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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNewsletter of the Altacal Audubon Society - June-July 2017 F � r 6 " W h iCe d X t e a t NEWSLETTER OF THE ALTACALAUDUSON SOCIETY Chapter of the National Audubon Society serving Butte, Glenn, and Teharna Counties of Northern California JUNE f JULY 2017 ALTACAL 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 future Center, 1968 E.8th St. Chico, In December the program is held on the second Monday and in July and August there are no programs. ,! une Monday, June 19, 2017 6:30 p.m. Chico Creek Nature Center ome join us and celebrate friendships and our common love for birds and the natural world at our ANNUAL POTLUCK DINNER, Monday, June 19, 6.30 pm at ° • k", CHICO CREEK NATURE CENTER. We'll have a chance to visit with old friends and new ones; talk about birds and birding and share stories of recent and future adventures t :y and travels. It"s been another remarkable r year for Altacal Audubon and this will be our last chance to get together as a group until our next program in September. Remem- ber, there are no programs during July and August so you don't want to miss this one. Bring a dish to share,a beverage for yourself or to share, a plate and fork, and a chair if CHICO CREEK NATURE CENTER 1968 E. 8th St. Chico. you like. See you there! ALTACAL AUDUBON SOCIETY 930ardof Directors Sad Wews President STEVE OVERLOCK ith a heavy heart, I would like to note 530 828-0966 step henoverlock@?sbcglobal.net Wthe passing of a wonderful member of Vice President KEN SOBON Altacal who was also the longtime companion 530 592-3350 to our Publicity Chair, Skip Augur. Pam Hansen ksobon@,thermalito.org Secretary CRIS CLINE succumbed to her illness on May 7th after years ccline1028@gmail.com of Skip's thoughtful, generous care. I do not Treasurer VACANT pretend to have known Pam thoroughly but I do Membership CATHY CARTER know that every encounter with her was uplift- 530 342-9152 ing for me and always included that beautiful, scarab4ever@gmail.com Publications DENISE DEVINE warm smile, One always felt comfortable and Newsletter 530 345-8444 accepted around this special Altacal birder, Our dsrdevine@hotmaiI,com Publicity WAYLAND AUGUR thoughts are with Skip as he starts a new path. Web Site 519-4724 May you Rest in Peace dear Pam. wba(—Wacm,org Field Trips MATT FORSTER Steve Overlock 619 347-2269 findforster@yahoo.com Sanctuary KEN SOBON Lands/Refuge 530 592-3350 ksobon@thermalito.org Conservation SCOTT HUBER Co-chair 530-321-5579 wmscotthuber@gmail.com Education VACANT Programs JENNIFER PATTEN 345-9356 jpchicogsbcglobal.net Sac NWR VACANT Bookstore Director- KATHRYN HOOD at-Large 321-2,852 verdant44@gmaiu .com Director- DAWN GARCIA at-Large 530 513-1785 avifan59@gmail.com Director- MARY MUCHOWSKI BOARD MEETINGS at-Large 530-228-0625 5:15 p.m. mmuchowski@earthlink.net 2nd Wednesday of each month Director- MARILYN GAMETTE Altacal Audubon Society/Snow Goose Festival Office Emeritus 635 Flume Street, Chico Altacal Audubon Members are welcome to attend 2. from the Presi de n t by STEVE OVERLOCK GOODNEWS You may have heard in these topsy Curvy tirnes that some SPRING EVENTS significant advances were made on the National level for Altacai has had a busy outreach schedule this Spring, with an Conservation and Our birds.Citing an email received frorn David educational presence at Chico State's MARCH FOR SCIENCE Yarnold, President and CEO of National Audubon So6ety: event, Chico State's SUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE,the Chi- "Audubon successfully urged Congress to protect key places like co Creek Nature Center's SPRING CARNIVAL,the CLAPS WILD- the Great Lakes, Long Island Sound, and Florida's Everglades; FLOWER SHOW, Water-Wise and Habitat-Friendly SPRING keeping the Arctic Refuge safe from oil and gas drilling;ensuring GARDEN TOUR,and Bec's ENDANGERED SPECIES FAIRE. science-based and locally-driven implementation of 67 million acres of sage-grouse conservation plans;and increasing support for water conservation and drought relief programs." It goes on reporting that the Department of Interior will receive an increase in support;including$8.9 million for the sage-grouse.In 16 addition, a'whopping' increase for drought support for us in the West has been allocated. David thanks us, as Altacal thanks you for sending your support for these critical concerns with letters and signatures. However, ....................... David cautions that it is,only in effect through September 2017, thus we