Winter 2010 Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center ... · Fridays are Fun Days for Area...

2009-The Year of the Scarab Hunters2009-The Year of the Scarab Hunters2009-The Year of the Scarab Hunters2009-The Year of the Scarab Hunters2009-The Year of the Scarab Hunters

Fridays are Fun Days for Area PreschoolersFridays are Fun Days for Area PreschoolersFridays are Fun Days for Area PreschoolersFridays are Fun Days for Area PreschoolersFridays are Fun Days for Area Preschoolers

“Scarab Hunters” continues on page 2.

Mad r o n a M a r s h P r e s e r v e a n d N a t u r e C e n t e rM a d r o n a M a r s h P r e s e r v e a n d N a t u r e C e n t e rM a d r o n a M a r s h P r e s e r v e a n d N a t u r e C e n t e rM a d r o n a M a r s h P r e s e r v e a n d N a t u r e C e n t e rM a d r o n a M a r s h P r e s e r v e a n d N a t u r e C e n t e r

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––Suzan HubertWelcome to Friday Fun!Fun Friday is an exciting new preschool science

class designed by Cindy Reid specifically for childrenaged three to five years. Each Friday’s program cen-ters on a different theme relating to the animals, plants,habitats and ecology we can observe in the Marsh.

The morning begins in the classroom with sto-ries and discussion about the theme for the day. Thereare also related crafts, art or games to help the chil-dren understand the science concept, which is followedby a tour of the Marsh.

In October we studied bats and went to see thebat houses by the sump; sadly there were no bats. InNovember we studied autumn leaves; happily therewere a lot of them! We raked a huge pile and ran andjumped in it.

We learned about frogs and had several in theclassroom for some hands-on learning. Then wesearched for, and found, wild frogs in the Marsh! Dur-ing our frog hunting we found raccoon tracks whichwe followed to the tules where the raccoons are living.The children are very interested in the ‘holes’ in theMarsh so we learned about burrows––what made themand how they are organized underground.

In December we studied succulents, and we

planted some to take home, and walked through thenative garden where the children identified which plantswere succulents and which were not. This is a wonder-ful experience for preschool children and complementsthe monthly Tyke Hike. The Marsh has something foreveryone, from infants to seniors!

In the spirit of the Chinese zodiac, onecould name 2009 accordingly, at least froma Madrona Marsh perspective. Late winterthis year the Preserve was enriched with thevisit of a Yellow Scarab Hunter (Camp-someris pilipes). Scarab Hunters are largewasps that have no interest in botheringpeople. They are rarely seen and mostly in-terested in drinking the sweet nectar of ournative flowering plants. In the process offeeding, they help with the pollination of theflowers.

––Emile Fiesler

The female I photographed inMarch (shown here) visited a Califor-nia Bush Sunflower (Enceliacalifornica). On a nice July day Tracyand I were delighted to find both a maleand a female visiting the beautiful WildHeliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum)flowers on the Preserve; see page 2. Aswe had not seen any since March, it’shard to say whether they ‘stayed around’until late summer.

Scarab Hunters obtain their com-mon name from the fact that the femaledigs up ground-dwelling Scarab BeetleYellow Scarab Hunter (Camp-

someris pilipes)Female.

It doesn’t get much better than this! Jeremy Whalen and friendsenjoy frolicking in the Fall leaves, while envious grownups look on.

Reminder: It’s Time for theReminder: It’s Time for theReminder: It’s Time for theReminder: It’s Time for theReminder: It’s Time for theAnnual FOMM Meeting–Annual FOMM Meeting–Annual FOMM Meeting–Annual FOMM Meeting–Annual FOMM Meeting–See page 2 for details.See page 2 for details.See page 2 for details.See page 2 for details.See page 2 for details.

Winter 2010Winter 2010Winter 2010Winter 2010Winter 2010

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––Bill Arrowsmith“Elegant.” “Beautiful.” Those were the more popu-

lar descriptors used by several hundred people whoattended the first Annual Art Auction of the Friends ofMadrona Marsh on Saturday afternoon, November 14(see page 8 for pictures). They describe both the set-ting––the impressive banquet room of the TorranceMarriott where the event was held––and the objetsd’art––dozens of gorgeous paintings and photographsof the Marsh bordering the room. Elegant and beauti-ful could also describe the guests themselves, as theysipped wine while listening to soft jazz and strolling bythe artworks or chatting with the artists. It was truly aday to remember!

