Wandering Tattler

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March 2014

Volume 63, Number 6

President’s Message

by Bruce Aird A recent Audubon magazine featured an article about ornithologist Steve Kress, whose brilliant idea it was to use puffin decoys to lure the birds back to breed on offshore islands from which theyʼd been extirpated. Evidently puffins like company, and the biggest stimulus to breeding is the presence of other puffins. The “social attraction” concept has been modified to include recorded bird voices rendering it more suitable for terns and some other species. Since then itʼs been applied extensively and has become a mainstay of seabird conservation worldwide. Itʼs also a great example of Audubon leading the cause of conservation, at home and abroad. Itʼs now March, and the end of the first quarter of 2014 is rapidly approaching. The annual dinner is this month. The Orange County Spring Count follows in May. Though the year is flying by, there is still time for you to get involved in conservation with Sea & Sage Audubon. Oddly enough, the first step might be with our Education program. After all, to be motivated to conserve something, you must care about it, and to care about it, you must know about it first. Our Education program always needs Docents and Naturalists, people who can assist us in teaching kids about the natural world, through our public school programs and summer camps. If that is not your style, there are many other avenues. Come to a Conservation Committee meeting and find a project to volunteer with. Our new partnership with El Dorado Audubon to protect the Orange Coast Wetlands Important Bird Area here in Orange County will need volunteers. You could learn how to monitor California Least Terns or Western Snowy Plovers and take part in one of those programs. Or both. There are bird counts at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, Upper Newport Bay and elsewhere. You need only ask to be trained and included. If thatʼs too active an approach for you, you can always write a check, either directly to the chapter, or if science is your love, donate to the Bloom-Hays Ecological Fund. Sadly, none of these choices actually involve the use of decoys (or puffins!), though if you think we need a statue of John James Audubon to draw future conservationists in, weʼll take it under advisement! In the meantime, weʼre already out there, maybe way out there! We hope to see you out there too.

Annual Dinner

March 21st - Friday evening - 6:00 pm

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Our Annual Dinner speaker is a recognized authority on California, Dr. Allan Schoenherr. By exploring Orange Countyʼs public lands, ecological principles, the flora and fauna of the area and intertidal regions, he will bring us to a new awareness of our own backyard.

Dr. Schoenherr is an emeritus Professor of Ecology at Fullerton College in southern California. He has taught ecology courses at UC Irvine, and CSU Fullerton. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from USC, and his Ph.D. from Arizona State University. He is the author of two major books on the state. A Natural History of California is a 772-page compendium on the plants, animals, and geology of California. Natural History of the Islands of California is a discussion of all of the islands of California including those in San Francisco Bay. His newest book, entitled Wild and Beautiful: A Natural History of Open Spaces in Orange County, is the focus of our eveningʼs talk. An accomplished nature photographer, his own photographs illustrate his books.

A lover of the outdoors, he has traveled, hiked, and photographed all over the world. He has been the naturalist on many shipboard excursions including trips to Iceland, Greenland, Russia, Alaska, the Arctic and the Antarctic, the lagoons of Baja California, the South Pacific, and the Caribbean. As a biology professor on the Semester at Sea program he has traveled around the world three times, teaching marine biology and ecology. He is sure to bring us on an interesting journey.

Doug Lithgow, Programs Chair

Information on the Annual Dinner and how to make reservations for it can be found on page 3 in this issue. We hope to see you there!

Conservation News Susan Sheakley & Vic Leipig, Conservation Co-Chairs Our next Conservation Committee meeting will be held on March 4th, at 6:30 PM in the Blue House. Our next 4th Tuesday Conservation Lecture will be held on February 25th at 7:30 PM in the Learning Center. We hope you will join us! !

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2014 Fern Zimmerman Conservation Award and Letters of Commendation !"#$%&'"(%)*+#'%,-./0%1$'%23+)'(4"1*3+%2355*11''%$")%6(')'+1'7%8'11'()%39%2355'+7"1*3+%"+7%1$'%23+)'(4"1*3+%:;"(7%13%*+7*4*7<"=)%;$3%$"4'%5"7'%+31';3(1$&%#3+1(*><1*3+)%13%1$'%6(31'#1*3+%39%$">*1"1)0%+"1<("=%(')3<(#')0%>*(7)%"+7%;*=7=*9'%*+%?("+@'%23<+1&A%B$*)%&'"(%;'%"('%6='")'7%13%$3+3(C!!! !Fern Zimmerman Conservation Award to: Jean Watt for a lifetime of dedication as a conservationist protecting and preserving the natural resources of Orange County. !!Jean Watt has long been a community leader in Orange County. She served as a member of the city council of Newport Beach. She helped establish the water quality group Stop Polluting Our Newport (SPON). In 1997, she helped found Friends of Harbors, Beaches, & Parks (FHBP), an alliance of environmental organizations working to protect open space throughout Orange County. Ever since, she has served FHBP as its President and guiding light. Her experience provides her with insight into the workings of local government and how we citizens can work with government for the best possible environmental outcome. Under her leadership FHBP has worked with OC Transportation Agency to achieve public acquisition of critical parcels of habitat as mitigation for transportation projects, worked toward the development of the Orange Coast River Park, and produced The Green Vision Map, an inspiring vision of what Orange County can be like if we protect our remaining natural resources. She has guided these activities with wit and grace and unfailing sensitivity and we are grateful for the achievements the environmental movement has made under her leadership. !! !Letters of Commendation to Gloria Sefton and Rich Gomez of Saddleback Canyons Conservancy and Ray Chandos of Rural Canyons Conservation Fund, for leading the environmental coalition's (includes Audubon California, California Native Plant Society and Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks) battle to save Trabuco Canyon and require the County of Orange and developer Rutter Santiago LP to adhere to the Foothill-Trabuco Specific Plan.

Huntington State Beach

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Your help is needed to keep an eye on this active tern colony. Volunteers watch for breeding behavior, eggs, chicks, fledglings, predators, and record observations as well as watch for Western Snowy Plovers. On Wednesday, April 16, 2014, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, we will have our season kick-off and volunteer training with updates at Huntington State Beach Lifeguard Headquarters at PCH and Magnolia Ave. Field Orientation for Volunteer Tern Monitors will be Saturday May 3, 2014 8:30-10:30 AM at the Least Tern Natural Preserve, Huntington State Beach. Parking is free for both events. Enter at Magnolia.

All new volunteers will become members of the Volunteers in Parks Program for State Parks and will go through the live-scan process. Paperwork and instructions for the live-scan will be emailed. SAVE THE DATES! New and returning volunteers are welcome. Additional information about the program can be found on our chapter website. Please RSVP and direct any questions to Cheryl Egger, DC.EGGER@VERIZON.NET We would like to thank Audubon California for awarding Sea and Sage Audubon a $350 State Parks Collaboration Fund Grant to cover the cost of signs that were installed last season on both existing fencing and new fencing in the front, beachside area which previously had only slat fencing. This made it easier for both the public and the docents to interpret the exact nesting area for the terns.