must not let our guard down. Read the full article here: http://www.audubon.org/news/when-audubon-members-speak al RSV birds-congress-listens OTHER NEWS Dawn Garcia and Melinda Tevas at the MARCH FOR SCIENCE Our California Audubon Chapter Network Manager,Desiree Log- gins,presentecan eyeengionta at our last I I! '„ ry' ,.W �Program. It is gig to take sorne doing to solve this one but there is hope,just please,no more studies!To see what is being done to protect this precious area, where to find the birds, and how it can be restored,plus much more,please clic:k:http://ca,audubon, org/conservation/conservation/im portant-bird-areas/salto n-sea TO WRAP UP if you are available,June 8th is Lobby Day 2017. Desiree invites all chapter members and friends to storm the state capital build- ing with us. We will meet with our local legislators, and discuss important conservation issues with them.Yes,like the Salton Sea. Here is more information from our website as well as a fun bldg about last year's event. Please RSVP online. http://ca.audubon. Kai Herzog assisted at Altacal's'Bird Science'table at org/get-involved/2017-audubon-california-advocacy-day. Chico State's MARCH FOR SCIENCE 3. UPCOMING f All of our field'trips are open to beginning birders. irdtn, lir' S Anyone with a sense of wonder is welcome to participate. Check the Altacal Facebook page for updates. June 4, Sunday COLBY MEADOWS p Hooded Oriole Trip Leader: Mary Muchowski April 13,201 ' We'll be getting a special tour of a less traveled portion of Colby Matt Forster Meadows.Meet at Chico Park&Fide west lot(Huey 99/32)at 8 arn, caravan up to the Butte Meadows Snowmobile Park„ and walk in to Colby Meadows. We'll be looking for Northern Goshawk, Juiy15, Saturday White-headedWoodpecker, Pacific Wren,Townsend's Solitaire, HIGH ELEVATION BIRD SEARCH and Mountain Chickadee. Pack a lunch and bring plenty of wa- Trip Leader: Matt Forster ter! Contact: Mary Muchowski, mmuchowski@earthlink.com, Enjoy a leisurely Saturday afternoon exploring Butte Meadows 530-._228--0825 and Colby Meadows for mountain birds.Birds of interest will be Clark's Nutcracker, Gray Jay, Evening Grosbeak,Townsend's June 16- 11, Saturday-Sunday Solitaire, Pileated Woodpecker, White-headed Woodpecker, LAKE COUNTY BICC WEEKENDSolitaire, Woodpecker: Pacific Wren and Mountain Chicka- Trip Leader:Scott Huber dee. There will also be a chance to see Mountain Quail and Lake County's diverse landscape has provided an ideal and stun- American dipper along the way.We'll meet at Chico Park&Ride ning habitat to a variety of bird species throughout the years. It's on west lot (Hwy 99132) at 8 am. Please pack a lunch as we been named an "Important Bird Area"by Audubon California, and won't be heading back to Chico until 2-3 pm.Contact:Matthew can be enjoyed within a wide selection of habitat while breathing the Forster findforster@yahoo.com or 619--347--2269, cleanest air of any county in America. Great Blue Heron, Western Grebes, Ospreys, Barn Owls and Bald Eagle are just some of the Judy 28-30, Friday-Sunday birds that we will be looking for. We'll also search the mountain CAMP-CBT AT pine forests, river valleys, marshes, and creeks for many more LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK birds!To reserve a spot on this fabulous trip contact Scott Huber, Trip Leader:Jennifer Patten wmscotthuber@gmail.com, 530--321--5579 We have enjoyed the birding and camping at the Lost Creek Group Campground in Lassen VNP over the years and we'll July 8, 'Saturday be doing it again with the Wintu,Reclbud and Redwood Region FEATHER FALLS Audubon Chapters joining us. Group Camp Sites #2 and #3 Trip Leader:Matt Forster have been reserved for the nights of Friday, June 28 and Sat- urday,June 29.This year's scheduling is later due to the higher Feather Falls Loop Trail is a 7.6 mile moderately trafficked loop trail than normal snow pack and the park road should be free of snow located near Orovlle that features a beautiful waterfall.At the falls, by early July. People can either camp at Lost Creek or drive up we'll be able to see the splendid Black Swifts as they sore throughout for either or both Saturday and Sunday,Campers can arrive at the skies.Along the trail we'll be looking for Chestnut-backed Chicka- the campsite at a time of their choosing on Friday afternoon.We dees, Canyon Wrens, Pacific Wrens, Golden-crowned Kinglets, will bird Manzanita Lake, Hat Creek, Summit Peak areas and Band-tailed Pigeons and many more mid-elevation birds.Because the rest of the itinerary is open and will depend on the interests this trail'can get pretty hot during the summer days,we'll leave the of the participants. Cay trippers will meet at the camp site at Chico Park & Ride west lot (Hwy 99132) at 6 am. Bring plenty of 8:30am. Lost Creek has primitive facilities -pit toilets and no water, a lunch and mosquito spray. Last year we had a rattlesnake electricity, but potable water is available. Group size is limited. on the trail! Contact Matthew Forster: findforstergyahoo.com or If you would like to join us please contact Jennifer Patten,530- 619-347-2269 for more information and interest in joining. 