The Friends are deeply grateful to artist StephenWest, who conceived the event and played a major rolein making it a reality; and also to the other five localartists who not only participated but very generouslydonated 40 percent of the opening bid price (plus 100percent of anything over opening bid)! They are: Dou-glas Stenhouse, Beth Shibata, Jack Ludwick, RonLibbrecht and Mark Comon. (Note: Mark Comon do-nated 100 percent of his sales at the auction! Thankyou, Mark!)

We want to thank the Torrance Marriott for pro-viding the spacious banquet room gratis, and ManagerPam Ryan and her staff for making us so comfortable.ExxonMobil provided $1000 to help with advertisementand publication of a beautiful brochure of the worksbeing offered at the silent and live auction. Thanks toJess and Donna Morton who paid for and arranged tohave jazz musician Harold Green, and to Bob Shanman,who supplied his mobile credit card processor. Thanksalso to event staff volunteers Robin Snyder, Yurika Nishi,Shoji Iman and Jennifer Mullikin.

Finally, our greatest thank to Suzan Hubert andher auction committee: Bobbie Snyder, SarahNoddings, Ellen Peterson, Stephen West and RonLibbrecht; and to Preserve Manager Tracy Drake, whoacted as advisor. Your perseverance and tremendouseffort made this event a wonderful showplace for Mad-rona Marsh and the artists who love it.

I wish you all a more prosperous New Year andhope to see you at our Annual Meeting at the NatureCenter on Sunday afternoon, January 31st, at 3 p.m.

After a short business meeting to elect four direc-tors, we will see and hear a very interesting program

from the presidentfrom the presidentfrom the presidentfrom the presidentfrom the president

Marsh Mailing is a quarterly newsletter designed toprovide information about activities and upcoming eventsat or relating to the Madrona Marsh Preserve. Contribu-tions are welcome and may be e-mailed to DianeGonsalves at [email protected] or Bill Arrowsmith,[email protected], or dropped off or mailedto the Nature Center.

grubs, which she paralyzes and lays her eggs in. Theirfavorite 'hosts' are the chestnut-brown May and JuneBeetles that magically appear in surprising numb ersaround the time of the year their name calls for. Besidesbeing pollinators, Scarab Hunters are also consideredbeneficial as they act as biological control of some pestspecies, including the Japanese Beetle (Popilliajaponica). The Japanese Beetle, which, as its name sug-

gests, is a native ofJapan, has been in-advertently intro-duced to the UnitedStates. It is a pestof Roses, Apple,Grape, Apricot, andabout 200 otherplant species.

The family ofthe Scoliid Wasps,or Flower Wasps,known as theScoliidae, is a rela-

tively small family with 23 North American species in sixgenera. Eight species are found in California, of whichthree have been recorded from the greater Los Angelesarea.

by Dr. Emile Fiesler and Dan Cooper, who is an expert inbird ecology and distribution. Emile and Dan are cur-rently conducting a two-year biological assessment sur-vey of Madrona Marsh for the City of Torrance and theFriends. This survey will provide a detailed picture, forthe first time ever, of the biodiversity on our Preserve.We will also be honoring one of our finest local birders,David Moody, with a lifetime achievement award. Pleasejoin us for this interesting meeting!

Annual Meeting of Friends ofMadrona Marsh

When? 3 p.m. Sunday, January 31, 3 p.m.Where? Madrona Marsh Nature Center

What? Election of four Board Members:Candidates are Jeanne Bellemin, Mary Garrity,

Carol Roelen and Bobbie SnyderProgram: Bio-assessment Survey of Madrona

Marsh. Emile Fiesler and Dan Cooper will present anin-progress report on their exciting examination of ourPreserve– from its smallest micro-organisms to its larg-est raptors.

Special Award: A lifetime achievement awardwill be presented to David Moody, one of our premierbirders.

Preserve Manager Tracy Drake will present herAnnual Report.

(Light refreshments will be served)

“Scarab Hunter” continues...

Yellow Scarab Hunter (Campsomerispilipes)

On November 5, twelve tykes arrived with theirmoms in tow and we took off on their adventure intothe Marsh. Several were “repeat hikers,” visiting theMarsh through several seasons and viewing thechanges in the landscape as summer subsides andfalling leaves of the sycamore trees usher in the begin-ning of the winter season.

We found sycamore leaves as large as a dinnerplate, and strolling headlong into a Golden OrbWeaver’s web brought an educational opportunity aboutgood spiders, webs, and how spiders weave such lovelypieces of art. Suddenly, above our heads flew a BlueHeron or Snowy Egret—it was difficult to distinguish inthe morning sunshine. While we waited patiently forthe possibility of a landing we explored the last rem-nants of “snow” upon the willows. A flycatcher amusedus flitting about, and although the Harlequin Bugs werein short supply, we found a few and discovered theirunderbellies are also beautiful.