6 Reminder: Donʼt forget the 4th Tues. Conservation Lecture on Feb. 25, at 7:30 PM in the Learning Center. */%)4&5(&"6)7',,)8%)5#)9:5&"(%):';/)<5#;%&="+'5#)";)")<5#;%&="+'5#)>+&"+%(?)@5&)>%"8'&$;A)*%&#;A)"#$)-"&'#%)BC.D;E)4&%;%#+%$)8?)F##")!%'#;+%'#A)FC$C85#)<FA)>%"8'&$)<5#;%&="+'5#)-"#"(%&)There will be no 4th Tues. Conservation Lecture in March. !

Wandering Tattler 3 March 2014

Sea & Sage Annual Dinner Friday, March 21st at Mile Square Park Banquet Center

Our Guest Speaker – Dr. Allan Schoenherr Program “Wild and Beautiful: A Natural History

of Open Spaces in Orange County”

Our Annual Dinner this year will again be held at the Mile Square Park Banquet Center on Friday evening, March 21st. Our speaker, Dr. Allan Schoenherr, taught biology, ecology, and natural history courses as a professor at Fullerton College for many years. He also taught as an adjunct professor at the University of California, Irvine, and California State University, Fullerton. He has lived in Orange County most of his life and has been a resident of Laguna Beach since 1973. A noted authority on California, he is the author of A Natural History of California, the lead author of A Natural History of the Islands of California, an editor for Terrestrial Vegetation of California, and author of Wild and Beautiful: A Natural History of Open Spaces in Orange County. He is a hiker and photographer who has traveled extensively in Orange County's wild lands.

The eveningʼs program will include the presentation of our chapterʼs Fern Zimmerman Conservation Award and Letters of Commendation and the introduction of a new style, limited item, raffle. The Mile Square Park Banquet Center is located at the south end of Mile Square Park, at the intersection of Warner & Ward. 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: $45 for all reservations received before March 1st $50 for reservations received on or after March 1st Entrees: Chicken or Vegetarian

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 date 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 10 people. Mail your check and the reservation form to: Annual Dinner, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln., Irvine CA 92612. A message confirming your reservation will be sent back to you along with directions and a map. Be sure to include your email address and phone number on the reservation form. All reservations must be received by 6:00 p.m. on Monday, March 17th.

2014 Annual Dinner Reservation Form

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 [V] Vegetarian. Detailed information about the menu will be available later. All dinners will include a salad, fresh vegetables, freshly baked rolls, coffee, tea, or decaf, and dessert. Mail your reservations to: Annual Dinner, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln., Irvine CA 92612

Chapter News Chapter Mission Statement: Sea and Sage Audubon is a leader in creating an understanding of nature in Orange County, through conservation, research and environmental education programs for children and adults. This is accomplished with classes, field activities, publications and volunteer opportunities.

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Audubon House Volunteers

We would like to thank the following people for helping to staff Audubon House in February and March: Sherry Bass, Terri Brewster, Pat & Dick Cabe, Carolyn Cooper, Fresia Escalona, Judy Fritts, John Hargrove, Lynne Hayes, Pat

Heilig, Sarah Jayne, Nancy Kenyon, Laurette Kyle, Joann Lemberger, Donna Malloy, Joan McCauley, Grace & Bob McElhiney, Bobbie Miller, Eunice Morita, Helen Nicholas, Barbara Reber, Susan Sheakley, Bev Spring, Monte Taylor, Beryl Vogel, Ron Waller, and Pat Wells.

Audubon House is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. 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 Judy Fritts at 949-551-4513.

News from our Bookstore Our bookstore inside Audubon House is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. We accept credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) with a $10 minimum purchase. New arrivals include: Wild and Beautiful: A Natural History of Open Spaces in Orange County by Allen Schoenherr (our 2014 Annual Dinner speaker); The Sibley Guide to Birds (2nd Edition); Spiders in Your Neighborhood is back in stock. Children's books include new titles from Dawn Publications including many books now in board format. New t-shirt designs include Sibley's Hummingbirds (ladies scoop for a more tailored fit); Advice from a Wood Duck; Little Brown Bat. Also in stock are Sea & Sage shorebird magnets and coffee mugs. There are still a few more out of print titles available for 25-75% off.

NEW! Field Trip in Southern Utah Sat-Wed, June 21-25 ®

Those of you who went on one or more of Larry Trippʼs wonderful field trips in Southern Utah, will be happy to learn that he is in the process of planning a new trip for us in Southern Utah for this coming June. In fact, the dates for the trip were just set this past week! The plan is to spend one day in Bryce, one day in Zion, one day in the vicinity of Capitol Reef & Boulder Mountain, and one day south of Bryce along some creeks & slot canyons. Trip details are now being worked out. Contact Nancy Kenyon if you are interested in learning more about this trip and/or want to sign up for it.

Please Join the Snowy Plover Survey Team

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NEXT SURVEY: March 9-15, 2014

We will again need returning and new volunteer surveyors for the Orange County Snowy Plover Survey to walk Orange County beaches the week of March 9-15. This will complete our quarterly surveys for the 2013-14 project year. As you look for the Snowy Plovers and enjoy all the birds along the way, you are helping USFWS and CDFW with extremely important information about how and where the plovers use our local beaches. All information about the survey is on our website at: http://tinyurl.com/kysedsw All data collected during the first year of this project will be posted on the website soon after the March survey is completed, along with a “look ahead” to whatʼs next for the project. Please contact Jennifer Gummerman, Outreach/Volunteer Coordinator, Biologist, at ocsnplsurvey@gmail.com to choose your beach segment. Field training will be available for those who have not been to a training session. We appreciate your help for our local threatened Snowy Plovers!

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List of Donors In next month’s Tattler, we will publish the list of all the donors who so generously gave financial support to our chapter through the fund appeal. It’s not too late to add your name to the list.

Camp Scholarships Needed We are looking for chapter members who would be willing to make donations, or sponsor a full scholarship or even a partial scholarship, for a child who wants to attend our summer camp this year but needs financial assistance in order to do so. For questions or information about our camp and its scholarship program, please contact Grace McElhiney at 714-969-9617 or see our chapter webpage for information about our summer camp program.

Holly Fuhrer

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@yahoogroups.com !

