetty, 20 Apr (SC) ForstersTern: 17, n. Humboldt Bay, 24 Mar (SC, DSh)

Parasitic Jaeger: 1,North Jetty, 12 Apr (TK, DSp) Pigeon Guillemot: 4, Trinidad, 8 Apr (TK, DSp,JS) Ancient Murrelet: 3, offshore, 18 Apr (RFet al.) WHIP-POOR-WILL: 1 returned for its3rd season, Willow Creek, 18 Apr (MS, fide RF) Short-eared Owl: 2,South Spit, 6 Apr (KR); 1,

HBNWR, 12 Apr (JP) Vauxs Swift: 1, AM, 13Apr (SC); 3, Fay Slough, 14 Apr (RS, KR); 1, FernCanyon, 20 Apr (HB) Big Boy: the amazingapparent offspring of a male Annas Hummingbirdand the locally famous Maggie. the MagnificentHummingbird, this beautiful male hybrid hummeris like no other ever documented, and it has beenvisiting a feeder in east Eureka this period, 3 Apr- ? (JMa) Calliope Hummingbird: 1,Blue Lake,12 Apr (JMu); 1, Willow Creek, 19 Apr (J&LN, TL)

Lewiss Woodpecker: 1-2,BHR, 4-21 Apr (TK,LT, DCo, SC, RF, HB) Olive-sided Flycatcher:1, Mill Creek, 23 Apr (AT, DCo) HammondsFlycatcher: 2, Azalea Reserve, 20 Apr (DF) and22 Apr (TK, DSp) Pacific-slope Flycatcher: 1,Carruthers Cove, 11 Mar (not confirmed) (HB); 1,Fruitland Ridge, 5 Apr (JG); 1, Arcata CommunityForest, 5 Apr (LT, DCo, CH); 1, AM, 5 Apr (RF) Western Kingbird: 2, Korbel, 7 Apr (RV); 3,

Alexandre Dairy, 12 Apr (TK); 1, Eureka, 16 Apr(SC) Cassins Vireo: 1, Fruitland Ridge, 5 Apr(JG);1, BLC, 5 Apr (SC); 1, BHR, 10 Apr (RF) Warbling Vireo: 1,FruitlandRidge, 5 Apr (JG); 1,

BLC, 19 Apr (SC et al.) Horned Lark: 6-8,BearRiver Ridge, 16 Apr (SMc et al.) Purple Martin:1,AM, 10 Apr (DF); 1,MRFH, 20 Apr (SC) BankSwallow: 1,HBNWR, 19 Apr (SC et al.) White-

breasted Nuthatch: 5,BHR, 4 Apr (TK, LT, DCo) Bewicks Wren: several reports, all from nearBlue

Lake (SC et al., LT, TK, CE); are there any left atthe outer coast? MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD: 1female, SRB, 12 Apr (TK) Swainsons Thrush:1, Carlotta, 13 Apr (LP) Northern Mockingbird:1, Fields Landing, 24 Mar (SC); 1,Eureka, 30 Mar(SC) BROWN THRASHER: 1 continuing, Sunny

Brae, 23 Jan-24 Apr (SH et al.) Orange-crownedWarbler: 1, BLC, 22 Mar (KI); 1, AM, 23 Mar(TK); 2,McCann, 27 Mar (JG) Yellow Warbler:1, MRFH, 19 Apr (LT, TK, CE) Black-throatedGray Warbler: 1, Fairhaven, 31 Mar (TK, JS);1, AM, 5 Apr (SC) Townsends Warbler: 1,Fort Humboldt, 30 Mar (SC) Hermit Warbler:1, Patricks Point, 8 Apr (TK, DSp, JS) PalmWarbler: 1-2,AM, 31 Mar (RF), 1 Apr (GZ), 14 Apr(NB); 1,HBNWR, 20 Apr (RF, MW); 1, Old Town

Eureka, 25 Apr (SMc) Northern Waterthrush:1,AM, 9 Apr (LM); 19 Apr (RF) MacGillivraysWarbler: 1, Azalea Reserve, 20 Apr (DF) Common Yellowthroat:1,Alderpoint, 30 Mar (TK,LT, DCo, DSp); 1, Freshwater, 6 Apr (HB); 1,RCM,6 Apr (SC) Wilsons Warbler: 1,AM, 5 Apr (RF) Yellow-breasted Chat: 1,MRFH, 19 Apr (LT, TK,CE) Rufous-crowned Sparrow: 2,Alderpoint, 29Mar (TK, LT, DCo, DSp) Chipping Sparrow: 1,

BHR, 6 Apr (SC); 1, McKinleyville, 9 Apr (KR) White-throated Sparrow: 2,Bayside, 17 Apr (DF);1,Arcata, 19 Apr (SC) Clay-colored Sparrow: 1,

Alexandre Dairy, 17 Apr (LBr) Lark Sparrow: 1continuing, Arcata, 6-22 Apr (GB) Fox Sparrow:2,AM, 5 Apr (SC, LT, DCo, CH)

