Professional Documents
Culture Documents
November-December 2008 Western Tanager Newsletter - Los Angeles Audubon
November-December 2008 Western Tanager Newsletter - Los Angeles Audubon
WESTERN
TANAGER
a publication of Los Angeles Audubon www.laaudubon.org
E2 Western Tanager
wren population undergoes a post- adaptive management, Wikipedia’s is
fire decline similar to that reasonably complete and concise: WESTERN TANAGER
documented in the coastal reserve “Adaptive management (AM), also Published by
Los Angeles Audubon Society,
during the past 15 years. known as adaptive resource management a chapter of
(ARM), is a structured, iterative process National Audubon Society.
The NROC’s stated mission is: of optimal decision making in the face of EDITOR: Linda Oberholtzer
“To ensure the persistence of the uncertainty, with an aim to reducing LAYOUT EDITOR: Susan Castor
PROOFREADERS: Hanna Hayman, Marilyn Morgan
Reserve’s natural communities, uncertainty over time via system CONSERVATION: Garry George
including the full spectrum of native monitoring. In this way, decision making FIELD TRIPS: Nick Freeman
PELAGIC TRIPS: Phil Sayre
plant and animal species, through the simultaneously maximizes one or more PROGRAMS: Mary Freeman
protection, study and restoration of resource objectives and, either passively ORNITHOLOGY CONSULTANT:
native habitats and natural processes.”5 Kimball Garrett
or actively, accrues information needed to PRINTING: G2 Graphics Services, Inc.
improve future management. AM is often
The terms “study” and “restoration” Opinions expressed in articles or letters
characterized as “learning by doing.”8 herein do not necessarily express the
both fall under the NCCP’s adaptive position of this publication or of
management provisions. As set forth The article further explains that Los Angeles Audubon Society.
November/December 2008 E3
maintains “net long-term habitat
value” in the subregion in two ways:
• first, creation of the Reserve
System will provide the essential
habitat necessary to sustain the
“target and Identified Species”
within the subregion. [. . .]
• second, significant opportunities
for restoration and enhancement
have been identified and are created
within the Reserve System. [. . .]”
E4 Western Tanager
Under the guidance of Trish worsens because of unforeseen several specified factors, consult
Smith of The Nature Conservancy, circumstances, the primary obligation with the California Department of
the program underwent a thorough for implementing additional Fish & Game, and “consider any
re-evaluation and overhaul before conservation measures would be the responses submitted by any other
the 1999 field season. It is not clear responsibility of the Federal Parties.” If, after completing many
to me that even the retooled and government, other government steps, the Director of the USFWS
vastly improved monitoring agencies, or other non-Federal determines that a finding of
approach would be adequate for use landowners who have not yet Unforeseen Circumstances is
in developing a reliable predictive developed an HCP.10 warranted, the terms of the
model for the three target species, ... NCCP/HCP may be modified in an
but the results obtained between If additional conservation and effort to provide for recovery of the
1999 and 2004 did establish mitigation measures are deemed population(s) in question, and the No
convincingly that Cactus Wrens in necessary to respond to unforeseen Surprises rule is invoked.
the coastal reserve were declining on circumstances, the Services may
a scale and following a pattern require additional measures of the Before I am accused of crystal
unlike that shown by Cactus Wrens permittee where the conservation plan clear hindsight, or of failing to
in the central reserve or by is being properly implemented, but recognize the many valid reasons
California Gnatcatchers anywhere in only if such measures are limited to why this NCCP/HCP turned out the
the NROC. With an even larger modifications within conserved habitat way it did, let me provide the
percentage of the central reserve areas, if any, or to the conservation following context for my criticisms.
having burned in 2007 than burned plan’s operating conservation program
in the coastal reserve in 1993, and for the affected species, and maintain First, I believe that nearly all
with the combined number of Cactus the original terms of the conservation who have participated in developing
Wren pairs in both reserves having plan to the maximum extent possible. the NCCP/HCP for central and
perhaps fallen into double digits, it is Additional conservation and mitigation coastal Orange County, and my
fair to suggest that wren populations measures will not involve the colleagues who have also
in central and coastal Orange County commitment of additional land, water participated in its implementation,
have entered a period of crisis. or financial compensation or have done so honestly, thoughtfully,
restrictions on the use of land, water and constructively. At the time the
The worst-case scenario that I (including quantity and timing of NCCP/HCP was finalized in 1996, I
have described requires delivery), or other natural resources myself would have thought it
consideration of two controversial otherwise available for development or extremely unlikely that the NROC’s
aspects of the NCCP/HCP that its use under the original terms of the Cactus Wren populations could or
architects must have hoped would conservation plan, without the consent would collapse as precipitously as
never be invoked. First is the federal of the permittee.” they have. I am unaware of any
government’s Habitat Conservation expert on the species or on reserve
Plan Assurances (‘‘No Surprises’’) Section 8.9 of the NCCP/HCP design who warned that such a rapid
Rule, which was set forth by the Implementing Agreement is long and collapse was anything but a
Secretary of the Interior on 11 legalistic, but the gist is that the U.S. theoretical possibility.
