Wandering Tattler

The Voice of SEA AND SAGE AUDUBON, an Orange County Chapter of the National Audubon Society

March2020Volume69,Number6

Come to our Annual Dinner on Friday evening, March 20th ✽ Socialize with friends and new acquaintances ✽ Bid for some nifty items at our Silent Auction ✽ See the presentation of this year's Conservation Award ✽ Have fun browsing through our chapter displays ✽ Eat a delicious dinner ✽ Enjoy Jeff Rich’s program on “Bald Eagles in the Wild.”

Space is limited so get your reservations in now! See page 3 for full information about this special event.

Annual Dinner Program March 20th – Friday evening – 6 pm

“BaldEaglesintheWild”

presented by Jeffrey Rich

The majestic Bald

Eagle was adopted in 1782 as America’s official bird. It has historically been a symbol of freedom and patriotism in the United States of America, and

for good reason. The bird is associated with authority and has a fierce beauty that speaks to those who look upon it. Once on the brink of extinction, it is currently enjoying a comeback. Today, the Bald Eagle is no longer an endangered species.

Wildlife and bird photonaturalist, Jeffrey Rich, will present this story with his glorious storytelling photography. He will share insights into the birds’ habitat, feeding habits, mating patterns, the care of their young, and more. You will marvel over images of birds in flight, in nests with their young, at rest, preening, and capturing prey. Rich has chronicled the daily lives, in detail, of America’s favorite bird. Jeffrey will share the story of many people who have helped, and been inspired by nature and eagles. This presentation is definitely a wildlife-lover, good news, feel good, state of things. You should leave knowing what is right with the world.

Jeffrey Rich graduated from Humboldt State University in 1983 with a BS in Wildlife biology, in 1985 with a BS in Biology, and a life science teaching credential in 1986. In 2012 Jeff completed his master’s degree in science teaching and education at the University of Texas. Jeff has been teaching science and photography, while photographing nature, professionally since 1987. For more information about Jeff including his photo tours and books visit www.jeffrichphoto.com

We hope you will join us at the Annual Dinner this year to hear Jeff’s program. See page 3 for details.

—Gail Richards, Programs Chair

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2020 FERN ZIMMERMAN CONSERVATION AWARD AND LETTER OF COMMENDATION

Each year since 1967 the Conservation Committee has presented the Conservation Award and Letters of Commendation to individuals or organizations that have made noteworthy contributions to the protection of habitats, natural resources, birds and wildlife in Orange County. At the Annual Dinner on Friday, March 20, it is our honor to present: FERN ZIMMERMAN CONSERVATION AWARD: ✽ Celia Kutcher for more than three decades of unwavering effort to protect and conserve Southern California’s native plants and natural habitats. A founding member of the OC chapter of the California Native Plant Society, Celia shaped their Conservation program. Celia could be counted on to be there at every major battle to protect natural resources and, through her newsletter articles, provide thorough and concise description of the issues. Celia’s inspiration and example will live on. Sadly, Celia passed away November 2019. LETTER OF COMMENDATION: ✽ Frank and Joann Randall: for their support to save Banning Ranch and pledge of $50 million for its acquisition. WHO IS FERN ZIMMERMAN? Fern Zimmerman was a true conservationist, grass

roots organizer, birdwatcher, and chapter leader who contributed much to the development of Sea and Sage Audubon Society. Fern provided a constant source of optimism about our ability to effect change in our

environment and helped us find our voice in advocacy. Fern received the SAS Conservation Award in 1973. She continued as a conservation activist for 23 more years. After her death in 1996, Sea and Sage named its conservation award in her honor.

** Prior Award Recipients ** 1967–C.M.Featherly,ParklandsinOrangeCounty1968–JohnW.Johnson,StudentInterestinConservation1969–AdalineWalker,WorkwithGardenClubs1970–WilliamFitchen,AirPollutionControl1971–Frank/FrancesRobinson,PreserveUpperNewportBay1972–DonaldShipley,ParklandinHuntingtonBeach1973–FernZimmermann,LifelongConservationWork1974–RodSackett,SantaAnaGreenbelt1975–JamesDilley,LagunaGreenbelt1976–DaleSecord,EnvironmentalCoalitionofOC1977–ShirleyGrindle,LandforPublicInterest1978–ChuckGreening,ProtectHillsforEveryone1979–HalThomas,WorkwithEnvironmentalCoalition1980–MargaretCarlson,ProtectBolsaChica1981–JudyRosener,CoastalCommissionerDaveMyers–ProtectChinoHills1982–DaveBontrager,IrvineParkTreePreservation1983–FerneCohen,ProtectWeirCanyon1984–KennethS.Coker,SierraClubConservationLeadership1985–AmigosdeBolsaChica,PreserveBolsaChica1986–ConnieSpenger,ProtectTecateCypress1987–GaryGorman,EstablishedHBWetlandsConservancy1988–LorenHays,ConservingBirdsinHBCentralPark1989–WaltonW.Wright,ProtectingHabitat&OpenSpace1990–CameronCosgrove,ConservationinCityofIrvine1991–RayChandos,ProtectingTrabucoCanyon1992–PeteDeSimone,ProtectLasFlores1993–Jack/NancySkinner,ProtectUpperNewportBayDanSilver–EndangeredHabitatsLeague:OpenSpaces1994–KaarenPerry&SASEducation,YouthEducation1995–PeterBloom,RaptorConservation1996–ElisabethBrown,LagunaBeachOpenSpace1997–SylviaGallagher,ConservationthruBirdingWorkshops1998–JohnMcCaull,AudubonCA,ConservationLegislation1999–PaulCarlton,ProtectFoothills&SAMountains2000–SusanGallaugher&ScottThomas,RaptorResearch2001–ClaireSchlotterbeck,CoalCanyonPreservation2002–BolsaChicaLandTrust&AmigosdeBolsaChica,Protection&RestorationofBolsaChica2003–MarilynGannahl,TheresaSears,ShirleyGrindleProtectBarhamRanch2004–GarryBrown,OCCoastkeeper,ProtectMarineHabitat2005–TimMiller,NativePlantsinOCParks2006–RickDerevan,DefendingOpenSpacesinTrabucoCyn.2007–PeterKnapp,SnowyPlovers&ShorebirdHabitat2008–Mark/JulieBixby,PreserveBolsaChicaUplands2009–RichardZembal,ClapperRail,SantaAnaWatershed2010–TrishSmith,CoastalCactusWrenRecovery2011–DavidPryor,LeastTern,SnowyPloverProtection2012–MelanieSchlotterbeck,OpenSpacethroughMeasureM2013–DianeBonanno&AngelaLindstrom,CoyoteHills2014–JeanWatt,CommitmenttoConservation,FHBP2015–SusanSheakley,ChapterConservationLeadership2016–SandyDeSimone,ConservationthruEduc.&Research2017–HBWetlandsConservancy,Acquisition&Restoration2018–BanningRanchConservancy,ProtectBanningRanch2019–PennyElia,ProtectWetlands&CoastalResources

