Wandering Tattler

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

February 2019 Volume68,Number5

We Are Sylvians! by Doug Lithgow, President On Sunday, November 11th, current and former students of Sylvia Gallagher staged a large-scale surprise

party at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. This celebration was planned in secret for over two months and, miraculously, Sylvia never caught on. The Guest of Honor was escorted to the marsh

by stealth operatives Steve and Nancy Peralta, under the pretense of photographing her with her embroidered quilts. Unsuspecting, she was greeted by a steady stream of her students, all thanking her, with Cheshire cat smiles. This went on for quite some time, as there were nearly a hundred of us. After about a dozen people, Sylvia noticed they were all wearing blue T-shirts that read “I’m a Sylvian”. It was at that point she realized this was not a photography shoot, but a surprise party for her. An abundance of food and a large poster that read “Thanks Sylvia, We Love You” signed by everyone present, rounded out the festivities. Sylvia Gallagher has been teaching birding skills workshops for Sea and Sage Audubon continuously since 1980. Originally, she hosted her sessions in public library community rooms, but eventually moved her classes to her own home, using her living room as a classroom. Her dedication to this task has been tireless as she runs numerous workshops throughout the year using her own resources. Her classes include introductory bird identification, birding by ear, mountain birds, desert birds, sparrows, warblers, shorebirds, and even classes on embroidery of birds—resulting in several thousand “graduates”, and a large group of dedicated supporters who, in turn, help her with photocopying, slide scanning, digital photo sharing for her classes, leading field trips, and providing technical support. The end result is sharing a love of birds and nature by everyone, and the enrichment of avian knowledge for present and future generations. Several years ago, one of Sylvia’s students was birding in Fairview Park, looking through a bird guide when a woman walked up to her and asked if she was in a class. The answer was yes and the response was “You must be a Sylvian”. She had taken one of Sylvia’s classes years before. That phrase became the theme for our celebratory party to show our appreciation of Sylvia’s enduring legacy.

General Meeting

Friday evening, February 15 – 7:30 pm “Bats!ACloserLookatour

NocturnalNeighbor”

presented by Jill Carpenter Bats occur all over the world in a wide variety of habitats, but because of their cryptic, nocturnal habits, they are often misunderstood and frequently persecuted. In this presentation, we will explore some fascinating facts about bats in general before discussing our local bat species here in Orange County and what kinds of issues our local populations face. We will then learn about how bat biologists study these nocturnal creatures that are so difficult for us to see and hear, and how this research is applied to conservation and management efforts. Jill Carpenter has been working with and studying bats for 14 years. She is currently a biological consultant for LSA Associates, where she works primarily on bridge projects throughout Southern California where there is potential for impacts to bats and bat habitat. In the past several years she has expanded her experience to include surveying abandoned mines for bats. She also works on research projects studying the ecology of Southern California bats, including testing strategies for roost mitigation at bridges, gathering data on various roost behaviors, and, more recently, working with other bat biologists to follow up on prior long-term research efforts on the California Channel Islands. In addition to her work in California, she has also studied bats in other parts of the world including three summers studying the bats of the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, and participating in a research study on fish-eating bats in the Gulf of California, Mexico. Finally, her background in outdoor education helps her to promote bat knowledge to the public through educational programs, public talks, and workshops. Our program will be held in the Duck Club at the SJWS in Irvine. The doors will open at 7:00 for refreshments and fellowship, and the meeting and program will begin at 7:30 pm. We hope you will join us.

— Gail Richards, Programs Chair

Conservation News & Chapter News Susan Sheakley, Conservation Chair Our next Conservation meeting will be on Feb. 5, at 6:45 PM in the Blue House. Our next 4th Tuesday Conservation Lecture will be held on Feb. 26th at 7:30 PM in the Learning Center. We hope you will join us!

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‘4th Tuesday’

Conservation Lecture

Tuesday,Feb.26th–7:30pmLearningCenter,SJWS

“Surprise!-TopicTBA” byMysteryGuest

Arrangements are being made for this month’s ‘4th Tues.’ Watch for the announcement on Facebook and on our Website. Do plan to join us. Doors will open at 7:00 PM; program begins at 7:30. .

Tackling Trash If you are concerned about plastic wastes in the environment, we invite you to join us on a journey to learn more about the topic and how we can make a difference. This new corner in the Tattler will share what we discover and provide tips on how to reduce and dispose of recyclable wastes we produce every day. We hope you will join us and share ideas. Some startling statistics we learned at our November ‘4th Tues.’ Did you know that the average U.S. citizen produces about 4 pounds of trash per day? And, here’s a dubious honor - Orange County, CA has the distinction of having the highest per capita solid waste production in the World! Yikes! Over 11 pounds! To find out if you are an under – or over – achiever, collect and weigh a day’s worth of your discarded paper, plastic, aluminum, trash, etc. MARCH 23rd & 24th SAVE THE DATES for the chapter’s first Orange County “Turkey Vulture Days” weekend event, brought to you by the Raptor Research and Conservation Committees. More info will be in the March Tattler, on our website, and shared at the Jan. ‘4th Tues.’