August 1994 and ultimately codified, Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS)
after additional public review and may reach a finding of Extraordinary With regard to predictive modeling, I
input, on 23 February 19989. Boiled Circumstances (now referred to as quote from the Scientific Review Panel
down to its essence, “No Surprises” “Unforeseen Circumstances”) if it assembled by the California Department
means the following: “Once an HCP identifies a “significant and of Fish & Game to review the Western
permit has been issued and its terms substantial adverse change in the Riverside County Multiple Species
and conditions are being fully population of an Identified Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP),
complied with, the permittee may [such as the Cactus Wren] within the which was adopted in 2003: “The plan is
remain secure regarding the agreed Central/Coastal Subregion, which constrained by data limitations and the
upon cost of conservation and was not contemplated by the need to protect appropriate habitats
mitigation. If the status of a species NCCP/HCP.” Before making such a before they disappear. Many of the most
addressed under an HCP unexpectedly finding, the USFWS must consider useful models of habitat connectedness,
November/December 2008 E5
viability analyses based on we would have otherwise. from major wildfires, and (b) that such
metapopulation dynamics, and multiple- Furthermore, the NCCP/HCP fires become more frequent as human
species approaches to planning have established a conservation structure populations increase. In hindsight, it
come only from the theoretical literature that can jump-start the process of might have been wise to specify some
and are very recent. Most tests of those population recovery. level of contingency funding for
ideas are only beginning and largely stepped-up fire management practices
being undertaken in areas exclusively Typically, cactus plantings take and intensive supplemental cactus
within federal lands that can be surveyed. many years to become usable by restoration projects in case the
Thus, even the concept of “Best Cactus Wrens. Whereas an intensive problems associated with increased
Available Science” is difficult to assess. program of cactus scrub restoration frequency and/or extent of wildfire
The “best available data” was integrated. undertaken early in the NROC’s turned out to be more serious than
The “best available models” could not existence might have put managers reserve planners hoped and assumed
adequately be parameterized.”11 in a better position to start seeing the they would.
wren population recover several
That such a statement was issued years from now, such a program Another concern is that the bare-
seven years after adoption of the probably would not have helped to bones monitoring program outlined
NCCP/HCP suggests that, as a stem the decline that has taken place in the NCCP/HCP was inconsistent
practical matter, predictive modeling over the past dozen years. with the plan’s explicit reliance on
probably could not have been “adaptive management” as an
“adequately parameterized” for use Finally, Cactus Wrens appear to important guarantor of coastal sage
in designing the reserve system for be in decline all along the coastal scrub ecosystem health and
central and coastal Orange County. slope of southern California, from functions. The architects of the
Ventura County southward. These NCCP/HCP did not realistically
I regard the NCCP/HCP’s land populations were the subject of a determine the breadth and depth of
set-asides, conservation plans, and regional symposium held by the monitoring data that would be
operating endowment as better NROC in April 2008, and since that necessary to create and sustain a
conservation outcomes than would time a coastal Cactus Wren working viable adaptive management
have been likely to be attained group has been convening to start program, and as a result the NROC’s
through the project-by-project developing a coordinated approach monitoring budget is chronically
approach to coastal sage scrub to conserving these populations. underfunded. For example, the
conservation planning that was the Since this is a regional issue, and NROC stopped funding the reserve-
previous norm in central and coastal since Cactus Wrens appear to be wide, constant-effort mist netting
Orange County, and that is still doing poorly even in parts of the venture after collecting five years of
practiced in many jurisdictions in NROC not obviously impacted by data. With each passing year of
southern California. Because the wildfires or other disturbances, it is operation this long-term data set was
wren populations in question are unclear that even 100% preservation becoming a more valuable adaptive
classified as part of of the habitat that existed in 1992 management tool, and because the
Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus would have fundamentally improved program was being run by part-time
anthonyi, the widespread subspecies the current situation. interns the costs were relatively low.
found in California’s deserts and The NROC may not be “flying
surrounding areas, these populations In light of all that, you may well blind” in the absence of its long-term
are not, at this time, regarded even as be asking yourself, “Okay then, banding program, but a potentially
California Species of Special what’s this guy’s beef?” My first valuable piece of navigation
Concern, let alone listed as concern is that the EIR/EIS for the equipment has been mothballed for
threatened or endangered. With the NCCP/HCP for central and coastal lack of funds.
“coastal” Cactus Wren’s recognition Orange County generally seemed to
as target species of the NCCP/HCP assume that a worst-case scenario for Finally, one must question whether
and consequent monitoring, we any Identified Species was very the Cactus Wren is truly being treated
undoubtedly know much more about unlikely to happen, and yet we all as if it was a listed species in the central
this bird’s changing status and knew (a) that Cactus Wrens were and coastal Orange County NCCP
distribution in Orange County than likely to suffer serious adverse effects planning area. Has the time come for
E6 Western Tanager
8
the USFWS to seriously consider parties to avoid the temptation to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada
whether a finding of Unforeseen downplay the chances for worst-case ptive_management
9
Circumstances might be warranted for scenarios and to realistically calculate Federal Register 63:8859–8873.