Sea & Sage Annual Dinner Friday, March 20th at Mile Square Park Banquet Center

Our Guest Speaker is Jeffrey Rich. He will speak on “Bald Eagles in the Wild.”

Wildlife and bird photonaturalist, Jeffrey Rich, will present this story with his glorious storytelling photography. He will share insights into the birds’ habitat, feeding habits, mating patterns, the care of their young, and more. He will show you photos of the birds in flight, in nests with their young, at rest, preening, and capturing prey. Jeffrey will share the story of many people who have helped, and been inspired by nature and eagles. This presentation is definitely a wildlife-lover, good news, feel good, state of things. The evening will also include a Silent Auction and the presentation of our chapter's Fern Zimmerman Conservation Award and Letters of Commendation. The Mile Square Park Banquet Center is located at the south end of Mile Square Park, at the intersection of Warner and Ward in Fountain Valley. Free parking is available. Below is the schedule for the evening:

No Host Bar: 6:00 p.m. Dinner: 7:00 p.m. Program: 8:00 p.m., sharp! Location: Mile Square Park Banquet Center Tickets: $50 for all reservations received before March 2nd $55 for reservations received on or after March 2nd Entrees: Lemon Chicken, Seared Salmon Filet, or Vegetarian Lasagna (see webpage for entrée details)

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY. Seating will be assigned in the order the reservations are received. If you wish to sit with friends, make sure they send in their reservations on the same day you do. To reserve a seat, make your check payable to: Sea & Sage Audubon; include the name of each person for whom a reservation is made. If you wish group seating, please indicate that on the reservation form; each table will seat 8 people. (We are limiting the table seating to 8 to give us more room at each table.) Make your check payable to: Sea & Sage Audubon. Mail your check and reservation form to: Annual Dinner, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln., Irvine CA 92612. An email message confirming your reservation will be sent back to you along with directions and information about the dinner and Silent Auction. Be sure to include your email address and phone number on the reservation form - if you have not attended one of our annual dinners in the past. Please Note: ALL RESERVATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED by 12 noon on FRIDAY, MARCH 13. If you are late in sending in your reservation, please phone or email Nancy to let her know that you wish to come. (949-786-3160; nancykenyon@cox.net)

Name ________________________________________________Entree_________________________

Name________________________________________________ Entree_________________________ With whom do you wish to sit? ___________________________________________________________ Email address for confirmation & map Phone (in case we need to contact you quickly) _____________________________________ Entrees: [C] Chicken [S] Salmon [V] Vegetarian. All dinners will include a salad, fresh vegetables, freshly baked rolls, coffee or decaf, iced tea, and dessert.

Mail your reservations to: Annual Dinner, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612

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Jeffrey Rich ©

Chapter News & Announcements http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/Chapter/ScheduleChapterActivites.pdf

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AudubonHouseVolunteers

We would like to thank the following people for helping to staff Audubon House in February and March: Sherry Bass, Ann Barbour, Fresia Escalona, Carol Garrett, John Garrett, Susan Gibb, Ann Harmer, Pat Heilig, Sarah Jayne, Nancy Kenyon, David Kramer, Lauretta Kyle, Eva Lydick, Joan McCauley, Bobbie Miller, Barbara Mitchell,

Paula Monroe, Eunice Morita, Dagmar Muthamia, Joann Nothhelfer, Roberta Ray, Barbara Reber, Brenda Sabin, Dev Sellin, Susan Sheakley, Bev Spring, Monte Taylor, Marilyn Walter, and Pat Wells. Our Volunteers greet visitors, answer the phone, sell merchandise, answer questions about birds, check out binoculars, etc. If you are interested in helping at Audubon House, please call Barbara Mitchell at 949-646-4115.

BookstoreNews

GreetingsfromtheSea&SageBookstore!Sylvia Gallagher's Learning Mountain Bird Sounds

birding skills workshop will be starting in March and we are prepared with a good supply of the LMBS packets containing the worksheets and flash drives, as well the Peterson Western Bird Sounds CD and the Stokes Western Bird Songs CD.

Continuing our dedication to conservation by lessening our reliance on plastic, we are now carrying a variety of environmentally sound items such as stainless steel straws, pouches for hot and cold beverages and stemless stainless steel wine glasses. These are all great for the beach, outdoor activities and parties. Please help us treat our planet with the respect it deserves by eliminating one-use plastics.Thanks again and hope to see you soon at Audubon House. —JanHoidge,BookstoreManager

Don’tBeLeftOut!There is a lot going on with Sea and Sage Audubon and we want to keep you appraised, but due to financial restraints, Sea and Sage Audubon communicates mostly by email. We just can’t afford to send out information such as invitations, surveys, renewal notices, and Action Alerts by regular postal mail. Help us stay in touch with you; send us your email address. Just send an email to membership@seaandsageaudubon.org and include your First Name, Last Name, and your Zip Code; this will help us find your name on our membership list, especially if you are a Smith or Jones. Rest assured, we do not give out email addresses to anyone outside of Sea and Sage. Here’s to keeping in touch.

