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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWhite-tailed Kite newsletter - December - January 2016-2017 �d tg 'OCe d X i t e Whtte,- Tat NEWSLETTER OF THE ALTACAL AUDUBON SOCIETY Chapter of the National Audubon Society serving Butte, Uenn, and Tehama Counties of Northern California DECEMBER 20161 JANUARY 2017 ALTACAL Prograrns Programs for the general community are normally heid on the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.,at the Chico Creek Nature Center, 1968 F.8th.St. Chico. 1n December the program is held on the second Monday and in July and,August there are no programs. Monday, December 12, 2016 6:30 p.m. Wednesday- Sunday, January 25 . 29, 2017 Chico Creek.Nature Center Chico, California; MEMBERS' SLIDE SHOW The 18th Annual SNOW GOOSE FESTIVAL of the Pacific Flyway f AItaca!I Audubon is having its biggest program of the year!All sorts of wonders are in store for birders and outdoor enthusiasts of all skills and ages at the 18th Annuat Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway, r i i Wednesday-Sunday,January 25-29, 2017, Chico,California. This action-packed 5-day event celebrates the re- markable journey of mil- lions of waterfowl and rap- ee what ARtacal members and friends have been up tors along the Pacific Fly- to ly way that call the Northern ; to as they show off their photos for our annual Mem- y Sacramento Valle their r� r F�A . hers'Slide Show, a favorite program for many.There are y " � � Y always some great new, and sometimes old, (that's OK home during the winter too) pictures to see and tales to hear. Join in,and bring a months, few of your own photos of birds/wildlife/nature(on disk or With over 60 field' trips,. memory stick).We will have plenty of time for all who want workshops and presenta- F E S T I V A L to participate.Also at this program we will hear about plans tions,free family activities, for the annual Chico and Oroville Christmas Bird Counts exhibits,vendors, and the amazing Pacific Flyway Art Exhibit in down- taking place over the following weekends. Call or email town Chico, the festival is a groat opportunity to spend the day or all Jennifer Patten,345-9356(Apchico@sbcglobal.net)so we five-days learning about the naturaii wonders of the Pacific Flyway and know ahead of time how many will be showing photos. its inhabitants. (Continued on page 2.) Red-breasted Sapsucker by Lisa Winslow ALTACAL AUDUBON SOCIETY C4 N,1,1 L]1'1/ (continued from page 1.) Boardof Directors Alvaro Jaramillo joins the festival this year as our Keynote Speaker at the"Gathering of Wings"Banquet&Silent Auction. President STEVE OVER LOCK Alvaro will share his knowledge and insight into a birder's brain. 530 828-0966 Come hear his lighthearted stephenoverlock@sbcglobal.net and informative,explanation Vice President KEN SOBON of how we identify birds and 530 592-3350 why binding is a great addi- ksobon 9thermalito.org tion to anyone's fife. Don't miss this special event! Secretary CRIS CLINE X cc I i n 1028 Q g rnai I.c o m Visit our website for program Treasurer VACANT and registration information. For early notification of our Membership CATHY CARTER exciting field trip and work- 530 342-9152 shop schedule, be sure you are on our email list and "Iike" scarab4ever@gmail.com us on Facebook as that is a great Source for instant Festival Publications I DENISE DEVINE information and updates. Newsletter 530 345-8444 dsrdevine@hotmail.com www.snowgoosefestival .org Publicity WAYLAND AUGUR infoC&)snowgoosefestival.org Web Site 519-4724 530-345-1865 wba@acm.org Snow Goose Festival, P. O. Box 1063 Chico, CA 95927 Field Trips MATT FORSTER 619 347-2269 fnndforster@yahoo.com Sanctuary l KEN SOBON Lands/Refuge 530 592-3350 ksobon @thermal ito.org Conservation DAWN GARCIA Co-chair 530 513-1785 avifan59 C�gmail.com Education VACANT Programs JENNIFER PATTEN 345-9356 ipchicoC@sbcglobal.net Sac NWR LEANN MCCONNELL Bookstore 530 893-4703 leannmc20060 sbcglobal.net Immature Snow Goose at the Chico Oxudation Ponds Director- KATHRYN HOOD by David Fundakowski at-Large 321-2852 verdant44@?gmail.com Director- MARILYN GAMETTE BOARD MEETINGS at-Large 343-3154 5:15 p.m. gamettec@aol.com 2nd Wednesday of each month Director- VACANT Altacal Audubon Society I Snow Goose Festival Office at-Large 635 Flume Street, Chico Altacal Audubon Members are welcome to attend 2. by STEVE OVERLOCK