10
the Cactus Wren in the coastal and/or the costs of operating a Federal Register 63:8867.
11
central reserves? While it is true that comprehensive monitoring program http://repositories.cdlib.org/ccb/
such a finding would trigger the No capable of (a) identifying potentially WRC-MSHCP/
12
Surprises rule, the Federal Register serious problems promptly and (b) Federal Register 63:8869.
article suggests possible opportunities collecting the depth and breadth of
for the federal government to share the information required to avoid or
increased costs that would be remedy serious problems through true
associated with intensifying Cactus adaptive management.
Wren recovery efforts: “Also, nothing
in this final rule prevents the
1 ROBB HAMILTON is a consulting
Services from asking a permittee to DeSante, D. F., Pyle, P., and
voluntarily undertake additional Kaschube. D. 2003. The 2003 Annual biologist who has worked in and
mitigation on behalf of affected Report of the Monitoring Avian around Orange County for 20 years.
species. While an HCP permittee Productivity and Survivorship He was a member of the Nature
who has been implementing the HCP (MAPS) Program at the Nature Reserve of Orange County's original
and permit terms and conditions in Reserve Of Orange County. Report Technical Advisory Committee and
good faith would not be obligated to dated 30 September 2003 prepared for has worked as a consultant to the
provide additional mitigation, the Nature Reserve of Orange County. Reserve on various aspects of bird
2 monitoring. He has co-authored two
Services believe that many Hamilton, R. A. 2004. Target
landowners would be willing to Bird Monitoring Study, Nature books: Birds of Orange County:
consider additional conservation Reserve of Orange County, 2004. Status and Distribution and Rare
assistance on a voluntary basis if a Report dated 3 November 2004 Birds of California.
compelling argument for assistance prepared for Nature Reserve of
could be made.”12 Orange County. Statistical analysis by
Martha White, Ph. D., and Karen
Tacitly acknowledged in the Messer, Ph. D.
3
above-quoted passage is the notion Bontrager, D. R., Erickson, R. A.,
that the federal government is and Hamilton, R. A. 1995. Impacts of
seldom the only entity with a vital the October 1993 Laguna Fire on
interest in the success of a given California Gnatcatchers and Cactus
HCP. This is the first opportunity for Wrens. Pp. 69–76 in Brushfires in
the NROC and its Board of Directors California Wildlands: Ecology and
to prove that the NCCP/HCP for Resource Management. J. E. Keeley and
central and coastal Orange County T. Scott (eds). International Association
can achieve its central conservation Wildland Fire, Fairfield, WA.
4
goals even when populations of an Harmsworth Associates. 2002.
Identified Species fail to thrive Final California Gnatcatcher and
according to plan. Many people and coastal Cactus Wren monitoring
institutions have worked long and report for the San Joaquin Hills burn
hard to bring this plan to fruition; area 2001. Report dated January 2002
nobody wants to see it fail. prepared for Nature Reserve of
Orange County.
5
My final point is cautionary. As http://www.naturereserveoc.org/
6
new conservation accords are http://www.naturereserveoc.org/
contemplated, such as the one that NCCP%20Parts%20I%20&%20II%2
Audubon California and other groups 0-%20Plan.pdf
7
recently signed at Tejon Ranch, it will http://www.doi.gov/initiatives/A
be important for the negotiating daptiveManagement/documents.html
November/December 2008 E7
My Patch
The Birds of Villa Venetia in Marina del Rey
I
it had fallen unfledged from its nest. I
nesting in palm trees just agitated adult herons protecting their captured the young bird from behind
beyond your bedroom unhatched eggs and hatchlings. after cornering it by placing one hand
windows. Picture Black-crowned around the nape of its neck and the
Night-Heron adults and their young Set at the seaward-most extent of other around its unforgettably
foraging in your yard beside a Fiji Way, at the end of a peninsula powerful legs. The experience left a
swimming pool. And a Barn separating Ballona Creek from the deep, lasting impression.
Swallow swooping down to skim dredged Marina del Rey channel, my
water from the pool’s surface before apartment complex is located less I have occasionally seen
disappearing toward nearby ocean than three hundred yards from the Cooper’s Hawk in my yard. Twice a
waters. Imagine hearing a husky open waters of the Pacific. The Sharp-shinned Hawk has appeared,
warbler chip just seconds before a complex sits on filled wetlands and in both instances alighting atop a
Common Yellowthroat drops from is separated from other still swimming pool umbrella, from
the olive tree near your bedroom (partially) functioning wetlands by a where it surveyed the yard. My yard
window to the ground, not 15 feet bike path on one side and by Ballona is typically teeming with sparrows
from the night-herons. Creek on another side. Within the and finches when these accipiters
Ballona Valley, the Villa Venetia show up probably looking for a meal.
