The Ohlone Audubon Society Web Site has moved to Ohlone Audubon.org. Please click OhloneAudubon.org to move to the new site. January 27, 2004
Field Trips	Membership Meetings/Guest Speakers
Calendar	Bette Wentzel Library
The Kite Call	Bird Watching Classes & Workshops
Contacts	Conservation & Education
Special Events	Membership Benefits
Links	Wood Ducks at Sunol?
President's Message	Binocular Donations Needed
Volunteer for OAS	Ohlone Christmas Bird Count
Birding Resources	Bird Song Ecology Terms
http://ohloneaudubon.org/OAStrips.html	Bird & Nature Festivals
Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden   Join Volunteers in the Garden

Wood Ducks at Sunol Regional Wilderness?

Sitings of Wood Ducks along Alameda Creek in Sunol Regional Wilderness are needed to benefit a Wood Duck nest box program which is in the planning stage. Erica Herron,, Naturalist for the East Bay Regional Park District, and Sandy Ferreira, Ranger for Fremont City Parks, are organizing this program at Sunol. Sandy, Ohlone Audubon Society member, is also a member of California Waterfowl Association and has many years of experience building successful Wood Duck nest box projects around the state. They would like to know the location and date of your Wood Duck sitings along Alameda creek at Sunol. Did you observe nesting, foraging or swimming along the creek? Volunteers are also needed to help with building and establishing boxes and recording nesting data. Thanks for your help.

Erica Herron (925) 862-2605 or email svisit@ebparks.org.

Sandy Ferreira (510) 790-5541 or aferreira@ci.fremont.ca.us.
 
 

The public is welcome at all Ohlone membership meetings, lectures, and field trips.

Date: February 3, Time: 7:30 p. m.

Place: Pleasanton Middle School Library 5001 Case Avenue

Topic: "SFBBO: BIRDS AS BIO-INDICATORS", Bryan Dias, Outreach and Education Coordinator San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory

Special Presentation: "AN AUDUBON ADVENTURE", Wendy Winsted, Sulphur Creek Nature Center Audubon Camp of the Rockies, OAS Scholarship Recipient

Through the study of birds in the area, Bryan will discuss how SFBBO performs the critical population biology and conservation science it carries out around the San Francisco Bay. Various research, monitoring, and education projects will be examined using birds to "tell the story." He will discuss the variety of ways in which SFBBO monitors and researches avian populations and how it also uses its results and the birds themselves to inform scientists, politicians, and the general public about the health of the San Francisco Bay ecosystem. Following is a note we received from Wendy Winsted: I would like to take a few moments of your time at the February meeting to share my adventure and feelings about the Ten Sleep Preserve. This Wyoming Preserve was like a moment in time that served to hold nature at its best as campers from Audubon hiked the trails, listened to a chorus of songs and discovered hidden crevices brimming with life. My adventure into this incredible land through your scholarship was an eye opening and exhilarating experience and I would like to thank your group for allowing me to work alongside experienced birders and naturalists as I share my time there with you. To reach Pleasanton Middle School from San Jose, take I-680 north. From Hayward take I-580 east to I-680 south. From Livermore, take I-580 west to I-680 south. Once on I-680, take the Bernal exit and head east on Bernal Avenue to Case Avenue. Turn right on Case. The school is located on the right, about midway down the street. We are meeting in the library, which is to the left once you enter the campus.

Date: March 2 Time: 7:30 p. m.

Place: Eden United Church 21455 Birch Street, Hayward

Topic: "The Farallones: The Bay Area's Magical and Mysterious Islands"

Keith Hansen

Come on a journey to islands shrouded in fog, cloaked in mystery, teeming with life, while balanced by death. Only 18 miles from Point Reyes, it's a far-away world one must see to believe. Join us for an exciting evening of natural entertainment while we explore the seemingly barren surface of this truly wild place. Whether it frolics, feasts, flops, flowers, or flies, we will examine the wide diversity of life that calls these islands its home, its refueling station, or its final resting-place. With the Point Reyes Bird Observatory as the islands' steward, Keith has been fortunate enough to spend over five months on Southeast Farallon Island, over a spread of nine trips. Keith Hansen is a highly regarded wildlife illustrator who specializes in the accurate portrayal of birds. His work has formed the major artistic contribution to over a dozen books. Over two hundred of his illustrations have appeared in various ornithological journals, magazines, and environmental newsletters and grace the front of many a birder's t-shirt. Keith is currently working on a book for the Yosemite Association entitled A Field Guide to the Birds of the Sierra Nevada for which he is creating sixty-seven color plates portraying 320 species of birds. Keith has a gallery and studio in Bolinas near Point Reyes.

