M&O QL 671 G84 the quLL Volume 65 Berkeley, Calif September 1983 0164-971X Number 8 Program Changes Announced There will be no general membership meeting in September due to the lack of a suitable meeting place. Also, due to scheduling problems, the October and November meetings will both be held in the East Bay. These will be followed by two consecutive meetings in San Francisco (January and February). We will then return to the normal pattern of alternating meetings between San Francisco and Berkeley. The October meeting (please note that the meeting day and time have been changed from our normal format) promises to be a very special one: Robert Bateman — Wildlife Artist Par Excellence Canada’s premier wildlife artist, Robert Bateman, will be our guest on Tuesday, October 11, between 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Northbrae Com- munity Church, 941 The Alameda, Berkeley. A wine and cheese reception will follow at the Nature Company store, 1999 El Dorado, Berkeley (just through the Solano Ave. tunnel from the church). A legend in his own lifetime, Robert Bateman has been described by renowned naturalist and artist, Roger Tory Peterson as a wildlife painter of “powerful artistic imagination, great technical skill and superb naturalistic observation.” Bateman is more than a painter in the super realist tradition. His work portrays a third dimension quality that allows viewers to look at his paintings as though they are part of the scene. Meticulous attention is paid to not only musculature and anatomical detail of a species but also to the rythm of moving reeds or broken brown winter leaves of a sur- rounding habitat. Exploiting and recreating an extraordinary range of 117 THE GULL September 1983 textures, Bateman’s paintings depict the distinctive personality of the species he is painting; an Osprey in the rain, the raucous ciies of Kitti- wakes, a stately coyote in winter sage, a wolfpack in moonlight, a bull moose in autumn after the end of the rutting season, loons in the morn- ing mist, a young Barn Swallow contemplating first flight . . . In 1981 the Government of Canada honored Robert Bateman by commissioning him to paint a Common Loon family. The painting was one of three official wedding gifts from the people of Canada presented to Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales. “There are many small areas of our natural world — not just endanger- ed species or spectacular mountain ranges-that ought to be treated with more consideration and respect. There is beauty and variety in small or apparently unspectacular aspects of nature.” Robert Bateman There is indeed beauty and variety to be found in the wildlife art of Robert Bateman. Don’t miss this very special opportunity to hear him speak at our October meeting. Mark your calendar: October 11, 6:30 p.m. Field Trips Calendar See the July/ August Gull for the following trip: Saturday, September 10 — Beginners’ Trip to Coyote Hills Region- al Park. Saturday, September 10 — Coastal San Francisco. Meet at 7 :30 a.m. at the parking lot between South and Middle Lakes (Chain of Lakes) near the 41st Ave. Lincoln Way entrance to Golden Gate Park. We will bird in the park, Lake Merced and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in search of early migrants found in the area. Bring your lunch and be prepared for cold weather near the coast. Leader: Dan Murphy (564-0074). Wednesday, September 14 Mini trip to Alameda South Shore. Meet at 10:30 a.m. in Alameda at Broadway and Shoreline Dr. Bring lunch and scopes. Leaders: Delpha de Timofeev and Ruth Voss (525- 8032). Saturday, September 17 — Bus Trip to Monterey Bay Area. We will ride in the comfort of a chartered bus to many of Monterey’s finest birding areas, including the municipal pier, the shoreline to Pt. Pinos and the Carmel River mouth. Our leader will be Ted Chandik. The bus will depart from the East Bay at 6:30 a.m. and make stops in San Fran- cisco and Palo Alto. The fare will be $23 per person. Published each month except August by the Golden Gate Audubon Society, office address 2718 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94705-1179 Second class postage paid in Berkeley, CA. ( THE GULL-ISSN 0164-971X) 118 September 1983 THE GULL Reservations will be given to the first 35 respondents. Send a self- addressed, stamped envelope and check made payable to Golden Gate Audubon Society to the GGAS office, 2718 Telegraph Ave., # 206, Berke- ley, CA 94705. Be sure to include your phone number with your reserva- tion. Details of the trip will be sent with an acknowledgment of your check. Refunds cannot be made for cancellations after September 1 un- less the planned capacity for the trip has been reached. Saturday/ Sunday, September 17/18 — Yosemite National Park. Saturday meet at 8:00 a. in. at Bridalveil Campground. Sunday meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Chevron Station at Crane Flat. Bring lunch and liquids on both days. Be prepared for any kind of weather This trip is limited to 15 people. Call GGAS (843-2222) for reservations. Leader: Jon Zablackis.$ ( V ) Saturday, September 24 Lands End, San Francisco. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Palace of the Legion of Honor parking lot (Lincoln Park). From Geary Blvd. go north (toward the Bay) on 34th Ave. to the top of the hill (through the golf course) and park in the large circular lot to the east (right). Lunch optional. We will walk about two miles. Leader: Alan Hopkins (585-5669). Sunday, September 25 — Point Diablo. Meet at the top of Bunker Hill where we will watch for migrating hawks and land birds between 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. From San Francisco drive north across the Golden Gate Bridge and take Alexander Ave. exit. Turn left as if to return to San Francisco, drive under the freeway and bear to the right. Go up the road to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, continue along the road past the intersection with a road coming up from Rodeo Valley to the large tunnels on the right. Park and walk up the trail to the left of the second tunnel. We will bird from the observation point at the north end of the hilltop. If it is too foggy we will bird in nearby locations for vagrants and waterbirds. Bring lunch, liquids and a spotting scope if you have one. Sun screen, a hat and a wind-breaker may be advisable. Leader: Tony Briggs (282-3142) or ask for Tony by name at 626-3131, an answering service. ( V ) Saturday/ Sunday, September 24/25 — Mt. Pinos for California Condors. Meet at 8:00 a.m. to watch for California Condors at Mt. Pinos Condor Observation Point. We should see a variety of other species common to the high mountains of