Wandering Tattler

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

September 2017

Volume 67, Number 1

President’s Message by Doug Lithgow

This past July, Laguna Hills Audubon Society officially folded their chapter after nearly 45 years operation. This was a very active chapter with strong involvement in many conservation efforts throughout Orange County. Judy Rizzo, a past board member and LHAS historian, has written a brief history of their chapter for this issue of the Tattler. It touches on numerous highlights of the chapter’s past activities. Vic Leipzig and I attended LHAS’s May program with Pete DeSimone and their summer picnic in June. We were warmly received. I would like to extend the same warm welcome to the members of Laguna Hills Audubon Society from Sea and Sage Audubon Society as their membership is brought over into our chapter.

National Audubon Society held their 2017 Audubon Convention in Park City, Utah in July. Representing Sea and Sage Audubon were Bruce Aird, Vic Leipzig, Gail Richards and myself. It was a very energetic conference with several outstanding keynote speakers such as David Yarnold, Kenn Kaufmann and Dr. Drew Lanham. One of the prominent topics was diversity and Dr. Lanham made a very powerful comparison between the ranges of different birds and the ranges of diverse people. His talk can be viewed on the NAS website at: http://www.audubon.org/news/listen-drew-lanhams-keynote-speech-2017-audubon-convention-utah.

Another major focus of the convention was dealing with the current political climate with regard to conservation. Arctic NWR may be opened up to oil drilling. Numerous National Monuments are being reviewed for downsizing. Several National Marine Sanctuaries off the coast of California are under consideration. The EPA will be facing serious budget cuts and the Endangered Species Act might possibly be reconsidered. There was a strong emphasis on contacting our representatives to make our voices heard. Sea and Sage Audubon has been very active on this front and we hope to engage much of our membership in this endeavor as well. The convention offered a great opportunity to meet fellow Audubon members from across the country, share interesting stories and talk about accomplishments over the past few years. There was also an opportunity to join a bird walk with Kenn Kaufman, participate in interviews with National Audubon staff, peruse a poster session or just strike out on your own to explore the surrounding landscape and birdlife. Overall it was an invigorating experience.

General Meeting

September 15th

- Friday evening - 7:30 pm

“QUIZ NIGHT”

presented by Sylvia Gallagher

Our September program will feature a chance to exercise your visual and aural birding skills. It’s been twelve years since Sylvia Gallagher presented this popular program: an opportunity for you to find out if you are a beginning, intermediate, or advanced birder. Thirty photos and fifteen sound clips will be presented: 1/3 easy, 1/3 moderate, and 1/3 difficult. All will be of birds that have occurred in southern California south of the northern borders of San Luis Obispo, Kern, and San Bernardino counties. By scoring yourself on this little quiz, you can get an idea of your level of birding expertise. You don’t have to confess--or brag about--your score unless you want to. BRING BINOCULARS, PEN or PENCIL, and a HARD SURFACE FOR WRITING. A SMALL FLASHLIGHT for seeing what you write might also be useful. Forms for writing your answers will be provided. Sylvia Gallagher joined Sea and Sage in 1971 and

was drafted onto the board in October 1972 as a Christmas Bird Count co-chair. She gave her first birding skills workshop for Sea and Sage in January of 1980 and has been offering classes on birds ever since. Dr. Gallagher

was the author of the Atlas of Breeding Birds Orange County, California, published in 1997. Sea and Sage has benefited from our decades long relationship with her and we hope you will join us for our Quiz Night on Friday, Sept. 15th.

Our program will be held in the Duck Club at the SJWS in Irvine. The doors open at 7:00 for refreshments and fellowship, and the meeting and program will begin at 7:30 pm. We hope you will join us!

—Doug Lithgow

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Conservation News by Susan Sheakley, Conservation Chair Our next Conservation Committee Meeting will be held on Sept. 5th at 6:30 PM in the Learning Center. Our next 4th Tuesday Conservation Lecture will be held on Sept. 26th at 7:30 PM in the Learning Center. We hope you will join us.

'4th Tuesday' Conservation Lecture Tuesday, Sept. 26th - 7:30 PM Learning Center, SJWS "HowMuchisaWhaleWorth?presentedbyCapt.DaveAndersonCapt. Dave, President of “Capt. Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari” out of Dana Point, is a dynamic and popular speaker and is considered a local authority on area wild dolphins and whales. He has entertained and educated a wide variety of groups and has appeared on ABC, CBS, NBC, and the Travel Channel. His photographs have been on the cover of newspapers and magazines and in special exhibits. Capt. Dave, who is committed to promoting awareness of life in Southern California's ocean, introduced and organized the first Ocean Awareness Day, which is now part of the annual Dana Point Festival of the Whales. Here is some program information from Capt. Dave about his talk for us. Most people believe that whales and dolphins are being taken care of - that they are protected for the most part, but, they are not. 1,000 dolphins and whales are dying every day worldwide entangled in active fishing gear. While there have been many films and television programs publicizing whale, dolphin and other cetacean hunts in places such as Japan, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, not as much is known about cetacean deaths due to entanglements in fishing gear. In less than one month as many whales, dolphins, and other cetaceans die from entanglements with active fishing gear as die in all the hunts annually! Last year we had 71 whales entangled off the west coast here - a record number! Capt. Dave has found a solution to this problem that could prevent the majority of entanglements of whales off California, which he will show us. He will explain how the organization in charge of protecting whales and dolphins in the United States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is not doing enough to stop the problems and, in some cases, is preventing the whales and dolphins from being helped. He will also show us "some of the most beautiful whale footage" he has ever seen or filmed. Back to the question "How much is a whale worth?"

