President’s Messageby Tom Croom

Our volunteers are what make us one of the most successful Audubon chapters there is. They are the heart and soul of Sea & Sage. And, like volunteer organizations everywhere, volunteers leave for a myriad of reasons. The challenge we face is replacing those who leave.

Currently our chapter has a great need for more volunteers. Our only requirement is that you be friendly, enthusiastic, have a love of nature, and of course, be available for work. We'll teach you the rest. I'm sure one of these opportunities is a perfect fit for each of you. Here are the descriptions of what we have available:

Naturalist - You will lead tours for elementary school children using hands-on materials and interactive questions. You must be able to interact with children in a positive manner and be available for two Tuesday or Thursday mornings each month during the normal school year. Training for this position is normally a nine-day class. Call Trude Hurd at 949-261-7963.

Audubon House Volunteer - You will greet visitors and answer basic questions, make sales, respond to phone calls. No knowledge of birds is necessary. There is a reference manual for answering questions (anything beyond basic stuff is referred to a list of experts). One-shift per month minimum. Two half-day orientations.Call Judy Fritts at 949-551-4513.

Camp Assistant - Prepare activities for our summer bird camps including crafts, posters, handouts, workbooks and more during regular meetings. You must be available for monthly meetings and/or camp weeks. One-day orientation. Call Grace McElhiney at 714-969-9617.

Hospitality Chairperson - Host the refreshment table at the monthly meetings. Buy needed supplies (reimbursed). Arrange for people to bring cookies or other food. Assist Annual Dinner Committee. Call Tom Croom at 714-692-9683.

Exhibits Chairperson - Maintain display materials for exhibits at events such as Earth Day, fairs, etc. (display is lightweight with carrying case). Recruit others to help. About four events per year, usually half-day. Great volunteer work for a couple. Call Tom Croom.

Continued on page 3

General Meeting

Friday, April 21st, 2006

“BUTTERFLIES,Those Other Flying Beauties”

presented by Fred Heath Join Fred Heath, author of An Introduction to Southern California Butterflies, in a slide presentation showing many of our local butterflies. You will find out where, when, and how to find these beautiful creatures as you learn about their habitats, food plants, life cycles, and behavior. Discover answers to questions such as, how long do they live or what is the difference between a butterfly and a moth?

An avid birder since his early teens in New York City, Fred became fascinated by butterflies 30 years later in Southern California. This in turn has led to an overall interest in the natural world. He has lectured, led field trips, written many articles about birds and butterflies and co-authored the National Audubon Society Field Guide to California. Fred holds or has held positions on the board of directors of LA Audubon, North American Butterfly Association (NABA) and the Los Angeles Chapter of NABA (LANABA).

We hope you will join us for this special program. The doors open at 7:00 and the meeting starts at 7:30 pm. We will meet at the Irvine Ranch Water District Board Meeting Room at 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue in Irvine.

Jay & Marquita Miller, Program Co-Chairs

Directions to our General Meeting

Our meetings are held in the Board Meeting Room of the Irvine Ranch Water District's main office on the east side of Sand Canyon Ave. at the intersection of Water Works and Sand Canyon, in the city of Irvine. If you are coming by freeway, Sand Canyon may be accessed from both Santa Ana Frwy (5) or San Diego Frwy (405); there are ramps from both the north and the south. [The Irvine Ranch Water District neither supports nor endorses the cause or activities of organizations which use the district's meeting rooms, which are made available as a public service.)

Wandering Tattler

The Voice of SEA & SAGE AUDUBON, an Orange County Chapter of the National Audubon Society

April 2006Volume 55, Number 7 John Schmitt

Does it seem that as Orange County gets built out that conservation work will slow down? One would think that all the dedications of open space to mitigate for development would leave us in pretty good shape. After all, most of the property is designated as a park or in some sort of conservancy. Unfortunately, and perhaps not surprisingly, land designated as open space, park, conservancy or reserve is now and will be under new development and financial pressures that threaten their existence. Infrastructure improvements such as toll-roads, expanding recreation needs and low operating budgets are threatening open spaces that all of us have already bought and paid for.

It was only five years ago that the City of Irvine was considering allowing a golf course to be built on dedicated open space. Sea and Sage Audubon members had to step in and spend time protecting Quail Hill from development for a second time. In this case the golf course developer and some city officials had a clearly incorrect understanding of the term permanent open space. Last year, a group of concerned citizens in Laguna Beach, led by Penny Alias, formed a coalition, comprised of local residents and representatives from larger environmental organizations, to keep an Orange County Wilderness Park property out of the hands of development. The group had to fight hard to keep the Montage Company from purchasing land in Aliso and Woods Canyons Wilderness Park. Cash-strapped Orange County Harbors Beaches and Parks had seriously considered selling off a portion of your park to expand a golf course and build condos. In fact, had Supervisor Tom Wilson not stepped in and halted the somewhat secretive deal-making process, it might have gone through.

In south Orange County, the Foothill Transportation Corridor Agency plans to build its toll-road not only through part of the Donna O Neill Land Conservancy, but also through the San Onofre State Park. The Conservancy was set aside as mitigation for the Talega housing development. It is so hard to describe just how upsetting it is to have to fight to save open space that is already bought and paid for as permanent open space. The most frightening thought might be that these properties are actually targets for projects such as toll-roads and infrastructure because they are cheaper to purchase, having been taken off the development market!

Chino Hills State Park, just outside Orange County, has had to fight at least twice now to keep major highway proposals from bisecting the park. This just doesn t seem like the type of thing that any one should have to fight over.

Highway and transportation agencies have been studying a tunnel through the Cleveland National Forest from Riverside County to Orange County. While they are quick to point out a tunnel s environmental superiority to a road across Saddleback Mountain, they also had to identify the need to take designated open space. As currently proposed, the tunnel would exit in Santiago Canyon, where the above-ground section would cut straight across Limestone Canyon to meet the 241/ 261 toll roads. Limestone Canyon is currently managed as permanent open space by the Nature Conservancy, in reserve as part of the Irvine Company s Irvine Ranch Land Reserve.