We returned to the Nature Center to visit with theinhabitants and had high hopes for a rainy winter sea-son.

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bird making a nesta temple being built...when will they finish?––Haiku of Kokayashi Issa, 1824 Submitted by Janis Lukstein

AmphibiansAmphibiansAmphibiansAmphibiansAmphibiansOn December 18 KCET’s News Hour aired “Hu-

man Health Depends upon Biodiversity.” Dr. EricChivian pointed out extinct and endangered specieson a museum tour. His point was how much humanmedicine was lost, or will be lost, to the world. TheGastric Brooding Frog swallows the fertilized eggs, carries them in her belly till they are tadpoles and thenvomits them out into water for further development asadult frogs. If we knew what they secrete in the bellywe could cure ulcers.

Dr Chivian is the founder and Director of the Cen-tre for Health and the Global Environment at HarvardUniversity where he teaches. He co-edited the bookSustaining Life: How Human Health Depends onBiodiversity with Aaron Bernstein, research associ-ate at the Center, and a clinical fellow of pediatrics atthe Children’s Hospital in Boston, published in June2008. The book was co-sponsored by United NationsDevelopment Program. At that time the non- profit “Liv-ing on Earth” interviewed the authors of “Sustaining Life”on their show. That program is now available on theinternet.

The over 100 contributing scientists believe thatthe earth is undergoing an even greater extinction thanthat which wiped out the dinosaurs. The Horseshoe Crab existed before that and has not changed much.Dr. Bernstein thinks of the crab each time he gives ashot to a child since the crab’s blood is used to deter-mine that the shot is free from bacteria. It has beenused in this way since 1932.

So, how often man is changing the biosphere ul-timately comes back to homespun remedies?

On “Googling” frogs I found Wildlife WondersVolume 17, January-March 2008. A beautiful article,“Frogs and Friends” is a marvelous, colorful, factual,large print five pages on amphibians. There are about6,000 amphibian species in the world seriously threat-ened. Half of these species may become extinct in ourlifetime. They appeared 360 million years before dino-saurs––long before dinosaurs roamed the earth, 320million years ago.

Amphibians have naked skin––no scales, feath-

––Shirley Turner

ers or hair as body covering. They secrete mucus tokeep the skin moist and for protection. They drink, losewater and breathe through thin skin. Unfortunately pol-lutants enter their bodies.

Dr. Chivian concludes the interview with, “May wehave the wisdom and the love for our children and allchildren to come, to save the indescribably beautifuland precious gift we have been given.” He dedicatesthe book to us Homo sapiens.

Wikipedia describes many areas of his life whereDr. Chivian’s creative leadership has been recognized,such a Nobel Peace Prize with Board of Directors ofthe organization International Physicians for the Pre-vention of Nuclear War in 1985, and one of 100 mostinfluential world persons of the year in 2008.

Our Pacific Tree Frogs should get more recogni-tion for the role they play in biodiversity. Would you liketo learn more about amphibians and share thatknowledge with the public and children?

gggThe Art Auction was superb. I enjoyed every bit

and bite and sight––and did buy later. Ruth McConnelldrove me with Jack Knapp’s wheel chair. Later, we metDan Portway at the Maple gate to the Marsh and wentin to look at all the work recently completed; a pleasureto see. Over time, Neil Teague has devoted most Mon-day and Tuesday mornings to this cause.

Tyke Hike ReportTyke Hike ReportTyke Hike ReportTyke Hike ReportTyke Hike Report––Mary Garrity

Shirley’s TurnShirley’s TurnShirley’s TurnShirley’s TurnShirley’s Turn

Life is busy. For many of us, there are phone callsto return, e-mails to respond to, projects to follow upon, staff to instruct, volunteers to work with, documentsto be filed, ad infinitum. If you’re a part-time student,there are classes to attend, homework to be completed,a job to maintain, technology to keep up with, and loadsof studying to do. In fact, all of us are, on a day-to-daybasis, buried in a sea of what it means to be living inthis hectic century.

Life is fast, complicated, and there is little time toreflect. There is little time to ponder, meditate on whatwe are doing and why we are doing it. We seem to bein a philosophical vacuum. Sometimes though, a pro-found event occurs and one remembers one’s purposeand passion. Yep, that is what happened one day hereat Madrona Marsh, the day “Bird” provided us with per-spective. Who “Bird” is will be explained in the follow-ing narrative.