California in summer. Be prepared for hot days at lower elevations. At the top of Mt. Pinos it may be windy and cold, so bring a warm jacket, a hat and sun screen. Bring your scope, lunch and liquids both days. From the Bay Area drive south on 1-5 past the town of Grapevine (south of Bakersfield) to the Frazier Park off-ramp. If you reach Gorman you have gone too far. From 1-5 go west past Frazier Park, through 119 THE GULL September 1983 Lake-of-the-Woods and follow the signs (N.W. ) toward the Mt. Pinos Recreation Area. The road passes through Cuddy Valley and a yellow pine forest. It ends at a large parking lot. From there take the dirt road to the left for about a mile to the asphalt parking lot where we will meet at 8:00 a.m. The dirt road is very rough but is passable if you drive slowly. Camping is available at Los Padres National Forest. McGill Campground provides the best facilities and fine birding. It is located on the road to the observation area. It may be wise to arrive before mid- afternoon Friday because McGill and other campgrounds may fill for the weekend. Motels and restaurants are available at Gorman and other nearby towns. Leader: Eben McMillan. If you plan to attend call Shirley Kelly ( 387-8290 ) . ( V ) Saturday, October 1 — Alameda and San Leandro Bay Shoreline. Meet at 8:00 a.m. in Alameda at Broadway and Shoreline Dr. We will bird the Elsie B. Roemer Bird Sanctuary and the San Leandro Bay Re- gional Shoreline. Bring lunch and liquids. Shorebirds should be present in numbers so bring a spotting scope if you have one. We should also see some land birds. Leader: Leora Feeney (522-8525). Sunday, October 2 — Point Reyes. Meet at 7 :00 a.m. in the parking lot by the market in Inverness. From there we will caravan to various points on the Point Reyes Peninsula. Bring lunch and liquids. (The Inverness Market will not be open at 7:00 a.m.) We may see Pectoral Sandpipers, vagrant warblers and longspurs. Leader: Chris Carpenter (376-6802). (V) Sunday, October 9 — Sunol Regional Park. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Park Headquarters. Take 1-680 south, exit at Calaveras Rd., go left and follow the signs to Sunol Park (about 5 miles). Bring lunch. We should see some wintering residents and fall migrants common to the interior. Leader: Art Edwards (447-3720). ( V ) Saturday, October 15 — San Francisco Bird Blitz. This event will be a benefit for the Point Reyes Bird Observatory. Details will be given in the October Gull. Leader: Dan Murphy (564-0074). Carpooling arrangements can be made for trips marked ( V ) • Call Kate Partridge at 236-9053 and leave a message. She will contact you. Trips marked with $ indicate parks or other sites which require an entrance fee. Problems: If for any reason you have difficulty getting in touch with a field trip leader or need information regarding a trip, call Shirley Kelly ( 387-8290 ) or the GGAS office ( 843-2222 ) . -FIELD TRIPS COMMITTEE 120 September 1983 THE GULL June and July Observations- through July 26 EL NINO The abnormal oceanic and atmospheric conditions (“El Nino”) con- tinued without prolonged interruption through late spring and summer, profoundly influencing both breeding and vagrant avifaunas in the Bay Area. Bob Boekelheide’s (PRBO) Farallon report for June in again worth quoting at length: . . the breeding seabirds continue to do very poorly. The birds are flying long distances for food— some murre incubation shifts are lasting over 48 hours this year. The Western Gulls have experienced very high chick mortality, and chick diets continue to be mostly garbage and fishing boat offal. The gulls are also eating many other gull chicks and murre eggs. The Cassin’s Anklets finally had a spurt of egg laying in late May, but less than 50 percent of our study nests will probably have eggs. The two main inshore feeding species, Pelagic Cormorants and Pigeon Guillemots, are not even laying eggs this year. We observed a significant phytoplankton bloom during the last 10 days of May, coming about 2 weeks after an upwelling period from 6 to 8 May, but it is un- doubtedly too little, too late to make any difference for this year.” One absent Farallon breeder may not have been mourned— European Starling. Quite possibly the seabird feeding problems have detrimentally affected the starling’s food base. Numbers of Xantus’ Murrelets were seen from shores of the Monterey Peninsula area in late May ( fide DR; JE), and two Marbled Murrelets were off Asilomar May 27 (JE). The former were unusually far north, and the latter south, for the breeding season. Perhaps both were not breeding because of El Nino. Alternatively they might represent indi- viduals that would not have bred anyway, but that were out of range due to El Nino, a hint of unusual pelagics to be seen this fall. At least three unusual local nestings or possible nestings seem related to the wet winter. Eared Grebes were discovered nesting between Palo Alto and Moffet Field (AR), and most young were subsequently found on Moffett Field (KG). This is in context of the 52 nests at Lake Pleas- anton reported previously and the first southern San Joaquin Valley nesting colony, at the South Wilber Flood Area, Kings Co. (KH, et al.). Normally montane and North Coastal, Western Tanagers apparently bred in the East Bay Hills. Two males, a female, and an aparent fledgling were all near Lake Anza in Tilclen Park June 19, and another male was at Skyline and Snake in Montclair July 11 (all CS). Singing White- crowned Sparrows of the resident coastal race were heard for the first time in Walnut Creek, April 30 and June 11 (ALC), probably lured in- land by the unusually moist conditions. 121 THE GULL September 1983 Except for a small wave of eastern vagrants on Memorial Day Week- end, the long clear and warm periods killed our spring vagrant season. SE Farallon Island did substantially better, but it too lost the heart of the season when persistent strong northwest winds began on June 9. The final spring vagrant on the Island departed the next day! All Farallon observations are by Point Reyes Bird Observatory. NESTING KNOWN OR SUSPECTED Nine Cattle Egrets were still along Durham Road in Fremont June 3 (TG). A nesting pair of Bell’s Vireos was the first known in Northern California in over 25 years! They and two other singing males were along the Salinas River ( CT, DR, RB, et al.). The male Great-tailed Grackle was in San Francisco through June 16. LINGERING Two Red-necked Grebes frequented the Fish Docks June 7-11 (mob), with one staying to June 18 (SFB, et al.). Another was in the Bodega Bay channel to June 2 (NC). All three were in breeding plumage. A sick Northern Fulmar was caught, fed, and released near SE