September-October 2007 Chaparral Naturalist - Pomona Valley Audubon Society

8/8/2019 September-October 2007 Chaparral Naturalist - Pomona Valley Audubon Society

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Pomona Valley Audubon Societyhttp://faculty.jsd.claremont.edu/dguthrie/pvas/

A publication of

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007 A Chapter of the National Audubon Society Volume 47, No. 1

In thIs Issue...

Birding the Northern Plains .............................................Pg. 1

New Members ..................................................................Pg. 2

Conservation ....................................................................Pg. 3

Field Trips .........................................................................Pg. 6

Announcements ...............................................................Pg. 7

Upcoming Programs ........................................................Pg. 8

(Cont'd. on page 2

Birding the Northern Plainsby Beryl Williams

Fall generally has predictable, ne weather. My preferenceis to travel in spring because of the renewal of life found

among birds and mammals. We visited Prairie Homesteadin Philip, South Dakota and were intrigued by a Say's

Phoebe who never strayed far from the front porch of theVisitor's Center. Finally we saw her y to a nest in the eaves

of the porch and settle on it. We proceeded on so as not tostress her. My grandparents homesteaded North Dakotaland at the dawn of the twentieth century and this is a nely

restored homestead dating from that time period.

We spent one night in Kadoka, South Dakota and had towalk a wide arc through the motel parking lot because of House Finches who nested in the eaves of the porch roof

that provided shelter from wind and sun. If one walkeddirectly beneath the nest, the House Finch would y away,

returning minutes later. It was a pleasure to walk a circular path, watching the bird on the nest.

Walking through the town of Kadokain the early morning, an

American Robin was spiedfeeding two juveniles on

one of the lawns dottingthe residential area. I've

seen hundreds of Robins, but never before saw

maternal behavior.

Our most exciting

sighting was a familyof Rock Wrens

feed ing bab iesat the back of a

wash adjacent

to Castle Trail in Badlands National Park. We could seeactivity next to and underneath a jumble of boulders. Wecouldn't make out the nature of the activity, even using

binoculars. Leaving the raised wooden trail, we madour way closer to the action and could identify a family

of Rock Wrens, darting under and on top of, as well as behind a large boulder. We watched them for a period o

time, being careful not to approach so close as to impacttheir behavior.

The northern plains have been in the grip of a multi-yeardrought, according to residents with whom we talked

This year the drought broke and everywhere faces werewreathed in smiles. Ranchers have been able to grow

enough feed for their cattle. Everywhere one looked weregreen elds. Badlands National Park receives 16 inches

of rain annually; their rain year is computed from January1 to December 31. When we visited in late June, they had

registered 9 inches thus far. The elds were alive withWestern Meadowlarks and their melodic songs. I've seen

Meadowlarks in the past, perched on a split-rail fenceThis time, I heard them long before spying them. I would

search in vain for the bird and nally realized the reason



Welcome New MembersWe extend a warm welcome to all new members. Subscribers to Audubon Magazine from our area are automaticallyenrolled in our chapter and receive the Chaparral Naturalist at no additional charge. You are welcome to all our

events.

Alta Loma: Sharon Grifth

Baldwin Park: Mary Lehman

Chino: Robert Guillen, Donna Hobbs, Karla Kyle,

Bradon Morad

Claremont: Edward Babcock, Marianne Burch, Daniel

Detwiler, Linda Elderkin, Michael Erlinger, DavidKajtaniak, David Nemer, Elizabeth Pinter, Hans