GREETINGS MEMBERS, As 2016 runs its course it's a good time to reflect on what makes Altacal such a fine organization year in and year out.And it's the members,and especially those members who donate their time, experience and expertise to help all of us grow in our knowledge and enjoyment of the great outdoors.The birders who lead us on bird- counts,on trips to the coast,the mountains,the many local hot spots, are one of a kind and the essence of Altacal Audubon.Though it may be their passion,the fact they generously share it with all members goes above and beyond a passion and makes Altacal what it is.You are appreciated and gratefully thanked'.. We will see many of these folks at the 2017 Snow Goose Festival. There is an excellent write up inside and the Festival is shaping up to be as good as ever. Also, if you think you might have an inkling to help out this year please get in touch by phone or email, It's a big endeavor and there are many various opportunities so chances are goad there is one to fit your schedule. Finally, speaking of migratory birds and the SGF, If you haven't seen it yet here is a link to a most enjoyable Holiday short movie: Raising Kid Colt https;ffyoutu.be/Ufa36YiHBoc filmed by Nina Faust in Homer Alaska, for Kachemak Crane Watch. How amazing to think that the Sandhill Cranes we are now seeing in the rice fields couldhave been in this thirty-five-minute video. Have a wonderful Holiday Season, Happy Birding now and all through 2017. Thank you again and Happy Birding .... Steve 0 r %'�,IRI:1 r"l rf/fir r ?9�f 1� r! r J J,y lu�1i k%%rcil �r �r� <Pr r✓�'ik r i'r+r ru '!k/1 l�yJ�'d�fY �r F r' 4 �I1Xr� I N Y, Y r � Ji 9 Il r a r %/ i adr 9 / ✓ ( 'fir lJ�a�„r�1�a�rf?„ ll� d ;� ( YI r �i 0. 7 �F r�I�NYJ��Y�vNv-CN,Y"1Ht�Ir Y�������"'l� f i�"�'Yj�n{L�'11�/�J�'�Y✓'.r rw�rw�Nnw r Y��Y�� r�,+./,rl�� �r 'Nr i�`'. �',"5;��', y�i C � { e m �sa1.. � k ,A9 N &A K�a .✓ x n.a"al mrlw..,.m �a n..rN L)PCOMING All of our field trips are open to beginning birders. r dt ng r� !'p S Anyone with a sense of wonder is welcome to participate. December 10, Saturday RAPTOR RUN Christmas BIRD COUN'"TS Trip Leaders,: Matt Forster and Mary Muchowski December 17, Saturday Join us in our search for raptors in Butte County! We'll be CHICO CBC traveling by car to Cottonwood Rd and Nelson Ave to view COMPILER: Mary Muc:howski the returning hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls. Cottonwood 530-228-0625 or mmuchowski@earthlink.net Rd boasts one of the best landscapes in Northern California All levels of birders are welcome.Bring warm clothes,hiking shoes, for raptors. Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks are regular lunch,bird books and binoculars.You wily be assigned an area and visitors.Peregrine and Prairie Falcons can be seen perched on spend the day counting birds in this area. the surrounding power poles.While viewing a soaring Golden RSVPs encouraged! Eagle last year, I was pleasantly surprised by a beautiful Moun- MEET at 7:30 am fain Bluebird that flew within 20 feet of my car! Breathtaking! Chico Creek Nature Center, We'll then travel to Richvale and check out the fields for swans, 1968 East 8th Street, Chico geese, and ducks.Maybe we'll get lucky and find Trumpeter COMPILATION DINNER 4:30 pm TBA Swans.Bring binoculars,spotting scopes,water,walking shoes December 30, Friday and proper clothing for the expected weather conditions. Light OROVILLE CBC rain will not cancel. We'll meet at the first parking area at the COMPILER: Gaylord Grams Chico Park&Ride at 8 am.The trip will be 5-6 hours.Matthew 530-533-1624 or gg2canoe(?P yahoo.corn Forster, findforster@yahoo.com, 619-347-2269. All levels of birders are welcome. Beginners will be paired up with experienced birders. You will be assigned an area and spend the January 7, Saturday day counting birds in this area. Bring warm clothes, hiking shoes, LLANO SEGO VIEWING PLATFORM BIG SIT lunch,bird books and binoculars.To do a half-day,contact Gaylord Grams ahead of time. Trip Leader: Matt Forster MEET at 7:30 am Give your legs a rest and your eyes a treat on this leisurely af- Butte County Ag Commissioners Office, ternoon at Llano Seco Viewing Platform.Bring your lawn chair, 316 Nelson Ave,Oroville east of Hwy 70 across from Home Depot. binoculars,and snacks,sit back and relax as the birds come to COMPILATION DINNER 4:30 pm at TBD you.You'll learn to identify the