HomeMy WebLinkAboutWhite Tailed Kite Newspaper April-Mary 2016 I
r f
QFI
What"'CedXife
NEWSLETTER OF THE ALTACAL AUDUBON SOCIETY
Chapter of the National Audubon Society serving Butte, Glenn,and Tehama Counties of Northern California
APRIL/ MAY 2016
ALTACAE Programs
Programs for the general community are normally held on the third Monday of each month APR 0 1 0,16
at 6:30 p.m.,at the Chico Creek Nature 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. 01ZOV1111-;,CA i1;(Jj M,t
a
Monday, April 18, 2016 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 16, 2016 6:30 p.m.
Chico Creek Nature Center Chico Creek Nature Center
Avian Focal Species Help Designing and Building TRAILS
RANGELAND MANAGEMENT with Form and Function
Presented by KATE HOWARD Presented by DON BEERS
Point Blue Conservation Science r n'ith California's vast wilderness there are innumerable
is implementing a Rangeland V V hiking trails into deserts, high mountains, coastal
Watershed Initiative in partnership with beaches,redwood groves and more.Some of these trails are
the Natural Resources Conservation for hikers of all skill levels or some are for the experienced
Service. Kate Howard and other part- hiker only and most feature amazing scenery and views.Who
ner Biologists work in NRCS offices designs and builds these trails,footpaths, pathways,walking
to help land owners and managers trails? (continued on page 2.)
increase soil health, water-holding
capacity, and biodiversity as well as
production on California rangelands.
Through Point Blue's Rangeland Monitoring Network focused on
bird and vegetation communities and soil health,adaptive manage-
-
ment strategies are being utilized throughout the state. '
Kate is a Partner Biologist for Point Blue Conservation Science,sta-
tioned in the NRC)office in Yuba City.She went to Humboldt State
University for her BS where she learned to band (and love) birds
at Humboldt Bay Bird Observatory. She received her MS through
Tarleton State University(TX)looking at Black-shouldered Kites in
sugarcane fields of Swaziland. She has worked in Jamaica, San
Francisco,Saipan,Michigan,and Wyoming.When she isn't geeking
out on birds,she rides and trains western reined cow-horses.
`�a1� (continued from page 1.)
ALTACAL AUDUBON SOCIETY
Don Beers,who worked for California State Parks,where he was
Board'of Directors responsible for the District's trial construction and maintenance,
President STEVE OVERLOCK backcountry road re-engineering and maintenance,and water-
530 828-0966 shed restoration project implementation will discuss how trails
stephenoverlock@sbcglobal.net can be designed to provide the user with a more esthetic and
Vice President KEN SOBON intimate experience and be sustainable.Topics discussed will be
530 592-3350 use of native materials and curvilinear alignment that blends with
ksobon @thermalito.org the natural setting. How the design and construction must also
produce a trial that is sustainable that does not have an adverse
Secretary VACANT impact on natural and cultural resources and can withstand the
Treasurer/ LEANN MCCONNELL Impacts of hikers and the natural elements while receiving only
Finance 530 893-4703 routine cyclical maintenance.Designing and building sustainable
Ieannmc2006 @ sbcgloba1.net trails requires the application of both form and function.
Membership CATHY CARTER Don worked for the California State Park System for over 30
530 342-9152 years. The Roads, Trails and Resource Section that he su-
scarab4ever@gmail.com
pervised were responsible for the District's trial construction
Publications 1 DENISE DEVINE and maintenance,backcountry road re-engineering and main-
Newsletter 530 345-8444 tenance, and watershed restoration project implementation.
dsrdevine@hotmaiLcom
Don has been one of the lead instructors in the National Trails
Publicity/ WAYLAND AUGUR Training Program,and the California State Park Trails Training
Web Site 519-4724 Program.This included working on developing the curriculum
wba@acm.org for these two programs. He has lectured and presented work-
Field Trips MATT FORSTER shops at State, National and Professional trail conferences.
