Audubon Nature Training Center in an urban environment. —Photo by Elizabeth Randall FUNDS NEEDED FOR AUDUBON NATURE TRAINING PROGRAM The nature training program sponsored by the Golden Gate Audubon Society in Berkeley’s Aquatic Park has just completed its seventh semester of operation. Classes have been full and some teacher applicants had to be turned away. We have passed the experimental stage, and have gained increasing professional recognition. The program is most successfully fulfilling its purpose, namely to train adults to open the eyes of city children to the natural world and man’s relationship to it. However, we are in critical need of funds. The Rosenberg Foundation generously provided support for two and a half years, including a one-year extension of the original grant. Their support terminated last June, in accordance with their policy of financing projects only through the initial period. We are therefore turning to you as Audubon members for greater participation. Volume 49 Berkeley, Caiif. December 1967 Number 12 M£f M&O 7 ' QL 671 • G84 THE monthly GULL BULLETIN - 81 - 1967 THE GULL DECEMBER A finance committee, representing Golden Gate Audubon Society, the Berkeley Schools, and youth groups, is hard at work exploring all sources of funds, both public and private. One of the very strengths of the program, namely that we serve a number of school districts in two counties, as well as youth groups under various auspices, is a complicating factor in seeking financial support. We hope and expect that a public educational system will eventually underwrite costs for the teacher training portion. Since the program emphasizes urban ecology, and is a means of cultural enrich- ment for city children, we hope for, and are working toward, participation in school funds allocated for the disadvantaged child. These funds, how- ever, are contingent on Federal appropriations, We also need support for the youth group leaders’ training courses, and we believe this should come from the community. However, since these groups are for the most part affiliated with United Crusade supported agencies or churches, they have limited funds. We are investigating other foundations, but find that many, like the Rosenberg Foundation, are primarily concerned with supporting new programs rather than subsidizing successful ongoing ones. Our annual budget is roughly $5000, of which about $4000 pays the instructor’s fees. That our other expenses are so low is due to the generosity of the Berkeley Recreation and Parks Department in providing housing and utilities, and to the help of volunteers in providing clerical and other services. This year we had $1500 remaining from our previous Rosenberg grant. Support from the Berkeley Adult School, with which we are affili- ated, has been about $650 a year, and tuition fees about $550. The Golden Gate Audubon Society, though it has many demands on its limited funds, has, as sponsoring agency, earmarked up to $2000 for this year’s expenses if the money is not available from other sources. We would welcome ideas as to other sources of funds, and your active assistance as volunteers. We are also asking for donations, bequests and memorial gifts, which are, of course, tax exempt. Checks should be made out to Audubon Nature Training, and mailed to P.O. Box 103, Berkeley CA 94701. You are most welcome to visit the center after sessions begin again in February.— BERTHA S. UNDERHILL, Director, Golden Gate Audubon. BOTANIST WILL BE OUR DECEMBER SPEAKER Gary Breckon, botanist at Strybing Arboretum, will be the speaker at the Golden Gate Audubon Society meeting on Thursday, December 14, in the Hall of Flowei's, Golden Gate Park. His topic will be “Fleshy Fungi of the Bay Area” and he will illustrate his talk with color slides. Specializing in Amanitas, Mr. Breckon is studying for his Master’s Degree at San Francisco State College. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. The Hall of Flowers is on Ninth Avenue near Lincoln, San Francisco. Visitors are welcome at all Golden Gate Audubon meetings.— MRS. PHYLLIS ZWEIGART, Program Chinn. - 82 - 1967 THE GULL DECEMBER DECEMBER FIELD TRIPS Saturday, December 9, to Conn Dam (Lake Hennessey) in Napa County. This lake is a favorite wintering spot for Wood Ducks. Whistling Swans, Canada Geese, Gadwall, Redhead and Ring-necked Ducks are often found and occasionally Hooded Mergansers, Red-shouldered Hawks and Lewis Woodpeckers. Meet at the stone bridge about one mile north- east of Napa on the Silverado Trail at 8:30 a.m. Bring lunch, warm cloth- ing, and friends. Leader, Harry Adamson, 283-2164 (Lafayette). Sunday, December 10, above trip will be repeated with same meeting place and time. Leader, A. Laurence Curl, 526-7004 (El Cerrito). Saturday, December 16, to Bodega Bay and Sonoma Coast State Beaches to study waterfowl. Meet at Doran Park, Bodega Bay, at 8:30 a.m. Bring lunch, warm clothing, and friends. Leader to be announced. —MRS. VALERIA G. DaCOSTA, Field Trips Chairmen THREE CHRISTMAS COUNTS Golden Gate Audubon members are invited to participate in three Christmas Bird Counts this season. The Oakland Count will take place Saturday, December 30, the Tomales Bay Count will be on Monday, Jan- uary 1 , and the PRBO Drake’s Bay Count will be held on Wednesday, December 27. If you can help with the Oakland and/or Tomales Bay Count, please notify the Compiler, Paul A. Opler, 1131 E. 10th St., Albany 94710. If you can participate in the PRBO Drake’s Bay Count, please write or phone the Compiler, Jack Guggolz, 685 Mesa Way, Richmond (234-4298) or write to Point Reyes Bird Observatory, Mesa Road, Bolinas, CA 94924. Last year the Tomales Bay and Oakland Bird Counts were very suc- cessful. The Tomales count was fourth in the U.S. and Canada with 188 species, while Oakland was tenth with 166 species. The Tomales count was second in the number of species for high individual counts with 18 species ( italicized species were all-time record counts ) : Arctic Loon, Red- throated Loon, Brandt’s Cormorant, Common Teal, Bufflehead, Sharp- shinned Hawk, Black-legged Kittiwake, Red-shafted Flicker, Black Phoebe, Wrentit, Bewick’s Wren, Long-billed Marsh Wren, Varied Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Western Bluebird, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Audubon’s Warbler, Pine Siskin, and Fox Sparrow. Oakland had 11 species on the high indi- vidual count list: Canvasback, California Quail, Willet, Western Sandpiper, Forster’s Tern, Poor-will, Steller’s Jay, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bush- tit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Brown Towhee. This year we hope to do as well or to exceed the results of previous years. "HIGH HORIZONS" COMING TO BERKELEY JANUARY 3 Wildlife and plants of North America’s Rocky Mountains are vividly portrayed in William Ferguson’s Audubon Wildlife Film— the third per- sonally narrated film of the current season. From mountain peak to prairie Mr. Ferguson presents the color and action of wilderness Colorado. Dis- -83- 1967 THE GULL DECEMBER tinct zones of life exist almost in layers. Although the descent from the peaks can be measured in thousands of feet, the differences in animal and plant life are as great as if the journey stretched a thousand miles from the Arctic to Colorado. Pipits and brown-capped rosy finches are found in the alpine regions, cony and weasel on the boulder-strewn slopes, and Clark’s nutcracker in the tall spruces below timberline. At lower elevations other species appear in great variety. The photographer-lecturer, William Ferguson, originated This Curi- ous World, an educational cartoon syndicated to hundreds of newspapers in the United States and Canada by the NEA Service. Mr. Ferguson will bring his “High Horizons” film to Berkeley on Wednesday, January 3, at 8:15 p.m. in the Garfield School Auditorium- Theatre, Rose St. at Josephine and Grant Sts. If you do not have a season ticket, single admission at the door will be $1.50 for adults and $1.00 for students under 18.