In Newport Beach, a deal is being worked over that some fear might lessen the protection of Upper Newport Bay. The California Department of Fish and Game and Orange County Harbors, Beaches and Parks both are considering handing management of Upper Newport Bay to the City of Newport Beach. Some fear the city will not uphold the same standard of wildlife management that the state and county have. Currently we are waiting to see exactly what the details are in a soon-to-be proposed management plan. And, it s hard not to recall how a good number of Newport Beach citizens recently were upset with strict habitat regulations. Unfortunately, many people seem to view Upper Newport Bay as either a large doggy park or an under-utilized recreation area. Many other people worry that this view could have undue influence on how the city would manage the Bay.

To be fair, both the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) and Orange County Harbors Beaches and Parks (OCHBP) are under unfair and severe financial pressures. The state does not properly fund CDFG. OCHBP was forced to take on a large part of the county s stock bankruptcy debt, despite the fact that OCHBP was not even invested in the county deal. And because OCHBP is designated as a special district, it is further financially burdened with debt from the California state deficit. Both CDFG and OCHBP are compelled to seek cost-cutting measures, but the costs may be at the expense of the natural resources that are under their protection.

As the presently planned housing tracts and developments are finished, heads will turn to our open spaces. Reserves, parks and sanctuaries will become bigger targets for development and infrastructure. The Cleveland National Forest is likely to be the next big target. Then who knows – offshore? Beware.

Please join the Conservation Committee and help us monitor the many issues threatening environmental quality in Orange County. Contact Susan Sheakley or Scott

Conservation NewsBeware of Threats to Open Space, Parks and Reservesby Scott Thomas, Conservation Co-Chair

2 Sea & Sage Audubon, April 2006Thomas.

Thanks for Your Help!

We would like to thank the following people for volunteering to staff Audubon House in March and April: Sonia Appell, Constance Cassady, Barbara Chidester, Tom Drouet, Fresia Escalona, Frank Feller, Judy Fritts, Virginia Gochenour, Keats Hayden, Pat Heilig, Sarah Jayne, Steve Jelnick, Lois Jones, Nancy Kenyon, Donna Krebs, Mary Martineau, Joan McCauley, Bobbie Miller, Betty Purdy, Barbara Reber, Gloria Schlaepfer, Mary Shandy, Bev Spring, Betty Swift, Celia Vorsanger.

President’s Message - continued from page 1

Birdathon Chairperson - Recruit volunteers for once-a-year Birdathon fund-raising event. Coordinate and account for donations. Great fun and comradeship. Call Tom Croom.

Finance Committee member - We need someone that is a C.P.A. or has a strong accounting background to be involved with our Finance Committee. Provide advice and guidance on the chapter finances including restructuring our financial statements. Meets approximately four times a year. Call Tom Croom.

As you can see, we have something for everyone. If you've been considering getting more active in the chapter now is the time. Pick up the phone and make that call.

News from the Bookstore

A few new titles just in, are March of the Penguins and Pete Dunne's Essential Field Guide Companion. Now in stock, new t-shirt designs (Bird Tracks, Hatching, Emperor Penguins, Owls, Puffins, Eagle, Grebes, Sage Grouse and Ivory-billed Woodpecker on tree) in a variety of colors (blue, green, purple, red). Also check out our new dragonfly and bird earrings. This month's special sale - Peterson's Field Guide to Hummingbirds of NA (was $21.50 now $15.00), Warblers of the Americas (was $42 now $27) and all remaining VHS tapes on various topics (prices as marked $5-$17).

Thanks for Your Support

We would like to thank the following businesses that donated goods for our raffle and urge you to support them: Eagle Optics, Disneyland, Ironstone Vineyard Winery, Polo Properties of Newport Beach, Wild Birds Unlimited of Huntington Beach, Trader Joe's of Yorba Linda, Henry's Marketplace of Yorba Linda, SoCal Self Storage of Rancho Santa Margarita.. Please tell them you are from Sea & Sage Audubon and how much you appreciate their support.

Annual Dinner

It is always so amazing to attend a Sea and Sage Annual Dinner. This year the volunteers were busy setting up the room hours before the crowd arrived and were still there as the evening closed. Many thanks to each of you who shared your time to make this annual event a success. Our volunteers are the best! This was our most gracious year ever, thanks to Gillian Martin's flair with decorating. We never had it so good. A beautiful color scheme, table favors, flowers and balloons made the room festive for the 200 people who sold out the evening. Jay and Marquita Miller brought us a thought provoking speaker who had first- hand experience with the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Tim Gallagher's expeditions into the Arkansas swamps on his quest for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker entertained the assembled. Tom Croom, our president, was the perfect master of ceremonies. Rick Derevan accepted our conservation award; it would be hard to find a more devoted conservationist. Susan Sheakley presented the new slate of officers. Commencing this summer, Al Baumann will step up to the presidency of Sea and Sage. It takes a special person to give the time necessary to serve on an active board such as Sea & Sage and these people deserve our support. The conservation co-chairs, Scott Thomas and Susan Sheakley, presented our annual conservation program and gave us some insight into the future. Besides spectacular raffle baskets, we had an active and interesting silent auction that included such diverse fare as a Catalina Island house rental, theatre tickets, polo lessons, Newport Harbor cruise, hand crafted basketry, astronomical telescope, beautiful photographic art and may other interesting and avidly bid for items. Every item was donated. The Chapter really appreciates your generosity. All monies collected from the auction and raffle help support Sea & Sage's many programs: conservation, adult, youth and children's education, programs and workshops. Those of you who want receipts for donated items should send your requests to robcatwaters@earthlink.net). And our final thank you goes to each of you who reached into your pockets and purchased a raffle ticket or bid on a prize. You made a real difference. See you at the summer barbecue!

—Cat Waters

Chapter News For more information on Sea & Sage events & activities, check out our chapter webpage at: http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org

Wandering Tattler, April 2006 3

In general, February is a time when a large percentage of the bird reports involve updates on wintering rarities, the majority of which were discovered much earlier in the winter. Towards the end of the winter period most of the county s best birding locations have already been scoured, and with spring migration still at least a month away (for the most part), reports of interesting new discoveries generally are few and far between. Birding activity this past month, however, seemed much higher than usual for this time of year, as were the number of new rarities reported. The following recaps some of the last month s highlights.