Farallon May 22 (PRBO). A female and a male Canvasback are summering at Lake Merritt (DK). An Oldsquaw was at Moss Landing July 11 (SAI). A Bufflehead summered on the Lunny Ranch pond. Pt. Reyes, June 19- July 9 (SFB, mob). Subadult Peregrine Falcons were seen at the Bay Bridge Toll Plaza June 5 (DQ) and eating an Avocet on Oakland Airport June 25 (LDC). It seems likely that these were the same bird, and that it was a rare natural summer occurence, but as captive-bred falcons are reintroduced in California observers should check carefully for bands or other marks. One female (age not noted) visited SE Farrallon June 24. The spring migrant Semipalmated Sandpiper at Hayward stayed a long time, to May 27 (BR). Four Franklin’s Gulls were reported, pre- sumably straggling spring migrant nonbreeders: one flew north past Pt. Pinos May 25 (JE). Another was three miles southwest of Middle Faral- lon Rock June 12 (PW, mob). The others were at Pescadero Pond June 18 (AE) and at Bodega Bay Sewage Ponds June 20 (KC, MLR, et al.). EARLY FALL CHARADRIIFORMES Several of our scarce fall migrant shorebirds appeared early. Adult Lesser Golden-Plovers were particularly surprising, as one at Lawson’s Landing on the mouth of Tomales Bay Julv 18 (JE) was followed by 3 at Petaluma July 23 ( BDP, JP, LCB) and 10 there July 25 (KC). An adult Semipalmated Sandpiper was at Bodega Bay July 4 (KC), a juven- al there July 18 (KC, NC), and an adult with a juvenal July 23 (LCB, JP, BDP). Three juvenals were reported from Pescadero July 25 (DSi). A 122 September 1983 TIIE GULL Baiids Sandpiper heard and seen in flight at Hayward Regional Shore- line July 10 (CS) and rumored to have been there even earlier was pei haps too early to have been a juvenal. Early Pectoral Sandpipers appeared on July 19, 3 at Bolinas Sewage Ponds (JE), and July 23, 4 at Petaluma (JP, LCB, BDP), with 9 there two days later ( KC). Two adult jaegers were likely early fall migrants, but especially the earlier one may have been summering locally due to illness. This sick Pomarine Jaeger was at Salinas River Mouth July 8 (MS). The Parasitic- Jaeger visited Bay Bridge Toll Plaza July 17 (DQ). LOCALLY RARE Two American Black Oystercatchers were again sighted on the outer jetty of Brickyard Cove Marina, Richmond, June 16, and a Pigeon Guil- lemot was at the east base of the San Rafael Bridge that day (both BR). Female Costa’s Hummingbirds toured SE Farallon May 23-26, June 2, and July 13. A male Purple Martin in Montclair June 25 (JL) was of unknown origin. A male Blue Grosbeak dropped in on SE Farallon May 19. VAGRANT BIRDS A White-winged Dove was at Nunes Ranch June 5 (MM). Least Flycatchers visited SE Farallon May 29-June 1 and June 5. The Bodega Eastern Phoebe remained through June 11 (NC, JP, JS). An Eastern Kingbird at Mendoza Ranch June 14-16 (TGr, GW, et al.) was perhaps the same one seen at the Nunes Ranch June 18 (BD). Another was near Camp Comptche, Mendocino Co., July 7 (DS). Red-eyed Vireos arrived on SE Farallon May 22 and June 8. The following warbler table includes only 58 individuals of 15 species for the spring. Moreover only 23 in 11 species were found on the main- land and no more than seven species were known on outer Pt. Reyes and only Magnolia Warbler provided a second individual! For such a poor season, a surprising number of the rarer warblers appeared (bold- faced in table). Note the complete absence of Chestnut-sided, Bay- breasted, and Blackpoll Warblers. Typically, most of those found away from the primary vagrant traps were singing males, which are relatively very conspicuous. Tennessee Warbler (total 8+; 9+ for the spring) 8+ SE Farallon May 23-30, June 7-9 (5 on May 23) Northern Parula (total 3; 4 for spring) 1 SE Farallon May 28 1 near Pt. Reyes FIQ June 15-19, July 9 (May 24-) June 2 PRBO PRBO PL,BDP,JP, JM,JE,et al. LCB, fide BDP (1) Five Brooks 123 THE GULL September 1983 Magnolia Warbler (total 8) 6 SE Farallon May 23-June 1 1 (3 on June 8) PRBO 1(?) Lighthouse, Fish Docks May 28-29,30 RS,mob,TG 1 Fish Docks June 4 BJ,KH,et al. Cape May Warbler (total 1) 1 SE Farallon May 26-29 PRBO Black-throated Green Warbler (total 4) 3 SE Farallon May 22-26 (all 3 on May 24) PRBO 1 Lighthouse May 28-29 JM.mob Blackburnian Warbler (total 1 ; 2 for spring) 1 Lighthouse May 29 EM, AM Yellow-throated Warbler (total 2) 1 Pacific Grove May 27 WR 1 Lincoln Park, S.F. June 6 NB.MLR Palm Warbler (total 1) 1 SE Farallon May 26-27 PRBO Black-and-white Warbler (total 3; 4 for spring) 2 SE Farallon May 27, June 8-10 PRBO 1 N of Five Brooks June 1 1 JL,et al. American Redstart (total 3; 5 for spring) 2 SE Farallon May 24-27, June 8 PRBO 1 Fish Docks June 4 BJ,KH,et al. Ovenbird (total 8; 9 for spring) 7 SE Farallon May 23-June 10 (3 on May 27-28) PRBO 1 Lighthouse June 5 DDeS Northern Waterthrush (total 1) 1 Tilden Park June 19 SA Kentucky Warbler (total 1) 1 SE Farallon May 23-24 PRBO Hooded Warbler (total 5) 2 SE Farallon May 23-27, June 8 PRBO 1 Inverness Park June 1-5 RS,DDeS,JE,JM 1 Pacific Grove June 3 DR 1 Nunes June 14 JS Canada Warbler (total 2) 1 SE Farallon June 9 PRBO 1 Lighthouse May 28 mob An immature male Summer Tanager was spotted in cypresses by Coit Tower, San Francisco, June 11 (WA). Our most common spring vagrant, 15 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks appeared: 4 SE Farallon May 22, 28-29, June 8(2) PRBO 6 Pt. Reyes May 27-29 mob (3 on 28), June 5,8(2)-10 124 September 1983 THE GULL 2 Gazos Creek, San M. Co. June 9 BB 1 San Francisco June 10 EL 1 El Sobrante June 13 ST 1 Oakland ?-June 19 MC On SE Farallon, three male Indigo Buntings arrived May 23 (2) and May 28 and a female was present June 8-9. Only two were found on the mainland, both at Pt. Reyes, a male at the Willows May 27-29 (BL, RT, et al.) and a female at Nunes Ranch May 28 (JM, et al.). Most interesting among the vagrants were the Bobolinks that settled in a hayfield at the Lunny Ranch (just west of the head of Schooner Bay). First a male was discovered June 5 (MM). It was resighted June 12-15 (A1E, DT, JR, mob). On June 18, two males and a female were together (JR, BF, mob) and attempted copulation was observed (BD)! At least one male and a female were seen the next day (JM, et al.), but our chance for the first confirmed California nesting ended during the next few days when the hay was harvested. None of the Bobolinks was spotted again. SE Farallon had a single female Bobolink May 24-25. Observers: Steve Abbors (SA), Rich Albert, Roger Alexander, Steve Allison (SA1), Walter Alston, Stephen F. Bailey, Laurence C. Binford, Mrs. Bingham, Neil Blank, Ellen Bordy, Bill Bousman, Ron Branson, Kurt Campbell, Mr. Cave, Clay Coler, Laura D. Collins, Tom Condit, Nancy Conzett, A. Laurence