-MRS. FRANCES ELLEN FALLGATTER, Audubon Wildlife Films Chairman COVEL'S CONSERVATION CORNER A new conservation education outpost on the Bay is represented by the interpretive services offered at the Alameda Beach Regional Park, where Naturalist Ron Russo is teaching Bay ecology and the urgent prob- lems of Bay conservation to children in classes and after school groups, and adults, too. Graphic demonstrations of something gone wrong with offshore waters or fish metabolism were watched by visitors recently as Russo and Dept, of Fish and Game biologists gathered up over 500 small sharks within a four week period. About 98% of the carcasses were females, but the pathological examinations have at this date failed to come up with an answer. A major controversy has boiled up at this moment over the State Water Plan and its probable effect on the San Joaquin Delta. Farmers’ and sportsmen’s organizations— even industrial water users— are gravely con- cerned over the quantity and quality of water they can expect once the peripheral canal is completed. Those of us who are determined to protect fish and wildlife resources in and around San Francisco Bay, as well as the Delta, must also be concerned, read all available reports, and be pre- pared to testify or act when necessary. The current heavy losses of water- fowl from botulism in the Tulare Lake Basin (in late October) and the recent die-offs of fish at Berkeley Aquatic Park and Alameda could be repeated nearby in pyramidal numbers each year if the Delta and North Bay become stagnant due to inadequate water flow from the Sacramento in the new water plan. A Redwood National Park bill acceptable to the Sierra Club, the Save-the-Redwoods League and other groups was introduced in Congress in late October by Senators Thomas Kuchel and Plenry M. Jackson. It calls for 64,000 acres in both the Prairie Creek and Del Norte areas, with some -84- 1967 DECEMBER THE GULL exchanges of other public lands to placate the lumber interests. (The Sierra Club s only reservation is that it should be upped ultimately to 70,000 acres.) The Senate passed this bill on November 1st and sent it to the House for action early in 1968. There is considerable opposition from certain hunting and fishing organizations who apparently fear this precedent of land exchanges will in the future claim Forest Service and other government lands open to sportsmen. Will these interests cost us our Redwood National Park? A long-sought bill to create an Office of Conservation Education in the State Department of Education passed the 1967 Legislature, only to be vetoed by Governor Reagan. We understand Supt. of Public Instruction Max Rafferty supported this urgent, progressive measure. A similar bill will be introduced in the 1968 session, when we dare hope for a change of heart or viewpoint on the Governor’s part— or dream of a majority override of such a veto!— PAUL F. COVEL, Conservation Chairman. THE JUNEA W. KELLY GARDEN IN GOLDEN GATE PARK The Junea W. Kelly Garden in Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate Park, was officially dedicated at 2 p.m. on Friday, November 17. Mrs. Kelly’s many friends and former students attended the dedication cere- mony. Her U.C. Extension Course, “Six Trips Afield,” usually included interesting field trips in Golden Gate Park to study plants and birds in the Arboretum, in the Fuchsia Garden, in the Japanese Tea Garden, and around the Chain of Lakes. BOAT TRIP REPORTS Monterey Audubon Society received the following report from Alan Raldridge on Golden Gate Audubon’s boat trip offshore from Monterey August 27: Among the birds were: 2 Eared Grebes (about six miles out), 2500 Sooty Shearwaters, 25 Pink-footed Shearwaters, 2 New Zealand Shear- waters, 2 Black Petrels, 8 Ashy Petrels, 580 Red Phalaropes, 150 Northern Phalaropes, 