CampRegistrationOpensFeb.1st

Sea and Sage Audubon’s summer camp programs are very popular and fill quickly. If you want your child or grandchild to have the best nature experience this summer, then sign up for a camp week appropriate for his or her age. More details will be in the February issue but begin your plans now! Registration opens February 1 for new enrollees. Dates for summer 2019 are: • Fledgling Camp for 7-8 year olds: June 24-28 • Marsh Bird Camp for 9-12 year olds (same topics) Session I-- June 24-28 Session II-- July 8-12 • Coastal Bird Camp for 11+ yrs: July 8-12 • Advanced Bird Camp (different topics) Week One--July 15-19 Week Two--July 22-26

AudubonHouseVolunteersWe would like to thank the following people for helping to staff Audubon House in January and February: Ann Barbour, Shirley Bass, Bettina Eastman, Fresia Escalona, Greg Figge, Carol Garrett, John Garrett, Barbara Greenwald, John Hargrove, Ann Harmer, Pat Heilig, Patti Henshaw, Sarah Jayne, Nancy Kenyon, Seema Khargonekar, David Kramer, Lauretta Kyle, Eva Lydick, Joan McCauley, Bobbie Miller, Barbara Mitchell, Eunice Morita, Dagmar Muthamia, JoAnn Nothhelfer, Joan

Plevin, Roberta Ray, Barbara Reber, Marilyn Walter, Dev Sellin, Susan Sheakley, Bev Spring, Pat Wells, and Madonna Young. OurVolunteersgreetvisitors,answerthephone,sellmerchandise,answerquestions

aboutbirds,checkoutbinoculars,etc.IfyouareinterestedinhelpingatAudubonHouse,pleasecallBarbaraMitchellat949-646-4115orSusanSheakleyat949-552-5974.

BookstoreNewsNew Titles (and back in stock) include: Field Guide to the Spiders of CA, Field Guide to the Common Bees of CA, Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of the San Diego Region, Field Guide to the Marine Mammals of the Pacific, Geology of the Sierra Nevada, Sierra Nevada Natural History, Natural History of CA (2nd edition) and WFO Field Checklist Birds of CA. Other new items include Brazos walking sticks, Naked Bee Lotions (crueltyfree, made in USA, 70% organic), and Peter Knapp note cards

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Orange County Rarities by Doug Willick ToreportaRAREorUNUSUALbird,ortoreceivereportsfromotherbirdersaboutrareorunusualbirdsightingshereinOrangeCounty,sendanemailto:OrangeCountyBirding-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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Quitealothastranspiredsincethelast“Rarities”columnwaswritten(attheendofOctober).Therefore,we’llfirsttouchonnoteworthyNovemberrecords,andcontinuethroughaboutmid-December.Thennextmonthwe’llcoverChristmasBirdCounthighlights,andcatchupbysummarizingJanuaryrarities. The apparently resident Cackling Goose at Mile Square Regional Park (MSRP), was joined by a second “Cackler” on Nov. 19. Other recent waterfowl observations of note included two to three Black Scoters off Sunset Beach, Dec. 7-12, a White-winged Scoter off the Huntington Beach Pier, Nov. 9, a Long-tailed Duck at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Nov. 11-Dec. 10+, and a

number of Common Goldeneyes [at the Seal Beach National WildlifeRefuge (SBNWR); two to three at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary (SJWS); one to two at the Bolsa

Chica Ecological Reserve (BCER); and at Talbert Marsh). A White-winged Dove was in Aliso & Wood Canyons Regional Park, Nov. 25. The Common Nighthawk along the upper Santa Ana River, which made big-time news for Orange County in the last Rarities column, remained at the Lakeview crossing of the river until Nov. 7 (which set one of the latest fall records for the species in the western U.S.). A Red Phalarope at BCER, Nov. 30, was possibly blown inland by storm activity that had recently occurred; this species is known to winter offshore, but rarely come inland. Yet another Red-footed Booby was observed in the county, this one seen from the Huntington Beach Pier, Nov. 9. A Reddish Egret photographed at SJWS was a

surprise, Dec. 1; it is possible this was a bird that had previously been at Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron observations continue to increase; at least four continue

between Carr Park and BCER, as many as three at Dana Point Harbor, and up to seven at the Sunset Aquatic Marina. It is quite possible that some of these birds move around between one or more of these locations. Noteworthy raptor sightings have included a late migrant Swainson’s Hawk over SJWS, Nov. 6; a dark-morph

