the Qull Volume 58 Berkeley, Calif. November 1976 Number 10 Speakers Outline Wildlife of India Charles and Frances Fitch will present a program on the birds and wildlife of India, Thursday, No- vember 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the society’s November meeting. Their presentation will be held at the First Unitarian Church on Franklin and Geary streets in San Francisco. The Fitches took part in a Na- tional Audubon Society sponsored tour of India. Places they visited included Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (con- sidered by some to be one of the world’s best waterbird sanctuaries ) , the Taj Mahal, as well as other parks and refuges of India. OAKLAND CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT The general meeting next month will be in conjunction with the Christ- mas Count to be held Sunday, December 19. There will be more details on tliis in next month’s Gull. But for now be sure to remember to par- ticipate in the Oakland Christmas Bird Count. Beginning birders or newcomers to the area should not hesitate to join in this annual event. For more information call Leora Feeney at 522-8525. 109 THE GULL November 1976 Conservation Below is a list of the members of the GGAS Consei-vation Committee and the areas they are covering; Paul Covel — East Bay Regional Parks (530-2513) Doug Gomke (Chairman) — Alaska, Corps of Engineers (885-1480) Debra Hall — Calif. Dept, of Fish & Game (885-4874) Susan Hilton — Golden Gate Nat’l Rec. Area (885-1480) David Littlejohn — National Parks (526-2572) Barbara Belding — Marine Mammals (843-3138) If you would like to find out about any of the topics listed, you can get in touch with the member covering it by calling them or leaving a note at the GGAS office. You are welcome to attend the Conservation Committee meetings. Call the chairman to find out the time and date of the next meeting. The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) is planning to set aside over 1000 acres for use by off-road vehicles (ORV's). Use of ORV’s has caused erosion and damage of vegetative cover in a number of areas. You can send in your comments and asked to be placed on the mailing list for ORV studies by writing or calling the EBRPD at 11500 Skyline Blvd., Oakland, phone 531-9300. Conservation Hot Line Because so many conservation topics require fast action, the Conser- vation Committee with the Board of Directors approval has decided to re-establish the telephone hot line. This will very simply be a telephone tree whereby I will call a small group of people and they will each do the same whenever letters need to be written to legislators or public meetings are being held or other action can be taken. In this way we can get information disseminated to GGAS members interested in conser- vation very quickly. If you would like to take part in this send your name and telephone number and how many people you would be willing to call, to me in care of the GGAS oflBce, 2718 Telegraph Avenue, ’^206, Berkeley, CA 94705. Doug Gomke, Conservation Chairperson. no November 1976 THE GULL September Observations Sightings from Southeast Farallon Island Due to deadline difficulties, Don Robeson’s column will appear in next months Gull. BuUer’s Shearwaters — Common all month (up to 200-300 a day). Pectoral Sandpiper — A fevi' seen all month. Sixteen seen 27 September, a new island record. Baird’s Sandpiper — Foiu seen 11 September. White-winged Dove — One observed 24 September. Black-chinned Hummingbird — One male from 13-16 September, first one on island. \ ellow-bellied Flycatcher — One probably landed 16 September. This would be first state record. Sage Thrasher — One 5 September and 15 September. Solitary Vireo — One 24 September. Philadelphia Vireo — One 25 September (lacked spurious quill). Tennessee Warbler — Two 24 September. Palm Warbler — Seven 24 September. Chestnut-sided Warbler — Seven 24 September. Blackpoll Warbler — One 11 September, one 18 September, two 21 Sep- tember, one 23 September, eight 25 September and six 26 September. Blackburnian Warbler — Two 24 September. Black & White Warbler — One 26 September. Ovenbird — One 21 September, two 24 September. American Redstart — Five 24 September. Orchard Oriole — Two 24 September. Bobolink — One 11 September, 22 September and one stayed from 24 to 29 September. Rosebreasted Grosbeak — One 19 September. Clay-colored Sparrow — One 12 September, another 21-24 September. Black-throated Sparrow — One 18-26 September. —RON LE VALLEY, Point Reyes Bird Obser\^ator> 111 THE GULL November 1976 Audubon Wildlife Series to Present the Wetlands The second film of the Audubon Wildlife Film Series, “The Marsh— A Quiet Mystery” by Thomas A. Sterling, will be shown Tuesday, November 23 at the Oakland Museum Theatre at 10th and Fallon at 7:30 p.m. It will comment on the fresh water marshes and its inhabitants in Michigan, Utah, Oregon and Canada. For more