waterfowl species that frequent December 31, Saturday this idyllic setting.Then at dusk the waterfowl will fly-out from RED BLUFF CBC the ponds to nearby fields to feed at night.As the sky fills with COMPILER: Karen Scheuermann, birds, their wing beats and calls are incredible. Meet at Llano 530-347-1687 or karens2020@gmail,corn Seco Viewing Platform at 3:30 pm. Limited parking, limited Cottonwood,Tehama Co, CA to 20 people. To reserve contact trip leader Matthew Forster, Please let Karen know if you plan to join the count findforster@yalioo.com, 619-347-2269 by January 3rd. January 25-29 THE 18TH ANNUAL SNOW GOOSE FESTIVAL Registrafion begins in early December!Make sure you get tickets to Saturday's"Gathering of Wings"Banquet&Silent Auction to listen to international bird guide and author,Alvaro Jaramillo,wfll share his knowledge and insight into a birder's brain.Come hear his lighthearted and informative explanation of how we identify birds and why binding is a great addition to anyone's life! American Pipit by David Fundakowski 4. Get to kno�w YO�,J�R NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES! by HALEY HENDERSON, Visitor Services Assistant Fire fighters are generally thought of as professionals who Birds benefit from the open spaces as well. Ducks, in particular, put out fires. So why are they starting them at the Sac- prefer a certain ratio of open, to closed spaces. This environ- ramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Complex)? ment is created not only for ducks, but geese and songbirds as Although starting fires may seem counterproductive, it is actu- well. Burn sites that have new vegetative growth provide geese ally beneficial for wildlife, vegetation, and even wildlife viewers. with an area to "browse" in. Goose browsing occurs when new Prescribed or controlled burns are used for a variety of reasons vegetation grows; geese move to the open fields to feed which on the Complex. The main reasons they are used are to en- serves as a secondary food source before migration. Con- hance wildlife habitat, manage invasive species, and reduce trolled burns also produce desirable habitat for Canada geese. hazardous fuel. The Canada geese enjoy open, fire program's pri- fields that are surrounded mary objective at if,, by water and tall plants. the Complex is toSongbirds also appreciate reduce hazardous sparsity of vegetation to fuel loads to prevent build their nests in, When wildfire, However, the riparian areas become multiple objectives overgrown with too many are often times ob- /if dense layers of tule and tamed and end up cattails, songbirds run out benefiting both wild- of room to construct their life and visitors. nests. The Complex expe- riences an increase in the Controlled burns number of tricolored black have both positive oWbird nests, in particular, by , and negative effects OR',' burning portions of over- on vegetation. Non- grown vegetation. native or invasive species of plants are In 2001, the National Fire burned to provide space for native species. Once the invasive Plan was implemented across all federal agencies and included species are burned, native grasses are planted.These grasses federally funded programs to ensure fire preparedness and re- provide food and habitat for waterfowl, and a buffer zone for duce hazardous fuels. Hazardous fuels reduction was defined future fires.Although burns are carefully planned around trees, as, "any strategy that reduces the amount of flammable mate- some trees will inevitably end up damaged. Despite this nega- rial in a fire prone ecosystem". Because of these changes, the tive affect, the dead, leaf-less tree will provide birds of prey with Complex was able to add a fire crew to their staff.The fire crew the perfect perch and wildlife viewers a great shot of these ma- was tasked to increase a prescribed burning program that had jestic birds. previously been completed by biology staff.Today,the fire crew Prescribed burns can benefit wjUife and wildIffe viewers in sev- is managed by a Fire Management Officer and is aUe to staff up erasdifferent ways. Open space is generated by burning vegeta- to two fire engines. tion which enables tractors to get into areas that would other- The fire crew and other Complex ernpioyees are able to improve wise be blocked and creates viewing lanes for wildlife watchers. wildlife habitats and food supply while aiso clearing hazardous