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With the Christmas Bird Counts (CBC) now behind us, and a better part of the winter season as well, it reminds me that in past years there often would seem to be a lull in the birding activity at this time until things began to pick up again when spring migration rolled around. However, this year there doesnʼt seem to be much let up in local birding activity, which is quite apparent if one regularly checks the OC Birding website. Although there were somewhat fewer “new discoveries” since the last “Rarities” article (my thanks to Brian Daniels, by the way, for stepping in for me last month), there were three very notable finds, and with these weʼll start off this column. The Sea & Sage winter pelagic trip, conducted Jan. 11 (out of Dana Harbor) had two exceptional observations, which included an adult Little Gull and a Flesh-footed Shearwater. There may be as few as only a half dozen records of Little Gull in Orange County, going back to the first in 1980, and even fewer of Flesh-footed Shearwater. A Rusty Blackbird made for an exciting discovery at Huntington Central Park (HCP), Jan. 25 (Roger Schoedl, Dick Cabe); many birders were able to enjoy the bird through at least Feb. 6. Considering the date, itʼs quite likely the bird had been wintering locally (if not even managing to evade detection in the same HCP location where it was discovered). This was at least the fifth record for OC, and despite 33 years of exceptional birder coverage, this was an HCP first. There were a number of other new finds during the last month, with some of the more noteworthy including two Cackling Geese at Village Pond Park, Jan. 23-Feb. 2+ (Marie Aufderheide); two White-winged Scoters off the Huntington Beach Pier, Jan. 11 (Mark Singer); a male Black Scoter off the Seal Beach Pier, Jan. 19 (Terri Bostater), with a male-female pair present in the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station (SBNWS), Jan. 23 (Bob Schallmann); an out-of-place Red-throated Loon at Laguna Niguel Regional Park (LNRP), Jan. 17 (Ryan Winkleman); up to two Long-eared Owls in Silverado Canyon, Feb. 2 (R. Winkleman, Tom Ford-Hutchinson, Jeff Bray and Karl Fairchild); an Ash-throated Flycatcher at Anaheim Coves Park, Jan. 11-19 (Doug Willick), as well as an uncooperative flycatcher in an Anaheim neighborhood, mid to late Jan. (Trish Gussler), that was quite possibly another Ash-throated. A “Western” Flycatcher was at LNRP, Jan. 15 (Sherry Meddick), and a Plumbeous Vireo was at Mile Square Regional Park (MSRP), Jan. 2 (Jim Pike). A Northern Waterthrush at Santiago Park Nature Reserve was in very a typical habitat, Feb. 4-6 (D. Willick). A Waterthrush in Shipley

Nature Center, Jan. 20 (Dave Evans, et al.), may have been a bird not previously known, or possibly individual wintering on the east half of

HCP wandering a bit. Single White-throated Sparrows were found at Irvine Regional Park, Jan. 8-18 (Neil Gilbert), and at Windsor Park, Jan. 22 (J. Pike), while a Harrisʼs Sparrow was discovered in a Huntington Beach residential area, Jan. 2-6 (Vic Leipzig). A “Gray-headed” Junco was at St. Michaelʼs Abbey, Jan. 12 (R. Winkleman). Two Scottʼs Orioles were recorded at Caspers Wilderness Park, Jan. 22-24 (Bettina Eastman, Doug Lithgow). A number of highlights found early in the winter period continued to be seen into the new year. The following is just a review of the more significant of these. A Little Blue Heron found in the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve back in Aug. 2013, was reported as recently as Jan. 26. A Ruff found during the Coastal CBC at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (possibly only the second winter record for OC), was refound during the “CBC Rarities” field trip conducted on Jan. 4. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker remained at HCP through at least Feb. 1. At Tri-City Park, a Hammondʼs Flycatcher present since early Dec. was present through Feb. 3. Known winter Western Flycatchers at HCP and Lemon Heights remained at least into mid Jan. Wintering Vermilion Flycatchers included a male at MSRP through at least Jan. 11, a male and female at Irvine Valley College through at least Jan. 12, and a female at El Modena Park, last reported Jan. 12 as well. A Bellʼs Vireo (very rare in winter), returning this year for at least its 3rd winter at John Baca Park, was last reported Feb. 1. A Cassinʼs Vireo, back for its seventh consecutive winter at Fairhaven Memorial Park (FMP), was last observed on Feb. 1 as well. Brown Creepers wintering at FMP and HCP were last reported Jan. 20 and 30, respectively. Golden-crowned Kinglets remained through Jan. at HCP, MSRP and Craig Regional Park (CRP). A male Varied Thrush at Yorba Regional Park (YRP) since Dec. 8, played hide and seek with birders through at least Feb. 5. A Lapland Longspur associating with a Horned Lark flock at the SBNWS in late Dec., was last reported Feb. 6. Black-and-white Warblers known to be wintering in the county included two at HCP, with one to at least Jan. 30; one Jan. 8; and one at Harriett Wieder Regional Park (HWRP) was last reported Jan. 15. American Redstarts continued at YRP through at least Jan. 20, and at HWRP through at least Jan. 25. The Northern Waterthrush wintering at HCP was last reported Jan. 26. The Green-tailed Towhee wintering in Mission Viejo was still present Jan. 20. As many as two White-throated Sparrows were suspected to be wintering at HCP, although only one was recently reported (Jan. 25). Nelsonʼs Sparrow wintering at the SBNWS was refound Feb. 1. A Tricolored Blackbird was seen sporadically at Heritage Park, until at least Feb. 1. In addition to the two Scottʼs Orioles recently found in Caspers Park, multiple individuals (including at least one singing male) wintered again at the Starr Ranch Sanctuary. The above summary only discusses some of the more noteworthy of this winterʼs highlights, though there were many other rarities that could not be included due to space and time limitations. Je

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San Juan Capistrano CBC Report – 12/14/13 The San Juan Capistrano CBC covers the southern most end of Orange County. It is divided into the following sections: Laguna Niguel Regional Park, San Clemente, Starr Ranch Sanctuary & Caspers Wilderness Park, Pelagic Areas along the coast, Saddleback College & vicinity, Prima Deshecha Landfill & vicinity, Upper San Juan Creek & vicinity, Aliso-Wood Canyons & Ziggurat/Costco area, Donna OʼNeill Land Conservancy, and Dana Point & vicinity. The count was coordinated and compiled by Darrell Wilson. Full information on this count can be found on our Sea & Sage webpage in the form of a spreadsheet showing count data for each area. (http://tinyurl.com/yf7nxnn)