619 347-2269
findforster@yalhoo.com Don is currently working on the Cal'rfomia State Park's Trails Hand-
book revision and is one of the principal authors of that handbook.
Sanctuary 1 KEN SOBON
Lands/Refuge 530 592-3350
ksobon@thermalito.org i
kk
Conservation DAWN GARCIA
Co-chair 872-2165 e
avifan59@gmail.com
Education VACANT
Programs JENNIFER PATTEN
345-9356
jpchico @ sbcglobal.net
Sac NWR LEANN MCCONNELL
Bookstore 530 893-4703
leannmc2006@sbcglobal.net
Director- KATHRYN HOOD Banded Sandhill Cranes,Hwy 99,Feb 6,2016 by Ken Soban
at-Large 321-2852
verdant44@gmail.com
Director- MARILYN GAMETTE BOARD MEETINGS
at-Large 343-3154
gamettec@aol.com 5:15 p.m.
2nd Wednesday of each month
Director- DEREK DUNN Altacal Audubon Society 1 Snow Goose Festival Office
at-Large 414 698-3851 635 Flume Street, Chico
derekwdunn@gmail.com
Altacal Audubon Members are welcome to attend
2.
from the President
by STEVE OVERLOOK
t has been a busy couple of months. We hope you have received the annual
renewal letter. It contains a new brochure with lots of information. Cathy Carter,
Membership Chair,designed the unique,excellent layout and many others worked
diligently to complete the effort. We all hope you enjoy reading it and find much
useful information within.
Thank you for your support if you have already renewed,and please consider renew-
ing today if you have not done so yet.Feel free to save the stamp and renew online
at altacal.org.Just click on "become a member". It allows Altacal to continue to support conservation causes
near and far for our birds and their habitat.We are so grateful for the opportunity to be the local spokespeople
for such an important effort.
The newsletter is packed with many field trips this month.They range from a Big Weekend led by Scott Huber,
to a nearby overnight camping trip,to a friendly birding walk in the Park,and much more. It's all inside and we
thank Matt Forster for putting it all together.
A couple positive things to close on is Altacal was so pleased to be able to help Citrus Elementary School teacher,Mr.
Bransky,with afield trip to Upper Bidwell Park.It was such a joy to watch his students light up as we aided them in
seeing the wonderful birds of Bidwell Park and explaining the habitat which they were very knowledgeable about .
already.Thank you students and Mr. Bransky for a most enjoyable and rewarding afternoon - Bird On!
Finally, as you may already be aware, for the first time in decades, more wild Condors were born than died.
(Condors Achieve a Happy New Milestone http://www.audubon.org/news/california-condors-achieve-happy-new-
milestone) It makes one want to think we all are making a difference - real Happy Birding to all!
The 2016 SNOW GOOSE FESTIVAL of the Pacific Flyway Soared to SUCCESS!
or five days,birders,naturalists,visitors,families,youth,and locals spent quality
time attending the wide gamut of highly educational, exciting, adventurous, and
inspiring field trips, workshops, talks, and free activities which were designed with
every skill and interest in mind.We had wonderful winter weather,with much needed
rain, wind, and some California sunshine and LOTS of birds! Some bird sighting
highlights included a record number of raptors, especially Bald Eagles, sighted on
numerous field trips,a Greater Roadrunner was seen at Black Butte Lake and a very
rare bird, the Vermillion Flycatcher at the Maxwell Cemetery.Thanks to everyone
who attended and for making it an overwhelming success.We hope to have an even °=.. �
bigger and better event next year.
A huge THANK YOU...to all sponsors,presenters;field trip leaders,participants,and the amazing dedicated,hardworking and
very talented steering committee members and volunteers who helped organize and plan this celebrated regional event.
We hope to see you at the 18th Annual Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway, January 25-29, 2017
Have a great year birding!
The Snow Goose Festival Steering Committee 635 Flume St.Chico,California 95928 530-345-1865
3.
