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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNewsletter - Altacal Audubon Society wxg� ; f ✓ ' w. s - ted " tat tre NEWSLETTER OF THE ALTACALAULUBON SOCIETY Chapter of the National Audubon Society serving Butte,.Glenn, and Tehama Counties of Northern California APRIL J MAY 2017 ALT C L Programs Programs for the general community are normally held on the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.,at the Chico Creek Nature Center, 1968 E. 8th 5t. Chico.. In December the program is held on the second Monday and in July and August there are no programs. A- Pric Alay Monday, April 17, 2017 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 15, 2017 6:30 p.m. Chico Creek Nature Center Chico Creek Mature Center POINTBREAKING ocu eatery Adventures in COSTA RICA Screening: Time Is Running Presented by Presented by DESIREE LOGGINS MARY MUCHOWSKI and MATTHEW FORSTER ryy 4ryk, ) 7 err ✓k rtiy f AItacal's o'w'n Mary Muchowski and Matthew Forster will be 0' ✓r, �,' ie „�"' sharing tales and showing a slideshow of pictures that were taken during their trip to Costa Rica in 2015.They traveled from t f Alajuela to Volcan Poas,Tortugero,and then to La Selva Llologi- „� ifr yi cal Station where they had an incredibly close encounter with a i�/ 'r, ✓ �'e ° Fer-de-lance viper!From there they traveled to Volcan Arenal and ✓,°�� x� f,Vl „, then Monteverde where they were able to see four Resplendent ho a Quetzal!And on their last step they visited the beautiful Pacific Ocean town of Playa Samara! (continued on page 2.) N rpt �w ✓iy �x u w �w "' .� a'�N✓✓Nw ✓r ..� i � I�Q"�4� y �rM�yL >� n +�i"a f ,4Black-faced continued Solitaire on by page 2. Catherine Yasuda ALTA CAL AUDUBON SOCIETY (continued from page 1 Boardof Directors he Salton Sea has reached its breaking point, and time is Trunning out!The worst environmental disaster in U.S,Ns- President STEVE OVERLOCK tory is quickly approaching, yet very liftle is being done to stop 530 828-0966 it.A casualty of the"water wars"in the Southwest, California's stephenoverlock@sbcgIobal.net largest lake is disappearing.The receding Salton Sea reveals Vice President KEN SOBON a toxic mix of fine dust and chemicals that is threatening the 530 592-3350 health of millions. It's also one of the most important places ksobon C@ thermal ito.org for birds in the Western United States, More than 400 spe- Secretary CBIS CLINE cies of birds make regular use of the Salton Sea, and it has cclinel 028 9 gmail.com been designated an Audubon Important Bird Area of global Treasurer VACANT significance. Membership CATHY CARTER Altacal Audubon Society in conjunction with California Audu- 530 342-9152 bon presents this gripping 60 minute documentary film with a scarab4ever@gmail.com discussion to follow hosted by Desiree Loggins, Central Vai- Publications DENISE DEVIN:E ley/Sierra Chapter Network Manager for Audubon California. Newsletter 530 345-8444 Limited seating. dsrdevine@ hotmail.com Publicity WAYLAND AUGUR ',,A4 a 1,,/ (continued from page 1 Web Site 519-4724 wbaC@acm.org Mary Muchowsk�i has worked as a wildlife technician/biologist Field Trips MATT FORSTER since 1988 with the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land 619 347-2269 Management, and the U,S. Fish & Wildlife Service. She has f indforster@ yahoo,com lived in the Chico area since 1983, and really enjoys the bird- Sanctuary l KEN SOBON life of the area, especially in the winter! Lands/Refuge 530 592-3350 ksobon 9thermal ito.org Matt Forster is an avid outdoorsman and birder whose love Conservation SCOTT HUBER of the land has him interested in conservation of habitat and Co-chair 530-321-5579 restoration. He studied waterfowl biology and wetland man- wmscotthuber�gmail.com agement as well as ornithology at CSU, Chico and is Altacal Education VACANT Audubon's Field Trip Chair. Programs JENNIFER PATTEN 345-9356 jpchico@sbcglobal.net Sac NWR VACANT Bookstore Violet Director- KATHRYN HOOD Sabrewing at-Large 321-2852by verdant44C@gmail.com Catherine Yasuda Director.. DAWN GARCIA at-Large 530 513-1785 avifan59@gmail.com Director- MARY MUCHOWSKI at-Large 530-228-0625 BOARD MEETINGS mmuchowski@earthlink.net 515 p.rn, Director - MARILYN GAMETTE 2nd Wednesday of each month Emeritus Altacal