Curl, Dave DeSante, Edwin Duerr, Bob Dyer, Art Edwards (AE), Al Eisner (AlE), Jules Evens, Bud Fry, Ken Gardner, Tim Gates (TG), Tuesday Group (TGr), Kem Hainebach (KH), Keith Hansen, George Hugenberg, Dick Johnson, Bill Jones, Dick Kaufmann, Andrea Kieserman, Peter LaTourette, Enid Leff, Bill Lenarz, John Luther, Akiko Makishima, Eugene Makishima, many observers (mob), Mark Miller, Steve Molitor, Joseph Morlan, Point Reyes Bird Observatory (Farallon reports thanks to Bob Boekelheide and Teya McElroy), Benjamin D. Parmeter, John Parmeter, Dave Quady, Bob Richmond, Jean Richmond, Don Roberson, Mary Louise Rosegay, Alan Royer, Will Russell, Don Schmoldt (DS), Barbara Shulgold, Dan Singer (DSi), Malcolm Sproul (MS), Rich Stallcup, Maury Stern, John Sterling, Chris Teeguarden, Chris Tenney, Ron Thorn, Dorothy Tobkin, Gil West, Peter White, Russ Wilson, Jon Zablackis. —STEPHEN F. BAILEY, Observations Editor Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720 (phone 548-9507 or Joseph Morlan at 524-7421) 125 THE GULL September 1983 Hayward Regional Shoreline: New Habitat for South Bay Waterbirds San Francisco Bay has shrunk slowly and steadily over the years as one project after another has claimed its piece of the shore. Yet, recently in the south Bay the tables were turned. In May, 1980, an outboard levee along the Hayward shore was breached and intertidal waters were allowed to flow back into 220 acres of former tidelands. Christened the Hayward Regional Shoreline, the area was designed and is now operated by the East Bay Regional Park District. This unique series of lagoons, islands, mudflats and incipient salt marsh is the largest restoration project of its kind on the West Coast. Beginning in the 1960’s south Bay salt marshes were diked off and converted to large, shallow ponds for salt production via solar evapor- ation. Eventually over 25,000 acres of salt marsh were lost. The Hayward Regional Shoreline was once a salt marsh, but in 1885 the American Salt Company surrounded the area with dikes. Salt was harvested until 1927 when the ponds were abandoned. A plan to restore the area to its former natural condition began in 1971 following the formation of the Hayward Area Shoreline Planning Agency. The Shoreline is the only restoration project on San Francisco Bay to be designed and constructed before admitting Bay waters. After nine months of massive earth-moving and grading, the outer levee was ripped open in two places and in flowed the Bay. Elevational changes within the lagoons and developing marsh, the slope angles of islands and dikes and the many narrow channels were carefully engineered so that tidal waters circulate properly through the Shoreline. This has served to reduce erosion caused by bottom scouring and wave action. In addition, proper drainage was considered essential to prevent the development of shallow, stagnant water which is an ideal habitat for breeding mosquitos. Most of the funding for the Shore- line project came from CalTrans as mitigation for construction of the new Dumbarton Bridge; bridge construction resulted in the loss of ap- proximately 100 acres of mudflats and subtidal lands. Wetland biologists are watching with interest as ecological changes occur in this developing salt marsh. It is providing them with a unique opportunity to observe intertidal organisms as they colonize an essen- tially sterile habitat. Already the mudflats are reverting to a natural state. Benthic invertebrates have settled into the mud and estuarine fish swim in and out with the tide. Tangles of pickleweed grow along dike edges. Last spring botanists began planting cord grass, the most important plant species of coastal salt marshes but one that is slow to revegetate natural- ly. Snowy Plovers, Killdeer, American Avocets and Black-necked Stilts have taken advantage of the islands and isolated dikes for nesting. 126 September 1983 T HE GULL The Shoreline is also used by large numbers of non-breeding birds and it is one of the best locations in the East Bay to observe wintering waterbirds. Boardwalks and trails provide excellent viewing and they allow hikers to get close to feeding birds. Flocks containing 10,000 sand- pipers have been estimated during periods of peak migration and during a recent study organized by Dr. Howard Cogswell almost 60 species of waterbirds were recorded using the Shoreline. At high tide gulls and shorebirds stand shoulder to shoulder on the islands while offshore, grebes, diving ducks and terns forage. Northern Harriers make frequent passes over the Shoreline, causing sandpipers to fly up and wheel across the sky in nervous reaction. Merlins are an exciting and regular sight in the winter and Peregrine and Prairie Falcons have also been seen. In addition to most of the common birds found on the Bay, the following uncommon species have been spotted: Lesser Yellowlegs, Wandering Tattler, Baird’s and Pectoral Sandpiper, Thayer’s Gull and Least and Black Tern. Even a Clapper Rail was spied in the low pickleweed, per- haps scouting for a future home. Just to the north of the Shoreline on an old land-fill dump are found wintering flocks of Water Pipits and 127 THE GULL September 1983 Horned Larks, along with an occasional Lapland Longspnr. For the most “action” the Shoreline should be visited about two hours after high tide. At this time the mudflats are just becoming exposed and hungry shore- birds begin to fly en masse to favored feeding /ones. It’s a spectacular sight as hundreds of fast-flying birds stream over the dikes and out across the mudflats following the falling tide. With over two-thuds of California’s prime coastal wetlands gone it is encouraging that here in the East Bay an area of wetland habitat has been created. The Hayward Regional Shoreline is proving to be a val- uable habitat for wildlife as well as providing much-needed access to the Bay for city dwellers. It is a prototype that land-use planners and conservationists should look to when considering future projects. To reach the Shoreline, take the Nimitz Freeway (Hwy. 17) to Hay- ward and exit at W. Winton Ave. Follow Winton west toward the Bay until it ends at the Shoreline parking lot. A quarter-mile long dirt road leads from the parking lot to the beginning of the trail. For information on this and other Regional Shorelines call the East Bay Regional Park District at 531-9300. " -CHRIS SWARTH The Back Yard Birder In springtime birds are singing constantly and are easier to spot in leaf- less or lightly-foliaged trees. During summer and fall, not only is birdlife quieter but more frustrating to find in thick vegetation. An old trick to draw shy birds into view is to use a method of oral bird calls called “pishing” (or