Welcome to my yard at the Villa grounds are geospatially unique.
Venetia Apartments in Marina del Rey Partly as a result of the features just Not surprisingly, having a
where I have lived the last nineteen described that make its location so swimming pool in such a setting is
years. The four bird species just unusual, there are few other places in asking for trouble. Female Mallards
described, along with several others, the entire Ballona Valley watershed have regularly led their chicks from
have all appeared in my yard over that attract such a broad diversity of nests in the nearby wetlands to the
recent weeks, sometimes avian species. pool. There they have taught their
simultaneously. Also, for the first young pool exit strategies and how
time this breeding season, Double- White-tailed Kites nested in a pine to dive. In most Mallard families of
crested Cormorants, four pairs of tree at the Villa Venetia Apartments in any size, there is typically one
them, nested in the same Monterey 2002. The pine tree stands in the duckling that refuses to dive.
Cypress trees that support other Great shadow of the Great Blue Predictably the mother eventually
Blue Heron nests at the Villa Venetia Heron/cormorant nesting trees. The gets on top of her difficult charge
Apartments. Over the years, Red- adult Kites raised three young that and forces the youngster under water
tailed Hawks, when circling these year. I rescued one of the young from by pressing it downward with her
same trees, have found themselves a neighboring apartment patio where neck and bill.
E8 Western Tanager
The swimming pool is often feet from where I now write. A few (and elsewhere, in the marina,
filled with guano not only from the springs past, a Lazuli Bunting passed Snowy Egret and Black-crowned
annual Mallard female with chicks through the yard. Night-Heron) nesting. Over time, I
occupying it but also, in the months hope to further convince the Coastal
preceding her appearance, from a Until recent years, a Black Scoter Commissioners that the overall
gaggle of bad boy male Mallards or two would sit in the marina channel geospatial uniqueness and
who hang together at and near the less than fifty feet from the Villa remarkable biodiversity of the Villa
pool while the females are tending Venetia swimming pool. Western and Venetia location should become the
their nests. Various gull species also Clarks Grebes have replaced the basis of their ESHA designation, and
appreciate the fresh water drink the wintering scoters now, along with an that all of the Villa Venetia grounds
pool provides and love to float on its occasional Red-breasted Merganser. I therefore, and not just the heron nest
surface while taking bathroom have also recently photographed as supporting trees, should be declared
breaks. No pool side gathering of many as 14 Great and Snowy Egrets an ESHA.
avian miscreants however would loafing together on the jetty rocks just
seem quite complete without Brown ashore of where this marina channel There are, however, significant
Pelicans, who intermittently appear connects with the Villa Venetia grounds. Los Angeles County and developer
at the pool’s edge, staring toward its pressures to scrape the Villa Venetia
waters, with no apparent reason for In January, 2008, the California premises clean and to replace the
being there. Coastal Commission made a finding existing 3-story apartment buildings
that the tree stands supporting heron with a 13- story condominium
Migration usually brings surprises nesting and roosting at the Villa complex. These pressures, which
to my yard. Five years ago, a Venetia Apartments (and at other have been successfully opposed for a
Summer Tanager appeared in one of marina localities) are an decade, have nevertheless resulted in
the (Washingtonian) palm trees near Environmentally Sensitive Habitat repeated removal and degradation of
the poolside. Spring of 2007, brought Area or (ESHA). The Coastal nesting and roosting habitat at Villa
a Wilson’s Warbler to the edge of my Commission based their finding Venetia, mainly involving excessive
porch overlooking the pool, not seven mainly on the occurrence of Heron tree trimming and nest destruction.
But the birds in general have rebuilt
their nests in the degraded trees and
are not budging. Furthermore, birds
have on the whole increased their use
of the Villa Venetia habitat over
recent years. The avian diversity and
most species counts especially have
increased over the last 10 years. So
the very best to the birds of Villa
Venetia, my back yard birds. For their
habitat to survive, they will need all
the help from us they can get.
November/December 2008 E9
I n t e r p r e t i n g N a t u r e
involved in our programs in the
Baldwin Hills…
—Stacey Vigallon,
Director of Interpretation
Though seemingly unrelated, I hope
my passions for both film and
environmental science mix in an effort to
break the cycle of misinformation
regarding the environment. I plan to act
as a vanguard of environmental
awareness and empathy. One day I intend
to motivate the general public into
mobilizing and reversing our negative
effect on this planet. Through both film
and the Baldwin Hills Greenhouse
Program I intend to increase
environmental awareness within my local
community and eventually the world.
Students in the Baldwin Hills Greenhouse Internship Program
remove ice plant from a hillside at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Park. Growing up in inner city Oakland,
his summer, 12 students the upcoming role they will play in
T
California, my experience with nature
from Dorsey High School the restoration of the Baldwin Hills was limited to the sidewalk weeds until
participated in restoration and the positive impact they will have my fifth grade teacher, Mr. Abar, took
ecology training programs in the on the surrounding community. our entire class camping in the
Baldwin Hills, a joint project Redwood Regional Forest. We hiked
between Los Angeles Audubon and In the last issue we heard from about 10 miles wearing 30 lb packs. I
Earthworks Restoration (funded by Rosemary Virula, a Dorsey graduate was mesmerized. We saw a banana
the Baldwin Hills Conservancy and a now attending CSU Northridge and slug, deer, snakes, streams, and even a
grant from National Audubon’s currently our Interpretation Intern. fleeting glimpse of a mountain lion.