information, contact Danne Jones, Audubon Wildlife Films coordinator, at 654-1286. ARIZONA BIRD TRIP GGAS is tentatively planning a birding trip to southestern Arizona May 21st to 29th, 1977. Expert local leaders will be used. Participants will be responsible for their own transportation, lodging, and food. Total fee is $50 per person for leaders’ expense. Itinerary and list of suitable motels and campgrounds will be made available to registrants. If inter- ested write Mike Whiler c/o GGAS office, 2718 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley 94705 or call 843-2222, 664-6567. Joe Morlan to Hold Winter Birding Qasses Joe Morlan will begin his winter birding classes Monday, November 1 in conjunction with Galileo Community College in San Francisco. To register, come to room 205 in the Fort Mason Art Center, corner of Laguna St. and Marina Blvd. at 9 a.m. Joe will also be presenting a Wednesday evening class starting Novem- ber 3 through December 15. It will be a series of lectures, slides presen- tations and discussions. To register, come to room 254 in the Marina Building, corner of Fillmore and Bay Streets at 7 p.m. Both classes are free to the public. For more information, contact the college at 885-0660. 112 November 1976 THE GULL Field Trips Calendar Interested in BIRDING BY CA- INOE? If there is enough interest we liope to plan some trips for next spring and summer. Give us a call at 655-0706 — Chris Coombe and Darrell Hall. Saturday, November 6 — Bodega Bay. Details in October Gull. Leader: Jim Glayton (524-2917). Sunday, November 14 — ^At this time of year it’s easy to find 100 dif- ferent kinds of birds around Berkeley — especially if you learn their calls. Meet at 8 a.m. at the west entrance booth of the UC Campus, east end of University Avenue. After the 100th bird has been sighted ( or heard) we’ll have dinner at Brennan’s. Leaders: Jack Reinoehl (525-0906) and Marie Mans (284-7681). Wednesday, Nov. 17 — Mini-Trip to see wildlife at Lake Merritt. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Rotary Science Center at the lake. Bring scopes. Lunch optional. Leader: Paul Covel. Any questions: Ruth Voss (525-8032). Sunday, November 21 — A rail hunt in the South Bay — four species is a good possibility. Meet at 9 a.m. at the parking lot just east of the Dum- barton Bridge toU station. Bring waterproof boots, lunch to carry, and be prepared to walk up to six miles on muddy dikes. (A less strenuous trip will be held in the same area at a later date.) Leaders: Leora Feeney (522-8525) and Kathy Osugi ( U.S.F.&.W.S. ). Tuesday, November 23 — Lake Merritt for a duck close-up and a walk around the lake. Meet at Rotary Science Bldg, at 9 a.m. Lunch optional. Leader: Herold Connon (835-3005). Thursday, November 25 — A Thanksgiving outing to see the great variety of waterfowl and shorebirds at Limantour Spit, Pt. Reyes National Seashore. Walk all the way to the end or linger along the way. From Olema take Bear Valley Rd. northwest to Limantour Rd. and turn left. Meet at 10 a.m. in the parking lot at the end of the road. Bring sturdy boots, a light lunch, and join us for a modestly priced dinner in later afternoon. Leader: Barry Spitz (454-2769). 113 THE GULL November 1976 Saturday, November 27 — Lake Merced in San Francisco. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the North Lake parking lot at the foot of Sunset Blvd. Ac- cessible by 72 Muni bus. Lunch optional. Leader; Naomi Svenningsen (584-6233). Tuesday, November 30 — Mini-trip to Lake Merced in San Francisco. Directions, meeting place and time same as November 27. Leader: Naomi Svenningsen (584-6233). Sunday, December 5 — Miwok Trail, Fort Cronkbite. A 5 mile hike to see common birds of the chaparral and hillsides, including Great Horned Owls and hawks. Drive across Golden Gate Bridge, take Alexander Street exit, turn left in mile and meet at the entrance to the tunnel at 9 a.m. Bring lunch in a knapsack. Leader: Pat Triggs (664-8502). January 8 and 9 are the dates for a trip to the Sacramento and Gray Lodge Wildlife Refuges. Details will be in December GULL. Leaders: Betty and Harry Adamson (283-2164). -FIELD TRIPS COMMITTEE AN APOLOGY Tlirough an unfortunate series of errors and omissions the details for two October field trips was omitted from the September Gull and then not caught in time to include in the October Gull. Oiu apologies to the two leaders, Barry Sauppe and Ruth Dement. The Field Trips Com- mittee, one of the hardest working committees in this Society under the able chairmanship of Marie Mans arranges for and staffs over 80 field trips a year. This is all volunteer. NO field trip leaders are paid by GGAS. We truly diank aU the people who give so generously of their time to GGAS. Christmas Bird Count In Yosemite Tliis year’s Cliristmas Bird Count at Yosemite National Park will be Sunday, December 19. Count members will be operating on foot, cars, cross-country skis and snowshoes. Help is definitely needed to cover the Count Circle, particularly from experienced birders. Any- one interested in participating should write Bill Dengler, Box 117 Wawona Station, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389, or call him at (209) 375-620 (office) or (209 ) 375-6320 (home). Also, you should make prompt arrangements for accommodations in Yosemite Valley by calling, toll free, (8(X)) 692-5811. 