spishing). I find the word not only descriptive but hilarious. This is a hissing or shushing sound which is uttered in a pulsating rhythm. Among the more curious species, such as titmice, chickadees and Wren- tits, this sound is nearly irrestible. Other types of birds may be tempted to investigate because the sound resembles the alarm calls of many spe- cies and may elicit a mobbing response from all birds within hearing range. According to Christopher Leahy in The Birdwatcher’s Companion . “Sustained and aggressive pishing seems to work best and it is not un- usual during migration to be able to attract dozens of individuals of many species.” You may not wish to try pishing in public or among non-birders. We get plenty of odd stares from people who can’t fathom our habits of staring at the sky with rapturous expressions or slogging through marshes for glimpses of birdlife! In John K. Terres’ Songbirds In Your Garden, he describes his method of “squeaking up” birds. His suggestion that you be partly concealed in shrubs and that you sit quietly and comfortably is a good one. It may take some time to perfect the technique, which he describes as sucking on the back of your hand. In the privacy of my own yard I attempted following his instructions to no avail. Apparently I'm in good company 128 September 1983 T H E GULL since some well-known ornithologists are incapable of producing these sounds. Besides, my resident Wrentits seem to prefer my own peculiar kissing-type noises. If you are too faint-hearted to try pishing, The Audubon Bird Call is available in nature-related stores. It is small and portable, easy to learn to operate and makes appropriate squeaky- wheel sounds. Some bird families and species are especially attracted to pishing, such as those mentioned above, as well as nuthatches and kinglets. Others you might expect to see are woodpeckers, jays, flycatchers, wrens, Mocking- birds, sparrows, thrushes, vireos and warblers. The next time a bird swoops into the cover of thick shrubbery, you could be rewarded with a better look if you try a little pishing! MEG PAULETICH Fall Bird Classes and Trips ALBANY Dr. Stephen F. Bailey will teach two classes at Albany Adult School, sponsored by GGAS. Raptors will offer detailed instruction on identify- ing California species of hawks and related birds of prey. Natural history discussions will emphasize migration. Evening slide sessions will meet 7-9 p.m. on five consecutive Tuesdays from September 13 through Oc- tober 11. We will observe migrating raptors on two Saturday field trips to the Point Diablo hawk lookout. Fall Vagrant Landbirds will be a thorough (9 weeks) treatment of the many species of landbirds that stray to California during the fall migration. Most of these birds are from eastern North America, but other fall vagrants are included, such as Asian and Mexican species. These vagrants are often in dull, difficult-to-identify plumages, so they will be compared to their commoner California relatives. We will discuss the mechanisms of vagrancy and provide guidelines for finding vagrant landbirds. The class meets 7-9 p.m. on Thursdays from September 22 through November 17. No local field trips are included, but students should have ample oportunities to find vagrants at Pt. Reyes on their own (using the finding guidelines) or on GGAS field trips (see pp. 118-120 of this Gull ) . For exciting oasis vagrant hunting, Steve will lead an optional weekend trip to Death Valley and vicinity on October 22-24 (Saturday through Monday). The weather at this season is normally delightful and we an- ticipate a fascinating mix of vagrants including later eastern warblers, sparrows and others, plus scarce western migrants. For information on any of the above, call Steve at 548-9507. To register in an Adult School class, call the school at 526-6811 or attend the first session. 129 THE GULL September 1983 SAN FRANCISCO Free evening birding classes for all levels are being offered through the Galileo-Marina College Center. Joe Morlan is the instructor. See the July- August Gull or call the college at 931-3595 for details. FREMONT The Fremont Adult School will again offer a six- week course, ‘Birding Field Trips,” with Alice Hoch instructing. The class, designed for both beginning and experienced birders, will meet on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. starting September 13 at Fremont Adult School, 4700 Calaveras Ave., Fremont. For more information, call Alice at 657-0475 or the school at 791-5841. ALAMEDA Six Tuesday morning bird walks are offered by the Alameda Recreation Department beginning September 27. Led by GGAS past president Patricia Boese, the walks are planned to introduce beginners to birds of gardens, parks and the bay shoreline. The fee is $20. For information, call 522-4100, Ext. 227 or 339-8374. Wildlife Art Benefit Drawing The listing below is just a sample of some of the beautiful prizes that will be offered in the GGAS Wildlife Art Benefit Drawing. Grand Prizes : Snow Geese Scarlet Tanager Dipper Canvasback Pair John Ruthven Roger Tory Peterson Robert Bateman Heiner Herding Canvasback ( Duck Stamp ) Robert Steiner Other prints that have been donated by artists from throughout the Bay Area, California and the United States include original works of art, prints and posters depicting puffins, orcas, Snowy Plover, Hooded Mer- ganser, Cactus Wren, mountain lion, Great Blue Heron, panda, White Pelican, monk seal, Elegant Tern, Snowy Owl, Ring-necked Duck, wolf, Bald Eagle, river otter, Canada Goose, Great Egret, Anna’s Humming- bird, Peregrine Falcon and much, much more! The benefit drawing offers a broad representation of art styles and mediums from stylized and contemporary interpretation of a Ring-necked Duck by local artist Christopher Forest to works depicting traditional realism such as the stunning portrayal of Southwest desert birds and mammals by Nick Wilson. 