Rindisbacher, Fred Sontag, Eudora Tharp, SusanThompson, Jennifer Young

Corona: Marjorie Shenton, Austin Tiffany

Covina; George Graves, Jennie Green, John Shubin

Diamond Bar: K.O. Bresnan, Juliana Van Dorsten,William Silver

Glendora: Margaret Bunis, Dean Lee, James Overturf,Deni York

La Verne: Catherine Fugitt, Elise Rieke, Mary Swann

Mira Loma: Ellen McMullen, Debbie Rice,Eva Rzepecki

Norco: Mary Dowell

Ontario: Walt and Margie Benson, Charles Towle

Pomona: James Hales, Ray Mateo, Sanford Newton,Ed Westerdale

Rancho Cucamonga: Bobby Fox, Ricarda Graham,Rulian Robledo, Linda Zach

San Dimas: Donna Petrokowitz, Mary Seay

Upland: Gordon Kane, Albert Tucker

Walnut: Donald Hale

West Covina: Thomas Huntress, Polung Kao, Andrew

Lee, Brenda Newbold, Jose Reynoso

Santiago Oaksby Richard Moore

There were a total of ve persons on the

eld trip ably led by Valerie Wheeler to Santiago Oaks Regional Park on

Saturday, April 28, and the group listedover 50 species of birds. On the list

were TEN Warblers: Orange-crowned, Nashville, Yellow, Black-throated Gray,

Yellow-rumped, Townsend’s, Hermit,Common Yellowthroat, Wilson’s, and

wasn’t Nancy excited to nd a life birdhiding in the shadows: a MacGillivray’s

Warbler! Valerie had scouted theterritory and knew what we might see

both within and on the edges of the park. (She found a Yellow-breasted Chat

the very next day at Carbon Canyon

Regional Park.) Among the ycatcherswere the Hammond’s, Pacic-slope, andthe Ash-throated, not to be confused

with the Cassin’s, Warbling, andHutton’s Vireos, or the Wrentits which

not only sang their "ping-pong" song, but jumped around in a small tree right

in front of us. So the next time you areinvited to go on a Spring-time bird walk,don’t turn it down!

for my difculty. Their coloration, yellow underparts accented by a

black chevron, are perfectly matched for their environment in elds of wild sunowers. Only dumb luck enabled me to spot a Meadowlark

singing his heart out in the middle of such a eld. Their predators,

soaring raptors, would be equally disadvantaged by the Meadowlarks' perfect camouage. I hadn't realized how perfect their colors are because I'd never before seen them in their native habitat.

I hope that you were able to bird this spring and enjoy the renewalthat is inherent in the season.

Birding the Northern Plains(Cont'd. from page 1)

Bluebird Trailby Dick Moore

In the 2007 spring and summer seasonI installed 17 bluebird houses at BonelliRegional County Park, 3 at Sailboat Cove

and the rest in the East and West Picnic areas. Atotal of 50 bluebird nestlings edged, the rst in May

and the last in early August. This compares with a totalof 44 which edged last year. One birdhouse was occupied by house wrens

from which ve nestlings edged. I thank Rod and Pat Higbee who assistedwith the installation of the birdhouses and helped obtained permission for

the project from the park administration.


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CASM: Update On The Mining Issue– The Battle Continues!

Vulcan Minerals, at the time of this notice, has not filed a formal

application with the City of Claremont to mine the area zoned openspace in East Claremont. Vulcan has not done anything to push forward

their pending lawsuit against the City.

CASM continues to get good support from almost all of the Claremont

City Council Members, especially new Council Members, LindaElderkin and Sam Pedroza. These Council Members were supported

by CASM in the last election. ouncilman Cory Calaycay has been mostaggressive in protecting the City from proposed mining operations.

Pomona Valley Protection Association, PVPA, that owns the propertyleased to Vulcan Minerals in East Claremont and West Upland, is in

the process of selling the property to a developer. This probably willnot stop Vulcan's attempts to mine in East Claremont.

Holiday Rock, who mines in West Upland, has led an application tomine signicantly deeper in the area they presently lease and mine.

CASM is concerned that if Holiday Rock is allowed to increase the scopeof their mining operations, that water and air quality will be affected.

Unapproved mining in the past has resulted in the loss of water meantfor ground water recharging by PVPA. CASM has enjoyed the support

of many Upland residents that are becoming more vocal about miningintheir community.