The morning was balmy for late fall; I was glad tobe on the Preserve so early––early enough to scout it,to find out what birds were there so that when I pickedup the college biology class later in the morning, I wouldbe able to efficiently tailor their tour to a topic they hadchosen earlier: Birds of the Marsh. As I walked throughthe entrance I knew I had 45 minutes to scout and getto the pre-designated meeting place. I had just enoughtime––or so I thought.

As I started along the main path there were White-crowned Sparrows busily foraging for seeds under thebushes nearby, singing their cheerful song. A bit far-ther down the road I saw the Red-tailed Hawk perchedhigh in a distant eucalyptus tree. In the open field ofthe upper dunes, goldfinches by the hundreds werefeeding on the seeds of annual sunflowers. They toowere calling to each other. I spent too much time alongthe main road, though, and noticed I had only 25 min-utes left.

“Hurry,” I thought, “I have a lot more ground tocover.” Coming up at the sheds, Scrub Jays, Kingbirdsand a Mockingbird were energetically feeding. As Iswung west along the now thinner trail, toward thewetland, about 50 Red-winged Blackbirds rose in uni-son from their perch in a cottonwood tree and glidedsilently into the tall grass a few feet away.

Then I came upon something that did not appearto be a bird. “Is that a cat?” I thought.

By a willow tree nearly 50 feet away––whateverit was appeared hunkered down and small in the grassat the base of the tree. “Better put my binoculars on it,”I thought. “Cool, it’s a juvenile Black-crowned NightHeron. What a treat for the class!” These birds are

seldom on the Preserve, except in late spring! Hmm, itlooks funny––“that’s odd,” I thought. “It lifts its foot whenit raises its head––why? Better get closer to have a bet-ter look.” A little closer now, with my binoculars I amable see that the bird is bound head-to-foot, literally,with fishing line. My heart sank as I thought, “This birdwill not likely survive. “But,” I thought, “it flew here.Maybe it could survive with some help.”

“Okay, Bird, I am going to have to pick you up,” Isaid out loud. Moving slowly towards it, I spoke to it insoft tones so the bird would remain calm. When I waswithin three feet of it, the bird panicked and flew, butnot far––maybe just 20 feet. “Listen to me, Bird, I donot have time to chase you––you need help. I am goingto pick you up.”

B i r dh u n k e r e ddown in thetall grass andlooked backat me. Thefear that hadbeen in hiseyes wasnow absent,so I carefullywalked overto him andpicked himup––withoutincident. Hewas heavierthan I ex-pected, but Iwas able to tuck his three-foot-long body under my arm.He did not make a sound or struggle as I made my wayback to the main gate. That was somewhat of a sur-prise.

Looking at my watch, I could see that I had onlyseventeen minutes before the tour was scheduled tostart. Quickly, I made my way back down the path to-ward the Nature Center. The Center was the only placeI might be able use my one remaining free hand to fi-nally help the heron.

Thirteen minutes to go; students were now arriv-ing at the Center and gathering in the parking lot. For-tunately, a pair of scissors was on the reception desk.Bird squawked loudly as I set him down, still carefullyholding him. “Hmm,” I thought, “he gets his dander upwhen scared––just like a cat!”

Cutting the entrapping nylon fishing line was hard.It was wound tightly around his right foot and there wasa four-sided fishing hook stuck on his bottom. UGH!Bird squawked again as I removed it. That had to hurt.

Okay, nine minutes to go. I heard the students

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––Tracy Drake, Naturalist/Manager

continued ...

Perspective-Perspective-Perspective-Perspective-Perspective-A Bird’s-eye ViewA Bird’s-eye ViewA Bird’s-eye ViewA Bird’s-eye ViewA Bird’s-eye View

We carefully removed the towel, making sure tokeep his large wings folded and staying away from hislarge, pointed bill, which was poised to strike us if wegot too close.

His beautiful orange eyes watched us cautiouslyuntil I put his feet on the road near the water’s edge.From then on he did not look back. He was concernedonly with being free. Within a second he opened hiswings, stepped with his right, then left, foot and took tothe air. I watched him fly across the water and land intall grass on the distant shore.

With a satisfied sigh I turned to the class, readyto teach. But the students themselves were not ready.They were still looking in total silence (again) whereBird had disappeared into the tall grass. No one spokeas we made our way out of the sump. Once on thePreserve again their silence ended.

Somehow, in the instant that Bird flew, the stu-dents were not “students” anymore—they were wit-nesses to an almost magical event. And the eventchanged them. Their tendency to be reserved meltedinto active participation.

For the remainder of the tour, they shared theirbinoculars whenever a bird came into view. A few stu-dents started taking pictures. To my amazement, theystarted asking questions––good ones. We talked aboutbird migration and the amazing fact that many of thebirds we were seeing came from hundreds of milesaway.