Audubon Society/Snow Goose Festival Office 635 Flume Street, Chico Altacal Audubon Members are welcome to attend 2. from thePresident by STEVE OVERLOCK HELLO TO ALL hanks to all who responded to our renewal letter last month. It not only gives us the funding needed to continue to pursue our purpose but also lets us know that you care as much as we do.There have been some significant additions to the Board lately plus we are pleased to see new faces showing up at our meetings every month.All members are welcomed even encouraged to attend.With environmental policy changes occurring virtually every day it is critical we let our voice be heard. National Audubon Society and Audubon California are working overtime now as well and we encourage you to support their efforts as we have. You will see rnore superior trips and programs with this newsletter, I hope there is more than one that fits your schedule. Finally,to adapt a sign-off from a recently retired local radio DJ;We will see you at the Birds --- Happy'Spring. The 2017 SNOW GOOSE FESTIVAL IVAL o the Paelft Flyway Soared to SUCCESS! he 2017 Snow goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway was a Wild and Wondrous event!Without the excep- tional field trip leaders and workshop presenters, a great cast of dedicated volunteers and the amazing support of many sponsors,this celebrated winter adventure could not exist.We had record numbers of attend- ees, a sold out banquet with keynote speaker Alvaro Jaramillo, a live raptor assembly that delighted many, especially youth,who witnessed the flights of these winged marvels right over their heads'?We beat our record of different bird species seen or heard over the -day festival with a whopping 162! With a record one-day species count of 118 on the Marathon Big Day Birding Butte County!!! Alvaro's keynote message that birding is a ton of fun, it gets you outside, you meet great people, you see gorgeous birds, and it works your brain! I think we can all agree that we experienced exactly that. See you next year at the 10th Annual Snow Goose Festival, January 24--28, 2018 Have a great year of binding! The Snow Goose Festiva! Steering Committee and Staff u ` t ry k' 2 f i a7 {, Marathon Big Day j' Birding BLItte County ;r i Record holders for the r most birds species seer?or heard on a SC➢F big Clay. by Billie Sornrnerfeld, rig UPCOMING All of our field trips are open to beginning birders. ir&tng il 'rAnyone with a sense of wonder is welcome to participate. Check the Altacal l=acebook page for updates.. April 7-8, Friday-Saturday FOOTHILL BREEDING TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD SURVEY BUTTE AND GLENN COUNTY Trip Leaders: Dawn Garcia, Mary Muchowski, Ken Sobon, and Matt Forster Please join us again for Tricolored Blackbird surveys!You know the more identifiable male, a black bird with a deep red shoulder patch (the epaulet) bordered by a bright white stripe, typically flocking with the browner plumaged females.These near endermic Central Valley bird species are incredibly interesting in their breed- ing behavior. By the time we see them colonizing breeding sites in our area they may be on their 2nd or 3rd clutch, having bred earlier, more southerly. This is known from banding research May 12_ 14, Friday Sunday conducted by local expert Bob Meese, The birds breed in large BLACK BUTTE LAKE colonies, but depending on their cycle, can be very quiet and HIKING, CAMPING AND BI6DING cryptic, so a surveyor might not see much activity. OR we may Trip Leader:Jennifer Patten see hundreds of birds streaming to find prey(grasshoppers)and This will be a full weekend of camping, birding, kayaking, hiking back to feed their nestlings.The"trios"are proposed to be listed and disc golf at Black Butte Lake. Camping will be at the Orland under the Endangered Species Act because of habitat loss and Buttes Group Campground Friday and Saturday nights with a big agricultural practices. In lieu of extensive wetland habitats,these BBQ Saturday night.We'll bird mornings,kayaking evenings and birds often find wheat fields attractive as a nesting substrate, in-between, disc golf and hike. Spring is in the aur so we should and are sometimes killed during harvest. Due to their communal see plenty of song birds, resident birds, raptors, and ducks and