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SPECIES   Total SPECIES   Total SPECIES   Total SPECIES   Total Canada Goose 225 White-tailed Kite 1 Mourning Dove 165 European Starling 358 Gadwall 24 Northern Harrier 3 Greater Roadrunner 9 American Pipit 97 American Wigeon 23 Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 Barn Owl 4 Cedar Waxwing 227 Mallard 97 Cooperʼs Hawk 12 Western Screech-Owl 7 Phainopepla 6 Cinnamon Teal 11 accipiter sp. 1 Great Horned Owl 4 Loggerhead Shrike 1 Northern Shoveler 17 Red-shouldered Hawk 18 White-throated Swift 112 Orange-crowned Warbler 59 Northern Pintail 1 Red-tailed Hawk 76 Annaʼs Hummingbird 264 Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 Green-winged Teal 15 American Kestrel 25 Costaʼs Hummingbird 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Aud.) 1850 Ring-necked Duck 14 Merlin 2 Allenʼs Hummingbird 89 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 4 Lesser Scaup 6 Virginia Rail 1 Belted Kingfisher 4 Townsendʼs Warbler 17 Surf Scoter 2 Sora 4 Acorn Woodpecker 45 Common Yellowthroat 64 Bufflehead 5 Common Gallinule 14 Red-naped Sapsucker 4 Wilsonʼs Warbler cw Hooded Merganser 6 American Coot 1120 Red-breasted Sapsucker 1 Summer Tanager 1

Red-breasted Merganser 1 Black-bellied Plover 19 Nuttallʼs Woodpecker 66 Spotted Towhee 87 Ruddy Duck 242 Snowy Plover 10 Downy Woodpecker 5 California Towhee 185 California Quail 60 Killdeer 81 Northern Flicker 60 Rufous-crowned Sparrow 4 Red-throated Loon 2 Black Oystercatcher 7 Black Phoebe 110 Chipping Sparrow 4 Pacific Loon 2 Black-necked Stilt 14 Sayʼs Phoebe 44 Lark Sparrow 20 Common Loon 3 Spotted Sandpiper 8 Cassinʼs Kingbird 65 Fox Sparrow 7 Pied-billed Grebe 16 Willet 49 Huttonʼs Vireo 3 Song Sparrow 161 Horned Grebe 3 Whimbrel 14 N Rough-winged Swallow 1 Lincolnʼs Sparrow 9 Eared Grebe 16 Marbled Godwit 3 Western Scrub-Jay 90 White-crowned Sparrow 513 Western Grebe 25 Sanderling 28 American Crow 7466 Golden-crowned Sparrow 54 grebe sp. 19 Wilsonʼs Snipe 5 Common Raven 101 Dark-eyed Junco (Ore.) 10

Black-vented Shearwater 175 Red Phalarope 125 Mountain Chickadee 7 Red-winged Blackbird 25 Sooty Shearwater 1 Heermannʼs Gull 223 Oak Titmouse 30 Western Meadowlark 60 Brown Booby 1 Ring-billed Gull 93 Bushtit 582 Brewerʼs Blackbird 29

American White Pelican 30 California Gull 211 Rock Wren 1 Great-tailed Grackle 18 Brown Pelican 1930 Herring Gull 5 Bewickʼs Wren 24 Bullockʼs Oriole 1 Brandtʼs Cormorant 361 Western Gull 518 House Wren 22 Purple Finch 1 Double-crested Cormorant 289 Glaucous-winged Gull 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 99 House Finch 444 Great Blue Heron 5 gull sp. 80 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 7 Lesser Goldfinch 183 Great Egret 5 Forster’s Tern 6 California Gnatcatcher 15 American Goldfinch 18

Snowy Egret 19 Royal Tern 19 Western Bluebird 27 House Sparrow 12 Green Heron 4 Elegant Tern cw Hermit Thrush 33 97 Black-crowned Night-Heron 4 jaeger sp. 1 American Robin 176 Exotic species White-faced Ibis 9 Cassinʼs Auklet 5 Wrentit 132 Nutmeg Mannikin 97 Turkey Vulture 66 Rock Pigeon 234 Northern Mockingbird 48 Osprey 1 Eurasian Collared-Dove 33 California Thrasher 32

Special thanks to the following CBC participants who did such a great job helping us with the count: Bruce Aird, Becky Allen, Lisa Allen, Tom Benson, Naman Bhushan, Elizabeth Blecker, Jeff Bray, Jeff Caplan, Dawn Chimenti, Steve Counts, Brian Daniels, Dan D’Urso, Art Davenport, Tom Dayton, Diane Etchison, Jeff Evans, Karen Evans, Lee Evans, John Fallan, Tom Ford-Hutchinson, Ken Fortune, Sachiko Fukuman, Megan Garfinkle, Trish Gussler, Sharon Harrow, Stephanie Hines, Amin Khalifa, Mark Kincheloe, Patty Knight, Vic Leipzig, Merri Levy, Linette Lina, Tim Maas, Gary Meredith, Dwight Mudry, Vasuki Nas, Nora Papian, Barbara Reber, Mike Sanders, Chuck Schussman, Carol Schussman, Robert Scrimger, Mark Silverstein, Susan Smith, Steve Sosensky, Steve Speakman, Caleb Speakman, Sofia Speakman, Ann Stanton, Paul Straus, Corey Vane, Steve Vosbigian, Ryan Vosbigian, Laura Wantz, Jim Wantz, Phyllis Watson, Joel Weintraub, Doug Willick, Darrell Wilson, Stan Woodward and Gina Zuleeg.

Northeastern CBC Report – 12/15/13 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, Mission Viejo-Lake Forest-El Toro & foothills, El Toro Marine Base & foothill areas, Rattlesnake & Siphon Reservoirs, Peters Canyon Reg. Park & Lemon Heights. The count was coordinated and compiled by Steve alter. Full information on this count can be found on our chapter webpage. (http://tinyurl.com/d25g9p4)

   Wandering  Tattler   7    March  2014  

SPECIES   Total SPECIES   Total SPECIES   Total SPECIES   Total Canada Goose 499 Zone-tailed Hawk 3 Hairy Woodpecker 1 American Pipit 75 Wood Duck 74 Red-tailed Hawk 96 Downy Woodpecker 2 Cedar Waxwing 441 Gadwall 69 Ferruginous Hawk 1 Northern Flicker 70 Orange-crowned Warbler 32 American Wigeon 379 Golden Eagle 1 American Kestrel 22 Phainopepla 4 Mallard 787 Bald Eagle 2 Merlin 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler 3420 Cinnamon Teal 15 Black-necked Stilt 11 Peregrine Falcon 4 Townsendʼs Warbler 8 Northern Shoveler 462 Sora 1 Red-crowned Parrot 10 Common Yellowthroat 44 Northern Pintail 9 Common Gallinule 3 Black Phoebe 232 Spotted Towhee 115 Green-winged Teal 28 American Coot 3205 Sayʼs Phoebe 69 California Towhee 245 Canvasback 34 Killdeer 71 Cassinʼs Kingbird 132 Rufous-crowned Sparrow 6 Redhead 59 Spotted Sandpiper 14 Western Kingbird 1 Lark Sparrow 44 Ring-necked Duck 193 Greater Yellowlegs 10 Loggerhead Shrike 1 Savannah Sparrow 51 Lesser Scaup 180 Willet 2 Plumbeous Vireo 1 Fox Sparrow 10