“TogetherGreen” program). This issue we’ll hear from Chris This personal interaction with nature
Simmons, a student participating in continued through middle school and I
After an intensive application the Baldwin Hills Greenhouse enjoyed more hikes into the Redwood
process last May, we selected five Internship Program. Now in his Forest where I learned about the water
students to participate in the Baldwin senior year at Dorsey High School cycle and to how read pH levels. And
Hills Greenhouse Internship Program, and looking toward college, Chris is the older I became, the more I engaged
and seven for the Restoration a scholar-athlete: he is currently with nature, from canoeing in the San
Leadership Program. In August and captain of the wrestling team, a Francisco Estuary to spending a
September these students learned participant in Dorsey’s Film weekend at a conservation retreat
about coastal sage scrub ecology, bird Production Program, and is a UC learning how wildlife has adapted to the
identification, invasive plant species, Berkeley Incentive Awards Program San Francisco Peninsula after
and orienteering with map, compass, Scholar. What follows is Chris’s “demilitarization.” These transformative
and GPS. Throughout the duration of perspective on how he would like to events guided me towards
the school year, students will conduct integrate his diverse interests in a environmental conservation.
research at the Baldwin Hills way that aids the cause of
greenhouse, help remove invasive conservation. Again, we hope this Since the ninth grade at Susan
plants and replace them with natives, student’s essay helps you to Miller Dorsey High, I have been a part
and serve as leaders in their school understand the inner-city experience of many programs. In my junior year I
and community. We are excited about and that it inspires you to get joined Dorsey’s Global Warriors Eco-
SNOWY PLOVER DOCENTS NEEDED! I love the outdoors, nature and all of the creatures that
share this planet with us, well almost all. I could do with
s we have mentioned in past issues, we are out centipedes (although, chickens wouldn't agree with
Autumn does not officially arrive in an effort to prevent treated numbers of passerines passing
until September 22, but fortunately, wastewater from entering Rosamond through the county starting right
southbound ‘fall’ migrants Dry Lake. For some time now, these after July. Even a few low-end
completely disregard that fact. ponds have been a rich wetland vagrants had turned up by early
Otherwise, it would be a long, hot habitat. The ponds are not only for August. As expected, things started
and rather uneventful summer… at finding shorebirds: waterfowl and to heat up as we approached the
least for birders. To the average waders thrive here as well and the middle of September, with a sudden
resident of Los Angeles County area attracts migrant passerines in spike in vagrants and an increasing
migration is all but invisible; but for spring and fall. Since it takes more flow of regular southbound migrants.
the dedicated observers who were effort to travel to and gain access to
out looking, there were plenty of these ponds, they are not as well As is typical, there was quite a
birds on the move and enough covered as the LA River. One bit of variety from mid-July to mid-
vagrants to make things interesting. wonders what they would produce if September…
subjected to the same intense and
Shorebirds were much in near daily coverage. Interesting waterfowl were
evidence as usual, with numbers of virtually non-existent, but an out of
expected species and a few of the Though these two locations season Lesser Scaup at Colorado
‘rare but regular’ also found-- the together produce the largest Lagoon in Long Beach on August 12
majority of them in the county’s two concentrations of shorebirds and are was notable (Robb Hamilton).
great shorebird magnets. consistent in producing rarities, there
are many other places to look. The Very rare, and earlier than the few
With virtually all of our coastal LA River stretches for miles and there previous records would lead us to
wetlands obliterated by human are many other spots along its path expect, was a Manx Shearwater that
development, the concrete lined that attract birds. Any drainage was seen from Pt. Vicente on August 4
lower LA River has become-- channel of significant size and most of (Mike San Miguel).
improbable, as it might seem-- the our flood control basins also hold
one coastal location that offers shorebirds given the right conditions. A few Brown Pelicans wandered
southbound shorebirds an extensive Old favorites the Ballona Wetlands away from the coast. A juvenile was at
and valuable habitat. On almost any and Malibu Lagoon always have Sepulveda Basin from August 9-16
day from July through September, potential as do portions of the San (Jon Fisher) and another was at Bonelli
thousands of birds use the river as a Gabriel River and the Lancaster Park in San Dimas from August 17-
resting and feeding stopover. As a Sewer Ponds—home of southern September 13 (Andrew Lee). Two
bonus, it’s very accessible from a California’s only record of Gray-tailed others were at Harbor Regional Park in
birding perspective. Tattler in 1981. I suspect only birders Wilmington in mid-August-- much
could swoon over sewer ponds. closer to the coast but still away from
The desert has its own man- where they are expected.
made wetland. The Piute Ponds on While shorebirds are most of the
Edwards Air Force Base were story from July through early Raptors included an early
initially created almost 50 years ago September, there were also small Northern Harrier in the Ballona area
WESTERN SNOWY PLOVERS ON by Audubon volunteers include a invertebrates that inhabit the wrack
DOCKWEILER BEACH GET PROTECTION freshly killed female in a tire track, a (seaweed) that is left on the beach.