UPCOMINGi l
Birding Trams �$
All of our field trigs are open to beginning birders. G M
Anyone with a sense of wonder is welcome to participate, E
April 10, Sunday `
BIRD LANGUAGE WORKSHOP AT INDIAN FISHERY Summer Tanager,Genetic Resource Center, Feb 6,2106
by Ken Sobon.
Trip Leader:Wyatt Hersey
April24, Sunday
Come and observe with us as we take a holistic approach to un- BIRDS&TREES WALK
derstanding the language of the birds. From Song Sparrows and CSUC BUTTE CREEK ECOLOGICAL PRESERVE
Starlings to Coopers Hawks and herons, the birds around us are
deeply invested in communicating about the world around them. Trip Leader:Joseph O'Neil, Certified Arborist
Whether its a larder of food, a territorial display, or an alarm to We'll explore the native trees, shrubs and spring migrant birds of
alert others of a predator's presence we can learn to tap into the Butte Creek.This is a 2-3 mile intermediate hike along the creek,
information that is constantly being shared around us. No experi- over some logs,and down to the pond.Green Heron,Wood Ducks,
ence with identifying bird vocalizations is necessary to participate. Yellow-breasted Chats, Hairy Woodpecker and Cooper's Hawks
Please bring a notebook and pen, weather appropriate clothing, have been some of the many species seen here.Beavers,otters and
snacks,water,field guides,and a camp chair for our 40 minute sit. jumping salmon may also be seen.Bring sturdy shoes/boots,water,
Meet at Indian Fishery on River Rd at 8 am.Contact Wyatt Hersey and snacks for 3 hour hike.Meet at the parking lot of the preserve at
at skateyono@gmail.com . 8 am, on Honey Run Road about 3 miles off the Skyway,just past
1182.Contact Joseph O'Neil at josephoneil@earthlink.net.
April 23, Saturday
FOOTHILL BREEDING TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD April 30, Saturday
SURVEY, BUTTE COUNTY BIRDING UPPER BIDWELL PARK
Trip Leaders: Dawn Garcia, Deren Ross and Ken Sobon Trip Leader: Steve Overlock
Help us find 2016 breeding sites far the California near endemic and This will be an easy 3 mile walk in Upper Bidwell Park.Spring migra-
state sensitive Tricolored Blackbird.We'll meet at 9 am at the Altacal tion will be in full swing,so be prepared to see warblers,thrush,and
office(635 Flume St,Chico)to lookat maps,historic blackbird breed- other migrants!We'll meet at Parking Lot E,just past the gun club
ing sites and survey methods. By 10:30 we'll split into groups and and walk up to Day Camp.All birders and nature lovers are welcome
drive to historical and currently known sites to document breeding especially those just learning about birds or wanting to learn about
occupancy.We'll be back to the office by 4 pm. Bring water,lunch, the birds of Bidwell Park. 8 am-12. Bring binoculars(some will be
snacks and binoculars.These birds are the most colonial songbird available to borrow),water,and snack.Contact Steve Overlock at
in North America,so if they are active in an area,we will see them! 530 828-0966 or stephenoverlock@sbcglobal.net
Please RSVP to ksobon @thermalito.org and for questions call Dawn
Garcia @ 530-513-1785. May 7, Saturday
SPRING BIRD SONG AT IT'S PEAKI
Trip Leader: Scott Huber
By early May most of our spring migrants have arrived from Central
and South America,and they are exuberantly proclaiming their viril-
ity!This is the finest time of year to savor the beauty of their songs
3 u and learn the keys to identifying them by their voices. Join bird
.w
song connoisseur Scott Huber on a leisurely amble amidst natures
symphony. Meet at Chico Park& Hide EAST lot. 7-11 am. Bring
Banded Trumpeter Swans, Hwy 99,Feb 6,2016 sturdy shoes and water,and snacks. Contact Scott 530 321-5579
by Ken Soban or wmsootthuber@gmail.com.