130 September 1983 T II ECU I Why is GGAS having a wildlife art benefit drawing? GGAS, like other nonprofit conservation organizations, depends on memberships and do- nations to support its office and diversified programs. And GGAS, like otiei environmental groups, must cope with rising operating expenses. All levenue generated by the benefit drawing will go directly into the treasury to support the office, program, Gull and stalf expenses. In an era when many organizations and individuals are competing for funding sources it is sometimes difficult to raise needed revenues, to ex- pand services and keep pace with increased costs. Wildlife art offers universal appeal to Bay Area residents of all ages. Support Golden Gate Audubon Society activities by participating in the Wildlife Art Benefit Drawing. Don’t assume that “someone else will”. If each GGAS member donated $1.00 for one ticket, $5,000 in additional operating revenue would be generated! GGAS has received incredible support from local artists and businesses to help make the drawing a success. You can assure its success by getting involved and making a contribution for a ticket or actually selling tickets. Remember, GGAS sponsors and supports not only field trips, programs, an office, habitat enhancement projects and ongoing biological research, it also speaks loudly as a voice for wildlife and your environment in both Sacramento and Washington D.C. Stop by the GGAS office or send for drawing tickets and who knows . . . maybe in December you will win a holiday gift of exquisite beauty. Perhaps the Snow Geese by John Ruthven will “fly” in your office or den, or maybe the call of the Dipper ( by Robert Bateman ) will echo in your living room or the Summer Tanager (by Roger Tory Peterson) will brighten another room in your house. Call 843-2222 for more information. -HILLARY HULEN From the President One can hardly fail to notice the National Audubon Society’s (NAS) more aggressive posture on fund raising. Mass mailings, phone solicita- tions, pleas and suggestions in AUDUBON, coupled with still another dues increase in January all point to a new level of activity on the part of the Society. The Reagan administration is attacking virtually everything we, as conservationists, have fought for and gained since the turn of this cen- tury. The EPA scandal reflects only a very small part of an unprece- dented attack on our environment and the laws established to protect it. Industry, too, is on the offensive. The list of threats seems endless: 131 THE GULL September 1983 NATIONAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES — The excellent article in AUDUBON “Refuges on the Rocks” (July, 1983), illustrates the threat posed by ever increasing commercial, agricultural and recreational de- mands on our national system of refuges. NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES— The Western Gas and Oil Association has filed suit to overturn the entire sanctuary system on the grounds that in establishing it the Federal Government exceeded its authority. If they win, Point Reyes-Farallon Islands and Channel Island Sanctuaries would be open to oil and gas exploration. NATIONAL PARKS — Senator Ted Stevens (R. Alaska) has intro- duced S-49. It would redesignate millions of acres in Alaska as National Preserves rather than National Parks. If this legislation were successful, it would open those lands to hunting and perhaps other forms of exploita- tion. It would certainly set a precedent for changing the designation of National Park lands elsewhere in our land. Closer to home, Lassen Volcanic National Park has been opened to snowmobiling for two years, in a pilot program. Another pilot program there has turned Manzanita Lake Campground over to a concessionaire. Almost to insure the success of the program, campground fees have increased 150% in the past two years and the Park Service continues to maintain Lassen’s other six camp- grounds which must operate at a considerable loss. The Park Service continues to patrol the Manzanita Lake Campground. They have only been relieved of daily maintenance and fee collecting. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS PERMIT REGULATIONS— Proposed new permit regulations would open much of our nation’s waterways and coastal lands to virtual deregulation. CALIFORNIA COSTAL COMMISSION — Recent budget restrictions threaten the effectiveness of this regulatory body and therefore threaten our coast. Needless to say, NAS has assumed a position of leadership in opposi- tion to many of these threats. Against us are the resource of the oil and gas industry, agribusiness, concessionaires and a vast array of exploiters and special interests, each eager to get his “fair share.” Fighting this battle takes two things, money and commitment. Those who would exploit and abuse our public lands, our oceans and water- ways, our air, our very existence, have almost limitless financial resources and the ability to buy committement. Those who would conserve and protect our environment have people like you and me. Our financial re- sources are strained, our effectiveness is bounded by a limited number of volunteers. Your membership in the Audubon Society is a first step. 132 September 1983 T HE GULL But beyond membership we need greater involvement— one of time, money or both. Join a comittee. Pleadge a monthly donation to National 01 Golden Gate Audubon Society. A gift membership for a friend can be appreciated throughout the year. 1 urge you to become more involved as the next step in furthering your commitment to conservation. -DAN MURPHY Volunteers Needed Can you lend a hand? Golden Gate Audubon Society depends on volunteers to provide a variety of services to it’s members. The com- mittees and/or projects listed below need volunteers. FIELD TRIPS — Experienced leaders for birdwatching trips to loca- tions throughout the Bay Area and Northern Cali- fornia. HOSPITALITY — Organization, preparation and set up of refresh- ments for meetings in San Francisco FINANCE — Committee members review the GGAS budget and make recommendations for proposed expenditures to the Board of Directors. PROGRAM — A chairperson is needed to arrange programs for 1984 meetings. Duties include making necessary arrangements, meeting/ greeting speakers and in- troducing them at the programs. PUBLICITY — A person is needed to help promote and publicize GGAS activities and special events. OFFICE HELP — TYPISTS ! ! ! General clerical tasks. Do you have some other service that you might be willing to con- tribute on a limited basis. For example: The Meyers family of Design Enterprises donates time for occasional typesetting and other graphic work. They have also donated library books and birdseed, slides for our slide library and their enthusiasm for Audubon activities. GGAS grate- fully appreciates their continued support! If you would like to volunteer please call the GGAS office, 843-2222. Conservation Committee Conversation “What happens at a conservation committee meeting?" The Conservation Committee of GGAS actively “tracks” pending con- servation issues, voicing support and opposition for local and national legislation that deals with environmental matters. 