A dead Minke Whale brings about $250,000 to the Japanese whalers. What is a live whale worth? Whale Watching is a more than three billion dollar industry. So, obviously, people care about whales. Please join us to learn more about life in Southern California's ocean. Doors open at 7:00 PM for snacks and social. Program starts at 7:30 PM.

O.C. Snowy Plover and Least Tern Survey September 17-23, 2017 The Western Snowy Plovers are back on our beaches!! We welcome surveyors to participate in the September survey, who have already attended one of our classroom or field training sessions, and are able to conduct the survey on an assigned section of beach once during the survey period. Beach assignments are currently being made, so please CONTACT: Cheryl Egger at ocsnplsurvey@gmail.com with your requests. We also welcome new volunteers who attend the training class which is scheduled for Saturday, September 9 from 10:00 to 12:00. Please arrive at 9:30. You must RSVP and be registered to attend the training. Please CONTACT Cheryl Egger at ocsnplsurvey@gmail.com if you would like to attend the training class. INFO: For more information and a list of beach segments, please see our website at www.seaandsageaudubon.org then go to the OC Snowy Plover Survey page. Please help us find those roosting plovers!

Western Snowy Plover Critical Habitat on the Balboa Peninsula. The City of Newport Beach plans to apply for a Coastal Development Permit to change the way it protects the dunes and the Western Snowy Plovers on the Balboa Peninsula. Watch for notice of a future public meeting where you can learn about their plans and share your views.

Holly Fuhrer

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Sea and Sage Audubon Society

Birds of Southern California An Introductory Birding Skills Workshop

presentedbySylviaGallagherSea & Sage Audubon Society is again offering a ten-week workshop in bird identification for beginning birders. If you have been birding casually for a while, you should also consider enrolling. Professional biologists whose expertise is not in ornithology find these workshops helpful, too. Each session will feature about 15 common birds of a particular local habitat on the coastal side of the mountains. With the use of printed worksheets and slides from the Sea & Sage Library, Sylvia Gallagher will help you learn to identify those birds. In the process, you’ll also be introduced to a variety of other topics, such as bird families, plumages and molts, bird topography, distribution and habitat preferences, behavior, vocalizations, the birding literature, birding ethics and etiquette, etc. The topics to be covered in the series are: Birds of neighborhoods Birds of playing fields and parking lots Birds of mudflats and shallow water Birds of the ocean shore Birds of the open country Birds of prey Birds of the streamside woodland Birds of lakes, ponds and marshes

Each person will attend ten weekly meetings at the Gallagher home in Huntington Beach. You will choose one of these three sections to attend:

Wed. evenings: 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., (Oct. 4 - Dec. 13, except Nov. 22 Thurs. mornings: 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon, (Oct. 5 - Dec. 14, except Nov. 23) Thurs. evenings: 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., (Oct. 5 - Dec. 14, except Nov. 23) Four half-day field trips will be scheduled and you may choose Saturdays or Mondays: Oct. 21 or 23, Nov. 4 or 6, Nov. 18 or 20, Dec. 9 or 11 — times to be announced. The maximum enrollment for each section is 22. If any section does not have at least 12 people enrolled by Sept. 25, it will be cancelled. Reserve early though, because some sections may fill completely. A donation of $90.00 (or more) per person is requested, if you can afford it. Bring your money to the first session The required book for the workshop is 6th edition (or later, as a new one is imminent) of the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America by Dunn and Alderfer. Recommended, but not required, is Birds of Southern California by Garrett, Dunn, & Small. Both books are available at Audubon House, or you can buy them at the first meeting. (discount price for workshop participants, starting Sept.1) You will also need to bring binoculars to meetings no later than the third session—preferably sooner. Send your reservation for this workshop, postmarked no earlier than Sept. 5th, (2-day penalty for early reservations), to: Introductory Workshop, c/o Sylvia Gallagher, 21562 Kaneohe Ln, Huntington Beach CA 92646. Placement in sections will be based on postmark date. Enclose a long (4”x 9.5”) self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE). Confirmations will be mailed Sept. 27, including preliminary information and a map to the meeting place. For further information, contact Sylvia at sjrgallagher@yahoo.com or (714) 962-8990.

Enrollment Form for Introductory Birding Skills Workshop (Fall 2017) Names of all participants ______________________________________________________________________

Address(es) ______________________________________________________________________________

City & Zip_______________________________________ Phone(s)___________________________________

E-mail(s) ____________________________________________________________________________________

Check (or rank) your choice of section:

WED. pm___ THURS. am ___ THURS. pm ___ SASE enclosed? ___

Do you plan to buy a book at the first meeting? ____ If more than one, how many? ____

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Chapter News For more information about Sea & Sage activities, check our “Calendar of Chapter Activities” on our chapter website http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org . It is posted on the home page under the heading MAIN AREAS. It contains information on meetings, programs, field trips, special events, birding classes, citizen science projects such as the Christmas Bird Counts, Snowy Plover surveys, Least Tern monitoring, Bird Seasons, monthly censuses, etc.