8 Pomarine Jaegers, 3 or 4 Parasitic Jaegers, 53 Sabine Gulls, 1 Common Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 5 unidentified terns, 35 Common Murres, Pigeon Guillemots, 1 Xanthus Murrelet, 25 Cassin’s Auklet, 1 Rhinoceros Anklet, 2 hummingbirds (six and three miles out) and 2 Red-winged Blackbirds, (six miles out). Other marine life included 17 Dali Porpoises, 2 Harbor Porpoises, many sea lions, 3 sun fish and many small sharks. On Golden Gate Audubon’s boat trip in the same area on October 7 the highlight was a Wilson’s Petrel— the 5th recorded for California. OBSERVATIONS The November-December Albatross, bulletin of the Santa Cruz Bird Club reports that a Reddish Egret ( Dichromanassa rufescens ) was on Elkhorn slough, Moss Landing, observed from a ranch on Dolan road, Sept. 20 and present the remainder of the month. He was still there for the Monterey Audubon field trip on October 8. - 85 - 1967 THE GULL DECEMBER On October 7, Jack Guggolz saw an Eastern Kingbird at Olema, Marin County, and on October 14 he found a Tropical Kingbird at “Muddy Hollow” near Limantour Estero, Point Reyes National Seashore. The Tropical one was still there on October 24. Hans Meinhardt observed a Tropical Kingbird at Bodega Bay on October 17. Mrs. “Bud” Fry and her Monday class on October 23 found a female Phainopepla in Anthony Chabot Regional Park not far from Willow Park Golf Course near Castro Valley. On November 4, Elsie Roemer counted seven Clapper Rails and one Sora at high tide on Alameda’s South Shore Beach. NEW MEMBERS We welcome these new members to our Society: From Berkeley, Carl Browning, M.D., Polly Ryan; From Oakland, Marjorie Graser, Mrs. Charles Hayden, Vesta McKinzie, Mrs. Andrew White; From San Francisco , Rose- mary Arnold, Mr. & Mrs. John Barr, Mrs. E. A. Burger, Mrs. Harold David, David Hilberman, Carrol Lynch, Margaret Malotte; From Fremont, Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Williamson; From Hayward, Estelle Hengel; From Morgan Hill , Alice J. Coates; From Napa, Virginia Burges; From Stanford, Paul Zucker; From Walnut Creek, Edward A. Eichstedt; From Orinda, Mrs. George Neldam.— MRS. ZELLA CUSHMAN, Membership Secretary BIRDING TRIPS TO SONORA, MEXICO, IN MAY Sierra Safari Recreation-Education Field Trips will conduct two 7-day birding trips to Northern Sonora, Mexico: May 19-25 and May 27- June 2, 1968. These trips will be in the area of Imuris, Cananea, Bacoachic, Arizpe, Sinoquipe and Cucurpe. Phyllis Lindley will conduct the bird studies on the May 19-25th trip. Most of the staff are Audubon members. The staff consists of naturalists, a historian, cook, pot washers, etc. The cost of each trip is $125 per person. Participants will meet at Nogales, Arizona, and transportation in Mexico, food, and tents will be provided by the staff. Each trip is limited to 14 persons. For further information and/or reservations, write or phone Pat Bauer, 223 Taurus Ave., Oakland, Calif. 94611 (415-654-0864) or write Bill and Mavis Clark, Box 686, Mi-Wuk Village, Calif. 96346. AUDUBON CAMP OF THE WEST Audubon Camp of the West in the Wind River Range of Western Wyoming will again offer four two-week sessions in 1968. Session 1 - June 23-July 5. Session 2 - July 7-19. Session 3 - July 21 -August 2. Session 4 - August 4-16. The Camp is located only 60 miles from the Grand Teton National Park on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Two units of University graduate or upper division credits are available to registrants. The Camp fee of $135 includes board and lodging, instruction, and all field trip -86- 1967 DECEMBER THE GULL session is limited to 50 registrations. I he Camp program offers a greater understanding of the needs for conserving oui natural resources and a broader knowledge of life in a \ arietv or habitats, says Paul Howard, the Camp Director. Howard further repents the Camp is a field nature knowledge course of doing and learning under the leadership of well qualified instructors. The textbook is the out-of-doors. The only prerequisite is interest and participation.” For further information and applications write to the Director Audubon Camp of the West, P.O. Box 3666, El Monte, Calif. 