4.
Water Wise and Habitat-Friendly
SPRING GARDEN TOUR IN CHICO
May 1, 2016 Sunday—9 to 3
Blight in spring bloom at more than a dozen Chico gardens that showcase alternatives to -. -
traditional landscaping and are alive with birds and pollinators.Using designs featuring
California native plants,these beautiful gardens demonstrate
*3 r
•water conservation -using drought tolerant plants and drip irrigation
•wildlife friendly habitat-ponds,birdbaths, logs, brush piles,wildflowers, ;.
native grasses and other favorite plants for birds and pollinators
With the number of gardens growing in Altacal Audubon's Neighborhood Habitat Certification
Program habitat corridors for local pollinators and birds are connecting to wildlands. -.
Registration FREE, however donations will be used to design and install water-wise
and habitat-friendly public gardens and related educational activities.
Sponsored by Altacal Audubon Society's Neighborhood Habitat Certification Program,
Mount Lassen Chapter of California Native Plant Society, and Butte Environmental Council.
Information and registration at becnet.org, mountlassen.cnps.org,and www.altacal.org.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB GARDEN
Ann Elliott and Melinda Teves have been working with kids at the Boys & Girls Club
to create a bird-friendly habitat garden. The native plants in the small garden were
ze
recommended by Eve's Garden Design. Thanks to the support and assistance of many ,
in the community, the Neighborhood Habitat Certification Program now has 165 program i
4 s '
participants and 47 fully certified Neighborhood Habitat gardens.Altacal and the Mount
Lassen Chapter of CNPS will be partnering to sponsor a"Water Wise and Habitat Friendly ,Eli I
Garden Tour" on May 1. Using our own front and backyards, we can restore habitat for
birds and pollinators, and help protect our precious water. Join today!
May 13- 15, Friday- Sunday
BLACK BUTTE LAKE May 21 -22, Saturday-Sunday
YOLO COUNTY BIG WEEKEND
HIKING, CAMPING AND BIRDING
Trip Leader:Jennifer Patten Trip Leaders: Scott Huber and Matt Forster
This will be a full weekend of camping, birding, Continuing our County Big Weekend Series begun in 2015,a two-day trip to Yolo
kayaking, hiking and disc golf at Black Butte Lake. County to try to see as many birds in the county as possible. Great for county
Camping will be at the Orland Buttes Campground lists.Due to Yolo's unique location relative to the Sacramento River Delta and the
Friday and Saturday nights with a big BBQ Saturday Coastal Range it is a bird magnet and vagrant hotspot.We'll visit as many habitats
night.We'll bird mornings,kayaking evenings and in- and elevations as possible. Leave early Sat morning, camping Sat night(TBA),
between, disc golf and hike. Spring is in the air so and returning by Sun late afternoon.Sign up early to assist us in planning.Plan on
we should see plenty of song birds, resident birds, bringing all food for the weekend,we will cook at our campsite on Sat night.Bring
raptors, ducks and grebes on the lake. More details tents,sleeping bags,an adventurous spirit and good sense of humor. Prepare for
coming. Limit to 27,to reserve contact Jennifer Pat- rain. Car-pooling encouraged. Meet at Chico Park&Ride EAST lot. Sat, 6am to
ten 530-345-9356,jpchico@sbcglobal.net. Sun,5pm.Contact Scott to attend,530 321-5579 or wmscotthuber@gmail.com.
5.
AUDUBON Leads in Installing
BURROWING OWL Nesting Burrows
by DAWN GARCIA, Conservation Chair
P roject director Larry Jordan (Wintu's Webmaster) has been ,
i
working to enhance breeding habitat for Burrowing Owls E,
(Athene cunicularia)since 2010.He went to known owl sites and
recruited help to install artificial burrows for the owls.If the habitat
is available, Burrowing Owls often breed in large groups. This
species has lost nesting habitat in the region at least in part due
to the poisoning of California ground squirrels,which for the bur-
rowing owl,is a keystone species.The squirrels dig the burrows
that owls use to nest. Our soils are compact and the owls can't
readily dig their own in our area,so they rely on squirrel's digging
skills. Burrowing Owls will also use hollows in cut banks, such
as the site along the Durham Pentz Hwy where Altacal members
watched 8 owls(2 adults,6 fledglings) in 2011.