nesting behavior, harvest can lead to the death of thousands of grebes on the lake. More details coming„ limit to 27. Reserve lairds, adults and chicks. Our aim is to find where the birds are your spot by calling or email: Jennifer Patten 530-345-9356, nesting and help preserve habitat. Meet at Flume St office at 9 jpchico@sbcglobal.net. am.We'll survey till 4 pm.Half day surveyors are welcome!Bring lunch, water, binoculars. Email avifan59gmail.corn for more information. Go here, http://tricolar.ice.ucdavis.edu/, for more information on TRBL. May 27, Saturday BUTTE COUNTY LOST SPARROWS SEARCH April 29, Saturday Trip Leaders: Scott and Liarn Huber SPRING BIRD SONG HIKE Serious Butte County birders consider three sparrow species Trip Leader: Scott Huber as the ''holy grail trifecta" of sought after county rarities: Black- chinned sparrow and black-throated sparrow were Iast reported By early May most of our spring migrants have arrived from here in 1984, while Bell's sparrow (formerly sage sparrow) is a Central and South America, and'they are exuberantly proclaim- regular resident of Glenn and Colusa counties. Join Scott and !ng their virility?This is the finest time of year to savor the beauty Liam Huber as they search the sparrows Fast known haunts and of their songs and learn the keys to identifying them by their maybe even seek out some new possible locations. Bring lunch, voices.Join bird song connoisseur Scott Huber,from 7-11 am,on water, an adventurous spirit and a winning attitude! Dress for a leisurely amble amidst nature's symphony. Meet at Chico Park warm weather. Meet at the Chico Park&Ride EAST lot at 7 am. & Rude, EAST lot. Contact information: wmscotthuber g ail, Prepare for an all day trip. Contact Scott for more information, 530-321-5579. wmscofthLiber@gmaii.com or 530-321-5579 4. by SCOTT HUBERConservation Corner Many people are complaining about the government these 2. BE VIGILANT. Keep your eyes and ears open for issues af- days, especially those who are passionate about the en- fecting birds and wildlife.Ask to have the agendas of upcoming vironment, and with good reason. I'm not going to waste paper City and County meetings emailed to you. Connect with others rehashing the travesties that you can hear or read about daily in in the environmental community and share information, topics many other places. I'd rather provide you with opportunities to and ideas. channel that anxiety and anger,to try in a number of small ways 3. BE AUDACIOUS1 Look at yourself in the mirror and see a to counteract the assault on nature that is currently underway, champion for wildlife - then make an appointment to speak to Here are ways that you can make a difference and make yourself that councilman,supervisor or congressman who needs to know feel better: your opinion on an issue.Be the person who speaks up at meet- 1. TRADE PASSIVE FOR ACTIVE. Evaluate how you spend ings and hearings, don't hope that someone else will say what your free time, is much of it spent watching rather than doing? you're thinking. Rather than reading, try writing — like a letter to your editor or 4.VOLUNTEER. Co to WWW,VO,lLjntee,rinatch.org and search in congressman about habitat protection (see our new website to Chico,Ca.,or go chico.craigslist.org and under Community click subscribe to Action Alerts that provide contact info for decision VOLUNTEER. Virtually any volunteering you do will help and makers in our region), or compose a story that inspires others many of the postings are environment related. to appreciate the outdoors. instead of merely watching birds, participate in a bird habitat conservation project—like bird band- When the going gets tough(like it is now and will get tougher)the ing,building nest boxes or surveying endangered birds. Put what tough get going.Lovers of:nature are widely regarded as,peaceful you've learned about nature to work,try teaching—schools and passivists...now is the time to bring out your inner activist! children's organizations need knowledgeable mentors to educate Let me know if I can help. kids on biology, geology, botany, etc. WATER-WISE and HABITAT-FRIENDLY Water-Wise and Habitat-Frie:ndly ("" M J"ARDE"N "T" XOLP" Garden Tour A Racal Audubon Society, Mount Lassen Chapter CLAPS and Butte Sunday April 30, 2017 Environmental Council, will be offering another Water-Wise and See water conservation techniques, native Plants, Habitat-Friendly Garden Touron April 30,20M17,Ourtours have been very in landscaping,and hmv �o crr�oe r,,iJdl ............... popular, as area residents seek drought-tolerant alternatives to traditional landscaping. The tour will showcase a variety of successful examples of habitat features and native plants incorporated into urban landscapes. 