Audubon House Volunteers We would like to thank the following people for helping to staff Audubon House in June, July, August, & September: Sherry Bass, Chris Byrd, Ann Chan-Verdugo, Mary

Converse, Fresia Escalona, Greg Figge, Ann Harmer, Lynne Hayes, Pat Heilig, Patti Henshaw, Sarah Jayne, Cailey Jonas, Nancy Kenyon, Lauretta Kyle, David Kramer, Joann Lemberger, Maya Matkin, Joan McCauley, Bobbie Mller, Barbara Mitchell, Paula Monroe, Eunice

Morita, Dagmar Muthamia, JoAnn Nothhelfer, Roberta Ray, Barbara Reber, Susan Sheakley, Bev Spring, Monte Taylor. Debby Thyssen, Marilyn Walter, Pat Wells and Beryl Vogel. 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 Barbara Mitchell at 949-646-4115 or Susan Sheakley at 949-552-5974.

News from our Bookstore Our bookstore inside Audubon House is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. It is also open 45 minutes before our General Meetings. We accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express) with a $10 minimum purchase. It's exciting to stock two new organic product lines. Birds and Beans Coffee is Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center 'bird friendly' coffee. It is shade grown, certified organic, and fair trade coffee, sold in 12 ounce bags and frac packs (2.2 ounce packs which make 10-12 cups of coffee). The company is also a Cornell Lab of Ornithology partner donating a percentage of the profits to conservation. A Wild Soap Bar makes soap from natural products using organic oils and pure essentials oils. Check out the scented soaps, boxed bar sets, Into the Wild Bug Balm and soapourri. Calendars for 2018 include a variety of wall, gallery (page-a-day), engagement and tide pockets arriving by mid-September. Back in stock: High Reach Hangers (formerly Easy Lift Hangers), hummingbird feeders, boxed lavender sachets, bamboo flutes and the popular Audubon plush birds with sounds (which have a new look and a wider variety to choose from).

The Laguna Hills Audubon Society: Past and Future by Judy Rizzo, Historian, LHAS

In 1972, the Laguna Hills Audubon Society began from a group in Leisure World known as the Laguna Hills Bird Club. The Founder, Bird Club President and naturalist Paul Colburn, applied for membership as a provisional chapter of National Audubon Society. When requisite By-laws and a Constitution were written, the Laguna Hills Audubon Society was born.

Early on, the group enjoyed a large membership with many active committees and groups. They were like-minded individuals who shared the common goals of influencing legislation affecting clean water and air, protecting the habitat of threatened species and the environment. All were dedicated environmentalists and ardent birders, allowing for creative projects.

Archives revealed a document entitled “Distribution of Birds of Laguna Woods (1994-95).” At that time, 89 species were recorded, with one being the Tricolored Blackbird at Gates 7-10. Another project was begun by Mannie Ackerman called “Adopt-a-Tree”. Five dollars allowed you to select a tree to be planted in the village, with an option to purchase a tree-name label in both English and Latin to receive a certificate commemorating a family birthday, anniversary or passing of a loved one. The result was over 3,000 labels sold! Twice-yearly field trips were planned as fundraisers. These trips were highly successful in popularity and financially. Trips throughout California, the western states, western Canada, the desert, and other parts of the country were all highly successfully carried out. Another popular endeavor was the building and maintenance of bluebird houses placed around the village. It is believed these boxes have led to the abundance of bluebirds seen and enjoyed today. Starr Ranch and its Youth Program, plus educational programs for schools in the form of a newsletter were enthusiastically supported.

There have been 15 former presidents of LHAS with none achieving a record of endurance like John Andes, who was president for 13 years, retiring just 2 years ago when Lynne Jeffries took over. LHAS is proud of all of its accomplishments. Programs have been well attended; speakers were well qualified and excellent; and bird walks were well received. However, in recent years, membership has not been increasing as hoped. Those remaining in leadership positions have felt the burden of increasing responsibilities with little relief in sight. After thoughtful consideration and much heartfelt discussion, and after 44 years, the Laguna Hills Audubon Society chapter officially folded on July 1st, 2017, and the membership will be brought into the Sea & Sage Audubon Chapter.

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Orange County Rarities by Doug Willick

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Asit’sbeenafewmonthssincethelast“Rarities”column,duringwhichtimethecountyhashadquiteanumberofnoteworthybirddiscoveriestakeplace—wehavelotstocatchupon.Duetospacelimitations,however,thiswillonlybesummarizingthemostsignificantoftherecentfindings. A Greater White-fronted Goose was at Laguna Niguel Regional Park, May 12 (Ryan Winkleman). A Lesser Nighthawk at Talbert Nature Preserve, June 11 (Vic Leipzig), was quite unexpected at this location and date. Quite unusual for the date, an adult Pectoral Sandpiper was carefully documented at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary (SJWS), June 28 (Jan Gaffney, Sheila Harlow, et al.); most Orange County (OC) Pectoral Sandpiper records are of juveniles in fall migration (e.g., late August to October). Exceptional numbers of Elegant Terns were present this summer at BCER; in early June as many as 25,000 were estimated to be present here by Snowy Plover

biologist Peter Knapp. At least one second-year Common Tern was seen sporadically at BCER, between June 23 (Kimball Garrett; et al.) and July 15. During a pelagic trip out of Dana Harbor, June 10, for the San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society, a first-cycle Masked/Nazca Booby was exceptional (Tom Benson, et al.); the immature plumages of these