Eden United Church is on the corner of Grove Way and Birch in Hayward. From Mission Blvd. turn right onto Grove Way. (Grove Way is off of Mission approximately 1/2 mile north of "A" Street.) The Church is on the corner of the first block. Please use the parking lot at the rear of the building. --MLT

Programs are open to all.

Please bring your personal cup to enjoy hot or cold beverages with your after-meeting goodies. To volunteer to bring goodies to future meetings, call Sara Mathews, (510) 655-4485. SM

Please remember that library services are usually found at membership meetings. Library loans and contributions, purchases from the Ohlone Store, can also be obtained by calling Margaret Emery, 1-925-443-3073.

Receive three months of the Kite Call for free by sending your name and address to Pat Gordon at the address below or via email.

You will receive these benefits with your annual membership:

• Participate in field trips and other activities sponsored by Ohlone Audubon Society
• Enjoy monthly programs on birds and the environment, ten meetings a year
• Vote on important issues that come before the Ohlone Audubon Society membership
• The Kite Call, with news and announcements of local interest, including field trips, bird sitings and conservation programs; eight issues.

 

• Annual Bird Seed Sale
• Christmas Bird Count
• Ohlone Audubon Birdathon
• Habitat enhancement and restoration
• Your membership will help Ohlone Audubon Society continue its efforts to preserve our local wildlife habitat and provide Audubon Adventures for children in 3rd through 5th grades

When you join NAS as a new member, the local chapter
receives little or no future annual funding from the national
organization. As of January 1, 2003, Ohlone Audubon has
created a new membership—an OHLONE AUDUBON-ONLY
MEMBERSHIP. The annual OAS membership is $20, which
entitles you to eight issues of the newsletter, field trip participation,
programs, and helping our local conservation and educational
efforts. Your $20 stays here in the Bay Area, where it will be
used to save our local wetlands, streams, and other bird habitats
and to support our environmental education programs, field trips,
and conservation programs. Also, as an Ohlone-only member,
you have the option of not having your name shared with other
organizations—just indicate this on the application.

Members currently receiving the newsletter must join OAS by
the expiration date on the mailing label to continue their OAS
membership. For example, if your label currently reads “rnp 8/
03” you will have to join Ohlone before August 2003 or you will
be deleted from our mailings and as an Ohlone member. Also
note, there is no longer a $10 newsletter only subscription.
(Please see the link below for an application)

You have the option of becoming both an OAS member and a
NAS member.
For an additional minimum of $20 you can become a member
of NAS, which includes the Audubon magazine and membership
in a national organization. The membership chair will forward
that additional amount onto NAS or you can mail it separately.
Remember that if you also want to support NAS and its
efforts at a national level, you can always join both organizations.
If you want your Audubon membership dollars to help solve
our local Bay Area problems, please use the membership application
link below and become an OAS Member.

We thank you for your support. —Pat Gordon, Membership Chair

Click here to print an membership application form.

April is Audubon Month to commemorate John J. Audubon's birthday, and also the month that Earth Day will be celebrated in a number of communities.  May is American Wetlands Month and time to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day.  Chapter volunteers are needed to staff our table at events all year long. If you can help even if for only a few hours, contact Vi Saima-Barklow, 510-886-4730 or e-mail: Rnvbar@cs.com.  (Also check our web site for updates.)
  Volunteer activities include setting up table displays, making brochures and handouts available, sharing information about birds and nature, enjoying pleasant conversation with visitors, and taking down the displays at the end of the event.  On a scale of difficulty, this is Easy! -VSB Click here for a list of Activities where volunteers are needed.

Agrupacion Sierra Madre, a Mexican conservation group, is desperately looking for used binoculars to help educate school children in Mazatlan, Mexico, about the need to preserve their beautiful but rapidly shrinking natural heritage.  By donating any binoculars that are gathering dust in your closet since you upgraded (even those in need of some repair), you can help this worthwhile conservation effort.

Mazatlan's beaches are the winter home of literally millions of migrant shorebirds; some species reach greater numbers there than anywhere else.  Tropical deciduous forests cover the nearby foothills and are unique habitat for spectacular species such as the Military Macaw.  In the mountains, in pine-oak forest (of which less than two percent remains), lives a number of bird species found nowhere else, including the beautiful Tufted Jay and the Red Warbler (which is actually toxic to predators!)

Unfortunately, there are no national parks in the entire state (Sinoloa); therefore, there are no protected lands.  By creating a conservation ethic in young people, Agrupacion Sierra Madre hopes to preserve this wonderful part of the world.  The Mexican Postal Service will be issuing a new stamp, of the Tufted Jay, in November.  A weeklong bird festival will be held in conjunction with the First Cancellation celebration, at which time free birding classes will begin for the children.  Binoculars are needed now to insure the success of the program.