Ferruginous Hawk at Irvine Regional Park (IRP), Nov. 26, and a (presumed returning) adult Zone-tailed Hawk in Rancho Santa Margarita, beginning on Dec. 12. A Short-eared Owl was seen at the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station, Nov. 7-9, where this species is occasionally recorded in fall/winter. Presumably wintering Empidonax flycatchers included a Hammond’s at Santiago Park, Nov. 6-26 (where one wintered last year); a Gray at MSRP, Nov. 18-Dec. 30; a Western at Willow Park, Nov. 27, and another Western at Bart Spendlove Park, Dec. 2-12+. An Eastern Phoebe in Laguna Niguel, Nov. 17, was apparently a fall migrant, as could not be refound. At least one Ash-throated Flycatcher appears to be back for another winter along the upper Santa Ana River (in Orange). A Cassin’s Vireo at MSRP, Nov. 7-10 was either a late migrant or attempting to winter locally. Presumed wintering Plumbeous Vireos included up to two at Schweitzer Park, Nov. 20-25; one at Yorba Regional Park, Nov. 22; and one at Melrose Abbey Memorial Park (Anaheim), Nov. 27. A Mountain Chickadee at Huntington Central Park (HCP) through Nov. and Dec. is clearly wintering. At least three White-breasted Nuthatches were wintering in several coastal lowland locations, including three at HCP. Pacific Wrens turned up at the Environmental Nature Center (ENC), Nov. 11-20, and at Shipley Nature Center (SNC), Nov. 17-Jan. 5. Two Varied Thrushes at SNC, Nov. 29, were unexpected. Mountain Bluebirds invaded the coastal lowlands of So Cal this fall, with as many as nine seen at Moulton Meadows, one at Fairview Park, six at Carbon Canyon Regional Park, and four at IRP (in Nov. and early Dec.). Single Sage Thrashers were at Moulton Meadow, Nov. 6, and at BCER, Dec. 10. Purple Finches were in the lowlands at ENC, Nov.16-24; in Bommer Canyon, Nov. 19; and up to four in SNC, Nov. 30-Dec. 3. Green-tailed Towhees were at BCER, Nov. 4; at SBNWS, Nov. 12, and at Harriett (HWRP), from Oct. 20 through Dec. 9. A Rufous-crowned Sparrow at BCER, Nov. 4, was exceptionally rare for along the immediate coast. Rare sparrows in the county included a Clay-colored Sparrow at Craig Regional Park, Dec. 9; a Vesper Sparrow in Bommer Canyon, Nov. 16; and a White-throated Sparrow in SNC, Nov. 22-Dec. 1. A Yellow-breasted Chat in Lake Forest, Nov. 2-14, was record late. Wintering warblers of note include a Northern Waterthrush at HCP, through Dec.; a Black-and-white Warbler at Westminster Memorial Park, Dec. 12; an American Redstart at SJWS (Tree Hill), through Dec.; and Palm Warblers at BCER, Nov. 4, at HCP through Dec. 8, and at SJWS through Dec. 11. A Painted Redstart was found dead in the vicinity of Bonita Creek.

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SeaandSageAudubon’sSilentAuctionNeedsYou!

Again this year, we will have the Silent Auction at the Annual Dinner. The Silent Auction is lots of fun and it helps us raise funds for such things as scholarships, conservation efforts and education. In order to hold a successful auction, we rely on donations; donations from our members as well as from organizations and businesses. We’re looking for fun and exciting donations.

So how can you help? Please consider donating items or services such as gift baskets, lessons, airline tickets, tickets to events, or a nicely gift-wrapped box of chocolates.

Also, please consider contacting any organizations or businesses with whom you work or are familiar and asking them for a donation.

Frequently asked questions: 1. What about all that stuff in my garage? We’re sorry to say that that’s just not the kind of things we’re looking for, unless of course, dear old Aunt Mable happened to leave you an autographed copy of a first edition of a rare book. Then by all means bring it on down.

2. What kinds of things have people donated in the past? We’re glad you asked. Here are some items from past auctions: Nikon binoculars Seashell wreath Gift baskets Whale watching trip for two Piano lessons Original artwork Tickets to plays, amusement parks and so on Autographed books Bluebird nestbox

3. When do we need your donations? The sooner the better. Actually, it would be great if we had everything all lined up no later than the end of February 2018.

4. If I have a donation item or more questions, who do I contact? Please contact Cheryl Thomas, Development Chair, at cthomas1313@cox.net or 949-294-2275 Thank you in advance for your efforts on behalf of the Sea and Sage Annual Dinner and Silent Auction Team!

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Sea & Sage Annual Dinner Friday, March 15th at Mile Square Park Banquet Center

Our Guest Speaker is Dr. Peter Bloom. He will speak on “California Raptors and Their Future.”

This year, we are proud to present renowned raptor specialist, Dr. Peter Bloom as our guest speaker, who will present his program on California Raptors and Their Future. Pete has been studying and attempting to conserve California raptors and their habitats for more than 50 years, beginning with his research on very common raptors and over the course of his life, expanding efforts to include rare, declining, threatened and endangered species. Some once relatively common raptors now border on local extinction while once rare or endangered ones are now common. Pete will discuss the ecology, recent history, and future of these raptors here in Southern California. The evening will also include a Silent Auction and the presentation of our chapter's Fern Zimmerman Conservation Award and Letters of Commendation. The Mile Square Park Banquet Center is located at the south end of Mile Square Park, at the intersection of Warner and Ward in Fountain Valley. Free parking is available. Below is the schedule for the evening:

No Host Bar: 6:00 p.m. Dinner: 7:00 p.m. Program: 8:00 p.m., sharp! Location: Mile Square Park Banquet Center

Tickets: $50 for all reservations received before March 1st $55 for reservations received on or after March 1st Entrees: Santa Fe Chicken, Seared Salmon Filet, or Vegetarian Lasagna

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY. Seating will be assigned in the order the reservations are received. If you wish to sit with friends, make sure they send in their reservations on the same day you do. To reserve a seat, make your check payable to: Sea & Sage Audubon; include the name of each person for whom a reservation is made. If you wish group seating, please indicate that on the reservation form; each table will seat 10 people. Make your check payable to: Sea & Sage Audubon. Mail your check and reservation form to: Annual Dinner, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln., Irvine CA 92612. An email message confirming your reservation will be sent back to you along with directions and information about the dinner and Silent Auction. Be sure to include your email address and phone number on the reservation form if you have not attended one of our annual dinners in the past. Please Note: ALL RESERVATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 12 NOON ON FRIDAY, MARCH 8. If you are late in sending in your reservation, please phone or email Nancy to let her know that you wish to come. (949-786-3160; nancykenyon@cox.net)

Name ________________________________________________Entree_________________________

Name________________________________________________ Entree_________________________ With whom do you wish to sit? ___________________________________________________________ Email address for confirmation & map Phone (in case we need to contact you quickly) _____________________________________ Entrees: [C] Chicken [S] Salmon [V] Vegetarian. All dinners will include a salad, fresh vegetables, freshly baked rolls, coffee, tea, or decaf, and dessert. (See webpage for details on menu.)