two closely related species are too similar to positively distinguish in the field. Vermilion Flycatchers that have turned up in new OC locations recently include an adult male in the Villa Park Flood Control Basin, June 4 (Jonathan Rowley), and two adult males and a female at Craig Regional Park, June 13-16 (William Erik Voss, et al.). It was an excellent spring for “eastern” U.S. vagrants (i.e., off-course migrants) appearing in Southern California. As is typical, this normally occurs fairly late in the migration period. Much of the remainder of this column will be an account of those rare late season migrants that were found in OC this past spring. A White-eyed Vireo (exceptionally rare in the western U.S.) was found in Canyon Park, June 4 (Tom Wurster); after the bird could not be refound, despite intensive searching by birders, another—or possibly the same—White-eyed Vireo was found singing in nearby Talbert Nature Preserve (TNP), just ¼ mile to the west., June 10 (also T. Wurster). The vireo remained at TNP, singing consistently, through at least early Aug., and at one point was seen coming to a nest that a Hutton’s Vireo was also visiting! In the end, it was unclear who actually “owned” the nest, as the nest was eventually abandoned.

Two Yellow-throated Vireos were found in the county, with one in Limestone Canyon, May 27 (Bruce Aird), and another in Canyon Park, May 31-June 3 (Brad Dawson, et al.). And last but not least, two Red-eyed Vireos were recorded, with one along Bonita Creek (in Newport Beach), May 22 (Dick Erickson), and a singing male in Laguna Niguel, June 7 (Robert McNab). A Canyon Wren singing along the Laurel Canyon Trail (Laguna Coast Wilderness Park), May 28-30 (Tom Eastman et al.), was in the coastal foothills, where this species is an uncommon resident. Several warbler rarities graced the county during late spring; these included a singing Ovenbird in Gumgrove Park (in Seal Beach), May 31 (Mike King); a male Black-and-white Warbler in Canyon Park, June 1 (Sandy Koonce); a singing male Hooded Warbler in Canyon Park, June 5-6 (Alexandra Anderson; et al.); a singing male Northern Parula at (where else?!) Canyon Park, May 29-31 (John Chapple), and a second male Northern Parula in Huntington Beach, June 5 (Curtis Marantz). A female Hermit Warbler, at Huntington Central Park (HCP), May 28 (Brian Daniels), was relatively late for this western U.S. warbler. Once only a breeder in the Santa Ana Mountains and interior foothills of OC, Dark-eyed Juncos have begun breeding, during just the last 6 or 8 years, in the county’s coastal lowlands. This past spring and summer, some of the locations where confirmed or suspected breeding has occurred included Laguna Niguel, Turtle Rock Park (Irvine), Canyon Park (Costa Mesa), a few locations in Newport Beach, and Fairhaven Memorial Park (Santa Ana). A second-year male Summer Tanager was yet another spring migrant rarity found in Canyon Park, June

4-7 (Howard King and Matt Grube). Male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were at HCP, May 28 (B. Daniels), and in Mission Viejo, June 8 (Maury Swoveland). Yellow-headed Blackbirds were seen at two different locations on May 19: a female at SJWS (Lee Bush), and one at Harriett Weider Regional Park (per Terry Hill and the monthly census team).

Nextmonthweshouldbeabletogetcompletelycaughtup,justintimeforfallmigration.Betterkeepthosebinocularhandy!

Photos by Jeff Bray

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The 2017 Summer Barbecue For more information about Sea & Sage activities, check our “Calendar of Chapter Activities” on our chapter website (www.seaandsageaudubon.org) on the home page under the heading MAIN AREAS. It contains information about our meetings, programs, conservation, education, field trips, special events, birding classes, citizen science projects…

The 2017 Summer BBQ was a great success (ed. note – due to the superb job of organizing by Gail Richards, BBQ

Coordinator.) The event started at 5:00 PM. After each guest was greeted at the Welcome Table where they picked up their tickets, they had time to browse through the Used Book Sale, listen to a Jazz Trio from Irvine High School playing music in the ”meadow”, and visit Audubon House which was open for visitors. At 6:00, dinner started and included Barbequed Hot Dogs, Fried Chicken, Caesar

Salad, Corn-Bean Salad, Sliced Watermelon, Chips, several differed kinds of cake, and hot coffee. After dinner, 58 people ventured into the marsh for guided bird walks, while the Jazz Trio continued to entertain us. As the sun set, our new president Doug Lithgow, began his announcements and introduced Amber Heredia, Chair of the Science Committee and Manager of our Science Research Grants program. Amber told us about this year’s Bloom-Hays grant recipients. The speaker for the evening was Miguel Ordeñana, Wildlife Biologist from the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum, who shared with us the importance of Citizen Science in collecting data in urban areas of California. He discussed his Mammal Research at Griffith Park, using camera traps to measure wildlife movement and activity, particularly of a now famous Mountain Lion-p22 which resides in Griffith Park and has been gloriously photographed under the Hollywood sign! He also discussed the various bat species that inhabit Southern California. Because of their importance in controlling insects (especially mosquitoes) and pollinating rare plants, it’s crucial these flying mammals are protected. After the program, a group of 20 enthusiastic attendees went on a Night Wildlife Walk, enjoying the scents and sounds of the marsh at night and discovering a baby raccoon. This annual event is a team effort! We couldn’t have pulled it off successfully without the help of over 75 wonderful volunteers who pitched in and helped in all sorts of ways. I would like to take this opportunity to

recognize and thank them. The biggest thanks goes to Nancy Kenyon for publicity, reservations, organizing volunteer lists and sending BBQ instructions to each volunteer and information to all attendees. Then she and her helpers, Joan McCauley, Fresia Escalona, and Sally Menzel, greeted all of us at the Welcome Table.

