November-December 2008 Chaparral Naturalist - Pomona Valley Audubon Society

8/8/2019 November-December 2008 Chaparral Naturalist - Pomona Valley Audubon Society

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2009 PVAS Desk CalendarsNow Available!

PVAS Desk calendars arenow available - just in timefor holiday gift giving! Thiscalendar makes a greatgift and money raised willhelp fund our Audubon

Adventures program andother worthy outreachprograms. For a donationof only $7 with holder or $5without holder, calendarsare available at meetingsor by calling Pam Kling at909-596-7604.

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Pomona Valle y Audubon 200 9 Calendar

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© 2 0 0 8 Mar cy n C lement s

W es t er n Gul l, Morr o Bay

and the “witchety, witchety” call of the Common

Yellow Throat. There were Blackpoll's, Wilsons,Black-throated Greens, Chestnut-sided, Tennessee,

and a Black and White Warbler, making its way up atree branch. A Yellow-throated Warbler caught our eye. Never had we seen so many warbler species in

one day.

Saturday, May 10th, was clear and sunny, but cold

enough to warrant a jacket, knit cap, and gloves for

some of us. This is International Migratory Bird Day.A parking lane had been blocked off and booths set upto sell birding related item, demonstrate bird banding,and optics. There was, also, a snack stand. Birdersfrom many states and Canada came to observe and photograph their sightings. As we made our way through the throngsof people crowding the boardwalk, somebody spotted a Blackburnian Warbler high in the upper branches. Leaning

against the guiderail, we caught a glimpse of the orange throat. Soon, it worked itself down to all to get a better look

Another person pointed out an Eastern Screech Owl. I spotted a Winter Wren below the boardwalk, foraging underand around a large uprooted tree. Hermit and Swainson’s Thrushes were rustling in the leaf litter. Further along thetrail, a young man asked if we had seen an American Woodcock. He pointed to a brushy area, and there, we couldsee it moving. So well, was it camouaged by its plummage. We thanked the young man, and I watched the bird fora few minutes, as Rod took some video footage. Because we had seen most of the warblers on the previous days, this

sighting made the day truly special.

Magee Marsh Wildlife Area has an education building, known as the Sportsmen’s Migratory Bird Center, which iswell worth visiting.

Magee Marsh (Cont'd. from page 1)

Over the last year, your local chapter has

sponsored highly successful trips to the Rio

Grande Valley in Texas and Southeastern

Arizona. What places would you like to visit

with PVAS? Possible destinations are Alaska

(May/June); Florida; a spring migration trip toTexas or the mid-west; San Blas, Mexico; North

Dakota; etc. Let us know by contacting Dan

Guthrie, Pam Kling, or any of your PVAS board

members. This is an excellent opportunity to

explore new birding destinations and enjoy the

camaraderie of your fellow PVAS members.

Out-of-State Field Trips


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Mark your calendars or this year’s Christmas Bird Count. It will be held on Saturday, December 20,

2008, the frst Saturday o the Count period. Plan now to join in the un.

Contact Neil Gilbert (contact inormation below) or Dan Guthrie i you are able to help with the count.

We can use your help in a number o ways. The teams cover only a small percentage o the circle. They

cover all the important parts or hot spots, but much o the circle is not visited at all, especially the more

urban areas. We are looking or volunteers to do their back yards, their city block, their neighborhood, the

local park down the street. We are looking or people who will volunteer or the whole day, or hal o the

day, or just one hour.

I you are willing to help out with this very important project, let us know. Hand me a note at the monthlymeeting; send me a note by mail (Neil Gilbert, 183 E. Miramar Ave., Claremont, CA 91711); or (preerred)

send an e-mail to: [email protected]

109 th

Christmas

Bird Countby Neil Gilbert

Saturday, december 20, 2008

Happy New Year

to all our members!Don't forgetto pick up your

PVAS 2009 calendars!