A Eurasian Green-winged Teal at Upper Newport Bay (UNB), Feb. 8 (Steve Smith), was presumably the same bird that has wintered here the last four consecutive years. Other first-time reports of unusual waterfowl included Common Goldeneye, with three at the Santa Ana River mouth (SARM), Feb. 6 (Jim Pike), and two at Bolsa Chica (BC), Feb. 12 (S. Smith), and Hooded Merganser, with three at Coyote Hills Golf Course, Feb. 24 (Wes Sircable). Among several new reports of Merlins this past month, one in Huntington Beach, near Bartlett Park, Mar. 4 (Bettina Eastman), showed the apparent characteristics of the subspecies suckleyi. Two Black Oystercatchers at Doheny State Beach (DSB), Mar. 2 (J. Pike), were at a location where rarely seen. Doheny is one of the best locations in the county, however, for unusual gulls, and during the last month both a Glaucous Gull, Feb. 5-17 (Nick and May Freeman), and a Black-legged Kittiwake, Feb. 26 (David Deifik), were observed. A very early Elegant Tern was also at DSB, Mar. 2 (J. Pike).

Among several noteworthy birds reported recently from the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station (SBNWS), a Greater Roadrunner, Feb. 5 (Bob Schallmann), was most intriguing; this facility has long since been isolated from any native scrub habitat that could still support individuals of this quite sedentary species. A Vermilion Flycatcher, six Snow and two Ross s Geese, Ferruginous Hawk and Rock Wren were other local rarities reported from the SBNWS during the last month (B. Schallmann).

An interesting male hummingbird at the California State Fullerton Arboretum, Jan. 29-Feb. 12 (Doug Willick), showed intermediate plumage characteristics between Costa s and Anna s, and gave

atypical vocalizations for either species. The breeding range for these two Calypte species overlap in the coastal portion of southern California, and birds showing hybrid characteristics are occasionally encountered. A previously unreported Red-naped Sapsucker was at Tri-City Park, Feb. 11 (Peyton Cook). A Gray Flycatcher along the upper Santa Ana River (in Orange), Feb. 8-18 (Dick Purvis), was amazingly the eleventh found this winter! Another Vermilion Flycatcher, this one at the Lake Forest Golf and Practice Course, Feb. 15 (Don Snicker), became the third reported in the county this winter.

A Cassin s Vireo (at least the second found in the county this winter) was in the Olive Hills Reservoir area of Anaheim Hills, Feb. 18 (D. Willick); one was present at this exact location two winters ago. Quite surprising was the discovery of a Yellow-billed Magpie at BC, Jan. 30-Feb. 17 (Al Borodayko, et.al.). Although this relatively sedentary species has turned up in other counties outside its range (e.g., Los Angeles County), it is generally felt that these occurrences have all involved birds that have escaped (or been released) from captivity.

A Rock Wren in Yorba Linda, Feb. 10 (D. Willick), was an odd sight, due to the fact it was frequenting a large dirt construction yard where the only “habitat” was widely scattered construction equipment and vehicles. Two Golden-crowned Kinglets in Carbon Canyon Regional Park, Feb. 11 (P. Cook), were noteworthy in light of this species scarcer than normal presence this winter in southern California. Following several Sage Thrasher records in January, another turned up in the county this past month when one was discovered Feb. 9 (Becky Stewart) during on-going bird studies being conducted at the Starr Ranch Audubon Sanctuary. A MacGillivray s Warbler at Huntington Central Park (HCP), Mar. 1 (Dick and Pat Cabe), had been undoubtedly wintering locally. Although quite rare in winter in southern California, a MacGillivray s (presumably the same individual) had been observed here Nov. 29, 2005 (J. Pike); spring migrants generally do not appear in the region until early to mid April. Although a Swamp Sparrow reported at HCP on Mar. 1 (the Cabes) may have been a new arrival, it is possible this bird may have been wintering here as

well, as a late fall Swamp Sparrow was also observed at HCP on Oct. 29 (J. Pike). A Hooded Oriole at DSB, Feb. 6 (J. Pike), was one of few found wintering in the county this year. Several Lawrence s Goldfinches at Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, Feb. 26 (Brad Dawson), were likely early spring migrants. Five Western Tanagers at Santiago Park, Feb. 4 (D. Willick), was a noteworthy concentration here in winter.

A number of the rarities found earlier this winter continue their stays into February. The following provides a run-down of the most significant of these. This has undoubtedly been the best year ever for Reddish Egrets in the county, and it is now difficult to ascertain how many have actually been present. One to two have extensively been observed and photographed at BC, with three being reported on more than one occasion (the latest being Mar. 8)! In addition to BC, up to two have recently been present at the SBNWS, although it is quite possible that at least some of these egrets are commuting back and forth between these two large coastal estuaries. One Reddish Egret continues to be seen regularly at the Santa Ana River mouth, and another was photographed at UNB, Feb. 4 (Sam Stewart), where one was last seen in November 2005. Cattle Egrets (five) were seen again at Laguna Niguel Regional Park, where a wintering adult male American Redstart was also refound, Mar. 1 (P. Cook). Lingering waterfowl of note included six Snow and two Ross s Geese at the SBNWS, Feb. 5 (Bob Schallmann), Eurasian Wigeon at UNB (many observers), and up to a couple Hooded Mergansers at HCP.

At BC, the wintering Pacific Golden-Plover was last reported Mar. 5 (Gary Peebles).

The male Broad-billed Hummingbird wintering in Mission Viejo again entertained multiple observers on Feb. 20 and 22 (Dick Erickson, Oscar Johnson, Marshall Iliff, Scott and Linda Terrill, Rob Fowler), and the adult male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Santiago Oaks was seen again Feb. 26 (D. Willick). Gray Flycatchers continued at HCP (through Feb. 24), Mile Square Park (Feb. 12) and at Santa Ana Cemetery (to Mar. 8). The Dusky-capped Flycatcher at Mesa Verde County Club was finally refound on Feb. 22 (Rob Fowler).

continued on page 11

Rarities in Orange Countyby Doug WillickTo report a RARE or UNUSUAL bird, or to receive the current RBA reportfor Orange County, call the OC RBA at (949) 487-6869.