Secondly, I want to thank the 14 enthusiastic Junior Naturalists who volunteered their entire afternoon and evening: Ryan Kaneko, Riley Messinger, Amy-Grace, Shannon Reed, Sierra Plys, Ryan Seppala, Louis Primeau, Moss Noble, Jonathan Sweeney, Baxter Bartlett, Elisa Yang, Bobby Figarotta, Hannah Kelsey and Clark Noble. They helped in so many ways: helping to set up the book sale and taking it down afterwards, putting table cloths on tables, helping to serve cakes, serving dinner, helping to barbecue the hot dogs, moving tables in and out of the Duck Club, carrying boxes of stuff to and from the Blue House, emptying trash and... after all of that- they folded the chairs! These are amazing young people and the hope of Audubon’s future! I am proud to work with them as their coordinator.

Doug Lithgow put in a 12 hour day! He set up the long tables, helped set up and take down the book sale, took care of the AV Equipment, set up all sorts of the electrical wiring, took care of the trash, and of course, introduced the speaker. Stan Richards and Charlie Noble assisted him in putting up the screen and the Easy Ups for shade.

Jan Gaffney and Sandy Smith organized the pricing, transporting, setting up & selling of the used books. This was a two day process! Their volunteers included: Doug Lithgow, Joe Reed, Tim Stephens, Margaret Renton, Chris Byrd, Marie Connors, Lynne Jeffries, LuAnn Baker, Lori & Jerry Donohue, Merri Levy, Sarah Jayne, Susan Sheakley, and Shirley Reynolds. We also had people who did a lot of work the day before the sale, sorting and pricing book donations: Mabel and Marius Alazard, Ann Harmer, Maureen Myers, Tom and Carol Getz, and Margaret Renton.

Vic Leipzig, Bruce Aird, Doug Lithgow, and Mary Joseph set out the parking signs. Shirley Reynolds, Carin Parker, Stephanie Makarewicz, and Phil Westin did the first parking shift while Robert Scrimger, Tom Baker, Cristi Saylor, Eva Lydick, Mark Singer and Tom Getz did the second.

Bobbie Miller, Barbara Reber, and Susan Sheakley staffed Audubon House.

Hal Sheakley purchased the drinks, mixed the lemonade and ice tea, and set up the Drinks Table. Kate Grabenstein & Stephen Papian did the first shift while

Doug Lithgow

WanderingTattler September2017

Summer Barbecue & More Chapter News For more information about Sea & Sage activities, check our Calendar of Chapter Activities on our chapter website (www.seaandsageaudubon.org). It will be updated as soon as Nancy’s computer gets repaired and is back in operation. In the meantime, if you need the date of an upcoming event or field trip call Nancy.

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Francois and Louis Primeau came early to set up serving tables and put the table cloths on them.

Beryl & Ralph Vogel put the table cloths on the 21 round tables.

Jay Miller, Bev Krassner-Bulas, Carolyn Noble, Tom and Carol Getz, Gail Richards picked up and delivered the purchased goods and foods.

Claire Readey prepared Mary George’s delicious Corn-Bean Salad.

Brit and DeLyte Robertson prepared the watermelon. Cutting the cakes is quite an operation, but Peggy & Mike McClone and Sharon Nantell knew how to handle it. They were assisted by Cheryl & Darris Egger, Judy Westin and Gabriele Rau who served the pieces.

Carolyn Noble took the meal tickets & passed out the plates.

Ann Harmer, Barbara Mitchell, Peggy & Mike McGlone, Mary Ann and Joe Hazelett worked in the kitchen with food prep. Joe Reed was the runner between the serving tables and the kitchen.

Maggie Ratanapratum supervised the condiments table. Jim & Judy Kissinger barbecued the hot dogs while Melissa Rapp assisted by keeping a plentiful supply of uncooked hot dogs on hand.

Outdoor area cleanup was done by Ann Harmer, Paul Kelsey, Gary & Brit Robertson.

After dinner bird walks were led by Bettina Eastman, Bob Polkinghorn, and Carol Getz.

Bettina also led the Night Wildlife Walk into the marsh after the program.

It was a great evening and I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Next year’s Summer BBQ will be July 28th ; be sure to mark your calendars so you don’t miss it! — Gail Richards, Summer BBQ Coordinator

We Need Your Used Books

Attention members! Here is an easy way to support your chapter! Start your fall cleaning now! Clear out your book shelves and take down any unused cookbooks and books on birds and other animals, plants, natural history, travel and gardening to donate to Sea and Sage Audubon for our Annual Pancake Breakfast Used Books Sale. Proceeds from this sale will benefit our education & conservation projects. All donations will be greatly appreciated! Deliver them to Audubon House by 10:30 AM, Monday, Oct. 23rd.