Viewing lanes are also beneficial for biologists and provide them fuels and reducing the likelihood of wildfire.They are able to kill with easy access to conduct surveys and look for dead or dis- two birds with one stone... so to speak. eased birds. USFWS 5. f_T11 �banding by DAWN GARCIA, Owl Monitoring Project Director OWLS, GIRL SCOUTS, and PARTNERS, TROOP 70079 NIGHT OUT! 0 ne of our project's goals is to educate people about Saw-whet owls. On Friday we got to introduce an owl to a group of eight girl scouts and two morns (Troop 70079). My colleague at the US Forest Service, Maria Cisneros,organized this group so we were representing the USFS, Altacal Audubon Society and the Reserve, a great team! Wyatt, one of the owl handers,entertained the girls with moon,stars and wildlife stories, Maria shared binoculars,headlamps,flashlights,and treats and I even got to tell a spooky ghost story.Perfect under-the-milky way conversation!And then came an owl..... On our last run, voila! there she was, all feathers and golden eyes. So our conversation went to 000hs and aaaahs and the value of owls in the ecosystem,the importance of forests and snags for their breeding,Reserve habitats for migration refueling and wintering,owls as individuals and their amazing feathered toes,large asymmetric ears and keen vision.The saw- whet cast her spell again and left 8 girls, no doubt dreaming about owls! The NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL, Migration Monitoring UPDATE 2016 is a good season so far with 45 new owls and 7 same season recaps through November 5, 2016.This is a record for owls recaptured in one season and indicates that the owls are using the Reserve at least as a refuel- ing site which means a good prey base of rodents.And we can attest to that because some of the birds have been quite chunky at over 100 grams! Typical mass is 85-95 grams. We will continue to band through No- vember 15 when our season, season 12 of monitoring NSWO,will end. Northern Saw-whet Owl,Dawn Garcia and Girl Scout Troop 70079 THANK YOU ALL VOLUNTEERS Ken obon,Julie Newman,Julie Woodruff,Wyatt Hersey, Erika lacona,Maureen Morales,and Kim Armstrong for this year's banding efforts! See hftp:i/birdbling.blogspot. coral for fun photos and banding infc.). Membership life ! YOUR MEMBERSHIP W� LL HELP DAJ�1.,.TCAL ALTACALAUDUBON SOCIETY CONTINUE ITS IMPORTANT WORK. RacalAudubon Society (AAS) is a chapter of the National Audubon Society.AAS is a separately incorporated non-profit OTHER ALTA CA L ACTIVITIES organization with a local chapter membership. 100%of member- ship dues goes to support meal 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 DOSE FESTIVAL unpaid staff. Founder and ongoing supporter of the We offer regularly schedued field trips that focus on birds and bird CHICO CREEK NATURE CENTER habitats;mernbership procgrarns with rnodia 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-t ifed J+ite SCHOLARSHIPS and ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION Articles for publication should be sent to Denise Devine Advocating for BIRDS and WILDLIFE byernailto dsrdevinePhotmail.corn 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. Y {{ $25 Basic $35 Family $15 Student/ Low Income $50 Sponsor $100 SustainingAdditional Donation Name Address..—,...... City — ....._.m.. ...m.._..._.___.__......_._.._ ..__ _ __T__ State _._.__...__ Zip_ _.. Phone email Save Pape0 Send me an email only j New Member Renewal Gift email ane .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 therm at their website www,audLrbon.org/ Please make check payable to ALTACALAUDUBON SOCIETY Mail to AAS, P.O. BOX 3671, CHICO, CA 95927-3671 Requested Jtm�l;ttlNITIn-home Delivery Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage l 11/28-30/2016 P A I D LTACAa Permit No. 86 .A�,�1�,lx)nSocier�j 3-Day Window Chico, Calif. 95927 P0. Sox 5671 CURRENT RESIDENT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 25 COUNTY CENTER DR, OROVILLE, CA,95965 White-taiCed X to ALTACAL Progrann DECEMBER 2016 / JANUARY 2017 DATES TO REMEMBER Dec 12 Members' Slide Show Dec 10 Raptor Run Dec 12 Program- Member's Slide Shaw Dec 17 Chico Christmas Bird Count j, l Jan 25 -29 ",ren Snow Geese Festival Dec 30 Oroville Christmas Bird Count Dec 31 Red Bluff Christmas Bird Count .Jan 7 Llano Seco Jan 25-20 SNOW GOOSE FESTIVAL 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.