345-9356,or jpchico@sbcglobal.net for more detail's. 4. Conservation Corner 'Not so Heavenly' HEAVENLY BAMBOO by SCOTT HUBER, Conservation Chair Arecent Facebook post showing a dead Cedar Waxwing was linked to an article reporting that Nandina domestica a.k.a.Heavenly Bamboo was responsible for the deaths of Cedar Waxwings in Georgia. This ornamental shrub is used abundantly in our area for landscaping. The following article is provided here with the permission of the author "'NANDINA BERRIES KILL IF HOT SPRINGS,ARKANSAS —You know this shrub as"Nandina", The US Department of Agriculture and most states classify Nan- "Sacred Bamboo"or"Heavenly Bamboo". Nandina domestica is Bina domestics as a noxious non-native invasive weed from China found in most landscaping mixes in yards,parks,hospital grounds, and Japan. It has naturalized and invaded our National Parks, and other locations in the lower 48 states, Its bright red berries Widlife Refuges, National Forests and other habitats throughout and contrasting dark green foliage is planted for color and texture the United States.Home owners and commercial landscapers are by commercial landscapers. Some home owners plant Nandina still planting this toxic species without constraint.In addition to bird to provide food for Cedar waxwing, American robin, Northern deaths in Georgia,bird deaths have been reported in Houston and mockingbird, Eastern bluebird and other birds that depend on other parts of the country. Hydroen cyanide (HCN) is a painful, winter fruits to survive. Nandina berries last for months attracting and unnecessary way for birds and other animals to die. hungry birds when food is in short supply. "Over 220 bird species nationwide are in serious decline, includ- When dozens of Cedar waxwings were found dead in Thomas ing our most common birds. Birds are being killed on all fronts" County Georgia, Moges, Wolderemeskel and Eloise L. Styer Davis said."For people to ignore poisoning birds and other wildlife 2010), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, is inexcuseable. By working together we can eliminate this toxic found the,cause to be Nandina berries, http://www,ncbi.nim.nih. and noxious invasive plant. If you are not doing your part, the gov/pmc/articles/PMC3005831/.All birds had intact berries of N. job is not getting done." domestica in their crops. There was hemorrhaging in the heart, lungs,trachea, abdominal cavity and other organs. Jerry W. Davis, Certified Wildlife Biologist, Nandina berries contain cyanide and other alkaloids that pro- 172 Heritage Drive, Hot Springs,AIR 71901 duce highly toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) which is extremely jwdavis@cablelynx.com poisonous to all animals. Sudden death may be the only sign of cyanide poisoning and death usually comes in minutes to an hour Woideremeskel and Styer report. It is believed that in times when all other berries are exhausted, I M waxwings will resort to consuming the toxic Nandina fruit.Alta- cal is embarking on a public education campaign encouraging homeowners and local jurisdictions to remove the berries from their Nandina shrubs before they ripen or consider complete removal of the plant. Please stay tuned for more information on this issue, 5. Habitat crams CITIZENI I t Paradise Middle School by MELINDA TEVES, Project Coordinator here were bright smiles on the Marc's intention is for the garden to become a continual source Certood faces of Paradise Intermediate's of learning. Students will collect data on plant growth (phenol- S ighborhood thtta i middle-schoolers as they posed in ogy,which is the monitoring of plant blooms to measure climate (rant of their school's new `habitat' change),wildlife visits,and more.Shortly after the ceremony, he ' garden. The students" enthusiasm was kneeling over a milkweed plant pointing out foraging bees for what they'd created, under the to students who'd happily gathered around. "They're actually guidance of their terrific