SUNRISE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP ~ImproveYourWildlifePhotography~

with Jeffrey Rich The morning will begin in the field at sunrise (6:30 am) with our cameras, tripods, and long lenses. We will spend about two hours working on making great images at the marsh. Jeff will be on hand to offer suggestions and tips during the morning session. After the morning shoot, Jeff will offer a one hour presentation class on improving your wildlife photography. He will share techniques, biology, and the artistry that can be applied to your work. With time to ask questions, there will be something for all levels of photographers. He will be available to sign his books also. The workshop fee is $40 per person and will be limited to 30 people. To make your reservation, mail your check (payable to: Sea & Sage Audubon) to Photo Workshop, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612 Please include your email address so that Nancy can send you a confirmation and additional workshop information.

OurVolunteersParty We had a good turnout for our Chapter’s Volunteer Appreciation Party. If you weren’t there, you missed a good one! It was fun to visit with friends we hadn’t seen for a while and to greet other volunteers we hadn’t met before. Cheryl Thomas and her helpers set up the room with plenty of chairs and tables for those who wanted to sit and talk, while those who wanted to stand or walk around the room, visited with friends that way. There was a good variety of food and we piled our plates with salads, vegan quinoa, beans, barbequed chicken with mashed potatoes, sandwiches with pulled pork and barbecue sauce, and cookies. After most people had eaten, Doug Lithgow presented a program with pictures of our volunteers and information about all the many activities our chapter volunteers help with. It was fun to visit with other volunteers and to know we were appreciated! Thank you Cheryl for organizing such a great event for us! EssayContestForHighSchoolStudents

Western Field Ornithologists is holding an essay contest in 2020 for students in grades 9 through 12. The theme of the essay contest is the impact of climate change on bird populations. The student who submits the winning essay will win a pair of either Zeiss 8X42 “Terra ED” binoculars or Nikon 8X42 “Monarch 7” binoculars. Deadline is May 24, 2020. For details and guidelines, go to www.westernfieldornithologists.org

Orange County Rarities by Doug Willick To report a RARE or UNUSUAL bird, or to receive reports from other birders about rare or unusual bird sightings here in Orange County, send an email to: OrangeCountyBirding+subscribe@groups.io

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In this month’s column we will attempt to squeeze in quite a few notable observations, since this will be covering the period from mid-December of last year (where last month’s column left off), to early February. There’s lots to cover, so I’ll jump right in by first highlighting some of the most noteworthy sightings. A first-year Lesser Black-backed Gull at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (BCER), Dec. 21, unfortunately could not be refound after the 22nd. This is one of very few ever recorded in Orange County, and the first since 2008. A Buller’s Shearwater was encountered during the Sea & Sage’s Jan. 11 pelagic trip; this was not only OC’s 5th or 6th record, but was nearly unprecedented for this time of year (most occurring in SoCal waters during the fall months). On Jan. 3, yet another Red-footed Booby turned up in the county, with the latest being photographed in the Dana Point Harbor. An immature Broad-winged Hawk was photographed near the Villa Park Flood Basin, Dec. 31; there very few winter period records of this hawk in California (only three in in OC). A Brown-crested Flycatcher was found in Mission Viejo, Dec. 27, where it continued through at least Jan. 22. This was only the county’s third record, though oddly enough OC’s first record occurred 26 years ago at this same exact location! A male Black Scoter was a nice find at the Huntington Beach Pier, Jan. 13-23. Other notable ducks included male Eurasian Wigeons at Pearson Park (returning for its 3rd winter), in Los Alamitos, and at the south end of BCER, and Common Goldeneyes, with up to three along the upper Santa Ana River (SAR), two on San Diego Creek, and as many as four near the Santa Ana River mouth. Roughly 25 Band-tailed Pigeons at U.C. Irvine, Dec. 29, was quite unexpected for this part of the county. Rare shorebirds included a continuing Mountain Plover at BCER through at least Feb. 4, and up to four Pacific Golden-Plovers at the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station (SBNWS), through Jan. 25. Gull highlights included a Black-legged Kittiwake recorded on the Jan. 11 pelagic trip, and a Laughing Gull at North Lake (Irvine), Dec. 27-Feb. 4 (where one was present last winter). Rare herons included a continuing first-year Little Blue Heron that apparently commuted between the SAR mouth and the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve (UNBER; last reported at Talbert Marsh, Jan. 24); a continuing Tricolored Heron at UNBER, through Feb. 5; and several Yellow-crowned Night-Herons (which included up to three continuing at Dana Point Harbor, and two at the Sunset Aquatic Park). Presumably at least two

Zone-tailed Hawks were responsible for several sightings, with a continuing bird in the Rancho Santa Margarita-Mission Viejo-Lake Forest area, and another in the Irvine Lake area; possibly a third was photographed near Aliso & Wood Canyon Wilderness Park, Dec. 28. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker continued at Irvine Regional Park (IRP), through Dec. 19, while a new one was found at Mason Regional Park (MRP), Dec. 28-30. A cooperative Lewis’s Woodpecker hung out at Casper’s Wilderness Park, through Feb. 2, while another was seen

near Irvine Lake, Jan. 4-5. In addition to the Brown-crested Flycatcher, there were a number of other rare flycatchers being seen around the county, including a Gray Flycatcher continuing at IRP, along with a new one at Quail Hill; an Eastern Phoebe at Irvine Lake; Vermilion Flycatchers at SBNWS, Fairview Park and Greer Park; and Tropical Kingbirds at the Great Park and Fairview Park. Unexpected in winter were Pacific-slope Flycatchers at MRP, Gilman Park, Carbon Canyon Regional Park, and Serrano Community Park. Single Plumbeous Vireos were at the Good Shepherd Cemetery (GSC), MRP and at Eucalyptus Park, while Golden-crowned Kinglets continued at