In 2010, a group of Altacal members helped install 8 artificial
burrows on a Tuscan Preserve, a conservation easement in
perpetuity, along Nord Cana Highway. It was a lot of digging but
well worth it.These burrows have been successfully used during top-Burrowing Owl at
the winter.Jennifer Patten first documented breeding on this site Nord Cana burrows
by Larry Jordon
in the summer of 2015,when she observed six owls(adults and
fledglings)!Larry took this as a cue to create more nesting habitat above Digging burrow ditch .�
in the winter of 2016. This time Wintu Audubon members and I right-Burrow setup
below-Burrows after w
dug and installed 8 new artificial burrows. We observed 4 bur- Jan 2016
rowing owls on the property that day.We also had large colorful by Michelle Swartout
flocks of Horned Larks,swans,cranes and geese overhead,and
a scared but savvy Savannah Sparrow flying between our legs
to be safe from a Merlin on the hunt!
We hope our digging efforts make a difference for the i' �° � = �
Burrow-
ing Owls,and entice more breeding pairs to the site.Just a few
weeks ago,Larry observed what might be the original owl(based
on photos and plumage) spotted in 2005 at the entrance of one
of the newly constructed burrows. Urates were also found at the
entrances of the new burrows. Already a California species of
special concern(CDFW)due to documented population decline,
Audubon's climate models predict that the Burrowing Owl could
lose 77 percent of its current breeding range (http:Hclimate.
audubon.org/birds/burowl/burrowing-owl).
If you are interested in monitoring or have sightings to report
contact Larry Jordon at webmaster@wintuaudubon.org
6.
® a ' • e by DAWN GARCIA
This winter Altacal member Carolyn Short Iden- My experience with COPOs is hearing them
tified a Common Poarwill (Phalaenoptilus calling in the late spring with their clear"poor-
nuttallii, COPO) in her driveway on January 22, wiiilla"song as they migrate up to the moun-
2016,The bird continues to use the Short drive- tains to breed.There are several records in
way for its nocturnal foraging activities thru this Butte County during this time,many are road
writing in early March. Curious, I went to go see killed birds.During the summer in the Plumas
the bird because it is uncommon in the winter here.They should National Forest where I work, I hear them singing from ridges at
be in southwestern US and Mexico at this time.There are a few night. I have flushed them off their ridgetop nests during the day.
records that I retrieved from Bruce Dueul, including one flushed Eggs are difficult to see as they camouflage perfectly with the
off the road in lower Paradise in winter 2014 reported by board rocky gravel where they are laid.
member Ken Sobon.
According to Audubon, the poorwill is considered climate en-
It is always fun to see a bird out of its usual place and Carolyn dangered. Their climate model "forecasts a significant shift of
was very accommodating to interested birders wanting to see the the summer climate space, leaving only 26%of the current core
poorwill in her driveway. Here, he (based on extensive white in stable. The core areas today are in the Great Basin and south-
the tail)would land in the gravel driveway,flutter high or parallel western deserts, and the predicted shift to new haunts in the
to catch insects,and fly back to the driveway.We made cursory southern Great Plains may be very challenging for the poorwill
attempts to search during the day but they are super cryptic and to colonize."