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Mail your reservations to: Annual Dinner, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612

Thank you so much! SeaandSagedependsonyourfinancialcontributionstosupportourconservationandeducationprograms.Yourdonationshelpmakeusastrongchapter.ThefollowingisalistofAnnualDirectMailAppealDonorswhosedonationswerereceivedpriortoDecember31,2018. å

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BruceAird

MariaAlonso

SteveandMarianAlter

NancyAngell

CarolynArabia

Betty&ChuckAvey

MelissaBaird

Ann&AlanBarbour

GaryBarmore

FamilyBartush

Alan&JanetBaumann

GeorgeBeaty

LelandBellot

HansUlrichBernard

StevenBlackmarr

MaryBorden

JB&RebeccaBradley

NickBraun

JeanneBullington

SusanBurgess

StanfordBurrows

Lee&CaroleBush

Norm&ChrisByrd

Dick&PatCabe

CamisascaFamily

DianeCampbell

DavidCampbell

CheriCancelliere

BeverlyCarrier

ErickCharlesforMatthew

BarbaraChidester

MikeClayton

FrancisColwell

John&DeniseCorcoran

NancyCummings

LinetteDavenport

LindaDavis

NoelDavis

LawrencedeGraaf

DebraDelazzer

BarbaraDixon

ChrisDonahoe

Gwen&DaveDorn

LynneDoti

EdwardDrake

LuraDymond

LawrenceEdgar

DebEdson

KarenEpperley

FresiaEscalona

DianeEwing

Martin&DennisFee

AlbertFeers

TheresaFili

FamilyofBeverlyFindlay-Kaneko

SusanFletcher

RobertFolk

JanForry

DeborahForsythe

MarkFowler

MarilynFreeman

Ed&CarolFreund

JudithFritts

ChristinaFuerbach

AmandaGaskin

ArleenGelfand

CharlesGeorge

ValerieGlass

Mitsuko&PeterGordon

JudithGordon

KateGrabenstein

ShirleyGregg

ShirleyGrindle

SarahGubler

BarbaraHarley

JonHartmann

LenaHayashi

DebraHays

VanHazewinkel

NaidaHearn

VictoriaHernandez

TimothyHewett

TerryHill

PhillipHill

FrancineHintzman

VirginiaHofer

KennethHogan

Marcia&RobertHolcomb

ChrisHolland

CarolynHoner

WaltHowald

MaryHoward

JohnHunter

JeffIsaacs

DehraIverson

SusanJarratt

MargaretJeanseau

SteveJelnick

RichardJohnson

PhillipJones

MaryJoseph

JamiJosifek

HollyJoslin

JacklynJoyo

Jack&ElizabethKeating

NancyKenyonAminKhalifaAnthony&LindaKinninger

JimandJudyKissinger

SherryKittrell

CarolKoelle

LeonardKoyama

Bill&ElizabethKramer

BeverlyKrassnerbulas

EthanKrenzer

WilliamKritzmire

RickKurjan

LilyLachter

AnnaMarieLea

Chuck&CeLeavell

ClarkLeonard

LorraineLevitan

MerriLevy

AmyLindsay

DougLithgow

MartinLitke

JimLong

MichelleLucio

EvaLydick

StephanieMakarewicz

LindaMarcus

MaryMartineau

MarkMaxam

WilliamMay

JoanMccauley

Grace&RobertMcElhiney

SherylMcKenna

PeggyMead

Daniel&SallyMenzel

JenniferMeyer

Jay&MarquitaMiller

JamesMitchell

Charles&KathrynMitchell

ThelmaMiyashiro

VirginiaMoore

PeggyMorrill

DennisMull

MaureenMyers

AlanNestlinger

TriciaNichols

CarolynandCharlieNoble

BrianNofziger

ChrisObaditch

FrederickO'Brien

JaneOlin

DarcieOlson

ShirleyOlson

JodyPallo

CarolPaquette

CarinParker

NancyPeralta

WendyPerga

LaraPergola

GaryPeterseil

Greg&KristinePierson

RobertPolkinghorn

JudithPosnikoff

Thank you so much! SeaandSagedependsonyourfinancialcontributionstosupportourconservationandeducationprograms.Yourdonationshelpmakeusastrongchapter.ThefollowingisalistofAnnualDirectMailAppealDonorswhosedonationswerereceivedpriortoDecember31,2018.