FROM LA COUNTY! steep decline in the wintering The longest side, parallel to the
populations in LA County, and ocean, will be 300 feet long, with
Los Angeles County Beaches & evidence of “scrapes” as the first sides of 100 feet at each end. The
Harbors have agreed to protect possible breeding attempts since fence will be monitored by biologists
Western Snowy Plovers on 1949. In their 2007 annual report, from Ryan Ecological Consulting as
Dockweiler State Beach! The Audubon and Ryan Ecological well as volunteers from Audubon, and
decision was made after a four-hour Consulting have recommended that Los Angeles Audubon with help from
meeting arranged by the County Los Angeles County provide fencing a grant from USFWS to assist this
agency with Los Angeles Audubon, protections for the plovers due to outreach program that will include
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Los disturbance from beach grooming, docents to interact with beachgoers
Angeles Planning Commission, Los beach vehicles, recreation, dog and explain the need for the
Angeles Fire Department Lifeguards, walking and other human activities. protections, and to educate the public
Commissioners Sara Wan and The 2007 report with maps and on Western Snowy Plover. Stacey
William Burke of the California information on the Snowy Plover Vigallon will create and administer
Coastal Commission and Tom Ryan Project are available on the outreach program for Los Angeles
of Ryan Ecological Consulting. www.losangelesaudubon.org under Audubon with our partners Santa
Endangered Species on the Main Monica Bay and Palos Verdes/South
The agreement is a result of two Menu. Bay Audubons.
years of monitoring of Western
Snowy Plovers on Los Angeles The coastal population of Western Additionally, Dockweiler State
County beaches by volunteers from Snowy Plover was listed as a Beach has been included in the
three Audubon chapters – Los federally threatened species under the mapped area of the Ballona Valley
Angeles, Santa Monica Bay and Palos Endangered Species Act in 1993. The Important Bird Area by Audubon
Verdes/South Bay. The monitoring U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service California, which also includes the
project, which continues yearly designated portions of Dockweiler Least Tern colony on Venice Beach,
thanks to grant funding by U.S. Fish State Beach as critical habitat for the and now qualifies for increased
& Wildlife Service and California recovery of the Snowy Plover. The protections from the state office of
Fish & Game Office of Spill fencing will be placed inside that National Audubon.
Prevention and Response, is led by critical habitat zone.
biologist Tom Ryan of Ryan Thanks to Stacey, Tom, and all
Ecological Consulting, with Volunteer The fencing at Dockweiler State the volunteers for the Snowy Plover
Coordination by Los Angeles Beach will be three sided and open to project who made this important
Audubon’s Director of Interpretation the ocean so that the plovers can have conservation milestone happen.
Stacey Vigallon. Observations made easy access to feed on the insects and
The mission of Los Angeles Audubon is to promote the enjoyment and protection of birds and other wildlife
through recreation, education, conservation and restoration.”
Sandra Albers Jennifer Jones Gary Wallen
Yvonne C. Arias Marion L. Joy George R. White DDS
Nicholas Armstrong Paul & Virginia Kubic John Willis
Karl Bouvier Arthur Langton Irwin Woldman
Louis Brinker Anna Marie Bovill Lea
Ed & Marnell Bruce Kasi McMurray Lifetime Members
Eileen Burton Hope Nathan Mary Semski
Ann Cavalieri Paul Nelson
Dixie L. Cleary Sydney Newell Breeding Bird Atlas Donors
Buford Crites Drew Pallette Mary & Nick Freeman
Joanne Glazer Joan L. Roach
Ola Jane Gow Judy & Robert Scharff We thank the following who made
Dr. Charles R. Hamilton Julie and Gabe Sende heartfelt donations in honor of
David K. Hensley Suzanne Siegel loved ones:
Michael Hersh and Deborah Myers Catriona J Simms
Jeri & Richard Hughes Jason A. Stuck In Memory of Herb Clarke
Mr. William Johnston Tanis Sugden & Lisa Mark Mary Semski
18 Western Tanager
Bird Walks —November/December
Sunday, November 9 3rd Saturday of the month
Bird Walks are geared for the
Upper Franklin Canyon Saturday, November 15
beginner/intermediate looking for
(Sooky Goldberg Nature Center), Leaders: Eric and Ann Brooks
an introduction to local birds or
Beverly Hills Saturday, December 20
a less strenuous excursion. Time: 9:00 a.m. Leader - TBA
Appropriate for young bird Leader: Eleanor Osgood Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
watchers age 8 years and older. Join us as we walk around the ponds Time: 8:00 a.m.