science getting honeydew from all of these aphids, not the plant yet. It teacher, Marc Kessler, was so much hasn't bloomed." fun to see and be around. The garden of course has presented a few challenges as well as Marc helped the students celebrate their accomplishment at an rewards(part of the learning experience).Twice,the garden has Earth Clay ceremony on April 20 at the site of the garden.Altacal been vandalized.But Marc,who grew up in a neighborhood with Audubon was present at the ceremony to certify the students' vandalism, prepared the students to immediately repair their new garden as Neighborhood Habitat. Altacal's program pro- garden and prevent vandals from getting any notoriety.This has vides education, support, and `certification' for local residents been a lesson in resilience. implementing wildlife stewardship and water conservation fea- So much learning has taken place with this project, most impar- tures into their gardens.. Cantly according to Principal Reiner Light, it has been "empow- Paradise Intermediate's Earth flay ceremony began by recount- ering" for the students. These are students who will grow up ing all of the wildlife visitors that had already discovered the na- knowing they can make a positive difference in their community, tive landscaping, including two nesting Western Bluebirds (who in the world, and in their own and others'lives. were later perched on the fence behind their nest- " Ing box} a "Several monarch butterflies. Several Stl@- dents ran Into the classroom really excited when �" they discovered caterpillars In the garden," Marc ° "w y p g 'fir y k d, said. r Ain°ova w/i The garden was created using 'project-based' y �; learning strategies. That means that the design and implementation were student-driven" Stu- dents did the research, divided up tasks (some doing the did ding, some preferring to do plant- ing, lant ing, some choosing to direct the crowd-sourcing for purchases, etc,) One of the students proudly explained, "I got the bird bath," They incorporat- ed ncorporat ed grade-level science standards and then went beyond" They even integrated social studies into their science by recalling that traditional Chinese gardens used terracing. Since the school garden was on a slope, this knowledge proved useful. 6. go U.81 1� FISH&WILDLIFE Get to know YOUR SERVICL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES! px by ASHLEY HUFF, Visitor Services Assistant What are non-native domestic cows, Lastly, intermediate feeders, such as sheep, and goats doing on a Ref- sheep, are, highly versatile and have no Uge? Prescribed grazing is one tool used preference for grasses, forbs, or shrubs. to manage vegetation and wildlife habi- They are primarily used for reducing non- tats throughout the Sacramento National forbs in perennial grasslands, de- 1 A Wildlife Refuge Complex(Complex). void of native wildflowers because they Ij­ The Sacramento River National Wildlife will consume many of such plant species, Refuge L. is made up of 30 units. The Sacramento River NWR and Llano This conservation land adds up to 10,235 Ig t ""I Seco Unit include annual grasses, ver- acres along a 77 mile reach along the nal pools, valley oak and elderberry sa- Sacramento River. The natural vegeta- vanna, and managed freshwater marsh- tion provides a sanctuary for a variety es. Non-native annual grasses such as of wildlife including endangered and ryegrass and medusa-head accumulate threatened species. When left unman- large amounts of biomass throughout aged, non-native invasive plant species the year. This biomass produces a thick and noxious weeds can grow profusely, layer of thatch that eliminates growing degrading habitat conditions for native space for native plants as well as habi- plants and animals, as well as migrating tat tor some native animals. Prescribed wildlife. cattle grazing is used to enhance the na- The grazing pian is determined to meet tive grass understory by removing rank the target conditions of each Refuge Unit. i standing grass, trampling down decom- Animals are categorized based on vege- posing thatch, and increasing digestible talion preference and foraging methods. proteins in annual grass for herbivores Grazers,such as cattle,prefer non-native such as nesting geese and black-tailed grasses and forbs, while avoiding spring deer, Cattle grazing also supports high and summer wildflowers. Browsers, or abundance and diversity in native flow- ering plant species in vernal pools. Con- grass during rapid stages of growth but sequently, increasing the population of tend to stay away from dry grass,and are macro-invertebrates and native pollina- adapted to steep lands and rough terrain.. tors such as the long and short-tongued Goats are primarily used to aid in spiny bumblebee, forbs, such as Himalaya blackberry, as Since native plant and wildlife populations well as hazardous fuels, reduction, be- benefit from controlled grazing, it is im- cause they graze on the lower canopy portant to continue implementing an an- and understory of the riparian forest, nuai grazing plan.The Complex ensures that the timing of these grazing plans is compatible with visitor use, livestock op- eration, and seasonal conditions. 