Brown Pelican Fall Roost Survey Sept. 9th — 2 hours at dusk The Brown Pelican has shown signs of declining since it was delisted a few years ago. When it was on the Endangered Species List, the USFWS monitored its populations, but since the delisting, Brown Pelican surveys are no longer being done. To get a sense of the Brown Pelican population, Audubon California has created the state-wide Spring and Fall Pelican Roost Surveys. Sea and Sage will participate in the Fall Survey as we did in last year’s fall and spring surveys. Scott Thomas is coordinating Sea and Sage’s effort for Orange County where the surveys will take place at five or more known pelican roost locations. Surveyors will count thepelicans coming in to roost and identify whether they are adult or immature. Photo documentation will be made. Details of the survey and the training session will be provided to participants. If you are interested in participating in the Brown Pelican Roost Surey, please contact Scott Thomas at redtail1@cox.net Orange County Coastal Cleanup Day September 16th — 9 AM to Noon Coastal Cleanup Day is the world’s largest trash pick up. In California alone, 66,000 volunteers gather to take out the trash and beautify our beaches. We have clean up sites all over Orange County that need love; they might even be in your own backyard. Sign up and find your desired clean up site. http://www.coastkeeper.org/ccd_site_locations What to bring on Coastal Cleanup Day: • Waiver forms if you are a minor signed by your parent or guardian. • Community Service Hours form • Bring your own of the following items

— Bucket or reusable bag — Gloves (gardening gloves or leather work gloves — Reusable water bottle — (Optional) A clipboard might be handy as you fill ojt

your data card — (Optional) Pack a waste-free lunch!

Coastal Cleanup Day ends at noon at most locations which makes for a great opportunity to have lunch at a beach or creek. Just be sure to leave your lunch spot cleaner than when you arrived.

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Fall Field Trips For trip updates & additional trip information, check our chapter website at: www.seaandsageaudubon.org and go to the “Upcoming Field Trips” page. It will list the next 2-3 months’ trips and give information about where to meet. It the trip requires reservations, it will also tell if the trip is filled or not. Contact FT Chair, Nancy Kenyon, at 949-786-3160; nancykenyon@cox.net for trip questions.

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Wildlife Walk at the SJWS Saturday, Sept. 2nd – 9:00 to 10:30 am 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 11 must be accompanied by an adult. (See page 11 for directions.) Leaders: Jean Drum & other Audubon Naturalists Monthly Bird Walk at the SJWS Sunday, Sept. 10th - 8:00 to 12 noon Join Chris Obaditch for a monthly bird walk around the ponds of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine at 8:00 am. The shorebirds and ducks are returning, so there will be many more birds to see this month. The walk, which is open to interested birders of all ages, will meet by the front door of Audubon House. Children under the age of 11 must be accompanied by an adult. (See page 11 for directions.) Leader: Chris Obaditch

Upper Newport Bay by pontoon boat ® 3rd Wed - Sept. 20th and Oct. 18th - 8:15 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 hours. Trip limited to 15 persons and there is a $10 trip fee payable in cash on the morning of the outing. Directions will be provided to those with reservations. Nancy Kenyon, 949-786-3160; nancykenyon@cox.net Dragonflies & Butterflies at the SJWS Wednesday - Sept. 20th - 10:00 -12:30 pm Join Mike Clayton for the last dragonfly and butterfly walk of the season at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. We will walk from Audubon House to the footbridge to the Urban Forest, cross over to the San Diego Creek and return along the creek back to Audubon House. This will be a leisurely walk of approximately 2 miles. Like birds and butterflies, dragonflies are beautiful, colorful, interesting and diverse creatures. Meet in front of Audubon House. Children under the age of 11 must be accompanied by an adult. Be sure to bring your binoculars and cameras. (See page 11 for directions.) Leader: Mike Clayton

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve bird walk Thursday - Sept. 21st - 8:00 am Come prepared for a great morning of birding to check out the resident birds as well as the returning fall and winter species. This is one of the best wetland areas here in Southern California to watch grebes, loons, pelicans, shorebirds of all sizes, gulls and terns, waterfowl, egrets and herons, foraging raptors, etc. BRING binoculars, a field guide, and a scope if you have one. MEET at the playground in Harriet Weider Regional Park. Directions: From PCH, turn inland on Seapoint St. Follow Seapoint 1 mile to Garfield Ave. and make a U-turn. Drive to the entrance of the playground which will be on the right side in 0.25 miles. Leader: Vic Leipzig Upper Newport Bay bird walk Sunday, Sept. 24th – 8:00 to 11:00 am Join 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. Birding will start from a good vantage point at the edge of the parking lot where we will watch for Black Skimmers and terns flying over the water as well as herons & egrets stalking their prey in the shallows. The group will move on to check out other areas along Back Bay Drive. Bring binoculars, a field guide, and a scope if you have one. The length of the bird walk will depend on the tide and the number of birds to be seen. Directions: The meeting place for this walk is 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 and follow it to the Big Canyon parking lot on your left. Leader: Mark Kincheloe Upcoming Pelagic Trips out of Dana Point Sat., September 30th — 6:30 am to 3:00 pm ® Sat., January 13th — 6:30 am to 3:00 pm ® All of our pelagic trips meet at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point at 6:30 am. The trips which are 8 hours and cost $60 per person, return to the dock at 3:00 in the afternoon. Pre-payment is mandatory; information on the trips and how to sign up is on our Pelagic Trips webpage. Also on the webpage are trip lists from previous years which will give you a good idea of what birds you may see on your chosen trip.