As the students left that day, I heard them talkinganimatedly about what they had seen and learned. Itseems Bird and I had awakened something deep withinthem. The sight of Bird flying across the water, and thesilence that ensued, was profound. In that silence, Birdhad provided an opportunity for all of us to connectwith him, connect with his graceful beauty, and con-nect with the wonder of nature.

Can’t help but love my job!

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gathering outside. “Gotta get the line out of his mouth–gotta get into his mouth first to do this––but how?” Ithought. “I need both hands; I am going to have to letgo of him.” I imagined him flying from the desk rightinto the glass doors in a panic. “Calm down,” I thought.“He will know if I have fear and he will become fearfultoo.” Once Bird was free on the desk, I moved my rightindex finger toward his bill. He bit it. Hard. This poseda few problems: First his mouth was still inaccessiblewith my finger in it, and the scissors were right-handedand I am not. Besides, it hurt!

“Hey Bird, let go––I made a mistake and need totry this a different way.” Much to my surprise, he lis-tened!

Six minutes left. Turns out that two fingers in hismouth, perpendicular to his bill, did the trick. But onceI looked into his mouth, to my horror I discovered thathe had in fact swallowed the other hook. Inspecting hisneck, I could not see the hook sticking through his skin,so quickly as I could, I put the scissors in his mouthand cut the line. The hook remained, though. Maybe,because herons typically feed in salt water so much, itwould eventually disintegrate.

Five minutes to go. Daniel, having just arrived towork, helps me drape a large white towel over Birdand over my arm.

Outside I meet the class and start the tour, lettingthe junior college students know they have to be ratherquiet, as I have just rescued a bird and intend to re-lease it during their tour.

Something becomes clear quickly, soon after Imeet the tour group: They are not birders, nor are theyparticularly interested in the upcoming tour. Many wouldnot take the binoculars offered to them.

As we made our way out to the Preserve, westarted seeing some interesting birds. In the distancea Red-tailed Hawk soared, and Northern Flickers werecalling. A few people showed some interest––a heart-ening sign.

Bird was getting heavy in my arms and was mov-ing his head back and forth under the towel––it seemedlike he wanted to look around. I turned back to the stu-dents so they could see him, and I uncovered his head.His long, four-inch bill opened wide as he made a reedysquawk and pulled his head back under the towel. Thestudents fell silent. I think they were in awe––or maybethey were afraid. I could not tell.

Bird was getting increasingly agitated as hejammed himself far under the towel, back against myaching, sweating arm. “We have got to hurry,” I said tothe students as we made our way toward the sump.

Five minutes later, after watching thirsty brightyellow goldfinches drink some water, we walked downthe sump road to the water’s edge. Jeanne, the pro-fessor for the class, made her way up to the front of thenearly 30 students and helped me uncover the gangly,uncomfortable bird.

Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature CenterMadrona Marsh Preserve and Nature CenterMadrona Marsh Preserve and Nature CenterMadrona Marsh Preserve and Nature CenterMadrona Marsh Preserve and Nature CenterSchedule of Events*

January-April 2010

*All activities and classes meet at the Madrona Marsh Nature Center, located at 3201 Plazadel Amo (between Maple and Madrona) on the north side of the street. For the very latest onevents visit www.friendsofmadronamarsh.com. **See Artists Corner, page 8.

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10 am-Tyke Hike

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2-4 pm-Second SundayScience- “Waterfowlof Winter”

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8:45 am-12 n-Habitat Restor.8:45 am-Student Serv.Learning11 am-1 pm-Kids (3-6)-ArtWorkshop (fee)

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2-4 pm-Second SundayScience- (fee)“UnderstandingEarthquakes”

10 am- NatureWalk 10 am-12 n-Weeders

8:45 am-12 n-Habitat Restor.8:45am-Student Serv.Learning

8:45am-12 n-Habitat Restor.8:45am-Student Serv.Learning10 am-12 n-”Mystery ofMushrooms”

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6:30-8:30 pm-Ron LibbrechtArtistsReception**

8:45 am-12 n-Hab.Restor.8:45am-Student Serv.Learning10 am-Nature Walk11 am-1 pm-Kids” (3-6) ArtWorkshop (fee)7-9 pm-Star Party

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Holly GrayExhibit Ends**





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*All activities and classes meet at the Madrona Marsh Nature Center, located at 3201 Plazadel Amo (between Maple and Madrona) on the north side of the street. For the very latest onevents visit www.friendsofmadronamarsh.com. **See Artists Corner, page 8.