Bufflehead 40 Least Sandpiper 33 Huttonʼs Vireo 8 Song Sparrow 134 Hooded Merganser 5 Long-billed Dowitcher 76 Western Scrub-Jay 214 Lincolnʼs Sparrow 5 Common Merganser 1 Wilsonʼs Snipe 5 American Crow 1523 Golden-crowned Sparrow 21 Ruddy Duck 717 Ring-billed Gull 167 Common Raven 374 White-crowned Sparrow 933 California Quail 64 California Gull 21 Horned Lark 31 Dark-eyed Junco (Ore.) 318 Pied-billed Grebe 46 Rock Pigeon 39 Tree Swallow 4 Western Tanager 1 Eared Grebe 21 Band-tailed Pigeon 150 Mountain Chickadee 21 Red-winged Blackbird 119 Western Grebe 34 Eurasian Collared-Dove 47 Oak Titmouse 146 Western Meadowlark 137 Clarkʼs Grebe 7 Mourning Dove 354 Bushtit 858 Brewerʼs Blackbird 90 Double-crested Cormorant 343 Spotted Dove 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 18 Great-tailed Grackle 31 American White Pelican 161 Greater Roadrunner 4 Cactus Wren 19 Brown-headed Cowbird 2

Brown Pelican 1 Barn Owl 3 Rock Wren 1 Bullockʼs Oriole 1 Great Blue Heron 25 Western Screech-Owl 22 Bewickʼs Wren 57 OROR/HOOR female type 1 Great Egret 30 Great Horned Owl 8 House Wren 16 Purple Finch 2

Snowy Egret 39 Northern Saw-whet Owl 4 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4 House Finch 752 Cattle Egret 1 Burrowing Owl 1 California Gnatcatcher 14 Lesser Goldfinch 353 Green Heron 3 Common Poorwill 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 129 American Goldfinch 4 Black-crowned Night-Heron 11 White-throated Swift 185 Wrentit 94 House Sparrow 39 White-faced Ibis 7 Annaʼs Hummingbird 333 Western Bluebird 57 Nutmeg Mannikin 116 Turkey Vulture 169 Allen’s Hummingbird 153 Mountain Bluebird 1

Osprey 6 Belted Kingfisher 5 Townsendʼs Solitaire 1 Exotic Species: White-tailed Kite 6 Lewisʼs Woodpecker 1 Hermit Thrush 78 Egyptian Goose 2 Northern Harrier 2 Acorn Woodpecker 377 American Robin 65 Mandarin Duck 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Red-naped Sapsucker 4 California Thrasher 35 Common Peafowl 68 Cooperʼs Hawk 18 Red-breasted Sapsucker 4 Northern Mockingbird 75 Lilac-crowned Parrot 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 30 Nuttallʼs Woodpecker 75 European Starling 556

Special thanks to the following CBC participants who did such a great job helping us with the count: Jonathan Aguayo, Bonny Ahern, Bruce Aird, Marian Alter, Steve Alter, Neal Anderson, Ebbe Banstorp, Pat Bartscherer, Al Baumann, Janet Baumann, Tom Benson, Carolyn Biller, Matt Biller, Jeff Boyd, Samuel Bressler, Deborah Brin, Dick Cabe, Pat Cabe, Lisa Cook, Jim Currie, Brad Dawson, Adam DeLuna, Bettina Eastman, Tom Eastman, David Evans, Bill Fischer, Lucy Fischer, Tom Ford-Hutchinson, Jan Gaffney, Chuck George, Carol Getz, Debbie Gley, Robert Gley, Jenny Golden, Claire Grozinger, Trish Gussler, George Gutman, Beverly Hargrove, John Hargrove, Sheila Harlow, Terry Hill, Carolyn Honer, Star Howard, Susan Kaveggia, Nancy Kenyon, Mark Kincheloe, Jim Kissinger, Brian Leatherman, Ce Leavell, Chuck Leavell, Lucy Lee, Doug Lithgow, Dan Lockshaw, Eva Lydick, Donna Malloy, Laurie Martz, Nina McLaughlin, Sherry Meddick, Gary Meredith, Steve Morris, Heejin Mun, Carolyn Noble, Charlie Noble, Linda Oberholtzer, Joanna Paik, Nora Papian, Fiona Parker, Robert Polkinghorn, Mary Pryor, Dick Purvis, Les Redpath, Joel Robinson, Edana Salisbury, Larry Schmahl, Matthew Schmahl, Brian Schmahl, Robert Scrimger, Barbara Sentovich, Mike Sentovich, Christiane Shannon, Larry Shaw, Susan Sheakley, Robert Singer, Peter Sloan, Steve Sosensky, Jim Stacy, Debbie Sugg, Ralph Sugg, Christine Tischer, Gerald Tolman, Tom Van Huss, Christina Van Oosten, Dusta Waggoner, Peter Wetzel, Doug Willick, Jan Wilson, Darrell Wilson.

March Field Trips Nancy Kenyon, Field Trip Chair !"#$%#&'$(')*%+,$-$*))&%&".*/$%#&'$&.0"#1*%&".2$34+35$"(#$34*'%+#$6+7'*8+$*%9$$4%%'9::666;,+**.),*8+*()(7".;"#8$$;$<#&',$1*#5+)$6&%4$*.$® #+=(&#+$*)>*.3+$#+,+#>*%&".,;$$?(+,%&".,$*7"(%$0&+/)$%#&',@$$A".%*3%$B*.3C$D+.C".2$!&+/)$<#&'$A4*&#2$*%$EFEGHIJGKLJM$"#$.*.3C5+.C".N3"O;.+%$$$