CASM is concerned that Dirk Cole, who was hired by the City's Attorneyhas resigned to go to work for mining interests. We do not know what

impact this will have in the City's attempt to defend the pending lawsuitled by Vulcan Minerals against the City of Claremont.

The Claremonters Against Strip Mining (CASM) wishes to thank youfor your continued interest and support to stop mining in Claremont!

Charmaine Dumont and Dr. Steven Shin are the latest new membersto join the CASM Board of Directors. If you have interest in joining

our board or would like to help an hour or two each month with various projects, please contact Dr. Ivan Misner, [email protected]. If you would

like a yard sign "No Strip Mines" please e-mail Mike Kunce, [email protected] or call at 626-252-5536.

Conservation

Mountains and RiverCampaign

Taking advantage of the federal WildernessAct and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act the Sierra

Club launched the San Gabriel MountainsWilderness and Living Rivers Campaign

in May of this year. Representatives of theAudubon Society, the Friends of the River, and

the National Hispanic Environmental Councilas well as a wide representation of the Sierra

Club and even City Council members haveindicated their support. This campaign is a

part of the wider Southern California ForestsCampaign bringing people together to protect

the Los Padres, Angeles, Cleveland and SanBernardino National Forests.

The goals of the campaign are to improve the

health of the mountains and rivers, to expandthe opportunities for adults, children, andfamilies to enjoy scenic areas, to add wilderness

areas and wild and scenic rivers to the AngelesSan Bernardino and other National Forests

and to enhance water quality and recreationaopportunities along the San Gabriel River.

Opportunities will be offered to all interested persons to join in such volunteer opportunities

as to help remove litter from river and forestareas, and to advocate for increasing the

number of trails, trash cans for liter and restroom facilities in nearby forests. There will be a concentrated effort over the next several

years to educate the public about the campaign

and to encourage letter writing and visits with

elected representatives and senators. Expandingwilderness protection is very important

before pristine back country areas fall victimto housing development, massive power

transmission lines, illegal off-road vehicle useand even toll roads.

by Richard Moore, Conservation Chair



S eptember

Saturday, September 15 – Bolsa Chica Preserve

Leader: Dan GuthrieSunday, September 23 – Bonelli Park Monthy Hike.

Leader: Rod Higbie

O ctOber

Tuesday, October 2 – Prado Regional Park.Leader: Dan Guthrie

Sunday, October 7 – Beginner’s Bird Walk, Rancho

Santa Ana Botanic GardenSaturday, October 13 – Galileo Hill.

Leader: Dan GuthrieSaturday-Sunday, October 27-28 – Morro Bay

Week-end Field Trip. Leader: Dan Guthrieleader

Sunday, October 28 – Bonelli Park Monthy Hike.

Leader: Rod Higbie

N Ovember

Sunday, November 4 – Beginner’s Bird Walk,

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic GardenTuesday, November 6 – Baldy Village and Vicinity,

Half day trip. Leader: Dan Guthrie

PVAS FALL/WINTER FIELd TRIPS 2007-08

Tuesday, November 13 – Bolsa Chica Preserve.

Leader to be announced.Sunday, November 25 – Bonelli Park Monthy Hike.

Leader: Rod Higbie

D ecember

Sunday, December 2 – Beginner’s Bird Walk,

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic GardenWedsnesday, December 12 – Bonelli Park Pre-

Christmas Trip. Leaders: StrangsThursday, December 13 – Claremont Parks Pre-

Christmas Trip. Leader: Dan GuthrieSaturday, December 15 – Annual Christmas CensusSunday, December 23 – Bonelli Park Monthy Hike.

Leader: Rod Higbie

Check out your Chapter’s Web page for more

information!

One day and half day trips start at Memorial

Park, Indian Hill Blvd at 10th Street, Claremont.

Weekend trips usually meet at the destination on

Saturday morning. Bonelli Park trips meet at park

headquarters on Via Verde, just off the 57 freeway.

4

A Scary StoryMany people, birders and non-birders alike, can tell stories of having

been “attacked” by one species of bird or another, usually a

mockingbird or a swallow defending its nest. Or it may have beena Cooper’s Hawk, which can be a frightening experience. But very

few people in the world can match the experience 5 year old EliasGilbert had.