Brought to you byFriends of Madrona Marsh

Nature Center (310) 782-3989Gift Shop (310) 320-8255

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8:45 am-12 n-Habitat Restor.8:45am-Student Serv.Learning10 am-12 n- “Fragrant Flowers”/Dr.Vadheim12 n-3 pm-Garden Tea Party &Native Plant Sale

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10-11:30-am-Friday Fun6:30-8:30 pm-Dr. ConnieVadheimArtistReception**




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8 am-Bird Walk/Bob Shanman10 am-12 n-Weeders7:15-9 pm-FOMM Board Meeting



10 am-Tyke Hike

10 am-12 n-Weeders

10 am-12 n-Weeders

2-4 pm-Second SundayScience- “SeaLions and Seals”

10 a.m-Nature Walk


8:30-12n-Arbor DayCelebration8:45 am-12 n-Hab.Restor.8:45 am-Student Serv.Learning

8:45 am-12 n-Habitat Restor.8:45-Student Serv. Learning

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8:30 am-Tour d’ Torrance10 am-12 n-Weeders7 pm-Audubon meets

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5:30-6:30 pm-MMF Board Meeting



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9 am-Morningson the Marsh6:30-8:30 pm- “NameGame”/Dr. Vadheim10 am-12 n-Weeders

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8:45 am-12 n-Habitat Restor.8:45-Student Serv. Learning9 am-3 pm-Environmental Fair10 am- Nature Walk



11111 10-11:30-am-Friday Fun6:30-8:30 pm-Ching HoArtistReception**




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Artists’ CornerArtists’ CornerArtists’ CornerArtists’ CornerArtists’ CornerWorks of local artists and photographers inspired

by the beauty of the Madrona Marsh are regularly ondisplay at the Nature Center. Everyone is invited toattend each artist’s reception where the artist talks abouthis/her work or gives a demonstration. Snacks and bev-erages are included.

Through February 12 - Ron Libbrecht, “An Ex-hibit of Paintings.” Artist’s Reception - Friday, January15, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

February 16-April 2 - Ching Ho, “An Exhibit ofPaintings.” Artist’s Reception-Friday, March 5, 6:30-8:30p.m.

April 6-May 21 - Dr. Connie Vadheim, “A Pho-tography Exhibit.” Artist’s Reception-Friday April 23,6:30-8:30 p.m.

A rich and varied display of photographs and other artwork greetedattendees of the Art Auction.

Beth Shibata with Jeff Kidd, the happy new owner of Beth’sphotograph, “Succulent.”

Artist Stephen West, right, Fran Arrowsmith and well-known Marshphotographer Bert Weatherilt, share thoughts on art displays.

Ron Libbrecht with Shirley Turner, seated, and Ruth McConnelladmire artwork.

The (Very) Elegant First Annual FOMM Art AuctionThe (Very) Elegant First Annual FOMM Art AuctionThe (Very) Elegant First Annual FOMM Art AuctionThe (Very) Elegant First Annual FOMM Art AuctionThe (Very) Elegant First Annual FOMM Art Auction

Suzan Hubert, left, and Mary Garrity survey the vast array ofselections available at the fund raiser auction.

Monarch

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Birds, Butterflies and Dragonflies of theBirds, Butterflies and Dragonflies of theBirds, Butterflies and Dragonflies of theBirds, Butterflies and Dragonflies of theBirds, Butterflies and Dragonflies of thePreservePreservePreservePreservePreserveFall 2009Fall 2009Fall 2009Fall 2009Fall 2009

This list was compiled by Tracy Drake, Ron Melin and David Moody

BirdsBirdsBirdsBirdsBirds

ButterfliesButterfliesButterfliesButterfliesButterflies

DragonfliesDragonfliesDragonfliesDragonfliesDragonflies

American Wigeon Wilsons Snipe Bushtit Savannah SparrowGadwall Ring-billed Gull House Wren Lincoln’s SparrowMallard California Gull Ruby-crowned Kinglet Song SparrowBlue-winged Teal Glaucous-winged Gull Blue-gray Gnatcatcher White-crowned SparrowCinnamon Teal Western Gull Hermit Thrush Dark-eyed JuncoGreen-winged Teal Rock Pigeon Western Bluebird Red-winged BlackbirdNorthern Shoveler Mourning Dove Mountain Bluebird Tri-colored BlackbirdNorthern Pintail White-throated Swift Swainson’s Thrush Western MeadowlarkDouble-crested Cormorant Anna’s Hummingbird Northern Mockingbird Brewer’s BlackbirdGreat Egret Allen’s Hummingbird European Starling Great-tailed GrackleSnowy Egret Red-Breasted Sapsucker Cedar Waxwing Brown-headed CowbirdCooper’s Hawk Downy Woodpecker Orange-crowned Warbler House FinchRed-shouldered Hawk Northern Flicker Yellow-rumped Warbler Lesser GoldfinchRed-tailed Hawk Red AND Yellow shafted Audubon’s American GoldfinchAmerican Kestrel Black Phoebe Myrtle House SparrowMerlin Say’s Phoebe Yellow Warbler Orange BishopPeregrine Falcon Cassin’s Kingbird Black-throated Gray Warbler Nutmeg MannikinVirginia Rail Hutton’s Vireo Common YellowthroatSora Western Scrub-Jay California TowheeKilldeer American Crow Chipping SparrowAmerican Coot Common Raven Lark Sparrow