4 Sea & Sage Audubon, April 2006

Red throated Loon 2 Red-tailed Hawk 71 Band-tailed Pigeon 16 California Thrasher 1

Pacific Loon 5 American Kestrel 66 Mourning Dove 994 European Starling 3121

Common Loon 13 Merlin 5 Common Ground-Dove 2 American Pipit 285

Pied-billed Grebe 162 Peregrine Falcon 9 Red-crowned Parrot 153 Cedar Waxwing 482

Horned Grebe 7 Clapper Rail 63 Greater Roadrunner 2 Nashville Warbler 1

Eared Grebe 156 Virginia Rail 7 Barn Owl 1 Yellow Warbler 3

Western Grebe 2592 Sora 30 Great Horned Owl 5 Chestnut-sided Warbler 1

Clark's Grebe 11 Common Moorhen 12 Burrowing Owl 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler (My.) 8

Black-vented Shearwater 75 American Coot 4169 White-throated Swift 20 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Aud) 4099

American White Pelican 67 Black-bellied Plover 2630 Anna's Hummingbird 629 Black-throated Gray Warbler 2

Brown Pelican 355 Pacific-golden Plover 1 Allen's Hummingbird 260 Black-throated Green Warbler 1

Brandt's Cormorant 30 Snowy Plover 20 Belted Kingfisher 25 Townsend's Warbler 86

Double-crested Cormorant 706 Semipalmated Plover 143 Acorn Woodpecker 2 Black-and-White Warbler 1

Pelagic Cormorant 1 Killdeer 477 Red-breasted Sapsucker 2 American Redstart 1

American Bittern 1 Black-necked Stilt 440 Nuttall's Woodpecker 44 Common Yellowthroat 391

Great Blue Heron 94 American Avocet 538 Downy Woodpecker 23 Wilson's Warbler 9

Great Egret 139 Greater Yellowlegs 115 Northern Flicker 37 Summer Tanager 2

Snowy Egret 232 Lesser Yellowlegs 4 Gray Flycatcher 2 Western Tanager 1

Reddish Egret 3 Willet 888 'Western' Flycatcher 2 Green-tailed Towhee 1

Green Heron 14 Wandering Tattler 3 Black Phoebe 482 Spotted Towhee 61

Black-crowned Night-Heron 97 Spotted Sandpiper 47 Say's Phoebe' 88 California Towhee 122

White-faced Ibis 43 Whimbrel 17 Vermilion Flycatcher 1 Chipping Sparrow 6

Turkey Vulture 151 Long-billed Curlew 77 Dusky-capped Flycatcher 1 Lark Sparrow 7

Canada Goose 1053 Marbled Godwit 766 Cassin's Kingbird 88 Savannah Sparrow (comm 61

Wood Duck 1 Black Turnstone 4 Loggerhead Shrike 5 Savannah Sparrow (Beldin 37

Gadwall 213 Surfbird 8 Plumbeus Vireo 2 Fox Sparrow 14

Eurasian Wigeon 5 Red Knot 9 Hutton's Vireo 8 Song Sparrow 600

American Wigeon 2240 Sanderling 404 Western Scrub-Jay 7 Lincoln's Sparrow 65

Mallard 1533 Western Sandpiper 16826 American Crow 1392 Swamp Sparrow 1

Blue-winged Teal 169 Least Sandpiper 1087 Common Raven 61 White-throated Sparrow 5

Cinnamon Teal 2298 Dunlin 451 Horned Lark 32 Harris' Sparrow 1

Northern Shoveler 1083 Short-billed Dowitcher 5 Tree Swallow 25 White-crowned Sparrow 1099

Northern Pintail 1627 Long-billed Dowitcher 391 N. Rough-winged Swallow 22 Golden-crowned Sparrow 52

Green-winged Teal 498 Wilson's Snipe 39 Barn Swallow 20 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) 113

Canvasback 18 Red Phalarope 3 Mountain Chickadee 3 Dark-eyed Junco (slate-colored) 1

Redhead 101 Pomarine Jaeger 2 Bushtit 1048 Red-winged Blackbird 1056

Ring-necked Duck 42 Bonaparte's Gull 39 Cactus Wren 2 Tricolored Blackbird 5

Greater Scaup 5 Heermann's Gull 283 Bewick's Wren 21 Western Meadowlark 87

Lesser Scaup 1187 Mew Gull 2 House Wren 39 Yellow-headed Blackbird 1

Surf Scoter 1496 Ring-billed Gull 2057 Winter Wren 1 Brewer's Blackbird 406

White-winged Scoter 1 California Gull 2189 Marsh Wren 25 Great-tailed Grackle 102

Bufflehead 506 Herring Gull 10 Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 Brown-headed Cowbird 68

Hooded Merganser 6 Western Gull 578 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 415 Orchard Oriole 1

Red-breasted Merganser 27 Glaucous-winged Gull 3 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 36 Bullock's Oriole 18

Ruddy Duck 2085 Caspian Tern 96 California Gnatcatcher 26 Baltimore Oriole 1

Osprey 19 Royal Tern 1 Western Bluebird 106 House Finch 1992

White-tailed Kite 25 Forster's Tern 161 Hermit Thrush 207 Lesser Goldfinch 151

Northern Harrier 19 Black Skimmer 193 American Robin 65 American Goldfinch 239

Sharp-shinned Hawk 7 Cassin's Auklet 1 Varied Thrush 1 House Sparrow 754

Cooper's Hawk 26 Rhinoceros Auklet 2 Wrentit 15

Red-shouldered Hawk 12 Rock Pigeon 2455 Northern Mockingbird 146

Wandering Tattler, April 2006 5

Coastal Christmas Bird Count (Coastal Areas) - 1/01/06This Christmas Bird Count was organized and compiled by Curtis Johnson. The following areas were covered on this CBC: Westminster Mem. Park & corner Seal Beach NWR; HCP, Wintersberg Channel & Seapoint; Bolsa Chica; Mile Square Park; SA River Mouth, HB Pier, 19th St. Willows, Canyon Park, SA Golf Course; older areas of Santa Ana; Centennial Reg. Park & MCAS Blimp Base; east & west sides of Upper Newport Bay; UCI, San Joaquin Marsh, & SJWS; Mason Reg. Park, UCI Foothills, Corona del Mar; Newport Harbor & Beaches; Coastal Pelagic areas. Total number of species: 200. A copy of the entire count. which includes data from each section, can be found on our chapter webpage at http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org

Editor’s note: This article was written a couple of years ago after a first Birdathon experience. I’ve kept it to rerun because Neal did such a great job describing his feelings as a new member of our team as well as

explaining what Birdathon is all about. Since that first year, Neal has developed into an experienced birder who is especially good at spotting and identifying those partial views one gets of “good” birds which are always lurking in the vegetation. I hope you will experience enough of the excitement of the event, after reading this article, to want to try it yourself this year. See article on the next page for ideas of places to go and how to form your own team. Or — give us a call; we’d be happy to offer some suggestions.