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Connection with nature promotes wellness

Project FeederWatch BeneftsBirds and People

Ithaca, NY-More than 100 studies have shown that

getting closer to nature reduces stress and promotes a

feeling of well-being in children and adults. So, lling

feeders and counting the birds that visit may be justwhat the doctor ordered! For more than 20 years, that’s

what participants in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s

Project FeederWatch have been

doing-benetting themselves

and the birds.

"It is a great winter time

activity for the whole family,"

says Alaska FeederWatcher

Nancy Darnell. "If you have

children, they will come to lovewatching the birds. All of this is

fun and a chance to contribute

to scientic studies, too!"

The 2008-09 season of Project

FeederWatch gets underway

November 8 and runs through

April 3. Participants count the

numbers and kinds of birds

at their feeders each week

and send the information to the

Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Participants submitted more than 115,000 checklists

during the 2007-08 FeederWatch season, documenting

unusual bird sightings, winter movements, and shifting

ranges-a treasure-trove of information that scientists

use to monitor the health of the birds and of the

environment.

“Being a FeederWatcher is easy and fun, and at the

same time helps generate the world’s largest database

on feeder-bird populations,” says project leader David

Bonter. “We are grateful for the contributions our participants have made for the birds and are proud of

the joy they say it brings to their busy lives. Since we

started in 1987, more than 40,000 people have submitted

observations, engaging with the wildlife beyond their

windows.”

Scientists learn something new from the data each

year, too, whether it’s about the movements of common

backyard birds or unusual sightings of rarely-seen

species. Highlights of the most recent season include the

largest southward movement of Red-breasted Nuthatches

in the history of the project-part of an expected inux

of northern birds that y farther south when their food

supplies run short. Among the rare birds reported was a

Streak-backed Oriole in Loveland, Colorado-the state’s

rst report of this bird, native to Mexico.

Long-term data show some species increasing innumber, such as the Lesser Goldnch in the Southwest

Other populations continue a downward trend, such

as the Evening Grosbeak throughout

their range. Once one of the most

common species seen at feeders in

the northern half of the continent, the

grosbeaks are declining for unknown

reasons.

Beyond the benefits to birds and

science, however, is the benefit

to participants. “Nature is not

merely an amenity; it is critical to

healthy human development and

functioning,” says Nancy Wells

Cornell University assistant professor

of design and environmental analysis

Her studies nd that a view of nature

through the window or access to the

environment in any way improves

a child’s cognitive functioning and

reduces the negative effects of stresson the child’s psychological well-

being. Wells also notes that when children spent time

with nature early in life it carries over to their adult

attitudes and behavior toward the environment.

Project FeederWatch welcomes participants of all

ages and skill levels, from scout troops and retirees to

classrooms and nature center visitors. To learn more

and to sign up, visit www.feederwatch.org or cal

the Lab toll-free at (800) 843-2473. In return for the

$15 fee ($12 for Lab members) participants receive the

FeederWatcher’s Handbook, an identication poster of

the most common feeder birds in their area, a calendar

complete instructions, and the FeederWatch annua

report, Winter Bird Highlights.

Many FeederWatchers echo this comment from Mary

Strasser of Wisconsin: “The greatest reward for me as

a participant in Project FeederWatch these many years

has been observing birds and behavior that I might have

missed had I not been part of this project.”



Field Trips

Sunday, November 2, 2008Beginner’s Bird WalkRancho Santa Ana Botanic GardenJoin us for our monthly (rst Sunday, Sept. through June)

bird walk at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens.Bring binoculars if you have them. Adults and childrenwelcome. The walk is at and slow and takes about twohours. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the front entry gate (north

end of College Ave. north of Foothill Blvd. 1500 N.College Ave.) Leader: Fraser Pemberton 909-624-

6451.