WanderingTattler September2017Our

Fall Field Trips & Bloom-Hays Grants For trip updates & additional trip information, check our chapter website at: www.seaandsageaudubon.org and go to the “Upcoming Field Trips” page. It will list the next 2-3 months’ trips and give information about where to meet. If the trip requires reservations, it will also tell if the trip is filled or not. Contact FT Chair, Nancy Kenyon, at 949-786-3160: nancykenyon@cox.net for trip questions.

Upcoming Pelagic Trips

We have 6 excellent co-leaders on these trips: Jon Dunn, Tom Benson, Bruce Aird, Jeff Bray, Steve Morris, and Robert McNab. The trips fill fairly quickly, so it’s advantageous to sign up for them in advance instead of waiting until the last minute. (Both the September and January trips are already 1/3 full.) Leader: Jon Dunn Reservations: Nancy Kenyon 949-786-3160; nancykenyon@cox.net

Morro Bay Trip ® Fri-Sun, Nov. 10-12 - starts Fri. afternoon ThetripisoverVeteran’sDayweekend,soitwouldbeagoodideatosignupearlysinceaccommodationsmaybehardtoobtainclosertothedateofthetrip.

Come join us in Morro Bay, winter home to thousands and thousands of shorebirds, many species of raptors and passerines. We have planned a wonderful weekend of birding and exploration beginning on Friday afternoon.

We will have a chance to take a leisurely harbor cruise to see some of the water birds up close and to learn a little about the area. That evening, you may wish to dine at one of the dockside restaurants in town. The next two mornings, we will meet early in order to have plenty of time to bird the local hot spots. We will be looking for shorebirds, do a little sea watching, and bird some of the very rich bird riparian and woodland locations nearby. After lunch on Saturday and Sunday, you may be free to do a little exploring on your own. Perhaps you may wish to revisit some of the places we went as a group, maybe consult the San Luis Obispo Birding Guide compiled by Morro Coast Audubon (available online only) www.morrocoastaudubon.org/birdguide.htm or just spend a leisurely afternoon walking along the beach to enjoy the beauty of the area. (See our webpage for additional trip information.) Advance reservations are needed; trip is limited to 15 persons. Trip fee is $50 which includes the harbor cruise on Fri. Make check payable to Sea & Sage Audubon and mail it to: Morro Bay Trip, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612. REMEMBER to include your email address, phone number, and trip waiver (which is found on the Morro Bay Trip webpage)s for reservation confirmation and additional trip information. Leader: Kaaren Perry Reservations: Nancy Kenyon 949-786-3160; nancykenyon@cox.net

Bloom-Hays Ecological Research Grants FiveworthystudentproposalswereselectedbytheSeaandSageScienceCommittee.TheobjectiveoftheBloom-HaysEcologicalResearchGrantistoadvanceecologicalresearch,particularlyresearchrelatedtoavianspeciesandthenaturalcommunitiesuponwhichtheydepend,byprovidingfundsorsuppliestosupportresearchactivitiesbenefittingnativespeciesandhabitatsinSouthernCalifornia.

NeilGilbertUniversityofAlabama(Masters)Tuscaloosa, AL Project Title: Habitat relationships of grassland birds in the Black Belt region of Alabama and Mississippi

AnBuiUniversityofCAatSantaBarbara(Undergraduate)Goleta, CA Project Title: Parasite avoidance behavior in seabirds: seasonal endoparasite load in Western Gulls DavidZonanaUniversityofColorado(PhD)Boulder, CO Project Title: Influences of Adaptation and Social Networks on Hybridization in the Quail of Southern California AlyssaR.FrederickUniversityofCAatIrvine(PhD)Irvine, CA Project Title: Abalone Disease Resistance AnaSofiaGuerraUniversityofCAatSantaBarbara(PhD) Santa Barbara, CA Project Title: An Overlooked Key Player? Nitrogen Deposition by the Channel Islands Western Gull

WanderingTattler September20179

Education News Trude Hurd, Project Director of Education For more information about the Education, visit our chapter website at http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/Education/Education.html

WanderingTattler 10 September2017

I Can Make A Difference!

Do you believe that kids today spend too much time indoors? Sea and Sage Audubon has a solution for this by offering Outdoor Adventures science discovery program and summer camps. For 25 years, we have helped children learn basic scientific principles and personal responsibility while surrounded by the beauty of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, a freshwater wetland in Irvine. We accomplish this with volunteers who care so much about nature and children that they give of their time and talents. Naturalist Sara Bethurum believes “our children and our environment are our two most precious resources. I feel privileged to work with a group of volunteers and staff who cherish young people and the environment as much as I do. The future will be a better place due in part to our efforts.” Each fall, we recruit and train new volunteers for Outdoor Adventures which benefits fourth and fifth grade Santa Ana students. Naturalist Jenny Golden thinks “Outdoor Adventures is a gateway to Nature for elementary school children, some of whom may never have walked in a natural setting before. Because it is designed to dovetail with their science curriculum, kids get a chance to experience in real life what they may only have read and heard about in the classroom. It is one thing to read about a food chain, but when they see an Osprey dive to catch a fish or an Anna's Hummingbird forage for nectar right before their eyes, they won't forget it.” Have you thought about doing something worthwhile with your time? If you like nature and teaching children, then volunteer with Outdoor Adventures! You do not have to be a birding expert or know all the answers. Being a naturalist means you are continually learning about the environment! Naturalist Jenny Golden will tell you to “Come onboard and enjoy a fun and rewarding experience. Every school tour is a little different and I learn something new each time. Don't think that you have to have a background in Education or be an expert birder to volunteer. We