The Morning After by Neal Anderson

It’s Sunday morning. My legs ache from hiking, my shoulders from carrying an overweight scope. But my spirit is in heaven. It’s the day after the Birdathon and all is well.

Friday night and Saturday was my first attempt at a Birdathon and I didn't know what to expect. Mike and Margaret Smith, our chairpersons for this year’s event, found a team that agreed to put up with me for the event, the Wandering Tattlers. I hope they don’t tattle on my ineptitude.

Saturday night at dusk, we assembled at Irvine Regional Park to look for owls, nighthawks and poorwills, in addition to whatever might show up. The five target species that my teammates wanted to find all showed up, so it looked like we were off to a good start.

Sunday morning we were to rendezvous at Audubon House at 5:15 AM, an ungodly hour. With my excitement, I couldn't sleep and got to Audubon House a half hour early. And I wasn't the first one there! Susan and Nancy finally showed up at the appointed time and told me we couldn't count the birds that I had already identified. It seems like at least two members of the team needed to identify the little critters. My first lesson. Off we went to Newport Pier for pelagic species. Again, we weren't the first team there. Next, we traveled down the coast to look for cormorants and a Wandering Tattler. Again we had success.

Up and down the coast we traveled. Back and forth from the coast to the foothills, always in search for something on our list or for something new, we raced against the clock. By dusk, I was exhausted, so too were my teammates, but we had fun.

Would I do it again? You better believe it. I can’t wait for next year's Birdathon to start. Maybe then I will be able to contribute a little bit more to a team. Some of you may wonder what the Birdathon is all about. It’s an event sponsored by National Audubon as a fundraiser. Local Audubon Chapters can participate in the event if they so choose. There are specific rules and regulations, such as the number of members in a team, the method of counting species, the species allowed to be counted, the time allowed, and the areas that can be investigated. The Birdathon happens to be one of our biggest and most successful fund raising events of the year. As a Chapter, we contribute fifty percent of our contribution to further the programs at Audubon California Starr Ranch Sanctuary. For the many of you who have visited the Ranch, you know that our contribution is well spent.

So this year, when the Birdathon rolls around, I will be there and hope to see you there also. If you can’t participate in the challenge of identifying species, please participate by sponsoring a team. Your donations go a long way in supporting our programs here in Orange County.

Birdathon 2006!

6 Sea & Sage Audubon, April 2006

It s Birdathon time again! Time to start thinking about how you will get involved to help Sea and Sage. Birdathon is first and foremost a fundraising event. All money raised by Birdathon teams remains within Orange County, benefiting chapter education and conservation programs, and supporting the Starr Ranch Audubon Sanctuary. And it s a lot of fun too! What could be better than raising money for an important and worthy cause, while doing what birders do anyway?

So go out and do what birders do...spend a few hours in a local park or at San Joaquin Marsh, count species at your backyard feeder or at the end of Newport Pier. You may wish to join in the Big Day competition, to see if your team can find the most birds in 24 hours or better your personal record from previous year(s). Whatever form of birdwatching appeals to you, do it! All you need to do is to get family, friends, coworkers and random strangers to sponsor you a dime or a buck per species. Then go out and have fun. Afterwards you tell your sponsors how hard you worked for their donations, and let me know how you did..

Even if you are not into toting binoculars, you are still a critical part of Birdathon. All those people out in the field looking for birds need a purpose...they need you to sponsor them. So please consider making a donation; envelopes are included in this issue (or mail your donation to the Sea & Sage address). You can sponsor a team or sponsor the chapter as a whole. The top Big Day teams may see up to 185 species, whereas the chapter as a whole will probably total nearly 200. A pledge of only 10 cents per species would benefit the chapter to the tune of $20.

Remember, Birdathon isn t just Big Day teams dashing like lunatics from dawn to dusk (however that IS fun...you ought to try it!). Birdathon is one of the ways that Sea and Sage raises funds for its projects in Education and Conservation, projects that in the long run benefit everyone in Orange County. So everyone reading this should be vitally interested in the success of this event, and the only decision is whether to gather sponsors, or to support the chapter...or both! I ll leave that up to you. If you want more information on how to participate, drop me a line at least by April 16th so that I can get back to you. You ll find my contact info in the Sea and Sage Board roster.

— Steve Alter, Birdathon Chairman

Birdathon, Sat, April 29, 2006!

BIRDATHON PARTICIPATION FORM

___Big Day – I wish to be part of a team; please help me find a team___ Big Sit – I will bird my yard or at the Marsh ___ Favorite Park – I will count birds in my favorite park ___ City Count – I will count birds in the city of ___ I wish to sponsor this person or team___ I will sponsor the chapter: $______ per number of total bird species seen.___ I am sending a donation in the envelope provided

Name:

Address:

Phone: Email:

If you would like to be a part of this year’s Birdathon, please complete this form and mail it to: Birdathon! Sea & Sage Audubon, PO Box 5447, Irvine CA 92616. For more information, contactSteve Alter by phone at (714) 669-9482 or by email at <scalter1@pacbell.net>

PETERS CANYON Sun, April 2nd - 7:30 am

Peter s Canyon is a regional park which boasts a variety of habitats and birds. The walk will be cancelled if there has been recent rain. Directions: From #5 Freeway, take Jamboree east. Turn left on Canyon View Ave., not far from Santiago Cyn Rd. From #55 Fwy, take Chapman east. Turn right on Jamboree and right again on Canyon View; the park will be on your left. Be prepared to pay the $5 parking fee into the machine if you don t have a regional parks decal. The regional parks card/pass cannot be used.

Steve & Marian Alter, Leaders 949-669-9482

MONTHLY BIRD WALK Sun, April 9th - 8:00 am

Join Chris Obaditch for a monthly bird walk around the ponds of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary on the 2nd Sunday morning of each month at 8:00 am. The walk, which is open to interested birders of all ages, will meet by the front door of Audubon House. (See directions on page 11.) Children under the age of 11 must be accom-panied by an adult. For more info, call Audubon House, 949-261-7963.