RoyPoucherHelenPriesterMaryPryorFlorencePurdyMyraRadlowandFamilyClaireReadeyLesRedpathBarbaraReedTheFamilyReedRogerReinkeMargaretRentonGailRichardsAnnRyanWaldemarSadowinskiAnnSakai&StephenWellerPaulSchmidtNorbert&DeannaSchnabelRobertScrimger

JonSearsLarrySeidmanBarbaraSentovichPatSewardGregoryShafferChristianeShannonSusanandHalSheakleyRichardShearerBarbaraSheltonStephenShinnEvanSiegelFrankSimonMaryAnneSkorpanichSteve&TerriSkwarloSandraSmithKurtSpeidelBevSpringKimberleeStaff

PaulStemierRoswithaStevensLuanneStoddard-CookRichardStolteDianeStovallMichellSuggsMaurySwovelandStephanieTantonJoAnneTathamMaryTaylorLindaThomasDebbyThyssenSuziTompkinsNormaTooleNancyTracyLydiaTylerThomas&EdithVanHussEstherVenzlaff

Ralph&BerylVogelPatriciaVranicarKarenWallinMarikaWalterLauraandJamesWantzKathyWeidemannNancyWesselNeilWestPhillipandJudithWestinTodWhiteGloriaWidmannWildBirdsUnlimitedElizabethWilliamsDarrellWilsonSharonWolfeKatharineYoung

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Sea and Sage Audubon Society

Raptor Identification Workshops Introductory Workshop: Fri-Sun, Feb. 22-24, 2019

Advanced Workshop: Fri-Sun, March 1-3, 2019 presented by William S. Clark

Comprehensive workshops on raptor identification will be presented during two weekends in February and March, 2017. The instructor for the course will be Bill Clark, coauthor of Hawks, the raptor field guide in the Peterson series, and the Photographic Guide to North American Raptors. Bill has been conducting these popular workshops in Orange County and elsewhere for many years.

Although the pace and emphasis will vary with the experience of the participants, both workshops will first cover the basic field marks for the identification of California raptors. Then, a more thorough coverage of the field ID of Accipiters, eagles, and Buteos will be presented. Also discussed will be molt and its use in field ID, terminology, albinism and other unusual plumages. The field ID of vagrants to be expected in California will be covered, as well as how to document their sightings.

An INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP will be presented the weekend of Feb. 22-24. The workshop will start with about two hours of classroom instruction on Friday evening, starting at 7:00. On Saturday and Sunday, it will start at 7:00 am with about two hours in the classroom and the rest in the field, visiting a variety of raptor locations. Bring lunches on both days. Details will be announced at the Friday evening session.

The INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED WORKSHOP will take place the weekend of March 1-3 and have the same time schedule as the introductory one. It is designed for people who have had some experience observing hawks, maybe only the preceding weekend. The basic field marks will be covered, but more quickly, allowing time for several advanced topics .

Transportation will be in private vehicles; carpools will be arranged. You will be required to sign a liability release form in order to participate in the field trips. Each vehicle must have an FRS radio (short-range radio for communication between vehicles). Bring yours, if you have one; loaners will be available.

The required text for the workshop will be the second edition of Hawks by Clark and Wheeler (Houghton Mifflin Co., 2001). Recommended, but not required, is Photographic Guide to North American Raptors by Wheeler & Clark. Copies of both books will be available for purchase at the workshop.

Bill Clark has many decades of experience working with birds of prey and has published on a variety of raptor subjects, including many papers on raptor identification. He has taught hawk-ID classes and led hawk-watching tours for a long time.

Classes will be held at the home of Sylvia Gallagher in Huntington Beach. A map to the meeting place will be enclosed with workshop confirmation.

The cost of the workshop is $170.00 for each weekend—to be enclosed with your registration. Enrollment each weekend will be limited to 25 participants, and may be cancelled if there is insufficient registration by

Feb. 7. Don't wait until the last minute to register; you don’t want your weekend to be cancelled because you forgot to register by that date! Confirmations and further information will be mailed out on Feb. 11, 2019.

Mail your enrollment form, check for the workshop fee, and a long, self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) to: Raptor Workshop, c/o Sylvia Gallagher, 21562 Kaneohe Ln, Huntington Beach CA 92646. If you have questions, email Sylvia at sjrgallagher@yahoo.com (preferred), or call her at 714-962-8990.

Enrollment Form - Raptor Weekends with Bill Clark - 2019 Names of all participants ___________________________________________________________________________________ Address(es)_____________________________________________________________________________________________ City________________________________ ZIP_________________ Phone(s) _______________________________________ E-mail _______________________________________________________________________ SASE enclosed? ____________ Check your choice(s) of weekends. (Some people attend both.) ____ Introductory (Fri. evening - Sun, Feb. 22-24) — $170 per person ____ Intermediate/Advanced (Fri. evening - Sun, March 1-3) — $170 per person

Workshop fees enclosed? _____ (Make check payable to: Sea & Sage Audubon Society) Which books do you plan to purchase at the workshop (see above? Indicate number if more than one.

___ Required Book ___ Supplemental Book

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Upcoming Field Trips Nancy Kenyon, Field Trip Chair Fortripupdates&additionaltripinformation,checkourchapterwebpageat:http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org.Tripsmarkedwithan® requireadvancereservations.Questionsaboutfieldtrips?ContactNancyKenyon,FieldTripChair,at949-786-3160ornancykenyon@cox.net

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NatureWalkattheSJWSThiswalkwasformerlycalledtheWildlifeWalk.Sat,Feb.2nd-9:00to10:30am Explore the diverse life of the Marsh - its birds, plants, insects and other animals. Meet at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in front of Audubon House at 9:00 am for a 1½ hour nature walk. Children under the age of 11 must be accompanied by an adult. (See page 11 for directions to the SJWS.) Leaders: Audubon Naturalists