GSC, Knollcrest Park and El Toro Memorial Park, with at least five recorded in upper Silverado Canyon, Jan. 1. Upper Silverado Canyon was also a good place to find Townsend’s Solitaires this winter, where up to six were tallied on Jan 1. The Brown Thrasher wintering at Aurora Park was still being seen on Feb. 1, while the Sage Thrasher at Richard Steed Memorial Park was last reported Jan. 29. Sparrow highlights included a newly discovered White-throated Sparrow in the Dana Point area, and a continuing bird in Laguna Niguel. The Bart Spendlove Park Swamp Sparrow continued to be seen through Feb. 2, while another was found in Shipley Nature Center, Dec. 29. A Vesper Sparrow was at IRP, Jan. 2-3. Four different Green-tailed Towhees were noted, with singles at Harriett Weider Regional Park, in a Santa Ana neighborhood, at Riley Wilderness Park, and at SBNWS. A wintering Ovenbird, back for its second year at Golden West College, was exceptional, while the Pine Warbler wintering at GSC was also of special note; both birds were last reported on Jan. 29. Other warbler rarities in the county included a continuing Black-and-white Warbler at Aurora Park, and three new American Redstarts, including birds at Gilman Park, TeWinkle Park and in Mission Viejo. photoofLewis’sWoodpeckerbyDonHoechlin

Western Snowy Plover Surveys & Northern Sierra Nevada Field Trips

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OrangeCountySnowyPloverandCaliforniaLeastTernSurvey MARCH 15-21 If you have already attended a Snowy Plover Survey training session, join us in looking for Snowy Plovers, Least Terns, and their habitats on our local beaches, while helping to contribute to endangered species research. This is the beginning of the Snowy Plover breeding season and it is important to see how many Snowy Plovers are using our beaches and where they are located. It is also close to the arrival time of the California Least Terns. Each beach segment takes approximately 1-2 hrs. to survey, with one or two surveyors per segment. Walk the beach of your choice and enjoy all the birds while helping threatened Western Snowy Plovers and endangered California Least Terns.

Volunteer surveyors may choose their Orange County beach segment to survey by contacting our Volunteer Coordinator, Cheryl Egger at ocsnplsurvey@gmail.com See our chapter webpage on the Snowy Plover Surveys. This includes maps of the beach segments and other info. http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/Conservation/SNPLsurvey/OCSNPLsurvey.html

NorthernSierraNevadaFieldTrips

June2020Leaders:Many!

Participants in Sylvia Gallagher’s WESTERN MOUNTAINS AND THEIR BIRDS workshop in 2019 and/or LEARNING (WESTERN) MOUNTAIN BIRD SOUNDS (LMBS) this year are invited to participate in one or four field trips in the Northern Sierra Nevada in June. People who did earlier versions of these workshops in 2001, 2004, or 2011-2012 may also come, space permitting.

Scenic Plumas and Sierra counties, an hour’s drive northwest of Reno, are our destination. All aspects of the natural history of these areas, will be examined: biotic zones and how to recognize them, trees and other plants, geology with emphasis on the effects of glaciation, and, of course, the birds-what they look like and sound like, and why they’re where they are.

The same trip will be offered four times in order to keep the parties as small as possible. Each runs from 7:00 am Wednesday through noon on Sunday, with a choice of starting dates: June 3, 10, 17s, or 24. From our home base in the small village of Graeagle, it’s less than an hour’s drive to a great variety of different habitats; each day we’ll head off in a different direction.

There will be no charge by Sea and Sage Audubon for these trips, but you will be responsible for making your own arrangements for transportation, eating, and sleeping.

Complete information about the field trips and a reservation form are on the Sea and Sage website www.seaandsageaudubon.org. Reservations may be postmarked no earlier than March 9. Students from 2019 and 2020 will have priority if postmarked no later than March 11. Confirmations will be mailed March 16. Reservations from present and’

former students of this workshop will be accepted based on postmarks after that date if there is still room.

Holly Fuhrer

Don Hoechlin

March Field Trips Nancy Kenyon, Field Trip Chair Fortripupdates&additionaltripinformation,checkourchapterwebpageat:http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org.Tripsmarkedwithan® requireadvancereservations.Questionsaboutfieldtrips?ContactNancyKenyon,FieldTripChair,at949-786-3160ornancykenyon@cox.net

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OwlProwls ® Fri, March 6th Sat, March 7th Fri, March 13rd Sat, March 14th Fri, March 27th Sat, March 28th The Owl Prowl is a short nighttime excursion into Starr Ranch Sanctuary in search of owls. Our evening will begin at 6:30 with an orientation by Pete DeSimone who has been manager of Starr Ranch since the mid 1980’s and knows all about the owls and hawks which inhabit Bell Canyon. He will talk with us about the local Barn Owls which nest at Starr Ranch and answer our questions regarding owl behavior. We will then board the big open bed truck for a short ride down the canyon to search for some owls. At each stop, Pete will play some recordings of owl calls while we listen carefully for owl responses and watch for any sight of them. Advance reservations are needed; trip size is limited. Trip fee: $25. Make check payable to Sea & Sage Audubon and mail to: Owl Prowl, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612. Include your email address & phone number, or a stamped self-address envelope & phone for confirmation & directions. Check webpage for space availability; trips fill quickly! Raincancelsthisouting. Youwillbenotifiedifitiscancelled. Leader: Pete DeSimone Reservations: Nancy Kenyon 949-786-3160; nancykenyon@cox.net