have Naturalists from all backgrounds; mine is in engineering and construction! It's a lot of fun and you will meet some great people. I certainly did.” Still uncertain? Naturalist Sara Bethurum will tell you to “DO IT!!!! You won’t regret it. No matter how much or little experience you have, you WILL learn more.” Come join us in 2017-18 for an Outdoor Adventure to help fourth and fifth grade children spend time outdoors in nature.

Volunteer Naturalist training for Outdoor Adventures begins in September

This fall, we are recruiting and training new volunteers for Outdoor Adventures science programs on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Training includes three classes led by our Education Staff in addition to practicing with experienced naturalists throughout fall, winter and spring. Once you complete the training, you can then help with two tours a month from October through June. So the time commitment is not too large while the rewards are many. If you or someone you know is looking for something to do a few mornings a month that has a lasting impact on our next generation of earth’s stewards, then our Outdoor Adventures naturalist team is the place for you! Contact Project Director Trude Hurd at seaandsage@sbcglobal.net or phone 949-261-7964. Discover the perfect place to volunteer at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary!

Donations Needed for School Buses If you value outdoor experiences for local under-privileged school children, please consider making a donation for a school bus. Last year, Sea and Sage members helped pay for 16 bus trips costing $3,819. We need to raise a similar amount this school year with your help! We are looking for donations of any size from $25 to $1,000. Send your check and contact information to School Bus Fund, Sea and Sage Audubon Society, 5 Riparian View, Irvine, CA, 92612. Thank you for your support!

11

Directions and Membership Directions to Audubon House, Chapter Meetings, and the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, Audubon Membership Form, Tattler subscriptions & delivery, and Remember Us in Your Will or Trust in Your Will or Trust

11 WanderingTattler September11

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. They’re in pdf format and will look and print exactly like the original ones. 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

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 sea.sage.membership@gmail.com

Will You be 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 sea.sage.membership@gmail.com

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Sea and Sage Audubon Society Sea and Sage Audubon Society’s mission is to protect birds, other wildlife, and their habitats through education, citizen science, research, and public policy advocacy.

12 WanderingTattler September2017

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 2018 ..................... Bruce Aird ................... 949-458-1520 Director 2018 ..................... Ralph Sugg ................. 949-855-6575 Director 2019 ..................... Star Howard ................ 949-770-3177 Director 2019 ..................... Joan McCauley ........... 949-642-1938 Director 2020 ..................... Ann Harmer ................. 949-631-3322 Director 2020 ..................... Debbie Hays ................ 714-356-6302 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 ............. 714-427-7036 Development ..................... Cheryl Thomas ............ 949-294-2275 Education .......................... Carolyn Noble ............. 714-731-9091 Exhibits .............................. Mary Joseph ................ 714-848-8362 Events ............................... 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 ... 949-859-5081 Programs ........................... Gail Richards ............... 714-267-2420 Publicity ............................. Susan Kramer ............. 714-240-6678 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 Website ............................. 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 Administrative Aide ............... Rebecca Craft ......... 949-261-7963 Sales Manager ...................... Debby Thyssen ....... 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. http://songbirdcareandeduation.org

SCHEDULE OF CHAPTER ACTIVITIES September 2017 02 Sat Monthly Wildlife Walk at the SJWS ................ 9:00 am 05 Tues Conservation Committee Meeting .................. 6:30 pm 09 Sat Brown Pelican Roost Survey .............................. dusk 10 Sun Monthly Bird Walk at the SJWS ..................... 8:00 am 12 Tues Board Meeting . .............................................. 7:00 pm 15 Fri GENERAL MEETING .................................... 7:30 pm 16 Sat Orange County Coastal Cleanup Day ............ 9:00 am 20 Wed UNB by pontoon boat ® ................................ 8:15 am 20 Wed Dragonflies & Butterflies walk at the SJWS 10:00 am 21 Thurs Bolsa Chica bird walk ................................... 8:00 am 24 Sun Monthly bird walk at Upper Newport Bay ..... 8:00 am 26 Tues ‘4th Tues’ Conservation Lecture .................... 7:30 pm 30 Sat Fall PelagicTrip out of Dana Point ® .............. 6:30 am October 2017 03 Tues Conservation Committee Meeting .................. 6:30 pm 07 Sat Monthly Wildlife Walk at the SJWS ................ 9:00 am 08 Sun Monthly Bird Walk at the SJWS ..................... 8:00 am 10 Tues Board Meeting . .............................................. 7:00 pm 18 Wed UNB by pontoon boat ® ................................ 8:15 am 20 Fri GENERAL MEETING .................................... 7:30 pm 22 Sun Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari ® ........... 12:00 pm 24 Tues ‘4th Tues’ Conservation Lecture .................... 7:30 pm 28 Sat PANCAKE BREAKFAST at the SJWS ® ...... 7:30 am 29 Sun Monthly bird walk at Upper Newport Bay ..... 8:00 am

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

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