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Monthly Wildlife Walk at the SJWS Sat: March 1 - 9:00 to 10:30 am Weʼll be exploring the birds, plants, and creatures of the marsh on this wildlife walk at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Watch winter at the marsh. Meet in front of Audubon House at 9:00 am for a 1½ hour nature walk. (See directions to the SJWS on page 11.) Leaders: Audubon Naturalists Riley Wilderness Park bird walk Wed: March 5 - 8:00 am to 11 am Join Mike Clayton on a bird walk at Riley Wilderness Park. This park has many old Sycamores and Coast Live Oaks which border the park's two seasonally flowing creeks; it also has grassy hillsides and extensive areas of Coastal Sage Scrub and prickly pear cactus, all of which support a wide variety of bird life. Wear shoes with good traction; some of the trails are quite steep. Directions: From the #5 Freeway, exit on Oso Pkwy. and drive inland towards the mountains. Watch for the park entrance on the right just before the road ends at Coto de Caza. For those without a wilderness park decal, the parking fee is $3 and you will need to purchase a day-use permit from the parkʼs ticket machine. (This park closes when it rains.) Leader: Mike Clayton Owl Prowls at Starr Ranch ® 6:30 - 8:30 pm !Fri. evening, March 7 Fri. evening, March 28 Sat. evening, March 8 (Full) Sat. evening, March 29 The Owl Prowl is a short nighttime excursion into Starr Ranch Sanctuary in search of owls. Our evening will start with a short 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 may show us the resident Great Horned Owl and/or the Barn Owls which are currently nesting in a tall eucalyptus tree & are featured on the live owl cam. We will then board the big open bed truck for a short ride down Bell 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 needed; trip size limited. Trip fee: $20. Make check payable to Sea and 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-addressed envelope for trip confirmation & additional info. Check webpage for space availability; these owl prowl trips fill quickly! Leader: Pete DeSimone

Monthly Bird Walk at the SJWS Sun: March 9 - 8:00 am to 12 Join Chris Obaditch for a monthly bird walk around the ponds of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine at 8:00 am. Watch for the ducks which are beginning to get their breeding plumage.The walk, which is open to interested birders of all ages, will meet by the front porch of Audubon House. Children under the age of 11 must be accompanied by an adult. (See directions to the SJWS on page 11.) Leader: Chris Obaditch Dana Point Headlands and Harbor Thurs: March 13 – 8:00 am to 11:00 am Join Diane Etchison for a bird walk at the Dana Point headlands and harbor. We will start at the headlands to check out the songbirds on the hill and enjoy the great views of the ocean and harbor. From there, we will descend to the lower side of the bluffs, the point, and Baby Beach where terns, loons, and other water birds are found. The last area will be the mouth of San Juan Creek to check out the gulls. Directions: Take the San Diego Fwy [5] to Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Dana Point where you will take the PCH exit. Follow PCH. After you cross the San Juan Creek, the road youʼre on will merge with the Coast Highway [1]. Drive north on [1] a short distance to Dana Point Harbor Drive where you will turn left. Park in the lot at the corner of Golden Lantern and Dana Point Harbor Drive. We will carpool up the hill to the headlands, back down the hill to the Ocean Institute parking area, and then on to Doheny State Park. Be prepared to share expenses for the entrance fee at the state park. Leader: Diane Etchison

Laguna Niguel Regional Park bird walk!!!!!!!!Sun: March 16 – 7:30 am to 11:30 am Join Garett Lepper for a morning of birding at Laguna Niguel Reg. Park at 8:00 am. This park attracts a wide variety of birds due to the landscaped park vegetation and lake. We will look for resident birds as well as early spring species. Directions: Take the Santa Ana Fwy (5) to the La Paz Road off ramp. Head west 4 miles to the park entrance. Be prepared to pay the $5 entrance fee if you donʼt have a county parks pass. Meet at the Shelter #3 parking lot at the far end of the park where there is ample parking and a nearby restroom. (Ask for directions to Shelter 3 at the park entrance kiosk.) Leader: Garett Lepper

Field Trips continued Nancy Kenyon, Field Trip Chair !"#$%#&'$(')*%+,$-$*))&%&".*/$%#&'$&.0"#1*%&".2$34+35$"(#$34*'%+#$6+7'*8+$*%9$$4%%'9::666;,+**.),*8+*()(7".;"#8$$;$<#&',$1*#5+)$6&%4$*.$® #+=(&#+$*)>*.3+$#+,+#>*%&".,;$$?(+,%&".,$*7"(%$0&+/)$%#&',@$$A".%*3%$B*.3C$D+.C".2$!&+/)$<#&'$A4*&#2$*%$EFEGHIJGKLJM$"#$.*.3C5+.C".N3"O;.+%$$;$

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!!Upper Newport Bay by pontoon boat ®

Monthly 3rd Wed: 8:15 to 11:00 am Join 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 spot on the boat. Directions will be provided to those with reservations. The March and April trips are already full. The next available trips are: May 21, June 18, July 16, Aug. 20, Sept. 17, etc. Leader: Nancy Kenyon 969-786-3160; nancykenyon@cox.net Bolsa Chica Bird Walk

Thurs: March 20 - 8:00 am to 12 noon Come prepared for a great morning of birding to check out the resident birds as well as late spring migrants. Bring binoculars, a field guide, and a scope if you have one. We will meet in Harriet Wieder Park in the lot off Garfield. Directions: From Pacific Coast Hwy, turn inland on Seapoint Ave. Follow Seapoint to its terminus at the corner of Garfield. Continue straight across Garfield into Harriett Wieder Reg. Park where there is plenty of free parking. Follow the drive lane (shown on some maps as Overlook Drive) about 1/4 mile to its end and park. (From there, it's easy to drive to other parts of Bolsa Chica.) Leader: Vic Leipzig Upper Newport Bay bird walk Sun: March 30 - 8:00 to 11:00 am Join Mark Kincheloe for the monthly bird walk in Upper Newport bay to check out the shorebirds, waterfowl, herons & egrets, and raptors. (This will be a high tide, so the shorebirds will be clustered on the higher ground spots because of the usual mud flats will be obscured by water.) Bring binoculars. a field guide, and a scope if you have one. Directions: Meet in the Big Canyon parking lot in Newport Beach. This is easily reached from Jamboree. Take San Joaquin Hills Rd west toward the bay where it intersects with Back Bay Dr. Turn right and follow Back Bay Dr. to the Big Canyon Parking lot on your left. Leader: Mark Kincheloe

Eastern Sierra weekend trip ® Sat. & Sun: April 12-13 at 7:30 am Sat. This weekend trip will explore the Owens Valley where there is a wide variety of birds along with spectacular scenery. We will meet in Lone Pine at 7:30 am on Sat. From there, we will drive up Hwy. 395 to Bishop, enjoying the magnificent Eastern Sierra scenery and birding along the way. We hope to see Tule Elk and will search for birds such as Bald and Golden Eagles, Red Crossbills, Black-billed Magpies, Pinyon Jays, Gray-crowned Rosy Finches, and 6 swallow species. On Sunday, we will reassemble at 6:00 am and drive to a Greater Sage-Grouse lek to watch the Sage-Grouse display. We will also bird Crowley Lake for the Sage Thrasher and Common Loon in breeding plumage. Depending on the road conditions, we may go NE over the nearby hills to spots for our picnic lunch and mountain birds such as Pinyon Jay, Cassin's Finch, Williamson's Sapsucker, White-headed Woodpecker & Black-backed Woodpecker. Lastly, we will be going through a traditional Swainsonʼs Hawk breeding area as we bird our way home. Group size is limited; advance reservations are necessary. Trip fee is $30 per person. Make check payable to Sea & Sage Audubon and mail to: Eastern Sierra Trip, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612. Be sure to include your phone number and your e-mail address or a long self-addressed, stamped envelope for trip confirmation and information. Leaders: Vic Leipzig #$%!!Linda Oberholtzer