we have been unable to find it roosting low on oak branches or on
gravel.Averycool bird and sighting!Carolyn and the poorwill even Butte County Winter Common Poorwill Records (per Bruce Deuel)
entertained birders from Quincy.She continues to keep an activity 2119/1973 Oroville
log of this individual.A cool fact about COPO is that they readily 2/5/1974 Bidwell Park
12/4/2005 Pete Sands Sutter Buttes
enter torpor, like hummers,lowering their body temperature and 1/3/2048 Pete Sands Sutter Buttes
other functions until the weather is fit for their flying insect prey. It 12/1/2010 Dye Creek
makes sense that these birds would winter in our area,particularly 8/1/2014 Ken Sobon Paradise
with the ability to"hibernate"during cold periods. 1/22/2016 Carolyn Short Oroville
March 20, 2016
BIRDING UPPER BIDWELL PARK REPORT Trip Leader: Steve Overlock
Agenerous number and hardy group of birders and explorers took the leisurely walk up to Day Camp from Horseshoe Lake on
March 20. It was made more special by the accompaniment of Roger Lederer and his wife Carol Burr,author and illustrator,
respectively,of The Birds of Bidwell Park,a must have book for thoroughly appreciating the birds in the Park.Though the species
count this time of year was not phenomenal the looks were very good of a Red Breasted Sapsucker,Cal and Spotted Towhees,
Dark eyed Juncos and Golden-crowned Sparrows to name a few.And as always,the ambience was spectacular.So much so,
we're hoping more new,and young folks will join us on April 30,see`Field Trips',to catch a sighting of the recently arrived migrants,
like the Western Bluebirds,and a Bullock's Oriole. (What does Oriole mean?you'll have to read the book...)
i,
z-
7.
What's in a Name?
by ROGER J. LEDERER, PhD
ave you ever wondered why a bird might be called a So in the world of biology, there is one scientific name for each
thrush, wren, tit, hawk, tanager, or owl? How about organism.This two-part definitive name identifies and describes
"grackle?"From the Latin graculus,the name originally the relationship of that organism to every other one. Scientific
referred to the European Jackdaw and later to our grackle.Many names consist of a genus(like Anas)and species(like platyrhyn-
years ago,the name"Margaret"or"Meg"was applied to a chat- chos)for the Mallard.Anas platyrhynchos tells us that Anas acuta,
tering old woman gossip and the name morphed into"mag."The the Northern Pintail, is a close relative but Cyanocitta cristata ,
"pie"part comes from piebald,meaning patched,especially white; the Blue Jay, is not. Note that the genus always capitalized and
hence the magpie. The Bald Eagle-was originally the piebald the species always lower case. Both are always underlined or
eagle because of its white patches. italicized.(The word"species"is both singular and plural;"specie"
The robin?The Latin (rubus), French (redond), Dutch(robinfje), is not a biological term.)
and other languages referred to the orange-breasted European Scientific names are often descriptive. Anas platyrhynchos is
bird, and later to the American version. "Cormorant"came from Greek for"duck with a flat bill." Turdus migratorius,the American
the Old French cormarenc (aquatic bird). The familiar Mallard Robin, is the "migratory thrush." Like some common names,
name appears to have been derived from the Old English word scientific names might come after the place they were first
"malart"or perhaps Medieval Latin's"mallardus."The derivation described, as Larus delawarensis(Ring-billed Gull). Some are
of many common bird names are based on size,shape,behavior, named after people like the French botanist Pierre Magnol who
color, pattern, home range , where the bird was first collected, gives us both the common and scientific name of the Magnolia
the honoring of some person,or after part of its scientific name. Warbler, Setophaga magnolia. Other scientific names might
Romans referred to small greenish birds as vireos,after the Latin include references to size, shape, behavior, mythical creatures,
word for green, viddis,and the name stuck for some species. calls, songs, native names, and so on. The Ivory Gull is Pago-
Colloquial names may confuse things; some people call House philia eburne, after the Greek pago for frost, philos, loving, and
Finches linnets, and Ospreys fish hawks. Across the ocean, eburne, Latin for ivory.