91733. AUDUBON CANYON RANCH, BOLINAS LAGOON Under joint sponsorship of Golden Gate and Marin Audubon Societies to protect a major rookery of Common Egrets and Great Blue Herons. At its annual meeting on October 7, the Audubon Canyon Ranch Board elected the following officers for 1967-68: Chairman— George S. Peyton, Jr., Golden Gate Audubon Society. First Vice-Chairman— Dudley S. Hubbard, Marin Audubon Society. Second Vice-Chairman— Patricia A. Boese, Golden Gate Audubon Soc. Secretary— Marjorie Schwarz, member-at-large. Treasurer— William S. Picher, Marin Audubon Soc. The ranch will be open to the public from March 5, 1968 through July 4. The following gifts of remembrance were made to Canyon Ranch: In Memory of: Gift of: Joseph Laughry Lucile Cookson Elisabeth S. Heald, M.D Mrs. Maurice L. Zeff Mrs. Gustave F. Mickelbacker Thecla Garvey Mrs. Grace Deering Nelson Erline Hevel Mrs. Ramona D. Baker P- F. Brown Miss Ivander Maclver Dagmar Vinther Mvra Palache Hilda Palache -DR. ALBERT BOLES, Sanctuary & Memorial Fund Chairman 854 Longridge Rd., Oakland CA 94610 THE CYGNET FOR CHRISTMAS-You can give a child one year's subscription to The Cygnet by sending one dollar to Mrs. Janet Nickels- burg, Cygnet Editor, 2585 Union St., San Francisco 94123. -87- GOLDEN GATE AUDUBON SOCIETY, INC. P. 0. Box 103 BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA 94701 Return Postage Guaranteed DATED MATERIAL Non-profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE PAID BERKELEY, CALIF. Permit No. 590 Library, California Academy of Science Golden Gate Park San Francisco IB, California 941 18 1967 THE GULL DECEMBER GOLDEN GATE AUDUBON SOCIETY, INC. Established January 25, 1917 A Branch of the National Audubon Society since 1948 President Mr, Herbert Boese 6840 Colton Blvd., Oakland 94611 339-8374 Vice President Vice President Treasurer .Joshua Barkin _ .Edgar N. Stone . _Glen Ellwood .Mrs. Jane Dang Tilden Park Nature Area, Berkeley 94708 3867 Washington St., San Francisco 94118 4748 - 17th St., San Francisco 94117 _ 1292 Grizzly Peak Blvd., Berkeley 94708 1097 Green St., San Francisco 94133 44 Rincon Rd., Berkeley 94707 35 Tamalpais Rd., Berkeley 94708 Recording Secretary _ Corresponding Secretary Miss Elizabeth McClave Director A. Warren Larson Director Miss Bertha Underhill _ Director Robert C. DaCosta, Jr. 2090 Pacific Ave., San Francisco 94109 Editor Mrs. Violet Homem 6911 Armour Dr., Oakland 94611 Field Trips Chairman Mrs. Valeria DaCosta 2090 Pacific Ave., San Francisco 94109 Membership Chairman Miss Aileen Pierson 810 Gonzalez Dr., San Francisco 94132 Membership Secretary Mrs. Zella Cushman 3156 Gough, San Francisco 94123 Program Chairman Mrs. Phyllis Zweigart 1508A Edith St., Berkeley 94703 Education Chairman Mrs. Janet Nickelsburg 2585 Union, San Francisco 94123 Sanctuary & memorial Fund Chairman .Dr. Albert Boles Wildlife Film Chairman Mrs. Frances Ellen Fallgatter Conservation Chairman Paul F. Covel Canyon Ranch Film 854 Longridge Rd., Oakland 94610 406 El Cerrito, Piedmont 94611 . 2860 Delaware St., Oakland 94602 524- 2495 751-2601 681-0651 848-0253 776-3068 525- 9149 848-0131 931 -5257 655-8886 931 -5257 587-4163 673-5310 526- 7295 921 -9449 451-6267 655-9582 536-4120 Distribution Chairman Mrs. Bonnie Smith 555 Dewey Blvd., San Francisco 94116 681-7635 Claims for missing numbers of THE GULL should be sent to the Editor. Changes of address should be sent to the Membership Secretary. Monthly meetings second Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Joint Membership, Local and National $8.50 per year Includes AUDUBON MAGAZINE and THE GULL. Subscription to THE GULL separately $2.00 per year. The Gull deadline is the first of the month for the following month, - 88 -