Monarch West Coast Lady Gray Hairstreak Umber SkipperQueen Cabbage White Western Pygmy-Blue Fiery SkipperGulf Fritillary Orange Sulphur Marine Blue Painted LadyCloudless Sulphur Acmon Blue

Common Green Darner Variegated Meadowhawk Spot-winged GliderBlue-eyed Darner Wandering Glider

Italics - Bred in ‘09Bold-rare on the Pre-serve

Sapsucker

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Dune LupineLupinus chamissonis

Late winter/early spring is a time of reawakeningon the Preserve. Plants that have resembled near-dead sticks for months suddenly come alive with newleaves and even flowers. This reawakening coincideswith the fall/winter rains––and this is no accident. Nativeplants must respond to environmental cues so that theycan grow and flower before the next summer drought.

One plant that springs to life at this time is theDune Lupine, Lupinus chamissonis. Like all lupines,the Dune Lupine is a member of the Pea family. Itshares with other peas a characteristic, complex flowerstructure and large seeds that develop in a pod. Thelupines also share a characteristic ‘palmate’ compoundleaf that looks like a hand with outstretched fingers.This type of leaf helps lupines capture moisture fromrain/fog and direct it to the roots.

Dune Lupine has several characteristics that setit apart from other local lupines. Unlike our annuallupines (such as Bicolor and Arroyo Lupines) the DuneLupine is a perennial sub-shrub. This means that the‘old wood’ is quite woody, while the new growth is softand succulent (herbaceous). Dune Lupine has silveryfoliage––due to leaf hairs––that is common in other localplants. It grows naturally in very sandy soils––so onlythrives in well-drained soils.

––Dr. Connie Vadheim, CSU Dominguez Hills

South Bay Native Plant CornerSouth Bay Native Plant CornerSouth Bay Native Plant CornerSouth Bay Native Plant CornerSouth Bay Native Plant Corner

Dune Lupine is covered with light violet flowersfrom February through March. The colors appear toalmost glow against the silvery foliage. If you standquietly, you’re sure to see the large native bees thatpollinate this lupine. Watch how they land on the lowerlip of the flower to snap it open! In summer/fall watchdoves eat the seeds from the ground.

If you’d like to grow a bush lupine in your homegarden you might want to choose another native lupine,Lupinus albifrons, the Silvery Bush Lupine. Thisspecies does better in gardens and has the silveryfoliage and showy lavender blooms.

Bush Lupines like to grow in full sun. They alsoare a bit persnickety about summer water. You shouldonly water them when the soil dries out––then waterthem deeply. Purchase small plants and plant them inplace––they don’t like their roots to be disturbed. Ifyou want to grow bush lupines from seeds, give thema hot water soak overnight. Note: seeds of all lupinesare toxic if eaten.

Learn more about local native plants at our “Outof the Wilds and into Your Garden” series on the firstSaturday of each month. The class is repeated on thefollowing Tuesday evening.

Plant Information Sheets and Plant Lists are alsoavailable at the Nature Center.

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School Tours Introduce Students to MarshSchool Tours Introduce Students to MarshSchool Tours Introduce Students to MarshSchool Tours Introduce Students to MarshSchool Tours Introduce Students to Marsh

Although March through May are the most popu-lar months for school tours following the rain, Octoberthrough December has been record-setting this year.

Three hundred forty-two 8 to 10 year olds, alongwith 44 accompanying adults, and 20 eleventh andtwelfth graders, along with 3 adults, have joined ourdocents for two-hour tours on the Marsh. These toursinclude observation of the numerous animals and plantson the Marsh and habitat around the Nature Center.