Your help will be greatly appreciated.  Dollar donations are also gratefully accepted.  Drop off your old binoculars at any Ohlone Audubon meeting or at Wild Birds Unlimited on Regional Street in Dublin.  For more information, or to arrange a pick-up of binoculars, contact the liaison person, Hans Peeters ph: (925) 862-2102; email: hjpeeters@aol.com; Mazatlan webpage: http://peeters.homestead.com/binocs.html.  Checks, payable to Hans Peeters, may be mailed to him at 1050 Kilkare Rd., Sunol, CA  94586.

Would you like some ideas for gift giving which do not require you to get the right size, pattern or color? We have four suggestions.

First of all, a membership to Ohlone Audubon Society, please contact Pat Gordon, Membership Chairman for details (510-538-3550). Send your $20 check made payable to Ohlone Audubon Society, to Pat Gordon (1922 Hillsdale Street, Hayward, 94541).

Third on the list is an Audubon Society calendar (available at the membership meeting). It’s good news for those of you who look forward to purchasing your next year’s beautiful and functional Audubon calendars. Currently we have three kinds of calendars; wall, desk and engagement. Wall calendars have either a song bird, nature or wildflowers theme. Desk calendars are the “page-a-day” style; a different bird picture and description for each day of the year. Engagement calendars have a page-a-week, spiral bound, easy to use format with a nature theme.

The fourth idea is a white mug decorated with our White-tailed Kite logo and inscribed "Ohlone Audubon" and/or a deep blue mug inscribed "Audubon California".
Each is the right size, pattern and color.                                     -Margaret Emery

BAY NATURE is a new quarterly magazine dedicated to the intelligent and joyful exploration of the natural places of the San Francisco Bay Area and the species that inhabit them.

BAY NATURE articles interpret animal life, plant life, geology, weather, parklands, and all other aspects of the natural world around us-as it is now and as it was before. We'll also have photography, art, graphics and poetry from gifted local artists, as well as short news items and a calendar of the most important nature related events happening in the region.

 To order you can call us at (925) 372-6002 or send it to P.O. Box 1493, Martinez, California, 94553. For subscription inquiries, please email baynature@baynature.com or call (925) 372-6002.  A one-year subscription (4 issues) is $16.

BAY NATURE | 1328 6th Street, Suite 2, Berkeley, California 94710
(510) 528-8550 | baynature@baynature.com    www.baynature.com
 
 

Alice Hoch's

Birding Field Trips Class

Field identification, life styles, and ecology of local birds

    Alice Hoch will offer two 6-week field classes (one on Tues. AM and one on Thurs. AM) . Each meeting will be from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. In these classes you will observe and learn about the field identification, life styles, and ecology of local birds. Each morning the class will visit a different birding spot. The class is designed for both beginning and experienced birders. Alice Hoch has been teaching bird-watching since 1975. She has been a birder for 42 yrs. and is a longtime member of Ohlone Audubon Society. Enroll NOW for the classes which begin the 3rd week of Oct. The Tues. class [WHICH IS ALMOST FULL ALREADY] will meet on these dates: 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/18. 12/2 & 12/9. The Thurs. class will meet on these dates: 10/23, 10/30 11/6. 11/13, 11/20, & 12/4. (We will not meet during Thanksgiving week nor on Veterans' Day.) Class size is limited, so register as soon as possible by calling Alice at 510-657-0475.

Be prepared to bird watch at the first class meeting.

     Her classes are filled with friendly, helpful people at all levels from absolute beginner to very experienced.
 

The NATURAL HISTORY of CALIFORNIA BIRDS

Emphasis will be on winter migrants.

Study the life history of birds. Explore this popular leisure-time hobby/career. Labs, specimens, slide shows, and use of bird guides will keep us focused on birding skills, and gain understanding of where birds are and what they are doing. A local Field Trip is added.

CLASS:   Slide lectures - specimens - microscope labs - literature reviews -
              birding techniques for the yard and field - habits - landscaping for
              wildlife - travel tips - field trips. Semester emphasis is on Bird Intro and
              Birds of water and shore.  Beginners - Advanced

BEGINS: Weds. 7:30-9:30pm 7 Jan.-10 Mar. 2004 Room B5 Del Valle Campus, 1963 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek, from Hwy 680 > Olympic Blvd. near Rossmoor.

ENDS:    Ten evenings and a weekend field trip day.  Until Wed. 10 Mar.

COST:    Acalanes Adult Center  Call 1(925)935-0170 -$80.
              Participants can Pre-register or register at 1st Class.

INSTRUCTOR:    Phil Gordon, Naturalist/Photographer/Educator  Phil Gordon, Naturalist, Wildlife Photographer, and Ornithologist.