Southern Sierra Spring Migrants ® Fri-Mon: May 16 -19; meet 5:30 am Friday 4+)."#)5%)$'66'.7,+)+8)(%+)"..8998$"+'8#:)'#)+/':);8;7,"&)<"."+'8#)"&%")"+)+/%),":+)9'#7+%=):8)>87)#%%$)+8);,"#)"/%"$)68&)+/':)+&';)"#$)9"?%)>87&)&%:%&<"+'8#:)%"&,>@)The birding locations will be selected according to current birding conditions and the wishes of the participants. A wide variety of habitats will be covered. We will see spring migrants, resident and montane species and some vagrants. Some of the birds you can expect to see include: Western & Clark's Grebe, American White Pelican, Prairie Falcon, up to 5 sp. of hummingbirds, up to 10 sp. of woodpeckers, Pinyon Jay, Clark's Nutcracker, 6 sp. of wrens, American Dipper, Townsend's Solitaire, Green- tailed Towhee, Black-chinned Sparrow, Tricolored Blackbird, Scott's Oriole, Purple Finch, Cassin's Finch, and Lawrence's Goldfinch. Advance reservations are needed and space is limited. Trip fee is $15 for each day you plan to attend ($60 for 4 days). Make check payable to Sea & Sage Audubon & mail to: Southern Sierra Trip, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612. Be sure to include your phone number and e-mail address or a long self-addressed, stamped envelope for trip confirmation and information. Leader: Bob Barnes

Marsh Education News Trude Hurd, Project Director of Marsh Education !"#$%&'"#()*%"&$)+",*$",#$-.,/)*%"&$0#"1#)(2$345)65$7%6%*$",#$/8)3*5#$95+3)15$)*:$$8**3:;;999<65))&.6)15),.,+"&<"#1;-.,/)*%"&<8*(4$=5)#&$)+",*$",#$>,((5#$?)(3$3#"1#)(2$@#*$A55*6$>/%5&/5$3#"1#)(2$>,((5#$B)*$C)4D62$A"&*84E$C%4.4%'5$C)4D62$F$("#5G$!

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!"#$%&''()*+,%&'-*."(*/,&*+,#0)* !56"('#%)78#7%+)"&98#$)"):9#$;))<)+'(/+)7="&6)9>)#9#?@'+'#()6'$(%7)

7="&6)9A%&)+/%)@8,&87/;))B8$$%#,CD)")76",,)@&9=#)7/":%)E8'.F,C)$"&+7)+/&98(/)+/%)7="&6D)$'::'#()7,'(/+,C)"#$)>,8++%&'#()'+7)='#(7)"7)'+):"77%7;))<)@"+)G87+)/"$)"#)%"&,C)6%",H!!These fascinating nocturnal mammals may be small but they are very helpful in keeping the insect population under control in our towns. Unfortunately, many people are afraid of bats, and they need people like you to speak on their behalf! Each year, Sea and Sage Audubon Society offers over a dozen public Bat Walks at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine (across from UC Irvine). This year there are 16 Bat Walks. Each program is led by a bat biologist, but we need Bat Walk Volunteer helpers during each night hike to assist with the equipment, point out bats, and keep the group safely on the trail in the dark. Itʼs easy! You could do it! If you have an interest in bats and can help us on a few Thursday, Friday, or Saturday nights between June and September, then please join us. We will have a volunteer training session in May where you will find out which bat species we expect to see/hear during the Bat Walks, take a short night hike to become familiar with the route, gain hands-on experience with sonar detectors, and learn simple techniques to keep the group together. We hope that at this meeting you will select the Bat Walk dates you want to help on: June 6, June 7, June 26, June 27, July 17, July 18, July 24, July 25, August 8, August 9, August 21, August 22, September 5, September 6, September 11 and September 12. Bat Walk Volunteers attend the programs free-of-charge. You will be richly rewarded with this magical experience! To volunteer, contact Ellen Mansour, Bat Walk Volunteer Coordinator, at 949-854-3358 or by email at ellenmansour@cox.net.!!

-Ellen Mansour

1$22'(*3,24*5'$%6"%**Forty-six Sea & Sage Summer Camp veterans enjoyed reuniting on Sunday, January 26, for five hours of fun, food, gardening, games, birding, and a craft, too. This year, our Reunion featured a surprise guest birder, Mr. Neil Gilbert, a former teenage Junior Naturalist who is now co-

coordinator for eBird reports in Orange County. Was that why the birds-sighted total of our 1½ hour bird walk rose to 61 species this year? Well, we all helped make this high total happen! The Advanced Campers worked hard to replant their grassland with Purple Needlegrass, Blue-eyed Grass, Yarrow and 5 oz. of wildflower seeds mixed with sand. Itʼs fun to get a little muddy! Meanwhile, the younger end of the eight- to sixteen-year-old campers played “Drop the Cowbird Egg”, an outdoor game, after learning about cowbirds. Then they painted a 2014 Camp Reunion Souvenir, choosing a wooden birdhouse, a songbird, or an owl. We know these created art pieces will be treasured for years to come. Special mention should be given to three teenage Camp Assistants: Matthew Bartush, Hunter Craft, and Jeremy Zuniga. Wherever we looked, there they were, helping out—by pulling weeds, lugging supplies, tallying the bird count, moving chairs, and more. Matthew did double-duty as our official photographer. The Reunion culminated in a feast for the starving former campers: pizza, salads, fruit plates and scrumptious desserts. As a finale, we squeezed in our indoor game, “One Day at the Marsh”, after dinner. Hooray for the Fledgling campers (ages 7-8) whose best time during camp last summer beat all the groupsʼ times during this reunion. We needed help preparing for the grassland planting, and Dave Asman and his team with the Irvine Ranch Water District were quick to respond with all the right equipment. We also thank Carol Williams from Shipley Nature Center who helped us acquire the native plants. Our superb Camp Committee spent months planning the reunion so campers could experience the wetlandʼs wonders during winter. Finally, special thanks to the weather which provided rainwater for the plants AFTER we went indoors. We encourage you to see the meadowʼs progress on your next trip to the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. The Reunion rekindled the excitement and fun we experienced during our Fledgling, Marsh, Coastal and Advanced Camps of last summer. Come see for yourself this summer!