Wednesday, November, 12, 2008Baldy Village and VicinityMeet at Memorial Park at 8:00 a.m. for resident wintering

birds. Bring a lunch. Leader: Dan Gregory 909-944-2259

Sunday, November 23, 2008Bonelli Park Bird WalkMeet 8:00 a.m. at the Bonelli Park headquarters on ViaVerde near the 57 freeway. Leader: Rod Higbie 909-

599-6526

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Beginner’s Bird WalkRancho Santa Ana Botanic GardenJoin us for our monthly (rst Sunday, Sept. through June) bird walk at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens.Bring binoculars if you have them. Adults and children

welcome. The walk is at and slow and takes about twohours. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the front entry gate (northend of College Ave. north of Foothill Blvd. 1500 N.College Ave.) Leader: Fraser Pemberton 909-624-

6451.

Saturday & Sunday,December 13-14, 2008Morro Bay Weekend Field TripMeet at the base of Morro Rock in Morro Bay at 8:00a.m. on Saturday for a weekend of birding to the north.Saturday will be the highest and lowest tides of the year

providing a great chance for shorebirds and the sharp-tailed sparrow. We will do coastal birding on Saturdayand on Sunday bird down the coast at Oceano and other areas. Leader: Dan Guthrie 909-607-2836

Wednesday, December 17, 2008Bonelli Park Pre-Christmas TripMeet at the Picnic Valley area on Via Verde at 8:00 a.mfor a half day pre-Christmas count search or rarities

Leaders: Bruce and Nancy Strang 626-339-6984

Thursday, December 18, 2008Claremont Parks Pre-Christmas tripMeet at Memorial Park at 7:00 a.m. for a half day searchof our local area, including Moreno Ponds and various

cemeteries. Leader: Dan Guthrie 909-607-2836

Saturday, December 20, 2008Annual Christmas CensusHelp out and join a count group. It's fun and the moreeyes we have, the more birds we'll see! Contact Nei

Gilbert 909-626-0334 or Dan Guthrie 909-607-

2836.

Sunday, December 28, 2008Bonelli Park Bird WalkMeet 8:00 a.m. at the Bonelli Park headquarters on ViaVerde near the 57 freeway. Leader: Rod Higbie 909-

599-6526

Sunday, January 4, 2009Beginner’s Bird WalkRancho Santa Ana Botanic GardenJoin us for our monthly (rst Sunday, Sept. through June) bird walk at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens

Bring binoculars if you have them. Adults and childrenwelcome. The walk is at and slow and takes about twohours. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the front entry gate (northend of College Ave. north of Foothill Blvd. 1500 NCollege Ave.) Leader: Fraser Pemberton 909-624-

6451.

Sunday, January 4, 2009 Dan's Big Day Trip to Orange CountyMeet at Memorial Park at 7:00 a.m. Leader: Dan

Guthrie 909-607-2836

Wednesday, January 14, 2009Santa Fe DamMeet at Memorial Park at 8:00 a.m.



PVAS FAll/winter Field triPS 2008-09

N ovember

Sunday, November 2, 2008 - Beginner’s Bird Walk- Rancho Santa Ana, 8:00 a.m.

Wednesday, November, 12, 2008 - Baldy Villageand Vicinity, 8:00 a.m.

Sunday, November 23, 2008 - Bonelli Park BirdWalk - 8:00 a.m.

D ecember

Sunday, December 7, 2008 - Beginner’s Bird Walk

- Rancho Santa Ana, 8:00 a.m.Saturday & Sunday, December 13-14, 2008 -

Morro Bay Weekend Field Trip, 8:00 a.m.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008 - Bonelli Park Pre-Christmas Trip, 8:00 a.m.

Thursday, December 18, 2008 - Claremont ParksPre-Christmas trip, 7:00 a.m.

Saturday, December 20, 2008 - Annual ChristmasCensus

Sunday, December 28, 2008 - Bonelli Park Pre-Christmas Trip, 8:00 a.m.