NatureWalkattheSJWSSat,March7th-9:00to10:30am Explore the diverse life of the Marsh - its birds, plants, insects and other animals. Meet at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in front of Audubon House at 9:00 am for a 1½ hour nature walk. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. (See page 11 for directions to the SJWS.) The trip is cancelled if It’s raining. Leaders: Audubon Naturalists

MonthlyBirdWalkattheSJWSSun,March8th-8:00to11:00am Join us for a monthly bird walk around the ponds of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine at 8:00 am. The walk, which is open to birders of all ages, will meet by the front porch of Audubon House. Children under the

age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. (Directions to the SJWS on page 11) Tripwillbecancelledifitisraining.Leader: Jeff Bray UpperNewportBaybypontoonboat®SincetheMarch18tripisalreadyfull,it’stimetosignupfortheAprilorMaytrips.Wed,April15orMay20–8:15to11:00amJoin us for the rare chance of birding the Upper Newport Bay from the deck of a pontoon boat. Spotting birds from the water offers one a different perspective and the birds seem to view us differently also. Trip duration is 2½ hrs. Trips are limited to 15 persons and there is a $10 trip fee per person payable in cash on the morning of the outing. Advance reservations are necessary; contact Nancy Kenyon to reserve a seat on the boat. Directions will be provided to those with reservations. Leader: Nancy Kenyon 949-786-3160; nancykenyon@cox.net Bolsa Chica bird walk Thurs, March 19th – 8:00 am to 12:00 noon Join Vic Leipzig for a bird walk at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. Come prepared for a great morning of birding. Some of the wintering birds have already left while the spring and summer migrants are arriving. Bring binoculars, a field guide and a scope if you have one. Directions: We will meet at the playground in Harriet Wieder Park. From PCH, turn inland on Seapoint Street. Follow Seapoint 1 mile to Garfield Ave. and make a U-turn. The entrance to the playground will be on the right in 0.25 miles. Leader: Vic Leipzig 714-848-5394 UpperNewportBaybirdwalkSun,March29th–8:00amto11:30amJoin Mark Kincheloe for a monthly bird walk in Upper Newport Bay to check out the seasonal shorebirds, ducks, grebes, herons & egrets. etc. that frequent the bay. Bring binoculars, a field guide, and a scope if you have one. We will meet in the Big Canyon parking lot in Newport Beach. This is easily reached from Jamboree. Take San Joaquin Hills Road west toward the bay where it intersects with Back Bay Drive. Turn right on Back Bay Drive & follow it to the Big Canyon parking lot on your left. Leader: Mark Kincheloe

Northeastern (Inland) CBC Report – 12/15/19 The Northeastern CBC covers the inland areas of Orange County and is divided into the following sections: Irvine Reg. Park; Irvine Lake & vicinity; Silverado Canyon; Upper & Lower Black Star Canyon; Mountain Areas; Modjeska & Harding Canyons; O’Neill Reg. Park & Plano Trabuco; Lion Country & Areas south of the 405 (The area between Lake Forest & El Toro from Trabuco Rd. to Glen Ranch Rd, excluding Oso Reservoir); Mission Viejo-Lake Forest-El Toro & foothills; former El Toro Marine Base & foothill areas; Rattlesnake & Siphon Reservoirs; Peters Canyon Reg. Park & Lemon Heights. The count was coordinated and compiled by Doug Lithgow. Full information on this count will soon be posted on our Sea & Sage webpage: http://tinyurl.com/d25g9p4 The Total Species for this count was 154. Number of Participants was 123.

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SPECIES Total SPECIES Total SPECIES Total SPECIES Total Canada Goose 293 Herring Gull 1 Vermilion Flycatcher 4 Purple Finch 3 Wood Duck 8 Double-crested Cormorant 222 Loggerhead Shrike 3 Pine Siskin 5 Cinnamon Teal 5 American White Pelican 99 Hutton’s Vireo 23 Lesser Goldfinch 883 Northern Shoveler 98 Great Blue Heron 9 Plumbeous Vireo 1 American Goldfinch 40 Gadwall 49 Great Egret 29 California Scrub-Jay 301 Spotted Towhee 127 American Wigeon 134 Snowy Egret 26 American Crow 1816

66 Rufous-crowned Sparrow 8

Mallard 556 Green Heron 1 Common Raven 753 California Towhee 309 Green-winged Teal 6 Black-crowned Night-Heron 14 Horned Lark 161 Chipping Sparrow 5 Canvasback 2 White-faced Ibis 130 Tree Swallow 3 Vesper Sparrow 1 Redhead 3 Turkey Vulture 180 N. Rough-winged Swallow 11 Lark Sparrow 2 Ring-necked Duck 82 Osprey 3 Barn Swallow 2 Savannah Sparrow 146 Lesser Scaup 7 White-tailed Kite 1 Mountain Chickadee 31 Fox Sparrow 26 Bufflehead 19 Northern Harrier 12 Oak Titmouse 110 Song Sparrow 199

Hooded Merganser 9 Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 Bushtit 1088 Swamp Sparrow 1 Ruddy Duck 470 Cooper’s Hawk 26 Red-breasted Nuthatch 8 Lincoln’s Sparrow 43 California Quail 134 Bald Eagle 4 White-breasted Nuthatch 39 White-crowned Sparrow 1276 Pied-billed Grebe 22 Red-shouldered Hawk 33 Brown Creeper 1 Golden-crowned Sparrow 16 Eared Grebe 45 Zone-tailed Hawk 6 Rock Wren 2 Dark-eyed Junco (Ore.) 57 Western Grebe 47 Red-tailed Hawk 169

9 Canyon Wren 2 Western Meadowlark 158

Clark’s Grebe 19 Ferruginous Hawk 3 House Wren 87 Bullock’s Oriole 7 Rock Pigeon 35 Barn Owl 8 Marsh Wren 2 Red-winged Blackbird 5 Band-tailed Pigeon 121 Western Screech-Owl 9 Bewick’s Wren 118 Brown-headed Cowbird 43 Eurasian Collared-Dove 47 Great Horned Owl 19 Cactus Wren 13 Great-tailed Grackle 10 Mourning Dove 641 N. Saw-whet Owl 3 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 94 Black-and-white Warbler 1