-Teresa Cullen

Directions and Membership !"#$%&"'()*&'*+,-,.'(*/',)$0*',#*1234&$#*5$$&"(6)0*3(-*&2$*73(*8'39,"(*:";-;"<$*73(%&,3#=0*+,-,.'(*5$>.$#)2"4*?'#>0*@3&&;$#*),.)%#"4&"'()*A*-$;"B$#=0*C$>$>.$#*D)*"(*E',#*:";;**'#*@#,)&0*3(-*:2'*&'*F'&"<=*"<*=',*3#$*6'"(6*&'*.$*&$>4'#3#";=*3G3=*<#'>*2'>$*'#*3#$*>'B"(6H*

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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 & 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 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

If you are signing up as a new Audubon member, be sure and use the membership form below that has the code C4ZC150Z in the lower right hand corner. This tells National Audubon who to credit for your recruitment. Sea & Sage gets 100% of a new memberʼs dues, even if you sign up for more than one year. If you are feeling generous at renewal time and you want Sea & Sage to benefit, you should send your renewal fee to National Audubon and a separate check to Sea & Sage for your donation to the chapter. If you have any questions, please contact Membership Chair, Chuck George, at cgeorge@george-sd.com

Temporarily Away or

Moving? Please notify Membership Chair, Chuck George, of your new address if you are temporarily, or permanently, moving from your current address. If you do not want to continue receiving the Tattler at your new address, let him know. This will save us from paying return postage fees.

Audubon Membership Application Membership: we invite you to become a member of the National Audubon Society and the Sea & Sage Audubon chapter. To join: 4,%"5%)6"7)87)./%.9):#,7;))$:)#:+)5%#$)."5/< Make your check payable to: NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY, complete this form, and mail it along with your payment to: Sea & Sage Audubon, PO Box 5447, Irvine CA 92616. National Audubon Society Membership: Check one [!] [ ] NEW MEMBERSHIP: $20 - Individual or Family members [ ] RENEWAL: $35 - Regular Membership [ ] NEW MEMBERSHIP: $15 - Senior (62+ yrs) or Student [ ] RENEWAL: $15 - Senior or Student Members receive: AUDUBON magazine as well as the WANDERING TATTLER newsletter.

Chapter Code

Name Address City, State, Zip Phone E-mail

C4ZC150Z

C9ZC150Z

Use

!"#!"#$%&'#()*"++,%&) -"&./))0123)!

BOARD MEMBERS Executive Committee:

President ........................... Bruce Aird ................... 949-458-1520 Vice President ................... Vic Leipzig ................... 714-848-5394 Secretary ........................... Linda Davis ................. 949-643-3789 Treasurer (interim) ............. Hal Sheakley ............... 949-552-5974 Director 2014 ..................... Cheryl Egger ............... 714-842-9232 Director 2014 ..................... Bobbie Miller ............... 714-960-5724 Director 2015 ..................... Garett Lepper .............. 714-921-9375 Director 2015 ..................... Shirley Reynolds ......... 949-429-2161 Director 2016 ..................... Jonathan Aguayo ........ 805-204-6986 Director 2016 ..................... Kate Grabenstein ........ 714-540-6768 Past President ................... Jay Miller ..................... 949-707-1287 Committee Chairpersons: Audubon House ..................... Susan Sheakley .......... 949-552-5974 Audubon House Volunteers ........ Judy Fritts .................... 949-551-4513 Bird Information ................. Sylvia Gallagher .......... 714-962-8990 Christmas Bird Counts ...... Steve Alter ................... 714-669-9482 Conservation Co-Chair ...... Susan Sheakley .......... 949-552-5974 Conservation Co-Chair ...... Vic Leipzig ................... 714-848-5394 Counsel ............................. Sean Sherlock ............. 714-427-7036 Development ..................... Cheryl Thomas ............ 949-294-2275 Education .......................... Carolyn Noble ............. 714-731-9091 Exhibits .............................. Mary Joseph ................ 714-848-8362 Facebook .......................... Chuck George ............. 714-319-6166 Field Trips .......................... Nancy Kenyon ............. 949-786-3160 Finance ............................. Hal Sheakley ............... 949-552-5974 Membership ...................... Chuck George ............. 714-319-6166 Newsletter Editor ............... Nancy Kenyon ............. 949-786-3160 Partners in Flight ............... Janet & Al Baumann ... 949-859-5081 Programs ........................... Doug Lithgow .............. 714-962-4145 Raptor Research ............... Scott Thomas .............. 949-293-2915 Science ............................. Amber Heredia ............ 714-812-2430 SJWS Liaison .................... Chris Obaditch ............ 949-640-7234 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 .................... Debby Thyssen ......... 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/

CALENDAR OF CHAPTER ACTIVITIES March 2014 01 Sat Wildlife Walk at the SJWS ............................. 9:00 am 04 Tues Conservation Com. Meeting .......................... 6:30 pm 05 Wed Riley Wilderness Park bird walk ..................... 8:00 am 07 Fri. Owl Prowl at Starr Ranch ® .......................... 6:30 pm 08 Sat. Owl Prowl at Starr Ranch ® (Full) ................. 6:30 pm 09 Sun San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary bird walk ...... 8:00 am 9-15 Su-Sa Snowy Plover Survey Period .................................... 10 Mon Learning Desert Bird Sounds classes begin ............... 11 Tues Board Meeting . .............................................. 7:30 pm 13 Thurs Dana Point Headlands & Harbor bird walk .... 8:00 am 16 Sun Laguna Niguel Reg. Park bird walk ................ 7:30 am 19 Wed UNB by pontoon boat ® - (Full) ...................... 8:15 am 20 Thurs Bolsa Chica bird walk ..................................... 8:00 am 21 Fri ANNUAL DINNER ® ...................................... 6:00 pm 28 Fri. Owl Prowls at Starr Ranch ® ......................... 6:30 pm 29 Sat. Owl Prowls at Starr Ranch ® ......................... 6:30 pm 30 Sun Upper Newport Bay bird walk ........................ 8:00 am April 2014 02 Wed Caspers Wilderness Park bird walk ............... 8:00 am 05 Sat Wildlife Walk at the SJWS ............................. 9:00 am 12-13 S-S Eastern Sierra weekend trip ® ....................... 7:30 am 13 Sun San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary bird walk ...... 8:00 am 16 Wed UNB by pontoon boat ® - (Full) ...................... 8:15 am 18 Fri GENERAL MEETING .................................... 7:30 pm 19 Sat Villa Park Flood Basin field trip ...................... 7:30 am 20 Sun Carbon Canyon Reg. Park bird walk .............. 7:30 am 22 Tues 4th Tues Conservation Lecture ....................... 7:30 pm 27 Sun Big Morongo Preserve & vicinity .................... 7:00 am 27 Sun Upper Newport Bay bird walk ........................ 8:00 am

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

xxxxxxxx

Non-Profit Org

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

pphoto by Trish Gussler on 9/23/12 at the SJWS