7. Ban&tng by DAWN GARCIA , Director at Large, April 2017 A NEST BOX SURPRISE! CAN YOU SEE THE OWL IN THE BOX?You are looking at the head and back of a Western Screech Owl (Megascoos kennicoffit) inside one of the nest boxes installed on the Big Chico Greek Ecological Reserve (13CCER), We believe she is in- cubating eggs due to her flattened posture and absolute stillness when we peeked the camera into the box. If she is incubating and all goes well,by the time of this newsletter, we can expect to see 2-7 nestlings! So how did we see her?As part of our confin- Lied Northern Saw-whet Owl (NSWO) study, this winter Ken and crew installed nest box- es to determine, potential use of the BCCER i�1 as breeding site for NSWO, a cavity nesting species. To check the nests Ken attached a flexible cable with tiny camera and LED light to a bamboo pole, plugged into his tablet. He, can feed the camera quietly into the cavity en- trance, see what is inside on his screen and then take a photo. We have conducted two box checks,one on March 11 and one on April 19. In March, we found bird feces in two box- es but no birds were present.We guessed the boxes were used by Northern Flickers roost- ing in the boxes at night. In April, we found identifying flicker feathers in the same boxes, and then we found the screech owl in a third Ken Sobon checks nest box#4 box, what a fun surprise! with a small camera Sightings V ................ Ruff at Llano Seco Willet at Llano Seco Snowy Plovers at Llano Seco April 3, 2017 by Liam Huber May 1, 2017 by Matt Forster April 7, 2017 by Matt Forster 8. L.oc-al C � t r Membership Application ', ; Aease join s! -;' .LTC L YOUR MEMBERSHIP WILL HELP ' ti �uciulacsn WSt��ietc) 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 thatfocus on birds andbird CHICO 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 'PONDS 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 Orovifle for over 55 years Submission of Articles Focusing on our YOUTH through to the 'White-t a',iCedX,te SCHOLARSHIPS and ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION Articles for publication should be sent to Denise Devine Advocating for BIRDS and WILDLIFE byemailto dsrdevine@hotmaii.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, ALTACAL AUDUBON SOCIETY El ,25 Basic $35 Family �..J $15 Student/Low Income �_..) $50 Sponsor ( $100 Sustaining Additional Donation Name Address City State Zip Phone email Save Paper! Send mo an email only New Member E] Renewal F7Gift email me Altacal in Action Alerts F] I would be interested in volunteering to help n, Cash Check Date IMPORTANT: Membership in Altacal Audubon Society does act include membership in the National Audubon Society,We encourage you to also support National Audubon in their important education and lobbying efforts. To join the National Audubon Society contact them at their website www.audubon.org/ Please make check payable to ALTACAL AUDUBON SOCIETY Mail to AAS, P.O. BOX 3671, CHICO, CA 95927-3671 ALTACAI_AUDUBON SOCIETY, INC Requested POST OFFICE BOX 3671 In-home Delivery Non-Profit Organizationtaa L'("'�rjra �� U.S. Postage CHICO, CA 95927-5671 AWAINI,S'Q"l"l"f()N 5/31-6/2 2017 P A I D N� Permit No. 86 JAN '1 3-Day Window Chico, Calif. 95927 (XROV t p e;',CA:ti.i%" P CURRENT RESIDENT BOARD OF SU'IPERVISO,RS 25 COUNTY CENTER DR. OROVILLE, CA 95965 x ALTACAL. Auclukon SocicEq "White- aite ite ALTACAL Programs JUNE / JULY 2017 "9 DATES TO REMEMBER k Jun 4 Colby Meadows Jun 19-12 Lake Co Big Weekend ,Jun 19 Altacal POTLUCK JUNE 19 ,Jul 8 Feather Falls Altacal POTLUCK at CCNC Jul 18 High Elev Meadows Jul 28-39 Joint Lassen Camp�out For updated information check the Altacal website a9tacal.or� Mission; To promote the awareness, appreciation and protection of native birds and their habitats through PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER education, research and environmental activities.