MonthlyBirdWalkattheSJWSSun,Feb.10th-8:00to12:00noon Join us for a monthly bird walk around the ponds of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine at 8:00 am. The walk, which is open to birders of all ages, will meet by the front porch of Audubon House. Children under the age of 11 must be accompanied by an adult. (Directions to the SJWS on page 11) Leader: Jeff Bray

UpperNewportBaybypontoonboat®Wed,March20th&April17th–8:15to11:00amTheFebruarypontoonboattripisalreadyfull.Join us for the rare chance of birding the Upper Newport Bay from the deck of a pontoon boat. Spotting birds from the water offers one a different perspective and the birds seem to view us differently also. Trip duration is 2½ hrs. Trips are limited to 15 persons and there is a $ 10 trip fee per person payable in cash on the morning of the outing. Advance reservations are necessary; contact Nancy Kenyon to reserve a seat on the boat. Directions will be provided to those with reservations. Leader: Nancy Kenyon 949-786-3160; nancykenyon@cox.net UpperNewportBaybirdwalkSun,Feb.24th–8:00amto11:30amJoin Mark Kincheloe for a monthly bird walk in Upper Newport Bay to check out the seasonal shorebirds, ducks, grebes, herons & egrets. etc. that frequent the bay. Bring binoculars, a field guide, and a scope if you have one. We will meet in the Big Canyon parking lot in Newport Beach. This is easily reached from Jamboree. Take San Joaquin Hills Road west toward the bay where it intersects with Back Bay Drive. Turn right on Back Bay Drive & follow it to the Big Canyon parking lot on your left.

*Leader: Mark Kincheloe .

Owl Prowls® Fri, March 8th Sat, March 9th Sat, March 23rd Fri, March 29th

The Owl Prowl is a short nighttime excursion into Starr Ranch Sanctuary in search of owls. Our evening will begin at 6:30 with an orientation by Pete DeSimone who has been manager of Starr Ranch since the mid 1980’s and knows all about the owls and hawks which inhabit Bell Canyon. He will talk with us about the local Barn Owls which nest at Starr Ranch and answer our questions regarding owl behavior. We will then board the big open bed truck for a short ride down the canyon to search for some owls. At each stop, Pete will play some recordings of owl calls while we listen carefully for owl responses and watch for any sight of them. Advance reservations needed; trip size is limited. Trip fee: $25. Make check payable to Sea & Sage Audubon and mail to: Owl Prowl, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612. Include your email address & phone number, or a stamped self-address envelope & phone for confirmation & directions. Check webpage for space availability; trips fill quickly! Leader: Pete DeSimone Reservations: Nancy Kenyon 949-786-3160; nancykenyon@cox.net Bloom-HaysEcologicalResearchGrant Pete Bloom and Loren Hays are both well known within the chapter for their passion to protect birds and open spaces. The Weir Canyon Fund (championed by Pete Bloom in the 1980s) and the Loren Hays Memorial Fund have been combined to create a funding for ecological research projects. The objective of the Bloom-Hays Ecological Research Grant is to advance ecological research, particularly research related to avian species and the natural communities upon which they depend, by providing funds or supplies to support research activities benefitting native species and habitats in Southern California. This year, the total funding for grant awards has been increased to $10,000. Graduate students, under-graduates, and high school students are invited to apply for research grants varying from $250 to $2,500. The 2019 Bloom Hays Grant link to the application and instructions are posted on the Sea and Sage website’s home page as well as under the heading of Conservation. Application packages must be received by email no later than April 5.

— Amber Heredia

Education News Trude Hurd, Project Director of Education For more information about the Education project, visit our chapter website at http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/Education/Education.html

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Because of you -- our important donors, our great partner the Irvine Ranch Water District, our dedicated volunteers, and our wonderful membership --- Sea and Sage Audubon has made a positive impact on our local community. Thanks to each one of you, we offered education programs at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary that inspire adults and children to explore, respect, and protect birds and habitat. Together, we have accomplished so much this year! A special thanks to our 76 Audubon Naturalists and 24 youth who donated over 7,100 hours and their special talents to ensure our programs are outstanding experiences with nature and accomplish our mission! In 2018, we continued seven environmental programs at the wetland, and brought more Santa Ana school children than ever before to experience the wetland. We hosted OC Wild’s Docent Day, a day of learning with nine environmental presentations for 100 OC rangers and naturalists. We tried something new: “Meet The Fishes of the Marsh” enabled participants to see live fish from the ponds, meet fish researchers, and learn the importance of fish in the wetland ecosystem. We created a new brochure about How to Create a Bird-Friendly Garden to accompany a one-hour podcast by our Project Director of Education and Education Chair with the UC Master Gardeners. Program Accomplishments – 15,028 people reached! • Outdoor Adventures Science Discovery Program –

2,600 children and their teachers • Scholarships for Santa Ana Schools– 65 classes • School Bus scholarships –20 buses • Summer Nature Camps – 124 children • Junior Naturalists - 25 teens • Bat Walks –240 adults and children • Wildlife Walks – 178 adults and children • Community Group Tours and Project Director

Presentations - 380 adults and children • Nature Kits For Loan – 4,861 adults and children • Bird Specimens for Loan - 6,620 adults and children