5111 Volunteer co-hosts at gardens help to identify habitat and aesthetic features, native and water-wise plants, and installation and cultivation processes, Darn ho%�:vou call %vatrh thc�urtnazln, ; of h re thereby greatly assisting garden owners and tour participants. Contact in vou r ow 1) ,r rd! Ann Elliott (annoiifire@gmait.com) to help with pre-tout, organization or Information and Registration corning in March at: with co-hosting a garden during the tour. BECnet.org For information about Aftacal's Neighborhood Habitat Program, growing MountLassen.CNPS.org or Altaeal.org native plants,habitat gardening,and garden tours see our websites:http:// www,altacal.org/ and http://mountlasseii.cnps.,org/, or contact Ann Efliott or Melinda Teves (neigtiborhoodhabitat.mt@gmail.com). 5. Get to know 'YOUR NATIONAL IL LI U a by HALEY HENDERSON, 'Visitor Services Assistant Biologists at the Complex have begun Instituting restoration proj- ects,throughout to not only protect these unique habitats but to conduct research as well.The miniscule amount of vernal pools that are left in California often contain endemic, threatened, or endangered species of flora and fauna, making research a vital aspect to managing these pools.Mapping is continually done on �� � ��,; � ��,�� � � � � r � I• site to note the location and abundance of vernal pools on the Complex.A recent study conducted showed that several endan- gered species of fauna were present while only a few endan- gered species of flora inhabit the Complex's vernal pools. Nota- bly, the federally listed endangered vernal pool tadpole shrimp ernal pools are a type of seasonal wetland and unique, (tadpole shrimp)were present in several sample sites throughout miniature temporary ecosystem. These the Complex. The California fairy shrimp and the versatile fairy y p y peels offer bio- diversity and are home to a variety of flora and fauna. The shrimp, which have not received a listing status, were detected organisms that thrive in these areas have adapted to withstand in abundance throughout as well.Tadpole shrimp are one of the both the arid summers and wet winters. Staffat the Sacramento largest invertebrates found in vernal pools on the refuge. They National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Complex) conduct research can grow to be about the size of a half dollar and are born out of and reports on these habitats to get an understanding of the cysts. Sacs of eggs,or cysts, are deposited along vernal pools. health, abundance, and species of flora and fauna that can be Some of the eggs will hatch and mature while others might not found. The diversity vernal pools offer throughout the seasons Latch for up to ten years. Out of the species of flora listed in make there a unique ecosystem.These pools are formed when the report, four endangered plants were present. Hairy Orcutt water accumulates in depressions on land and are typically filled Crass, Hoover's Spurge, Greene's Tuctoria, and Cordylanthus to shallow depths at variable times from winter to spring. During were in abundance in several of the sites sampled. Managing the hot summer, the habitat literally dries up, a drastic change and restoring vernal pools in California is vital to the survival of from wetter months. The types of plants and animals found in the endangered plants and animals that thrive in these unique these particular ecosystems are forced to adapt to having no habitats. Luckily,the Complex is working hard to ensure the en- water and spend the dry months as eggs,seeds, or cysts which dangered species are given a chance to make a come-back. begin to emerge when the pools fill up with water.Thus, both the landscape and species that live there go through phases from season to season. These wet/dry habitats or vernal pools play an important role in any ecosystem.Working to