Greater Roadrunner 3 Belted Kingfisher 5 California Gnatcatcher 27 Orange-crowned Warbler 91 White-throated Swift 3 Acorn Woodpecker 459 Golden-crowned Kinglet 2 Common Yellowthroat 100 Anna’s Hummingbird 480 Red-naped Sapsucker 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 312 Yellow-rumped Warbler 2662

Allen’s Hummingbird 263 Red-breasted Sapsucker 5 Wrentit 169 Black-thro. Gray Warbler 2 Sora 1 Yellow-breasted Sapsucker 1 Western Bluebird 234 Townsend’s Warbler 17 Common Gallinule 2 Downy Woodpecker 5 Townsend’s Solitaire 4 Summer Tanager 1 American Coot 1079 Nuttall’s Woodpecker 175 Hermit Thrush 52 Western Tanager 2 Black-necked Stilt 8 Hairy Woodpecker 1 American Robin 33 Killdeer 7 Northern Flicker 58 Brown Thrasher 1 EXOTIC SPECIES:

Least Sandpiper 1 American Kestrel 26 California Thrasher 136 Egyptian Goose 18 Long-billed Dowitcher 60 Merlin 4 Northern Mockingbird 125 Domestic Duck 11 Wilson’s Snipe 4 Peregrine Falcon 4 European Starling 590 Indian Peafowl 33 Spotted Sandpiper 9 Red-crowned Parrot 58 Cedar Waxwing 406 Swinhoe’s White-eye 19 Greater Yellowlegs 2 Cassin’s Kingbird 174 Phainopepla 25 Pin-tailed Whydah 9 Mew Gull 1 Tropical Kingbird 1 House Sparrow 37 Scaly-breasted Munia 67 Ring-billed Gull 248 Black Phoebe 362 American Pipit 128 California Gull 101 Say’s Phoebe 93 House Finch 804

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Special thanks for the 123 CBC birders who did such a great job helping us with this count. The names of all the participants will soon be posted on our chapter webpage along with a complete report of this count.

San Juan Capistrano CBC Report – 12/21/19 The San Juan Capistrano CBC covers the southern section of Orange County and is divided into the following areas: Laguna Niguel Regional Park & vicinity; San Clemente; Caspers Wilderness Park; Pelagic Areas along the coast, or a Sea Watch from land; Saddleback College & vicinity; Prima Deshecha Landfill & vicinity; Upper San Juan Creek & vicinity; Aliso-Woods Canyon & the Ziggurat/Cosco Area; San Clemente hillside area; Dana Point: doheny State Beach, Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point Headlands, Salt Cree Beach, local parks, golf course; Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park. The count was organized and compiled by Darrell Wilson. Full information on this count will soon be posted on our Sea & Sage webpage: https://tinyurl.com/yf7nxnn The Total Species for this count was 140. The number of participants was 61.

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SPECIES Total SPECIES Total SPECIES Total SPECIES Total Snow Goose 1 Sanderling 67 Great Horned Owl 7 European Starling 305 Ross’s Goose 1 Least Sandpiper 7 Belted Kingfisher 3 Cedar Waxwing 541 Canada Goose 480 Wilson’s Snipe 1 Acorn Woodpecker 94 Phainopepla 8 Cinnamon Teal 21 Spotted Sandpiper 9 Lewis’s Woodpecker 1 House Sparrow 28 Northern Shoveler 19 Willet 9 Downy Woodpecker 2 American Pipit 73 Gadwall 21 Greater Yellowlegs 1 Nuttall’s Woodpecker 65 House Finch 658 American Wigeon 18 Pomarine Jaeger 1 Northern Flicker 17 Lesser Goldfinch 385 Mallard 263 Heermann’s Gull 44 American Kestrel 21 American Goldfinch 36 Northern Pintail 5 Ring-billed Gull 53 Merlin 2 Green-tailed Towhee 1 Green-winged Teal 2 Western Gull 602 Peregrine Falcon 2 Spotted Towhee 59 Ring-necked Duck 28 California Gull 420 Cassin’s Kingbird 128 California Towhee 165 Lesser Scaup 9 Herring Gull 1 Black Phoebe 202 Chipping Sparrow 4 Surf Scoter 3 Glaucous-winged Gull 4 Say’s Phoebe 68 Lark Sparrow 52

Bufflehead 6 Caspian Tern 2 Hutton’s Vireo 3 Savannah Sparrow 3 Hooded Merganser 8 Forster’s Tern 3 California Scrub-Jay 74 Fox Sparrow 3 Ruddy Duck 143 Royal Tern 5 American Crow 6104 Song Sparrow 176 California Quail 48 Black-vented Shearwater 164 Common Raven 79 Lincoln Sparrow 11 Pied-billed Grebe 27 Brandt’s Cormorant 107 Horned Lark 10 White-crowned Sparrow 691 Eared Grebe 2 Double-crested Cormorant 52 Mountain Chickadee 6 6 Golden-crowned Sparrow 28 Western Grebe 45 Pelagic Cormorant 1 Oak Titmouse 23 Dark-eyed Junco (Ore) 11 Rock Pigeon 318 American White Pelican 17 Bushtit 505 Western Meadowlark 20 Eurasian Collared-Dove 70 Brown Pelican 116 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Red-winged Blackbird 83 Mourning Dove 194 Great Blue Heron 15 White-breasted Nuthatch 12 Brown-headed Cowbird 3 Greater Roadrunner 10 Great Egret 13 Rock Wren 1 Brewer’s Blackbird 20