Americans referring to cormorants might be confused by Europe- Both the AOU and IOC recommend that the proper English
ans calling them shags and their most common hawk a buzzard, names of birds be capitalized.So one would write Black-capped
the name Americans use to refer to vultures. Chickadee or Oak Titmouse,but refer to a chickadee or a titmouse
Tempering all this confusion in the U.S. is the seventh edition in lowercase. That's not a rule, but the guideline is followed in
of the American Ornithologist's Union (AOU) Checklist of North almost all ornithological journals and most books, including field
American Birds which first came out in 1886 and lists the official guides.
common names of all North American birds. In 2006 the interna- Luckily for birdwatchers,we have official common English names,
tional Ornithological Committee (IOC) established a World Bird easier to pronounce and spell. No other group of organisms can
List that lists accepted common English names for all 10,612 say the same. So when you make.a check mark next to a bird
species of living birds and 153 species of extinct ones. This name, consider what it might mean. A little research into bird
standardization of common English names makes the reporting names can open up a whole new way of looking at our feathered
of sightings and the tracking of bird species populations much friends.
more reliable.
Roger J.Lederer, PhD, Ornithologist
Although we have official Common English names for birds across the Author of Birds of Bidwell Park,Bird Finder, Pacific Coast Bird Finder,
world,not everyone speaks English so common names are useless Birds of New England,Amazing Birds,Latin for Bird Lovers
for studying the relationships of bird species.If birds were identified and the soon to be published Beaks,Bones,and Birdsongs,
only by their common names in various language,people across the due out 22 June 2016.
world would variously refer to the Mallard as a Canard, Stokente, 4798 Songbird Lane,Chico,CA 95973
Wilde EEnd, Germano, Stokkand, Ma-gamo, or Pato-real. riederer@csuchico.edu
8.
Local Chapter �-----�-----
Membership Application
Aease oin us. ,A
YOUR MEMBERSHIP WILL HELP , , Audubon Society
ALTACALAUDUBON SOCIETY
CONTINUE ITS IMPORTANT WORK.
Altacal 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 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 Oroville for over 55 years
Submission of Articles Focusing on our YOUTH through
to the"White-tailed Rite 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.
ALTACAL AUDUBON SOCIETY
MEMBERSHIPTI
❑ $25 Basic ❑ $35 Family ❑ $15 Student/ Low Income
❑ $50 Sponsor ❑ $100 Sustaining ❑ $ Additional Donation
Name
Address
City State Zip
Phone email
❑ Save Paper! Send me an email only ❑ New Member [] Renewal ❑ Gift
❑ email me Altacal in Action Alerts
❑ I would be interested in volunteering to help ❑ Cash ❑ Check Date
IMPORTANT: Membership in Altacal Audubon Scociety does not 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
ALTACALAUDUBON SOCIETY, INC Requested
POST OFFICE BOX 3671 In-home Delivery Non-Profit Organization
CHICO, CA 95927-3671 3/29-3112016 U P A IsD Postage
3-Day Window Permit No. 86
Chico, Calif. 95927
CURRENT RESIDENT
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
25 COUNTY CENTER DR.
OROVI LLE, CA 95965
"ALTACAL
society
wS".S S S 3 ZS ,.Ic 13 l�}i 1���tt�i. i lllil lijkl 111111 kit!1111111f1ijlt 111.1ttll11113t14
'White-taiCed Rite ALTACAL Program
APRIL/ MAY 20116
DATES TO REMEMBER
Apr 18
Apr 10 Bird Language : ' RANGELAND
Apr 18 Program- RANGELAND
Apr 23 Tricolor Blackbird Survey
May 16
Apr 24 Butte Creek Eco Preserve
TRAILS
Apr 30 Upper Bidwell Park
May 1 Spring Garden Tour
May 7 Spring Bird Songs
May 13-15 Black Butte Lake
May 16 Program- TRAILS
May 21-22 Yolo Co Big Weekend ALTACAL
For updated information check the Altacal website Mission: To promote the awareness, appreciation and
altacal.org protection of native birds and their habitats through
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER education, research and environmental activities.