conserve what is left of this resource is a vital aspect to managing nature. Unfortunately, vernal pools have become a rarity in California. The state has lost roughly 90%of its natural wetlands in the last century alone. This is, in part, due to early European settlers draining and diverting water away from wetlands primarily for agriculture and housing. During this time period, settlers failed to see the value of this resource. Today, restoration recoveryr � plans have been put into action through several conservation- ist onservation ist and government agencies to ensure we will not lose what remains of the state's vernal pools. Tadpole Shrirnp(Lepidurus) . Membership Nice l , Aeasejoin us! YOUR MEMBERSHIP WILL HELP � ' Q.Ya�e.fla:ac , :Yca ica�l ALTACAL AUDUBON SOCIETY CONTINUE ITS IMPORTANT WORK. Itacal Audubon Society AAS is a chapter of the National Audubon Society.AAS is a separately incorporated non-profit OTHER ALTACAL ACTIVITIES organization with a local chapter membership. 100%of member- ship dues goes to support local projects and activities.AAS is an Major sponsor, participant and fiscal agent for the annual all-volunteer organization that conducts all of its programs with SNOW GOOSE FESTIVAL. unpaid staff. Founder and ongoing supporter of the We offer regularly scheduled field trips that focus on birds and bird CHIICO CREEK NATURE CENTER habitats;membership programs with media presentations on birds Sponsor of the City of Chico and related topics;.a bi-monthly newsletter,the White-tailed Kite; OXIDATION PONOS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY website www.altacal.org/;and advocacy to protect and conserve Leading annual CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS local habitats as well as special projects and programs. in Chico and Oroville for over 55 years Submission of Articles Focusing on our YOUTH through to thehit�-taiCedXite SCHOLARSHIPS and ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION Articles for publication should be sent to Denise Devine Advocating for BIRDS and WILDLIFE byemailto dsrdevine@hotmail.com when they are threatened on the first of the month, prior to the next issue, Conducting surveys and participating in THANKS to all of you who contribute regularly by sending in reports, AVIAN RESEARCH PROJECTS articles and photos for the White-tailed Kite—Denise, Editor. SOCIETYALTACAL AUDUBON 25 Basic $35 Family 15 Student/ Low Income 50 Sponsor" ;, $100 Sustaining �_..� _---_._Additional Donation Name Address City State Zip Phone ._.m____.___....__.__..._.._.. .. .m._..m.___......__ ......_...______......_ email _......__._.._._._.._....._.__m.____...___.._._�_._..___.._____.__... ^I Save Paper! Send me an small only ] New Member Renewal [ Lift email me Altacal in Action Alerts I would be interested in volunteering to helpi...J Cash ( I Check Date IMPORTANT: Membership in Altacal Audubon Society does!include membership in the rational Audubon Society.We encourage you to also support rational Audubon in their important education and lobbying efforts. To join the rational Audubon Society contact them at their website www.audubon.org/ Please make check payable to ALTACAL AUDUBON SOCIETY Mail to AAS, P.O. BOX 3571, CHICO, CA 95927-3671 ALTACAL AUDUBON SOCIETY, INC Requested POST OFFICE BOX 3671 In-home Delivery Non-Profit Organization j j �i T1911y U.S. Postage CHICO, CA 95927-3671 3/29-31/l/2017 AD P A I D Permit No. 86 -�-np 3-Day Wjndo�PMlNIS'1'RATf()N APR 1 41, APR i o 2017 Chico, Calif. 95927 0JJQVj.LLE,CALWORMA ')r')VILLE,CA Ll rrtT CURRENT RESIDENT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 25 COUNTY CENTER DR. OROVILLE, CA 95965 -III! OTI 1.11111111"11111,1111111111-ll8 dill) -white-taitedXite ALTACAL Prograrns APRIL/ MAY 2017 DATES TO REMEMBER April 17 Breaking Point Apr 7-8 Tricolor Blackbird Survey Apr 17 Program- BREAKING POINT IMP May 15 Costa Rica Apr 29 Spring Bird Songs Apr 30 Garden Tour May 12-14 Black Butte Lake May 15 Program- COSTA RICA May 27 Butte Co Lost Sparrow A1, A L"' For updated information check the Altacal website °'K altacal.org Mission: To promote the awareness, appreciation and protection of native birds and their habitats through PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER education, research and environmental activities.