133 THE GULL September 1983 “ But I don’t have a background in biology or anything like that — I’m just interested in learning about and possibly helping with environ- mental issues here in the Bay Area." The conservation committee membership is composed of individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Representation on the committee includes a retired park naturalist, a librarian, a computer representative, a UC Berkeley student among others. Your input and participation on the Conservation Committee would be welcomed because many opinions contribute to lively discussions and more committee members means that more research can be accomplished, more issues can be monitored, and more effort can be directed toward specific areas of concern. “ What actually goes on at a conservation committee meeting and what do members do?” Some committee members attend public hearings and may comment on behalf of GGAS. Others write letters regarding our positions on given issues or monitor specific areas such as the Berkeley waterfront develop- ment, statewide water issues, the Least Tern nesting colonies in the South Bay. Reports are made to the Conservation Committee each month and recommendations are forwarded to the GGAS Board of Directors. Conservation Committee members often write short articles for The Gull to inform the general membership about conservation issues and concerns. “Could I just come and see what goes on at a Conservation Committee meeting?” Certainly! The September meeting will be held on Tuesday, Septem- ber 13, at the GGAS office on Telegraph Avenue. Meetings begin prompt- ly at 7:30 p.m. and generally last until 9:00-9:30 p.m. Hope to see you there! If you have any questions or concerns that you would like to have the conservation committee address, please come to a meeting or call the GGAS office. Least Tern News For at least the past five years, the Alameda Naval Air Station (NAS) has hosted the largest California Least Tern (CLT) breeding colony in the Bay Area. However, this year only three pairs of CLTs have nested at the colony site. The eggs in two of the nests have hatched but three of the four chicks have been lost. An American Kestrel is responsible for the deaths of two of the chicks and probably the disappearance of the third chick. The fate of the remaining chick (now two weeks old) and the nest in incubation remains to be seen. 134 September 1983 T HE G U L L Instead of the NAS colony site, the Oakland Airport has hosted the gieatest number of nesting attempts in the Bay Area. We do not know why the shift occurred this year. At least 78 nests have been apparent so f ai . However, only 4/ pairs were nesting simultaneously and many or most subsequent nests may be renesting attempts. Hatching began on June 12. Unfortunately, at this point the CLTs do not appear to be fairing much better at the Oakland Airport than they did at NAS last year. Several nests have lost their eggs to predators and almost all tha chicks hatched before July 22 have disappeared. So far, only one or two chicks appear to have fledged successfully. Observations suggest several predators have been responsible for the losses of eggs and the majority of chicks. It appeals most likely that skunks and especially cats are the primary predators and that avian predators are responsible for the ad- ditional losses. Efforts to live-trap and relocate mammalian predators have failed to stop the losses. At least 13 nests are still in incubation and seven to ten chicks are present. If the situation improves, several more chicks may fledge successfully. Some good news: A new nesting site has been confirmed this year. The site, the farthest inland nesting site of the CLT, is located in Port Chicago on Suisun Bay. On July 11, the small colony exhibited at least six young and apparently one of these had fledged successfully. The young rep- resented three or four broods. In addition, at least one nest was still in incubation. -LAURA COLLINS, July 27, 1983 PRBO — Mono Lake Bird-a-thon The sixth annual Point Reyes Bird Observatory— Mono Lake Bird-a- thon will take place on Saturday, October 15. This major fund-raiser provides financial assistance for many of PRBO’s research, education and conservation programs such as their ongoing participation in the gill netting issue, their excellent newsletter, Snowy Plover and California Gull studies at Mono Lake, to name a few. Half of the money raised will go to the Mono Lake Committee to help continue the struggle to save the lake and to provide funds for the legal battle now going on in the courts with the Committee joined with National Audubon Society, Friends of the Earth, Los Angeles Audubon Society and four Mono Basin landowners in a law suit against the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Plan to participate in this worthy event either by getting sponsors to back you monetarily for each bird species you see in the field or, if you can’t be a counter yourself, by sponsoring someone. If you prefer birding with a group, remember that Dan Murphy will lead a field trip on Oc- 135 THE GULL September 1983 tober 15, the San Francisco Bird Blitz, as part of the Bird-a-thon. Details will be in the October Gull. For more information and appropriate forms, call PRBO at 868-1221. The Long Live Mono Lake Run A ten kilometer run to benefit the Mono Lake Committee’s efforts to save this natural treasure will be held on the lake’s north shore October 2, 1983. The first week of October is a great time to visit Mono Lake with the eastern Sierra aspen in full autumn splendor awaiting the first snows. It’s also Mark Twain Days in the historic town of Lee Vining. As the sun shines high over the lake the conditions should be clear, crisp and beau- tiful for running, so bring the family and friends and spend an enjoyable day at Mono Lake. Not only a Fun Bun, but for an important cause! For more information and/or an entry form, contact the Mono Lake Committee, P.O. Box 29, Lee Vining, CA 93541, (619) 647-6386. Action Implementers Now Available Golden Gate Audubon Society in cooperation with the Sierra Club and other Bay Area Audubon chapters and numerous other local conservation organizations has published another Action Implementer Card. The card contains a listing of names and addresses of congressmen, senators, resource committees and influential and important conservation representatives. The action implementer is credit card — sized and fits easily into a wallet. If you would like a card for yourself and/or know someone who would benefit from the Action Implementer, stop by the GGAS office or send a SASE and specify how many cards you would like. The Action Implementer is a valuable resource that provides key information to help you in making your conservation concerns heard. Cooper Society Meeting On Monday, September 12, Gary Page of the Point Reyes Observatory will present a talk to the Northern California chapter of the Cooper Ornithological Society entitled Reproductive biology of