Binoculars are provided on some in this urban oak woodland nature This trip covers landscaped
walks as noted below. preserve. We are guaranteed to see parkland, a lake and natural coastal
the resident Wood Ducks and scrub habitats and is paced for
1st Sunday of every month chaparral bird species such as beginning birders and members of
Sunday, November 2 California Quail, Spotted and the Baldwin Hills community. Come
Sunday, December 14 California Towhees, California look for migrating warblers and
Topanga State Park Birdwalk Thrasher. Also, expect to see some returning sparrows and ducks along
Leaders: Ken Wheeland and Chris migrating songbirds and flycatchers. with the resident birds. The park
Tosdevin This canyon is a hidden treasure entrance is off of La Cienega Blvd.
Time: 8:00 a.m. where the surrounding urban between Rodeo Rd. and Stocker St.
Ken and Chris will lead participants residences of Sherman Oaks and After passing the entrance kiosk
through this beautiful and diverse Beverly Hills disappear from view. ($4.00 parking fee) turn left (leading
coastal mountain area. An ideal trip Meet in the parking lot of the Sooky to the “Olympic Forest”) and park in
for a beginning birder or someone Goldberg Nature Center and bird for the first available spaces.
new to the area. From Ventura Blvd, a few hours in the cool of native trees Binoculars provided.
take Topanga Canyon Blvd 7 miles and ponds.
S. Turn E uphill on Entrada Rd. Directions: From the 101 Freeway, 3rd Sunday of the month,
Follow the signs and turn left into take Coldwater Canyon Blvd. south August through May
Trippet Ranch parking lot. From to the intersection of Coldwater Sunday, November 16
Pacific Coast Hwy, take Topanga Canyon and Mulholland Drive. Make Sunday, December 21
Canyon Blvd. 5 miles to Entrada Rd. a 90 degree right turn onto Franklin Ballona Wetlands Bird Walk
Parking fee. Canyon Drive. There is no sign Leaders: Bob Shanman and Friends
Contacts: Ken: (310) 455-1401, indicating the entrance to the park. Time: 8:00 a.m.
ksafarri@aol.com; The turn at Franklin Canyon Road Join us for a walk through L.A.’s only
Chris: (310) 455-1270 reads “Road Closed 800 Feet” and remaining saltwater marsh and the
“Sunrise to Sunset.” This is the park adjacent rocky jetty. Wintering
entrance. Do not make a U-turn-- as shorebirds and terns should be present,
this will take you onto Mulholland plus the resident Black Oystercatchers
Drive instead of Franklin Canyon. frequenting the rocky shores of Ballona
Stay on paved roads to reach the Creek. Meet at the Del Rey Lagoon
Sooky Goldberg Nature Center. From parking lot. Take the Marina Fwy (90)
Please watch our website for our
Sunset: take Coldwater Canyon to to Culver Blvd and turn left for a mile.
upcoming 2009 Pelagic schedule.
Mulholland Dr. Turn right on Turn right on Pacific Ave. The lot is on
The first trip will be on Saturday,
Mulholland. Make right turn onto the right. Lot or street parking is
February 28th. Going to the Palos
Franklin Canyon Dr. (refer to usually not a problem. Three hour
Verdes Escarpment on the boat
directions from 101 Freeway). walk. Scopes helpful.
“Pacific Adventure”. The trip departs
Binoculars provided. Contact: Bob (310) 326-2473;
from Ports-of-Call in San Pedro. $70
wildbirdbob@cs.com
Leader: Howard King Spot” accessible from the end of As in past years, we'll have a centralized
The Little Gulls, Ruddy Ground Dove, University Drive (small street) at meeting place (Rancho Park, near Pico/Motor)
and Least and Vermilion flycatchers of 8:00 a.m. for the 7.1’ high tide, and a where we can gather the morning of the count
to split into teams, and meet back there around
past years may not be back, but surely full day of birding in the area. High 1 pm to see what species are still missing. We
something will take their places! Take tide at the mouth is 8:37 a.m., but will also have a compilation dinner that night
the 10 or 60 Fwy E to the 215 Fwy S, may not peak in the Back Bay until (location TBD).
exit E onto Ramona Expressway, after 9:00 a.m.. Three rails, Nelson’s
While I pull together this information from
continue E just past Perrris Blvd., and Sharp-tailed Sparrow and Short- Eleanor, please drop me a line if you'd like to
meet at the Farmer Boys Restaurant on eared Owl (both rare) will be target participate in any capacity, from being sent out
the S side of the road. Leave from here birds. Eurasian Wigeon, Blue-winged alone to look for target species, to joining a
slow-paced group for a few hours, to helping
at 8:00 a.m.. Bring lunch, warm Teal, California Gnatcatcher, and organize the compilation dinner.
clothing and footwear for possible Bittern expected. Take the 405 Fwy S
mud. Possible entrance fee. Nominal to the 73 Toll Road (free this far) to "Feederwatchers" are also encouraged to
participate.
donation suggested. the Campus Dr. exit, which becomes
Bristol St. Turn right on Irvine Ave., And, if you have a traditional area that you and
drive 1.4 miles, then turn left on a your friends have done before, and that you
small street called University Drive. would like to cover again this year, let me know.