Eli, grandson of PVAS member, Neil Gilbert, spends a part of every year inGamboa, Panama, with his research-scientist parents. Eli and his friend

Miguel, and their respective nannies, went for a walk along a forested road on the property of theGamboa Rainforest Resort. They have walked this road before; it leads to an observation tower that is a

lot of fun for the two boys. But this time, about half way up the hill, they were attacked by a Harpy Eagle. A Harpy Eagle( Harpia harpyja) is one of the world’s largest (up to 40 inches long with a 7 foot wing span) and most powerful eagles.

This one was apparently protecting a near-by nest and really meant business. The way Eli described it was, “It was likewe were a magnet; every where we ran to, the eagle went there, too.”

They protected themselves with branches and sticks that they found close by, but the eagle was still able to take one of thenannie’s hats, which it punctured with its 5-inch long talons. No one was injured, but any strike with those talons could

have been serious.

The four terried people were able to nd a little protection under a roof projection on an abandoned building, which kept

them safe until the police arrived to rescue them and take them home. (Aren’t cell phones wonderful?) What a story Eliwill have to tell his friends when he gets back to his home in Santa Cruz, CA.

by Neil Gilbert



Local Membership

dues

Now due!

If you are a Local Member (not a member of

National Audubon) or are a member of another

chapter, it is time to pay for your subscription

to the Chaparral Naturalist. Rate is $10/year.

Remember that you can become a member of

National Audubon for only $20/year. If you are

already a member of National Audubon, your

membership in our local chapter is already paid.

We Have A New Website!We have redesigned our web page, which is now at

www.pomonavalleyaudubon.org. Hopefully, we will

keep it updated with current events and color copies of

our newsletter. Let us know what additional information

you would like to see on this page!

South Texas at ChristmasAnyone?

Pam Kling, our editor and a ew other members wentto North Dakota in June. The trip was a ollow up to thesparrow identication course they had participated inthrough Sea and Sage Audubon. The trip had a guide, buteach participant was responsible or their own accommoda-tions, car renta and ood. The trip was such a success, both inbirds and pleasure (except or a ew mosquitos) that we areconsidering doing similar trips to other spots.

Southern Most Texas boasts a collection o specialty birds (Chachalaca, Green Jay, Great Kiskadee, Mexican Crow, Long-

billed Thrasher, Pauraque, Hook-billed Kite) and occaisional rarities rom Mexico. Also, the wintering population o Whooping Cranes is on view not too ar to the north along the coast. We are looking at the dates December 28 through

January 5, which should give us 7 ull days o birding plus two travel days. We plan to visit the major birding sites in thearea, plus chase any rarities. We may even participate in a Christmas Census! I interested, we will provide suggestedfight and motel inormation. Contact Dan Guthrie 909-607-2836 or Pam Kling at 909-596-7604. For more inormationon south Texas birding, visit Texas Audubon at www.audubon.org/chapter/tx/tx and the Rio Grande Valley Audubon atwww.riograndedeltaaudubon.org

Don't miss this wonderul opportunity!

5



Field Trips

6

Saturday, September 15, 2007Bolsa Chica PreserveA trip to Orange Countyfor migrant shorebirds.

We will also look for any good landbird

migrants reported.Meet at Memorial Park

at 7 a.m. and bring a lunch.We should return around 3 p.m.

Leader: Dan Guthrie 909-607-

2836.

Sunday, September 23, 2007Bonelli Park Monthy Hike

Join our monthly walk (4th

Sunday, about 2 hours) atBonelli Park. Meet at the Bonelli Park headquarters onVia Verde near the 57 freeway at 8 a.m. Leader: Rod

Higbie

Tuesday, October 2, 2007Prado Regional Park

A half day trip to nearby Chino tolook for water birds, migrants and

vermillion flycatchers. Meet atMemorial Park in Claremont at

7:30 a.m. to carpool. Leader: Dan

Guthrie 909-607-2836.