We are honored to have 76 adults who donate their time and talents to make our programs so exceptional. Many THANKS to Darrel Airhart, Phyllis Anderson, Lee Avallone, Ann Barbour, Rudi Berkelhamer, Sara Bethurum, Sandrine Biziaux Scherson, Dejoie Blumberg, Jon Boss, Deborah Brin, Sue Bruns, Toni Bryant, Bing Cheng, Teresa Cullen, Linda Daily, Christine Dickey, Jean Drum, Bettina Eastman, Amanda Gaskin, Mary Ann Gholson, Jenny Golden, Alex Gresham, Beverly Hargrove, Gigi Harvey, Debbie Hays, Trude Hurd, David Kramer, Susan Kramer, Babs Levitan, Doug Lithgow, Eva Lydick, Ellen Mansour, Jay Matchett, Maya Matkin, Gretchen Mavrovouniotis, Grace McElhiney, Barbara Meade, Jay Miller, Marquita Miller, Sharon Nantell, Jodi Newell, Carolyn Noble, Ellen O’Leary, Laura Osteen, Marsha Owen, Priyam Patel, Bob Polkinghorn, Claire Readey, Karla Reinhart, Margaret Renton, Gail Richards, Brenda Sabin, Maria Sanchez, Jean Savage, Cristi Saylor, Rich Schilk, Paul Schmidt, Barbara Sentovich, Susan Sheakley, Caleb Speakman, Sofia Speakman, Pat Sparks, Bev Spring, Catherine Steinberg, Stephanie Tanton, Linda Thomas, Dan Trinidad, Judy Vlastakis, Pat Vranicar, Marilyn Walter, Diane Weinhold, Sophie Wickramasinghe, Deb Woods, Anne Wong, Mary Ellen Wynn, and Madonna Young. We are very grateful for the following education grants and special donations over $1,000 received in 2018: Restricted Donations for Outdoor Adventures • Anonymous Foundation - $50,000 • Orange County Community Foundation’s

Environment Fund - $7,000 • Disney VoluntEARS Community Fund - $5,000 • Disney EARS to You / Ralph Sugg - $1,000

Unrestricted Donations for Marsh Education Project • Sea and Sage chapter - $21,500 • The Croul Family Foundation - $5,000 • Deborah Brin • Steve & Annie Jelnick • Nancy Kappleman • Sophie & Kumar Wickramasinghe

Restricted Donations for Special Projects • Anonymous (summer camp) • Ann Westling (education gardens) • Sonia Appell (school bus donations)

If you have questions or want to make a donation, contact Project Director Trude Hurd at seaandsage@sbcglobal.net.

Marsh Education Project Annual Report 2018

Directions and Membership SeaandSageAudubonSociety'smissionistoprotectbirds,otherwildlife,andtheirhabitatsthrougheducation,citizenscience,research,andpublicpolicyadvocacy.

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Tattler Subscriptions

Non-Audubon members or members from other Audubon chapters who wish to subscribe to our chapter newsletter, may do so for $14.00 per year. Make check payable to “Sea and Sage Audubon” and mail to: Tattler Subscriptions, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612

Go Paperless! Sign up to receive your newsletter via email — get your issues faster, help save natural resources, reduce waste, and help our chapter save money! You can read it online or print out the pages you need to refer to more frequently. It is in pdf format and will look and print exactly like the original ones. Photos will be in color. Send an e-mail to nancykenyon@cox.net to start your paper-free Tattler delivery today! (offer good only for chapter members in good standing)

Remember Us in Your

Will or Trust Please remember to include “Sea and Sage Audubon Society” by name (tax ID#23-7003681) in your will or trust.

Directions

to Audubon House, our Chapter Meetings & the San Joaquin

Wildlife Sanctuary Our entrance is now from Campus Dr., not Michelson

From the San Diego Fwy (405): Exit on Jamboree, south toward Newport Beach. At the 1st signal, Michelson, turn left. Continue on Michelson (past the old entrance to the SJWS) to the 5th signal which is Harvard and turn right. Drive to University & turn right. Drive to Campus Drive & turn right. Stay in the far right lane and immediately turn right onto Riparian View which will enter the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. The entrance road is marked by a green sign. If you miss the turn and reach Carlson, turn right and go around the block again to Harvard. The sanctuary is open every day from dawn until dusk.

Audubon House

Open daily: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm 949-261-7963

Your Membership

Payment Do you want to join National Audubon and Sea and Sage? Use the membership form at the bottom of this page. An Individual Membership or a Family Membership is only $20. Sea & Sage receives 100% of a chapter generated new member’s dues for the first year. Mail the form and your check - payable to National Audubon Society - to Sea and Sage Audubon, PO Box 5447, Irvine CA 92616. If you want to use a credit card for your membership payment, go online to: http://www.audubon.org/membership If you have questions, please contact Membership Chair, Jim Kissinger, at membership@seaandsageaudubon.org

Temporarily Away or Moving?