Yellow-billed Loon Sean McAllister

Harlequin Ducks Tony Kurz

Rock Sandpipers Kerry Ross

Special thanks to Jan Andersen, David Fix, RobFowler, and Gary Lester for their careful editing ofthis report. Thanks to all who submitted reports thisperiod: Caitlin Bishop, Gary Bloomfield, HeatherBrown, Lucas Brug, Barbara Burek, Noah Burell,Pam & Dennis Cahill, Scott Carey, Joe Ceriani, DarylColdren, Cori Elwood, David Fix, Rob Fowler, JohnGaffin, Stan Harris, Cliff Hawley, Terri Hines, KenIrwin, David Jensen, Michael a (sp?), Tony Kurz,Tom Leskiw, Jerry Malberg, Larry Maurin, SeanMcAllister, Cindy Moyer, Jeff Mulker (sp?), Lew &Judie Norton, Larry Pitts, Jude Power, Kerry Ross,Jesse Sargent, Dave Shuford, Marla Shull, RachelSmith, Dave Spangenberg, Amber Transou, LeslieTucci, Dan Van Zile, Rachel Veal, Matt Wachs, JaredWolfe, Hope Woodward, George Ziminski.

offshore, 18 Apr (RF et al.); 80, offshore, 20 Apr(SMc et al.) Northern Fulmar: 2, offshore, 20 Apr(SMc et al.) Sooty Shearwater: 175, offshore, 18Apr (RF et al.); 150, offshore, 20 Apr (SMc et al.) AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN: 2 continuing,

HBNWR, 9 Apr (DCa), 12 Apr (JP et al.), 16 Apr(DF) Bald Eagle: reports of this once-endangeredbird are becoming plentiful! 2, KS, 24 Mar (MW); 1,College of the Redwoods, 30 Mar (MK); 2 on nest,Old Arcata Rd., opposite KOA, 7 Apr (P&DCa);

2,HBNWR, 12 Apr (JP et al.); 1, HBNWR, 16 Apr(DF et al.); 1, Patricks Point, 18 Apr (Eric); 1,AB, 18 April (LP); 2, Blue Lake, 19 Apr (LT, TK,CE) Rough-legged Hawk: 1,AB, 5 Apr (DF, JP);1, HBNWR, 12 Apr (JP et al.) Golden Eagle: 1,

Big Flat, 29 Mar (MK); 1, Bear River Ridge, 16Apr (SMc et al.) CRESTED CARACARA: 1continuing, SRB, 9 Apr (LM) Merlin: 1, BHR,4 Apr (TK, LT, DCo); 1, AM, 9 Apr (LM); 1, FaySlough, 13 Apr (SC) Prairie Falcon: 1,Alexandre

Dairy, 24 Apr (LB) Sora: 1, AM, 29 Mar (GZ);1, Bear River Ridge, 16 Apr (DJ et al.) PacificGolden-Plover: 11, Loleta Bottoms, 22 Mar (SC,DSh) Semipalmated Plover: 17, Sunny Braescrapes, 23 Apr (DF) Black-necked Stilt: 1,AM,6 Apr (DF); 1-2,HBNWR, 12 Apr (JP et al.), 16 Apr(DF et al.), 19 Apr (SC et al.), 20 Apr (RF, MW)

Solitary Sandpiper: 2,HBNWR, 19 Apr (SC et al.);1, V St loop, 22 Apr (LT); 1-2,AB, 23-24 Apr (RF) Wandering Tattler: 1,North Jetty, 20 Apr (SC); 1,Trinidad, 22 Apr (TK, DSp, JS) Lesser Yellowlegs:1-2,AM, 23 Mar (TK); 5 Apr (SC); 9 Apr (LM) Ruddy Turnstone: 1-2, Fields Landing,23-24 Mar(SC, DSh); 19 Apr (SC et al.) Red Knot: 3,AM,24 Mar (SC, DSh)

Harlequin Duck: 1-3,HBE, several dates from 24Mar-20 Apr(TK, DSp, DF et al., RF et al.) BlackScoter: 1-3,HBE, several dates from 24 Mar-16 Apr(TK, DSp, MW, RS, KR, DF et al.) Long-tailedDuck: 1, HBE, many reports from 24 Mar-19 Apr(many obs.) Common Goldeneye: 1,KS,30 Mar(SC), 4 Apr (MW), 16 Apr (DF et al.), 19 Apr (SCet al.) Hooded Merganser: 6, V St. loop, 31 Mar(TK, JS)

HARRISS SPARROW: 1, Fay Slough: 13-24 Apr(LP et al.) White-crowned X Golden-crownedSparrow: yet another interesting hybrid, 1,Bayside,17 Apr (DF) Slate-colored Junco: 1,Humboldt

Hill, 24 Mar (MW); 1,Eureka, 5 Apr (SC); 1,Arcata,6 Apr (CM) Lapland Longspur: 1, KS, 1 Apr(JC) CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR:1 heard, Bear River Ridge, 16 Apr (SMc et al.) Black-headed Grosbeak: numerous, Azalea

Reserve, 20 Apr (DF) BLUE GROSBEAK: 1singing male (no description),Terwer Valley, 25 Mar(LB) Bullocks Oriole: 1,Hyampom, 9 Apr (HW);1,BLC, 22 Apr (TK); 1,AB, 23 Apr (RF) EveningGrosbeak: 2,Myrtletown, 16 Apr (TK, JS, CB).

YELLOW-BILLED LOON: 1,Elk River Estuary,12-24 Apr (NB et al.) Laysan Albatross:1,offshore,

20 Apr (SMc et al.) Black-footed Albatross: 130,

Harris Sparrow Tony Kurz

Cassins Vireo Tony Kurz