Park at the end, walk down the hill, All ages and abilities are welcome!
over the bridge, and to the end of the
boardwalk. Bring lunch. Scopes Dan Cooper
cell: (323) 397-3562
helpful. Nominal donation suggested email: dan@cooperecological.com
November/December 2008 21
The Best of Costa Rica
Escorted by Olga Clarke
March 6-18, 2009
Olga Clarke
Los Angeles Audubon
Travel Director
2027 El Arbolita Dr.
Glendale, CA 91208-1805
Ph/Fax: 818-249-9511
oclarketravel@earthlink.net
22 Western Tanager
WESTERN TANAGER EDITORS
Linda Oberholtzer is the new Christmas Bird Count for the last Two years ago, a new Layout
editor of the Western Tanager and several years and served as an Editor was needed for the continued
Susan Castor continues in her position assistant field trip leader at the Kern publishing of the Western Tanager
as layout editor. River Valley Spring Festival 2007. newsletter. She stepped into learning
Linda volunteers in the bird-banding about publishing for print as well as
Linda also serves as the Executive program at the Audubon California website authoring.
Secretary on the Los Angeles Starr Ranch Sanctuary.
Audubon Board. She has always She also was the coordinator of
enjoyed writing and has a degree in Susan Castor has been a staff the recent project to digitize 74 years
English with writing emphasis. Linda member of Los Angeles Audubon of Western Tanagers newsletters. The
worked briefly as a journalist and Society since February, 2000. She printed newsletters, first published in
writes freelance non-fiction articles is one of the voices at Audubon the year 1934, have been converted
about bird watching. House answering telephone into fully text searchable, PDF files.
questions and concerns from These files are now available to
She is the co-area leader of the Audubon members, Nature Store members by scheduling computer
Peters Canyon portion of the Sea and customers, and Website users. time with the staff at Audubon House.
Sage Audubon Northeastern Inland
As mentioned in a previous issue, we now have two new types of memberships in Los Angeles Audubon
Society, Inc. Lifetime Memberships for $1,000, and Student Memberships for $10 per year.
At this gift-giving time of year, please consider gifting your favorite students and nature enthusiast with the
GIFT OF MEMBERSHIP IN LOS ANGELES AUDUBON.
Some of the benefits of being a local chapter member in Los Angeles Audubon are the included subscription to
the bi-monthly issue of the Western Tanager, and access to our research and lending library located in the
Los Angeles Audubon Headquarter’s in Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Hollywood, CA 90046.
LOS ANGELES AUDUBON - STUDENT MEMBER FORM
□ This is a Gift Student Membership from: Los Angeles Audubon is a 501 (c) (3) Non-Profit Organization.
Your donation is tax-deductible.
Name(s) ___________________________________ Tel: _____________
Check one:
November/December 2008 23
mONTHLY pROGRAMS
Meet at 7:30 PM in the Community Building in Plummer Park
7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Andrea Jones, Important Bird Areas Program Director for Audubon California presents:
The Important Bird Areas Program and YOU
The Important Bird Areas Program is a global effort to identify and conserve habitat vital
to birds and other biodiversity. This program identifies critical sites that provide essential
habitat for one or more species of bird. In California , such sites must be less than 100,000
acres in size, possess a bird community distinct from the surrounding region, and meet
other criteria. A site’s designation as an Important Bird Area is a powerful distinction which
can be utilized to leverage conservation efforts.
Andrea Jones, Audubon California’s Director of the Important Bird Areas Program, will
speak in depth about the Important Bird Areas program and highlight some of Los Angeles
County’s designated Important Bird Areas as well as other areas in southern California.
Andrea will discuss how Los Angeles Audubon members can get involved with this
program. She will welcome input about conservation concerns and visions for the region, Entrance to Butterbredt Springs by Mary Freeman.
so please bring your ideas!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Kimball Garrett presents:
BUT IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE THE ONE IN THE BOOK!!!
We’ve all been perplexed as to the identity of many birds we see in the field. It should be
easy – just look at the bird and match it with a picture in your field guide! But of course
it doesn’t work that way, and the “match-the-picture” approach to field identification can
sometimes get you in lots of trouble. So why doesn’t the bird we see look “just like the one
in the book”? Is the problem with the bird? With the book? With the birder? Or with the
world in general? Kimball Garrett will explore the art of identifying birds in the field by
examining why birds so rarely look exactly as depicted in field guides. He’s been at it for
over 40 years, mainly here in southern California. When not in the field, he resides with
the bird collections at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County where he has
served as Ornithology Manager since 1982. Garrett is co-author of several bird books,
Juvenile California Gull, Malibu Lagoon by including the recent Birds of the Los Angeles Region, Birds of Southern California: Status
Kimball Garrett
and Distribution, and the Peterson Field Guide to Warblers.