Sunday, October 7, 2007Beginner’s Bird WalkRancho Santa Ana Botanic GardenJoin us for our monthly (rst Sunday, Sept. through June)

bird walk at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens.Bring binoculars if you have them. Adults and children

welcome. The walk is at and slow and takes about twohours. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the front entry gate (north end

of College Ave. north of Foothill Blvd. 1500 N. CollegeAve.) Leaders: Fraser Pemberton 909-624-6451.

Saturday, October 13, 2007Galileo HillA trip north to desert oases for late migrants, earlywintering species, and possible eastern vagrants. Meet

at Memorial Park at 6 a.m. Bring a lunch. Leader: Dan

Guthrie 900-607-2836.

Saturday, October, 27, 2007Village VentureCome visit our booth at the Claremont Street Faire!

Saturday-Sunday, October 27-28, 2007Morro Bay Weekend Field TripMeet at the base of Morro Rock in Morro Bay at 8 a.m

for a weekend of birding to the north. We will do coastal birding on Saturday and on Sunday bird down the coast

at Oceano and other areas. Leader: Dan Guthrie: 909-

607-2836

Sunday, October 28, 2007Bonelli Park Monthy HikeJoin our monthly walk (4th Sunday, about 2 hours) atBonelli Park. Meet at the Bonelli Park headquarters on

Via Verde near the 57 freeway at 8 a.m. Leader: Rod

Higbie

Sunday, November 4, 2007Beginner’s Bird Walk,Rancho Santa Ana Botanic GardenJoin us for our monthly (rst Sunday, Sept. through June bird walk at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens

Bring binoculars if you have them. Adults and childrenwelcome. The walk is at and slow and takes about two

hours. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the front entry gate (north endof College Ave. north of Foothill Blvd. 1500 N. CollegeAve.) Leaders: Fraser Pemberton 909-624-6451.

Tuesday, November 6, 2007Santa Fe Dam, Half day Trip

Meet at Memorial Park at 7:30 am for a half day trip to

Irwindale for wintering ducks, ycatchers and sparrows

Leader: Dan Guthrie 909-607-2836



PVAS OFFICERS 2007-2008

President.Dan.Guthrie.909-607-2836Vice-President.Bruce.Strang. 626-339-6984Secretary.Pam.Kling.909-596-7604.Treasurer.Neil.Gilbert. 909-626-0334.Board.Member..Nancy.Strang. 626-339-6984Board.Member.Dick.Moore. 909-626-1127.Board.Member.Pat.Higbie. 909-599-6526.Board.Member.Rod.Higbie. 909-599-6526

COMMITTEE CHAIRSConservation.Dick.Moore. 909-626-1127Education.Dan.Guthrie.909-607-2836Field.Trips.Dan.Guthrie.909-607-2836Membership.Dan.Guthrie.909-607-2836Volunteers.Open!...Publications.Neil.Gilbert.909-626-0334Publicity.Shirley.Harris.909-982-9727Door.Prizes.Karlene.Campo. 909-627-8191Hospitality.Gloria.Slosberg.909-626-4754.Website.Open!..

CHAPARRAL NATURALIST

Editor.Pam.Kling.596-7604

TheChaparral Naturalist .is.published.bimonthly,.except.July.and.August.by.the.Pomona.Valley. Audubon.Society..Copy.deadline.is.the.last.Thursday.of.the.month..Articles.may.be.reprinted.without.permission,.but.please.give.credit.to.the.author.and.the.Chaparral Naturalist .We.encourage.members.to.submit.articles.and.photos.by.email.at.pamtone@verizon.net

Subscriptions.to.the.newsletter.are.available.for.$10.per.year.to.non-members..Make checkspayable to PVAS and mail to W. M. KeckScience Center, 925 N. Mills Ave., Claremont,CA 91711.