Chris Obaditch, Leader

BACK COUNTRY BIRD WALK at Starr Ranch ® Mon, April 10th - 8:00 am

Join Becky Stewart at Starr Ranch Sanctuary for an exploratory bird walk into the more remote areas of the sanctuary not normally seen on our visits there. Becky will transport the group by truck so reservations will be necessary. This is your chance to explore new areas of the ranch as well as see and hear a lot of great birds. Contact Nancy Kenyon for reservations at 949-786-3160.

EL DORADO REG. PARKFri., April 14th - 8:30 am

This park is situated along the San Gabriel River and is located off the 605 Frwy between the 405 & the 91 in Long Beach. It offers several hundred acres of productive birding with a variety in habitats. Directions: Exit the 605 freeway at Katella (Willow). Follow the ramp west to Willow; (Katella becomes Willow), go to Studebaker Rd and turn north (right). Go to Spring St. and turn east (right). Continue for 3/4 mile to the park entrance on the right. We will meet in the parking lot at 8:30 am; there is a fee for parking. Restroom facilities are available. Bring a picnic lunch. Outing will be finished by 1:00 pm.

Dick Purvis, Leader714-776-8878

SANTIAGO OAKS Reg. ParkSat, April 15th - 8:00 am

The multitude of trees, riparian areas, coastal sage scrub, grassy hillsides, cactus, etc. are a natural mecca for a variety of birds, all of which should be “singing up a storm” at this time of year. We will bird until noon. Directions: Take the #55 Fwy. to Katella in Orange. Exit and drive east on Katella 3.2 miles to Windes Dr. Or, take Jamboree toward the mountains, all the way to its intersection with Santiago Cyn Rd; turn left and follow Santiago to Windes Dr. Turn right on Windes and follow it to the park. Be prepared to pay the $5 entrance fee.

Doug Willick, Leader

LAGUNA NIGUEL Reg. ParkWed, April 19th - 7:30 am This park in the southern end of the county is a great place to see orioles and other spring migrants, as well as water birds on the lake. DIRECTIONS: From the San Diego Fwy (I-5) exit at La Paz Rd and drive south towards Laguna Niguel. The park entrance is on the right shortly after crossing Aliso

Creek Road. Entrance fee is $3, or by annual pass. Meet at the first parking lot to the left of the entrance by Picnic Shelters #5 and #6. Bring binoculars, a scope if you have one, water and a snack. The field trip will end at noon. Paul Klahr, Leader 949-837-2177

EL MORO CANYON Sun, April 30th - 7:30 am

Crystal Cove State Park has numerous excellent birding areas; on this trip we will visit 2-3 important ones: the Los Trancos parking; the beach for shorebirds if there s time, then on to El Moro Canyon. Directions: The Los Trancos parking area is on the inland side of Pacific Coast Hwy. 1/2 mile south of the Newport Coast/ Pelican Point traffic signal, and is 1.3 miles north of the El Moro School/ State Park traffic signal.Park entrance fee is $10, or $8 for seniors, so it is advisable to carpool. Bring binoculars, water, sunblock, hat and snack. The trip will end about 1:00 pm.

Paul Klahr, Leader 949-837-2177

KERN RIVER WEEKEND TRIP Sat/Sun - May 20-21 ® Trip will include a variety of habitats: high desert, Great Basin, cottonwood-willow riparian, forest, redwood meadows, & mountains. It will cover late spring migration, nesting season species & eastern vagrants. It will be led by Bob Barnes who will diligently work with the group to learn and practice both sight & sound bird ID, as well as pointing out behavioral traits and status & distribution for several species. Trip fee $45 for 2 days, $35 for 1 day. Advance reservations necessary. Make check payable to Sea & Sage; mail to Kern River FT, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612. Additional trip information is on chapter webpage.Bob Barnes, Leader

April Field TripsIf you have questions about the trips, call Nancy Kenyon, Field Trip Chair, at 949-786-3160, or contact her by e-mail at: NancyKenyon@cox.net (Trips marked with a ® require advance reservations.)

8 Sea & Sage Audubon, April 2006

Just 2 hours a week (or more) of your time would help protect the

threatened Western Snowy Plovers and the endangered Least Terns at the preserve located at the mouth of the Santa Ana River. Last year, the program was successful due to the help of caring people like you. About 80 of the terns fledged! We need your help again this year. Docents attend a one-hour orientation and are given all the information and materials needed, including a parking pass. (Just bring your binocs.) The program is now beginning for 2006. To attend the next orientation, call David Pryor, State Park Ecologist, at 949-497-1421. Returning docents contact Cheryl Egger, 714-842-9232; dc.egger@verizon.net For more information on the program, see our chapter webpage.

IF you want to help students (our future generations)

understand, value, and appreciate the environment,

wetlands, and birds;

IF you would like to learn more about birds and the

wetlands;

IF you like working with young students;

IF you would like to see a great blue heron or a

greater roadrunner cross the path in front of you;

IF you like hearing the students say, “this is the best

field trip ever!”;

IF you would like to have some extra birding time at

the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary;

IF you would like to get some fresh air and stretch

your legs a bit;

IF you would like to be part of an active educational

experience with other Sea & Sage members and know

you will make a difference in some young person’s life

experience for a long time to come,

THEN you will want to volunteer to become a part of

the naturalist program.

Friends of Shipley Nature Center to

Host Spring Festival April 29

The Shipley Nature Center will be alive with activities on April 29th when the first annual Spring Festival will be hosted by the Friends of Shipley Nature Center.

The Center is located within Huntington Beach's Central Park and parking is located between Slater and Talbert (going South bound).The event will be open from 9 am to 2 pm and the activities will include:

9 am Continental Breakfast9 am California Native Plant Sale10 am- Nature Friendly Community booths open10:30 am- Demonstration Garden's Dedication with the

Metropolitan Water District11:30 am- Recycling / Green Waste Demonstration12 pm- Diorama Dedication12:30 pm- Habitat Tour

Entertainment, fun and a number of surprises are planned.The Shipley Nature Center is now open Monday through Thursday and Saturday's 9 am to 1 pm. A nice selection California Native Plants are for sale during hours of operation. For further information contact the center at 714 842-4772 or email at shipleynature@yahoo.com.

Summer Activities at the San Joaquin

Marsh Filling Up Fast!