• State Credentialed, Member of ABA, Ohlone Audubon Soc., Calif. Academy of Science, Lindsay Wildlife Museum. Over 45 years birding; over 20 years at Acalanes Adult Ed.
• Field Trip Leader and Guide, incl.:  Trinidad & Tobago, Canadian Arctic and Northwest Territories, Darien' Panama', Costa Rica, Florida, South & Central Texas,  Arizona, Yucatan and Central to South Mexico, Guatamala.

Phil Gordon
1922 Hillsdale Street
Hayward, CA  94541
Tel.: 1(510) 538-3550
Email: PAGPEG@aol.com

* Acalanes Adult Center, Del Valle Campus
 1963 Tice Valley Blvd.
 Walnut Creek, CA  94595
 Tel.: 1(925) 935-0170

Wild Wednesdays conducts ongoing leisurely explorations of diverse natural communities found in federal, regional, and city parks and wildlife refuges in southern Alameda County and beyond. Participants will learn to identify characteristic plants and wildlife occurring in salt marsh, freshwater pond, creek, grassland, chaparral, woodland, and urban habitats. Fall topics will include native and urban trees and shrubs, late-summer wildflowers and returning migrant and resident birds. Uses of plants for food and medicine and creation of backyard habitat for birds and butterflies will be discussed. Information gained will assist participants in making informed decisions about environmental legislation and policies. Bring binoculars, a hand lens, sun/rain protection, appropriate footwear, liquids, and a snack. You are responsible for your own transportation and entry fees, if applicable; there may be opportunities to carpool.

Instructor: Lee Ellis, MS

Meeting Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (510) 793-7383 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Meeting Place: contact instructor (510) 676-7283 Cell - Wednesday a.m.only Fee: $10/person/class attended.

Weds. Nov 5: Roadside Arboretum, Centerville District, Fremont. Meet at 9:30am in the parking lot of the Centerville Community Center at the corner of Hastings and Country Way (vic. Washington HS). We will take a leisurely walking tour of Centerville to observe a number of specimen, landmark, and heritage trees with origins in Asia, Australia, Europe and tropical regions. There will be opportunities for a restroom stop and cold/hot drinks or snacks.

Weds. Nov 12: Urban birding along Mission Creek. The reach of Mission Creek downstream of Driscoll is a good area in which to observe a variety of urban birds due to the availability of water, a diversity of flowering plants, and a number of households with bird feeders. The resident red-shouldered hawk is often seen here at close range. Upon completion of the reconformation and meandering of the upstream reach between Driscoll and Palm, flow has been restored to Mission Creek. Meet at 9:30am under the large black walnut tree in the visitor parking lot of Hopkins Jr. HS on Driscoll.

As usual, please let me know if you will attend so that I'll have enough handouts for everyone. I'd like your suggestions for future November classes.

** This class is held EVERY Wednesday - contact Lee for current schedule **

Contacts

Field Trips: Bill Scoggins...................WNScoggins@aol.com

Web site: ......................................... http://members.aol.com/OhloneAudubon

NAS California: ............................... 555 Audubon Place, Sacramento, 95825             1-916-481-5332
 

Return to Contents
 

This web site was last updated on January 9, 2004.

If you have comments or suggestions about this web site please email Don Emery or Bill Scoggins

Thanks to Don Emery, Kite Call editor, for his help with this site.
 
 

Links

• National Audubon Society
• Golden Gate Audubon Society
• Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society
• Sequoia Audubon Society
• All California Audubon Societies
• Christmas Bird Counts Results for 2002
• San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
• WatchList: birds that need our help.
• Bird Watching at Coyote Hills Regional Park
• San Francisco Bay Area Nature-Related Events Calendar/
• California Birding Resouces: Resources listed for each county
• Northern California Bird Box: SF Bay Area Rare bird report
• Native Species Network Concerned with our steadily declining heritage of native species. What are the greatest threats to endangered wildlife?
• Training Cats to Live Indoors: Meet cute cats named Sta-Puft, Uncle Chuck & Black Bunbuns.
• BIRDING and ENVIRONMENTAL WEB SITES
• Other web sites of interest to bird watchers
• Birdhouse online: Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• Western Screech Owl Nesting now on camera in Los Gatos, CA
• Alameda Creek Alliance, Bring steelhead back to the Alameda Creek
• Friends of Sausal Creek
• The Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge, Dedicated to protecting our remaining endangered San Francisco Bay wetlands.
• Tri-City Ecology Center:Fremont, Union City, Newark.
• Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center The Wetlands Resource Center
• Native Plant Resources
• Burrowing Owl Consortium
• Kodak Peregrine Falcon Birdcam On camera: peregrine parents tend four hatchlings.
• California Condors in Monterey Where to find them and more...
• Vernal Pools University of California, Merced Campus development threatens primitive vernal pools
• Save Our Sunol  Sunol Water Temple/Open Space threatened by huge gravel pit
• Friends of Coyote Hills & Fremont Nearby development may threaten Coyote Hills Park & Fremont neighborhoods