The tours often start within the Center where stu-dents can touch Scooby, the gopher snake, and feelthe pelts of a fox, raccoon, opossum and skunk. Astroll through the newly-refurbished and replenishedexhibit hall gives the students hands-on information andthe opportunity to view numerous native animals ondisplay. This sets the scene for some of the animalsthey may see on the Marsh and aids in their schoolcurriculum which, for the younger grades, includes CityWildlife. For students in fourth grade and up, a waterlab may also be provided.

Occasionally, students will write back about theirexperiences. One third grader wrote: “Thank you forgiving us a tour. Does Scooby have an age? Why isthe dad duck called a drake? Can sparrows fly morethan 1,000 feet? Thank you for showing us a flycatcher.”

Another wrote: “Thank you for giving us a tour. Ican tell you right now I know a common yellow throat,green winged teal, red winged blackbird, northern war-bler, Townsend’s warbler, mallard hen and mallarddrake, black crowned night heron, and a black phoebe.”

It’s wonderful to see students absorbing so manythings in nature which, in turn, is very rewarding for thedocents as well. One thoughtful student wrote: “We re-ally had fun there and we really hope you did too.” Lis-tening to the docents talk of the tours afterwards andthe enjoyable experiences they shared with the stu-dents, it is clear that they did too.

Want to Learn More About the Marsh?Want to Learn More About the Marsh?Want to Learn More About the Marsh?Want to Learn More About the Marsh?Want to Learn More About the Marsh?Become a Docent TraineeBecome a Docent TraineeBecome a Docent TraineeBecome a Docent TraineeBecome a Docent Trainee

One of the best ways to learn more about yourlocal Marsh and the important attributes it brings to na-ture and the surrounding communities is to become adocent trainee. As a trainee you will tour the Marsh andNature Center with a docent (tour leader) perhaps on aschool tour including a pre-school tour (See article onSchool Tours), or a tyke hike. You can start with what-ever age of children you feel most comfortable with andlearn along with them and from them.

Being a docent is not only a very rewarding expe-rience, it is also a most desirable and needed service.Presently we have just two active volunteer docents andthe need from the schools for tours is great. If you be-lieve that this is something you might like to train to do,please contact Tracy Drake, manager of the MadronaMarsh Preserve and Nature Center at 310-782-3989 orSarah Noddings, volunteer in charge of school tours, at310-532-7631.

A class in Field Entomology is set to beginWednesday, February 17 at El Camino College. The4-unit class will meet on Wednesdays from 6 to 10:15p.m.

This is a survey course in insect biology, tax-onomy, physiology and ecology, with some discussionof insect economic importance and control.

Major insect orders and families will be introducedthrough lecture with slides and live and preserved speci-mens. Emphasis will be placed on learning to use akey to identify insect specimens in the laboratory andrecognizing them in the field.

Field trips will be taken to local sites, and localdesert and coastal mountain habitats to practice col-lection, preparation, and recognition techniques.

For Admission Procedures call: 310-532-3670For Natural Science Division Office call: 310-660-

3343.To Contact El Camino College on line:

www.elcamino.edu; Professor Jeanne [email protected].

Presently, the docents leading these tours are twomembers from the Friends of Madrona Marsh: BillArrowsmith and Jack Knapp, and staff members: DanielMarion, Bruce Brown, Chris Noddings and Beth Scott.Bob Carr conducts the water lab.

Entomology ClassesEntomology ClassesEntomology ClassesEntomology ClassesEntomology ClassesBegin at El CaminoBegin at El CaminoBegin at El CaminoBegin at El CaminoBegin at El Camino

–Ellen Peterson, Treasurer

Donations-$100 or MoreDonations-$100 or MoreDonations-$100 or MoreDonations-$100 or MoreDonations-$100 or MoreDATE WHO DONATION11-5-09 Paul’s Photo $100.0011-2-09 David and

Shannon Moody $200.0011-7-09 John & Grace

Makarewich $90.0011-14-09 Lois and Wesley

Medina $100.0012-10-09 The Moore Family $200.00

––Sarah Noddings

Membership ApplicationWe appreciate your support. Thank you!

Annual Membership: _____New _____Renewal

Individual _____$10 Family______$20 Youth (under 18)/Senior (over 65)_____$5

Patron _____$35 Club/Organization _____$50 Business/Industry_____$100

Amount Enclosed_____

Please send your donation or offer of services to:

Friends of Madrona Marsh, P.O. Box 5078, Torrance, CA 90510

FOMM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Your donations are tax free within the law.

Name Phone

Address

E:MailI will volunteer for: (Gift Shop, Reception Desk, other)

a non-profit organization est. 1972

Return Service Requested

P. O. Box 5078Torrance, CA 90510

(310) 32MARSH

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT NO.214

Torrance, California

✁

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