Sea & Sage has planned some great activities for you and your family this summer at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine; space is limited and they are filling up fast. We hope you won t be left out! We have SUMMER BAT WALKS on selected Friday evenings May through August and 2 different NATURE DAY CAMPS: “Fledgling Camp” for 7-8 year olds and “Marsh Bird Camp” for 9-12 year olds. For information, visit our chapter webpage at http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org , call Audubon House at 949-261-7963, or stop by for a brochure.

Margaret Smith

Sea & Sage members were saddened to hear our former secretary, Margaret Smith, died suddently at her home on March 17th. Condolences can be sent to her husband, Mike Smith at:

Wesley House, Main StreetChurch FentonTadcaster, UKLS249RF

Important Announcements for those who want to make a difference!

Wandering Tattler, April 2006 9

We Could Really Use Your Help!

— Gloria Schlaepfer

Imagine a feather. Light and fluffy yet very strong, a feather is capable of a variety of purposes. It is perfectly designed to help birds succeed on earth. However, it makes me sneeze from allergies but keeps other people toasty warm in feather down comforters and sleeping bags.

The most important purpose of feathers is to provide the bird with insulation. Birds are warm-blooded, averaging 102-105°F body temperature, from the penguin surrounded by ice to the roadrunner in the desert heat. Feathers help them retain or lose heat. Birds on a cold day will fluff up their feathers so that air can be trapped next to their warm body. These pockets of air make a warm layer against the cold. On a hot day, birds will hold their feathers tightly against their bodies. This squeezes out air that would interfere with releasing excess body heat.

Feathers are essential for flight. The arrangement of the various feathers (primaries, secondaries, coverts, etc) keeps the wing surface smooth so air flows evenly around the wings. This prevents friction or turbulence that would interfere with flight. Also important is the wing shape. Different species have their own special shape such as long and narrow or short and broad to allow the bird to fly fast, fly slow through the woods, or soar on the wind. Go, feathers!

Drab feather colors can help a bird hide. Browns and blacks camouflage the Common Poorwill, bitterns, and female ducks. Blotches of color can disguise birds and make them difficult to see. Think of the Western Meadowlark singing while perched on a shrub with its bright yellow underparts shining in the sun. Then it flies and lands on the ground and it is GONE. The broken pattern on its upperparts helps it to disappear against the grasses.

Dramatic colors can help birds communicate. Many male songbirds are more strikingly colored to gain the attention of females and to defend their territory from potential rivals. For example, the red-winged blackbird flashes his red shoulders patches, and the male common peafowl (a.k.a. peacock) fans and shakes his upper tail coverts.

Many birds line their nests with feathers to help warm the developing eggs. Perhaps the most famous is the eider who plucks her own breast feathers to cushion her eggs. Tree Swallows collect molted feathers of other birds to line the wooden nest boxes at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Audubon researchers remove the old feathers and sticks so the swallows can re-nest without harm from nest parasites. This summer, look for these discarded feathers at the base of the Tree Swallow nest boxes!Some specialized feathers have unique uses. Have you watched a woodpecker or sapsucker brace itself with its tail

against a tree trunk? Those tail feathers have a wide shaft and very stiff vanes for support. Bristles around the mouth of aerial insect-eaters like flycatchers, swallows, swifts and poorwills were thought to help with tactilesensation, but recent research indicates that these bristles help to keep insects out of the bird s eyes!

Other special feathers include an owl s facial disk that helps funnel sound to its ear openings so it can locate prey. The drumming of grouse wings produces sound important in the male s courtship ritual. What about those crests and plumes on the quail, titmouse, horned lark and horned owls? Hmmm, if you know their purpose, please let me know!

Feathers are important to people, too. Before ball-point pens, colonial Americans wrote with quill pens from sturdy wing feathers of the barnyard goose (or turkey, crow, swan or gull.) Houses were cleaned with ostrich feather dusters. Native American hunting arrows incorporated feathers to fly straight. Nowadays, fly fishermen make lures from special chicken feathers to fool fish into thinking an insect has hit the water.

Throughout history, humans have hunted birds for their feathers. Hawaiian kings, African chieftains, and North American Plains Indians wore capes, necklaces and headdresses of brightly-colored feathers. In the late 1800 s, it was fashionable for American women to wear feathers in their hats. Especially popular were the feathers of herons, egrets, albatrosses, ostriches, and birds-of-paradise. Frank Chapman, an ornithologist from the American Museum of Natural History, identified 40 species of birds decorating women s hats on a stroll through the streets of New York City in 1886. Feathers of cedar waxwing, northern flicker, common tern, northern bobwhite, snow bunting and northern oriole were most abundant on the hats he observed. The slaughter of birds for the millinery industry (hat feathers) enraged bird lovers and led George Bird Grinnell to form the Audubon Society in 1886. Thankfully, bird feathers are now protected along with the live bird, and it is illegal to wear wild bird feathers.

Keep feathers where they belong…on the birds!

Pond Ponderings: Light as a Featherby Trude HurdProject Director for our chapter’s Education Program

10 Sea & Sage Audubon,April 2006

A Cassin s and Plumbeus Vireo remained at least into February at HCP, while other wintering Plumbeus Vireos were along the upper Santa Ana River in Anaheim (Feb. 10), at the Cal State Fullerton Arboretum (Feb. 12), and at Craig Regional Park (Feb. 1). Mountain Chickadees continued to be reported from numerous locations around the county.

Several of our warbler rarities known to be wintering in the county were relocated, including the Black-throated Green at Orange Coast College (through Feb. 25), a Chestnut-sided and Northern Waterthrush at HCP (through Feb. 25 and Mar. 4, respectively), and two young male American Redstarts (in addition to the one in Laguna Niguel), with one at the Environmental Nature Center (Feb. 24), and the other along the upper Santa Ana River (Feb. 18). Other rarities continued to be seen at HCP, including a Summer Tanager and up to two White-throated Sparrows. The adult Harris s Sparrow in Mile Square Park s nature area was last reported Feb. 20. And last but not least, a Green-tailed Towhee that has been a welcome guest in an Irvine backyard through the winter was last seen Mar. 5 (Nancy Kenyon).