White-throated Swift 33 Snowy Egret 29 House Wren 43 Great-tailed Grackle 31 Anna’s Hummingbird 171 Green Heron 3 Bewick’s Wren 34 Orange-crowned Warbler 64 Allen’s Hummingbird 158 Black-crowned Night-Heron 21 Cactus Wren 3 Common Yellowthroat 108

Common Gallinule 3 Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 23 Yellow-rumped Warbler 1081 American Coot 454 White-faced Ibis 35 California Gnatcatcher 17 Townsend’s Warbler 10

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Black-necked Stilt 1 Turkey Vulture 39 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 126 Wilson’s Warbler 2 Black Oystercatcher 2 Osprey 2 Wrentit 68 Black-bellied Plover 86 Northern Harrier 2 Western Bluebird 130 Exotic Species: Snowy Plover 20 Cooper’s Hawk 26 Hermit Thrush 52 Egyptian Goose 21

Killdeer 1044

Red-shouldered Hawk 28 American Robin 26 Swinhoe’s White-eye 26 Whimbrel 21 Red-tailed Hawk 49 California Thrasher 57 Pin-tailed Whydah 13 Marbled Godwit 3 Barn Owl 5 Northern Mockingbird 55 Scaly-breasted Munia 110

Special thanks to the 61 CBC birders who did such a great job helping us with this count. Total species count: 140. Unfortunately, there is not enough room on this page to list everyone’s name. Instead, the names of all this count’s participants will be posted soon on our chapter webpage along with the complete report of this count.

First-time campers: phone camp coordinator Bev Spring at 714-505-9980.

NATUREDAYCAMPS2020

Sea and Sage Audubon summer camps provide children with first-hand experience with nature through fun outdoor activities in the beautiful setting of the

freshwater ponds and trails of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine.

Fledgling Camp 7-8 years old Week: July 13-17 Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Fee: $220/205* per camper

Beginning birders will sharpen their observational skills on daily nature walks. Campers will learn how to keep a birding journal. They will have fun playing games, singing nature songs and making crafts.

Marsh Bird Camp 9 to 12 years old Session 1: June 22-26 Session 2: July 6-10 Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Fee: $230/215* per camper Campers will explore all aspects of marsh bird life. They will enjoy daily nature walks, see live hawks & owls from a rehabilitator, keep a nature journal, do crafts, and much more. NEW this year is an off-site day to Mason Regional Park in Irvine; it will be the parent’s responsibility to provide transportation.

* The lower price is for Audubon members.

For enrollment form, visit our website at www.seaandsageaudubon.org.

Coastal Bird Camp

Marsh Camp experience required 11 YEARS AND OLDER

Week: July 13-17 Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Fee: $230/215* per camper This camp will cover all aspects of coastal birds and their habitat. Coastal Camp includes 2 off-site days to Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach and to Crystal Cove State Beach in Laguna Beach; it will be the parent’s responsibility to provide transportation. The week will include daily bird walks, nature journaling, art projects and coastal-related activities.

Advanced Bird Camp Marsh Camp experience required

11 years and older Week I: July 20-24 Week II: July 27-31 Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Fee: $230/215* per camper for Week I Fee: $230/215* per camper for Week II

Week One. Campers will focus on Forest habitat and the birds, plants and animals of this important California biome. We will paint a hand-carved wooden bird that ties together both weeks of Advanced Camp. Week Two. Campers will learn about Pelagic habitat and birds of the ocean. This camp includes one off-site to Dana Point Harbor and will include a boat trip; it will be the parent’s responsibility to provide transportation. Both weeks will include daily nature walks, nature journaling, sketching, and art projects.

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Directions and Membership SeaandSageAudubonSociety'smissionistoprotectbirds,otherwildlife,andtheirhabitatsthrougheducation,citizenscience,research,andpublicpolicyadvocacy.

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Tattler Subscriptions

Non-Audubon members or members from other Audubon chapters who wish to subscribe to our chapter newsletter, may do so for $14.00 per year. Make check payable to “Sea and Sage Audubon” and mail to: Tattler Subscriptions, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612

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

Remember Us in Your

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

Directions

to Audubon House, our Chapter Meetings & the San Joaquin

Wildlife Sanctuary (5 Riparian View, Irvine)

Our entrance is now from Campus Dr., not Michelson

From the San Diego Fwy (405): Exit on Jamboree, south toward Newport Beach. At the 1st signal, Michelson, turn left. Continue on Michelson (past the old entrance to the SJWS) to the 5th signal which is Harvard and turn right. Drive to University & turn right. Drive to Campus Drive & turn right. Stay in the far right lane and immediately turn right onto Riparian View which will enter the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. The entrance road is marked by a green sign. If you miss the turn and reach Carlson, turn right and go around the block again to Harvard. The sanctuary is open every day from dawn until dusk.

Audubon House

Open daily: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm 949-261-7963

Your Membership

Payment Do you want to join National Audubon and Sea and Sage? Use the membership form at the bottom of this page. An Individual Membership or a Family Membership is only $20. Sea & Sage receives 100% of a chapter generated new member’s dues for the first year. Mail the form and your check - payable to National Audubon Society - to Sea and Sage Audubon, PO Box 5447, Irvine CA 92616. If you want to use a credit card for your membership payment, go online to: http://www.audubon.org/membership If you have questions, please contact Membership Chair, Jim Kissinger, at membership@seaandsageaudubon.org

Temporarily Away or Moving?