J aNuary 2009

Sunday, January 4, 2009 - Beginner’s Bird Walk- Rancho Santa Ana, 8:00 a.m.

Sunday, January 4, 2009 - Dan's Big Day Trip toOrange County - Meet at Memorial Park 7:00a.m.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - Sante Fe Dam -Meet at Memorial Park 8:00 a.m.

One day and half day trips start at Memorial

Park, Indian Hill Blvd at 10th Street, Claremont.

Weekend trips usually meet at the destination on

Saturday morning. Bonelli Park trips meet at park

headquarters on Via Verde, just off the 57 freeway.

It is recommended for all trips to bring a snack and

plenty of water, lunch if recommended.

National Public Lands Day

Saturday, September 27, 2008 was National Public

Lands Day. It was originally established in 1994 with

the following purposes:

To educate about critical and natural resource issues, and

the need for shared stewardship of valued irreplaceable

lands.Build partnerships between the public sector and

local community based on mutual interests in the

enhancement and restoration of public lands.

Improve public lands for outdoor use and recreation with

volunteers assisting land managers in hands on work.

Locally, this day was celebrated at Bonelli Regional

Park. Under the direction of David Jallo, the park’s

assistant superintendant, volunteers from the community

came that morning to help plant trees. About twenty-five people joined David to plant 20 Chitalpa trees,

which will offer shade and beautiful pink blossoms,

3 Coastal Live Oaks, and 2 Buckeye trees. All will

hopefully provide some habitat for the birds. Among

the volunteers were Karlene Campo, Rod and Pat Higbie

from PVAS. There were parents with young children,

whom they encouraged to help dig the hole or shovel on

more dirt. They now have bragging rights to say, “See

that tree. I helped plant it.” It will be a lasting memoryA good time was had by all, despite the heat and dirt

under our ngernails. A very nice lunch was provided

by the Bonelli Park Support Foundation.

We are hoping that next year will bring more

volunteers.



PVAS OFFiCerS 2008-2009

President.Dan.Guthrie.909-607-2836Vice-President.Bruce.Strang. 626-339-6984Secretary.Pam.Kling.909-596-7604.Treasurer.Neil.Gilbert. 909-626-0334.Board.Member..Nancy.Strang. 626-339-6984Board.Member.Dick.Moore. 909-626-1127.Board.Member.Pat.Higbie. 909-599-6526.Board.Member.Rod.Higbie. 909-599-6526

COMMittee CHAirS

Conservation.Dick.Moore. 909-626-1127Education.Dan.Guthrie.909-607-2836Field.Trips.Dan.Guthrie.909-607-2836Membership.Dan.Guthrie.909-607-2836Publications.Neil.Gilbert.909-626-0334Publicity.Shirley.Harris.909-982-9727Door.Prizes.Karlene.Campo. 909-627-8191Hospitality.Gloria.Slosberg.909-626-4754.Website.Mike.Klein.909-625-5510.

CHAPArrAl nAtUrAliSt

Editor.Pam.Kling.909-596-7604

TheChaparral Naturalist .is.published.bimonthly,.except.July.and.August.by.the.Pomona.Valley. Audubon.Society..Copy.deadline.is.the.last.Thursday.of.the.month..Articles.may.be.reprinted.without.permission,.but.please.give.credit.to.the.author.and.the.Chaparral Naturalist .We.encourage.members.to.submit.articles.and.photos.by.email.at.pamtone@verizon.net..Acceptable.le formats are jpg, Word and Excel.

Subscriptions.to.the.newsletter.are.available.for.$10.per.year.to.non-members..Make checkspayable to PVAS and mail to W. M. Keck

Science Center, 925 N. Mills Ave., Claremont,CA 91711.

Name_____________________________________________________ Telephone_____________________________

Address___________________________________________________ Mobile____________________________

City, State, Zip__________________________________________________________

Email_______________________________________________________________________________________

7

Come Celebrate Our 13th Annual Festival!

Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival, January 16-19, 2009

MORRO BAY, CALIFORNIA – Come to where the birds are and join Morro Coast Audubon Society (MCAS)for our 12th Annual Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival.

Located on California’s scenic Central Coast, MorroBay is an important stop on the Pacic Flyway and one

of the country’s pre-eminent birding spots. The area isrecognized worldwide for its diversity of both residentand wintering birds, and at last year’s festival, over 200species of birds were identied!

The Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival is sponsored byMCAS and gives you the chance to join local and national

birding experts on a variety of eld trips and workshops.Field trip group sizes are limited to maximize spottingand identication opportunities. The Festival also offersworkshops aimed at sharpening your birding skills, as wellas evening programs with outstanding speakers.

For more information about the Festival, check out our website at www.morrobaybirdfestival.org,or call (805)772-4677. You can request that your name be added tothe mailing list for our 2009 brochure, or register online.Both the brochure and online registration will be availablein October 2008. The registration deadline is January 5,

2009 but early signups are encouraged as the most popular events ll up quickly.

National Audubon Membership / Membership Information Update

Annual membership in the National Audubon Society is $30 per year. New membership dues are $20. Members receive the Audubon

Magazine and Chaparral Naturalist newsletter. Renewals o membership are computerized by National Audubon and should not be sent

to PVAS. However, a new membership may be sent directly to PVAS. Checks should be made payable to National Audubon Society. Mail

payment with membership orm below and mail to: PVAS, W. M. Keck Science Center, 925 North Mills Avenue, Claremont, CA

91711. (Please note Pomona Valley Audubon on your check.)

Inormation such as mailing address, email address and telephone numbers are used or sending email notifcations, electronic versionso the newsletter, and are published in our membership directory. Membership inormation may be updated by flling out this orm and

turning it in to any board member. This inormation will be distributed only to members and will not be sold to other organizations.

o Yes, please send me the Chaparall Naturalist electronically. oDo not publish my inormation in the chapter directory.



Membership Meetings

P o m o n a V a l l e y A u d u b o n S o c i e t y W . M . K e c k S c i e n c e C e n t e r 9 2 5 N o r t h M i l l s A v e n u e C l a r e m o n t , C A 9 1 7 1 1

P r i n t e d o n r e c y c l e d p a p e r b y M o o r e - B e r g s t r o m C o . , 1 3 4 1 W . B r o o k s , O n t a r i o , C A

R e t u r n S e r v i c e R e q u e s t e d

w w w . p o m o n a v a l l e y a u d u b o n . o r g

N O N - P R O F I T O R G .

U . S . P O S T A G E

P a I d C L A R E M O N T , C A .

P E R M I T N O . 2 4 0

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Nick and Mary Freeman

"Saw-whet Owls of the San Gabriel's"Nick and Mary Freeman

of Los Angeles Audubon

set out over the past eight

years to study the status and

distribution of this little-understood owl in the SanGabriel mountains. Come

and listen as Mary gives an

overview of her findings

relating to Saw-whets, other owls and wildlifeencountered during the project.

Monthly meetings are held in Bauer Forum of

Claremont McKenna College. Evenings begin with

a bird identication session at 7:00 p.m., followed

by refreshments, a short business meeting, and our

evening program.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Lance Benner

"Birding in

Guatemala"Lance Benner will present

a program on neotropical

birds and sights. An excellent

photographer, this should bea good introduction to our

neighbor to the south (onceremoved) and its wildlife andarcheological sites.

Thursday, January 8, 2009Rod Higbie

"Travels in Nova Scotia"

Our member and specialist on Bonelli Park , Rod

Higbee, will present a program on his recent summer

travels to Nova Scotia by motor home and show ussome of the wildlife along the way.

New Date!

Documents

November-December 2008 Chaparral Naturalist - Pomona Valley Audubon Society