Directions to

AUDUBON HOUSE and the SJWS

8:00 am - 4:00 pm daily (949) 261-7963

From the San Diego Frwy. (405), exit on Jamboree south toward Newport Beach. At the 1st signal, Michelson, turn left. Continue on Michelson to the 3rd signal which is Riparian View; turn right toward the Irvine Ranch Water District plant. Follow the signs directing you to Audubon and the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Follow the sign directing you to turn right down a short hill into our parking lot. The first house you see will be Audubon House; parking is ample. Beyond Audubon House are the ponds and marsh mitigation areas of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary which are open every day from dawn until dusk.

Tattler Subscriptions Non-Audubon members, or members from other Audubon chapters, who wish to subscribe to our chapter newsletter, may do so for $12.50 per year, for regular mailing. Those who wish to receive their newsletter faster, by 1st class postage, may do so for an additional $6.00. Make check payable to: SEA and SAGE AUDUBON and mail to: Tattler Subscriptions, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612.

Tattler DeliveryThose of you who read the Tattler cover to cover, know that Sea and Sage is trying to cut their expenses. We now post the Tattler on our chapter website. Members who wish to receive monthly email notification that the latest issue of the Tattler is online, should email NancyKenyon@cox.net . This method of Tattler delivery not only helps cut costs and conserve resources, it also is much faster since the Tattler is posted immediately after it has been delivered to the printer.

Wandering Tattler, April 2006 11

Membership ApplicationMembership: We invite you to become a member of the National Audubon Society and theSea & Sage Audubon chapter. To join: Please make your check payable to: NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY,complete this form, and mail it along with your payment to: Sea & Sage Audubon, PO Box 5447,Irvine CA 92616-5447. National Audubon Society Membership: Check one [ ] [ ] NEW MEMBERSHIP: $20 - Individual or Family members [ ] RENEWAL: $35 - Regular Membership[ ] NEW MEMBERSHIP: $15 - Senior Citizen or Student [ ] RENEWAL: $15 - Senior Citizen or Student

Members receive: AUDUBON magazine as well as the WANDERING TATTLER newsletter.

Name

Address

City State Zip

Phone

C15 7xCH

April 2006

Directions toAudubon House

Receivingthe Tattler

OC Raritiescontinued from page 4

BOARD MEMBERS

Executive Committee:President...............................Tom Croom................714-692-9683Vice President.......................Al Baumann............... 949-859-5081Secretary.............................. Marcia Marlowe......... 949-644-0559Treasurer.............................. Neal Anderson...........714-441-0491Director 2006........................ Diane Bonanno..........714-572-9911Director 2006........................ Tim Maas...................714-960-2624Director 2007........................ Laura Wantz.............. 949-494-4046Director 2007........................ Pete DeSimone......... 949-858-0309Director 2008........................ Colleen Harber.......... 949-338-3084Director 2008........................ Sandy DeSimone.......848-858-0309Past President...................... Chris Obaditch...........949-640-7234

Committee Chairpersons:Audubon House Volunteers..Judy Fritts.................. 949-551-4513Birdathon ............................. Steve Alter................. 714-669-9482Bird Information.................... Sylvia Gallagher........ 714-962-8990Christmas Bird Counts..........Curtis Johnson...........714-739-5373Conservation Co-Chair......... Scott Thomas............ 949-859-5588Conservation Co-Chair......... Susan Sheakley.........949-552-5974Counsel.................................Rick Derevan............. 949-253-2700Education .............................Tim Maas...................714-960-2624Exhibits................................. .........................................................Facilities................................Neal Anderson...........714-441-0491Field Trips.............................Nancy Kenyon........... 949-786-3160Finance............................................................................................Fund Raising.........................Cheryl Thomas.......... 949-859-5588Hospitality............................. Carol Getz................. 949-559-5219Membership..........................Phil Brobst................ 949-261-7963Newsletter Editor.................. Nancy Kenyon.......... 949-786-3160Oak Cyn Nature Center ....... Cathy Glasgow. .........714-998-8380Partners in Flight...................Janet Baumann......... 949-859-5081Program Co-Chairs...............Jay & Marquita Miller. 714-549-2912Publicity................................ Catherine Waters.......562-869-6718Publishing............................. Sam Berry..................949-646-1488SJWS Liaison....................... Chris Obaditch...........949-640-7234Starr Ranch/Envir. Liaison....Pete DeSimone......... 949-858-0309

Chapter Office (AUDUBON HOUSE).......949-261-7963Education Project Director......Trude Hurd ..............949-261-7963Project Director Assistant....... Deborah Brin............949-261-7963Administrative Aide ................ Rebecca Craft...........949-261-7963 Sales Manager....................... Debby Thyssen........949-261-7963Webmaster ................................................NancyKenyon@cox.netChapter Website.....................http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org

Other PersonnelBluebird Information............... Dick Purvis ..............714-776-8878Rare OC Bird Alert Hotline......Joel Weintraub ........949-487-6869 Slides for Sale......................... Sylvia Gallagher......714-962-8990Slide Lending Library..............Claudine Casey........714-968-3463

CALENDAR April02 Sun Peters Canyon field trip................................. 7:30 am04 Tues Conservation Committee meeting................. 6:30 pm8-9 S-S Eastern Sierra weekend trip.......................... 7:30 am09 Sun Monthly Bird Walk at the SJWS.....................8:00 am10 Mon Back Country Birds, Starr Ranch...................8:00 am11 Tues Board Meeting............................................... 7:30 pm14 Fri El Dorado Regional Park...............................8:00 am15 Sun Santiago Oaks Regional Park...................... 8:00 am19 Wed Laguna Niguel Regional Park........................7:30 am21 Fri GENERAL MEETING....................................7:30 pm30 Sun El Moro Canyon, Crystal Cove St. Park........ 7:30 am

May02 Tues Conservation Committee meeting................. 6:30 pm06 Sat Batiquitos Lagoon..........................................8:00 am07 Sun Big Morongo Preserve...................................7:00 am09 Tues Board Meeting............................................... 7:30 pm13 Sat Natural History Walk at Starr Ranch..............8:00 am14 Sun Monthly Bird Walk at the SJWS.....................8:00 am19 Fri GENERAL MEETING....................................7:30 pm20-21 S-S Kern River weekend trip.....................................dawn

Sea & Sage Audubon Society Chapter Mission Statement: Sea & Sage Audubon is a leader in creating an understanding of nature in Orange County, through conservation, research and environmental education programs for children and adults. This is accomplished with classes, field activities, publications and volunteer opportunities.

Sea & Sage Audubon Society

PO Box 5447, Irvine CA 92616

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