the Snoivy Plover. Gary’s slides and vast experience with this fascinating species, accum- ulated during years of research, should provide some unique insight into its biology as well as its population decline in California. The presenta- tion will be in Room 2503, Life Sciences Building, UC Berkeley, at 8 136 September 1983 t n e G U L I p.m., preceded by a business meeting at 7:30 p in. Cooper Society meetings provide a monthly forum for talks on avian research and an opportunity for communication between amateur and professional ornithologists. Everyone interested in birds is encouarged to attend. Fall Pelagic Trips from Bodega Bay The Bodega Marine Laboratory is sponsoring three all-day pelagic tiips; the destination is Cordelle Banks approximately 28 miles off Bodega Head. The three scheduled trips will be leaving from Porto Bodega, Bodega Bay at 7 a.m. on the following dates: September 10; October 1; and November 5. The late summer and fall are excellent times for pelagic trips leaving from Bodega Bay, unlike the spring! We can count on good weather, calm seas and a greater diversity of seabirds. We hope to see loons, Blackfooted Albatross, Northern Fulmar, Pink- footed, New-Zealand, and Sooty Shearwaters, jaegars, skua and alcids. Of course, there are always possibilities of rarities, i.e. Laysan Albatross, Artie Tern, etc. The $30 fee per person will go toward graduate research studies at the BML. Leaders are Mike Parmeter and Craig Hohenberger; each trip limited to 20 persons. Checks should be sent to Craig Hohenberger at 42 Vista Ln., Walnut Creek, CA 94595. News from Audubon Canyon Ranch The Board of ACB expressed a desire to become better acquainted with Board members of our four sponsoring societies (GGAS, Marin, Madrone, Sequoia) and to explain the activities and goals of the Banch. This was achieved at a meeting and dinner at the Ranch on July 26 where ACR Chairman Bruce Howard welcomed the group and outlined the work in progress and looked to the future, Clerin Zumwalt spoke of ACR’s history, Clifford Conly described Audubon Cypress Grove on Tomales Bay and plans for its future, Flora Maclise spoke of the ongoing events at Bouverie Audubon Preserve in Sonoma County and Helen Pratt detailed her long and scientific studies of the Ranch’s heronry. Manager Skip Schwarz told of daily activities at the Ranch and intro- duced the staff. 137 THE GULL September 1983 Hospitality Notes Is there someone in San Francisco who would be willing to be respon- sible for refreshments at the general meetings in January and February? Costs reimbursable. If so, call me at 635-7347, collect, if you like. Thanks to Jane and John Felker, Paul and Marian Covel, Vera Matney, Charlie and his friend, Stan Whiteside and others whose names I don’t have who did so much to make our annual dinner a great event. Thanks to all of you who brought the fine food, to Paul for the scope on the egrets and to Skip and Peter for the program. A sleeveless down jacket, orange and blue in a smaller size, was left at the annual diner. Call the GGAS office, 843-2222. -HAZEL HOUSTON GIFTS AND BEQUESTS FOR GGAS Gift of The Clayton Valley High School Ecology Club Greta Schwartz Ruth Pardee Windy Moore In Memory of Florence Tivis Quail Hawkins Milton Ray Edmunds Reulah Lee Kiser FOR AUDUBON CANYON RANCH In Memory of Brad King Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Rademacher Mrs. Herbert Henderson Eleanor H. Henkle FOR MONO LAKE PROJECT Carolyn Driscoll 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 GGAS Board of Directors. This includes their use for general GGAS activities or for special programs of the Society including Audubon Canyon Ranch of which GGAS is a sponsor. Please send your gift in the form of a check made out to the Golden Gate Audubon Society, Inc. to Minnie Groshong, Corresponding Secretary, Golden Gate Audubon Society, 2718 Telegraph Ave., #206, Berkeley, CA 94705-1179. All gifts are tax deductible. 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 personally on behalf of the Society by the Corresponding Secretary. 138 September 1983 THE GULL Belief it Drawing — , Name Address Zip Telephone Number of Tickets ($1.00 each or 6/$5.00) i Amount Enclosed I Yes, I would like to help support GGAS and will sell tickets. Please send me tickets. Please send this form plus a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: GOLDEN GATE AUDUBON SOCIETY 2718 Telegraph Avenue #206, Berkeley, CA 94585 139 Golden Gate Audubon Society, Inc. Office: 843-2222 2718 Telegraph Avenue, #206 Berkeley, California 94705 Return Postage Guaranteed Library Calif. Academy of Sciences Golden Gate Park San Francisco, CA, 94118 THE GULL September 1983 OFFICERS President, Dan Murphy (564-0074)* First Vice President, Trudi Jackson (548-1352)* Second Vice President, Shirley Kelly (387-8290)* Recording Secretary, Diane Roukes (527-5834)* Corresponding Secretary, Minnie Groshong (526-8443)* Treasurer, Ross Jennings (235-4986)* DIRECTORS West Bay: Woody Kuehn (239-7914)* Art Feinstein (282-5937)* East Bay: Joyce Davis (524-1506)* Maybelle Groshong (526-8443)* Hazel Houston (635-7347)* STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN: Conservation, Trudi Jackson (548-1352)* Education, GGAS Office (843-2222) Field Trips, Shirley Kelly (387-8290)* Extended Field Trips, GGAS Office (843-2222) Finance, Woody Kuehn (239-7914)* Hospitality, Hazel Houston (635-7347)* Membership, Maybelle Groshong (526-8443)* Program, Peter White (229-1714)* Publicity, Dolores White (229-1714) GULL Editor, Don Sanford (527-6017)* Observations: Stephen F. Bailey (548-9057) and Joseph Morlan (524-7421) Librarian, Christine Jones (929-0327) Executive Director, Hillary Hulen (843-2222) •Member of the Board of Directors John Nutt (654-3336)* At Large: Nancy Conzett (527-2593)* Jon Zablackis (527-2083)* NORTHERN CALIFORNIA RARE BIRD ALERT (recorded) 843-2211 Mail for all individuals listed above should be sent to the GGAS office. Send address changes to office promptly; Post Office does not forward THE GULL. Monthly meetings: second Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Joint membership — local and national $25 per year (individual); $32 (family): includes AUDUBON Magazine and THE GULL; to join, make checks 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 $6 per year; single issues $1. High school and college student membership $15 per year. Senior citizen individual $17, senior citizen family $19. Associate Membership in Golden Gate Audubon Society, $10 per year. The Golden Gate Audubon Society, Inc. was established January 25, 1917, and became a chapter of National Audubon in 1948. The Gull deadline is the first of the month for the following month. 140