Name__________________________________________

Address________________________________________

City, State, Zip___________________________________Chapter Code: Pomona Valley Audubon CO8, 7XCHYou may also join National Audubon via our website at:

http://www.ca.audubon.org/chapters.html/

7

National Audubon MembershipAnnual membership in the National Audubon Society is$30 per year. New membership dues are $20. Membersreceive the Audubon Magazine and Chaparral Naturalist newsletter. Renewals of membership are computerized by National Audubon and should not be sent to PVAS. How-ever, a new membership may be sent directly to PVAS.

Make checks payable to National Audubon Society. Mailpayment with membership form below and mail to PVAS,W. M. Keck Science Center, 925 North Mills Avenue,Claremont, CA 91711. (Please note chapter code number,CO8, 7XCH on your check.)

CALIFORNIA AUDUBONASSEMBLY 2007

Every two years California Audubon hosts a state wide

assembly of chapter members and representatives. Thisyear’s meeting is at Asilomar Conference Grounds in

Pacic Grove October 7-9. The theme is Global Warmingand Wildlife, and the conference will involve daily

programs, field trips and social get togethers. Go towwww.audubon-ca.org for up to date information on this

gathering. It is an excellent chance to see what Audubonis doing at the state and national level and hear about the

programs of other chapters.

San Diego Bird Festival

February 6 -11, 2008 Kenn Kaufman Keynote Speaker

Trip & Workshop leader

Last year 224 bird species were reported including Blue-

footed Booby and Crested Caracara! This year there will be trips to the desert, mountains, coast, and chaparral,

pelagic and overnight to Baja CA Mexico. A specialaddition will be an overnight trip to the Salton Sea. An

all-day Digiscoping class with in the eld experiencesponsored by Swarovski Optik is one of the fourteen

workshops offered. The Festival includes three-day opticsand vendors fair!

For a Festival brochure and registration informationcontact us at: sandiegoaudubon.org or 619-682-7200

Attached is an announcement for your newsletter. Wewould appreciate your help spreading the word about the

San Diego Audubon 's Bird Festival.

If you need further assistance please contact Ann Hannon

[email protected]



Membership Meetings

Pomona Valley Audubon SocietyW.M. Keck Science Center925 North Mills AvenueClaremont, CA 91711

Printed on recycled paper by Moore-Bergstrom Co., 1341 W. Brooks, Ontario , CA

Return Service Requestedhttp://faculty.jsd.claremont.edu/dguthrie/pvas/

NON-PROFIT.ORGUS.POSTAGE.

PAIDCLAREMONT,.CA

PERMIT..NO.240

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Dan Guthrie

“Birding the Outpostsof Asia, Mongolia andthe Moluccas"Our esteemed Chapter President

will present a program about someof his recent trips to Asia. This

will introduce us to Asian birdingas well as to two of the more remote

areas for a birding trip.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

John Moir“Return of the Condor:The Race to Save Our Largest Bird from Extinction”Award-winningscience wr i ter

John Moir willtell the riveting

story of the California

Condor’s dramatic rescue from the brink of extinction. John is author of the new book by the same name. The presentation

includes rare photos that take youthrough the recovery effort.

More information can befound on his web site www.

returnofthecondor.com.

Pictured from left to right:

Pam Kling, Suzanne Chappell, Dawn Hutchinson, and Karlene Campo

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Pamela Kling and Suzanne Chappell

"Birding North Dakota"

Several members of our chapter signed on for SylviaGallagher's course on the Sparrows of North America held

this last winter. Four even went so far as to travel to NorthDakota in late June in search of sparrows and other northern

prarie specialties. Our Naturalist Editor, Pam Kling

and past Board Member/Bird Class Instructor, SuzanneChappell, will present a program about this trip. It will beillustrated by Pam’s superb photos.

Meetings are held in Bauer Forum of Claremont McKennaCollege. Evenings begin with a bird identifcation sessionat 7:00 p.m., followed by refreshments, a short businessmeeting, and our evening program.

New

Date!

Documents

September-October 2007 Chaparral Naturalist - Pomona Valley Audubon Society