114 November 1976 THE GULL Gifts and Bequests FOR AUDUBON CANYON RANCH In Memory of: John Babnes Fred and Claire Heilman Mrs. Ralph W. Mossman jim and Rebecca Cason Mrs. Edna Lhbee Frank and Virginia Norris FOR ACR LIBRARY FUND In Memory of: Lloto Hatch Rosemarie Hafford Marie E. Ehrhardt Blanche Vranna FOR GGAS In Memory of: Margaret Peterson Peter and Marilyn Freeman NOTICE TO DONORS Please make all checks for donations payable to the Golden Gate Audubon Society, Inc. Gifts for Audubon Canyon Ranch or the ACR Library Fund are forwarded by us as specified in yom: written instructions. Because we are a non-profit organization these gifts which are given through our society should be credited to us in our oflBcial records. Checks not made out to GGAS cannot go through oiu* bookkeeping system. If this is not clear and you wish further infonnation please phone the oflBce. 843-2222. The Society welcomes gifts in general or gifts in honor or in memory of relatives and friends. Such gifts will be used as specified by the donor, or if unspecified, at the discretion of the Board. This includes tlieir use for general GGAS activities or for special programs of the Society including Audubon Canyon Ranch of which GGAS is co-sponsor. Please send your gifts in the form, of a check made out to the Golden Gate Audubon Society, Inc. to Mrs. Irving Taylor, Corresponding Secretary, GGAS, 2718 Telegraph Avenue #206, Berkeley, CA 94705. The Society is also appreciative of any bequests. Such bequests should specify as recipient the Golden Gate Audubon Society, Inc. All gifts, donations and bequests will be acknowledged in THE GULL, as well as personify on behalf of the Society, by the Corresponding Secretary. All gifts are tax dediictible. Scholarship to Audubon Workshop of the West A scholarship is available from the Golden Gate Audubon Society, Inc., for the Audubon Workshop of the West for one two-week session in 1977. The workshop has sessions from mid- June to mid- August. Ap- plications may be obtained at the Golden Gate oflBce, 2718 Telegraph Ave., Suite 206, Berkeley. Or for more information, telephone 843-2222. 115 Golden Gate Audubon Society, Inc. Office: 843-2222 2718 Telegraph Avenue, #206 Berkeley, California 94705 Return Postage Guaranteed ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 590 Berkeley, Calif. DATED MATERIAL Li 1 0 c- I’y , C s 1 1 r G I” i i 1 3. A G Q d 3 rny of S G i e n G 3 Golden Gate Park Gan Francisco 18, California 94118 Offices President, Lenore C. Johnsen (254-3919) First Vice President, Barry Spitz (454-2769) Second Vice President, Dora Conrath (346-1920) Treasurer, Jerry Lundblad (346-8165) Recording Secretary, Naomi Svcnningsen (584-6233) Corresponding Secretary, Shirley Taylor (845-2415) Directors Christopher G. Carpenter (376-68021 Betty Olds (848-1407) Gwenyth Donchin (254-2608) Donna Dittmann (468-2688) Elizabeth Donchez (431-7840) Standing Committee Chairpersons Conservation, Doug Gomke (885-1480) Membership, Betty Olds (848-1407) Education, Dr. James 0. Clayton (524-2917) GULL editor, Kathy Forte (521-4692) Field Trips, Marie Mans (284-7681) Publicity, Gwenyth Donchin (254-2608) Eric Caine (763-0293) Program, David Littlejohn (526-2572) Finance, Barry Spitz (454-2769) Above are all members of the Board of Directors. Joe Morlan (654-1358) Bird Observations, Don Roberson (865-2462) Northern Calif. Rare Bird Alert, (843-2211) Office Manager, Vera Paraschak (843-2222) Librarian, Lisa Johnsen (843-2222) Mail for all individuals listed above should be sent to the GGAS office 2718 Telegraph Ave., #206, Berkeley, CA 94705. It will be forwarded. Send address changes to office promptly: Post Office does not forsvard THE GULL. Monthly meetings: second Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Joint membership — local and national $15 per year (individual); $18 (family); includes AUDUBON Magazine and THE CULL; to join, make checks (no cash) payable to National Audubon Society and send to GGAS office to avoid delay in receiving THE GULL. Membership renewals should be sent directly to the National Audubon office. Subscriptions to THE GULL separately $3 per year; single issues 30^. High school and college student membership $8.50 per year. Senior citizen individual, $12.00; senior citizen familv $15.00. The Golden Gate Audubon Society, Inc. was established January 25, 1917, and became a chapter of National Audubon Society in 1948. The Gull deadline is the first of the month for the following month. 116