Please notify Jim Kissinger of your new address if you are temporarily, or permanently, moving from your current address; or, let him know if you do not want to continue to receive the Tattler. This will save us postage. Jim Kissinger, Membership Chair membership@seaandsageaudubon.org

Use Membership Form on page

Audubon Membership Application We invite you to become a member of the National Audubon Society and the Sea and Sage Audubon chapter. Members receive the AUDUBON magazine as well as the WANDERING TATTLER newsletter. NEW MEMBERSHIP is $20 for an individual or for a family. (The membership is good for one year.) To join: Complete the form below & mail it along with your payment to: Sea and Sage Audubon, PO Box 5447, Irvine CA 92616 Make your check payable to: NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY. Pleasepaybycheckonly;donotsendcash.Or, go online to: http://tinyurl.com/hyeaw67 (Our chapter code is C15) To renew membership: renew directly with National Audubon by direct mail or online: (Renewals are $20 per year.) http://tinyurl.com/zjbs5tt Name ___________________________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip ____________________________________________________________ Phone ___________________________________________________________________ E-mail ___________________________________________________________________

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BOARD MEMBERS Executive Committee: President ........................... Doug Lithgow .............. 714-962-4145 Vice President ................... Gail Richards ............... 714-267-2420 Secretary ........................... Sandy Smith ................ 949-706-9396 Treasurer ........................... Tom Van Huss ............ 714-417-9940 Director 2020 ..................... Ann Harmer ................. 949-631-3322 Director 2020 ..................... Debbie Hays ................ 714-356-6302 Director 2021 ..................... .......................................................... Director 2021 ..................... Bruce Aird ................... 949-458-1520 Director 2022 ..................... Jonathan Aguayo ........ 805-204-6986 Director 2022 ..................... Samuel Bressler .......... 657-376-5367 Past President ................... Vic Leipzig ................... 714-848-5394 Committee Chairpersons: Archives & Records ........... Chris Byrd ................... 714-639-0967 Audubon House ................ Susan Sheakley .......... 949-552-5974 Audubon House Volunteers Barbara Mitchell ........ 949-646-4115 Bird Information ................. Sylvia Gallagher .......... 714-962-8990 Conservation ..................... Susan Sheakley .......... 949-552-5974 Counsel ............................. Sean Sherlock ................................... Development ..................... Cheryl Thomas ............ 949-294-2275 Education .......................... Carolyn Noble ............. 714-731-9091 Events ............................... Mary Joseph ................ 714-848-8362 Exhibits .............................. Mary Joseph ................ 714-848-8362 Field Trips .......................... Nancy Kenyon ............. 949-786-3160 Finance ............................. Hal Sheakley ............... 949-552-5974 Membership ...................... Jim Kissinger ............... 949-713-1148 Newsletter Editor ............... Nancy Kenyon ............. 949-786-3160 Orange County Spring Count .... Darrell Wilson .............. 949-559-4542 Partners in Flight ............... Janet & Al Baumann ......................... Programs ........................... Gail Richards ............... 714-267-2420 Publicity ............................. .......................................................... Raptor Research ............... Scott Thomas .............. 949-293-2915 Science ............................. Amber Heredia ............ 714-812-2430 SJWS Liaison .................... Chris Obaditch ............ 949-640-7234 Social Media ...................... Sandrine Biziaux-Scherson.949-413-0297 Starr Ranch/Envir. Liaison. Pete DeSimone ........... 949-858-0309 Webmaster ........................ Nancy Kenyon ............. 949-786-3160 Webpage: http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org

AUDUBON HOUSE ...... .............................. 949-261-7963

STAFF Marsh Education Project Director Trude Hurd ................ 949-261-7964 Education Assistant ......................... Deborah Brin ............. 949-261-7964 Sales Manager ........................ Jan Hoidge ................ 949-261-7963 Administrative Aide ................... Rebecca Craft ........... 949-261-7963

OTHER CONTACTS Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center – for injured or sick birds and other native wild animals in need of help (corner of Newland & PCH in HB) 714-374-5587. http://www.wwccoc.org/ Call Songbird Care & Education Center for injured or sick native songbirds. 714-964-0666. www.songbirdcareandeducation.org

SCHEDULE OF CHAPTER ACTIVITIES March 2020: 03 Tues Conservation Committee Meeting .................. 6:45 pm 06 Fri Owl Prowl at Starr Ranch ............................... 6:30 pm 07 Sat Monthly Nature Walk at the SJWS ................. 9:00 am 07 Sat Owl Prowl at Starr Ranch ............................... 6:30 pm 08 Sun Monthly Bird Walk at the SJWS ..................... 8:00 am 10 Tues Board Meeting . .............................................. 7:00 pm 13 Fri Owl Prowl at Starr Ranch ............................... 6:30 pm 14 Sat Owl Prowl at Starr Ranch ............................... 6:30 pm 17 Learning Mountain Bird Sounds classes begin this week ® .. 18 Wed UNB by pontoon boat ® - FULL ..................... 8:15 am 19 Thurs Bolsa Chica bird walk ..................................... 8:00 am 20 Fri ANNUAL DINNER ® ...................................... 6:00 pm 21 Sat Sunrise Photography Workshop ® ................. 6:30 am 27 Fri Owl Prowl at Starr Ranch ............................... 6:30 pm 28 Sat Owl Prowl at Starr Ranch ............................... 6:30 pm 29 Sun Monthly Bird Walk at UNB ................................... 8:00 am April 2020: all month Orange County Spring Count ...................................... 4-5 S/S Eastern Sierra weekend trip ........................... 7:00 am 04 Sat Monthly Nature Walk at the SJWS ................. 9:00 am 07 Tues Conservation Committee Meeting .................. 6:45 pm 12 Sun Monthly Bird Walk at the SJWS ..................... 8:00 am 14 Tues Board Meeting . .............................................. 7:00 pm 15 Wed UNB by pontoon boat ® ................................. 8:15 am 17 Fri GENERAL MEETING .................................... 7:30 pm 26 Sun Big Morongo Preserve ® - FULL .................... 7:00 am 26 Sun Monthly Bird Walk at UNB ................................... 8:00 am 28 Tues 4th Tues. Conservation Lecture ...................... 7:30 pm

Sea and Sage Audubon PO Box 5447, Irvine CA 92616 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org

U.S. Postage Paid Santa Ana, CA Permit No. 164

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