Please notify Jim Kissinger of your new address if you are temporarily, or permanently, moving from your current address; or, let him know if you do not want to continue to receive the Tattler. This will save us postage. Jim Kissinger, Membership Chair membership@seaandsageaudubon.org

Use Membership Form on page

Audubon Membership Application We invite you to become a member of the National Audubon Society and the Sea and Sage Audubon chapter. Members receive the AUDUBON magazine as well as the WANDERING TATTLER newsletter. NEW MEMBERSHIP is $20 for an individual or for a family. (The membership is good for one year.) To join: Complete the form below & mail it along with your payment to: Sea and Sage Audubon, PO Box 5447, Irvine CA 92616 Make your check payable to: NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY. Pleasepaybycheckonly;donotsendcash.Or, go online to: http://tinyurl.com/hyeaw67 (Our chapter code is C15) To renew membership: renew directly with National Audubon by direct mail or online: (Renewals are $20 per year.) http://tinyurl.com/zjbs5tt Name ___________________________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip ____________________________________________________________ Phone ___________________________________________________________________ E-mail ___________________________________________________________________

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BOARD MEMBERS Executive Committee: President ........................... Doug Lithgow .............. 714-962-4145 Vice President ................... Gail Richards ............... 714-267-2420 Secretary ........................... Sandy Smith ................ 949-706-9396 Treasurer ........................... Tom Van Huss ............ 714-417-9940 Director 2019 ..................... Star Howard ................ 949-770-3177 Director 2019 ..................... Joan McCauley ........... 949-642-1938 Director 2020 ..................... Ann Harmer ................. 949-631-3322 Director 2020 ..................... Debbie Hays ................ 714-356-6302 Director 2021 ..................... Jenny Golden .............. 949-916-1839 Director 2021 ..................... Bruce Aird ................... 949-458-1520 Past President ................... Vic Leipzig ................... 714-848-5394 Committee Chairpersons: Archives & Records ........... Chris Byrd ................... 714-639-0967 Audubon House ................ Susan Sheakley .......... 949-552-5974 Audubon House Volunteers Barbara Mitchell ........ 949-646-4115 Bird Information ................. Sylvia Gallagher .......... 714-962-8990 Conservation ..................... Susan Sheakley .......... 949-552-5974 Counsel ............................. Sean Sherlock ................................... Development ..................... Cheryl Thomas ............ 949-294-2275 Education .......................... Carolyn Noble ............. 714-731-9091 Events ............................... Mary Joseph ................ 714-848-8362 Exhibits .............................. Mary Joseph ................ 714-848-8362 Field Trips .......................... Nancy Kenyon ............. 949-786-3160 Finance ............................. Hal Sheakley ............... 949-552-5974 Membership ...................... Jim Kissinger ............... 949-713-1148 Newsletter Editor ............... Nancy Kenyon ............. 949-786-3160 Orange County Spring Count .... Darrell Wilson .............. 949-559-4542 Partners in Flight ............... Janet & Al Baumann ......................... Programs ........................... Gail Richards ............... 714-267-2420 Publicity ............................. .......................................................... Raptor Research ............... Scott Thomas .............. 949-293-2915 Science ............................. Amber Heredia ............ 714-812-2430 SJWS Liaison .................... Chris Obaditch ............ 949-640-7234 Social Media ...................... Sandrine Biziaux-Scherson.949-413-0297 Starr Ranch/Envir. Liaison. Pete DeSimone ........... 949-858-0309 Webmaster ........................ Nancy Kenyon ............. 949-786-3160 Webpage: http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org

AUDUBON HOUSE ...... .............................. 949-261-7963 STAFF

Marsh Education Project Director Trude Hurd ................ 949-261-7964 Education Assistant ......................... Deborah Brin ............. 949-261-7964 Sales Manager .................... Debby Thyssen ......... 949-261-7963 Administrative Aide ............. Rebecca Craft ........... 949-261-7963

OTHER CONTACTS Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center – for injured or sick birds and other native wild animals in need of help (corner of Newland & PCH in HB) 714-374-5587. http://www.wwccoc.org/ Call Songbird Care & Education Center for injured or sick native songbirds. 714-964-0666. www.songbirdcareandeducation.org

SCHEDULE OF CHAPTER ACTIVITIES February 2019: 01 Fri Camp Registration opens today 02 Sat Seal Beach Trip ® (Full) - cancelled if shutdown is still on 02 Sat Nature Walk (aka Wildlife Walk) .................... 9:00 am 05 Tues Conservation Com. Meeting .......................... 6:45 pm 09 Sat Winter Pelagic Trip ® (rescheduled from Jan.) ..... 6:30 am 09 Sat Chapter Volunteers Recognition Party ........... 4:00 pm 10 Sun Antelope Valley Hawk-banding trip (rescheduled from Jan) 7 am 10 Sun Monthly Bird Walk at the SJWS ..................... 8:00 am 12 Tues Board Meeting . .............................................. 7:00 pm 15-18 F-M Great Backyard Bird Count (for info)……gbbc.birdcount.org 15 Fri GENERAL MEETING .................................... 7:30 pm 20 Wed UNB by pontoon boat ® (Full) ........................ 8:15 am 22-24 Fr-Su Intro Raptor ID Workshop with Bill Clark ® ... 7:00 pm 24 Sun Monthly Bird Walk at UNB ............................. 8:00 am 26 Tues 4th Tues Conservation Lecture ....................... 7:30 pm March 2019: 1-3 Fr-Su Intermed/Adv Raptor ID Workshop ® ............ 7:00 pm 02 Sat Nature Walk (aka Wildlife Walk) .................... 9:00 am 10 Sun Monthly Bird Walk at the SJWS ..................... 8:00 am 15 Fri ANNUAL DINNER ® ...................................... 6:00 pm 20 Wed UNB by pontoon boat ® ................................. 8:15 am 21 Thurs Bolsa Chica bird walk ..................................... 8:00 am 23-24 S-S Turkey Vulture Days ............................................. tba 31 Sun Monthly Bird Walk at UNB ............................. 8:00 am

Sea and Sage Audubon PO Box 5447, Irvine CA 92616 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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